Freedom Holding Corp. - Quarter Report: 2018 June (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE
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SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the
quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
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OR
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☐
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE
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SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the
transition period from ________ to _________
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Commission
File Number 001-33034
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FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
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(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Nevada
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30-0233726
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
No.)
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“Esentai Tower” BC, Floor 7
77/7 Al Farabi Ave
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Almaty, Kazakhstan
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050040
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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(801) 355-2227
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(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
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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
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for the
past 90 days.
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Yes
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No
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☐
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically
and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit and post such file).
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Yes
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☒
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No
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☐
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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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
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☐
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Accelerated filer
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☐
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Non-accelerated
filer
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☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting
company)
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Smaller reporting company
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☒
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Emerging
growth company
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☐
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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. ☐
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the
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Exchange
Act.)
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Yes
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☐
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No
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☒
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As of
August 10, 2018, the registrant had 58,033,212 shares of common
stock, par value $0.001, issued and outstanding.
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FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
— FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Page
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Item 1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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2
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Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 and March 31,
2018
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2
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Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for the Three Months Ended June 30,
2018 and 2017
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3
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Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018 and 2017
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4
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Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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5
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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of
Operations
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27
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Item 3.
Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
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36
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Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
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36
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PART II
— OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
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37
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Item
1A. Risk Factors
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37
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Item 5.
Other Information
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37
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Item 6.
Exhibits
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38
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Signatures
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39
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1
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
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June 30, 2018
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March 31, 2018*
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(Recast)
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ASSETS
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Cash
and cash equivalents
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$45,057
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$65,731
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Restricted
cash
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24,802
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21,962
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Trading
securities
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184,350
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212,595
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Available-for-sale
securities, at fair value
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2
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240
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Brokerage
and other receivables, net
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42,245
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24,854
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Loans
issued
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16,757
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8,754
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Deferred
tax assets
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812
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772
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Fixed
assets, net
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2,471
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2,571
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Intangible
assets, net
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4,807
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5,531
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Goodwill
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3,103
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3,288
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Other
assets, net
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4,823
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4,573
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TOTAL ASSETS
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$329,229
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$350,871
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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Securities
sold, not yet purchased - at fair value
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$1,756
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$1,135
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Loans
received
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13,977
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7,143
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Debt
securities issued
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19,969
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11,222
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Customer
liabilities
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40,402
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30,672
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Trade
payables
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15,742
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9,013
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Deferred
distribution payments
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8,534
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8,534
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Securities
repurchase agreement obligation
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114,572
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154,775
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Other
liabilities
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2,012
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1,376
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TOTAL LIABILITIES
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216,964
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223,870
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 20)
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-
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-
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STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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Preferred
stock - $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued or outstanding
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-
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Common
stock - $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 58,033,212
and 58,033,212 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018
and March 31,2018, respectively
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58
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58
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Additional
paid in capital
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99,003
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100,180
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Retained
earnings
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27,437
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34,320
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Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
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(14,233)
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(7,557)
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TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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112,265
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127,001
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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$329,229
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$350,871
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.
* See
Notes 2 and 3 for information regarding recast amounts and basis of
financial statement presentation.
2
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
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Three months
ended June 30,
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2018
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2017*
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Revenue:
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(Recast)
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Fee
and commission income
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$5,428
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$3,057
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Net
gain/(loss) on trading securities
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(3,288)
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7,131
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Interest
income
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7,372
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2,647
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Net
gain on derivatives
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-
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490
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Net
gain/(loss) on foreign exchange operations
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(2,110)
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659
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TOTAL REVENUE, NET
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7,402
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13,984
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Expense:
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Interest
expense
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4,614
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2,030
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Fee
and commission expense
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764
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289
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Operating
expense
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9,111
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3,663
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Other
expense/(income), net
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(54)
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45
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TOTAL EXPENSE
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14,435
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6,027
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NET
INCOME/(LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX
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(7,033)
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7,957
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Income
tax benefit
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150
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33
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NET INCOME/(LOSS)
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$(6,883)
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$7,990
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OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
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Change
in unrealized gain on investments available-for-sale,
net
of tax effect
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$-
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$(59)
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Reclassification
adjustment relating to available-for-sale investments disposed of
in the period, net of tax effect
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22
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-
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Foreign
currency translation adjustments, net of tax
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(6,698)
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(2,169)
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COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
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$(13,559)
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$5,762
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BASIC
NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (In US Dollars)
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$(0.12)
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$0.71
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DILUTED
NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (In US Dollars)
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$(0.12)
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$0.71
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Weighted
average number of shares (basic)
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58,033,212
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11,306,084
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Weighted
average number of shares (diluted)
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58,191,542
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11,306,084
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.
* See
Notes 2 and 3 for information regarding recast amounts and basis of
financial statement presentation.
3
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
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For the three
months ended
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June 30,
2018
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June 30,
2017*
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(Recast)
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Cash
Flows From Operating Activities
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Net
income/(loss)
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$(6,883)
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$7,990
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Adjustments to
reconcile net income/(loss) from operating activities:
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Depreciation and
amortization
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396
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271
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Loss on sale of
fixed assets
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33
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-
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Change in deferred
taxes
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(109)
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173
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Stock compensation
expense
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838
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-
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Unrealized loss on
trading securities
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7,856
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1,563
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Net gain on
derivative
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-
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(490)
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Net change in
accrued interest
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13
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155
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Changes in
operating assets and liabilities:
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Trading
securities
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6,089
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(15,079)
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Brokerage and other
receivables
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(15,710)
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(18,937)
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Loans
issued
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(8,441)
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226
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Other
assets
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(568)
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(769)
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Customer
liabilities
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9,131
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8,724
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Current income tax
liability
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-
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(137)
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Trade
payables
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7,251
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6,943
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Securities
repurchase agreement obligation
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(30,436)
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17,925
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Securities sold,
not yet purchased
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718
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-
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Other
liabilities
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806
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237
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Net
cash flows (used in)/from operating activities
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(29,016)
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8,795
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Cash
Flows From Investing Activities
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Purchase of fixed
assets
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(477)
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(457)
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Proceeds from sale
of fixed assets
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276
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21
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Proceeds from sale
of intangible assets
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-
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224
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Proceeds from
sale/(purchase) of available-for-sale securities, at fair
value
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238
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(3,069)
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Consideration
paid for Asyl
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(2,240)
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-
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Cash
received at acquisition
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-
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1,368
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Net
cash flows used in investing activities
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(2,203)
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(1,913)
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Cash
Flows From Financing Activities
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Proceeds from
issuance of debt securities
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9,708
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4,256
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Repurchase of debt
securities
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-
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(775)
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Proceeds from loans
received
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7,336
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-
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Capital
contributions
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225
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8,164
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Net
cash flows from financing activities
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17,269
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11,645
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Effect of changes
in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash
equivalents
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(3,884)
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(1,753)
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NET
CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH
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(17,834)
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16,774
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CASH,
CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF
PERIOD
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87,693
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35,365
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CASH,
CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD
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$69,859
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$52,139
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For the three
months ended
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June 30,
2018
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June
30, 2017*
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(Recast)
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Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information:
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Cash paid for
interest
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$4,327
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$1,844
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Income tax
paid
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$237
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$159
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Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Assets
received from acquisition of Asyl
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$-
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$4,666
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Liabilities
assumed from acquisition of Asyl
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$-
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$82
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Assets
received from acquisition of Nettrader
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$-
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$11,158
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Liabilities
assumed from acquisition of Nettrader
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$-
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$4,121
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The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated financial statements.
* See
Notes 2 and 3 for information regarding recast amounts and basis of
financial statement presentation.
4
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Overview
Freedom
Holding Corp. (the “Company” or “FRHC”) is
a corporation organized in the United States under the laws of the
State of Nevada that owns several operating subsidiaries that
engage in a broad range of activities in the securities industry,
including retail securities brokerage, research, investment
counseling, securities trading, market making, corporate investment
banking and underwriting services in Central Asia. The Company is
headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with supporting administrative
office locations in Russia, Cyprus and the United
States.
The
Company owns directly, or through subsidiaries, the following
companies: LLC Investment Company Freedom Finance, a Moscow,
Russia-based securities broker-dealer (“Freedom RU”);
FFIN Bank, a Moscow, Russia-based bank (“FFIN Bank”);
JSC Freedom Finance, an Almaty, Kazakhstan-based securities
broker-dealer (“Freedom KZ”); FFINEU Investments
Limited, a Limassol, Cyprus-based broker-dealer (“Freedom
CY”); LLC Freedom Finance Ukraine, a Kiev, Ukraine-based
broker-dealer (“Freedom UA”); LLC Freedom Finance
Uzbekistan, a Tashkent, Uzbekistan-based broker-dealer
(“Freedom UZ”); and FFIN Securities, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (“FFIN”).
The
Company’s subsidiaries are professional participants on the
Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), Moscow Exchange (MOEX),
Saint-Petersburg Exchange (SPB), the Ukrainian Exchange, and the
Republican Stock Exchange of Tashkent (UZSE). Freedom CY serves to
provide the Company’s clients with operations support and
access to the investment opportunities, relative stability, and
integrity of the U.S. and European securities markets, which under
the regulatory regimes of many jurisdictions where the Company
operates do not currently allow investors direct access to
international securities markets.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
Basis of presentation
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles for interim financial information and with the
instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for
complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating
results for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year ended March 31, 2019.
The
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018, has been
derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that
date but does not include all the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements.
5
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
The
Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements present
the consolidated accounts of FRHC, FFIN, Freedom RU, Freedom KZ,
FFIN Bank, Freedom CY, Freedom UA, Freedom UZ, LLC First Stock
Store (“Freedom 24”) and Branch Office of LLC IC
Freedom Finance in Kazakhstan (“KZ Branch”). All
significant inter-company balances and transactions have been
eliminated from the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
For
further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements
and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended March 31, 2018.
Use of estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Management believes that the estimates
utilized in preparing its financial statements are reasonable and
prudent. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Revenue recognition
Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from
Contracts with Customers (“ASC Topic 606”), establishes
principles for reporting information about the nature, amount,
timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the
entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers.
