10-K 1 d440569d10k.htm FORM 10-K FORM 10-K
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012

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 001-35008

 

 

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-4568600

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Bedminster One

135 Route 202/206

Bedminster, New Jersey

  07921
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 731-0700

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

 

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.00001 par value   New York Stock Exchange

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

Indicate by a check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    ¨  Yes    þ  No

Indicate by a check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    ¨  Yes    þ  No

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.    þ  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)    þ  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  þ    Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨
     (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2012, was approximately $89.0 million.

As of March 12, 2013, the registrant had 35,525,453 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information contained in the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

Table of Contents

 

PART I

            

Item 1.

 

Business

     1   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     15   

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

     33   

Item 2.

 

Properties

     33   

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

     33   

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

     34   

PART II

            

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer  Purchases of Equity Securities

     35   

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

     38   

Item 7.

 

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

     40   

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     65   

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     67   

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     67   

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

     67   

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

     69   

PART III

            

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     70   

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

     70   

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     70   

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     70   

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     70   

PART IV

            

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     71   

LIST OF EXHIBITS

     72   

SIGNATURES

       76   


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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words “GAIN,” the “Company,” “our,” “we” and “us” refer to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and, except as otherwise specified herein, to GAIN’s subsidiaries. GAIN’s fiscal year ended on December 31, 2012.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which GAIN operates and management’s current beliefs and assumptions. Any statements contained herein (including without limitation statements to the effect that management or GAIN “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans” and similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements included in this report and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, those set forth in the section entitled “Item 1A – Risk Factors” below and discussed elsewhere herein. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

We are a global provider of trading services and solutions, specializing in global over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, including spot foreign exchange, or forex, and precious metals, “contracts-for-difference”, or CFDs, which are investment products with returns linked to the performance of an underlying commodity, index or security, and exchange-traded products, including futures and options on futures. We have customers in more than 140 countries worldwide and conduct business from our offices in New York, New York, Bedminster, New Jersey; Powell, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; London, England; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Beijing, China; Hong Kong and Singapore.

Our retail trading business, which has historically made up the majority of our business, allows customers to trade through our FOREX.com brand. We also offer retail customers the ability to trade exchange-traded products through our Open E Cry, or OEC brand, which offers futures products, and our wholly-owned subsidiary, GAIN Securities, which principally offers equities products. Our institutional trading business, GTX, launched in March 2010 to serve institutional market participants, including hedge funds, banks and high-frequency trading firms.

We have invested considerable resources in developing our retail and institutional trading platforms and tools to allow our customers to trade and manage their accounts. While our retail and institutional trading businesses use separate platforms, we are able to leverage our combined scale and trading volume in our relationships with our wholesale trading partners, bank liquidity providers and other service providers. In addition, we believe that our platforms complement each other, which allows us to cross-sell our services and to leverage our facilities and the technologies we develop. Our customers can trade through web-based, downloadable and mobile trading platforms and have access to innovative trading tools to assist them with research, automated trading and account management.

 

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The following table sets forth key financial data and operating metrics for our business:

 

     Key Financial Data
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31,
 
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  

Net Revenue

   $ 151.4       $ 181.5       $ 189.1       $ 153.3       $ 188.1   

Net income(1)

   $ 2.6       $ 15.7       $ 37.8       $ 28.0       $ 231.4   

Adjusted net income(2)

   $ 5.5       $ 21.7       $ 33.9       $ 26.3       $ 49.6   
     Key Operating Metrics
(Unaudited)
Year Ended December 31,
 
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  

Retail

              

Funded Accounts

     85,099         76,485         85,562         60,168         49,740   

Active OTC Accounts(3)

     60,219         63,435         64,313         52,755         52,555   

Futures DARTs(4)

     13,581         —           —           —           —     

OTC Trading Volume (billions)

   $ 1,303.4       $ 1,574.0       $ 1,324.8       $ 1,246.7       $ 1,498.6   

Average Daily Volume (billions)

   $ 5.0       $ 6.0       $ 5.1       $ 4.8       $ 5.8   

Client Assets (millions)

   $ 446.3       $ 310.4       $ 256.7       $ 199.8       $ 124.0   

Institutional(5)

              

Trading Volume (billions)

   $ 1,952.6       $ 853.9       $ 239.3       $ —        $ —    

Average Daily Volume (billions)

   $ 7.5       $ 3.3       $ 0.9       $ —        $ —    

 

(1) For the periods prior to the closing of our initial public offering in December 2010, our net income/(loss) was affected by the changes in our embedded derivative liability attributable to the redemption feature of our previously outstanding preferred stock. This redemption feature and the associated embedded derivative liability was no longer required to be recognized following the conversion of all of our preferred stock into common stock in connection with the completion of our initial public offering in December 2010.
(2) Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents our net income excluding the historical change in fair value of the embedded derivative in preferred stock and the amortization of purchased intangibles. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Key Income Statement Line Items and Key Operating Metrics” and “– Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics,” for discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial metrics.
(3) Represents accounts which executed a transaction over the last 12 months.
(4) Daily average revenue trades, or DARTs, represent the number of futures or options on futures trades in a given period over the number of trading days in that period.
(5) Our institutional channel includes our GTX business which was launched in March 2010, as well as additional institutional customers that trade through our other platforms.

Growth Strategies

We intend to grow our business and increase our profitability principally by employing the following growth strategies:

 

   

Continue to enhance our proprietary trading platforms and innovative trading tools in order to attract customers and increase our market share;

 

   

Strategically expand our operations and customer base through business acquisitions, investments and partnerships;

 

   

Expand our product offerings to include other financial products to enable our customers to access an expanding range of products and to execute trading strategies across various products, potentially leading to more revenue per customer;

 

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Identify and enter high-growth markets in order to expand our presence globally in markets where we believe there are large revenue opportunities; and

 

   

Capture additional market share by taking advantage of consolidation within the forex industry and by capitalizing on increasing confidence in retail forex as an asset class.

The following achievements demonstrate our focus on our growth strategies during 2012:

 

   

The acquisition of Open E Cry, LLC, or OEC, an internet based futures business, from optionsXpress, a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, which enables us to offer futures products and connections to dozens of exchanges around the world;

 

   

The acquisition of all retail forex customer accounts held at the U.S. regulated subsidiary of Global Futures & Forex, Ltd., or GFT;

 

   

The introduction of TRADE, a new retail platform featuring an expanded portfolio of forex and CFD products that includes innovative tools for market monitoring, technical trading and strategy building;

 

   

The launch of the FOREX.com service in Canada; and

 

   

The hiring of the 14 person execution desk from Peregrine Financial Group to bolster GTX’s specialty execution desk.

Our Retail Business

Our retail business offers customers OTC trading through our FOREX.com brand, as well as the ability to trade futures and futures options through our Open E Cry and OEC brands, and equity products through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GAIN Securities. Our retail businesses represented 88.2% of our consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012.

FOREX.com

Through FOREX.com, we provide our retail customers around the world with access to a variety of global OTC financial markets, including forex, precious metals and CFDs on commodities and indices. Because of U.S. regulations, neither we nor our subsidiaries offer CFDs in the United States or to U.S. residents. We provide our customers with what we believe to be one of the most robust online forex and CFD trading services in the industry, allowing customers to monitor multiple markets around the world simultaneously and to execute trades quickly and at a low cost from a single trading account. As of March 12, 2013 we provided liquidity in over 400 OTC markets, including 300 currency pairs, 40 equity indices, and 65 commodities. Since our retail products are offered OTC, we act as the counterparty for our customers’ transactions.

We have been developing our FOREX.com retail offering for more than a decade. Due to the global nature of our business, we have invested considerable resources to make our products and services available in multiple languages, which today includes English, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Arabic and to allow our customers to fund their accounts in six different currencies.

In December 2012, we continued to grow our retail business through the acquisition of all retail forex customer accounts held at the U.S. regulated subsidiary of GFT. GFT’s customer accounts were transferred to us after the close of trading on December 7, 2012.

Futures and Equity Products

During 2012, we purchased OEC, an internet based futures business, for a purchase price of $12.0 million ($9.5 million net of working capital). In November 2012, OEC merged with and into Gain Capital Group, LLC, which

 

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has continued OEC’s futures business under our Open E Cry and OEC brands. Through our proprietary OEC Trader platform, we are able to offer our retail clients access to the futures, futures option and forex markets in a single interface.

In addition to the futures and futures options offered through our OEC brand, we also offer our customers the ability to trade other exchange-traded products through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GAIN Securities. A broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, GAIN Securities offers direct access to listed U.S. equity securities, including stocks, exchange traded funds, or ETFs, options, mutual funds and bonds.

The following are the key components of our retail business:

Innovative trading tools

We have made significant investment in the development and support of our proprietary trading technology in order to provide our customers with an enhanced customer experience and multiple ways to trade and manage their accounts, tailored to their level of experience and preferred mode of access. In addition, we also selectively offer third party trading tools we believe complement our proprietary offerings. Our current suite of available trading tools includes:

 

   

FOREXTrader PRO, our proprietary trading platform, which provides active traders with a highly customizable trading environment, fully integrated decision support tools and automated trading capabilities. FOREXTrader PRO is available in both a downloadable desktop edition and a web-based version that is compatible with various operating systems.

 

   

FOREXTrader Mobile, our suite of fully functional mobile trading solutions, which includes native iPhone and Android apps, as well as an iPad app.

 

   

Website Trading, our web-based trading platform, provides streamlined trading, research and account management features in a secure environment and is an important tool that attracts a more diverse customer base, including novice traders, who prefer easy-to-use trading tools accessed through a customer-friendly website.

 

   

MetaTrader 4, a popular third-party trading platform, that allows users to develop and automate their own custom trading strategies or use trading systems developed by third parties. MetaTrader 4 is available in 31 languages, and is especially popular outside the United States.

 

   

OEC Trader, a proprietary trading platform that offers users access to the futures, futures options and forex markets in a single interface.

We believe that our proprietary trading technology has and will continue to provide us with a significant competitive advantage because we have the ability to adapt quickly to our customers’ changing needs, rapidly incorporate new products and features and offer our customers multiple ways to engage with us.

Competitive pricing and fast, accurate trade execution

We have leveraged our extensive experience in the global OTC markets to develop highly automated processes, which allows us to deliver tight bid/offer spreads generally reflective of currently available pricing in the markets in which we offer and to execute our customers’ trades quickly and efficiently.

We have relationships with a large number of the most prominent forex liquidity providers, which we believe allows us to offer our customers more competitive pricing with tighter bid/offer spreads than many of our competitors. In addition, we have developed a proprietary pricing engine that electronically aggregates quotes from our liquidity sources based on the midpoint price between the available “best bid” and “best offer.” Our pricing engine allows us to provide our customers with real-time quotes without reliance on third-party pricing providers.

 

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Our trading processes enable us to execute most trades in under a second. We have established a set of standards we use to measure execution quality for FOREX.com, and we publish execution statistics on a quarterly basis. The FOREX.com execution scorecard, which is available on our website, demonstrates our ability to provide fast, accurate trade executions, as well as our commitment to transparency in our business. In 2012, we handled over 34 million trade requests through FOREX.com and executed 99.7% of trades in less than one second, with an average execution speed of .06 seconds. We believe we are the only firm in our industry to voluntarily publish a monthly execution scorecard with the level of detail that we provide.

Sophisticated risk management

Because we are exposed to market and credit risk in connection with our retail trading activities, developing and maintaining robust risk management capabilities is a high priority.

When a retail customer executes a trade with us, the trade may be naturally hedged against an offsetting trade from another customer, hedged through an offsetting trade with one of our wholesale trading partners or may become part of our net exposure portfolio. For naturally hedged trades, we receive the entire bid/offer spread we offer our customers on the two offsetting transactions. For immediately offset trades, we earn the difference between the retail bid/offer spread we offer our customers and the wholesale bid/offer spread we receive from our wholesale trading partners. Customer trades in our net exposure portfolio are managed pursuant to our risk-management policies and procedures, including risk limits established by the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors, and we receive the net gains or losses generated through the management of our net exposure.

Our risk management policies and procedures have been developed to enable us to effectively manage our exposure to market risk, particularly in connection with the management of our net exposure. Our net exposure is evaluated each second and is continuously rebalanced throughout the trading day, thereby minimizing the risk we will be adversely affected by changes in the market prices of the products we hold. This real-time rebalancing of our portfolio enables us to curtail risk and to be profitable in both up and down market scenarios.

In our exchange traded futures business, we are exposed to debit/deficit risk with our clients. If an adverse market move relative to a client’s position(s) occurs and we are unable to collect a margin call in a timely manner, the client account may incur a loss, resulting in a debit balance. If a client account were to incur a loss resulting in a debit balance and we were unable to collect such debit balance from our client, we would incur debit/deficit expense, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In recognition of this risk, we monitor all client accounts in near real time and have employed multiple risk mitigation measures to help ensure that our client accounts are properly margined at all times.

Our risk management policies and procedures are established and reviewed regularly by the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors. Our risk-management procedures require our team of senior traders to monitor risk exposure continuously and update senior management both informally over the course of the trading day and formally through real-time, intraday and end of day reporting. We do not take proprietary directional market positions and therefore do not initiate market positions for our own account in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of products we offer.

Because we allow our customers to trade notional amounts greater than the funds they have on deposit with us through the use of leverage, management of credit risk is a key focus for us. The maximum leverage available to retail traders is set by the regulator in each jurisdiction. For example, the standard leverage available to retail accounts in the United States is 50-to-1 (e.g. the initial margin requirement would be approximately $2,000 in order to execute a notional trade amount of $100,000 for the Euro/Dollar (EUR/USD) currency pair), 25-to-1 in Japan and up to 200-to-1 in the United Kingdom and Australia. We manage customer credit risk through a combination of providing trading tools that allow our customers to avoid taking on excessive risk and automatic processes that close customer positions in accordance with our policies, in the event they exceed their credit limits. For example, our customer trading platforms provide a real-time margin monitoring tool to enable

 

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customers to know when they are approaching their margin limits. Customers also have the option of employing lower leverage. If a customer’s equity falls below what is required to support that position, we will automatically liquidate positions to bring the customer’s account into margin compliance.

Demonstrated White Label Capabilities

We have significant experience in successfully negotiating and maintaining white label partnerships. White label partners are firms that enter into an arrangement with us whereby we provide all of the front- and back-office services necessary for them to provide online retail forex trading to their customers under their own brands. Our typical white label partner is a either a financial services firm seeking to provide their retail customers with online forex trading services quickly and cost-effectively or an online broker, such as a broker-dealer or Futures Commission Merchant, or FCM, seeking to expand the number of financial products they offer to their customers. We enter into white label partnerships in order to expand into new markets where we have not obtained the regulatory authorizations necessary to provide our trading services directly to retail customers or to gain access to a partner’s existing client base. We compensate our white label partners with either a commission based on the trading volume generated by their customers or a share of net revenue generated by their customers. These relationships allow us to take advantage of market opportunities that would be costly and time-consuming to access by other means. Through our white label partners, we generated 10% of our retail trading volume for the year ended December 31, 2012. We believe we are well-positioned to capture new partnership opportunities given our successful track record of supporting partners globally.

Customers

Our retail customers consist of self-directed traders, who execute trades on their own behalf, and managed account customers who have engaged an intermediary to make trading decisions on their behalf.

The majority of our retail customers are self-directed traders. The typical self-directed customer is generally comfortable making trading decisions and has prior experience trading online, typically in more traditional asset classes, such as equities. Generally, our self-directed customers seek a high return on capital and are interested in investing in alternative asset classes, which typically have a higher risk/reward profile, but can serve as a diversification tool. For the year ended December 31, 2012, self-directed customers represented approximately 96.5% of our retail trading volume.

Our managed account customers make up a smaller portion of our retail customer base. The intermediaries engaged by our managed account customers, which we refer to as authorized traders, include professional money managers, which trade a significant amount of aggregated customer funds, and individuals that trade for a small number of customer accounts. For the year ended December 31, 2012, authorized traders collectively represented approximately 3.5% of our retail trading volume.

Sales and Marketing

In connection with our retail business, we employ a mixture of online and traditional marketing programs, such as advertising on third-party websites, search engine marketing, email marketing and television advertising. In addition, senior members of our research team have appeared regularly on major financial news outlets as industry experts.

Our principal lead-generation tool is to offer prospective customers access to free registered practice trading accounts for a 30-day trial period. From a prospective customer’s point of view, we believe the registered practice trading account serves two important functions. First, it serves as an educational tool, providing the prospective customers with the opportunity to try trading in a risk-free environment, without committing any capital. Second, it allows the prospective customer to evaluate our trading platform, tools and services. During this trial period, our customer service team is available to assist and educate the prospective customers.

 

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We also attract customers by building awareness of our company, and the self-directed trading industry in general, through various education initiatives. Our educational resources currently include a variety of video tutorials, articles and other materials, along with interactive webinars and a comprehensive web-based training course coupled with access to experienced instructors.

We also actively forge partnerships with introducing brokers in order to expand our customer base. We work with a variety of different types of introducing brokers, ranging from small, specialized firms that specifically identify and solicit customers interested in forex trading, to larger, more established financial services firms seeking to enhance their customer base by offering a broader array of financial products. Introducing brokers direct customers to us in return for either a commission on each referred customer’s trading volume or a share of net revenue generated by each referred customer’s trading activity.

Competition

The market for our services is rapidly evolving and highly competitive. Our competitors in the U.S. are different than our competitors in other parts of the world and vary in terms of regulatory status, breadth of product offering, size and geographic scope of operations. We have established a leading position in the U.S. retail forex market and over the past several years have made significant progress expanding our operations globally. Our main competitors can be categorized as follows:

 

   

Large U.S. Regulated Forex Firms, including firms regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, and National Futures Association, or NFA, with a principal offering in the U.S. of retail forex, such as Forex Capital Markets LLC and OANDA Corporation. Like us, these firms have also expanded globally over the past several years, and we also consider them to be competitors in several of our key international markets.

 

   

U.S. Online Broker-Dealers, including online broker dealer firms such as OptionsXpress Holdings, Inc., a division of The Charles Schwab Corporation, and TDAMERITRADE, among others. These traditional online brokers offer a broad set of asset classes to retail traders, including forex and futures products. The retail forex businesses of these competitors generally constitute a relatively insignificant portion of their overall businesses.

 

   

Global Multi-Product OTC Trading Firms, including firms such as Saxo Bank, CMC Group and IG Group Holdings plc. These firms generally offer a broad set of asset classes and earn a significant percentage of their revenue from non-forex products, including CFD trading on equity indices and commodities.

Our Institutional Business

We offer institutional customers access to forex trading, primarily through our GTX offering, which we launched in 2010. GTX utilizes a highly innovative, next generation electronic communications network, or ECN, which provides deep liquidity and true peer-to-peer trading capabilities through our unique centrally-cleared prime brokerage model, along with advanced algorithmic trading capabilities. We have made a significant investment in the development of proprietary enhancements to the GTX platform to provide our customers with innovative trading tools, such as basket trading, highly-customized reporting and custom margin monitoring. In 2011, we launched a specialty execution desk within our GTX business to facilitate the execution of more complex transactions for our clients covering all aspects of the forex markets, including swaps, NDFs and options. For the year ended December 31, 2012, net revenue from our institutional business represented 10% of our total consolidated revenue.

Through GTX we provide institutional customers fully anonymous and equal access to the same executable pricing across all major currency pairs. GTX clients use their existing credit line with a prime broker to trade on the liquidity of other participants, including banks, hedge funds and other clients. GTX provides a marketplace where participants, including banks, market makers and individual traders, trade against each other by sending

 

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competing bids and offers into the trading platform. Participants interact inside the trading platform and get the best offers for their trades available at that time. All trading orders are matched between counterparties in real time. We act as an agent for the trades executed on the GTX platform and, therefore, do not assume any market or credit risk. We generate revenue by charging a commission on trades executed on the platform.

For professional traders who meet certain qualifications but do not have a credit line with a prime broker, our GTX Direct offering allows access to the liquidity of the GTX marketplace. Through GTX Direct, we agree to act as counterparty to trades executed through the GTX trading platform on our clients’ behalf and earn a commission for each trade.

GTX is powered by software and services that we license from a third party. Pursuant to our agreements, we have obtained, subject to certain excluded customers and geographic regions, exclusive rights to use the software in the field of forex trading and non-exclusive rights to use such trading services in the fields of precious metals and hydrocarbon-related products trading.

Customers

Our institutional customer base includes financial institutions, hedge fund and asset managers, commodity trading, high frequency traders and broker/dealers and high net-worth individuals.

Sales and Marketing

We have a direct sales team that is dedicated to building relationships with potential institutional customers and expanding our GTX business. Since its inception in 2010, our institutional business has quickly expanded to include customers throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

Competition

GTX competes with other firms offering electronic trading platforms, such as ICAP, through its EBS offering; Reuters; FX Connect and Currenex, both owned by State Street Bank; BGC partners, through its eSpeed offering; Knight Capital, through its Hotspot offering; 360T Trading Networks; Integral Development Corp.; and others.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of trademark, copyright, trade secret and unfair competition laws in the United States and other jurisdictions to protect our proprietary technology, intellectual property rights and our brands (e.g., Forex.com, GAIN Capital, GTX, Open E Cry and OEC). We also enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and consultants, and confidentiality agreements with other third parties. We rigorously control access to our proprietary technology. Currently, we do not have any pending or issued patents.

We use the following service marks that have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: GAIN Capital (registered service mark), FOREX.com GAIN Capital Group (registered service mark), Trade Real-Time (registered service mark), ForexPro (registered service mark), ForexPremier (registered service mark), Forex Insider (registered service mark), ForexTrader (registered service mark), FOREX.com (registered service mark), ForexPlus (registered service mark), It’s Your World. Trade It. (registered service mark), OEC (registered service mark), OEC One Link (registered service mark) and Open E Cry (registered service mark). We also use the trademark Open E Cry (registered trademark), which has been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

 

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Regulation

Overview

Our business and industry are highly regulated. Our operating subsidiaries are regulated in a number of jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom (through which we have accessed regulatory passport rights to operate in a number of European Economic Area jurisdictions), Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and the Cayman Islands. Government regulators and self-regulatory organizations oversee the conduct of our business in many ways, and several perform regular examinations to monitor our compliance with applicable statutes, regulations and rules. These statutes, regulations and rules cover all aspects of our business, including:

 

   

sales and marketing activities, including our interaction with, and solicitation of, customers;

 

   

trading practices, including the types of products and services we may offer;

 

   

treatment of customer assets, including custody, control, safekeeping and, in certain countries, segregation of our customer funds and securities;

 

   

maintaining specified minimum amounts of capital and limiting withdrawals of funds from our regulated operating subsidiaries;

 

   

continuing education requirements for our employees;

 

   

anti-money laundering practices;

 

   

recordkeeping and reporting; and

 

   

supervision regarding the conduct of directors, officers and employees.

In some jurisdictions in which we offer our products and services, regulation is not required as a result of the nature of the market or the manner in which we conduct our business. We consult with legal counsel in jurisdictions in which we operate on a regular basis as to whether we have the required authorizations, licenses or approvals or whether we may conduct our business cross-border with residents in that jurisdiction without obtaining local regulatory authorization, approval or consent. In addition, on an on-going basis we proactively evaluate our activities in jurisdictions in which we are not currently licensed or registered. To the extent that we serve customers in a jurisdiction in which we determine licensing or registration is required, we may also elect to direct such customers to a licensed white label or other partner, rather than pursuing licensing or registration.

Though we conduct our business in a manner which we believe complies with applicable local law, regulators may assert jurisdiction over activities that they deem to take place within the jurisdiction they regulate, and new laws, rules or regulations may be enacted that change the regulatory landscape and result in new, or clarify preexisting, registration or licensing requirements.

The primary responsibility for ensuring that we maintain compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements is vested in our legal and compliance departments. In addition, our legal and compliance departments are responsible for our ongoing training and education programs, supervision of our personnel required to be licensed by one or more of our regulators, review of sales, marketing and other communications and other related functions. In addition, all of our sales employees are licensed pursuant to applicable regulation.

U.S. Regulation

In the United States, the CFTC and the NFA regulate our forex trading activities. Historically, the principal legislation covering our U.S. forex business was the Commodity Exchange Act, which provides for federal regulation of all commodities and futures trading activities and requires all futures and commodity options to be traded on organized exchanges. In recent years, as in the case of other companies in the financial services industry, our forex business has been subject to increasing regulatory oversight. Specifically, in 2008, the Congress passed the CFTC Reauthorization Act, which amended the Commodity Exchange Act to grant the

 

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CFTC express authority to regulate the retail forex industry. On October 18, 2010, the CFTC adopted a series of rules which regulate various aspects of our business, including:

 

   

creating “retail foreign exchange dealers,” or RFEDs, a new regulated category of forex brokers focused on retail investors that are permitted to act as counterparty to retail forex transactions;

 

   

imposing an initial minimum security deposit amount of 2.0% of the notional value for retail forex transactions in “major currency” pairs and 5.0% of the notional value for all other retail forex transactions;

 

   

providing that introducing brokers must either (i) register with the CFTC and become members of the NFA or apply for an exemption from registration and (ii) meet the minimum net capital requirements applicable to futures and commodity options introducing brokers or enter into a guarantee agreement with a CFTC-regulated forex dealer member and permitting only one such guarantee agreement per introducing broker;

 

   

requiring that a risk disclosure statement be provided to every retail forex customer, including disclosure of the number of profitable and unprofitable non-discretionary accounts maintained by the forex broker during the four most recent calendar quarters;

 

   

prohibiting RFEDs, FCMs and introducing brokers from including statements in sales and marketing materials that would appear to convey to potential retail forex customers that there is a guaranty against loss, and requiring that FCMs, RFEDs and introducing brokers provide retail forex customers with enhanced written disclosure statements that, among other things, inform customers of the risk of loss; and

 

   

requiring RFEDs to maintain net capital of at least $20.0 million, plus 5.0% of the RFED’s customer obligations in excess of $10.0 million. In addition, in the event an RFED’s net capital position falls below 110.0% of the minimum net capital requirement, the RFED would be subject to additional reporting requirements.

Our exchange-traded futures business, which is carried on by our subsidiary Gain Capital Group, LLC, under the OEC brand, is subject to the CFTC Net Capital Rule (Regulation 1.17). Our OTC foreign exchange business carried on by our subsidiary Gain Capital Group, LLC under the Forex.com brand, is also subject to the CFTC Net Capital Rule (Regulation 5.7). Under applicable provisions of these regulations, Gain Capital Group, LLC is required to maintain adjusted net capital of the greater of $1.0 million or 8% of Customer and Non-Customer Maintenance Margin or $20,000,000 plus 5 % of all liabilities owed to customers exceeding $10,000,000. At December 31, 2012, Gain Capital Group, LLC maintained $21.5 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 1.87 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

In July 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act. A number of significant provisions contained in the law affect, or will affect once implementing regulations are adopted by the appropriate federal agencies, our business. Specifically, the Dodd-Frank Act includes:

 

   

rules that, beginning in October 2010, require us to ensure that our customers residing in the United States have accounts open only with our NFA-member operating entity, GAIN Capital Group, LLC;

 

   

amendments to the Commodity Exchange Act that, beginning on July 15, 2011, required essentially all retail transactions in any commodity other than foreign currency to be executed on an exchange, rather than OTC;

 

   

a requirement that federal banking regulators adopt new rules regarding the conduct and operation of retail forex businesses by banks; and

 

   

a requirement that the SEC adopt rules regarding the conduct and operation of retail forex businesses by broker-dealers.

 

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As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act’s requirement that essentially all transactions in commodities be executed on an exchange, after July 15, 2011, we were no longer permitted to offer leveraged spot metal transactions in the United States. For the period from January 1, 2011 through July 15, 2011, our leveraged spot metals business with U.S. customers generated approximately $20.7 million in revenue. In addition, new regulations regarding banks’ participation in the forex business could significantly affect our wholesale forex trading partners’ ability to do business with us, which could affect the structure, size, depth and liquidity of forex markets generally.

The Dodd-Frank Act also provides for additional regulation of swaps and security-based swaps, including some types of foreign exchange and metals derivatives in which we engage. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the registration of swap dealers with the CFTC and imposes significant regulatory requirements on swap dealers. Certain of our subsidiaries may be required to register, or may register voluntarily, as swap dealers. Effective February 27, 2013, GAIN GTX, LLC, became registered with the CFTC and NFA as a swap dealer.

Swap dealers are subject to a comprehensive regulatory regime with new obligations for the swaps activities for which they are registered, including adherence to risk management policies, supervisory procedures, trade record and real time reporting requirements as well as proposed rules for new minimum capital requirements. Swap dealers also are subject to additional duties, including internal and external business conduct and documentation standards with respect to their swap counterparties. Swap dealers also will be subject to new rules under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding segregation of customer collateral for cleared transactions, position limits, large trader reporting regimes, compensation requirements and anti-fraud and anti-manipulation requirements related to activities in swaps.

