TW - Tradeweb Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

February, 06 2024 07:00 AM Towers Watson & Co.

QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND RAISED BY 11.1% to $0.10 PER SHARE

Tradeweb Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: TW), a leading, global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

$370.0 million quarterly revenues increased 26.3% ( 24.6% on a constant currency basis) compared to prior year period

$1.7 trillion average daily volume (“ADV”) for the quarter, an increase of 56.9% compared to prior year period; quarterly ADV records in fully electronic U.S. High Grade credit, U.S. government bonds, equity convertibles/swaps/options, global repurchase agreements and swaps/swaptions ? 1-year; record 17.2% share of fully electronic U.S. High Grade TRACE

$103.7 million net income and $151.9 million adjusted net income for the quarter, increases of 4.8% and 30.0% respectively from prior year period

53.0% adjusted EBITDA margin and $195.9 million adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, compared to 52.8% and $154.7 million respectively for prior year period

$0.42 diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”) and $0.64 adjusted diluted earnings per share for the quarter

$0.10 per share quarterly cash dividend declared, an 11.1% per share increase from prior year period

Billy Hult, CEO of Tradeweb: "Tradeweb performed exceptionally well operationally and financially in 2023, a year with no shortage of macro challenges. We invested in growing our international footprint across new geographies and expanded our product offerings through two strategic acquisitions, r8fin and Yieldbroker. Keeping with this growth mindset, we announced a series of new or expanded partnerships with FTSE Russell, LSEG Data & Analytics and BlackRock. Capitalizing on organic opportunities, we grew market share across our global businesses and helped clients stay in front of important trends such as multi-asset class and algorithmic trading. In credit, we reached a record 17.2% share of fully electronic U.S. High Grade TRACE in the fourth quarter. Our successes over the past year have led to our 24th consecutive year of revenue growth and profitability, positioning us well for future opportunities. I am proud of what we accomplished in 2023 and pleased with our strong start to 2024."

SELECT FINANCIAL RESULTS

4Q23


4Q22


Change

Constant Currency Change ⁽¹⁾
(dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited)
GAAP Financial Measures
Total revenue
$
370,000

$
293,042


26.3
%

24.6
%
Rates
$
191,743

$
145,314


32.0
%

30.1
%
Credit
$
104,267

$
83,393


25.0
%

23.6
%
Equities
$
26,056

$
23,003


13.3
%

10.7
%
Money Markets
$
16,606

$
13,299


24.9
%

23.8
%
Market Data
$
25,908

$
22,295


16.2
%

15.3
%
Other
$
5,420

$
5,738


(5.5
)%

(5.6
)%
Net income
$
103,741

$
99,002


4.8
%


Net income attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc. ⁽²⁾
$
89,314

$
88,946


0.4
%


Diluted EPS
$
0.42

$
0.42


0.0
%


Net income margin

28.0
%

33.8
%

-575
bps


Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA ⁽¹⁾
$
195,943

$
154,749


26.6
%

27.6
%
Adjusted EBITDA margin ⁽¹⁾

53.0
%

52.8
%

15
bps

122
bps
Adjusted EBIT ⁽¹⁾
$
180,957

$
141,439


27.9
%

29.0
%
Adjusted EBIT margin ⁽¹⁾

48.9
%

48.3
%

64
bps

166
bps
Adjusted Net Income ⁽¹⁾
$
151,937

$
116,875


30.0
%

31.1
%
Adjusted Diluted EPS ⁽¹⁾
$
0.64

$
0.49


30.6
%

30.6
%

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS and constant currency change are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below and the attached schedules for additional information and reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial measures.

(2)

Represents net income less net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

ADV (US ) (Unaudited)
Asset Class
Product

4Q23


4Q22

YoY
Rates
Cash
$
398

$
318

25.1%

Derivatives

690


311

121.8%

Total

1,088


629

72.9%
Credit
Cash

14


10

41.2%

Derivatives

10


11

(13.8)%

Total

24


22

12.0%
Equities
Cash

11


10

15.2%

Derivatives

12


8

63.4%

Total

24


17

36.6%
Money Markets
Cash

541


401

35.1%

Total

541


401

35.1%

Total
$
1,677

$
1,069

56.9%

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS: FOURTH QUARTER 2023

Rates – Revenues of $191.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 32.0% compared to prior year period (increased 30.1% on a constant currency basis). Rates ADV was up 72.9% from prior year period, as heightened interest rate volatility and continued market share gains drove record volume in swaps/swaptions ? 1-year and U.S. government bonds. European government bonds reported a 21.6% ADV increase from prior year period, supported by sustained rates market volatility and wallet share gains across hedge fund clients, while Mortgages ADV was up 20.8% reflecting increased institutional client activity as well as growing adoption of our specified pool trading platform.

