CMC Markets Regulatory News (CMCX)

7 June 2018

CMC MARKETS PLC

Final results for the year ended 31 March 2018

Strong growth driven by high value and institutional clients

Notes:

Net operating income represents total revenue after commissions payable to introducing partners and betting levies

Dividend per share paid or proposed relating to the financial year

Active clients represents those individual clients who have traded with or held a CFD or spread bet positions with the Group on at least one occasion during the financial year

Revenue per active client represents total trading revenue from CFD and spread bet active clients after deducting partner commissions and levies

Highlights

· Increased client activity increasing net operating income to £187.1 million up £26.3 million (16%)

· Growth in premium client numbers to 10% of active clients, overall active clients decreased 2%

· Institutional business revenues increased by £8.7 million (38%) to £31.4 million

· ANZ white label stockbroking transaction on track for delivery in September 2018

· Proposed final ordinary dividend of 5.95 pence, maintaining prior full year ordinary dividend of 8.93p

· Financial performance at the start of 2019 is broadly in line with prior year equivalent period

Regulatory update

· European regulatory changes to retail CFDs to take effect from 1 August with the prohibition on sale of binary products in Europe from 2 July; this product generated £4.5 million of revenue in UK and Europe in FY18

· Impact partially mitigated by ANZ white label stockbroking transaction and elective professional client opt up (on track to represent in excess of 40% of UK and European revenue)

Progress made on strategic initiatives

· Established markets: maintained market leading position in Germany, grew market share in Australia and led the UK for client satisfaction

· Geographic expansion: China education office opened in October, Middle East office planned for 2018

· Digital: new framework rolled out targeting greater efficiencies, 59% of marketing spend now through digital channels

· New products: FX Prime launched, CMC Pro released

· Institutional: value of client trades up 50%

Peter Cruddas, Chief Executive Officer commented:

"The strategy of attracting and retaining experienced, high value and institutional clients through technology and service is delivering strong results for the Group. We have been delivering on our strategic initiatives and these are now clearly coming through in the financial performance, where we have delivered record statutory profit before tax of £60.1 million. Now we have clarity about the regulatory changes in Europe, and with CMC's balanced portfolio of retail, professional and institutional clients across a breadth of growing geographies, we are confident that our technology and service-led strategy will continue to deliver profitable growth."

Analyst and Investor Presentation

A presentation will be held for equity analysts and investors today at 9.30 a.m. (BST).

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available via the following link:

http://webcasts.cmcmarkets.com/results/2018fullyear

Alternatively, you can dial into the presentation:

· United Kingdom: 020 3059 5868

· All other locations: + 44 20 3059 5868

Please quote "CMC Markets Full Year Results 2018" when prompted.

Annual Report and Financial Statements

A copy of the CMC Markets plc (the "Company") Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2018 (the "2018 Annual Report and Financial statements") is available within the Investor Relations section of the Company website http://www.cmcmarkets.com/group/results/annual-reports

Pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.1 the "Company" has submitted the 2018 Annual Report to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: www.hemscott.com/nsm.do

In compliance with The Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) 6.3.5, the information in the document below is extracted from the Company's 2018 Annual Report and Financial Statements. This material is not a substitute for reading the 2018 Annual Report and Financial Statements in full and any page numbers and cross references in the extracted information below refer to page numbers and cross-references in the 2018 Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Forthcoming announcement dates

Media enquiries

Camarco

Geoffrey Pelham-Lane / Ed Gascoigne-Pees / Jennifer Renwick Tel: 020 3757 4994

Notes to Editors

CMC Markets plc ("CMC"), whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker CMCX (LEI: 213800VB75KAZBFH5U07), was established in 1989 and is now one of the world's leading online financial trading businesses. The company serves retail and institutional clients through regulated offices and branches in 14 countries, with a significant presence in the UK, Australia, Germany and Singapore. The Group offers an award-winning, online and mobile trading platform, enabling clients to trade almost 10,000 financial instruments across shares, indices, foreign currencies, commodities and treasuries through contracts for difference ("CFDs") and financial spread bets (in the UK and Ireland only). Clients can also place financial binary bets through Countdowns and, in Australia, access stockbroking services. More information is available at http://www.cmcmarkets.com/group/

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement and Appendix may include statements that are forward looking in nature. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Except as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, the Group undertakes no obligation to update, revise or change any forward looking statements to reflect events or developments occurring after the date such statements are published.  

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

In my first report as Chairman, I am pleased to report that, against a backdrop of regulatory uncertainty in Europe, the Group has made strong progress. The Group continues to deliver on its strategic initiatives, including the rollout of our new mobile platform, the opening of our Shanghai office, strong growth in our institutional business and significant progress on the implementation of our white label stockbroking partnership with ANZ Bank in Australia.