The specific parameters of these swap dealer requirements are being developed by the CFTC and other regulators. The full impact of the regulation on GAIN GTX and any other of our subsidiaries that register as a swap dealer remains unclear. It is likely, however, that these entities will face increased costs due to the registration and regulatory requirements listed above. Complying with the proposed regulation of swap dealers could require us to restructure our businesses, require extensive systems changes, require personnel changes or raise additional potential liabilities and regulatory oversight. Compliance with swap-related regulatory capital requirements may require us to devote more capital to our GTX business. The increased costs associated with compliance, and the changes that will be required in our OTC and clearing businesses, may adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition. The extraterritorial impact of the swap dealer rules also remains unclear.

U.S. Patriot Act and Anti-Money Laundering

Like other companies in the financial services industry, we are subject to a variety of statutory and regulatory requirements concerning our relationships with customers and the review and monitoring of their transactions. Specifically, we are subject to the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the Patriot Act, which requires that we maintain a comprehensive anti-money laundering, or AML, program, a customer identification program, or CIP, designate an AML compliance officer, provide specified employee training and conduct an annual independent audit of our AML program. Consistent with the Patriot Act, our CIP includes both documentary and non-documentary review and analysis of potential customers. Under our CIP, we review each prospective customer’s identity internally and also contract with third-party firms that perform extensive background checks on each prospective customer, including through review of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets and Control, Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons lists. These procedures and tools, coupled with our periodic training, assist us in complying with the Patriot Act, as well as the CFTC’s and NFA’s applicable AML and CIP requirements.

International Regulation

We have provided below a brief description of the key regulatory aspects governing our operations in the jurisdictions in which we have registered with, or obtained a license from, the local regulator, as well as material

 

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regulatory developments affecting our business in other jurisdictions important to our business, including developments that have presented risks or uncertainties for our operations.

United Kingdom

GAIN Capital Forex.com UK Limited, or GCUK, is registered in the UK and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, or FSA, as a full scope €730k BIPRU Investment Firm. GCUK is required to maintain the greater of $1.0 million (€730,000) or the Financial Resources Requirement, which is calculated as the sum of the firm’s operational, credit, counterparty, concentration, market and forex risk. The regulatory capital held is required to be in excess of 110% of its requirements at all times. At December 31, 2012, GCUK maintained $21 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 2.5 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

In the European Union, Commission officials have announced the intention to propose new laws to regulate OTC derivatives. The new laws would, among other things, require mandatory central clearing of some derivatives, higher collateral requirements and higher capital charges for certain OTC derivatives. Details for many aspects of the legislative proposals have not yet been published. If the products that we offer are subjected to mandatory central clearing, exchange trading, higher collateral requirements or higher capital charges, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Japan

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd., or GC Japan, is a registered Type I financial instruments business firm regulated by the Financial Services Agency of Japan in accordance with Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended). GC Japan is a member of the Financial Futures Association of Japan. GC Japan is subject to a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 120%, which is derived by dividing Net Capital (as defined in Law No. 25) by the sum of GC Japan’s market, counterparty credit risk and operational risk. At December 31, 2012, GC Japan maintained $7.5 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 3.1 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GC Japan is also regulated by the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, or the JETI, and the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or the JAFF, and is a member of the Financial Futures Association of Japan. As required under applicable law, on January 1, 2011, we obtained a license from the JETI and JAFF.

The regulation of forex trading in Japan has recently undergone significant regulatory changes. In particular, pursuant to a new rule which became effective August 1, 2011, the maximum permitted leverage ratio for forex products is 25-to-1 and a new maximum leverage ratio of 20-to-1 for spot gold and spot silver products took effect on July 1, 2011. These regulatory changes may have a material adverse effect on our forex and metals business with Japanese customers.

Australia

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia, Pty. Ltd., or GCAU, is regulated under the laws of Australia, including the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth of Australia). The Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or the ASIC, is the corporate, markets and financial services regulator in Australia responsible for administering aspects of the Corporations Act 2001. GCAU holds an Australian Financial Services License that has been issued by the ASIC. GCAU is required to maintain a minimum capital requirement of $0.04 million (0.04 million AUD) plus 5% of adjusted liabilities between $1.02 million (1 million AUD) and $101.6 million (100 million AUD). At December 31, 2012, GCAU maintained $2.2 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 6.7 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

 

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The ASIC has released guidance to assist compliance with regulation applicable to advertising materials issued by promoters of financial products and services in Australia and by OTC CFD providers advertising such products to retail clients. The ASIC has also released disclosure benchmarks for OTC CFD providers which include a benchmark requiring OTC CFD providers to adopt written customer suitability policies.

Hong Kong

Our Hong Kong subsidiary, GAIN Capital Forex.com Hong Kong Limited, or GCHK, is a Type 3 leveraged foreign exchange trading firm registered with the Securities and Futures Commission, or SFC, and operates as an approved introducing agent. During the third quarter of 2011, GCHK received approval to begin offering forex and CFD trading directly to customers in Hong Kong. GCHK is subject to the requirements of section 145 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571). Under this rule, GCHK is required to maintain a minimum liquid capital requirement of the higher of $1.9 million or the sum of 1.5% of its aggregate gross foreign currency position and 5% of its adjusted liabilities and clients’ margin calculated in accordance with applicable rules. At December 31, 2012, GCHK maintained $1.8 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 1.9 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

Cayman Islands

GAIN Global Markets, Inc., or GGMI, our Cayman Island subsidiary, is a registered securities arranger with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. GGMI is required to maintain a capital level that is the greater of one quarter of relevant annual expenditure, or $100,000. At December 31, 2012, GGMI maintained $0.3 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 3.8 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

Canada

GAIN Capital - Forex.com Canada, Ltd., or GCCA, is a Dealer Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and regulated under the laws of Canada, including the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. In Canada, the securities industry is governed by provincial or territorial legislation, and there is no national regulator. Local legislation differs from province to province and territory to territory but, generally requires that forex dealing representatives register with applicable regulators and self-regulatory organizations in order to offer forex and/or CFD products to retail clients. GCCA’s principal provincial regulator is the Ontario Securities Commission, or OSC. GCCA is required to maintain risk adjusted capital in excess of the minimum capital requirement. At December 31, 2012, GCCA maintained $1.3 million more than the required minimum regulatory capital for a total of 6.4 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

Korea

We have a number of partners that provide retail forex trading to customers in Korea. We are not currently licensed to offer forex trading services directly to retail customers in Korea. The regulation of forex trading in Korea has recently undergone changes. In particular, the Korean Financial Supervisory Service announced a policy effective March 5, 2012, pursuant to which the maximum permitted leverage was reduced to 10-to-1. In addition, the Korean regulatory authority has announced that it may consider measures to further limit the ability of Korean general investors to enter into forex margin trading for speculative purposes. These regulatory changes may have a material adverse effect on our business with Korean customers.

Global Anti-Money Laundering

Our anti-money laundering and customer identification programs are designed to comply with applicable rules and regulations on a global basis. In addition, we have developed proprietary methods for risk-management and continue to add specialized processes, queries and automated reports designed to identify potential money laundering, fraud and other suspicious activities.

 

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Employees

As of December 31, 2012, we had 363 employees. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in Delaware in October 1999 as GAIN Capital, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at Bedminster One, 135 Route 202/206, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921. We operate our trading risk management and most administrative services out of our New York, New York; Bedminster, New Jersey; Powell, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; London, England; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Beijing, China; Hong Kong, Seoul, South Korea and Singapore offices. A complete list of our subsidiaries can be found in Exhibit 21.1.

Available Information

GAIN maintains a corporate website with the address www.gaincapital.com. Its intended use is as a regular means of disclosing material public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD promulgated by the SEC. Such disclosures are included on the website under the heading “Investor Relations.” Accordingly, investors should monitor such portions of the website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

We are not incorporating information contained in the website by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We will make available, free of charge through the website under the heading “Investor Relations,” our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing such material to, the SEC. In addition, we make available on our website (i) our Proxy Statements and reports filed by officers and directors under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (ii) the charters for the committees of our Board of Directors, including the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk Committee and (iii) our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing our directors, officers and employees. We intend to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange.

Materials filed with the SEC can also be read or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains a website, www.sec.gov, containing the reports, proxy statements and other information that we file with the SEC.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Our Business

Our Revenue and Profitability Are Influenced by Trading Volume and Currency Volatility, Which Are Directly Impacted by Domestic and International Market and Economic Conditions That Are Beyond Our Control.

During recent years, there has been significant disruption and volatility in the global financial markets. Many countries, including the United States and some member countries of the European Union, have recently experienced recessionary conditions. Our revenue is influenced by the general level of trading activity in the forex market. Our revenue and operating results may vary significantly from period to period due primarily to movements and trends in the world’s currency markets and to fluctuations in trading levels. We have generally experienced greater trading volume in periods of volatile currency markets. In the event we experience lower levels of currency volatility, our revenue and profitability will likely be negatively affected as occurred during the first, third and fourth quarters of 2012, when currency volatility levels were at or below previous four year lows. In addition, our customer base is primarily comprised of individual retail customers who view foreign exchange trading as an alternative investment class. If global economic conditions limit the disposable income of our customers, our business could be materially adversely affected as our customers may choose to curtail their trading in the forex market which could result in reduced customer trading volume and trading revenue

Like other financial services firms, our business and profitability are directly affected by elements that are beyond our control, such as economic and political conditions, broad trends in business and finance, changes in the volume of foreign currency transactions, changes in supply and demand for currencies, movements in currency exchange rates, changes in the financial strength of market participants, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in the markets in which such transactions occur, changes in how such transactions are processed and disruptions due to terrorism, war or extreme weather events. Any one or more of these factors, or other factors, may adversely affect our business and results of operations and cash flows. A weakness in equity markets, such as the current economic slowdown causing a reduction in trading volume in U.S. or foreign securities and derivatives, could result in reduced trading activity in the forex market and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. As a result, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful and our future operating results may be subject to significant fluctuations or declines.

Our Risk-Management Policies and Procedures May Not Be Effective and May Leave Us Exposed to Unidentified or Unexpected Risks.

We are dependent on our risk-management policies and the adherence to such policies by our trading staff. Our policies, procedures and practices used to identify, monitor and control a variety of risks, including risks related to human error, customer defaults, market movements, fraud and money-laundering, are established and reviewed by the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors. Some of our methods for managing risk are discretionary by nature and are based on internally developed controls and observed historical market behavior, and also involve reliance on standard industry practices. These methods may not adequately prevent losses, particularly as they relate to extreme market movements, which may be significantly greater than historical fluctuations in the market. Our risk-management methods also may not adequately prevent losses due to technical errors if our testing and quality control practices are not effective in preventing software or hardware failures. In addition, we may elect to adjust our risk-management policies to allow for an increase in risk tolerance, which could expose us to the risk of greater losses. Our risk-management methods rely on a combination of technical and human controls and supervision that are subject to error and failure. These methods may not protect us against all risks or may protect us less than anticipated, in which case our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

 

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We May Incur Material Trading Losses From Our Forex Trading Activities.

A significant portion of our revenue and operating profits have historically been derived from our retail and institutional foreign exchange trading business. Through our forex trading activities, we attempt to derive a profit from the difference between the prices at which we buy and sell, or sell and buy, foreign currencies. We may incur trading losses for a variety of reasons, including:

 

   

price changes in foreign currencies;

 

   

lack of liquidity in foreign currencies in which we have positions; and

 

   

inaccuracies in our proprietary pricing mechanism, or rate engine, which evaluates, monitors and assimilates market data and reevaluates our outstanding currency quotes, and is designed to publish prices reflective of prevailing market conditions throughout the trading day.

These risks may affect the prices at which we are able to sell or buy foreign currencies or may limit or restrict our ability to either resell foreign currencies that we have purchased or repurchase foreign currencies that we have sold.

In addition, competitive forces often require us to match the breadth of quotes our competitors display and to hold varying amounts and types of foreign currencies at any given time. By having to maintain positions in certain currencies, we are subjected to a high degree of risk. We may not be able to manage such risk successfully and may experience significant losses from such activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

The Expansion of Our Trading Activities Into Other Financial Products, Including Futures, Futures Options, Listed Securities, Contracts for Difference, or CFDs, Over-the-Counter, or OTC, Currency Derivatives and Gold and Silver Spot Trading Entails Significant Risk, and Unforeseen Events in Such Business Could Have An Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

All of the risks that pertain to our trading activities in the forex market also apply to our futures, futures options, listed securities, CFDs, OTC currency derivatives and gold and silver spot trading products and any other products we may offer in the future. These risks include market risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, technology risk, third-party risk and risk of human error. In addition, we have limited experience outside of the forex market and unexpected events can occur that can result in great financial loss to us, including our inability to effectively integrate new products into our existing trading platform or our failure to properly manage the market risks associated with making markets for new products. The profit margins for these new products may not be similar to the profit margins we have realized with respect to forex trading. In addition, if we further expand our listed securities offerings, we would move from what is primarily a business model focused on OTC trading into a business model that includes brokerage activities that require reliance upon third-party clearing firms to hold our customers’ funds and execute our customers’ trades. The introduction of these and other potential financial products would pose a risk that our risk-management policies, procedures and practices, and the technology that supports such activities, will be unable to effectively manage these new risks to our business. In addition we would be subject to local securities laws for all of these offerings.

In our exchange traded futures business, we are exposed to debit/deficit risk with our clients. If an adverse market move relative to a client’s position(s) occurs and we are unable to collect a margin call in a timely manner, the client account may incur a loss, resulting in a debit balance.

Our non-U.S. operating subsidiaries offer and sell CFDs outside the United States to non-U.S. persons. CFDs are not and may not be offered in the United States by us, including by any of our U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries, and are not eligible for resale to U.S. persons. They are not currently registered with the SEC or any other U.S. regulator. To the extent our current CFD product offerings constitute an offer or sale of securities under the

 

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U.S. federal securities laws, we will need to comply with those U.S. federal securities laws. To the extent our CFD offerings constitute OTC futures contracts or other financial derivative instruments, they are prohibited under the provisions of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act. To the extent our CFD offerings are determined to constitute swaps or security-based swaps under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Commodity Exchange Act or the federal securities laws, we would be required to comply with such U.S. laws with respect to such offerings. Failure to effectively manage these risks or properly comply with local laws or regulations relating to our product offerings, including U.S. federal securities laws, may expose us to fines, penalties or other sanctions that could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Any Future Acquisitions May Result in Significant Transaction Expenses, Integration and Consolidation Risks and Risks Associated With Entering New Markets, and We May Be Unable to Profitably Operate Our Consolidated Company.

We intend to continue to selectively pursue acquisitions. Any future acquisitions may result in significant transaction expenses and present new risks associated with entering additional markets or offering new products and integrating the acquired companies. Other areas where we may face risks include:

 

  diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to address challenges that may arise in integrating the acquired business;

 

  transition of operations, users and customers onto our existing platforms;

 

  failure to successfully further develop the acquired business; and

 

  integration of the acquired business’ accounting, human resource and other administrative systems, and coordination of trading and sales and marketing functions.

Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our future acquisitions could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally. Future acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities or the incurrence of debt. Additionally, any new businesses that we may acquire, once integrated with our existing operations, may not produce expected or intended results.

Any Disruption or Corruption of Our Proprietary Technology Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

We rely on our proprietary technology to receive and properly process internal and external data. Any disruption in the proper functioning or any corruption of our software or erroneous or corrupted data may cause us to make erroneous trades, accept customers from jurisdictions where we do not possess the proper licenses, authorizations or permits or require us to suspend our services, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Systems Failures Could Cause Interruptions in Our Services or Decreases in the Responsiveness of Our Services, Which Could Harm Our Business.

If our systems fail to perform, we could experience disruptions in operations, slower response times or decreased customer satisfaction. Our ability to facilitate transactions successfully and provide high quality customer service depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications hardware and software systems. These systems have in the past experienced periodic interruptions and disruptions in operations, which we believe will continue to occur from time to time. Our systems also are vulnerable to damage or interruption from human error, natural disasters, power loss, telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, intentional acts of vandalism and similar events. We do not have fully redundant capabilities. While we currently maintain a disaster recovery plan, or DRP, which is intended to minimize service interruptions and secure data integrity, our DRP may not work effectively during an emergency. Any systems

 

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failure that causes an interruption in our services or decreases the responsiveness of our services could impair our reputation, damage our brand name and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

We May Not Be Able to Develop and Adopt New Technologies in a Timely Fashion, Which Could Adversely Impact Our Ability to Compete in the Markets in Which We Operate.

Our success in the past has largely been attributable to our proprietary technology that has taken many years to develop. If our competitors develop more advanced technologies, we may be required to devote substantial resources to the development of more advanced technology to remain competitive. Our industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and changing trading systems, practices and techniques. We may not be able to keep up with these rapid changes in the future, develop new technology, realize a return on amounts invested in developing new technologies or remain competitive in the future.

We May Not Be Able to Protect Our Intellectual Property Rights or May Be Prevented From Using Intellectual Property Necessary for Our Business.

We rely on a combination of trademark, copyright, trade secret and unfair competition laws in the United States and other jurisdictions to protect our proprietary technology, intellectual property rights and our brands. We do not have any patents. While we rigorously control access to our proprietary technology and enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, consultants and other third parties, it is possible that third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary technology without authorization or otherwise infringe on our rights. Such unauthorized use and infringement would undermine the competitive benefits offered by our proprietary technology and could adversely impact our business and results of operations.

We also license or are permitted to use intellectual property or technologies owned by others, such as the trading platform used by our GTX business. In the event such intellectual property or technology becomes material to our business, the loss of our license or our inability to otherwise continue use of such technologies would have a material adverse effect on our business. We may also face claims of infringement that could interfere with our ability to use technology that is material to our business operations.

Attrition of Customer Accounts and Failure to Attract New Accounts in a Cost-Effective Manner Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

Our customer base is primarily comprised of individual retail customers who generally trade with us for short periods. Although we offer products and tailored services designed to educate, support and retain our customers, our efforts to attract new customers or reduce the attrition rate of our existing customers may not be successful. If we are unable to maintain or increase our customer retention rates or generate a substantial number of new customers in a cost-effective manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows would likely be adversely affected. Although we have spent significant financial resources on sales and marketing expenses and related expenses and plan to continue to do so, these efforts may not be cost-effective at attracting new customers. In particular, we believe that rates for desirable advertising and marketing placements, including online, search engine, print and television advertising, are likely to increase in the foreseeable future, and we may be disadvantaged relative to our larger competitors in our ability to expand or maintain our advertising and marketing commitments. Additionally, our sales and marketing methods are subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, and National Futures Association, or NFA, in the United States and other regulators in non-US jurisdictions. The rules and regulations of these organizations impose specific limitations on our sales methods, advertising and marketing. If we do not achieve our advertising objectives, our profitability and growth may be materially adversely affected.

 

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We Are Subject to Litigation Risk Which Could Adversely Affect Our Reputation, Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

Many aspects of our business involve risks that expose us to potential liability under U.S. federal and state laws, as well as the rules and enforcement efforts of our regulators and self-regulatory organizations worldwide. These risks include, among others, disputes over trade terms with customers and other market participants, customer losses resulting from system delay or failure and customer claims that we or our employees executed unauthorized transactions, made materially false or misleading statements or lost or diverted customer assets in our custody. We may also be subject to regulatory investigation and enforcement actions seeking to impose significant fines or other sanctions, which in turn could trigger civil litigation for our previous operations that may be deemed to have violated applicable rules and regulations in one or more jurisdictions.

The volume of claims and the amount of damages and fines claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial services firms has been increasing and may continue to increase. The amounts involved in the trades we execute, together with rapid price movements in our currency pairs, can result in potentially large damage claims in any litigation resulting from such trades. Dissatisfied customers, regulators or self-regulatory organizations may make claims against us regarding the quality of trade execution, improperly settled trades, mismanagement or even fraud, and these claims may increase as our business expands.

Litigation may also arise from disputes over the exercise of our rights with respect to customer accounts and collateral. Although our customer agreements generally provide that we may exercise such rights with respect to customer accounts and collateral as we deem reasonably necessary for our protection, our exercise of these rights may lead to claims by customers that we did so improperly.

We may also have to rely on litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Even if we prevail in any litigation or enforcement proceedings against us, we could incur significant legal expenses defending against the claims, even those without merit. Moreover, because even claims without merit can damage our reputation or raise concerns among our customers, we may feel compelled to settle claims at significant cost. The initiation of any claim, proceeding or investigation against us, or an adverse resolution of any such matter could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

We May Be Subject to Customer Litigation, Financial Losses, Regulatory Sanctions and Harm to Our Reputation as a Result of Employee Misconduct or Errors That Are Difficult to Detect and Deter.

There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees of financial services firms in recent years. Our employees could execute unauthorized transactions for our customers, use customer assets improperly or without authorization, carry out improper activities on behalf of customers or use confidential customer or company information for personal or other improper purposes, as well as improperly record or otherwise try to hide improper activities from us.

In addition, employee errors, including mistakes in executing, recording or reporting transactions for customers, may cause us to enter into transactions that customers disavow and refuse to settle. Employee errors expose us to the risk of material losses until the errors are detected and the transactions are unwound or reversed. The risk of employee error or miscommunication may be greater for products that are new or have non-standardized terms. Further, such errors may be more likely to occur in the aftermath of any acquisitions during the integration of or migration from technological systems. Misconduct by our employees or former employees could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. It may not be possible to detect or deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Our employees may also commit good faith errors that could subject us to financial claims for negligence or otherwise, as well as regulatory actions.

Misconduct by employees of our customers can also expose us to claims for financial losses or regulatory proceedings when it is alleged we or our employees knew or should have known that an employee of our

 

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customer was not authorized to undertake certain transactions. Dissatisfied customers can make claims against us, including claims for negligence, fraud, unauthorized trading, failure to supervise, breach of fiduciary duty, employee errors, intentional misconduct, unauthorized transactions by associated persons or failures in the processing of transactions.

Any Restriction in the Availability of Credit Cards as a Payment Option for Our Customers Could Adversely Affect Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

We currently allow our customers to use credit cards to fund their accounts with us. For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 10% of the notional value of our U.S. customer deposits were funded in this manner. The National Futures Association, or NFA, has recently requested comments from its members, including our company, about a proposed prohibition on the use of credit cards to fund retail trading accounts. If the NFA’s proposed prohibitions, or other similar regulations, are adopted, or if credit card issuing institutions restrict the use of credit and debit cards as a means to fund retail accounts, then the elimination or reduction in the availability of credit cards as a means to fund customer accounts, or any increase in the fees associated with such use, would deprive our customers of a secure and convenient method of funding their accounts, particularly during non-banking hours. If customers are unable or unwilling to utilize alternative methods of funding their accounts, the resulting reduction in trading volume by our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Our Customer Accounts May Be Vulnerable to Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud.

Credit card issuers have adopted credit card security guidelines as part of their ongoing efforts to prevent identity theft and credit card fraud. We continue to work with credit card issuers to ensure that our services, including customer account maintenance, comply with these rules. When there is unauthorized access to credit card data that results in financial loss, there is the potential that we could experience reputational damage and parties could seek damages from us.

If Our Reputation is Harmed, or the Reputation of the Online Financial Services Industry as a Whole Is Harmed, Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows may be Materially Adversely Affected.

Our ability to attract and retain customers and employees may be adversely affected if our reputation is damaged. If we fail, or appear to fail, to deal with issues that may give rise to reputation risk, our business prospects could be materially adversely affected. These issues include, but are not limited to, appropriately dealing with potential conflicts of interest, legal and regulatory requirements, ethical issues, money-laundering, privacy, client data protection, record keeping, sales and trading practices, and the proper identification of the legal, credit, liquidity, and market risks inherent in our business. Failure to appropriately address these issues could also give rise to additional legal risk to us, which could, in turn, increase the size and number of claims and damages asserted against us or subject us to regulatory enforcement actions, fines and penalties. Any such sanctions could materially adversely affect our reputation, thereby reducing our ability to attract and retain customers and employees.

In addition, our ability to attract and retain customers may be adversely affected if the reputation of the online financial services industry as a whole or the forex industry is damaged. In recent years, a number of financial services firms have suffered significant damage to their reputations from highly publicized incidents that in turn resulted in significant and in some cases irreparable harm to their business. A perception of instability within the online financial services industry also could materially adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers.

The Loss of Our Key Employees Could Materially Adversely Affect Our Business, Including Our Ability to Grow Our Business.

Our key employees, including Glenn Stevens, our chief executive officer, have significant experience in the forex industry and have made significant contributions to our business. In addition, other senior employees have made

 

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significant contributions to our business. Our continued success is dependent upon the retention of these and other key executive officers and employees, as well as the services provided by our trading staff, technology and programming specialists and a number of other key managerial, marketing, planning, financial, technical and operations personnel. The loss of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, our ability to grow our business is dependent, to a large degree, on our ability to retain such employees.

The Industries In Which We Operate Are Highly Competitive and We May Be Adversely Affected if We Are Unable to Compete Effectively.

The forex market has only recently become accessible to retail investors and is a rapidly evolving business industry characterized by intense competition and evolving domestic and global regulatory oversight and rules. Tighter spreads and increased competition could make our business less profitable. In addition, new and enhanced alternative trading systems have emerged as an option for individual and institutional investors to avoid directing their trades through retail forex brokers, which could result in reduced revenue for us. Our prospects may be materially adversely affected by our ability to adapt to these changes and effectively manage the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in the operation of a business in a rapidly evolving industry. We face similar competitive pressure in the other industries in which we operate, including with regard to our institutional and exchange traded futures products.

In addition, our competitors include sophisticated institutions which have larger customer bases, more established name recognition and substantially greater financial, marketing, technological and personnel resources than we do. These advantages may enable them, among other things, to:

 

   

develop products and services that are similar to ours, or that are more attractive to customers than ours in one or more of our markets;

 

   

provide products and services we do not offer;

 

   

provide execution and clearing services that are more rapid, reliable, efficient or less expensive than ours;

 

   

offer products and services at prices below ours to gain market share and to promote other businesses, such as forex options, futures, listed securities, CFDs, precious metals and OTC derivatives;

 

   

adapt at a faster rate to market conditions, new technologies and customer demands;

 

   

offer better, faster and more reliable technology;

 

   

outbid us for desirable acquisition targets;

 

   

more efficiently engage in and expand existing relationships with strategic alliances;

 

   

market, promote and sell their products and services more effectively; and

 

   

develop stronger relationships with customers.

These competitors, including commercial and investment banking firms, may have access to capital in greater amounts and at lower costs than we do, and, therefore, may be better able to respond to changes in the industries in which we operate, to compete for skilled professionals, to finance acquisitions, to fund internal growth and to compete for market share generally. Access to capital is critical to our business to satisfy regulatory obligations and liquidity requirements. Among other things, access to capital determines our creditworthiness, which if perceived negatively in the market could materially impair our ability to attract customer assets. Access to capital also determines the degree to which we can expand our operations. Therefore, if we are unable to maintain or increase our capital on competitive terms, we could be at a significant competitive disadvantage, and our ability to maintain or increase our revenue and earnings could be materially impaired. Also, new or existing competitors in our markets could make it difficult for us to maintain our current market share or increase it in desirable markets. Increased competition could also result in narrowing bid/offer spreads, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. Any reduction in

 

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revenues without a commensurate reduction in expenses would decrease our profitability. We may not be able to compete effectively against these firms, particularly those with greater financial resources, and our failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

We May Be Unable to Effectively Manage Our Growth.

As we continue to seek to grow our business, both organically and by selectively pursuing acquisitions, we may need to expand and upgrade the reliability and scalability of our transaction processing systems, network infrastructure and other aspects of our proprietary technology. We may not be able to expand and upgrade our technology systems and infrastructure to accommodate increases in our business activity in a timely manner, which could lead to operational breakdowns and delays, loss of customers, a reduction in the growth of our customer base, increased operating expenses, financial losses, increased litigation or customer claims, regulatory sanctions or increased regulatory scrutiny. In addition, we will need to continue to attract, hire and retain highly skilled and motivated executives and employees. We may not be able to attract or retain the executives and employees necessary to manage our growth effectively.

We May Be Unable to Respond to Customers’ Demands for New Services and Products and Our Business, Financial Condition And Results of Operations and Cash Flows May Be Materially Adversely Affected.

The market for Internet-based trading is characterized by:

 

   

changing customer demands;

 

   

the need to enhance existing services and products or introduce new services and products;

 

   

evolving industry practices; and

 

   

rapidly evolving technology solutions.

