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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-34091

MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

52-2230784

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

55 Hudson Yards, 15th Floor New York, New York

10001

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 813-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.003 par value

 

MKTX

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No

 

As of May 4, 2026, the number of shares of the Registrant’s voting common stock outstanding was 35,539,453.


2

MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

PART I — Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

4

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

5

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

6

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

8

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

10

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

30

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

48

PART II — Other Information

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

49

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

49

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

49

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

50

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

50

Item 5.

Other Information

50

Item 6.

Exhibits

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

2


PART I — Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)

 

 

As of

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

(In thousands, except share
 and per share amounts)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $

 

377,302

 

 

 $

 

519,734

 

Cash segregated under federal regulations

 

 

49,053

 

 

 

 

48,722

 

Investments, at fair value

 

 

170,808

 

 

 

 

170,677

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $752 and $743 as of
    March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively

 

 

128,171

 

 

 

 

100,989

 

Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers, including $75,072
    pledged as collateral as of March 31, 2026

 

 

977,049

 

 

 

 

489,211

 

Goodwill

 

 

283,667

 

 

 

 

283,667

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

 

105,281

 

 

 

 

110,629

 

Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized software, net of
    accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

111,642

 

 

 

 

112,431

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

50,986

 

 

 

 

51,854

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

47,577

 

 

 

 

46,972

 

Total assets

 $

 

2,301,536

 

 

 $

 

1,934,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued employee compensation

 

 

34,738

 

 

 

 

73,879

 

Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers

 

 

696,302

 

 

 

 

325,959

 

Borrowings

 

 

228,250

 

 

 

 

220,000

 

Income and other tax liabilities

 

 

35,503

 

 

 

 

49,267

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

39,115

 

 

 

 

42,584

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

63,711

 

 

 

 

64,938

 

Total liabilities

 $

 

1,097,619

 

 

 $

 

776,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

13,520

 

 

 

 

12,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 4,855,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
    and outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 110,000 shares authorized, no shares
    issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025,
    respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock voting, $0.003 par value, 110,000,000 shares authorized,
    
41,241,180 shares and 41,121,305 shares issued and 35,542,208 shares
    and
35,776,886 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025,
    respectively

 

 

124

 

 

 

 

123

 

Common stock non-voting, $0.003 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no
    shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025,
    respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

365,428

 

 

 

 

305,923

 

Treasury stock – Common stock voting, at cost, 5,698,972 shares
    and
5,344,419 shares as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025,
    respectively

 

 

(752,333

)

 

 

 

(694,764

)

Retained earnings

 

 

1,588,852

 

 

 

 

1,538,746

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

 

(11,674

)

 

 

 

(4,361

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,190,397

 

 

 

 

1,145,667

 

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity

 $

 

2,301,536

 

 

 $

 

1,934,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

2025

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 $

203,471

 

$

181,343

Information services

 

14,445

 

 

12,904

Post-trade services

 

11,607

 

 

11,088

Technology services

 

3,857

 

 

3,241

Total revenues

 

233,380

 

 

208,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

70,195

 

 

61,916

Depreciation and amortization

 

19,210

 

 

18,236

Technology and communications

 

20,360

 

 

18,048

Professional and consulting fees

 

6,376

 

 

6,410

Occupancy

 

3,819

 

 

3,622

Marketing and advertising

 

2,334

 

 

2,061

Clearing costs

 

4,426

 

 

4,185

General and administrative

 

5,739

 

 

5,716

Total expenses

 

132,459

 

 

120,194

Operating income

 

100,921

 

 

88,382

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

4,308

 

 

7,169

Interest expense

 

(2,888)

 

 

(213)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
   affiliate

 

 

 

289

Other, net

 

1,544

 

 

527

Total other income (expense)

 

2,964

 

 

7,772

Income before income taxes

 

103,885

 

 

96,154

Provision for income taxes

 

25,778

 

 

81,089

Net income

 $

78,107

 

$

15,065

Less: income attributable to redeemable
   noncontrolling interest

 

(225)

 

 

Net income available for common
   stockholders

 $

77,882

 

$

15,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 $

2.21

 

$

0.40

Diluted

 $

2.20

 

$

0.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 $

0.78

 

$

0.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

35,301

 

 

37,388

Diluted

 

35,386

 

 

37,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net income

$

 

78,107

 

 

$

 

15,065

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

(7,053

)

 

 

 

11,010

 

Net unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-
   sale, net of tax of $
82 and $(73), respectively

 

 

(260

)

 

 

 

234

 

Comprehensive income

$

 

70,794

 

 

$

 

26,309

 

Less: comprehensive income attributable to
   redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

(164

)

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income available for common
   stockholders

$

 

70,630

 

 

$

 

26,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

5


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Common
Stock
Voting

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Treasury Stock -
Common
Stock
Voting

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Balance at January 1, 2026

 

$

123

 

$

305,923

 

$

(694,764)

 

$

1,538,746

 

$

(4,361)

 

$

1,145,667

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

77,882

 

 

 

 

77,882

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,053)

 

 

(7,053)

Unrealized net gain (loss) on
   securities available-for-sale,
   net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(260)

 

 

(260)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1

 

 

9,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,664

Withholding tax payments on
   Full Value Awards vesting and
   stock option exercises

 

 

 

 

(8,517)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,517)

Reissuance of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

(59)

 

 

849

 

 

 

 

 

 

790

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

 

 

58,418

 

 

(58,418)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividend on common stock
   ($
0.78 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27,776)

 

 

 

 

(27,776)

Balance at March 31, 2026

 

 

124

 

 

365,428

 

 

(752,333)

 

 

1,588,852

 

 

(11,674)

 

 

1,190,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Common
Stock
Voting

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Treasury Stock -
Common
Stock
Voting

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Balance at January 1, 2025

$

123

 

$

350,701

 

$

(333,369)

 

$

1,405,904

 

$

(34,699)

 

$

1,388,660

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,065

 

 

 

 

15,065

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,010

 

 

11,010

Unrealized net gain (loss) on
   securities available-for-sale,
   net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

234

 

 

234

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

7,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,696

Withholding tax payments on
   Full Value Awards vesting and
   stock option exercises

 

 

 

(9,525)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,525)

Reissuance of treasury stock

 

 

 

(164)

 

 

1,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

940

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

(38,077)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(38,077)

Cash dividend on common stock
   ($
0.76 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,690)

 

 

 

 

(28,690)

Balance at March 31, 2025

 

123

 

 

348,708

 

 

(370,342)

 

 

1,392,279

 

 

(23,455)

 

 

1,347,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

7


 

 

MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

78,107

 

 

$

15,065

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

19,210

 

 

 

18,236

 

Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets

 

1,934

 

 

 

1,763

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

9,153

 

 

 

7,333

 

Deferred taxes

 

211

 

 

 

(124

)

Foreign currency transaction losses

 

(1,612

)

 

 

1,691

 

Other

 

4,523

 

 

 

(4,809

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) in accounts receivable

 

(28,800

)

 

 

(16,414

)

(Increase) in receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers

 

(479,333

)

 

 

(129,508

)

(Increase)/decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(2,629

)

 

 

5,570

 

Decrease in mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

740

 

 

 

837

 

(Decrease) in accrued employee compensation

 

(34,854

)

 

 

(34,310

)

Increase in payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers

 

376,039

 

 

 

96,275

 

(Decrease)/increase in income and other tax liabilities

 

(13,968

)

 

 

77,295

 

(Decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(1,749

)

 

 

(7,146

)

(Decrease) in operating lease liabilities

 

(2,301

)

 

 

(2,125

)

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

 

(75,329

)

 

 

29,629

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale investments

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities and sales

 

4,274

 

 

 

5,271

 

Purchases

 

(6,190

)

 

 

(5,458

)

Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

(259

)

 

 

(1,930

)

Capitalization of software development costs

 

(17,089

)

 

 

(15,031

)

Net cash (used in) investing activities

 

(19,264

)

 

 

(17,148

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends on common stock

 

(28,398

)

 

 

(29,464

)

Withholding tax payments on Full Value Awards vesting and stock option exercises

 

(8,517

)

 

 

(9,525

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

 

 

(38,077

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

126,250

 

 

 

 

Repayments of borrowings

 

(118,000

)

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) financing activities

 

(28,665

)

 

 

(77,066

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,357

)

 

 

8,580

 

Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) for the period

 

(127,615

)

 

 

(56,005

)

Beginning of period

 

675,851

 

 

 

700,459

 

End of period

$

548,236

 

 

$

644,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8


 

 

MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid/(refunded) for income taxes

$

35,308

 

 

$

(1,874

)

Cash paid for interest

 

3,050

 

 

 

198

 

Non-cash investing and financing activity

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

 

1,118

 

 

 

92

 

Furniture, equipment, software and leasehold improvement additions
   included in accounts payable

 

513

 

 

 

501

 

Stock-based and accrued incentive compensation relating to capitalized
   software development costs

 

1,985

 

 

 

1,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Principal Business Activity

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “Company” or “MarketAxess”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on April 11, 2000. Through its subsidiaries, MarketAxess operates leading electronic trading platforms delivering expanded liquidity opportunities, improved execution quality and significant cost savings across global fixed-income markets. Approximately 2,100 institutional investor and broker-dealer firms use MarketAxess’ patented trading technology to access global liquidity on its platforms in U.S. high-grade bonds, U.S. high-yield bonds, emerging market debt, eurobonds, municipal bonds, U.S. government bonds and other fixed-income securities. MarketAxess offers a diverse set of trading protocols, automated and algorithmic trading solutions, intelligent data products and a range of post-trade and technology services to provide an end-to-end trading solution to its network of platform participants. Through its Open Trading® protocols, MarketAxess executes bond trades between and among institutional investor and broker-dealer clients in the leading all-to-all anonymous trading environment for corporate bonds.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. The consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2025 has been derived from audited financial statements not included herein. These unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to Form 10-Q and reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are normal and recurring, and that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. In accordance with such rules and regulations, certain disclosures that are normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted. Interim period operating results may not be indicative of the operating results for a full year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company defines cash equivalents as short-term interest-bearing investments with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less.

Investments

The Company determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase which are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition on the trade date. Securities are classified as available-for-sale or trading. Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and realized gains or losses reported in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Trading investments include U.S. Treasuries and are carried at fair value, with realized and unrealized gains or losses included in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company assesses whether an impairment loss on its available-for-sale debt securities has occurred due to declines in fair value or other market conditions. When the amortized cost basis of an available-for-sale debt security exceeds its fair value, the security is deemed to be impaired. The portion of an impairment related to credit losses is determined by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security and is recorded as a charge in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The remainder of an impairment is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss if the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery.

 

10


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” A three-tiered hierarchy for determining fair value has been established that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations. The three levels of inputs are defined as Level 1 (unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets), Level 2 (inputs that are observable in the marketplace other than those inputs classified in Level 1) and Level 3 (inputs that are unobservable in the marketplace). The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of its money market funds, trading securities, available-for-sale securities and foreign currency forward contracts. All other financial instruments are short-term in nature and the carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition approximate fair value.

Receivables from and Payables to Broker-dealers, Clearing Organizations and Customers

Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers include amounts receivable for securities not delivered by the Company to the purchaser by the settlement date (“securities failed-to-deliver”) and cash deposits held at clearing organizations and clearing brokers to facilitate the settlement and clearance of matched principal transactions. Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers include amounts payable for securities not received by the Company from a seller by the settlement date (“securities failed-to-receive”). Securities failed-to-deliver and securities failed-to-receive for transactions executed on a matched principal basis where the Company serves as a counterparty to both the buyer and the seller are recorded on a settlement date basis within receivables from and payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers. The difference between the Company’s trade-date receivables and payables for unsettled matched principal transactions reflects commissions earned and is recorded within accounts receivable, net on a trade date basis.

Allowance for Credit Losses

All accounts receivable have contractual maturities of less than one year and are derived from trading-related fees and commissions and revenues from products and services. The Company continually monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based on the estimated expected credit losses in accounts receivable, as determined from a review of aging schedules, past due balances, historical collection experience and other specific collection issues that have been identified. Account balances are grouped for evaluation based on various risk characteristics, including billing type, legal entity, and geographic region. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are charged to bad debt expense, which is included in general and administrative expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Balances that are determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for credit losses.

