LPLA 2014.03.31 10-Q


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to
Commission File Number: 001-34963
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
20-3717839
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(617) 423-3644
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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. x Yes     o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes     o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes     x No
The number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of April 17, 2014 was 100,558,687.




TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item Number
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




i



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
On our internet site, http://www.lpl.com, we post the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC: our annual reports on Form 10-K, our proxy statements, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Hard copies of all such filings are available free of charge by request via email (investor.relations@lpl.com), telephone (617) 897-4574, or mail (LPL Financial Investor Relations at 75 State Street, 24th Floor, Boston, MA 02109). The information contained or incorporated on our website is not a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
When we use the terms LPLFH, we, us, our and the Company, we mean LPL Financial Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context otherwise indicates.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in Item 2 - “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding the Company's future financial and operating results, growth, business strategy, plans, liquidity, ability, and plans to repurchase shares and pay dividends in the future, including statements regarding projected savings, projected expenses, and anticipated improvements to the Company's operating model, services, and technology as a result of the Service Value Commitment, as well as any other statements that are not related to present facts or current conditions or that are not purely historical, constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's historical performance and its plans, estimates, and expectations as of April 25, 2014The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees that the future results, plans, intentions, or expectations expressed or implied by the Company will be achieved. Matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, legislative, regulatory, competitive and other factors, which may cause actual financial or operating results, levels of activity, or the timing of events, to be materially different than those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include: changes in general economic and financial market conditions, including retail investor sentiment; fluctuations in the value of assets under custody; fluctuations in levels of net new advisory assets and related impact on fee revenue; effects of competition in the financial services industry; changes in the number of the Company's financial advisors and institutions, and their ability to market effectively financial products and services; changes in interest rates and fees payable by banks participating in the Company's cash sweep program, including the Company's success in negotiating agreements with current or additional counterparties; changes in the growth of the Company’s fee-based business; the Company's success in integrating the operations of acquired businesses; execution of the Company's plans related to the Service Value Commitment, including the Company's ability to successfully transform and transition business processes to third party service providers; the Company's success in negotiating and developing commercial arrangements with third party service providers that will enable the Company to realize the service improvements and efficiencies expected to result from the Service Value Commitment; the performance of third party service providers to which business processes are transitioned from the Company; the Company's ability to control operating risks, information technology systems risks and sourcing risks; the effect of current, pending and future legislation, regulation and regulatory actions, including disciplinary actions imposed by self-regulatory organizations; and the other factors set forth in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be amended or updated in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this quarterly report, even if its estimates change, and you should not rely on statements contained herein as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this quarterly report.

ii


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
  
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Commission
 
$
534,574

 
$
485,572

Advisory
 
327,253

 
281,226

Asset-based
 
114,674

 
103,766

Transaction and fee
 
89,985

 
89,378

Interest income, net of interest expense
 
4,761

 
4,408

Other
 
16,184

 
10,446

Total net revenues
 
1,087,431

 
974,796

EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Commission and advisory
 
744,543

 
659,553

Compensation and benefits
 
106,348

 
98,780

Promotional
 
27,183

 
23,665

Depreciation and amortization
 
22,281

 
19,774

Occupancy and equipment
 
22,081

 
16,798

Professional services
 
18,874

 
14,510

Brokerage, clearing and exchange
 
12,175

 
10,170

Communications and data processing
 
10,659

 
9,492

Regulatory fees and other
 
8,411

 
7,419

Restructuring charges
 
7,320

 
6,037

Other
 
7,169

 
5,887

Total operating expenses
 
987,044

 
872,085

Non-operating interest expense
 
12,840

 
12,160

Total expenses
 
999,884

 
884,245

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
87,547

 
90,551

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
34,412

 
35,834

NET INCOME
 
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 11):
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share, basic
 
$
0.52

 
$
0.51

Earnings per share, diluted
 
$
0.51

 
$
0.51

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic
 
101,279

 
106,347

Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted
 
103,339

 
107,297

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1



LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)


 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
NET INCOME
 
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax expense of $675 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively
 
1,062

 

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
1,062

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
54,197

 
$
54,717


See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


2



LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
470,305

 
$
516,584

Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations
 
461,312

 
512,351

Receivables from:
 
 
 
 
Clients, net of allowance of $633 at March 31, 2014 and $588 at December 31, 2013
 
340,341

 
373,675

Product sponsors, broker-dealers and clearing organizations
 
146,120

 
174,070

Others, net of allowance of $7,390 at March 31, 2014 and $7,091 at December 31, 2013
 
284,653

 
272,018

Securities owned:
 
 

 
 

Trading — at fair value
 
12,388

 
8,964

Held-to-maturity
 
4,847

 
6,853

Securities borrowed
 
8,264

 
7,102

Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $275,059 at March 31, 2014 and $263,321 at December 31, 2013
 
200,071

 
189,059

Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $8,831 at March 31, 2014 and $7,751 at December 31, 2013
 
15,201

 
16,281

Goodwill
 
1,361,361

 
1,361,361

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $276,002 at March 31, 2014 and $266,285 at December 31, 2013
 
454,806

 
464,522

Other assets
 
169,027

 
139,991

Total assets
 
$
3,928,696

 
$
4,042,831

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Drafts payable
 
$
180,648

 
$
194,971

Payables to clients
 
564,649

 
565,204

Payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations
 
30,624

 
43,157

Accrued commission and advisory expenses payable
 
125,240

 
135,149

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
244,208

 
301,644

Income taxes payable
 
24,794

 
4,320

Unearned revenue
 
79,317

 
73,739

Securities sold, but not yet purchased — at fair value
 
536

 
211

Senior secured credit facilities
 
1,532,387

 
1,535,096

Deferred income taxes, net
 
90,044

 
89,369

Total liabilities
 
2,872,447

 
2,942,860

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 

 
 

Common stock, $.001 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; 117,691,335 shares issued at March 31, 2014 and 117,112,465 shares issued at December 31, 2013
 
118

 
117

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,318,823

 
1,292,374

Treasury stock, at cost — 17,141,172 shares at March 31, 2014 and 15,216,301 shares at December 31, 2013
 
(606,474
)
 
(506,205
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
1,177

 
115

Retained earnings
 
342,605

 
313,570

Total stockholders’ equity
 
1,056,249

 
1,099,971

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
3,928,696

 
$
4,042,831

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)


 
 
 
 
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 
Common Stock
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
BALANCE — December 31, 2012
115,714

 
$
116

 
$
1,228,075

 
9,422

 
$
(287,998
)
 
$

 
$
199,827

 
$
1,140,020

Net income and other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
54,717

 
54,717

Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
155

 
(4,921
)
 
 
 
 
 
(4,921
)
Cash dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(14,374
)
 
(14,374
)
Stock option exercises and other
358

 


 
7,108

 


 


 
 
 


 
7,108

Share-based compensation


 
 
 
5,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,801

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
1,634

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,634

BALANCE — March 31, 2013
116,072

 
$
116

 
$
1,242,618

 
9,577

 
$
(292,919
)
 
$

 
$
240,170

 
$
1,189,985

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE — December 31, 2013
117,112

 
$
117

 
$
1,292,374

 
15,216

 
$
(506,205
)
 
$
115

 
$
313,570

 
$
1,099,971

Net income and other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,062

 
53,135

 
54,197

Issuance of common stock to settle restricted stock units, net
34

 
1

 


 
11

 
(585
)
 
 
 
 
 
(584
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,923

 
(100,000
)
 
 
 
 
 
(100,000
)
Cash dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(24,097
)
 
(24,097
)
Stock option exercises and other
545

 


 
13,747

 
(9
)
 
316

 
 
 
(3
)
 
14,060

Share-based compensation


 
 
 
8,287

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,287

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
4,415

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,415

BALANCE — March 31, 2014
117,691

 
$
118

 
$
1,318,823

 
17,141

 
$
(606,474
)
 
$
1,177

 
$
342,605

 
$
1,056,249

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Noncash items:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
22,281

 
19,774

Amortization of debt issuance costs
 
1,080

 
1,121

Share-based compensation
 
8,287

 
5,801

Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
 
(4,444
)
 
(1,634
)
Provision for bad debts
 
330

 
(374
)
Deferred income tax provision
 

 
(8,384
)
Net changes in estimated fair value of contingent consideration obligations
 

 
(1,023
)
Loan forgiveness
 
6,436

 
334

Other
 
175

 
206

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations
 
51,039

 
177,500

Receivables from clients
 
33,289

 
28,413

Receivables from product sponsors, broker-dealers and clearing organizations
 
27,950

 
(28,705
)
Receivables from others
 
(19,356
)
 
(27,171
)
Securities owned
 
(3,593
)
 
725

Securities borrowed
 
(1,162
)
 
1,690

Other assets
 
(27,431
)
 
(11,427
)
Drafts payable
 
(14,323
)
 
(65,511
)
Payables to clients
 
(555
)
 
(166,814
)
Payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations
 
(12,533
)
 
1,140

Accrued commission and advisory expenses payable
 
(9,909
)
 
(3,538
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(55,701
)
 
(15,734
)
Income taxes receivable/payable
 
24,889

 
39,675

Unearned revenue
 
5,578

 
6,702

Securities sold, but not yet purchased
 
325

 
(201
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
85,787

 
$
7,282

 
 
 
 
 
Continued on following page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5



LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Continued
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)


 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
(23,012
)
 
$
(13,738
)
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
 
1,000

 

Purchase of securities classified as held-to-maturity
 

 
(2,495
)
Proceeds from maturity of securities classified as held-to-maturity
 
2,000

 
1,000

Release of restricted cash
 
132

 

Purchases of minority interest investments
 

 
(1,000
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(19,880
)
 
(16,233
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Repayment of senior secured credit facilities
 
(2,709
)
 
(10,725
)
Payment of contingent consideration
 
(3,300
)
 

Tax payments related to settlement of restricted stock units
 
(584
)
 

Repurchase of common stock
 
(100,000
)
 
(4,921
)
Dividends on common stock
 
(24,097
)
 
(14,374
)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
 
4,444

 
1,634

Proceeds from stock option exercises and other
 
14,060

 
7,108

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(112,186
)
 
(21,278
)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(46,279
)
 
(30,229
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Beginning of period
 
516,584

 
466,261

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — End of period
 
$
470,305

 
$
436,032

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Interest paid
 
$
13,047

 
$
12,016

Income taxes paid
 
$
9,531

 
$
4,547

NONCASH DISCLOSURES:
 
 
 
 
Fixed assets acquired under build-to-suit lease
 
$
8,114

 
$

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.




6


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)



1.    Organization and Description of the Company
LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLFH), a Delaware holding corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) provides an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at financial institutions (collectively advisors) in the United States of America. Through its custody and clearing platform, using both proprietary and third-party technology, the Company provides access to diversified financial products and services enabling its advisors to offer independent financial advice and brokerage services to retail investors (their clients).
2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation — The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The Company’s results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or any other interim period.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all information and notes necessary for a complete presentation of results of income, comprehensive income, financial position, and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes for the year ended December 31, 2013, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC.
The Company’s significant accounting policies are included in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no significant changes to these accounting policies during the first three months of 2014.
Consolidation — These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LPLFH and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Equity investments in which the Company exercises significant influence but does not exercise control and is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could vary from these estimates.
Reportable Segment — The Company's internal reporting is organized into two service channels: Independent Advisor Services and Institution Services. These service channels qualify as individual operating segments and are aggregated and viewed as one reportable segment due to their similar economic characteristics, products and services, production and distribution processes, and regulatory environment.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value or at amounts that, because of their short-term nature, approximate current fair value, with the exception of its indebtedness. The Company carries its indebtedness at amortized cost. The Company measures the implied fair value of its debt instruments using trading levels obtained from a third-party service provider. Accordingly, the debt instruments qualify as Level 2 fair value measurements. See Note 4. Fair Value Measurements, for additional detail regarding the Company’s fair value measurements. As of March 31, 2014, the carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s indebtedness was approximately $1,532.4 million and $1,530.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the carrying amount and fair value was approximately $1,535.1 million and $1,533.3 million, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — There are no recent accounting pronouncements that would impact the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, financial condition, or cash flows.

7


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


3.    Restructuring
In February 2013, the Company committed to an expansion of its Service Value Commitment (the Program), an ongoing effort to position the Company for sustainable long-term growth by improving the service experience of its advisors and delivering efficiencies in its operating model. The Program is expected to be completed in 2015.
The Company estimates total charges in connection with the Program to be approximately $65.0 million. These expenditures are comprised of outsourcing and other related costs, technology transformation costs, employee severance obligations and other related costs, and non-cash charges for impairment of certain fixed assets related to internally developed software.
The following table summarizes the balance of accrued expenses and the changes in the accrued amounts for the Program as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Accrued
Balance at
December 31,
2013
 
Costs
Incurred
 
Payments
 
Non-cash
 
Accrued Balance at March 31, 2014
 
Cumulative Costs Incurred to Date
 
Total
Expected
Restructuring
Costs
Outsourcing and other related costs
$
1,424

 
$
2,873

 
$
(3,985
)
 
$

 
$
312

 
$
18,155

 
$
30,000

Technology transformation costs
1,753

 
3,251

 
(3,060
)
 

 
1,944

 
12,520

 
23,000

Employee severance obligations and other related costs
820

 
792

 
(435
)
 

 
1,177

 
3,250

 
11,000

Asset impairments

 

 

 

 

 
842

 
1,000

Total
$
3,997

 
$
6,916

 
$
(7,480
)
 
$

 
$
3,433

 
$
34,767

 
$
65,000

4.    Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized within a three-level fair value hierarchy. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between these fair value measurement classifications during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The Company’s fair value measurements are evaluated within the fair value hierarchy, based on the nature of inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date. At March 31, 2014, the Company had the following financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Cash Equivalents — The Company’s cash equivalents include money market funds, which are short term in nature with readily determinable values derived from active markets.
Securities Owned and Securities Sold, But Not Yet Purchased — The Company's trading securities consist of house account model portfolios established and managed for the purpose of benchmarking the performance of its fee based advisory platforms and temporary positions resulting from the processing of client transactions. Examples of these securities include money market funds, U.S. treasury obligations, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and traded equity and debt securities.

