SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Principles of Accounting

These consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) as established by FASB.

(b) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis to include the accounts and transactions of Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates based upon historical experience, observance of trends, information available from outside sources and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different conditions or assumptions.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.

Segment information

The Company operates six reportable business segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, Global FX, and Digital which is reflective of how the Company's chief operating decision-maker reviews and operates the business. See Note 16 (“Segment Reporting”) for more information.

(c) Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as disclosure of the amounts of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the valuation of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and unrecognized tax benefits.

(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are exposed to concentrations of credit risk. The Company maintains cash at various regulated financial institutions and brokerage firms which, at times, may be in excess of the federal depository insurance limit. The Company’s management regularly monitors these institutions and believes that the potential for future loss is remote. The Company considers liquid investments, including short-term repurchase agreements, with original or acquired maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

(e) Financial Investments

Financial investments are classified as trading or available-for-sale.

Trading financial investments represent financial investments held by Cboe Trading that retain the industry-specific accounting classification required for broker-dealers and marketable securities held in a rabbi trust for the Company’s non-qualified retirement and benefit plans. The investments held by the broker-dealer subsidiary are recorded at fair value with changes in unrealized gains and losses reflected within interest expense, net in the consolidated statements of income. The investments held in a trust are recorded at fair value with changes in unrealized gains or losses recorded within other income (expense) and the equal and offsetting charges in the related liability are recorded in compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income as it relates to employee compensation plans and recorded in professional fees and outside services expense in the consolidated statements of income as it relates to non-employee director compensation plans.

Available-for-sale financial investments are comprised of the financial investments not held by Cboe Trading, including highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities. Unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Interest on financial investments, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is recognized as income when earned. Realized gains and losses on financial investments are calculated using the specific identification method and are included in interest expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

(f) Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable are concentrated with the Company’s member firms and market data distributors and are carried at amortized cost. The Company nets transaction fees and liquidity payments for each member firm on a monthly basis and recognizes the total owed from a member firm as accounts receivable, net and the total owed to a member firm as accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. On a periodic basis, management evaluates the Company’s accounts receivable and records an allowance for expected credit losses using an aging schedule. The aging schedule applies loss rates based on historical loss information and, as deemed necessary, is adjusted for differences in the nature of the receivables that exist at the reporting date from the historical period. Due to the short-term nature of the accounts receivable, changes in future economic conditions are not expected to have a significant impact on the expected credit losses.

The accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for credit losses on the consolidated balance sheets and the associated losses are presented in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

(g) Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets, generally ranging from three to seven years. Expenditures for

repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the related lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets.

Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed to determine whether any events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company bases this evaluation on such impairment indicators as the nature of the assets, the future economic benefit of the assets, any historical or future profitability measurements, as well as other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present that would indicate that the carrying value of any asset may not be recoverable, the Company determines whether an impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flow analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. In the event of impairment, the Company recognizes a loss for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated value of the asset as measured using quoted market prices or, in the absence of quoted market prices, a discounted cash flow analysis.

The Company expenses software development costs as incurred during the preliminary project stage, while capitalizing costs incurred during the application development stage, which includes design, coding, installation and testing activities.

(h) Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of a business acquired. Goodwill is allocated to the Company’s reporting units based on the assignment of the fair values of each reporting unit of the acquired company. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually, or in interim periods if certain events occur indicating that the carrying value may be impaired. Interim impairment testing was performed during the quarter ended June 30, 2022 due to the acquisition of Cboe Digital, resulting in an impairment charge to goodwill. During the quarter ended September 30, 2022 the Company concluded that the factors indicative of impairment were still relevant, resulting in the write-down of the remaining carrying value of goodwill to zero. See Note 10 (“Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net, and Digital Assets Held”) for additional information. The annual impairment test is performed during the fourth quarter using October 1 carrying values, and if the fair value of the reporting unit is found to be less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded. The Company performed its 2023 annual goodwill impairment test and determined that no additional impairment existed.

Intangible assets, net, primarily include acquired trademarks and trade names, customer relationships, strategic alliance agreements, licenses and registrations and non-compete agreements. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized based on the discounted cash flow method applied over the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets and are tested for impairment if certain events occur indicating that the carrying value may be impaired.

Intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually, usually concurrently with goodwill. Impairment exists if the fair value of the asset is less than the carrying value, and in that case, an impairment loss is recorded. The Company performed its 2023 annual intangible assets impairment test using October 1, 2023 carrying values and determined that no additional impairment existed.

(i) Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for the purchase of treasury stock under the cost method with the shares of stock repurchased reflected as a reduction to Cboe stockholders’ equity and included in common stock in treasury, at cost in the consolidated balance sheets. Shares repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program are either available to be redistributed or they are retired. The Company accounts for the retirement of treasury stock by deducting its par value from common stock and reflecting any excess of cost over par value as a deduction from additional paid-in-capital or retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheets.