The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to
depict the transfer of goods or services promised to customers in
an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be
entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services
recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. The majority
of the Company’s revenue-generating transactions are not
subject to ASC Topic 606, including revenue generated from
financial instruments, such as loans and investment securities, as
these activities are subject to other US GAAP guidance discussed
elsewhere within these disclosures. Descriptions of the
Company’s revenue-generating activities that are within the
scope of ASC Topic 606, which are presented in these income
statements as components of non-interest income are as
follows:
●
Commissions on
brokerage services;
●
Commissions on
banking services (money transfers, foreign exchange operations and
other); and
●
Commissions on
investment banking services (underwriting, market making, and
bondholders’ representation services).
The
Company adopted the new guidance on April 1, 2018. Under Topic 606,
the Company is required to recognize incentive fees when they are
probable and there is not a significant chance of reversal in the
future. For the brokerage commission, banking service
commission and investment banking services commission contracts in
place at the time of adoption, this change in policy did not result
in any actual change in revenue that had already been recognized
and therefore there was no transition adjustment
necessary. Based on a review of the Company’s
brokerage commission, banking service commission and investment
banking services commission contracts in place at the time of
adoption, the Company does not believe the actual timing of
recognition of incentive fees under future contracts will
be materially impacted in the future. However, the new
policy may result in incentive fees being recognized sooner in the
future than they would have been under the Company’s revenue
recognition policy in place prior to the adoption of Topic
606.
6
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
The
Company recognizes revenue when five basic criteria have been
met:
●
The parties to the
contract have approved the contract (in writing, orally, or in
accordance with other customary business practices) and are
committed to perform their respective obligations.
●
The entity can
identify each party’s rights regarding the goods or services
to be transferred.
●
The entity can
identify the payment terms for the goods or services to be
transferred.
●
The contract has
commercial substance (that is, the risk, timing, or amount of the
entity’s future cash flows is expected to change as a result
of the contract).
●
It is probable that
the entity will collect substantially all of the consideration to
which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services
that will be transferred to the customer.
Derivative financial instruments
In the
normal course of business, the Company invests in various
derivative financial contracts including futures. Derivatives are
initially recognized at fair value at the date a derivative
contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured to their
fair value at each reporting date. The fair values are estimated
based on quoted market prices or pricing models that take into
account the current market and contractual prices of the underlying
instruments and other factors. Derivatives are carried as assets
when their fair value is positive and as liabilities when it is
negative. Derivatives are included in assets and liabilities at
fair value through profit or loss in the consolidated balance
sheet.
The Company
purchases foreign currency futures contracts from
financial institutions to minimize the risk caused by foreign
currency fluctuation on its foreign currency receivables and
payables and also purchases foreign currency futures contracts for
speculative purposes. Futures are traded on the Kazakhstan Stock
Exchange and represent commitments to purchase or sell a particular
foreign currency at a future date and at a specific
price.
All
gains and losses on foreign currency contracts were realized during
the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and are included in
net gain on derivatives in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss).
Functional currency
Management
has adopted ASC 830, Foreign Currency Translation Matters as it
pertains to its foreign currency translation. The Company’s
functional currencies are the Russian ruble, European euro,
Ukrainian hryvnia, Uzbekistani som and Kazakhstani tenge, and its
reporting currency is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into
United States dollars using the exchange rate prevailing at the
balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated
in foreign currencies are translated at rates of exchange in effect
at the date of the transaction. Average monthly rates are used to
translate revenues and expenses. Gains and losses arising on
translation or settlement of foreign currency denominated
transactions or balances are included in revenue.
For
financial reporting purposes, foreign currencies are translated
into United States dollars as the reporting currency. Assets and
liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the
balance sheet dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the
average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting
period. Translation
adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from
period to period are included as a component of stockholders’
equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive
income/(loss)” reserve.
7
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash
and cash equivalents are generally comprised of certain highly
liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the
date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents include reverse
repurchase agreements which are recorded at the amounts at which
the securities were acquired or sold plus accrued
interest.
Securities reverse repurchase and repurchase
agreements
A
reverse repurchase agreement is a transaction in which the Company
purchases financial instruments from a seller, typically in
exchange for cash, and simultaneously enters into an agreement to
resell the same or substantially the same financial instruments to
the seller for an amount equal to the cash or other consideration
exchanged plus interest at a future date. Securities purchased
under reverse repurchase agreements are accounted for as
collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at the
contractual amount for which the securities will be resold,
including accrued interest. Financial instruments purchased under
reverse repurchase agreements are recorded in the financial
statements as cash placed on deposit collateralized by securities
and classified as cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
A
repurchase agreement is a transaction in which the Company sells
financial instruments to another party, typically in exchange for
cash, and simultaneously enters into an agreement to reacquire the
same or substantially the same financial instruments from the buyer
for an amount equal to the cash or other consideration exchanged
plus interest at a future date. These agreements are accounted for
as collateralized financing transactions. The Company retains the
financial instruments sold under repurchase agreements and
classifies them as trading securities in the Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheets. The consideration received under repurchase
agreements is classified as securities repurchase agreement
obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase
agreements, securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions
to, among other things, acquire securities to leverage and grow its
proprietary trading portfolio, cover short positions and settle
other securities obligations, to accommodate customers’ needs
and to finance its inventory positions. The Company enters
into these transactions in accordance with normal market practice.
Under standard terms for repurchase transactions, the recipient of
collateral has the right to sell or repledge the collateral,
subject to returning equivalent securities on settlement of the
transaction.
8
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
Available-for-sale securities
Financial
assets categorized as available-for-sale (“AFS”) are
non-derivatives that are either designated as available-for-sale or
not classified as (a) loans and receivables, (b) held to maturity
investments or (c) trading securities.
Listed
shares and listed redeemable notes held by the Company that are
traded in an active market are classified as AFS and are stated at
fair value. The Company has investments in unlisted shares that are
not traded in an active market but that are also classified as
investments AFS and stated at fair value (because Company
management considers that fair value can be reliably measured).
Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized
in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the Accumulated
other comprehensive income/(loss), with the exception of
other-than-temporary impairment losses, interest calculated using
the effective interest method, dividend income and foreign exchange
gains and losses are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Statements of other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss). Where the investment is disposed of or is determined
to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously accumulated
in the investments revaluation reserve is reclassified to profit or
loss.
Trading securities
Financial
assets are classified as trading securities if the financial asset
has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling it in the
near term.
Trading
securities are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses
arising on remeasurement recognized in revenue. Changes in fair
value are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) and
included in net gain/(loss) on trading securities. Interest earned,
and dividend income are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss) and are included in interest income, according to the
terms of the contract and when the right to receive the payment has
been established.
Investments in
nonconsolidated managed funds are accounted for at fair value based
on the net asset value (“NAV”) of the funds
provided by the fund managers with gains or losses included in net
gain on trading securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss).
Debt securities issued
Debt
securities issued are initially recognized at the fair value of the
consideration received, less directly attributable transaction
costs. Subsequently, amounts due are stated at amortized cost and
any difference between net proceeds and the redemption value is
recognized over the period of the borrowings using the effective
interest method. If the Company purchases its own debt, it is
removed from the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the
difference between the carrying amount of the liability and the
consideration paid is recognized in the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive
Income/(Loss).
9
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
Brokerage and other receivables
Brokerage
and other receivables comprise commissions and receivables related
to the securities brokerage and banking activity of the Company. At
initial recognition, brokerage and other receivables are recognized
at fair value. Subsequently, brokerage and other receivables are
carried at cost net of any allowance for impairment
losses.
Derecognition of financial assets
A
financial asset (or, where applicable a part of a financial asset
or a part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized
where all of the following conditions are met:
●
The transferred
financial assets have been isolated from the Company - put
presumptively beyond the reach of the Company and its creditors,
even in bankruptcy or other receivership.
●
The Company has
rights to pledge or exchange financial assets.
●
The Company or its
agents do not maintain effective control over the transferred
financial assets or third-party beneficial interests related to
those transferred assets.
Where
the Company has not met the asset derecognition conditions above,
it continues to recognize the asset to the extent of its continuing
involvement.
Impairment of long lived assets
In
accordance with the accounting guidance for the impairment or
disposal of long-lived assets, the Company periodically evaluates
the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when
events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value
of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the fair value
from such asset is less than its carrying value. In that event, a
loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value
exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is
determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at
a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived
assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except
that fair values are reduced for the cost of disposal. As of June
30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the Company had not recorded any
charges for impairment of long-lived assets.
Impairment of goodwill
As of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, goodwill recorded in the
Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled
$3,103 and $3,288, respectively. The Company performs an impairment
review at least annually, unless indicators of impairment exist in
interim periods. The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step
approach. Step one compares the estimated fair value of a reporting
unit with goodwill to its carrying value. If the carrying value
exceeds the estimated fair value, step two must be performed. Step
two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit to the fair
value of all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as
if the reporting unit was acquired in a business combination. If
the carrying amount of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the
implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss is
recognized in an amount equal to the excess. In its annual goodwill
impairment test, the Company estimated the fair value of the
reporting unit based on the income approach (also known as the
discounted cash flow method) and determined the fair value of the
Company’s goodwill exceeded the carrying amount of the
Company’s goodwill.
10
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
Income taxes
The
Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the
difference between the financial statements and tax basis of assets
and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year
in which the differences are expected to reverse. The measurement
of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of
any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not
expected to be realized.
Current
income tax expenses are provided for in accordance with the laws of
the relevant taxing authorities. As part of the process of
preparing financial statements, the Company is required to estimate
its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates.
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability
approach. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized
for tax consequences in future years based on differences between
the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts
in the financial statements at each year-end and tax loss carry
forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using
enacted tax rates applicable for the differences that are expected
to affect taxable income.
The
Company will include interest and penalties arising from the
underpayment of income taxes in the provision for income taxes. As
of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the Company had no accrued
interest or penalties related to uncertain tax
positions.
On
December 22, 2017, the U.S. bill commonly referred to as the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform Act”) was enacted, which
significantly changes U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering
corporate income tax rates, implementing a territorial tax system
and imposing a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of
foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Reform Act permanently reduces the
U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21%
rate, effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Reform Act also
provided for a one-time deemed repatriation of post-1986
undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits
(“E&P”) through the year ended December 31, 2017.
The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") provisions of the
Tax Reform Act require the Company to include in its U.S. income
tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable
return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The
Company may be subject to incremental U.S. tax on GILTI income
beginning in 2018, depending upon expense allocations and the
applicable U.S. foreign tax credit rules. The Company has presented
the deferred tax impacts of GILTI tax in its consolidated financial
statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.
