FCStone Group, Inc. Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results


KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- FCStone Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCSX), a commodity risk management firm, today announced higher year-over year revenues and net income for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ending August 31, 2007.

Fourth Quarter Results

Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, a non-GAAP financial measure, were $75.6 million in the three months ended August 31, 2007, compared to $52.7 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 43%. Net income increased to $12.0 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter, compared to $3.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.

The following table presents results on a total and per share basis. All shares and per share disclosures in this press release are based on the post split number of shares from the September 17, 2007 three for two stock split.


                         Financial Highlights
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                          --------------------    --------------------
                            2006        2007        2006        2007
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 NON GAAP-Revenues, net
  of cost of commodities
  sold (1)                $ 52,668    $ 75,631    $181,856    $257,446
 GAAP-Income after
  minority interest and
  before income tax
  expense (1)             $  6,437    $ 19,174    $ 24,757    $ 53,277
 GAAP-Net income (2)      $  3,887    $ 11,974    $ 15,257    $ 33,277
 Diluted weighted average
  shares outstanding (3)    21,807      28,753      21,749      25,567
 Diluted earnings per
  share                   $   0.18    $   0.42    $   0.70    $   1.30

 (1) Amounts for the three months ended and year ended August 31, 2007
 include a net amount of $1.2 million for special or one-time items,
 which include a $2.6 million gain on the sale of a portion of the
 Company's membership units of FGDI, LLC, a $0.5 million dividend
 received on Chicago Board of Trade stock, a $3.7 million gain on the
 sale of CME Group, Inc. common stock and a loss of $5.6 million from
 investments managed by Sentinel Management.

 (2) Amounts for the three months ended and year ended August 31, 2007
 include after tax effect of the items noted in (1) above of
 approximately $0.8 million.

 (3) In March 2007, the Company completed its initial public offering,
 or IPO, of common stock in which it issued and sold 8,797,500 shares
 of common stock and in connection therewith, subsequently redeemed
 3,258,442 shares of common stock.

The increase in fourth quarter revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, from the prior year fourth quarter, was primarily related to higher exchange-traded volumes due to continued volatility in the grain and energy markets, higher over-the-counter (OTC) volumes primarily from the renewable fuels and Brazilian customers, increased foreign exchange (Forex) commissions and higher interest income from additional investable segregated and OTC customer margin funds.

Costs and expenses, exclusive of cost of commodities sold, were higher compared to the prior year primarily due to higher volume-related costs of broker commissions, pit brokerage and clearing fees, and introducing broker commissions.

"We are proud of our accomplishments this quarter as well as for the entire fiscal year," said Pete Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "2007 was a year in which we accomplished several significant milestones and achievements. Unprecedented market volatility and the rapid expansion of the renewable energy industry allowed the Company to leverage our core expertise in agricultural commodities and the energy industry to drive record revenue and earnings growth. Furthermore, we continued to build our network of risk management consultants, who drive growth by identifying new products, structures and solutions to manage commodity risk. All of these initiatives helped lay the foundation for long-term growth and added value for our stakeholders."

Year-To-Date Results

Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, a non-GAAP financial measure, were $257.4 million for the fiscal year 2007, compared to $181.9 million during fiscal year 2006, an increase of 41.6%. Net income increased 118% to $33.3 million for fiscal year 2007, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared to $15.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share during fiscal year 2006.

"Our strong growth in the fourth quarter was consistent with a year that saw both record revenues and net income for the business," said Bob Johnson, Chief Financial Officer. "As we focus on both our core capabilities in traditional markets as well as increased penetration of new customer segments, we look forward to building upon the strong growth momentum that we have generated over the past year."

Operating Segments

FCStone's income (loss) before minority interest and income tax expense by segment and certain other data are outlined below for the periods noted.


