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2012年2月28日星期二

Saxo Bank Scoops 4 Awards at the Social Forex Awards 2011

SINGAPORE–(Marketwire -02/27/12)- Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, has won no less than four Awards at the inaugural Social Forex Awards 2011.
Saxo Bank ranked number one in the following categories:
  • Most Social Bank (through the use of Social Media tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter
  • Best Social Campaign
  • Best Social Initiative/Innovation
  • Best Social Research
The Bank ranked second in a further three categories: Best iPhone/iPad app, Best Online Content and Most Social Website. Of 8 categories Saxo Bank was ranked in all but one.
The awards recognise the outstanding players in the industry and were presented by LetstalkFX and Social-Markets.net, in conjunction with e-Forex magazine and were sponsored by The Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The votes were cast by members of the letstalkFX.com community and marketing was undertaken by the Bank using LinkedIn and Facebook.
Disclaimer:Saxo Capital Markets Pte. Ltd. (“Saxo Capital Markets”) is licensed as a Capital Market Services provider and an Exempt Financial Advisor, and is supervised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
You should carefully consider whether trading in leveraged products is appropriate for you in the light of your financial circumstances. You should be aware that dealing in products that are highly leveraged carry significantly greater risk than non-geared investments such as share trading. As such, you could both gain and lose large amounts of money. You may sustain losses in excess of the moneys you initially deposit and also in excess of the margin required to establish and maintain any positions in leveraged products.
For further information, please see:
http://sg.saxomarkets.com/about-us/general-disclaimer
About Saxo Capital Markets
Saxo Capital Markets Pte Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, the Copenhagen-headquartered online trading and investment specialist. It serves as the Asia Pacific headquarters and holds a Capital Markets Services license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Saxo Capital Markets also holds a Commodity Broker licence from The International Enterprise Singapore.
Clients can trade Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives via SaxoWebTrader and SaxoTrader, its leading multi-asset online trading platforms.
SaxoTrader is available directly through Saxo Capital Markets or through one of its institutional clients. White labelling is a significant business area for Saxo Capital Markets, and involves customising and branding of its online trading platform for other financial institutions and brokers.
About Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank is a leading online trading and investment specialist. A fully licensed and regulated European bank, Saxo Bank enables private investors and institutional clients to trade FX, CFDs, ETFs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives via three specialised and fully integrated trading platforms: the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, the downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader application available in over 20 languages. Saxo Bank also offers professional portfolio and fund management through Saxo Asset Management who accommodates high-net-worth private clients and institutional investors and provides banking services and advice to retail clients through Saxo Privatbank. The Saxo Bank Group is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Australia.
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Stephen Winningham Joins Houlihan Lokey as Co-Head of European Corporate Finance


LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, announced today that Stephen Winningham has joined as Managing Director and Co-Head of European Corporate Finance in the firm’s London office.
Mr. Winningham, formerly with Lloyds Banking Group, will work alongside Brian McKay, Managing Director and fellow Co-Head of European Corporate Finance, and will focus on further developing the firm’s European M&A and financing business. He will report to Scott Adelson and Robert Hotz, Senior Managing Directors and Global Co-Heads of the firm’s Corporate Finance business.
Mr. Winningham was recently head of Major Corporates at Lloyds Banking Group, overseeing the group’s coverage of U.K. and U.S. investment grade corporate clients. Prior to this, he was global head of Lloyds Banking Group’s Financial Institutions business.
“Stephen’s extensive international experience and proven track record in building client relationships will be instrumental in further enhancing our European and cross-border coverage,” said Scott Adelson. “Stephen’s appointment underlines our commitment to provide fully-integrated client focused advisory services to our corporate clients. He will be working closely with our sector and product specialists to build on the strong presence Houlihan Lokey has already created in the region,” added Robert Hotz.
“I’m delighted to join the firm at a time when there is an increasing need for independent strategic advice in the marketplace, which is something that Houlihan Lokey specializes in,” said Stephen Winningham. “I look forward to contributing to our growth strategy and further enhancing our client offering.”
Mr. Winningham brings with him three decades of experience in investment banking and commercial banking. Prior to Lloyds Banking Group, he was group head of the Asia Industrials and M&A groups at Salomon Brothers/Citigroup in Hong Kong. He also held leadership roles at Paine Webber Inc. and Kidder Peabody & Co. in New York (both now part of the UBS Group). He started his investment banking career at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Mr. Winningham holds a MBA from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in New York. He undertook additional graduate level studies in economics at New York University.
About Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey is an international investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation serving clients for 40 years. The firm is ranked globally as the No. 1 restructuring advisor, the No. 1 M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 10 years, and the No. 1 M&A advisor for U.S. transactions under $1 billion, according to Thomson Reuters. Houlihan Lokey has 14 offices and more than 850 employees in Europe, the United States and Asia. The firm serves more than 1,000 clients each year, ranging from closely held companies to Global 500 corporations. For more information, visit http://www.hl.com/.
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EU, Indonesia negotiate partnership