8


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The Company uses prices obtained from independent third-party pricing services to measure the fair value of its trading securities. Prices received from the pricing services are validated using various methods including comparison to prices received from additional pricing services, comparison to available quoted market prices and review of other relevant market data including implied yields of major categories of securities. In general, these quoted prices are derived from active markets for identical assets or liabilities. When quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities are not available, the quoted prices are based on similar assets and liabilities or inputs other than the quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. For certificates of deposit and treasury securities, the Company utilizes market-based inputs including observable market interest rates that correspond to the remaining maturities or the next interest reset dates. At March 31, 2014, the Company did not adjust prices received from the independent third-party pricing services.
Other Assets — The Company’s other assets include: (1) deferred compensation plan assets that are invested in money market and other mutual funds, which are actively traded and valued based on quoted market prices; (2) certain non-traded real estate investment trusts, which are valued using quoted prices for identical or similar securities and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and (3) cash flow hedges, which are measured using quoted prices for similar cash flow hedges, taking into account counterparty credit risk and the Company's own non-performance risk.
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities — The Company's accounts payable and accrued liabilities include contingent consideration liabilities, which are measured using Level 3 inputs.
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
At March 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
246,058

 
$

 
$

 
$
246,058

Securities owned — trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
243

 

 

 
243

Mutual funds
6,556

 

 

 
6,556

Equity securities
106

 

 

 
106

Debt securities

 
3,234

 

 
3,234

U.S. treasury obligations
2,000

 

 

 
2,000

Certificates of deposit

 
249

 

 
249

Total securities owned — trading
8,905

 
3,483

 

 
12,388

Other assets
59,706

 
4,611

 

 
64,317

Total assets at fair value
$
314,669

 
$
8,094

 
$

 
$
322,763

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold, but not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
523

 
$

 
$

 
$
523

Debt securities

 
13

 

 
13

Total securities sold, but not yet purchased
523

 
13

 

 
536

Total liabilities at fair value
$
523

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
536



9


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
At December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
254,032

 
$

 
$

 
$
254,032

Securities owned — trading:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market funds
170

 

 

 
170

Mutual funds
7,291

 

 

 
7,291

Equity securities
103

 

 

 
103

U.S. treasury obligations
1,400

 

 

 
1,400

Total securities owned — trading
8,964

 

 

 
8,964

Other assets
47,539

 
3,072

 

 
50,611

Total assets at fair value
$
310,535

 
$
3,072

 
$

 
$
313,607

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold, but not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
63

 
$

 
$

 
$
63

Equity securities
127

 

 

 
127

Debt securities

 
10

 

 
10

Certificates of deposit

 
11

 

 
11

Total securities sold, but not yet purchased
190

 
21

 

 
211

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 
39,293

 
39,293

Total liabilities at fair value
$
190

 
$
21

 
$
39,293

 
$
39,504

Changes in Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a contingent consideration obligation related to the acquisition of National Retirement Partners, Inc. (NRP). This obligation was based on the achievement of certain revenue-based targets for the twelve-month period ending November 30, 2013, in aggregate for those advisors joining LPL Financial LLC (LPL Financial) subsequent to the NRP acquisition for whom retirement plans comprise a significant part of their business. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had finalized the determination of the amount of contingent consideration to be paid to the former shareholders of NRP, resulting in a total payment of $39.3 million, which was made on February 19, 2014.
The Company determines the fair value for its contingent consideration obligations using an income approach whereby the Company assesses the probability and timing of the achievement of the applicable milestones, which are based on contractually negotiated financial or operating targets that vary by acquisition transaction, such as revenues, gross margin, EBITDA and assets under custody. The contingent payments are estimated using a probability weighted, multi-scenario analysis of expected future performance of the acquired businesses. The Company then discounts these expected payment amounts to calculate the fair value as of the valuation date. The Company's management evaluates the underlying projections and other related factors used in determining fair value each period and makes updates when there have been significant changes in management's expectations.
The principal significant unobservable input used in the valuations of the Company's contingent consideration obligations is a risk-adjusted discount rate. Whereas management's underlying projections adjust for market penetration and adoption rates, the discount rate is risk-adjusted for key factors such as advisor attrition, advisor recruitment, expenses and overhead costs, average client assets, revenue generation of client assets and credit risk. An increase in the discount rate will result in a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration. Conversely, a decrease in the discount rate will result in an increase in the fair value of contingent consideration.

10


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


5.    Held-to-Maturity Securities
The Company holds certain investments in securities, primarily U.S. government notes, which are recorded at amortized cost because the Company has both the intent and the ability to hold these investments to maturity. Interest income is accrued as earned. Premiums and discounts are amortized using a method that approximates the effective yield method over the term of the security and are recorded as an adjustment to the investment yield.
The amortized cost, gross unrealized loss or gain and fair value of securities held-to-maturity were as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Amortized cost
$
4,847

 
$
6,853

Gross unrealized loss
(42
)
 
(58
)
Fair value
$
4,805

 
$
6,795

At March 31, 2014, the securities held-to-maturity were scheduled to mature as follows (in thousands):
 
Within one year
 
After one but within five years
 
After five but within ten years
 
Total
U.S. government notes — at amortized cost
$
2,251

 
$
2,096

 
$
500

 
$
4,847

U.S. government notes — at fair value
$
2,252

 
$
2,077

 
$
476

 
$
4,805

6.    Derivative Financial Instruments
In May 2013, in conjunction with its commitment to expand its Service Value Commitment, the Company entered into a long-term contractual obligation (the Agreement) with a third-party provider to enhance the quality, speed and cost of processes by outsourcing certain functions. The Agreement enables the third-party provider to use the services of its affiliates in India to provide services to the Company. The Agreement provides for the Company to settle the cost of its contractual obligation to the third-party provider in U.S. dollars each month. However, the Agreement provides that on each annual anniversary date, the price for services (denominated in U.S. dollars) is to be adjusted for the then-current exchange rate between the U.S. dollar (USD) and the Indian rupee (INR). The Agreement provides that, once an annual adjustment is calculated, there are no further modifications to the amounts paid by the Company to the third-party provider for fluctuations in the exchange rate between the USD and the INR until the reset on the next anniversary date. The third-party provider bears the risk of currency movement from the date of signing the Agreement until the reset on the first anniversary of its signing, and during each period until the next annual reset. The Company bears the risk of currency movement at each of the annual reset dates following the first anniversary.
To mitigate foreign currency risk arising from these annual anniversary events, the Company uses derivative financial instruments consisting solely of non-deliverable foreign currency contracts, all of which have been designated as cash flow hedges.
The details related to the non-deliverable foreign currency contracts at March 31, 2014 are as follows (in millions, except foreign exchange rate):
 
Settlement Date
 
Hedged Notional Amount (INR)
 
Contractual INR/USD Foreign Exchange Rate
 
Hedged Notional Amount (USD)
Cash flow hedge #1
6/3/2014
 
560.4

 
65.96

 
$
8.5

Cash flow hedge #2
6/2/2015
 
560.4

 
69.35

 
8.1

Cash flow hedge #3
6/2/2016
 
560.4

 
72.21

 
7.8

Cash flow hedge #4
6/2/2017
 
560.4

 
74.20

 
7.5

Total hedged amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
31.9


11


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The fair value of the derivative instruments included in other assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition were as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Cash flow hedges
$
1,939

 
$
187

7.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets were a result of various acquisitions. See Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the Company's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the components of goodwill and additional information regarding intangible assets.
8.    Debt
Senior Secured Credit Facilities — On May 13, 2013, the Company entered into the First Amendment and Incremental Assumption Agreement (Credit Agreement) with its wholly owned subsidiary, LPL Holdings, Inc., and other parties thereto. The Credit Agreement amended the Company's previous credit agreement, which was dated as of March 29, 2012.
The Credit Agreement includes a Term Loan A, a Term Loan B, and a revolving credit facility (Revolving Credit Facility). Term Loan A had an initial principal amount of $459.4 million maturing on March 29, 2017; Term Loan B had an initial principal amount of $1,083.9 million maturing on March 29, 2019; and the Revolving Credit Facility has a borrowing capacity of $250.0 million maturing on March 29, 2017.
At the time the Company entered into the Credit Agreement, all mandatory payments required under Term Loan A were prepaid, with the remaining principal and accrued interest due upon maturity. Term Loan B includes quarterly payments at an annual rate of 1.0% of principal per year, with the remaining principal and accrued interest due upon maturity.
Borrowings under Term Loan A and Term Loan B bear interest at a base rate equal to either one-, two-, three-, six-, nine-, or twelve-month LIBOR (the “Eurodollar Rate”) plus the applicable interest rate margin, or an alternative base rate (“ABR”) plus the applicable interest rate margin. The Eurodollar Rate with respect to Term Loan B shall in no event be less than 0.75%. The ABR is equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day; (b) the effective federal funds rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%; (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%; or (d) solely in the case of Term Loan B, 1.75%. The Company may repay outstanding loans under its Credit Agreement at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to Eurodollar Rate loans.
As of March 31, 2014, borrowings under the term loans bore interest at the Eurodollar Rate with an applicable interest rate margin of 2.50%. The Company’s outstanding borrowings were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Maturity
 
 
Balance
 
Interest
Rate    
 
 
 
Balance
 
Interest
Rate    
 
Senior secured term loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term Loan A
3/29/2017
 
$
459,375

 
2.65
%
(1)
 
$
459,375

 
2.67
%
(3)
Term Loan B
3/29/2019
 
1,073,012

 
3.25
%
(2)
 
1,075,721

 
3.25
%
(4)
Total borrowings
 
 
1,532,387

 
 
 
 
1,535,096

 
 
 
Less current portion
 
 
10,839

 
 
 
 
10,839

 
 
 
Long-term borrowings — net of current portion
 
 
$
1,521,548

 
 
 
 
$
1,524,257

 
 
 
_____________________
(1)
As of March 31, 2014, the variable interest rate for Term Loan A was the one-month LIBOR, designated at an interest rate of 0.15%.
(2)
As of March 31, 2014, the Company elected the six-month LIBOR, which was less than 0.75%; as a result, the variable interest rate for Term Loan B was the minimum Eurodollar Rate of 0.75%.

12


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


(3)
As of December 31, 2013, the variable interest rate for Term Loan A was the one-month LIBOR, designated at an interest rate of 0.17%.
(4)
As of December 31, 2013, the Company elected the six-month LIBOR, which was less than 0.75%; as a result, the variable interest rate for Term Loan B was the minimum Eurodollar Rate of 0.75%.
As of March 31, 2014, the Revolving Credit Facility was being used to support the issuance of $21.4 million of irrevocable letters of credit for the construction of the Company's new San Diego office building and other items, with an applicable interest rate margin of 2.50%. An irrevocable letter of credit for $20.7 million matures on March 29, 2015, while the remaining letters totaling $0.7 million mature on various dates through April 6, 2015. The remaining available balance of $228.6 million was undrawn at March 31, 2014.
The Credit Agreement subjects the Company to certain financial and non-financial covenants. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with such covenants.
Bank Loans Payable — The Company maintains three uncommitted lines of credit. Two of the lines have unspecified limits, which are primarily dependent on the Company’s ability to provide sufficient collateral. The third line has a $200.0 million limit, and allows for both collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings. The lines have not been utilized in 2014, but were utilized in 2013; however, there were no balances outstanding at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
The following summarizes borrowing activity in the revolving and uncommitted line of credit facilities (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Average balance
$

 
$
12,406

Weighted-average interest rate
%
 
1.80
%
9.    Commitments and Contingencies
Leases — The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating leases. These leases are generally subject to scheduled base rent and maintenance cost increases, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the leases. Total rental expense for all operating leases was approximately $8.8 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
In March 2014 the Company entered into a lease agreement for additional office space in Charlotte with a lease commencement date of March 1, 2014 and an expiration date of February 28, 2017. Future minimum payments for this lease commitment are $0.5 million, $1.0 million, $1.1 million, and $0.2 million, for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively.
Service Contracts — The Company is party to certain long-term contracts for systems and services that enable back office trade processing and clearing for its product and service offerings.
Guarantees — The Company occasionally enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require it to indemnify certain parties against third-party claims. The terms of these obligations vary and, because a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated, the Company has determined that it is not possible to make an estimate of the amount that it could be obligated to pay under such contracts.
The Company’s subsidiary, LPL Financial, provides guarantees to securities clearing houses and exchanges under their standard membership agreements, which require a member to guarantee the performance of other members. Under these agreements, if a member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearing houses and exchanges, all other members would be required to meet any shortfall. The Company’s liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and may exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, the potential requirement for the Company to make payments under these agreements is remote. Accordingly, no liability has been recognized for these transactions.
Loan Commitments — From time to time, LPL Financial makes loans to its advisors, primarily to newly recruited advisors to assist in the transition process, which may be forgivable. Due to timing differences, LPL