                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                          --------------------    --------------------
                            2006        2007        2006        2007
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
 Segment Data (1):                      ($ in thousands)
 Income (loss) before
  minority interest
  and income tax expense:
 Commodity and Risk
  Management Services (1) $  6,206    $ 19,083    $ 21,937    $ 45,721
 Clearing and Execution
  Services (1)               2,498      (1,231)     10,981       9,610
 Financial Services             83          48         (19)      1,052
 Grain Merchandising           481          --        (430)      2,130
 Corporate (1)              (2,687)      1,274      (7,938)     (4,597)
                          --------    --------    --------    --------
                          $  6,581    $ 19,174    $ 24,531    $ 53,916
                          ========    ========    ========    ========

 Other Data:
 EBITDA (1)               $  8,267    $ 20,454    $ 32,136    $ 64,962
 Exchange contract
  trading volume (in
  millions)                   13.0        20.5        47.5        61.0
 Customer Segregated
  Assets, end of period   $764,847    $997,436    $764,847    $997,436

 (1) Amounts for the three months ended and year ended August 31, 2007
 include the following special or one-time items by segment: a
 $2.6 million gain from the sale of FGDI stock in Corporate; a
 $0.5 million dividend received on CBOT stock and a $3.7 million gain
 on the sale of CME stock included in the Commodity and Risk Management
 Services segment; and a $5.6 million loss from investments managed by
 Sentinel Management included in the Clearing and Execution Services
 segment.

In the Commodity and Risk Management Services segment, revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $45.5 million in the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2007, compared to $24.8 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 83%. Segment income before minority interest and income taxes for the fourth quarter 2007 increased to $19.1 million, compared to $6.2 million in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter 2007 segment revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $41.3 million and segment income was $14.9 million before the special non-operating income items.

For the Clearing and Execution Services segment, revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $26.0 million in the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2007, compared to $22.6 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 15%. The segment lost $1.2 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a net income of $2.5 million in the prior year quarter. Fourth quarter 2007 segment revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, were $31.6 million and segment income before minority interest and income taxes was $4.4 million before the Sentinel loss.

The Financial Services segment reported revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, of $1.6 million in the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2007, compared to $1.1 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 42%. Segment income decreased to $48 thousand for the fourth quarter, compared to $83 thousand in the prior year quarter.

As previously announced on June 1, 2007, the Company sold a portion of its membership units in FGDI, LLC, the Grain Merchandising segment, and now owns a 25% minority interest in this business instead of the previous 70% majority interest. Therefore, such business is no longer consolidated in our financial statements.

As noted above, there were several special or one-time transactions in the fourth quarter. Also in the first quarter of FY 2008 the company sold additional CME Stock and CBOE trading rights for a pre-tax gain of approximately $2.8 million in the Commodity and Risk Management Services segment.

Business Outlook

Commenting on the Company's fiscal year results and overall expectations, Anderson said, "We look forward to building upon the growth and profitability generated over the previous year and we intend to leverage the industry dynamics that are in place to drive Company volumes in the future. Many of the strategic initiatives that we have implemented over previous years are just now beginning to gain traction. We look forward to continuing our impressive pace of growth by utilizing our network of risk management consultants and focusing on our mature client base as well as the underserved markets we have identified both domestically and internationally. The Company will also continue to leverage its agricultural and energy experience into new markets where we see opportunity. All of these factors combine to provide a very positive picture for the future of FCStone and we look forward to a successful fiscal 2008 and beyond."

On July 10, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock split that was distributed in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend. FCStone's stockholders of record at the close of business on September 17, 2007, received one additional share for every two shares of common stock held on that date. The stock split increased the number of shares of FCStone common stock outstanding from approximately 18.3 million to approximately 27.5 million. All shares and per share disclosures in this press release are based upon the post split number of shares.

As a company dedicated to risk management, the Company believes diversification of the personal portfolio risk of our corporate officers, directors, and other designated insiders, is appropriate. As such, the Company's Board of Directors has established stock trading plans in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1. The Rule 10b5-1 plans allow corporate officers, directors and other designated insiders to diversify their investment portfolios, increase their company stock holdings, spread company stock trades out over a period of time to reduce market impact and avoid concerns about material non-public information they may have when their prearranged 10b5-1 plan sells or purchases stock.

Conference Call & Web Cast

A conference call will be held today, Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. (ET). A live web cast of the conference call as well as a replay will be available online on the Company's corporate web site at http://www.fcstone.com. Participants can also access the call by dialing 800-240-2430 (within the United States and Canada), or 303-262-2142 (international callers). A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the call has ended and will be available until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, November 29, 2007. To access the replay, dial 800-405-2236 (within the United States and Canada), or 303-590-3000 (international callers) and enter the conference ID number: 11101780.

About FCStone Group, Inc.