Financial instruments
Financial
instruments are carried at fair value as described
below.
Fair
value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or
paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. The fair value
measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to
sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either in the
principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a
principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or
liability. Fair value is the current bid price for financial
assets, current ask price for financial liabilities and the average
of current bid and ask prices when the Company is both in short and
long positions for the financial instrument. A financial instrument
is regarded as quoted in an active market if quoted prices are
readily and regularly available from an exchange or other
institution and those prices represent actual and regularly
occurring market transactions on an arm’s length
basis.
11
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
Leases
Rent payable under operating leases is charged to expense on a
straight-line basis over the term of the relevant
lease.
Fixed assets
Fixed assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.
Maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, which range between three and
seven years.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In May
2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-06, Codification Improvements to
Topic 942, Financial Services - Depository and Lending. The FASB
issued this Update to supersede outdated guidance related to the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Banking Circular
202, Accounting for Net Deferred Tax Charges (Circular 202). The
Board has an ongoing project on its agenda about Codification
improvements to clarify the FASB Accounting Standards Codification
or to correct unintended application of guidance. Those
Codification improvement items generally are not expected to have a
significant effect on current accounting practice or to create a
significant administrative cost for most entities. The amendments
in this Update are of a similar nature, and, therefore, the Board
is addressing the improvements through the Codification
improvements project. The Board decided to issue a separate Update
to increase stakeholders’ awareness of the improvements to
Topic 942, Financial Services—Depository and Lending. The
amendments in this Update remove outdated guidance related to
Circular 202 and should have no effect on reporting
entities.
ASU
2016-02, “Leases,” ASU 2018-01, “Land Easement
Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842,” ASU
2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842,
Leases” and ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted
Improvements”: In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02
which requires entities to include substantially all leases on the balance sheet by
requiring the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease
liabilities for all leases. Entities may elect to exclude from the
balance sheet those leases with a maximum possible term of less
than 12 months. For lessees, a lease is classified as finance or
operating, and the asset and liability are initially measured at
the present value of the lease payments. For lessors, accounting
for leases is largely unchanged from previous provisions of U.S.
GAAP, other than certain changes to align lessor accounting to
specific changes made to lessee accounting and ASC 606. ASU 2016-02
also requires new qualitative and quantitative disclosures for both
lessees and lessors. In July 2018 the FASB adopted ASU 2018-10
which makes technical corrections and clarifications to the
accounting guidance in Topic 842.
For public entities, these ASU 2016-02, 2018-01, 2018-10 and
2018-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods therein, with early adoption
permitted. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees and lessors to recognize
and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period
presented using a modified retrospective approach. ASU
2018-11, adopted in July 2018, provides entities an optional transition method to
apply the new guidance as of the adoption date, rather than as of
the earliest period presented. In transition, entities may elect
certain practical expedients when applying ASU 2016-02. These
include a package of practical expedients that must be applied in
its entirety to all leases commencing before the effective date,
unless the lease is modified, to not reassess (a) the existence of
a lease, (b) lease classification or (c) determination of initial
direct costs, which effectively allows entities to carryforward
accounting conclusions under previous U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-02 also
includes a practical expedient to use hindsight in making judgments
when determining the lease term and any long-lived asset
impairment. ASU 2018-01, adopted in January 2018, allows entities
to elect a practical expedient that would exclude application of
ASU 2016-02 to land easements that existed prior to its adoption,
if they were not accounted for as leases under previous U.S. GAAP.
ASU 2018-11 provides a lessor practical expedient for separating
lease and non-lease components. We are currently evaluating
the effect of the standards on our ongoing financial
reporting.
12
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
NOTE 3 – REVISION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT
When
preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements as of and
for the three months ended June 30, 2018, management determined
that certain amounts included in the Company’s condensed
consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018 and for the
three months ended June 30, 2017 required revision, due to closing
of the acquisition of Freedom RU on June 29, 2017, and Freedom CY
on November 1, 2017 and the closing of the mergers of Nettrader LLC
(“Nettrader”) in May 2018 and Asyl Invest JSC
(“Asyl”) in April 2018, which were deemed to be
entities under common control with the Company.
Certain
reclassifications also have been made to the prior year’s
consolidated financial statements to enhance comparability with the
current year’s consolidated financial statements following
the increase in intangible assets of the Company related to
acquisition of the Tradernet trading platform. As a result, certain
line items have been amended in the Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets. Comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to the
current period’s presentation.
The
previously issued Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March
31, 2018, and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income for the three months ended
June 30, 2017 have been revised as follows:
|
As of March 31,
2018
|
||
BALANCE SHEETS (RECAST)
|
As previously reported
|
Recast
|
As recasted
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$64,531
|
$1,200
|
$65,731
|
Restricted
cash
|
13,671
|
8,291
|
21,962
|
Trading
securities
|
212,319
|
276
|
212,595
|
Available-for-sale
securities, at fair value
|
2
|
238
|
240
|
Brokerage
and other receivables, net
|
21,109
|
3,745
|
24,854
|
Loans
issued
|
8,754
|
-
|
8,754
|
Deferred
tax assets
|
1,046
|
(274)
|
772
|
Fixed
assets, net
|
2,362
|
209
|
2,571
|
Intangible
assets, net
|
-
|
5,531
|
5,531
|
Goodwill
|
1,798
|
1,490
|
3,288
|
Other
assets, net
|
4,494
|
79
|
4,573
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
$330,086
|
$20,785
|
$350,871
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
sold, not yet purchased - at fair value
|
$1,135
|
$-
|
$1,135
|
Loans
received
|
7,143
|
-
|
7,143
|
Debt
securities issued
|
10,840
|
382
|
11,222
|
Customer
liabilities
|
21,855
|
8,817
|
30,672
|
Trade
payables
|
8,998
|
15
|
9,013
|
Deferred
distribution payments
|
8,534
|
-
|
8,534
|
Securities
repurchase agreement obligation
|
154,775
|
-
|
154,775
|
Deferred
income tax liabilities
|
387
|
(387)
|
-
|
Other
liabilities
|
1,319
|
57
|
1,376
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
214,986
|
8,884
|
223,870
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Common
stock
|
58
|
-
|
58
|
Additional
paid in capital
|
87,049
|
13,131
|
100,180
|
Retained
earnings
|
35,387
|
(1,067)
|
34,320
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(7,394)
|
(163)
|
(7,557)
|
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
115,100
|
11,901
|
127,001
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
$330,086
|
$20,785
|
$350,871
|
13
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
|
For the three
months ended June 30, 2017
|
||
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME (RECAST)
|
As
previously reported
|
Recast
|
As
recasted
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
Fee
and commission income
|
$2,855
|
$202
|
$3,057
|
Net gain on trading
securities
|
7,009
|
122
|
7,131
|
Interest
income
|
2,584
|
63
|
2,647
|
Net gain on
derivatives
|
490
|
-
|
490
|
Net
gain on foreign exchange operations
|
617
|
42
|
659
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL REVENUE, NET
|
13,555
|
429
|
13,984
|
|
|
|
|
Expense:
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
1,987
|
43
|
2,030
|
Fee
and commission expense
|
238
|
51
|
289
|
Operating
expense
|
2,911
|
752
|
3,663
|
Other
expense, net
|
78
|
(33)
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL EXPENSE
|
5,214
|
813
|
6,027
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX
|
8,341
|
(384)
|
7,957
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit
|
31
|
2
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
$8,372
|
$(382)
|
$7,990
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
|
|
Change
in unrealized gain on investments available-for-sale, net of tax
effect
|
$-
|
$(59)
|
$(59)
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustments, net of tax
|
(1,758)
|
(411)
|
(2,169)
|
|
|
|
|
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
$6,614
|
$(852)
|
$5,762
|
NOTE 4 – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
June 30,
2018
|
March 31,
2018
(Recast)
|
|
|
|
Securities
purchased under reverse repurchase agreements
|
$19,514
|
$27,389
|
Current account
with commercial banks
|
7,616
|
9,032
|
Petty
cash in bank vault and on hand
|
5,834
|
2,712
|
Current
account with Central Depository (Kazakhstan)
|
4,588
|
1,280
|
Current
accounts with brokers
|
3,781
|
22,749
|
Current account
with National Settlement Depository (Russia)
|
1,770
|
1,244
|
Current account
with Central Bank (Russia)
|
991
|
980
|
Accounts
with stock exchange
|
814
|
214
|
Current
account in clearing organizations
|
149
|
131
|
Total
cash and cash equivalents
|
$45,057
|
$65,731
|
14
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
As of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were
not insured. As of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the cash and
cash equivalents balance included collateralized securities
received under reverse repurchase agreements on the terms presented
below:
|
June 30,
2018
|
|||
|
Interest rates and remaining contractual maturity of the
agreements
|
|||
|
Average Interest rate
|
Up to 30 days
|
30-90 days
|
Total
|
Securities
purchased under reverse repurchase
agreements
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
equity
|
14.88%
|
9,156
|
9,656
|
18,812
|
Corporate
debt
|
15.00%
|
702
|
-
|
702
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$9,858
|
$9,656
|
$19,514
|
|
March 31, 2018
(Recast)
|
|||
|
Interest rates and remaining contractual maturity of the
agreements
|
|||
|
Average Interest rate
|
Up to 30 days
|
30-90 days
|
Total
|
Securities
purchased under reverse repurchase
agreements
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
equity
|
14.99%
|
$11,095
|
$15,572
|
$26,667
|
Corporate
debt
|
14.96%
|
521
|
201
|
722
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$11,616
|
$15,773
|
$27,389
|
The
securities received by the Company as collateral under reverse
repurchase agreements are liquid trading securities with market
quotes and significant trading volume. The fair value of collateral
received by the Company under reverse repurchase agreements as of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, is $33,729 and $28,311,
respectively. For additional information please see Note 9 –
Securities sold, not yet purchased – at fair
value.
