Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 20, 2006

THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

 


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   000-32651   52-1165937
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 401-8700

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 2.02.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 20, 2006, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) issued a press release providing financial guidance for the second quarter of 2006. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information set forth under “Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition” is intended to be furnished pursuant to Item 2.02. Such information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any of Nasdaq’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   

Exhibit Description

99.1    Press release dated July 20, 2006.


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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: July 20, 2006

 

THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

  By:   /S/    EDWARD S. KNIGHT
    Edward S. Knight
    Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

  For Release:    July 20, 2006
  Media Contact:    Bethany Sherman, NASDAQ
     212.401.8714
  Investor Contact:    Vincent Palmiere, NASDAQ
     212.401.8742
     Jody Burfening/Carolyn Capaccio
     Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
     212.838.3777

NASDAQ ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2006 RESULTS

- GROSS MARGIN INCREASES FOR SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER -

New York, N.Y.—The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ®”; Nasdaq: NDAQ), today reported second quarter 2006 net income of $16.6 million, or $0.13 per diluted share versus $14.0 million or $0.13 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2005, and $18.0 million or $0.16 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2006.

Second quarter 2006 results include the following pre-tax items:

 

    $20.9 million in charges related to the early extinguishment of debt and the refinancing of a credit facility, both realized in connection with NASDAQ’s investment in the London Stock Exchange.

 

    $17.9 million in charges associated with NASDAQ’s cost reduction program and INET integration.

 

    An $8.2 million foreign currency gain associated with NASDAQ’s investment in the London Stock Exchange.

 

    $9.2 million of dividend income related to the payment of an ordinary dividend by the London Stock Exchange. NASDAQ’s investment in the London Stock Exchange is accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (“FAS 115”).

The impact of these items on net income was $13.0 million or $0.09 per diluted share.

Gross margin, representing total revenues less cost of revenues, was $171.1 million in the second quarter of 2006, an increase of 31.2% from $130.4 million in the year-ago period, and an increase of 5.6% from $162.0 million in the first quarter of 2006. Second quarter 2006 represents the seventh consecutive quarter of gross margin growth.

NASDAQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Greifeld commented, “Solid execution of our growth strategy throughout the organization drove NASDAQ’s strong top line performance. During the quarter our trading systems continued to handle more market share and we further increased our potential for future growth through the introduction of new products and services such as the Global Select Market, the IPO Cross, and NASDAQ Market Velocity. This continued progress enhances our already strong competitive position. Looking into the second half of 2006, we are maintaining our consistent focus on innovation and execution that anticipates and responds to the needs of our customers.”

Recent Highlights

 

    Recently achieved a new single day high in trading NYSE-listed stocks, with 11.8% matched market share on July 19, 2006. Matched market share for NYSE-listed stocks increased in the second quarter 2006 to 8.3%, up from 7.0% in the first quarter 2006. Matched market share for AMEX-listed stocks increased to 24.8% in the second quarter 2006, up from 22.3% in the prior quarter.


    Made an investment in the London Stock Exchange resulting in the ownership of 25.3% of outstanding shares.

 

    Received SEC approval of NASDAQ’s phased approach to Exchange Operation. NASDAQ plans to become operational as an exchange in NASDAQ-listed securities on August 1, 2006, and in other exchange-listed securities after September 1, 2006.

 

    Launched the NASDAQ Global Select Market, a new listing tier with the highest initial listing standards in the world; and launched a corresponding index to track the new tier.

 

    Recorded a record in the Closing Cross on June 30th through the calculation of the entire family of Russell indexes during its annual reconstitution. Approximately 690.8 million shares representing $10.5 billion were executed in 5.1 seconds.

 

    Launched the IPO Cross, an automated trading facility designed to provide a fair and transparent executions process to trade IPOs based on supply and demand.

 

    Unveiled NASDAQ Market Velocity, a proprietary, real-time data product that detects “noise” in NASDAQ stocks and alerts traders to events before they affect price and volume information. NASDAQ Market Velocity is part of NASDAQ Market Analytix(), a package of data products that provides new levels of transparency to trading activity in NASDAQ systems.

 

    Agreed to acquire PrimeZone Media Network, a privately held press release newswire and multimedia services firm, enhancing NASDAQ’s investor relations and corporate communications suite.