FCStone Group, Inc., along with its affiliates, is an integrated commodity risk management company providing risk management consulting and transaction execution services to commercial commodity intermediaries, end-users and producers. The firm assists primarily middle market customers in optimizing their profit margins and mitigating exposure to commodity price risk. In addition to risk management consulting services, FCStone, LLC, operates one of the leading independent clearing and execution platforms for exchange-traded futures and options contracts. FCStone Group, Inc., serves more than 7,500 customers and in the 12 months ended August 31, 2007, executed 61.7 million derivative contracts in the exchange-traded and over-the-counter markets. The FCStone Group companies work in all the major commodity areas including agriculture, energy, renewable fuels, foods, forestry, and currency exchange. Headquartered in the Midwest, it has offices located throughout the world and is a clearing member of all major North American Futures exchanges. FCStone Group, Inc., trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FCSX."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "will," "may," "could," "intend," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to FCStone Group, Inc., are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, including the risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. When you consider these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risk factors and other cautionary statements in this press release.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Use of NON-GAAP Financial Information

In this press release we disclose "revenues, net of cost of commodities sold", and "EBITDA", both of which are non-GAAP financial measures. For purposes of Regulation G, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure, calculated and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United Sates (GAAP). Revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, is not a substitute for the GAAP measure of total revenues. EBITDA is not a substitute for the GAAP measure of net income or cash flows. Such non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to its closest GAAP measure, in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and are included in the attached supplemental data. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to both management and its stockholders in their analysis of the company's business and operating performance.


                 FCSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2006        2007        2006        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Revenues:
   Commissions and
    clearing fees       $   30,987  $   43,530  $  105,622  $  145,077
   Service, consulting
    and brokerage fees       8,790      18,527      33,388      47,679
   Interest                  7,897      11,785      23,174      42,957
   Other                       158       1,794       2,638       4,186
   Sales of commodities    269,305          --   1,129,983   1,101,752
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Total revenues            317,137      75,636   1,294,805   1,341,651
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Costs and expenses:
   Cost of commodities
    sold                   264,469           5   1,112,949   1,084,205
   Employee
    compensation and
    broker commissions      13,566      14,900      44,229      49,524
   Pit brokerage and
    clearing fees           13,987      20,796      47,613      67,978
   Introducing broker
    commissions              7,251      10,842      22,826      36,050
   Employee benefits
    and payroll taxes        2,509       2,426       9,801      10,678
   Interest                  1,370         868       5,705       9,937
   Depreciation                460         412       1,674       1,748
   Bad debt expense            200          --       1,909       1,632
   Other expenses            6,744       6,213      23,568      25,983
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total costs and
  expenses                 310,556      56,462   1,270,274   1,287,735
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Income before income
  tax expense and
  minority interest          6,581      19,174      24,531      53,916
 Minority interest             144          --        (226)        639
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Income after minority
  interest and before
  income tax expense         6,437      19,174      24,757      53,277
 Income tax expense          2,550       7,200       9,500      20,000
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net income             $    3,887  $   11,974  $   15,257  $   33,277
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Weighted average
  shares outstanding:
   Basic                    21,807      27,419      21,749      24,500
   Diluted                  21,807      28,753      21,749      25,567

 Earnings per share:
   Basic                $     0.18  $     0.44  $     0.70  $     1.36
   Diluted              $     0.18  $     0.42  $     0.70  $     1.30


                 FCSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                 (in thousands, except share amounts)

                                                       August 31,
                                                ----------------------
                                                   2006        2007
                                                ----------  ----------
                        ASSETS
 Cash and cash equivalents
   Unrestricted                                 $   59,726  $   90,053
   Restricted                                        4,010          --
   Segregated                                       14,221      14,250
 Commodity deposits and receivables:
   Commodity exchanges and clearing
    organizations - customer segregated            604,536     686,441
   Proprietary commodity accounts                   20,133      77,690
   Receivables from customers, net of
    allowance for doubtful accounts                 29,166      16,868
                                                ----------  ----------
     Total commodity deposits and accounts
      receivable                                   653,835     780,999
                                                ----------  ----------
 Marketable securities, at fair value -
  customer segregated and other                    149,609     307,828
 Trade accounts receivable                          42,176       6,923
 Open contracts receivable                          37,424     120,219
 Counterparty deposits and accounts receivable      23,607      19,610
 Notes receivable                                   14,971      42,368
 Inventories - grain and fertilizer                 26,628          --
 Exchange Stock, available-for-sale                     --       2,948
 Exchange memberships and stock, at cost             6,587       7,418
 Furniture, equipment, software, and
  improvements, net                                  7,386       4,763
 Deferred income taxes                               4,697       6,736
 Investments in affiliates and other
  organizations                                      5,537       7,369
 Other assets                                        6,793       8,710
                                                ----------  ----------
     Total assets                               $1,057,207  $1,420,194
                                                ==========  ==========

