GFI Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

GAAP Revenues: $192.2 Million; Non-GAAP Revenues: $197.5 Million; GAAP Net Income: $2.8 Million or $0.02 per Diluted Share; Non-GAAP Net Income: $6.9 Million or $0.06 per Diluted Share; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.05 per Share

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – October 29, 2009) – GFI Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GFIG), a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Highlights

—  Total revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $192.2 million
    compared with $243.1 million in the third quarter of 2008.  In the third
    quarter of 2009, total revenues included a $5.2 million mark-to-market
    unrealized loss on forward hedges of future foreign currency revenues. In
    the third quarter of 2008, total revenues included a $9.6 million pre-tax
    charge related to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers. Excluding these items,
    revenues declined 22% to $197.5 million for the third quarter of 2009
    compared with $252.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 on a non-GAAP
    basis.
   
—  Brokerage revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $184.4 million
    compared with $226.4 million on a GAAP basis and $235.9 million on a non-
    GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2008.
   
—  In the third quarter of 2009, compensation and employee benefits
    expense was 70.3% of total revenues on a GAAP basis and 68.4% on a non-GAAP
    basis, compared with 72.6% of total revenues on a GAAP basis and 62.9% on a
    non-GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2008.
   
—  Non-compensation expenses as a percentage of revenues were 27.4% of
    total revenues on a GAAP basis and 26.0% on a non-GAAP basis in the third
    quarter of 2009 compared with 31.8% of total revenues on a GAAP basis and
    24.6% on a non-GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2008.
   
—  Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $2.8 million, or $0.02
    per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $6.7 million, or ($0.06) per
    diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008, which included a pre-tax
    charge of $20.9 million related to restructuring initiatives.  On a non-
    GAAP basis, net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $6.9 million, or
    $0.06 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $20.0
    million, or $0.17 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008.
   
Michael Gooch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GFI, commented: “Our third quarter revenues were in line with our expectations as we experienced uneventful trading activity compared to the third quarter last year, which was marked by extreme volatility due to the credit crisis.

“Credit product non-GAAP revenues decreased 2% from the third quarter of 2008 and were down 16% sequentially. Within the credit category, our revenues from credit derivatives declined 48% year over year while our revenues from cash fixed income brokerage operations rose 122% from the third quarter of 2008. However, we saw a change in sequential trend in the third quarter with credit derivative revenues rising 2% over the second quarter of 2009 following several quarters of declines.

“Equity product revenues were down 36% year over year and 9% sequentially due to continued depressed share values in Europe and declines in equity trading volumes in both the U.S. and Europe, as equity market volatility was dramatically lower than in the third quarter of 2008.

“Our financial product revenues declined 27% from the third quarter of 2008 but were approximately level with the second quarter of 2009. While revenues from emerging market products and interest rate derivatives were lower year over year, we saw growth in each category sequentially.

“Commodity product revenues decreased 25% from the third quarter of 2008, but rose 2% sequentially. Dry and wet freight shipping derivatives accounted for the majority of the decline in comparison with last year, but after several quarters of weakness, shipping revenues increased 45% sequentially.

“Compensation and employee benefits expense, which is the largest component of our costs, decreased 15% year-over-year on a non-GAAP basis and 8% from the second quarter of 2009, but increased as a percentage of total revenues in comparison to both prior periods on a non-GAAP basis. The increase in compensation expense as a percentage of revenues in the third quarter of 2009 is due to the active restructuring of our business and product focus as we adjust to changing market dynamics, lower revenues in some historically higher margin derivative markets, and amortization of previously paid sign-on and retention bonuses.

“Looking at the fourth quarter of 2009, we currently expect total revenues to decrease by 3% to 7% versus total non-GAAP revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008.”

Mr. Gooch concluded: “Trading volumes continue to be depressed to some degree due to the uncertainty in the banking and regulatory environment. In a recent favorable development, our core businesses are likely to fall into the category of swap execution facilities under proposed U.S. legislation. Companies such as GFI with proven execution, strong market share and sophisticated trading technology should benefit from increased transparency and clearing of standardized derivatives. GFI, through its association with industry trade groups, has been actively engaged in the discussion amongst regulators and legislators in Washington, London and Brussels. We are optimistic in our belief that the regulatory issues that have clouded the prospects of the derivatives market will be largely resolved over the coming months.”

Revenues

For the third quarter of 2009, total revenues were $192.2 million on a GAAP basis and $197.5 million on a non-GAAP basis. This compares with total revenues of $243.1 million on a GAAP basis and $252.7 million on a non-GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2008.