Jakarta (The Jakarta Post/ANN) – Indonesia and the European Union (EU) began negotiations on Monday on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that seeks to eliminate over 95 per cent of import tariffs on goods and improve bilateral investment.
The chief operating officer of the EU’s external action service, David O’Sullivan, said the Indonesia-European Union CEPA would be very important for the economic growth of both regions amidst the global economic turmoil.
“We already are a major trading and investment partner of Indonesia. In fact, we have huge complementarity. We believe it is very beneficial in terms of trade and investment to have an agreement with Indonesia. It is a win-win solution for both sides,¿ O’Sullivan said.
The EU has a combined non oil and gas trade value of US$32 billion in 2011 with Indonesia, an all time high, and a trade surplus of $8 billion for Indonesia.
In terms of investments, businesses from the EU invested up to $2.2 billion in 2011, making it the second-largest source of foreign investment into Indonesia. EU companies also employ over 500,000 employees in Indonesia.
“It is time to start the negotiation. From our perspective, trade negotiation typically takes a couple of years but this negotiation could go relatively quickly,¿ O’Sullivan said.
Based on policy recommendations from a joint study team, the CEPA would cover improvements in market access, capacity building and facilitation of trade and investment. On trade, the agreement would implement gradual tariff reduction within a period of nine years, eliminating 95 per cent of tariffs and possibly even the remaining 5 per cent.
The capacity-building program would include a permanent forum for business-to-business and business-to-government technical dialogue and joint financing for programs. CEPA would also cover standard protocols for joint cooperation in infrastructure development under the so-called private-partnership framework.
House of Representatives’ trade commission chairman Airlangga Hartarto said that the multitude of issues being discussed meant the agreement could potentially provide many beneficial opportunities for both regions.
“This is not a Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement but will be more comprehensive. The issues being discussed include trading, investment and capacity-building. These issues make this agreement different from the FTA, which only aims at eliminating levies,¿ Airlangga said.
Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo) chairman Sofjan Wanandi said that he expected EU investment to provide benefits to small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), a sector on which Indonesia relied heavily for growth.
“I believe this [agreement] will benefit both sides and we must also involve SMEs in our future investment plans. We are going to promote this agreement throughout the essential business regions in the country,¿ Sofjan said.
“Now that the negotiation is underway, we need to promote this agreement to the public so that they can give us their input. This [negotiation] will take time and therefore Indonesia must play the main role in ensuring the discussions go in line with our interests,¿ he added.
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) deputy chairman for international trade Emirsyah Satar said that establishing a comprehensive partnership with the EU was important because there was still a lot of untapped potential.
“We rank only at number 23 in the world in imports to the EU. On the other hand, the EU is the fourth-largest exporter into Indonesia. So, there is still a lot of room for business growth,¿ Emirsyah said.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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2012年1月30日星期一

