NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marex Group plc ('Marex' or the 'Group'; Nasdaq: MRX), a diversified global financial services platform, announces strong results for the third quarter (Q3) and nine months (9M) ended 30 September 2024, and upgraded outlook for the full year.

Financial Highlights

1. % Change is calculated on numbers presented to the nearest tenth of a million.
2. Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group's reverse share split (refer to Appendix 1 for further detail).
3. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 "Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such IFRS measure to its most directly comparable non-IFRS measure.

• Delivered strong performance in Q3 2024: Continued positive momentum across all business segments during the third quarter supported by a positive market backdrop and continued growth in exchange volumes in both commodities and financials.
• Upgraded guidance for full year 2024: Due to the strong performance in the third quarter, we anticipate our Adjusted Operating Profit to be approximately $300 million to $305 million for the full year ending 31 December 2024 (previously $280 million to $290 million).
• Strategic growth investments: We announced four investments in line with our strategy to expand our geographic footprint and build out our product capabilities. We are expanding our footprint in the Middle East through the acquisition of Aarna Capital and our FX capabilities through the acquisition of Hamilton Court Group. We are also investing to further build out our environmental products capabilities through the acquisition of biogas specialist, Dropet and a carbon credit partnership with Key Carbon.
• Successful secondary equity placement: Upsized deal resulted in existing shareholders placing 9.7 million shares with institutional shareholders in October 2024, increasing public float to approximately 52%.
• Prudent approach to capital and funding: Successfully issued $600 million 5-year senior unsecured notes, further diversifying our funding sources and increasing our liquidity headroom, to support future growth of our franchise and growing our client base, particularly in clearing and prime services.
• Dividend: Dividend of $0.14 per share to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2024.

"This has been another strong quarter for Marex as we continue to deliver double digit revenue growth in all our business segments, thanks to continued positive momentum across all our businesses and supportive market conditions. Our strategy to bring new clients to our platform and deepen existing client relationships by offering additional capabilities has delivered significant growth and increases our confidence in our ability to deliver through various market conditions including a lower interest rate environment.

In the last few months, we have invested to further diversify our global platform, expanding our capabilities and geographic footprint, in line with our strategy to add new clients and increase the services we can provide them. We have continued to grow our capital base and diversify our funding sources with a successful senior debt issuance, and we were pleased to see strong investor demand for the recent share placement launched by our shareholders, which increased liquidity in our stock.

Thanks to the strong performance so far this year and continued momentum across our business segments, we have increased our guidance for the full year."

The following table presents summary financial results and other data as of the dates and for the periods indicated:

Summary Financial Results

1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 "Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
2. Refer to Appendix 1 "Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information.

Reported Profit Before Tax increased by $31.4m, 66%, to $79.0m for Q3 2024, from $47.6m in the same period of 2023 reflecting strong revenue growth at improved operating margins.

Revenue grew by 32% to $391.2m in Q3 2024 from $296.6m in the same period in 2023, reflecting a combination of favourable market conditions, strong underlying growth and the benefits of our acquisitions.

Net commission income increased by 15% to $202.8m in Q3 2024 from $176.3m in Q3 2023. The increase occurred mainly in Agency and Execution, which increased by 21% to $141.9m in Q3 2024 from $117.6m in Q3 2023 reflecting increased customer activity in Energy, as well as in Securities primarily driven by our acquisition of Cowen's prime services business in December 2023.

Net trading income rose by 39% to $121.6m in Q3 2024 from $87.4m for Q3 2023. This was driven by our Metals business within our Market Making segment, where market conditions normalised but remained positive, and a comparatively subdued operating environment in Q3 2023. Net trading income in Hedging and Investment Solutions also increased by 12% to $45.7m in Q3 2024 as demand grew for commodity hedging and financial product services, and by 60% to $20.3m in Agency and Execution driven by increased activity in Capital Markets business.

Net interest income increased by 102% to $63.5m for Q3 2024 from $31.4m for Q3 2023. This growth reflected the benefit of higher balances, re-investment of maturing assets at higher yields and the acquisition of Cowen's prime services business in December 2023.

Net physical commodities income increased by 120% to $3.3m for Q3 2024 from $1.5m for Q3 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in sales volumes from physical recycled metal and physical oil sales, driven by growth in our recycled metals business and the addition of physical oil broking capabilities.

Front office costs increased by 28% to $214.8m in Q3 2024, largely reflecting a 16% increase in average front office headcount driven by recent acquisitions, as well as organic growth.

Control and Support costs increased 30% to $92.5m in Q3 2024, primarily reflecting investment in our Finance, Risk and Compliance functions, to ensure we continually invest in our systems and processes to support future sustainable growth, as well as integrating additional Control & Support employees as part of recent acquisitions.

Adjusting items reduced by 72% to $1.5m in Q3 2024 from $5.3m in Q3 2023. These costs are primarily related to corporate activities and are recognised within our corporate segment. Adjusting items reduced mainly due to the non-recurrence of costs incurred in preparation for and associated with our successful IPO and owner fees in the prior period.

As a result of the revenue and cost trends noted above, Adjusted Operating Profit increased 52% to $80.5m for Q3 2024 from $52.9m in Q3 2023 and Adjusted Operating Profit Margins improved to 21% in Q3 2024, up from 18% in Q3 2023. In addition, as a result of the revenue, cost trends and adjusting items noted above, Profit After Tax Margins increased to 15% in Q3 2024 from 11% in Q3 2023.

Performance for the nine months ended 30 September 2024

Reported Profit Before Tax for the nine months ended 30 September, 2024 ("9M 2024") increased 39% to $218.0m from $157.1m in the nine months ended 30 September 2023 ("9M 2023") reflecting continued strong year-on-year performance.

Year to date revenue grew by 28% to $1179.1m in 9M 2024 from $919.0m in 9M 2023, reflecting a combination of favourable market conditions, strong underlying growth and the benefits of our acquisitions.

Revenue growth was driven by Net commission income which increased by 20% to $630.1m in 9M 2024 from $523.5m in 9M 2023. The increase occurred mainly in Agency and Execution, which increased by 28%, reflecting increased customer activity in Energy, as well as from our acquisition of Cowen's prime services business. Net commission income also notably increased in our Clearing segment which increased by 7% versus 2023, driven by our Metals and Agriculturals businesses.

Net trading income rose by 21% to $364.3m in 9M 2024 from $299.9m in 9M 2023. This was driven by our Hedging and Investment Solutions business, which increased by 28% to $157.7m, as demand grew for commodity hedging and financial product services. Net trading income was also significantly higher within our Market Making segment, primarily from Metals reflecting exceptional market conditions and market sentiment in the second quarter across Copper, Aluminium and Nickel, following revised guidance on Russian metals from the LME.

Net interest income increased by 80% to $164.5m in 9M 2024 from $91.4m in 9M 2023. This growth reflected the benefit of higher average investment returns, re-investment of maturing assets at higher yields and the acquisition of Cowen's prime services business in December 2023.