Credit – Revenues of $104.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 25.0% compared to prior year period (increased 23.6% on a constant currency basis). Credit ADV was up 12.0% from prior year period, as strong U.S. credit volumes, most notably record ADV in fully electronic U.S. High Grade credit, reflected continued client adoption across Tradeweb protocols, including request-for-quote (RFQ), Tradeweb AllTrade® and portfolio trading. European Credit ADV was up 28.5% from prior year period, driven by strong activity in portfolio trading, sessions-based trading, RFQ, Tradeweb AllTrade and Tradeweb Automated Intelligent Execution (AiEX). Our share of fully electronic TRACE for U.S. High Grade was a record 17.2%, up 284 bps from prior year period, and U.S. High Yield was 6.7%, unchanged from prior year period.

Equities – Revenues of $26.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 13.3% compared to prior year period (increased 10.7% on a constant currency basis). Equities ADV was up 36.6% from prior year period, driven by strong U.S. and European ETF institutional activity.

Money Markets – Revenues of $16.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 24.9% compared to prior year period (increased 23.8% on a constant currency basis). Money Markets ADV was up 35.1% from prior year period, led by record activity in global repurchase agreements and increased client adoption of Tradeweb's electronic trading solutions.

Market Data – Revenues of $25.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 16.2% compared to prior year period (increased 15.3% on a constant currency basis). The increase was derived primarily from increased proprietary third party market data fees and increased LSEG market data fees driven primarily by the amended and restated market data license agreement effective as of November 1, 2023 and increased trade reporting services (APA) revenue.

Other – Revenues of $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 remained relatively flat with a decrease of 5.5% compared to prior year period (decreased 5.6% on a constant currency basis).

Operating Expenses of $228.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 13.3% compared to $201.5 million in the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in headcount and related salaries and benefits as well as increases in incentive compensation expense and commissions tied to our operating performance.

Adjusted Expenses of $189.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 24.7% (increased 20.7% on a constant currency basis) compared to prior year period primarily due to higher expenses related to employee compensation and benefits. Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for additional information.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS: FULL-YEAR 2023

Tradeweb recorded its 24 ^th consecutive year of record revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023, as total revenue increased 12.6% (increased 12.2% on a constant currency basis) to $1.3 billion compared to full year 2022. Revenue was driven by average daily trading volume of more than $1.4 trillion and record activity in each of the following: ADV in U.S. government bonds, European government bonds, swaps/swaptions ? 1-year, fully electronic U.S. High Grade and U.S. High Yield credit, European credit, Chinese bonds, U.S. ETFs, equity convertibles/swaps/options, global repurchase agreements and record share of fully electronic U.S. High Grade and U.S. High Yield TRACE of 15.5% and 6.6%, respectively. Net income increased 16.7% to $419.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $359.6 million in 2022. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 52.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 51.9% in 2022, representing an increase of 49 bps (+100 bps on a constant currency basis). Diluted EPS increased 15.5% to $1.71 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 18.9% to $2.26 for the year ended December 31, 2023.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

January 2024

Completed the acquisition of r8fin, a technology provider that specializes in algorithmic-based execution for U.S. Treasuries and interest rate futures.

Fourth Quarter 2023

Announced a strategic partnership with FTSE Russell to develop the next generation of fixed income index pricing and index trading products.
Introduced the next phase of Tradeweb's previously announced platform integration with BlackRock’s Aladdin order execution management system (OEMS), enabling Aladdin users trading U.S. and European credit access to enhanced liquidity via Tradeweb AllTrade, Tradeweb’s network of anonymous liquidity connecting institutional, wholesale and retail markets.
Signed a new market data license agreement with LSEG Data & Analytics (formerly Refinitiv) to distribute certain Tradeweb market data through LSEG’s Enterprise Data Solutions and Workspace.
Recognized in numerous awards celebrating our company, as well as our outstanding and diverse talent, including: OTC Trading Platform of the Year (Risk Awards); Twenty Most Influential in Trading and Technology - Enrico Bruni (Financial News); U.S. Women in Finance Awards, Rising Star - Caroline Baron (Markets Media); U.S. Women in Finance Awards, Trailblazer - Lisa Schirf (Markets Media); ETF Stream Awards, RFQ Platform of the Year (ETF Stream); New Leaders in Trading Awards, Outstanding Fixed Income Trading Platform (The Trade); Most Disruptive Technology Solution (With Intelligence)