Results and dividend

The Group has performed strongly throughout the financial year. Net operating income for the year was £187.1 million, a 16% improvement on the previous year. Revenue per active client at £2,964 was 18% higher than the previous year, reflecting the Group's strategic focus on generating higher quality earnings through higher value business.

The Group continues to be highly cash generative, with a strong balance sheet and total regulatory capital position.

The Board recommends a final dividend payment of 5.95 pence per share, which represents a total ordinary dividend per share of 8.93 pence.

Regulation

The Group believes in strong regulation and is supportive of regulatory change to ensure that all providers operate to the highest standards, ensuring fair client outcomes. The European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") published temporary product intervention measures on the provision of CFDs and binary options to retail clients in March 2018, 15 months after the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") issued consultation paper 16/40 (Enhancing conduct of business rules for firms providing contracts for difference products to retail clients).

The Group welcomes many of the requirements, and is pleased that we now have clarity; many of the ESMA requirements have already been in place throughout the Group for some time. Whilst these changes are likely to have some short-term adverse effect on the Group as clients adjust their trading behaviour to these new requirements, the Board believes that a stronger and better industry will emerge. In that process the Group will be a clear winner through its focus on high value clients, service and technology.

Board and governance

During this financial year, we have made a number of changes to our Board. Manjit Wolstenholme and Malcolm McCaig resigned from the Board. Their valuable contribution to the Group in our early days as a listed business was very much appreciated. It is also with great sadness that we learnt of Manjit's passing away in November 2017; our thoughts are with her family.

We have welcomed Sarah Ing, Clare Salmon and Paul Wainscott to our Board; their backgrounds and breadth of experience means they are already proving to be strong additions.

Simon Waugh resigned from the Board at the end of December after ten years, with five years as Chairman. I would like to thank Simon for his significant contribution and I am delighted that Simon continues to be part of the Group, as Chairman of our APAC & Canada businesses at this exciting time as we integrate the ANZ Bank stockbroking partnership.

Given the relatively new composition of the Board, a Board evaluation has not been completed. The Board expects to complete the appropriate evaluations during the course of the next financial year.

People and values

Our people are core to everything that we do and, on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank them for their efforts for once again delivering strong financial performance against a backdrop of regulatory uncertainty. During the year, the Group refreshed its core values, "the CMC way", reflecting the Group's focus on quality, clients and integrity.

Outlook

The Group has made a good start to the new financial year and the Group's stockbroking partnership with ANZ Bank in Australia remains on track to go live in September 2018.

We expect the new margin requirements stipulated by ESMA to have some adverse short-term impact on the financial performance once they are in place, which is expected during the summer. However, the Group's strategy of attracting and retaining high value and experienced clients will help to mitigate some of the impact. The Group has a strong professional offering, "CMC Pro", and is in the process of reviewing client requests to be treated as elective professional clients where the eligibility criteria has been satisfied. In addition, the Group's growing institutional business and stockbroking partnership with ANZ Bank further diversifies the Group and helps to mitigate the impact of regulatory change.

Costs remain well controlled, although will be moderately higher in 2019 for planned investments to drive strategic initiatives as the Board believes that it is a time to take advantage of the opportunities that regulatory change will present, ensuring that the Group continues to be a leader in the industry.

James Richards

Chairman

6 June 2018

CEO REPORT

Financial performance and KPIs

The Group has been delivering on its strategic initiatives and this is now clearly coming through in the financial performance, where we have delivered record statutory profit before tax of £60.1 million, up 24% on the prior year. Profit before tax margin has also increased from 30.1% to 32.1%, highlighting the strong operational leverage in the business. In addition, revenue per active client is up 18% on the prior year as we continue to focus on our high value client proposition. All of this has been against a backdrop of regulatory uncertainty in the UK and Europe. However, our strategy puts us in a strong position to mitigate the impact of the upcoming regulatory changes.

In addition, we have continued to build our presence in our established and developing offices as well as grow our institutional business. This, along with market conditions returning to more normalised levels, resulted in the value of client trades increasing by 28%, contributing to net operating income increasing by 16% to £187.1 million against the prior year. All asset classes contributed to the increase in net operating income.

Operating expenses increased by 13% to £125.9 million mainly due to higher discretionary remuneration and salary costs. In the year ahead, operating costs are expected to increase as we take on more staff and infrastructure cost to service in excess of 250,000 new active stockbroking clients as part of the ANZ Bank white label stockbroking partnership.

It is worth noting that this performance has been achieved without providing a cryptocurrency offering throughout the majority of the year. The interest in cryptocurrencies has undoubtedly added a new wave of clients to the industry. We did not offer any crypto products until February 2018, and the offering is only currently available to professional clients with a minimum margin requirement of 50%.

