Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington D.C. 20549

 


Form 10-QSB

 


QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

Commission File Number 000-23554

 


INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   59-2921318
(State of incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

220 East Central Parkway, Suite 2060

Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

(Address of principal executive offices)

(407) 741-5300

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 


Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x.

The issuer had 7,578,336 outstanding shares of common stock as of May 4, 2006.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

          Page No.

Part I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005    3
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Six Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    4
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    5
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005    6
   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation    22

Item 3.

   Controls and Procedures    35
Part II.    OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders    35

Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    36
   Signatures    37
   Certifications   


Table of Contents

INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 

      March 31,
2006
   September 30,
2005
 
     (unaudited)    (audited)  
Assets      

Cash

   $ 9,439    $ 6,615  

Cash and cash equivalents deposited with brokers, dealers and clearing organization

     9,009      13,627  

Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organization

     22,572      3,610  

Receivable from customers

     19,580      15,648  

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

     73,704      71,376  

Physical commodities inventory, at cost

     10,270   

Trust certificates, at cost

     24,539      24,539  

Investment in asset management joint venture

     597      677  

Investment in INTL Consilium managed funds, at fair value

     4,371      3,270  

Deferred income tax asset, net

     82      82  

Fixed assets and leasehold improvements at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

     694      564  

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

     175      233  

Goodwill

     6,073      6,054  

Other assets

     959      724  
               

Total assets

   $ 182,064    $ 147,019  
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      

Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 154    $ 190  

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

     99,991      92,016  

Payable to banks under loans and overdrafts

     29,480      12,847  

Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organization

     1,122      4,372  

Payable to customers

     14,475      3,206  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     2,335      2,059  

Accrued expenses

     670      418  

Income taxes payable

     967      1,153  

Deferred acquisition consideration payable

     1,572      2,353  

Other liabilities

     292      333  
               

Total liabilities

     151,058      118,947  
               

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding

     —        —    

Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 12,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,576,336 shares at March 31, 2006 and 7,425,936 shares at September 30, 2005

     76      74  

Additional paid-in capital

     28,846      28,050  

Retained earnings (deficit)

     2,084      (52 )
               

Total stockholders’ equity

     31,006      28,072  
               

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 182,064    $ 147,019  
               

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Six Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     2006    2005

Revenues:

     

Sales of physical commodities

   $ 27,696    $ —  

Net dealer inventory and investment gains

     15,192      11,860

Equity in income from asset management joint venture

     216      69

Other

     607      313
             

Total revenues

     43,711      12,242

Cost of sales of physical commodities

     26,365   
             

Operating revenues

     17,346      12,242

Interest expense

     1,001      473
             

Net revenues

     16,345      11,769

Non-interest expenses:

     

Compensation and benefits

     7,054      5,178

Clearing and related expenses

     3,548      3,135

Occupancy and equipment rental

     502      360

Professional fees

     285      224

Depreciation and amortization

     196      153

Business development

     419      380

Insurance

     433      302

Other

     540      460
             

Total non-interest expenses

     12,977      10,192
             

Income before income tax expense and minority interest

     3,368      1,577

Income tax expense

     1,232      572
             

Income before minority interest

     2,136      1,005

Minority interest in income of consolidated entity

        13
             

Net income

   $ 2,136    $ 992
             

Earnings per share:

     

Basic

   $ 0.28    $ 0.14
             

Diluted

   $ 0.26    $ 0.12
             

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

     

Basic

     7,499      7,186
             

Diluted

     8,184      8,037
             
     

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     2006    2005

Revenues:

     

Sales of physical commodities

   $ 15,883    $ —  

Net dealer inventory and investment gains

     8,250      6,020

Equity in income from asset management joint venture

     129      30

Other

     399      107
             

Total revenues

     24,661      6,157

Cost of sales of physical commodities

     15,645      —  
             

Operating revenues

     9,016      6,157

Interest expense

     472      296
             

Net revenues

     8,544      5,861

Non-interest expenses:

     

Compensation and benefits

     3,620      2,559

Clearing and related expenses

     1,941      1,705

Occupancy and equipment rental

     248      187

Professional fees

     156      113

Depreciation and amortization

     107      79

Business development

     248      202

Insurance

     219      169

Other

     320      264
             

Total non-interest expenses

     6,859      5,278
             

Income before income tax expense and minority interest

     1,685      583

Income tax expense

     595      197
             

Income before minority interest

     1,090      386

Minority interest in income of consolidated entity

     —        7
             

Net income

   $ 1,090    $ 379
             

Earnings per share:

     

Basic

   $ 0.14    $ 0.05
             

Diluted

   $ 0.13    $ 0.05
             

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

     

Basic

     7,561      7,289
             

Diluted

     8,241      8,075
             

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     2006     2005  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 2,136     $ 992  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposals

     196       153  

Deferred income taxes

     —         153  

Equity in income from asset management joint venture

     (216 )     (69 )

Amortization of stock option expense for consultants

     12    

Unrealized investment gain from INTL Consilium managed funds

     (96 )     (87 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organization

     (18,962 )     (4,060 )

Receivable from customers

     (3,735 )     (1,207 )

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

     (2,328 )     (13,226 )

Physical commodities inventory, at cost

     (10,270 )  

Income taxes receivable

     —         27  

Other assets

     (235 )     (189 )

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

     7,778       12,035  

Accounts payable

     (36 )     (139 )

Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organization

     (3,250 )     (8,821 )

Payable to customers

     11,269       5,555  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     276       (922 )

Accrued expenses

     252       172  

Income taxes payable

     175       253  

Other liabilities

     (41 )     305  
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (17,075 )     (9,075 )
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Distribution of earnings from asset management joint venture

     296    

Payments related to acquisition of INTL Global Currencies

     (800 )  

Investment in INTL Consilium managed fund

     (1,005 )  

Purchase of fixed assets and leasehold improvements

     (268 )     (98 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,777 )     (98 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Payable to banks under loans and overdrafts

     16,633       (41 )

Exercise of stock options

     425       639  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     17,058       598  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,794 )     (8,575 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     20,242       21,084  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 18,448     $ 12,509  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 968     $ 473  
                

Income taxes paid

   $ 1,068     $ 138  
                

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:

    

Assumption of trust certificates, at cost, net of partial releases, with related financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at market value and receivable from customers

   $ —       $ 29,740  
                

Consolidation of INTL Consilium sponsored fund

   $ —       $ 1,376  
                
    

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions and requirements of Form 10-QSB and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, such financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, cash flows and financial position for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Revenues Reported on Gross Basis

In accordance with the guidelines provided in Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 99-19, the Company has determined that revenues of the Company’s physical base metals trading business, which commenced in October 2005, should be reported on a gross basis, with the corresponding cost of sales shown separately. This matter is discussed further in note 17, under the sub-heading ‘Commodities Trading’.

Current Subsidiaries and Operations

As used in this Form 10-QSB, the term “Company” refers, unless the context requires otherwise, to International Assets Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Company’s subsidiaries are INTL Trading, Inc. (“INTL Trading”), INTL Commodities, Inc. (“INTL Commodities”), INTL Assets, Inc. (“INTL Assets”), INTL Holding (U.K.) Limited, INTL Global Currencies Limited (“INTL Global Currencies”) and IAHC (Bermuda) Ltd. The Company also owns a 50.1% interest in INTL Consilium, LLC (“INTL Consilium”), an investment advisory firm that focuses on the emerging market asset class. INTL Consilium is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company operates as a wholesale international financial firm in five business segments – international equities market making, international debt capital markets, foreign exchange trading, commodities trading and asset management. The majority of the trading and market-making activities are undertaken as principal in order to provide our institutional customers with efficient execution and liquidity in these markets. Periodically the Company may take proprietary positions in these markets. The Company:

 

    is a leading U.S. market-maker in select foreign securities, including unlisted American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”), foreign common shares and OTC domestic bulletin board stocks;

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

    trades actively in a wide variety of international debt instruments and arranges international debt transactions;

 

    trades select illiquid currencies of developing countries;

 

    provides a full range of trading and hedging capabilities in select precious metals and base metals to producers, refiners, recyclers and consumers, including trading of physical metals; and

 

    through INTL Consilium, provides investment advisory services.

 

(2) Stock-Based Employee Compensation

In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which generally permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all stock-based awards calculated on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of Accounting Principals Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, which provides that compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price and if disclosure is made on a pro forma basis of the expense which would have been recognized if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the required pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.