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

$1.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents and an undrawn $500.0 million credit facility at December 31, 2023
In November 2023, Tradeweb entered into a new five-year $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, replacing our prior facility that was scheduled to mature in April 2024
Non-acquisition cash capital expenditures and capitalized software development in the fourth quarter 2023 of $12.2 million and $61.8 million in full-year 2023
Free cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $684.3 million, up 19.5% compared to prior year period. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information
During the year ended December 31, 2023, as part of its share repurchase program, Tradeweb purchased a total of 485,730 shares of Class A common stock, at an average price of $72.48, for purchases totaling $35.2 million. As of December 31, 2023, a total of $239.8 million remained available for repurchase pursuant to the current share repurchase program authorization. There were no shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2023
$2.0 million in shares of Class A common stock were withheld in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $51.5 million in shares of Class A common stock were withheld in the full-year 2023 to satisfy tax obligations related to the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units held by employees
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, a 11.1% per share increase from prior year. The dividend will be payable on March 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2024

OTHER MATTERS

Full-Year 2024 Guidance*

Adjusted Expenses: $755 - 805 million
Acquisition and Refinitiv Transaction related depreciation and amortization expense: $142 million
Assumed non-GAAP tax rate: ~24.5 - 25.5%
Cash costs of non-acquisition capital expenditures and capitalized software development: $75 - 83 million
LSEG Market Data Contract Revenues: ~$80M (~$90M in 2025)

*GAAP operating expenses and tax rate guidance are not provided due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying certain amounts due to a variety of factors including the unpredictability in the movement of foreign currency rates. Expense guidance assumes an average 2024 Sterling/US$ foreign exchange rate of 1.24 and includes completed M&A transactions.

CONFERENCE CALL

Tradeweb Markets will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2023 results starting at 9:30 AM EST today, February 6, 2024. A live, audio webcast of the conference call along with related presentation materials will be available at https://investors.tradeweb.com/events-and-presentations .

To join the call via audio webcast, click here: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/nmw25trc/
To join the call via phone, please register in advance here: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIe0fa0c25d4934e47a992aa38aac17a1a . Registered participants will receive an email confirmation with a unique PIN to access the conference call.

An archived recording of the call will be available afterward at https://investors.tradeweb.com .

ABOUT TRADEWEB MARKETS

Tradeweb Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: TW) is a leading, global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets. Founded in 1996, Tradeweb provides access to markets, data and analytics, electronic trading, straight-through-processing and reporting for more than 50 products to clients in the institutional, wholesale and retail markets. Advanced technologies developed by Tradeweb enhance price discovery, order execution and trade workflows while allowing for greater scale and helping to reduce risks in client trading operations. Tradeweb serves more than 2,500 clients in more than 70 countries. On average, Tradeweb facilitated more than $1.4 trillion in notional value traded per day over the past four fiscal quarters. For more information, please go to www.tradeweb.com .

TRADEWEB MARKETS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


Quarter Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,



2023



2022



2023



2022

Revenues

(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Transaction fees and commissions

$
301,800


$
232,780


$
1,078,344


$
950,269

Subscription fees


47,489



41,585



183,972



165,922

LSEG market data fees


17,821



16,367



64,336



62,721

Other


2,890



2,310



11,567



9,869

Total revenue


370,000



293,042



1,338,219



1,188,781










Expenses








Employee compensation and benefits


125,872



101,820



460,305



432,421

Depreciation and amortization


47,500



44,881



185,350



178,879

Technology and communications


21,505



17,231



77,506



65,857

General and administrative


19,803



21,755



51,495



46,561

Professional fees


10,043



11,932



42,364



37,764

Occupancy


3,647



3,869



15,930



14,726

Total expenses


228,370



201,488



832,950



776,208

Operating income


141,630



91,554



505,269



412,573

Tax receivable agreement liability adjustment


(9,517
)


13,653



(9,517
)


13,653

Net interest income (expense)


20,285



8,400



65,350



11,907

Other income (loss), net


(11,100
)


(1,000
)


(13,122
)


(1,000
)
Income before taxes


141,298



112,607



547,980



437,133

Provision for income taxes


(37,557
)


(13,605
)


(128,477
)


(77,520
)
Net income


103,741



99,002



419,503



359,613

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests


14,427



10,056



54,637



50,275

Net income attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc.

