EX-99.1 2 c59137exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
         
Exhibit 99.1
(AMERITRADE LOGO)
     
At the Company
   
Kim Hillyer
  Jeff Goeser
Senior Manager, Communications
  Director, Investor Relations and Finance
(402) 574-6523
  (402) 597-8464
kim.hillyer@tdameritrade.com
  jeffrey.goeser@tdameritrade.com
TD AMERITRADE’s Asset Gathering Success Continues with Double-Digit Growth Rate
Net New Assets of $9 billion, 10% annualized growth rate
Record Average Trades Per Day of 413,000
June Quarter Earnings Per Share of $0.30
OMAHA, Neb., July 20, 2010 TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD) has released results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The Company continues to execute on its organic growth strategy, with record average trades per day and a double-digit annualized net new asset growth rate.
The Company’s results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 include the following (year-over-year comparisons): (1)
    Net income of $179 million, or $0.30 per diluted share
 
    Net new client assets of $8.9 billion, an increase of 29 percent year-over-year, an annualized growth rate of 10 percent of beginning client assets
 
    Record average client trades per day of approximately 413,000, an increase of 6 percent
 
    Gross new accounts of approximately 175,000, virtually flat with the June 2009 quarter
 
    Record net revenues of $692 million, 47 percent of which were asset-based
 
    Operating income of $300 million, or 43 percent of net revenues
 
    Pre-tax income of $289 million, or 42 percent of net revenues
 
    EBITDA of $340 million, or 49 percent of net revenues(2)
 
    Liquid assets of $1.2 billion(2); cash and cash equivalents of $716 million
 
    Record interest rate sensitive assets of $63.2 billion, up 13 percent(3)
 
    Client assets of approximately $324 billion, an increase of 22 percent
“With record trading and continued strong asset gathering results, we are quite happy with our performance this quarter. Year-to-date, our net new client assets gathered are a record $28 billion, up 32 percent year-over-year and growing at an annualized rate of over 12 percent,” said Fred Tomczyk, president and chief executive officer. “We remain focused on executing our growth strategy, maintaining strong business fundamentals and delivering value to our clients and shareholders.”
“Our continued focus on what we can control once again contributed to a strong quarter,” said Bill Gerber, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Our sound financial position

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
and the successful execution of our strategy helped us increase asset-based revenues year-over-year by 24 percent. This, combined with record trading activity, led to a record $692 million in net revenues — a significant accomplishment given the ongoing low interest rate environment.”
Stock Buyback Completed
Beginning in the third quarter and through July 2, 2010, TD AMERITRADE repurchased 15 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $17.25 per share. These transactions completed the Company’s current stock buyback program.
“With our recent share repurchase program completed, and plans to make investments in the next wave of our growth, we continue to take a thoughtful, opportunistic approach to deploying capital,” Tomczyk continued. “That approach will not change as we continue to examine ways to use our strong cash position to enhance the client experience and build long-term value for our shareholders.”
Company Hosts Conference Call
TD AMERITRADE will host its June Quarter conference call this morning, July 20, 2010, at 7:30 a.m. CDT. Participants may listen to the call by dialing 877-881-2595. Interested parties may listen to a replay of the call by dialing 800-642-1687 and the passcode 83093267. The Company will Webcast the conference live at www.amtd.com and will make all accompanying materials available for participants to print prior to the call.
AMTD-E
About TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation
TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation, through its brokerage subsidiaries,(4) combines innovative trading technology, easy-to-use and understand trading tools, investment services, investor education and superior client service to create a market-leading financial services experience. Now home to the award-winning thinkorswim trading technology(5) and the Investools investor education program, TD AMERITRADE provides millions of retail investors, traders and independent registered investment advisors with the tools, service and support they need to help build confidence in today’s rapidly-changing market environment. The Company’s common stock trades under the ticker symbol AMTD. For more information and resources for journalists, please visit the TD AMERITRADE newsroom at www.amtd.com.
Safe Harbor
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws. In particular, any projections regarding our future revenues, expenses, earnings, capital expenditures, effective tax rates, client trading activity, accounts or stock price, as well as the assumptions on which such expectations are based, are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect only our current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or results. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include general economic and political conditions, interest rates, market fluctuations and changes in client

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
trading activity, increased competition, systems failures and capacity constraints, ability to service debt obligations, ability to realize the expected benefits from the thinkorswim acquisition, regulatory and legal matters and uncertainties and other risk factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on Nov. 13, 2009 and our latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed thereafter. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
(1)   Please see the Glossary of Terms, located in “Investor” section of www.amtd.com for more information on how these metrics are calculated.
 