Saxo Capital Markets Launches Australian Retail Operations

SYDNEY, January 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –
Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd (‘SCM Australia) , the online trading and investment specialist, today announced the launch of its retail operations in Australia, offering investors the opportunity to trade thousands of asset classes across award-winning online platforms.
Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S. It holds an Australian Financial Services Licence 280372 and is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.
The move extends Saxo Bank Group’s reach in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific, and is consistent with its goal of being the premier multi-asset online trading platform in the world.
SCM Australia offers local traders sophisticated trading platforms such as SaxoTrader and SaxoWebTrader, permitting the trading of foreign exchange, CFDs and stocks with live streaming prices and lightning-fast stock trades. SCM Australia provides clients with access to over 160 foreign exchange crosses, more than 13,000 stocks from 25 major exchanges and over 140 Futures contracts on live market prices from over 19 exchanges. SCM Australia’s CEO Anthony Griffin said the company believed it had the services and competitive offering to transform the online trading market in Australia.
Mr Griffin states, “In Australia, we will be adopting the standard Saxo business model that has been successfully implemented in over 20 countries and bringing our award-winning platforms to the market.”
Further, he states, “it was critical to ensure that investors were educated as much as possible on the asset classes they were trading in and the risks involved. As a result, SCM has a number of online educational tools available to ensure investors are informed.”
SCM Australia recently completed the acquisition of Logos Commodities Pty Ltd, the holding company of Commodity Broking Services Pty Ltd, bringing with it an excellent client base and broadening its suite of services.
Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, co-founders and CEOs of Saxo Bank, said in a joint statement:
“While opening an office in Sydney is a strategic decision to support our Asia-Pacific expansion and growth strategy, it has always been a priority for Saxo Bank. The acquisition has brought with it both tremendous staff as well as a great range of clients. That has given us the critical mass for doing business here. This is a good time for us to prove our commitment to the Australian market.”
Saxo Bank was founded in 1992. Saxo Bank’s trading platforms have defined the company’s success in the online trading space for over a decade. Since introducing the SaxoTrader in 1998, Saxo Bank has enhanced and improved its platforms to meet the evolving needs of traders and investors in a continuously changing industry. The Group has expanded overseas since 2006 and now has operations in more than 20 countries including major financial centres such as Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Zurich, Dubai, and Paris.
Disclaimer:
Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, the Copenhagen-headquartered online trading and investment specialist. It holds an Australian Financial Services Licence 280372 and is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.  Leveraged investments in foreign exchange or derivatives carry a high degree of risk and may result in significant gains or losses. You should carefully consider your financial situation and consult your independent financial advisors as to the suitability of your situation prior to making any investments. For further information, please see: http://au.saxomarkets.com/about-us/general-disclaimer
About Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd
Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, the Copenhagen-headquartered online trading and investment specialist. It holds an Australian Financial Services Licence and is regulated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.  Clients can trade Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives via SaxoWebTrader and SaxoTrader, its leading multi-asset online trading platforms. SaxoTrader is available directly through Saxo Capital Markets or through one of its institutional clients. White labelling is a significant business area for Saxo Capital Markets, and involves customising and branding of its online trading platform for other financial institutions and brokers.
For more information, please visit http://www.saxomarkets.com.au/
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Highlights – Key points from Shanghai's global yuan hub plan

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s economic planning agency unveiled broad plans to make Shanghai the global trading centre for yuan trading, clearing and pricing by 2015.
The following is a list of key points from the plan.
- Form a multi-layer financial market system with joint participation by domestic and foreign investors, and relatively strong functions in trading, pricing and information delivery.
- Gradually form a center for yuan cross-border investment and financing, a center for setting benchmark pricing for yuan products, a center for pricing commodities as well as a center for financial information.
- Gradually form centres for yuan product innovation, yuan asset management, and shipping and financial services.
- Form a modern financial infrastructure, and a clearing center for yuan cross-border settlement and payment.
- Gradually create an international financial talent pool.
- Develop a regulatory system in financial taxation, accounting, credit and supervision to support the operation of an international financial center.
- Further strengthen the blue-chip market, attract IPOs of mature, quality companies and widen listing resources; promote the Shanghai stock exchange to become a first-class bourse in the Asia-Pacific (KSE: 002790.KS – news) region, and with relatively strong international impact.
- Broaden and deepen the yuan forex market. Promote yuan trading with currencies in emerging markets.
- Explore the feasibility of establishing an insurance exchange.
- Gradually build Shanghai into a national center for loan transference and transactions.
- Support listings of cross-border ETFs and ETF products based on international indexes and bonds.
- Launch a pilot scheme for REITs, mortgage-backed securities, and auto-loan-backed securities.
- Study, explore and, when the time is right, roll out financial derivative products based on currency rates, interest rates, stocks and bonds as well as gold ETFs.
- Support overseas listings of qualified Shanghai-based financial institutions.
- Allow more foreign institutions to issue yuan bonds in China.
- Support the expansion of QFII quotas and investments.
- Explore reforms to allow foreign investors to invest in China’s futures market and financial derivative markets.
- Gradually expand the number of the investment options for foreign financial institutions participating in the forex market.
- Explore ways to allow foreign individual investors to invest in the domestic financial markets.
(Compiled by Samuel Shen and Kazunori Takada)
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2012年1月27日星期五