$
89,314


$
88,946


$
364,866


$
309,338










Earnings per share attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc. Class A and B common stockholders:








Basic

$
0.42


$
0.43


$
1.73


$
1.50

Diluted

$
0.42


$
0.42


$
1.71


$
1.48

Weighted average shares outstanding:








Basic


211,843,460



207,978,371



210,796,802



205,576,637

Diluted


213,833,001



210,329,656



212,668,808



208,400,040

TRADEWEB MARKETS INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT Margin

Quarter Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,


2023



2022



2023



2022



(dollars in thousands)
Net income

$
103,741


$
99,002


$
419,503


$
359,613

Merger and acquisition transaction and integration costs ⁽¹⁾


1,631



1,029



8,042



1,069

Net interest (income) expense


(20,285
)


(8,400
)


(65,350
)


(11,907
)
Depreciation and amortization


47,500



44,881



185,350



178,879

Stock-based compensation expense ⁽²⁾


987



6,570



2,947



20,409

Provision for income taxes


37,557



13,605



128,477



77,520

Foreign exchange (gains) / losses ⁽³⁾


4,195



10,715



(47
)


4,409

Tax receivable agreement liability adjustment ⁽⁴⁾


9,517



(13,653
)


9,517



(13,653
)
Other (income) loss, net


11,100



1,000



13,122



1,000

Adjusted EBITDA

$
195,943


$
154,749


$
701,561


$
617,339

Less: Depreciation and amortization


(47,500
)


(44,881
)


(185,350
)


(178,879
)
Add: D&A related to acquisitions and the Refinitiv Transaction ⁽⁵⁾


32,514



31,571



127,731



126,659

Adjusted EBIT

$
180,957


$
141,439


$
643,942


$
565,119

Net income margin ⁽⁶⁾


28.0
%


33.8
%


31.3
%


30.3
%
Adjusted EBITDA margin ⁽⁶⁾


53.0
%


52.8
%


52.4
%


51.9
%
Adjusted EBIT margin ⁽⁶⁾


48.9
%


48.3
%


48.1
%


47.5
%

(1)

Represents incremental direct costs associated with the acquisition and integration of completed and potential mergers and acquisitions. These costs generally include legal, consulting, advisory, due diligence, severance and other third party costs incurred that directly relate to the acquisition transaction or its integration.
(2)

Represents non-cash stock-based compensation expense associated with the Special Option Award and post-IPO options awarded in 2019 and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of such options. During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, this adjustment also includes $5.6 million and $15.0 million, respectively, of non-cash accelerated stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes associated with our retired CEO.
(3)

Represents unrealized gain or loss recognized on foreign currency forward contracts and foreign exchange gain or loss from the revaluation of cash denominated in a different currency than the entity’s functional currency.
(4)

Represents income recognized during the applicable period due to changes in the tax receivable agreement liability recorded in the consolidated statement of financial condition as a result of changes in the mix of earnings, tax legislation and tax rates in various jurisdictions which impacted our tax savings.
(5)

Represents intangible asset and acquired software amortization resulting from acquisitions and intangible asset amortization and increased tangible asset and capitalized software depreciation and amortization resulting from the application of pushdown accounting to the Refinitiv Transaction (where all assets were marked to fair value as of the closing date of the Refinitiv Transaction).
(6)

Net income margin, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBIT margin are defined as net income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT, respectively, divided by revenue for the applicable period.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS

Quarter Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,


2023



2022



2023



2022



(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Earnings per diluted share

$
0.42


$
0.42


$
1.71


$
1.48










Net income attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc.

$
89,314


$
88,946


$
364,866


$
309,338

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests ⁽¹⁾


14,427



10,056



54,637



50,275

Net income


103,741



99,002



419,503



359,613

Provision for income taxes


37,557



13,605



128,477



77,520

Merger and acquisition transaction and integration costs ⁽²⁾


1,631



1,029



8,042



1,069

D&A related to acquisitions and the Refinitiv Transaction ⁽³⁾


32,514



31,571



127,731



126,659

Stock-based compensation expense ⁽⁴⁾


987



6,570



2,947



20,409

Foreign exchange (gains) / losses ⁽⁵⁾


4,195



10,715



(47
)


4,409

Tax receivable agreement liability adjustment ⁽⁶⁾


9,517



(13,653
)


9,517



(13,653
)
Other (income) loss, net


11,100



1,000



13,122



1,000

Adjusted Net Income before income taxes


201,242



149,839



709,292



577,026

Adjusted income taxes ⁽⁷⁾


(49,305
)


