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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, 2019
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 incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
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
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock -- $0.001 par value per share
LPLA
Nasdaq Global Select Market
The number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of April 26, 2019 was 83,434,537.




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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 (“Exchange Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at SEC.gov.
On our internet site, 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, 22nd 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”, "LPL", “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 Part I, "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, outlook, growth, plans, business strategies, liquidity, future indebtedness, future share repurchases, and future dividends, including statements regarding future resolution of regulatory matters, legal proceedings and related costs, future revenue and expenses, and projected savings and anticipated improvements to the Company’s operating model, services, and technologies as a result of its initiatives, programs and/or acquisitions, 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 May 2, 2019. The 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; changes in interest rates and fees payable by banks participating in the Company’s cash sweep programs, including the Company’s success in negotiating agreements with current or additional counterparties; the Company’s strategy and success in managing cash sweep program fees; fluctuations in the levels of brokerage and advisory assets, including net new assets, and the related impact on revenue; effects of competition in the financial services industry; the success of the Company in attracting and retaining financial advisors and institutions, and their ability to market effectively financial products and services; whether retail investors served by newly-recruited advisors choose to move their respective assets to new accounts at the Company; changes in growth and profitability of the Company’s fee-based business, including the Company's centrally managed advisory platform; the effect of current, pending, and future legislation, regulation, and regulatory actions, including disciplinary actions imposed by federal and state regulators and self-regulatory organizations; the cost of settling and remediating issues related to regulatory matters or legal proceedings, including actual costs of reimbursing customers for losses in excess of our reserves; changes made to the Company’s services and pricing, including in response to current, pending, and future legislation, regulation, and regulatory actions, and the effect that such changes may have on the Company’s gross profit streams and costs; execution of the Company’s capital management plans, including its compliance with the terms of its credit agreement and the indenture governing its senior notes; the price, the availability of shares, and trading volumes of the Company’s common stock, which will affect the timing and size of future share repurchases by the Company; execution of the Company’s plans and its success in realizing the synergies, expense savings, service improvements or efficiencies expected to result from its initiatives and programs, including its acquisitions of AdvisoryWorld and the broker-dealer network of National Planning Holdings, Inc. and its expense plans and technology initiatives; the performance of third-party service providers to which business processes are transitioned; the Company’s ability to control operating risks, information technology systems risks, cybersecurity risks, and sourcing risks; and the other factors set forth in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be amended or updated in the Company's

ii


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.

iii


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Business Overview
We are a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nation's largest independent broker-dealer. We serve independent financial advisors and financial institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow their practices. We enable them to provide objective financial guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions.
We believe that objective financial guidance is a fundamental need for everyone. We enable our advisors to focus on what they do best—create the personal, long-term relationships that are the foundation for turning life’s aspirations into financial realities. We do that through a singular focus on providing 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 that 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 a wide range of non-proprietary products, all delivered in an environment unencumbered by conflicts from product manufacturing, underwriting, and market-making.
We believe investors achieve better outcomes when working with a financial advisor. We strive to make it easy for advisors to do what is best for their clients, while protecting advisors and investors and promoting independence and choice through access to a wide range of diligently evaluated non-proprietary products.
Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
Results for the first quarter of 2019 included net income of $155.4 million, or $1.79 per share, which compares to $93.5 million, or $1.01 per share, for the first quarter of 2018.
Asset Growth Trends
Total brokerage and advisory assets served were $684.0 billion as of March 31, 2019, up 6% from $647.5 billion as of March 31, 2018. Total net new assets were $4.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $38.9 billion for the same period in 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we onboarded $36.0 billion in brokerage and advisory assets in connection with our acquisition of the broker-dealer network of National Planning Holdings, Inc. (“NPH”), which contributed to our growth in net new assets.
Net new advisory assets were $4.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $13.1 billion for the same period in 2018. As of March 31, 2019, our advisory assets had grown to $311.9 billion from the prior year balance of $283.5 billion and represented 46% of total brokerage and advisory assets served.
Net new brokerage assets were an outflow of $0.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to an inflow of $25.8 billion for the same period in 2018. As of March 31, 2019, our brokerage assets had grown to $372.1 billion from $364.1 billion as of March 31, 2018.
Gross Profit Trends
Gross profit, a non-GAAP financial measure, of $555.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased 20% from $464.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Management presents gross profit, which is calculated as net revenues less commission and advisory expenses and brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees, because we believe that measure may be useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s core operating performance before indirect costs that are general and administrative in nature. See footnote 8 to the Financial Metrics table within the "How We Evaluate Our Business" section for additional information on gross profit.
Shareholder Capital Returns
We returned $146.1 million of capital to shareholders during the three months ended March 31, 2019, including $21.1 million of dividends and $125.0 million of share repurchases, representing 1,747,116 shares.

1


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 cash sweep programs and the access we provide to a variety of product providers with the following product lines:
• Alternative Investments
 
• Retirement Plan Products
• Annuities
 
• Separately Managed Accounts
• Exchange Traded Products
 
• Structured Products
• Insurance Based Products
 
• Unit Investment Trusts
• Mutual Funds
 
 
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 regularly review various aspects of our operations and service offerings, including our policies, procedures, and platforms, in response to marketplace developments. We seek to continuously improve and enhance aspects of our operations and service offerings in order to position our advisors for long-term growth and to align with competitive and regulatory developments. For example, we regularly review the structure and fees of our advisory programs, including related disclosures, in the context of the changing regulatory environment for retirement accounts.


2


How We Evaluate Our Business
We focus on several key business and financial metrics in evaluating the success of our business relationships and our resulting financial position and operating performance. Our key business and financial metrics are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Business Metrics (dollars in billions) (balances may not foot due to rounding)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Advisory assets(1)(2)
$
311.9

 
$
283.5

 
10
%
Brokerage assets(1)(3)
372.1

 
364.1

 
2
%
Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets served(1)
$
684.0

 
$
647.5

 
6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net new advisory assets(4)
$
4.6

 
$
13.1

 
n/m

Net new brokerage assets(5)
(0.7
)
 
25.8

 
n/m

Total Brokerage and Advisory Net New Assets
$
4.0

 
$
38.9

 
n/m

 
 
 
 
 
 
Insured cash account balances(1)
$
21.7

 
$
22.6

 
(4
%)
Deposit cash account balances(1)
4.3

 
4.2

 
2
%
Money market account balances(1)
4.8

 
2.9

 
66
%
Total Cash Sweep Balances
$
30.7


$
29.6

 
4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisors
16,189

 
16,067

 
1
%
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Financial Metrics (dollars in millions, except per share data)
2019
 