       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Liabilities
   Checks written in excess of bank balance     $    6,436  $       --
   Commodity and customer regulated accounts
    payable                                        726,920     935,515
   Trade accounts payable and advances             128,349     115,145
   Open contracts payable                           41,301     121,101
   Accrued expenses                                 26,876      38,632
   Repurchase obligation                                --      13,594
   Notes payable                                    48,169      21,539
   Subordinated debt                                 7,000       1,000
   Obligations under capital leases                  3,575          --
                                                ----------  ----------
     Total liabilities                             988,626   1,246,526
                                                ----------  ----------
 Minority interest                                   3,607          --
 Redeemable common stock held by employee
  stock ownership plan (ESOP)                        6,079          --
 Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock, $0.0001 par value, authorized
    20,000,000 and 40,000,000 at August 31, 2006
    and 2007, respectively; issued and
    outstanding 21,805,812 and 27,416,567
    shares at August 31, 2006 and 2007              21,747     104,267
   Additional paid-in capital                          120       1,115
   Treasury stock                                       --        (376)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss             (1,955)     (3,620)
   Retained earnings                                45,062      72,282
                                                ----------  ----------
                                                    64,974     173,668
     Less maximum cash obligation related to
      ESOP shares                                   (6,079)         --
                                                ----------  ----------
     Total stockholders' equity                     58,895     173,668
                                                ----------  ----------
 Commitments and contingencies
     Total liabilities and stockholders'
      equity                                    $1,057,207  $1,420,194
                                                ==========  ==========


                 FCSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (in thousands)

                                                       Year ended
                                                       August 31,
                                                ----------------------
                                                   2006        2007
                                                ----------  ----------
 Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                   $   15,257  $   33,277
   Depreciation                                      1,674       1,748
   Amortization of discount on note receivable         (46)        (55)
   Gain on sale of FGDI membership units                --      (2,595)
   Gain on sale of exchange memberships and
    stock                                               --      (3,671)
   Gain on conversion of exchange membership
    to common stock                                     --        (105)
   Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of
    distributions                                      591          17
   Minority interest, net of distributions            (237)        639
   Change in commodity accounts
    receivable/payable, marketable securities
    and customer segregated funds, net             (16,186)    (55,898)
   Change in open contracts receivable/payable,
    net                                            (30,001)    (21,371)
   Decrease in trade accounts receivable and
    advances on grain                                1,191       2,989
   Decrease in counterparty deposits and
    accounts receivable                             24,514       3,997
   Increase in inventories                         (12,023)     (4,635)
   Increase in other assets                         (3,588)     (5,290)
   Increase in trade accounts payable and
    advances                                        50,632      10,018
   Increase in accrued expenses                      9,233      11,176
                                                ----------  ----------
     Net cash provided by (used in) operating
      activities                                    41,011     (29,759)
                                                ----------  ----------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of furniture, equipment, and
    improvements                                    (1,255)     (2,847)
   Proceeds from the sale of FGDI membership
    units, net of cash                                  --       3,934
   Acquisition of equity investment                 (2,405)         --
   Acquisition of minority interest                   (911)         --
   Purchase of marketable securities                    --     (25,000)
   Issuance of notes receivable, net                (5,458)    (27,342)
   Purchase of exchange membership and stock        (5,403)     (1,855)
   Proceeds from the sale of exchange
    membership and stock                               613       3,859
   Proceeds from conversion of exchange
    membership to common stock                          --         378
                                                ----------  ----------
     Net cash used in investing activities         (14,819)    (48,873)
                                                ----------  ----------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
   (Decrease) increase in checks written in
    excess of bank balance                           1,556      (1,656)
   Proceeds from notes payable, net                 11,258      35,996
   Proceeds from initial public offering, net
    of issuance and registration costs                  --     129,643
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock               --       1,373
   Proceeds from issuance of redeemable common
    stock held by ESOP                                 223          --
   Payment for redemption of common stock               --     (48,496)
   Dividends paid                                   (2,898)     (6,057)
   Payments under capital lease held for sale         (550)       (413)
   Monies deposited in escrow                       (2,600)        (54)
   Monies released from escrow                          --       3,623
   Proceeds from subordinated debt                   4,500       9,500
   Payments on subordinated debt                    (3,000)    (14,500)
                                                ----------  ----------
     Net cash provided by financing activities       8,489     108,959
                                                ----------  ----------