If the Company had determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would be as reflected in the pro-forma amounts indicated below:

 

For the six months ended March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

   2006     2005  

Net income

    

As reported

   $ 2,136     $ 992  

Pro forma option compensation expense

    

Pro forma

     (297 )     (219 )
                

Net income

    

Pro forma

   $ 1,839     $ 773  
                

Basic earnings per share

    

As reported

   $ 0.28     $ 0.14  

Pro forma

   $ 0.24     $ 0.11  

Diluted earnings per share

    

As reported

   $ 0.26     $ 0.12  

Pro forma

   $ 0.22     $ 0.10  

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

For the three months ended March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

   2006     2005  

Net income

    

As reported

   $ 1,090     $ 379  

Pro forma option compensation expense

    

Pro forma

     (140 )     (101 )
                

Net income

    

Pro forma

   $ 950     $ 278  
                

Basic earnings per share

    

As reported

   $ 0.14     $ 0.05  

Pro forma

   $ 0.12     $ 0.04  

Diluted earnings per share

    

As reported

   $ 0.13     $ 0.05  

Pro forma

   $ 0.11     $ 0.03  

 

(3) Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Interpretations

There have been no accounting pronouncements or interpretations since the date of preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 that have had an effect on the Company.

 

(4) Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Options to purchase 78,200 and 53,750 shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, because the exercise prices of these options exceeded the average market price of the common stock for the period (i.e. they were anti-dilutive). Options to purchase 68,750 and 53,750 shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, because the exercise prices of these options exceeded the average market price of the common stock for the period (i.e. they were anti-dilutive).

 

For the six months ended March 31,

   2006    2005
     (In thousands,
except per share amounts)

Diluted earnings per share

     

Numerator:

     

Net income

   $ 2,136    $ 992

Denominator:

     

Weighted average number of:

     

Common shares outstanding

     7,499      7,186

Dilutive potential common shares outstanding

     685      851
             
     8,184      8,037
             

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.26    $ 0.12

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

For the three months ended March 31,

   2006    2005
     (In thousands,
except per share amounts)

Diluted earnings per share

     

Numerator:

     

Net income

   $ 1,090    $ 379

Denominator:

     

Weighted average number of:

     

Common shares outstanding

     7,561      7,289

Dilutive potential common shares outstanding

     680      786
             
     8,241      8,075
             

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.13    $ 0.05

 

(5) Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

 

(6) Investment in Asset Management Joint Venture

The Company is the owner of a 50.1% interest in INTL Consilium. The remaining 49.9% is owned by Consilium Investment Capital, Inc. (“CIC”). The Company is entitled to receive 50.1% of the profits and losses of INTL Consilium. The Company and CIC are each entitled to appoint two of the four directors of INTL Consilium. Two principals of CIC actively manage the business of INTL Consilium. The Company has assessed the joint venture using the consolidation criteria in FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 46R and concluded that INTL Consilium is not a variable interest entity. Accordingly, the Company assessed the consolidation criteria established by EITF Issue No. 96-16 by reviewing the voting rights of each investor in INTL Consilium and, due to certain specified operating matters that require board approval, concluded that its investment in INTL Consilium should be accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting. During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company received a cash distribution of earnings from INTL Consilium of $296,000 for its 50.1% share.

For the six months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 the Company recorded revenue of $216,000 and $69,000, respectively, representing the Company’s equity in the net income of INTL Consilium. Below are the unaudited condensed statements of operations of INTL Consilium for the six months and quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the condensed balance sheets at March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

INTL Consilium, LLC

Condensed Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

 

For the six months ended March 31,

   2006    2005

Total revenues

   $ 1,144    $ 572

Expenses

     713      432
             

Net income

   $ 431    $ 140
             

For the three months ended March 31,

   2006    2005

Total revenues

   $ 659    $ 300

Expenses

     401      238
             

Net income

   $ 258    $ 62
             

INTL Consilium, LLC

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

     March 31,
2006
   September 30,
2005
Assets      

Cash

   $ 126    $ 214

Management and investment advisory fees receivable

     383      574

Investment in INTL Consilium managed funds

     481      297

Property and equipment, net

     30      27

Other assets

     90      34
             

Total assets

   $ 1,110    $ 1,146
             
Liabilities and Members’ Equity      

Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 200    $ 35

Accrued compensation and benefits

     84      158

Accrued expenses

     32   
             

Total liabilities

     316      193

Members’ equity

     794      953
             

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 1,110    $ 1,146
             

 

(7) Investment in INTL Consilium managed funds

As of March 31, 2006, the Company has investments valued at $4,371,000 in two hedge funds managed by INTL Consilium. The Company owns a 50.1% interest in INTL Consilium.

 

(8) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company acquired the foreign exchange business of INTL Global Currencies in 2004. The purchase price paid by the Company for the acquisition exceeded the net asset value received by $2,489,000. Of this amount, $350,000 was allocated to intangible assets and the balance of $2,139,000 was treated as goodwill. The Company has accrued additional goodwill of $3,934,000 under the earn-out provisions of the purchase

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

agreement. As of March 31, 2006, the Company has paid $2,362,000 of the additional goodwill. The balance of the additional goodwill accrual of $1,572,000 is reported as deferred acquisition consideration payable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The goodwill related to the INTL Global Currencies acquisition is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

      

Cash premium paid to sellers

   $ 1,000  

Cash paid for net assets received

     3,577  

Negotiation differences for fixed assets and stamp duty

     (50 )

Legal and accounting fees

     67  

Value of 150,000 common shares at $9.81 per share

     1,472  
        

Total payments of cash and shares

     6,066  

Less: Fair value of net assets received

     3,577  

Less: Intangible assets identified by independent valuation

     350  
        

Initial goodwill

     2,139  

Additional goodwill under earnout

     3,934  
        

Total goodwill

   $ 6,073  
        

The additional goodwill will be calculated for each period as each earn-out payment is earned and an adjustment will be recorded to goodwill. The first three earn-out installments totaling $2,362,000 have been paid. The fourth earn-out installment of $400,000 is due on or by May 30, 2006. Three additional minimum payments of $391,000 each are due on or by August 29, 2006, November 29, 2006 and March 1, 2007. These quarterly payments have a maximum ceiling of $400,000. The Company may be required to make additional payments equal to 10% of revenues exceeding $10,000,000 for the twelve month period ending June 30, 2006, and 10% of revenue exceeding $5,000,000 for the six month period ending December 31, 2006.

The intangible assets identified by an independent valuation related to the INTL Global Currencies acquisition are as follows:

 

Intangible assets

(In thousands)

   March 31,
2006
   September 30,
2005

Noncompete agreement

   $ 150    $ 150

Trade name

     100      100

Customer base

     100      100
             

Total intangible assets

     350      350

Less: Amortization of intangible assets

     175      117
             

Intangible assets, net

   $ 175    $ 233
             

The intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives of three years.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(9) Related Party Transactions

One of the Company’s principal shareholders has made an investment, valued at approximately $99,000,000 as of March 31, 2006, in a hedge fund managed by INTL Consilium. An executive of this shareholder is a director of the Company.

 

(10) Financial Instruments Owned and Financial Instruments Sold, Not Yet Purchased, at Market Value

Financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005 consisted of trading and investment financial instruments at market values as follows:

 

     Owned    Sold, not yet
purchased
     (In thousands)

March 31, 2006:

     

Common stock and American Depository Receipts

   $ 2,882    $ 4,205

Exchangeable foreign ordinary equities and American Depository Receipts

     35,564      35,726

Corporate and municipal bonds

     2,051   

Foreign government obligations

     2,924      1,564

Negotiable instruments (promissory notes)

     3,007   

U.S. Treasury Bonds under total return swap transactions

        24,756

Options and futures

     26,809      21,467

Commodities

     437      12,273

Other investments

     30   
             
   $ 73,704    $ 99,991
             

 

     Owned    Sold, not yet
purchased
     (In thousands)

September 30, 2005:

     

Common stock and American Depository Receipts

   $ 2,638    $ 4,155

Exchangeable foreign ordinary equities and American Depository Receipts

     28,707      28,919

Corporate and municipal bonds

     3,873      255

Foreign government obligations

     1,183      2,479

Negotiable instruments (promissory notes)

     7,777   

U.S. Treasury Bonds under total return swap transactions

        24,558

Options and futures

     3,338      3,182

Commodities

     23,823      28,451

U.S. Government obligations

        17

Other investments

     37   
             
   $ 71,376    $ 92,016
             

 

(11) Physical Commodities Inventory

The Company commenced physical base metals trading activities during the quarter ended December 31, 2005. The Company owned physical base metals inventory, valued at cost, of $10,270,000 as of March 31, 2006. Physical base metals inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined using the specific identification weighted average price method.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(12) Trust Certificates and Total Return Swap

During the quarter ended December 31, 2004, the Company entered into a series of financial transactions (the “Transactions”) with an unaffiliated financial institution in Latin America for a transaction fee. These Transactions involved three distinct and simultaneous steps:

 

  a) the acquisition by the Company of beneficial interests (“Trust Interests”) in certain trusts (the “Trusts”) in exchange for the assumption of a liability to deliver securities, at a transaction value of $29,740,000. This step did not require any prior purchase or delivery of securities by the Company. The Trusts were previously established by the financial institution to hold a variety of real estate assets;

 

  b) the entry into a repurchase agreement under the terms of which the Company notionally repurchased these undelivered securities for cash, at a price of $29,740,000;

 

  c) the entry into a total return swap (“TRS”) agreement.

