GFI Group Inc. Announces First Quarter 2011 Results; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

— GAAP Net Revenues: $228.9 Million: Non-GAAP Net Revenues $234.1 Million

NEW YORK, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — GFI Group Inc. (NYSE: GFIG), a leading provider of wholesale brokerage services, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets, reported today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Highlights

  • GAAP net revenues were $228.9 million for the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 7.3% from $213.4 million in the first quarter of 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, net revenues increased 9.7% to $234.1 million from $213.4 million in the first quarter of 2010.

  • Brokerage revenues for the first quarter of 2011 rose 6.8% to $218.0 million compared with $204.1 million in the first quarter of 2010.

  • Compensation and employee benefits expense in the first quarter of 2011 was 69.7% and 68.1% of net revenues on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively. This compares with 67.8% of net revenues on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2010.

  • Non-compensation expenses were 25.8% of net revenues on a GAAP basis and 23.2% on a non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2011. This compares with 22.8% of net revenues on a GAAP basis and 22.1% on a non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2010.

  • Net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $6.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with $13.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $13.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011, compared with $14.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010.

Michael Gooch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GFI, commented: “Our revenue growth in the first quarter of 2011 was driven by a more favorable trading environment across all our geographic regions and product areas, especially in emerging markets, and through the addition of Kyte

“Our fixed income product revenues were flat with the first quarter of 2010. Revenues from fixed income derivatives were 2.9% higher than the prior year quarter due, in part, to the strong performance of our CreditMatch® trading platform and the addition of Kyte, while our revenues from cash fixed income products were down 2.5% from the first quarter of 2010.

“Equity product revenues were 1.2% higher than the first quarter of 2010 as improvement in our European and Asia-Pacific equity businesses offset lower revenues in the U.S.

“Emerging markets in the Americas and Asia-Pacific contributed to strong growth in our financial product revenues, which increased 27.3% over the first quarter of 2010. This growth reflected increases across all regions, as well as the contribution from new desks.

“Commodity product revenues rose 6.0% year-over-year, reflecting growth in our existing energy businesses in Europe and the Americas, volatility in the energy markets and the contribution from new desks.

“Compensation and employee benefits expense was up from the first quarter of 2010 but improved, as a percentage of net revenues, when compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. The year-over-year increase reflects our investments in brokerage and technology staff and our Kyte acquisition. Non-compensation expense was higher than the first quarter of 2010, but was also an improvement, as a percentage of net revenues, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

“Looking at the second quarter of 2011 to date, our preliminary brokerage revenues for April, excluding Kyte, are tracking down 19% compared with brokerage revenues for the same month last year. This month-to-date performance in April follows an active March, which was our best month in over two years. We believe our April performance is in line with broader market volumes and volatility levels, and there were an unusually large number of holidays falling within the month.

“Following a strong first quarter and despite a sluggish April, we are encouraged by the increasing usage of GFI’s electronic trading technology and believe that it positions GFI well in the changing financial landscape. We believe that enhanced regulatory transparency, central clearing and efficient execution will benefit and eventually grow global derivative markets, and we remain confident that GFI will qualify in the U.S. as a Swap Execution Facility, and in Europe as an Organized Trading Facility. We expect that our hybrid electronic trading platforms will continue to build upon their past successes, becoming more engrained in customer work-flows and in the framework of the swaps markets.

Mr. Gooch concluded: “We are pleased to declare a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share to our shareholders.”

Revenues

Net revenues were $228.9 million and $234.1 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011, as compared with $213.4 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP net revenue in the first quarter of 2011 excluded $4.4 million in mark-to-market loss on forward hedges of future foreign currency revenues and $0.7 million related to a future purchase commitment.

Brokerage revenues in the first quarter of 2011 were $218.0 million compared with $204.1 million in the first quarter of 2010. Revenues from financial products increased 27.3%, commodity product revenues increased 6.0% and equity product revenues increased 1.2%, while fixed income product revenues were flat, compared with the first quarter of 2010. By geographic region, excluding Kyte, brokerage revenues for the first quarter of 2011 increased 20% in Asia-Pacific and 2% in EMEA, while decreasing 1% in the Americas, compared with the first quarter of 2010.

