EX-99.1 2 ibkr-8k_20210331er.htm 1Q21 EARNINGS RELEASE
INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP ANNOUNCES 1Q2021 RESULTS

— — —

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $1.16, ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE1 OF $0.98.
PRETAX INCOME OF $639 MILLION ON $893 MILLION IN NET REVENUES.
ADJUSTED PRETAX INCOME OF $542 MILLION ON $796 MILLION IN ADJUSTED NET REVENUES1.
DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.10 PER SHARE.

GREENWICH, CONN, April 20, 2021 — Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IBKR), an automated global electronic broker, reported diluted earnings per share of $1.16 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to $0.60 for the same period in 2020, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.98 for this quarter compared to $0.69 for the year-ago quarter.

Net revenues were $893 million and income before income taxes was $639 million for this quarter, compared to net revenues of $532 million and income before income taxes of $308 million for the same period in 2020. Adjusted net revenues were $796 million and adjusted income before income taxes was $542 million for this quarter, compared to adjusted net revenues of $581 million and adjusted income before income taxes of $357 million for the same period in 2020.

Financial Highlights

Commission revenue showed strong growth, increasing $143 million, or 53%, from the year-ago quarter on higher customer trading volumes within an active trading environment worldwide.

Net interest income increased $49 million, or 19%, from the year-ago quarter on strong securities lending activity, tempered by a decrease in the average Federal Funds effective rate to 0.08% from 1.25% in the year-ago quarter, which reduced earnings on segregated customer cash and margin lending.

Other income increased $151 million from the year-ago quarter. This increase was mainly comprised of  $107 million related to our strategic investment in Up Fintech Holding Limited (“Tiger Brokers”), which swung to a $99 million mark-to-market gain this quarter from a $8 million mark-to-market loss in the same period in 2020; and $47 million related to our currency diversification strategy, which lost $2 million this quarter compared to a loss of $49 million in the same period in 2020.

General and administrative expenses increased $22 million from the year-ago quarter, led by $19 million in additional costs for Brexit-related regulatory onboarding to bring our new brokerage operations on line in Europe.

72% pretax profit margin for this quarter, up from 58% in the year-ago quarter. 68% adjusted pretax profit margin for this quarter, up from 61% in the year-ago quarter.

Total equity of $9.4 billion.

The Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. This dividend is payable on June 14, 2021 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2021.




1 See the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures starting on page 10.
1

Business Highlights

Customer accounts increased 74% from the year-ago quarter to 1.33 million.
Customer equity grew 106% from the year-ago quarter to $330.6 billion.
Total DARTs2 increased 128% from the year-ago quarter to 3.31 million.
Cleared DARTs increased 128% from the year-ago quarter to 2.96 million.
Customer credits increased 30% from the year-ago quarter to $84.5 billion.
Customer margin loans increased 113% from the year-ago quarter to $42.2 billion.

COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel strain of the coronavirus as a pandemic. The pandemic affects all countries in which we operate. The response of governments and societies to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes temporary closures of certain businesses; social distancing; travel restrictions, “shelter in place” and other governmental regulations; and reduced consumer spending due to job losses, has significantly impacted market volatility and general economic conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated unprecedented market conditions with equally unprecedented social and community challenges. Amid these challenges:

The Company is committed to ensuring the highest levels of service to its customers so they can effectively manage their assets, portfolios and risks. The Company’s technical infrastructure has withstood the challenges presented by the extraordinary volatility and increased market volume.

The Company can run its business from alternate office locations and/or remotely if a Company office must temporarily close due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s financial results, which may have continued through the first quarter of 2021, can be summarized as follows: (1) higher commission revenue due to increased trading activity and a higher rate of customer accounts opened throughout 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021; and (2) lower net interest income resulting from lower benchmark interest rates. Reduced net interest income on customer cash balances and margin lending was offset in the current quarter by a strong performance in securities lending.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s future financial results remains uncertain and currently cannot be quantified, as it depends on numerous evolving factors that currently cannot be accurately predicted, including, but not limited to the duration and spread of the pandemic; its impact on our customers, employees and vendors; governmental actions in response to the pandemic; and the overall impact of the pandemic in the economy and society; among other factors. Any of these events could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.



2 Daily average revenue trades (DARTs) are based on customer orders.
2

Effects of Foreign Currency Diversification

In connection with our currency diversification strategy, we base our net worth in GLOBALs, a basket of 10 major currencies in which we hold our equity. In this quarter, our currency diversification strategy decreased our comprehensive earnings by $78 million, as the U.S. dollar value of the GLOBAL decreased by approximately 0.84%. The effects of the currency diversification strategy are reported as components of (1) Other Income (loss of $2 million) and (2) Other Comprehensive Income (loss of $76 million).