(2)   See attached reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.
 
(3)   Interest rate sensitive assets consist of spread-based assets and money market mutual funds.
 
(4)   TD AMERITRADE, Inc., member FINRA (www.FINRA.org) /SIPC (www.SIPC.org) /NFA (www.nfa.futures.org), and TD AMERITRADE Clearing, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.
 
(5)   thinkorswim, prior to joining TD AMERITRADE, earned 4.9 stars, the top score, in the category “Trading Technology”, and was rated #1 overall online broker in Barron’s ranking of online brokers, 3/15/2010. thinkorswim was evaluated versus others in eight total categories, including trade experience, trading technology, usability, range of offerings, research amenities, portfolio analysis and reporting, customer service and education and costs. thinkorswim topped the list in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010 with the highest weighted-average score. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company © 2006—2010.

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
TD AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
In thousands, except per share amounts
(Unaudited)
                                         
    Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     Mar. 31,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2010     2010     2009     2010     2009  
Revenues:
                                       
Transaction-based revenues:
                                       
Commissions and transaction fees
  $ 333,081     $ 301,272     $ 338,450     $ 943,740     $ 891,005  
 
                                       
Asset-based revenues:
                                       
Interest revenue
    112,804       101,412       101,204       315,457       263,960  
Brokerage interest expense
    (1,422 )     (1,444 )     (2,564 )     (4,694 )     (13,076 )
 
                             
Net interest revenue
    111,382       99,968       98,640       310,763       250,884  
 
                                       
Insured deposit account fees
    180,075       169,963       125,118       505,370       424,886  
Investment product fees
    33,194       30,349       39,085       92,964       156,346  
 
                             
Total asset-based revenues
    324,651       300,280       262,843       909,097       832,116  
Other revenues
    34,072       33,882       12,475       99,019       26,875  
 
                             
Net revenues
    691,804       635,434       613,768       1,951,856       1,749,996  
 
                             
 
                                       
Operating expenses:
                                       
Employee compensation and benefits
    156,251       164,876       128,216       467,767       366,413  
Clearing and execution costs
    22,387       24,131       16,141       68,422       46,846  
Communications
    27,030       24,641       20,795       76,329       57,392  
Occupancy and equipment costs
    35,452       33,843       29,951       104,184       89,614  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,499       13,463       11,162       41,573       33,299  
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
    25,119       25,024       17,551       75,722       48,289  
Professional services
    31,998       31,465       43,949       97,170       93,358  
Advertising
    51,596       71,570       41,376       188,359       141,170  
Gains on money market funds and client guarantees
    (9,209 )     (1,936 )           (11,145 )      
Other
    36,420       20,892       14,513       75,347       34,798  
 
                             
Total operating expenses
    391,543       407,969       323,654       1,183,728       911,179  
 
                             
 
                                       
Operating income
    300,261       227,465       290,114       768,128       838,817  
 
                                       
Other expense:
                                       
Interest on borrowings
    11,197       10,937       8,365       33,764       32,246  
Loss on debt refinancing
                      8,392        
Loss on sale of investments
                2,003             2,003  
 
                             
Total other expense
    11,197       10,937       10,368       42,156       34,249  
 
                             
Pre-tax income
    289,064       216,528       279,746       725,972       804,568  
Provision for income taxes
    109,625       53,976       109,209       247,743       317,603  
 
                             
Net income
  $ 179,439     $ 162,552     $ 170,537     $ 478,229     $ 486,965  
 
                             
 
                                       
Earnings per share — basic
  $ 0.31     $ 0.28     $ 0.30     $ 0.81     $ 0.84  
Earnings per share — diluted
  $ 0.30     $ 0.27     $ 0.30     $ 0.80     $ 0.83  
 
                                       
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    587,086       589,618       563,792       588,176       576,420  
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    593,647       596,390       571,772       595,221       584,623  
Note: Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current presentation.

