Company Remains Well-Capitalized with No Impact to Client Funds
NEW YORK -- Feb. 28, 2008--MF Global (NYSE: MF), a
leading broker of exchange-traded futures and options, announced that
during the early hours of Wednesday morning, February 27, a registered
representative in one of its U.S. branch offices, trading in the wheat
futures market in his personal account, substantially exceeded his
authorized trading limit. The registered representative concerned has
been terminated effective immediately.
A failure in one of the company's retail order entry systems
permitted the representative to establish significant positions in his
own account which were liquidated later that morning. The unauthorized
activity resulted in him incurring a loss of $141.5 million, which the
company, as a clearing member, is responsible to settle at the
clearinghouse. As a result, the company recorded a bad debt provision
for the full amount.
The company believes it has made the appropriate adjustments to
its order entry systems to prevent a recurrence of unauthorized
trading of this type in the future. In addition, MF Global has engaged
a third-party risk technology consultant to review its relevant order
entry systems.
Client funds are not at all impacted by this event.
The company's capital and liquidity position remain strong. The
loss represents approximately six percent of the company's equity, in
addition to which it has close to $1.5 billion in undrawn committed
credit facilities.
In the company's fourth fiscal quarter to date, net revenues are
exceeding all comparable prior periods of this fiscal year. MF Global
remains confident in its business prospects and long-term financial
performance.
The company will hold a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EST today to
discuss the matter.
Dial-in information: U.S. (800) 659-2056
International (617) 614-2714
Participant Passcode: 47046771
A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the
investor relations section of the MF Global Web site and will be
available for replay shortly after the event.
ABOUT MF GLOBAL
MF Global Ltd. (NYSE: MF), formerly Man Financial, is the leading
broker of exchange-listed futures and options in the world. It
provides execution and clearing services for exchange- traded and
over-the counter derivative products as well as for non-derivative
foreign exchange products and securities in the cash market. MF Global
is uniquely diversified across products, trading markets, customers
and regions. Its worldwide client base of more than 130,000 active
accounts ranges from financial institutions, industrial groups, hedge
funds and other asset managers to professional traders and
private/retail clients. MF Global operates in 12 countries on more
than 70 exchanges, providing access to the largest and fastest growing
financial markets in the world. It is the leader by volume on many of
these markets and on a single day averages six million lots, more than
most of the world's largest derivatives exchanges. For more
information, please visit mfglobal.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995: Forward-looking statements in this press release,
including statements relating to the Company's future revenues and
earnings, plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions,
are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that
such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and
uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy, and
some of which might not be anticipated. We caution you not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We refer you to
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) for a description of the risks and uncertainties the Company
faces.
CONTACT: MF Global Ltd.
Media:
Diana DeSocio, 212-589-6282
ddesocio@mfglobal.com
or
Investors:
Lisa Kampf, 212-589-6592
lkampf@mfglobal.com
or
Media or Investors:
Jeremy Skule, 212-319-1253
jskule@mfglobal.com
SOURCE: MF Global Ltd.