Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac shares tumble after conservatorship comments
Investing.com -- CMC Markets (LON:CMCX) delivered improved results for fiscal 2025, but shares dropped over 12% after profits missed market expectations.
The U.K. broker posted a 2% increase in net operating income to £340.1 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, underpinned by rising profitability and growth in its investing business. The figure was ahead of the company-compiled consensus of £339.2 billion.
Underlying EBITDA jumped 12% year-on-year to £103.4 million.
Profit before tax (PBT) soared 33% to £84.5 million, boosting the PBT margin to 24.8%, up from 19.0%. This compares to a PBT consensus estimate of £90.6 million
Earnings per share rose to 22.6 pence from 16.7 pence in the prior year, but were also below the 24 pence consensus.
"While the P&L figures were below consensus, the improvement on FY24 is marked," Jefferies analysts commented in a post-earnings note.
Interest income climbed 21% to £42.5 million, supported by a strong performance in treasury management. Total (EPA:TTEF) revenue was flat at £360.1 million, with trading and investing revenue at £313.3 million, down slightly from £320.1 million.
The investing segment saw a 31% increase in net revenue, led by growth in Australia, now CMC’s second-largest investing market after CommSec.
Operating expenses fell 2% to £250.0 million. A one-off £4.3 million charge was recorded for customer remediation in Australia. The final dividend was raised to 8.3 pence, bringing the full-year payout to 11.4 pence, a 37% increase.
CMC also reported a 55% increase in cash and equivalents to £247.7 million and a 118% rise in financial investments to £111.0 million. The capital position remains robust, with a 272% OFR ratio and total equity of £418.0 million.
Strategically, the group launched a third vertical focused on decentralised finance, supported by a 51% stake in blockchain firm StrikeX. This complements its existing Direct-to-Consumer and Platform-as-a-Service models and includes initiatives such as 24/7 crypto trading and development of a multi-asset wallet.
"This is a move that positions CMC to take advantage of the structural changes we are seeing in the financial ecosystem in the years to come," CMC said in the release.
"Web 3.0 will transform traditional investing products by introducing tokenised assets, DeFi platforms, and DeFi models that enhance accessibility, reduce costs and offer new opportunities."
Chief Executive Peter Cruddas said the results demonstrate “significant progress on our diversification strategy” and added the company enters fiscal 2026 (FY26) “with good momentum and a healthy pipeline of opportunities.”
Commenting on the report, RBC Capital Markets analysts said CMC offered "no new formal guidance but the strength of the numbers and commentary around momentum continuing into FY26 prompts material upgrades to our EPS estimates."
The broker raised its price target to 380p from 350p, reiterating the Outperform, Speculative Risk rating on the stock.
Alongside the results, CMC announced several board changes. Deputy CEO David Fineberg and ANZ head Matthew Lewis (JO:LEWJ) will step down from the board after the 2025 AGM to focus on new leadership roles.
Laurence Booth has joined the board as Global Head of Capital Markets. Senior Independent (LON:IOG) Director Paul Wainscott will become Chair, succeeding James Richards.