13


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


Financial may make commitments to issue such loans prior to actually funding them. These unfunded commitments are generally contingent upon certain events occurring, including but not limited to the advisor joining LPL Financial. LPL Financial had no such significant unfunded commitments at March 31, 2014.
Disputed & Regulatory Matters — The Company maintains insurance coverage for client claims. With respect to these matters, the estimated losses on the majority of pending matters are less than the applicable deductibles of the insurance policies. The Company is also subject to extensive regulation and supervision by U.S. federal and state agencies and various self-regulatory organizations. The Company and its financial advisors periodically engage with such agencies and organizations, in the context of examinations or otherwise, to respond to inquiries, informational requests, and investigations. From time to time, such engagements result in regulatory complaints or other matters, the resolution of which can include restitution, fines, and other remedies. As of April 25, 2014, the Company believes, based on the information available at this time, consideration of amounts accrued, insurance, if any, and indemnifications provided by the third-party indemnitors, if any, that the outcomes of any such pending claims or matters with estimated losses in excess of applicable deductibles will not have a material impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, financial condition, or cash flows.
Certain former owners of Concord Capital Partners, Inc. (CCP), a subsidiary that the Company acquired in June 2011, have filed lawsuits with claims related to contingent consideration under the stock purchase agreement relating to the Company's acquisition of CCP and employment-related claims. As of April 25, 2014, after consideration of amounts accrued and applicable insurance, the Company does not believe that the outcomes of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated statements of income, financial condition, or cash flows.
Other Commitments — As of March 31, 2014, the Company had received collateral primarily in connection with client margin loans with a market value of approximately $368.9 million, which it can re-pledge, loan, or sell. Of these securities, approximately $28.8 million were pledged with client-owned securities to the Options Clearing Corporation as collateral to secure client obligations related to options positions. Additionally, approximately $141.2 million was held at banks in connection with unutilized secured margin lines of credit; these securities may be used as collateral for loans from these banks. The remainder of $198.9 million had not been re-pledged, loaned, or sold, and as of March 31, 2014 there were no restrictions that materially limited the Company's ability to re-pledge, loan, or sell the remaining $340.1 million of client collateral.
Trading securities on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition includes $2.0 million and $1.4 million pledged to clearing organizations at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Brokerage, clearing, and custody services are provided by LPL Financial on a fully disclosed basis. LPL Financial also has a multi-year agreement to provide its investment advisory programs, platforms, technology, and additional processing and related services to the advisors of the broker-dealer subsidiary of a large global insurance company and the clients of such advisors. Termination fees may be payable by a terminating or breaching party depending on the specific cause of termination.
10.    Stockholders' Equity
Share-Based Compensation
Certain employees, advisors, institutions, executive officers, and non-employee directors of the Company participate in various long-term incentive plans, which provide for granting stock options, warrants, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units. Stock options and warrants generally vest in equal increments over a three- to five-year period and expire on the tenth anniversary following the date of grant. Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units generally vest over a two- to four-year period.
On November 17, 2010, the Company adopted a 2010 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan), which provides for the granting of stock options, warrants, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and other equity-based compensation. The 2010 Plan serves as the successor to the 2005 Stock Option Plan for Incentive Stock Options, the 2005 Stock Option Plan for Non-qualified Stock Options, the 2008 Advisor and Institution Incentive Plan, the 2008 Stock Option Plan and the Director Restricted Stock Plan (collectively, the Predecessor Plans). Upon adoption of the 2010 Plan, awards were no longer made under the Predecessor Plans; however, awards previously granted under the Predecessor Plans remain outstanding until exercised or forfeited.

14


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


There are 12,055,945 new shares available for grant under the 2010 Plan. As of March 31, 2014, there are 6,208,095 of authorized unissued shares reserved for issuance upon exercise and conversion of outstanding awards granted under the 2010 Plan.
Stock Options and Warrants
The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used by the Company in calculating the fair value of its employee, officer and director stock options with the Black-Scholes valuation model that have been granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
Expected life (in years)
 
6.01

Expected stock price volatility
 
44.34
%
Expected dividend yield
 
1.75
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.19
%
Fair value of options
 
$
20.77

The fair value of each stock option or warrant awarded to advisors and financial institutions is estimated on the date of the grant and revalued at each reporting period using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions used during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
Expected life (in years)
 
7.20

Expected stock price volatility
 
42.53
%
Expected dividend yield
 
1.83
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.17
%
Fair value of options
 
$
28.11

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option and warrant activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(In thousands)
Outstanding — December 31, 2013
 
7,016,521

 
$
28.45

 
 
 
 
Granted
 
693,089

 
54.81

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 
(543,458
)
 
25.30

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
(46,098
)
 
30.81

 
 
 
 
Outstanding — March 31, 2014
 
7,120,054

 
$
31.24

 
7.05
 
$
151,626

Exercisable — March 31, 2014
 
3,482,681

 
$
26.96

 
5.83
 
$
89,089


15


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options and warrants at March 31, 2014:
 
 
Outstanding
 
Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices
 
Total
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Life
(Years)
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
$1.35 - $2.38
 
38,952

 
0.61
 
$
1.89

 
38,952

 
$
1.89

$10.30 - $19.74
 
354,080

 
4.71
 
17.91

 
354,080

 
17.91

$21.60 - $22.08
 
861,781

 
5.20
 
22.02

 
662,781

 
22.01

$23.02 - $29.99
 
2,045,265

 
6.30
 
27.39

 
1,228,152

 
26.81

$30.00 - $32.26
 
1,829,612

 
8.40
 
31.83

 
519,651

 
31.89

$32.33 - $39.60
 
1,297,275

 
6.90
 
34.55

 
677,372

 
34.39

$40.00 - $54.81
 
693,089

 
9.91
 
54.81

 
1,693

 
54.81

 
 
7,120,054

 
7.05
 
$
31.24

 
3,482,681

 
$
26.96

The Company recognizes share-based compensation for stock options awarded to employees, officers and directors based on the grant date fair value over the requisite service period of the award, which generally equals the vesting period. The Company recognized share-based compensation related to the vesting of these awards of $3.8 million and $3.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which is included in compensation and benefits on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. As of March 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted to employees, officers and directors was $35.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.64 years.
The Company recognizes share-based compensation for stock options and warrants awarded to its advisors and to financial institutions based on the fair value of the awards at each interim reporting period. The Company recognized share-based compensation of $3.2 million and $1.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to the vesting of stock options and warrants awarded to its advisors and financial institutions, which is classified within commission and advisory expense on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. As of March 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted to advisors and financial institutions was $20.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.86 years.
Restricted Stock
The Company grants restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to its employees, officers, and directors. A restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of common stock upon vesting. The Company recognizes share-based compensation for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units granted to its employees, officers, and directors by measuring such awards at their grant date fair value. Share-based compensation is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, which generally equals the vesting period.
The following summarizes the Company’s activity in its restricted stock awards and restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
Restricted Stock Units
 
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2013
 
39,153

 
$
33.20

 
256,684

 
$
32.12

  Granted
 
5,610

 
53.47

 
171,841

 
52.80

  Vested
 
(9,300
)
 
32.26

 
(34,352
)
 
30.57

  Forfeited
 
(4,550
)
 
32.96

 
(2,361
)
 
29.24

Nonvested at March 31, 2014
 
30,913

 
$
37.19

 
391,812

 
$
41.35


16


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The Company recognized $1.2 million and $0.4 million of share-based compensation related to the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which is included in compensation and benefits on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. As of March 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units granted to employees, officers, and directors was $13.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 2.62 years.
Dividends
The payment, timing, and amount of any dividends permitted under the Company's credit facilities are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
On February 10, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.24 per share on the Company's outstanding common stock. The dividend of $24.1 million was paid on March 10, 2014 to all stockholders of record on February 24, 2014.
On February 5, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.135 per share on the Company's outstanding common stock. The dividend of $14.4 million was paid on March 4, 2013 to all stockholders of record on February 18, 2013.
Share Repurchases
The Board of Directors has approved several share repurchase programs pursuant to which the Company may repurchase its issued and outstanding shares of common stock from time to time. Repurchased shares are included in treasury stock on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Purchases may be effected in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including transactions with affiliates, with the timing of purchases and the amount of stock purchased generally determined at the discretion of the Company's management.
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had the following activity under its approved share repurchase programs (in millions, except share and per share data):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Approval Date
 
Authorized Repurchase Amount
 
Amount Remaining at March 31, 2014
 
Shares Purchased
 
Weighted-Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Cost
 
Shares Purchased
 
Weighted-Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Cost
September 27, 2012
 
$
150.0

 
$

 

 
$

 
$

 
155,289

 
$
31.69

 
$
4.9

May 28, 2013
 
$
200.0

 

 
1,306,288

 
52.00

 
67.9

 

 

 

February 10, 2014
 
$
150.0

 
117.9

 
616,788

 
52.00

 
32.1

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
$
117.9

 
1,923,076

 
$
52.00

 
$
100.0

 
155,289

 
$
31.69

 
$
4.9

See Note 13 for details regarding the repurchase of shares from related parties.

17


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


11.    Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential shares of common stock had been issued. The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding
101,279

 
106,347

Dilutive common share equivalents
2,060

 
950

Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding
103,339

 
107,297

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.52

 
$
0.51

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.51

 
$
0.51

The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes stock options, warrants, and restricted stock units that are anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, stock options, warrants, and restricted stock units representing common share equivalents of 941,406 shares and 5,039,942 shares, respectively, were anti-dilutive.
12.    Income Taxes
The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the federal corporate tax rate of 35.0%, primarily as a result of state taxes, settlement contingencies and expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes. These items resulted in effective tax rates of 39.3% and 39.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
13.    Related Party Transactions
The Company has related party transactions with TPG Capital, one of the Company's significant stockholders, as well as certain portfolio companies of TPG Capital. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company recognized revenue for services provided to these portfolio companies of $0.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by TPG Capital or these portfolio companies of $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, receivables from related parties were $0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, payables to related parties were not in excess of 0.1 million.
On February 12, 2014, the Company entered into a share repurchase agreement with an investment fund associated with TPG Capital, pursuant to which the Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock at a price of $52.00 per share, for total consideration of $100.0 million. The share repurchase was effected in a private transaction and was contingent on the closing of a registered sale of 1.9 million shares of the Company's common stock by TPG Capital to a private investor. The repurchase transaction closed on February 19, 2014.
14.    Net Capital and Regulatory Requirements
The Company operates in a highly regulated industry. Applicable laws and regulations restrict permissible activities and investments and require compliance with various financial and customer-related regulations. The consequences of noncompliance can include substantial monetary and non-monetary sanctions. In addition, the Company is also subject to comprehensive examinations and supervision by various governmental and self-regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies generally have broad discretion to prescribe greater limitations on

18


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


the operations of a regulated entity for the protection of investors or public interest. Furthermore, where the agencies determine that such operations are unsafe or unsound, fail to comply with applicable law, or are otherwise inconsistent with the laws and regulations or with the supervisory policies, greater restrictions may be imposed.
The Company’s registered broker-dealer, LPL Financial, is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital, as defined. Net capital and the related net capital requirement may fluctuate on a daily basis. LPL Financial is a clearing broker-dealer and had net capital of $180.2 million with a minimum net capital requirement of $6.5 million and net capital in excess of the minimum requirement of $173.7 million as of March 31, 2014.
The Company's subsidiary, The Private Trust Company N.A. (PTC), operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have substantial monetary and non-monetary impacts to PTC's operations.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, LPL Financial and PTC met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
15.    Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk
LPL Financial’s client securities activities are transacted on either a cash or margin basis. In margin transactions, LPL Financial extends credit to the advisor's client, subject to various regulatory and internal margin requirements, collateralized by cash and securities in the client’s account. As clients write options contracts or sell securities short, LPL Financial may incur losses if the clients do not fulfill their obligations and the collateral in the clients’ accounts is not sufficient to fully cover losses that clients may incur from these strategies. To control this risk, LPL Financial monitors margin levels daily and clients are required to deposit additional collateral, or reduce positions, when necessary.
LPL Financial is obligated to settle transactions with brokers and other financial institutions even if its advisors' clients fail to meet their obligation to LPL Financial. Clients are required to complete their transactions on the settlement date, generally three business days after the trade date. If clients do not fulfill their contractual obligations, LPL Financial may incur losses. In addition, the Company occasionally enters into certain types of contracts to fulfill its sale of when, as, and if issued securities. When, as, and if issued securities have been authorized but are contingent upon the actual issuance of the security. LPL Financial has established procedures to reduce this risk by generally requiring that clients deposit cash and/or securities into their account prior to placing an order.
LPL Financial may at times hold equity securities that are recorded on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at market value. While long inventory positions represent LPL Financial’s ownership of securities, short inventory positions represent obligations of LPL Financial to deliver specified securities at a contracted price, which may differ from market prices prevailing at the time of completion of the transaction. Accordingly, both long and short inventory positions may result in losses or gains to LPL Financial as market values of securities fluctuate. To mitigate the risk of losses, long and short positions are marked-to-market daily and are continuously monitored by LPL Financial.
16.    Subsequent Event
On April 22, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.24 per share on the Company's outstanding common stock to be paid on May 20, 2014 to all stockholders of record on May 6, 2014.
******