 

  i) Under the TRS agreement the Company received, on a notional basis, the cash amount of $29,740,000 as collateral for the potential liability of the financial institution to the Company.

 

  ii) Receivables or payables arising from the TRS should leave the Company unaffected by any changes in the values of the Trust Interests or securities deliverable.

 

  iii) When the Transactions terminate in November 2007 the Company intends to sell the Trust Interests at their then prevailing market values. As part of the Transactions, the gain or loss arising from the change in market value of the Trust Interests will be passed to the financial institution.

 

  iv) The Company has obtained legal advice on the Transactions and believes that the TRS agreement has been structured in such a way as to fully offset any changes in the value of the Trust Interests against its liability to deliver certain securities to the financial institution.

The initial transaction value was $29,740,000. During September 2005, the Company sold Trust Interests for $5,201,000, the price at which they were acquired, and released a proportionate share of the securities referred to in b) above from the repurchase arrangement.

Under FIN 39 the nominal payment and receipt of an equal amount of cash as described in b) and c) i) above have a net effect of zero on the Company’s cash position, represent transactions with a single counterparty and may therefore be offset. Under FIN 39 the asset of securities receivable under the repurchase agreement in b) may be offset against the collateral liability of the Company in c) ii), since they involve an asset and liability position with a single counterparty.

The net result is that the Company reports the effects of a) above as an increase in assets of $24,539,000 (represented by the Trust Interests), and the assumption of a liability to deliver securities. Over time, as the values of the Trust Interests and securities deliverable may change, the Company will experience equal and offsetting changes in the values of the TRS receivables or payables. Although the Transactions will temporarily increase the Company’s assets and liabilities until termination, the Company expects that the only impact of the transactions on the Company’s net cash flow will be the Company’s receipt of fee revenue.

The total fees received and to be received on the Transactions, as well as the associated variable compensation payable, are spread on a straight-line basis over the terms of the Transactions. Non-refundable fees received but not yet recognized as revenue, amounting to $128,000, appear as a liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as at March 31, 2006 under “Other liabilities”. Non-recoverable costs incurred in connection with the Transactions but not yet recognized as expenses, amounting to $38,000, appear as an asset under “Other assets” at the same date.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(13) Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company is party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business as a broker-dealer and trader in securities, foreign exchange and commodities. The Company has sold financial instruments that it does not currently own and will therefore be obligated to purchase such financial instruments at a future date. The Company has recorded these obligations in its condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2006 at market values of the related financial instruments (totaling $99,991,000). The Company will incur losses if the market value of the financial instruments increases after March 31, 2006. The total of $99,991,000 includes $21,467,000 for options and futures contracts, which represent a liability of the Company based on their market values as of March 31, 2006.

Listed below is the fair value of trading-related derivatives as of March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005. Assets represent net unrealized gains and liabilities represent net unrealized losses.

 

(In thousands)

  

March 31,
2006

Assets

  

March 31,

2006
Liabilities

  

September 30,
2005

Assets

  

September 30,

2005
Liabilities

Interest Rate Derivatives

   $ —      $ —      $ 29    $ —  

Foreign Exchange Derivatives

     37      29      17   

Commodity Price Derivatives

     26,772      21,438      3,292      3,182
                           

Total

   $ 26,809    $ 21,467    $ 3,338    $ 3,182
                           

Options and futures contracts held by the Company result from its customers’ market-making and proprietary trading activities in the commodities trading and foreign exchange business segments. The Company assists its commodities customers in protecting the value of their future production (precious or base metals) by selling them put options on an OTC basis. The Company also provides its commodities customers with sophisticated option products, including combinations of buying and selling puts and calls. The Company mitigates its risk by effecting offsetting OTC options with market counterparties or through the purchase or sale of commodities futures traded through the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The risk mitigation of offsetting options is not within the documented hedging designation requirements of SFAS No. 133.

These derivative contracts are traded along with cash transactions because of the integrated nature of the markets for such products. The Company manages the risks associated with derivatives on an aggregate basis along with the risks associated with its proprietary trading and market-making activities in cash instruments as part of its firm-wide risk management policies.

In the normal course of business, the Company purchases and sells financial instruments and foreign currency as either principal or agent on behalf of its customers. If either the customer or counterparty fails to perform, the Company may be required to discharge the obligations of the nonperforming party. In such circumstances, the Company may sustain a loss if the market value of the financial instrument or foreign currency is different from the contract value of the transaction.

The majority of the Company’s transactions and, consequently, the concentration of its credit exposure is with customers, broker-dealers and other financial institutions. These activities primarily involve collateralized and uncollateralized arrangements and may result in credit exposure in the event that the counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company’s exposure to credit risk can be directly impacted by volatile financial markets, which may impair the ability of counterparties to satisfy their

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

contractual obligations. The Company seeks to control its credit risk through a variety of reporting and control procedures, including establishing credit limits based upon a review of the counterparties’ financial condition and credit ratings. The Company monitors collateral levels on a daily basis for compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines and requests changes in collateral levels as appropriate.

 

(14) Payable to Banks Under Loans and Overdrafts

At March 31, 2006, the Company had five lines of credit with four commercial banks totaling $53,000,000. Four of the credit facilities are secured by certain assets. Total interest expense related to the Company’s credit facilities was approximately $365,000 and $593,000 for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2006, respectively. The interest rate terms for the facilities range from 2.25% to 2.75% over the London Interbank Offered Rates (‘LIBOR’) (approximately 4.8% at March 31, 2006).

At March 31, 2006 the Company had the following credit facilities:

 

  Maximum  
Amount
   Borrowing at
March 31, 2006
  

Security

   Maturity  
(In thousands)            
$ 10,000    $ 6,441    Certain foreign exchange assets    March 31, 2007  
  8,000      7,832    Unsecured    March 31, 2007 (a)
  10,000      8,724    Certain commodities assets    On demand  
  15,000      6,450    Certain commodities assets    On demand  
  10,000      0    Certain trade finance assets    On demand  
                
$ 53,000    $ 29,447      
                

(a) $4,000 matures on March 31, 2007 and $4,000 on demand

In addition, the Company has a $6,218,000 credit facility with a commercial bank for the exclusive purpose of issuing letters of credit. This line of credit requires a 20% cash margin deposit and requires the security of the assets covered by the letter of credit. Letters of credit issued under this facility totaled $6,218,000 at March 31, 2006.

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

At March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the components of the net borrowing under the credit facilities were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
U.S. dollar
equivalent
   September 30,
2005
U.S. dollar
equivalent
     (In thousands)

Payable to Banks: banks:

     

Lines of credit

     

Australian Dollar

   $ —      $ 10

Canadian Dollar

     75   

Danish Krone

        135

Euro

     762      1,175

Norwegian Krona

     136   

South African Rand

        314

Swedish Krona

     25   

Swiss Francs

     223      442

United Kingdom Pound Sterling

     2,308   

United States Dollar

     25,918      7,771
             

Total payable under lines of credit

     29,447      9,847

Overdrafts with financial institutions United States Dollar

     33      3,000
             

Total payable to banks under loans and overdrafts

   $ 29,480    $ 12,847
             

 

(15) Capital and Cash Reserve Requirements

INTL Trading is a member of the NASD and is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1. This Rule requires the maintenance of minimum net capital in an amount equal to the greater of $100,000, 6 2/3% of aggregate indebtedness, or $2,500 for each security in which a market is made with a bid price over $5 and $1,000 for each security in which a market is made with a bid price of $5 or less with a ceiling of $1,000,000, and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital not exceed 15 to 1. Equity capital may not be withdrawn if the resulting net capital ratio would exceed 10 to 1. At March 31, 2006, INTL Trading’s net capital was approximately $5,773,000 which was approximately $4,773,000 in excess of its minimum requirement of $1,000,000. Its ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 1.63 to 1 and the percentage of debt to debt-equity total computed in accordance with Rule 15c3-1(d) was 22%. INTL Trading’s net capital at March 31, 2006 included a subordinated loan of $2,500,000 made by the Company to INTL Trading in May 2004, with a scheduled maturity date of June 5, 2006. This loan was pre-paid on April 28, 2006, with the written consent of the NASD.