Brokerage revenues in the third quarter of 2009 were $184.4 million compared with $226.4 million on a GAAP basis and $235.9 million on a non-GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2008. Revenues from financial, equity and commodity products decreased 27%, 36% and 25%, respectively, from the third quarter of 2008. Credit product revenues increased 14% on a GAAP basis but declined 2% on a non-GAAP basis from the prior year period. By geographic region, third quarter 2009 GAAP brokerage revenues decreased 13% in the Americas, 21% in EMEA and 28% in Asia-Pacific compared with the third quarter of 2008. EMEA revenues were down 27% on a non-GAAP basis compared with the third quarter 2008.

Revenues from trading software, analytics and market data products for the third quarter of 2009 were $13.6 million, down 3% from the same period of 2008. Included in the 2009 period was an $8.0 million contribution to software revenue from Trayport Limited. Trayport’s software revenues decreased 2% on a reported basis but increased 14% in its functional currency, the British Pound Sterling, compared with the third quarter of 2008.

Expenses

For the third quarter of 2009, compensation and employee benefits expense was $135.1 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis compared with $176.5 million on a GAAP basis and $159.0 million on a non-GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2008. Compensation and employee benefits expense was 70.3% of total revenues on a GAAP basis and 68.4% on a non-GAAP basis in the third quarter of 2009 compared with 72.6% of total revenues on a GAAP basis and 62.9% on a non-GAAP basis, in the third quarter of 2008.

Non-compensation expenses for the third quarter of 2009 on a GAAP basis were $52.7 million or 27.4% of total revenues compared with $77.3 million or 31.8% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2008. On a non-GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were $51.3 million or 26.0% of total revenues compared with $62.3 million or 24.6% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2008.

The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 37.0%, compared to 36.5% for the same period of 2008.

Earnings

Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $2.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $6.7 million, or ($0.06) per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $6.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with net income of $20.0 million or $0.17 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2008.

Nine-Month Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total revenues were $633.1 million and net income was $30.7 million or $0.25 per diluted share, compared with revenues of $819.3 million and net income of $52.9 million or $0.44 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2008. On a non-GAAP basis, total revenues for the first nine months of 2009 were $630.2 million and net income was $34.5 million or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP revenues of $828.9 million and net income of $84.0 million or $0.70 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2008.

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 revenues, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. 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 below.

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.

Set forth below is specific detail regarding items excluded in our non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP to GAAP figures follows this press release.

In the third quarter of 2009, the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP revenues was $5.2 million and the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP net income was $4.1 million and reflected for non-GAAP purposes:

—  The exclusion from revenues of a $5.2 million mark-to-market
    unrealized loss on forward hedges of future foreign currency revenues;
—  The exclusion of $1.4 million of amortization on all acquired
    intangible assets; and
—  The effect of adjusting for these items would increase the Company’s
    income tax expense by $2.4 million.
   
In the first nine months of 2009, the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP revenue was $2.9 million and the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP net income was $3.7 million and reflected for non-GAAP purposes:

—  The exclusion from revenues of:
    —  $2.2 million mark-to-market unrealized gains on forward hedges of
        future foreign currency revenues; and
    —  a $0.7 million gain on the Company’s exchange of its investment in
        The Clearing Corporation for an investment in a holding company of
        ICE Trust;
—  The exclusion of $4.1 million of amortization on all acquired
    intangible assets;
—  The exclusion of $4.6 million related to severance and other
    restructuring initiatives, including an $0.8 million charge relating to
    the termination of a joint venture; and
—  The effect of adjusting for these items would increase the Company’s
    income tax expense by $2.1 million.

In the third quarter of 2008, the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP revenues was $9.6 million and the difference between the GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net income was $26.7 million and reflected for non-GAAP purposes:

—  The exclusion from revenues of a $9.6 million charge for unsettled
    trades directly related to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy;
—  The exclusion of $1.4 million of amortization on all acquired
    intangible assets;
—  The exclusion of $1.8 million in expenses related to discontinued
    merger discussions;
—  The exclusion of items related to the relocation of the Company’s New
    York offices to larger premises completed in the third quarter of 2008,
    including:
    —  $0.8 million of duplicate rent expense; and
    —  $7.8 million of costs related to the abandonment of and move from
        the Company’s previous headquarters;
—  The exclusion of $3.5 million of reduced compensation expenses related
    to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy;
—  The exclusion of $20.9 million related to the Company’s restructuring
    initiatives, including:
    —  $14.5 million for costs related to desk closings and other
        restructuring charges; and
    —  $6.4 million adjustment related to deferred compensation expense;
—  The exclusion of a $3.1 million write-off of an investment in an
    unconsolidated affiliate; and
—  The effect of adjusting for these items would increase the Company’s
    income tax expense by $15.3 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP revenues was $9.6 million and the difference between GAAP and non-GAAP net income was $31.1 million and reflected for non-GAAP purposes:

—  The exclusion from revenues of a $9.6 million charge for unsettled
    trades directly related to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy;
—  The exclusion of $3.9 million of amortization on all acquired
    intangible assets;
—  The exclusion of $1.8 million in expenses related to discontinued
    merger discussions;
—  The exclusion of items related to the relocation of the Company’s New
    York offices to larger premises completed in the third quarter of 2008,
    including:
    —  $2.5 million of duplicate rent expense;
    —  $2.7 million of accelerated depreciation expense related to assets
        to be abandoned; and
    —  $7.8 million of costs related to the abandonment of and move from
        the Company’s previous headquarters;
—  The exclusion of $3.5 million of reduced compensation expenses related
    to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy;
—  The exclusion of $20.9 million related to the Company’s restructuring
    initiatives, including:
    —  $14.5 million for costs relating to desk closings and other
        restructuring charges; and
    —  $6.4 million adjustment related to deferred compensation expense;
—  The exclusion of a $3.1 million write-off of an investment in an
    unconsolidated affiliate; and
—  The effect of adjusting for these items would increase the Company’s
    income tax expense by $17.9 million.

Dividend Declaration

The Board of Directors of GFI Group has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on November 27, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 13, 2009.

Conference Call

GFI has scheduled an investor conference call to discuss the third quarter results at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, October 30. Those wishing to listen to the live conference call via telephone should dial 866-383-8009 in North America, passcode 86671125; and +1 617-597-5342 in Europe, same passcode.

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. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Dublin, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS® Starsupply®, Amerex®, and Trayport®.

Forward-looking statements

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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 ?
                                    
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                      GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
              Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
              (In thousands except share and per share data)

 

                           Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                              September 30,             September 30,
                            2009         2008         2009         2008
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
REVENUES:
  Brokerage revenues:
   Agency commissions   $   119,396  $   182,591  $   366,283  $   613,754
   Principal
    transactions             64,989       43,771      216,770      156,397
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
     Total brokerage
      revenues              184,385      226,362      583,053      770,151
  Software, analytics
   and market data           13,627       14,034       39,698       38,450
  Interest income               172        2,187          895        6,948
  Other income (loss)        (5,938)         555        9,501        3,718
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
   Total revenues           192,246      243,138      633,147      819,267
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

EXPENSES:
  Compensation and
   employee benefits        135,139      176,462      427,262      528,390
  Communications and
   market data               11,661       12,640       34,399       35,565
  Travel and promotion        8,280       11,845       24,310       36,859
  Rent and occupancy          6,008       14,969       16,455       28,342
  Depreciation and
   amortization               7,680        7,192       23,534       23,563
  Professional fees           4,508        7,756       13,728       20,119
  Clearing fees               7,153       12,026       23,366       33,714
  Interest                    2,769        3,508        7,895       10,341
  Other expenses              4,632        7,317       13,407       19,045
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
   Total expenses           187,830      253,715      584,356      735,938
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
 PROVISION FOR
 (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME  ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
 TAXES                        4,416      (10,577)      48,791       83,329
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT
 FROM) INCOME TAXES           1,633       (3,861)      18,052       30,415

                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
NET INCOME (LOSS)       $     2,783  $    (6,716) $    30,739  $    52,914
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

Basic earnings (loss)
 per share              $      0.02  $     (0.06) $      0.26  $      0.45
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
Diluted earnings (loss)
 per share              $      0.02  $     (0.06) $      0.25  $      0.44
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

Weighted average shares
 outstanding – basic    118,062,749  118,039,998  118,117,384  117,812,412

Weighted average shares
 outstanding – diluted  122,552,882  118,039,998  121,382,317  119,382,347

 

                      GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
                Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
                    As a Percentage of Total Revenues

                          Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                            September 30,              September 30,
                           2009         2008         2009         2008
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
REVENUES:
  Brokerage revenues:
   Agency commissions          62.1%        75.1%        57.9%        74.9%
   Principal
    transactions               33.8%        18.0%        34.2%        19.1%
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
     Total brokerage
      revenues                 95.9%        93.1%        92.1%        94.0%
  Software, analytics
   and market data              7.1%         5.8%         6.3%         4.7%
  Interest income               0.1%         0.9%         0.1%         0.8%
  Other income (loss)          -3.1%         0.2%         1.5%         0.5%
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
   Total revenues             100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

EXPENSES:
  Compensation and
   employee benefits           70.3%        72.6%        67.5%        64.5%
  Communications and
   market data                  6.1%         5.2%         5.4%         4.3%
  Travel and promotion          4.3%         4.9%         3.8%         4.5%
  Rent and occupancy            3.1%         6.2%         2.6%         3.5%
  Depreciation and
   amortization                 4.0%         3.0%         3.7%         2.9%
  Professional fees             2.3%         3.2%         2.2%         2.5%
  Clearing fees                 3.7%         4.9%         3.7%         4.1%
  Interest                      1.4%         1.4%         1.2%         1.3%
  Other expenses                2.4%         3.0%         2.1%         2.3%
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
   Total expenses              97.6%       104.4%        92.2%        89.9%
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
 PROVISION FOR
 (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME  ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
  TAXES                         2.4%        -4.4%         7.8%        10.1%
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT
 FROM) INCOME TAXES             0.8%        -1.6%         3.0%         3.7%