The allowance for credit losses was $0.8 million and $0.7 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. The provision for credit losses was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025, respectively. There were no write-offs or other charges against the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2026. Write-offs and other charges against the allowance for credit losses were $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company uses the straight-line method of depreciation over three to seven years. The Company amortizes leasehold improvements on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease.

Software Development Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the development of internal use software, including, among other items, employee compensation and related benefits and third-party consulting costs at the point at which the conceptual formulation, design and testing of possible software project alternatives have been completed. Once the product is ready for its intended use, such costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over three to five years. The Company reviews the amounts capitalized for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable.

11


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

Leases

At lease commencement, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability are recognized for all leases with an initial term in excess of 12 months based on the initial present value of the fixed lease payments over the lease term. The lease right-of-use asset also reflects the present value of any initial direct costs, prepaid lease payments and lease incentives. The Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit discount rate. Therefore, management estimates the Company’s incremental borrowing rate used to discount the lease payments based on the information available at lease commencement. The Company includes the term covered by an option to extend a lease when the option is reasonably certain to be exercised. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and included as a component of occupancy and technology and communications expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Contracts

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using exchange rates at the end of the period; revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly rates. Gains and losses on foreign currency translation are a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Transaction gains and losses are recorded in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge its foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these forward contracts are included in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company records the fair value of the forward contract asset in prepaid expenses and other assets or the fair value of the forward contract liability in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s classification of revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations represents revenues from contracts with customers disaggregated by type of revenue. The Company has four revenue streams as described below.

Commission Revenue The Company charges its broker-dealer clients variable transaction fees for trades executed on its platforms and, under certain plans, distribution fees or monthly minimum fees to use the platforms for a particular product area. Variable transaction fees are recognized on a trade date basis, are generally calculated as a percentage of the notional dollar volume of bonds traded on the platforms and vary based on the type, size, yield and maturity of the bond traded, as well as individual client incentives. Bonds that are more actively traded or that have shorter maturities generally generate lower commissions, while bonds that are less actively traded or that have longer maturities generally command higher commissions. Under the Company’s disclosed trading transaction fee plans, variable transaction fees, distribution fees and unused monthly fee commitments are invoiced and recorded on a monthly basis.

For Open Trading trades that the Company executes between and among institutional investor and broker-dealer clients on a matched principal basis by serving as counterparty to both the buyer and the seller, the Company earns its commission through the difference in price between the two trades. The commission is collected upon settlement of the trade, which typically occurs within one to two trading days after the trade date. For the majority of the Company’s U.S. Treasury matched principal trades, commissions are invoiced and recorded on a monthly basis.

The Company also earns equities and foreign exchange commissions for algorithmic trading services and, following the 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition (as defined below), derivative and exchange-traded-fund (“ETF”) commissions. These fees incorporate variable transaction fees, which are generally calculated as a percentage of the notional dollar volume traded and are billed on a monthly basis.

12


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents commission revenue by fee type:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Commission revenue by fee type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable transaction fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosed trading

$

 

104,724

 

 

$

 

95,455

 

Open Trading – matched principal trading

 

 

49,230

 

 

 

 

43,052

 

U.S. government bonds - matched principal trading

 

 

5,315

 

 

 

 

4,529

 

Other

 

 

10,697

 

 

 

 

4,955

 

Total variable transaction fees

 

 

169,966

 

 

 

 

147,991

 

Distribution fees and unused minimum fees

 

 

33,505

 

 

 

 

33,352

 

Total commissions

$

 

203,471

 

 

$

 

181,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information services – Information services includes data licensed to the Company’s broker-dealer clients, institutional investor clients and data-only subscribers; professional and consulting services; technology software licenses; and maintenance and support services. The nature and timing of each performance obligation may vary as these contracts are either subscription-based services transferred over time, and may be net of volume-based discounts, or one-time services that are transferred at a point in time. Revenues for services transferred over time are recognized ratably over the contract period as the Company’s performance obligation is met, whereas revenues for services transferred at a point in time are recognized in the period the services are provided. Customers are generally billed monthly, quarterly, or annually; revenues billed in advance are deferred and recognized ratably over the contract period. The following table presents information services revenue by timing of recognition:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Information services revenue by timing
   of recognition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services transferred over time

$

 

13,634

 

 

$

 

12,699

 

Services transferred at a point in time

 

 

811

 

 

 

 

205

 

Total information services revenues

$

 

14,445

 

 

$

 

12,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-trade services – Post-trade services revenue is generated from regulatory transaction reporting, trade publication and post-trade matching services. Customers are generally billed monthly in arrears and revenue is recognized in the period transactions are processed. Revenues billed in advance are deferred and recognized ratably over the contract period. The Company also generates one-time implementation fees for onboarding clients, which are invoiced and recognized in the period the implementation is completed. The following table presents post-trade services revenue by timing of recognition:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Post-trade services revenue by timing
   of recognition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services transferred over time

$

 

11,543

 

 

$

 

11,049

 

Services transferred at a point in time

 

 

64

 

 

 

 

39

 

Total post-trade services revenues

$

 

11,607

 

 

$

 

11,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology services – Technology services revenue primarily includes technology-related license and connectivity fees and revenue generated from telecommunications line charges to broker-dealer clients. Customers may be billed monthly or quarterly in arrears or in advance, and revenue is recognized in the period transactions are processed. Revenues billed in advance are deferred and recognized ratably over the contract period.

13


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents technology services revenue by timing of recognition:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Technology services revenue by timing
   of recognition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services transferred over time

$

 

3,602

 

 

$

 

3,062

 

Services transferred at a point in time

 

 

255

 

 

 

 

179

 

Total technology services revenues

$

 

3,857

 

 

$

 

3,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenues that the Company records when cash payments are received or due in advance of services to be performed. Deferred revenues are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The revenue recognized from contract liabilities and the remaining balance is shown below:

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

Revenue billed in advance of services to be performed

 

 

Revenue recognized for services performed during the period

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Information services

 

$

 

3,343

 

 

$

 

3,866

 

 

$

 

(4,197

)

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

3,012

 

Post-trade services

 

 

 

1,376

 

 

 

 

6,596

 

 

 

 

(5,998

)

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

1,950

 

Technology services

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

 

2,046

 

 

 

 

(2,056

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

302

 

Total deferred revenue

 

$

 

5,031

 

 

$

 

12,508

 

 

$

 

(12,251

)

 

$

 

(24

)

 

$

 

5,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The majority of the Company’s information services and post-trade services contracts are short-term in nature with durations of one year or less. For contracts with original durations extending beyond one year, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $32.2 million as of March 31, 2026. The Company expects to recognize revenue associated with the remaining performance obligations over the next 31 months.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards based on their estimated fair values measured as of the grant date. These costs are recognized as an expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the requisite service period, which is typically the vesting period, with an offsetting increase to additional paid-in capital. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized in future years. Tax benefits for uncertain tax positions are recognized when it is more likely than not that the positions will be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All tax effects related to share-based payments are recorded in the provision for income taxes in the periods during which the awards are exercised or vest.

14


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Business combinations are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The total cost of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying net assets based on their respective estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash flows, discount rates, revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, technological obsolescence, contributory asset charges and asset lives. Intangible assets are valued using various methodologies, including the relief-from-royalty method and multi-period excess earnings method.

The Company operates as a single reporting unit. Following an acquisition, goodwill no longer retains its identification with a particular acquisition, but instead becomes identifiable with the entire reporting unit. As a result, all of the fair value of the Company is available to support the value of goodwill. An impairment review of goodwill is performed on an annual basis, at year-end, or more frequently if circumstances change. Intangible assets with definite lives, including purchased technologies, customer relationships and other intangible assets, are amortized over their estimated useful lives which range from one to 15 years using either a straight-line or accelerated amortization method based on the pattern of economic benefit the Company expects to realize from such assets. Intangible assets are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the existence of a possible impairment.

Equity Investments and Consolidation

The Company evaluates equity investments for potential consolidation under the voting-interest or variable-interest models. The Company consolidates investees over which the Company determines it has control under the voting interest model, generally greater than 50% ownership, or for which the Company is the primary beneficiary under the variable-interest model. The Company uses the equity method of accounting when it exercises significant influence over the investee, but does not have operating control, generally between 20% and 50% ownership. Under the equity method of accounting, original investments are recorded at cost in prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and adjusted by the Company’s proportionate share of the investees’ undistributed earnings or losses. Equity investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common stock by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, the weighted-average shares outstanding of common stock reflects the dilutive effect that could occur if convertible securities or other contracts to issue common stock were converted into or exercised for common stock.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The ASU primarily will require enhanced disclosures about certain types of expenses. The amendments in ASU 2024-03 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, and may be applied either on a prospective or retrospective basis. Since this ASU only requires additional disclosures, adoption of this ASU will not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. This ASU eliminates the requirement to consider the project stage of an internal-use software under development while capitalizing its development costs. Instead, under the ASU, companies are required to capitalize internal-use software development costs when management authorizes and commits to fund the software development project, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used as intended. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027 under a prospective, retrospective or a modified approach. Early adoption is permitted. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

15


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

3. Regulatory Capital Requirements

One of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries is registered as a broker-dealer and is subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). These rules contain minimum net capital requirements, as defined in the applicable regulations. Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the U.K. or other foreign regulators and must maintain financial resources, as defined in the applicable regulations, in excess of the applicable financial resources requirement. As of March 31, 2026, each of the Company’s subsidiaries that are subject to these regulations had net capital or financial resources in excess of their minimum requirements. As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s subsidiaries maintained aggregate net capital and financial resources that were $629.7 million in excess of the required levels of $39.8 million.

The Company’s U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary is required to segregate funds in a special reserve bank account for the benefit of customers pursuant to Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. As of March 31, 2026, this U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary had a balance of $49.1 million in its special reserve bank account. The U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary also maintained net capital that was $352.1 million in excess of the required level of $6.5 million.

Each of the Company’s U.S. and foreign regulated subsidiaries are subject to local regulations which generally limit, or require the prior notification to or approval from such regulated entity’s principal regulator before, the repayment of borrowings from the Company or affiliates, paying cash dividends, making loans to the Company or affiliates or otherwise entering into transactions that result in a significant reduction in regulatory net capital or financial resources.

4. Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as categorized based on the hierarchy described in Note 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

$

17,196

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

17,196

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

 

 

 

60,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,063

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

 

 

100,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,019

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

 

 

 

10,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,726

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

319

 

 

 

 

 

 

319

 

Total assets

$

17,196

 

 

$

171,127

 

 

$

 

 

$

188,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward position

 

 

 

 

1,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,580

 

Total liabilities

$

 

 

$

1,580

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

$

23,355

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

23,355

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

 

 

 

58,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,440

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

 

 

100,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,772

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

 

 

 

11,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,465

 

Foreign currency forward position

 

 

 

 

1,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,847

 

Total assets

$

23,355

 

 

$

172,524

 

 

$

 

 

$

195,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Money market funds are included in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Securities available-for-sale and trading securities are included in investments, at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Securities classified within Level 2 were valued using a market approach utilizing prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving comparable assets. The foreign currency forward and interest rate swap contracts are included in either other assets or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, and are classified within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted market prices. The mutual funds held in a rabbi trust represent investments associated with the Company’s deferred cash incentive plan.

During each of the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, there were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

The table below presents the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The carrying values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair value categorized in the fair value hierarchy as Level 1 and Level 2 approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the underlying assets and liabilities.