Revenues from trading software, analytics and market data products for the first quarter of 2011 were $17.1 million, up 14.7% from the first quarter of 2010.

Expenses

For the first quarter of 2011, compensation and employee benefits expense was $159.5 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis. This compares with $144.7 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2010. Compensation and employee benefits expense increased to 69.7% and 68.1% of net revenues on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011 from 67.8% of net revenues on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, in the first quarter of 2010.

On a GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses for the first quarter of 2011 were $59.1 million or 25.8% of net revenues compared with $48.6 million or 22.8% of net revenues in the first quarter of 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses for the first quarter of 2011 were $54.2 million or 23.2% of net revenues, compared with $47.2 million or 22.1% of net revenues in the first quarter of 2010.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2011 was 26.0% on a GAAP basis and 28.5% on a non-GAAP basis, as compared with 33.5% on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2010.

Earnings

Net income on a GAAP basis for the first quarter of 2011 was $6.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with net income of $13.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $13.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with $14.4 million or $0.12 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2010.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement GFI’s unaudited financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures used by GFI include non-GAAP total revenues, non-GAAP net revenues, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA. These non-GAAP financial measures currently exclude amortization of acquired intangibles and certain other items that management views as non-operating or non-recurring from the Company’s statement of income as detailed in the reconciliation included in the financial tables attached to this release.

In addition, GFI may consider whether other significant non-operating or non-recurring items that arise in the future should also be excluded in calculating the non-GAAP financial measures it uses. The non-GAAP financial measures also take into account income tax adjustments with respect to the excluded items.

GFI believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company’s core business, operating results or future outlook. GFI’s management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company’s operating results, as well as when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate comparisons of the Company’s performance to prior periods.

In addition to the reasons stated above, which are generally applicable to each of the items GFI excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude amortization of acquired intangibles because when analyzing the operating performance of an acquired business, GFI’s management focuses on the total return provided by the investment (i.e., operating profit generated from the acquired entity as compared to the purchase price paid) without taking into consideration any charges for allocations made for accounting purposes. Further, because the purchase price for an acquisition necessarily reflects the accounting value assigned to intangible assets, when analyzing the operating performance of an acquisition in subsequent periods, the Company’s management excludes the GAAP impact of acquired intangible assets on its financial results. GFI believes that such an approach is useful in understanding the long-term return provided by an acquisition and that investors benefit from a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the accounting expense associated with acquired intangible assets.

A reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to GAAP amounts is included in the financial tables attached to this release.

Dividend Declaration

The Board of Directors of GFI Group has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on May 31, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 17, 2011.

Conference Call

GFI has scheduled an investor conference call to discuss its first quarter results at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, April 29, 2011. Those wishing to listen to the live conference call via telephone should dial 1-800-860-2442 in North America and +1-412-858-4600 in Europe, and ask for “GFI”.

A live audio web cast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of GFI’s Website. For web cast registration information, please visit: http://www.gfigroup.com. Following the conference call, an archived recording will be available at the same site.

Supplementary Financial Information

GFI Group has posted details of its historical monthly brokerage revenues on the Investor Relations page of its web site under the heading Supplementary Financial Information. The Company currently plans to post this information quarterly in conjunction with its announcement of earnings, but does not undertake a responsibility to continue to provide or update such information.

About GFI Group Inc.

GFI Group Inc. (NYSE: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage services, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data, trading platform and analytics software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of fixed income, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 2,000 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Bogota, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Los Angeles, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI Group Inc. provides services and products to over 2,600 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI(SM), GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, Trayport® and Kyte®.