Conference Call Information:
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. will hold a conference call with investors today, April 20, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss its quarterly results.  Investors who would like to listen to the conference call live should dial 877-324-1965 (U.S. domestic) and 631-291-4512 (international). The number should be dialed approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. Ask for the “Interactive Brokers Conference Call.”
The conference call will also be accessible simultaneously, and through replays, as an audio webcast through the Investor Relations section of the Interactive Brokers web site, www.interactivebrokers.com/ir.
About Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.:
Interactive Brokers Group affiliates provide automated trade execution and custody of securities, commodities and foreign exchange around the clock on over 135 markets in numerous countries and currencies, from a single IBKR Integrated Investment Account to clients worldwide. We service individual investors, hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, financial advisors and introducing brokers. Our four decades of focus on technology and automation has enabled us to equip our clients with a uniquely sophisticated platform to manage their investment portfolios. We strive to provide our clients with advantageous execution prices and trading, risk and portfolio management tools, research facilities and investment products, all at low or no cost, positioning them to achieve superior returns on investments. Barron’s ranked Interactive Brokers #1 with 5 out of 5 stars in its February 26, 2021, Best Online Broker Review.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
The foregoing information contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company’s operations and business environment which may cause the Company’s actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additional information on risk factors that could potentially affect the Company’s financial results may be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


For Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Investors: Nancy Stuebe, investor-relations@ibkr.com or Media: Rob Garfield, media@ibkr.com.
3

INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
OPERATING DATA
TRADE VOLUMES:
(in 000's, except %)
   
Cleared
     
Non-Cleared
                     
Avg. Trades
   
Customer
 
%
 
Customer
 
%
 
Principal
 
%
 
Total
 
%
 
per U.S.
Period
 
Trades
 
Change
 
Trades
 
Change
 
Trades
 
Change
 
Trades
 
Change
 
Trading Day
2018
 
              328,099
     
       21,880
     
       18,663
     
     368,642
     
            1,478
2019
 
              302,289
 
 (8%)
 
       26,346
 
20%
 
       17,136
 
 (8%)
 
     345,771
 
 (6%)
 
            1,380
2020
 
              620,405
 
105%
 
       56,834
 
116%
 
       27,039
 
58%
 
     704,278
 
104%
 
            2,795
                                     
1Q2020
 
              128,564
     
       11,373
     
         4,879
     
     144,816
     
            2,336
1Q2021
 
              273,985
 
113%
 
       24,079
 
112%
 
         8,418
 
73%
 
     306,482
 
112%
 
            5,024
                                     
4Q2020
 
              178,614
     
       17,008
     
         7,455
     
     203,077
     
            3,223
1Q2021
 
              273,985
 
53%
 
       24,079
 
42%
 
         8,418
 
13%
 
     306,482
 
51%
 
            5,024
CONTRACT AND SHARE VOLUMES:
(in 000's, except %)
 
TOTAL

 
Options
 
%
 
Futures1
 
%
 
Stocks
 
%
Period
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(shares)
 
Change
2018
 
     408,406
     
     151,762
     
   210,257,186
   
2019
 
     390,739
 
 (4%)
 
     128,770
 
 (15%)
 
   176,752,967
 
 (16%)
2020
 
     624,035
 
60%
 
     167,078
 
30%
 
   338,513,068
 
92%
                         
1Q2020
 
     138,206
     
       49,204
     
     62,298,036
   
1Q2021
 
     231,797
 
68%
 
       40,868
 
 (17%)
 
   308,934,824
 
396%
                         
4Q2020
 
     170,191
     
       35,295
     
   121,062,599
   
1Q2021
 
     231,797
 
36%
 
       40,868
 
16%
 
   308,934,824
 
155%
ALL CUSTOMERS

 
Options
 
%
 
Futures1
 
%
 
Stocks
 
%
Period
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(shares)
 
Change
2018
 
     358,852
     
     148,485
     
   198,909,375
   
2019
 
     349,287
 
 (3%)
 
     126,363
 
 (15%)
 
   167,826,490
 
 (16%)
2020
 
     584,195
 
67%
 
     164,555
 
30%
 
   331,263,604
 
97%
                         
1Q2020
 
     128,842
     
       48,437
     
     59,897,045
   
1Q2021
 
     221,898
 
72%
 
       40,361
 
 (17%)
 