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
TD AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
In thousands
(Unaudited)
                 
    June 30,     Sept. 30,  
    2010     2009  
Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 716,463     $ 791,211  
Short-term investments
    1,853       52,071  
Segregated cash and investments
    489,930       5,813,862  
Broker/dealer receivables
    782,055       1,777,741  
Client receivables
    7,531,315       5,712,261  
Goodwill and intangible assets
    3,616,222       3,696,820  
Other
    794,400       527,844  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 13,932,238     $ 18,371,810  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
               
 
               
Liabilities:
               
Broker/dealer payables
  $ 1,973,822     $ 2,491,617  
Client payables
    5,896,317       9,914,823  
Long-term debt
    1,280,933       1,414,900  
Other
    949,277       999,187  
 
           
Total liabilities
    10,100,349       14,820,527  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity
    3,831,889       3,551,283  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 13,932,238     $ 18,371,810  
 
           

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
TD AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
                                         
    Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     Mar. 31,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2010     2010     2009     2010     2009  
Key Metrics:
                                       
Net new assets (in billions)
  $ 8.9     $ 10.2     $ 6.9     $ 27.9     $ 21.2  
Net new asset growth rate (annualized)(1)
    10 %     13 %     12 %     12 %     10 %
Average client trades per day
    413,461       378,714       391,506       390,369       358,232  
 
                                       
Profitability Metrics:
                                       
Operating margin
    43.4 %     35.8 %     47.3 %     39.4 %     47.9 %
Pre-tax margin
    41.8 %     34.1 %     45.6 %     37.2 %     46.0 %
Return on client assets (annualized)
    0.34 %     0.27 %     0.45 %     0.30 %     0.45 %
Return on average stockholders’ equity (annualized)
    18.4 %     17.2 %     22.8 %     16.9 %     21.7 %
EBITDA as a percentage of net revenues
    49.1 %     41.9 %     51.6 %     44.9 %     52.5 %
 
                                       
Debt Metrics:
                                       
Interest on borrowings (in millions)
  $ 11.2     $ 10.9     $ 8.4     $ 33.8     $ 32.2  
Average debt outstanding (in billions)
  $ 1.3     $ 1.3     $ 1.4     $ 1.3     $ 1.4  
Leverage ratio (average debt/annualized EBITDA)
    0.9       1.2       1.1       1.1       1.2  
Interest coverage ratio (EBITDA/interest on borrowings)
    30.4       24.3       37.9       26.0       28.5  
 
                                       
Transaction-Based Revenue Metrics:
                                       
Total trades (in millions)
    26.0       23.1       24.7       73.0       67.0  
Average commissions and transaction fees per trade(2)
  $ 12.79     $ 13.04     $ 13.66     $ 12.93     $ 13.28  
Average client trades per account (annualized)
    13.2       12.3       13.5       12.7       12.6  
Activity rate — total accounts
    5.3 %     4.9 %     5.4 %     5.0 %     5.0 %
Activity rate — funded accounts
    7.6 %     7.1 %     7.6 %     7.3 %     7.1 %
Trading days
    63.0       61.0       63.0       187.0       187.0  
 
                                       
Spread-Based Asset Metrics:
                                       
Average interest-earning assets (excluding conduit business) (in billions)
  $ 12.6     $ 13.0     $ 10.0     $ 13.7     $ 8.3  
Average insured deposit account balances (in billions)
    41.8       39.3       22.5       37.9       19.9  
 
                             
Average spread-based balance (in billions)
  $ 54.4     $ 52.3     $ 32.5     $ 51.6     $ 28.2  
 
                             
Net interest revenue (excluding conduit business) (in millions)
  $ 111.2     $ 99.7     $ 98.2     $ 310.2     $ 247.1  
Insured deposit account fee revenue (in millions)
    180.1       170.0       125.1       505.4       424.9  
 
                             
Spread-based revenue (in millions)
  $ 291.3     $ 269.7     $ 223.3     $ 815.6     $ 672.0  
 