New services and products provided by our competitors may render our existing services and products less competitive. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to customers’ demands for new services and products on a timely and cost-effective basis and to adapt to address the increasingly sophisticated requirements and varied needs of our customers and prospective customers. We may not be successful in developing, introducing or marketing new services and products. In addition, our new service and product enhancements may not achieve market acceptance. Any failure on our part to anticipate or respond adequately to customer requirements or changing industry practices, or any significant delays in the development, introduction or availability of new services, products or service or product enhancements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Our International Operations Present Special Challenges and Our Failure to Adequately Address Such Challenges or Compete in These Markets, Either Directly or Through Joint Ventures With Local Firms, Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

In 2012, we generated approximately 79.4% of our retail trading volume from customers outside the United States. Expanding our business in new markets is an important part of our growth strategy. Due to certain cultural, regulatory and other challenges relevant to those markets, however, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in those regions relative to local firms or to international firms that have a well-established local presence. These challenges include:

 

   

less developed or mature local technological infrastructure and higher costs, which could make our products and services less attractive or accessible in emerging markets;

 

   

difficulty in complying with the diverse regulatory requirements of multiple jurisdictions, which may be more burdensome, not clearly defined and subject to unexpected changes, potentially exposing us to significant compliance costs and regulatory penalties;

 

   

less developed and established local financial and banking infrastructure, which could make our products and services less accessible;

 

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reduced protection of intellectual property rights;

 

   

inability to enforce contracts;

 

   

difficulties and costs associated with staffing and managing foreign operations, including reliance on newly hired local personnel;

 

   

tariffs and other trade barriers;

 

   

currency and tax laws that may prevent or restrict the transfer of capital and profits among our various operations around the world; and

 

   

time zone, language and cultural differences among personnel in different areas of the world.

In addition, in order to be competitive in these local markets, or in some cases because of restrictions on the ability of foreign firms to do business locally, we may seek to operate through joint ventures with local firms. Doing business through joint ventures may limit our ability to control the conduct of the business and could expose us to reputational and greater operational risks. We may also face intense competition from other international firms over relatively scarce opportunities for market entry. Given the intense competition from other international brokers that are also seeking to enter these new markets, we may have difficulty finding suitable local firms willing to enter into the kinds of relationships with us that we may need to gain access to these markets. This competition could make it difficult for us to expand our business internationally as planned.

If Our Operating Subsidiaries Are Unable to Pay Us Dividends When Needed, We May Be Unable to Satisfy Our Obligations When They Arise.

As a holding company with no material assets other than the stock of our operating subsidiaries, nearly all of our funds generated from operations are generated by our operating subsidiaries. Historically, we have accessed these funds through receipt of dividends from these subsidiaries. Some of our subsidiaries are subject to regulation and requirements of various regulatory bodies, including the CFTC and NFA in the United States, the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom, the Financial Services Agency, or FSA, the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, or JETI, the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, or JAFF, the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, or IIROC, in Canada and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority in the Cayman Islands, relating to liquidity and capital standards, which may have the effect of limiting funds available for the payment of dividends to the holding company. Accordingly, if our operating subsidiaries are unable to pay us dividends and make other payments to us when needed, due to regulatory restrictions or otherwise, we may be unable to satisfy our obligations when they arise.

Risks Related to Regulation

Failure to Comply With the Rapidly Evolving Laws and Regulations Governing Our Businesses May Result in Regulatory Agencies Taking Action Against Us, Which Could Significantly Harm Our Business.

Substantially all of our operations involving the execution and clearing of transactions in foreign currencies, CFDs, gold and silver and securities are conducted through subsidiaries that are regulated by governmental bodies or self-regulatory organizations, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and the Cayman Islands. Many of the regulations we are governed by are intended to protect the public, our customers and the integrity of the markets, and not necessarily our shareholders.

Among other things, we are subject to regulation with regard to:

 

   

sales and marketing activities, including our interaction with, and solicitation of, customers;

 

   

trading practices, including the types of investment products we may offer;

 

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treatment of customer assets, including custody, control, safekeeping and, in certain countries, segregation of our customer funds and securities;

 

   

maintaining specified minimum amounts of capital and limiting withdrawals of funds from our regulated operating subsidiaries;

 

   

continuing education requirements for our employees;

 

   

anti-money laundering practices;

 

   

recordkeeping and reporting; and

 

   

supervision regarding the conduct of directors, officers and employees.

Compliance with these regulations is complicated, time consuming and expensive. Our ability to comply with all applicable laws and regulations is dependent in large part on our internal legal and compliance functions, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, which we may not be able to do. Regulators and self-regulatory organizations broadly oversee the conduct of our business and several perform regular examinations of our operations to monitor our compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If a regulator finds that we have failed to comply with applicable rules and regulations, we may be subject to censure, fines, cease-and-desist orders, suspension of our business, removal of personnel, civil litigation or other sanctions, including, in some cases, increased reporting requirements or other undertakings, revocation of our operating licenses or criminal conviction. In addition, we could incur significant legal expenses in defending ourselves against and resolving actions or investigations by such regulatory agencies. An adverse resolution of any future actions or investigations by such regulatory agencies against us could result in a negative perception of our company and cause the market price of our common stock to decline or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

As a Result of Recent Regulatory Changes in Certain Jurisdictions, Our Operations and Profitability May Be Disrupted and We May Be Subject to Regulatory Action Taken Against Us if a Regulatory Authority Determines that Our Operations Are Out of Compliance, or Requires Us to Comply With Additional Regulatory Requirements.

Recently, the legislative and regulatory environment in which we operate has undergone significant changes and there may be future regulatory changes affecting our industry. Our ability to expand our presence in various jurisdictions throughout the world will depend on the nature of future changes to the regulatory environment and our ability to continue to comply with evolving requirements. To the extent one or more regulators determines that our current activities do not comply with applicable law or regulations in a given jurisdiction, our services may be disrupted, we may elect to shift our services to a white label partner or we may be required to withdraw or modify our service offering.

In August 2010, the CFTC released new rules, effective as of October 18, 2010, relating to the retail forex industry regarding, among other things, increased initial minimum security deposits, registration of introducing brokers, money managers and fund managers, increased risk disclosures, including disclosures relating to customer profits and losses, record keeping, financial reporting, minimum capital and other operational standards. In addition, the rules established 50-to-1 as the maximum leverage permitted to be provided to U.S. customers in major currency pairs, and 20-to-1 in all other currency pairs. We can provide no assurance that maximum leverage limits in the United States, or elsewhere, will not be decreased further, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, has had and is expected to continue to have a significant effect on our U.S. retail business. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act further amended the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit essentially all OTC retail transactions in any commodity other than foreign currency after July 15, 2011. As a result, after such date, we are

 

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not permitted to offer our U.S. retail customers leveraged spot metals trading or any product other than forex. The Dodd-Frank Act also includes a requirement that federal banking regulators and the SEC adopt new rules regarding the conduct and operation of forex businesses by banks and broker-dealers, respectively. As a result of these new regulations, the ability of our wholesale forex trading partners, many of which are regulated banks and/or broker-dealers, to do business with us could be significantly curtailed, which could materially adversely affect our ability to provide liquidity to our customers. In addition, the new rules could adversely affect the structure, size, depth and liquidity of forex markets generally. The Dodd-Frank Act also provides for additional regulation of swaps and security-based swaps, including some types of foreign exchange and metals derivatives in which we engage. Swap dealers are required to register with the CFTC and are subject to a comprehensive regulatory regime with new obligations for the swaps activities for which they are registered, including, among other things, new capital requirements, a new margin regime for uncleared swaps and a new segregation regime for collateral of counterparties to uncleared swaps. While the specific parameters of these swap dealer requirements are still being developed by the relevant regulators, it is likely that any of our subsidiaries that are required to register as swap dealers (such as GAIN GTX, LLC, which has registered with the CFTC and NFA as a swap dealer) will face increased costs due to the registration and regulatory requirements listed above. Any of these new regulatory developments, alone or in combination, could have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability.

In the European Union, government officials have announced the intention to propose new laws to regulate OTC derivatives. The new laws would, among other things, require mandatory central clearing of some derivatives, higher collateral requirements and higher capital charges for certain OTC derivatives. These initiatives are still at the consultation stage and details for many aspects of the legislative proposals have not yet been published. If the products that we offer are subjected to mandatory central clearing, exchange trading, higher collateral requirements or higher capital charges, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In Japan, new regulations, which became effective in August 2011, prohibit our ability to offer Japanese residents leverage for forex products in excess of 25-to-1. For spot gold that we offer in Japan, beginning July 1, 2011, the maximum allowable leverage became 20-to-1. These changes may result in a decrease in Japanese customer trading volume, which may in turn materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has proposed its intention to issue new guidance on advertising materials, to introduce disclosure benchmarks for OTC CFD providers and to require OTC CFD providers to adopt written customer suitability policies.

In Korea, the Financial Supervisory Service introduced guidelines, effective March 5, 2012, pursuant to which the maximum leverage ratio for retail forex trading was reduced to 10-to-1. In addition, the Korean regulatory authority has announced that it may consider measures to further limit the ability of Korean general investors to enter into forex margin trading for speculative purposes. These regulatory changes may have a material adverse effect on our business with Korean customers.

In addition, the changing regulatory environment may create uncertainty with respect to certain practices or types of transactions that, in the past, may have been considered permissible and appropriate among financial services firms. Certain established practices may be called into question or become subject to additional regulatory requirements. These legal or regulatory uncertainties and additional regulatory requirements could result in a loss of, or increase in the cost of, business and could materially adversely affect our revenue, profitability and results of operations. Finally, because of changes in regulation, regulatory interpretations, enforcement practices or for other reasons, we may be found to have violated local regulation and, as a result, we may be subject to enforcement actions and penalties or customer claims in those local jurisdictions.

 

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As We Operate in Many Jurisdictions Without Local Registration, Licensing or Authorization, We May Be Subject to Possible Enforcement Action and Sanction for Our Operations in Such Jurisdictions if Our Operations Are Determined to Have Violated Regulations in Those Jurisdictions. Our Growth May Be Limited by Various Restrictions and We Remain at Risk That We May Be Required to Cease Operations if We Become Subject to Regulation by Local Government Bodies.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 60.1% of our trading volume was attributable to customers resident in a jurisdiction where we or our white label partners are licensed, regulated or deal with customers cross-border in a manner that we believe does not require us to be regulated in that jurisdiction. The remaining 39.9% of our retail trading volume was attributable to customers in jurisdictions in which we or our white label partners are not currently licensed or authorized by the local government or applicable self-regulatory organization. We determine the nature and extent of services we can offer and the manner in which we conduct our business in the various jurisdictions in which we serve customers based on a variety of factors, including legal advice received from local counsel, our review of applicable U.S. and local laws and regulations and, in some cases, our discussions with local regulators. In cases in which we operate in jurisdictions based on local legal advice, we are exposed to the risk that our legal and regulatory analysis is subsequently determined by a local regulatory agency or other authority to be incorrect and that we have not been in compliance with local laws or regulations, including local licensing or authorization requirements, and to the risk that the regulatory environment in a jurisdiction may change, including in a circumstance where laws or regulations or licensing or authorization requirements that previously were not enforced become subject to enforcement.

In jurisdictions in which we are not licensed or authorized, we may be subject to a variety of restrictions regarding the manner in which we conduct our business or serve customers, including restrictions on:

 

   

our sales and marketing activities;

 

   

the use of a website specifically targeted to potential customers in a particular country;

 

   

the minimum income level or financial sophistication of potential customers we may contact;

 

   

our ability to have a physical presence in a particular country; or

 

   

the types of services we may offer customers physically present in each country.

These restrictions may limit our ability to grow our business in any such jurisdiction or may result in increased overhead costs or degradation in our services in that jurisdiction. We currently have only a limited presence in a number of important markets and because of these and other regulatory restrictions, we may not be able to gain a significant presence there unless and until the regulatory landscape in these markets is modified. Consequently, we cannot assure you that our international expansion plans will be achieved.

We may be subject to possible enforcement action and penalties if we are determined to have previously offered, or currently offer, our services in violation of applicable laws and regulations in any of the markets in which we serve customers. In any such case, we may be required to cease the conduct of our business with customers in one or more jurisdictions. We may also determine that compliance with the laws or licensing, authorization or other regulatory requirements for continuing the business in one or more jurisdictions are too onerous to justify making the necessary changes. In addition, any such event could negatively impact our relationship with the regulators or self-regulatory organizations in the jurisdictions where we are subject to regulation.

We Are Required to Maintain High Levels of Capital, Which Could Constrain Our Growth and Subject Us to Regulatory Sanctions.

Our regulators have stringent rules requiring that we maintain specific minimum levels of regulatory capital in our operating subsidiaries that conduct our spot foreign exchange, CFDs, gold and silver spot trading and securities businesses. In the United States, as a Futures Commission Merchant, or FCM, and a Retail Forex Exchange Dealer, or RFED, we are required to maintain adjusted net capital of $20.0 million plus 5.0% of the

 

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amount of customer liabilities over $10.0 million. On a worldwide basis, as of December 31, 2012, we were required to maintain approximately $45.6 million minimum capital in the aggregate across all jurisdictions, representing a $9.8 million, or 27.4% increase from our minimum regulatory capital requirement at December 31, 2011. Regulators continue to evaluate and modify regulatory capital requirements from time to time in response to market events and to improve the stability of the international financial system. Additional revisions to this framework or new capital adequacy rules applicable to us may be proposed and ultimately adopted, which could further increase our minimum capital requirements in the future.

Even if regulators do not change existing regulations or adopt new ones, our minimum capital requirements will generally increase in proportion to the size of the business conducted by our regulated subsidiaries. As a result, we will need to increase our regulatory capital in order to expand our operations and increase our revenue, and our inability to increase our capital on a cost-efficient basis could constrain our growth. In addition, in many cases, we are not permitted to withdraw regulatory capital maintained by our subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval or notice, which could constrain our ability to allocate our capital resources most efficiently throughout our global operations. In particular, these restrictions could adversely affect our ability to withdraw funds needed to satisfy our ongoing operating expenses, debt service and other cash needs and could affect any future decision by our Board of Directors regarding the payment of our quarterly dividends. Regulators monitor our levels of capital closely. We are required to report the amount of regulatory capital we maintain to our regulators on a regular basis, and we must report any deficiencies or material declines promptly. While we expect that our current amount of regulatory capital will be sufficient to meet anticipated short-term increases in requirements, any failure to maintain the required levels of regulatory capital, or to report any capital deficiencies or material declines in capital could result in severe sanctions, including fines, censure, restrictions on our ability to conduct business and revocation of our registrations. The imposition of one or more of these sanctions could ultimately lead to our liquidation, or the liquidation of one or more of our subsidiaries.

Servicing Customers Via the Internet May Require Us to Comply With the Laws and Regulations of Each Country in Which We Are Deemed to Conduct Business. Failure to Comply With Such Laws May Negatively Impact Our Financial Results.

Since our services are available over the Internet in foreign countries and we have customers residing in foreign countries, foreign jurisdictions may require us to qualify to do business in their country. We believe that the number of our customers residing outside of the United States will continue to increase over time. We are required to comply with the laws and regulations of each country in which we conduct business, including laws and regulations currently in place or which may be enacted related to Internet services available to the residents of each country from service providers located elsewhere. Any failure to develop effective compliance and reporting systems could result in regulatory penalties in the applicable jurisdiction, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Procedures and Requirements of the Patriot Act and other Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer Regulations May Expose Us to Significant Costs or Penalties.

As participants in the financial services industry, we are, and our subsidiaries are, subject to numerous laws and regulations, including the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the Patriot Act, that require that we know our customers and monitor transactions for suspicious financial activities. The cost of complying with the Patriot Act and similar laws and regulations is significant. We face the risk that our policies, procedures, technology and personnel directed toward complying with these laws and regulations are insufficient and that we could be subject to significant criminal and civil penalties due to noncompliance. Such penalties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. In addition, as an online financial services provider with customers worldwide, we may face particular difficulties in identifying our customers and monitoring their activities.

 

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Risks Related to Third Parties

If We Lose Access to the Wholesale Forex Trading Partners That Provide Us With Forex Market Liquidity, We May Be Unable to Provide Competitive Forex Trading Services, Which Will Materially Adversely Affect Our Business, Financial Condition And Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

We rely on third-party financial institutions to provide us with forex market liquidity. We maintain relationships with three established global prime brokers, Deutsche Bank AG, or Deutsche Bank, UBS AG, or UBS, and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, or RBS, as well as relationships with a number of additional wholesale forex trading partners, and we have access to liquidity through third-party trading platforms. We depend on these relationships for our access to a pool of forex liquidity to ensure that we are able to execute our customers’ trades in any of the currency pairs, equity indices and commodity products we offer and in the notional amount our customers request. These prime brokers and wholesale forex trading partners, although under contract with us, may terminate our arrangements at any time. In the event that we no longer have access to the competitive wholesale forex pricing spreads and/or levels of liquidity that we currently have, we may be unable to provide competitive forex trading services, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

The Loss of One or More of Our Prime Brokerage Relationships Could Lead to Increased Transaction Costs and Capital Posting Requirements, As Well As Having a Negative Impact on Our Ability to Verify Our Open Positions, Collateral Balances and Trade Confirmations.

We depend on the services of prime brokers to provide us access to liquidity through our wholesale forex trading partners. The prime brokers act as central hubs through which we are able to deal with our existing wholesale forex trading partners. Although we have relationships with wholesale forex trading partners that could provide clearing services as a back-up for our prime brokers, if we were to experience a disruption in prime brokerage services due to a financial, technical or other development adversely affecting any of our current prime brokers, our business could be materially adversely affected to the extent that we are unable to transfer positions and margin balances to another financial institution in a timely fashion. In the event of the insolvency of a prime broker, we might not be able to fully recover the assets we have deposited (and have deposited on behalf of our customers) with the prime broker or our unrealized profits since we will be among the prime broker’s unsecured creditors.

A Systemic Market Event That Impacts the Various Market Participants With Whom We Interact Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

We interact with various third parties through our relationships with our prime brokers, wholesale forex trading partners, white label partners and introducing brokers. Some of these market participants could be overleveraged. In the event of sudden, large market price movements, such market participants may not be able to meet their obligations to brokers who, in turn, may not be able to meet their obligations to their counterparties. As a result, a system collapse in the financial system could occur, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

We Are Subject to Risk of Default by Financial Institutions That Hold Our Funds and Our Customers’ Funds.

We have significant deposits with banks and other financial institutions. Pursuant to CFTC and NFA regulations for our U.S.-regulated subsidiaries, we are not permitted to segregate customer funds from our own funds. As such, we aggregate our customers’ funds and our funds and hold them in collateral and deposit accounts at various financial institutions. In the event of insolvency of one or more of the financial institutions with which we have deposited these funds, both we and our customers may not be able to recover our funds. Because our customers’ funds are aggregated with our own, the extent to which they will be entitled to insurance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is uncertain. In any such insolvency we and our customers would rank as

 

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unsecured creditors in respect of claims to funds deposited with any such financial institution. As a result, we may be subject to claims by customers due to the loss of their funds and our business could be materially adversely affected by the loss of our funds.

We Are Subject to Counterparty Risk Whereby Defaults by Parties With Whom We Do Business Can Have an Adverse Affect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

Our operations require a commitment of capital and involve risks of losses due to the potential failure of our customers to perform their obligations under their transactions with us. Our margin policy allows customers to leverage their account balances by trading notional amounts that may be significantly larger than their cash balances. We mark our customers’ accounts to market each time a currency price in their portfolio changes. While this allows us to closely monitor each customer’s exposure, it does not guarantee our ability to eliminate negative customer account balances prior to an adverse currency price change. Although we have the ability to alter our margin requirements without prior notice to our customers, this may not eliminate the risk that our access to liquidity becomes limited or market conditions, including currency price volatility and liquidity constraints, change faster than our ability to modify our margin requirements. If our customers default on their obligations, we remain financially liable for such obligations, and although these obligations are collateralized, since the value of our customers’ forex positions is subject to fluctuation as market prices change, we are subject to market risk in the liquidation of customer collateral to satisfy such obligations. In light of the current turbulence in the global economy, we face increased risk of default by our customers and other counterparties. Any default by our counterparties or partners could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Failure of Third-Party Systems or Third-Party Service and Software Providers Upon Which We Rely Could Adversely Affect Our Business.

We rely on certain third-party computer systems or third-party service and software providers, including trading platforms, back-office systems, Internet service providers and communications facilities. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2012, 43.9% of our retail trading volume was derived from trades utilizing the MetaTrader platform, a third-party trading platform we license that is particularly popular in the international retail trading community and offers our customers a choice in trading interfaces. Additionally, we also rely on an agreement with a third party that provides us with investment research that we distribute to our customers. Any interruption in these third-party services, or deterioration in their performance or quality, could adversely affect our business. If our arrangement with any third party is terminated, we may not be able to find an alternative systems or services provider on a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Security Breaches in Our Computer Infrastructure May Jeopardize Confidential Information Transmitted Over the Internet, Cause Interruptions in Our Operations or Give Rise to Liabilities to Third Parties.

Our computer infrastructure is potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic computer break-ins, viruses and similar disruptive problems and security breaches. Any such problems or security breaches could give rise to liabilities to one or more third parties, including our customers, and disrupt our operations. A party able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or customer information, jeopardize the confidential nature of information we transmit over the Internet or cause interruptions in our operations. Concerns over the security of Internet transactions and the safeguarding of confidential personal information could also inhibit our customers’ use of our systems to conduct forex transactions over the Internet. To the extent that our activities involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and personal financial information, security breaches could expose us to a risk of financial loss, litigation and other liabilities. Our current insurance policies may not protect us against all of such losses and liabilities. Any of these events, particularly if they result in a loss of confidence in our services, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Failure to Maintain Relationships With Introducing Brokers Who Direct New Customers to Us Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

We have relationships with introducing brokers who direct new customers to us and provide marketing and other services for these customers. In certain jurisdictions, we are only able to provide our services through introducing brokers. For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 30.5% of our retail trading volume was derived from introducing brokers. Many of our relationships with introducing brokers are nonexclusive or may be terminated by the brokers on short notice. In addition, under our agreements with introducing brokers, they have no obligation to provide us with new customers or minimum levels of transaction volume. Our failure to maintain our relationships with these introducing brokers, the failure of the introducing brokers to provide us with customers or our failure to create new relationships with introducing brokers would result in a loss of revenue, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. To the extent any of our competitors offers more attractive compensation terms to one or more of our introducing brokers, we could lose the brokers’ services or be required to increase the compensation we pay to retain the brokers. In addition, we may agree to set the compensation for one or more introducing brokers at a level where, based on the transaction volume generated by customers directed to us by such brokers, it would have been more economically attractive to seek to acquire the customers directly rather than through the introducing broker.

Our Business or Reputation Could Be Harmed by Introducing Broker Misconduct or Errors That Are Difficult to Detect and Deter.

It may be perceived that we are responsible for any improper conduct by our introducing brokers, even though we do not control their activities. Many of our introducing brokers operate websites, which they use to advertise our services or direct customers to us. It is difficult for us to closely monitor the contents of their websites to ensure that the statements they make in relation to our services are accurate and comply with applicable rules and regulations. Any disciplinary action taken against any of our introducing brokers in the United States and abroad could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, damage our brand name and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Failure to Develop or Maintain Relationships With White Label Partners Who Direct Customer Trading Volume to Us Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Cash Flows.

We have relationships with white label partners who provide forex trading to their customers by using our trading platform and other services and, therefore, provide us with an additional source of revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 10% of our retail trading volume was derived from white label partners. Many of our relationships with white label partners are non-exclusive or may be terminated by them on short notice. In addition, our white label partners have no obligation to provide us with minimum levels of transaction volume. Our failure to maintain our relationships with these white label partners, the failure of these white label partners to continue to offer online forex trading services to their customers using our trading platform, the loss of requisite licenses by our white label partners or our inability to enter into new relationships with white label partners would result in a loss of revenue, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. To the extent any of our competitors offers more attractive compensation terms to one or more of our white label partners, we could lose the white label partnerships or be required to increase the compensation we pay to retain the white label partners.

Our Relationships With Our White Label Partners Also May Expose Us to Significant Regulatory, Reputational and Other Risks As We Could Be Harmed by White Label Partner Misconduct or Errors That Are Difficult to Detect and Deter.

If any of our white label partners provided unsatisfactory service to their customers or were deemed to have failed to comply with applicable laws or regulations, our reputation may be harmed as a result of our affiliation

 

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with such white label partner. Any such harm to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

The Terms of Certain of Our Agreements With Our White Label Partners May Require Us to Pay for Increased Trading Volume That Does Not Increase Our Trade Revenue.

We pay certain white label partners and introducing brokers based on the volume of trading activity of the customers they introduce to us, regardless of whether the order flow from such trading volume is profitable to us. Certain market conditions may be conducive to high trading volume by these customers but not to trading activity by such customers that allows us to generate significant revenue. As such, we may incur losses from these arrangements in the event that we are required to pay for increased trading volume but do not generate corresponding increased revenue from the related trade flow. These losses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, particularly our EBITDA and net revenue.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

The Market Price of Our Common Stock May Be Volatile.

Our results of operations and cash flows have fluctuated significantly from period to period in the past based on a variety of factors, including some of which are beyond our control, such as currency volatility and fluctuations in trading volume. These variations, along with any failure to achieve operating results that meet or exceed the expectations of our investors and the market as a whole, could result in significant price and volume fluctuations in our common stock. Other factors that, could affect the market price of our common stock include:

 

   

future announcements concerning us or our competitors, including the announcement of acquisitions;

 

   

changes in government regulations or in the status of our regulatory approvals or licensure;

 

   

public perceptions of risks associated with our services or operations;

 

   

developments in our industry; and

 

   

general economic, market and political conditions and other factors that may be unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors.

If Securities or Industry Analysts Do Not Publish Research or Reports About Our Business, if They Change Their Recommendations Regarding Our Common Stock Adversely, or if We Fail to Achieve Analysts’ Earnings Estimates, the Market Price and Trading Volume of Our Common Stock Could Decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover us or our industry make unfavorable comments about our market opportunity or business, the market price of our common stock would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the market price of our common stock or trading volume to decline. On our part, if we fail to achieve analysts’ earnings estimates, even if as a result of factors beyond our control, the market price of our common stock would also likely decline.

Certain Provisions in Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation May Prevent Efforts By Our Stockholders to Effect a Change of Control of Our Company or a Change in Our Management.

Provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of unissued series of preferred stock, without any vote or action by our stockholders. We could issue a series of preferred stock that could impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other

 

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takeover attempt. These provisions may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control of us, including through solicited transactions, and, in particular, unsolicited transactions, that some or all of our stockholders might consider to be desirable.

We May Be Unable to Obtain Capital When We Need it, on Acceptable Terms, if at All.

Our business depends on the availability of adequate funding and regulatory capital under applicable regulatory requirements. Historically, we have satisfied these needs from internally generated funds and from our preferred equity securities financings. While we currently anticipate that our available cash resources will be sufficient to meet our presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months, we may need to raise additional funds to:

 

   

support more rapid expansion;

 

   

develop new or enhanced services and products;

 

   

respond to competitive pressures;

 

   

acquire complementary businesses, products or technologies; or

 

   

respond to unanticipated requirements.

Additional financing may not be available when needed on terms favorable to us or at all.

Our Management and Other Affiliates Have Significant Control of Our Common Stock and Could Control Our Actions in a Manner That Conflicts With Our Interests and the Interests of Other Stockholders.

As of December 31, 2012, our executive officers, directors and other affiliates together beneficially owned over 50% of our outstanding capital stock. VantagePoint Venture Partners IV(Q), L.P., VantagePoint Venture Partners IV, L.P., VantagePoint Venture Partners IV Principals Fund, L.P., VP New York Venture Partners, L.P., referred to herein as the VPVP Funds, and Edison Venture Fund IV SBIC, L.P., together beneficially owned over 50% of our outstanding capital stock as of December 31, 2012. Two of our directors, Messrs. Sugden and Bevilacqua, are affiliated with the Edison and VPVP Funds, respectively. As a result, these stockholders, acting together, are able to exercise considerable influence over matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, and may not always act in the best interests of other stockholders. Such a concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, until the earlier of (i) such time that the VPVP Funds own less than 50% of all shares of our common stock that the VPVP Funds owned upon the completion of our initial public offering, (ii) immediately prior to our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders and (iii) such time that the VPVP Funds notify our board of directors that they no longer require that an individual designated by them serve on our Board of Directors, the VPVP Funds have the right to nominate one individual in the slate of director nominees for election at our annual meeting of stockholders and have such designee serve on our Board of Directors.

The Limited Liquidity For Our Common Stock Could Affect Your Ability To Sell Your Shares At A Satisfactory Price.

Our common stock is relatively illiquid. As of March 12, 2013, we had 35,525,453 shares of common stock outstanding. The average daily trading volume in our common stock during the 60 calendar days ended March 1, 2013 was approximately 0.7 million shares. A more active public market for our common stock may not develop, which could continue to adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock and adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Moreover, without a large public float, our common stock is less liquid than the stock of

 

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companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile than that of other companies or the market as a whole. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, you may be unable to liquidate your investment in us at a satisfactory price.

The Obligations Associated With Being a Public Company Require Significant Resources and Management Attention.

As a public company, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. For example, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial conditions and the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. Our efforts to comply with these rules and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, an increase in expenses and a diversion of management’s time from other business activities.