Forward-looking statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of GFI Group Inc. (the “Company”) and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes; securities prices or demand for the Company’s brokerage services; competition from current and new competitors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly-qualified brokerage personnel; the Company’s ability to identify and develop new products and markets; changes in laws and regulations governing the Company’s business and operations or permissible activities; the Company’s ability to manage its international operations; financial difficulties experienced by the Company’s customers or key participants in the markets in which the Company focuses its brokerage services; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological changes; uncertainties relating to litigation and the Company’s ability to assess and integrate acquisition prospects. Further information about factors that could affect the Company’s financial and other results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

– FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW –

=IR=

GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

 

(In thousands except share and per share data)

 
           
       
   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

       
 

Agency commissions

$ 147,483

 

$ 143,830

 
 

Principal transactions

70,487

 

60,296

 
 

Total brokerage revenues

217,970

 

204,126

 
 

Clearing services revenues

27,670

 

 
 

Interest income from clearing services

342

 

 
 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated brokerage businesses

2,374

 

 
 

Software, analytics and market data

17,088

 

14,900

 
 

Other income/(loss)

(2,546)

 

1,749

 
 

Total revenues

262,898

 

220,775

 
           

Interest and transaction-based expenses

       
 

Transaction fees on clearing services

27,069

 

 
 

Transaction fees on brokerage services

6,605

 

7,424

 
 

Interest expense from clearing services

326

 

 
 

Total interest and transaction-based expenses

34,000

 

7,424

 
 

Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses

228,898

 

213,351

 
           

Expenses

       
 

Compensation and employee benefits

159,481

 

144,663

 
 

Communications and market data

15,071

 

11,886

 
 

Travel and promotion

10,203

 

8,893

 
 

Rent and occupancy

5,873

 

5,431

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

9,874

 

8,184

 
 

Professional fees

7,103

 

6,597

 
 

Interest on borrowings

2,936

 

2,575

 
 

Other expenses

8,081

 

5,008

 
 

Total other expenses

218,622

 

193,237

 
           

Income before provision for income taxes

10,276

 

20,114

 
           

Provision for income taxes

2,672

 

6,738

 
           

Net income before attribution to non-controlling shareholders

7,604

 

13,376

 
           

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

858

 

 

GFI’s net income

$ 6,746

 

$ 13,376

 
           
           

Basic earnings per share

$ 0.06

 

$ 0.11

 

Diluted earnings per share

$ 0.05

 

$ 0.11

 
           

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

119,524,627

 

118,606,954

 
           

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

128,209,107

 

122,861,743

 
           
           
           

GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

 

As a Percentage of Net Revenues

 
           
           
   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

       
 

Agency commissions

64.4%

 

67.4%

 
 

Principal transactions

30.8%

 

28.3%

 
 

Total brokerage revenues

95.2%

 

95.7%

 
 

Clearing services revenues

12.1%

 

 
 

Interest income from clearing services

0.1%

 

 
 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated brokerage businesses

1.0%

 

 
 

Software, analytics and market data

7.5%

 

7.0%

 
 

Other income/(loss)

-1.1%

 

0.8%

 
 

Total revenues

114.8%

 

103.5%

 
           

Interest and transaction-based expenses

       
 

Transaction fees on clearing services

11.8%

 

 
 

Transaction fees on brokerage services

2.9%

 

3.5%

 
 

Interest expense from clearing services

0.1%

 

 
 

Total interest and transaction-based expenses

14.8%

 

3.5%

 
 

Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses

100.0%

 

100.0%

 
           

Expenses

       
 

Compensation and employee benefits

69.7%

 

67.8%

 
 

Communications and market data

6.6%

 

5.6%

 
 

Travel and promotion

4.4%

 

4.2%

 
 

Rent and occupancy

2.6%

 

2.5%

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

4.3%

 

3.8%

 
 

Professional fees

3.1%

 

3.1%

 
 

Interest on borrowings

1.3%

 

1.2%

 
 

Other expenses

3.5%

 

2.4%

 
 

Total other expenses

95.5%

 

90.6%

 
           

Income before provision for income taxes

4.5%

 

9.4%

 
           