                             
Avg. annualized yield — interest-earning assets (excluding conduit business)
    3.50 %     3.08 %     3.88 %     2.99 %     3.93 %
Avg. annualized yield — insured deposit account fees
    1.70 %     1.73 %     2.20 %     1.76 %     2.82 %
Net interest margin (NIM)
    2.12 %     2.06 %     2.72 %     2.09 %     3.15 %
 
                                       
Interest days
    91       90       91       273       273  
 
                                       
Fee-Based Investment Metrics:
                                       
Money market mutual fund fees:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 9.1     $ 9.5     $ 22.7     $ 10.2     $ 25.9  
Average annualized yield
    0.10 %     0.05 %     0.33 %     0.08 %     0.52 %
 
                             
Fee revenue (in millions)
  $ 2.3     $ 1.2     $ 19.0     $ 6.3     $ 102.0  
 
                             
Other fee-based investment balances:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 53.3     $ 50.0     $ 36.3     $ 49.9     $ 34.3  
Average annualized yield
    0.23 %     0.23 %     0.22 %     0.23 %     0.21 %
 
                             
Fee revenue (in millions)
  $ 30.9     $ 29.1     $ 20.1     $ 86.7     $ 54.3  
 
                             
Average fee-based investment balances (in billions)
  $ 62.4     $ 59.5     $ 59.0     $ 60.1     $ 60.2  
Average annualized yield
    0.21 %     0.20 %     0.26 %     0.20 %     0.34 %
 
                             
Investment product fee revenue (in millions)
  $ 33.2     $ 30.3     $ 39.1     $ 93.0     $ 156.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Client Account and Client Asset Metrics:
                                       
Total accounts (beginning of period)
    7,788,000       7,675,000       7,195,000       7,563,000       6,895,000  
New accounts opened
    175,000       187,000       176,000       542,000       586,000  
Accounts purchased
                197,000             197,000  
Accounts closed
    (73,000 )     (74,000 )     (77,000 )     (215,000 )     (187,000 )
 
                             
Total accounts (end of period)
    7,890,000       7,788,000       7,491,000       7,890,000       7,491,000  
 
                             
Percentage change during period
    1 %     1 %     4 %     4 %     9 %
 
                                       
Funded accounts (beginning of period)
    5,379,000       5,327,000       5,105,000       5,279,000       4,918,000  
Funded accounts (end of period)
    5,440,000       5,379,000       5,291,000       5,440,000       5,291,000  
Percentage change during period
    1 %     1 %     4 %     3 %     8 %
 
                                       
Client assets (beginning of period, in billions)
  $ 341.5     $ 318.6     $ 224.9     $ 302.0     $ 278.0  
Client assets (end of period, in billions)
  $ 323.8     $ 341.5     $ 265.0     $ 323.8     $ 265.0  
Percentage change during period
    (5 %)     7 %     18 %     7 %     (5 %)
 
(1)   Annualized net new assets as a percentage of client assets as of the beginning of the period.
 
(2)   Average commissions and transaction fees per trade excludes thinkorswim active trader business.
NOTE: See Glossary of Terms on the Company’s web site at www.amtd.com for definitions of the above metrics.

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
TD AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
                                         
    Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     Mar. 31,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2010     2010     2009     2010     2009  
Net Interest Revenue (excluding Conduit Business):
                                       
Segregated cash:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 3.4     $ 4.5     $ 4.2     $ 5.3     $ 2.6  
Average annualized yield
    0.13 %     0.12 %     0.14 %     0.13 %     0.19 %
 
                             
Interest revenue (in millions)
  $ 1.1     $ 1.4     $ 1.5     $ 5.2     $ 3.8  
 
                             
Client margin balances:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 7.5     $ 6.8     $ 4.3     $ 6.8     $ 4.2  
Average annualized yield
    4.68 %     4.64 %     4.99 %     4.71 %     5.26 %
 
                             
Interest revenue (in millions)
  $ 89.1     $ 78.3     $ 54.7     $ 242.1     $ 169.2  
 
                             
Securities borrowing/lending (excluding conduit business):
                                       
Average securities borrowing balance (in billions)
  $ 0.5     $ 0.5     $ 0.6     $ 0.5     $ 0.4  
Average securities lending balance (in billions)
  $ 1.8     $ 1.7     $ 1.3     $ 1.7     $ 1.2  
 