   306,165,385
 
411%
                         
4Q2020
 
     160,953
     
       34,851
     
   119,654,910
   
1Q2021
 
     221,898
 
38%
 
       40,361
 
16%
 
   306,165,385
 
156%
CLEARED CUSTOMERS

Options
 
%
 
Futures1
 
%
 
Stocks
 
%
Period
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(shares)
 
Change
2018
 
     313,795
     
     146,806
     
   194,012,882
   
2019
 
     302,068
 
 (4%)
 
     125,225
 
 (15%)
 
   163,030,500
 
 (16%)
2020
 
     518,965
 
72%
 
     163,101
 
30%
 
   320,376,365
 
97%
                         
1Q2020
 
     112,916
     
       47,979
     
     57,653,853
   
1Q2021
 
     202,583
 
79%
 
       40,019
 
 (17%)
 
   301,675,030
 
423%
                         
4Q2020
 
     144,378
     
       34,459
     
   116,538,527
   
1Q2021
 
     202,583
 
40%
 
       40,019
 
16%
 
   301,675,030
 
159%


1
Includes options on futures.
4

INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
OPERATING DATA, CONTINUED

PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS

Options
 
%
 
Futures1
 
%
 
Stocks
 
%
Period
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(contracts)
 
Change
 
(shares)
 
Change
2018
 
       49,554
     
         3,277
     
     11,347,811
   
2019
 
       41,452
 
 (16%)
 
         2,407
 
 (27%)
 
       8,926,477
 
 (21%)
2020
 
       39,840
 
 (4%)
 
         2,523
 
5%
 
       7,249,464
 
 (19%)
                         
1Q2020
 
         9,364
     
           767
     
       2,400,991
   
1Q2021
 
         9,899
 
6%
 
           507
 
 (34%)
 
       2,769,439
 
15%
                         
4Q2020
 
         9,238
     
           444
     
       1,407,689
   
1Q2021
 
         9,899
 
7%
 
           507
 
14%
 
       2,769,439
 
97%


1
Includes options on futures.
CUSTOMER STATISTICS
Year over Year
 
1Q2021
   
1Q2020
 
% Change
   Total Accounts (in thousands)
 
                      1,325
   
                         760
 
74%
   Customer Equity (in billions)1
$
330.6
 
$
160.7
 
106%
               
   Cleared DARTs (in thousands)
 
                      2,964
   
                      1,301
 
128%
   Total Customer DARTs (in thousands)
 
                      3,308
   
                      1,454
 
128%
               
Cleared Customers
             
   Commission per Cleared Commissionable Order2
$
                        2.31
 
$
                        3.30
 
 (30%)
   Cleared Avg. DART per Account (Annualized)
 
                         622
   
                         453
 
37%
   Net Revenue per Avg. Account (Annualized)
$
                      2,610
 
$
                      3,069
 
 (15%)
               
Consecutive Quarters
 
1Q2021
   
4Q2020
 
% Change
   Total Accounts (in thousands)
 
                      1,325
   
                      1,073
 
23%
   Customer Equity (in billions)1
$
330.6
 
$
288.6
 
15%
               
   Cleared DARTs (in thousands)
 
                      2,964
   
                      1,871
 
58%
   Total Customer DARTs (in thousands)
 
                      3,308
   
                      2,109
 
57%
               
Cleared Customers
             
   Commission per Cleared Commissionable Order2
$
                        2.31
 
$
                        2.46
 
 (6%)
   Cleared Avg. DART per Account (Annualized)
 
                         622
   
                         459
 
36%
   Net Revenue per Avg. Account (Annualized)
$
                      2,610
 
$
                      2,151
 
21%


1
Excludes non-customers.
   
2
Commissionable Order - a customer order that generates commissions.

5

INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST MARGIN
(UNAUDITED)

       
Three Months
       
Ended March 31,
       
2021
 
2020
       
(in millions)
Average interest-earning assets
           
 
Segregated cash and securities
 
$
                  46,726
 
$
                  33,864
 
Customer margin loans
   
                  39,964
   
                  27,096
 
Securities borrowed
   
                    5,108
   
                    3,816
 
Other interest-earning assets
   
                    5,416
   
                    5,668
 
FDIC sweeps1
   
                    2,817
   
                    2,532
       
$
                100,031
 
$
                  72,976
                 
Average interest-bearing liabilities
           
 
Customer credit balances
 
$
                  77,887
 
$
                  58,499
 
Securities loaned
   
                  11,117
   
                    4,529
 
Other interest-bearing liabilities
   
                       138
   
                       618
       
$
                  89,142
 
$
                  63,646
                 
Net interest income
           
 
Segregated cash and securities, net
 
$
                           2
 
$
                       106
 
Customer margin loans2
   
                       117
   
                       139
 
Securities borrowed and loaned, net
   
                       175
   
                         62
 
Customer credit balances, net2
   
                           9
   
                       (69)
 