     Net increase in cash and cash equivalents -
      unrestricted                                  34,681      30,327
 Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted -
  beginning of period                               25,045      59,726
                                                ----------  ----------
 Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted -
  end of period                                 $   59,726  $   90,053
                                                ==========  ==========

 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
  information:
   Interest paid                                $    5,587  $   10,164
   Income taxes paid                            $   10,335  $   19,632
                                                ==========  ==========

 Noncash financing activities:
   Increase (decrease) in maximum cash
    obligation related to ESOP shares           $    1,369  $   (6,079)
                                                ==========  ==========

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following table reconciles revenues, net of cost of commodities sold, with our total revenues.


                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2006        2007        2006        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                       ($ in thousands)
 Revenues:
   Commissions and
    clearing fees       $   30,987  $   43,530  $  105,622  $  145,077
   Service, consulting
    and brokerage fees       8,790      18,527      33,388      47,679
   Interest                  7,897      11,785      23,174      42,957
   Other                       158       1,794       2,638       4,186
   Sales of commodities    269,305          --   1,129,983   1,101,752
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Total revenues            317,137      75,636   1,294,805   1,341,651
 Less: Cost of
  commodities sold         264,469           5   1,112,949   1,084,205
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Revenues, net of cost
  of commodities sold   $   52,668  $   75,631  $  181,856  $  257,446
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

The following table reconciles EBITDA with our net income.


                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                            2006        2007        2006        2007
                           -------     -------     -------     -------
                                        ($ in thousands)

 Net income:               $ 3,887     $11,974     $15,257     $33,277
   Plus: interest expense    1,370         868       5,705       9,937
   Plus: depreciation and
    amortization               460         412       1,674       1,748
   Plus income tax expense   2,550       7,200       9,500      20,000
                           -------     -------     -------     -------

 EBITDA                    $ 8,267     $20,454     $32,136     $64,962
                           =======     =======     =======     =======


            Commodity and Risk Management Services Segment:
    The following table provides the financial performance for this
                               segment.

                          Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2006        2007        2006        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                        ($ in thousands)

 Sales of commodities   $    6,139         ($1) $   11,336  $    3,806
 Cost of commodities
  sold                       5,940           5      11,053       3,727
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Gross profit on
    commodities sold           199          -6         283          79
   Commissions and
    clearing fees           12,034      16,277      36,886      54,367
   Service, consulting
    and brokerage fees       8,939      18,679      33,990      48,227
   Interest                  3,523       6,264       9,610      20,445
   Other revenues (1)           65       4,329         148       4,476
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Revenues, net of cost
  of commodities sold       24,760      45,543      80,917     127,594
 Other costs and
  expenses:
   Expenses (excluding
    interest expense)       18,486      26,351      58,825      81,480
   Interest expense             68         109         155         393
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total costs and
  expenses (excluding
  cost of commodities
  sold)                     18,554      26,460      58,980      81,873
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Segment income before
  minority interest
  and income taxes (1)  $    6,206  $   19,083  $   21,937  $   45,721
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Exchange contract
  trading volume
  (millions)                   0.9         0.9         2.5         3.1
 OTC Contract volume       137,682     287,499     326,785     750,909

 (1) Includes $4.2 million from the combined gain on the sale of CME
 stock and dividends from CBOT stock in the three months ended and
 year ended August 31, 2007.


                   Clearing and Execution Segment:
   The following table provides the financial performance for this
                               segment.