                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
NET INCOME (LOSS)               1.6%        -2.8%         4.8%         6.4%
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

 

                      GFI Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
                    Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
                          (Dollars in thousands)

                                 Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                    September 30,         September 30,
                                  2009       2008       2009       2008
                                ———- ———- ———- ———-

Brokerage Revenues by Product
 Categories:
        Credit                  $   68,235 $   60,029 $  223,727 $  246,999
        Financial                   33,166     45,542     97,662    143,884
        Equity                      44,673     69,941    146,920    218,293
        Commodity                   38,311     50,850    114,744    160,975
                                ———- ———- ———- ———-

           Total brokerage
            revenues            $  184,385 $  226,362 $  583,053 $  770,151
                                ========== ========== ========== ==========

Brokerage Revenues by
 Geographic Region:
        Americas                $   74,986 $   86,677 $  253,034 $  297,208
        Europe, Middle East,
         and Africa                 93,406    117,612    282,616    397,467
        Asia-Pacific                15,993     22,073     47,403     75,476
                                ———- ———- ———- ———-

           Total brokerage
            revenues            $  184,385 $  226,362 $  583,053 $  770,151
                                ========== ========== ========== ==========

 

                                September   December
                                    30,        31,
                                   2009       2008
                                ———- ———-

Consolidated Statement of
 Financial Condition Data:
        Cash and cash
         equivalents            $  316,295 $  342,375
        Total assets (1)         1,302,983  1,085,911
        Total debt, including
         current portion           188,557    223,823
        Stockholders’ equity       504,318    476,963

Selected Statistical Data:
        Brokerage personnel
         headcount (2)               1,078      1,037
        Employees                    1,758      1,740
        Broker productivity for
         the period (3)         $      171 $      184

 

(1) Total assets include receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing
    organizations of $403.2 million and $149.7 million at September 30,
    2009 and December 31, 2008, 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. These receivables are substantially offset by
    corresponding payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
    for these unsettled transactions.

(2) Brokerage personnel headcount includes brokers, 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         Nine Months Ended
                              September 30,             September 30,
                            2009         2008         2009         2008
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

GAAP revenues           $   192,246  $   243,138  $   633,147  $   819,267
 Net charge related to
  Lehman unsettled
  trades (a)                      –        9,586            –        9,586
 Gain on exchange of
  cost-method
  investments (a)                 –            –         (697)           –
 Mark-to-market
  (gain)/loss on
  forward hedges
  of future foreign
  currency revenues (a)       5,218            –       (2,202)           –
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
 Total Non-GAAP
  Revenues                  197,464      252,724      630,248      828,853

GAAP expenses               187,830      253,715      584,356      735,938
Non-operating
 adjustments:
 Amortization of
  intangibles                (1,356)      (1,378)      (4,084)      (3,909)
 Discontinued merger
  discussion costs                –       (1,832)           –       (1,832)
 Severance and other
  restructuring                   –      (14,541)      (4,644)     (14,541)
 Adjustment related to
  deferred compensation
  expense                         –       (6,408)           –       (6,408)
 Duplicate rent                   –         (849)           –       (2,547)
 Accelerated
  depreciation on 100
  Wall Street                     –            –            –       (2,730)
 Abandonment of 100
  Wall Street                     –       (7,830)           –       (7,830)
 Reduction in
  compensation related
  to Lehman                       –        3,469            –        3,469
 Write-off investment
  in unconsolidated
  affiliate                       –       (3,071)           –       (3,071)
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
      Total Non-GAAP
       adjustments (a)       (1,356)     (32,440)      (8,728)     (39,399)
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
Non-GAAP operating
 expenses                   186,474      221,275      575,628      696,539

GAAP income (loss)
 before provision             4,416      (10,577)      48,791       83,329
 for income taxes
Sum of Non-GAAP items =
 (a)                          6,574       42,026        5,829       48,985
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
Non-GAAP income before
 tax provision               10,990       31,449       54,620      132,314

GAAP provision for
 (benefit from) income
 taxes                        1,633       (3,861)      18,052       30,415

Income tax impact on
 Non-GAAP items (b)           2,432       15,339        2,116       17,856
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

Non-GAAP provision for
 income taxes                 4,065       11,478       20,168       48,271