                                       
Interest revenue (in millions)
  $ 21.7     $ 20.9     $ 42.9     $ 65.6     $ 76.3  
Interest expense (in millions)
    (0.4 )     (0.4 )     (0.6 )     (1.0 )     (2.5 )
 
                             
Net interest revenue (expense) — securities borrowing/lending (excluding conduit business) (in millions)
  $ 21.3     $ 20.5     $ 42.3     $ 64.6     $ 73.8  
 
                             
Other cash and interest earning investments:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 1.2     $ 1.2     $ 0.9     $ 1.1     $ 1.1  
Average annualized yield
    0.09 %     0.06 %     0.17 %     0.09 %     0.40 %
 
                             
Interest revenue — net (in millions)
  $ 0.3     $ 0.2     $ 0.4     $ 0.7     $ 3.3  
 
                             
Client credit balances:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 7.7     $ 8.1     $ 6.1     $ 8.9     $ 4.8  
Average annualized cost
    0.03 %     0.03 %     0.05 %     0.04 %     0.08 %
 
                             
Interest expense (in millions)
    ($0.6 )     ($0.7 )     ($0.7 )     ($2.4 )     ($3.0 )
 
                             
Average interest-earning assets (excluding conduit business) (in billions)
  $ 12.6     $ 13.0     $ 10.0     $ 13.7     $ 8.3  
Average annualized yield (excluding conduit business)
    3.50 %     3.08 %     3.88 %     2.99 %     3.93 %
 
                             
Net interest revenue (excluding conduit business) (in millions)
  $ 111.2     $ 99.7     $ 98.2     $ 310.2     $ 247.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Conduit Business:
                                       
Average balance (in billions)
  $ 0.5     $ 0.5     $ 1.2     $ 0.5     $ 1.4  
 
                                       
Securities borrowing — conduit business:
                                       
Average annualized yield
    0.35 %     0.32 %     0.52 %     0.34 %     0.96 %
 
                             
Interest revenue (in millions)
  $ 0.4     $ 0.5     $ 1.5     $ 1.4     $ 10.1  
 
                             
Securities lending — conduit business:
                                       
Average annualized cost
    0.20 %     0.17 %     0.36 %     0.20 %     0.59 %
 
                             
Interest expense (in millions)
    ($0.2 )     ($0.2 )     ($1.1 )     ($0.8 )     ($6.3 )
 
                             
Average interest-earning assets — conduit business (in billions)
  $ 0.5     $ 0.5     $ 1.2     $ 0.5     $ 1.4  
Average annualized yield — conduit business
    0.16 %     0.15 %     0.15 %     0.14 %     0.36 %
 
                             
Net interest revenue — conduit business (in millions)
  $ 0.2     $ 0.3     $ 0.4     $ 0.6     $ 3.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net Interest Revenue (total):
                                       
Average interest-earning assets (excluding conduit business) (in billions)
  $ 12.6     $ 13.0     $ 10.0     $ 13.7     $ 8.3  
Average interest-earning assets — conduit business (in billions)
    0.5       0.5       1.2       0.5       1.4  
 
                             
Average interest-earning assets — total (in billions)
  $ 13.1     $ 13.5     $ 11.2     $ 14.2     $ 9.7  
 
                             
Average annualized yield — total
    3.38 %     2.96 %     3.49 %     2.88 %     3.41 %
 
                                       
Net interest revenue (excluding conduit business) (in millions)
  $ 111.2     $ 99.7     $ 98.2     $ 310.2     $ 247.1  
Net interest revenue — conduit business (in millions)
    0.2       0.3       0.4       0.6       3.8  
 
                             
Net interest revenue — total (in millions)
  $ 111.4     $ 100.0     $ 98.6     $ 310.8     $ 250.9  
 
                             
NOTE: See Glossary of Terms on the Company’s web site at www.amtd.com for definitions of the above metrics.