Cash generation, given the nature of our business, remains strong and own funds generated from operating activities was £55.5 million. During the year, the Group has seen significant fluctuations in margin requirements at our prime brokers due to hedging growing client positions. Although this reduced towards the end of the year, we have increased our revolving credit facility from £40.0 million to £65.0 million; this gives us headroom to continue growing the business and hedge growing client positions. Our total regulatory capital ratio remained high at 31.1% at the year-end. Active clients at 59,165 were down 2% on the previous year and new accounts were also slightly lower than the previous year. These decreases were primarily due to the prior year including a number of new accounts being opened around the EU Referendum and US presidential election, where clients opened accounts and only traded around that event.

Whilst active and new accounts continue to be important measures for the Group, the quality and activity of those clients are more important, and this will become increasingly so once the regulatory changes are implemented. During the year premium clients, our internal measure of high quality clients, increased to 10%.

Regulation

During the year, the FCA consultation paper did not reach a conclusion due to the impending introduction of ESMA's product intervention powers from 3 January 2018. The ESMA announcement on 15 December 2017 resulted in a short consultation and the final rules were published in March 2018. We expect these to be implemented during the summer.

The main aim of these measures around improving retail client protection can be summarised through:

· reducing the extent of potential losses for retail investors by the imposition of margin close-out levels, minimum margin requirements (leverage limitations) and negative balance protection; and

· confronting conduct issues, such as the use of aggressive marketing practices and marketing to an untargeted audience.

In the short term the imposition of higher minimum margin requirements for retail clients is likely to impact the Group's revenue, but it should be noted that the revenue impact will be partially mitigated through our focus on high value clients and a proportion of these clients that will opt to be treated as elective professional clients, thus exempting them from the retail restrictions. We expect the number of elective professional clients to represent in excess of 40% of current UK and European revenue. The Group has a robust process in place where clients are only opted up once proof of meeting the required criteria are met.

Regional review

Net revenue has increased across all regions during the year, with a globally aligned focus on acquiring and retaining high value clients.

The UK, as the largest and most mature region as well as servicing most of the Group's institutional business, has a higher concentration of high value business than other regions, and as a result saw the biggest increase in revenue per active client ("RPC") of 25% from £3,558 to £4,451. Active client numbers reduced marginally by 6% to 16,157 from 17,142 as we focused more on the high value and institutional segments. Overall, this resulted in an increase in net revenue of 18% from £61.0 million to £71.9 million.

In Europe, regulatory change in Germany, our largest office in the region, resulted in lower growth than the UK; client numbers decreased by 1% to 22,223 from 22,503, however, net revenue increased by 12%, from £45.3 million to £50.6 million.

In the APAC & Canada region, an education office was opened in Shanghai in October 2017. Client numbers in the region increased by 2% to 20,785 from 20,437. Net revenue increased by 18% from £45.0 million to £52.9 million.

The stockbroking business has delivered another good year of growth, with net revenue increasing 9% to £8.5 million and active client numbers growing by 17% to 38,775. This has been achieved whilst implementing changes to the platform functionality and building tools for the migration of ANZ Bank stockbroking retail clients in September 2018.

Risk management

Effective risk management is essential to the continuing success of the Group. The Group continually reviews its risk management practices to ensure that they are proportionate and robust.

With the introduction of regulatory changes it is likely that this will impact the trading behaviour of some clients, and as these changes are made the Group will continually review its trading risk management strategies to ensure that they remain efficient and optimal, at all times operating within the Board-approved risk appetite and Risk Management Framework.

Strategic progress

Institutional offering

The ANZ Bank white label stockbroking implementation continues to progress on track for delivery. The retail stockbroking migration will take place in September 2018 and a number of intermediaries will be migrated in July 2018. This is a truly transformational deal for the Australian business and the Group, where CMC will become the second largest retail stockbroker in Australia.

In addition to the ANZ Bank stockbroking implementation providing diversification to the business, the institutional and partners channel for our CFD offering, which provides white and grey label and API electronic connectivity, also provides diversification. The net revenue generated by this business has grown by 38% from £22.7 million to £31.4 million during the year and the ongoing rollout of additional functionality to meet client demand continues to be a focus area.

The Group continues to grow its CFD institutional business, launching its FX Prime offering and through its technology, liquidity and strong balance sheet continues to attract new institutional business.

Geographic expansion

In October 2017, the Group opened its education office in Shanghai. Although the Chinese market remains underdeveloped at the moment, we believe it represents a great future opportunity for the Group as this market matures.

The Polish office continues to perform well and the Group continues to look for new geographies in which to expand.

Product offering

We have continued to invest in and develop the Group's product offering. This has included completing the rollout of HTML5 with improved functionality, a new mobile platform and the launch of a limited risk account in the UK and Germany.

In the coming year we will launch our MT4/5 offering. This is a popular product within the trading community and will be offered in order to meet the demands of both existing and new clients and also take advantage of opportunities arising from regulatory change. In April 2018, we also launched "CMC Pro", our dedicated offering to meet the needs of professional clients.