NOTE 5 – RESTRICTED CASH
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company’s restricted
cash consisted of deferred distribution payments, cash segregated
in a special custody account for the exclusive benefit of our
brokerage customers and required reserves with the Central Bank of
the Russian Federation which represents cash on hand balance
requirements. The deferred distribution payment amount is the
reserve held for distribution to shareholders who have not yet
claimed their distributions from the 2011 sale of the
Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations
of $8,534. This distribution is currently payable, subject to the
entitled shareholder completing and submitting to the Company the
necessary documentation to claim his, her or its distribution
payments. The Company has no control over when, or if, an entitled
shareholder will submit the necessary documentation to claim his,
her, or its distribution payment. Restricted cash consisted
of:
15
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
|
June
30, 2018
|
March
31, 2018 (Recast)
|
|
|
|
Brokerage
customers’ cash
|
$15,439
|
$12,963
|
Deferred
distribution payments
|
8,534
|
8,534
|
Guaranty
deposits
|
640
|
350
|
Reserve with
Central Bank of Russia
|
189
|
115
|
Total
restricted cash
|
$24,802
|
$21,962
|
NOTE 6 – TRADING SECURITIES
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, trading securities consisted
of:
|
June
30, 2018
|
March
31, 2018 (Recast)
|
|
|
|
Equity
securities
|
$146,487
|
$177,339
|
Debt
securities
|
37,615
|
34,986
|
Mutual investment
funds
|
248
|
270
|
Total
trading securities
|
$184,350
|
$212,595
|
|
|
|
The
following tables present trading securities assets in the condensed consolidated
financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis as
of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
|
|
Fair Value Measurements at
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2018 using
|
||
|
|
Quoted
Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
|
Significant
Other Observable Inputs
|
Significant
unobservable units
|
|
June 30, 2018
|
(Level
1)
|
(Level
2)
|
(Level
3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
securities
|
$146,487
|
$146,487
|
$-
|
$-
|
Debt
securities
|
37,615
|
37,615
|
-
|
-
|
Mutual investment
funds
|
248
|
248
|
-
|
-
|
Total
trading securities
|
$184,350
|
$184,350
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements at
|
||
|
|
March 31, 2018 (Recast) using
|
||
|
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets
|
Significant
Other Observable Inputs
|
Significant
unobservable units
|
|
March 31,
2018
(Recast)
|
(Level
1)
|
(Level
2)
|
(Level
3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
securities
|
$177,339
|
$177,339
|
$-
|
$-
|
Debt
securities
|
34,986
|
34,986
|
-
|
-
|
Mutual investment
funds
|
270
|
270
|
-
|
-
|
Total
trading securities
|
$212,595
|
$212,595
|
$-
|
$-
|
16
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
NOTE 7 – LOANS ISSUED
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018 the Company had loans issued in
the amount of $16,757 and $8,754, respectively.
Loans
issued as of June 30, 2018, consisted of the
following:
|
Amount
Outstanding
|
|
Due
Dates
|
|
Average Interest
Rate
|
|
Fair Value of
Collateral
|
|
Loan
Currency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collateralized
brokerage loans
|
$
4,720
|
|
Jan.
2019 – Feb. 2019
|
|
3.00%
|
|
$
4,479
|
|
USD
|
Uncollateralized
brokerage loan
|
$
11,496
|
|
Sep.
2018
|
|
3.00%
|
|
-
|
|
KZT
|
Bank
customer loans
|
$
541
|
|
Nov.
2018- Feb. 2028
|
|
12.59%
|
|
-
|
|
RUB
|
Loans
issued as of March 31, 2018, consisted of the
following:
|
Amount
Outstanding
|
|
Due
Dates
|
|
Average Interest
Rate
|
|
Fair Value of
Collateral
|
|
Loan
Currency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collateralized
brokerage loans
|
$
5,371
|
|
Jan.
2019 – Feb. 2019
|
|
3.00%
|
|
$
6,992
|
|
USD
|
Uncollateralized
brokerage loan
|
$
2,832
|
|
Jan.
2019 – Mar.
2019
|
|
0.00%
|
|
-
|
|
KZT
|
Bank
customer loans
|
$
551
|
|
Nov.
2018- Feb. 2028
|
|
12.32%
|
|
-
|
|
RUB
|
NOTE 8 – DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
The
Company is subject to taxation in the Russian Federation,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and the United
States of America.
The tax
rates used for deferred tax assets and liabilities for the three
months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, is 25% and 37.3%, respectively
for the US and 20% for the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
17
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities of the Company are comprised of the
following:
|
June 30,
2018
|
March 31, 2018
(Recast)
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
Tax losses
carryforward
|
$3,283
|
$3,050
|
GILTI
losses
|
404
|
-
|
Accrued
liabilities
|
34
|
49
|
Revaluation on
trading securities
|
151
|
88
|
Stock compensation
expenses
|
718
|
405
|
Valuation
allowance
|
(3,736)
|
(2,433)
|
Deferred
tax assets
|
854
|
1,159
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
Revaluation on
trading securities
|
42
|
387
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
42
|
387
|
Net
deferred tax assets
|
$812
|
$772
|
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the effective tax
rate was equal to 2.13% and (0.41%), respectively. During the three
months ended June 30, 2018, effective tax rate was primarily
impacted due to unrecognized tax losses carryforward on Freedom KZ
and FRHC in the amount of $309 and $1,666, respectively, and during
the three months ended June 30, 2017 due to non-taxable gains on
trading securities in Freedom KZ in the amount of
$7,795.
During
the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, the Company realized
net loss before income tax of $7,033, primarily from operating
expenses of the Company and losses of Freedom KZ on trading
operations. This resulted in the Company realizing an income tax
benefit during the three months ended June 30, 2018 of $150. During
the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company realized a net
income before income tax of $7,957 primarily from non-taxable
revenues generated from Freedom KZ’s trading operations and
utilized tax loss carryforwards of $203. This resulted in the
Company realizing an income tax benefit during the three months
ended June 30, 2017 of $33.
NOTE 9 – SECURITIES SOLD, NOT YET
PURCHASED – AT FAIR
VALUE
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company’s securities
sold, not yet purchased – at fair value was $1,756 and $1,135
respectively.
During
the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company sold shares received
as a pledge under reverse repurchase agreements and recognized
financial liabilities at fair value in the amount of $6,996, and
partially closed short position in the amount of $5,216 by
purchasing securities from a third party, reducing the financial
liability. During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company
recognized a gain on the change in fair value of financial
liabilities at fair value through the Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) in
the amount of $956 with a foreign exchange translation gain of
$203.
18
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
A short
sale involves the sale of a security that is not owned in the
expectation of purchasing the same security (or a security
exchangeable) at a later date at a lower price. A short sale
involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the
market price of the security that would result in a theoretically
unlimited loss.
NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
On
December 28, 2016, Freedom RU entered into a derivative instrument
agreement with a related party that included a call option feature
for the purchase of shares held by Freedom RU. This call option was
classified as a derivative liability in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets and measured at each reporting period using the
Black-Scholes Model. The gain associated with this derivative
instrument is recognized as a gain on derivative instrument in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Other
Comprehensive Income. In exchange for a $2,629 premium paid
upfront, this derivative instrument granted the holder the right to
purchase 11.8 million shares of a top rated Russian commercial bank
– Sberbank, on June 14, 2017, at a strike price $3.10 per
share.
The
Company recorded a derivative liability of $495 as of March 31,
2017, as a result of the fair value of the call option. On June 14,
2017, the derivative instrument expired, unexercised by the option
holder, and the Company recognized a gain on the derivative
instrument of $490.
NOTE 11 – LOANS RECEIVED
Borrower
|
|
Lender
|
June 30,
2018
|
March 31,
2018
|
Interest rate
|
Term
|
|
Maturity date
|
JSC Freedom
Finance
|
|
Bank
|
$9,049
|
$7,044
|
7%
|
1 year
|
|
2/5/2019
|
Freedom Holding
Corp.
|
|
Non-Bank
|
4,834
|
-
|
3%
|
3
months
|
|
9/30/2018
|
FFINEU Investments
Limited
|
|
Non-Bank
|
94
|
99
|
1%
|
1 year
|
|
12/11/2018
|
Total
|
|
|
$13,977
|
$7,143
|
|
|
|
|
As of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the Company had received United
States dollar denominated loans from JSC AsiaCreditBank in the
total amount of $8,954 and $7,031, respectively, under a credit
line agreement with $9,000 in total available for withdrawal. The
Company pledged 3.1 million shares of Kcell with a fair value
$13,970 as of June 30, 2018, to collateralize the AsiaCreditBank
loan. Non-bank loans received are unsecured. As of June 30, 2018
and March 31, 2018, accrued interest on the loans totaled $68 and
$16, respectively.
NOTE 12 – DEBT SECURITIES ISSUED
|
June 30,
2018
|
March 31,
2018
|
|
|
(Recast)
|
Debt securities
issued denominated in USD
|
$10,605
|
$7,006
|
Debt securities
issued denominated in KZT
|
9,253
|
4,025
|
Accrued
interest
|
111
|
191
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$19,969
|
$11,222
|
19
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had bonds of Freedom
KZ issued under Kazakhstan law in the amount of $19,969 and $11,222
respectively. As of June 30, 2018, Company issued bonds with fixed
annual coupon rate ranging from 8% to 11.5% and maturity dates
ranging from January 2019 to May 2021. As of March 31, 2018, debt
securities issued included Asyl bonds in the amount of $3,015 with
8% fixed annual coupon rate and maturity date of August 2018, which
were fully redeemed in April 2018.
Debt securities issued are initially recognized at the fair value
of the consideration received, less directly attributable
transaction costs. Debt securities issued as of June 30, 2018 and
March 31, 2018 included $111 and $191 accrued interest,
respectively. The Freedom KZ bonds are actively traded on
Kazakhstan Stock Exchange.