                          Three Months Ended           Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2006        2007        2006        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                        ($ in thousands)

 Sales of commodities   $       --  $       --  $       --  $       --
 Cost of commodities
  sold                          --          --          --          --
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Gross profit on
    commodities sold            --          --          --          --
   Commissions and
    clearing fees           19,095      27,533      69,246      91,486
   Service, consulting
    and brokerage fees          --          --          --          --
   Interest                  3,468       3,985      10,702      15,707
   Other revenues (1)           --      (5,525)         --      (5,420)
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Revenues, net of cost
  of commodities sold       22,563      25,993      79,948     101,773
 Other costs and
  expenses:
   Expenses (excluding
    interest expense)       19,890      27,203      68,541      91,570
   Interest expense            175          21         426         593
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total costs and
  expenses (excluding
  cost of commodities
  sold)                     20,065      27,224      68,967      92,163
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Segment income before
  minority interest
  and income taxes (1)  $    2,498  $   (1,231) $   10,981  $    9,610
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Exchange contract
  trading volume
  (millions)                  12.1        19.6        45.0        57.9

 (1) Includes a loss of $5.6 million from investments managed by
 Sentinel Management in the three months ended and year ended
 August 31, 2007


                     Financial Services Segment:
   The following table provides the financial performance for this
                               segment.

                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2006        2007        2006        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                        ($ in thousands)

 Sales of commodities   $   16,865  $        1  $   41,094  $   20,007
 Cost of commodities
  sold                      16,803          --      40,906      19,904
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Gross profit on
    commodities sold            62           1         188         103
   Commissions and
    clearing fees               --          --          --          --
   Service, consulting
    and brokerage fees          --          --          --          --
   Interest                    668       1,118       3,320       7,179
   Other revenues              382         463       1,491       1,798
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Revenues, net of cost
  of commodities sold        1,112       1,582       4,999       9,080
 Other costs and
  expenses:
   Expenses (excluding
    interest expense)          542         723       2,302       2,344
   Interest expense            487         811       2,716       5,684
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total costs and
  expenses (excluding
  cost of commodities
  sold)                      1,029       1,534       5,018       8,028
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Segment income (loss)
  before minority
  interest and income
  taxes                 $       83  $       48  $      (19) $    1,052
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========


                     Grain Merchandising Segment:
   The following table provides the financial performance for this
                               segment.

                           Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                               August 31,              August 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2006        2007        2006        2007
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                        ($ in thousands)

 Sales of commodities   $  246,301  $       --  $1,077,553  $1,077,939
 Cost of commodities
  sold                     241,884          --   1,061,557   1,061,017
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Gross profit on
    commodities sold         4,417          --      15,996      16,922
   Commissions and
    clearing fees               --          --          --          --
   Service, consulting
    and brokerage fees          --          --          --          --
   Interest                    268          --         693          94
   Other revenues              272          --       1,582       1,010
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Revenues, net of cost
  of commodities sold        4,957          --      18,271      18,026
 Other costs and
  expenses:
   Expenses (excluding
    interest expense)        3,890          --      15,357      11,414
   Interest expense            586          --       3,344       4,482
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total costs and
  expenses (excluding
  cost of commodities
  sold)                      4,476          --      18,701      15,896
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Segment income before
  minority interest
  and income taxes      $      481  $       --  $     (430) $    2,130
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========


                    Quarterly Financial Highlights:
      The following table provides summary financial highlights
                   by quarter for fiscal year 2007.

                                   Three Months Ended
                        ----------------------------------------
                       Nov. 30,    Feb. 28,   May 31,    Aug. 31,
                         2006       2007       2007       2007
                        ----------------------------------------
                                    ($ in thousands)
 NON GAAP-Revenues,
  net of cost of
  commodities sold      $57,348    $60,098    $64,369    $75,631(A)(B)
 GAAP-Income after
  minority interest
  and before income
  tax expense           $10,114    $11,045    $12,944    $19,174(B)
 GAAP-Net income        $ 6,314    $ 6,920    $ 8,069    $11,974(B)


 (A) The fourth quarter did not include any revenues, net of cost of
 commodities sold from the Grain Merchandising segment as the majority
 interest in such entity was sold on June 1, 2007.

 (B) The fourth quarter included a pre-tax gain on the sale of FGDI of
 $2.6 million, a pre-tax gain on the sale of CME stock of $3.7 million,
 a special dividend from the CBOT of $0.5 million and a pre-tax loss
 on short-term investments with Sentinel Management Group of $5.6
 million. Without these items our fourth quarter income after minority
 interest and before income tax expense would have been $18.0 million
 and Net Income would have been $11.2 million.


            

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