19


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview
We are the nation's largest independent broker-dealer, a top custodian for registered investment advisors (RIAs), and a leading independent consultant to retirement plans. We provide an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to more than 13,700 independent financial advisors, including financial advisors at more than 700 financial institutions (our advisors) across the country, enabling them to provide their retail investors (clients) with objective financial advice through a lower conflict model. We also support approximately 4,400 financial advisors who are affiliated and licensed with insurance companies with customized clearing, advisory platforms, and technology solutions.
Fortigent Holdings Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Fortigent) are a leading provider of solutions and consulting services to RIAs, banks, and trust companies servicing high-net-worth clients, while The Private Trust Company, N.A. (PTC) manages trusts and family assets for high-net-worth clients.
Our singular focus is to provide our advisors with the front-, middle- and back-office support they need to serve the large and growing market for independent investment advice. We believe we are the only company that offers advisors the unique combination of an integrated technology platform, comprehensive self-clearing services, and open-architecture access to leading financial products, all delivered in an environment unencumbered by conflicts from product manufacturing, underwriting, or market making.
For over 20 years, we have served the independent advisor market. We currently support the largest independent advisor base and we believe we have the fourth largest overall advisor base in the United States based on the information available as of the date this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been issued. Through our advisors, we are also one of the largest distributors of financial products in the United States. Our scale is a substantial competitive advantage and enables us to more effectively attract and retain advisors. Our unique business model allows us to invest in more resources for our advisors, increasing their revenues and creating a virtuous cycle of growth. We have 3,267 employees, with primary offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego.
Our Sources of Revenue
Our revenues are derived primarily from fees and commissions from products and advisory services offered by our advisors to their clients, a substantial portion of which we pay out to our advisors, as well as fees we receive from our advisors for the use of our technology, custody, clearing, trust, and reporting platforms. We also generate asset-based revenues through our platform of over 11,000 financial products from a broad range of product manufacturers. Under our self-clearing platform, we custody the majority of client assets invested in these financial products, for which we provide statements, transaction processing and ongoing account management. In return for these services, mutual funds, insurance companies, banks, and other financial product manufacturers pay us fees based on asset levels or number of accounts managed. We also earn interest from margin loans made to our advisors’ clients.
We track recurring revenue, a characterization of net revenue and a statistical measure, which we define to include our revenues from asset-based fees, advisory fees, trailing commissions, cash sweep programs, and certain other fees that are based upon accounts and advisors. Because certain recurring revenues are associated with asset balances, they will fluctuate depending on the market values and current interest rates. These asset balances, specifically related to advisory and asset-based revenues, have a correlation of approximately 60% to the fluctuations of the overall market, as measured by the S&P 500. Accordingly, our recurring revenue can be negatively impacted by adverse external market conditions. However, recurring revenue is meaningful to us despite these fluctuations because it is not dependent upon transaction volumes or other activity-based revenues, which are more difficult to predict, particularly in declining or volatile markets.

20


The table below summarizes the sources of our revenue, the primary drivers of each revenue source and the percentage of each revenue source that represents recurring revenue:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2014
 
Sources of Revenue
Primary Drivers
Total
(millions)
% of Total Net Revenue
% Recurring
Advisor-driven revenue with ~85%-90% payout ratio
Commission
- Transactions
- Brokerage asset levels
$535
49%
42%
Advisory
- Advisory asset levels
$327
30%
99%
Attachment revenue
 retained by us
Asset-Based
- Cash Sweep Fees
- Sponsorship Fees
- Record Keeping
- Cash balances
- Interest rates
- Client asset levels
- Number of accounts

$115
11%
97%
Transaction and Fee
- Transactions
- Client (Investor) Accounts
- Advisor Seat and Technology
- Client activity
- Number of clients
- Number of advisors
- Number of accounts
- Number of premium technology subscribers
$90
8%
65%
Other
- Margin account balances
- Alternative investment transactions
$20
2%
28%
 
Total Net Revenue
$1,087
100%
67%
 
Total Recurring Revenue
$724
67%
 
Commission and Advisory Revenues.  Commission and advisory revenues both represent advisor-generated revenue, generally 85-90% of which is paid to advisors.
Commission Revenues.  We generate two types of commission revenues: transaction-based sales commissions and trailing commissions. Transaction-based sales commission revenues, which occur whenever clients trade securities or purchase various types of investment products, primarily represent gross commissions generated by our advisors from commissions earned on purchases by clients of various financial products and securities such as mutual funds, variable and fixed annuities, alternative investments, equities, fixed income, insurance, group annuities, and options and commodities. The levels of transaction-based commissions can vary from period to period based on the overall economic environment, number of trading days in the reporting period, and investment activity of our advisors' clients. We earn trailing commission revenues (a commission that is paid over time, such as 12(b)-1 fees) primarily on mutual funds and variable annuities held by clients of our advisors. Trailing commissions are recurring in nature and are earned based on the current market value of investment holdings in trail-eligible assets.
Advisory Revenues.  Advisory revenues primarily represent fees charged on our corporate RIA platform provided through LPL Financial LLC (LPL Financial) to clients of our advisors based on the value of advisory assets. Advisory fees are typically billed to clients quarterly, in advance, and are recognized as revenue ratably during the quarter. The value of the assets in an advisory account on the billing date determines the amount billed, and accordingly, the revenues earned in the following three month period. The majority of our accounts are billed using values as of the last business day of each calendar quarter. Advisory revenues collected on our corporate RIA platform generally average 1.1% of the underlying assets, and can range anywhere from 0.5% to 3.0%.
In addition, we support independent RIAs who conduct their advisory business through separate entities by establishing their own RIA (Independent RIAs) pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, rather than through LPL Financial. The assets held under these investment advisory accounts custodied with LPL Financial are included in our advisory and brokerage assets, net new

21


advisory assets and advisory assets under custody metrics. The advisory revenue generated by an Independent RIA is earned by the Independent RIA, and accordingly is not included in our advisory revenue. However, we charge administrative fees to Independent RIAs for clearing and custody of these assets, based on the value of assets within these advisory accounts. The administrative fees collected on our Independent RIA platform vary, and can reach a maximum of 0.6% of the underlying assets.
Furthermore, we support certain financial advisors at broker-dealers affiliated with insurance companies through our customized advisory platforms and charge fees to these advisors based on the value of assets within these advisory accounts.
Asset-Based Revenues.  Asset-based revenues are comprised of fees from cash sweep programs, our sponsorship programs with financial product manufacturers and omnibus processing and networking services. Pursuant to contractual arrangements, uninvested cash balances in our advisors’ client accounts are swept into either insured deposit accounts at various banks or third-party money market funds, for which we receive fees, including administrative and record-keeping fees based on account type and the invested balances. In addition, we receive fees from certain financial product manufacturers in connection with sponsorship programs that support our marketing and sales-force education and training efforts. Our omnibus processing and networking revenues represent fees paid to us in exchange for administrative and record-keeping services that we provide to clients of our advisors. Omnibus processing revenues are paid to us by mutual fund product sponsors and based upon the value of custodied assets in advisory accounts and the number of brokerage accounts in which the related mutual fund positions are held. Networking revenues on brokerage assets are correlated to the number of positions we administer and are paid to us by mutual fund and annuity product manufacturers.
Transaction and Fee Revenues.  Revenues earned from transactions and fees primarily consist of transaction fees and ticket charges, subscription fees, Individual Retirement Account (IRA) custodian fees, contract and license fees, conference fees and other client account fees. We charge fees to our advisors and their clients for executing certain transactions in brokerage and fee-based advisory accounts. We earn subscription fees for various services provided to our advisors and on IRA custodial services that we provide for their client accounts. We charge administrative fees to our advisors and fees to advisors who subscribe to our reporting services. We charge fees to financial product manufacturers for participating in our training and marketing conferences. In addition, we host certain advisor conferences that serve as training, sales and marketing events, for which we charge a fee for attendance.
Other Revenues.  Other revenues include marketing allowances received from certain financial product manufacturers, primarily those who offer alternative investments, such as non-traded real estate investment trusts and business development companies, mark-to-market gains or losses on assets held by us for the advisors' non-qualified deferred compensation plan and our model portfolios, revenues from our Retirement Partners program, interest income from client margin accounts and cash equivalents, net of operating interest expense, and other items.
Our Operating Expenses
Production Expenses.  Production expenses are comprised of the following: base payout amounts that are earned by and paid out to advisors based on commission and advisory revenues earned on each client's account (collectively, commission and advisory revenues earned by LPL Financial are referred to as gross dealer concessions, or GDC); production bonuses earned by advisors based on the levels of commission and advisory revenues they produce; the recognition of share-based compensation expense from equity awards granted to advisors and financial institutions based on the fair value of the awards at each reporting period; a mark-to-market gain or loss on amounts designated by advisors as deferred commissions in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan at each reporting period; and brokerage, clearing and exchange fees. Our production payout ratio is calculated as production expenses excluding brokerage, clearing and exchange fees, divided by GDC.
We characterize components of production payout, which consists of all production expenses except brokerage, clearing and exchange fees, as either GDC sensitive or non-GDC sensitive. Base payout amounts and production bonuses earned by and paid to advisors are characterized as GDC sensitive because they are variable and highly correlated to the level of our commission and advisory revenues in a particular reporting period. Payout characterized as non-GDC sensitive includes share-based compensation expense from equity awards granted to advisors and financial institutions based on the fair value of the

22


awards at each reporting period, and mark-to-market gains or losses on amounts designated by advisors as deferred commissions in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Non-GDC sensitive payout is correlated either to market movement or to the value of our stock. We believe that discussion of production payout, viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, our production expenses, provides useful information to investors regarding our payouts to advisors.
Compensation and Benefits Expense.  Compensation and benefits expense includes salaries and wages and related employee benefits and taxes for our employees (including share-based compensation), as well as compensation for temporary employees and consultants.
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses include promotional fees, occupancy and equipment, communications and data processing, regulatory fees, professional services, and other expenses. General and administrative expenses also include expenses for our hosting of certain advisor conferences that serve as training, sales, and marketing events.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense represents the benefits received for using long-lived assets. Those assets consist of intangible assets established through our acquisitions, as well as fixed assets, which include internally developed software, hardware, leasehold improvements, and other equipment.
Restructuring Charges.  Restructuring charges primarily represent expenses incurred as a result of our expansion of our Service Value Commitment announced in 2013 (see Note 3. Restructuring, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements) and costs arising from our 2011 consolidation of UVEST Financial Services Group, Inc. (UVEST). For 2013, restructuring charges also include costs arising from our 2009 consolidation of Mutual Service Corporation, Associated Financial Group, Inc., Associated Securities Corp., Associated Planners Investment Advisory, Inc. and Waterstone Financial Group, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as the Affiliated Entities).

23


How We Evaluate Our Business
We focus on several business and key financial metrics in evaluating the success of our business relationships and our resulting financial position and operating performance. Our business and key financial metrics as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
% Change
Business Metrics
 
 
 
 
 
Advisors
13,726

 
13,377

 
2.6
 %
Advisory and brokerage assets (in billions)(1)
$
447.1

 
$
394.0

 
13.5
 %
Advisory assets under custody (in billions)(2)(3)
$
158.0

 
$
130.2

 
21.4
 %
Net new advisory assets (in billions)(4)
$
4.4

 
$
3.0

 
46.7
 %
Insured cash account balances (in billions)(3)
$
16.6

 
$
15.6

 
6.4
 %
Money market account balances (in billions)(3)
$
7.1

 
$
7.5

 
(5.3
)%

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Financial Metrics
 
 
 
Revenue growth from prior period
11.6
%
 
8.1
%
Recurring revenue as a % of net revenue(5)
66.6
%
 
65.4
%
Net income (in millions)
$
53.1

 
$
54.7

Earnings per share (diluted)
$
0.51

 
$
0.51

Non-GAAP Measures:
 
 
 
Gross margin (in millions)(6)
$
330.7

 
$
305.1

Gross margin as a % of net revenue(6)
30.4
%
 
31.3
%
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions)
$
141.5

 
$
135.9

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net revenue
13.0
%
 
13.9
%
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of gross margin(6)
42.8
%
 
44.6
%
Adjusted Earnings (in millions)
$
71.0

 
$
68.1

Adjusted Earnings per share (diluted)
$
0.69

 
$
0.64

_______________
(1)
Advisory and brokerage assets are comprised of assets that are custodied, networked, and non-networked and reflect market movement in addition to new assets, inclusive of new business development and net of attrition. Set forth below are other client assets at March 31, 2014 and 2013, including retirement plan assets, and certain trust and high-net-worth assets, that are custodied with third-party providers and therefore excluded from advisory and brokerage assets (in billions):
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Retirement plan assets(a)
$
71.0

 
$
51.0

Trust assets(b)
$
11.2

 
$
11.6

High-net-worth assets(c)
$
74.9

 
$
64.4

_______________________
(a)
Retirement plan assets are held in retirement plans that are supported by advisors licensed with LPL Financial. At March 31, 2014 and 2013, our retirement plan assets represent assets that are custodied with 34 third-party providers and 27 third-party providers, respectively, of retirement plan administrative services who provide reporting feeds. We estimate the total assets in retirement plans supported to be between $105.0 billion and $115.0 billion at March 31, 2014 and between $75.0 billion and $90.0 billion at March 31, 2013. If we receive reporting feeds in the future from providers for whom we do not currently receive feeds, we intend to include and identify such additional assets in this metric. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we began receiving reporting feeds from four such providers,