NOTE 13 – CUSTOMER LIABILITIES
The
Company recognizes customer liabilities associated with funds held
by our brokerage and bank customers. Customer liabilities consist
of:
|
June 30,
2018
|
March 31, 2018
(Recast)
|
|
|
|
Brokerage
customers
|
$21,927
|
$21,367
|
Banking
customers
|
18,475
|
9,305
|
Total
|
$40,402
|
$30,672
|
NOTE 14 – SECURITIES REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
OBLIGATIONS
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, trading securities included
collateralized securities subject to repurchase agreements as
described in the following table:
|
June 30, 2018
|
||||
|
Interest rates and remaining contractual maturity of the
agreements
|
||||
|
Average interest rate
|
Up to 30
days
|
30-90
days
|
Over 90
days
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities sold under
repurchase agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
equity
|
12.26%
|
$86,961
|
$906
|
$6,532
|
$94,399
|
Corporate
debt
|
6.83%
|
9,896
|
-
|
-
|
9,896
|
Non-US sovereign
debt
|
8.41%
|
10,277
|
-
|
-
|
10,277
|
Total
securities sold under repurchase
agreements
|
|
$107,134
|
$906
|
$6,532
|
$114,572
|
20
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
|
March 31, 2018 (Recast)
|
||||
|
Interest rate and remaining contractual maturity of the
agreements
|
||||
|
Average interest rate
|
Overnight and
continuous
|
Up to 30
days
|
30-90
days
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities sold under
repurchase agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
equity
|
12.04%
|
$109,821
|
$8,961
|
$7,148
|
$125,930
|
Corporate
debt
|
10.64%
|
24,257
|
2,023
|
-
|
26,280
|
Non-US sovereign
debt
|
8.54%
|
2,565
|
-
|
-
|
2,565
|
Total
securities sold under repurchase
agreements
|
|
$136,643
|
$10,984
|
$7,148
|
$154,775
|
The
fair value of collateral pledged under repurchase agreements as of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, was $155,459 and $203,140,
respectively.
Securities
pledged as collateral by the Company under repurchase agreements
are liquid trading securities with market quotes and significant
trading volume.
NOTE 15 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On
December 28, 2016, Freedom RU entered into a derivative instrument
agreement with a related party which included a call option
feature. The gain or loss associated with this agreement is
recognized as gain on a derivative instrument in the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Other
Comprehensive Income/(Loss). The Company recorded a derivative
liability of $495 as of March 31, 2017. On June 14, 2017, the
derivative instrument expired unexercised by the holder, and the
Company recognized a gain on the derivative instrument of $490 for
the three months ended June 30, 2017.
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company earned
commission income from related parties in the amounts of $4,439 and
$661, respectively. Commission income earned from related parties
is comprised primarily of brokerage commissions and agency fees for
referrals of new brokerage clients to other brokers and commissions
for money transfers by brokerage clients.
As of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the Company had bank commission
receivables and receivable from brokerage clients from related
parties totaling $615 and $1,055, respectively. Brokerage and other
receivables from related parties result principally from
commissions receivable on the brokerage operations of related
parties.
As of
June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the Company had brokerage
accounts with related parties totaling $2,700 and $17,795,
respectively.
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had loans issued to
related parties totaling $5 and $1,748, respectively.
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had margin lending
receivables with related parties totaling $10,818 and $8,748,
respectively.
21
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had advances
received for the sale of fixed assets from a related party totaling
$0 and $288, respectively.
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had margin lending
payables due to related parties, totaling $0 and $81,
respectively.
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had loans received
from a related party totaling $843 and $99,
respectively.
As of
June 30, 2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had customer
liabilities on brokerage accounts and bank accounts of related
parties totaling $11,104 and $3,402, respectively. As of June 30,
2018, and March 31, 2018, the Company had restricted customer cash
on brokerage accounts and cash on bank accounts of related parties
totaling $9,762 and $2,004, respectively.
NOTE 16 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018, Mr. Turlov made capital
contributions of $225 to FRHC. At the time such contributions were
made, Mr. Turlov was the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the
board, and majority shareholder of the Company.
On June
29, 2017, the Company and Mr. Turlov closed the acquisition of
Freedom RU. Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, Mr.
Turlov received a total of 20,665,023 shares of restricted common
stock in exchange for his 100% interest in Freedom RU.
On
October 6, 2017, the Company awarded restricted stock grants
totaling 3,900,000 shares of its common stock to 16 employees and
awarded nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of
360,000 shares of its common stock to two employees. Of the
3,900,000 shares awarded pursuant to the restricted stock grant
awards, 1,200,000 shares are subject to two-year vesting conditions
and 2,700,000 shares are subject to three-year vesting conditions.
All of the nonqualified stock options are subject to three-year
vesting conditions. The Company recorded stock based compensation
expense for restricted stock grants and stock options in the amount
of $838 during the three months ended June 30, 2018.
As
disclosed in Note 1 on November 10, 2017, FRHC issued 12,758,011
shares of restricted Company common stock in exchange for Mr.
Turlov 100% equity interest in Freedom CY and Freedom CY became a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
As
disclosed in Note 1, on November 1, 2017, the Company entered into
a Share Exchange and Acquisition Agreement and agreed to issue
387,700 shares of restricted common stock to BusinessTrain Ltd. to
acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest of Freedom
UA.
On
December 8, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of
3,681,667 shares of its restricted common stock in exchange for an
aggregate offering proceeds of $11,045. The shares of common stock
were sold to non-U.S. persons pursuant to the exemption from
registration provided in Regulation S promulgated under the
Securities Act for offers and sales made outside the United States.
Arkady Rakhilkin, a Company director, purchased 348,333 shares for
$1,045.
22
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
On
March 2, 2018, the Company completed a private placement of
5,426,612 shares of its restricted common stock in exchange for an
aggregate offering proceeds of $29,399. The shares of common stock
were sold to non-U.S. persons pursuant to the exemption from
registration provided in Regulation S promulgated under the
Securities Act for offers and sales made outside the United States.
Askar Tashtitov, a Company director, purchased 28,000 shares for
$154.
NOTE 17 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
As
disclosed in Note 16, on October 6, 2017, the Company issued
restricted stock awards totaling 3,900,000 shares of its common
stock to 16 employees and awarded nonqualified stock options to
purchase an aggregate of 360,000 shares of its common stock at a
strike price $1.98 per share to two employees. Shares of restricted
stock have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock
while options do not. All awards were issued at the fair value of
the underlying shares at the grant date.
During
the year ended March 31, 2018, stock options covering a total of
360,000 shares of common stock were granted. No options were
granted for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. Total compensation
expense related to options granted was $54 for the quarter ended
June 30, 2018 and $0 for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. As of
June 30, 2018, there was total remaining compensation expense of
$489 related to stock options, which will be recorded over a
weighted average period of approximately 2.27 years. No options
were exercisable or exercised during the quarter ended June 30,
2018.
The
Company has determined fair value of stock options using the
Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the following key
assumptions during the quarter ended June 30, 2018:
Vesting
Period (years)
|
3
|
Volatility
|
165.33%
|
Risk-free
rate
|
1.66%
|
During
the year ended March 31, 2018 a total of 3,900,000 restricted
shares were awarded. During the three months ended June 30, 2018,
no restricted shares were awarded. The compensation expense related
to restricted stock awards was $784 during the quarter ended June
30, 2018, and $0 during the quarter ended June 30, 2017. As of June
30, 2018, there was $5,884 of total unrecognized compensation cost
related to nonvested shares of restricted stock granted. The cost
is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.96
years.
Stock-based
compensation expense for the cost of the awards granted is based on
the grant-date fair value. For stock option awards, the fair value
is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly
subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the
fair value estimate. Additionally, there may be other factors that
would otherwise have a significant effect on the value of employee
stock options granted but are not considered by the model.
Accordingly, while management believes that the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model provides a reasonable estimate of fair value,
the model does not necessarily provide the best single measure of
fair value for the Company's employee stock options.
23
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
The
following is a summary of stock option activity for year ended June
30, 2018:
|
Shares
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Term
(In Years)
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
|
Outstanding,
beginning of year
|
$360,000
|
$1.98
|
9.27
|
$1,753
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeited/cancelled/expired
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Outstanding, at
June 30, 2018
|
$360,000
|
$1.98
|
9.27
|
$1,879
|
Exercisable
at June 30, 2018
|
$-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
The
table below summarizes the activity for the Company's restricted
stock outstanding during the quarter ended June 30,
2018:
|
Shares
|
Weighted Average Fair Value
|
Outstanding,
beginning of year
|
$3,900,000
|
$8,190
|
Granted
|
-
|
|
Vested
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeited/cancelled/expired
|
-
|
-
|
Outstanding,
at June 30, 2018
|
$3,900,000
|
$8,190
|
NOTE 18 – ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition of Asyl
On
April 12, 2018, we completed the acquisition and merger of Asyl
into the Company. This acquisition joined the two largest retail
brokerage firms in Kazakhstan and increased our client accounts in
Kazakhstan by 16,000 accounts. Asyl was formerly controlled by Mr.
Turlov since April 28, 2017. The Company agreed to acquire Asyl
from Mr. Turlov. We acquired Asyl for approximately $2.2 million,
which was equal to the fair value of the net assets acquired by the
Company.
When
preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended June 30, 2018, management determined that
certain amounts included in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements as of March 31, 2018 and for the three months
ended June 30, 2017 required revision, due to closing of the
completion of merger of Asyl in April 2018, which was deemed to be
an entity under common control with the Company since April 28,
2017.
Acquisition of Nettrader
On May
28, 2018, we completed the acquisition and merger of Nettrader.
This resulted in the acquisition of approximately 16,000 new
Russian client accounts. This acquisition also finalized our
acquisition of the Tradernet trading platform, a browser-based
application and in some countries a supporting mobile app to
facilitate our customers’ trading activities and ability to
monitor and manage all aspects of their personal accounts and
participate in our client social network. Nettrader was formerly
owned by Mr. Turlov since May 18, 2017. We acquired Nettrader for
approximately $3.8 million, which was equal to the fair value of
the net assets acquired by the Company.
24
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
When
preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended June 30, 2018, management determined that
certain amounts included in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements as of March 31, 2018 and for the three months
ended June 30, 2017 required revision, due to closing of the
completion of merger of Nettrader in May 2018, which was deemed to
be an entity under common control with the Company since May 18,
2017.
NOTE 19 – REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
On
September 6, 2017, the Company effected a
one-share-for-twenty-five-shares reverse stock split of its common
stock. All share and earnings per share information has been
retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split. The effect of
this stock split on the Company’s earnings per share is as
follows:
|
For the three
months ended June 30, 2018
|
For the three
months ended June 30, 2017
(Recast)
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted net income per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income/(loss)
|
$(6,883)
|
$7,990
|
|
|
|
Net
income/(loss) per common share - basic (in US dollars)
|
$(0.12)
|
$0.71
|
Net
income/(loss) per common share - diluted (in US
dollars)
|
$(0.12)
|
$0.71
|
|
|
|
Shares
used in the calculation of net income per common
share:
|
|
|
Basic
|
58,033,212
|
11,306,084
|
Diluted
|
58,191,542
|
11,306,084
|
NOTE 20 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The
table below shows approximate lease commitments and other
contingent liabilities of the Company as of June 30,
2018:
Contractual
obligations
|
Total
|
Less than 1
year
|
2-3
years
|
Office
leases(1)
|
$8,609
|
$5,568
|
$3,041
|
TOTAL
|
$8,609
|
$5,568
|
$3,041
|
(1)
The Company has
number of lease agreements for office spaces in different
locations. In general, all agreements are made for a one-year
period with extension or termination provisions, except three lease
agreements with longer lease terms.