2018
Total net revenues
$
1,371.7

 
$
1,241.6

Recurring gross profit rate (trailing twelve months)(6)
86.3
%
 
83.9
%
Pre-tax income
$
203.8

 
$
119.9

Net income
$
155.4

 
$
93.5

Earnings per share, diluted
$
1.79

 
$
1.01

 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures(7)
 
 
 
Gross profit(8)
$
555.8

 
$
464.0

Gross profit growth from prior period(8)
19.8
%
 
23.3
%
Gross profit as a % of net revenue(8)
40.5
%
 
37.4
%
_______________________________
(1)
Brokerage and advisory 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. Insured cash account balances, money market account balances, and deposit cash account balances are also included in brokerage and advisory assets served.
(2)
Advisory assets consists of total advisory assets under custody at our broker-dealer subsidiary, LPL Financial LLC ("LPL Financial"), consisting of total assets on LPL Financial's corporate advisory platform serviced by investment advisor representatives of LPL Financial and total assets on LPL Financial's independent advisory platform serviced by investment advisor representatives of separate investment advisor firms ("Hybrid RIAs") rather than of LPL Financial. See "Results of Operations" for a tabular presentation of advisory assets.
(3)
Brokerage assets consists of assets serviced by advisors licensed with LPL Financial.
(4)
Net new advisory assets consists of total client deposits into custodied advisory accounts less total client withdrawals from custodied advisory accounts. We consider conversions from and to brokerage accounts as deposits and withdrawals, respectively.
(5)
Net new brokerage assets consists of total client deposits into brokerage accounts less total client withdrawals from brokerage accounts. We consider conversions from and to advisory accounts as deposits and withdrawals, respectively.
(6)
Recurring gross profit rate refers to the percentage of our gross profit, a non-GAAP financial measure, that was recurring for the period presented. We track recurring gross profit, a characterization of gross profit and a statistical measure, which

3


is defined to include our revenues from asset-based fees, advisory fees, trailing commissions, cash sweep programs, and certain other fees that are based upon the number of client accounts and advisors, less the expenses associated with such revenues and certain other recurring expenses not specifically associated with a revenue line. We allocate such other recurring expenses, such as non-gross dealer concessions sensitive production expenses, on a pro-rata basis against specific revenue lines at our discretion.  Because certain sources of recurring gross profit are associated with asset balances, they will fluctuate depending on the market values and current interest rates. Accordingly, our recurring gross profit can be negatively impacted by adverse external market conditions. However, we believe that recurring gross profit is meaningful 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.
(7)
We believe that presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures by excluding or including certain items can be helpful to investors and analysts who may wish to use some or all of this information to analyze our current performance, prospects, and valuation. Our management uses this non-GAAP information internally to evaluate operating performance and in formulating the budget for future periods. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures and metrics presented above and discussed below are appropriate for evaluating the performance of the Company.
(8)
Set forth below is a calculation of gross profit (in millions), calculated as net revenues less commission and advisory expenses and brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees. All other expense categories, including depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, are considered general and administrative in nature. Because our gross profit amounts do not include any depreciation and amortization expense, we consider our gross profit amounts to be non-GAAP financial measures that may not be comparable to those of others in our industry. We believe that gross profit amounts can provide investors with useful insight into our core operating performance before indirect costs that are general and administrative in nature.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Gross Profit (in millions)
2019
 
2018
Total net revenues
$
1,371.7

 
$
1,241.6

Commission and advisory expense
799.7

 
761.7

Brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees
16.1

 
15.9

Gross profit
$
555.8


$
464.0

Legal & Regulatory Matters
As a regulated entity, we are subject to regulatory oversight and inquiries related to, among other items, our compliance and supervisory systems and procedures and other controls, as well as our disclosures, supervision and reporting. We review these items in the ordinary course of business in our effort to adhere to legal and regulatory requirements applicable to our operations. Nevertheless, the environment of additional regulation, increased regulatory compliance obligations, and enhanced regulatory enforcement has resulted, and may result in the future, in additional operational and compliance costs, as well as increased costs in the form of penalties and fines, investigatory and settlement costs, customer restitution, and remediation related to regulatory matters. In the ordinary course of business, we periodically identify or become aware of purported inadequacies, deficiencies, and other issues. It is our policy to evaluate these matters for potential securities law or regulatory violations, and other potential compliance issues. It is also our policy to self-report known violations and issues as required by applicable law and regulation. When deemed probable that matters may result in financial losses, we accrue for those losses based on an estimate of possible fines, customer restitution, and losses related to the repurchase of sold securities and other losses, as applicable. Certain regulatory and other legal claims and losses may be covered through our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, which is chartered with the insurance commissioner in the state of Tennessee.
Assessing the probability of a loss occurring and the timing and amount of any loss related to a regulatory matter or a legal proceeding, whether or not covered by the Company's captive insurance subsidiary, is inherently difficult and requires judgments based on a variety of factors and assumptions. There are particular uncertainties and complexities involved when assessing the adequacy of loss reserves for potential liabilities that are self-insured by our captive insurance subsidiary, which depends in part on historical claims experience, including the actual timing and costs of resolving matters that begin in one policy period and are resolved in a subsequent period.
Our accruals, including those established through the captive insurance subsidiary at March 31, 2019, include estimated costs for significant regulatory matters, generally relating to the adequacy of our compliance and supervisory systems and procedures and other controls, for which we believe losses are both probable and reasonably estimable. For example, on May 1, 2018, we agreed to a settlement structure with the North American Securities Administrators Association related to our historical compliance with certain state “blue sky” laws (the "Blue Sky Settlement"). We have entered into separate administrative orders with 37 jurisdictions and expect to