Provision for income taxes

1.2%

 

3.1%

 
           

Net income before attribution to non-controlling shareholders

3.3%

 

6.3%

 
           

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

0.4%

 

 

GFI’s net income

2.9%

 

6.3%

 
         

GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Selected Financial Data (unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 
               
               
       

Three Months Ended

 
       

March 31,

 
       

2011

 

2010

 
               

Brokerage Revenues by Product Categories:

       
 

Fixed Income

 

$ 71,507

 

$ 71,484

 
 

Financial

   

48,505

 

38,110

 
 

Equity

   

48,157

 

47,566

 
 

Commodity

   

49,801

 

46,966

 
               
 

Total brokerage revenues

$ 217,970

 

$ 204,126

 
               
               

Brokerage Revenues by Geographic Region:

       
 

Americas

   

$ 77,021

 

$ 77,401

 
 

Europe, Middle East, and Africa

111,892

 

107,877

 
 

Asia-Pacific

   

29,057

 

18,848

 
               
 

Total brokerage revenues

$ 217,970

 

$ 204,126

 
               
               
               
               
       

March 31,

 

December 31,

 
       

2011

 

2010

 
               

Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Data:

       
 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 276,809

 

$ 313,875

 
 

Deposits with clearing organizations

40,633

 

26,845

 
 

Total balance sheet cash on hand

317,442

 

340,720

 
 

Balance sheet cash per share

2.57

 

2.79

 
               
 

Total assets (1)

 

1,427,373

 

1,271,024

 
 

Total debt, including current portion

217,384

 

192,446

 
 

Stockholders’ equity

 

491,655

 

490,711

 
               
               

Selected Statistical Data:

         
 

Brokerage personnel headcount (2)

1,207

 

1,161

 
 

Employees

   

2,059

 

1,990

 
 

Broker productivity for the period (3)

$ 182

 

$ 156

 
               
               
               

(1) Total assets include receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations of $397.1 million and $243.8 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. These receivables primarily represent securities transactions entered into in connection with our matched principal business which have not settled as of their stated settlement dates, as well as balances with clearing organizations. These receivables are substantially offset by corresponding payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations for these unsettled transactions.

 

(2) Brokerage personnel headcount includes brokers, traders, trainees and clerks.

 

(3) Broker productivity is calculated as brokerage revenues divided by average monthly brokerage personnel headcount for the quarter.

 
             

GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

 

(In thousands except share and per share data)

 
         
     
 

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

 
 

2011

 

2010

 
         

GAAP revenues

$ 262,898

 

$ 220,775

 

Mark-to-market loss on forward hedges

       

of future foreign currency revenues

4,440

 

98

 

Fair value mark-to-market on future purchase commitment

731

 

 

Total Non-GAAP revenues

268,069

 

220,873

 
         

GAAP Interest and transaction-based expenses

34,000

 

7,424

 
         

Non-GAAP revenues, net of interest and transaction based expenses

234,069

 

213,449

 
         

GAAP other expenses

218,622

 

193,237

 

Amortization of intangibles

(3,032)

 

(1,397)

 

Accounting impact of increased ownership stake in an investee

(1,863)

 

 

Non-GAAP other expenses

213,727

 

191,840

 
         

Income tax impact on Non-GAAP items

3,125

 

501

 

Non-GAAP provision for income taxes

5,797

 

7,239

 
         

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

858

 

 
         

GFI’s Non-GAAP net income

$ 13,687

 

$ 14,370

 
         

Non-GAAP diluted net income per share

$ 0.11

 

$ 0.12

 
         

Weighted average Non-GAAP shares outstanding – diluted

128,209,107

 

122,861,743

 
       

GFI Group Inc.