The
Company’s rent expense for office space was $1,086 and $377
for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017,
respectively.
25
FREEDOM HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands of United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated)
NOTE 21 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The
Company evaluated all material events and transactions that
occurred after June 30, 2018 through August 14, 2018. During this
period the Company did not have any additional material
recognizable subsequent events.
26
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
The
following discussion is intended to assist you in understanding our
results of operations and our present financial condition. Our
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the
accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
contain additional information that should be referred to when
reviewing this material and this document should be read in
conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes
contained elsewhere in this report and in our other filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Commission”) including our annual report on Form 10-K
filed with the Commission on June 29, 2018.
Special Note About Forward-Looking Information
Certain
information included herein contains statements that may be
considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”) such as statements relating to our anticipated revenues
and operating results, estimates used in the preparation of our
financial statements, future performance, plans for future
expansion, analyses, prospects, strategies, capital spending,
sources of liquidity, and financing sources. Forward-looking
information involves important risks and uncertainties that could
significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and
accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements made herein. These forward-looking
statements can sometimes be recognized by the use of words such as
“anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“plan,” “project,” and similar expressions.
Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors, including the meaningful and
important risks and uncertainties discussed in this report. These
forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management
as well as assumptions made by and information currently available
to management. These statements include, among other
things:
●
the ability of our
current management to effectively execute our business
strategy;
●
our capability to
compete with financial services companies that have greater
experience, financial resources and competitive advantages in the
markets where we operate;
●
Timur Turlov owns
the controlling interest in our common stock and therefore has the
ability to direct our business with his reasonable business
judgment without approval of other shareholders;
●
our capacity to
comply with the extensive, pervasive and ever evolving regulatory
and oversight requirements in the various jurisdictions where our
subsidiaries operate, the failure of which could prevent us from
conducting our business;
●
volatility in the
domestic and international capital markets, currency fluctuations
and general economic conditions;
●
our ability to
attract and retain key management and other properly licensed and
experienced personnel to satisfy applicable regulatory standards
and operate our business profitably; and
●
our ability to
properly manage the market, leverage and customer risks that arise
from our proprietary trading.
27
Although we have
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause
the forward-looking statements not to be accurate as described in
this report. These forward-looking statements are only predictions.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may
vary materially.
You
should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of
future events. While we believe that the expectations reflected in
the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee
future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements.
Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes any
responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these
statements or undertakes any obligation to revise these
forward-looking statements to reflect events and circumstances
after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
This
discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our
consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and
capital resources during the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2018
and 2017.
Overview
We own
several operating subsidiaries that conduct full-service retail
securities brokerage, investment counseling, securities trading,
investment banking and underwriting services in Central Asia. We
are headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with supporting
administrative offices in Russia, Cyprus and the United
States.
Our
companies are professional participants of the Kazakhstan Stock
Exchange (KASE), the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX), the
Saint-Petersburg Stock Exchange (SPB), the Ukrainian Exchange, and
the Republican Stock Exchange of Tashkent (UZSE). We operate a
brokerage office in Cyprus that serves to provide our clients with
operations support and access to the investment opportunities,
relative stability, and integrity of the U.S. and European
securities markets, which under the regulatory regimes of many
jurisdictions where we operate do not currently allow investors
direct access to international securities markets.
Our
initial line of business has been directed toward providing a
comprehensive array of financial services to our target retail
audience which is high-net-worth individuals and small businesses
seeking to diversify their investment portfolios to manage economic
risk associated with political, regulatory, currency, banking, and
national uncertainties. Clients are provided online tools and
retail locations to establish accounts and conduct securities
trading on transaction-based pricing. We market to our customer
demographic through a number of channels, including telemarketing,
training seminars and investment conferences, print and online
advertising using social media, our mobile app and search engine
optimization activities.
Executive
Summary
Customer Base
We
serviced more than 81,000 client accounts, approximately 34,000 of
them were received as result of acquisitions of JSC Asyl Invest and
LLC Nettrader Brokerage, more than 40% of which carried positive
cash or asset account balances during the three months ended June
30, 2018. During the three months ended June 30, 2018 we opened
over 3,000 new accounts, against 55 account closures. Our total
client transaction volume for the quarter exceeded $8
billion.
28
We have
accelerated our growth through the completion of several strategic
acquisitions which have enabled us to expand our market reach,
increase our client base and provide our clientele the convenience
of both a state-of-the-art proprietary electronic trading platform
and 58 retail brokerage and financial services offices located
across Kazakhstan (16), Kyrgyzstan (1), Russia (39), Uzbekistan (1)
and Ukraine (1) that provide a full array of financial services,
investment consulting and education.
Recent Acquisitions
In
April 2018, we completed the acquisition and merger of Asyl into
the Company. This acquisition joined the two largest retail
brokerage firms in Kazakhstan and increased our client accounts in
Kazakhstan to more than 49,000. Asyl was formerly controlled by Mr.
Turlov. We acquired Asyl for approximately $2.2 million, which was
equal to the fair value of the net assets we acquired.
In May
2018, we completed the acquisition and merger of Nettrader. This
resulted in the acquisition of approximately 16,000 new Russian
client accounts. This acquisition also finalized our acquisition of
the Tradernet trading platform, a browser-based application and in
some countries a supporting mobile app to facilitate our
customers’ trading activities and ability to monitor and
manage all aspects of their personal accounts and participate in
our client social network. Nettrader was formerly owned by Mr.
Turlov. We acquired Nettrader for approximately $3.8 million, which
was equal to the fair value of the net assets we
acquired.
OTCQX
Subsequent to the
quarter end, on July 18, 2018, our common stock began trading on
the OTCQX® Best Market, a
premium market operated by OTC Markets, Inc. Previously, our common
stock was trading on the OTC Pink® Open Market. We
believe trading on the OTCQX will help to expand our exposure and
increase investor access and presents an opportunity at this stage
in our growth to communicate with our shareholders and with
securities market professionals in the U.S. and
abroad.
Financing Activities
During
three months ended June 30, 2018, we placed United States dollar
and Kazakhstani tenge denominated bonds of Freedom KZ in Kazakhstan
in the amount of approximately $9.7 million. These bonds have fixed
annual coupon rates of 8.00% or 11.5% and maturity dates ranging
from January 2019 to May 2021.
Financial Results
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018, we realized a net loss of
approximately $6.9 million and basic and diluted loss per share of
$0.12, compared to a net income of approximately $8 million and
basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.71 during the quarter
ended June 30, 2017. As a result of the weakening of our functional
currencies against our reporting currency and the resulting
currency translation adjustments, net of tax, we realized a
comprehensive loss of approximately $13.6 million during the 2018
period compared to a comprehensive income of approximately $5.8
million during the comparable 2017 period.
All dollar amounts reflected under the headings “Results of
Operations,” “Liquidity and Capital Resources,”
and “Cash Flows” in this Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are
presented in thousands of U.S. dollars unless the context indicates
otherwise.
29
Results of Operations
Three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended
June 30, 2017
The
following quarter-to-quarter comparison of our financial results is
not necessarily indicative of future results.
|
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
|
Three Months EndedJune 30, 2017
(Recast)
|
||
|
Amount
|
%*
|
Amount
|
%*
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
Fee
and commission income
|
$5,428
|
73%
|
$3,057
|
22%
|
Net gain/(loss) on
trading securities
|
(3,288)
|
(44%)
|
7,131
|
50%
|
Interest
income
|
7,372
|
100%
|
2,647
|
19%
|
Net gain on
derivatives
|
-
|
0%
|
490
|
4%
|
Net gain/(loss) on
foreign exchange operations
|
(2,110)
|
(29%)
|
659
|
5%
|
Total
revenues, net
|
7,402
|
100%
|
13,984
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
4,614
|
62%
|
2,030
|
15%
|
Fee
and commission expense
|
764
|
10%
|
289
|
2%
|
Operating
expense
|
9,111
|
123%
|
3,663
|
26%
|
Other
expense/(income), net
|
(54)
|
(1%)
|
45
|
0%
|
Total
expense
|
14,435
|
194%
|
6,027
|
43%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
before income taxes
|
(7,033)
|
(95%)
|
7,957
|
57%
|
Income tax
benefit
|
150
|
2%
|
33
|
0%
|
Net
income/(loss)
|
$(6,883)
|
$(93%)
|
$7,990
|
$57%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
comprehensive income/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in
unrealized gain on investments available-for-sale
|
$-
|
0%
|
$(59)
|
0%
|
Reclassification
adjustment relating to available-for-sale investments disposed of
in the period, net of tax effect
|
22
|
0%
|
-
|
0%
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustments, net of tax
|
(6,698)
|
(90%)
|
(2,169)
|
(16%)
|
Comprehensive income/(loss)
|
$(13,559)
|
(183%)
|
$5,762
|
(41%)
|
*
Reflects percentage of Total revenues,
net.
Revenue
We
derive revenue primarily from gains realized from our proprietary
trading activities, fee and commission income earned from our
retail brokerage clients, fees and commission from investment
banking services, and interest income.
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
|
Three Months Ended June 30 2017
(Recast)
|
Change
|
|||
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
Fee and commission
income
|
$5,428
|
73%
|
$3,057
|
22%
|
$2,371
|
78%
|
Net gain/(loss) on
trading securities
|
(3,288)
|
(44%)
|
7,131
|
50%
|
(10,419)
|
(146%)
|
Interest
income
|
7,372
|
100%
|
2,647
|
19%
|
4,725
|
179%
|
Net gain on
derivatives
|
-
|
0%
|
490
|
4%
|
(490)
|
(100%)
|
Net
gain/(loss) on foreign exchange operations
|
(2,110)
|
(29%)
|
659
|
5%
|
(2,769)
|
(420%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue, net
|
$7,402
|
100%
|
$13,984
|
100%
|
$(6,582)
|
(47%)
|
30
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we realized total
net revenue of $7,402 and $13,984, respectively. Revenue during the
three months ended June 30, 2018, was significantly lower than
during the three months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to
realizing net losses on trading securities and foreign exchange
operations during the period ended June 30, 2018, compared to net
gains during the period ended June 30, 2017. The losses were only
partially offset by significant increases in fee and commission
income and interest income during the three months ended June 30,
2018.