Shareholders May Be Diluted by the Future Issuance of Additional Common Stock in Connection With Our Incentive Plans, Acquisitions or Otherwise.

As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately 23.5 million shares of common stock authorized but unissued. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue these shares of common stock and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to common stock for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion, whether in connection with acquisitions, in future common stock offerings or otherwise. As of December 31, 2012, we have reserved an aggregate of 7.1 million shares for issuance under our equity incentive compensation plans 0.9 million to be issued pursuant to future awards and grants under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, or the 2010 plan, 5.8 million shares that are subject to outstanding grants under our Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Compensation Plan and the 2010 Plan, and 0.4 million shares to be issued pursuant to the 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan). Any common stock that we issue, including under our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or other equity incentive plans that we may adopt in the future, will dilute the percentage ownership held by investors who own our common stock.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

There are no unresolved staff comments.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We are a global provider of trading services and solutions, specializing in global over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, including spot foreign exchange, or forex, and precious metals, “contracts-for-difference,” or CFDs, which are investment products with returns linked to the performance of an underlying commodity, index or security, and exchange-traded products, including futures and options on futures. We have customers in more than 140 countries worldwide and conduct business from our offices in New York, New York; Bedminster, New Jersey; Powell, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; London, England; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Beijing, China; Hong Kong, and Singapore. All of our office space was leased as of December 31, 2012.

While we believe that these facilities are adequate to meet our current needs, it may become necessary to secure additional space in the future to accommodate any future growth. We believe that such additional space will be available as needed in the future on commercially reasonable terms

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of our management, the outcome of such claims and legal actions, if decided adversely, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our quarterly or annual operating results, cash flows or consolidated financial position.

 

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As previously disclosed, on March 31, 2011, Shari Streit Jansen, as Chapter 7 Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Beau Diamond, brought an adversary proceeding against us, as well as several other forex trading firms, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida. The complaint seeks to recover certain funds transferred to us by Mr. Diamond through an entity for which he acted as managing member, Diamond Ventures, LLC, under federal and state fraudulent transfer laws. On June 16, 2011, we moved to dismiss the complaint. The parties agreed to mediate their dispute before the Trustee responded to the motion to dismiss and participated in a mediation on September 14, 2011, which resulted in an agreement in principal for settlement of the matter for a sum that is not material to our financial condition. The adversary proceeding was dismissed on July 20, 2012.

On February 16, 2012, we received a Letter of Claim on behalf of certain individuals who had lost money in an investment scheme operated by a third-party money management firm, incorporated in the United Kingdom, that has since been closed down by the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority. The investment firm, Cameron Farley Ltd, had opened a corporate account with us and invested the individuals’ money, representing such funds as its own, while operating a fraudulent scheme. Though a complaint has been filed and served on us, the claimants requested, and we agreed, to follow the United Kingdom’s Pre-Action Protocol, a pre-litigation process intended to resolve matters without the need to engage in formal litigation. We submitted a Response to the Letter Before Claim on July 4, 2012. On July 5, 2012 we received a substantially similar Letter of Claim on behalf of further individuals. Subsequently, the parties agreed to consolidate claims by those other similarly situated individuals with the pending Pre-Action Protocol process. We can provide no assurances that this matter will be successfully resolved through the Pre-Action Protocol and will not result in formal litigation, and no assurances can be provided regarding the outcome of any such potential litigation. This matter is currently pending. At this time, a potential loss or a potential range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

Through our acquisition of OEC, we became the subject of a patent infringement lawsuit originally filed against OEC on February 9, 2010 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Trading Technologies International, Inc. seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages. As reflected in a Second Amended Complaint filed on June 15, 2011, plaintiff alleges infringement of 12 patents relating to real-time display of price quotes and market depth on the OEC’s electronic trading interfaces. The case was consolidated with 11 related cases in February 2011, and the parties have exchanged infringement, non-infringement and invalidity contentions for several of the disputed patents. In June 2011 the court stayed discovery to allow summary judgment briefing on the ramifications of a recent Federal Circuit decision. On February 9, 2012, the court issued an order, which granted OEC’s motions for summary judgment, resulting in a substantial narrowing of the scope of plaintiff’s claims. Plaintiff filed a motion for reconsideration of that ruling on March 8, 2012. Plaintiff also filed a motion for certification of judgment for interlocutory appeal. The court denied plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration but granted plaintiff’s motion for certification of judgments of patent invalidity with respect to four of the asserted patents. Since that ruling, the court has continued its stay of discovery. On October 7, 2012, plaintiff filed its opening appeal brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Oral argument on plaintiffs’ appeal is expected to occur in mid to late 2013. Plaintiff’s complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought. At this time, a potential loss or a potential range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

MARKET FOR GAIN COMMON STOCK

Our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GCAP” on December 15, 2010. Prior to that date, there was no established trading market for our common stock. As of March 12, 2013, we estimate that we had approximately 112 stockholders of record and approximately 1,410 beneficial holders of our common stock.

The following table details the high and low sales prices for the common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated.

 

     2012      2011  

Quarter

   High      Low      High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 6.04       $ 5.87       $ 9.98       $ 7.38   

Second Quarter

   $ 5.11       $ 4.93       $ 7.43       $ 5.99   

Third Quarter

   $ 4.80       $ 4.65       $ 6.80       $ 5.11   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 4.48       $ 4.35       $ 7.46       $ 5.90   

DIVIDEND POLICY

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, we retained all earnings for investment in our business. In October 2011, our Board of Directors approved a policy of paying quarterly dividends, subject to available cash flow from operations, other considerations and the determination by our Board of Directors of the amount. Each quarter since, the Company has paid a $0.05 per share dividend to holders of the Company’s common stock. The latest dividend was declared on March 6, 2013, payable on March 21, 2013 to stockholders of record on March 12, 2013.

Any declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends, and other considerations that our Board of Directors deems relevant. The Board’s ability to declare a dividend is also subject to limits imposed by Delaware corporate law. In addition, our subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to us subject to (i) certain regulatory restrictions related to the maintenance of minimum net capital in those of our subsidiaries that are subject to net capital requirements imposed by applicable law or regulation and (ii) general restrictions imposed on dividend payments under the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each subsidiary.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES; USE OF PROCEEDS FROM REGISTERED SECURITIES

None.

 

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REPURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms of our approved stock repurchase plan.

 

Period(1)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
     Average Price
Paid per Share(1)
     Total
Number of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs(1)
     Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(1)(2)
 

January 2012

     —           —           —         $ 4,982,999   

February 2012

     —           —           —         $ 4,982,999   

March 2012

     7,216       $ 4.96         7,216       $ 4,947,055   

April 2012

     18,112       $ 4.99         18,112       $ 4,856,173   

May 2012

     150,371       $ 4.80         150,371       $ 4,130,905   

June 2012

     —           —           —         $ 4,130,905   

July 2012

     20,051       $ 4.50         20,051       $ 4,040,328   

August 2012

     3,514       $ 4.47         3,514       $ 4,024,552   

September 2012

     102,876       $ 4.65         102,876       $ 3,544,209   

October 2012

     134,680       $ 4.79         134,680       $ 2,897,040   

November 2012

     124,449       $ 4.19         124,449       $ 2,372,091   

December 2012

     150,551       $ 4.31         150,551       $ 1,720,092   

 

(1) On May 16, 2011, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase plan, which authorizes the expenditure of up to $10.0 million for the purchase of the Company’s common stock.
(2) Transaction fees related to the share purchases are deducted from the total remaining allowable expenditure amount.

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following performance chart assumes an investment of $100 on December 15, 2010 (the date the Company’s shares began trading on the NYSE) and compares the change through December 31, 2012 in the market price for our common stock with the Russell 2000 Index, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and a peer group identified by the Company (the “Selected Peer Group Index”). The Selected Peer Group Index was selected to include publicly-traded companies engaging in one or more of the Company’s lines of business.

The Selected Peer Group Index is weighted according to the respective issuer’s stock market capitalization and is comprised of the following companies: Advent Software, Inc., BGC Partners, Inc., DST Systems, E*Trade Financial Corporation, FactSet Research Systems, Inc., FXCM, Inc., GFIG Group, Inc., INTL FCStone Inc., Investment Technology Group, Inc., Knight Capital Group, Inc., Market Axcess Holdings, Inc., MSCI, Inc., and SWS Group, Inc.

 

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The comparisons in the graphs below are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast the possible future performance of our common stock.

 

LOGO

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information with respect to our compensation plans under which equity compensation is authorized as of December 31, 2012.

 

Plan category

   Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(a)
     Weighted-average
exercise price
of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(b)
     Number of
securities remaining
available for future
issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)(1)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     5,837,680       $ 3.18         905,518   

 

(1) In accordance with the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, an additional 1.2 million shares were made available for issuance on the first trading day of 2013; these shares are excluded from this calculation.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, included in this annual report on Form 10-K. The selected Consolidated Statement of Operations data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the selected Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our historical results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future results.

Selected Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010(1)      2009(1)      2008(1)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

              

Net revenue

   $ 151,360       $ 181,465       $ 189,098       $ 153,319       $ 188,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

   $ 150,218       $ 158,221       $ 131,646       $ 113,090       $ (78,496
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before income tax expense and equity in earnings of equity method investment

   $ 1,142       $ 23,244       $ 57,452       $ 40,229       $ 266,596   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) applicable to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

   $ 2,621       $ 15,698       $ 37,845       $ 27,994       $ 231,426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share: (2)

              

Basic

   $ 0.08       $ 0.46       $ 8.62       $ 9.47       $ 57.54   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.07       $ 0.40       $ 1.00       $ 0.75       $ 4.94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing earnings/(loss) per common share: (2)

              

Basic

     34,940,800         34,286,840         4,392,798         2,956,377         2,911,107   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted (3)

     37,880,208         38,981,792         37,742,902         37,282,069         33,924,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.20       $ 0.05       $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     ($ in thousands unless otherwise stated)  
     As of December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010      2009     2008  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 36,820       $ 60,221       $ 27,536       $ 22,770      $ 52,459   

Cash and securities held for customers

   $ 446,311       $ 310,447       $ 256,674       $ 199,754      $ 123,972   

Receivables from banks brokers

   $ 89,916       $ 85,401       $ 98,135       $ 76,391      $ 50,817   

Total assets

   $ 629,913       $ 505,581       $ 443,071       $ 351,940      $ 264,816   

Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, futures commission merchants, and other regulated entities

   $ 446,311       $ 310,447       $ 256,674       $ 199,754      $ 123,972   

Convertible, redeemable preferred stock embedded derivative

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 81,098      $ 82,785   

Notes payable

   $ —        $ 7,875       $ 18,375       $ 28,875      $ 39,375   

Total shareholders’ equity/(deficit)

   $ 163,687       $ 164,830       $ 149,849       $ (139,890   $ (172,154

 

(1) For each of the periods indicated, in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, we accounted for an embedded derivative liability attributable to the redemption feature of our then outstanding preferred stock. This redemption feature and the associated embedded derivative liability is no longer required to be recognized due to the conversion of all of our outstanding preferred stock in connection with the completion of our initial public offering of common stock in December 2010.
(2) In connection with the completion of our IPO, our board of directors approved a 2.29-for-1 stock split of our common stock to be effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO. The 2.29-for-1 stock split, after giving effect to the receipt by us of 407,692 shares of common stock from all of our pre-IPO common stockholders (on a pro-rata basis) in satisfaction of previously outstanding obligations owed by such stockholders to us, resulted in an effective stock split of 2.26-for-1. Accordingly, all references to share and per share data for periods prior to our IPO have been retroactively restated to reflect the effective 2.26-for-1 stock split.
(3) For the year ended December 31, 2008 through the year ended December 31, 2010, all outstanding preferred stock is assumed to be converted for the calculation of diluted shares outstanding.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto provided pursuant to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a global provider of trading services and solutions, specializing in global over-the-counter, or OTC, markets, including spot foreign exchange, or forex, and precious metals, “contracts-for-difference,” or CFDs, which are investment products with returns linked to the performance of an underlying commodity, index or security, and exchange-traded products, including futures and options on futures. We have customers in more than 140 countries worldwide and conduct business from our offices in New York, New York; Bedminster, New Jersey; Powell, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; London, England; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Beijing, China; Hong Kong and Singapore.

Our retail foreign exchange trading business, which has historically made up the majority of our business, allows customers to trade through our FOREX.com brand. We also offer retail customers the ability to trade exchange-traded products through our Open E Cry, LLC, or OEC brand, which offers futures products, and through our wholly-owned subsidiary GAIN Securities, which principally offers equities products. Our institutional trading business, GAIN GTX, which we launched in March 2010, serves institutional market participants, including hedge funds, banks and high-frequency trading firms. Our institutional trading business also includes our specialty execution desk, which we launched in September 2011 to facilitate the execution of more complex transactions.

We have invested considerable resources in developing our retail and institutional trading platforms and tools to allow our customers to trade and manage their accounts. While our retail and institutional trading businesses use separate platforms, we are able to leverage our combined scale and trading volume in our relationships with our wholesale trading partners, bank liquidity providers, and other service providers. In addition, we believe that our platforms complement each other, which allows us to cross-sell our services and to leverage our facilities and the technology we develop. Our customers can trade through web-based, downloadable and mobile trading platforms and have access to innovative trading tools to assist them with research, automated trading and account management.

We have also recently taken several significant steps to diversify our product portfolio and add new revenue sources, including measures designed to grow our institutional and futures businesses, which generate commission revenues rather than the trading revenue generated by our retail foreign exchange trading business. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we introduced TRADE, a new retail platform featuring an expanded portfolio of forex and CFD products. The TRADE platform features innovative tools for market monitoring, technical trading and strategy building and expands our retail product offering to over 400 tradeable markets, including indices, commodities and forex. We also expanded our GTX specialty execution desk through the addition of a new fourteen member team in August 2012. In addition, our acquisition of OEC, from optionsXpress, a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, which closed on August 31, 2012, enables us to offer futures products and connections to dozens of exchanges around the world. In November 2012, OEC merged with and into GAIN Capital Group, LLC, which has continued OEC’s futures business under our Open E Cry and OEC brands. We believe that executing on our strategy to diversify our product portfolio and add new revenue sources will allow us to continue to grow our business in both favorable and challenging market conditions.

As a global provider of online trading services, our results of operations are impacted by a number of external market factors, including market volatility and transaction volumes, competition, the regulatory environment in the various jurisdictions and markets in which we operate and the financial condition of the retail and institutional customers to whom we provide our services. These factors are not the only factors that impacted our results of operations for the most recent fiscal period, and additional or other factors may impact, or have different degrees of impact, on our results of operations in future periods.

 

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Market Environment and Trading Volatility

During the past few years, there has been significant disruption and volatility in the global financial markets. Our revenue and operating results may vary significantly from period to period due primarily to movements and trends in the world’s currency markets and to fluctuations in trading levels. As a general rule, our businesses typically benefit from volatility in the markets that we serve, as periods of increased volatility often coincide with higher levels of trading by our clients and a higher volume of transactions. However, periods of extreme volatility may result in significant market dislocations that can also lead clients to reduce their trading activity. In addition, volatility that results in trading within a relatively narrow band of currency prices may lead to less profitable trading activity. Also, market volatility can adversely affect our ability to profitably manage our net exposure, which represents the unhedged portion of the trading positions we enter into with our customers.

Market volatility is driven by a range of external factors, some of which are market specific and some of which are correlated to general macroeconomic conditions. Weakness in equity markets, which occurred in much of 2011 and several of the previous years, can result in reduced trading activity in the forex market. The European sovereign debt crisis, which arose in the second quarter of 2010 and continued throughout 2011 and 2012, created economic uncertainty, adversely affecting the equities and other securities markets for much of this period, leading investors to, at times, reduce their forex trading activity, and also resulted in anomalous and challenging market conditions over several significant periods during 2011 and 2012.

In the year ended December 31, 2012, trading conditions were generally challenging, principally due to low overall currency volatility. After a modest increase in the second quarter of 2012, the third quarter of 2012 saw volatility levels and trading ranges of the most widely traded foreign currencies dip back down to the four year lows reached in the first quarter of 2012, with currency volatility in the fourth quarter reaching lows not seen since 2007. As a result of these challenging trading conditions, during the year ended December 31, 2012, trading volume in our retail forex trading business declined by 17.2%, adversely affecting our revenue and operating results for the year, despite increased trading volume in our institutional business.

Competition

The forex market has been accessible to retail investors for a significantly shorter period than many other securities markets, such as equities, and is a rapidly evolving industry characterized by intense competition. Entering new markets often requires us to narrow our spreads in order to attract customers and compete with other companies who have established customer bases in such markets. In addition, in existing markets, on occasion we make short-term decisions to be more aggressive regarding the spreads we offer our customers, or we may decide to offer additional services at reduced rates, or free of charge, in order to attract customers and take market share from our competitors.

Regulatory Environment

In recent years, the financial markets have experienced the beginning of a major global regulatory overhaul, as regulators and legislators in the U.S. and abroad have proposed and, in some instances, adopted, a wide range of regulatory changes that have had a significant effect on the manner in which we operate our business. In particular, as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act’s requirement that essentially all transactions in commodities be executed on an exchange, after July 15, 2011, we were no longer permitted to offer leveraged spot metal transactions in the United States. For the period from January 1, 2011 through July 15, 2011, our leveraged spot metals trading business with U.S. customers generated approximately $20.7 million in net revenue.

Part of our growth strategy is to enter new markets, and as we do so we will become subject to regulation in those markets. Complying with different regulatory regimes in multiple markets is expensive, and in many markets the regulatory environment is unclear and evolving. Changes in regulatory requirements and changes in the interpretation of existing regulatory requirements may force us to alter our business practices.

 

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Key Income Statement Line Items and Key Operating Metrics

The following section briefly describes the key components of our revenues and expenses, our use of non-GAAP financial metrics, and key operating metrics we use to evaluate the performance of our business.

Revenue

We generate revenue from trading revenue, commission revenue, other revenue and interest income.

Trading Revenue

Trading revenue is our largest source of revenue and is generated in our retail forex business. Trading revenue represented 84.2% of our total net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012, and 96.9% of our total net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011.

We generate trading revenue as follows:

 

   

for trades that are naturally hedged against an offsetting trade from another customer, we receive the entire retail bid/offer spread we offer our customers on the two offsetting transactions;

 

   

for trades that are hedged with one of our wholesale forex trading partners, we receive the difference between the retail bid/offer spread we offer our customers and the wholesale bid/offer spread we receive from the wholesale forex trading partners; and

 

   

with respect to the remaining customer trades, which we refer to as our net exposure, we receive the net gains or losses generated through changes in the market value of the currencies held in our net exposure.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 95.9% of our average daily retail trading volume was either naturally hedged or hedged by us with one of our wholesale forex trading partners, and the remaining 4.1% of our average daily retail trading volume consisted of our net exposure, compared to average daily retail trading volume hedged of 97.1% and 98.0% in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We manage our net exposure by applying position and exposure limits established under our risk-management policies and by continuous, active monitoring by our traders. Based on our risk management policies and procedures, over time a portion of our net exposure may be hedged with our wholesale forex trading partners. Although we do not actively initiate proprietary directional market positions in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of the products we offer, through our net exposure we are likely to have open positions in various currencies at any given time. In the event of unfavorable market movements, we may take a loss on such positions. See “Sophisticated Risk Management” in Item 1. Business, in this Form 10-K for further details regarding our risk management policies.

Commission Revenue

Commission revenue is comprised of revenue from our GTX institutional business, revenue from our futures business, OEC, and revenue from GAIN Securities, our securities business.

GTX, OEC, and GAIN Securities generate revenue by earning a commission on each transaction, which is recorded under commission revenue. We act as an agent for the trades executed on the GTX platform and, therefore, do not assume any market or credit risk. Commission revenue received through GTX, OEC and GAIN Securities generally generates a lower profit margin than that which we have historically experienced in our retail forex trading business.

 

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Other Revenue

Other revenue is comprised of account management, transaction and performance fees related to customers who have assigned trading authority to our subsidiary Gain Capital Asset Management, or GCAM; inactivity and training fees charged to customer accounts; and other miscellaneous items from each of our businesses.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, other revenue was $2.3 million, compared to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011

Net Interest Revenue / Expense

Net interest revenue/expense consists primarily of the revenue generated by our cash and customer cash held by us at banks, in money market funds, in treasury bills and on deposit as collateral with our wholesale forex trading partners, less interest expense on our term loan and contractual payments for acquired assets. A customer’s net account value equals cash on deposit plus the marking to market of open positions as of the measurement date.

Our cash and customer cash is generally invested in money market funds, which primarily invest in short-term U.S. government securities or treasury bills. Such deposits and investments earned interest at an average effective rate of approximately 0.1% for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Interest paid to customers varies among customer accounts primarily due to the net value of a customer account. From time to time, we also make available interest promotions pursuant to which we may pay certain customers higher levels of interest than that which is paid to other customers. Interest income and interest expense are recorded when earned and incurred, respectively. Net interest revenue was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to net interest expense of $0.9 million for the year ended 2011.

Expenses

Our expenses are principally comprised of employee compensation and benefits, selling and marketing, trading expenses and commissions, purchased intangible amortization and other expenses.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits includes salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, contributions to benefit programs and other related employee costs.

Selling and Marketing

Our marketing strategy employs a combination of direct online marketing and focused branding programs, with the goal of raising awareness of our retail forex trading Internet website, FOREX.com, and attracting customers in a cost-efficient manner. For the year ended December 31, 2012, selling and marketing expense was $27.0 million, compared to $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease in sales and marketing expense was primarily due to a decrease in advertising expenses in response to market conditions, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Trading Expense and Commissions

Trading expense and commissions consists primarily of compensation paid to our white label partners and introducing brokers. We generally provide white label partners with the platform, systems and back-office services necessary for them to offer forex trading services to their customers. Introducing brokers identify and direct potential forex trading customers to us. White label partners and introducing brokers generally handle marketing and the other expenses associated with attracting customers. Accordingly, we do not incur any incremental sales and marketing expense in connection with trading revenue generated by customers provided

 

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through our white label partners and introducing brokers. We do, however, pay a portion of this trading revenue to our white label partners and introducing broker partners and record this payment under trading expense and commissions. This expense is largely variable and changes principally based on the level of customer trading volume directed to us from our white label partners and introducing brokers, the specific terms of our agreements with the white label partners and introducing brokers, which vary on a partner-by-partner and regional basis, and the relative percentage of trading volume generated from particular relationships in any given period. The majority of our white label and introducing broker partners are paid based on the trading volume generated by the customers they introduce, directly or indirectly, to us. As such, during periods in which their customers’ trading activity is not profitable for us, if the associated trading volume remains high, we may be required to make larger payments to these partners despite the fact that we are generating lower revenue from their customers. This situation occurred in 2011, in particular in the fourth quarter of the year, which resulted in an increase in trading expense despite a decrease in trading revenue generated by our white label and introducing broker clients. Our indirect business accounted for 42.5%, 38.9% and 37.8% of retail trading volume in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consists of bank fees, professional fees, occupancy and equipment and other miscellaneous expenses.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization consists of the recognition of expense for physical assets and software purchased for use over a period of several years and of the amortization for internally developed software.

Purchased Intangible Amortization

Purchased intangible amortization consists of amortization related to intangible assets we acquired in 2012, 2011 and 2010 in connection with our acquisition of customer accounts in several transactions we executed during these periods. The principal intangible assets acquired were customer assets and a non-compete agreement. These intangible assets have useful lives ranging from one year to six years.

Communications and Technology

Communications and technology consists of communications fees, data fees, product development, software and maintenance expenses.

Bad debt provision

Bad debt provision represents the amounts estimated for the uncollectibility of certain outstanding balances during the period.

Restructuring

We incurred restructuring expenses in 2012, which reflect severance payments arising from headcount reductions implemented in the first half of 2012.

Change in Fair Value of Convertible Preferred Stock Embedded Derivative

In 2010, in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, we accounted for an embedded derivative liability attributable to the redemption feature of our then outstanding preferred stock. This redemption feature and the associated embedded derivative liability is no longer required to be recognized due to the conversion of all of our outstanding preferred stock in connection with the completion of our initial public offering of common stock in December 2010.

 

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Non-GAAP Financial Metrics

We use adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per common share and adjusted effective tax rate, each of which is a non-GAAP financial metric, to evaluate our business. We believe our reporting of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share assists investors in evaluating our operating performance. We also believe adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per common share allow investors to appropriately compare our results for periods before and after our IPO, because these metrics eliminate the effect of the embedded derivative in our preferred stock, which was extinguished at the time of our IPO, as discussed in more detail below. Additionally, we believe adjusted effective tax rate assists investors in evaluating our tax rate applicable to our operating performance by removing the impact of the embedded derivative liability. However, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per common share and adjusted effective tax rate are not measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP and such measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of our financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, such as net income and earnings per common share. Below is a discussion and reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial metrics.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents our net income/(loss) excluding (i) for periods prior to 2011 (x) the change in fair value of the embedded derivative in our preferred stock and (y) the after-tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles; and (ii) for 2011 and future periods, the after tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles. Purchased intangible assets are not operating assets; we therefore believe it is appropriate to exclude the associated amortization in presenting our adjusted net income. We believe this will assist our investors in evaluating our operating performance. As discussed below, the embedded derivative in our preferred stock was extinguished at the time of our IPO. Accordingly, beginning in 2011, we no longer include an adjustment for changes in fair value of the embedded derivative and adjusted net income for 2011 and future periods represents our net income excluding only the after-tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles. We believe our reporting of adjusted net income assists investors in evaluating our operating performance because this measure excludes certain non-operating expenses and non-recurring items. This non-GAAP financial measure has certain limitations, including that it does not have a standardized meaning and, therefore, our definition may be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies or analysts. Therefore, it may be more difficult to compare our financial performance to that of other companies.

Our previously outstanding Convertible, Redeemable Preferred Stock Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, and Series E contained a redemption feature that allowed the holders of our preferred stock at any time on or after March 31, 2011 to require us to repurchase such securities. We had determined that this redemption feature effectively provided such holders with an embedded option derivative meeting the definition of an “embedded derivative” pursuant to FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Consequently, the embedded derivative was required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately. As discussed above, this redemption feature and related accounting treatment is no longer required to be recognized following conversion of all of our then outstanding preferred stock into common stock in connection with our IPO. Historically, in accordance with FASB ASC 815, we adjusted the carrying value of the embedded derivative to the fair value of our company at each reporting date, based upon the Black-Scholes options pricing model, and reported the preferred stock embedded derivative liability on the Consolidated Financial Statements, with changes in fair value recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Historically, this impacted our net income, but did not affect our cash flow generation or operating performance. The embedded derivative caused our earnings to fluctuate, but in our view was not indicative of our historical or expected future operating performance.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share

Adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents our net income/(loss) per share excluding (i) for periods prior to 2011 (x) the change in fair value of the embedded derivative in our preferred

 

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stock and (y) the after-tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles; and (ii) for 2011 and future periods, the after tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles. As noted above, the embedded derivative in our preferred stock was extinguished at the time of our IPO. Accordingly, beginning in 2011, we no longer include an adjustment for changes in fair value of the embedded derivative and adjusted earnings per share for 2011 and future periods represents our earnings per share excluding only the after-tax impact of amortization of purchased intangibles. We believe our reporting of adjusted earnings per share assists investors in evaluating our operating performance because this measure excludes certain non-operating expenses and non-recurring items. This non-GAAP financial measure has certain limitations, including that it does not have a standardized meaning and, therefore, our definition may be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and/or analysts. Thus, it may be more difficult to compare our financial performance to that of other companies.

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

Adjusted effective tax rate is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents our effective tax rate excluding the change in fair value of the embedded derivative in our preferred stock, for periods prior to 2011.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per common share (amounts in thousands except per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Net income applicable to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

   $ 2,621       $ 15,698       $ 37,845   

Change in fair value of convertible, redeemable preferred stock embedded derivative

     —           —           (4,691

Add back of purchased intangible amortization, net of tax

     2,851         6,005         749   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 5,472       $ 21,703       $ 33,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per common share(1):

        

Basic

   $ 0.16       $ 0.63       $ 7.72   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.14       $ 0.56       $ 0.90   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) In connection with the completion of our IPO, our Board of Directors approved a 2.29-for-1 stock split of our common stock to be effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO. The 2.29-for-1 stock split, after giving effect to the receipt by us of 407,692 shares of common stock from all of our pre-IPO common stockholders (on a pro-rata basis) in satisfaction of previously outstanding obligations owed by such stockholders to us, resulted in an effective stock split of 2.26-for-1. Accordingly, all references to share and per share data for periods prior to our IPO have been retroactively restated to reflect the effective 2.26-for-1 stock split.