4


enter into separate administrative orders with the remaining 16 jurisdictions throughout 2019, which will result in aggregate fines of approximately $26.4 million. As part of the settlement structure, we agreed to engage independent third party consultants to conduct a historical review of certain equity and fixed income securities transactions, as well as an operational review of our systems for complying with blue sky securities registration requirements. We also agreed to offer customers who purchased certain equity and fixed-income securities since October 2006 remediation in the form of reimbursement for any actual losses, plus interest. We believe our captive insurance subsidiary has adequate loss reserves to cover the aggregate fines and has loss reserves as of March 31, 2019 that are available to cover the costs of remediation. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, however, the historical review of transactions has not been completed and, as a result, the scope and costs of potential customer remediation cannot be estimated at this time. The actual costs of reimbursing customers for losses could exceed our reserves.
The outcome of regulatory matters could result in legal liability, regulatory fines, or monetary penalties in excess of our accruals and insurance, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition. For more information on management’s loss contingency policies, see Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a mandate invalidating regulations previously enacted by the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) that expanded the definition of “fiduciary” and would have resulted in significant new restrictions on our servicing of certain retirement plan accounts subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), including compliance with expanded prohibited transaction requirements under section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “DOL Rule”). Because ERISA plans and IRAs comprise a significant portion of our business, we continue to expect that compliance with current and future laws and regulations with respect to retail retirement savings and reliance on prohibited transaction exemptions under such laws and regulations will require increased legal, compliance, information technology, and other costs and could lead to a greater risk of class action lawsuits and other litigation.
In April 2018, the SEC introduced a proposal for a best interest standard for retail brokerage accounts (the “SEC Rule”). Certain state securities and insurance regulators have adopted or are considering adopting similar laws and regulations. In addition, it is unclear how and whether other regulators - including FINRA, banking regulators, and the state securities and insurance regulators - may respond to or attempt to enforce similar issues addressed by the former DOL Rule and the proposed SEC Rule.
Uncertainty regarding pending and future laws and regulations, including the SEC Rule and state rules, relating to the standards of conduct applicable to both retirement and non-retirement accounts, may have impacts on our business in ways which cannot be anticipated or planned for, and which may have further impact on our products and services, and results of operations.
Acquisitions, Integrations, and Divestitures
From time to time we undertake acquisitions or divestitures 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.
During 2017, LPL Financial paid $325 million to acquire certain assets and rights of NPH, including business relationships with financial advisors. We completed the onboarding of NPH advisors and client assets in the first quarter of 2018. We incurred increased costs related to this transaction, including compensation and benefits expense related to the additional staffing, as well as contingent labor costs, needed to support the onboarding of NPH advisors and their clients to our systems, and fees for account closure and transfers that we agreed to pay on behalf of NPH advisors.
On December 3, 2018, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of AdvisoryWorld, a technology company, for a total purchase price of $28.1 million. AdvisoryWorld provides proposal generation, investment analytics and portfolio modeling capabilities in the wealth management industry.
See Note 4. Acquisitions, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail.

5


Economic Overview and Impact of Financial Market Events
Our business is directly and indirectly sensitive to several macroeconomic factors and the state of the U.S. financial markets. In the United States, economic data have pointed to continued steady economic growth through the first quarter of 2019, the eighth consecutive quarter of growth above 2%. According to the most recent estimate by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real gross domestic product (“GDP”) grew at an annualized rate of 3.2% in the first quarter of 2019, and 3.2% growth over the last year, compared to an expansion average of 2.3% growth. The Federal Reserve’s (“Fed”) most recent median projection puts expected U.S. growth at 2.1% in 2019 with further modest slowing in 2020.
The U.S. economy continues to be supported by healthy labor markets and still low interest rates compared to historical levels, but there are signs that consumer and business spending have slowed from the solid overall pace seen in 2018. A slowdown in global growth has been a key concern. The International Monetary Fund, in its April global growth update, lowered its 2019 global growth forecast to 3.3%, compared to 3.6% in 2018 and nearly 4.0% in 2017, and highlighted ongoing risks from trade disputes, policy uncertainty, and potential deterioration in market sentiment. Nevertheless, it maintained expectations of a modest pick-up in growth as we move into the second half of the year.
In the first quarter of the year, financial markets bounced back from sharp declines in the fourth quarter of 2018, with the S&P 500 climbing 13.7% on a total return basis, the best start to the year since 1998, partially driven by a shift in tone on monetary policy and progress on trade. Both international developed and emerging market stocks lagged U.S. markets as declining growth expectations weighed on prospects of corporate profitability. Bonds also fared well during the quarter, helped by both a decline in the 10-year Treasury yield and narrowing credit spreads as concerns about global risk moderated (bond prices rise when yields falls). Treasuries rose, but performance was stronger among credit-sensitive bond sectors. Investment-grade corporate bonds performed well among investment-grade sectors, but lower quality bonds, such as high-yield corporate bonds, generally saw stronger performance.
Our business is also sensitive to current and expected short-term interest rates, which are largely driven by Fed policy. Please consult the Risks Related to Our Business and Industry section within Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about the risks associated with significant interest rate changes, and the potential related effects on our profitability and financial condition. The Fed followed through on late fourth quarter and early first quarter messaging by holding off on any additional rate hikes at its first two meetings of 2019, leaving the federal funds rate at 2.25 - 2.5%. Well-contained inflation has helped give the Fed the policy flexibility to delay further tightening in response to growth concerns. In the projection materials accompanying the meeting, the median expectation was that there would be no further rate hikes in 2019 as growth expectations moderated, although 6 of the 17 participants still saw a likelihood of one or more hikes before the end of the year. In the meeting minutes, members cited concerns about global growth and the decreasing impact of fiscal stimulus as reasons for lowering overall growth expectations.



6


Results of Operations
The following discussion presents an analysis of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Where appropriate, we have identified specific events and changes that affect comparability or trends, and where possible and practical, have quantified the impact of such items.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
Commission
$
461,359