(32,964
)


(173,777
)


(126,946
)
Adjusted Net Income

$
151,937


$
116,875


$
535,515


$
450,080

Adjusted Diluted EPS ⁽⁸⁾

$
0.64


$
0.49


$
2.26


$
1.90

(1)

Represents the reallocation of net income attributable to non-controlling interests from the assumed exchange of all outstanding LLC Interests held by non-controlling interests for shares of Class A or Class B common stock.
(2)

Represents incremental direct costs associated with the acquisition and integration of completed and potential mergers and acquisitions. These costs generally include legal, consulting, advisory, due diligence, severance and other third party costs incurred that directly relate to the acquisition transaction or its integration.
(3)

Represents intangible asset and acquired software amortization resulting from acquisitions and intangible asset amortization and increased tangible asset and capitalized software depreciation and amortization resulting from the application of pushdown accounting to the Refinitiv Transaction (where all assets were marked to fair value as of the closing date of the Refinitiv Transaction).
(4)

Represents non-cash stock-based compensation expense associated with the Special Option Award and post-IPO options awarded in 2019 and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of such options. During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, this adjustment also includes $5.6 million and $15.0 million, respectively, of non-cash accelerated stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes associated with our retired CEO.
(5)

Represents unrealized gain or loss recognized on foreign currency forward contracts and foreign exchange gain or loss from the revaluation of cash denominated in a different currency than the entity’s functional currency.
(6)

Represents income recognized during the applicable period due to changes in the tax receivable agreement liability recorded in the consolidated statement of financial condition as a result of changes in the mix of earnings, tax legislation and tax rates in various jurisdictions which impacted our tax savings.
(7)

Represents corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate of 24.5% applied to Adjusted Net Income before income taxes for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 and 22.0% for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.
(8)

For a summary of the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS, see “Reconciliation of Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding to Adjusted Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding and Adjusted Diluted EPS” below.

The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS for the periods presented:

Reconciliation of Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding to Adjusted Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding and Adjusted Diluted EPS

Quarter Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022
Diluted weighted average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding


213,833,001


210,329,656


212,668,808


208,400,040
Weighted average of other participating securities ⁽¹⁾


281,059


382,800


270,249


193,441
Assumed exchange of LLC Interests for shares of Class A or Class B common stock ⁽²⁾


23,079,809


26,347,881


23,902,379


28,830,686
Adjusted diluted weighted average shares outstanding


237,193,869


237,060,337


236,841,436


237,424,167
Adjusted Net Income (in thousands)

$
151,937

$
116,875

$
535,515

$
450,080
Adjusted Diluted EPS

$
0.64

$
0.49

$
2.26

$
1.90

(1)

Represents weighted average unvested restricted stock units and unsettled vested performance-based restricted stock units issued to certain retired or terminated employees that are entitled to non-forfeitable dividend equivalent rights and are considered participating securities prior to being issued and outstanding shares of common stock in accordance with the two-class method used for purposes of calculating earnings per share.

(2)

Assumes the full exchange of the weighted average of all outstanding LLC Interests held by non-controlling interests for shares of Class A or Class B common stock, resulting in the elimination of the non-controlling interests and recognition of the net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

Reconciliation of Operating Expenses to Adjusted Expenses

Quarter Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,


2023



2022



2023



2022



(in thousands)
Operating expenses

$
228,370


$
201,488


$
832,950


$
776,208

Merger and acquisition transaction and integration costs ⁽¹⁾


(1,631
)


(1,029
)


(8,042
)


(1,069
)
D&A related to acquisitions and the Refinitiv Transaction ⁽²⁾


(32,514
)


(31,571
)


(127,731
)


(126,659
)
Stock-based compensation expense ⁽³⁾


(987
)


(6,570
)


(2,947
)


(20,409
)
Foreign exchange gains / (losses) ⁽⁴⁾


(4,195
)


(10,715
)


47



(4,409
)
Adjusted Expenses

$
189,043


$
151,603


$
694,277


$
623,662

(1)

Represents incremental direct costs associated with the acquisition and integration of completed and potential mergers and acquisitions. These costs generally include legal, consulting, advisory, due diligence, severance and other third party costs incurred that directly relate to the acquisition transaction or its integration.
(2)

Represents intangible asset and acquired software amortization resulting from acquisitions and intangible asset amortization and increased tangible asset and capitalized software depreciation and amortization resulting from the application of pushdown accounting to the Refinitiv Transaction (where all assets were marked to fair value as of the closing date of the Refinitiv Transaction).
(3)

Represents non-cash stock-based compensation expense associated with the Special Option Award and post-IPO options awarded in 2019 and payroll taxes associated with the exercise of such options. During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, this adjustment also includes $5.6 million and $15.0 million, respectively, of non-cash accelerated stock-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes associated with our retired CEO.
(4)

Represents unrealized gain or loss recognized on foreign currency forward contracts and foreign exchange gain or loss from the revaluation of cash denominated in a different currency than the entity’s functional currency.