Fee and commission income. During the
three months ended June 30, 2018, fee and commission income
increased $2,371 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.
This increase resulted principally from increased fees and
commissions for the retail brokerage and related banking services
we provide our clients. During the three months ended June 30,
2018, fees and commissions generated from brokerage and related
banking services amounted to $3,758 and $1,670,
respectively.
These
increases in fees and commissions resulted primarily from the
growth of our customer base, increased client transaction volume,
and greater demand for the other services we offer. Fees and
commissions for brokerage services consisted principally of broker
fees from customer trading, underwriting and market making services
and agency fees. During the three months ended June 30, 2018,
brokerage fees and commissions increased $2,442 as a result of
increased client transaction volume. During the three months ended
June 30, 2017, we engaged in significantly more underwriting and
market making activities than during the three months ended June
30, 2018, as a result fees and commissions realized from
underwriting and market making services decreased by $1,024. Fees
for bank services consist primarily of wire transfer fees,
commissions for payment processing and commissions for currency
exchange operations. The $1,182 increase in fees and commission
from banking services during the three months ended June 30, 2018,
compared to the same period 2017 is attributable to the fact that
we continue to grow our brokerage-related banking operations and
opening new locations.
Net gain/(loss) on trading
securities. Net gain/(loss) on
trading securities reflects the gains and losses from trading
activities in our proprietary trading accounts. Net gains or losses
are comprised of realized and unrealized gains and losses. Gains or
losses are realized when we close a position in a security and
realize a gain or a loss on that position. U.S. GAAP requires
that we reflect in our financial statements unrealized gains and
losses on all our securities trading positions that remain open as
of the end of each period. Fluctuations in unrealized gains or
losses from one period to another may result from factors within
our control, such as when we elect to close an open securities
position, which would have the effect of reducing our open
positions and, thereby potentially reducing the amount of
unrealized gains or losses in a period. Fluctuations in
unrealized gains and losses from period to period may occur as a
result of factors beyond our control, such as fluctuations in the
market prices of the open securities positions we
hold. Unrealized gains or losses in a particular period may or
may not be indicative of the gain or loss we will realize on a
securities position when the position is
closed.
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized a net loss on
trading securities of $3,288, which included $5,094 of realized net
gain and $8,382 of unrealized net loss compared to a net gain of
$7,131 on trading securities for three months ended June 30, 2017,
which included $9,631 of realized net gain and $2,500 of unrealized
net loss. The primary contributing factor to our net loss on
trading securities during the three months ended June 30, 2018, was
a decrease in the share price of JSC Kcell - Kazakhstan’s
largest cellular service provider, resulting in a loss in the
amount of $6,415, which included $2,033 of realized net gain and
$8,448 of unrealized net loss. Our net loss on trading securities
was partially offset by unrealized gains on the revaluation of
securities due to an increase in share price of JSC Kazakhtelecom
– Kazakhstan’s largest telecommunications company in
the amount of $3,648.
31
Interest
income. During the three months
ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we recorded interest income from
several sources: interest income on trading securities and interest
income on cash and cash equivalents held in financial institutions,
reverse repurchase transactions and amounts due from banks.
Interest income on trading securities consisted of interest earned
from investments in debt securities and dividends earned on equity
securities held in our proprietary trading accounts. During the
three months ended June 30, 2018, we realized interest income of
$7,372 compared to $2,647 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.
The increase in interest income of $4,725 was primarily due to an
increase in interest income on trading securities in the amount of
$4,587 and an increase in interest income from reverse repurchase
transactions in the amount of $139 as a result of an increased
volume of reverse repurchase transactions during the quarter ended
June 30, 2018.
Net gain on
derivative. On December 28,
2016, Freedom RU entered into a derivative instrument agreement
that included a call option feature for the purchase of shares held
by Freedom RU. This call option was classified as a derivative
liability in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and measured
at each reporting period using the Black-Scholes Model. The gain
associated with this derivative instrument is recognized as gain on
a derivative instrument in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Statements of Other Comprehensive Income. In
exchange for a $2,629 premium paid upfront, this derivative
instrument granted the holder the right to purchase 11.8 million
shares of a top rated Russian commercial bank - Sberbank on June
14, 2017, at a strike price $3.10 per share.
In
connection with the transaction described in the preceding
paragraph, we recorded a derivative liability of $495 as of March
31, 2017. On June 14, 2017, the derivative instrument expired
unexercised by the option holder, and we recognized a gain on the
derivative instrument of $490. We engaged in no similar
transactions during the three months ended June 30,
2018.
Net gain/(loss) on foreign exchange
operations. During the three
months ended June 30, 2018, we realized net loss on foreign
exchange operations of $2,110 compared to a $659 net gain on
foreign exchange operations during the three months ended June 30,
2017. This change from a net gain to a net loss was due to the
fact, that during the period from March 31, 2018 to June 30, 2018,
the value of the Kazakhstani tenge decreased approximately 7%
against the United States dollar. In accordance with US GAAP, we
are required to revalue assets denominated in foreign currencies
into our reporting currency, which is United States dollars. As a
result of the increase in Kazakhstani tenge denominated financial
assets we held during the three months ended June 30, 2018, coupled
with the aforementioned reduction in value of the Kazakhstani tenge
against the United States dollar, we realized an $815 loss on
foreign exchange revaluations, a $699 loss on the on revaluation of
corporate bonds issued by Freedom KZ indexed to the United States
dollar, and a $603 loss on the revaluation of United States dollar
denominated loans from JSC AsiaCreditBank received by Freedom KZ.
These losses were only partially offset by a $204 gain on foreign
exchange operations as the result of revaluation of United States
dollar denominated securities held by Freedom KZ during the quarter
ended June 30, 2018.
Expense
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Recast)
|
Change
|
|||
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
Amount
|
%
|
Interest
expense
|
$4,614
|
32%
|
$2,030
|
34%
|
$2,584
|
127%
|
Fee and commission
expense
|
764
|
5%
|
289
|
5%
|
475
|
164%
|
Operating
expense
|
9,111
|
63%
|
3,663
|
60%
|
5,448
|
149%
|
Other
expense/(income) net
|
(54)
|
0%
|
45
|
1%
|
(99)
|
(220%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expense
|
$14,435
|
100%
|
$6,027
|
100%
|
$8,408
|
140%
|
32
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we incurred total
expenses of $14,435 and $6,027, respectively. Expenses during the
three months ended June 30, 2018, increased as a result of our
continued efforts to expand and grow our business.
Interest
expense. During
the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized total interest
expense of $4,614, compared to total interest expense of $2,030
during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in
interest expense was primarily attributable to higher volumes of
short-term financing attracted by means of securities repurchase
agreements, totaling $2,485.
Fee and commission
expense. During the three
months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized fee and commission
expense of $764, compared to fee and commission expense of $289
during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase was
associated with higher commission fees paid to the Central
Depository, stock exchanges and brokerage fees to other brokers of
$406. The increases in fee and commission expense is primarily
associated with expanded brokerage operations in Cyprus. We also
started to work with payment systems, including Zolotaya Korona and
Visa which resulted in a $56 increase in
expenses.
Operating
expense.
During the three months ended June
30, 2018, operating expense totaled $9,111 compared
to operating expenses of $3,663 for the three months ended June 30,
2017. The increase was primarily attributable to higher general and
administrative expenses related to growth in our operations,
including a $1,828 increase in payroll expenses, a $838 increase in
equity compensation expense for equity awards made to employees, a
$708 increase in rent expense, a $346 increase in office repair
expenses, a $325 increase in advertising expenses, a $280 increase
in office equipment expenses, a $272 increase in professional
services fees, a $105 increase in depreciation and amortisation
expenses, a $69 increase in utilities, and a $677 increase in
expenses for communication services, trainings and conferences,
business trip expenses,
charity, IT services fees, insurance
fees and expenses for taxes, other than income
tax.
Income tax benefit
We
recognized a net loss before income tax of $7,033 during the three
months ended June 30, 2018, and net income before income tax $7,957
during the three months ended June 30, 2017. During the three
months ended June 30, 2018, we realized an income tax benefit of
$150, compared to an income tax benefit of $33 during the three
months ended June 30, 2017. The change of the effective tax rates
from (0.41%) during the three months ended June 30, 2017 to 2.13%
during the three months ended June 30, 2018, was the result of
changes in the composition of our revenues we realized from our
trading activities and the tax treatment of those revenues in the
various foreign jurisdictions where our subsidiaries
operate.
Comprehensive income
The
functional currencies of our operating subsidiaries are the Russian
ruble, European euro, Ukrainian hryvnia, Uzbekistani som and the
Kazakhstani tenge. Our reporting currency is the United States
dollar. As a result of depreciation of the Russian ruble by 10% and
the Kazakhstani tenge by 7% against the United States dollar during
the periods covered in this report, we realized a foreign currency
translation loss of $6,698 during the three months ended June 30,
2018, compared to a foreign currency translation loss of $2,169
during the three months ended June 30, 2017. As a result of the
factors discussed above, coupled with the significant increase in
our foreign currency translation loss, during the three months
ended June 30, 2018, we realized a comprehensive loss of $13,559,
compared to a comprehensive income of $5,762 during the three
months ended June 30, 2017.
33
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
is a measurement of our ability to meet our potential cash
requirements for general business purposes. Our operations are
funded through a combination of existing cash on hand, cash
generated from operations, proceeds from the issuance of common
stock, proceeds from the sale of bonds of one of our subsidiaries,
our credit facility other borrowings and capital contributions from
our controlling shareholder. Regulatory requirements applicable to
our subsidiaries require them to maintain minimum capital
levels.
As
of June 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $45,057,
compared to cash and cash equivalents of $65,731, as of March 31,
2018. At June 30, 2018, we had total current assets (less
restricted cash) of $276,477 and total current liabilities of
$196,995, resulting in working capital of $79,482. By comparison,
at March 31, 2018, we had total current assets (less restricted
cash) of $307,993 and total current liabilities of $212,648,
resulting in working capital of $95,345. Current
assets, current liabilities and working capital were all lower at
June 30, 2018 compared to March 31, 2018 as a result of the factors
described in the following paragraphs.
