Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE), a global network of exchanges and clearinghouses, has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ending December 31, 2019, according to an ICE statement.
During Q4 2019, ICE unveiled the adjusted net income attributable to the group at $448 million on $1.3 billion of consolidated revenues less transaction-based expenses – this represents a loss of -26 percent year-on-year from $611 million in Q4 2018. Furthermore, ICE reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.80 in Q4 2019 on a GAAP basis, a drop of -25.2 percent year-on-year from $1.07 in Q4 2018.
Taking a full-year perspective, ICE's total revenues, less transaction-based expenses, in the twelve months ending December 31, 2019, increased five percent to $5.2 billion compared to $4.97 billion in 2018.
However, operating income wasn't on the uptick in 2019, with ICE orchestrating a figure of $1.93 billion, down three percent year-on-year compared to $1.98 million the year earlier.
Other points of emphasis
The company posted $1.3 billion in Q4 2019 consolidated revenues. The figure included $672 million in revenues from data and listings business. In addition, trading and clearing segment revenues at ICE amounted to $626 million in the last quarter.
For the full year, data and listings revenues were $2.7 billion, including data revenues of $2.2 billion, up 5% year-over-year, and listings revenues of $449 million, up 1% year-over-year. Further, 2019 trading and clearing net revenues were $2.5 billion, up 5% from one year ago.
In a statement, ICE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher said: "We are pleased to report our 14th consecutive year of record revenues. Leveraging our leading technology and market expertise, we expanded our suite of Risk Management solutions, adding new products and services across an array of asset classes and geographies. And, as we shift to 2020, our relentless focus on innovation and delivering efficiencies for our customers should again provide the foundation for continued growth and stockholder value creation."
Scott A. Hill, ICE Chief Financial Officer, added: "In 2019 we generated record revenues, record operating income, and record cash flows. This performance enabled us to return more capital to shareholders than any year in our history while also investing in future growth. As we enter 2020, our commitment to prudent allocation of capital, disciplined investment and continued growth has never been stronger."