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not measured at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

360,106

 

 

$

360,106

 

 

$

360,106

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

360,106

 

Cash segregated under federal regulations

 

49,053

 

 

 

49,053

 

 

 

49,053

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,053

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

 

128,171

 

 

 

128,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,171

 

Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing
   organizations and customers

 

977,049

 

 

 

977,049

 

 

 

120,471

 

 

 

856,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

977,049

 

Total assets

$

1,514,379

 

 

$

1,514,379

 

 

$

529,630

 

 

$

984,749

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,514,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables to broker-dealers, clearing
   organizations and customers

$

696,302

 

 

$

696,302

 

 

$

 

 

$

696,302

 

 

$

 

 

$

696,302

 

Borrowings

 

228,250

 

 

 

228,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

228,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

228,250

 

Total liabilities

$

924,552

 

 

$

924,552

 

 

$

 

 

$

924,552

 

 

$

 

 

$

924,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not measured at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

496,379

 

 

$

496,379

 

 

$

496,379

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

496,379

 

Cash segregated under federal regulations

 

48,722

 

 

 

48,722

 

 

 

48,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,722

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

 

100,989

 

 

 

100,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,989

 

Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing
   organizations and customers

 

489,211

 

 

 

489,211

 

 

 

107,223

 

 

 

381,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

489,211

 

Total assets

$

1,135,301

 

 

$

1,135,301

 

 

$

652,324

 

 

$

482,977

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,135,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables to broker-dealers, clearing
   organizations and customers

$

325,959

 

 

$

325,959

 

 

$

 

 

$

325,959

 

 

$

 

 

$

325,959

 

Borrowings

 

220,000

 

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

220,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

220,000

 

Total liabilities

$

545,959

 

 

$

545,959

 

 

$

 

 

$

545,959

 

 

$

 

 

$

545,959

 

 

17


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts as an economic hedge against certain foreign currency transaction gains and losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These forward contracts are for three-month periods and are used to limit exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company also enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to the effect of interest rate changes on its unrealized gains and losses on U.S. Treasury investments. For both foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps, the Company records the fair values of the asset in prepaid expenses and other assets or the fair value of the liability in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The following table summarizes the Company’s foreign currency forward positions and interest rate swaps:

 

As of

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Foreign currency forwards

 

 

 

 

 

Notional value

$

96,317

 

 

$

94,197

 

Fair value of notional

 

94,737

 

 

 

96,044

 

Fair value of the (liability)/asset

$

(1,580

)

 

$

1,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

Notional value

$

100,000

 

 

$

 

Fair value of notional

 

100,319

 

 

 

 

Fair value of the asset/(liability)

$

319

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps are included in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table summarizes the realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Foreign currency forwards

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain/(loss)

$

(3,426

)

 

$

3,556

 

Realized gain/(loss)

 

2,051

 

 

 

(1,693

)

Total gain/(loss)

$

(1,375

)

 

$

1,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain/(loss)

$

319

 

 

$

 

Realized gain/(loss)

 

3

 

 

 

 

Total gain/(loss)

$

322

 

 

$

 

The Company records restricted cash collateral deposits with its counterparty bank in prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As of March 31, 2026, the Company maintained a cash collateral deposit of $1.2 million with its counterparty bank.

18


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s investments:

 

Amortized
cost

 

 

Gross
unrealized gains

 

 

Gross
unrealized losses

 

 

Fair
value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

 

60,076

 

 

 $

 

115

 

 

 $

 

(128

)

 

 $

 

60,063

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

100,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(428

)

 

 

 

100,019

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

 

10,070

 

 

 

 

701

 

 

 

 

(45

)

 

 

 

10,726

 

Total investments

$

 

170,593

 

 

 $

 

816

 

 

 $

 

(601

)

 

 $

 

170,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

 

58,110

 

 

 $

 

333

 

 

 $

 

(3

)

 

 $

 

58,440

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

100,487

 

 

 

 

329

 

 

 

 

(44

)

 

 

 

100,772

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

 

10,563

 

 

 

 

926

 

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

11,465

 

Total investments

$

 

169,160

 

 

 $

 

1,588

 

 

 $

 

(71

)

 

 $

 

170,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of investments during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were $6.2 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Proceeds from the sales and maturities of investments during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were $4.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the Company’s unrealized and realized gains and losses on investments:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Unrealized gains/(losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

 

(343

)

 

$

 

307

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

(761

)

 

 

 

1,066

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

 

(245

)

 

 

 

(493

)

Total investments

$

 

(1,349

)

 

$

 

880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gains/(losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

 

4

 

 

$

 

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds held in rabbi trust

 

 

61

 

 

 

 

47

 

Total investments

$

 

65

 

 

$

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Realized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

19


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s corporate debt and U.S. Treasury investments based upon the contractual maturities:

 

Less than one year

 

 

Due in 1 - 5 years

 

 

Total

 

 

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

14,013

 

 

$

46,050

 

 

$

60,063

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

 

 

100,019

 

 

 

100,019

 

Total

$

14,013

 

 

$

146,069

 

 

$

160,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

8,400

 

 

$

50,040

 

 

$

58,440

 

Trading securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries

 

 

 

 

100,772

 

 

 

100,772

 

Total

$

8,400

 

 

$

150,812

 

 

$

159,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table provides fair values and unrealized losses on the Company’s available-for-sale investments and the aging of securities’ continuous unrealized loss positions:

 

Less than Twelve Months

 

 

Twelve Months or More

 

 

Total

 

 

Fair value

 

 

Gross unrealized losses

 

 

Fair value

 

 

Gross unrealized losses

 

 

Fair value

 

 

Gross unrealized losses

 

 

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

32,202

 

 

$

(128

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

32,202

 

 

$

(128

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

$

3,506

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,506

 

 

$

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

During each of the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company did not recognize any credit losses on its available-for-sale securities. The unrealized losses on securities are due to changes in interest rates and market liquidity.

 

5. Receivables from and Payables to Broker-dealers, Clearing Organizations and Customers

Receivables from and payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers consisted of the following:

 

As of

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers:

 

 

Securities failed-to-deliver – broker-dealers and clearing organizations

$

 

425,549

 

 

$

 

244,405

 

Securities failed-to-deliver – customers

 

 

426,627

 

 

 

 

131,632

 

Cash deposits with clearing organizations and broker-dealers

 

 

120,471

 

 

 

 

107,223

 

Other

 

 

4,402

 

 

 

 

5,951

 

Total

$

 

977,049

 

 

$

 

489,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities failed-to-receive – broker-dealers and clearing organizations

$

 

483,219

 

 

$

 

224,844

 

Securities failed-to-receive – customers

 

 

202,342

 

 

 

 

93,107

 

Other

 

 

10,741

 

 

 

 

8,008

 

Total

$

 

696,302

 

 

$

 

325,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in securities failed-to-deliver – broker-dealers and clearing organizations is $75.1 million pledged as collateral to the Company’s settlement bank to secure an overnight borrowing of $71.3 million under the Company’s uncommitted collateralized facility. Please refer to Note 11, Credit Agreements and Short-term Financing, for further discussion of the Company’s borrowings under its uncommitted collateralized facility.

 

 

6. Acquisitions and Equity Investments

RFQ Hub Holdings LLC Acquisition

In May 2022, the Company acquired a minority ownership stake in RFQ–hub Holdings LLC (“RFQ-hub”), an entity formed with a consortium of market participants to support the growth of a multi-asset request for quote platform. In April 2024, the Company entered into a Unit Purchase Agreement with Virtu Financial Operating LLC and RFQ-hub to purchase a controlling stake of RFQ–hub (the “2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition”). The 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition was completed on May 9, 2025 (the “Acquisition Date”).

Between May 2022 and the Acquisition Date, the Company possessed significant influence over RFQ–hub and accounted for its investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investment was recorded at carrying value within prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and the Company’s proportionate share of RFQ–hub’s net earnings was recorded within equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Following the Acquisition Date, the Company holds a 90.3% controlling stake in RFQ-hub, subject to the call and put rights and incentive agreements described below under “−Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest.” The 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition is being accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition cash consideration totaled $38.1 million.

The Company has performed a valuation analysis of the fair market values of its previously-held interests in RFQ-hub and of the assets and liabilities of RFQ-hub and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. During the third quarter of 2025, the Company made measurement period adjustments to the purchase price and fair values of assets acquired. The following table sets forth the components and the allocation of the purchase price for the business combination and summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Acquisition Date and the purchase price adjustments recorded:

21


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Preliminary

 

 

Purchase Price Adjustments

 

 

Adjusted

 

Previously held interests in RFQ-hub:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying value of previously held interest

 

$

34,878

 

 

$

 

 

$

34,878

 

Fair value of previously held interest on Acquisition Date

 

 

34,321

 

 

 

(455

)

 

 

33,866

 

Loss on remeasurement of previously held interest

 

 

(557

)

 

 

(455

)

 

 

(1,012

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase price allocation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash consideration at closing

 

$

38,069

 

 

$

 

 

$

38,069

 

Fair value of previously held interest on Acquisition Date

 

 

34,321

 

 

 

(455

)

 

 

33,866

 

Fair value of remaining noncontrolling interests on Acquisition Date

 

 

13,755

 

 

 

(3,390

)

 

 

10,365

 

Total purchase price

 

 

86,145

 

 

 

(3,845

)

 

 

82,300

 

Acquired cash

 

 

(1,554

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,554

)

Purchase price, net of acquired cash

 

 

84,591

 

 

 

(3,845

)

 

 

80,746

 

Intangible assets

 

 

(30,300

)

 

 

100

 

 

 

(30,200

)

Accounts receivable

 

 

(4,333

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,333

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(2,466

)

 

 

1,392

 

 

 

(1,074

)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

1,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,822

 

Goodwill

 

$

49,314

 

 

$

(2,353

)

 

$

46,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RFQ-hub’s assets and liabilities were measured at estimated fair values on the Acquisition Date. Estimates of fair value represent management’s best estimate and require significant judgment about future events and uncertainties. Third-party valuation specialists were engaged to assist in the valuation of these assets and liabilities. The redeemable noncontrolling interests were valued using an option pricing model. The acquired developed technology and customer relationships intangible assets were valued using the relief-from-royalty method and multi-period excess earnings method, respectively. Determining the fair value of the developed technology and customer relationships intangible assets required judgment and involved the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions related to discount rates, revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, technological obsolescence, contributory asset charges and asset lives. The fair values of the intangible assets acquired are as follows:

 

 

 

Costs (in thousands)

 

 

Useful Lives

Developed technology

 

$

16,900

 

 

5 years

Customer relationships

 

 

12,600

 

 

15 years

Tradename - finite life

 

 

700

 

 

10 years

Total

 

$

30,200

 

 

 

The goodwill recognized in connection with the 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition is primarily attributable to the acquisition of an assembled workforce and expected future technology and synergies from the integration of the operations of RFQ-hub into the Company’s operations. Approximately $19.5 million of the goodwill recognized in connection with the 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Pro forma financial information and current period results for the 2025 RFQ-hub Acquisition were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and therefore have not been presented.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of RFQ-Hub Holdings LLC (the “RFQ-hub LLC Agreement”) contains a call right under which the Company may, during certain pre-set periods, require the noncontrolling equity holders of RFQ-hub to sell their interest to the Company at the fair market value of RFQ-hub as determined at the time this right is exercised (the “Call Right”). The RFQ-hub LLC Agreement also contains a put right under which the noncontrolling equity holders may, during certain periods after expiration of the availability of the Call Right, require the Company to purchase their interests at the fair market value of RFQ-hub as determined at the time this right is exercised. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is classified as temporary equity on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is recorded at fair value.

22


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

In addition, pursuant to certain incentive agreements, the Company and the noncontrolling equity holders of RFQ-hub may earn additional equity interests in RFQ-hub based on certain performance metrics. The Company records expense for the additional equity interests earned by the noncontrolling equity holders based on the fair market value of these equity units as of the Acquisition Date. The expense recorded by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $0.7 million and is included within other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, with a corresponding increase to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

The following table is a summary of the changes in redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2026:

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance at December 31, 2025

 

$

12,592

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

225

 

Issuance of noncontrolling interests

 

 

703

 

Balance at March 31, 2026

 

$

13,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives were $283.7 million as of each of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025.

Intangible assets with definite lives, including the related accumulated amortization, are comprised of the following:

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated
amortization

 

 

Net carrying
amount

 

 

Cost

 

 

Accumulated
amortization

 

 

Net carrying
amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

$

154,510

 

 

$

(83,003

)

 

$

71,507

 

 

$

155,492

 

 

$

(80,539

)

 

$

74,953

 

Developed technology

 

 

55,970

 

 

 

(23,847

)

 

 

32,123

 

 

 

55,970

 

 

 

(21,984

)

 

 

33,986

 

Other

 

 

2,760

 

 

 

(1,109

)

 

 

1,651

 

 

 

2,760

 

 

 

(1,070

)

 

 

1,690

 

Total

 

$

213,240

 

 

$

(107,959

)

 

$

105,281

 

 

$

214,222

 

 

$

(103,593

)

 

$

110,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense associated with identifiable intangible assets was $5.0 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Annual estimated total amortization expense is $19.7 million, $18.3 million, $16.7 million, $15.7 million and $11.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2026 through 2030, respectively.