 
$
474,811

 
(2.8
)%
Advisory
453,938

 
422,387

 
7.5
 %
Asset-based
296,363

 
219,336

 
35.1
 %
Transaction and fee
122,480

 
116,649

 
5.0
 %
Interest income, net of interest expense
12,321

 
7,781

 
58.3
 %
Other
25,218

 
593

 
n/m

Total net revenues    
1,371,679

 
1,241,557

 
10.5
 %
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 

Commission and advisory
799,698

 
761,697

 
5.0
 %
Compensation and benefits
136,912

 
123,517

 
10.8
 %
Promotional
51,349

 
67,427

 
(23.8
)%
Depreciation and amortization
23,470

 
20,701

 
13.4
 %
Amortization of intangible assets
16,168

 
13,222

 
22.3
 %
Occupancy and equipment
33,106

 
27,636

 
19.8
 %
Professional services
19,612

 
22,172

 
(11.5
)%
Brokerage, clearing, and exchange
16,144

 
15,877

 
1.7
 %
Communications and data processing
12,327

 
11,174

 
10.3
 %
Other
26,403

 
28,586

 
(7.6
)%
Total operating expenses    
1,135,189

 
1,092,009

 
4.0
 %
Non-operating interest expense
32,716

 
29,622

 
10.4
 %
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
203,774

 
119,926

 
69.9
 %
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
48,376

 
26,396

 
83.3
 %
NET INCOME
$
155,398

 
$
93,530

 
66.1
 %
 

7


Revenues
Commission Revenues
We generate two types of commission revenues: sales-based commissions and trailing commissions. Sales-based commission revenues, which occur when clients trade securities or purchase various types of investment products, primarily represent gross commissions generated by our advisors. The levels of sales-based commission revenues 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. Trailing commission revenues (commissions that are paid over time, are recurring in nature and are earned based on the market value of investment holdings in trail eligible assets. We earn trailing commission revenues primarily on mutual funds and variable annuities held by clients of our advisors. See Note 3. Revenues, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail regarding our commission revenue by product category.
The following table sets forth our commission revenue, by sales-based and trailing commission revenue (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Sales-based
$
190,999

 
$
187,233

 
$
3,766

 
2.0
 %
Trailing
270,360

 
287,578

 
(17,218
)
 
(6.0
)%
Total commission revenue
$
461,359

 
$
474,811

 
$
(13,452
)
 
(2.8
)%
The slight increase in sales-based commission revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with the same period in 2018 was driven by market volatility that led to an increase in sales of fixed annuities, partially offset by a decrease in activity for variable annuities, equities and mutual funds.
The decrease in trailing revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily due to market volatility impacting mutual funds and variable annuity trails.
The following table summarizes activity in brokerage assets for the periods presented (in billions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Balance - Beginning of period
$
346.0

 
$
342.1

Net new brokerage assets
(0.7
)
 
25.8

Market impact(1)
26.8

 
(3.8
)
Balance - End of period
$
372.1

 
$
364.1

_______________________________
(1)
Market impact is the difference between the beginning and ending asset balance less the net new asset amounts, with such difference representing the implied growth or decline in asset balances due to market changes over the same period of time.
Advisory Revenues
Advisory revenues primarily represent fees charged on our corporate RIA platform provided through LPL Financial to clients of our advisors based on the value of their advisory assets. Advisory fees are billed to clients on either a calendar quarter or non-calendar quarter basis of their choice, at the beginning of that period, and are recognized as revenue ratably during the quarter. The majority of our accounts are billed in advance using values as of the last business day of each immediately preceding calendar 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. Advisory revenues collected on our corporate advisory platform are proposed by the advisor and agreed to by the client and average 1.0% of the underlying assets with a maximum of 3.0% of the underlying assets as of March 31, 2019.
We also support Hybrid RIAs, through our independent advisory platform, which allows advisors to engage us for technology, clearing, and custody services, as well as access to the capabilities of our investment platforms. The assets held under a Hybrid RIA's investment advisory accounts custodied with LPL Financial are included in our brokerage and advisory assets, net new advisory assets, and advisory assets under custody metrics. However, we

8


charge separate fees to Hybrid RIAs for technology, clearing, administrative, oversight, and custody services. The administrative fees collected on our independent advisory platform vary and can reach a maximum of 0.6% of the underlying assets as of March 31, 2019.
The following table summarizes the composition of total advisory assets as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 (in billions):
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ Change

 
% Change

Corporate platform advisory assets
 
$
191.8

 
$
167.7

 
$
24.1

 
14.4
%
Hybrid platform advisory assets
 
120.1

 
115.7

 
4.4

 
3.8
%
Total advisory assets(1)
 
$
311.9

 
$
283.5

 
$
28.5

 
10.1
%
_______________________________
(1)
Balances may not foot due to rounding.
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.
The following table summarizes activity in advisory assets (in billions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Balance - Beginning of period
$
282.0

 
$
273.0

Net new advisory assets
4.6

 
13.1

Market impact(1)
25.3

 
(2.6
)
Balance - End of period
$
311.9

 
$
283.5

_______________________________
(1)
Market impact is the difference between the beginning and ending asset balance less the net new asset amounts, with such difference representing the implied growth or decline in asset balances due to market changes over the same period of time.
Net new advisory assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 had a limited impact on our advisory fee revenue for those respective periods. Rather, net new advisory assets are a primary driver of future advisory fee revenue. The revenue for any particular quarter is primarily driven by the value of each of the prior quarter’s month-end advisory assets under custody.
The growth in advisory revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was due to net new advisory assets resulting from our recruiting efforts and strong advisor productivity, as well as market gains as represented by higher levels of the S&P 500 index.
Asset-Based Revenues
Asset-based revenues are comprised of our sponsorship programs with financial product manufacturers, omnibus processing and networking services, collectively referred to as recordkeeping, and fees from our cash sweep programs. We receive fees from certain financial product manufacturers in connection with sponsorship programs that support our marketing and sales education and training efforts. Omnibus processing revenues are paid to us by mutual fund product sponsors and are based on 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. Pursuant to contractual arrangements, uninvested cash balances in our advisors’ client accounts are swept into either insured cash accounts at various banks or third-party money market funds, for which we receive fees, including administrative and recordkeeping fees based on account type and the invested balances.
Asset-based revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to increased revenues from our cash sweep programs and sponsorship programs. Cash sweep revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased compared to the same period in 2018 due to the impact of increases in the target range for the federal funds effective rate during 2018 and higher average cash sweep balances. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, our average cash sweep balances increased as compared to the same period in 2018, with balances of $31.3 billion and $29.3 billion, respectively. Revenues for

9


our recordkeeping and sponsorship programs for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which are largely based on the market value of the underlying assets, increased compared to the same period in 2018 due to the impact of market appreciation on the value of those underlying assets.
Transaction and Fee Revenues
Transaction revenues primarily include fees we charge to our advisors and their clients for executing certain transactions in brokerage and fee-based advisory accounts. Fee revenues primarily include IRA custodian fees, contract and licensing fees, and other client account fees. In addition, we host certain advisor conferences that serve as training, education, sales, and marketing events, for which we charge a fee for attendance.
Transaction and fee revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to a higher volume of transactions, resulting from an increase in market volatility.
Interest Income, Net of Interest Expense
We earn interest income from client margin accounts and cash equivalents, net of operating expense. Period-over-period variances correspond to changes in the average balances of assets in margin accounts and cash equivalents as well as changes in interest rates.
Interest Income, net of interest expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to the impact of rising interest rates.
Other Revenues
Other revenues primarily include mark-to-market gains and losses on assets held by us for our advisor non-qualified deferred compensation plan and model research portfolios, 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, and other miscellaneous revenues.
Other revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to unrealized gains on assets held in our advisor non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which are based on the market performance of the underlying investment allocations chosen by advisors in the plan, and an increase in dividend income on assets held in our advisor non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
Expenses
Commission and Advisory Expenses
Commission and advisory expenses are comprised of the following: base payout amounts that are earned by and paid out to advisors and institutions based on commission and advisory revenues earned on each client’s account (referred to as gross dealer concessions, or “GDC”); production bonuses earned by advisors and institutions 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; and the deferred commissions and advisory fee expenses associated with mark-to-market gains or losses on the non-qualified deferred compensation plan offered to our advisors.
The following table shows the components of our production payout and total payout ratios, each of which is a statistical or operating measure:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
Base payout rate(1)
82.84
%
 