Established markets

When putting future regulatory change in Europe to one side, I am pleased and encouraged by the ongoing growth and revenue contribution of all three of our established markets, the UK, Germany and Australia. The continuing positive performance in independent surveys in these countries also confirms our status as a leading trading platform provider delivering strong levels of client satisfaction. We have been shown to be leading in client service in the UK as well as maintaining our market leading position in Germany and number one provider for high value CFD clients in Australia.

Digital initiatives

During the year, we have continued to invest in our digital marketing area, where we have seen a rise in applications via the mobile channel. A more scientific approach to our marketing spend and improvements in search engine optimisation ("SEO") have contributed to an improved and more focused client acquisition process.

People and values

Our people are crucial to our success and throughout the year, I have been consistently impressed by the quality and hard work of our employees. During the year, we have refreshed our Group values and are committed to retaining and developing our staff.

On behalf of myself and the Board, I would like to thank all of our employees for their continued dedication and hard work.

Clients

Clients are central to everything we do at CMC. We continually focus on employing and training high quality client services staff, onboarding, education, platform features, and a focus on fair client outcomes. During the year, the Group received many awards in this area and ranked very highly in an independent survey of the sector.

Dividend

The Board recommends a final dividend payment of £17.2 million. This is 5.95 pence per share (2017: 5.95 pence), resulting in total dividend payment for the year of 8.93 pence per share (2017: 8.93 pence), slightly above the Group's policy of paying 50% of net income.

Outlook

Key areas of focus for the Group during the first half of the year will be the successful integration of the ANZ Bank stockbroking partnership in Australia, and in the UK and Europe on meeting the new regulatory requirements. Alongside this, we will continue to develop our platforms to ensure that we are well positioned from a product perspective in the new regulatory environment to acquire and retain experienced and valuable clients as well as build our institutional offering.

Regulatory change is likely to impact revenue in the UK and Europe in the short term; however, any Group revenue decrease from retail client trading (expected to be 10% to 15% of 2018 Group CFD and spread bet revenues) will be partially mitigated by the increasing revenue from our stockbroking business. Regulatory change has always helped strengthen our industry and I believe that CMC as a strong and well-capitalised company will benefit.

We have a big year ahead, but we are well positioned to meet the challenges to grow our business, through our own technology and 15 offices globally. Through the opportunities that our proprietary technology provides we are diversifying the business.

Peter Cruddas

Chief Executive Officer

6 June 2018

Financial review

Summary income statement 

Summary 

Net operating income for the year increased by £26.3 million (16%) to £187.1 million, primarily driven by trading conditions returning to more normalised levels and our focus on high value clients, which resulted in the average trade size increasing during the year. Second half net operating income was moderately higher than first half performance at £97.5 million (H1 2018: £89.6 million).

Active client numbers have fallen marginally by 917 (2%) to 59,165, due to fewer event-driven trading opportunities which encourage certain clients to open or reactivate their accounts to trade only around these events. In the prior year, the US election and EU Referendum drove the active client figure higher. However, revenue per active client rose by £447 (18%) to £2,964 due to an increase in the value of client trades by £571 billion (28%) to £2,587 billion despite having fewer active clients. Encouragingly this growth was seen across both of our largest asset classes, Indices and FX. Indices was the biggest driver of this increase with the value of client trades up £393 billion (35%) to £1,518 billion, which equated to 59% of the value of client trades, which is more representative of the historical share of activity that this asset class generates for the Group.

Total costs¹ increased by £14.7 million (13%) to £127.0 million. The increase was predominantly caused by a £8.5 million (17%) increase in net staff costs due to higher average headcount as we continue to invest in the business and higher performance-related pay.

Profit before tax increased by £11.6 million (24%) to £60.1 million, as a result of the £26.3 million increase in net operating income and partly offset by a £14.7 million increase in total costs explained above. As a result, our profit before tax margin² increased by 2.0% to 32.1% highlighting the operational gearing present in the business.

Net operating income overview

1 Total costs are the sum of operating expenses, depreciation, amortisation and finance costs

2 Statutory profit before tax as a percentage of net operating income

UK

The value of client trades in the UK grew 31% against the prior year to £1,036 billion (2017: £793 billion), driven by retail growth of 29% to £733 billion (2017: £569 billion) as market conditions presented clients with more trading opportunities, whilst the institutional business also continues to grow. Although the number of active clients fell 6% to 16,157 (2017: 17,142), much of this churn was in low value, short-term clients trading around known political events in the prior year such as the UK's EU Referendum in June 2016, which in turn contributed to revenue per active client increasing 25% to £4,451 (2017: £3,558). Our focus on clients was clearly reflected in an independent industry survey carried out during the year¹, with our net promoter score further increasing and the Group continuing to lead in client satisfaction with first place rankings in 14 out of 19 key service areas.