23


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

8. Income Taxes

 

 

 

The Company’s provision for income taxes includes U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign taxes. The provision for income taxes was $25.8 million and $81.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate was 24.8% and 84.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on the geographic mix of our earnings, changes in tax legislation and tax rates, changes in unrecognized tax benefits and the amount and timing of excess tax benefits related to stock-based payments, among other factors. The provision for income taxes includes provisions for unrecognized tax benefits of $0.3 million and $56.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $11.2 million.

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax returns. On February 18, 2026, the Company entered into a closing agreement with New York State with regard to its tax liability for the 2015-2023 period. The Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by New York State for years before 2024. The Company is currently under a New York City income tax examination for the tax years 2016 through 2023. Generally, other than the New York City audit, the Company is no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2021.

 

9. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company maintains the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”), which provides for the grant of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance stock units (collectively “Full Value Awards”), stock options and other stock-based awards as incentives to encourage employees, non-employee directors and consultants to participate in the long-term success of the Company. As of March 31, 2026, there were 2,293,272 shares available for grant under the 2020 Plan.

Total stock-based compensation expense was as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees

 

$

8,550

 

 

$

6,822

 

Non-employee directors and consultants

 

 

1,113

 

 

 

874

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

9,663

 

 

$

7,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company records stock-based compensation expense for employees in employee compensation and benefits and for non-employee directors and consultants in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Total stock-based compensation for employees includes $0.5 million and $0.4 million of capitalized software development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company granted (i) 164,837 restricted stock units, (ii) 21,736 stock options and (iii) performance stock units with an expected pay-out at target of 46,568 shares of common stock. The fair values of the restricted stock units and performance stock units were based on a weighted-average fair value per unit at the grant date of $179.42 and $179.36, respectively. The weighted-average fair value for stock options of $51.47 per share was based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

As of March 31, 2026, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested awards was $70.9 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

24


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company maintains the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company issued 5,229 shares of common stock under the ESPP. As of March 31, 2026, there were 92,483 shares available for purchase under the ESPP.

10. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding used to compute earnings per share:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

35,301

 

 

 

 

37,388

 

Dilutive effect of stock options and
   Full Value Awards

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

68

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

35,386

 

 

 

 

37,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 $

 

2.21

 

 

 $

 

0.40

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

2.20

 

 

 

 

0.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options and Full Value Awards totaling 333,488 shares and 312,466 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. The computation of diluted shares can vary among periods due, in part, to the change in the average price of the Company’s common stock.

 

11. Credit Agreement and Short-term Financing

Credit Agreement

On August 9, 2023, the Company entered into a three-year revolving credit facility (the “2023 Credit Agreement”) provided by a syndicate of lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent, which provided for aggregate commitments totaling $750.0 million. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $220.0 million of borrowings and $0.1 million in letters of credit outstanding and $529.9 million in available borrowing capacity under the 2023 Credit Agreement.

On February 4, 2026, the Company entered into an amended and restated three-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) provided by a syndicate of lenders and JPMorgan, as administrative agent, which amends and restates the 2023 Credit Agreement in its entirety. The Credit Agreement provides for aggregate commitments totaling $750.0 million (the “Credit Facility”), consisting of a revolving credit facility, a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-limit for standby letters of credit and a $380.0 million sub-limit for swingline loans. Subject to satisfaction of certain specified conditions, the Company may upsize the Credit Facility by up to $375.0 million in total. The incremental facility is uncommitted, and it is possible that the Company may not be successful in obtaining such commitments from existing or new lenders in the amount desired or at all.

The Credit Agreement amends the 2023 Credit Agreement to, among other things: (1) extend the maturity of the Credit Facility from August 9, 2026 to February 2, 2029, with the Company’s option to request up to two additional 364-day extensions at the discretion of each lender and subject to customary conditions; (2) eliminate the 0.10% credit spread adjustment previously added to the interest rate on Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) based borrowings; and (3) increase the maximum amount of cash that may be netted against debt for purposes of calculating the Company’s Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) from $30.0 million to $200.0 million. The Credit Agreement requires that the Company satisfy certain covenants, including a requirement not to exceed a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio.

 

25


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an alternate base rate or the adjusted term SOFR rate, plus an applicable margin that varies with the Company’s consolidated total leverage ratio. Borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement bore interest on substantially similar terms, except that SOFR-based borrowings included an additional 0.10% credit spread adjustment that was eliminated under the Credit Agreement. The Company repaid $63.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement and incurred $2.7 million of interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and had no repayments and incurred no interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $157.0 million of borrowings and $0.1 million in letters of credit outstanding and $592.9 million in available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement.

Uncommitted Collateralized Agreements

In connection with their self-clearing operations, certain of the Company’s U.S. and U.K. operating subsidiaries maintain agreements with a settlement bank to allow the subsidiaries to borrow in the aggregate of up to $500.0 million on an uncommitted basis, collateralized by eligible securities pledged by the subsidiaries to the settlement bank, subject to certain haircuts. Borrowings under these agreements will bear interest at a base rate per annum equal to 1.00% plus the higher of (i) the upper range of the Federal Funds Rate, (ii) one-month SOFR plus an applicable margin or (iii) 0.25%.

The Company incurred $0.1 million of interest expense on borrowings under such agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and no interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $71.3 million in borrowings outstanding, secured by $75.1 million of receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers pledged to the Company’s settlement bank. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $428.7 million in available uncommitted borrowing capacity under such agreements.

Short-term Financing

Under arrangements with their settlement banks, certain of the Company’s U.S. and U.K. operating subsidiaries may receive overnight financing in the form of bank overdrafts. The Company incurred interest expense on such overnight financing of $0.2 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had no overdrafts payable outstanding.

 

12. Leases

The Company has operating leases for corporate offices with initial lease terms ranging from one year to 15 years. Certain leases contain options to extend the initial term at the Company’s discretion. The Company accounts for the option to extend when it is reasonably certain of being exercised. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants. The Company also has operating leases for equipment with initial lease terms ranging from one year to five years.

The following table presents the components of operating lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Lease cost:

 

Classification

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Operating lease cost - office space

 

Occupancy

 

$

2,852

 

 

$

2,751

 

Operating lease cost - equipment

 

Technology and communications

 

 

98

 

 

 

98

 

Variable lease costs

 

Occupancy

 

 

884

 

 

 

785

 

Total operating lease cost

 

 

 

$

3,834

 

 

$

3,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

 

The Company determines whether an arrangement is, or includes, a lease at contract inception. Lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date and are initially measured based on the present value of lease payments over the defined lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease inception date in determining the present value of lease payments.

The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate are as follows:

 

 

As of

 

Lease Term and Discount Rate

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) - operating leases

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

8.1

 

Weighted average discount rate - operating leases

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

6.1

%

The following table presents the maturity of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2026:

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2026

 

$

9,703

 

2027

 

 

9,996

 

2028

 

 

9,162

 

2029

 

 

9,046

 

2030

 

 

9,039

 

2031 and thereafter

 

 

33,153

 

Total lease payments

 

 

80,099

 

Less: imputed interest

 

 

16,388

 

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

63,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements may be involved in various lawsuits, proceedings and regulatory examinations. The Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings, if any, utilizing the latest information available. For matters where it is probable that the Company will incur a material loss and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company will establish an accrual for the loss. Once established, the accrual will be adjusted to reflect any relevant developments. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual.

Based on currently available information, the outcome of the Company’s outstanding matters is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position. It is not presently possible to determine the ultimate exposure to these matters, and there is no assurance that the resolution of the outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by the Company.

27


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

Other

The Company, through certain of its subsidiaries, executes securities transactions between its institutional investor and broker-dealer clients on a matched principal basis by serving as counterparty to both the buyer and the seller in trades. The Company’s operating subsidiaries settle such transactions pursuant to their self-clearing operations or through the use of third-party clearing brokers or settlement agents. Settlement typically occurs within one to two trading days after the trade date. Cash settlement of the transaction occurs upon receipt or delivery of the underlying instrument that was traded. Under both the self-clearing and the third-party clearing models, the Company may be exposed to credit risk in the event a counterparty does not fulfill its obligation to complete a transaction or if there is an error in executing a matched principal transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the securities clearing agreements, each third-party clearing broker has the right to charge the Company for any losses they suffer resulting from a counterparty’s failure on any of the Company’s trades. The Company did not record any liabilities or losses with regard to counterparty failures for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations, warranties and indemnification provisions. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

14. Share Repurchase Programs

In August 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) authorized a share repurchase program for up to $200.0 million (the “2024 Repurchase Program”). In December 2025, the Board authorized a share repurchase program for up to an additional $400.0 million (the “2025 Repurchase Program” and, together with the 2024 Repurchase Program, the “Repurchase Programs”). The Repurchase Programs do not have an expiration date. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company repurchased 359,782 shares of common stock under the Repurchase Programs at a cost of $60.0 million. Shares repurchased under the Repurchase Programs will be held in treasury for future use.

On December 9, 2025, the Company entered into an accelerated stock repurchase agreement (the “ASR”) with JPMorgan, pursuant to which the Company paid $300.0 million and received an initial delivery of 1,386,001 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Initial ASR Shares”), representing 80% of the value of such payment in shares, calculated based on the closing share price of $173.16 per share on December 9, 2025. Final settlement of the ASR occurred on February 4, 2026 with the delivery of 359,782 additional shares. The average purchase price per share for shares of common stock purchased by the Company pursuant to the ASR was $171.84, which was determined based on the daily volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the term of the ASR, less a discount. The 2024 Repurchase Program was exhausted by the ASR.

As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $205.0 million of remaining capacity under the 2025 Repurchase Program.

 

15. Segment and Geographic Information

The Company’s end-to-end trading solutions comprise one reportable segment. The Company’s end-to-end trading solutions segment includes the operation of electronic platforms for the trading of fixed-income and other securities and related data, analytics, compliance tools, post-trade services and technology services. The Company derives revenue primarily in North America and Europe and manages its business activities on a consolidated basis. The Company considers its operations to constitute a single business segment due to the highly integrated nature of these products and services within the trading lifecycle, the use of a single inter-connected suite of technology solutions underlying all services, the financial markets in which the Company competes and the Company’s worldwide business activities.

The accounting policies of the Company’s reportable segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) assesses performance of the Company overall and decides how to allocate resources based on net income that is reported on the consolidated statement of operations. The measure of segment assets is reported on the consolidated statement of financial condition as total assets. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM uses net income to evaluate income generated from segment assets in deciding whether to reinvest profits into the Company’s end-to-end trading solutions or into other areas, such as for acquisitions or to pay dividends. Net income is used to monitor budget versus actual results. The significant segment expenses and net income reviewed by the CODM conform to the presentation of such items in the consolidated statements of operations.

28


MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the U.K. was the only individual foreign country in which the Company had operations that accounted for 10.0% or more of total revenues or total long-lived assets. Revenues and long-lived assets are attributed to a geographic area based on the location of the client trading activity and receipt of services. Long-lived assets are defined as furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized software. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and long-lived assets as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

$

 

149,749

 

 

$

 

142,660

 

United Kingdom

 

 

52,846

 

 

 

 

42,729

 

Other

 

 

30,785

 

 

 

 

23,187

 

Total

$

 

233,380

 

 

$

 

208,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Long-lived assets, as defined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

$

 

100,207

 

 

$

 

99,849

 

United Kingdom

 

 

9,595

 

 

 

 

10,740

 

Other

 

 

1,840

 

 

 

 

1,842

 

Total

$

 

111,642

 

 

$

 

112,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents together with restricted or segregated cash as reported within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition to the sum of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

Statement of Financial Condition Location

 

March 31, 2026

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

377,302

 

 

$

519,734

 

Cash segregated for regulatory
   purposes

Cash segregated under federal
   regulations

 

 

49,053

 

 

 

48,722

 

Restricted cash deposits with clearing
   organizations and broker-dealers

Receivables from broker-dealers,
   clearing organizations and customers

 

 

120,471

 

 

 

107,223

 

Other restricted cash deposits

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

1,410

 

 

 

172

 

Total

 

 

$

548,236

 

 

$

675,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29


 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will,” “could,” “may,” or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations may change prior to the end of each quarter or the year. Although these expectations may change, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this report, except to the extent required by applicable law. Our Company’s policy is generally to provide our expectations only once per quarter, and not to update that information until the next quarter. Actual future events or results may differ, perhaps materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in the section captioned Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Executive Overview

MarketAxess operates leading electronic trading platforms delivering greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to approximately 2,100 institutional investor and broker-dealer clients across the global fixed-income and other markets. We have built a differentiated market position through our integrated approach to electronic trading, combining diverse trading protocols, automated and algorithmic execution solutions, intelligent data products and analytics and comprehensive post-trade and technology services. The fixed-income markets we focus on remain significantly less electronified than other asset classes, creating significant opportunities for continued growth.