24


which accounted for $5.5 billion of the $20.0 billion increase in retirement plan assets since March 31, 2013.
(b)
Represent trust assets that are on the comprehensive wealth management platform of the Concord Trust and Wealth Solutions division of LPL Financial (Concord).
(c)
Represent high-net-worth assets that are on the comprehensive platform of performance reporting, investment research and practice management services of Fortigent.
(2)
Advisory assets under custody are comprised of advisory assets under management in our corporate RIA platform, and Independent RIA assets in advisory accounts custodied by us. See Results of Operations for a tabular presentation of advisory assets under custody.
(3)
Advisory assets under custody, insured cash account balances and money market account balances are components of advisory and brokerage assets.
(4)
Represents net new advisory assets consisting of funds from new accounts and additional funds deposited into existing advisory accounts that are custodied in our fee-based advisory platforms, less account attrition and funds withdrawn from advisory accounts.
(5)
Recurring revenue, which is a characterization of net revenue and a statistical measure, is derived from sources such as advisory revenues, asset-based revenues, trailing commission revenues, revenues related to our cash sweep programs, interest earned on margin accounts and technology and service revenues, and is not meant as a substitute for net revenues.
(6)
Gross margin is calculated as net revenues less production expenses. Because our gross margin amounts do not include any depreciation and amortization expense, we consider our gross margin amounts to be non-GAAP measures that may not be comparable to those of others in our industry.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (net income plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization), further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash charges and other adjustments set forth below. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it an important measure of our performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial metric in assessing our operating performance from period to period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business, such as certain material non-cash items and other adjustments.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA, viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, our reported GAAP results, provides useful information to investors regarding our performance and overall results of operations for the following reasons:
because non-cash equity grants made to employees, officers and non-employee directors at a certain price and point in time do not necessarily reflect how our business is performing at any particular time, share-based compensation expense is not a key measure of our operating performance; and
because costs associated with acquisitions and the resulting integrations, debt refinancing and restructuring and conversions costs can vary from period to period and transaction to transaction, expenses associated with these activities are not considered a key measure of our operating performance.
We use Adjusted EBITDA:
as a measure of operating performance;
for planning purposes, including the preparation of budgets and forecasts;
to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of our business;
to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies;
in communications with our board of directors (the Board of Directors or the Board) concerning our financial performance; and
as a factor in determining employee and executive bonuses.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted

25


EBITDA is not a measure of net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect all cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; 
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt; and
Adjusted EBITDA can differ significantly from company to company depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate and capital investments, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on the GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information.
Set forth below is a reconciliation from our net income to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

Non-operating interest expense
12,840

 
12,160

Provision for income taxes
34,412

 
35,834

Amortization of intangible assets
9,716

 
9,776

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets
12,565

 
9,998

EBITDA
122,668

 
122,485

EBITDA Adjustments:
 
 
 
Employee share-based compensation expense(1)
5,111

 
3,962

Acquisition and integration related expenses(2)
359

 
444

Restructuring and conversion costs(3)
7,271

 
6,263

Other(4)
6,068

 
2,766

Total EBITDA Adjustments
18,809

 
13,435

Adjusted EBITDA
$
141,477

 
$
135,920

__________________
(1)
Represents share-based compensation for equity awards granted to employees, officers, and directors. Such awards are measured based on the grant-date fair value and recognized over the requisite service period of the individual awards, which generally equals the vesting period.
(2)
Represents acquisition and integration costs resulting from various acquisitions, including changes in the estimated fair value of future payments, or contingent consideration, required to be made to former shareholders of certain acquired entities.
(3)
Represents organizational restructuring charges, conversion, and other related costs resulting from the expansion of our Service Value Commitment, the 2011 consolidation of UVEST, and, prior to the three months ended March 31, 2014, the 2009 consolidation of the Affiliated Entities.
(4)
Results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 include approximately $5.3 million in parallel rent, property tax, and common area maintenance expenses incurred in connection with our relocation to our new San Diego office building. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 include $2.7 million of severance and termination benefits related to a change in management structure. Other amounts include certain excise and other taxes.

26


Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share
Adjusted Earnings represents net income before: (a) share-based compensation expense, (b) amortization of intangible assets, (c) acquisition and integration related expenses, (d) restructuring and conversion costs, and (e) other. Reconciling items are tax effected using the income tax rates in effect for the applicable period, adjusted for any potentially non-deductible amounts.
Adjusted Earnings per share represents Adjusted Earnings divided by weighted-average outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis.
We prepared Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share to eliminate the effects of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance.
We believe that Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share, viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, our reported GAAP results provide useful information to investors regarding our performance and overall results of operations for the following reasons:
because non-cash equity grants made to employees, officers, and non-employee directors at a certain price and point in time do not necessarily reflect how our business is performing, the related share-based compensation expense is not a key measure of our current operating performance;
because costs associated with acquisitions and related integrations, debt refinancing, and restructuring and conversions can vary from period to period and transaction to transaction, expenses associated with these activities are not considered a key measure of our operating performance; and
because amortization expenses can vary substantially from company to company and from period to period depending upon each company’s financing and accounting methods, the fair value and average expected life of acquired intangible assets and the method by which assets were acquired, the amortization of intangible assets obtained in acquisitions is not considered a key measure in comparing our operating performance.
We use Adjusted Earnings for internal management reporting and evaluation purposes. We also believe Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because securities analysts use them as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall performance of companies, and our investor and analyst presentations, which are generally available to investors through our website, include references to Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share.
Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share are not measures of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or earnings per share or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our profitability or liquidity.
Although Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share are frequently used by securities analysts and others in their evaluation of companies, they have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share in isolation, or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In particular you should consider:
Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.
Management compensates for the inherent limitations associated with using Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share through disclosure of such limitations, presentation of our financial statements in accordance with GAAP and reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income.

27


The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to the non-GAAP measures Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

After-Tax:
 
 
 
EBITDA Adjustments(1)
 
 
 
Employee share-based compensation expense(2)
3,518

 
2,902

Acquisition and integration related expenses(3)
220

 
(1,079
)
Restructuring and conversion costs
4,464

 
3,864

Other
3,726

 
1,707

Total EBITDA Adjustments
11,928

 
7,394

Amortization of intangible assets(1)
5,966

 
6,032

Adjusted Earnings
$
71,029

 
$
68,143

Adjusted Earnings per share(4)
$
0.69

 
$
0.64

Weighted-average shares outstanding — diluted
103,339

 
107,297

__________________
(1)
Generally, EBITDA Adjustments and amortization of intangible assets have been tax effected using a federal rate of 35.0% and the applicable effective state rate which was 3.60% and 3.30%, net of the federal tax benefit, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, except as noted below.
(2)
Represents the after-tax expense of non-qualified stock options for which we receive a tax deduction upon exercise, restricted stock awards for which we receive a tax deduction upon vesting and the full expense impact of incentive stock options granted to employees that qualify for preferential tax treatment and conversely for which we do not receive a tax deduction. Share-based compensation expense for vesting of incentive stock options was $1.0 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(3)
Represents the after-tax expense of acquisition and related costs for which we receive a tax deduction. In addition, the results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 include a reduction of expense of $3.8 million relating to the fair value of contingent consideration for the stock acquisition of Concord Capital Partners, Inc., that is not deductible for tax purposes.
(4)
Represents Adjusted Earnings, a non-GAAP measure, divided by weighted-average number of shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis. Set forth below is a reconciliation of earnings per share on a fully diluted basis, as calculated in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted Earnings per share:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Earnings per share — diluted
$
0.51

 
$
0.51

After-Tax:
 
 
 
EBITDA Adjustments per share
0.12

 
0.07

Amortization of intangible assets per share
0.06

 
0.06

Adjusted Earnings per share
$
0.69

 
$
0.64

Service Value Commitment
The Program
In February 2013, we committed to an expansion of our Service Value Commitment, an ongoing effort to position us for sustainable long-term growth by improving the service experience of our advisors and delivering efficiencies in our operating model. We have assessed our information technology delivery, governance, organization and strategy and committed to undertake a course of action (the Program) to reposition our labor force and invest in technology, human capital, marketing and other key areas to enable future growth.

28


The Program is expected to be completed in 2015, and we estimate total charges of $65.0 million for technology transformation costs, outsourcing and other related costs, employee severance obligations and other related costs, and non-cash charges for impairment of certain fixed assets related to internally developed software.
We expect to incur approximately $24.0 million of expense during 2014, of which we had incurred $6.9 million as of March 31, 2014, consisting of: $2.9 million for outsourcing and other services such as parallel processing provided by outside consultants; $3.3 million for the implementation of foundational changes to our technology platform and outsourcing of our disaster recovery facilities; and $0.8 million for employee severance and termination benefits related to approximately 15 positions that were outsourced in the first quarter of 2014 within accounting, data reconciliation, operations, and insurance processing. We remain focused on the next wave of outsourced functions in the remainder of 2014, including additional opportunities in compliance and back office processing activities. By 2015, we expect annual pre-tax savings of approximately $30.0 million. See Note 3. Restructuring, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Program.
Derivative Financial Instruments
During the second quarter of 2013 and in conjunction with the Program, we entered into a long-term contractual obligation (the Agreement) with a third-party provider to enhance the quality, speed and cost of our processes by outsourcing certain functions. The Agreement enables the third-party provider to use the services of its affiliates in India to provide services to us. The Agreement provides that we settle the cost of our contractual obligation to the third-party provider each month in U.S. dollars. However, the Agreement provides that on each annual anniversary date, the price for services (as denominated in U.S. dollars) is to be adjusted for the then-current exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Indian rupee. The Agreement provides that, once an annual adjustment is calculated, there are no further modifications to the amounts paid by us to the third-party provider for fluctuations in the exchange rate until the reset on the next anniversary date. The third-party provider bears the risk of currency movement from the date of signing the Agreement until the reset on the first anniversary of its signing, and during each period until the next annual reset. We bear the risk of currency movement at each annual reset date following the first anniversary.
Upon completion of the Program, we estimate annual costs for our long-term contractual obligation with the third-party provider to be approximately $13.0 million to $14.0 million annually. We use derivative financial instruments consisting solely of non-deliverable foreign currency contracts, all of which have been designated as cash flow hedges. These instruments are operating effectively as intended and our use of them has mitigated foreign currency risk arising from a substantial portion of our contract obligation with the third-party provider arising from annual anniversary adjustments. We will continue to assess the effectiveness of our use of cash flow hedges to mitigate risk from foreign currency contracts.
See Note 6. Derivative Financial Instruments, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our derivative financial instruments.
Acquisitions, Integrations, and Divestitures
From time to time we undertake acquisitions or divestitures outside the ordinary course of business based on opportunities in the competitive landscape. These activities are part of our overall growth strategy, but can distort comparability when reviewing revenue and expense trends for periods presented. There have been no acquisitions, integrations or divestitures during the three months ended March 31, 2014. See our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2013 activity.
Economic Overview and Impact of Financial Market Events
Our business is directly and indirectly sensitive to several macro-economic factors, primarily in the United States. One of these factors is the current and expected future level of short-term interest rates, particularly overnight rates. Beginning in 2013, the Federal Reserve continues to provide additional liquidity to financial markets through its substantial purchases of fixed income securities. This liquidity continues to keep overall interest rates at historically low levels. In light of the cumulative progress toward maximum employment and the improvement in the outlook for labor market conditions, the Federal Reserve began tapering their monthly bond purchases beginning in January 2014. The target range for the federal funds rate, as stated by the Federal Reserve, remains at 0.0% to 0.25% during the first quarter of 2014. Further, the Federal Reserve continues to reaffirm that it expects rates to remain in the range for as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6.5%, inflation continues to be as projected, which is no more than 0.5% above the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% long-term goal, and inflation expectations continue to be well anchored.

29


As a result of the tapering of bond purchases, the average Federal Funds effective rate was 7 basis points in the first quarter of 2014, a decrease from the average of 14 basis points in 2013. The low interest rate environment also continued to pressure our revenues from our cash sweep programs and continued to diminish investor demand for fixed-income securities and fixed annuities.
Another macro-economic factor affecting our business is the valuation of equity securities across the various markets in the United States. The S&P 500 index closed the quarter at 1,872, up 1.3% from its close on December 31, 2013. Investor confidence rose in the first quarter of 2014 as economic factors continued to improve and the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying program began to taper. This helped to lift stock valuations and prompted individual investors to put money into the market at the strongest pace in years. As a result, our advisors achieved record levels of productivity in the first quarter of 2014. While the equity markets continue to improve, lingering economic worries remain about spending cuts, U.S. and global growth rates, a persistent high unemployment level, and debt ceiling concerns.
In the United States, economic growth continued during the first quarter of 2014 as the housing sector continued to show signs of further improvement, coupled with growth in consumer and business spending. The ongoing political disputes in Washington over the United States debt ceiling, credit rating and budget impasse, has increased domestic and international concerns, which could have an impact on financial markets and the broader economy.