82.60
%
 
24 bps
Production based bonuses
2.04
%
 
2.05
%
 
(1 bps)
GDC sensitive payout
84.88
%
 
84.65
%
 
23 bps
Non-GDC sensitive payout(2)
2.49
%
 
0.25
%
 
224 bps
Total payout ratio
87.37
%
 
84.90
%
 
247 bps
_______________________________
(1)
Our base payout rate is calculated as commission and advisory expenses, divided by GDC (see description above).
(2)
Non-GDC sensitive payout includes share-based compensation expense from equity awards granted to advisors and financial institutions and mark-to-market gains or losses on amounts designated by advisors as deferred.

10


Our total payout ratio, a statistical or operating measure, increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 primarily due to an increase in non-GDC sensitive payout, which includes advisor deferred compensation.
Compensation and Benefits Expense
Compensation and benefits expense includes salaries and wages and related benefits and taxes for our employees (including share-based compensation), as well as compensation for temporary employees and consultants.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
Average number of employees
4,267
 
3,823
 
11.6%
Compensation and benefits expense increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 due to an increase in salary and discretionary bonus expenses resulting from an increase in headcount.
Promotional Expense
Promotional expenses include costs related to our hosting of certain advisor conferences that serve as training, sales, and marketing events, as well as business development costs related to recruiting, such as transition assistance and expenses associated with loans issued to advisors.
The decrease in promotional expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily driven by 2018 recruiter and advisor costs related to the onboarding of NPH advisors, and decreases in business development expenses associated with broker training and education.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense represents the benefits received for using long-lived assets. Those assets consist of fixed assets, which include internally developed software, hardware, leasehold improvements, and other equipment.
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily due to increases in purchased hardware and software.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets represents the benefits received for using long-lived assets, which consist of intangible assets established through our acquisitions.
The increase in amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was due to the intangible assets recorded during 2018 as part of our acquisition of NPH.
Occupancy and Equipment Expense
Occupancy and equipment expense includes the costs of leasing and maintaining our office spaces, software licensing and maintenance costs, and maintenance expenses on computer hardware and other equipment.
The increase in occupancy and equipment expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily due to an increase in costs related to repairs and maintenance and software licensing fees in support of our service and technology investments.
Professional Services
Professional services includes costs paid to outside firms for assistance with legal, accounting, technology, regulatory, marketing, and general corporate matters, as well as non-capitalized costs related to service and technology enhancements.
The decrease in professional services for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily due to decreases in non-capitalized costs related to our service and technology projects during the period.

11


Brokerage, Clearing, and Exchange Fees
Brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees include expenses originating from trading and clearing operations as well as any exchange membership fees. Changes in brokerage, clearing and exchange fees fluctuate largely in line with the volume of sales and trading activity.
The slight increase in brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees is relatively consistent with the volume of sales and trading activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with the same period in 2018.
Communications and Data Processing
Communications expense consists primarily of the cost of voice and data telecommunication lines supporting our business, including connectivity to data centers, exchanges, and markets. Data processing expense consists primarily of customer statement processing and postage costs.
Communications and data processing expense remained relatively flat for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018.
Other Expenses
Other expenses include the estimated costs of the investigation, settlement, and resolution of regulatory matters (including customer restitution and remediation), licensing fees, insurance, broker-dealer regulator fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. Other expenses will depend in part on the size and timing of resolving regulatory matters and the availability of self-insurance coverage, which depends in part on the amount and timing of resolving historical claims. There are particular uncertainties and complexities involved when assessing the potential costs and timing of regulatory matters, including the adequacy of loss reserves for potential liabilities that are self-insured by our captive insurance subsidiary.
The decrease in other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily driven by lower costs associated with insurance and licensing fees.
Non-Operating Interest Expense
Non-operating interest expense represents expense for our senior secured credit facilities, senior unsecured notes and finance leases. Period over period increases correspond to higher LIBOR rates.
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 a particular item occurs. The effective income tax rates reflect the impact of state taxes, settlement contingencies, tax credits, and other permanent differences in tax deductibility of certain expenses.
Our effective tax rate was 23.7% and 22.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The increase in our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily due to the reduction of settlement contingencies in 2018.
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 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. The objectives of these policies are to support our corporate business strategies while ensuring ongoing and sufficient liquidity.

12


A summary of changes in cash flow data is provided as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Net cash flows (used in) provided by:
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
35,233

 
$
(22,331
)
Investing activities
(30,320
)
 
(21,684
)
Financing activities
(139,061
)
 
(55,831
)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(134,148
)
 
(99,846
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period
1,562,119

 
1,625,655

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period
$
1,427,971

 
$
1,525,809

Cash requirements and liquidity needs are primarily funded through our cash flow from operations and our capacity for additional borrowing.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities includes net income and adjustments for non-cash expenses, changes in operating assets and liabilities, including balances related to the settlement and funding of client transactions, receivables from product sponsors, and accrued commission 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.
The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in net income, decrease in receivables from product sponsor, broker-dealers, and clearing organization, and an increase in draft payables and payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations, due to the timing of payments made. These were offset by a decrease in payables to clients and an increase in advisor loans, due to the timing of payments.
The increase in cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was due to an increase in capital expenditures to support our technology projects.
The increase in cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in repurchases of our common stock.
We believe that based on current levels of operations and anticipated growth, cash flow from operations, together with other available sources of funds, which include three uncommitted lines of credit available and the revolving credit facility established through our senior secured credit agreement (the "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 related to our registered broker-dealer subsidiary and bank trust subsidiary 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.
Share Repurchases
We engage in share repurchase programs, which are approved by our board of directors (the "Board of Directors"), pursuant to which we may repurchase our issued and outstanding shares of common stock from time to time. 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, the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes (the "Indenture"), and general liquidity needs. See Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our share repurchases.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we repurchased a total of 1,747,116 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average price of $71.57 per share for a total cost of $125.0 million. As of March 31, 2019, the Company was authorized to purchase up to an additional $875.0 million of shares pursuant to the share repurchase programs approved by our Board of Directors.