Year Ended December 31,
Reconciliation of Cash Flow from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow


2023



2022


(in thousands)
Cash flow from operating activities

$
746,089


$
632,822

Less: Capitalization of software development costs


(43,235
)


(36,882
)
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements


(18,529
)


(23,214
)
Free Cash Flow

$
684,325


$
572,726

TRADEWEB MARKETS INC.

BASIC AND DILUTED EPS CALCULATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for Tradeweb Markets Inc.:

EPS: Net income attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc.

Quarter Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,


2023



2022



2023



2022



(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Numerator:








Net income attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc.

$
89,314


$
88,946


$
364,866


$
309,338

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested RSUs and unsettled vested PRSUs ⁽¹⁾


(118
)


(163
)


(467
)


(244
)
Net income attributable to outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock - Basic and Diluted

$
89,196


$
88,783


$
364,399


$
309,094










Denominator:








Weighted average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding - Basic


211,843,460



207,978,371



210,796,802



205,576,637

Dilutive effect of PRSUs


691,150



694,635



458,343



770,726

Dilutive effect of options


877,866



1,420,913



1,150,159



1,810,956

Dilutive effect of RSUs


394,812



235,737



257,076



241,721

Dilutive effect of PSUs


25,713



—



6,428



—

Weighted average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding - Diluted


213,833,001



210,329,656



212,668,808



208,400,040










Earnings per share - Basic

$
0.42


$
0.43


$
1.73


$
1.50

Earnings per share - Diluted

$
0.42


$
0.42


$
1.71


$
1.48

(1)

During the quarters ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was a total of 281,059 and 382,800, respectively, and during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was a total of 270,249 and 193,441, respectively, weighted average unvested RSUs and unsettled vested PRSUs that were considered a participating security for purposes of calculating earnings per share in accordance with the two-class method.

TRADEWEB MARKETS INC.
REVENUES BY ASSET CLASS (UNAUDITED)



Quarter Ended

Quarter Ended

Year Ended

Year Ended


December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022
Revenues

Variable

Fixed

Variable

Fixed

Variable

Fixed

Variable

Fixed


(in thousands)
Rates

$
132,248

$
59,495

$
90,384

$
54,930

$
462,132

$
233,302

$
383,780

$
221,626
Credit


96,799


7,468


76,891


6,502


338,981


28,413


305,760


26,043
Equities


23,673


2,383


20,825


2,178


86,003


9,292


84,354


9,120
Money Markets


12,448


4,158


8,867


4,432


45,830


17,180


32,306


17,652
Market Data


108


25,800


—


22,295


268


93,806


—


85,913
Other


—


5,420


—


5,738


—


23,012


—


22,227
Total revenue

$
265,276

$
104,724

$
196,967

$
96,075

$
933,214

$
405,005

$
806,200

$
382,581

TRADEWEB MARKETS INC.
AVERAGE VARIABLE FEES PER MILLION DOLLARS OF VOLUME (UNAUDITED)



Quarter Ended December 31,

YoY


2023

2022

% Change
Rates

$
1.95

$
2.33

(16.2
)%
Rates Cash

$
2.47

$
2.42

1.9
%
Rates Derivatives

$
1.66

$
2.24

(26.0
)%
Rates Derivatives (greater than 1 year)

$
2.36

$
3.31

(28.6
)%
Other Rates Derivatives ⁽¹⁾

$
0.21

$
0.28

(23.9
)%







Credit

$
64.64

$
57.95

11.5
%
Cash Credit ⁽²⁾

$
168.34

$
175.91

(4.3
)%
Credit Derivatives, China Bonds and U.S. Cash “EP”

$
7.90

$
8.45

(6.6
)%







Equities

$
15.97

$
19.18

(16.8
)%
Equities Cash

$
27.92

$
29.60

(5.7
)%
Equities Derivatives

$
5.38

$
6.09

(11.7
)%







Money Markets

$
0.37

$
0.36

2.8
%







Total

$
2.54

$
3.00

(15.3
)%
Total excluding Other Rates Derivatives ⁽³⁾

$
2.91

$
3.31

(12.2
)%

(1)

Includes Swaps/Swaptions of tenor less than 1 year and Rates Futures.
(2)

The “Cash Credit” category represents the “Credit” asset class excluding (1) Credit Derivatives (2) China Bonds and (3) U.S. High Grade and High Yield electronically processed (“EP”) activity.
(3)

Included to contextualize the impact of short-tenored Swaps/Swaptions and Rates Futures on totals for all periods presented.