Charges Associated with NASDAQ’s Cost Reduction Program and INET Integration

As mentioned above, included in total expenses for the second quarter 2006 are pre-tax charges of $17.9 million relating to NASDAQ’s continuing efforts to reduce operating expenses and improve the efficiency of its operations, as well as to integrate the INET ECN. These charges include:

 

    Technology Review - NASDAQ recorded expenses of $9.9 million in the quarter associated with its technology review, in which it changed the estimated useful life of some assets as it migrates to lower cost operating platforms and processes.

 

    Workforce Reductions - NASDAQ recorded charges of $2.6 million in the quarter for severance and outplacement costs.

 

    Real Estate - NASDAQ recorded charges of $5.4 million in the quarter as part of its real estate consolidation plans.

2006 Outlook

NASDAQ is raising guidance for the full-year 2006:

 

    Net income in the range of $68.0 million to $78.0 million for the year, including the impact of charges associated with NASDAQ’s cost reduction program, INET integration, and losses on extinguishment of debt noted below.

 

    Gross margin in the range of $645.0 million to $655.0 million.

 

    Total expenses in the range of $475.0 million to $485.0 million.

2006 total expense projections include approximately $60.0 million to $70.0 million of pre-tax charges associated with NASDAQ’s continuing cost reduction efforts and INET integration. Also included are charges realized in the second quarter related to our investment in the London Stock Exchange. These charges include:

 

    Approximately $36.0 million to $42.0 million in charges primarily related to NASDAQ’s decision to migrate to less expensive technology operating platforms.

 

    Approximately $5.0 million to $7.0 million in non-cash charges related to NASDAQ’s plans to exit certain real estate facilities.

 

    Approximately $6.0 million to $8.0 million in severance expenses associated with NASDAQ’s plans for workforce reductions.

 

2


    The previously mentioned $20.9 million charge and $8.2 million foreign currency gain related to our investment in the London Stock Exchange.

NASDAQ’s Chief Financial Officer, David Warren, commented, “As this quarter’s results clearly demonstrate, our business fundamentals remain strong as we grew revenue while driving down core operating expenses. As a result our operating income has improved when compared to both prior year and the first quarter. Excluding non-recurring charges, NASDAQ’s operating income improved 21% from the first quarter 2006 and 69% when compared to second quarter 2005. The INET integration and our systems migration to a single book remain on schedule and we remain confident of achieving all of our milestones. Our execution to date and our confidence leads us to increase our 2006 outlook for both gross margin and net income.”

Q2 Financial Review

Total Revenues and Gross Margin–Gross margin increased 31.2% in the second quarter to $171.1 million, up from $130.4 million in the year-ago quarter, and increased 5.6% from $162.0 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Market Services

Market Services gross margin increased to $107.7 million or 45.0% from prior year.

 

     Three Months Ended     % Variance from  
     June 30
2006
    Mar. 31
2006
    June 30
2005
    Prior
quarter
    Prior
year
 
     (in millions)              

NASDAQ Market Center

          

Execution and trade reporting revenues

   $ 291.4     $ 286.1     $ 116.2     1.9 %   NM  

Access services revenues

     13.1       12.3       20.3     6.5 %   (35.5 )%

Tape fee revenue sharing

     (5.3 )     (5.3 )     (2.4 )   —       NM  

NASDAQ General Revenue Sharing Program

     (0.1 )     (0.1 )     (0.1 )   —       —    
                            

Total NASDAQ Market Center revenues

     299.1       293.0       134.0     2.1 %   NM  

Cost of revenues

          

Liquidity rebates

     (170.6 )     (167.2 )     (69.2 )   2.0 %   NM  

Brokerage, clearance and exchange fees

     (69.3 )     (67.0 )     (20.1 )   3.4 %   NM  
                            

Total cost of revenues

     (239.9 )     (234.2 )     (89.3 )   2.4 %   NM  
                            

Gross margin from NASDAQ Market Center

     59.2       58.8       44.7     0.7 %   32.4 %

NASDAQ Market Services Subscriptions

          