(j) Foreign Currency

The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect as of each balance sheet date. Statements of income and cash flow amounts are translated using the average exchange rate during the period. The cumulative effects of translating the balance sheet accounts from the functional currency into the U.S. dollar at the applicable exchange rates are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency gains and losses are recorded as other (expense) income, net in the consolidated statements of income. The Company’s operations in the United Kingdom, Amsterdam, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, and Hong Kong are

recorded in Pounds sterling, Euros, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Japanese Yen, Singapore dollars, Philippine pesos, and Hong Kong dollars, respectively.

(k) Income Taxes

Deferred taxes are recorded on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an unrecognized tax benefit only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based upon the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Also, interest and penalties expense is recognized on the full amount of deferred benefits for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision within the consolidated statements of income.

The Company elected to account for global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) in the period in which it is incurred, and therefore, has not provided any deferred tax impacts of GILTI in the consolidated financial statements.

(l) Revenue Recognition

For further discussion related to revenue recognition of fees, such as transaction and clearing fees and liquidity payments, access and capacity fees, market data fees, and regulation transaction and Section 31 fees, see Note 4 (“Revenue Recognition”).

Concentrations of Revenue

For each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, one customer accounted for approximately 11% of the Company’s total revenue. The revenues associated with this customer are included in the Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Global FX and Futures segments and totaled $389.4 million, $415.3 million, and $376.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

No customer is contractually or otherwise obligated to continue to use the Company’s services. The loss of, or a significant reduction of, participation by these customers may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The two largest clearing members clear the majority of the market-maker sides of transactions at all of the Company’s U.S. options exchanges. If either of these clearing members were to withdraw from the business of market-maker clearing and market-makers were unable to transfer to another clearing member, this could create significant disruption to the U.S. options markets, including Cboe’s.

(m) Earnings Per Share

The computation of basic earnings per share is calculated by reducing net income for the period by dividends paid or declared and undistributed net income for the period that are allocated to participating securities to arrive at net income allocated to common stockholders. Net income allocated to common stockholders is divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period to determine net income per share allocated to common stockholders.

The computation of diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income allocated to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus all additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. The dilutive effect is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class or treasury stock method.

(n) Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock-based compensation to its employees through restricted stock units and grants restricted stock units, starting in 2023, to its directors. The Company records stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation granted based on the grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based compensation awards with graded vesting that have a service condition on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award.

The amount of stock-based compensation expense related to awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the fair value of Cboe Global Markets, Inc. common stock at the date of grant. The fair value is based on a current market-based transaction of the Company’s common stock. If a market-based transaction of the Company’s common stock is not available, then the fair value is based on an independent third-party valuation using equal weighting of two valuation analysis techniques, discounted cash flows and valuation multiples observed from publicly traded companies in a similar industry.

On November 18, 2022, Cboe Digital Holdings Inc. (“Cboe Digital Holdings”) entered into minority interest purchase agreements with certain digital asset industry participants, pursuant to which Cboe Digital Holdings agreed to issue Restricted Common Units in Cboe Digital. Cboe Digital Holdings also entered into a Warrant Agreement to issue Common Units of Cboe Digital in the future. Certain Cboe Digital investor members paid for the Restricted Common Units through the issuance of promissory notes, which are nonrecourse in nature. The issuances of Restricted Common Units are accounted for as in-substance stock options. A certain Cboe Digital investor member paid for the Restricted Common Units in exchange for cash. Expense associated with the Restricted Common Units is recognized as contra-revenue ratably over a five-year period. The Company uses a Black Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value of the in-substance stock option created by the Restricted Common Units and promissory notes as well as the fair value of the Warrant Units. Contra-revenue will be recognized while the performance conditions of the Warrant Units remain probable in conformance with the requirements in ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Further adjustments will be recognized in each reporting period until performance is complete relating to changes in the fair value of the option and Warrant liabilities in accordance with ASC 718 – Compensation – Stock Compensation. See Note 19 (“Stock-Based Compensation”) for additional information.

Certain Cboe Digital investor members can earn additional Restricted Common Units if they meet certain performance-based metrics outlined in an equity incentive program (“Incentive Program Units”). The Incentive Program Units are subject to the same terms and conditions as the other Restricted Common Units and are similarly liability-classified awards. Cboe Digital authorized a maximum of 20 Common Units to be distributed over the two-year life of the incentive program. The cost associated with the Incentive Program Units will be recognized as contra-revenue ratably over the remaining service period associated with the Incentive Program Units. Further adjustments will be recognized in each reporting period until performance is complete relating to changes in the fair value of the incentive program liabilities in accordance with ASC 718 – Compensation – Stock Compensation. Based on the recorded balance of the liabilities, any measurement uncertainty related to this Level 3 measurement is immaterial as of December 31, 2023. See Note 19 (“Stock-Based Compensation”) for more information.

(o) Business Combinations

The Company records identifiable assets, liabilities and goodwill acquired in a business combination at fair value at the acquisition date. Additionally, transaction-related costs are expensed in the period incurred.

(p) Debt Issuance Costs

All costs incurred to issue debt are capitalized as a contra-liability and amortized over the life of the debt using the interest method.