GAAP net income (loss)        2,783       (6,716)      30,739       52,914

Sum of Non-GAAP
 adjustments
 [ (a) – (b) ]                4,142       26,687        3,713       31,129
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–
Non-GAAP net income     $     6,925  $    19,971  $    34,452  $    84,043
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

GAAP basic net income
 (loss) per share       $      0.02  $     (0.06) $      0.26  $      0.45
Basic non-operating
 income per share              0.04         0.23         0.03         0.26
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

Non-GAAP basic net
 income per share       $      0.06  $      0.17  $      0.29  $      0.71
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

GAAP diluted net income
 (loss) per share       $      0.02  $     (0.06) $      0.25  $      0.44
Diluted non-operating
 income per share              0.04         0.23         0.03         0.26
                        ———–  ———–  ———–  ———–

Non-GAAP diluted net
 income per share       $      0.06  $      0.17  $      0.28  $      0.70
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

Weighted average
 Non-GAAP shares
 outstanding – basic    118,062,749  118,039,998  118,117,384  117,812,412

Weighted average
 Non-GAAP shares
 outstanding – diluted  122,552,882  118,903,953  121,382,317  119,382,347

Investor Relations Contact:
GFI Group Inc.
Christopher Giancarlo
Executive Vice President – Corporate Development
212-968-2992
Email Contact

Chris Ann Casaburri
Investor Relations Manager
212-968-4167
Email Contact

Comm-Partners LLC
June Filingeri
203-972-0186
Email Contact

Media Contact:
GFI Group Inc.
Patricia Gutierrez
Vice President – Public Relations
212-968-2964
Email Contact

 

GFI Group and Nittan Extend Use of GFI Fenics® FX

Asian broker adds GFI’s Exotics Math, renews agreement

New York, September 16, 2009 – GFI Group (Nasdaq: ‘GFIG’) and Nittan Capital Asia (Nittan), a leading inter-dealer broker specializing in financial derivatives between banks and authorized financial institutions worldwide, have extended their agreement for the use by Nittan of GFI Fenics FX, a pricing and risk management system for foreign exchange options. This extended agreement includes Fenics Exotic Math pricing tool.
Fenics Exotic Math enables Nittan to price a range of exotic option types with confidence by applying math models that are backed up by white papers and widely used in the market.

Denis Cheung, Managing Director at Nittan said, “We have used FENICS since 2006, and have confidence in using FENICS FX as a benchmark for FX options. The Exotic Math offering to our entire brokerage desk will allow us to price up not only Vanilla, but Exotic FX options effectively to our clients.

“We are very happy to prolong our relationship with Nittan” said Elliott Hann, Head of Fenics sales for GFI in the region “their continued use of GFI Fenics FX emphasizes the fact that Fenics FX is recognized as the preferred platform, that brokers and banks alike turn to for fast and accurate price discovery.”

GFI Fenics is licensed to over 350 clients worldwide, financial institutions and corporations, with thousands of users benefiting from its solutions.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (Nasdaq: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.
Fenics Software Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of GFI Group Inc.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul, Cape Town, Calgary, Englewood (NJ), and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,200 institutional clients, including leading banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch™, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex® and Trayport®.

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 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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

 

CBRE & GFI Announce Launch Of New Fund Trading Portal Property Match™

Latest initiative set to stimulate market for unlisted property funds

London, 09 September 2009 – CB Richard Ellis (“CBRE”) and GFI Group ((Nasdaq: “GFIG) today announce the launch of a new screen-based secondary trading portal dedicated to unlisted real estate funds – Property Match.

The objective of the portal is to improve price discovery for buyers and sellers of unlisted funds, thereby enhancing both transparency and liquidity. After its first live trading day on 1st September, the screen saw pricing for more than 15 funds with more than £100 million firm prices.

Commenting on the new platform, Paul Robinson, Executive Director of CBRE Real Estate Finance, said:

“Over the course of the past few years, investors across the globe have had to sit on the sidelines watching the value of their investments erode, inhibited by the closed-ended nature of the vehicle, or by the suspension of redemption windows in otherwise open-ended funds. Throughout this cycle there have been investors willing to accept losses for liquidity and others willing to take on that risk at a price, but the mediums for communicating their interest have proved to be inadequate under the stress.

“As the market moves into a bottoming phase and risk appetite returns, having a pricing window will hasten the recovery process, narrowing bid/offer spreads and ultimately enabling managers to issue new equity. All other markets, whether listed or not, have some form of common pricing portal. Why should property be any different?”

Latest research from Property Fund Research estimates that the unlisted real estate market, predominantly made up of Property Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) and property unit trusts (PUTS), currently comprises £89 billion of assets (gross asset value), approximately half the size of EPRA. Whilst the latter trades more than twice the size of its free float annually, less than 10% of the unlisted sector will trade annually.