Revenues

     48.7       52.1       46.0     (6.5 )%   5.9 %

NASDAQ General Revenue Sharing Program

     (2.6 )     (2.9 )     (1.2 )   (10.3 )%   NM  

UTP Plan revenue sharing

     (6.2 )     (13.7 )     (19.6 )   (54.7 )%   (68.4 )%
                                    

Total NASDAQ Market Services Subscription revenues

     39.9       35.5       25.2     12.4 %   58.3 %
                                    

Other Market Services revenues

     8.6       8.6       4.4     —       95.5 %
                                    

Gross Margin from Market Services

   $ 107.7     $ 102.9     $ 74.3     4.7 %   45.0 %
                                    

NM – Not meaningful. Denotes variances equal to or greater than 100%

 

    NASDAQ Market Center gross margin increased from prior year primarily due to the inclusion of INET results, increases in average daily trading volume, and increases in trade execution market share for NYSE- and AMEX-listed equities. Access services revenue declined from prior year due to the retirement of legacy products in December 2005.

 

3


    Market Services Subscriptions revenues increased from prior year as less data revenue was shared under the UTP Plan. NASDAQ’s UTP market share increased primarily due to the INET acquisition which resulted in INET trades being reported to NASDAQ. Also contributing to the decrease in UTP shared revenue was the removal of NQDS from the UTP Plan, which was approved in the second quarter of 2006 but became effective February 7, 2006. NASDAQ reclaimed shared revenues from the effective date through March 31, 2006 and recorded an adjustment of approximately $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2006. Increases in sales of proprietary data products also contributed to improvements of Market Services Subscriptions revenue for the quarter.

 

    Other Market Services revenues increased from the prior year due primarily to payments made under a contract between NASD and NASDAQ for the operations of the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), which took effect on October 1, 2005.

Issuer Services

During the quarter Issuer Services revenues increased 13.0% to $63.4 million from prior year.

 

     Three Months Ended    % Variance from  
     June 30
2006
   Mar. 31
2006
   June 30
2005
   Prior
quarter
    Prior
year
 
     (in millions)             

Corporate Client Group

             

Annual renewal fees

   $ 26.9    $ 25.8    $ 26.7    4.3 %   0.7 %

Listing of additional shares fees

     9.2      8.9      9.5    3.4 %   (3.2 )%

Initial listing fees

     6.0      6.4      7.5    (6.3 )%   (20.0 )%

Corporate Client services

     10.2      7.6      2.3    34.2 %   NM  
                         

Total Corporate Client Group revenues

     52.3      48.7      46.0    7.4 %   13.7 %
                         

NASDAQ Financial Products

             

Licensing revenues

     9.7      9.0      9.1    7.8 %   6.6 %

Other revenues

     1.4      1.2      1.0    16.7 %   40.0 %
                         

Total NASDAQ Financial Products revenues

     11.1      10.2      10.1    8.8 %   9.9 %
                         

Total Issuer Services revenues

   $ 63.4    $ 58.9    $ 56.1    7.6 %   13.0 %
                         

NM – Not meaningful. Denotes variances equal to or greater than 100%

 

    Corporate Client Group revenue increased from prior year driven by revenues generated from recent acquisitions including Carpenter Moore and Shareholder.com.

 

    NASDAQ Financial Products licensing revenue increased from the prior year due to higher volume activity for both derivative and third party products as well as increases in third party assets under management.

Total Expenses - Total expenses increased 29.5% to $134.8 million from $104.1 million in the year-ago quarter and increased 12.1% from $120.2 million in the prior quarter. Second quarter 2006 expenses increased as a result of $30.6 million of pre-tax items noted above, including the early extinguishment of debt, the refinancing of a credit facility, the foreign currency gain, and costs associated with the continuing INET integration and cost reduction activities. Similar charges relating to the INET integration and cost reduction activities were included in previous quarters, including $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2005 and $13.6 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Earnings Per Share

As stated above, second quarter earnings per diluted share were $0.13 versus $0.16 in the first quarter of 2006 and $0.13 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. During the

 

4


second quarter NASDAQ completed a common stock offering in which it sold 18.5 million shares and used the proceeds to pay down debt incurred to purchase a stake in the London Stock Exchange. NASDAQ’s weighted average shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share was 145.2 million in the quarter versus 109.9 million in the year ago quarter and 128.0 million in the first quarter 2006. The increase from last year is due primarily to the full quarter dilutive impact of the convertible notes and related warrants issued in April 2005 as part of the acquisition of INET ECN, and to the shares issued in NASDAQ’s 2006 equity offerings.