Other net interest income1/3
   
                           9
   
                         26
   
Net interest income3
 
$
                       312
 
$
                       264
                 
Net interest margin ("NIM")
   
1.26%
   
1.45%
                 
Annualized yields
           
 
Segregated cash and securities
   
0.02%
   
1.26%
 
Customer margin loans
   
1.19%
   
2.06%
 
Customer credit balances
   
-0.05%
   
0.47%


1
Represents the average amount of customer cash swept into FDIC-insured banks as part of our Insured Bank Deposit Sweep Program. This item is not recorded in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition. Income derived from program deposits is reported in other net interest income in the table above.
                             
2
Interest income and interest expense on customer margin loans and customer credit balances, respectively, are calculated on daily cash balances within each customer’s account on a net basis, which may result in an offset of balances across multiple account segments (e.g., between securities and commodities segments).   
                             
3
Includes income from financial instruments that has the same characteristics as interest, but is reported in other fees and services and other income in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, $8 million and $4 million were reported in other fees and services, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, -$1 million and $4 million were reported in other income, respectively.
6

INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

       
Three Months
       
Ended March 31,
       
2021
 
2020
       
(in millions, except share and per share data)
Revenues:
           
 
Commissions
 
$
412
 
$
269
 
Other fees and services
   
56
   
38
 
Other income (loss)
   
120
   
(31)
   
Total non-interest income
   
588
   
276
                 
 
Interest income
   
390
   
369
 
Interest expense
   
(85)
   
(113)
   
Total net interest income
   
305
   
256
                 
   
Total net revenues
   
893
   
532
                 
Non-interest expenses:
           
 
Execution, clearing and distribution fees
   
68
   
77
 
Employee compensation and benefits
   
97
   
80
 
Occupancy, depreciation and amortization
   
20
   
17
 
Communications
   
8
   
6
 
General and administrative
   
59
   
37
 
Customer bad debt
   
2
   
7
   
Total non-interest expenses
   
254
   
224
                 
Income before income taxes
   
639
   
308
Income tax expense
   
53
   
18
                 
Net income
   
586
   
290
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
479
   
244
                 
Net income available for common stockholders
 
$
107
 
$
46
                 
Earnings per share:
           
 
Basic
 
$
1.18
 
$
0.60
 
Diluted
 
$
1.16
 
$
0.60
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
         
 
Basic
   
90,789,321
   
76,751,168
 
Diluted
   
91,766,142
   
77,568,464
7


INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

       
Three Months
       
Ended March 31,
       
2021
 
2020
         (in millions, except share and per share data)
Comprehensive income:
           
 
Net income available for common stockholders
 
$
107
 
$
46
 
Other comprehensive income:
           
   
Cumulative translation adjustment, before income taxes
   
                                 (17)
   
                                   (7)
   
Income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income
 
                                     -
   
                                     -
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
                                 (17)
   
                                   (7)
Comprehensive income available for common stockholders
 
$
90
 
$
39
                 
Comprehensive earnings per share:
           
 
Basic
 
$
0.99
 
$
0.51
 
Diluted
 
$
0.98
 
$
0.51
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
           
 
Basic
   
90,789,321
   
76,751,168
 
Diluted
   
91,766,142
   
77,568,464
                 
                 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests:
           
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
$
479
 
$
244
 
Other comprehensive income - cumulative translation adjustment
 
(59)
   
(31)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
$
420
 
$
213

8


INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(UNAUDITED)

