KCG Holdings has released its Q4 2014 operating metrics, which were highlighted by strong gains across average daily volumes and operating revenues.
Earlier this week, KCG Holdings sold its KCG Hotspot unit to BATS Global Markets for $365 million , allowing BATS to foray into electronic FX trading in a bid to diversify its business.
The news follows on an earlier report at the start of the new year in which Hotspot, KCG’s FX ECN, had a third consecutive month of trading volume declines in December 2014.
KCG reported its consolidated earnings for Q4 2014, coming in at $26.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. Furthermore, these results in Q4 2014 include a net tax benefit of $7.0 million. At this time, there are no additional details on the aforementioned sale.
In terms of revenues, KCG yielded $346,139,000 in Q4 2014, up 27.1% QoQ from $272,302,000 in Q3 2014. In particular, trading revenues were reported at $221,415,000 in Q4 2014, rising 46.8% QoQ from $150,865,000 during Q3 2013.
Volumes Notch Strong Gains in Q4
Volumes also experienced a sharp increase in Q4, relative to their Q3 counterparts. Average daily dollar volume traded (in millions of $) came in at $31,621 in Q4 2014, growing 27.9% QoQ from $24,726 in Q3 2014.
According to Daniel Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of KCG, in a recent statement on the metrics, "During the fourth quarter, KCG generated solid financial results due in part to an improved operating environment. The U.S. equity market posted higher average daily share volume, dollar volume and realized Volatility
Volatility
In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Traders can be successful in both low and high volatile environments, but the strategies employed are often different depending upon volatility. Why Too Much Volatility is a ProblemIn the FX space, lower volatile currency pairs offer less surprises, and are suited to position traders.High volatile pairs are attractive for many day traders, due to quick and strong movements, offering the potential for higher profits, although the risk associated with such volatile pairs are many. Overall, a look at previous volatility tells us how likely price will fluctuate in the future, although it has nothing to do with direction.All a trader can gather from this is the understanding that the probability of a volatile pair to increase or decrease an X amount in a Y period of time, is more than the probability of a non-volatile pair. Another important factor is, volatility can and does change over time, and there can be periods when even highly volatile instruments show signs of flatness, with price not really making headway in either direction. Too little volatility is just as problematic for markets as too much, we uncertainty in excess can create panic and problems of liquidity. This was evident during Black Swan events or other crisis that have historically roiled currency and equity markets.
In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Traders can be successful in both low and high volatile environments, but the strategies employed are often different depending upon volatility. Why Too Much Volatility is a ProblemIn the FX space, lower volatile currency pairs offer less surprises, and are suited to position traders.High volatile pairs are attractive for many day traders, due to quick and strong movements, offering the potential for higher profits, although the risk associated with such volatile pairs are many. Overall, a look at previous volatility tells us how likely price will fluctuate in the future, although it has nothing to do with direction.All a trader can gather from this is the understanding that the probability of a volatile pair to increase or decrease an X amount in a Y period of time, is more than the probability of a non-volatile pair. Another important factor is, volatility can and does change over time, and there can be periods when even highly volatile instruments show signs of flatness, with price not really making headway in either direction. Too little volatility is just as problematic for markets as too much, we uncertainty in excess can create panic and problems of liquidity. This was evident during Black Swan events or other crisis that have historically roiled currency and equity markets.
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Amid the heightened activity, KCG recorded market share gains in U.S. equity market making as well as algorithmic trading and order routing from the third quarter. Also contributing to KCG's results were increased market volumes and volatility in select segments of the global Equities
Equities
Equities can be characterized as stocks or shares in a company that investors can buy or sell. When you buy a stock, you are in essence buying an equity, becoming a partial owner of shares in a specific company or fund.However, equities do not pay a fixed interest rate, and as such are not considered guaranteed income. As such, equity markets are often associated with risk.When a company issues bonds, it’s taking loans from buyers. When a company offers shares, on the other hand, it’s selling partial ownership in the company.There are many reasons for individuals investing in equities. In the United States for example, equity markets are amongst the largest in terms of transactions, investors, and turnover.Why Invest in Equities?Overall, the appeal of equities the potential for high returns. Most portfolios feature some portion of equity exposure for growth.In terms of investing, younger individuals can afford to take on higher levels of equity exposure, i.e. risk. Consequently, these people have more stocks in their portfolio because of their potential for returns over time. However, as you are planning to retire, equity exposure becomes more of a risk.This why many investors or holders of retirement accounts transition at least part of their investments from stocks to bonds or fixed-income as they get older.Equity holders can also benefit through dividends, which differ notably from capital gains or price differences in stocks you have purchased.Dividends reflect periodic payments made from a company to its shareholders. They’re taxed like long-term capital gains, which vary by country.