NASDAQ® is the largest electronic equity securities market in the United States. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to category-defining companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology industries. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ NewsroomSM at www.nasdaqnews.com. NDAQF

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. cautions that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include projections which have not been reviewed by independent auditors of NASDAQ. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ’s control. These factors include, but are not limited to, NASDAQ’s ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in NASDAQ’s annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, these statements are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to change. Accordingly, actual results may be materially higher or lower than those projected. The inclusion of such projections herein should not be regarded as a representation by NASDAQ that the projections will prove to be correct. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

(tables follow)

(income statement)

(market statistics)

(balance sheet)

(non-GAAP calculation of operating income)

 

5


The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(in millions, except per share amounts and other drivers)

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 30,
2006
    March 31,
2006
    June 30,
2005
    June 30,
2006
    June 30,
2005
 

Revenues

          

Market Services

   $ 347.6     $ 337.1     $ 163.6     $ 684.9     $ 288.7  

Issuer Services

     63.4       58.9       56.1       122.3       110.9  

Other

     —         0.2       —         0.2       0.2  
                                        

Total revenues

     411.0       396.2       219.7       807.4       399.8  

Cost of revenues

          

Liquidity rebates

     (170.6 )     (167.2 )     (69.2 )     (337.8 )     (104.5 )

Brokerage, clearance and exchange fees

     (69.3 )     (67.0 )     (20.1 )     (136.5 )     (38.6 )
                                        

Total cost of revenues

     (239.9 )     (234.2 )     (89.3 )     (474.3 )     (143.1 )
                                        

Gross margin

     171.1       162.0       130.4       333.1       256.7  
                                        

Expenses

          

Compensation and benefits

     48.0       48.9       36.9       96.9       74.2  

Marketing and advertising

     3.8       5.0       2.0       8.9       3.4  

Depreciation and amortization

     21.5       24.5       14.9       46.0       33.1  

Professional and contract services

     7.3       8.9       7.0       16.2       14.0  

Computer operations and data communications

     10.3       10.0       15.9       20.2       32.1  

Provision for bad debts

     1.8       —         (0.7 )     1.9       (0.2 )

Occupancy

     8.2       8.0       7.1       16.2       14.2  

General and administrative

     24.8       6.8       10.6       31.5       16.0  
                                        

Total direct expenses

     125.7       112.1       93.7       237.8       186.8  

Support costs from related parties, net

     9.1       8.1       10.4       17.2       20.8  
                                        

Total expenses

     134.8       120.2       104.1       255.0       207.6  
                                        

Operating income

     36.3       41.8       26.3       78.1       49.1  

Interest income

     6.3       4.5       3.1       10.8       4.5  

Interest expense

     (24.4 )     (16.4 )     (4.6 )     (40.9 )     (7.5 )

Dividend income

     9.2       —         —         9.2       —    

Minority interest

     0.3       0.1       —         0.5       —    
                                        

Income before income taxes

     27.7       30.0       24.8       57.7       46.1  

Income tax provision

     11.1       12.0       10.8       23.1       19.4  
                                        

Net income

   $ 16.6     $ 18.0     $ 14.0     $ 34.6     $ 26.7  
                                        

Net income applicable to common stockholders:

          

Net income

   $ 16.6     $ 18.0     $ 14.0     $ 36.4     $ 26.7  

Preferred stock:

          

Dividends declared

     —         (0.4 )     (0.8 )     (0.4 )     (1.8 )

Accretion of preferred stock

     —         (0.3 )     (1.5 )     (0.3 )     (2.3 )
                                        

Net income applicable to common stockholders

   $ 16.6     $ 17.3     $ 11.7     $ 33.9     $ 22.6  
                                        

Basic and diluted earnings per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.16     $ 0.20     $ 0.15     $ 0.35     $ 0.28  
                                        