Europe

Europe comprises offices in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The value of client trades in Europe was 23% higher than the prior year at £777 billion (2017: £632 billion). Whilst active clients were marginally lower than the prior year, the focus on high value clients has yielded strong returns with net revenue up 12% in the region to £50.6 million (2017: £45.3 million), and an increase in net revenue across all offices. Our Scandinavian offices performed particularly well, with the value of client trades in the region 67% higher than the prior year. The largest office in the region, Germany, maintained its market-leading position with a 8% share of primary relationships with CFD/FX active clients², and the Polish office continues to grow well with active clients up 52%.

APAC & Canada

Our APAC & Canada business services clients from our Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Toronto and Shanghai offices along with other regions where we have no physical presence. The value of client trades was 31% higher at £774 billion (2017: £591 billion). As with other regions, net revenue growth was driven by high value clients trading more compared to prior year, reflected in an RPC increase of 16% to £2,544 (2017: 2,201), whilst active clients were marginally higher at 20,785 (2017: 20,437).

External research highlights the Group's success in appealing to high value traders, with the Group maintaining the position of number one provider for high value CFD clients in Australia³. This report also highlighted that the Group had the highest prompted brand awareness in the Australian CFD and FX markets, as the brand continues to strengthen in this area. Client satisfaction remains a key focus for the Group, and CMC was recognised as top for overall satisfaction for Australia CFD¹ and Singapore CFD and FX¹ clients by Investment Trends.

1 Investment Trends May 2017 UK Leveraged Trading Report

2 Investment Trends May 2018 Germany CFD and FX Report

3 Investment Trends May 2017 Australia CFD Report; Investment Trends October 2017 Singapore CFD and FX Report.

Stockbroking

The Australian stockbroking business has continued to grow, with revenue up 9% at £8.5 million (2017: £7.8 million), and up 7% in local currency terms. Strong client acquisition has also been maintained during the year (47% increase in new clients¹), supported by a sustained reduction in client cost per acquisition delivered through ongoing enhancements in digital marketing and overall strong volumes seen across the local market.

The significant stockbroking partnership with ANZ Bank remains on track for delivery. Our existing retail and intermediary client base are also expected to be significant beneficiaries of major platform enhancements required as part of the implementation, encompassing mobile trading, international equities, online options and advisor functionality.

1 Increase in new opened accounts over the period

Interest income

The low interest rate environment remained largely the same as the prior year and interest income increased marginally to £2.1 million (2017: £1.7 million). The majority of the Group's interest income is earned through our segregated client deposits in our Australia, New Zealand and stockbroking subsidiaries. However, the Group's interest income is beginning to rise due to the FCA granting the UK business permission to deposit a proportion of UK client funds in term deposit accounts.

Expenses

Total operating expenses increased £14.3 million (13%) to £125.9 million, driven by higher salary costs and performance-related pay.

Staff costs

Net staff costs increased £8.5 million (17%) to £57.9 million, largely caused by a rise in wages and salaries of £3.5 million (9%) due to the annualised impact of investment in personnel in the prior year and higher performance-related pay, which increased by £7.3 million. These increases were offset by net capitalisation, mainly relating to development costs as part of the ANZ Bank implementation and a decrease of £1.4 million (32%) in share‑based payments.

Marketing costs

Marketing costs decreased by £2.0 million (10%) to £18.3 million during the year due to a reduction in brand and sponsorship activity. However, digital marketing spend increased year on year and also from the first half to the second half of the year. The Group continues to sponsor the New South Wales Waratahs rugby team in Australia.

Other expenses

IT costs increased by £1.5 million (10%) to £16.9 million. We continue to see above-inflation increases in this area, compounded by some IT contracts showing a trend of moving from intangible software licences to software maintenance charges, and increasing charges from market data providers.

Premises costs have increased mainly due to higher rent charges in Australia and the opening of a new office in China.

Other costs

The increase in other costs was driven by numerous factors, but mainly irrecoverable sales tax, a lower level of recoverable bank charges as a result of new EU regulation and higher recruitment costs.

Taxation

The effective tax rate for the year was 17% (2017: 19%). The majority of the Group's profits are taxed in the UK, which had a corporation tax rate of 19% (2017: 20%). The Group also benefited from higher utilisation of Australian corporation tax credits in the year due to higher forecast profitability in the Australian entities. The effective tax rate is expected to be in the region of 12% to 14% in 2019.

Profit after tax for the year

The increase in profit after tax for the year of £10.5 million (27%) to £49.7 million (2017: £39.2 million) was due to both higher statutory profit before tax and a lower effective tax rate.

Dividend

Dividends of £25.7 million were paid during the year (2017: £23.9 million), with £17.1 million relating to a final dividend for the prior year paid in August 2017, and a £8.6 million interim dividend paid in December 2017 in relation to the current year performance. The Group has proposed a final ordinary dividend of 5.95 pence per share (2017: 5.95 pence per share).