TRADEWEB MARKETS INC.
AVERAGE DAILY VOLUME (UNAUDITED) ⁽¹⁾



2023 Q4

2022 Q4

YoY
Asset Class
Product

ADV (USD mm)

Volume (USD mm)

ADV (USD mm)

Volume (USD mm)

ADV
Rates
Cash

$
397,987

$
24,713,720

$
318,194

$
19,481,112

25.08
%

U.S. Government Bonds


162,335


10,064,801


126,182


7,697,129

28.65
%

European Government Bonds


40,491


2,550,927


33,305


2,098,195

21.58
%

Mortgages


185,883


11,524,751


153,847


9,384,660

20.82
%

Other Government Bonds


9,278


573,241


4,860


301,128

90.92
%

Derivatives


689,759


43,034,657


311,012


19,271,117

121.78
%

Swaps/Swaptions ? 1Y


462,960


28,881,153


201,759


12,504,981

129.46
%

Swaps/Swaptions < 1Y


223,305


13,936,828


107,597


6,665,075

107.54
%

Futures


3,494


216,676


1,656


101,061

110.94
%

Total


1,087,746


67,748,378


629,206


38,752,229

72.88
%
Credit
Cash


14,292


882,254


10,120


619,806

41.22
%

U.S. High Grade - Fully Electronic


5,133


318,233


3,634


221,647

41.26
%

U.S. High Grade - Electronically Processed


2,500


154,992


2,595


158,294

(3.67
) %

U.S. High Yield - Fully Electronic


642


39,821


581


35,463

10.48
%

U.S. High Yield - Electronically Processed


300


18,620


288


17,543

4.42
%

European Credit


2,044


128,744


1,591


100,203

28.48
%

Municipal Bonds


455


28,182


458


27,962

(0.84
)%

Chinese Bonds


2,984


179,033


863


51,781

245.75
%

Other Credit Bonds


234


14,630


111


6,914

111.49
%

Derivatives


9,864


615,208


11,443


706,958

(13.80
)%

Swaps


9,864


615,208


11,443


706,958

(13.80
)%

Total


24,155


1,497,462


21,563


1,326,763

12.02
%
Equities
Cash


11,054


696,382


9,595


604,516

15.20
%

U.S. ETFs


8,308


523,375


7,314


460,799

13.58
%

European ETFs


2,746


173,007


2,281


143,718

20.38
%

Derivatives


12,481


786,315


7,637


481,130

63.43
%

Convertibles/Swaps/Options


8,503


535,669


4,377


275,727

94.28
%

Futures


3,979


250,646


3,260


205,403

22.03
%

Total


23,535


1,482,697


17,232


1,085,646

36.57
%
Money Markets
Cash


541,403


33,641,288


400,884


24,585,919

35.05
%

Repurchase Agreements (Repo)


524,267


32,578,527


383,070


23,498,024

36.86
%

Other Money Markets


17,136


1,062,761


17,813


1,087,895

(3.81
)%

Total


541,403


33,641,288


400,884


24,585,919

35.05
%















ADV (USD mm)
Volume (USD mm)
ADV (USD mm)
Volume (USD mm)
YoY

Total

$
1,676,839

$
104,369,825

$
1,068,886

$
65,750,558

56.90
%

(1)

Total volume across Rates (Cash and Derivatives), Credit and Money Markets include Australia and New Zealand estimated volumes from the Yieldbroker business that Tradeweb acquired on August 31, 2023.

To access historical traded volumes, go to https://www.tradeweb.com/newsroom/monthly-activity-reports/ .