Diluted

   $ 0.13     $ 0.16     $ 0.13     $ 0.28     $ 0.26  
                                        

Weighted average common shares outstanding for earnings per share:

          

Basic

     105.2       87.9       79.4       96.6       79.2  

Diluted

     145.2       128.0       109.9       137.0       101.0  

Other Drivers

          

Average daily share volume in NASDAQ-listed securities (in millions)

     2,142       2,122       1,781       2,132       1,890  

Percentage of share volume of NASDAQ-listed securities reported to The NASDAQ Market Center

     77.8 %     74.5 %     55.7 %     78.9 %     55.3 %

Percentage of share volume of NYSE-listed securities reported to The NASDAQ Market Center

     22.7 %     21.3 %     15.6 %     22.4 %     15.3 %

Percentage of share volume of AMEX-listed securities reported to The NASDAQ Market Center

     46.1 %     42.1 %     32.4 %     45.1 %     31.9 %

Initial Public Offerings

     35       30       25       65       45  

Secondary Offerings

     54       69       50       123       95  

Number of listed companies

     3,205       3,191       3,241       3,205       3,241  

 

6


The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions)

 

     June 30,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 488.8     $ 165.2  

Available-for-sale investments, at fair value

     1,215.5       179.4  

Receivables, net

     234.5       207.6  

Deferred tax assets

     14.3       10.0  

Other current assets

     35.5       34.8  
                

Total current assets

     1,988.6       597.0  

Property and equipment:

    

Assets held-for-sale

     30.7       —    

Land, buildings and improvements

     0.9       60.9  

Data processing equipment and software

     180.6       180.0  

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements

     105.0       115.6  
                
     317.2       356.5  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (222.9 )     (233.9 )
                

Total property and equipment, net

     94.3       122.6  

Non-current deferred tax assets

     124.3       133.3  

Goodwill

     988.3       961.9  

Intangible assets, net

     207.3       215.5  

Other assets

     12.4       16.5  
                

Total assets

   $ 3,415.2     $ 2,046.8  
                

Liabilities

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 112.1     $ 118.9  

Accrued personnel costs

     36.2       55.3  

Deferred revenue

     114.9       53.6  

Other accrued liabilities

     56.5       61.8  

Current portion of debt obligations

     11.8       7.5  

Payables to related parties

     9.8       28.2  
                

Total current liabilities

     341.3       325.3  

Debt obligations

     1,612.6       1,184.9  

Accrued pension costs

     24.6       25.8  

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

     89.2       95.2  

Non-current deferred revenue

     98.6       92.0  

Other liabilities

     69.6       69.6  
                

Total liabilities

     2,235.9       1,792.8  

Minority interest

     0.5       1.0  

Stockholders' equity

    

Common stock

     1.3       1.3  

Preferred stock, Series D at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and Series C at December 31, 2005

     —         95.0  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,039.3       383.7  

Common stock in treasury, at cost

     (249.6 )     (613.4 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (31.9 )     (1.3 )

Deferred stock compensation

     —         (4.9 )

Common stock issuable

     —         6.8  

Retained earnings

     419.7       385.8  
                

Total stockholders' equity

     1,178.8       253.0  
                

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders' equity

   $ 3,415.2     $ 2,046.8  
                

 

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The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

Non-GAAP Calculation of Operating Income

(in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
     June 30,
2006
    March 31,
2006
   June 30,
2005

GAAP Operating Income:

   $ 36.3     $ 41.8    $ 26.3

Adjustments:

       

Loss on early extinguishment of debt and the refinancing of a credit facility

     20.9       —        7.4

Cost reduction program and INET integration charges

     17.9       13.6      5.9

Foreign currency gain associated with investment in London Stock Exchange

     (8.2 )     —        —  
                     

Total Adjustments

     30.6       13.6      13.3
                     

Non-GAAP Operating Income

   $ 66.9     $ 55.4    $ 39.6
                     

Note:    In addition to disclosing results in accordance with GAAP, NASDAQ has also disclosed a Non-GAAP measure of operating income. Management believes this Non-GAAP measure of operating income is useful to investors because it shows a truer picture of our actual operating performance this quarter.

The Non-GAAP information may not be comparable to other companies and should not be viewed as a substitute for or superior to operating income or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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