             

Adjusted EBITDA

             
               

($ in ‘000’s, except per share amounts)

1Q10

2Q10

3Q10

4Q10

1Q11

Last twelve months (LTM)

 
               

Net Income (loss) per U.S. GAAP before attribution to non-controlling interests

$ 13,376

$ 10,424

$ (2,335)

$ 4,454

$ 7,604

   
               

Plus: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

(151)

(153)

(858)

   

GFI’s Net Income/(Loss)

13,376

10,424

(2,486)

4,301

6,746

   
               

Plus/Less: Extraordinary and other non-recurring

             

(gains) and losses (i.e., non-GAAP adjustments)

1,495

2,195

9,012

746

10,066

   
               

Plus: Interest expense

2,575

2,730

3,204

2,981

3,262

   
               

Less: Interest income

(240)

(77)

(914)

(774)

(690)

   
               

Plus: Income tax expense (benefit)

6,738

3,955

(1,050)

(3,759)

2,672

   
               

Plus: Depreciation and amortization expense (excluding intangibles)

6,787

6,414

6,737

6,678

6,842

   
               

Plus: Amortization of RSU’s

6,784

6,511

6,894

6,485

7,492

   
               

Plus: Amortization of cash sign-on bonuses

5,192

8,344

5,070

5,823

5,998

   
               

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 42,707

$ 40,496

$ 26,467

$ 22,481

$ 42,388

$ 131,832

 
               

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

         

128,209,107

 
               

Adjusted EBITDA per share (pre-tax)

         

$ 1.03

 
             

SOURCE GFI Group Inc.

GFI Group Launches US Coal Desk

To offer US and European cleared coal swaps on Trayport’s® technology

New York, April 20, 2011 – GFI Group Inc. (NYSE: “GFIG”) today announced it has set up a US Coal Desk in its New York office. The new desk will broker US and European centrally-cleared coal swaps for domestic clients using a single screen. Working closely with GFI’s existing coal desk in London, the US desk will add to the already strong position GFI holds in the global coal markets by now offering U.S. clients the possibility to trade US and European centrally-cleared coal swaps using GFI’s Trayport®-powered hybrid trading technology.

Richard Giles, GFI Group Managing Director and Head of Commodities and Energy Brokerage North America said: “We are very excited to be able to respond to our clients’ demand by adding this new desk to our commodities offering worldwide. We are the first to provide US coal traders with one single point for the trading for European and domestic cleared swaps”, and added, “Our clients will have the ability to trade using Trayport’s technology, which integrates GFI’s voice and electronic capabilities.”.

The desk is staffed by three brokers: Geoffrey Puzzi, Larry LaCosta and Nicholas Stefans, who bring to GFI over 35 years of combined experience in the commodities sector, twelve of them in the coal markets. Geoffrey Puzzi started his career at CBOT and NYMEX and worked for MF Global before joining GFI Group. Larry LaCosta is a member of the New York Coal Trade Association and a member of its board of governors. Larry has over 30 years institutional brokering experience and, before joining GFI Group, owned and operated LGL Energy Market Services, LLC, brokering coal and renewable energy credits.  Nicholas Stefans started his career at GFI Group’s London office where he joined the European coal desk.

Trayport is a leading provider of software to the global commodity trading community. It develops, deploys and supports quality, resilient software for trading in any asset class worldwide in cleared or OTC markets.

 

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (NYSE: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data, trading platform and analytics software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of fixed income, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,900 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Bogotá, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Los Angeles, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI Group Inc. provides services and products to over 2,400 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFISM, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, Trayport® and Kyte®.

Forward-looking statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of GFI Group Inc. (the “Company”) and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes; securities prices or demand for the Company’s brokerage services; competition from current and new competitors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly-qualified brokerage personnel; the Company’s ability to identify and develop new products and markets; changes in laws and regulations governing the Company’s business and operations or permissible activities; the Company’s ability to manage its international operations; financial difficulties experienced by the Company’s customers or key participants in the markets in which the Company focuses its brokerage services; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological changes; uncertainties relating to litigation and the Company’s ability to assess and integrate acquisition prospects. Further information about factors that could affect the Company’s financial and other results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For any queries or additional information please contact:

Patricia Gutierrez
Vice President – Public Relations
GFI Group Inc.
55 Water Street, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10041
Tel: (212) 968 2964
Mob: (646) 717 4379


patricia.gutierrez@gfigroup.com

 

 

GFI Group Launches First Electronic Matching of Mexican UDI Interest Rate Swaps

First broker to execute fully electronic trade in Mexican market

New York, April 13, 2011 – GFI Group (NYSE: “GFIG”) a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets announced today it has conducted the first fully electronic Mexican Peso UDI/Libor Interest Rate Swap.

