Intercontinental Exchange Turns To Profit In Q4 - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) reported that its fourth-quarter net income attributable to the company was $288 million compared to a loss of $176 million in the year ago quarter. On a GAAP basis, earnings per share were $2.54 compared to a loss of $1.83 per share in the previous year.

ICE's operating results include amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, acquisition and integration related expenses, gain on its Euronext sale and its share of OCC's full year income that are not reflective of ICE's cash operations and core business performance.

Excluding these items, net of tax, fourth quarter 2014 adjusted income from continuing operations was $294 million and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.59, an increase of 30% year over year.

Fourth quarter 2014 consolidated revenues, less transaction-based expenses, were $800 million. Included in this amount are transaction and clearing revenues, less transaction-based expenses, of $479 million.

Total revenues jumped to $1.132 billion from $654 million last year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $2.54 per share and revenues of $783.62 million for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Intercontinental Exchange announced a $0.65 per share dividend for the first quarter of 2015. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 17, 2015. The ex-dividend date will be March 13, 2015.

ICE expects full year 2015 combined Data Services and Listings revenue growth of approximately $100 million, excluding acquisitions.