         
March 31,
2021
 
December 31,
2020
         
(in millions)
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
     
$
                 2,756
 
$
                 4,292
Cash - segregated for regulatory purposes
       
               21,204
   
               15,903
Securities - segregated for regulatory purposes
       
               25,069
   
               27,821
Securities borrowed
       
                 5,708
   
                 4,956
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
       
                 1,692
   
                    792
Financial instruments owned, at fair value
       
                    640
   
                    630
Receivables from customers, net of allowance for credit losses
   
               42,645
   
               39,333
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
     
                 3,368
   
                 1,254
Other assets
       
                    811
   
                    698
                   
 
Total assets
     
$
103,893
 
$
95,679
                   
Liabilities and equity
               
                   
Liabilities
               
Short-term borrowings
     
$
                    341
 
$
                    118
Securities loaned
       
               11,867
   
                 9,838
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value
     
                    191
   
                    153
Other payables:
               
 
Customers
       
               81,204
   
               75,882
 
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
       
                    310
   
                    182
 
Other payables
       
                    543
   
                    503
           
               82,057
   
               76,567
                   
 
Total liabilities
       
               94,456
   
               86,676
                   
Equity
               
Stockholders' equity
       
                 2,036
   
                 1,951
Noncontrolling interests
       
                 7,401
   
                 7,052
 
Total equity
       
                 9,437
   
                 9,003
                   
 
Total liabilities and equity
     
$
103,893
 
$
95,679
                   
   
March 31, 2021
 
December 31, 2020
Ownership of IBG LLC Membership Interests
Interests
 
 %
 
Interests
   
 %
                   
IBG, Inc.
90,830,444
 
21.8%
 
90,780,444
   
21.8%
Noncontrolling interests (IBG Holdings LLC)
325,960,034
 
78.2%
 
325,960,034
   
78.2%
                   
Total IBG LLC membership interests
416,790,478
 
100.0%
 
416,740,478
   
100.0%
9


INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)

     
Three Months
     
Ended March 31,
     
2021
 
2020
       (in millions)
Adjusted net revenues1
           
Net revenues - GAAP
 
$
893
 
$
532
               
Non-GAAP adjustments
           
 
Currency diversification strategy, net
   
2
   
49
 
Mark-to-market on investments2
   
(99)
   
                         -
Total non-GAAP adjustments
   
(97)
   
49
Adjusted net revenues
 
$
796
 
$
581
               
Adjusted income before income taxes1
           
Income before income taxes - GAAP
 
$
639
 
$
308
               
Non-GAAP adjustments
           
 
Currency diversification strategy, net
   
2
   
49
 
Mark-to-market on investments2
   
                     (99)
   
                         -
Total non-GAAP adjustments
   
                     (97)
   
                       49
Adjusted income before income taxes
 
$
542
 
$
357
               
Adjusted pre-tax profit margin
   
68%
   
61%

10

 

     
Three Months
     
Ended March 31,
     
2021
 
2020
     
(in millions)
Adjusted net income available for common stockholders1
     
Net income available for common stockholders - GAAP
$
107
 
$
46
               
Non-GAAP adjustments
           
 
Currency diversification strategy, net
   
                         0
   
9
 
Mark-to-market on investments2
   
                     (22)
   
                         -
 
Income tax effect of above adjustments3
   
                         4
   
                       (2)
Total non-GAAP adjustments
   
                     (17)
   
                         7
Adjusted net income available for common stockholders
$
90
 
$
54

Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.


     
Three Months
     
Ended March 31,
     
2021
 
2020
     
(in dollars)
Adjusted diluted EPS1
           
Diluted EPS - GAAP
 
$
1.16
 
$
0.60
               
Non-GAAP adjustments
           
 
Currency diversification strategy, net
   
0.00
   
0.12
 
Mark-to-market on investments2
   
(0.24)
   
0.00
 
Income tax effect of above adjustments3
   
0.05
   
(0.02)
Total non-GAAP adjustments
   
(0.19)
   
0.09
Adjusted diluted EPS
 
$
0.98
 
$
0.69
               
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
91,766,142
   
77,568,464

Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.

11


Note: The term “GAAP” in the following explanation refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
1 Adjusted net revenues, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income available for common stockholders and adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) are non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G.
We define adjusted net revenues as net revenues adjusted to remove the effect of our GLOBAL currency diversification strategy and our net mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments2.
We define adjusted income before income taxes as income before income taxes adjusted to remove the effect of our GLOBAL currency diversification strategy and our net mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments.
We define adjusted net income available to common stockholders as net income available for common stockholders adjusted to remove the after-tax effects attributable to IBG, Inc. of our GLOBAL currency diversification strategy and the mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments.
Management believes these non-GAAP items are important measures of our financial performance because they exclude certain items that may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook and may be useful to investors and analysts in evaluating the operating performance of the business and facilitating a meaningful comparison of our results in the current period to those in prior and future periods. Our GLOBAL currency diversification strategy and our mark-to-market on investments are excluded because management does not believe they are indicative of our underlying core business performance. Adjusted net revenues, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income available to common stockholders and adjusted diluted EPS should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, GAAP net revenues, income before income taxes, net income attributable to common stockholders and diluted EPS.
2 Mark-to-market on investments represents the net mark-to-market gains (losses) on our U.S. government securities portfolio, which are typically held to maturity, investments in equity securities that do not qualify for equity method accounting which are measured at fair value, and equity securities taken over by the Company from customers related to losses on margin loans.
3 The income tax effect is estimated using the corporate income tax rates applicable to the Company.


12