INTL Trading is exempt from SEC Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to the exemptive provision under subparagraph (k)(2)(ii) and, therefore, is not required to maintain a “Special Reserve Bank Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers”.

 

(16) Stock Options

During the six months ended March 31, 2006, the Company granted stock options covering 156,300 shares of common stock. During the six months ended March 31, 2006, stock options covering 150,400 shares of common stock were exercised and 4,700 shares expired. On March 8, 2006, the shareholders approved an amendment to the 2003 International Assets Holding Corporation Stock Option Plan to increase the number

 

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INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

of shares authorized from 1,000,000 shares to 1,500,000 shares. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding options covering a total of 1,009,716 shares of common stock and had 615,168 shares available for issuance under its existing option plans.

Stock options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2006 consisted of the following:

 

Options

Granted

  

Grant Date

  

Exercise Price

Per Share

  

Expiration

Date

  

Exercisable

23,850

   11/01/05    $ 8.45    11/30/05    (a)

58,000

   12/02/05    $ 8.80    12/02/09    (b)

65,000

   12/02/05    $ 10.12    12/02/09    (b)

9,450

   02/01/06    $ 9.34    02/28/06    (c)
             

156,300

           
             

(a) 100% exercisable on or after November 1, 2005. Options covering 20,150 shares were exercised by November 30, 2005 and options covering 3,700 shares expired.
(b) Exercisable at 33% after year one, 33% after year two and 34% after year three.
(c) 100% exercisable on or after February 1, 2006. Options covering 8,450 shares were exercised by February 28, 2006 and options covering 1,000 shares expired.

The Company did not recognize any compensation expense in connection with the grant of stock options covering 136,300 shares during the six months ended March 31, 2006, because the exercise price on the date of grant for each option was equal to or greater than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. During the six month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized an additional $12,000 of non-cash expense related to the grant of 20,000 nonqualified stock options made on December 2, 2005 to two consultants of the Company in accordance with EITF Issue No. 96-18 and EITF Issue No. 00-18. The total expense of $12,000 was determined by utilizing an amortization period equal to the vesting period for the options and calculating the options’ value based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

(17) Segment Analysis

International Assets Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries form a financial services group focused on select international securities and commodities markets. The Company’s activities are currently divided into five functional areas — international equities market-making, international debt capital markets, foreign exchange trading, commodities trading and asset management. The Company’s asset management activities will not be separately reported until certain asset and revenue levels are achieved.

The majority of the trading and market-making activities are undertaken as principal in order to provide institutional customers with efficient execution and liquidity in these markets. Periodically the Company takes proprietary positions in these markets.

International Equities Market-making:

Through INTL Trading, the Company acts as a wholesale market maker in select foreign securities including unlisted ADRs and foreign ordinary shares. INTL Trading provides execution and liquidity to national broker-dealers, regional broker-dealers and institutional investors.

International Debt Capital Markets:

The Company actively trades a wide variety of international debt instruments including both investment grade and higher yielding emerging market bonds with particular focus on smaller emerging market sovereign, corporate and bank bonds that trade worldwide on an over-the-counter basis. The Company also

 

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Table of Contents

INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

arranges international debt transactions for issuers located primarily in emerging markets. These transactions include bond issues, syndicated loans, asset securitizations as well as forms of other negotiable debt instruments. The revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities relating to the Trust Certificate and Total Return Swap discussed in note 12 are included in this segment.

Foreign Exchange Trading:

The Company trades select illiquid currencies of developing countries. The Company’s target customers are financial institutions, multi-national corporations, governmental and charitable organizations operating in these developing countries. In addition, the Company executes trades based on the foreign currency flows inherent in the Company’s existing international securities activities. The Company primarily acts as a principal in buying and selling foreign currencies on a spot basis. The Company derives revenue from the difference between the purchase and sale prices.

Commodities Trading

The Company provides a full range of trading and hedging capabilities to select producers, consumers, recyclers and investors in precious metals and certain base metals. Acting as a principal, the Company commits its own capital to buy and sell the metals on a spot and forward basis.

In accordance with the guidelines provided in EITF Issue No. 99-19, the Company has determined that revenues from the Company’s base metals trading business, should be reported on a gross basis because these commodities are physically delivered and not readily convertible to cash. All the Company’s other businesses, including the precious metals trading business, also falling within the ‘Commodities Trading’ segment, report their revenues on a net basis. Inventory for the base metals business is valued at the lower of cost or market value. The Company generally mitigates the price risk associated with physical base metals held in inventory through the use of derivatives. This price risk mitigation does not generally qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP. In such situations, unrealized gains in inventory are not recognized under GAAP, but unrealized gains and losses in related derivative positions are recognized under GAAP. As a result, during periods of rising commodity prices, the Company’s reported commodities trading earnings may be reduced.

Other

All other transactions that do not relate to the operating segments above are classified as ‘Other’. Certain cash accounts and balances were maintained to support the administration of all of the operating segments. These multi-segment assets were allocated to ‘Other’. Revenue reported for ‘Other’ includes interest income but not interest expense; and the gain or loss on the Company’s asset management joint venture, which is accounted for by the equity method.

The total revenues as reported for the six months and three months ended March 31, 2006, respectively, are not comparable with the total revenues reported for prior periods because they combine gross revenues for the physical base metals business and net revenues for all other businesses. In order to achieve comparability, and to reflect the way that the Company’s management views the results, the tables below also reflect the segmental contribution to ‘Operating revenues’, which is shown on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and which is calculated by deducting physical commodities cost of sales from total revenues.

Segment data includes the profitability measure of net contribution by segment. Net contribution is one of the key measures used by management to assess the performance of each segment and for decisions regarding the allocation of the Company’s resources. Net contribution is calculated as revenue less direct cost of sales, clearing and clearing related charges and variable trader compensation. Variable trader compensation represents a fixed percentage of an amount equal to revenues produced less clearing and related charges, base salaries and an overhead allocation.

 

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Table of Contents

INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Inter-segment revenues, charges, receivables and payables are eliminated between segments, excepting revenues and costs related to foreign currency transactions done at arm’s length by the foreign exchange trading business for the equity and debt trading business. The foreign exchange trading business competes for this business as it does for any other business. If its rates are not competitive the equity and debt trading businesses buy or sell their foreign currency through other market counter-parties. The profit or loss made by the foreign exchange trading business on these transactions is not quantifiable.

Information concerning operations in these segments of business is shown in accordance with SFAS No. 131 as follows:

 

For the six months ended March 31,

   2006    2005
     (In thousands)

Revenues:

     

International equities market-making

   $ 8,353    $ 5,683

International debt capital markets

     1,325      1,112

Foreign exchange trading

     5,513      4,512

Commodities trading

     28,007      635

Other

     513      300
             

Total

   $ 43,711    $ 12,242
             

Operating revenues

     

International equities market-making

   $ 8,353    $ 5,683

International debt capital markets

     1,325      1,112

Foreign exchange trading

     5,513      4,512

Commodities trading

     1,642      635

Interest income and other

     513      300
             

Total

   $ 17,346    $ 12,242
             

Net contribution:

     

(Revenue less cost of sales, clearing and related and variable trader compensation):

     

International equities market-making

   $ 4,200    $ 2,465

International debt capital markets

     1,081      777

Foreign exchange trading

     4,214      3,434

Commodities trading

     874      440
             

Total

   $ 10,369    $ 7,116
             

Reconciliation of net contribution to income before income tax expense:

     

Net contribution allocated to segments

   $ 10,369    $ 7,116

Fixed costs not allocated to operating segments

     7,001      5,539
             

Income before income taxes and minority interest

   $ 3,368    $ 1,577
             

 

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Table of Contents

INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

For the three months ended March 31,

   2006    2005
     (In thousands)

Revenues:

     

International equities market-making

   $ 4,992    $ 3,166

International debt capital markets

     447      484

Foreign exchange trading

     3,149      2,177

Commodities trading

     15,843      164

Other

     230      166
             

Total

   $ 24,661    $ 6,157
             

Operating revenues

     

International equities market-making

   $ 4,992    $ 3,166

International debt capital markets

     447      484

Foreign exchange trading

     3,149      2,177

Commodities trading

     198      164

Interest income and other

     230      166
             

Total

   $ 9,016    $ 6,157
             

Net contribution:

     

(Revenue less cost of sales, clearing and related and variable trader compensation):

     

International equities market-making

   $ 2,593    $ 1,409

International debt capital markets

     395      333

Foreign exchange trading

     2,412      1,641

Commodities trading

     30      102
             

Total

   $ 5,430    $ 3,485
             

Reconciliation of net contribution to income before income tax expense:

     

Net contribution allocated to segments

   $ 5,430    $ 3,485

Fixed costs not allocated to operating segments

     3,745      2,902

Income before income taxes and minority interest

   $ 1,685    $ 583

 

March 31,

   2006    2005
     (In thousands)

Total assets:

     

International equities market-making

   $ 44,512    $ 17,898

International debt capital markets

     36,370      39,232

Foreign exchange trading

     29,965      30,915

Commodities trading

     65,229      15,094

Other

     5,988      6,661
             

Total

   $ 182,064    $ 109,800
             

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including adverse changes in economic, political and market conditions, losses from the Company’s market-making and trading activities arising from counter-party failures and changes in market conditions, the possible loss of key personnel, the impact of increasing competition, the impact of changes in government regulation, the possibility of liabilities arising from violations of federal and state securities laws and the impact of changes in technology in the securities and commodities trading industries. Although the Company believes that its forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding its business and future market conditions, there can be no assurances that the Company’s actual results will not differ materially from any results expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.