13


Dividends
The payment, timing, and amount of any dividends are subject to approval by the Board of Directors as well as certain limits under our Credit Agreement and the Indenture. See Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our dividends.
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 for regulatory capital and reserves based on the requirements of our regulators and clearing organizations, which also consider client balances and 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 segregated under federal and other regulations, and proceeds from repledging or selling client securities in margin accounts. When an advisor's 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 repledge, loan, or sell securities, up to 140% of the client's margin loan balance, that collateralize those margin accounts. As of March 31, 2019, we had approximately $315.8 million of client margin loans, collateralized with securities having a fair value of approximately $442.1 million that we can repledge, loan, or sell. Of these securities, approximately $57.5 million were client-owned securities pledged to the Options Clearing Corporation as collateral to secure client obligations related to options positions. As of March 31, 2019, there were no restrictions that materially limited our ability to repledge, loan, or sell the remaining $384.6 million of client collateral.
Our other working capital needs are primarily related to advisor loans and timing associated with receivables and payables, which we have satisfied in the past from internally generated cash flows.
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 funds drawn on our uncommitted lines of credit at our registered broker-dealer subsidiary LPL Financial, or under our revolving credit facility.
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, 2019, LPL Financial had net capital of $159.0 million with a minimum net capital requirement of $8.1 million.
LPL Financial's ability to pay dividends greater than 10% of its excess net capital during any 35 day rolling period requires approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). In addition, payment of dividends is restricted if LPL Financial's net capital would be less than 5.0% of aggregate customer debit balances.
LPL Financial also acts as an introducing broker for commodities and futures. Accordingly, its trading activities are subject to the National Futures Association’s ("NFA") financial requirements and it is required to maintain net capital that is in excess of or equal to the greatest of NFA's minimum financial requirements. The NFA was designated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as LPL Financial's primary regulator for such activities. Currently, the highest NFA requirement is the minimum net capital calculated and required pursuant to the SEC's Net Capital Rule.
Our subsidiary, The Private Trust Company, N.A. ("PTC"), is also subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet the 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 PTC's operations.

14


Debt and Related Covenants
See Note 8. Debt, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail regarding the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement and the Indenture contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to:
incur additional indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock;
declare dividends, or other distributions to shareholders;
repurchase equity interests;
redeem indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to certain debt instruments;
make investments or acquisitions;
create liens;
sell assets;
guarantee indebtedness;
engage in certain transactions with affiliates;
enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments from subsidiaries; and
consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.
Our Credit Agreement and the Indenture prohibit us from paying dividends and distributions or repurchasing our capital stock except for limited purposes or in limited amounts. In addition, our revolving credit facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The financial covenants require the calculation of Credit Agreement EBITDA, defined in the Credit Agreement as “Consolidated EBITDA”, which is Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus interest expense, tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash charges and other adjustments (including unusual or non-recurring charges) and gains, and to include future expected cost savings, operating expense reductions or other synergies from certain transactions.
As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with both of our financial covenants, a maximum Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio ("Leverage Test," as defined in the Credit Agreement) and a minimum Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio ("Interest Coverage," as defined in the Credit Agreement). The breach of these financial covenants would subject us to certain equity cure rights. The permitted ratios under our financial covenants and actual ratios were as follows:
Financial Ratio
Covenant Requirement
 
Actual
Ratio
Leverage Test (Maximum)
5.00
 
2.05
Interest Coverage (Minimum)
3.00
 
8.35
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 Company commitments to extend credit. For information on these arrangements, see Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies and Note 17. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there have been no material changes in our contractual obligations, other than in the ordinary course of business, from those disclosed in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 8. Debt and Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies, within the notes to the 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 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, for further detail on operating lease obligations and obligations under noncancelable service contracts.

15


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. See Note 5. Fair Value Measurements, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion regarding our fair value measurements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In the notes to our consolidated financial statements and in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have disclosed those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining our results of operations and financial condition. For the Company’s significant accounting policies affecting leases, see Note 9. Leases, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. There have been no other material changes to those policies that we consider to be significant since the filing of our 2018 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.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or potential significance, to us.

16


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,
REVENUES
 
2019
 
2018
Commission
 
$
461,359

 
$
474,811

Advisory
 
453,938

 
422,387

Asset-based
 
296,363

 
219,336

Transaction and fee
 
122,480

 
116,649

Interest income, net of interest expense
 
12,321

 
7,781

Other
 
25,218

 
593

Total net revenues
 
1,371,679

 
1,241,557

EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
Commission and advisory
 
799,698

 
761,697

Compensation and benefits
 
136,912

 
123,517

Promotional
 
51,349

 
67,427

Depreciation and amortization
 
23,470

 
20,701

Amortization of intangible assets
 
16,168

 
13,222

Occupancy and equipment
 
33,106

 
27,636

Professional services
 
19,612

 
22,172

Brokerage, clearing, and exchange
 
16,144

 
15,877

Communications and data processing
 
12,327

 
11,174

Other
 
26,403

 
28,586

Total operating expenses
 
1,135,189

 
1,092,009

Non-operating interest expense
 
32,716

 
29,622

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
203,774

 
119,926

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
48,376

 
26,396

NET INCOME
 
$
155,398

 
$
93,530

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 13)
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share, basic
 
$
1.84

 
$
1.04

Earnings per share, diluted
 
$
1.79

 
$
1.01

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic
 
84,487

 
89,997

Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted
 
86,742

 
92,784

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

17

LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)

ASSETS
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31, 2018
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
676,903

 
$
511,096

Cash segregated under federal and other regulations
 
708,241

 
985,195

Restricted cash
 
42,827

 
65,828

Receivables from:
 
 
 
 
Clients, net of allowance of $684 at March 31, 2019 and $640 at December 31, 2018
 
393,099

 
412,944

Product sponsors, broker-dealers, and clearing organizations
 
156,915

 
166,793

Advisor loans, net of allowance of $6,107 at March 31, 2019 and $5,080 at December 31, 2018
 