Piper Jaffray Companies Announces 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC – News) today announced non-GAAP net income of $2.1 million(1), or $0.11(1) per diluted common share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011. On a GAAP basis, the net loss was $116.4 million, or $7.38 per diluted common share. The non-GAAP figures exclude the $118.4 million after-tax goodwill impairment charge that the firm disclosed on Jan. 10. For the fourth quarter of 2010, net income was $9.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted common share. For the third quarter of 2011, results were a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share.
Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $99.2 million, compared to a record of $176.4 million in the year-ago period, and $98.2 million for the third quarter of 2011.
“It was a difficult second half to 2011, and our fourth quarter results were similar to the third quarter, with modest profitability(1),” said Andrew S. Duff, chairman and chief executive officer. “Asset management and investment banking revenues improved compared to the third quarter, and M&A revenues, while down, were solid. Institutional brokerage revenues were lower.”
Duff added “We navigated reasonably well against a challenging and volatile operating environment in 2011, achieving positive pre-tax earnings in each quarter during the year, on a non-GAAP basis(1). We remain focused on our key objective to increase the proportion of higher-margin, higher-return businesses—public finance, M&A and asset management— in order to improve our return on equity. We remain committed to our strategy to accomplish this goal and we executed against it in 2011: 1) made solid progress in building a national public finance franchise; 2) selectively added M&A talent and transitioned European investment banking operations to an M&A-only model; and 3) maintained competitive performance in key investment strategies, and grew mutual fund and MLP assets. As we head into 2012, we are well-positioned to serve our clients and compete in the marketplace.”
Fourth Quarter
Consolidated Expenses
For the fourth quarter of 2011, compensation and benefits expenses were $63.9 million, down 40 percent compared to $106.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease was primarily due to lower performance. Compensation and benefits expenses decreased 2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011.
For the fourth quarter of 2011, compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 64.4 percent, compared to 60.3 percent for the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase was primarily due to the impact of fixed components of compensation costs on a reduced revenue base. The compensation ratio declined from 66.5 percent in the third quarter of 2011, mainly due to lower variable compensation.
On a non-GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses were $33.7(2) million for the fourth quarter, down 28 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. On a GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses were $154.0 million. The decrease on a non-GAAP basis was attributable to a $9.5 million restructuring charge recorded in the year-ago period and actions implemented during 2011 to reduce costs given the current operating environment. Non-GAAP, non-compensation expenses increased 3 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011.
Fourth Quarter
Business Segment Results
The firm has two reportable business segments: Capital Markets and Asset Management. Consolidated net revenues and expenses are fully allocated to these two segments.
Capital Markets
For the fourth quarter, Capital Markets recorded a non-GAAP, pre-tax operating loss of $3.1 million(3), compared to pre-tax operating income of $16.1 million in the year-ago period and a pre-tax operating loss of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2011. On a GAAP basis, this segment generated a pre-tax operating loss of $123.4 million.
Net revenues were $80.4 million, down 47 percent compared to the year-ago period, which was very strong across all products. Revenues declined 5 percent compared to the sequential third quarter, with stronger investment banking results more than offset by lower institutional brokerage performance.
  • Equity financing revenues of $17.0 million decreased 60 percent compared to the very strong fourth quarter of 2010. Industry-wide equity market volatility and uncertainty curtailed capital raising, particularly IPOs, in the U.S. and in Hong Kong. Revenues increased 146 percent compared to the low results in the third quarter of 2011, primarily driven by higher revenues in the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, Hong Kong.
  • Fixed income financing revenues were $15.2 million, down 24 percent compared to the robust fourth quarter of 2010. Revenues increased 37 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011, driven by an increase in completed public finance transactions with higher average revenue per transaction.
  • Advisory services revenues were $19.8 million, down 43 percent compared to the very strong year-ago period, and down 27 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. The declines were due to a smaller transaction size and a lower transaction fee, on average.
  • Equity institutional brokerage revenues were $21.9 million, down 21 percent and 7 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, respectively. The declines were primarily due to lower client activity in the U.S. and Hong Kong.
  • Fixed income institutional brokerage revenues were $9.7 million, down 57 percent and 33 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, respectively. The declines were mainly due to lower results in taxable and municipal products, and lower strategic trading results.
  • Non-GAAP operating expenses for the quarter were $83.4(4) million, down 38 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, resulting from both significantly lower compensation and non-compensation expenses. On a GAAP basis with the goodwill impairment charge, operating expenses were $203.7 million. Operating expenses on a non-GAAP basis decreased 2 percent compared to the third quarter 2011, due to lower compensation expenses. Non-GAAP segment pre-tax operating margin was a negative 3.8(3) percent, compared to 10.6 percent in the year-ago quarter and a negative 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2011.