Principal Activities

The Company’s principal activities include market-making and trading in international financial instruments, foreign currencies and commodities, and asset management. The markets in which the Company operates are highly competitive and volatile. The Company has little or no control over many of the factors which affect its operations. As a result, the Company’s earnings are subject to potentially wide fluctuations. The Company seeks to counteract many of these influences by focusing on niche, uncorrelated markets and, when possible, linking the Company’s expenses to revenues.

The Company believes that it continues to make significant progress in its effort to build a diversified financial services firm focusing on niche markets. During the last three years, the Company has successfully acquired or established businesses in key product areas and geographic locations. The Company’s activities are currently divided into international equities market-making, international debt capital markets, foreign exchange trading, commodities trading and asset management. As a result of the growth in the foreign exchange trading business following the July 2004 acquisition of INTL Global Currencies and the recent growth in the Company’s commodities trading business, the Company believes that it is now less vulnerable to cycles in individual product areas. The Company believes that its strategy of linking expenses to revenues will also help to lessen the negative impact of adverse market conditions which occur periodically in international securities and financial markets.

The Company is currently focused on increasing revenue and market share for each of its established business activities.

Results of Operations

Set forth below is the Company’s discussion of the results of its operations for the first six months of the fiscal years ending September 30, 2006 and 2005 (respectively ‘YTD 2006’ and ‘YTD 2005’), and the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (respectively ‘Q2 2006’ and ‘Q2 2005’).

The Company’s total revenues in fiscal 2006 include the gross sales of the Company’s physical base metals business, which commenced in October 2005 and provides physical delivery of base metals to customers. Certain features of this business make it ineligible for net reporting of its revenues under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All the Company’s other businesses report their revenues on a net basis. The total revenues as reported during fiscal 2006 are not comparable with the total revenues reported for prior periods because they combine gross revenues for the physical base metals business and net revenues for all other businesses. The Company’s management views ‘Operating revenues’, shown on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and calculated by deducting cost of sales from total revenues, as a more meaningful number for comparison with prior periods.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company’s operating revenues Q2 2006 increased 46% to $9,016,000 from $6,157,000 for Q2 2005. Total non-interest expenses for Q2 2006 were $6,859,000, 30% higher than those the $5,278,000 in Q2 2005, while interest expense increased by $176,000 to $472,000. The Company’s net income increased from $379,000 during Q2 2005 to $1,090,000 during Q2 2006. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and minority interest (“EBITDA”), reconciled to net income in a table below, increased by 153% from $876,000 to $2,212,000.

Physical base metals held in inventory are valued at the lower of cost or market. This is in contrast to all of the Company’s other inventory positions, which are marked at fair value.

The Company generally mitigates the price risk associated with physical base metals held in inventory through the use of derivatives. This price risk mitigation does not generally qualify for hedge accounting under generally accepted accounting principles (‘GAAP’). In such situations, unrealized gains in inventory are not recognized under GAAP, but unrealized gains and losses in related derivative positions are recognized under GAAP.

As a result, during periods of rising commodity prices, the Company’s reported commodities trading earnings may be reduced. The commodities trading business contributed $198,000 to the Company’s operating revenues in Q2 2006, representing 2% of the total, compared with $164,000 in Q2 2005 (3% of the total).

Strong performances in the international equities market-making and foreign exchange trading businesses during Q2 2006 compensated for the comparatively small contributions by the international debt capital markets and commodities trading businesses, demonstrating the benefits of the Company’s diversification into non-correlated markets.

Six Months Ended March 31, 2006 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2005

The following table reflects the sources of the Company’s operating revenues as a percentage of the Company’s total operating revenues for YTD 2006 and YTD 2005.

 

     Percentage of
total operating
revenues
    Percentage of
total operating
revenues
    Percentage
change
 
     YTD 2006     YTD 2005     2005-2006  

International equities market-making

   48 %   47 %   47 %

International debt capital markets

   8 %   9 %   19 %

Foreign exchange trading

   32 %   37 %   22 %

Commodities trading

   9 %   5 %   159 %

Other

   3 %   2 %   71 %
                  

Total operating revenues

   100 %   100 %   42 %
                  

 

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Table of Contents

The Company utilizes net contribution to assess performance of the Company’s business segments. Net contribution consists of operating revenues from each business activity, less cost of sales, direct clearing and clearing related charges and variable trader compensation. The following table reflects the sources of the Company’s net contribution as a percentage of the Company’s total net contribution for YTD 2006 and YTD 2005.

 

     Percentage of total
net contribution
    Percentage of total
net contribution
    Percentage
change
 
     YTD 2006     YTD 2005     2005-2006  

International equities market-making

   41 %   35 %   70 %

International debt capital markets

   10 %   11 %   39 %

Foreign exchange trading

   41 %   48 %   23 %

Commodities trading

   8 %   6 %   99 %
                  

Total net contribution

   100 %   100 %   46 %
                  

The following table reflects the principal components of the Company’s non-interest expenses as a percentage of the Company’s total non-interest expenses for YTD 2006 and YTD 2005.

 

    

Percentage of

total non-interest
expenses

   

Percentage of

total non-interest
expenses

    Percentage
change
 
     YTD 2006     YTD 2005     2005-2006  

Compensation and benefits

   54 %   51 %   36 %

Clearing and related expenses

   28 %   31 %   13 %

Occupancy and equipment rental

   4 %   3 %   39 %

Professional fees

   2 %   2 %   27 %

Depreciation and amortization

   2 %   2 %   28 %

Business development

   3 %   4 %   10 %

Insurance

   3 %   3 %   43 %

Other expenses

   4 %   4 %   17 %
                  

Total non-interest expenses

   100 %   100 %   27 %
                  

The following table shows the Company’s EBITDA, together with a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, for YTD 2006 and YTD 2005.

EBITDA, a financial measure that is not recognized under GAAP, should not be construed as earnings before income taxes, net earnings or cash from operating activities as determined by GAAP. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before (i) interest income; (ii) interest expense; (iii) income taxes; (iv) depreciation and amortization; and (v) minority shareholder. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently than the Company does.

 

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EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as an alternative to net income or as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or as an alternative to any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company has included this non-GAAP financial measure because it believes that it permits investors to make a more meaningful comparison of performance between periods presented. In addition, the Company’s covenants contained in the loan agreements with certain of its lenders require certain debt to EBITDA ratios be maintained, thus EBITDA is used by management and the Company’s lenders in evaluating the Company’s performance.

 

                

Percentage
change

 
(In thousands)    YTD
2006
    YTD
2005
    2005-2006  

EBITDA

   $ 4,372     $ 2,072     111 %

Interest income

     193       131    

Interest expense

     (1,001 )     (473 )  

Depreciation and amortization

     (196 )     (153 )  

Income tax

     (1,232 )     (572 )  
            

Minority shareholders

     —         (13 )  
                  

Net income

   $ 2,136     $ 992     115 %
                      

Net Income. The Company reported net income of $2,136,000 for YTD 2006, which equates to $0.28 per basic share and $0.26 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $992,000, or $0.14 per basic share and $0.12 per diluted share, for YTD 2005.

Total Revenues. The Company’s total revenues were $43,711,000 for YTD 2006 compared to $12,242,000 for YTD 2005. These two numbers are not comparable because the YTD 2006 figure includes the gross sales figure for the Company’s physical base metals trading business, which commenced in fiscal 2006, while the YTD 2005 figure represents net gains in all the Company’s businesses, as discussed under ‘Results of Operations’ above. Other than in the physical base metals trading business, net gains in all the Company’s businesses continue to be reported under ‘Total revenues’. As a result, the Company believes that operating revenues, which are revenues after deduction of cost of goods sold and are discussed below, provide a more meaningful basis for assessing the Company’s performance.