320,379

 
298,821

Others, net of allowance of $10,386 at March 31, 2019 and $8,099 at December 31, 2018
 
269,153

 
248,711

Securities owned:
 
 
 
 
Trading — at fair value
 
27,361

 
29,267

Held-to-maturity — at amortized cost
 
13,005

 
13,001

Securities borrowed
 
2,670

 
4,829

Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $318,520 at March 31, 2019 and $308,155 at December 31, 2018
 
472,528

 
461,418

Operating lease assets
 
106,821

 

Goodwill
 
1,490,247

 
1,490,247

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $495,487 at March 31, 2019 and $479,319 at December 31, 2018
 
468,058

 
484,171

Other assets
 
343,983

 
305,147

Total assets
 
$
5,492,190

 
$
5,477,468

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES:
Drafts payable
 
$
186,116

 
$
225,034

Payables to clients
 
778,902

 
950,946

Payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations
 
134,375

 
76,180

Accrued commission and advisory expenses payable
 
154,840

 
164,211

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
411,316

 
478,644

Income taxes payable
 
74,740

 
32,990

Unearned revenue
 
99,035

 
80,524

Securities sold, but not yet purchased — at fair value
 
66

 
169

Long-term borrowing, net
 
2,368,501

 
2,371,808

Operating lease liabilities
 
147,326

 

Finance lease liabilities
 
106,987

 

Leasehold financing and capital lease obligations
 

 
104,564

Deferred income taxes, net
 
20,291

 
18,325

Total liabilities
 
4,482,495

 
4,503,395

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $.001 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; 125,647,760 shares issued at March 31, 2019 and 124,909,796 shares issued at December 31, 2018
 
126

 
125

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,658,631

 
1,634,337

Treasury stock, at cost — 41,611,603 shares at March 31, 2019 and 39,820,646 shares at December 31, 2018
 
(1,859,484
)
 
(1,730,535
)
Retained earnings
 
1,210,422

 
1,070,146

Total stockholders’ equity
 
1,009,695

 
974,073

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
5,492,190

 
$
5,477,468

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

18


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 
 
 
 
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Common Stock
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
BALANCE — December 31, 2017
123,030

 
$
123

 
$
1,556,117

 
33,262

 
$
(1,309,568
)
 
$

 
$
718,336

 
$
965,008

Net income and other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
93,530

 
93,530

Issuance of common stock to settle restricted stock units, net
197

 

 

 
55

 
(3,598
)
 
 
 
 
 
(3,598
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
968

 
(60,797
)
 
 
 
 
 
(60,797
)
Cash dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(22,561
)
 
(22,561
)
Stock option exercises and other
811

 
1

 
28,722

 
(14
)
 
506

 
 
 
85

 
29,314

Share-based compensation

 
 
 
7,597

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,597

BALANCE — March 31, 2018
124,038

 
$
124

 
$
1,592,436

 
34,271

 
$
(1,373,457
)
 
$

 
$
789,390

 
$
1,008,493

BALANCE — December 31, 2018
124,910

 
$
125

 
$
1,634,337

 
39,821

 
$
(1,730,535
)
 
$

 
$
1,070,146

 
$
974,073

Net income and other comprehensive income, net of tax expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
155,398

 
155,398

Cumulative effect of accounting change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,724

 
5,724

Issuance of common stock to settle restricted stock units, net
204

 

 

 
58

 
(4,428
)
 
 
 
 
 
(4,428
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,747

 
(125,034
)
 
 
 
 
 
(125,034
)
Cash dividends on common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(21,079
)
 
(21,079
)
Stock option exercises and other
534

 
1

 
15,330

 
(14
)
 
513

 
 
 
233

 
16,077

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
8,964

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,964

BALANCE — March 31, 2019
125,648

 
$
126

 
$
1,658,631

 
41,612

 
$
(1,859,484
)
 
$

 
$
1,210,422

 
$
1,009,695

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

19


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
155,398

 
$
93,530

 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Noncash items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
23,470

 
20,701

 
Amortization of intangible assets
 
16,168

 
13,222

 
Amortization of debt issuance costs
 
1,026

 
1,038

 
Share-based compensation
 
8,964

 
7,597

 
Provision for bad debts
 
3,249

 
1,708

 
Deferred income tax provision
 
(10
)
 
(125
)
 
Loan forgiveness
 
22,807

 
15,870

 
Other
 
(1,695
)
 
111

 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Receivables from clients
 
19,803

 
(40,034
)
 
Receivables from product sponsors, broker-dealers, and clearing organizations
 
9,878

 
(20,526
)
 
Advisor loans
 
(45,418
)
 
(29,025
)
 
Receivables from others
 
(22,795
)
 
(17,302
)
 
Securities owned
 
2,414

 
358

 
Securities borrowed
 
2,159

 
5,826

 
Operating leases
 
(254
)
 

 
Other assets
 
(30,969
)
 
(31,960
)
 
Drafts payable
 
(38,918
)
 
(48,993
)
 
Payables to clients
 
(172,044
)
 
(45,385
)
 
Payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations
 
58,195

 
7,893

 
Accrued commission and advisory expenses payable
 
(9,371
)
 
4,046

 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(26,982
)
 
(7,177
)
 
Income taxes receivable/payable
 
41,750

 
22,956

 
Unearned revenue
 
18,511

 
24,188

 
Securities sold, but not yet purchased
 
(103
)
 
(848
)
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
35,233

 
$
(22,331
)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(30,332
)
 
(22,934
)
 
Purchase of securities classified as held-to-maturity
 
(1,238
)
 

 
Proceeds from maturity of securities classified as held-to-maturity
 
1,250

 
1,250

 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(30,320
)
 
$
(21,684
)
 
Continued on following page
 

20


LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Repayment of senior secured term loans
 
(3,750
)
 
(3,750
)
Tax payments related to settlement of restricted stock units
 
(4,428
)
 
(3,598
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(125,034
)
 
(53,794
)
Dividends on common stock
 
(21,079
)
 
(22,561
)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other
 
16,076

 
29,314

Principal payment of finance leases and obligations
 
(846
)
 
(1,442
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
$
(139,061
)
 
$
(55,831
)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH
 
(134,148
)
 
(99,846
)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period
 
1,562,119

 
1,625,655

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period
 
$
1,427,971

 
$
1,525,809

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Interest paid
 
$
45,556

 
$
41,671

Income taxes paid
 
$
6,635

 
$
3,564

NONCASH DISCLOSURES:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
12,979

 
$
11,865

Lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
 
$
108,539

 
$

Debt issuance cost included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$

