XML 33 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees  
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

12. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

 

Litigation

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company has also been, is currently, and may in the future be, the subject of one or more regulatory or self-regulatory organization enforcement actions, including but not limited to targeted and routine regulatory inquiries and investigations involving Regulation NMS, Regulation SHO, capital requirements and other domestic and foreign securities rules and regulations which may from time to time result in the imposition of penalties or fines. The Company has also been the subject of requests for information and documents from the SEC and the State of New York Office of the Attorney General (“NYAG”). Certain of these matters may result, or have resulted, in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief, and the Company’s business or reputation could be negatively impacted if it were determined that disciplinary or other enforcement actions were required. The ultimate effect on the Company from the pending proceedings and claims, if any, is presently unknown. Where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss, the Company accrues the estimated loss by a charge to income. In addition, in December 2015 the enforcement committee of the Autorité des marchés financiers (“AMF”) fined the Company’s European subsidiary in the amount of €5.0 million (approximately $5.4 million) based on its allegations that the subsidiary of MTH engaged in price manipulation and violations of the AMF General Regulation and Euronext Market Rules.  In accordance with the foregoing, the Company has accrued an estimated loss of €5.0 million (approximately $5.4 million) in relation to the fine imposed by the AMF. The Company’s management believes that the relevant trading engaged in by the subsidiary of MTH was conducted in accordance with applicable French law and regulations and the Company is pursuing its rights of appeal. Subject to the foregoing, based on information currently available, management believes it is not probable that the resolution of any known matters will result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, although they might be material for the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.

 

Indemnification Arrangements

 

Consistent with standard business practices in the normal course of business, the Company has provided general indemnifications to its managers, officers, employees, and agents against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by such persons under certain circumstances as more fully disclosed in its operating agreement. The overall maximum amount of the obligations (if any) cannot reasonably be estimated as it will depend on the facts and circumstances that give rise to any future claims.