Welcoming the launch of Property Match, Phil Clark, Chairman of the Investment Property Forum Indirect Funds Group and European Head of Property Investment at AEGON Asset Management, said:

“This is a very important step for the indirect fund industry towards creating greater transparency and liquidity within the indirect property funds market. I am delighted about CBRE-GFI’s initiative in creating such a beneficial trading portal.”

About CB Richard Ellis

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2008 revenue). The Company has more than 30,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 “best in class” company three years in a row and a Fortune 100 fastest growing company two years in a row. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (Nasdaq: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments. FENICS Software Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of GFI Group Inc.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, and Trayport®.

About the CBRE-GFI partnership

CB Richard Ellis Group has been collaborating with GFI Group over the past five years in the development of a highly successful property derivatives business platform. Both parties believe there to be synergies for the development of this and other areas of the real estate business, with the indirect market being one such example.

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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 Inc. Named Top Credit Derivatives Broker for 2009 Ranked No. 1 in All 14 Credit Derivative Categories by Risk Magazine

GFI Voted the Preferred Credit Derivatives Broker by Dealers

NEW YORK, NY, Sep 08, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — GFI Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GFIG), a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, electronic execution and trading support products for global financial markets, has been ranked the number one credit derivative broker in Risk magazine’s 2009 annual interdealer survey.

In the results, released today, Risk Magazine named GFI as the most preferred inter-dealer broker in all 14 categories of credit derivative products based on GFI’s capability, innovation, service, liquidity and price. Over the past 12 years GFI has been ranked as the leading broker in more categories of credit derivatives than any other inter-dealer broker.

GFI operates a leading global electronic trading platform for credit derivatives “CreditMatch(R)” that displays credit default swaps and bond prices together on the same screen. GFI’s hybrid strategy, where users of CreditMatch(R) can also utilize experienced voice brokers to execute any trade, including large or bespoke orders, opens up more trading opportunities for its customers.

Colin Heffron, President of GFI, said, “We are honoured to know that we continue to enjoy the support of our customers; we strive to provide them with the best service, the most efficient and innovative technology and access to deep liquidity pools.”

GFI has been ranked the number one credit derivative broker in the geographical regions of Americas, Europe and Asia. The 19th Annual Risk Magazine survey was conducted during the month of July, 2009 and received over 1,200 votes from participants in the global wholesale banking market, more votes than in any of its previous editions.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI(TM), GFInet(R), CreditMatch(R), GFI ForexMatch(R), EnergyMatch(R), FENICS(R), Starsupply(R), Amerex(R), and Trayport(R).

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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:

Investor Relations Contact:
GFI Group Inc.
Christopher Giancarlo
Executive Vice President - Corporate Development
212-968-2992
Email Contact

Chris Ann Casaburri
Investor Relations Manager
212-968-4167
Email Contact

Media Contact:
GFI Group Inc.
Patricia Gutierrez
Vice President - Public Relations
Tel: (212) 968 2964
Mob: (646) 717 4379
Email Contact

CAT=GF, IR, CR


SOURCE: GFI Group

GFI Group and Quick Corp. Extend Collaboration Agreement

QUICK offers GFI FX Options market data to its clients

New York, August 31, 2009 -GFI Group Inc. (Nasdaq: “GFIG”) and QUICK Corp. of Japan have extended their long-standing relationship whereby GFI’s FX Options market data is made available to QUICK terminal users in Japan.

GFI FX Options Volatility data licencing and distribution via QUICK terminals is extended for another two years. At the heart of this agreement is a new sales and distribution partnership between GFI and QUICK for application usage. The partnership will enable QUICK’s clients to download GFI data into their own systems, for example their risk management system, and to perform in-depth analysis using GFI’s data outside the desktop terminal for the first time.

Elliott Hann, GFI’s Head of Data Sales in Asia, stated: “We are delighted to have extended our relationship with QUICK that enables their clients in Japan to have access to our high quality price information” and added, “we have seen for some time now an increasing demand globally for GFI’s market data services to be used in off-desktop business areas such as risk management, pricing and valuations The new aspect of this agreement will allow QUICK’s clients in Japan to benefit from this demand”.

Yasunori Hanamiya, Executive General Manager of QUICK Corp. said, “QUICK Corp. is also pleased to enter into a new agreement with GFI, which opens the way for our customers to use GFI market data outside of the QUICK terminal and allow them more flexibility. We believe this will certainly help us to catch up with increasingly diversified requirement of our clients today.

QUICK Corp. is the principal Japanese financial information vendor and a financial information provider in the Nikkei Group. It supplies information to customers in the securities and financial markets. Their service offer includes Japanese, Asian and Global real-time financial information, as well as news and historical information.