The following is a recap of completed deal information for the fourth quarter of 2011:
  • 12 equity financings raising a total of $2.8 billion of capital.
  • 144 tax-exempt issues with a total par value of $2.2 billion.
  • 13 merger and acquisition transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $1.4 billion. (The number of deals and the enterprise value include disclosed and undisclosed transactions.)
Asset Management
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011, asset management generated pre-tax operating income of $4.7 million, down 34 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and up from $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. Net revenues were $18.8 million, down 26 percent compared to the year-ago period, mainly due to lower performance fees. Net revenues rose 37 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011, mainly due to improved management fees from higher assets under management, and improved performance in the firm’s new Municipal Opportunities Fund.
  • Operating expenses for the quarter were $14.1 million, including $2.1 million of intangible amortization expense, down 22 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower compensation expenses. Operating expenses increased 8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. Segment pre-tax operating margin was 25.0 percent, compared to 28.1 percent in the year-ago period. The decline was mainly due to essentially the same level of non-compensation expenses over a lower revenue base, partially offset by a lower compensation ratio. The segment pre-tax operating margin was 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2011. The significant improvement compared to the sequential third quarter resulted from higher revenues.
  • Assets under management (AUM) were $12.2 billion compared to $12.3 billion in the year-ago period and $11.2 billion in the third quarter of 2011. The improvement compared to the sequential third quarter was mainly due to improved equity market appreciation.
Other Matters
In the fourth quarter of 2011, $6.0 million, or 293,829 shares, of the firm’s common stock was repurchased pursuant to a share repurchase authorization. The average price per share repurchased was $20.40. The firm has $51.4 million remaining on the share repurchase authorization which expires on Sept. 30, 2012.
Full-Year 2011
For the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, non-GAAP net income was $16.4(1) million, or $0.86(1) per diluted common share. On a GAAP basis, results were a net loss of $102.0 million, or $6.51 per diluted common share. For 2010, net income was $24.4 million, or $1.23 per diluted common share. For 2011, net revenues were $458.1 million, down 14 percent compared to the prior year, resulting primarily from lower investment banking and institutional brokerage revenues.
Full-Year 2011
Consolidated Expenses
For 2011, compensation and benefits expenses were $288.1 million, down 9 percent compared to $315.2 million in 2010. The decrease was primarily driven by lower variable compensation due to lower performance. Compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 62.9 percent, compared to 59.5 percent for 2010. The higher compensation ratio was mainly driven by the impact of fixed compensation costs on a reduced revenue base.
For 2011, non-compensation expenses were $139.4(2) million on a non-GAAP basis. On a GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses were $259.7 million. This amount compared to $157.6 million in 2010, which included $10.9 million of restructuring charges, mainly due to the re-organization of the firm’s European operations. The additional decrease in expenses was driven by the lower cost of the streamlined European operations and other cost-saving initiatives.
Full-Year 2011
Business Segment Results
Capital Markets
Capital Markets generated non-GAAP, pre-tax operating income of $16.0(3) million compared to $41.2 million in 2010. On a GAAP basis, this segment generated a pre-tax operating loss of $104.3 million. Net revenues were $386.9 million, down 16 percent compared to 2010, mainly attributable to macroeconomic issues and volatility, which negatively impacted capital raising — particularly in Asia — and institutional brokerage.
Non-GAAP operating expenses for the year were $370.9(4) million, down 12 percent compared to 2010. On a GAAP basis with the goodwill impairment charge, operating expenses for the year were $491.2 million. The decline on a non-GAAP basis was driven by both lower compensation and non-compensation expenses. For the year, segment pre-tax operating margin was 4.1(3) percent, on a non-GAAP basis, and compared to 8.9 percent in 2010.
The following is a recap of completed deal information for 2011:
  • 64 equity financings raising a total of $13.0 billion of capital.
  • 520 tax-exempt issues with a total par value of $6.9 billion.
  • 43 merger and acquisition transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $5.6 billion. (The number of deals and the enterprise value include disclosed and undisclosed transactions.)
Asset Management
For 2011, asset management generated pre-tax operating income of $14.6 million, down 10 percent compared to 2010. Net revenues were $71.2 million, up 6 percent compared to 2010. Management fees increased 16 percent, partially offset by lower performance fees.
Operating expenses for the year were $56.6 million, up 11 percent compared to 2010, attributable to both higher compensation and non-compensation expenses. For the year, segment pre-tax operating margin was 20.5 percent compared to 24.0 percent in 2010. The lower margin was mainly driven by lower performance fees for the year.
Other Matters
For the full year, $26.5 million, or 803,500 shares, of the firm’s common stock was acquired, 509,671 of which was related to employee tax obligations on vesting of equity awards.
Additional Shareholder Information