Equities can be characterized as stocks or shares in a company that investors can buy or sell. When you buy a stock, you are in essence buying an equity, becoming a partial owner of shares in a specific company or fund.However, equities do not pay a fixed interest rate, and as such are not considered guaranteed income. As such, equity markets are often associated with risk.When a company issues bonds, it’s taking loans from buyers. When a company offers shares, on the other hand, it’s selling partial ownership in the company.There are many reasons for individuals investing in equities. In the United States for example, equity markets are amongst the largest in terms of transactions, investors, and turnover.Why Invest in Equities?Overall, the appeal of equities the potential for high returns. Most portfolios feature some portion of equity exposure for growth.In terms of investing, younger individuals can afford to take on higher levels of equity exposure, i.e. risk. Consequently, these people have more stocks in their portfolio because of their potential for returns over time. However, as you are planning to retire, equity exposure becomes more of a risk.This why many investors or holders of retirement accounts transition at least part of their investments from stocks to bonds or fixed-income as they get older.Equity holders can also benefit through dividends, which differ notably from capital gains or price differences in stocks you have purchased.Dividends reflect periodic payments made from a company to its shareholders. They’re taxed like long-term capital gains, which vary by country.
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Finally, during the quarter, management completed a strategic review of KCG Hotspot and initiated a sale process which ultimately proved successful.
During the fourth quarter, U.S. equity market volumes picked up with the return of realized volatility to more normative levels over the past five years. KCG's market share gains in direct-to-client U.S. equity market-making were largely attributable to additive order flow from longstanding clients.”
“Also, individual investors continued to express confidence in the market by allocating an estimated $27.7 billion in net inflows to U.S. equities during the quarter, which represented the highest quarterly total during 2014. In non-U.S. equity market making, KCG continued to develop strategic asset classes that demonstrate promise," added Mr. Coleman.
KCG Holdings has released its Q4 2014 operating metrics, which were highlighted by strong gains across average daily volumes and operating revenues.
Earlier this week, KCG Holdings sold its KCG Hotspot unit to BATS Global Markets for $365 million , allowing BATS to foray into electronic FX trading in a bid to diversify its business.
The news follows on an earlier report at the start of the new year in which Hotspot, KCG’s FX ECN, had a third consecutive month of trading volume declines in December 2014.
KCG reported its consolidated earnings for Q4 2014, coming in at $26.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. Furthermore, these results in Q4 2014 include a net tax benefit of $7.0 million. At this time, there are no additional details on the aforementioned sale.
In terms of revenues, KCG yielded $346,139,000 in Q4 2014, up 27.1% QoQ from $272,302,000 in Q3 2014. In particular, trading revenues were reported at $221,415,000 in Q4 2014, rising 46.8% QoQ from $150,865,000 during Q3 2013.
Volumes Notch Strong Gains in Q4
Volumes also experienced a sharp increase in Q4, relative to their Q3 counterparts. Average daily dollar volume traded (in millions of $) came in at $31,621 in Q4 2014, growing 27.9% QoQ from $24,726 in Q3 2014.
According to Daniel Coleman, Chief Executive Officer of KCG, in a recent statement on the metrics, "During the fourth quarter, KCG generated solid financial results due in part to an improved operating environment. The U.S. equity market posted higher average daily share volume, dollar volume and realized Volatility
Volatility
In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Traders can be successful in both low and high volatile environments, but the strategies employed are often different depending upon volatility. Why Too Much Volatility is a ProblemIn the FX space, lower volatile currency pairs offer less surprises, and are suited to position traders.High volatile pairs are attractive for many day traders, due to quick and strong movements, offering the potential for higher profits, although the risk associated with such volatile pairs are many. Overall, a look at previous volatility tells us how likely price will fluctuate in the future, although it has nothing to do with direction.All a trader can gather from this is the understanding that the probability of a volatile pair to increase or decrease an X amount in a Y period of time, is more than the probability of a non-volatile pair. Another important factor is, volatility can and does change over time, and there can be periods when even highly volatile instruments show signs of flatness, with price not really making headway in either direction. Too little volatility is just as problematic for markets as too much, we uncertainty in excess can create panic and problems of liquidity. This was evident during Black Swan events or other crisis that have historically roiled currency and equity markets.