Group statement of financial position

Non-current assets

The Group is committed to maintaining its Next Generation trading platform and these costs are expensed as incurred. However, £2.6 million of internal development costs relating to the ANZ Bank implementation have been capitalised as intangible assets during the year and this will continue to be the case until the implementation is complete. The majority of the remaining intangible assets relate to the net book value of software licences.

There has also been significant investment in the fit-out of a new property in Australia to accommodate more staff to support the imminent increase in size of the stockbroking business and this has been the main driver of the increase in property, plant and equipment over the period along with ongoing investment in IT infrastructure.

Deferred tax assets increased during the year due to the recognition of a higher amount of tax losses on the balance sheet relating to Australian tax credits. This has been driven by increasing profitability in the stockbroking business as a result of the ANZ Bank partnership.

Financial investments in both non-current and current assets relate to the FCA requirement to hold eligible assets against potential liquidity stress.

Current assets

Trade and other receivables relate mainly to client receivables from stockbroking positions yet to settle, an escrow deposit relating to the ANZ Bank transaction, prepayments, and other client debtors. The year-on-year rise is a result of the escrow deposit. Amount due from brokers relates to cash held at brokers either for initial margin or to reduce interest payable on the Group's overall hedge position. Cash and cash equivalents have increased during the course of the year with a proportion being deposited with brokers to fund growing margin requirements.

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables consist mainly of accruals and deferred income, amounts due on stockbroking trades yet to settle, and amounts due to clients in relation to title transfer funds.

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables relate mainly to the deferred unwinding of lease incentives on our London property and the increase in borrowings is due to a new lease agreement associated with IT equipment purchases.

Regulatory capital resources

For the year under review, the Group was supervised on a consolidated basis by the FCA. The Group maintained a significant capital surplus over the regulatory requirement at all times.

The Group's total capital resources increased due to the rise in retained earnings relating to audited 2018 profits, partly offset by higher intangible assets and deferred tax assets on the balance sheet.

At 31 March 2018 the Group had a total capital ratio of 31.1% (31 March 2017: 30.2%). The following table summarises the Group's capital adequacy position at the year-end. The Group's approach to capital management is described in note 28 to the 2018 Annual Report and Financial statements.

Note: capital resources include audited reserves and any changes to deferred tax assets resulting from the audit process and proposed dividends.

Liquidity

The Group has access to the following sources of liquidity that make up total available liquidity:

· Own funds. The primary source of liquidity for the Group. It represents the funds that the business has generated historically, including any unrealised gains/losses on open hedging positions. All cash held on behalf of segregated clients is excluded. Own funds consists mainly of cash and cash equivalents and also includes investments in UK government securities, which are held to meet the Group's liquid asset buffer ("LAB") - as set by the FCA. These UK government securities are BIPRU 12.7 eligible securities and are available to meet liabilities which fall due in periods of stress.

· Title Transfer Funds (TTFs). This represents funds received from professional clients and eligible counterparties (as defined in the FCA Handbook) that are held under a title transfer collateral agreement ("TTCA"); a means by which a professional client or eligible counterparty may agree that full ownership of such funds is unconditionally transferred to the Group. The Group does not require clients to sign a TTCA in order to be treated a professional client and as a result, their funds remain segregated. The Group considers these funds as an ancillary source of liquidity and places no reliance on its stability. The increase during the year was reflective of the increase in the institutional client base and certain other professional clients, where we require the funds of these clients to be held under a TTCA.

· Available committed facility (off-balance sheet liquidity). The Group has access to a facility of up to £65.0 million (2017: £40.0 million) in order to fund any potential fluctuations in margins required to be posted at brokers to support the risk management strategy. The £25.0 million increase during the year was due to the syndication of the existing facility in March 2018. The maximum amount of the facility available at any one time is dependent upon the initial margin requirements at brokers and margin received from clients. The facility consists of a one-year term facility of £32.5 million and a three-year term facility of £32.5 million, both of which were increased in March 2018 from £20.0 million for each term. There was no drawdown on the facility at 31 March 2018 (2017: £nil).

The Group's use of total available liquidity resources consist of:

· Blocked cash. Amounts held to meet the requirements of local market regulators and amounts held at overseas subsidiaries in excess of local segregated client requirements to meet potential future client requirements.

· Initial margin requirement at broker. The total GBP equivalent initial margin required by prime brokers to cover the Group's hedge derivative positions.

At 31 March 2018, the Group held cash balances of £60.5 million (2017: £49.0 million). In addition, £304.8 million (2017: £310.0 million) was held in segregated client money accounts for clients. The movement in Group cash and cash equivalents is set out in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Own funds have increased to £193.9 million (2017: £183.4 million). Own funds include short-term financial investments, amounts due from brokers and amounts receivable/payable on the Group's derivative financial instruments. For more details refer to note 17 of the 2018 Annual Report and Financial statements.

Client money

Total segregated client money held by the Group was £304.8 million at 31 March 2018 (2017: £310.0 million).