 


 

(AMERITRADE LOGO)
TD AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL MEASURES
In thousands, except percentages
(Unaudited)
                                                                                 
    Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30, 2010     Mar. 31, 2010     June 30, 2009     June 30, 2010     June 30, 2009  
    $     % of Rev.     $     % of Rev.     $     % of Rev.     $     % of Rev.     $     % of Rev.  
EBITDA (1)
                                                                               
EBITDA
  $ 339,879       49.1 %   $ 265,952       41.9 %   $ 316,824       51.6 %   $ 877,031       44.9 %   $ 918,402       52.5 %
Less:
                                                                               
Depreciation and amortization
    (14,499 )     (2.1 %)     (13,463 )     (2.1 %)     (11,162 )     (1.8 %)     (41,573 )     (2.1 %)     (33,299 )     (1.9 %)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
    (25,119 )     (3.6 %)     (25,024 )     (3.9 %)     (17,551 )     (2.9 %)     (75,722 )     (3.9 %)     (48,289 )     (2.8 %)
Interest on borrowings
    (11,197 )     (1.6 %)     (10,937 )     (1.7 %)     (8,365 )     (1.4 %)     (33,764 )     (1.7 %)     (32,246 )     (1.8 %)
Provision for income taxes
    (109,625 )     (15.8 %)     (53,976 )     (8.5 %)     (109,209 )     (17.8 %)     (247,743 )     (12.7 %)     (317,603 )     (18.1 %)
 
                                                                     
Net income
  $ 179,439       25.9 %   $ 162,552       25.6 %   $ 170,537       27.8 %   $ 478,229       24.5 %   $ 486,965       27.8 %
 
                                                                     
                                         
    As of  
    June 30,     Mar. 31,     Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,     June 30,  
    2010     2010     2009     2009     2009  
Liquid Assets (2)
                                       
Liquid assets
  $ 1,157,508     $ 1,197,979     $ 1,127,354     $ 1,142,127     $ 1,054,084  
Plus: Broker-dealer cash and cash equivalents
    510,593       443,329       677,523       473,996       858,350  
Trust company cash and cash equivalents
    51,488       82,331       34,541       25,143       65,805  
Investment advisory cash and cash equivalents
    26,946       23,401       20,870       18,935       15,989  
 
Less: Corporate short-term investments
    (739 )           (38,237 )     (49,496 )     (49,496 )
Excess trust Tier 1 capital
    (12,637 )     (3,120 )     (3,995 )     (4,658 )     (6,213 )
Excess broker-dealer regulatory net capital
    (1,016,696 )     (910,340 )     (914,165 )     (814,836 )     (818,695 )
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 716,463     $ 833,580     $ 903,891     $ 791,211     $ 1,119,824  
 
                             
Note: The term “GAAP” in the following explanation refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
 
(1)   EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by SEC Regulation G. We consider EBITDA an important measure of our financial performance and of our ability to generate cash flows to service debt, fund capital expenditures and fund other corporate investing and financing activities. EBITDA is used as the denominator in the consolidated leverage ratio calculation for covenant purposes under our senior revolving credit facility. EBITDA eliminates the non-cash effect of tangible asset depreciation and amortization and intangible asset amortization. EBITDA should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, pre-tax income, net income and cash flows from operating activities.
 
(2)   Liquid assets is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by SEC Regulation G. We define liquid assets as the sum of (a) corporate cash and cash equivalents, (b) corporate short-term investments, (c) regulatory net capital of (i) our clearing broker-dealer subsidiary in excess of 5% of aggregate debit items and (ii) our introducing broker-dealer subsidiaries in excess of 120% of the minimum dollar net capital requirement or in excess of 8 1/3% of aggregate indebtedness and (d) Tier 1 capital of our trust company in excess of the minimum dollar requirement. We include the excess capital of our broker-dealer and trust company subsidiaries in liquid assets, rather than simply including broker-dealer and trust cash and cash equivalents, because capital requirements may limit the amount of cash available for dividend from the broker-dealer and trust subsidiaries to the parent company. Excess capital, as defined under clauses (c) and (d) above, is generally available for dividend from the broker-dealer and trust subsidiaries to the parent company. We consider liquid assets an important measure of our liquidity and of our ability to fund corporate investing and financing activities. Liquid assets should be considered as a supplemental measure of liquidity, rather than as a substitute for cash and cash equivalents.