The new agreement becomes effective October 1st, 2009.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (Nasdaq: “GFIG”) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments. Fenics Software Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of GFI Group Inc.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch®, GFI ForexMatch®, EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, and Trayport®.

About QUICK Corp.

QUICK Corp. (http://corporate.quick.co.jp) is Japan’s comprehensive information vendor and a financial information provider in the Nikkei Group. It provides trustworthy information from a fair and neutral standpoint to customers. QUICK’s service includes Japanese, Asian and Global real-time financial information, as well as news and historical information. In addition it furnishes a wide range of solutions for financial information that support tasks from analysis, order routing and asset management through to network installation and management. Headquartered in Tokyo, QUICK was founded in 1971 with additional offices in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, New York, London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. QUICK provides services and products. Its brands include QUICK LevelX, QUICK ActiveManager, Astra Manager, and Astra Consultant. All these brands are registered as a trademark.

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 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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
 

Wholesale Markets Brokers’ Association – Americas

Statement on U.S. Treasury Department’s Release of Proposed “Over-The-Counter Derivatives Act of 2009”

The WMBA-Americas welcomes the Treasury Department’s comprehensive plan for a more robust, transparent and sound framework for the regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives markets.  As global wholesale brokers of over-the-counter derivatives, we are encouraged to see that the proposal avoids a “one size fits all” approach and maintains a competitive environment by creating the regulatory classification of Alternative Swap Execution Facilities through which wholesale interdealer brokers with a range of trading facilities will continue to provide swap dealers and other sophisticated market participants with competing execution services.  We stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress to fine tune efforts to improve safety, preserve competition and enhance liquidity in these important markets essential to economic recovery.

Wholesale Markets Brokers’ Association Americas
The Wholesale Markets Brokers’ Association (WMBA Americas) is an independent industry body representing the largest inter-dealer brokers (IDBs) operating in the North American wholesale markets across a broad range of financial products.  Its members include BGC Partners, Inc.; GFI Group, Inc.; ICAP; TFS Tradition Financial Services; and Tullett-Prebon Inc.

 

GFI Group’s Octagon Division Announces Key Hire to Its New York Operation

Former CLSA head of sales trading joins asian equity division

New York August 13, 2009. ? Octagon, a division of GFI Securities LLC*, announced today that it has hired Eddie Bakker as Octagon’s Head of US Equity Sales trading. Mr. Bakker was previously at CLSA./Calyon Securities for six years where he held roles as Head of Sales Trading for the Asia and U.S. Equities.

Michael Conway, Managing Director of the Octagon Division, commented: “We continue to strengthen our U.S presence and are delighted with the addition of Eddie to our team”, and added,”he brings significant experience and client relationships enabling the growth of our franchise”.

GFI Group, through its Octagon divisions, provides global institutional clients with a suite of services for the Asian and North American equity markets from its offices in New York and Hong Kong.

This new addition to the equities team further strengths GFI’s global equity offering, serving clients from New York, London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Paris and Tokyo.

*GFI Securities LLC is a subsidiary of GFI Group (Nasdaq: “GFIG”).

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com 
GFI Group Inc. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments. 
Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Dublin, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet?, CreditMatch? (R), GFI ForexMatch? (R), EnergyMatch?, FENICS?, Starsupply?, Amerex?, and Trayport?.

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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.

GFI Group Sets Up European Special Situations Group

Former JP Morgan team joins to cover EMEA event driven situations

New York July 20, 2009. – GFI Group (Nasdaq: “GFIG”) has created a new European “Special Situations Group” (SSG) to focus on agency execution and trading strategies in the equity markets and the opportunities arising from European M&A, and other relative value situations.  The focus of the group’s work will be on event driven situations that include but are not limited to pre and post announced M&A, spin offs, cross capital  structure, share class, stubs and holding company transactions.

The new team headed by Richard Royden is based in London and includes Bo Nordberg and Dan Oakes.

The combination of GFI Group’s significant position in the single name CDS market  and its strength in the power, energy, freight, property and commodities businesses and SSG’s equity market knowledge and banking relationships creates an opportunity for cross asset class investment analysis as well as impartial and unrestricted M&A and restructuring research. GFI Group provides an agency execution platform for equities, OTC and listed equity derivatives unaffected by the conflicts of interests associated with combining investment banking, corporate advisory, and proprietary trading with an agency broker.

 “The incorporation of this seasoned team led by Richard Royden adds yet more depth to our equities offering” said James Martin, Managing Director London. “Our clients will benefit from research, sales and trading in European event driven situations free from any conflict of interest” he added.

Richard Royden joins from JP Morgan and has 20 years finance experience in equities, derivatives and investment banking that includes running HSBC’s equity derivatives and relative value businesses in New York, and more recently he headed the European merger arbitrage group at UBS as well as co-founded UBS’ Alternative Capital Group in 2006 that provided investment banking coverage for hedge funds.