Client funds represents the capacity for our clients to trade and offer an underlying indication to the health of our client base.

Client money governance

The Group segregates all money held by it on behalf of clients excluding a small number of large clients who have entered a TTCA with the Group. This is in accordance with or exceeding applicable client money regulations in countries in which the Group operates. The majority of client money requirements fall under the Client Assets sourcebook ("CASS") rules of the FCA. All segregated client funds are held in dedicated client money bank accounts with major banks that meet strict internal criteria and are held separately from the Group's own money.

The Group has comprehensive client money processes and procedures in place to ensure client money is identified and protected at the earliest possible point after receipt as well as governance structures, which ensure such activities are effective in protecting client money. The Group's governance structure is explained further in the 2018 Annual Report and Financial statements.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

The Group's business activities naturally expose it to strategic, financial and operational risks inherent in the nature of the business it undertakes and the financial, market and regulatory environments in which it operates. The Group recognises the importance of understanding and managing these risks and that it cannot place a cap or limit on all of the risks to which the Group is exposed. However, effective risk management ensures that risks are managed to an acceptable level.

The Board, through its Group Risk Committee, is ultimately responsible for the implementation of an appropriate risk strategy, which has been achieved using an integrated Risk Management Framework. The main areas covered by the Risk Management Framework are:

· identifying, evaluating and monitoring of the principal risks to which the Group is exposed;

· setting the risk appetite of the Board in order to achieve its strategic objectives; and

· establishing and maintaining governance, policies, systems and controls to ensure the Group is operating within the stated risk appetite.

The Board has put in place a governance structure, which is appropriate for the operations of an online retail financial services group and is aligned to the delivery of the Group's strategic objectives. The structure is regularly reviewed and monitored and any changes are subject to Board approval. Furthermore, management regularly considers updates to the processes and procedures to embed good corporate governance throughout the Group.

As part of the Group Risk Management Framework, the business is subject to independent assurance by internal audit (third line of defence). The use of independent compliance monitoring, risk reviews (second line of defence) and risk and control self-assessments (first line of defence) provides additional support to the integrated assurance programme and ensures that the Group is effectively identifying, managing and reporting its risks.

The Group continues to make enhancements to its Risk Management Framework and governance to provide a more structured approach to identifying and managing the risks to which it is exposed.

The Board has undertaken a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group. Top and emerging risks are considered those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity and how these risks are managed or mitigated (Code C.2.1). These are outlined below and details of financial risks and their management are set out in note 28 to the 2018 Annual Report and Financial statements.

Top and emerging risks during the year, which form either a subset of one or multiple principal risks and continue to be at the forefront of the Group discussions, are:

· Regulatory change: further to announcements and consultations from national competent authorities ("NCAs") and ESMA, changes will be required to be made to the marketing and distribution of CFDs to retail clients throughout Europe in August 2018. These changes have been regularly discussed at Board, Board Committee and Executive Committee meetings throughout the period, including the Group's readiness and potential impact on the Group's business model. Many of the new requirements are already in place throughout the Group; however, some of the measures will have an impact on client trading behaviour that is not possible to accurately understand until implemented. Once implemented, management will constantly monitor any impact. The Group's strategic focus has been on high value and experienced clients, many of whom may be entitled to become elective professionals, which will help to mitigate the impact of regulatory change. In addition, the Group believes that in the medium to long term these changes present opportunities for the Group and the Group's strong balance sheet and increasing diversification put it in a strong position to deal with, and take advantage of, these changes.

· UK's exit from the European Union ("Brexit"): the impact that Brexit has on the Group is closely monitored. Plans are underway to establish a new subsidiary in the European Union. Once implemented this new structure should mitigate any impact that could arise from regulatory change resulting from Brexit.

Further information on the structure and workings of Board and Management Committees is included in the Corporate governance report in the 2018 Annual Report and Financial statements.

DIRECTORS' STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE FCA'S DISCLOSURE AND TRANSPARENCY RULES

The directors are required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules to include a management report containing a fair review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.

The directors listed below (being all the directors of CMC Markets plc) confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

· the Group Financial Statements contained in the 2018 Annual Report and Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and results of the Group; and

· the Strategic Report contained in the 2018 Annual Report and Financial Statements includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the Group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

· the 2018 Annual Report and Financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy

The Directors' statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 6 June 2018 and signed on its behalf by:

Peter Cruddas Grant Foley

Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating and Financial Officer

CMC Markets plc Board of Directors

Executive Directors

Peter Cruddas (Chief Executive Officer)

David Fineberg (Group Commercial Director)

Grant Foley (Chief Operating and Financial Officer)

Non-Executive Directors

James Richards (Chairman)

Paul Wainscott (Senior Independent Director)

Sarah Ing

Clare Salmon

For the year ended 31 March 2018

At 31 March 2018

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 31 March 2018

Consolidated statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2018

1. Basis of preparation

Basis of accounting

The financial information set out herein does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 March 2018 and 2017, but is derived from those financial statements. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2017 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for the year ended 31 March 2018 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held on 26 July 2018. The external auditor has reported on those financial statements; its reports were unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006.