  As of Dec. 31, 2011 As of Sept. 30, 2011 As of Dec. 31, 2010
Number of employees: 1,011 1,035 1,031
Asset Management
AUM:
 $12.2 billion $11.2 billion $12.3 billion
Common
Shareholders’ equity:
 $718.4 million $839.1 million $813.3 million
Annualized Qtrly.   
Return on Avg.1.1%(6)(1.9)%(5)5.4%(5)
Adjusted Common
Shareholders’ Equity      
Book value per share: $45.61 $52.73 $55.50
Tangible book value
per share(7):
 $29.51 $29.10 $29.42
 

Conference Call
Andrew S. Duff, chairman and chief executive officer, and Debbra L. Schoneman, chief financial officer, will hold a conference call to review the financial results Wed., Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. ET (8 a.m. CT). To view a copy of the earnings release on or after Jan. 25, please visit www.piperjaffray.com. The call can be accessed via live audio webcast available through the firm’s Web site at www.piperjaffray.com or by dialing (888)810-0209 (domestic) or (706)902-1361 (international). The reservation number is 96211034. Callers should dial in at least 15 minutes early to receive instructions. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 11 a.m. ET Jan. 25 at the same Web address or by calling (855) 859-2056 and referencing reservation number 96211034.
About Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray is an investment bank and asset management firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. Proven advisory teams combine deep industry, product and sector expertise with ready access to global capital. Founded in 1895, the firm is headquartered in Minneapolis and has offices across the United States and in London, Hong Kong and Zurich. www.piperjaffray.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and the conference call to discuss the contents of this press release contain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things, statements made about general economic and market conditions, our strategic priorities (including growth in public finance, asset management, and corporate advisory), the amount and timing of cost reduction measures and our quarterly run-rate for non-compensation expenses, anticipated financial results generally (including expectations regarding revenue levels, operating margins, earnings per share, and return on equity), the environment and prospects for capital markets transactions (including for our Asia-based business), current deal pipelines (or backlogs) or other similar matters. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or discussed in the forward-looking statements, including (1) market and economic conditions or developments may be unfavorable, including in specific sectors in which we operate, and these conditions or developments, such as market fluctuations or volatility, may adversely affect our business, revenue levels and profitability, (2) the volume of anticipated investment banking transactions as reflected in our deal pipelines (and the net revenues we earn from such transactions) may differ from expected results if any transactions are delayed or not completed at all or if the terms of any transactions are modified, (3) we may not be able to compete successfully with other companies in the financial services industry, which may impact our ability to achieve our growth priorities and objectives, (4) our ability to manage expenses may be limited by the fixed nature of certain expenses as well as the impact from unanticipated expenses, (5) our stock price may fluctuate as a result of several factors, including but not limited to, changes in our revenues and operating results, (6) the business operations that we conduct outside of the United States, including in Asia, subject us to unique risks, (7) hiring of additional senior talent may not yield the benefits we anticipate or yield them within expected timeframes, and (8) the other factors described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and updated in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC (available at our Web site at www.piperjaffray.com and at the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. We undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.
© 2011 Piper Jaffray Companies, 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

Piper Jaffray Companies   
Preliminary Unaudited Results of Operations
      
 
Three Months EndedPercent Inc/(Dec)Twelve Months Ended
Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31,4Q ’11  4Q ’11Dec. 31, Dec. 31,Percent
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)201120112010vs. 3Q ’11vs. 4Q ’1020112010Inc/(Dec)
Revenues:
Investment banking$51,422$44,729$94,65015.0%(45.7)%$210,254$266,386(21.1)%
Institutional brokerage25,37431,53346,343(19.5)(45.2)142,308167,954(15.3)
Asset management17,11515,20524,98812.6(31.5)69,88966,8274.6
Interest13,06015,16212,592(13.9)3.755,59551,8517.2
Other income/(loss) (922) 441  5,989N/M N/M  11,656  12,043 (3.2)
Total revenues106,049107,070184,562(1.0)(42.5)489,702565,061(13.3)
 
Interest expense 6,829  8,894  8,190(23.2)(16.6) 31,577  34,987 (9.7)
 
Net revenues 99,220  98,176  176,3721.1 (43.7) 458,125  530,074 (13.6)
 
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits63,90165,307106,371(2.2)(39.9)288,129315,203(8.6)
Occupancy and equipment7,5337,4779,0190.7(16.5)32,45033,597(3.4)
Communications5,6805,9785,983(5.0)(5.1)24,47224,614(0.6)
Floor brokerage and clearance2,3222,2332,8234.0(17.7)9,24011,626(20.5)
Marketing and business development6,3885,7086,43511.9(0.7)25,03123,7155.5
Outside services7,9176,6648,43618.8(6.2)29,50632,120(8.1)
Restructuring-related expense--9,530N/M(100.0)-10,863(100.0)
Goodwill impairment120,298--N/MN/M120,298-N/M
Intangible asset amortization expense2,0692,0692,183-(5.2)8,2767,5469.7
Other operating expenses 1,761  2,440  2,430(27.8)(27.5) 10,404  13,506 (23.0)
Total non-interest expenses 217,869  97,876  153,210122.6 42.2 % 547,806  472,790 15.9 
 
Income/(loss) before income tax expense/(benefit)(118,649)30023,162N/MN/M(89,681)57,284N/M
 
Income tax expense/(benefit) (2,902) 3,676  13,727N/M N/M  10,876  33,354 (67.4)%
 