In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Traders can be successful in both low and high volatile environments, but the strategies employed are often different depending upon volatility. Why Too Much Volatility is a ProblemIn the FX space, lower volatile currency pairs offer less surprises, and are suited to position traders.High volatile pairs are attractive for many day traders, due to quick and strong movements, offering the potential for higher profits, although the risk associated with such volatile pairs are many. Overall, a look at previous volatility tells us how likely price will fluctuate in the future, although it has nothing to do with direction.All a trader can gather from this is the understanding that the probability of a volatile pair to increase or decrease an X amount in a Y period of time, is more than the probability of a non-volatile pair. Another important factor is, volatility can and does change over time, and there can be periods when even highly volatile instruments show signs of flatness, with price not really making headway in either direction. Too little volatility is just as problematic for markets as too much, we uncertainty in excess can create panic and problems of liquidity. This was evident during Black Swan events or other crisis that have historically roiled currency and equity markets.
Read this Term
Amid the heightened activity, KCG recorded market share gains in U.S. equity market making as well as algorithmic trading and order routing from the third quarter. Also contributing to KCG's results were increased market volumes and volatility in select segments of the global Equities
Equities
Equities can be characterized as stocks or shares in a company that investors can buy or sell. When you buy a stock, you are in essence buying an equity, becoming a partial owner of shares in a specific company or fund.However, equities do not pay a fixed interest rate, and as such are not considered guaranteed income. As such, equity markets are often associated with risk.When a company issues bonds, it’s taking loans from buyers. When a company offers shares, on the other hand, it’s selling partial ownership in the company.There are many reasons for individuals investing in equities. In the United States for example, equity markets are amongst the largest in terms of transactions, investors, and turnover.Why Invest in Equities?Overall, the appeal of equities the potential for high returns. Most portfolios feature some portion of equity exposure for growth.In terms of investing, younger individuals can afford to take on higher levels of equity exposure, i.e. risk. Consequently, these people have more stocks in their portfolio because of their potential for returns over time. However, as you are planning to retire, equity exposure becomes more of a risk.This why many investors or holders of retirement accounts transition at least part of their investments from stocks to bonds or fixed-income as they get older.Equity holders can also benefit through dividends, which differ notably from capital gains or price differences in stocks you have purchased.Dividends reflect periodic payments made from a company to its shareholders. They’re taxed like long-term capital gains, which vary by country.
Equities can be characterized as stocks or shares in a company that investors can buy or sell. When you buy a stock, you are in essence buying an equity, becoming a partial owner of shares in a specific company or fund.However, equities do not pay a fixed interest rate, and as such are not considered guaranteed income. As such, equity markets are often associated with risk.When a company issues bonds, it’s taking loans from buyers. When a company offers shares, on the other hand, it’s selling partial ownership in the company.There are many reasons for individuals investing in equities. In the United States for example, equity markets are amongst the largest in terms of transactions, investors, and turnover.Why Invest in Equities?Overall, the appeal of equities the potential for high returns. Most portfolios feature some portion of equity exposure for growth.In terms of investing, younger individuals can afford to take on higher levels of equity exposure, i.e. risk. Consequently, these people have more stocks in their portfolio because of their potential for returns over time. However, as you are planning to retire, equity exposure becomes more of a risk.This why many investors or holders of retirement accounts transition at least part of their investments from stocks to bonds or fixed-income as they get older.Equity holders can also benefit through dividends, which differ notably from capital gains or price differences in stocks you have purchased.Dividends reflect periodic payments made from a company to its shareholders. They’re taxed like long-term capital gains, which vary by country.
Read this Term
Finally, during the quarter, management completed a strategic review of KCG Hotspot and initiated a sale process which ultimately proved successful.
During the fourth quarter, U.S. equity market volumes picked up with the return of realized volatility to more normative levels over the past five years. KCG's market share gains in direct-to-client U.S. equity market-making were largely attributable to additive order flow from longstanding clients.”
“Also, individual investors continued to express confidence in the market by allocating an estimated $27.7 billion in net inflows to U.S. equities during the quarter, which represented the highest quarterly total during 2014. In non-U.S. equity market making, KCG continued to develop strategic asset classes that demonstrate promise," added Mr. Coleman.