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Tradeweb Markets Inc. (unless the context otherwise requires, together with its subsidiaries, referred to as “we,” “our,” “Tradeweb,” “Tradeweb Markets” or the “Company”) closed its IPO on April 8, 2019. As a result of certain reorganization transactions (the “Reorganization Transactions”) completed in connection with the IPO, on April 4, 2019, Tradeweb Markets Inc. became a holding company whose only material assets consist of its equity interest in Tradeweb Markets LLC (“TWM LLC”) and related deferred tax assets. As the sole manager of TWM LLC, Tradeweb Markets Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs of TWM LLC and, through TWM LLC and its subsidiaries, conducts its business. As a result of this control, and because Tradeweb Markets Inc. has a substantial financial interest in TWM LLC, Tradeweb Markets Inc. consolidates the financial results of TWM LLC and its subsidiaries.

Numerical figures included in this release have been subject to rounding adjustments and as a result totals may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the amounts that precede them and figures expressed as percentages may not total 100%.

Please refer to the Company's previously filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein.

UNAUDITED INTERIM AND FULL YEAR RESULTS

The interim and full year financial results presented herein for the three months and the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are unaudited.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements related to, among other things, our guidance, including full-year 2024 guidance and full-year 2024 and 2025 revenue guidance related to the LSEG market data license agreement, future performance, the industry and markets in which we operate, our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects and assumptions and future events are forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the documents of Tradeweb Markets Inc. on file with or furnished to the SEC, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future events or performance and future events, our actual results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, and the development of the industry and markets in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. In addition, even if future events, our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity, and events in the industry and markets in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this release, they may not be predictive of events, results or developments in future periods. Any forward-looking statement that we make in this release speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This release contains “non-GAAP financial measures,” including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income per diluted share ("Adjusted Diluted EPS"), Adjusted Expenses, Free Cash Flow and constant currency change, which are supplemental financial measures that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We make use of non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating our past results and future prospects. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they assist investors and analysts in comparing our operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance.

Management and our board of directors use Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT margin to assess our financial performance and believe they are helpful in highlighting trends in our core operating performance, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which we operate and capital investments. Further, our executive incentive compensation is based in part on components of Adjusted EBITDA.

We use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS as supplemental metrics to evaluate our business performance in a way that also considers our ability to generate profit without the impact of certain items. Each of the normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments included in Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS help to provide management with a measure of our operating performance over time by removing items that are not related to day-to-day operations or are non-cash expenses.

We use Adjusted Expenses as a supplemental metric to evaluate our underlying operating performance over time by removing items that are not related to day-to-day operations or are non-cash expenses.

We use Free Cash Flow to assess our liquidity in a way that considers the amount of cash generated from our core operations after non-acquisition related expenditures for capitalized software development costs and furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements.

We present certain changes on a “constant currency” basis. Since our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate non-U.S. dollar revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars. Constant currency change, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as change excluding the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. Constant currency information is calculated by translating the current period and prior period’s results using the annual average exchange rates for the prior period. We use constant currency change as a supplemental metric to evaluate our underlying performance between periods by removing the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. We present certain constant currency change information because we believe it provides investors and analysts a useful comparison of our results and trends between periods. This information should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP.

See the attached schedules for reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release to their most comparable GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider these non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as alternatives to net income attributable to Tradeweb Markets Inc., net income, net income margin, earnings per share, operating income, operating expenses, cash flow from operating activities or any other financial measure prepared or derived in accordance with GAAP. You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment included in the reconciliations. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted EBT, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS, Adjusted Expenses and Free Cash Flow, you should be aware that in the future, we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry or across different industries.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

This release includes estimates regarding market and industry data that we prepared based on our management’s knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate, together with information obtained from various sources, including publicly available information, industry reports and publications, surveys, our clients, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate. In presenting this information, we have made certain assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on such data and other similar sources and on our knowledge of, and our experience to date in, the markets in which we operate. While such information is believed to be reliable for the purposes used herein, no representations are made as to the accuracy or completeness thereof and we take no responsibility for such information.

TRADEWEB SOCIAL MEDIA

Investors and others should note that Tradeweb announces material financial and operational information using its investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Information about Tradeweb, its business and its results of operations may also be announced by posts on the Company’s accounts on the following social media channels: Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). The information that we post through these social media channels may be deemed material. As a result, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in Tradeweb to monitor these social media channels in addition to following our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. These social media channels may be updated from time to time on our investor relations website.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240202926437/en/

Investor Relations
Ashley Serrao + 1 646 430 6027
Ashley.Serrao@Tradeweb.com

Media Relations
Daniel Noonan + 1 646 767 4677
Daniel.Noonan@Tradeweb.com

Company Name:	Towers Watson & Co.
Stock Symbol:	TW
Market:	NASDAQ