Net income/(loss)(115,747)(3,376)9,435N/MN/M(100,557)23,930N/M
 
Net income/(loss) applicable to noncontrolling interests 617  207  15198.1 %N/M  1,463  (432)N/M 
 
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies (1) (116,364) (3,583) 9,420N/M N/M  (102,020) 24,362 N/M 
 
Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies’
common shareholders (1)
$(116,364)$(3,583)$7,198N/M N/M $(102,020)$18,929 N/M 
 
Earnings/(loss) per common share
Basic$(7.38)$(0.23)$0.49N/MN/M$(6.51)$1.23N/M
Diluted$(7.38)(2)$(0.23)(2)$0.49N/MN/M$(6.51)(2)$1.23N/M
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic15,77315,88914,635(0.7)%7.8%15,67215,3482.1%
Diluted15,773(2)15,889(2)14,639(0.7)%7.7%15,672(2)15,3781.9%
 

(1) Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies is the total net income earned by the Company. Piper Jaffray Companies calculates earnings per common share using the two-class method, which requires the allocation of consolidated net income between common shareholders and participating security holders, which in the case of Piper Jaffray Companies, represents unvested restricted stock with dividend rights.
(2) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.
N/M – Not meaningful
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Piper Jaffray Companies           
Preliminary Unaudited Segment Data
 
 
Three Months EndedPercent Inc/(Dec)Twelve Months Ended
Dec. 31,Sept. 30,Dec. 31,4Q ’114Q ’11Dec. 31,Dec. 31,Percent
(Dollars in thousands)201120112010vs. 3Q ’11vs. 4Q ’1020112010Inc/(Dec)
Capital Markets
 
Investment banking
Financing
Equities$17,010$6,923$42,108145.7%(59.6)%$79,600$113,711(30.0)%
Debt15,21111,10619,93637.0(23.7)54,56665,958(17.3)
Advisory services 19,832  27,294  34,629 (27.3)(42.7) 78,684  90,396 (13.0)
Total investment banking52,05345,32396,67314.8(46.2)212,850270,065(21.2)
 
Institutional sales and trading
Equities21,85023,48227,486(7.0)(20.5)92,412106,206(13.0)
Fixed income 9,715  14,496  22,565 (33.0)(56.9) 75,794  79,833 (5.1)
Total institutional sales and trading31,56537,97850,051(16.9)(36.9)168,206186,039(9.6)
 
Other income/(loss) (3,243) 1,157  4,311 N/M N/M  5,882  6,763 (13.0)
 
Net revenues80,37584,458151,035(4.8)(46.8)386,938462,867(16.4)
 
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment120,298--N/MN/M120,298-N/M
Operating expenses 83,431  84,828  134,984 (1.6)(38.2) 370,918  421,707 (12.0)
Total non-interest expenses203,72984,828134,984140.2%50.9%491,216421,70716.5%
 
Segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)$(123,354)$(370)$16,051 N/M N/M $(104,278)$41,160 N/M 
 
Segment pre-tax operating margin(153.5)%(0.4)%10.6%(26.9)%8.9%
 
 
Asset Management
 
Management and performance fees
Management fees$16,578$15,205$17,4189.0%(4.8)%$67,606$58,08016.4%
Performance fees 537  -  7,570 N/M (92.9) 2,283  8,747 (73.9)
Total management and performance fees17,11515,20524,98812.6(31.5)69,88966,8274.6
 
Other income/(loss) 1,730  (1,487) 349 N/M 395.7  1,298  380 241.6 
 
Net revenues18,84513,71825,33737.4(25.6)71,18767,2075.9
 
Operating expenses 14,140  13,048  18,226 8.4 (22.4) 56,590  51,083 10.8 
 
Segment pre-tax operating income$4,705 $670 $7,111 602.2 %(33.8)%$14,597 $16,124 (9.5)%
 
Segment pre-tax operating margin25.0%4.9%28.1%20.5%24.0%
 
 
Total
 
Net revenues$99,220$98,176$176,3721.1%(43.7)%$458,125$530,074(13.6)%
 
Non-interest expenses
Goodwill impairment120,298--N/MN/M120,298-N/M
Operating expenses 97,571  97,876  153,210 (0.3)(36.3) 427,508  472,790 (9.6)
Total non-interest expenses217,86997,876153,210122.6%42.2%547,806472,79015.9%
 
Total segment pre-tax operating income/(loss)$(118,649)$300 $23,162 N/M N/M $(89,681)$57,284 N/M 
 
Pre-tax operating margin(119.6)%0.3%13.1%(19.6)%10.8%
 
N/M – Not meaningful
 
FOOTNOTES
    
The press release includes the use of non-GAAP financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and that exclude the effects of a goodwill impairment charge recognized in the fourth quarter of 2011. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have been used in this press release because management believes they are useful to investors by providing greater transparency to Piper Jaffray’s operating performance.
 