We believe our scale, network effects, and product innovation uniquely position us to capture increased trading volumes as the market continues its transition from voice to electronic trading. At the center of our offerings is Open Trading®, our award winning all-to-all marketplace, which creates a unique, anonymous liquidity pool that connects market participants across a broad range of fixed-income products. By expanding the number of potential trading counterparties, we believe that Open Trading facilitates price discovery, improves execution quality, and reduces transaction costs for market participants. Institutional investors can also send trading inquiries directly to broker-dealer counterparties on a disclosed basis, while simultaneously accessing the rest of the market on an anonymous basis through Open Trading.

We continue to invest in technology innovation. Our next-generation trading platform, MarketAxess X-Pro (“X-Pro”), provides access to multiple trading protocols and workflow tools and integrates our suite of proprietary pre- and post-trade data and analytics tools, powered by our AI-driven pricing engine, CP+, to deliver a seamless user experience. Our automated execution protocols enable clients to pre-define trading parameters and leverage automation to execute transactions seamlessly and efficiently, reducing manual intervention and allowing traders to focus on higher-value opportunities.

We derive revenue from commissions for transactions executed on our platforms, information services, post-trade services and technology services. Our expenses consist of employee compensation and benefits, depreciation and amortization, technology and communication expenses, professional and consulting fees, occupancy, marketing and advertising, clearing costs and general and administrative expenses.

Our objective is to create, maintain and expand the leading global electronic network for the trading of fixed-income securities that enables institutional investors, broker-dealers and other market participants to connect, operate more efficiently and achieve better trading outcomes. We seek to achieve this goal by offering our clients full end-to-end electronic trading solutions and workflow tools, powered by a broad array of proprietary data and analytical tools. The key elements of our strategy are discussed in Part I, Item 1. “Business – Our Strategy” of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

 

30


 

 

Critical Factors Affecting Our Industry and Our Company

Economic, Political and Market Factors

The global fixed-income securities industry is risky and volatile and is directly affected by a number of economic, political and market factors that may impact trading volume. These factors could have a material adverse or positive effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These factors include, among others, fixed-income market conditions, the current interest rate environment, including the volatility of interest rates and investors’ forecasts of future interest rates, the duration of U.S high grade bonds traded, economic and political conditions in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, including recent and potential future changes in tariffs, international trade agreements or trade policies, and the consolidation or contraction of our broker-dealer and institutional investor clients. In the first three months of 2026, the market backdrop for the Company reflected increases in estimated market volumes in most of the Company’s key markets compared to the prior year, due, in part, to increased levels of event-driven volatility.

Because the majority of our assets are short-term in nature, they are not significantly affected by inflation. However, the rate of inflation impacts our expenses, such as employee compensation, technology and communications expenses, which may not be readily recoverable in the prices of our services. To the extent inflation has other adverse effects on the securities markets or the economy, our financial position and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We expect that current cash and investment balances, in combination with cash flows that are generated from operations and the ability to borrow under our Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs and planned capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. We ended the quarter with $592.9 million in available borrowing capacity under our Credit Agreement and capital significantly in excess of our regulatory requirements.

Competitive Landscape

The global fixed-income securities industry generally, and the electronic financial services markets in which we engage, in particular, are highly competitive, and we expect competition to intensify in the future. Sources of competition for us will continue to include, among others, bond trading conducted directly between broker-dealers and their institutional investor clients over the telephone or electronically and other multi-dealer or all-to-all trading platforms. Competitors, including companies in which some of our broker-dealer clients have invested, have developed or acquired electronic trading platforms or have announced their intention to explore the development of electronic platforms or information networks that may compete with us.

We primarily compete on the basis of our client network, the liquidity provided by our dealer, and, to a lesser extent, institutional investor clients, the total transaction costs and fees associated with our services, the breadth of products, protocols and services offered, as well as the quality, reliability, security and ease of use of our platforms. We believe that our ability to grow volumes and revenues will largely depend on our performance with respect to these factors.

There has been increased demand for portfolio trading workflows over the last few years, which has resulted in heightened competition among trading platforms to enhance their portfolio trading offerings and expand them across different geographies and products. Certain clients have been increasingly using portfolio trading workflows in lieu of more established trading protocols designed to generate price competition on individual bonds. Our dealer clients have also increased their usage of matching sessions offered by competing platforms in recent periods. To the extent that our clients increase their use of portfolio trading and matching session protocols offered by other platforms, our market share could decrease. Due to the large size of the trades and the concentration of activity at the end of the month, portfolio trading can drive significant swings in trading volumes and estimated market share. Furthermore, portfolio trading is generally provided under a lower-fee structure than other protocols and the growth of portfolio trading on our platform will likely have a negative impact on our average credit variable transaction fee per million.

Our competitive position is enhanced by the unique liquidity provided by our Open Trading functionalities and the integration of our broker-dealer and institutional investor clients with our electronic trading platforms and other systems. We have focused on the unique aspects of the fixed-income markets we serve in the development of our platforms, working closely with our clients to provide a system that is suited to their needs.

31


 

Regulatory Environment

Our business is subject to extensive regulations in the United States and internationally, which may expose us to significant regulatory risk and cause us to incur additional expense. The existing legal framework that governs the financial markets is periodically reviewed and amended, resulting in the enactment and enforcement of new laws and regulations that apply to our business. The SEC adopted final rules regarding the central clearing of certain secondary market transactions involving U.S. Treasury securities, which are currently set to become effective for certain cash market transactions on December 31, 2026. Once effective, this central clearing mandate will impact certain of our participants who do not centrally clear such trades today. These reforms may also change how our clients trade and where they clear when using our platforms to trade U.S. Treasury securities. While we expect this change will increase our own platform efficiency, it could also negatively affect trading activity and liquidity in the markets in which we operate and the full impact of this change is still unknown at this time. In April 2026, FINRA filed a proposed rule change that would require member firms to identify and flag certain affiliate back-to-back trade reports in TRACE (as defined below). If adopted, the rule would suppress qualifying affiliate principal transactions from reported monthly TRACE volumes and could affect the Company’s estimated market share for U.S. high-grade, U.S. high-yield and U.S. Treasury products. The proposed rule change is subject to SEC review and public comment, and FINRA will announce the effective date if the rule is approved. It remains unknown to what extent new legislation will be passed into law or whether other pending or new regulatory proposals will be adopted, abandoned or modified, or what effect such passage, adoption, abandonment or modification will have, whether positive or negative, on our industry, our clients or us.

We provide regulated services to our clients within the E.U. in reliance upon the authorizations our subsidiaries have received from the AFM in the Netherlands. Brexit has led to an ongoing divergence between the U.K. and E.U. financial regulations, which has made it more difficult and costly to comply with the extensive government regulation to which we are subject. The cost and complexity of operating across increasingly divergent regulatory regimes have increased and are likely to continue to increase in the future. Compliance with new regulations may require us to dedicate additional financial and operational resources, which may adversely affect our profitability.

For further description of the regulations which govern our business, see Part I, Item 1. “Business—Government Regulation”

of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Technology Environment

We must continue to enhance and improve our electronic trading platforms. The markets in which we compete are characterized by increasingly complex protocols, systems, technology and infrastructure requirements that require us to devote substantial resources to modify and adapt our services. Our future success will depend on our ability to enhance our existing products and services, develop and/or license new products and technologies that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our existing and prospective broker-dealer and institutional investor clients and respond to technological advances and emerging industry and regulatory standards and practices, including cloud and AI technologies, on a cost-effective and timely basis. In addition, as the overall share of electronic trading grows in global credit products, we are experiencing continued demand for, and growth in, our automated and algorithmic trading solutions. We also support a large and growing base of dealer market making algorithms. We plan to continue to focus on technology infrastructure and automation initiatives to support more efficient trade execution by our clients.

We experience cybersecurity threats and incidents from time to time. However, as of the date of this report, MarketAxess has not experienced a cybersecurity threat or incident that has materially affected the Company in at least the past three years. Cybersecurity incidents could impact revenue and operating income and increase costs. We therefore continue to make investments in our cybersecurity infrastructure and training of employees, which may result in increased costs, to strengthen our cybersecurity measures.

See also Part I, Item 1A. – “Risk Factors, Technology, IT Systems and Cybersecurity Risks” and Part I, Item 1C – “Cybersecurity” of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

32


 

 

Trends in Our Business

The majority of our revenue is derived from commissions for transactions executed on our platforms between and among our institutional investor and broker-dealer clients. We believe that the following are the key variables that impact trading volumes and our revenues:

the number of participants on our platforms and their willingness to use our platforms instead of competitors’ platforms or other execution methods;
the particular trading protocol that our participants use to trade securities on our platforms;
the frequency and competitiveness of the price responses by participants on our platforms;
the number of markets that are available for our participants to trade on our platforms;
the overall level of activity in these markets;
the duration of the U.S. high grade bonds trading on our platforms, which may be affected by inflation, among other macroeconomic factors; and
the particular fee plan under which we earn commissions.

We believe that overall corporate bond market trading volume is affected by various factors including the absolute levels of interest rates, the direction of interest rate movements, the level of new issues of corporate bonds and the volatility of corporate bond spreads versus U.S. Treasury securities. Because a significant percentage of our revenue is tied directly to the volume of securities traded on our platforms, it is likely that a general decline in trading volumes, regardless of the cause of such decline, would reduce our revenues and have a significant negative impact on profitability.

As further described under “— Critical Factors Affecting our Industry and our Company — Economic, Political and Market Factors,” and “— Results of Operations — Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2025,” our trading volumes increased and our average variable transaction fee per million decreased.

Components of Our Results of Operations

Commission Revenue

Commissions are recognized on a trade date basis, are generally calculated as a percentage of the notional dollar volume of bonds traded on our platforms and vary based on the type, size, yield and maturity of the bond traded, as well as individual client incentives. Bonds that are more actively traded or that have shorter maturities are generally charged lower commissions, while bonds that are less actively traded or that have longer maturities generally command higher commissions.

For Open Trading trades that we execute between and among institutional investor and broker-dealer clients on a matched principal basis by serving as counterparty to both the buyer and the seller, we earn our commission through the difference in price between the two trades. For the majority of U.S. Treasury matched principal trades, commissions are invoiced and recorded on a monthly basis.

Credit Commissions. Credit includes U.S. high-grade corporate bonds, high-yield bonds, emerging markets bonds, eurobonds, municipal bonds and leveraged loans. Our U.S. high-grade corporate bond fee plans generally incorporate variable transaction fees and fixed distribution fees billed to our broker-dealer clients on a monthly basis. Certain broker-dealers participate in fee programs that do not contain monthly distribution fees and instead incorporate additional per transaction execution fees and minimum monthly fee commitments. Under these fee plans, we electronically add the transaction fee to the spread quoted by the broker-dealer client. The U.S. high-grade transaction fee is generally designated in basis points in yield and, as a result, is subject to fluctuation depending on the duration of the bond traded.

Commissions for high-yield bonds, emerging markets bonds, eurobonds, municipal bonds and leveraged loans generally vary based on the type of the instrument traded using standard fee schedules. Certain dealers participate in a high-yield fee plan that incorporates a variable transaction fee and a fixed distribution fee, while other dealers participate in a plan that does not contain monthly distribution fees and instead incorporates additional per transaction execution fees and minimum monthly fee commitments.

The average credit fees per million may vary in the future due to changes in yield, years-to-maturity and nominal size of high-grade bonds traded on our platforms and changes in product mix or trading protocols.

Credit distribution fees include any unused monthly fee commitments under our variable fee plans.