30


Results of Operations
The following discussion presents an analysis of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Where appropriate, we have identified specific events and changes that affect comparability or identification or monitoring of trends, and where possible and practical, have quantified the impact of such items.
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
% Change
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Commission
$
534,574

 
$
485,572

 
10.1
 %
Advisory
327,253

 
281,226

 
16.4
 %
Asset-based
114,674

 
103,766

 
10.5
 %
Transaction and fee
89,985

 
89,378

 
0.7
 %
Other
20,945

 
14,854

 
41.0
 %
Net revenues    
1,087,431

 
974,796

 
11.6
 %
Expenses
 
 
 
 

Production
756,718

 
669,723

 
13.0
 %
Compensation and benefits
106,348

 
98,780

 
7.7
 %
General and administrative
94,377

 
77,771

 
21.4
 %
Depreciation and amortization
22,281

 
19,774

 
12.7
 %
Restructuring charges
7,320

 
6,037

 
21.3
 %
Total operating expenses    
987,044

 
872,085

 
13.2
 %
Non-operating interest expense
12,840

 
12,160

 
5.6
 %
Total expenses    
999,884

 
884,245

 
13.1
 %
Income before provision for income taxes    
87,547

 
90,551

 
(3.3
)%
Provision for income taxes    
34,412

 
35,834

 
(4.0
)%
Net income    
$
53,135

 
$
54,717

 
(2.9
)%



31


Revenues
Commission Revenues
The following table sets forth our commission revenue, by product category, included in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Variable annuities
$
198,196

 
$
202,443

 
$
(4,247
)
 
(2.1
)%
Mutual funds
148,755

 
140,903

 
7,852

 
5.6
 %
Alternative investments
55,681

 
40,411

 
15,270

 
37.8
 %
Fixed annuities
46,726

 
27,357

 
19,369

 
70.8
 %
Equities
29,110

 
22,147

 
6,963

 
31.4
 %
Fixed income
21,984

 
20,352

 
1,632

 
8.0
 %
Insurance
19,412

 
18,594

 
818

 
4.4
 %
Group annuities
14,610

 
13,137

 
1,473

 
11.2
 %
Other
100

 
228

 
(128
)
 
(56.1
)%
Total commission revenue    
$
534,574

 
$
485,572

 
$
49,002

 
10.1
 %
The following table sets forth our commission revenue, by sales-based and trailing commission revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
$ Change
 
% Change

Sales-based
$
312,020

 
$
292,863

 
$
19,157

 
6.5
%
Trailing
222,554

 
192,709

 
29,845

 
15.5
%
Total commission revenue
$
534,574

 
$
485,572

 
$
49,002

 
10.1
%
Commission revenue increased by $49.0 million, or 10.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with 2013, due primarily to an increase in sales-based activity for fixed annuities, alternative investments, and equities and increases in trail revenues for mutual funds and variable annuities. This growth reflects improved investor engagement and strong market conditions, resulting in the increase of the underlying assets. Additionally, commission revenues from fixed income, primarily driven by unit investment trusts and 529 college savings plans, and group annuities also contributed to the overall growth in commission revenue. Such overall growth reflects market-wide growth and increased investor engagement that has driven advisor productivity.
The increase in fixed annuities is attributed primarily to increased sales of indexed annuities as well as a new three-year fixed annuity product that was introduced beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013, offering clients of advisors an attractive interest rate at a time when interest rates are expected to be relatively flat.
The increase in commission revenues associated with alternative investments reflects investors' preferences for diversification, as income-producing alternative strategies continue to grow in popularity and investors continue to seek opportunities to earn returns outside of the traditional equity and fixed income markets.


32


Advisory Revenues
The following table summarizes the activity within our advisory assets under custody for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in billions):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Balance - Beginning of period
$
151.6

 
$
122.1

Net new advisory assets
4.4

 
3.0

Market impact and other
2.0

 
5.1

Balance - End of period
$
158.0

 
$
130.2

Net new advisory assets for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have a limited impact on advisory fee revenue for those respective periods. Rather, net new advisory assets for those respective periods are anticipated to be a driver of advisory revenue in future reporting periods. Net new advisory assets were $4.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2014, resulting from the continued shift by our existing advisors from brokerage towards more advisory business.
Advisory revenue for a particular quarter is predominately driven by the prior quarter-end advisory assets under management. Advisory revenues increased by $46.0 million, or 16.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The growth in advisory revenue is due to net new advisory assets resulting from increased investor engagement and strong advisor productivity, newly recruited advisors that were added in the fourth quarter of 2013, as well as market gains as represented by higher levels of the S&P 500 index on the applicable billing dates in 2014 compared to 2013. The S&P 500 index closed at 1,848 on December 31, 2013, which is a 29.6% increase over the close of 1,426 on December 31, 2012. The Independent RIA model has continued to attract advisors as they seek the freedom to run their business in a manner which best enables them to meet their clients' needs. This continued shift of advisors to the Independent RIA platform (for which we custody assets but do not earn advisory revenues for managing those assets) has caused the rate of revenue growth of advisory assets under management to lag behind the rate of growth of advisory assets under custody. Advisory revenues do not include fees for advisory services charged by Independent RIA advisors to their clients. Accordingly, there is no corresponding payout. However, there are administrative fees charged to Independent RIA advisors including custody and clearing fees, based on the value of assets.
The following table summarizes the composition of our advisory assets under custody as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in billions):
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
$ Change

 
% Change

Advisory assets under management
 
$
119.8

 
$
106.1

 
$
13.7

 
12.9
%
Independent RIA assets in advisory accounts custodied by LPL Financial
 
38.2

 
24.1

 
14.1

 
58.5
%
Total advisory assets under custody
 
$
158.0

 
$
130.2

 
$
27.8

 
21.4
%
Growth of the Independent RIA assets in advisory accounts custodied by LPL Financial has outpaced the growth in advisory assets under management. This growth is consistent with the industry trend as more advisors shift their business toward the Independent RIA model.
Asset-Based Revenues
Asset-based revenues increased by $10.9 million, or 10.5%, to $114.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. Revenues for record-keeping services, which are largely based on the underlying asset values, increased due to the impact of the higher average market indices on the value of such underlying assets and net new sales of eligible assets. The S&P 500 index for the three months ended March 31, 2014 averaged 1,835, an increase of 21.2% over the average in the prior-year period. Asset-based revenues also include revenues from our cash sweep programs, which decreased by $7.5 million, or 23.8%, to $24.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The decrease in our cash sweep revenues is a result of fee compression resulting from contract repricing, and a year-over-year 7 basis point decline in the average effective rate for federal funds to 0.07% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease was partially offset by an increase of 4.8% in average assets in

33


our cash sweep programs, which were $24.2 billion and $23.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Transaction and Fee Revenues
Transaction and fee revenues increased by $0.6 million, or 0.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013, due to higher trade volumes in certain advisory accounts.
Other Revenues
Other revenues increased $6.1 million, or 41.0%, to $20.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. The primary contributor to such increase for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was alternative investment marketing allowances received from product sponsor programs, which increased by $4.6 million compared to the same period in 2013, driven primarily by increased sales of alternative investments. Other revenue includes gains or losses on assets held for the advisor non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Gains were $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to gains of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The gains or losses on assets held for the advisor non-qualified deferred compensation plan are offset by increases or decreases in non-GDC sensitive production expenses as noted below.
Expenses
Production Expenses
The following table shows our production payout ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Base payout rate
83.98
%
 
83.88
%
 
10 bps
Production based bonuses
1.69
%
 
1.70
%
 
(1 bps)
GDC sensitive payout
85.67
%
 
85.58
%
 
9 bps
Non-GDC sensitive payout
0.72
%
 
0.43
%
 
29 bps
Total Payout Ratio
86.39
%
 
86.01
%
 
38 bps
Production expenses increased by $87.0 million, or 13.0%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. The increase correlates with our commission and advisory revenues, which increased by 12.4% during the same period. Our GDC sensitive production payout ratio was 85.67% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 85.58% for the prior-year period. The base payout rate increased by 10 basis points in part due to the growth of our advisory platform, which on average has a lower base rate than our brokerage platform. The increase in non-GDC sensitive payout is attributable to increased advisor share-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 correlating to market movement in our stock and the advisor non-qualified deferred compensation plan as noted above.
Compensation and Benefits Expense
Compensation and benefits expense increased by $7.6 million, or 7.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. This was primarily based on the fact that our average number of full-time employees increased 11.1% from 2,928 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to 3,252 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, due to higher staffing levels in compliance, control and service to support increased levels of advisor and client activities.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $16.6 million, or 21.4%, to $94.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. The primary drivers behind the increase were increases of $4.4 million for professional fees, $3.5 million for business development and promotional expenses, and $5.3 million for parallel rent, property tax, and common area maintenance expenses incurred in connection with the Company's relocation to the new San Diego office building.

34


Depreciation and Amortization Expense
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, depreciation and amortization increased by $2.5 million, or 12.7%, compared with the same period in 2013. The increase is attributed primarily to capital assets attributed primarily to the new San Diego office building, that were placed into service during the latter half of 2013.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges represent expenses incurred as a result of our expansion of our Service Value Commitment, our 2011 consolidation of UVEST, and, prior to the three months ended March 31, 2014, our 2009 consolidation of the Affiliated Entities.
Restructuring charges increased by $1.3 million, or 21.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. These charges relate primarily to consulting fees paid to support our technology transformation and to develop our detailed outsourcing plans, as well as employee severance obligations and other related costs and non-cash charges for impairment incurred through our expansion of our Service Value Commitment. Refer to Note 3. Restructuring, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding this matter.
Interest Expense
Interest expense represents non-operating interest expense for our senior secured credit facilities. Interest expense increased $0.7 million, or 5.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. The increase in interest expense for 2014 is primarily due to the increase in debt incurred in connection with the amendment to the credit agreement in May 2013.
Provision for Income Taxes
We estimate our full-year effective income tax rate at the end of each reporting period. This estimate is used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis and may change in subsequent interim periods. The tax rate in any quarter can be affected positively and negatively by adjustments that are required to be reported in the quarter in which resolution of the item occurs. The effective income tax rates reflect the impact of state taxes, settlement contingencies and expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recorded income tax expense of $34.4 million, compared with $35.8 million in the prior-year period. Our effective income tax rate was 39.3% and 39.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Senior management establishes our liquidity and capital policies. These policies include senior management’s review of short- and long-term cash flow forecasts, review of monthly capital expenditures and daily monitoring of liquidity for our subsidiaries. Decisions on the allocation of capital are based upon, among other things, projected profitability and cash flow, risks of the business, regulatory capital requirements and future liquidity needs for strategic activities. Our Treasury Department assists in evaluating, monitoring and controlling the business activities that impact our financial condition, liquidity and capital structure and maintains relationships with various lenders. The objectives of these policies are to support the executive business strategies while ensuring ongoing and sufficient liquidity.
A summary of changes in our cash flow is provided as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
85,787

 
$
7,282

Investing activities
(19,880
)
 
(16,233
)
Financing activities
(112,186
)
 
(21,278
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(46,279
)
 
(30,229
)
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period
516,584

 
466,261

Cash and cash equivalents — end of period
$
470,305

 
$
436,032


35


Cash requirements and liquidity needs are primarily funded through our cash flow from operations and our capacity for additional borrowing.
Net cash provided by or used in operating activities includes net income adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, restructuring related charges, share-based compensation, amortization of debt issuance costs, deferred income tax provision and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Operating assets and liabilities include balances related to settlement and funding of client transactions, receivables from product sponsors and accrued commissions and advisory expenses due to our advisors. Operating assets and liabilities that arise from the settlement and funding of transactions by our advisors’ clients are the principal cause of changes to our net cash from operating activities and can fluctuate significantly from day to day and period to period depending on overall trends and clients' behaviors.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $85.8 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The change in cash flows between periods primarily reflects the impact of client trading and settlement activity, which represented a net source of funds of $80.4 million in 2014 compared to a net use of funds of $54.2 million in 2013. Cash flows from operating activities for 2014 also included increases in receivables from others and other assets of $19.4 million and $27.4 million, respectively, and a net payment of $55.7 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which included contingent consideration paid to the former shareholders of National Retirement Partners, Inc. The net use of funds in 2013 was offset by net income of $54.7 million, depreciation and amortization of $19.8 million, and a total change of $39.7 million in income taxes receivable and payable.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $19.9 million and $16.2 million, respectively. The net cash used in 2014 primarily consisted of $23.0 million in capital expenditures. The net cash used in 2013 included $13.7 million in capital expenditures and $2.5 million in purchases of securities classified as held-to-maturity.
Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $112.2 million and $21.3 million, respectively. Cash flows used in financing activities in 2014 primarily consisted of $100.0 million for repurchases of common stock and $24.1 million for regular cash dividends paid, partially offset by $14.1 million in proceeds from stock option exercises. Cash flows used in financing activities in 2013 include $14.4 million of cash dividends paid, $10.7 million to pay down term loans under our senior secured credit facility, and $4.9 million for repurchases of common stock, partially offset by $7.1 million in proceeds from stock option exercises.
We believe that based on current levels of operations and anticipated growth, cash flow from operations, together with other available sources of funds, which includes three uncommitted lines of credit available and the revolving credit facility available through our credit agreement, will be adequate to satisfy our working capital needs, the payment of all of our obligations and the funding of anticipated capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. In addition, we have certain capital adequacy requirements due to our registered broker-dealer entity and bank trust subsidiaries and have met all such requirements and expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We regularly evaluate our existing indebtedness, including refinancing thereof, based on a number of factors, including our capital requirements, future prospects, contractual restrictions, the availability of refinancing on attractive terms and general market conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, see the Risks Related to our Debt section within Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about the risks associated with our debt obligations and their potential effect on our liquidity.
Share Repurchases
The Board of Directors has approved several share repurchase programs pursuant to which we may repurchase issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. Purchases may be effected in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including transactions with our affiliates, with the timing of purchases and the amount of stock purchased generally determined at our discretion within the constraints of our credit agreement and general operating needs.