 
 
(1)Net income/(loss) applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies and earnings per share
Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)December 31, 2011 December 31, 2011
Net loss applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies$(116,364)$(102,020)
Adjustment to exclude the goodwill impairment charge, net of income tax 118,448  118,448 
 
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies, excluding the goodwill impairment charge$2,084 $16,428 
 
Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies common shareholders, excluding
the goodwill impairment charge$1,729 $13,411 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share, excluding the goodwill impairment charge$0.11$0.86
 
Weighted average number of common share outstanding – diluted15,77315,685
 
 
(2)Consolidated non-compensation expenses
Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
(Amounts in thousands)December 31, 2011December 31, 2011
Non-compensation expenses$153,968$259,677
Adjustment to exclude the goodwill impairment charge (120,298) (120,298)
 
Non-compensation expenses, excluding the goodwill impairment charge$33,670 $139,379 
 
 
(3)Capital Markets pre-tax operating income and pre-tax margin
Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
(Amounts in thousands)December 31, 2011December 31, 2011
Capital Markets pre-tax operating loss$(123,354)$(104,278)
Adjustment to exclude the goodwill impairment charge 120,298  120,298 
 
Capital Markets pre-tax operating income/(loss), excluding the goodwill impairment charge$(3,056)$16,020 
 
Capital Markets pre-tax operating margin(153.5)%(26.9)%
Capital Markets pre-tax operating margin, excluding the goodwill impairment charge(3.8)%4.1%
 
 
(4)Capital Markets operating expenses
Three Months EndedFor the Year Ended
(Amounts in thousands)December 31, 2011December 31, 2011
Capital Markets operating expenses$203,729$491,216
Adjustment to exclude the goodwill impairment charge (120,298) (120,298)
 
Capital Markets operating expenses, excluding the goodwill impairment charge$83,431 $370,918 
 
 
(5)Adjusted common shareholders’ equity
 
Adjusted common shareholders’ equity equals total common shareholders’ equity, including goodwill associated with acquisitions, less goodwill resulting from the 1998 acquisition of our predecessor company, Piper Jaffray Companies Inc., by U.S. Bancorp. Annualized return on average adjusted common shareholders’ equity is computed by dividing annualized net income by average monthly adjusted common shareholders’ equity. Management believes that annualized return on adjusted common shareholders’ equity is a meaningful measure of performance because it reflects equity deployed in our businesses after our spin off from U.S. Bancorp on December 31, 2003. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of common shareholders’ equity to adjusted common shareholders’ equity. Common shareholders’ equity is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to adjusted common shareholders’ equity.
 
Average for theAverage for the
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands)Sept. 30, 2011Dec. 31, 2010
Common shareholders’ equity$842,515$809,154
Deduct: goodwill attributable to PJC Inc. acquisition by USB 105,522  105,522 
 
Adjusted common shareholders’ equity$736,993 $703,632 
 
 
(6)Annualized quarterly return on average adjusted common shareholders’ equity
 
Management believes that the annualized quarterly return on average adjusted common shareholders’ equity excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment charge is a meaningful measure and aids comparison to the other quarters presented.
 
Average for theAverage for the
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011, Including theDec. 31, 2011, Excluding the
(Amounts in thousands)Goodwill Impairment ChargeGoodwill Impairment Charge
Common shareholders’ equity$808,079$837,691
Deduct: goodwill attributable to PJC Inc. acquisition by USB 79,141  105,522 
 
Adjusted common shareholders’ equity$728,938$732,169
 
Annualized net income applicable to Piper Jaffray CompaniesN/M$8,337
 
Annualized quarterly return on average adjusted common shareholders’ equityN/M1.1%
 
 
(7)Tangible common shareholders’ equity
 
Tangible shareholders’ equity equals total shareholders’ equity less all goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Tangible book value per share is computed by dividing tangible shareholders’ equity by common shares outstanding. Management believes that tangible book value per share is a more meaningful measure of our book value per share. Shareholders’ equity is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to tangible shareholders’ equity. The following is a reconciliation of shareholders’ equity to tangible shareholders’ equity:
 
As ofAs ofAs of
(Amounts in thousands)Dec. 31, 2011Sept. 30, 2011Dec. 31, 2010
Common shareholders’ equity$718,391$839,139$813,312
Deduct: goodwill and identifiable intangible assets 253,656 376,022  382,174 
 
Tangible common shareholders’ equity$464,735$463,117 $431,138 
 
N/M – Not meaningful