Rates Commissions. Rates includes U.S. Treasury, U.S. agency and European government bonds. Commissions for rates products generally vary based on the type of the instrument traded. U.S. Treasury fee plans are typically volume tiered and can vary based on the trading protocol. The average rates fee per million may vary in the future due to changes in product mix or trading protocols.

We anticipate that average fees per million may change in the future. Consequently, past trends in commissions are not necessarily indicative of future commissions.

33


 

Other Commissions. Other commissions include equities and foreign exchange commissions for algorithmic trading services and derivative and ETF commissions earned by RFQ-hub. Commissions for equities, foreign exchange, derivatives and ETFs are volume-tiered and consist of variable transaction fees that are billed monthly.

 

Information Services

We generate proprietary data from the trading activity and order flow on our platforms. We have prioritized the use of this data to power our AI-driven trading solutions and analytical products. We believe this approach has positioned us to capture higher long-term value by leveraging our proprietary data to enhance our trading solutions and strengthen the integrated value proposition of our platform. We generate revenue from data licensed to our broker-dealer clients, institutional investor clients and data-only subscribers; professional and consulting services; technology software licenses; and maintenance and support services. These revenues are either for subscription-based services transferred over time, and may be net of volume-based discounts, or one-time services. Revenues for services transferred over time are recognized ratably over the contract period while revenues for services transferred at a point in time are recognized in the period the services are provided. Customers are generally billed monthly, quarterly, or annually; revenues billed in advance are deferred and recognized ratably over the contract period.

Post-trade Services

We generate revenue from regulatory transaction reporting, trade publication and post-trade matching services. Customers are generally billed in the current month or monthly in arrears and revenue is recognized in the period that the transactions are processed. Revenues billed in advance are deferred and recognized ratably over the contract period. We also generate one-time implementation fees for onboarding clients, which are invoiced and recognized in the period the implementation is complete.

Technology Services

Technology services include technology-related license and connectivity fees and revenue generated from telecommunications line charges to broker-dealer clients.

Expenses

In the normal course of business, we incur the following expenses:

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits is our most significant expense and includes employee salaries, stock-based compensation costs, other incentive compensation, employee benefits and payroll taxes.

Depreciation and Amortization. We depreciate our computer hardware and related software, office hardware and furniture and fixtures and amortize our capitalized software development costs on a straight-line basis over three to five years. We amortize leasehold improvements on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. Intangible assets with definite lives, including purchased technologies, customer relationships and other intangible assets, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to 15 years, using either a straight-line or accelerated amortization method based on the pattern of economic benefit that we expect to realize from such assets. Intangible assets are assessed for impairment annually, or sooner when events or circumstances indicate a possible impairment.

Technology and Communications. Technology and communications expense consists primarily of costs relating to software and licenses, maintenance on software and hardware, cloud hosting costs, data feeds provided by outside vendors, U.S. government bonds technology platform licensing fees, data center hosting costs and our internal network connections. The majority of our broker-dealer clients have dedicated high-speed communication lines to our network in order to provide fast data transfer. We charge our broker-dealer clients a monthly fee for these connections, which is recovered against the relevant expenses we incur.

Professional and Consulting Fees. Professional and consulting fees consist primarily of accounting fees, legal fees and fees paid to information technology and other consultants for services provided for the maintenance of our trading platforms, information and post-trade services products and other services.

Occupancy. Occupancy costs consist primarily of office and equipment rent, utilities and commercial rent tax.

Marketing and Advertising. Marketing and advertising expense consists primarily of branding and other advertising expenses we incur to promote our products and services. This expense also includes costs associated with attending or exhibiting at industry-sponsored seminars, conferences and conventions, and travel and entertainment expenses incurred by our sales force to promote our trading platforms, information services and post-trade services.

Clearing Costs. Clearing costs consist of fees that we are charged by third-party clearing brokers and depositories for the clearing and settlement of matched principal trades, regulatory reporting fees and variable transaction fees assessed by the provider of our third-party middle office system.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expense consists primarily of general travel and entertainment, board of directors’ expenses, regulatory fees, subscription costs, charitable contributions, provision for credit losses, various state franchise and U.K. value-added taxes and other miscellaneous expenses.

34


 

Expenses may continue to grow in the future, notably in employee compensation and benefits as we increase headcount to support investment in new products, operational support and geographic expansion, depreciation and amortization due to increased investment in new products and enhancements to our trading platforms, and technology and communication costs. Expenses may also grow due to increased regulatory complexity, acquisitions or the continued effects of inflation.

 

Other Income (Expense)

Interest Income. Interest income consists of interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash deposits and investments.

Interest Expense. Interest expense consists of financing charges incurred on borrowings.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliate. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate represents the proportionate share of our equity method investee’s net income.

Other, Net. Other, net consists of realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading security investments and foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency transaction gains or losses, investment advisory fees, credit facility administrative fees, gains or losses on revaluations of contingent consideration payable and other miscellaneous revenues and expenses.

Critical Accounting Estimates

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under varying assumptions or conditions. Critical accounting estimates for us include stock-based compensation.

Stock-based compensation

We maintain the 2020 Plan which provides for the grant of Full Value Awards, stock options and other stock-based awards to encourage employees, consultants and non-employee directors to participate in our long-term success. We make critical accounting estimates related to performance stock units granted under the 2020 Plan (the “PSUs”).

In 2024, 2025 and 2026, the PSUs were granted to the executive officers and certain senior managers. Each PSU is earned or forfeited based on our level of achievement of certain predetermined metrics, including pre-tax adjusted operating margin, U.S. credit market share and revenue growth excluding U.S. credit. The vested share payout ranges from zero to 200% of the PSU target. The number of PSUs that vest, if any, is determined by the level of achievement of the performance metrics during the three-year performance periods, as certified by the Compensation and Talent Committee following the conclusion of the performance period. In addition, participants must provide continued service through the vesting date, subject to death, disability and qualified retirement exceptions, as applicable. Compensation expense for the PSUs is measured using the fair value of our stock at the grant date and estimates of future performance and actual share payouts. Each period, we make estimates of the current expected share payouts and adjust the life-to-date compensation expense recognized since the grant date. As of March 31, 2026, a 10.0% change in the expected final share payouts would increase or decrease the total value of the awards by $1.7 million. The estimated final share payouts for the 2024 and 2025 awards as of March 31, 2026 decreased 12.3% compared to December 31, 2025. See Note 9 for a discussion of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that indicate an impairment may exist. When assessing goodwill for impairment, first, a qualitative assessment can be made to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the results of the qualitative assessment are not conclusive, a quantitative goodwill test is performed. As a result of the annual assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair value of goodwill exceeded its carrying value. Therefore, we determined that goodwill was not impaired and that a quantitative goodwill test was not required.

Identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment annually, or sooner when events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. Judgment is required to evaluate whether indications of potential impairment have occurred, and to test identifiable intangible assets for impairment, if required. An impairment is recognized if the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset or asset group is less than the corresponding carrying value. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, there were no events or changes in circumstances that suggested our intangible assets’ carrying values exceeded their fair values, and as such, no impairment charges were recorded.

35


 

Uncertain tax positions

Our interpretations of tax laws around the world are subject to review and examination by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions where we operate, and disputes may occur regarding our view on a tax position. These disputes over interpretations with the various taxing authorities may be settled by audit, administrative appeals or adjudication in the court systems of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate.

In accounting for income taxes, we recognize tax positions in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination by the relevant taxing authority or the court of last resort based on the technical merits of the position. We reassess our unrecognized tax benefits as necessary when new information becomes available, including changes in tax law and regulations, relevant tax court rulings and interactions with taxing authorities. Uncertain tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. An uncertain tax position is measured based on the largest amount of benefit that we believe is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon settlement. It is possible that the reassessment of our unrecognized tax benefits may have a material impact on our effective income tax rate in the period in which the reassessment occurs. See Note 8 for a discussion of our provisions for unrecognized tax benefits related to current and prior periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 for a discussion of any recent accounting pronouncements relevant to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Segment Results

We provide end-to-end trading solutions, including the operation of electronic platforms for the trading of fixed-income and other securities and related data, analytics, compliance tools, post-trade services, automated trading services and technology services. We consider our operations to constitute a single business segment because of the highly integrated nature of these products and services within the trading lifecycle, the use of a single inter-connected suite of technology solutions underlying all services, the financial markets in which we compete and our worldwide business activities. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for certain geographic information about our business required by GAAP.

 

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

The following table summarizes our financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenues

 

$

233,380

 

 

$

208,576

 

 

 

$

24,804

 

 

 

11.9

 

%

Expenses

 

 

132,459

 

 

 

120,194

 

 

 

 

12,265

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

Operating income

 

 

100,921

 

 

 

88,382

 

 

 

 

12,539

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

2,964

 

 

 

7,772

 

 

 

 

(4,808

)

 

 

(61.9

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

103,885

 

 

 

96,154

 

 

 

 

7,731

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

25,778

 

 

 

81,089

 

 

 

 

(55,311

)

 

 

(68.2

)

 

Net income

 

$

78,107

 

 

$

15,065

 

 

 

$

63,042

 

 

 

418.5

 

%

Less: income attributable to
   redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

(225

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(225

)

 

NM

 

 

Net income available for common
   stockholders

 

$

77,882

 

 

$

15,065

 

 

 

$

62,817

 

 

 

417.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share – Diluted

 

$

2.20

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

 

$

1.80

 

 

 

450.0

 

%

NM - not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in average foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar had the effect of increasing revenues and expenses by $3.4 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.

36


 

Revenues

Our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and the resulting dollar and percentage changes, were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

% of
Revenues

 

 

 

 

% of
Revenues

 

$
Change

 

 

%
Change

Commissions

 

$

203,471

 

 

 

87.2

 

%

 

$

181,343

 

 

 

86.9

 

%

 

$

22,128

 

 

 

12.2

 

%

Information services

 

 

14,445

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

 

12,904

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

 

1,541

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

Post-trade services

 

 

11,607

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

 

11,088

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

 

519

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

Technology services

 

 

3,857

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

 

3,241

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

 

616

 

 

 

19.0

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

233,380

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

$

208,576

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

$

24,804

 

 

 

11.9

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions. Our commission revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and the resulting dollar and percentage changes, were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

($ in thousands)

Variable transaction fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

$

 

150,347

 

 

$

 

135,840

 

 

$

 

14,507

 

 

 

10.7

 

%

Rates

 

 

8,922

 

 

 

 

6,919

 

 

 

 

2,003

 

 

 

28.9

 

 

Other

 

 

10,697

 

 

 

 

5,232

 

 

 

 

5,465

 

 

 

104.5

 

 

Total variable transaction fees

 

 

169,966

 

 

 

 

147,991

 

 

 

 

21,975

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed distribution fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

 

 

33,403

 

 

 

 

33,265

 

 

 

 

138

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

Rates

 

 

102

 

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

17.2

 

 

Total fixed distribution fees

 

 

33,505

 

 

 

 

33,352

 

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

Total commissions

$

 

203,471

 

 

$

 

181,343

 

 

$

 

22,128

 

 

 

12.2

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit variable transaction fees increased by $14.5 million, driven by a 17.0% increase in trading volume, partially offset by a 5.0% decrease in total credit average variable transaction fee per million. Rates variable transaction fees increased by $2.0 million, driven by a 15.6% increase in trading volume and an 11.4% increase in total rates average variable transaction fee per million. Other variable transaction fees include equities and foreign exchange commissions and, beginning in May 2025, derivative and ETF commissions earned by RFQ-hub.

37


 

Our trading volumes for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

($ in millions)

Trading volume data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-grade

$

 

511,492

 

 

$

 

461,308

 

 

$

 

50,184

 

 

 

10.9

 

%

High-yield

 

 

100,409

 

 

 

 

89,997

 

 

 

 

10,412

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

Emerging markets

 

 

311,925

 

 

 

 

240,285

 

 

 

 

71,640

 

 

 

29.8

 

 

Eurobonds

 

 

178,162

 

 

 

 

147,917

 

 

 

 

30,245

 

 

 

20.4

 

 

Other credit

 

 

40,186

 

 

 

 

36,482

 

 

 

 

3,704

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

Total credit

 

 

1,142,174

 

 

 

 

975,989

 

 

 

 

166,185

 

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government bonds

 

 

1,800,150

 

 

 

 

1,582,081

 

 

 

 

218,069

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

Agency and other government bonds

 

 

104,376

 

 

 

 

65,825

 

 

 

 

38,551

 

 

 

58.6

 

 

Total rates

 

 

1,904,526

 

 

 

 

1,647,906

 

 

 

 

256,620

 

 

 

15.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total trading volume

$

 

3,046,700

 

 

$

 

2,623,895

 

 

$

 

422,805

 

 

 

16.1

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of U.S. Trading Days

 

 

61

 

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of U.K. Trading Days

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For volume reporting purposes, transactions in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars at average monthly rates.

