Intra-inter dealer broker deal: facing the future

Speculation reached the point Friday afternoon such that a press release came out regarding the discussions of two major brokers. ICAP and Tullett Prebon, two of the largest inter dealer brokers (IDBs) announced that they were in advanced discussions; it appears ICAP is poised to sell its voice brokering businesses and certain electronic platforms to Tullett. On first blush, it looks as though ICAP will be shedding its voice brokering businesses and certain e-platforms; while maintaining such platforms as EBS and Broker Tec (FX and Treasuries) as well as other platform assets, ancillary businesses around these platforms (such as data and analytics), as well as ICAP's extensive post-trade infrastructure. Friday’s press release detailed the assets that would be part of the transaction. In summary: • ICAP’s three regionally managed voice broking businesses in EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific (1,458 voice brokers); • (“APAC”), including all e-trading products and services developed by ICAP’s e-Commerce team (including Fusion and Scrapbook) (together “Global Broking”); • ICAP’s 40.23% economic interest in iSwap, a global electronic trading platform for EUR, USD, GBP and AUD IRS; • Revenues and operating profits from sales of information services products directly attributable to Global Brokering and iSwap; and, • Certain JVs and investments. IDBs have struggled in the post-crisis world to deal with the changing dynamics of regulation, the nature of their place in the market and lower volumes. Furthermore, MiFID II is on the horizon in Europe and will further change the competitive nature of the IDB space. More importantly, in many cases, IDBs have struggled for years with the right formula to develop electronic distribution and sales channels without cannibalizing their core voice businesses. The pressure on the IDB community has been immense. ICAP now has an opportunity to focus on an electronic future, across assets, from font to back office. ICAP, with holdings across markets will now be a considerably leaner technology company. It will be able to serve its traditional dealer clients as well as other businesses in the changing capital market world. It is very likely in the next day, with the confirmation of a deal, ICAP will be beginning a path toward being a very different, technology and processing based company. As a final note, it will be interesting to see if there are any other competitors, on the side-lines, who will be positioned to step-in and change the final parameters, or even players in the deal (as was the case with BGC/Cantor in the GFI Group deal).