Currency
fluctuations during the periods discussed above led to a 10%
reduction in the value of the Russian ruble and a 7% reduction in
the value of the Kazakhstani tenge against the US dollar. As a
result, in accordance with US GAAP, balance sheet items denominated
in Russian rubles and Kazakhstani tenge had to be revalued. This
caused us to realize a $2,110 net loss on foreign exchange
operations and a foreign currency translation loss of $6,698 during
the three months ended June 30, 2018.
During
the three months ended June 30, 2018, we experienced a shift in the
composition of our debt obligations. Our obligations under direct
repurchase agreements denominated in Kazakhstani tenge, which bore
interest at an average rate of 11.74%, decreased by $40,203 from
March 31, 2018 to June 30, 2018. During the same period, we issued
$7,348 in Freedom KZ bonds denominated in Kazakhstani tenge and
$2,360 in Freedom KZ bonds denominated in United States dollars.
The bonds denominated in Kazakhtani tenge have a coupon rate of
11.5% and the bonds denominated in United States dollars have a
coupon rate of 8%. We also received bank loans denominated in
United States dollars of $1,889, which bear interest at 7% per
annum and non-bank loans denominated in Kazakhstani tenge of $4,834
which bear interest at a rate of 3%. During the three months ended
June 30, 2018, Mr. Turlov made capital contributions of
$225.
As of June 30, 2018, the value of the trading
securities held in our proprietary trading account totaled $184,350
compared to $212,595 at March 31, 2018. This reduction in trading
securities was primarily attributable to the revaluations resulting
from the weakening of the Russian ruble and Kazakhstani tenge
against the United States dollar, and the net loss of trading
securities we realized during the three months ended June 30, 2018,
as described above in “Results of
Operations”. As of June
30, 2018, $164,950 worth of trading securities held in our
proprietary trading account were subject to securities repurchase
obligations and pledge loans received compared to $209,088 at March
31, 2018. Of our $45,057 in cash and cash equivalents at June 30,
2018, $19,514 was subject to reverse repurchase
agreements.
We
monitor and manage our leverage and liquidity risk through various
committees and processes we have established. We assess our
leverage and liquidity risk based on considerations and assumptions
of market factors, as well as other factors, including the amount
of available liquid capital (i.e., the amount of their cash and
cash equivalents not invested in our operating business). While we
are confident in the risk management monitoring and management
processes we have in place, a significant portion of our trading
securities and cash and cash equivalents are subject to
collateralization agreements. This significantly enhances our risk
of loss in the event financial markets move against our positions.
When this occurs our liquidity, capitalization and business can be
negatively impacted. Because of the amount of leverage we employ in
our proprietary trading activities, coupled with our strategy to at
times take large positions in select companies or industries, our
liquidity, capitalization, projected return on investment and
results of operations can also be significantly affected when we
misjudge the impact of events, timing and liquidity of the market
for those securities.
34
As
of June 30, 2018, approximately $90,000 worth of our proprietary
trading account was invested in the securities of a single company.
Our position in this security is highly leveraged. We invested in
this security based on our analysis that this company is
significantly undervalued and presents a good investment
opportunity. As of the date of this report, this position remains
open. Based on the size of the position and the leveraging we have
employed to maintain it, our liquidity, capitalization, projected
return on investment and results of operations could be
significantly negatively affected if our analysis of this
investment opportunity and/or market conditions, including our
ability to liquidate the position as needed, proves to be
incorrect.
We have pursued an aggressive growth strategy
during the past several years, and we anticipate continuing efforts
to rapidly expand the footprint of our full service financial
services business in Central Asia. While this strategy has led to
revenue growth it also results in increased expenses and greater
need for capital resources. Further growth and expansion may require
greater capital resources than we currently possess, which could
require us to pursue additional equity or debt financing from
outside sources. We cannot assure that such financing will be
available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, at the time it is
needed.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, cash
expected to be generated from operating activities, and forecasted
returns from our proprietary trading will be sufficient to meet our
working capital needs for the next 12 months. We continue to
monitor our financial performance to ensure adequate liquidity to
fund operations and execute our business plan.
Cash Flows
The
following table presents our cash flows for the three months ended
June 30, 2018 and 2017:
|
For the three
months ended
June 30,
2018
|
For the three
months ended
June 30,
2017
(Recast)
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows
(used in)/from operating activities
|
$(29,016)
|
$8,795
|
Net cash flows used
in investing activities
|
(2,203)
|
(1,913)
|
Net cash flows from
financing activities
|
17,269
|
11,645
|
Effect of changes
in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash
equivalents
|
(3,884)
|
(1,753)
|
|
|
|
NET CHANGE IN CASH,
CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH
|
$(17,834)
|
$16,774
|
Net
cash used in operating activities during the three months ended
June 30, 2018, was $29,016. By comparison, during the three months
ended June 30, 2017 we realized net cash from operations of $8,795.
This was primarily because of changes in operating assets and
liabilities, including a $30,436 decrease in securities repurchase
agreement obligations, a $15,710 increase in brokerage and other
receivables and an $8,441 increase in loans issued. These changes
were only partially offset by a $9,131 increase in customer
liabilities, a $7,251 increase in trade payables, and a $6,089
decrease in trading securities.
During the three months ended June
30,
2018,
net cash used in investing activities
was $2,203 compared to net cash used in investing activities of
$1,913 during the three months ended June 30,
2017. Cash
from investing activities during the three months ended June 30,
2018, was primarily used for the acquisition of Asyl in the amount
of $2,240 and for purchases of fixed assets, net of sales, of $201,
which was partially offset by cash received from the sale of
available-for-sale securities, at fair value of $238. Cash used in
investing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2017,
was primarily used to purchase available-for-sale securities, at
fair value of $3,069 and fixed assets of $457, which was partially
was offset by cash received in connection with the acquisitions of
Asyl and Nettrader in the amount of $1,368.
35
Net
cash from financing activities during the quarter ended June 30,
2018, consisted principally of proceeds from loans received in the
amount of $7,336, proceeds from issuance of debt securities of
Freedom KZ in the amount of $9,708, capital contributions to the
Company by Mr. Turlov in the amount of $225. By comparison, net
cash flows from financing activities during the quarter ended June
30, 2017, consisted principally of capital contributions from Mr.
Turlov in the amount of $8,164 and proceeds from issuance of debt
securities of Freedom KZ and Asyl in the amount of $4,256, which
was partially offset by repurchase of debt securities in the amount
of $775.
Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
See Note 20 - Commitments and Contingent
Liabilities for information
regarding our significant contractual obligations and contingencies
at June 30, 2018.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
As
of June 30, 2018, we had no off-balance sheet financing
arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
For
a discussion of critical accounting policies and estimates, please
see Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial
statements.
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market
Risk
Because
we are a smaller reporting company we are not required to provide
the information required by this Item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of
June 30, 2018, our management, under the supervision and with the
participation of our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the 2013
framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation of our disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e)) our principal executive officer and principal financial
officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were
effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly
report in timely alerting them to information required to be
included in our periodic filings with the Commission.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over
financial reporting during the three months ended June
30, 2018, that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
36
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The
securities industry is highly regulated and many aspects of our
business involve substantial risk of liability. In recent years,
there has been an increasing incidence of litigation involving the
brokerage industry, including class action suits that generally
seek substantial damages, including in some cases punitive damages.
Compliance and trading problems that are reported to federal, state
and provincial regulators, exchanges or other self-regulatory
organizations by dissatisfied customers are investigated by such
regulatory bodies, and, if pursued by such regulatory body or such
customers, may rise to the level of arbitration or disciplinary
action. We are also subject to periodic regulatory audits and
inspections.
From
time to time, our subsidiaries are party to various routine legal
proceedings, claims, and regulatory inquiries arising out of the
ordinary course of their business. Management believes that the
results of these routine legal proceedings, claims, and regulatory
matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s financial condition, or on the Company’s
operations and cash flows. However, the Company cannot estimate the
legal fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with these
routine matters and, therefore, is unable to determine whether
these future legal fees and expenses will have a material impact on
the Company’s operations and cash flows. It is the
Company’s policy to expense legal and other fees as
incurred.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We
believe there are no additions to the risk factors disclosed in our
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2018, filed
with the Commission on June 29, 2018.
Item 5. Other Information
In
connection with the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
September 20, 2018, on July 26, 2018, we filed with the Commission
a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A disclosing the
procedures whereby our shareholders may recommend nominees to our
board of directors nominations. While the procedures remained
largely unchanged, the following additional procedures have been
added:
●
Shareholders
are now required to submit recommendations to our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, rather than the independent members
of our board of directors.
●
Recommendations
must now include a minimum of two references who have either worked
with the candidate, served on a board of directors or board of
trustees with the candidate (or can otherwise provide relevant
perspective on the candidate’s capabilities as a potential
Board member).
●
The
nominating committee may contact the stockholder making the
nomination to discuss the qualifications of the candidate and the
stockholder’s reasons for making the nomination. The
nominating committee may then interview the candidate if it deems
the candidate to be appropriate.
●
The
nominating committee may also use the services of a third-party
search firm to provide additional information about the candidate
before making a recommendation to the board of
directors.
37
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits. The
following exhibits are filed or furnished, as applicable, as part
of this report:
Exhibit No.*
|
|
Description of Exhibit
|
|
Location
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 31
|
|
Rule
13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
|
|
|
|
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
Attached
|
|
|
Certification
of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
Attached
|
|
Item 32
|
|
Section 1350 Certifications
|
|
|
|
Certification
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
Attached
|
|
Item 101
|
|
Interactive Data File
|
|
|
101
|
|
The
following Freedom Holding Corp, financial information for the
periods ended June 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensive Business
Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
(ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Statements of Other Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) the Notes to the
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
|
Attached
|
*
All exhibits are
numbered with the number preceding the decimal indicating the
applicable SEC reference number in Item 601 and the number
following the decimal indicating the sequence of the particular
document.
38
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
FREEDOM
HOLDING CORP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
August
14, 2018
|
/s/
Timur Turlov
|
|
|
|
|
Timur
Turlov
Chief
Executive Officer
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
|
August
14, 2018
|
/s/
Evgeniy Ler
|
|
|
|
|
Evgeniy
Ler
Chief
Financial Officer
|
39