The 10.9% increase in our U.S. high-grade volume was principally due to an increase in estimated market volumes partially offset by a decrease in our estimated market share. Estimated U.S. high-grade market volume as reported by the FINRA Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (“TRACE”) increased by 17.1% to $3.0 trillion for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. Our estimated market share of total U.S. high-grade corporate bond volume decreased to 17.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 from 18.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2025. U.S. high-yield volume increased by 11.6% primarily due to an increase in estimated market volumes and an increase in our estimated market share. Our estimated market share of total U.S. high-yield corporate bond volume increased to 12.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 from 11.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Emerging markets and eurobond volumes increased by 29.8% and 20.4%, respectively. Other credit volumes increased 10.2%, mainly due to an increase in estimated municipal bond market volumes. Rates trading volume increased 15.6%, primarily due to an increase in estimated market volumes.

Our average variable transaction fee per million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

Average variable transaction fee per million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit

$

 

132

 

 

$

 

139

 

 

$

 

(7

)

 

 

(5.0

)

%

Rates

 

 

4.68

 

 

 

 

4.20

 

 

 

 

0.48

 

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit average variable transaction fee per million decreased by 5.0% to $132 per million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, mainly due to protocol and product mix, partially offset by higher duration of bonds traded in U.S. high grade.

Information Services. Information services revenue increased by $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 due to net new contract revenue and the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Post-Trade Services. Post-trade services revenue increased by $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 mainly due to the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Technology Services. Technology services revenue increased by $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 due to higher license and connectivity fees.

38


 

 

Expenses

The following table summarizes our expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

($ in thousands)

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

$

 

70,195

 

 

$

 

61,916

 

 

$

 

8,279

 

 

 

 

13.4

 

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

19,210

 

 

 

 

18,236

 

 

 

 

974

 

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

Technology and communications

 

 

20,360

 

 

 

 

18,048

 

 

 

 

2,312

 

 

 

 

12.8

 

 

Professional and consulting fees

 

 

6,376

 

 

 

 

6,410

 

 

 

 

(34

)

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

Occupancy

 

 

3,819

 

 

 

 

3,622

 

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

Marketing and advertising

 

 

2,334

 

 

 

 

2,061

 

 

 

 

273

 

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

Clearing costs

 

 

4,426

 

 

 

 

4,185

 

 

 

 

241

 

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

5,739

 

 

 

 

5,716

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

Total expenses

$

 

132,459

 

 

$

 

120,194

 

 

$

 

12,265

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits increased by $8.3 million primarily due to higher salary and benefit cost and higher severance costs, including repositioning charges related to changes in the Company’s management structure.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.0 million, primarily due to higher amortization of software development costs and higher amortization of intangibles.

Technology and communications expenses increased by $2.3 million primarily due to higher cloud hosting and software service costs.

Marketing and advertising expenses increased by $0.3 million primarily due to higher sales-related travel and entertainment costs.

Clearing costs increased by $0.2 million primarily due to higher trading volumes.

Other Income (Expense)

Our other income (expense) for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and the resulting dollar and percentage changes, were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

($ in thousands)

Interest income

$

 

4,308

 

 

$

 

7,169

 

 

$

 

(2,861

)

 

 

 

(39.9

)

%

Interest expense

 

 

(2,888

)

 

 

 

(213

)

 

 

 

(2,675

)

 

 

NM

 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
   affiliate

 

 

 

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

 

(289

)

 

 

 

(100.0

)

 

Other, net

 

 

1,544

 

 

 

 

527

 

 

 

 

1,017

 

 

 

 

193.0

 

 

Total other income (expense)

$

 

2,964

 

 

$

 

7,772

 

 

$

 

(4,808

)

 

 

 

(61.9

)

%

NM - not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income decreased by $2.9 million, driven by lower interest rates on our cash balances.

Interest expense increased by $2.7 million due to borrowings on the Company’s credit facility that were used, along with cash on hand, to fund the ASR.

Other, net increased by $1.0 million primarily driven by receipt of tax credits in the current period partially offset by unrealized losses on investments in the current period compared to unrealized gains in the prior period.

 

39


 

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes and effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

($ in thousands)

Provision for income taxes

$

 

25,778

 

 

$

 

81,089

 

 

$

 

(55,311

)

 

 

 

(68.2

)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

24.8

%

 

 

 

84.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on the geographic mix of our earnings, provisions for unrecognized tax benefits, changes in tax legislation and tax rates and the amount and timing of excess tax benefits or detriments related to share-based payments, among other factors. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 is mainly due to the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits established in the first quarter of 2025.

40


 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we have met our funding requirements through cash on hand, internally generated funds and short-term borrowings. Cash and cash equivalents and corporate bond and U.S. Treasury investments totaled $537.4 million as of March 31, 2026. Our investments generally consist of investment-grade corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury securities. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer and invest in short- to intermediate-term instruments whose fair values are less sensitive to interest rate changes.

The Credit Agreement provides for aggregate commitments totaling $750.0 million and matures on February 2, 2029, with our option to request up to two additional 364-day extensions at the discretion of each lender and subject to customary conditions. As of March 31, 2026, we had $157.0 million of borrowings and $0.1 million in letters of credit outstanding and $592.9 million in available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement. As of April 30, 2026, we had $137.0 million of borrowings and $0.1 million in letters of credit outstanding and $612.9 million in available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an alternate base rate or the adjusted term SOFR rate, plus an applicable margin that varies with our consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement requires that we satisfy certain covenants, including a requirement to not exceed a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants at March 31, 2026. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Credit Agreement.

In connection with their self-clearing operations, certain of our operating subsidiaries maintain agreements with a settlement bank to allow the subsidiaries to borrow an aggregate of up to $500.0 million on an uncommitted basis, collateralized by eligible securities pledged by the subsidiaries to the settlement bank, subject to certain haircuts. Borrowings under these agreements will bear interest at a base rate per annum equal to 1.00% plus the higher of (i) the upper range of the Federal Funds Rate, (ii) one-month SOFR plus an applicable margin or (iii) 0.25%. As of March 31, 2026, the subsidiaries had $71.3 million of borrowings outstanding, secured by $75.1 million of receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers pledged as collateral, and up to $428.7 million in available uncommitted borrowing capacity under such agreements. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of these agreements.

Under arrangements with their settlement banks, certain of our operating subsidiaries may receive overnight financing in the form of bank overdrafts. As of March 31, 2026, we had no overdrafts payable outstanding.

As a result of our self-clearing and settlement activities, we are required to finance certain transactions, maintain deposits with various clearing organizations and clearing broker-dealers and maintain a special reserve bank account for the benefit of customers pursuant to Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. As of March 31, 2026, the aggregate amount of the positions financed, restricted cash deposits and customer reserve balances associated with our self-clearing and settlement activities was $335.9 million. These requirements can fluctuate based on trading activity, market volatility or other factors which may impact our liquidity or require us to use our capital resources.

Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

Our cash flows were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

$

(75,329

)

 

$

29,629

 

 

$

(104,958

)

 

 

(354.2

)

%

Net cash (used in) investing activities

 

(19,264

)

 

 

(17,148

)

 

 

(2,116

)

 

 

12.3

 

 

Net cash (used in) financing activities

 

(28,665

)

 

 

(77,066

)

 

 

48,401

 

 

 

(62.8

)

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
   cash equivalents

 

(4,357

)

 

 

8,580

 

 

 

(12,937

)

 

NM

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) for the period

$

(127,615

)

 

$

(56,005

)

 

$

(71,610

)

 

 

127.9

 

%

 NM - not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities consist primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash items that primarily include depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, deferred tax expense and changes in receivables and payables on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The $105.0 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to unfavorable changes in net receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets and income and other tax liabilities partially offset by higher net income and favorable changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities.

41


 

The $2.1 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to higher net purchases of securities available-for-sale.

The $48.4 million decrease in net cash used in financing activities was principally due to lower repurchases of common stock and an increase in net proceeds from borrowings.

The $12.9 million change in the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents was due to changes in the cumulative translation adjustment, principally driven by the weakening of the British Pound and Euro versus the U.S. Dollar in the current period.

Past trends of cash flows are not necessarily indicative of future cash flow levels. A decrease in cash flows may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, business and financial condition.

 

Other Factors Influencing Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe that our current resources are adequate to meet our liquidity needs and requirements, including commitments for capital expenditures, in the short-term (during the next 12 months). However, our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend on a number of factors, including liquidity requirements associated with our self-clearing operations and expenses associated with product development and expansion and new business opportunities that are intended to further diversify our revenue streams. We may also acquire or invest in technologies, business ventures or products that are complementary to our business. In the event we require any additional financing, it will take the form of equity or debt financing. Any additional equity offerings may result in dilution to our stockholders. Any debt financings, if available at all, may involve restrictive covenants with respect to dividends, issuances of additional capital and other financial and operational matters related to our business. In addition, in the long-term (beyond 12 months), we believe our liquidity needs and requirements will be affected by the factors discussed above.

One of our U.S. subsidiaries is registered as a broker-dealer and is subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, FINRA and the CFTC. These rules contain minimum net capital requirements, as defined in the applicable regulations. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries are regulated by the FCA in the U.K. or other foreign regulators and must maintain financial resources, as defined in the applicable regulations, in excess of the applicable financial resources requirement. As of March 31, 2026, each of our subsidiaries that are subject to these regulations had net capital or financial resources in excess of their minimum requirements. As of March 31, 2026, our subsidiaries maintained aggregate net capital and financial resources that were $629.7 million in excess of the required levels of $39.8 million.

Each of our U.S. and foreign regulated subsidiaries are subject to local regulations which generally limit, or require the prior notification to or approval from such regulated entity’s principal regulator before, the repayment of borrowings from our affiliates, paying cash dividends, making loans to our affiliates or otherwise entering into transactions that result in a significant reduction in regulatory net capital or financial resources.

We execute securities transactions between our institutional investor and broker-dealer clients on a matched principal basis by serving as counterparty to both the buyer and the seller in trades. Our operating subsidiaries settle such transactions using their self-clearing operations or through the use of third-party clearing brokers or settlement agents. Settlement typically occurs within one to two trading days after the trade date. Cash settlement of the transaction occurs upon receipt or delivery of the underlying instrument that was traded. Under both the self-clearing and the third-party clearing models, we may be exposed to credit risk in the event a counterparty does not fulfill its obligation to complete a transaction or if there is an error in executing a matched principal transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the securities clearing agreements, each third-party clearing broker has the right to charge us for any losses they suffer resulting from a counterparty’s failure on any of our trades. We did not record any liabilities or losses with regard to counterparty failures for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Substantially all of our open securities failed-to-deliver and securities failed-to-receive transactions as of March 31, 2026 have subsequently settled at the contractual amounts.

In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations, warranties and indemnification provisions. Our maximum exposure from any claims under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve claims that have not yet occurred.

We have leases for corporate offices and equipment with initial lease terms ranging from one year to 15 years. We have total future contractual rent payments on these leases of $80.1 million, with $12.4 million due within the next 12 months and $67.7 million due beyond 12 months.

We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge our exposure to variability in certain foreign currency transaction gains and losses. As of March 31, 2026, the notional value of our foreign currency forward contracts outstanding was $96.3 million and the fair value of the liability was $1.6 million. We also enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to the effect of interest rate changes on our unrealized gains and losses on U.S. Treasury investments. As of March 31, 2026, the notional value of our interest rate swaps outstanding was $100.0 million and the fair value of the asset was $0.3 million.

In August 2024, our Board authorized the 2024 Repurchase Program for up to $200.0 million. In December 2025, our Board authorized the 2025 Repurchase Program for an additional $400.0 million. The Repurchase Programs do not have an expiration date. Shares repurchased under the Repurchase Programs will be held in treasury for future use.