An UDI Swap is an interest rate swap where one leg of the trade is based on a Mexican Peso fixed rate set by reference to the UDI index, which is exchanged for a US Dollar floating interest rate (USD 6 month Libor).The UDI (Unidades de Inversion) is the Mexican inflation unit; published daily, based on the price changes in the Mexican economy set by the Central Bank.

Matching of UDI Interest Rate Swaps follows the success of GFI’s first electronic matching of Mexican TIIE IRS conducted in 2010.

Ron Levi, COO GFI Group said: “Mexico is a very important market for us. We are very pleased to be able to offer our clients in this market choice in their method of execution. The roll out of this new product follows the market’s embracing of our electronic matching sessions in US$ Interest Rate Options, Mexican TIIE IRS and of non deliverable forwards in Chile and Argentina.”

Mr. Levi added: “Technology is an integral component of the GFI hybrid business model where technology and brokers work together to provide clients with top quality service. Our investment in technology since our inception has allowed us to be at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to client demands.”

Matching is a process run on various GFI electronic trading platforms which allows traders to anonymously contribute and trade at mid-market levels on specific contracts during periodic sessions. Sessions are carried out during set times in the day and have short durations, approximately 5 minutes. GFI Matching sessions create concentrated and deep liquidity pools that allow large volume trades to be transacted at mid market levels.

GFI conducts Matching processes for multiple products on all of its electronic trading platforms: CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch® and EnergyMatch®.

CreditMatch® is GFI’s electronic trading platform for fixed income derivatives and bonds. It forms a key part of GFI’s hybrid brokerage model, serving the market from its operations in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong and working alongside GFI’s brokers from each of these offices. CreditMatch® displays fixed income derivative and bond prices together on the same screen.

GFI ForexMatch® is GFI’s electronic system for FX derivatives trading. It supports GFI’s hybrid brokerage model, combining traditional voice brokerage services with sophisticated electronic trading technology. GFI ForexMatch® enhances price discovery and increases efficiency by enabling full electronic trade execution and processing of FX instruments.

EnergyMatch® is the next generation electronic OTC energy marketplace combining the liquidity pools of multiple brokerage firms, electronic trading participants along with multiple clearing options in an open access web based platform. EnergyMatch® brings together buyers and sellers of derivative and physical commodities contracts

 

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (NYSE: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, clearing services, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets. GFI Group Inc. provides brokerage services, market data, trading platform and analytics software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of fixed income, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,900 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Los Angeles, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI Group Inc. provides services and products to over 2,400 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFISM, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, Trayport® and Kyte®.

 

Forward-looking statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of GFI Group Inc. (the “Company”) and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: economic, political and market factors affecting trading volumes; securities prices or demand for the Company’s brokerage services; competition from current and new competitors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, including highly-qualified brokerage personnel; the Company’s ability to identify and develop new products and markets; changes in laws and regulations governing the Company’s business and operations or permissible activities; the Company’s ability to manage its international operations; financial difficulties experienced by the Company’s customers or key participants in the markets in which the Company focuses its brokerage services; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological changes; uncertainties relating to litigation and the Company’s ability to assess and integrate acquisition prospects. Further information about factors that could affect the Company’s financial and other results is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

For any queries or additional information please contact:

 Patricia Gutierrez
Vice President – Public Relations
GFI Group Inc.
55 Water Street, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10041
Tel: (212) 968 2964
Mob: (646) 717 4379
patricia.gutierrez@gfigroup.com