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of our effective tax rate to our adjusted effective tax rate (amounts in thousands except percentages):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of equity method investment

   $ 1,142      $ 23,244      $ 57,452   

Change in fair value of convertible, redeemable preferred stock embedded derivative

     —          —          (4,691
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of equity method investment

   $ 1,142      $ 23,244      $ 52,761   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   $ (1,479   $ 7,546      $ 20,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per common share(1):

      

Effective tax rate(2)

     (129.4 )%      32.5     34.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted effective tax rate(3)

     (129.4 )%      32.5     37.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) In connection with the completion of our IPO, our Board of Directors approved a 2.29-for-1 stock split of our common stock to be effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO. The 2.29-for-1 stock split, after giving effect to the receipt by us of 407,692 shares of common stock from all of our pre-IPO common stockholders (on a pro-rata basis) in satisfaction of previously outstanding obligations owed by such stockholders to us, resulted in an effective stock split of 2.26-for-1. Accordingly, all references to share and per share data for periods prior to our IPO have been retroactively restated to reflect the effective 2.26-for-1 stock split.
(2) Income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of equity method investment.
(3) Income tax expense as a percentage of adjusted income before income tax expense and equity in earnings of equity method investment.

Other Financial Metrics

In addition to the financial metrics discussed above, we review various key operating metrics, which are described below, to evaluate the performance of our business.

 

     Key Operating Metrics
(Unaudited)
Year Ended December 31,
 
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  

Retail

              

Funded Accounts

     85,099         76,485         85,562         60,168         49,740   

Active OTC Accounts

     60,219         63,435         64,313         52,755         52,555   

Futures DARTs

     13,581         —           —           —           —     

OTC Trading Volume (billions)

   $ 1,303.4       $ 1,574.0       $ 1,324.8       $ 1,246.7       $ 1,498.6   

Average Daily Volume (billions)

   $ 5.0       $ 6.0       $ 5.1       $ 4.8       $ 5.8   

Client Assets (millions)

   $ 446.3       $ 310.4       $ 256.7       $ 199.8       $ 124.0   

Institutional

Trading Volume (billions)

   $ 1,952.6       $ 853.9       $ 239.3       $ —         $ —     

Average Daily Volume (billions)

   $ 7.5       $ 3.3       $ 0.9       $ —         $ —     

 

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We believe that our customer trading volumes are driven by ten main factors. Six of these factors are broad external factors outside of our control that generally impact the market for forex trading, as well as customer trading volumes, and include:

 

   

changes in the financial strength of market participants;

 

   

economic and political conditions;

 

   

trends in business and finance;

 

   

changes in the supply, demand and volume of foreign currency transactions;

 

   

legislative changes; and

 

   

regulatory changes.

Many of the above factors impact the volatility of foreign currency rates, which has generally been positively correlated with forex trading volume. Our customer trading volume is also affected by the following additional factors:

 

   

the effectiveness of our sales activities;

 

   

the competitiveness of our various offerings;

 

   

the effectiveness of our customer service team; and

 

   

the effectiveness of our marketing activities.

In order to increase customer trading volume, we focus our marketing and our customer service and education activities on attracting new customers and increasing overall customer trading activity.

For the year ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, no single customer accounted for more than 1.0% and 5.0% of our trading volume for the period, respectively.

Funded Accounts

Funded accounts represent retail customers who maintain cash balances with us. We believe the number of funded retail accounts is an important indicator of our ability to attract new retail customers that can potentially lead to trading volume and revenue in the future; however, it does not represent actual trades executed.

Active OTC Accounts

Active OTC accounts represents customers who executed at least one trade during the relevant period. We believe active OTC accounts is an important operating metric because it correlates to our trading volume and revenue.

Futures DART’s, or Daily Average Revenue Trades

DARTs represents the number of futures or options on futures trades in a given period over the number of trading days in the given period.

OTC Trading Volume

OTC trading volume is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the aggregate notional value of OTC trades executed by our retail customers. Approximately 40.0% of our customer trading volume for the year ended December 31, 2012 was generated by our retail businesses, compared to 64.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Average Daily Volume

Average daily volume is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the aggregate notional value of trades executed by our customers in a given period over the number of trading days in the given period.

 

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Client Assets

Client assets represent amounts due to clients, including customer deposits and unrealized gains or losses arising from open positions.

Trading Volume

Trading volume is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the aggregate notional value of OTC trades executed by our institutional customers. Approximately 60.0% and 35.2% of our customer trading volume for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, was generated by our institutional trading business.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Revenue

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011  

REVENUE:

    

Trading revenue

   $ 127,520      $ 175,854   

Commission revenue

     21,373        4,691   

Other revenue

     2,331        1,790   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

     151,224        182,335   

Interest revenue

     627        544   

Interest expense

     (491     (1,414
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net interest revenue / (expense)

     136        (870
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

   $ 151,360      $ 181,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our total net revenue decreased $30.1 million, or 16.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. Trading revenue decreased $48.3 million, or 27.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. Retail trading volumes decreased for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011, as a result of challenging trading conditions, principally due to low overall market volatility and tight trading ranges of the most widely traded foreign currencies. In particular, the average true range and intraday trading volatility of the major currencies that we offer were both at multi-year lows during the year ended December 31, 2012, which adversely affected retail trading volume during such periods. As a result, our ability to generate retail trading revenue was also adversely affected.

Our commission revenue increased $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011, including an increase of $11.1 million from our institutional business, and an additional $5.6 million of revenue generated by our newly acquired futures business, OEC, from the acquisition date of August 31, 2012 through the end of the year. Our other revenue increased $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to an increase of $2.3 million in data fees, which was partially offset by a decrease in foreign exchange translation revenue of $1.5 million and a decrease in managed account fees of $0.2 million.

Our net interest revenue/(expense) increased from $0.9 million of expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $0.1 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to a lower average outstanding term loan balance, a decrease in interest paid to customers and an increased focus on cash management strategies to increase the yield on our cash holdings.

 

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Expenses

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Total expenses (amounts in thousands)

   $ 150,218      $ 158,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     99.2     87.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our total expenses decreased $8.0 million, or 5.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ending December 31, 2011. The decrease was due to a decrease of $9.2 million of selling and marketing expense, a decrease of $4.8 million of purchased intangible amortization, a decrease of $2.0 million of general and administrative expenses and a decrease of $0.5 million in the bad debt provision. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in trading expense of $5.0 million, an increase in employee compensation and benefits of $1.1 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $1.0 million, restructuring charges of $0.6 million and an increase in communications and technology of $0.6 million.

The changes in key operating expense items are described further below.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Employee compensation and benefits (amounts in thousands)

   $ 47,469      $ 46,362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     31.4     25.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased $1.1 million, or 2.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. Salary and benefits (excluding bonus and stock compensation) increased $2.9 million, primarily due to the hiring of members of senior management, additional institutional sales employees and employees related to the acquisition of OEC. The increase in compensation and benefits was partially offset by a decrease in bonus expense of $1.2 million, due to the decrease in operating results of our business for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the prior year, a decrease in stock compensation expense of $0.7 million, principally due to a decrease in the value of more recent grants compared to the value of historical grants and a decrease in our retirement plan expenses of $0.1 million.

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Selling and marketing (amounts in thousands)

   $ 26,969      $ 36,195   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     17.8     19.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expenses decreased $9.2 million, or 25.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. This was primarily due to a realignment of marketing expense to regions which we believe will provide higher growth potential and lower customer acquisition costs. Additionally, decreased sales and marketing expenses were primarily due to a decrease in advertising expenses in response to market conditions, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

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Trading Expenses and Commissions

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Trading expenses and commissions (amounts in thousands)

   $ 38,047      $ 33,040   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     25.1     18.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trading expenses and commissions increased $5.0 million, or 15.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to the increase in volumes in our institutional business and the acquisition of OEC. This was partially offset by the decrease in trading volumes in our retail trading business. This expense is largely variable and is directly associated with the levels of customer trading volume directed to us from our white label partners and introducing brokers.

General and administrative

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

General and administrative (amounts in thousands)

   $ 19,950      $ 21,842   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     13.2     12.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

General and administrative expense decreased $1.9 million, or 8.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $0.9 million in professional fees, a decrease of $0.9 million in bank fees and a decrease in other miscellaneous expenses of $0.3 million. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in occupancy and equipment expenses.

Depreciation and amortization

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Depreciation and amortization (amounts in thousands)

   $ 4,921      $ 3,898   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     3.3     2.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.0 million, or 26.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the amortization of software purchased or developed internally, which was placed into service at the end of 2011 or during 2012, including the company’s new trading platform, TRADE, which was launched in September 2012.

Purchased Intangible Amortization

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Purchased intangible amortization (amounts in thousands)

   $ 4,134      $ 8,893   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     2.7     4.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchased intangible amortization decreased $4.8 million, or 53.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease was due to the purchased intangible assets

 

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acquired from Capital Market Services, LLC in October 2010 becoming fully amortized during the second quarter of 2012, partially offset by additional amortization in the second half of 2012 related to the acquisition of OEC.

Communications and technology

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Communications and technology (amounts in thousands)

   $ 7,736      $ 7,139   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     5.1     3.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Communications and technology expenses increased $0.6 million, or 8.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to higher costs incurred in 2012 in connection with development efforts associated with our new TRADE platform and an increase of $0.2 million in data processing costs.

Income Taxes

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Income tax (benefit) / expense (amounts in thousands)

   $ (1,479   $ 7,546   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     (1.0 )%      4.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense decreased $9.0 million resulting in a tax benefit of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to income tax expense of $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our consolidated effective tax rate is impacted by the statutory income tax rates applicable to each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The decrease in our effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 was primarily attributable to the foreign rate differential from our international operations, where tax rates for these operations are generally lower than the U.S. statutory rate, as well as the reversal of previously established valuation allowances of approximately $0.6 million in the aggregate due to an increase in reported income in certain foreign jurisdictions. The increased tax benefit from foreign operations was due primarily to an increase in foreign earnings, reducing our effective tax rate by 121.1%. Please see Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements for more information on our effective tax rate. As our foreign earnings are generally taxed at lower statutory rates than our 35% U.S. statutory rate, changes in the proportion of our consolidated taxable earnings originating in foreign jurisdictions will impact our consolidated tax rate. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have determined that our foreign earnings were reinvested indefinitely outside the U.S. and are not subject to current U.S. income tax. At the end of 2012 we completed a reorganization of our domestic and international corporate structure and plan on moving certain personnel and operational functions between affiliates. We anticipate the restructuring will impact amounts subject to future taxation in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. We anticipate the changes in our international structure may have a favorable impact, which could be significant, on our effective tax rate for 2013 and beyond.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010

Revenue

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010  

REVENUE:

    

Trading revenue

   $ 175,854      $ 187,356   

Commission revenue

     4,691        2,227   

Other revenue

     1,790        1,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

     182,335        190,773   

Interest revenue

     544        364   

Interest expense

     (1,414     (2,039
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net interest revenue / (expense)

     (870     (1,675
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

   $ 181,465      $ 189,098   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our total net revenue decreased $7.6 million, or 4.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. Trading revenue decreased $11.5 million, or 6.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in trading revenue was primarily due to changes in the mix of our customers’ retail trading volume that impacted our ability to optimize spread capture, general macroeconomic and market instability for much of 2011 and periods in which major currencies traded in narrow ranges, which decreased our ability to generate revenue, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Our commission revenue increased $2.5 million, due to an increase in institutional trading volume from $239 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 to $854 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Our other revenue increased $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to an increase in foreign exchange translation gains of $0.4 million and an increase in managed account fees of $0.1 million.

Our net interest expense decreased $0.8 million, or 48.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to a lower average outstanding term loan balance.

Expenses

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Total expenses (amounts in thousands)

   $ 158,221      $ 131,646   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     87.2     69.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our total expenses increased $26.6 million, or 20.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ending December 31, 2010. Total expenses for 2010 included a gain of $4.7 million relating to the change in fair value of our preferred stock embedded derivative; there was no similar gain in 2011 due to the settlement of our preferred stock embedded derivative in connection with the completion of our IPO in December 2010. The remainder of the increase in operating expenses was primarily due to a $7.7 million increase in purchased intangible amortization, a $7.4 million increase in trading expenses and commissions, a $6.0 million increase in general and administrative, a $0.9 million increase in employee compensation and benefits, a $0.7 million increase in communications and technology, a $0.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization and a $0.3 million increase in bad debt provision, partially offset by a decrease in selling and marketing expenses of $1.5 million.

 

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The changes in key operating expense items are described further below.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Employee compensation and benefits (amounts in thousands)

   $ 46,362      $ 45,439   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     25.5     24.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased $0.9 million, or 2.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. Salary and benefits (excluding bonus and stock compensation) increased $4.0 million primarily due to the hiring of members of senior management and an increase in headcount in our international locations to support our international expansion during 2011. The increase in salary and benefits was partially offset by a decrease in bonus expense of $1.6 million, primarily due to the decrease in operating results of our business for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to December 31, 2010, and a decrease in stock compensation expense of $1.4 million, principally due to a decrease in the value of more recent grants compared to the value of historical grants.

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Selling and marketing (amounts in thousands)

   $ 36,195      $ 37,721   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     19.9     19.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expenses decreased $1.5 million, or 4.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. Decreased sales and marketing expenses were primarily due to a decrease in advertising expenses in response to market conditions, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Trading Expenses and Commissions

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Trading expenses and commissions (amounts in thousands)

   $ 33,040      $ 25,658   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     18.2     13.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trading expenses and commissions increased $7.4 million, or 28.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to an increase in white label and introducing broker commissions. The increase in introducing broker commissions was due to an increase in customer trading volume directed to us from our white label partners and introducing brokers of $49.9 billion, to $612.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $562.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010. This expense is largely variable and is directly associated with the levels of customer trading volume directed to us from our white label partners and introducing brokers.

 

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General and administrative

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

General and administrative (amounts in thousands)

   $ 21,842      $ 15,826   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     12.0     8.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses increased $6.0 million, or 38.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to an increase in professional fees of $3.3 million, an increase of $2.1 million in travel, insurance, memberships and dues and an increase of $0.6 million in occupancy and equipment.

Depreciation and amortization

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Depreciation and amortization (amounts in thousands)

   $ 3,898      $ 3,439   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     2.1     1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization increased $0.5 million, or 13.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to an increase in the amortization of software purchased or developed internally, which was placed into service at the end of 2010 or during 2011.

Purchased Intangible Amortization

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Purchased intangible amortization (amounts in thousands)

   $ 8,893      $ 1,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     4.9     0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchased intangible amortization increased $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was due to the amortization of the intangible assets acquired from Deutsche Bank AG’s retail foreign exchange business (“dbFX”) in April 2011, as well as a full year of amortization expense of the intangible assets acquired from CMS in October 2010. Purchased intangible amortization for the year ended December 31, 2010 included only four months of expense related to the intangible assets acquired from MG Financial LLC and two months of expense related to the intangible assets acquired from CMS. In addition, during 2011, there was additional amortization expense of $0.9 million due to increases in the fair value of contingent liabilities associated with the CMS and dbFX intangible assets.

Communications and Technology

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Communications and technology (amounts in thousands)

   $ 7,139      $ 6,449   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     3.9     3.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Communications and technology expenses increased $0.7 million, or 10.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase was primarily due to the continued development and enhancement of our trading platforms, product offerings, websites and tools to support our retail and institutional customers.

Change in Fair Value of Convertible Preferred Stock Embedded Derivative

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011              2010      

Change in fair value of convertible preferred stock embedded derivative (amounts in thousands)

   $  —      $ (4,691
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

            (2.5 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The change in the fair value of the preferred stock embedded derivative resulted in a decrease to our total expenses of $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. As the preferred stock embedded derivative was settled in December 2010 in connection with our IPO, there was no impact for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Income Taxes

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2011             2010      

Income tax expense / (benefit) (amounts in thousands)

   $ 7,546      $ 20,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue

     4.2     10.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense decreased $12.5 million to $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $20.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Our effective tax rate was 32.5% for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 34.8% for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have historically financed our liquidity and capital needs primarily through the use of funds generated from operations, the issuance of preferred stock and access to secured lines of credit for general corporate purposes. We plan to finance our future operating liquidity and regulatory capital needs from our operations. Although we have no current plans to do so, we may issue equity or debt securities from time to time. We expect that our capital expenditures for the next 12 months will be consistent with our historical annual spend.

We primarily hold and invest our cash at various financial institutions and in various investments, including cash held at banks, deposits at our wholesale forex trading partners and money market funds which invest in short-term U.S. government securities. In general, we believe all of our investments and deposits are of high credit quality and we have more than adequate liquidity to conduct our businesses.

 

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Table of Contents

As a holding company, nearly all of our funds generated from operations are generated by our operating subsidiaries. Historically, we have accessed these funds through receipt of dividends from these subsidiaries. The following table shows the amount of cash held by the subsidiaries and the level of undistributed earnings (amounts in thousands) at December 31, 2012:

 

Entity Name

   Cash Held      Undistributed
Earnings
 

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

   $ 158,616       $ 33,437   

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

   $ 72,481       $ (5,608

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia, Pty. Ltd.

   $ 10,808       $ (1,117

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong, Ltd.

   $ 3,860       $ (1,038

GAIN Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 97       $ (951

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Canada Ltd.

   $ 1,524       $ (397

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Singapore Ltd.

   $ 378       $ (651

GAIN GTX Singapore Pte. Ltd.

   $ 286       $ 23   

Island Traders (Cayman) Limited

   $ —         $ (22

At December 31, 2012, as reflected in the table above, we had approximately $33.5 million of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside the United States. These earnings are expected to be reinvested in the working capital and other business needs of the foreign subsidiaries. No provision has been made for foreign taxes associated with these earnings. If these earnings had been repatriated into the United States as of December 31, 2012, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would have been subject to additional income taxes of approximately $4.0 million.

Some of our operating subsidiaries are subject to requirements of various regulatory bodies, including the CFTC and NFA in the United States, the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom, the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Financial Services Agency and the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, or the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in Australia, and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority in the Cayman Islands, relating to liquidity and capital standards, which limit funds available for the payment of dividends to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. As a result, we may be unable to access funds which are generated by our operating subsidiaries when we need them. In accordance with CFTC regulation 1.12 and NFA Financial Requirements Section 1, a 20.0% decrease in GAIN Capital Group, LLC’s net capital and a 30.0% decrease in excess net capital due to a planned equity withdrawal requires regulatory notification and/or approval.

The following table illustrates the minimum regulatory capital our subsidiaries were required to maintain as of December 31, 2012 and the actual amounts of capital that were maintained on that date (amounts in millions):

 

Entity Name

   Minimum Regulatory
Capital Requirements
     Capital Levels
Maintained
     Excess Net
Capital
 

GAIN Capital Group, LLC

   $ 24.8       $ 46.3       $ 21.5   

GAIN Capital Securities, Inc.

   $ 0.1       $ 0.5       $ 0.4   

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

   $ 14.5       $ 35.5       $ 21.0   

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

   $ 3.5       $ 11.0       $ 7.5   

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia, Pty. Ltd.

   $ 0.4       $ 2.5       $ 2.2   

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong, Ltd.

   $ 1.9       $ 3.8       $ 1.8   

GAIN Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 0.1       $ 0.4       $ 0.3   

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Canada Ltd.

   $ 0.3       $ 1.6       $ 1.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 45.6       $ 101.6       $ 56.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our futures commission merchant and forex dealer subsidiary, GAIN Capital Group, LLC, is subject to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Net Capital Rule (Rule 1.17) and NFA Financial Requirements

 

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Sections 11 and 12. Under applicable provisions of these regulations, Gain Capital Group, LLC is required to maintain adjusted net capital of the greater of $1.0 million or 8% of Customer and Non-Customer Maintenance Margin or $20,000,000 plus 5 % of all liabilities owed to customers exceeding $10,000,000. Net capital represents our current assets less total liabilities as defined by CFTC Rule 1.17. Our current assets primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents reported on our balance sheet as cash, receivables from brokers and trading securities, which are generally short-term U.S. government securities. Our total liabilities include payables to customers, accrued expenses, accounts payable, sales and marketing expense payable, introducing broker fees payable and other liabilities. From net capital we take certain percentage deductions against assets held based on factors required by the Commodity Exchange Act to calculate adjusted net capital. Our net capital and adjusted net capital changes from day to day. As of December 31, 2012, GAIN Capital Group, LLC had net capital of approximately $59.7 million, adjusted net capital of $46.3 million and net capital requirements of $24.8 million. As of December 31, 2012, GAIN Capital Group’s excess net capital was $21.5 million. We believe that we currently have sufficient capital to satisfy these on-going minimum net capital requirements.

We are required to maintain cash on deposit with our wholesale forex trading partners in order to conduct our hedging activities. As of December 31, 2012, we posted $89.9 million in cash with wholesale forex trading partners, of which $47.6 million was required as collateral pursuant to our agreements for holding spot foreign exchange positions with such institutions, and the remaining $42.3 million represented available cash in excess of required collateral. As of December 31, 2012, total client assets were $446.3 million. Total client assets represent amounts due to clients, including deposits and unrealized gains or losses arising from open positions.

We have incurred increased costs as a result of having publicly traded common stock. Prior to our initial public offering in December 2010, we were not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, or the other rules and regulations of the SEC or any securities exchange. We have and continue to invest to enhance our financial and management control systems, including our corporate control, internal audit, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems, to manage our growth as a public company. We also incurred costs associated with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE.

The table set forth below provides information regarding our total available liquidity as of December 31, 2012 and as of December 31, 2011. We use this non-GAAP measure to evaluate our business operations and our ability to continue to grow through acquisitions (amounts in millions):

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2011
 

Cash & cash equivalents

   $ 36.8      $ 60.2   

Cash & securities held for customers

     446.3        310.4   

Short term investments(1)

     1.4        0.1   

Receivable from banks & brokers(2)

     89.9        85.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating cash

     574.4        456.1   

Less: Cash & securities held for customers

     (446.3     (310.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating cash

     128.1        145.7   

Less: minimum regulatory capital requirements

     (45.6     (35.8

Note payable

     —         (7.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash available(3)

     82.5        102.0   

Add: Available credit facility(4)

     17.0        50.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Available Liquidity

   $ 99.5      $ 152.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Reflects cash that would be received upon the liquidation of short term investments. We estimate that all short term investments as of the date indicated could be liquidated within 1 to 2 business days.

 

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(2) Reflects cash that would be received from brokers following the close-out of all open positions. We estimate that liquidation of all open positions as of the date indicated could be completed within 1 to 2 business days.
(3) Excludes current liabilities of $19.9 million and capital charges associated with open positions.
(4) The Company has a $50.0 million revolving line of credit. The amount available varies from time to time due to the terms of financial covenants contained in the credit facility agreement. As of December 31, 2012, $17.0 million was available.

Credit Facility

As of December 31, 2012, we had a $50.0 million revolving line of credit through a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Interest on amounts that may be outstanding under the revolving line of credit from time to time is paid monthly and is based upon the prime rate of interest plus 0.5%. The revolving line of credit is secured by certain of our assets, a pledge of our membership interests in our wholly-owned subsidiary GAIN Holdings, LLC and a guarantee by GAIN Holdings, LLC. There were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit as of December 31, 2012. On March 30, 2012, we paid off the balance of a $52.5 million term loan from Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank in advance of the July 1, 2012 maturity date. The term loan was payable in 20 quarterly installments of principal and the payments commenced on October 1, 2007. The other terms of the term loan were substantially the same as those of the revolving line of credit.

In accordance with the provisions of the revolving line of credit as outlined in the amended and restated loan and security agreement, we are required to adhere to various financial, regulatory, operational and reporting covenants. As of December 31, 2012, and during the entire term of the loan and security agreement, we were and have been in compliance with such covenants.

Cash Flow

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flow for the three years ended December 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011(1)     2010(1)  

Cash provided by operating activities

   $ 12,149      $ 59,596      $ 27,148   

Cash used for investing activities

     (19,217     (7,065     (12,421

Cash used for financing activities

     (17,983     (17,616     (8,880

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     1,650        (2,229     (1,081
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (23,401   $ 32,686      $ 4,766   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (1) Revised to separate cash and securities held for customers from cash and cash equivalents as previously presented, see footnote 2 in the consolidated financial statements below for further details.

The primary drivers of our cash flow provided by operating activities are net income, amounts posted as collateral with wholesale forex trading partners and amounts paid to fund our operations.

Amounts posted as collateral with wholesale foreign exchange trading partners are classified on our balance sheet as receivables from brokers and represent collateral required to be deposited with our wholesale forex trading partners in order for us to hold spot foreign exchange positions, as well as the cash posted with wholesale forex trading partners in excess of required collateral. We post cash with wholesale forex trading partners in excess of required collateral to allow for adverse currency price moves relative to our positions, which would raise our level of required collateral. We receive interest on amounts we have posted as collateral with wholesale forex trading partners. The amount of collateral required by our wholesale forex trading partners in the future will be commensurate with the amount of spot foreign exchange positions that they hold on our behalf. The

 

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amount of cash posted with wholesale forex trading partners in excess of required collateral is discretionary and may increase or decrease in future periods as we determine the most efficient uses of our cash.

Our largest operating expenses are employee compensation and benefits, selling and marketing expenses, trading expenses and commissions. Employee compensation and benefits include salaries, bonuses and other employee related costs. Selling and marketing expenses include online and search engine advertising and print and television advertising. Trading expenses and commissions consist primarily of compensation paid to our white label partners and introducing brokers.

Unrealized gains and losses on cash positions revalued at prevailing foreign currency exchange rates are included in trading revenue but have no direct impact on cash flow from operations. Gains and losses become realized and impact cash flow from operations when customer transactions are liquidated. To some extent, our net deposit activity is influenced by unrealized gains and losses because our customers’ trading positions are impacted by unrealized gains and losses and our customers may be required to post additional funds to maintain open positions or may choose to withdraw excess funds on open positions.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Cash provided by operating activities was $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $59.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The primary reasons for the decrease in cash provided by operating activities were a decrease of $20.0 million in trading securities, a decrease of $18.1 million in receivables from banks and brokers, a decrease of $21.5 million in payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities and a decrease in net income of $13.0 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in cash and securities held for customers of $22.3 million.

Cash used in investing activities was $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in cash used in investing activities was principally due to $9.5 million related to the acquisition of OEC, an increase of $4.3 million in the purchase of property and equipment and the purchase of treasury bills of $1.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in the purchase of intangible assets of $2.5 million.

Cash used for financing activities was $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in cash used for financing activities was principally due to an increase in dividend payments of $5.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in payments of notes payable of $2.6 million and a decrease in the purchase of treasury stock of $1.7 million.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were primarily related to the development of our trading platforms and websites. Such capital expenditures accelerated in 2012 as we approached the launch of our new TRADE platform in September of 2012.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010

Cash provided by operating activities was $59.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $27.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The primary reasons for the increase in cash provided by operating activities were a $34.6 million increase in receivables from banks and brokers, a $10.8 million increase in trading securities, an increase of $8.5 in cash and securities held for customers, a $8.8 million increase in payable to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities. This is partially offset by a decrease in net income of $21.7 million, an increase in prepaid assets of $7.9 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $8.1 million and an increase in other assets of $6.3 million.

 

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Cash used in investing activities was $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was principally due to the decrease of $6.0 million in payments made for the acquisition of intangible assets.

Cash used for financing activities was $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in cash used for financing activities was principally due to dividend payments of $5.0 million and contractual payments for acquired assets of $3.1 million.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were primarily related to the development of our trading platforms and websites.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2012 and 2011 we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands):

 

     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1-3
Years
     3-5
Years
     More than
5 Years
 

Purchase Obligations

   $ 6,252       $ 3,057       $ 2,322       $ 873      $ —    

Operating Leases

     18,638         2,583         3,596         2,957         9,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 24,890       $ 5,640       $ 5,918       $ 3,830       $ 9,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on the information currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made; if different estimates reasonably could have been used; or if changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur periodically could materially impact the financial statements. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, we believe the following accounting policies to be critical to the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Revenue Recognition

Foreign exchange contracts generally involve the exchange of two currencies at market rates on a specified date; spot contracts usually require the exchange of currencies to occur within two business days of the contract date. Customer transactions and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Gains or losses are realized when customer transactions are liquidated. Unrealized gains or losses on cash positions revalued at prevailing foreign currency exchange rates (the difference between contract price and market price) at the date of the balance sheet are included in Receivables from brokers and Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Changes in net unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Trading revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We must make estimates of the uncollectibility of accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts, which is netted against other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. We record an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts when the prospect of collecting a specific account balance becomes doubtful. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management will also change, which could affect the level of our future provision for doubtful accounts.

Specifically, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, affecting their ability to make payments, an additional provision for doubtful accounts may be required, and such provision may be material.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 740-10, Income Taxes. Income tax expenses are provided using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements and the income tax basis, using currently enacted tax rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income in the period of enactment. We routinely evaluate all deferred tax assets to determine the likelihood of their realization.

We use estimates in determining income tax positions under ASC 740-10-25, Income Taxes. Although we believe that our tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgment and is subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business.