42


 

On December 9, 2025, the Company entered into the ASR with JPMorgan, pursuant to which the Company paid $300.0 million and received an initial delivery of 1,386,001 Initial ASR Shares, representing 80% of the value of such payment in shares, calculated based on the closing share price of $173.16 per share on December 9, 2025. Final settlement of the ASR occurred on February 4, 2026 with the delivery of 359,782 additional shares. The average purchase price per share for shares of common stock purchased by the Company pursuant to the ASR was $171.84, which was determined based on the daily volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the term of the ASR, less a discount. The 2024 Repurchase Program was exhausted by the ASR.

As of March 31, 2026, we had $205.0 million of remaining capacity under the 2025 Repurchase Program.

In April 2026, our Board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.78 per share payable on June 3, 2026 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 20, 2026. Any future declaration and payment of dividends will be at the sole discretion of our Board.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), EBITDA margin and free cash flow. From time to time, we present selected GAAP-basis financial results, excluding notable items. Notable items are revenues, expenses, other income (expense) and tax related items that are non-recurring and outside of the Company’s normal course of business or other notables, such as acquisition and restructuring charges or gains/losses on sales (collectively, “notable items”). We define EBITDA margin as EBITDA divided by revenues. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities excluding the net change in trading investments and net change in securities failed-to-deliver and securities failed-to-receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers, less expenditures for furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements and capitalized software development costs. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in conformity with GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide additional information regarding our operating results because they assist both investors and management in analyzing and evaluating the performance of our business.

43


 

The table set forth below presents a reconciliation of our total expenses to total expenses, excluding notable items, operating margin to operating margin, excluding notable items, net income to net income, excluding notable items, diluted EPS to diluted EPS, excluding notable items, and the effective tax rate to the effective tax rate, excluding notable items for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Total Expenses, GAAP-basis

$

 

132,459

 

 

$

 

120,194

 

Exclude: Notable items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repositioning charges1

 

 

(1,484

)

 

 

 

 

Other notable items2

 

 

(656

)

 

 

 

 

Total Expenses, excluding notable items

$

 

130,319

 

 

$

 

120,194

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, GAAP-basis

$

 

78,107

 

 

$

 

15,065

 

Exclude: Notable items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repositioning charges1

 

 

1,484

 

 

 

 

 

Other notable items2

 

 

656

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax impact from notable items

 

 

(531

)

 

 

 

 

Reserve for uncertain tax positions related to
   prior periods

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,939

 

Net income, excluding notable items

$

 

79,716

 

 

$

 

70,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin, GAAP-basis

 

 

43.2

%

 

 

 

42.4

%

Notable items as reconciled above

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margin, excluding notable items

 

 

44.2

%

 

 

 

42.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS, GAAP-basis

$

 

2.20

 

 

$

 

0.40

 

Notable items as reconciled above

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

1.47

 

Diluted EPS, excluding notable items

$

 

2.25

 

 

$

 

1.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate, GAAP-basis

 

 

24.8

%

 

 

 

84.3

%

Notable items as reconciled above

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57.1

)

Effective tax rate, excluding notable items

 

 

24.8

%

 

 

 

27.2

%

1 Repositioning charges consist of severance included in employee compensation and benefits

 

2 Consists of legal expenses included in professional and consulting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44


 

The table set forth below presents a reconciliation of our net income to EBITDA and net income margin to EBITDA margin, as defined above, for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Net income

$

 

78,107

 

 

$

 

15,065

 

Interest income

 

 

(4,308

)

 

 

 

(7,169

)

Interest expense

 

 

2,888

 

 

 

 

213

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

25,778

 

 

 

 

81,089

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

19,210

 

 

 

 

18,236

 

EBITDA

$

 

121,675

 

 

$

 

107,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income margin

 

 

33.5

%

 

 

 

7.2

%

Interest income

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

 

(3.4

)

Interest expense

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

 

38.9

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

 

8.7

 

EBITDA margin

 

 

52.1

%

 

 

 

51.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The table set forth below presents a reconciliation of our net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow, as defined above, for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

$

 

(75,329

)

 

$

 

29,629

 

Exclude: Net change in trading investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from
   broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers

 

 

108,529

 

 

 

 

34,399

 

Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and
   leasehold improvements

 

 

(259

)

 

 

 

(1,930

)

Less: Capitalization of software development costs

 

 

(17,089

)

 

 

 

(15,031

)

Free Cash Flow

$

 

15,852

 

 

$

 

47,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45


 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of the loss resulting from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Market Risk

The global financial services business is, by its nature, risky and volatile and is directly affected by many national and international factors that are beyond our control. Any one of these factors may cause a substantial decline in the U.S. and global financial services markets, resulting in reduced trading volume and revenues. These events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As of March 31, 2026, we had $100.0 million of investments in U.S. Treasuries that were classified as trading securities and $60.1 million of investments in corporate bonds that were classified as available-for-sale. Adverse movements, such as a decrease in the value of these securities or a downturn or disruption in the markets for these securities, could result in a substantial loss. A 10.0% decrease in the market value of our U.S Treasuries or available-for-sale investments would result in losses of approximately $10.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively. In addition, principal gains and losses resulting from these securities could on occasion have a disproportionate effect, positive or negative, on our financial condition and results of operations for any particular reporting period.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk represents our exposure to interest rate changes with respect to our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash deposits. As of March 31, 2026, our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash deposits amounted to $548.2 million. A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates would increase or decrease our annual interest income by approximately $5.5 million, assuming no change in the amount or composition of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash deposits.

As of March 31, 2026, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would decrease or increase the fair value of the available-for-sale investment portfolio by approximately $0.8 million, assuming no change in the amount or composition of the investments. The hypothetical unrealized gain or loss of $0.8 million would be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

A similar hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would decrease or increase the fair value of the trading securities portfolio by approximately $2.2 million. The hypothetical unrealized gain or loss of $2.2 million would be recognized in other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We do not maintain an inventory of bonds that are traded on our platform.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We conduct operations in several different countries outside of the U.S., most notably the U.K., and substantial portions of our revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are generated and denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. Since our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues, income and expenses, as well as assets and liabilities, into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the end of each reporting period. Accordingly, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against the other currencies will affect our net operating revenues, operating expenses, operating income and the value of balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies.

During the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, approximately 18.1% of our revenues and 30.5% of our expenses were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, most notably the British Pound Sterling. Based on actual results over the past year, a hypothetical 10.0% increase or decrease in the U.S. dollar against all other currencies would have increased or decreased revenue by approximately $15.7 million and operating expenses by approximately $15.8 million.

46


 

 

Credit Risk

Through certain of our subsidiaries, we execute securities transactions between our institutional investor and broker-dealer clients on a matched principal basis by serving as counterparty to both the buyer and the seller in trades. Our operating subsidiaries settle such transactions using their self-clearing operations or through the use of third-party clearing brokers or settlement agents. Settlement typically occurs within one to two trading days after the trade date. Cash settlement of the transaction occurs upon receipt or delivery of the underlying instrument that was traded.

We are exposed to credit and performance risks in our role as matched principal trading counterparty to our clients executing bond trades on our platform, including the risk that counterparties that owe us money or securities will not perform their obligations. These parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. Adverse movements in the prices of securities that are the subject of these transactions can increase our risk. In connection with Open Trading or other anonymous protocols, we expect that the number of transactions in which we act as a matched principal will increase.

We have policies, procedures and automated controls in place to identify and manage our credit risk. There can be no assurance that these policies, procedures and automated controls will effectively mitigate our credit risk exposure. Some of our risk management procedures are reliant upon the evaluation of information regarding the fixed-income markets, our clients or other relevant matters that are publicly available or otherwise acquired from third-party sources. Such information may not be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly assessed and interpreted by us. If our risk management procedures fail, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Furthermore, our insurance policies are unlikely to provide coverage for such risks.

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and money market instruments that are primarily maintained at three major global banks. Given this concentration, we are exposed to certain credit risk in relation to our deposits at these banks.

Derivative Risk

Our limited derivative risk stems primarily from our activities in the foreign currency forward contract market. We use this market to economically hedge our foreign exchange gains and losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations that arise from our U.S. dollar versus British Pound Sterling exposure from the activities of our U.K. subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2026, the notional amount of our foreign currency forward contracts was $96.3 million. We also enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to the effect of interest rate changes on our unrealized gains and losses on U.S. Treasury investments. As of March 31, 2026, we had interest rate swaps outstanding with notional value of $100.0 million. We do not hold derivative instruments for purposes other than economically hedging foreign currency and interest rate risk.

47


 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures,” as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of March 31, 2026. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by MarketAxess in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2026 identified in connection with the evaluation thereof by our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

48


 

 

PART II — Other Information

 

In the normal course of business, we and our subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements may be involved in various lawsuits, proceedings and regulatory examinations. We assess liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings, if any, utilizing the latest information available. Based on currently available information, the outcome of our outstanding matters is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial position. It is not presently possible to determine our ultimate exposure to these matters and there is no assurance that the resolution of the outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by us. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our commitments and contingencies.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our most recent Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. For a discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2025 Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the quarter ended March 31, 2026, we repurchased the following shares of common stock:

Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

 

Average Price Paid per Share

 

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

 

Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

January 2026

 

 

8,594

 

 

$

178.59

 

 

 

 

 

$

205,016

 

February 2026

 

 

396,141

 

 

 

167.92

 

 

 

359,782

 

 

 

205,016

 

March 2026

 

 

2,466

 

 

 

187.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

205,016

 

Total

 

 

407,201

 

 

$

168.26

 

 

 

359,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we repurchased 407,201 shares of common stock. The repurchases included 359,782 shares repurchased in connection with our Repurchase Programs and 47,419 shares surrendered by employees to satisfy the withholding tax obligations upon the vesting of Full Value Awards and upon the exercise of stock options.

In August 2024, our Board authorized the 2024 Repurchase Program for up to $200.0 million. In December 2025, the Board authorized the 2025 Repurchase Program for an additional $400.0 million. The Repurchase Programs do not have an expiration date. Shares repurchased under the Repurchase Programs will be held in treasury for future use.

On December 9, 2025, the Company entered into the ASR with JPMorgan, pursuant to which the Company paid $300.0 million and received an initial delivery of 1,386,001 Initial ASR Shares, representing 80% of the value of such payment in shares, calculated based on the closing share price of $173.16 per share on December 9, 2025. Final settlement of the ASR occurred on February 4, 2026 with the delivery of 359,782 additional shares. The average purchase price per share for shares of common stock purchased by the Company pursuant to the ASR was $171.84, which was determined based on the daily volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the term of the ASR, less a discount. The 2024 Repurchase Program was exhausted by the ASR.

As of March 31, 2026, we had $205.0 million of remaining capacity under the 2025 Repurchase Program.

 

49


 

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

(c) Trading Plans

In the first quarter of 2026, no director or officer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(f)) of the Company adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement for the purchase or sale of securities of the Company, within the meaning of Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

 

50


 

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit Index:

Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2026, among MarketAxess Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2026)+

31.1*

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2*

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1*

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.2*

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

101.INS*

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL Document

101.SCH*

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

104

 

The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 has been formatted in Inline XBRL and is included in Exhibits 101.

 

 

 

*

 

Filed herewith.

+

 

Certain schedules and other similar attachments to this exhibit have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The registrant will provide a copy of such omitted documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

51


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

 

 

Date: May 7, 2026

By:

/s/ CHRISTOPHER R. CONCANNON

Christopher R. Concannon

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2026

By:

/s/ ILENE FISZEL BIELER

Ilene Fiszel Bieler

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

 

 

52


 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Christopher R. Concannon, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of MarketAxess Holdings Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ CHRISTOPHER R. CONCANNON

Christopher R. Concannon

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Dated: May 7, 2026

 

 


Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Ilene Fiszel Bieler, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of MarketAxess Holdings Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ ILENE FISZEL BIELER

Ilene Fiszel Bieler

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

Dated: May 7, 2026

 


 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(United States Code, Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350)

Accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2026

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Christopher R. Concannon, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ CHRISTOPHER R. CONCANNON

Christopher R. Concannon

Chief Executive Officer

May 7, 2026

This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

 


Exhibit 32.2

Certification Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(United States Code, Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350)

Accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of

MarketAxess Holdings Inc. for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2026

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ilene Fiszel Bieler, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ ILENE FISZEL BIELER

Ilene Fiszel Bieler

Chief Financial Officer

May 7, 2026

This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.