Operating Revenues. The Company’s total operating revenues increased 42% to $17,346,000 for YTD 2006 compared to $12,242,000 for YTD 2005. Equity market-making operating revenues increased by 47% to $8,353,000 for YTD 2006, from $5,683,000 for YTD 2005, due to significantly higher trade volumes. The foreign exchange trading business showed a 22% increase to $5,513,000 for YTD 2006, from $4,512,000 for YTD 2005, with higher trade volumes from existing and new customers. International debt capital markets operating revenues increased by 19%, to $1,325,000 for YTD 2006 from $1,112,000 for YTD 2005, in difficult trading conditions that showed sustained spread compression. Commodities trading operating revenues increased by 159% to $1,642,000 for YTD 2006, from $635,000 for YTD 2005.

Net Contribution. Net contribution consists of revenues less direct clearing and clearing related charges and variable trader compensation. Net contribution is one of the key measures used by management to assess the performance of each segment and for decisions regarding the allocation of the Company’s resources. The net contribution allocated to segments for YTD 2006 is $10,369,000 compared to $7,116,000 for YTD 2005. Equity market making revenues are stated before deduction of ADR conversion fees, while net contribution is stated after these fees.

Equity in Income from Asset Management Joint Venture. The Company recognized revenue of $216,000 from the asset management joint venture for YTD 2006, an increase of 213% from the $69,000 for YTD 2005. Total assets under management at March 31, 2006 were $350,000,000, of which approximately

 

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$150,000 were in funds sponsored by INTL Consilium and the balance of $200,000,000 were in a third party fund for which INTL Consilium acts as investment sub-adviser. Total assets under management were $96,000,000 at March 31, 2005. One of the Company’s principal shareholders had an investment of $99,000,000 in an INTL Consilium sponsored fund at March 31, 2006.

Interest Expense. The Company’s interest expense was $1,001,000 for YTD 2006, compared to $473,000 for YTD 2005. The expense for YTD 2006 consisted of approximately $147,000 in interest paid to banks in the INTL Global Currencies business, $368,000 of interest in the Company’s securities businesses and $486,000 of interest paid to banks in the commodities and debt capital markets businesses and for general borrowing purposes.

Total Non-interest Expenses. The Company’s total non-interest expenses increased by 27% to $12,977,000 for YTD 2006, from $10,192,000 for YTD 2005. The increases were primarily in compensation and benefits, clearing and related expenses, occupancy and insurance, and were directly attributable to the improved performance and expansion of the Company’s business.

Cost of Sales of Physical Commodities. As discussed above, the physical base metals trading business is reported on a gross basis, showing sales and cost of sales separately. The cost of sales is the cost of commodities sold and delivered to customers, including the cost of shipping, handling and storage.

Compensation and Benefits. The Company’s compensation and benefit expense increased 36% from $5,178,000 for YTD 2005 to $7,054,000 for YTD 2006. The increase was primarily a consequence of higher staff levels and improved performance, leading to increased variable compensation. At March 31, 2006 the Company had 75 employees, compared with 60 at March 31, 2005, an increase of 25%.

Clearing and Related Expenses. Clearing and related expenses increased by 13% from $3,135,000 for YTD 2005 to $3,548,000 for YTD 2006. The total ADR conversion fees were $1,229,000 and $1,041,000 for YTD 2006 and YTD 2005, respectively. The cost of clearing the increased volume of trades in the six months to March 31, 2006 was offset by a reduction in ticket charges following the Company’s change of clearing organization to the Broadcort division of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., in December 2005.

Occupancy and Equipment Rental. Occupancy and equipment rental expense increased by 39% from $360,000 for YTD 2005 to $502,000 for YTD 2006. This increase is primarily due to expansion into new office space in London with effect from December 2005 and the lease of increased information systems equipment.

Professional Fees. Professional fees principally consist of legal, taxation and accounting fees. These fees increased 27% from $224,000 for YTD 2005 to $285,000 for YTD 2006 mainly as a result of larger accruals for accounting, audit and tax fees in fiscal 2006.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 28% from $153,000 for YTD 2005 to $196,000 for YTD 2006. The Company incurred additional depreciation and amortization costs in YTD 2006 due to depreciation of additional fixed assets in the new London office, as well as additional computers for new employees.

Business Development Expense. Business development expense increased 10% from $380,000 for YTD 2005 to $419,000 for YTD 2006.

Insurance Expense. Insurance expense increased 43% from $302,000 for YTD 2005 to $433,000 for YTD 2006. The increase was primarily due to larger health insurance costs arising from higher staff levels and increased rates for liability insurance.

 

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Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses increased 17% from $460,000 for YTD 2005 to $540,000 for YTD 2006. The increase was primarily related to increased office moving expenses in London, which accounted for $69,000.

Tax Expense. The Company recognized income tax expense of $1,232,000 for YTD 2006 compared with $572,000 for YTD 2005. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 36.6% for YTD 2006 compared with 36.3% for YTD 2005.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

The following table reflects the sources of the Company’s operating revenues as a percentage of the Company’s total operating revenues for Q2 2006 and Q2 2005.

 

     Percentage of
total operating
revenues
    Percentage of
total operating
revenues
    Percentage
change
 
     Q2 2006     Q2 2005     2005-2006  

International equities market-making

   55 %   51 %   58 %

International debt capital markets

   5 %   8 %   -8 %

Foreign exchange trading

   35 %   35 %   45 %

Commodities trading

   2 %   3 %   21 %

Other

   3 %   3 %   39 %
                  

Total operating revenues

   100 %   100 %   46 %
                  

The Company utilizes net contribution to assess performance of the Company’s business segments. Net contribution consists of net operating revenues from each business activity, less direct clearing and clearing related changes and variable trader compensation. The following table reflects the sources of the Company’s net contribution as a percentage of the Company’s total net contribution for Q2 2006 and Q2 2005.

 

     Percentage of total
net contribution
    Percentage of total
net contribution
    Percentage
change
 
     Q2 2006     Q2 2005     2005-2006  

International equities market-making

   48 %   40 %   84 %

International debt capital markets

   7 %   10 %   19 %

Foreign exchange trading

   44 %   47 %   47 %

Commodities trading

   1 %   3 %   -71 %
                  

Total net contribution

   100 %   100 %   56 %
                  

 

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The following table reflects the principal components of the Company’s non-interest expenses as a percentage of the Company’s total non-interest expenses in Q2 2006 and Q2 2005.

 

     Percentage of
total non-interest
expenses
    Percentage of
total non-interest
expenses
    Percentage
change
 
     Q2 2006     Q2 2005     2005-2006  

Compensation and benefits

   52 %   48 %   41 %

Clearing and related expenses

   28 %   32 %   14 %

Occupancy and equipment rental

   4 %   4 %   33 %

Professional fees

   2 %   2 %   38 %

Depreciation and amortization

   2 %   2 %   35 %

Business development

   4 %   4 %   23 %

Insurance

   3 %   3 %   30 %

Other expenses

   5 %   5 %   21 %
                  

Total non-interest expenses

   100 %   100 %   30 %
                  

The following table shows the Company’s EBITDA, together with a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, for Q2 2006 and Q2 2005.

 

                

Percentage
change

 
(In thousands)    Q2
2006
    Q2
2005
    2005-2006  

EBITDA

   $ 2,212     $ 876     153 %

Interest income

     52       82    

Interest expense

     (472 )     (296 )  

Depreciation and amortization

     (107 )     (79 )  

Income tax

     (595 )     (197 )  
            

Minority shareholders

     —         (7 )  
                  

Net income

   $ 1,090     $ 379     188 %
                      

Net Income. The Company reported net income of $1,090,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (“Q2 2006”), which equates to $0.14 per basic share and $0.13 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $379,000, or $0.05 per basic share and $0.05 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2005 (“Q2 2005”).

Total Revenues. The Company’s total revenues were $24,661,000 for Q2 2006 compared to $6,157,000 for Q2 2005. These two numbers are not comparable because the Q2 2006 figure includes the gross sales figure for the Company’s physical base metals trading business, which commenced in fiscal 2006, while the Q2 2005 figure represents net gains in all the Company’s businesses. Other than in the physical base metals trading business, net gains in all the Company’s businesses continue to be reported under ‘Total revenues’. As a result, the Company believes that operating revenues, which are revenues after deduction of cost of goods sold and are discussed below, provide a more meaningful basis for assessing the Company’s performance.