 
$
8

Pending settlement of treasury stock purchases
 
$

 
$
7,003


The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalent, and restricted cash reported within the statement of financial condition that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows.
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
676,903

 
$
820,056

Cash segregated under federal and other regulations
 
708,241

 
650,335

Restricted cash
 
42,827

 
55,418

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows
 
$
1,427,971

 
$
1,525,809

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

21


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. 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”).
Description of Subsidiaries
LPL Holdings, Inc. (“LPLH”), a Massachusetts holding corporation, owns 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock or other ownership interest in each of LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), AW Subsidiary, Inc. Fortigent Holdings Company, Inc. and LPL Insurance Associates, Inc. (“LPLIA”), as well as a series captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive Insurance Subsidiary") that underwrites insurance for various legal and regulatory risks of the Company. LPLH is also the majority stockholder in PTC Holdings, Inc. (“PTCH”), and owns 100% of the issued and outstanding voting common stock. Each member of PTCH’s board of directors meets the direct equity ownership interest requirements that are required by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
LPL Financial, with primary offices in San Diego, California; Fort Mill, South Carolina; and Boston, Massachusetts, is a clearing broker-dealer and an investment adviser that principally transacts business as an agent for its advisors and financial institutions on behalf of their clients in a broad array of financial products and services. LPL Financial is licensed to operate in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AW Subsidiary, Inc. is a holding company for AdvisoryWorld, which offers technology products, including proposal generation, investment analytics and portfolio modeling, to both the Company's advisors and external clients in the wealth management industry.
Fortigent Holdings Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Fortigent”) provide solutions and consulting services to registered investment advisors, banks, and trust companies serving high-net-worth clients.
PTCH is a holding company for The Private Trust Company, N.A. (“PTC”). PTC is chartered as a non-depository limited purpose national bank, providing a wide range of trust, investment management oversight, and custodial services for estates and families. PTC also provides Individual Retirement Account custodial services for LPL Financial.
LPLIA operates as an insurance brokerage general agency that offers life and disability insurance products and services for LPL Financial advisors.
2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions regarding the valuation of certain financial instruments, intangible assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation, accruals for liabilities, income taxes, revenue and expense accruals, and other matters that affect the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions and the differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.
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 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, 2018, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC.

22


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


For the Company’s significant accounting policies affecting leases, see Note 9. Leases, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. A summary of other significant accounting policies are included in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no other significant changes to these accounting policies during the first three months of 2019.
Consolidation
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LPLFH and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Reportable Segment
Management has determined that the Company operates in one segment, given the similarities in economic characteristics between its operations and the common nature of its products and services, production and distribution process, 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 held-to-maturity securities and indebtedness, which are carried 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 5. Fair Value Measurements, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Company’s fair value measurements. As of March 31, 2019, the carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s indebtedness was approximately $2,377.5 million and $2,378.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the carrying amount and fair value was approximately $2,381.3 million and $2,271.9 million, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)”, which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU also requires additional disclosures regarding significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of this guidance on January 1, 2020 and is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 removes or modifies certain current disclosures, and requires additional disclosures. The changes are meant to provide more relevant information regarding valuation techniques and inputs used to arrive at measures of fair value, uncertainty in the fair value measurements, and how changes in fair value measurements impact an entity's performance and cash flows. Certain disclosures in ASU 2018-13 will need to be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of this guidance on January 1, 2020 and is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2018-13 will have on its related disclosures.

23


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


Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations. The new standard also requires disclosures that provide additional information on recorded lease arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases – Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method that allows entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance, including the optional transition method, on January 1, 2019. Operating lease assets and corresponding lease liabilities were recognized on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. There was no material impact to its consolidated statements of income. Refer to Note 9. Leases, within the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure and significant accounting policies affecting leases.
In June 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payments granted to non-employees. Consistent with the requirement for employee share-based payment awards, non-employee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 will be measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance on January 1, 2019 and will no longer mark-to-market advisor and financial institution equity awards in the consolidated statements of income.
3. Revenues
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Revenues are analyzed to determine whether the Company is the principal (i.e., reports revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., reports revenues on a net basis) in the contract. Principal or agent designations depend primarily on the control an entity has over the product or service before control is transferred to a customer. The indicators of which party exercises control include primary responsibility over performance obligations, inventory risk before the good or service is transferred and discretion in establishing the price.
Commission Revenue
Commission revenue represents sales commissions generated by advisors for their clients’ purchases and sales of securities on exchanges and over-the-counter, as well as purchases of other investment products. The Company views the selling, distribution and marketing, or any combination thereof, of investment products to such clients as a single performance obligation to the product sponsors.
The Company is the principal for commission revenue, as it is responsible for the execution of the clients’ purchases and sales, and maintains relationships with the product sponsors. Advisors assist the Company in performing its obligations. Accordingly, total commission revenues are reported on a gross basis.    

24


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


The following table presents total commission revenue disaggregated by investment product category (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Variable annuities
$
187,406

 
$
200,043

Mutual funds
140,662

 
153,745

Alternative investments
6,786

 
5,567

Fixed annuities
51,573

 
34,055

Equities
18,364

 
23,601

Fixed income
29,742

 
30,324

Insurance
18,072

 
18,494

Group annuities
8,474

 
8,894

Other
280

 
88

Total commission revenue    
$
461,359

 
$
474,811


The Company generates two types of commission revenue: sales-based commission revenue that is recognized at the point of sale on the trade date and trailing commission revenue that is recognized over time as earned. Sales-based commission revenue varies by investment product and is based on a percentage of an investment product's current market value at the time of purchase. Trailing commission revenue is generally based on a percentage of the current market value of clients' investment holdings in trail-eligible assets, and is recognized over the period during which services, such as on-going support, are performed. As trailing commission revenue is based on the market value of clients' investment holdings, this variable consideration is constrained until the market value is determinable.

25


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


The following table presents sales-based and trailing commission revenues disaggregated by product category (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Sales-based
 
 
 
Variable annuities
$
50,128

 
$
53,902

Mutual funds
34,631

 
37,057

Alternative investments
1,890

 
1,830

Fixed annuities
44,230

 
28,337

Equities
18,364

 
23,601

Fixed income
24,195

 
24,355

Insurance
16,024

 
16,865

Group annuities
1,257

 
1,198

Other
280

 
88