36


For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had the following activity under our approved share repurchase programs (in millions, except share and per share data):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Approval Date
 
Authorized Repurchase Amount
 
Amount Remaining at March 31, 2014
 
Shares Purchased
 
Weighted-Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Cost
 
Shares Purchased
 
Weighted-Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Cost
September 27, 2012
 
$
150.0

 
$

 

 
$

 
$

 
155,289

 
$
31.69

 
$
4.9

May 28, 2013
 
$
200.0

 

 
1,306,288

 
52.00

 
67.9

 

 

 

February 10, 2014
 
$
150.0

 
117.9

 
616,788

 
52.00

 
32.1

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
$
117.9

 
1,923,076

 
$
52.00

 
$
100.0

 
155,289

 
$
31.69

 
$
4.9

On February 12, 2014, we entered into a share repurchase agreement with an investment fund associated with TPG Capital, pursuant to which we repurchased 1.9 million shares of our common stock at a price of $52.00 per share, for total consideration of $100.0 million. The share repurchase was effected in a private transaction and was contingent on the closing of a registered sale of 1.9 million shares of our common stock by TPG Capital to a private investor. The repurchase transaction closed on February 19, 2014.
Dividends
The payment, timing and amount of any dividends permitted under our credit facilities are subject to approval by our Board of Directors.
On February 5, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.135 per share on our outstanding common stock. The dividend of $14.4 million was paid on March 4, 2013 to all stockholders of record on February 18, 2013.
On February 10, 2014, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.24 per share on our outstanding common stock. The dividend of $24.1 million was paid on March 10, 2014 to all stockholders of record on February 24, 2014.
On April 22, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.24 per share on our outstanding common stock to be paid on May 20, 2014 to all stockholders of record on May 6, 2014.
Operating Capital Requirements
Our primary requirement for working capital relates to funds we loan to our advisors’ clients for trading conducted on margin and funds we are required to maintain at clearing organizations to support these clients’ trading activities. We have several sources of funds that enable us to meet increases in working capital requirements that relate to increases in client margin activities and balances. These sources include cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations, and proceeds from re-pledging or selling client securities in margin accounts. When a client purchases securities on margin or uses securities as collateral to borrow from us on margin, we are permitted, pursuant to the applicable securities industry regulations, to re-pledge, loan, or sell securities that collateralize those margin accounts. As of March 31, 2014, we had received collateral primarily in connection with client margin loans with a fair value of approximately $368.9 million, which can be re-pledged, loaned, or sold. Of these securities, approximately $28.8 million were been pledged to the Options Clearing Corporation as collateral to secure certain client obligations related to options positions. Additionally, approximately $141.2 million was held at banks in connection with unutilized secured margin lines of credit at March 31, 2014; these securities may be used as collateral for loans from these banks. The remainder of $198.9 million had not been re-pledged, loaned, or sold, and as of March 31, 2014 there were no restrictions that materially limited our ability to re-pledge, loan, or sell the remaining $340.1 million of client collateral.
Our other working capital needs are primarily related to regulatory capital requirements at our broker-dealer and bank trust subsidiaries and software development, which we have satisfied in the past from internally generated cash flows.
Notwithstanding the self-funding nature of our operations, we may sometimes be required to fund timing differences arising from the delayed receipt of client funds associated with the settlement of client transactions in securities markets. These timing differences are funded either with internally generated cash flow or, if needed, with

37


funds drawn on our uncommitted lines of credit at our broker-dealer subsidiary LPL Financial, or under our revolving credit facility.
Our registered broker-dealer, LPL Financial, is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. LPL Financial computes net capital requirements under the alternative method, which requires firms to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equal to the greater of $250,000 or 2.0% of aggregate debit balances arising from client transactions. At March 31, 2014, LPL Financial's excess net capital was $173.7 million.
LPL Financial is also subject to the National Futures Association's (NFA) financial requirements and is required to maintain net capital that is in excess of or equal to the greatest of NFA's minimum financial requirements. Currently, the highest NFA requirement is the minimum net capital calculated pursuant to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule.
In addition to the minimum net capital requirements, the SEC and FINRA have established early warning capital requirements for broker-dealers that, when exceeded, limit certain activities of the broker-dealer. Early warning requirements provide advance warning that a firm's net capital is dropping toward its minimum requirement, allowing time for initiation of corrective action. For LPL Financial, an early warning level is reached if its net capital falls below 5.0% of aggregate debit balances. At March 31, 2014, LPL Financial's net capital was $180.2 million and its early warning requirement was $16.3 million. LPL Financial typically maintains net capital in excess of the early warning level to maintain its ability to grow its business, demonstrate the stability of its operations, and provide a safeguard in the event of sustained levels of market volatility.
LPL Financial's ability to pay dividends greater than 10% of its excess net capital during any 35-day rolling period requires approval from FINRA. In addition, payment of dividends is restricted if LPL Financial's net capital would be less than the FINRA early warning requirement of 5.0% of aggregate debit balances. 
Our subsidiary, PTC, is subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure by any of our subsidiaries to meet its respective minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have substantial monetary and non-monetary impacts on to PTC's operations.
Debt
On May 13, 2013, we entered into the First Amendment and Incremental Assumption Agreement (Credit Agreement) with our wholly owned subsidiary, LPL Holdings, Inc., and other parties thereto. The Credit Agreement amended our previous credit agreement, dated as of March 29, 2012.
The Credit Agreement includes Term Loan A, which had an initial principal amount of $459.4 million maturing on March 29, 2017; Term Loan B, which had an initial principal amount of $1,083.9 million maturing on March 29, 2019; and the Revolving Credit Facility, which had an initial borrowing capacity of $250.0 million maturing on March 29, 2017.
In addition, we maintain three uncommitted lines of credit at LPL Financial. Two of the lines have unspecified limits, and are primarily dependent on our ability to provide sufficient collateral. The third line had a $200.0 million limit at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and allows for both collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings. The lines were utilized in 2014 and 2013; however, there were no balances outstanding at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
While our term loan is unhedged as of March 31, 2014, the risk of variability on our floating interest rate is partially mitigated by our cash sweep programs and client margin loans, which carry floating interest rates, as well as fees received from our cash sweep programs. At March 31, 2014, our receivables from our advisors’ clients for margin loan activity were approximately $263.5 million, and the balance of deposits in the cash sweep programs was $23.7 billion.
Interest Rate and Fees
Borrowings under Term Loan A and Term Loan B bear interest at a base rate equal to either one-, two-, three-, six-, nine-, or twelve-month LIBOR (the Eurodollar Rate) plus the applicable interest rate margin, or an alternative base rate (ABR) plus the applicable interest rate margin. The Eurodollar Rate with respect to Term Loan B shall in no event be less than 0.75%. The ABR is equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day; (b) the effective federal funds rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%; (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%; or (d) solely in the case of Term Loan B, 1.75%.

38


As of March 31, 2014, borrowings under the term loans bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate with an applicable interest rate margin of 2.50%. Borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility bear interest with an applicable interest rate margin of 2.50%. The applicable interest rate margin on Term Loan A and Revolving Credit Facility could change depending on our total leverage ratio.
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Credit Agreement, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder. The commitment fee rate at March 31, 2014 was 0.50% for our Revolving Credit Facility, but is subject to change depending on our leverage ratio. We must also pay customary letter of credit fees.
Prepayments
The Credit Agreement requires us to prepay outstanding amounts under our senior secured term loan facility subject to certain exceptions, with:
100% of the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of property (including insurance recoveries), if we do not reinvest or commit to reinvest those proceeds in assets to be used in our business or to make certain other permitted investments within 15 months as long as such reinvestment is completed within 180 days; 
100% of the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of debt, other than proceeds from debt permitted under the Credit Agreement; and
solely in the case of Term Loan B, 50% (percentage will be reduced to 0% if our total leverage ratio is 3.00 to 1.00 or less) of our annual excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) adjusted for, among other things, changes in our net working capital (as of March 31, 2014 our total leverage ratio was 2.42).
Mandatory prepayments in respect of the incurrence of any debt can be applied by us to scheduled installments of principal of Term Loan A and Term Loan B in any order at our direction. Any other mandatory prepayments described above will be applied to scheduled installments of principal of Term Loan A and Term Loan B in direct order. We may voluntarily repay outstanding term loans under the Credit Agreement at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs with respect to Eurodollar Rate loans.
Amortization
At the time the Company entered into the Credit Agreement, we prepaid all mandatory payments required under Term Loan A with the remaining principal and accrued interest due upon maturity. Term Loan B includes quarterly payments at an annual rate of 1.0% of principal per year with the remaining principal and accrued interest due upon maturity. Any outstanding principal under the Revolving Credit Facility will be due upon maturity.
Guarantee and Security
The loans under the Credit Agreement are secured primarily through pledges of the capital stock in certain of our subsidiaries.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, may restrict our ability to:
incur additional indebtedness;
engage in mergers or consolidations;
pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock;
make investments, loans, or advances; or
engage in certain transactions with affiliates.
Our Credit Agreement prohibits us from paying dividends and distributions or repurchasing our capital stock except for limited purposes, including, but not limited to payments in connection with: (i) redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of our equity interests from present or former officers, managers, consultants, employees and directors upon the death, disability, retirement, or termination of employment of any such person or otherwise in accordance with any stock option or stock appreciation rights plan, any management or employee stock ownership plan, stock subscription plan, employment termination agreement or any employment agreements or stockholders’ agreement, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million in any fiscal year plus the amount of cash proceeds from certain equity issuances to such persons, and the amount of certain key-man life insurance

39


proceeds, (ii) franchise taxes, general corporate and operating expenses not to exceed $3.0 million in any fiscal year, and fees and expenses related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering permitted by the Amended Credit Agreement, (iii) tax liabilities to the extent attributable to our business and our subsidiaries and (iv) dividends and other distributions in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of (a) the greater of $250,000,000 or 6.75% of our consolidated total assets, (b) the available amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (c) the available equity amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and (d) the incremental dividend amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may make unlimited dividends and distributions provided that after giving pro forma effect thereto, our total leverage ratio does not exceed 2.0. As of March 31, 2014, we have the ability to make dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock totaling $401.6 million, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
The share repurchase programs approved in September 2012, May 2013, and February 2014 were authorized by the Board of Directors pursuant to item (iv) above. Any future declarations of quarterly cash dividends will be authorized pursuant to item (iv) above.
In addition, our financial covenant requirements include a total leverage ratio test and an interest coverage ratio test. Each of our financial ratios is measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. Our Credit Agreement provides us with a right to cure in the event we fail to comply with our leverage ratio test or our interest coverage test. We must exercise this right to cure within ten days of the delivery of our quarterly certificate calculating the financial ratios for that quarter.
The leverage ratio test and interest coverage test use a Credit Agreement Adjusted EBITDA, which starts with Adjusted EBITDA and then excludes the recognition of share-based compensation expense from equity awards granted to advisors and financial institutions based on the fair value of the awards at each reporting period as well as other items, including employee severance costs, employee signing costs, and employee retention or completion bonuses.
Our covenant requirements and actual ratios as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Financial Ratio
Covenant Requirement
 
Actual Ratio
 
Covenant Requirement
 
Actual Ratio
Leverage Test (Maximum)
4.25
 
2.42

 
4.25
 
2.34
Interest Coverage (Minimum)
3.00
 
10.86

 
3.00
 
10.91
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 we were in compliance with all of our covenant requirements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We enter into various off-balance-sheet arrangements in the ordinary course of business, primarily to meet the needs of our advisors’ clients. These arrangements include firm commitments to extend credit. For information on these arrangements, see Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies and Note 15. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations
In March 2014 we entered into a lease agreement for additional office space in Charlotte with a lease commencement date of March 1, 2014 and an expiration date of February 28, 2017. Future minimum payments for this lease commitment are $0.5 million, $1.0 million, $1.1 million, and $0.2 million, for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively.
In the three months ended March 31, 2014 there have been no material changes in our contractual obligations, other than in the ordinary course of business, from those above or disclosed in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 8. Debt and Note 9. Commitment and Contingencies, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the Contractual Obligations section within Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, for further detail on operating lease obligations and obligations under noncancelable service contracts.