To the extent we are required to pay amounts in excess of our reserves, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement could require use of our cash and result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment, we periodically evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets when events and circumstances warrant such review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such an asset is separately identifiable and is less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

ASC 350-30, General Intangibles, requires purchased intangible assets other than goodwill to be amortized over their useful lives unless the useful lives are determined to be indefinite. If the assets are determined to have a

 

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finite life in the future, we will amortize the carrying value over the remaining useful life at that time. In accordance with ASC 350-30, our URLs (foreignexchange.com and forex.com) are indefinite life intangible assets and are, therefore, not amortized. We compare the recorded value of the indefinite life intangible assets to their fair value on an annual basis and whenever circumstances arise that indicate that an impairment may have occurred. In accordance with ASC 350, we test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and on an interim basis when conditions indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its respective book value. We performed its annual test for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of 2012 and noted there was no impairment. At periods during 2012, our common shares traded below book value, as such, we performed additional impairment testing, which did not result in any goodwill impairment. Adverse market or economic events could result in impairment charges in future periods.

Accrued Compensation

We make estimates in determining our quarterly and annual accrued non-share-based compensation. A significant portion of our employee incentive compensation programs are discretionary. Each quarter and year-end we determine the amount of discretionary cash bonus pools. We also review compensation throughout the year to determine how overall performance compares to management’s expectations. We take these and other factors, including historical performance and our performance relative to budget, into account in reviewing accrued discretionary cash compensation estimates quarterly and adjusting accrual rates as appropriate. Changes to these factors could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of compensation expense that we report in a particular period.

Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities

ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. We determined that the redemption feature contained in our preferred stock, which allowed the holders of our preferred stock at any time on or after March 31, 2011, upon the written request of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock voting together as a single class, to require us to redeem all of the shares of preferred stock then outstanding, was an embedded derivative required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately.

The embedded derivative was recorded at fair value and reported in convertible preferred stock embedded derivative on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in fair value recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. As a result of the successful completion of our IPO, all shares of the redeemable, convertible preferred stock were converted to common stock, and as of December 31, 2010, we were no longer required to record a liability relating to the embedded derivative.

Share Based Payments

ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation, requires measurement of share based payment arrangements at fair value and recognition of compensation cost over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of GAIN Capital Holding, Inc.’s common stock.

We measure the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires the use of several estimates, including:

 

   

The volatility of our stock price;

 

   

The expected life of the option;

 

   

Risk free interest rates; and

 

   

Expected dividend yield.

 

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The use of different assumptions in the Black-Scholes pricing model would result in different amounts of stock-based compensation expense. Furthermore, if different assumptions are used in future periods, stock-based compensation expense could be materially impacted in the future.

The expected volatility was calculated based upon the volatility of public financial services companies, or companies in similar industries. The average risk free rate is based upon the five year bond rate converted to a continuously compounded interest rate.

Treasury Shares

In accordance with ASC 505-30, Equity – Treasury Stock, we treat the cost of acquired shares purchased as a deduction from shareholders’ equity and as a reduction of the total shares outstanding when calculating adjusted earnings per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASU No. 2012-02”). ASU No. 2012-02 is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by permitting an entity first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. ASU No. 2012-02 is effective for interim and annual impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2011-11 Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-11 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This new standard amends the procedures for testing goodwill for impairment, simplifying how to test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test previously required. This new standard is effective for fiscal years and quarters beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This new standard impacts the presentation requirements relating to Comprehensive Income. This new standard is effective for fiscal years and quarters beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This new standard amends the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This new standard is effective for fiscal years and quarters beginning after December 15, 2011.The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will impact our consolidated financial statements. Our net interest revenue is directly affected by the short-term interest rates we earn from re-investing our cash and our customer’s cash. As a result, a portion of our interest income will decline if interest rates fall. Short-term interest rates are highly sensitive to factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities. Our cash and cash equivalents and customer cash and cash equivalents is held in cash and cash equivalents including cash at banks, deposits at wholesale forex trading partners, in money market funds that invest in short-term U.S. government securities and in United States and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce treasury bills. The interest rates earned on these deposits and investments affects our interest revenue. We estimate that as of December 31, 2012, an immediate 100 basis point increase in short-term interest rates would result in approximately $5.0 million more in annual pretax income.

Foreign Currency Risk

Currency risk arises from the possibility that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of our assets denominated in foreign currencies, as well as our earnings due to the translation of our balance sheet and income statement from local currencies to United States dollars. We currently have limited exposure to currency risk and as of December 31, 2012, 80.0% of our assets, 75.4% of our liabilities, 88.2% of our net revenue, and 78.9% of our expenses were denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not take proprietary directional market positions and therefore do not initiate market positions for our own account in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of products we offer. However, as a result of our activities, we are likely to have open positions in various currencies at any given time. For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 95.9% of our average daily trading volume, on any given day, was either naturally hedged, where one of our customers executing a trade in a currency is offset by a trade taken by another customer, or hedged by us with a third-party financial institution. Our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates may increase in the future and we may consider entering into hedging transactions to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. These hedging transactions may not be successful.

Credit Risk

Our trading operations require a commitment of our capital and involve risk of loss because of the potential that a customer’s losses may exceed the amount of cash in their account. As a result, we require that each trade must be collateralized in accordance with our margin policies described below. Each customer is required to have minimum funds in their account for opening positions, which we refer to as the initial margin, and for maintaining positions, which we refer to as maintenance margin, depending on the product being traded. Margin requirements are expressed as a percentage of the customer’s total position in that product, and the customer’s total margin requirement is based on the aggregate margin requirement across all of the positions that a customer holds at any one moment in time. Each net position in a particular product is margined separately. Accordingly, we do not net across different positions, thereby following a fairly conservative margin policy. Our systems automatically monitor each customer’s margin requirements in real time, and we confirm that each of our customers has sufficient cash collateral in his or her account before we execute their trades. If at any point in time a customer has “negative equity” because his or her trading position does not comply with the applicable margin requirement, the position may be automatically liquidated, partially or entirely, in accordance with our margin policies and procedures. This policy protects both us and the customer. The incidence of negative equity in customer accounts has been immaterial to our operations in the three years ended December 31, 2012, which we believe was attributable to our real-time margining and liquidation policies and procedures. Our margin and liquidation policies are set forth in our customer agreements.

We are also exposed to potential credit risk relating to the counterparties with which we hedge our trades and the financial institutions with which we deposit cash. We mitigate these risks by transacting with several of the

 

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largest financial institutions in the world. In the event that our access to one or more financial institutions becomes limited, our ability to hedge may be impaired.

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in connection with our retail trading activities. Because we act as counterparty to our retail customers’ transactions, we are exposed to risk on each trade that the market price of our position will decline. Accordingly, accurate and efficient management of our net exposure is a high priority, and as such we have developed both automated and manual policies and procedures to manage our exposure. These risk-management policies and procedures are established and reviewed regularly by the Risk Committee of our Board of Directors. Our risk-management policies require quantitative analyses by currency pair, as well as assessment of a range of market inputs, including trade size, dealing rate, customer margin and market liquidity. Our risk-management procedures require our team of senior traders to monitor risk exposure on a continuous basis and update senior management both informally over the course of the trading day and formally through intraday and end of day reporting. A key component of our approach to managing market risk is that we do not initiate market positions for our own account in anticipation of future movements in the relative prices of products we offer. To facilitate our risk-management activities, we maintain levels of capital in excess of those currently required under applicable regulations. As of December 31, 2012, we maintained capital levels of $101.6 million, which represented approximately 2.2 times the capital we were required to hold under applicable regulations.

Cash Liquidity Risk

In normal conditions, our market making business of providing online forex trading and related services is self financing as we generate sufficient cash flows to pay our expenses as they become due. As a result, we generally do not face the risk that we will be unable to raise cash quickly enough to meet our payment obligations as they arise. Our cash flows, however, are influenced by customer trading volume, currency volatility and liquidity in foreign currencies pairs in which we have positions. These factors are directly impacted by domestic and international market and economic conditions that are beyond our control. In an effort to manage this risk, we have secured a substantial liquidity pool by establishing trading relationships with nine financial institutions. These relationships provide us with sufficient access to liquidity to allow us to consistently execute significant trades in varying market conditions at the notional amounts our customers desire by providing us with as much as 50:1 leverage on the notional amounts of our available collateral we have on deposit with such financial institutions. We generally maintain collateral on deposit, which includes our funds and our customers’ funds. Collateral on deposit ranged from $92.1 million to $127.4 million in the aggregate, during the year ended December 31, 2012.

In addition, our trading operations involve the risk of losses due to the potential failure of our customers to perform their obligations under the transactions we enter into with them, which increases our exposure to cash liquidity risk. To reduce this risk, our margin policy requires that we mark our customers’ accounts to market each time the market price of a position in their portfolio changes and provides for automatic liquidation of positions, as described above.

Operational Risk

Our operations are subject to broad and various risks resulting from technological interruptions, failures or capacity constraints in addition to risks involving human error or misconduct. Regarding technological risks, we are heavily dependent on the capacity and reliability of the computer and communications systems supporting our operations. We have established a program to monitor our computer systems, platforms and related technologies and to promptly address issues that arise. We have also established disaster recovery facilities in strategic locations to ensure that we can continue to operate with limited interruptions in the event that our primary systems are damaged. As with our technological systems, we have established policies and procedures designed to monitor and prevent both human errors, such as clerical mistakes or incorrectly placed trades, as well as human misconduct, such as unauthorized trading, fraud or negligence. In addition, we seek to mitigate the impact of any operational issues by maintaining insurance coverage for various contingencies.

 

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Regulatory Capital Risk

Various domestic and foreign government bodies and self-regulatory organizations responsible for overseeing our business activities require that we maintain specified minimum levels of regulatory capital in our operating subsidiaries. If not properly monitored or adjusted, our regulatory capital levels could fall below the required minimum amounts set by our regulators, which could expose us to various sanctions ranging from fines and censure to imposing partial or complete restrictions on our ability to conduct business. To mitigate this risk, we continuously evaluate the levels of regulatory capital at each of our operating subsidiaries and adjust the amounts of regulatory capital in each operating subsidiary as necessary to ensure compliance with all regulatory capital requirements. These requirements may increase or decrease from time to time as required by regulatory authorities. We also maintain excess regulatory capital to provide liquidity during periods of unusual or unforeseen market volatility, and we intend to continue to follow this policy. In addition, we monitor regulatory developments regarding capital requirements so that we may be prepared for increases in the required minimum levels of regulatory capital that may occur from time to time in the future.

Regulatory Risk

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to the risk of sanctions from U.S., federal and state, and international authorities if we fail to comply adequately with regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in financial, operational and other penalties. Our authority to conduct business could be suspended or revoked. In addition, efforts to comply with applicable regulations may increase our costs or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities. Federal and state regulations significantly limit the types of activities in which we may engage.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Our consolidated financial statements are included in pages F-1 to F-39 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management of the Company, with the participation of its CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective.

(b) Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal

 

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financial officers and is affected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, 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 (“GAAP”) and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

   

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

 

   

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based on the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Based on this assessment, management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has audited and issued a report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, which appears below.

(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The Company has strengthened its controls in connection with the changes to its financial reporting reflected in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(d) Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

Bedminster, New Jersey

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance

 

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about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended and our report dated March 18, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

March 18, 2013

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information required to be included in this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which we intend to file within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year.

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) applies to all of our employees, directors and officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions. We make the Code available free of charge through our website which is located at www.gaincapital.com. We intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code that are required to be publicly disclosed pursuant to rules of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange in filings with the SEC and by posting such information on our website.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required to be included in this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which we intend to file within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information required to be included in this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which we intend to file within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information required to be included in this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which we intend to file within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information to be included in this item is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, which we intend to file within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Financial Statements and Schedules:

1. Financial Statements

The following financial statements and reports of independent registered public accounting firm are included herein:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (revised)

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December  31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 (revised) and 2010 (revised)

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-8   

2. Financial Statement Schedules

The following supplemental schedule is filed herewith:

 

Financial Statement Schedule:

  

Schedule I  — Condensed Financial Information of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (Parent Company Only) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012

     F-36   

Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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3. List of Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.
  

Description

  2.1†    Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 20, 2011 by and among GAIN Capital Group, LLC and Deutsche Bank AG, acting through is London Branch (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, filed on May 16, 2011, No. 001-35008).
  3.1    Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
  4.1    Specimen Certificate evidencing shares of common stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
  4.2    Investor Rights Agreement, dated January 11, 2008, by and among the Company, the Investors and the Founding Stockholder, as defined therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.1    2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.2    2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.3    Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on March 30, 2011, No. 001-35008).**
10.4    Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632). **
10.5    Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632). **
10.6    Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632). **
10.7    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Time Vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.8    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.9    Form of Indemnification Agreement with the Company’s Non-Employee Directors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.10    Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, effective December 31, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.11    Amendment No. 2007-1 to the GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.12    Amendment No. 2008-1 to the GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.62 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**

 

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Exhibit
No.
  

Description

10.13    Amendment No. 2010-1 to the GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.14    Unconditional Guaranty, dated as of March 29, 2006, by and among GAIN Holdings, LLC, Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.15    Separation Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2008, by and between Mark Galant and GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.16†    FX Prime Brokerage Master Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2006, by and between GAIN Capital Group, LLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.17†    FX Prime Brokerage Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2005, by and between UBS AG and GAIN Capital, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.18†    Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage Agency Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2006, by and between GAIN Capital Group, LLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.19†    Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage Agreement, dated October 18, 2005, by and between Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and GCAM, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.20    Amendment to Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage Agreement, dated January 26, 2006, by and between Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and GCAM, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.21    Form of ISDA Master Agreement, 1992 edition (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.22    Form of Introducing Broker Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.23    Form of Agreement for White Label Services (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.24    Lease and Lease Agreement, dated August 18, 2009, by and between S/K Bed One Associates LLC and GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.25†    License Agreement, dated August 9, 2007, by and between GAIN Capital Group, LLC and MetaQuotes Software Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.26†    Agreement, dated November 22, 2004, by and between esignal, a division of Interactive Data Corporation, and GAIN Capital, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.27    Form of ISDA Master Agreement, 2002 edition (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).

 

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Exhibit
No.
  

Description

10.28    Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 14, 2012, by and between GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Glenn Stevens (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 10, 2012, No. 001-35008).**
10.29    Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 14, 2012, by and between GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Timothy O’ Sullivan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 10, 2012, No. 001-35008).**
10.30    Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 14, 2012, by and between GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Jeffrey A. Scott (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 10, 2012, No. 001-35008).**
10.31    Executive Employment Agreement, dated April 14, 2012, by and between GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Diego Rotsztain (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 10, 2012, No. 001-35008).**
10.32    Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2010, by and between GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Samantha Roady (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).**
10.33    Letter Agreement, dated November 10, 2009, by and between GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Daryl Carlough.**
10.34    Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2010, by and among GAIN Capital Group, LLC, GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., and GAIN Capital Forex.com Japan, Co. Ltd., and Capital Market Services, LLC, Capital Market Services UK Ltd., Capital Market Services International — BM, Ltd., and CMS Japan K.K. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.35    Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2010, by and among GAIN Capital Group, LLC, GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., and GAIN Capital Forex.com Japan, Co. Ltd., and Capital Market Services, LLC, Capital Market Services UK Ltd., Capital Market Services International — BM, Ltd., and CMS Japan K.K. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.65 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, No. 333-161632).
10.36    Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2011, by and among the Company, Silicon Valley Bank, as collateral agent for the lenders listed on Schedule 1.1 of the Agreement and as administrative agent for the Lenders, including, without limitation, SVB and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s 8-K report filed on September 22, 2011, No. 001-35008).
10.37    First Amendment to Unconditional Guaranty, dated as of September 16, 2011, by and among Gain Holdings, LLC, the Company, Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s 8-K report filed on September 22, 2011, No. 001-35008).
10.38    Stock Purchase Agreement between optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. and GAIN Capital Group, LLC dated as of June 27, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 9, 2012, No. 001-35008).
  21.1    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*
  23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.*

 

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Exhibit
No.
  

Description

  31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
  31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.*
  32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer as required by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer as required by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101.INS+    XBRL Instance
101.SCH+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

  * Filed herewith.
** Compensation related contract.
  † Confidential treatment requested. Confidential materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  + XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed, and is not a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 on the 18th day of March, 2013.

 

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/    Glenn H. Stevens        
 

Glenn H. Stevens

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Glenn H. Stevens

Glenn H. Stevens

   President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   March 18, 2013

/s/ Daryl J. Carlough

Daryl J. Carlough

   Interim Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   March 18, 2013

/s/ Peter Quick

Peter Quick

   Chairman of the Board of Directors   March 18, 2013

/s/ Susanne D. Lyons

Susanne D. Lyons

   Director   March 18, 2013

/s/ Joseph A. Schenk

Joseph A. Schenk

   Director   March 18, 2013

/s/ Thomas Bevilacqua

Thomas Bevilacqua

   Director   March 18, 2013

/s/ Mark E. Galant

Mark E. Galant

   Director   March 18, 2013

/s/ Christopher W. Calhoun

Christopher W. Calhoun

   Director   March 18, 2013

/s/ Christopher S. Sugden

Christopher S. Sugden

   Director   March 18, 2013

 

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INDEX TO

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (revised)

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December  31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 (revised) and 2010 (revised)

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-8   

Financial Statement Schedule:

  

Schedule I  — Condensed Financial Information of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (Parent Company Only) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012

     F-36   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.

Bedminster, New Jersey

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 2, the accompanying 2011 consolidated balance sheet, and 2011 and 2010 consolidated statements of cash flows have been revised to correct a misstatement.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 18, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

March 18, 2013

 

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Table of Contents

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands except share data)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2012     Revised
(See Note 2)
2011
 
ASSETS:   

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 36,820      $ 60,221   

Cash and securities held for customers

     446,311        310,447   

Short term investments at fair value

     1,437        82   

Receivables from banks and brokers ($810 at fair value)

     89,916        85,401   

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

     11,023        7,531   

Prepaid assets

     7,704        9,899   

Goodwill

     9,030        3,092   

Intangible assets, net

     9,868        10,771   

Other assets

     17,804        18,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 629,913      $ 505,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:   

Liabilities

    

Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities

   $ 446,311      $ 310,447   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     6,055        4,966   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     12,585        14,885   

Income tax payable

     1,275        2,578   

Notes payable

     —         7,875   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     466,226        340,751   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common Stock; ($0.00001 par value; 60 million shares authorized; 36,486,036 shares issued and 34,924,095 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 35,132,365 shares issued and 34,282,244 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011)

     —         —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,249        316   

Additional paid-in capital

     85,089        79,551   

Treasury stock, at cost (1,561,941 shares at December 31, 2012 and 850,121 shares at December 31, 2011)

     (8,280     (5,017

Retained earnings

     85,629        89,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity

     163,687        164,830   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 629,913      $ 505,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands except share and per share data)

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

REVENUE:

      

Trading revenue

   $ 127,520      $ 175,854      $ 187,356   

Commission revenue

     21,373        4,691        2,227   

Other revenue

     2,331        1,790        1,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest revenue

     151,224        182,335        190,773   

Interest revenue

     627        544        364   

Interest expense

     (491     (1,414     (2,039
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net interest revenue / (expense)

     136        (870     (1,675
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

     151,360        181,465        189,098   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

      

Employee compensation and benefits

     47,469        46,362        45,439   

Selling and marketing

     26,969        36,195        37,721   

Trading expenses and commissions

     38,047        33,040        25,658   

General and administrative

     19,950        21,842        15,826   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,921        3,898        3,439   

Purchased intangible amortization

     4,134        8,893        1,208   

Communications and technology

     7,736        7,139        6,449   

Bad debt provision

     358        852        597   

Restructuring

     634        —         —    

Change in fair value of convertible, redeemable preferred stock embedded derivative

     —         —         (4,691
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     150,218        158,221        131,646   

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     1,142        23,244        57,452   

Income tax (benefit) / expense

     (1,479     7,546        20,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

     2,621        15,698        37,443   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss applicable to noncontrolling interest

     —         —         (402
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

     2,621        15,698        37,845   

Other comprehensive income / (expense), net of tax:

      

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     933        (112     112   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET COMPREHENSIVE INCOME APPLICABLE TO GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

   $ 3,554      $ 15,586      $ 37,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share(1):

      

Basic

   $ 0.08      $ 0.46      $ 8.62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.07      $ 0.40      $ 1.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing earnings per common share(1):

      

Basic

     34,940,800        34,286,840        4,392,798   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     37,880,208        38,981,792        37,742,902   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) In connection with the completion of the Company’s initial public offering in December 2010 (the “IPO”), the Company’s board of directors approved a 2.29-for-1 stock split of the Company’s common stock to be effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO. The 2.29-for-1 stock split, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of 407,692 shares of common stock from all of the Company’s pre-IPO common stockholders (on a pro-rata basis) in satisfaction of previously outstanding obligations owed by such stockholders to the Company, resulted in an effective stock split of 2.26-for-1. Accordingly, all references to share and per share data have been retroactively restated for the year ended December 31, 2010 to reflect the effective 2.26-for-1 stock split.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    Common Stock     Treasury
Stock
    Additional
Paid in
Capital
    Accumulated
Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  
    Shares     Amount              

BALANCE — December 31, 2009

    2,966,034      $ —        $ —        $ (178,409   $ 38,195      $ 348      $ (24   $ (139,890

Exercise of options

    75,448        —          —          107        —          —          —          107   

Conversion of restricted stock units into common stock

    67,988        —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Conversion of preferred stock

    27,757,770        —          —          169,390        —          —          —          169,390   

Settlement of preferred stock embedded derivative

    —          —          —          76,407        —          —          —          76,407   

Net proceeds from initial public offering after underwriting discounts, commissions, and expenses

    407,692        —          —          208        —          —          —          208   

Series E indemnification

    (100,281     —          —          835        —          —          —          835   

Stock compensation expense

    —          —          —          5,457        —          —          —          5,457   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          80        32        112   

Increase in noncontrolling interest related to acquisition of subsidiary

    —          —          —          (614     —          —          394        (220

Net income

    —          —          —          —          37,845        —          (402     37,443   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE — December 31, 2010

    31,174,651      $ —        $ —        $ 73,381      $ 76,040      $ 428      $ —        $ 149,849   

Exercise of options

    452,881        —          —          853        —          —          —          853   

Exercise of warrants

    3,261,575        —          —          1,270        —          —          —          1,270   

Conversion of restricted stock units into common stock

    214,800        —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

    28,458        —          —          165        —          —          —          165   

Repurchase of shares

    (850,121     —          (5,017     —          —          —          —          (5,017

Stock compensation expense

    —          —          —          4,018        —          —          —          4,018   

Tax benefit of stock option exercises

    —          —          —          (136     —          —          —          (136

Dividend payment ($0.05 dividend per share in the fourth quarter of 2011)

    —          —          —          —          (1,758     —          —          (1,758

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          (112     —          (112

Net income

    —          —          —          —          15,698        —          —          15,698   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE — December 31, 2011

    34,282,244      $ —        $ (5,017   $ 79,551      $ 89,980      $ 316      $ —        $ 164,830   

Exercise of options

    1,032,096        —          —          1,969        —          —          —          1,969   

Conversion of restricted stock units into common stock

    276,387        —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

    45,188        —          —          216        —          —          —          216   

Repurchase of shares

    (711,820     —          (3,263     —          —          —          —          (3,263

Stock compensation expense

    —          —          —          3,325        —          —          —          3,325   

Tax benefit of stock option exercises

    —          —          —          28        —          —          —          28   

Dividend payment ($0.05 dividend per share for each respective quarter in 2012)

    —          —          —          —          (6,972     —          —          (6,972

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          933        —          933   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          2,621        —          —          2,621   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE — December 31, 2012

    34,924,095      $ —        $ (8,280   $ 85,089      $ 85,629      $ 1,249      $ —        $ 163,687   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2012     Revised
(See Note  2)
2011
    Revised
(See Note  2)
2010
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     

Net income

  $ 2,621      $ 15,698      $ 37,443   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities

     

(Gain)/loss on foreign currency exchange rates

    1,315        (145     239   

Depreciation and amortization

    9,055        12,791        4,647   

Deferred taxes

    (1,013     (2,107     (1,227

Net interest income

    —          60        (46

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    51        87        87   

Bad debt provision

    358        852        597   

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

    33        3        37   

Stock compensation expense

    3,325        4,018        5,457   

Change in fair value of preferred stock embedded derivative

    —          —          (4,691

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Cash and securities held for customers

    (31,285     (53,617     (62,156

Trading securities

    —          19,993        9,226   

Receivables from banks and brokers

    (5,333     12,734        (21,826

Prepaid assets

    2,372        39        (7,894

Other assets

    1,065        (5,428     831   

Accrued compensation and benefits

    1,047        (151     1,077   

Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities

    31,285        52,765        61,599   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (1,444     1,976        1,198   

Income tax payable

    (1,303     28        2,550   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

    12,149        59,596        27,148   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     

Purchases of property and equipment

    (8,358     (4,018     (3,873

Purchase of treasury bills

    (1,355    

Business acquisition, net of cash acquired

    (9,504     —          —     

Purchase of intangible assets

    —          (2,547     (8,548

Purchase of cost method investment

    —          (500     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used for investing activities

    (19,217     (7,065     (12,421
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Contractual payments for acquired assets

    (2,030     (3,050     —     

Proceeds from initial public offering of common stock, net of underwriting discounts and other direct costs of $3.8 million

    —          —          208   

Deferred initial public offering costs

    —          —          1,732   

Principal payment on notes payable

    (7,875     (10,500     (10,500

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    1,969        853        107   

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

    —          1,270        —     

Proceeds from ESPP purchase

    216        165        —     

Purchase of treasury stock

    (3,263     (5,017     —     

Tax benefit from employee stock option exercises

    (28     421        —     

Dividend payments

    (6,972     (1,758     —     

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

    —          —          (427
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used for financing activities

    (17,983     (17,616     (8,880
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2012     Revised
(See Note  2)
2011
    Revised
(See Note  2)
2010
 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,650      $ (2,229   $ (1,081
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (23,401     32,686        4,766   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of year

    60,221        27,535        22,769   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of year

  $ 36,820      $ 60,221      $ 27,535   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

     

Cash paid during the year for:

     

Interest

  $ 230      $ 1,037      $ 1,799   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxes, net of refunds

  $ (260   $ 14,090      $ 15,674   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing activities:

     

Purchase of fixed assets in accrued expense and other liabilities

  $ 95      $ 121      $ 54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash financing activities:

     

Accrued initial public offering costs

  $ —        $ —        $ 1,305   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Series E indemnification

  $ —        $ —        $ 835   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Settlement of Preferred Stock embedded derivative

  $ —        $ —        $ 76,407   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Settlement of Convertible, Redeemable preferred stock

  $ —        $ —        $ 169,390   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed and incorporated on March 24, 2006. GAIN Holdings, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc., and owns all outstanding membership units in GAIN Capital Group, LLC (“Group, LLC”), the primary regulated entity in the United States of America.

Group, LLC is a retail foreign exchange dealer (“RFED”) and a registered Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). As such, it is subject to the regulations of the CFTC, an agency of the U.S. Government, and the rules of the National Futures Association (“NFA”), an industry self-regulatory organization.

The following list includes each of the Company’s significant U.S. and international regulated subsidiaries:

GAIN Capital Group, LLC.

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia Pty. Ltd.

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong Ltd.

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Canada, Ltd.

GAIN GTX, LLC

GCAM, LLC

During 2012, the Company purchased all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Paragon Futures Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Paragon owns all of the membership interests of Open E Cry, LLC (together “OEC”), an internet based futures business which is subject to the regulations of the CFTC. In November 2012, OEC was merged into Group, LLC.

In addition, in 2011, as part of the development of its international corporate holding structure, the Company added the following entities:

GAIN Capital Holdings International, BV

GAIN Capital Holdings International Finance Company, BV

GAIN Capital GTX International, BV

GAIN Capital-Forex.com International, BV

Initial Public Offering

On December 20, 2010 the Company closed its initial public offering of common stock (“IPO”) of 9,000,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $9.00 per share, of which 407,692 shares were sold by the Company and 8,592,308 shares were sold by selling stockholders, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $4.0 million, after deducting underwriting discounts (which included a $0.6 million reimbursement by the underwriters for the Company’s out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the offering). Upon the closing of the IPO, all of the Company’s outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were automatically converted into 27,757,770 shares of common stock, in accordance with the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Costs directly associated with the Company’s IPO of $3.8 million were capitalized and recorded as deferred initial public offering costs prior to the closing of the IPO. Once the IPO was closed, these costs were recorded as a reduction of the net proceeds received.

 

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2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The Company and its subsidiaries’ consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting principles”).

In 2010 and 2011, the Company presented certain revenue related to its institutional business and its securities business in “Other revenue” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. However, due to the expansion of the Company’s institutional business in recent periods, and the addition of our exchange based business, OEC, the Company has reclassified revenue from these businesses from “Other Revenue” to “Commission Revenue” in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income presented herein. The change in presentation had no effect on the total non-interest revenue or total net revenue.