While the financial information included in this announcement have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ("IFRSs"), IFRS Interpretations Committee ("IFRS IC") interpretations as adopted by the European Union and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRSs, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the going concern basis, under the historical cost convention, except in the case of "Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss" and "Available for sale financial assets". The financial information is rounded to the nearest thousand, except where otherwise indicated.

The Group's principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are consistent with those of the previous financial year. There were no new or amended standards or interpretations that resulted in a change in accounting policy. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented. The financial statements presented are at and for the years ending 31 March 2018 and 31 March 2017. Financial annual years are referred to as 2018, and 2017 in the financial statements.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain significant accounting judgements. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The only area involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements is:

Deferred taxes

The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered

2. Segmental reporting

The Group's principal business is online retail financial services and provides its clients with the ability to trade contracts for difference (CFD) and financial spread betting on a range of underlying shares, indices, foreign currencies, commodities and treasuries. The Group also makes these services available to institutional partners through white label and introducing broker arrangements. The Group's CFDs are traded worldwide; spread betting only in UK and Ireland and the Group provides stockbroking services only in Australia. The Group's core business is generally managed on a geographical basis and for management purposes, the Group is organised into three segments:

· UK and Ireland (UK & IE);

· Europe;

· Australia, New Zealand and Singapore (APAC) and Canada;

Revenues and costs are allocated to the segments that originated the transaction. Costs generated centrally are allocated to segments on an equitable basis, mainly based on revenue, headcount or active client levels.

The measurement of net operating income for segmental analysis is consistent with that in the income statement.

The Group uses 'Segment contribution' to assess the financial performance of each segment. Segment contribution comprises operating profit for the year before finance costs and taxation.

3. Total revenue

Revenue

Interest income

The Group earns interest income from its own corporate funds and from segregated client funds.

4. Operating expenses

The above presentation reflects the breakdown of Operating expenses by nature of expense.

5. Taxation

The standard rate of UK corporation tax charged was 19% with effect from 1 April 2017. Taxation outside the UK is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The effective tax rate of 17.28% (Year ended 31 March 2017: 19.21%) differs from the standard rate of UK corporation tax rate of 19% (Year ended 31 March 2017: 20%). The differences are explained below:

For the year ended 31 March 2018, the tax effect of exceptional costs that were not recognised for tax purposes was £nil (Year ended 31 March 2017: £nil)

6. Earnings per share (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to the equity owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during each year excluding those held in employee share trusts which are treated as cancelled.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue, excluding those held in employee share trusts, is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential weighted average ordinary shares, which consists of share options granted to employees during the year ended 31 March 2018.

For the year ended 31 March 2018, 2,629,000 (Year ended 31 March 2017: 2,072,000) potentially dilutive weighted average ordinary shares in respect of share options in issue were included in the calculation of diluted EPS.

7. Dividends

The final dividend for 2018 of 5.95p per share, amounting to £17,196,000 was proposed by the board on 6 June 2018 and has not been included as a liability at 31 March 2018. The dividend will be paid on 24 August 2018, following approval at the Company's AGM, to those members on the register at the close of business on 3 August 2018.

The dividends paid or declared in relation to the financial year are set out below:

8. Intangible assets

During the year ended 31 March 2018, additions to intangible assets amounted to £3,518,000 (Year ended 31 March 2017: £811,000). As at 31 March 2018, the net book value of intangible assets was £4,365,000 (31 March 2017: £2,115,000).

9. Property, plant and equipment

During the year ended 31 March 2018, additions to property, plant and equipment amounted to £8,640,000 (Year ended 31 March 2017: £6,114,000). As at 31 March 2018, the net book value of property, plant and equipment was £20,685,000 (31 March 2017: £18,197,000).

10. Trade and other receivables

Stock broking debtors represent the amount receivable in respect of equity security transactions executed on behalf of clients with a corresponding balance included within trade and other payables (note 13).

As part of the transaction with ANZ bank, the Group has AUD 25,000,000 (£13,703,000) deposited in escrow, which is included in other debtors above.

11. Financial investments

12. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and other short-term highly liquid investments, with maturities of three months or less. Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates, based on daily bank deposit rates.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise of the following for the purpose of the statement of cash flows:

13. Trade and other payables

Stockbroking creditors represent the amount payable in respect of equity security transactions executed on behalf of clients with a corresponding balance included within trade and other receivables (note 10).

14. Cash generated from operations

The movement in trade and other receivables for the year ended 31 March 2018 also includes £310,000 (31 March 2017: £490,000) of exceptional litigation income received during the year. This exceptional income was recognised in the year ended 31 March 2016.