40


Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We use fair value measurements to record certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value and to determine fair value disclosures.
We use prices obtained from an independent third-party pricing service to measure the fair value of our trading securities. We validate prices received from the pricing service using various methods, including comparison to prices received from additional pricing services, comparison to available market prices and review of other relevant market data including implied yields of major categories of securities.
At March 31, 2014, we did not adjust prices received from the independent third-party pricing service. For certificates of deposit and treasury securities, we utilize market-based inputs including observable market interest rates that correspond to the remaining maturities or next interest reset dates.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and in Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining our results of operations and financial condition. There have been no material changes to those policies that we consider to be significant since the filing of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accounting principles used in preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements conform in all material respects to GAAP.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are no recent accounting pronouncements that would impact the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, financial condition or cash flows.
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk
We maintain trading securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased in order to facilitate client transactions, to meet a portion of our clearing deposit requirements at various clearing organizations, and to track the performance of our research models. These securities include mutual funds, debt securities issued by the U.S. government, money market funds, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit and equity securities.
Changes in the value of our trading inventory may result from fluctuations in interest rates, credit ratings of the issuer, equity prices and the correlation among these factors. We manage our trading inventory by product type. Our activities to facilitate client transactions generally involve mutual fund activities, including dividend reinvestments. The balances are based upon pending client activities which are monitored by our Client Support Services department, which was formerly known as our Broker/Dealer Support Services department. Because these positions arise from pending client transactions, there are no specific trading or position limits. Positions held to meet clearing deposit requirements consist of U.S. government securities. The amount of securities deposited depends upon the requirements of the clearing organization. The level of securities deposited is monitored by the settlement area within our client support services department. Our research department develops model portfolios that are used by advisors in developing client portfolios. We currently maintain approximately 185 accounts based on model portfolios. At the time a portfolio is developed, we purchase the securities in that model portfolio in an amount equal to the account minimum for a client. Account minimums vary by product and can range from $10,000 to $250,000 per model. We utilize these positions to track the performance of the research department. The limits on this activity are based at the inception of each new model.
At March 31, 2014, the fair value of our trading securities owned were $12.4 million. Securities sold, but not yet purchased were $0.5 million at March 31, 2014. The fair value of securities included within other assets were $64.3 million at March 31, 2014. See Note 4. Fair Value Measurements, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for information regarding the fair value of trading securities owned, securities sold, but not yet purchased and other assets associated with our client facilitation activities. See Note 5. Held-to-Maturity Securities, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for information regarding the fair value of securities held to maturity.
We do not enter into contracts involving derivatives or other similar financial instruments for trading or proprietary purposes.

41


We also have market risk on the fees we earn that are based on the market value of advisory and brokerage assets, assets on which trail commissions are paid and assets eligible for sponsor payments.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to risk associated with changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2014, all of the outstanding debt under our Credit Agreement, $1.5 billion, was subject to floating interest rate risk. While our senior secured term loans are subject to increases in interest rates, we do not believe that a short-term change in interest rates would have a material impact on our income before taxes.
The following table summarizes the impact of increasing interest rates on our interest expense from the variable portion of our debt outstanding at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
Outstanding at Variable Interest Rates
 
Annual Impact of an Interest Rate Increase of
 
 
 
10 Basis
 
25 Basis
 
50 Basis
 
100 Basis
Senior Secured Term Loans
 
 
Points
 
Points
 
Points
 
Points
Term Loan A(1)
 
$
459,375

 
$
459

 
$
1,148

 
$
2,297

 
$
4,594

Term Loan B(2)
 
1,073,012

 

 

 
952

 
6,296

Variable Rate Debt Outstanding
 
$
1,532,387

 
$
459

 
$
1,148

 
$
3,249

 
$
10,890

_______________________
(1)
The variable interest rate for Term Loan A is the one-month LIBOR, designated at 0.15%, plus the applicable interest rate margin of 2.50%.
(2)
The variable interest rate for Term Loan B is the greater of the LIBOR rate for the period selected (one-, three-, six-, nine-, or twelve-month) or 0.75%, plus the applicable interest rate margin of 2.50%. As of March 31, 2014, we elected the six-month LIBOR, which was less than 0.75%; as a result, the variable interest rate for Term Loan B was 0.75%.
We offer our advisors and their clients two primary cash sweep programs that are interest rate sensitive: our insured cash programs and money market sweep vehicles involving multiple money market fund providers. Our insured cash programs use multiple non-affiliated banks to provide up to $1.5 million ($3.0 million in joint accounts) of FDIC insurance for client deposits custodied at the banks. While clients earn interest for balances on deposit in the insured cash programs, we earn a fee. Our fees from the insured cash programs are based on prevailing interest rates in the current interest rate environment. Changes in interest rates and fees for the insured cash programs are monitored by our fee and rate setting committee (the FRS committee), which governs and approves any changes to our fees. By meeting promptly after interest rates change, or for other market or non-market reasons, the FRS committee balances financial risk of the insured cash programs with products that offer competitive client yields. However, as short-term interest rates hit lower levels, the FRS committee may be compelled to lower fees.
The average Federal Reserve effective federal funds rate (FFER) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 0.07%. The following table reflects the approximate annual impact to asset-based revenues on our insured cash programs (assuming that client balances at March 31, 2014 remain unchanged) of an upward or downward change in short-term interest rates of one basis point (dollars in thousands):
Federal Reserve Effective Federal Funds Rate
 
Annualized Increase or Decrease in Asset-Based
Revenues per One Basis Point Change
0.00% - 0.25%
 
 
$
1,700

0.26% - 1.25%
 
 
800

1.26% - 2.60%
 
 
700

The actual impact to asset-based revenues, including a change in the FFER of greater than 2.60%, may vary depending on the FRS committee's strategy in response to a change in interest rate levels, the significance of a change and actual balances at the time of such change.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss due to adverse changes in a borrower’s, issuer’s, or counterparty’s ability to meet its financial obligations under contractual or agreed upon terms. Credit risk includes the risk that collateral posted with LPL Financial by clients to support margin lending or derivative trading is insufficient to meet client’s

42


contractual obligations to LPL Financial. We bear credit risk on the activities of our advisors’ clients, including the execution, settlement, and financing of various transactions on behalf of these clients.
These activities are transacted on either a cash or margin basis. Our credit exposure in these transactions consists primarily of margin accounts, through which we extend credit to advisors' clients collateralized by cash (for purposes of margin lending, cash is not used as collateral) and securities in the client’s account. Under many of these agreements, we are permitted to re-pledge, loan, or sell these securities held as collateral and use these securities to enter into securities lending arrangements or to deliver to counterparties to cover short positions.
As our advisors execute margin transactions on behalf of their clients, we may incur losses if clients do not fulfill their obligations, the collateral in the client’s account is insufficient to fully cover losses from such investments and our advisors fail to reimburse us for such losses. Our loss on margin accounts is immaterial and did not exceed $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. We monitor exposure to industry sectors and individual securities and perform analyses on a regular basis in connection with our margin lending activities. We adjust our margin requirements if we believe our risk exposure is not appropriate based on market conditions.
We are subject to concentration risk if we extend large loans to or have large commitments with a single counterparty, borrower, or group of similar counterparties or borrowers (e.g. in the same industry), or if we accept a concentrated position as collateral for a margin loan. Receivables from and payables to clients and stock borrowing and lending activities are conducted with a large number of clients and counterparties and potential concentration is carefully monitored. We seek to limit this risk through careful review of the underlying business and the use of limits established by senior management, taking into consideration factors including the financial strength of the counterparty, the size of the position or commitment, the expected duration of the position or commitment, and other positions or commitments outstanding.
Operational Risk
Operational risk is defined as the risk of loss from the failure of internal controls, people, processes, procedures, or third parties. We operate in diverse markets and are reliant on the ability of our employees and systems, as well as third-party service providers and their systems, to process a large number of transactions effectively. These risks are less direct and quantifiable than credit and market risk, but managing them is critical, particularly in a rapidly changing environment with increasing transaction volumes and in light of increasing reliance on third-party service providers. In the event of a breakdown or improper operation of systems or improper action by employees, advisors or third-party service providers, we could suffer financial loss, data loss, regulatory sanctions and damage to our reputation. Business continuity plans exist for critical systems, and redundancies are built into the systems as deemed appropriate. In order to mitigate and control operational risk, we have developed and continue to enhance specific policies and procedures that are designed to identify and manage operational risk at appropriate levels throughout our organization and within various departments. These control mechanisms attempt to ensure that operational policies and procedures are being followed and that our employees and advisors operate within established corporate policies and limits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, please consult the Risks Related to our Technology section within Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about the risks associated with our technology, including risks related to security, and the potential related effects on our operations.
Risk Management
We employ an enterprise risk management (ERM) framework that is intended to address key risks and responsibilities, enable us to execute our business strategy, and protect our firm and its franchise. Our framework is designed to promote clear lines of risk management accountability and a structured escalation process for key risk information and events.
Our risk management governance approach includes our Board and certain of its committees; the Risk Oversight Committee of LPL Financial (the ROC) and its subcommittees; the Internal Audit department and the Governance, Risk and Compliance (the GRC) department of LPL Financial; and business line management. We regularly reevaluate and, when necessary, modify our processes to improve the identification and escalation of risks and events.
Audit Committee of the Board. In addition to its other responsibilities, the Audit Committee of the Board (the Audit Committee) reviews our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, as well as our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has undertaken to control them. The Audit Committee provides reports to the Board at each of the Board’s regularly scheduled quarterly meetings.

43


Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board. In addition to its other responsibilities, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board assesses whether our compensation arrangements encourage inappropriate risk-taking, and whether risks arising from our compensation arrangements are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Risk Oversight Committee of LPL Financial. The Audit Committee has mandated that the ROC oversee our risk management activities, including those of our subsidiaries. As of April 25, 2014, the Chief Risk Officer of LPL Financial serves as chair, and an Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of LPL Financial serves as vice chair, of the ROC, which generally meets on a monthly basis with ad hoc meetings as necessary. As of April 25, 2014, each member of the Management Committee of LPL Financial and the three other Managing Directors (Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer; Managing Director, Independent Advisor Services; and Managing Director, Institution Services) serve on the ROC. Additional members of the Company’s senior management team are also included as ex-officio members, representing the key control areas of the Company. These individuals include, but are not limited to, the Chief Compliance Officer, Brokerage; the Chief Compliance Officer, Advisory; the Chief Information Security Officer; and the Chief Privacy Officer of LPL Financial. Participation in the ROC by senior officers is intended to ensure that the ROC covers the key risk areas of the Company, including its subsidiaries, and that the ROC thoroughly reviews significant matters relating to risk priorities, policies and control procedures and related exceptions, certain new and complex products and business arrangements, transactions with significant risk elements, and identified emerging risks.
The chair of the ROC provides reports to the Audit Committee at each of the Audit Committee’s regularly scheduled quarterly meetings and, as necessary or requested, to the Board. The reports generally cover topics addressed by the ROC at its meetings since the immediately preceding report. If warranted, matters of material risk are escalated to the Audit Committee or Board more frequently.
Subcommittees of the Risk Oversight Committee. The ROC has established multiple subcommittees that cover key areas of risk. The subcommittees meet regularly and are responsible for keeping the ROC informed and escalating issues in accordance with the Company’s escalation policies. The responsibilities of such subcommittees include, for example, oversight of the approval of new and complex investment products offered to advisors’ clients; oversight of the Company’s investment advisory business; issues and trends related to advisor compliance and examination findings; whistle-blower hotline allegations; and oversight of disclosures related to our financial reporting.
Internal Audit Department. The Internal Audit department provides independent verification of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls by conducting risk assessments and audits designed to identify and cover important risk categories. The Internal Audit department provides regular reports to the ROC and reports to the Audit Committee at least as often as quarterly.
Control Groups. The GRC department provides compliance oversight and guidance, and conducts various risk and other assessments to address regulatory and firm-specific risks and requirements. The GRC department reports to the Chief Risk Officer, who reviews the results of the firm’s risk management process with the ROC, the Audit Committee and the Board as necessary. We also consider the Internal Audit department to be a control group.
Business Line Management. Each business line is responsible for managing its risk, and business line management is responsible for keeping senior management, including the members of the ROC, informed of operational risk and escalating risk matters (as defined by the Company’s escalation policies). We regularly conduct firm-wide escalation training for our employees. Certain business lines, including Client Support Services (formerly known as Broker/Dealer Support Services) and Business Technology Services, have dedicated personnel with responsibilities for monitoring and managing risk-related matters. Business lines are subject to oversight by the control groups, and the Finance, Legal, Business Technology Services and Human Capital departments also execute certain control functions and report matters to the ROC, Audit Committee, and Board, as appropriate.
In addition to the ERM framework, we have written policies and procedures that govern the conduct of business by our advisors, employees, and the terms and conditions of our relationships with product manufacturers. Our client and advisor policies address the extension of credit for client accounts, data and physical security, compliance with industry regulation and codes of ethics to govern employee and advisor conduct, among other matters.

44


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Disclosure Committee, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective.
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

45


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the information regarding the Company’s risks, as set forth under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases on a monthly basis during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Weighted Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Programs(1)
 
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares That May
Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Programs
January 1, 2014 through January 31, 2014

 
$

 

 
$

February 1, 2014 through February 28, 2014
1,923,076

 
$
52.00

 
1,923,076

 
$
117,927,015

March 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014

 
$

 

 
$

January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014
1,923,076

 
$
52.00

 
1,923,076

 
$
117,927,015

____________________
(1)
See Note 10. Stockholders' Equity, within the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.

Item 5. Other Information
None.

46


Item 6. Exhibits
3.1

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registration statement on Form S-1 (File Number 333-167325) on July 9, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference)
3.2

 
Certificate of Ownership and Merger (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File Number 001-34963) on June 19, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference)
3.3

 
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A (File Number 001-34963) on August 8, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.1

 
Separation Agreement and General Release with Derek Bruton, dated April 4, 2014 (filed herewith)
31.1

 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (filed herewith)
31.2

 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (filed herewith)
32.1

 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.2

 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
 

 
 
101.INS

 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.LAB

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label
101.PRE

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
101.DEF

 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition



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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
 
Date:
April 25, 2014
By:  
/s/ MARK S. CASADY
 
 
 
Mark S. Casady 
 
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
 
 
Date:
April 25, 2014
By:  
/s/ DAN H. ARNOLD
 
 
 
Dan H. Arnold
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer 



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