IntercontinentalExchange Group (ICE) Tops Q4 EPS by 26c

IntercontinentalExchange Group (NYSE: ICE) reported Q4 EPS of $3.27, $0.26 better than the analyst estimate of $3.01. Revenue for the quarter came in at $875 million versus the consensus estimate of $866.77 million.

"Our record performance in 2015 was driven by strong demand for risk management, trading, data and listings,” said Jeffrey C. Sprecher, ICE Chairman and CEO. "We achieved our double-digit earnings growth target by focusing on our customers, innovating amid a dynamic market environment and with strong financial discipline. All of this has enabled us to again increase our quarterly dividend while investing in growth opportunities. Our acquisition of Interactive Data, together with many other strategic initiatives, positions us well to deliver strong earnings growth again in 2016.”

Scott A. Hill, ICE CFO, said: “We finished the year with a strong fourth quarter, delivering record earnings growth and executing on our strategic and operational objectives. We expanded operating margins again in 2015 by driving revenue growth and reducing expenses. And we generated solid cash flow, which enabled us to return nearly $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases while investing for long-term growth."

Financial Guidance for 2016

• ICE expects first quarter and full year 2016 adjusted operating expenses, excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, in the range of $490 million to $500 million and $2.000 billion to $2.030 billion, respectively. Full year operating expense guidance includes ~$50MM in NYSE and ~$25MM in Interactive Data expense synergies as well as ~$45MM largely related to additional compensation and ~$30MM in product and technology investments.
• ICE expects quarterly interest expense for the first quarter of 2016 to be approximately $45 million. For the remainder of the year, ICE expects interest expense to be in the range of $44 million to $45 million per quarter.
• ICE expects full year 2016 operational capital expenditures in the range of $280 million to $300 million. ICE expects full year 2016 real estate capital expenditures in the range of $45 million to $55 million.
• ICE expects full year 2016 consolidated effective tax rate in the range of 28% to 31%.
• ICE's diluted share count for the first quarter 2016 is expected to be in the range of 118 million to 121 million weighted average shares outstanding. Full year 2016 diluted share count is expected to be in the range of 118 million to 122 million weighted average shares outstanding.
• ICE expects to provide combined 2015 unaudited quarterly pro-forma GAAP and non-GAAP income statement information for Interactive Data Corporation and Trayport by the end of February 2016 in the Investor Relations section of ICE’s website

For earnings history and earnings-related data on IntercontinentalExchange Group (ICE) click here.

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