Dan Oakes joins from JP Morgan with 10 years of finance experience in equities. Dan worked on the Risk Arbitrage and Relative Value desk at Bear Stearns prior to joining JPM.

Bo Nordberg joins from JP Morgan and has 8 years finance experience in equities having been with Deutsche Bank’s Special & Relative Value Situations research desk prior to joining JP Morgan.

The new team which will be working within the Christopher Street Capital group, is an important investment to the Group’s global equities offering serving clients from New York, London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Paris and Tokyo.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com
GFI Group Inc. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.
Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI™, GFInet®, CreditMatch® (R), GFI ForexMatch® (R), EnergyMatch®, FENICS®, Starsupply®, Amerex®, and Trayport®.

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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 ForexMatch® Awarded Best FX Option Trading Platform by Profit and Loss Magazine

GFI FX Options trading platform wins award two years running

New York, June 24th 2009 – Profit & Loss magazine presented its Digital Markets Awards 2009 during a dinner held in New York to celebrate the magazine’s tenth anniversary. The award for Best FX Options Trading Platform was given to GFI Group’s ForexMatch®.

GFI ForexMatch® is GFI’s electronic system for FX option trading. It supports GFI’s hybrid brokerage model, combining traditional voice brokerage services with sophisticated electronic trading technology. GFI ForexMatch® streamlines price discovery, enables FX instruments to be traded online and allows the analysis of market trends with the latest independent prices.

Nick Brown, Managing Director, Head of Financial Brokerage North America said; “We are very happy to accept this award from a leading industry publication; an award that was voted for by our peers” and added “This reflects GFI’s commitment to developing award winning trading platforms across the gamut of our product range.”

ForexMatch® now includes the entire workflow for pricing an interest, requesting prices from the market, trade execution and confirmation. The platform also offers a bi-directional trading API that enables client-side trading applications to get electronic access to live market prices. Clients can therefore link algorithmic or ‘black box’ trading to GFI ForexMatch® which adds liquidity to the market.

GFI ForexMatch® connects directly to FENICS® FX, GFI’s platform for pricing, analysing and managing currency option positions. This allows for a ready-made STP solution through which customers can pass trade details for further analysis, trade confirmation and accounting entries.

GFI’s other trading platforms include CreditMatch®, EnergyMatch® and Trayport®.

This the second consecutive year ForexMatch® received the award for Best FX Trading Platform.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI(TM), GFInet(R), CreditMatch(R), GFI ForexMatch(R), EnergyMatch(R), FENICS(R), Starsupply(R), Amerex(R), and Trayport(R).

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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 Invited by the Japan Securities Clearing Corporation and the Tokyo Stock Exchange to Join OTC Working Group

GFI contributes to the building of OTC Clearing in Japan

New York June 23, 2009. – GFI Group (Nasdaq: “GFIG”) is honoured to have been asked by the Japan Securities Clearing Corporation (JSCC) and Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. (TSE) to join the Working Group set up in May for the design of a central counterparty to clear over-the-counter derivatives.

The JSCC and TSE Working Group, set up in accordance with the report released from the Study Group on post-trade processing of OTC derivatives trades on March 27th, 2009, is comprised of 16 members. GFI Group, through its subsidiary GFI Securities Limited -Tokyo Branch, is the only inter-dealer broker serving in the Working Group. Other members are major Japanese and international banks and securities houses.

The objective of the Group is the creation of a detailed central counterparty functionality for the purpose of launching a clearing service for interest rate swaps (IRS) and credit default swaps (CDS).

The JSCC will develop clearing operations for OTC derivatives trades based on the conclusions of the Working Group.

GFI Group, via GFI Securities Limited Tokyo Branch, operates an interactive electronic trading platform for CDS in Japan- CreditMatch®.

CreditMatch® trades credit derivatives and cash 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 credit brokers from each of these offices.

CreditMatch® displays CDS and bond prices together on the same screen giving users more information about related markets. CreditMatch® offers STP through a real-time API service. These STP solutions improve trade processing efficiency making trading capture faster and more cost effective.

About GFI Group Inc. www.GFIgroup.com

GFI Group Inc. (http://www.GFIgroup.com) is a leading provider of wholesale brokerage, 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 credit, financial, equity and commodity instruments.

Headquartered in New York, GFI was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Santiago, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Calgary, Englewood (NJ) and Sugar Land (TX). GFI provides services and products to over 2,100 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds. Its brands include GFI(TM), GFInet(R), CreditMatch(R), GFI ForexMatch(R), EnergyMatch(R), FENICS(R), Starsupply(R), Amerex(R), and Trayport(R).

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 the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: acquisitions by us of businesses or technologies; 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; and uncertainties relating to litigation. 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