 

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Table of Contents

Operating Revenues. Total operating revenues increased by 46% from $6,157,000 in Q2 2005 to $9,016,000 in Q2 2006. Equity market-making operating revenues increased by 58% from $3,166,000 in Q2 2005 to $4,992,000 in Q2 2006, as a result of very active market conditions, producing higher trade volumes. Equity market-making revenues include improved revenues from trading in over-the-counter U.S. domestic stocks, a new business that started in early 2005. The foreign exchange trading business also performed strongly, with additional business from existing and new customers contributing to an increase in operating revenues of 45% from $2,177,000 in Q2 2005 to $3,149,000 in Q2 2006. International debt capital markets revenue decreased by 8% from $484,000 in Q2 2005 to $447,000 in Q2 2006, in competitive market conditions that saw further overall spread compression. Operating revenues from commodities trading increased by 21% from $164,000 in Q2 2005 to $198,000 in Q2 2006. As a result of GAAP requirements to mark base metals inventories at the lower of cost or market value, while marking offsetting derivative positions at market value, the Company’s commodities trading earnings are subject to increased volatility during periods of rising prices, which was the case during Q2 2006.

Net Contribution. Net contribution consists of revenues, less cost of sales, direct clearing and clearing related charges and variable trader compensation, as more fully described below. Net contribution is one of the key measures used by management to assess the performance of each segment and for decisions regarding the allocation of the Company’s resources. The net contribution allocated to each of the Company’s business segments is $5,430,000 for Q2 2006 compared to $3,485,000 for Q2 2005. Equity market-making revenues are stated before deduction of ADR conversion fees, while net contribution is stated after these fees.

Equity in Income from Asset Management Joint Venture. The Company recognized revenue of $129,000 in Q2 2006 from its asset management joint venture, INTL Consilium, in which the Company has a 50.1% interest, compared with $30,000 in Q2 2005. Total assets under management at March 31, 2006 were $350,000,000, of which approximately $150,000 were in funds sponsored by INTL Consilium and the balance of $200,000,000 were in a third party fund for which INTL Consilium acts as investment sub-adviser. One of the Company’s principal shareholders has an investment of $99,000,000 in an INTL Consilium sponsored fund.

Interest Expense. The Company’s interest expense was $472,000 for Q2 2006, compared to $296,000 for Q2 2005. The expense in Q2 2006 consisted of $102,000 of interest in the Company’s securities businesses, $72,000 of interest paid to banks in the foreign exchange trading business, $298,000 of interest paid to banks in the commodities and debt capital markets businesses and for general borrowing purposes.

Total Non-interest Expenses. The Company’s total non-interest expenses increased by 30% to $6,859,000 for Q2 2006 from $5,278,000 for Q2 2005. This increase was directly attributable to the improved performance and expansion of the Company’s business.

Cost of Sales of Physical Commodities. As discussed above, the new physical metals trading business is reported on a gross basis, showing sales and cost of sales separately. The cost of sales is the cost of commodities sold and delivered to customers, including the cost of shipping, handling and storage.

Compensation and Benefits. The Company’s compensation and benefit expense increased 41% from $2,559,000 for Q2 2005 to $3,620,000 for Q2 2006. The increase was primarily a consequence of higher staff levels and improved performance, leading to increased variable compensation. The Company employed an average of 57 people in Q2 2005 and an average of 73 people in Q2 2006, an increase of 28%.

Clearing and Related Expenses. Clearing and related expenses increased by 14% from $1,705,000 for Q2 2005 to $1,941,000 for Q2 2006. The total ADR conversion fees were $698,000 and $556,000 for Q2 2006 and Q2 2005, respectively. The increase in clearing and related expenses was primarily due to the increase

 

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Table of Contents

in activity in the equity market-making business, though proportionately far less than the increase in revenues. In December 2005 the Company changed its clearing organization to the Broadcort division of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. The change in clearing firm has resulted in a significantly decreased average ticket charge.

Occupancy and Equipment Rental. Occupancy and equipment rental expense increased by 33% from $187,000 for Q2 2005 to $248,000 for Q2 2006. This increase is primarily due to increased information systems equipment rental, from $99,000 in Q2 2005 to $139,000 in Q2 2006, and the lease of new office space in London starting in December 2005.

Professional Fees. Professional fees principally consist of legal, taxation and accounting fees. These fees increased 38% from $113,000 for Q2 2005 to $156,000 for Q2 2006 mainly as a result of larger accruals for legal, tax and audit fees.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 35% from $79,000 for Q2 2005 to $107,000 for Q2 2006. The Company incurred additional depreciation and amortization costs in Q2 2006 due to depreciation of additional fixed assets in the London office and amortization of intangible assets arising from the acquisition of INTL Global Currencies.

Business Development Expense. Business development expense increased 23% from $202,000 for Q2 2005 to $248,000 for Q2 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to business development expenses in the commodities trading business.

Insurance Expense. Insurance expense increased 30% from $169,000 in Q2 2005 to $219,000 in Q2 2006. The increase was primarily due to larger health insurance costs arising from higher staff levels and increased liability insurance.

Other Operating Expenses. Other operating expenses increased 21% from $264,000 in Q2 2005 to $320,000 for Q2 2006. The increase was primarily related to office moving expenses in London.

Tax Expense. The Company recognized income tax expense of $595,000 for Q2 2006 compared with $197,000 for Q2 2005. The Company’s effective income tax rates were approximately 35% for Q2 2006 and 34% for Q2 2005.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A substantial portion of the Company’s assets are liquid. The majority of the assets consist of financial instrument inventories, which fluctuate depending on the level of customer business. At March 31, 2006, approximately 79% of the Company’s assets consisted of cash, cash equivalents, receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organization, marketable financial instruments, receivables from customers and physical commodities inventory, at cost. All assets are financed by the Company’s equity capital, bank loans, short-term borrowings from financial instruments sold, not yet purchased and other payables.

The Company’s ability to receive distributions from INTL Trading, the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary, is restricted by regulations of the SEC and the NASD. The Company’s right to receive distributions from its subsidiaries is also subject to the rights of the subsidiaries’ creditors, including customers of INTL Trading.

INTL Trading is subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC and the NASD relating to liquidity and net capital levels. At March 31, 2006, INTL Trading had regulatory net capital of approximately $5,773,000, which was $4,773,000 in excess of its minimum net capital requirement on that date. INTL Trading’s net capital at March 31, 2006 included a subordinated loan of $2,500,000 made by the Company to INTL Trading in May 2004, with a scheduled maturity date of June 5, 2006, and an interest rate of 3%. This loan was pre-paid on April 28, 2006, with the written consent of the NASD. A second subordinated loan of $500,000, made by the Company to INTL Trading in January 2003, matured and was repaid on February 28, 2006. The inter-company loan and the related interest income and interest expense have been eliminated from the consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations of the Company as of March 31, 2006.

 

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The Company’s assets and liabilities may vary significantly from period to period because of changes relating to customer needs and economic and market conditions. The Company’s operating activities generate or utilize cash resulting from net income or loss earned during each period and fluctuations in its assets and liabilities. The most significant fluctuations arise from changes in the levels of customer activity and financial instruments resulting from trading strategies dictated by prevailing market conditions. The Company’s total assets at March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005 were $182,064,000 and $147,019,000, respectively.

In addition to normal operating requirements, capital is required to satisfy financing and regulatory requirements. The Company’s overall capital needs are continually reviewed to ensure that its capital base can appropriately support the anticipated capital needs of its operating subsidiaries. The excess regulatory net capital of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary may fluctuate throughout the year reflecting changes in inventory levels and/or composition and balance sheet components.

The Company’s borrowing facilities with banks have grown substantially since March 31, 2005. At that time, the Company had two facilities with U.S. banks under which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate of $13,500,000. At March 31, 2006 the Company had facilities with four commercial banks under which the Company could borrow up to $53,000,000, as well as a $6,218,000 letter of credit facility with a fifth commercial bank.

In July 2004 the Company completed the acquisition of INTL Global Currencies. Under the acquisition agreement, the Company is obligated to make certain earn-out payments to the sellers. Earn-out installments of $2,362,000 have been paid to date. The next earn-out installment of $400,000 is due on May 30, 2006. Three additional minimum payments of $391,000 each are due on August 29, 2006, November 29, 2006 and March 1, 2007. These quarterly payments have a maximum ceiling of $400,000. The Company may be required to make additional payments, calculated at 10% of foreign exchange trading revenues exceeding $10,000,000 for the annual period ending June 30, 2006, and 10% of foreign exchange trading revenues exceeding $5,000,000 for the six month period ending December 31, 2006.

Cash Flows

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased from $20,242,000 at September 30, 2005 to $18,448,000 at March 31, 2006.

The major sources of cash were:

 

    $2,032,000 from net income of $2,136,000, adjusted downwards by $104,000 for non-cash items.