Previously, the Company presented separately certain administrative expense related items. In an effort to align the presentation of expenses with competitors in the industry in order to enable easier comparisons, the Company has consolidated certain captions. The Company has presented amounts previously presented in “Bank fees”, “Occupancy and equipment”, “Professional fees” and “Other” under the new caption of “General and administrative”. Additionally, the Company has presented amounts previously presented in “Communications and data processing” and “Product development, software and maintenance” under the new caption “Communications and technology”. The change in presentation had no effect on the total expenses.

Previously the Company presented all of its cash and cash equivalents in “Cash and cash equivalents” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. However, in an effort to improve clarity of presentation and reflect the separation between the cash on hand which correlates to amounts held on behalf of customers and free cash, the Company has separated all cash and cash equivalents into “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Cash and securities held for customers”. Cash and securities held for customers represents cash held to fund customer liabilities in connection with funds deposited by customers and funds accruing to customers as a result of trades or contracts. Cash and cash equivalents represents all cash and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of acquisition, less amounts in Cash and securities held for customers.

The table below reflects the impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of the changes in the presentation of cash and cash equivalents described above:

 

     As of December 31,  
     Revised
2011
     As reported
2011
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 60,221       $ 370,668   

Cash and securities held for customers

     310,447         —     

In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company determined that it was not appropriate to include amounts included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet under Cash and securities held for customers in Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period and Cash and cash equivalents — end of period on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Instead it was determined that amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period and Cash and cash equivalents — end of period on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows should reflect only amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet under Cash and cash equivalents, as adjusted by changes in Cash and securities held for customers reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows during the period.

In April 2011, the Company acquired customer account balances and effective customer agreements from Deutsche Bank AG, relating to Deutsche Bank’s “dbFX” business, for an upfront payment and additional contractual future payments to be made to Deutsche Bank based upon volume generated from the acquired customers over a two-year period following the closing of the acquisition. Previously, the Company included these contractual future payment amounts in Cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company has determined that these amounts should be reflected in Cash used for financing activities as they are in nature a form of borrowing.

 

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The table below reflects the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the changes above:

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
     Revised
2011
    As reported
2011
    Revised
2010
    As reported
2010
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Cash and securities held for customers

   $ (53,617   $ —        $ (62,156   $ —     

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     1,976        (1,074     1,198        1,198   

Cash provided by operating activities

     59,596        110,163        27,148        89,304   

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Contractual payments for acquired assets

     (3,050     —          —          —     

Cash used for financing activities

     (17,616     (14,566     (8,880     (8,880

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (2,229     (2,074     (1,081     (6,317
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     32,686        86,458        4,766        61,686   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of year

     27,535        284,210        22,769        222,524   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of year

   $ 60,221      $ 370,668      $ 27,535      $ 284,210   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock Split

On November 23, 2010, the Company’s board of directors approved a 2.29-for-1 stock split of the Company’s common stock effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO as well as the settlement of the primary share offering which was allocated to all common shareholders on a pro-rata basis resulting in an effective stock split of 2.26-for-1. All references to common shares, preferred shares, additional paid-in capital, retained earnings, share and per share data for prior periods have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Consolidation

The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810-10, Consolidation, in its principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income records the ownership interest of minority investors as a noncontrolling interest. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates regarding:

 

   

Valuation of assets and liabilities requiring fair value estimates;

 

   

The allowance for doubtful accounts;

 

   

The realization of deferred taxes;

 

   

The carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets;

 

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The amortization period of intangible assets with finite lives;

 

   

Incentive based compensation accruals and valuation of share-based payment arrangements; and

 

   

Other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements.

Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements, and it is possible that such changes could occur in the near term.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 605-10-S99, Revenue Recognition. The Company generates revenue from forex trading, futures trading and Contracts-for-difference (“CFDs”) in markets which do not prohibit such transactions. The Company categorizes revenue as Trading revenue, Commission revenue, Other revenue and Interest revenue.

Trading revenue is generated from the bid/offer spread the Company offers its customers and any net gains and losses generated through changes in the market value of the currencies held in the Company’s net exposure.

Commission revenue consists of institutional and exchanged based revenues that are primarily generated from commissions.

Foreign exchange contracts generally involve the exchange of two currencies at market rates on a specified date; spot contracts usually require the exchange of currencies to occur within two business days of the contract date. Customer transactions and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis.

Gains or losses are realized when customer transactions are liquidated. Unrealized gains or losses on cash positions revalued at prevailing foreign currency exchange rates (the difference between contract price and market price) at the date of the balance sheet are included in Receivables from banks and brokers, Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in net unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Trading revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Other revenue, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, is comprised of account management, transaction and performance fees related to customers who have assigned trading authority to the Company’s subsidiary Gain Capital Asset Management, (“GCAM”); inactivity and training fees charged to customer accounts; foreign currency transaction gains and losses and other miscellaneous items.

Interest revenue and interest expense are recorded when earned and incurred, respectively. Net interest revenue (expense) consists primarily of the revenue generated by Company cash and customer cash held and invested at banks, money market funds, in U.S. treasury bills, in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”) treasury bills and on deposit as collateral with the Company’s wholesale forex trading partners, less interest paid to customers on their balances, interest expense on our term loan and revolver and interest expense on the amounts payable to dbFX per the terms of the asset acquisition.

Advertising

Advertising costs are incurred for the production and communication of advertising, as well as other marketing activities. The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred, except for costs related to the production of broadcast advertising, which are expensed when the first broadcast occurs. The Company did not capitalize any

 

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production costs associated with broadcast advertising for 2012, 2011, or 2010. The total amount charged to advertising expense was $27.0 million, $36.2 million and $37.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Introducing broker fees

Introducing brokers direct customers to the Company in return for a commission on each referred customer’s trading volume or a share of net revenue generated by each referred customer’s trading activity. Such fees are referred to as introducing broker fees and are recorded in Trading expenses and commissions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Share Based Payments

In accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation, the Company recognizes all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income based on their fair values.

ASC 718-10 requires measurement of share based payment arrangements at fair value and recognition of compensation cost over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of GAIN Capital Holding, Inc.’s common stock.

See Note 15 for additional share based payment disclosure.

Restructuring

The Company incurred restructuring expenses in 2012, which reflected the costs arising from headcount reductions implemented in the first half of 2012.

Convertible, Redeemable Preferred Stock Embedded Derivative

ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. The Company has determined that it must bifurcate and account for the conversion feature in its Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, and Series E preferred stock for periods prior to 2011. The embedded derivative is recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value are reflected in earnings for periods prior to 2011. The conversion feature and the associated embedded derivative liability is no longer required to be recognized for 2011 and future periods due to the conversion of all outstanding preferred stock to common stock in connection with the IPO in December 2010.

Foreign Currencies

The Company has determined that its functional currency is U.S. dollars (“USD”).

In accordance with ASC 830-10, Foreign Currency Matters, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into USD at rates of exchange in effect at the date of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recorded foreign currency transaction gains and losses in Other revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The Company recorded a loss of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a gain of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and a loss of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is provided for using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

 

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of acquisition to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents consisted of money market accounts and U.S. Treasury Bills with a maturity of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents are recorded at fair value.

Cash and securities held for customers

Cash and securities held for customers represents cash held to fund customer liabilities. The balance arises primarily from cash deposited by customers and customer margin balances. The Company records a corresponding liability in Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A portion of the balance is not available for general use due to legal restrictions in accordance with certain jurisdictional regulatory requirements.

Short Term Investments

The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of less than one year short term investments. Short term investments consist of short-term certificates of deposit and CIBC treasury bills. All income from the certificates of deposit and treasury bills is recorded as interest income when earned.

Cost Method Investment

In accordance with ASC 325-20, Cost Method Investments, the Company recognizes an investment in the stock of an investee as an asset, in Other assets, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the cost method of accounting for investments in common stock, dividends are the basis for recognition by the Company of earnings from the investment. The net accumulated earnings of an investee subsequent to the date of investment are recognized by the Company only to the extent distributed by the investee as dividends. Dividends received in excess of earnings subsequent to the date of investment are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reductions of cost of the investment.

Fair Value

The Company records certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value; certain other financial assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but nevertheless are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to the short term maturities. These include: cash, receivables from banks and brokers, and payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities. The fair value spot foreign exchange positions are determined based on the estimated amounts that such positions could be settled at the Company’s exit price with the counterparty at the balance sheet date.

Derivatives

CFDs allow for the exchange of the difference in value of a particular asset such as stock index or oil or gold contracts, between the time at which a contract is opened and the time at which it is closed. The customer CFD derivative contracts are accounted for at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging and are included in Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company credit risk primarily relates to receivables from banks and brokers. As of each of December 31, 2012 and 2011, 37.2% and 52%, respectively, of the Company’s Receivables from banks and brokers balance, included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was from one large, global financial institution.

 

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The Company has additional credit risk from cash equivalents and securities held for customers. This credit risk is managed by investing cash and cash equivalents and cash and securities held for customers primarily in high-quality money market and U.S. and Canadian Government instruments. The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and cash and securities held for customers are held at ten financial institutions.

Prepaid Assets

The Company records goods and services paid for but not to be received until a future date as prepaid assets. These include payments for advertising, insurance and software licensing.

Receivables from Banks and Brokers

The Company has posted funds with brokers as collateral as required by agreements for holding spot foreign exchange positions. In addition, the Company has cash in excess of required collateral. These amounts are reflected as Receivables from banks and brokers on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and include gains or losses realized on liquidated contracts, as well as unrealized gains or losses on open positions. The balance also reflects unrealized gains or losses arising from open positions in the Company’s accounts.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Identifiable significant improvements are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

Software

     3 years   

Computer equipment

     3 years   

Furniture and fixtures

     3 years   

Leasehold improvements

     Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life   

Telephone equipment

     3 years   

Office equipment

     3 years   

Website development

     3 years   

The Company accounts for costs incurred to develop its trading platform and related software in accordance with ASC 350-40, Intangible-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software. ASC 350-40 requires that such technology be capitalized in the application and infrastructure development stages. Costs related to training, administration and non-value-added maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Capitalized software development costs are being amortized over the useful life, which the Company has estimated at three years.

Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment, the Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when events and circumstances warrant such review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such an asset is separately identifiable and is less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset. The Company has identified no such impairment losses.

Intangible Assets

ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), requires purchased intangible assets other than goodwill to be amortized over their useful lives unless their lives are determined to be indefinite. If the assets are determined to have a finite life in the future, the Company will amortize the carrying value over the remaining useful life at that time.

 

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The Company compares the recorded value of its indefinite life intangible assets to their fair value on an annual basis and whenever circumstances arise that indicate that an impairment may have occurred. See Note 7 for additional information.

Goodwill

In accordance with ASC 350, the Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and on an interim basis when conditions indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its respective book value. The Company performed its annual test for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of 2012 and noted there was no impairment. At periods during 2012, the Company’s common shares traded below book value, the Company performed additional impairment testing, which did not result in any goodwill impairment. Adverse market or economic events could result in impairment charges in future periods. No amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. See Note 9 for additional information.

Other Assets

The Company recorded receivables from vendors, security deposits, current and deferred tax assets, a cost basis investment and miscellaneous receivables in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 10 for additional information.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company records an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts when the prospect of collecting a specific customer account balance becomes doubtful. Management specifically analyzes accounts receivable and historical bad debt experience when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management will also change, which could affect the level of the Company’s future provision for doubtful accounts. The customer receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, are included as part of the miscellaneous receivables in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Receivables from customers are reserved for and recorded in Bad debt provision on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The allowance for doubtful accounts consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

Balance as of January 1, 2010

   $ (332

Addition to provision

     (597

Amounts written off

     855   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     (74

Addition to provision

     (852

Amounts written off

     871   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     (55

Addition to provision

     (358

Amounts written off

     265   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

   $ (148
  

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The Company’s Accumulated other comprehensive income, consists of foreign currency translation adjustments from their subsidiaries not using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.

Payables to Customers, Brokers, Dealers, FCMs and Other Regulated Entities

Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, include amounts due on cash and margin transactions. These transactions include deposits, commissions and gains or losses arising from settled trades. The balance also reflects unrealized gains or losses arising from open positions in customer accounts.

 

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The Company also engages in white label, or omnibus relationships, with other regulated financial institutions. The payables balance includes amounts deposited by these financial institutions. The payables balance includes deposits from all NFA registered entities.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of the Company’s operating profit that is attributable to the ownership interest of the noncontrolling interest owners in Forex.com Japan Co. Ltd. There was no longer a noncontrolling interest as of December 31, 2010 as the Company acquired the remaining outstanding shares during 2010 to obtain 100% ownership.

Treasury Shares

In accordance with ASC 505, Equity, the Company treats the cost of acquired shares purchased as a deduction from shareholders’ equity and as a reduction of the total shares outstanding when calculating adjusted earnings per share.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated using the weighted average common shares outstanding during the year. Common equivalent shares from stock options and restricted stock awards, using the treasury stock method, are also included in the diluted per share calculations unless their effect of inclusion would be antidilutive.

Dividends

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company retained all earnings for investment in its business. In October 2011, the Board of Directors approved a policy of paying quarterly dividends, subject to available cash flow from operations, other considerations and the determination by the Company’s Board of Directors of the amount. Each quarter since, the Company has paid a $0.05 per share dividend to holders of the Company’s common stock.

Any declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends, and other considerations that the Company’s Board of Directors deems relevant. The Board’s ability to declare a dividend is also subject to limits imposed by Delaware corporate law. In addition, the Company’s subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to the Company subject to (i) certain regulatory restrictions related to the maintenance of minimum net capital in those subsidiaries that are subject to net capital requirements imposed by applicable law or regulation, and (ii) general restrictions imposed on dividend payments under the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each subsidiary. See Note 12 and Note 22 for additional information.

Litigation

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, except for the matters described in Note 17, the outcome of such claims and legal actions, if decided adversely, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s quarterly or annual operating results, cash flows or consolidated financial position.

The Company contests liability and/or the amount of damages as appropriate in each pending matter. Where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss, the Company accrues the estimated loss by a charge to income. In many proceedings, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount of any loss. In addition, even where loss is possible or an exposure to loss exists in excess of the liability already accrued with respect to a previously recognized loss contingency, it is often not possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or range of loss.

 

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For certain legal proceedings, the Company can estimate possible losses, additional losses, ranges of loss or ranges of additional loss in excess of amounts accrued, but does not believe, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, such losses will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. For certain other legal proceedings, the Company cannot reasonably estimate such losses, if any, since the Company cannot predict if, how or when such proceedings will be resolved or what the eventual settlement, fine, penalty or other relief, if any, may be, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek substantial or indeterminate damages. Numerous issues must be developed, including the need to discover and determine important factual matters and the need to address novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before a loss or additional loss or range of loss or additional loss can be reasonably estimated for any such proceeding.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other” (“ASU No. 2012-02”). ASU No. 2012-02 is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by permitting an entity first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. ASU No. 2012-02 is effective for interim and annual impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11 Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position, as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company is analyzing if the adoption of ASU 2011-11 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This new standard amends the procedures for testing goodwill for impairment, simplifying how to test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test previously required. This new standard is effective for fiscal years and quarters beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This new standard impacts the presentation requirements relating to Comprehensive Income. This new standard is effective for fiscal years and quarters beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This new standard amends the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This new standard is effective for fiscal years and quarters beginning after December 15, 2011. See Note 3.

 

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3.    Fair Value Disclosures

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and the related hierarchy levels (amounts in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2012
 
         Level 1              Level 2              Level 3              Total      

Financial Assets:

           

Money market accounts

   $ 12,064         —          —        $ 12,064   

Open spot and other positions

   $ 810         —          —        $ 810  

U.S. treasury bills

   $ 29,998         —          —        $ 29,998   

CIBC treasury bills

   $ 1,355         —          —        $ 1,355   

Certificates of deposit

   $ 82         —          —        $ 82   

Futures contracts

   $ 40         —          —        $ 40   

Investment in gold

   $ 168         —          —        $ 168   

Customer and broker open spot and other positions

   $ 74,943         —          —        $ 74,943   

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
as of December 31, 2011
 
         Level 1              Level 2              Level 3              Total      

Financial Assets:

           

Money market accounts

   $ 14,201         —          —        $ 14,201   

Open spot and other positions

   $ 199         —          —        $ 199  

Certificates of deposit

   $ 82         —          —        $ 82   

Futures contracts

   $ 42         —          —        $ 42   

Investment in gold

   $ 156         —          —        $ 156   

Customer and broker open spot and other positions

   $ 51,470         —          —        $ 51,470   

There were no transfers between levels for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Level 1 Financial Assets

The Company has money market accounts, certificates of deposit, U.S. treasury securities, CIBC treasury securities, open spot and other positions, futures contracts and an investment in gold that are Level 1 financial instruments that are recorded based upon listed or quoted market rates. The money market accounts are recorded in Cash and cash equivalents and Cash and securities held for customers, the treasury bills are recorded in Cash and cash equivalents and Short term investments, based upon their maturity, the certificates of deposit are recorded in Short term investments and the open spot and other positions, futures contracts and investment in gold are recorded in Receivables from banks and brokers. The Company has customer open spot and other positions that are Level 1 financial instruments that are recorded based upon listed or quoted market rates. The customer open spot and other positions are recorded in Payable to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The table below presents the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (amounts in thousands). The carrying values of Receivables from banks and brokers not measured at fair value approximate fair value because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and expected maturity. The

 

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carrying values of Payables to customers brokers, dealers, FCMs, and other regulated entities includes amounts deposited by these financial institutions in order for the Company to act as clearing broker. The carrying value of Payables to customers brokers, dealers, FCMs, and other regulated entities are based on observable market prices and approximate fair value. In April 2011, the Company acquired customer account balances and effective customer agreements from Deutsche Bank AG, relating to Deutsche Bank’s “dbFX” business, for an upfront payment and additional contractual future payments to be made to Deutsche Bank based upon volume generated from the acquired customers over a two-year period following the closing of the acquisition. In accordance with ASC 835-30, Interest, the Company is accounting for the payments due to dbFX as a note payable. As such, the total payments due to dbFX under the agreement were discounted to their present value using an imputed rate of interest upon inception. The Company’s investment in Kapitall, Inc. is carried at cost.

 

                   Fair Value Measurements using:  
     As of December 31, 2012      Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
     Carrying Value      Fair Value           

Financial Assets:

              

Receivables from banks and brokers

   $ 89,106       $ 89,106         —         $ 89,106        —    

Investment in Kapitall, Inc. (1)

   $ 500       $ 500         —          —        $ 500   

Financial Liabilities:

              

Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities

   $ 371,368       $ 371,368         —        $ 371,368         —    

Payable to dbFX

   $ 2,386       $ 2,392         —          —        $ 2,392   

 

(1) The Company notes it is not practical to estimate fair value as Kapitall, Inc. is a privately held company and there is no available market transaction data.

4.    Receivables From Banks and Brokers

Amounts receivable from brokers consisted of the following at December 31 (amounts in thousands):

 

     2012      2011  

Required collateral

   $ 47,595       $ 26,411   

Cash in excess of required collateral

     41,511         58,791   

Open positions

     810         199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 89,916       $ 85,401   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company has posted funds with banks and brokers as collateral pursuant to the terms of applicable agreements for holding spot foreign exchange positions. In addition, the Company has deposited with such banks and brokers cash in excess of required collateral. Open foreign exchange positions include the unrealized gains or losses due to the differences in exchange rates between the dates at which a trade was initiated compared to the exchange rates in effect at the date of the consolidated financial statements. These amounts are reflected as Receivables from banks and brokers on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

5.    Derivatives

The table below represents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments reported within Receivables from banks and brokers and Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31 (amounts in thousands):

 

     2012  

Derivative Liabilities:

  

Customer CFD contracts

   $ 95   

 

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The Company did not designate any of its derivatives as hedging instruments. Net gains of $8.9 million with respect to derivative instruments are reflected in Trading revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012.

6.    Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, including leasehold improvements and capitalized software development costs, consisted of the following as of December 31 (amounts in thousands):

 

     2012     2011  

Software

   $ 19,757      $ 12,998   

Computer equipment

     5,248        4,897   

Leasehold improvements

     1,863        1,760   

Telephone equipment

     725        707   

Office equipment

     1,471        625   

Furniture and fixtures

     241        224   

Web site development costs

     654        655   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     29,959        21,866   

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (18,936     (14,335
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 11,023      $ 7,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $4.9 million, $3.9 million, and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

7.    Intangible Assets

In 2003, the Company acquired the Forex.com domain name for $0.2 million, and in 2004, the foreignexchange.com domain name was purchased for $0.1 million. Based on the fact that the rights to use these domain names requires the payment of a nominal annual renewal fee, management determined that there was no legal or regulatory limitations on the useful life and furthermore that there is currently no technological limitation to their useful lives. These indefinite-lived assets are not amortized. In accordance with ASC 350-10, the Company tests intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and on an interim basis when conditions indicate impairment may have occurred.

In August 2012, the Company acquired OEC. Included in the acquisition were several intangible assets made up of a customer list, technology and a trademark which have been assigned values of $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. See Note 8 below for further details related to the acquisition.

 

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As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the accumulated amortization related to intangibles was $13.7 million and $9.2 million, respectively. Intangible assets consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

   $ 320   

Purchase of MG customer and marketing list

     469   

Purchase of CMS customer list

     9,465   

Purchase of indefinite life intangible assets

     43   

Amortization

     (1,208

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 9,089   
  

 

 

 

Purchase of dbFX Customer assets and non-compete

     9,701   

Amortization

     (8,019
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

   $ 10,771   
  

 

 

 

Customer list acquired in acquisition of OEC

     1,580   

Trademark acquired

     430   

Technology acquired

     1,560   

Amortization

     (4,473
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 9,868   
  

 

 

 

Future annual estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

Years Ended December 31:

      

2013

   $ 2,055   

2014

     1,707   

2015

     1,707   

2016

     1,707   

2017

     854   

8.    Acquisitions

Open E Cry

On June 27, 2012, Group, LLC and optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement whereby the Company acquired OEC for a purchase price of $12.0 million. This acquisition was made as part of the Company’s plan to offer additional products to its customers and diversify its revenue. The transaction was completed on August 31, 2012. In addition to the $12.0 million paid at the closing, the Company made an additional payment in the fourth quarter of 2012 of $2.7 million based on a contractual working capital adjustment.

The purchase price of OEC was derived as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash paid at closing date

   $ 12,000   

Working capital adjustment

     2,691   
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price

   $ 14,691   
  

 

 

 

 

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The purchase price of OEC was allocated to fair value of various assets and liabilities as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash and cash equivalents acquired

   $ 5,187   

Cash and securities held for customers acquired

     109,042   

Receivables from brokers acquired

     815   

Other assets acquired

     98   
  

 

 

 

Total tangible assets acquired

     115,142   

Total liabilities assumed

     (109,960

Identifiable intangible assets:

  

Trademark

     430   

Technology

     1,560   

Customer relationships

     1,580   

Goodwill

     5,939   
  

 

 

 
   $ 14,691   
  

 

 

 

For the period from September 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, revenues generated by OEC were $5.6 million and expenses were $5.9 million, generating a loss before taxes of $0.3 million.

Pro Forma Information (unaudited):

The following unaudited pro forma operating data are presented as if the acquisition of OEC had occurred at the beginning of each period presented. The unaudited pro forma data is provided for informational purposes only and may not necessarily be indicative of future results of operations or what the results of operations would have been had the Company and OEC operated as a combined entity for the periods presented. Unaudited pro forma revenues, net income and net income per share information for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

Pro Forma information    Twelve months ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Net revenue

   $ 158,900       $ 194,514   

Net income

   $ 1,957       $ 15,249   

9.    Goodwill

Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the cost of acquisition and the fair value of the net identifiable assets of an acquired business. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded goodwill of $9.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Goodwill increased $5.9 million as a result of the acquisition of OEC in August 2012.

The Company performed its annual test for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of 2012 by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its respective book value and noted there was no impairment.

 

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10.    Other Assets

Other assets consisted of the following at December 31 (amounts in thousands):

 

     2012      2011  

Vendor and security deposits

   $ 3,647       $ 3,774   

Current tax receivable

     5,548         6,762   

Deferred tax assets

     5,619         4,471   

Investment in Kapitall, Inc.

     500         500   

Miscellaneous receivables

     2,490         2,630   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 17,804       $ 18,137   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

11.    Term Loan and Revolver

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a $50.0 million revolving line of credit through a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank. The amount available for borrowing under the line of credit varies from time to time due to certain financial covenants that the Company is required to comply with under the terms of the line of credit. As of December 31, 2012, approximately $17 million was available for borrowing under the line of credit. Interest on amounts that may be outstanding under the revolving line of credit from time to time is paid monthly and is based upon the prime rate of interest plus 0.5%. The revolving line of credit is secured by certain of our assets, a pledge of our membership interests in our wholly-owned subsidiary GAIN Holdings, LLC and a guarantee by GAIN Holdings, LLC. On March 30, 2012, we paid off the balance of a $52.5 million term loan from Silicon Valley Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank in advance of the July 1, 2012 maturity date. The term loan was payable in 20 quarterly installments of principal and the payments commenced on October 1, 2007. The other terms of the term loan were substantially the same as those of the revolving line of credit.

As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving line of credit.

In accordance with the provisions of the loan and security agreement, the Company is required to adhere to various financial, regulatory, operational and reporting covenants. As of December 31, 2012 and during the entire term of the loan and security agreement, the Company was and has been in compliance with such covenants.

The carrying amount of notes payable approximates fair value. The Company had a balance of $7.9 million outstanding on the term loan as of December 31, 2011.

Loan fees were capitalized to deferred finance costs and were being amortized over the life of the term loan. Deferred financing costs amortized to interest expense were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The Company had deferred financing costs, recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were zero at December 31, 2012 and $0.05 million at December 31, 2012.

12.    Convertible, Redeemable Preferred Stock

As a result of the Company’s IPO, all of the Company’s outstanding convertible, redeemable preferred stock was converted to common stock and there is no longer any outstanding convertible, redeemable preferred stock.

13.    Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock — At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had authorized 60,000,000 shares of Common Stock (“Common Stock”), of which 36,486,036 and 34,924,095 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively as of December 31, 2012 and 35,132,365 and 34,282,244 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively as of December 31, 2011.

 

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Treasury Stock — As of December 31, 2012, the Company had repurchased 1.6 million shares of outstanding Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $8.3 million reducing the number of shares outstanding.

Dividends — In February, May, July and November 2012, the Company announced the payment of a $0.05 dividend per share of Common Stock. The dividend payments announced in February, May, July and November were paid in March, June, September and December 2012, respectively, for an aggregate amount of $7.0 million, which was applied against Retained Earnings. In March 2013, the Company announced the payment of a $0.05 dividend per share of Common Stock payable in March 2013.

14.    Related Party Transactions

Management has personal funds on deposit in customer accounts of Group, LLC, recorded in Payables to customers, brokers, dealers, FCMs and other regulated entities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance was $2.4 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Scivantage, Inc. provides hosting services to GAIN Capital Securities, Inc., (“GCSI”) under a one year agreement dated December 1, 2010, which automatically renews for successive one-year terms, in which Scivantage provides the technology infrastructure hosting facility for GCSI, who provides brokerage securities services. Two of the Company’s board of directors members, Messrs. Galant and Sugden, are members of the board of directors of Scivantage.

15.    Share Based Payment

On March 27, 2006, the Company’s shareholders approved the GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”), under which 12.5 million shares are available for awards to employees, consultants and directors. The 2006 Plan provides for the issuance of share based award which include restricted stock units (“RSUs”), Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”), and nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”). ISOs are granted at fair market value and are subject to the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. All share based awards are granted at a price or conversion price determined by the Company’s board of directors. Grants of stock options usually vest over three or four years upon anniversary date. RSUs usually vest over four years with one-fourth vesting upon the grant anniversary. All options granted under the 2006 Plan expire ten years from the date of grant.

On November 22, 2010, the Company’s board of directors adopted the GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, (the “2010 Plan”), which became effective December 13, 2010 (the day immediately prior to the date the underwriting agreement was executed and the Common Stock was priced for the IPO). In addition, on November 23, 2010 the Company’s board of directors approved a 2.29-for 1 stock split of the Company’s common stock effective immediately prior to the completion of the IPO. Accordingly, all references to stock options, exercise prices and RSUs have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. As of the effective date of the 2010 Plan, the 2006 Plan was merged with and into the 2010 Plan, and no additional grants will be made under the 2006 Plan. Initially, the 2010 Plan made available 8.5 million shares (1.4 million to be issued pursuant to future awards and grants under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation plan, 6.6 million shares that are subject to outstanding grants under the 2006 Plan as of the effective date of the 2010 Plan, and 0.5 million shares to be issued pursuant to the 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan) for awards to employees, nonemployee directors and consultants and advisors in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock awards, stock units, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based awards. In addition, as of the first trading day of January during the term of the 2010 Plan, beginning with calendar year 2012, an additional positive number of shares of the Company’s stock shall be added to the number of shares of the Company stock authorized to be issued or transferred under the 2010 Plan equal to (1) three percent (3%) of the total number of shares of Company stock outstanding (on a fully diluted basis) as of the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (2) such lesser number of shares as the Company’s board of directors may determine. On January 1, 2012 the Company authorized an additional 1.2 million shares to be issued or transferred under the

 

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2010 Plan. As of December 31, 2012, 7.1 million shares are available to be issued under the 2010 Plan (0.9 million to be issued pursuant to future awards and grants under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation plan, 5.8 million shares that are subject to outstanding grants under the 2006 Plan as of the effective date of the 2010 Plan, and 0.4 million shares to be issued pursuant to the 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan). On January 1, 2013, the Company authorized an additional 1.2 million shares to be issued or transferred under the 2010 Plan pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Plan.