(q) Investments

The Company generally accounts for investments using the measurement alternative when it owns less than 20% of the outstanding voting stock of a company, there is an absence of readily determinable fair value for the respective investment, and the Company has an inability to exercise significant influence over the investment based upon the respective ownership interests held. The Company recognizes dividend income when declared.

In general, the equity method of accounting is used when the Company owns 20% to 50% of the outstanding voting stock of a company and when it is able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of a company. For equity method investments, the Company records the pro-rata share of earnings or losses each period and records any dividends received as a reduction in the investment balance. The equity method investment is inclusive of other-than-temporary declines in value, recognized by the investee, who considers a variety of factors such as the earnings capacity of the investment and the fair value of the investment compared to its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value and the decline in value is considered to be other than temporary, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized in the financial statements as an impairment.

(r) Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. For arrangements where the Company is the lessee, operating leases are included in operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets, accrued liabilities, and non-current operating lease liabilities on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. The Company does not have any finance leases as of December 31, 2023.

ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. ROU assets also include any initial direct costs incurred and any lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, less lease incentives received. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the lease liabilities, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases are generally not reasonably determinable. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate when the Company is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company also has lease arrangements with lease and non-lease components. The Company elected the practical expedient not to separate non-lease components from lease components for the Company’s leases. The Company elected to apply the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption in which ROU assets and lease liabilities are not recognized for short-term leases. For short-term operating leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and the Company recognizes lease expense in facilities costs within the consolidated statements of income for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to five years or more, and some of which include the Company’s option to terminate the leases within one year. When the implicit rate in the Company’s lease is not reasonably determinable, the Company applies an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

(s) Margin Deposits, Clearing Funds, and Interoperability Funds

Margin deposits, clearing funds, and interoperability funds in the form of cash contributions by Cboe Clear Europe’s clearing participants where title has transferred to Cboe Clear Europe are included as current assets with equal and offsetting current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As a result of an update in its rules, effective August 14, 2023, Cboe Clear Europe may invest interoperability fund deposits provided by clearing participants subsequent to the effective date of the rules change. In accordance with the updated policy, Cboe Clear Europe has the option to maintain cash deposits provided by clearing participants at Clearstream Banking S.A., in the same manner done previously, or invest the cash in certain investments within the parameters of its investment policy. As such, the interoperability fund deposits are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as of the effective date of the rules change. Changes in margin deposits, clearing funds, and interoperability funds, are presented net in the “restricted cash and cash equivalents and customer bank deposits (included in margin deposits, clearing funds, and interoperability funds)” line in the operating section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. Similarly, cash flows associated with related investment agreements as well as interest income earned on such investments will be classified as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Both activities are part of Cboe Clear Europe’s principal operating activities and are presented within the operating section of the consolidated statement of cash flows.

When investments are made in accordance with its investment policy, Cboe Clear Europe receives the amount of investment earnings and pays clearing participants those earnings minus a set basis point cost of collateral. Related

interest income and interest expense are presented gross in the consolidated statement of income in other revenue and other cost of revenue, respectively, as it relates to a core operating activity of Cboe Clear Europe.

See Note 14 ("Clearing Operations") for more information.

Cboe Clear Digital is authorized, by license or not subject to licensing, to conduct money services business (“MSB”) services in 50 U.S. jurisdictions. Cboe Clear Digital performs a guarantee function whereby Cboe Clear Digital helps to ensure that the obligations of the transactions it clears are fulfilled. Cboe Clear Digital attempts to mitigate this risk by performing internal compliance and due diligence procedures as well as implementing internal risk controls. Cboe Clear Digital 's due diligence procedures include review of the personal and corporate information, financial position of the member participant, and monitoring of Cboe Clear Digital's risk exposure thresholds.

(t) Digital Assets Held

The Company determined that digital assets held should be accounted for under ASC 350 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, and included on the consolidated balance sheets within intangibles, net. As there is no inherent limit imposed on the useful life of the digital assets, they are classified as indefinite lived intangible assets and are not subject to amortization. Instead, they must be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances change that indicate that it’s more likely than not that the asset is impaired (i.e., if an impairment indicator exists). Therefore, the value of digital assets is determined at the date of acquisition and will only be remeasured in the event the Company concludes impairment exists. The Company will not record any increases in value during the period the digital assets are held; the only gains that will be recorded will be upon disposition (if the proceeds exceed the carrying value at the time of the disposition).

(u) Digital Assets – Safeguarded Assets and Liabilities

In accordance with the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (“SAB 121”), the Company recorded a liability with respect to its obligation to safeguard customers' digital assets (Digital assets - safeguarded liabilities) along with a corresponding asset (Digital assets - safeguarded assets). The safeguarded assets and liabilities are measured at the fair value of the digital assets that the Company is safeguarding on behalf of its customers. In the event that the Company or its vendors fail to safeguard the customers’ digital assets, any resulting loss will reduce the safeguard asset with a corresponding loss recorded in other expenses in the consolidated statement of income.