 

    $5,450,000 from a decrease in the Company’s net financial instruments position (i.e. financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased).

 

    $7,534,000 from an increase in the Company’s net amount payable to customers and receivable from customers.

 

    $16,633,000 from an increase in payable to banks under loans and overdrafts.

 

    $425,000 from the exercise of stock options.

 

    $296,000 from a distribution of earnings by INTL Consilium.

 

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The major uses of cash were:

 

    $22,212,000 from an increase in the Company’s net amount of receivables from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organization.

 

    $10,270,000 increase in physical commodities inventory.

 

    $1,005,000 additional investment in INTL Consilium-managed fund.

 

    $800,000 in earn-out payments related to the acquisition of INTL Global Currencies.

 

    $268,000 purchases of fixed assets and leasehold improvements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 2005. The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, those described below may, in certain instances, involve a high degree of judgment and complexity. These critical accounting policies may require estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to their nature, estimates involve judgment based upon available information. Actual results or amounts could differ from estimates and the difference could have a material impact on the financial statements. Therefore, understanding these policies is important in understanding the reported results of operations and the financial position of the Company.

Valuation of Financial Instruments and Foreign Currencies. Substantially all financial instruments are reflected in the financial statements at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value. These financial instruments include: cash, cash equivalents, and financial instruments purchased under agreements to resell; deposits with clearing organizations; financial instruments owned; and financial instruments sold but not yet purchased. Unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments are reflected in net earnings. Where available, the Company uses prices from independent sources such as listed market prices, or broker or dealer price quotations. Fair values for certain derivative contracts are derived from pricing models that consider current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments or commodities, as well as time value and yield curve or volatility factors underlying the positions. In some cases, even where the value of a financial instrument is derived from an independent market price or broker or dealer quote, certain assumptions may be required to determine the fair value. However, these assumptions may be incorrect and the actual value realized upon disposition could be different from the current carrying value. The value of foreign currencies, including foreign currencies sold, not yet purchased, are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalents at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the close of business at the end of the accounting period. For foreign currency transactions completed during each reporting period, the foreign exchange rate in effect at the time of the transaction is used.

The application of the valuation process for financial instruments and foreign currencies is critical because these items represent a significant portion of the Company’s total assets. The accuracy of the valuation process allows the Company to report accurate financial information. Valuations for substantially all of the financial instruments held by the Company are available from independent publishers of market information. The valuation process may involve estimates and judgments in the case of certain financial instruments with limited liquidity and over-the-counter derivatives. Given the wide availability of pricing information, the high degree of liquidity of the majority of the Company’s assets, and the relatively short periods for which they are typically held in inventory, there is insignificant sensitivity to changes in estimates and insignificant risk of changes in estimates having a material effect on the Company. The basis for estimating the valuation of any financial instruments has not undergone any change.

 

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Revenue Recognition. The revenues of the Company are derived principally from realized and unrealized trading income in securities, derivative instruments, commodities and foreign currencies purchased or sold for the Company’s account. Realized and unrealized trading income is recorded on a trade date basis. Securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased and foreign currencies sold, not yet purchased, are stated at market value with related changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in net dealer inventory and investment gains. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Revenue on commodities that are purchased for physical delivery to customers and that are not readily convertible into cash is recognized at the point in time when the commodity has been shipped, title and risk of loss has been transferred to the customer, and the following conditions have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

The critical aspect of revenue recognition for the Company is recording all known transactions as of the trade date of each transaction for the financial period. The Company has developed systems for each of its businesses to capture all known transactions. Recording all known transactions involves reviewing trades that occur after the financial period that relate to the financial period. The accuracy of capturing this information is dependent upon the completeness and accuracy of data capture of the operations systems and the Company’s clearing firm.

Effects of Inflation

Because the Company’s assets are, to a large extent, liquid in nature, they are not significantly affected by inflation. Increases in the Company’s expenses, such as compensation and benefits, clearing and related expenses, occupancy and equipment rental, due to inflation, may not be readily recoverable from increasing the prices of services offered by the Company. In addition, to the extent that inflation results in rising interest rates or has other adverse effects on the financial markets and on the value of the financial instruments held in inventory, it may adversely affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company conducts its market-making and trading activities predominantly as a principal, which subjects its capital to significant risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, absolute and relative price movements, price volatility and changes in liquidity, over which the Company has virtually no control. The Company’s exposure to market risk varies in accordance with the volume of client-driven market-making transactions, the size of the proprietary positions and the volatility of the financial instruments traded.

The Company seeks to mitigate exposure to market risk by utilizing a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques:

 

    Diversification of business activities and instruments

 

    Limitations on positions

 

    Allocation of capital and limits based on estimated weighted risks

 

    Daily monitoring of positions and mark-to-market profitability

The Company utilizes derivative products in a trading capacity as a dealer, to satisfy client needs and mitigate risk. The Company manages risks from both derivatives and non-derivative cash instruments on a consolidated basis. The risks of derivatives should not be viewed in isolation, but in aggregate with the Company’s other trading activities.

Management believes that the volatility of earnings is a key indicator of the effectiveness of its risk management techniques. The graph below summarizes volatility of daily revenue during the six months to March 31, 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

Because of systems integration issues this excludes the revenue produced by the base metals trading business that commenced in Q1 2006.

LOGO

In the Company’s securities market-making and trading activities, the Company maintains inventories of equity and debt securities. In the Company’s commodities market-making and trading activities, the Company’s positions include physical inventories, forwards, futures and options. The Company’s commodity trading activities are managed as one consolidated book for each commodity encompassing both cash positions and derivative instruments. The Company monitors the aggregate position for each commodity in equivalent physical ounces. The table below illustrates, for the six months to March 31, 2006, the Company’s average, greatest long, greatest short and minimum day-end positions by business segment. Because of integration issues this information is not available for the Company’s base metals trading activities.

 

Six months to March 31, 2006

(in thousands)

   Average     Greatest
Long
   Greatest
Short
    Minimum
Exposure

Equity Aggregate of Long and Short

   $ 5,295     $ 8,316      n/a     $ 2,489

Equity Net of Long and Short

   $ 177     $ 3,409    $ (2,388 )   $ 29

Debt Aggregate of Long and Short

   $ 4,768     $ 7,510      n/a     $ 2,046

Debt Net of Long and Short

   $ 3,006     $ 5,082      n/a     $ 706

Foreign Currency Aggregate of Long and Short

   $ 4,938     $ 10,116      n/a     $ 2,417

Foreign Currency Net of Long and Short

   $ 2,390     $ 4,776    $ (3,278 )     43

Gold

   $ (99 )   $ 907    $ (1,540 )   $ 1

Silver

   $ (1 )   $ 328    $ (1,962 )     —  

Platinum group metals

   $ (3 )   $ 915    $ (986 )   $ 4

 

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ITEM 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In connection with the filing of this Form 10-QSB, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2006. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2006.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

It should be noted that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. As a result, there can be no assurance that a control system will succeed in preventing all possible instances of error and fraud. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and the conclusions of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are made at the “reasonable assurance” level.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Company’s annual meeting of shareholders was held on March 8, 2006. The shareholders elected the following seven persons to serve as directors: Diego J. Veitia, Sean M. O’Connor, Scott J. Branch, Robert A. Miller, John Radziwill, Justin R. Wheeler and John M. Fowler. The shareholders also ratified the appointment of Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C. to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.

The numbers of shares voted with respect to each matter considered at the annual meeting were as follows:

 

     Votes    Votes

Election of Directors

   For    Withheld

Diego J. Veitia

   7,169,902    2,488

Sean M. O’Connor

   7,170,102    2,288

Scott J. Branch

   7,170,102    2,288

Robert A. Miller

   7,137,323    35,067

John Radziwill

   7,171,102    1,288

Justin R. Wheeler

   7,171,102    1,288

John M. Fowler

   7,167,375    5,015

 

Ratification of Rothstein Kass    Votes    Votes    Votes

as auditors

   For    Against    Abstain
   7,169,580    1,875    930
Approval of amendment to 2003    Votes    Votes    Votes

Stock Option Plan

   For    Against    Abstain
   4,622,809    129,904    172,071

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a) Exhibits

 

(31.1)    Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a).
(31.2)    Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a).
(32.1)    Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.2)    Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

b) Reports on Form 8-K

None

 

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Signatures

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HOLDING CORPORATION
Date 05/10/2006  

/s/ Sean M. O’Connor

  Sean M. O’Connor
  Chief Executive Officer
Date 05/10/2006  

/s/ Brian T. Sephton

  Brian T. Sephton
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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Exhibit Index

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a).
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a).
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.