Under the 2010 Plan, the committee will determine the exercise price of the options granted and may grant options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in amounts as determined by the committee. The committee may grant options that are intended to qualify as ISOs under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or NQSOs which are not intended to so qualify. ISOs may only be granted to employees. Anyone eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan may receive a grant of NQSQs. The exercise price of a stock option granted under the 2010 Plan cannot be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. All options granted under the 2010 Plan expire seven years from the date of grant.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the stock option activity under all plans from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012:

 

     Options Outstanding         
     Number of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 

Outstanding, January 1, 2012

     4,442,694      $ 2.32         1.09      

Granted

     333,000      $ 5.30         6.17      

Exercised

     (1,032,096   $ 1.93         3.24      

Forfeited

     (154,698   $ 4.21         5.01      
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Outstanding, December 31, 2012

     3,588,900      $ 3.20         4.24         4,890,932   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Vested and expected to vest options

     3,519,514      $ 3.14         4.18         4,885,222   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable, December 31, 2012

     2,678,927      $ 2.43         3.45         4,795,897   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair market value of common stock at exercise date

   $ 5,225,705           

Cost to exercise

     1,968,874           
  

 

 

         

Net value of Stock Options exercised

   $ 3,256,831           
  

 

 

         

 

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The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2012:

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Exercise Price

   Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
     Number of
Options
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

$0.77

     339,195       $ 0.77         0.50         339,195       $ 0.77   

$1.11

     230,483         1.11         1.17         230,483         1.11   

$1.55

     260,800         1.55         2.09         260,800         1.55   

$1.99

     696,885         1.99         2.47         696,885         1.99   

$2.43

     372,792         2.43         2.99         372,792         2.43   

$2.87

     56,533         2.87         3.09         56,533         2.87   

$3.32

     791         3.32         3.15         791         3.32   

$3.76

     791         3.76         3.23         791         4.23   

$3.83

     998,024         3.83         7.58         628,553         3.83   

$5.30

     312,375         5.30         6.17         6,562         5.30   

$8.02

     320,231         8.02         5.23         85,542         8.02   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,588,900       $ 3.20         4.24         2,678,927       $ 2.43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted-average remaining contractual life for the 3.6 million outstanding options as of December 31, 2012, is approximately 4.2 years. There were 2.5 million stock options exercisable as of December 31, 2012. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2012, 2011 and 2010 respectively were $3.3 million, $2.0 million and $0.5 million. During 2012, the Company had 0.3 million stock options vest. The Company received $2.0 million, $0.9 million, and $0.1 million from stock option exercises in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

In March 2012, the Company granted 0.3 million options to employees. In 2011, the Company granted 0.4 million options to employees. In 2010, 1.3 million options were granted under the 2006 Plan, of which 1.0 million were granted to employees and 0.3 million were granted to board of director’s members, and no options were granted under the 2010 Plan.

The fair market value of the options granted were estimated based on a Black-Scholes option pricing valuation model using the following assumptions as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
     2012    2011    2010

Average risk-free interest rate

   0.90%    2.30%    2.40%

Expected volatility

   48.50%    47.60%    33.5%

Expected life

   4.8 years    4.8 years    6.3 years

Expected dividend yield

   —  %    —  %    —  %

The expected volatility was calculated based upon the volatility of public companies in similar industries or financial service companies. The average risk free rate is based upon the risk free rate of the U.S. Treasury bond rate with a maturity commensurate with the expected term. The options granted during 2012 were granted on March 1, 2012. At such time, the Company deemed a pattern of paying dividends had not been established at the time of grant and as such used a zero percent dividend yield in the Black-Scholes option pricing valuation model. For any future grants, the Company’s current history of paying cash dividends on a quarterly basis will be considered in assessing a market participant view of the appropriate expected dividend yield in the related option pricing valuation model.

 

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The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to options in accordance with ASC 718-10 of $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.3 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The stock-based compensation expense is recorded in Employee compensation and benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Awards

The 2010 Plan provides for the issuance of RSUs that are convertible on a 1:1 basis into shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company. maintains a restricted unit account for each grantee. Restrictions typically lapse over four years, with 25% lapsing on each anniversary date of the grant. After the restrictions lapse, the grantee shall receive payment in the form of cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or in a combination of the two, as determined by the Company. Payment shall be made upon the date the restrictions lapse, upon a predetermined delivery date, upon a change in control of the Company. or upon the employee leaving the Company. The Company may also issue performance grants which have restrictions lapsing immediately, but delivery of the common stock deferred until a later date. RSUs are assigned the value of the Company’s common stock at date of grant issuance, and the grant date fair value is amortized over a four year period. During 2012, 0.6 million RSUs were granted to employees and members of the Board of Directors. During 2011, 0.04 million RSUs were granted to employees.

The 2010 Plan also provides for the issuance of restricted stock awards, or RSAs, which represent shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company maintains a restricted stock award account for each grantee. Restrictions typically lapse over four years, with 25% lapsing on each anniversary date of the grant. After the restrictions lapse, or upon a change in control of the Company the grantee shall receive payment in the form of cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or in a combination of the two, as determined by the Company. The Company may also issue performance grants which have immediate vesting. There were no RSAs granted during 2012. During 2011, 0.4 million RSAs were granted to employees and members of the Board of Directors.

The Company recorded $2.5 million, $3.2 million and $5.1 million in stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock for the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2012 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2012, is presented below:

 

Non-Vested Shares

   Number
of RSUs
    Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
     Number
of RSAs
    Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Non-vested at January 1, 2012

     255,195      $ 11.12         317,092      $ 7.25   

Granted

     590,889        5.30         —         —    

Vested

     (211,476     10.90         (109,662     7.40   

Forfeited

     (48,512     5.80         (25,542     6.80   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2012

     586,096      $ 5.80         181,888      $ 7.20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012 there was $3.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2010 Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years. The fair market value on the grant date for RSUs and RSAs vested during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $3.1 million, $3.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of the RSUs and RSAs that became unrestricted during the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1.6 million at the date they became unrestricted. RSUs and RSAs that were vested and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 had a value at grant date of $35.9 million. The Company granted RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2012 which had a value of $3.1 million at grant date. The fair market value of RSUs and RSAs at the date of grant during the year ended December 31, 2011 was $3.0 million. The Company did not grant any RSAs or RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP, was adopted by the Company’s board of directors on November 22, 2010. The ESPP became effective on January 1, 2011. The ESPP permits eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a 15% discount from the lesser of the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the first day of the offering period or the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the interim purchase date through after-tax payroll deductions. Shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP was initially 500,000. It is intended that the ESPP meet the requirements for an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. For the year ended December 31, 2012, 0.05 million shares were issued under the plan; an additional 0.02 million shares were issued on January 2, 2013 for the purchase interval from July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, 0.03 million shares were issued under the ESPP.

16.    Income Taxes

The following table presents the U.S. and non-U.S. components of income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) / expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 (amounts in thousands):

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2012     2011      2010  

U.S.

   $ (10,795   $ 9,766       $ 47,818   

Non-U.S.

     11,937        13,478         9,634   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,142      $ 23,244       $ 57,452   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The provision for income tax (benefit) / expense consisted of (amounts in thousands):

 

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2012     2011     2010  

Current

      

Federal

   $ (2,880   $ 4,803      $ 13,881   

State

     34        1,453        2,526   

UK

     2,750        3,396        4,829   

Japan

     14        —         —    

Other non U.S.

     3        1        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (79     9,653        21,236   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred

      

Federal

     (865     (1,953     114   

State

     (1     (338     100   

UK

     —         —         —    

Japan

     126        184        (1,274

Other non U.S.

     (30     —         (239

Release of valuation allowance

     (630     —         72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,400     (2,107     (1,227
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax (benefit) / expense

   $ (1,479   $ 7,546      $ 20,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis 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 Company’s net deferred tax assets are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net change in valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $0.6 million. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Deferred tax assets

    

Net foreign operating losses

   $ 1,893      $ 1,988   

Stock-based compensation expense

     6,608        6,834   

Intangible assets

     3,414        3,129   

Other

     588        452   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     12,503        12,403   

Valuation allowance

     (103     (733
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance

   $ 12,400      $ 11,670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Unrealized trading differences

   $ (4,867   $ (4,186

Unrealized foreign currency

     (152     (207

Basis difference in property and equipment

     (1,546     (2,280

State taxes

     (78     (160

Other

     (138     (366
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

   $ (6,781   $ (7,199
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 5,619      $ 4,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table reconciles the provision to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate:

 

     2012     2011     2010  

Federal income tax at statutory rate

     35.00     35.00     35.00

Increase/(decrease) in taxes resulting from:

      

State income tax

     2.47     3.06     2.97

Embedded derivative

     —       —       (2.86 )% 

Foreign rate differential

     (121.09 )%      (4.24 )%      (0.89 )% 

Meals & entertainment

     5.65     0.40     0.16

R&D credit

     7.47     (0.70 )%      (0.81 )% 

Release of valuation allowance

     (51.34 )%      —       0.63

Uncertain tax positions

     (9.04 )%      —       —  

Other permanent differences

     1.46     (1.06 )%      0.62
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective Tax Rate

     (129.42 )%      32.46     34.82
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company has $7.3 million in foreign net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards as of December 31, 2012, for which the Company has established full valuation allowance against $0.1 million. These NOLs begin to expire in 2013.

At December 31, 2012, undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside the United States amounted to approximately $33.5 million. No provision has been made for foreign taxes associated with the cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as these earnings are expected to be reinvested in

 

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working capital and other business needs. Upon repatriation of those earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to income taxes of approximately $4.0 million, subject to an adjustment for the participation exemption and foreign tax credits.

The Company has recorded a liability of $0.1 million related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2012 in accordance with ASC 740-10, Income Taxes.

The following table summarizes the activity to the gross unrecognized Tax benefits from uncertain tax positions (amounts in thousands):

 

     As of December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Beginning balance as of January 1

   $ 190      $ 126      $ 126   

Increases based on tax positions related to the current period

     2        40        —    

Decreases based on tax positions related to prior periods

     (82     56        —    

Decreases related to a lapse of applicable statute of limitations

     (32     (32     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance as of December 31

   $ 78      $ 190      $ 126   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company’s open tax years range from 2008 through 2010 for its U.S. federal returns, from 2008 through 2011 for the U.K., from 2011 through 2012 for Japan and from 2007 through 2010 for its major state jurisdictions.

Included in the total unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 is $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, that if recognized would favorably affect the effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that the amount of liability for unrecognized tax benefits could change during the next 12 months. An estimate of the range of the possible change cannot be made until issues are further developed or examinations closed.

17.    Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Leases — The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating lease agreements that expire on various dates through 2025. Such leases do not require any contingent rental payments or impose any financial restrictions. The majority of leases include renewal terms substantially the same as the current terms. Future annual minimum lease payments, including maintenance and management fees, for non-cancellable operating leases, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

Years Ended December 31:

      

2013

   $ 2,583   

2014

     1,941   

2015

     1,655   

2016

     1,611   

2017 and beyond

     10,848   
  

 

 

 
   $ 18,638   
  

 

 

 

Rent expense was $2.6 million, $2.5 million, and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

In connection with the acquisition of the customer assets of dbFX, the Company was required to make certain future minimum payments as well as potential contingent payments, as discussed in Note 3 above. The associated liabilities are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2012, the minimum required remaining payment under this agreement was approximately $2.4 million and the Company estimates that no additional contingent payments will need to be made based upon projected trading volumes.

 

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Litigation

As previously disclosed, on March 31, 2011, Shari Streit Jansen, as Chapter 7 Trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Beau Diamond, brought an adversary proceeding against the Company, as well as several other forex trading firms, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida. The complaint seeks to recover certain funds transferred to the Company by Mr. Diamond through an entity for which he acted as managing member, Diamond Ventures, LLC, under federal and state fraudulent transfer laws. On June 16, 2011, the Company moved to dismiss the complaint. The parties agreed to mediate their dispute before the Trustee responded to the motion to dismiss and participated in a mediation on September 14, 2011, which resulted in an agreement in principal for settlement of the matter for a sum that is not material to the Company’s financial condition. The adversary proceeding was dismissed on July 20, 2012.

On February 16, 2012, the Company received a Letter of Claim on behalf of certain individuals who had lost money in an investment scheme operated by a third-party money management firm, incorporated in the United Kingdom, that has since been closed down by the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority. The investment firm, Cameron Farley Ltd, had opened a corporate account with the Company and invested the individuals’ money, representing such funds as its own, while operating a fraudulent scheme. Though a complaint has been filed and served on the Company, the claimants requested, and the Company agreed, to follow the United Kingdom’s Pre-Action Protocol, a pre-litigation process intended to resolve matters without the need to engage in formal litigation. The Company submitted a Response to the Letter Before Claim on July 4, 2012. On July 5, 2012 the Company received a substantially similar Letter of Claim on behalf of further individuals. Subsequently, the parties agreed to consolidate claims by those other similarly situated individuals with the pending Pre-Action Protocol process. The Company can provide no assurances that this matter will be successfully resolved through the Pre-Action Protocol and will not result in formal litigation, and no assurances can be provided regarding the outcome of any such potential litigation. This matter is currently pending. At this time, a potential loss or a potential range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

Through the Company’s acquisition of OEC, the Company became the subject of a patent infringement lawsuit originally filed against OEC on February 9, 2010 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Trading Technologies International, Inc. seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages. As reflected in a Second Amended Complaint filed on June 15, 2011, plaintiff alleges infringement of 12 patents relating to real-time display of price quotes and market depth on OEC’s electronic trading interfaces. The case was consolidated with 11 related cases in February 2011, and the parties have exchanged infringement, non-infringement and invalidity contentions for several of the disputed patents. In June 2011 the court stayed discovery to allow summary judgment briefing on the ramifications of a recent Federal Circuit decision. On February 9, 2012, the court issued an order, which granted OEC’s motions for summary judgment, resulting in a substantial narrowing of the scope of plaintiff’s claims. Plaintiff filed a motion for reconsideration of that ruling on March 8, 2012. Plaintiff also filed a motion for certification of judgment for interlocutory appeal. The court denied plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration but granted plaintiff’s motion for certification of judgments of patent invalidity with respect to four of the asserted patents. Since that ruling, the court has continued its stay of discovery. On October 7, 2012, plaintiff filed its opening appeal brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Oral argument on plaintiffs’ appeal is expected to occur in mid to late 2013. Plaintiff’s complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought. At this time, a potential loss or a potential range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

18.    Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a “Safe Harbor” 401(k) retirement plan which was put into effect as of January 1, 2011. The plan provides for a 100% match by GAIN on the first 3% of the employee’s salary contributed to the plan and 50% on the next 2% with immediate vesting on all employer contributions, subject to IRS limitations. Substantially all of the Company’s employees are eligible to participate in the plan.

 

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Prior to 2011, the Company sponsored a 401(k) retirement plan, under the terms of which the Company was obligated to match 25% (50% for employees with three years or more of service) of the employee’s salary contributed to the plan up to 15% of the employee’s compensation for each payroll period.

The expense recorded to employee compensation and benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income by the Company for its employees’ participation in the respective plans during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $0.5 million, $0.7 million, and $0.5 million, respectively.

19.    Earnings per Common Share

Basic and diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the determinants of basic net income per share and, in addition, gives effect to the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock are exercised, vested or converted into common stock unless they are anti-dilutive. Diluted weighted average common shares includes preferred stock, warrants, vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock units. Approximately 0.6 million and 0.4 million stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for 2012 and 2011, respectively, as they were anti-dilutive. No stock options or restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (amounts in thousands except share and per share data):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010(1)  

Net income applicable to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. common shareholders

   $ 2,621       $ 15,698       $ 37,845   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     34,940,800         34,286,840         4,392,798   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Preferred stock series A

     —          —          1,645,213   

Preferred stock series B

     —          —          5,405,287   

Preferred stock series C

     —          —          2,835,920   

Preferred stock series D

     —          —          7,017,038   

Preferred stock series E

     —          —          9,561,484   

Warrants

     —          160,529         3,075,314   

Stock options

     1,490,089         2,732,302         2,544,927   

RSUs/RSAs

     1,449,319         1,802,121         1,264,921   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     37,880,208         38,981,792         37,742,902   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

        
        

Basic

   $ 0.08       $ 0.46       $ 8.62   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.07       $ 0.40       $ 1.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The preferred stock dilutive securities were converted to common stock in connection with the Company’s initial public offering in December 2010. The dilutive preferred stock represents the weighted average outstanding preferred stock for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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20.    Regulatory Requirements

Group, LLC, the Company’s FCM and RFED subsidiary, is subject to the CFTC Net Capital Rule (Rule 1.17) and NFA Financial Requirements Sections 11 and 12. Under applicable provisions of these rules, Group, LLC is required to maintain adjusted net capital of $20.0 million plus 5.0% of the total payables to customers over $10.0 million. At December 31, 2012, Group LLC maintained $21.5 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 1.9 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GCSI is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. GCSI is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”), and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Pursuant to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1, GCSI is required to maintain a minimum net capital balance (as defined) of $0.05 million. GCSI must also maintain a ratio of aggregate indebtedness (as defined) to net capital of not more than 15 to 1. At December 31, 2012, GCSI maintained $0.4 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 8.4 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GAIN Capital Forex.com UK Limited (“GCUK”) is registered in the UK and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) as a full scope €730k BIPRU Investment Firm. GCUK is required to maintain the greater of $1.0 million (€730,000) or the Financial Resources Requirement, which is calculated as the sum of the firm’s operational, credit, counterparty, concentration, market and forex risk. The regulatory capital held is required to be in excess of 110% of its requirements at all times. At December 31, 2012, GCUK maintained $21.0 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 2.5 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd. (“GC Japan”) is a registered Type I financial instruments business firm regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency in accordance with Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended). GC Japan is a member of the Financial Futures Association of Japan. GC Japan is subject to a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 120%, which is derived by dividing Net Capital (as defined) by the sum of GC Japan’s market, counterparty credit risk and operational risk. At December 31, 2012, GC Japan maintained $7.5 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 3.1 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GCAU holds an Australian Financial Services License issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (“ASIC”). GCAU is required to maintain a minimum capital requirement of $0.05 million (0.05 million AUD) plus 5% of adjusted liabilities between $1.02 million (1 million AUD) and $101.6 million (100 million AUD). At December 31, 2012, GCAU maintained $2.2 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 6.7 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GCHK is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) to carry out Type 3 Regulated Activity, Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading. GCHK is subject to the requirements of section 145 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571). Under this rule, GCHK is required to maintain a minimum liquid capital requirement of the higher of $1.925 million or the sum of 1.5% of its aggregate gross foreign currency position and 5% of its adjusted liabilities and clients’ margin calculated in accordance with applicable rules. At December 31, 2012, GCHK maintained $1.8 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 1.9 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

GAIN Global Markets, Inc. (“GGMI”), the Company’s Cayman Island subsidiary, is a registered securities arranger with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”). GGMI is required to maintain a capital level that is the greater of one quarter of relevant annual expenditure, or $100,000. At December 31, 2012, GGMI maintained $0.3 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 3.8 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

 

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Gain Capital-Forex.com Canada Ltd (“GCC”) became registered as an investment dealer with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (“IIROC”) in May 2012. GCC is required to maintain a minimum capital requirement of $0.25 million (0.25 million CAD) and comply with applicable margin and securities concentration charges. At December 31, 2012, GCC maintained $1.3 million more than the minimum required regulatory capital for a total of 6.4 times the required capital and at all times maintained compliance with all applicable regulations.

The following table illustrates the minimum regulatory capital our subsidiaries were required to maintain as of December 31, 2012 and the actual amounts of capital that were maintained (amounts in millions):

 

Entity Name

   Minimum
Regulatory
Capital
Requirements
     Capital
Levels
Maintained
     Excess
Net
Capital
     Percent of
Requirement
Maintained
 

GAIN Capital Group, LLC

   $ 24.8       $ 46.3       $ 21.5         187

GAIN Capital Securities, Inc.

   $ 0.1       $ 0.5       $ 0.4         840

GAIN Capital-Forex.com U.K., Ltd.

   $ 14.5       $ 35.5       $ 21.0         245

Forex.com Japan Co., Ltd.

   $ 3.5       $ 11.0       $ 7.5         308

GAIN Capital Forex.com Australia, Pty. Ltd.

   $ 0.4       $ 2.5       $ 2.2         668

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Hong Kong, Ltd.

   $ 1.9       $ 3.8       $ 1.8         193

GAIN Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 0.1       $ 0.4       $ 0.3         380

GAIN Capital-Forex.com Canada Ltd.

   $ 0.3       $ 1.6       $ 1.3         636
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 45.6       $ 101.6       $ 56.0         223
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

21.    Segment Information

ASC 280, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Reportable segments are defined as an operating segment that either (a) exceeds 10% of revenue, or (b) reported profit or loss in absolute amount exceeds 10% of profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or (c) exceeds 10% of the combined assets of all operating segments. The Company’s operations relate to foreign exchange trading and related services. Based on the Company’s management strategies, and common production, marketing, development and client coverage teams, the Company has concluded that it operates in a single operating segment.

For fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s trading revenue. The Company does not allocate revenues by geographic regions since the Company selectively hedges customer trades on an aggregate basis and does not have a method to systematically attribute trading volume from a geographic region to associated trading revenue from a particular geographic region.

 

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22.    Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data for 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

          

Gross revenue

   $ 33,309      $ 45,721       $ 39,908       $ 32,286   

Net revenue

   $ 33,246      $ 45,684       $ 39,985       $ 32,445   

Loss / (income) before income tax expense

   $ (1,859   $ 5,988       $ 4,431       $ (7,418

Net (loss) / income

   $ (1,247   $ 4,435       $ 3,221       $ (3,787

Basic net (loss) / income per share

   $ (0.04   $ 0.13       $ 0.09       $ (0.11

Diluted net (loss) / income per share

   $ (0.04   $ 0.11       $ 0.08       $ (0.11

For the Year Ended December 31, 2011

          

Gross revenue

   $ 40,755      $ 55,780       $ 54,169       $ 31,631   

Net revenue

   $ 40,382      $ 55,590       $ 53,927       $ 31,566   

Income before income tax expense

   $ 2,236      $ 16,002       $ 11,783       $ (6,777

Net (loss) / income

   $ 1,403      $ 10,013       $ 7,618       $ (3,336

Basic net income/(loss) per share

   $ 0.04      $ 0.29       $ 0.22       $ (0.10

Diluted net income/(loss) per share

   $ 0.04      $ 0.26       $ 0.20       $ (0.10

23.    Subsequent Events

In February 2013, the Company reached an agreement to acquire the U.S.-based retail customer accounts of FX Solutions LLC. The customer accounts were transferred to the Company effective March 1, 2013. The Company has continued to purchase shares of its Common Stock under our share buyback program. During 2013, through the date of this filing, the Company has repurchased 0.1 million shares at a cost of $0.5 million.

The Company has evaluated its subsequent events through the filing date of this Form 10-K.

******

 

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GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2012     2011  
ASSETS:   

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49      $ 1,019   

Equity investments in subsidiaries

     153,840        146,342   

Receivables from affiliates

     3,213        16,041   

Current tax receivable

     5,549        6,762   

Other assets

     4,061        3,632   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 166,712      $ 173,796   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:   

Liabilities

    

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   $ 3,025      $ 1,091   

Notes payable

     —          7,875   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,025        8,966   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common Stock; ($0.00001 par value; 60 million shares authorized and 36,486,036 and 34,924,095 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 35,132,365 and 34,282,244 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011)

     —          —     

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,249        316   

Additional paid-in capital

     85,089        79,551   

Treasury stock, at cost (1,561,941 shares at December 31, 2012 and 850,121 shares at December 31, 2011)

     (8,280     (5,017

Retained earnings

     85,629        89,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     163,687        164,830   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 166,712      $ 173,796   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

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GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2012     2011     2010  

EXPENSES:

     

Employee compensation and benefits

  $ 3,094      $ 779      $ 373   

Change in fair value of convertible, redeemable preferred stock embedded derivative

    —          —          (4,691

General and administrative

    2,913        3,579        882   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    6,007        4,358        (3,436
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(LOSS)/INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

    (6,007     (4,358     3,436   

Income tax (benefit) / expense

    (3,682     4,150        16,621   

NET (LOSS) BEFORE UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES

    (2,325     (8,508     (13,185

Earnings of subsidiaries

    4,946        24,206        51,030   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

  $ 2,621      $ 15,698      $ 37,845   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

     

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    933        (112     (186
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

  $ 3,554      $ 15,586      $ 37,659   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income applicable to GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. common shareholders

  $ 2,621      $ 15,698      $ 37,845   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

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GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2012     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income

   $ 2,621      $ 15,698      $ 37,659   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities

      

Equity in income of subsidiaries

     5,280        24,426        (52,133

Gain / (Loss) on foreign currency exchange rates

     217        (285     3   

Deferred taxes

     145        (2,291     214   

Amortization of deferred finance costs

     —         87        87   

Stock compensation expense

     3,325        491        198   

Tax benefit from employee stock option exercises

     —         —         —    

Change in fair value of preferred stock embedded derivative

     —         —         (4,691

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Receivables from affiliates

     12,828        (6,100     1,856   

Other assets

     (657     1,811        (736

Current tax receivable

     1,213        (4,936     2,792   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     1,934        (913     709   

Income tax payable

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by/(used for) operating activities

     26,906        27,988        (14,042
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Investment and funding of subsidiaries

     (12,778     (12,304     22,727   

Purchase of cost method investment

     —         (500     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by/ (used for) investing activities

     (12,778     (12,804     22,727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Deferred initial public offering costs

     —         —         1,732   

Proceeds from initial public offering of common stock, net of underwriting discount and other direct costs of $3.8 million

     —         —         208   

Payment on notes payable

     (7,875     (10,500     (10,500

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,969        853        107   

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

     —         1,270        —    

Proceeds from ESPP Purchase

     216        165        —    

Repurchase of common shares

     (3,263     (5,017     —    

Tax benefit from employee stock option exercises

     (28     421        —    

Dividends paid

     (6,972     (1,758     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used for financing activities

     (15,953     (14,566     (8,453
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     854        86        —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (971     704        232   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of year

     1,019        315        83   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of year

   $ 48      $ 1,019      $ 315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

      

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Interest

   $ 153      $ 460      $ 1,068   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxes, net of refunds

   $ (4,303   $ 10,714      $ 13,759   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash financing activities:

      

Accrued initial public offering costs

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,305   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Series E indemnification

   $ —       $ —       $ 835   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Settlement of Preferred Stock embedded derivative

   $ —       $ —       $ 76,407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Settlement of Convertible, Redeemable preferred stock

   $ —       $ —       $ 169,390   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE I —

GAIN CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.

(PARENT COMPANY ONLY)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Basis of Presentation

Basis of Financial Information — The accompanying financial statements of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. (“Parent Company”), including the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the notes thereto found on pages F-8 to F-30.

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. which require the Company or Parent Company to make estimates and assumptions regarding valuations of certain financial instruments and other matters that affect the Parent Company Financial Statements and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Parent Company on a stand-alone basis, has accounted for majority-owned subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.

2.    Transactions with Subsidiaries

The Parent Company has transactions with its subsidiaries determined on an agreed upon basis. Cash dividends from its subsidiaries totaled $3.0 million, $38.4 million and $42.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

3.    Income Taxes

ASC 740-10-65, Income Taxes, provides measurement and recognition guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold for tax positions. ASC 740-10-65 also requires extensive disclosures about uncertainties in the income tax positions taken.

The Parent Company’s open tax years for its federal returns range from 2008 through 2011 and from 2007 through 2011 for its major state jurisdictions.

The Parent Company classifies interest expense and potential penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

The following table reconciles the provision to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate:

 

      2012  

Federal income tax at statutory rate

     35.0

Increase/(decrease) in taxes resulting from:

  

State income tax

     (0.5 )% 

Embedded derivative

  

Impact of pass through of earnings of subsidiaries

     27.4

Meals & entertainment

     (1.2 )% 

R&D credit

     (1.5 )% 

Other permanent differences

     2.1
  

 

 

 

Effective Tax Rate

     61.3
  

 

 

 

4.    Commitments and Contingencies

For a discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note 17 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-39