OMB APPROVAL
 
 
OMB Number: 3235-0060
 
 
Expires: April 30, 2009
 
 
Estimated average burden hours per response...5.0
 
 
 
 
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): January 15, 2008
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware   0-50670   52-2230784
 
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
         
140 Broadway, 42 nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
       
 
(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 813-6000
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
(1) Approval of Form of Performance Share Agreements
     On January 15, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “ Compensation Committee ”) of MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”), pursuant to the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated Effective April 28, 2006) (the “ 2004 Plan ”), approved two forms of Performance Share Award Agreements for use under the 2004 Plan. The first form of Performance Share Award Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein, is for use in connection with grants of performance share awards to Richard M. McVey, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and T. Kelley Millet, the Company’s President. The second form of Performance Share Award Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated by reference herein, is for use in connection with grants of performance share awards to all other individuals entitled to receive performance shares under the 2004 Plan.
     Each Performance Share Award Agreement provides for the grant of a target number of performance shares. The performance shares will vest or be forfeited based on the Company’s achievement, during the applicable performance period, of a level of pre-tax operating income per share of the Company’s common stock (“ Common Stock ”) before payment of cash bonuses to the Company’s employees during the performance period and expenses incurred in connection with the grant of all performance share awards for the performance period (the “ Performance Goal ”). Subject to a participant remaining employed by the Company during the performance period and through the date that the Compensation Committee certifies the level of achievement of the Performance Goal for the performance period (each such date, a “ Settlement Date ”), the participant may earn a specified percentage of the target number of performance shares awarded to the participant based upon the level of achievement of the Performance Goal for the performance period. For each performance share earned, a participant will be awarded an equal number of restricted shares of the Common Stock (as described below).
     In the event of a participant’s termination of employment due to death or Disability (as such term is defined in the 2004 Plan) prior to a Settlement Date, on the Settlement Date the participant will receive the shares of restricted stock the participant would have received had the participant been employed on the Settlement Date, based on the actual achievement of the Performance Goal. Fifty percent, or 100% in the case of Messrs. Millet and McVey, of these shares of restricted stock will immediately vest. Any remaining performance shares or unvested shares of restricted stock will be forfeited.
     In addition, Messrs. McVey’s and Millet’s Performance Share Award Agreements provide that if their employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the 2004 Plan) prior to the Settlement Date, then on the Settlement Date they will receive the shares of restricted stock they would have received had they been employees on such Settlement Date, based on actual achievement of the Performance Goal and 50% of the total number of unvested shares of restricted stock will immediately vest. Any remaining performance shares or unvested shares of restricted stock will be forfeited.

2


 

     In the event of a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the 2004 Plan) prior to the Settlement Date, the Compensation Committee will determine the treatment of the performance shares in a manner provided in the Performance Share Award Agreements.
     Subject to continued service with the Company from the Settlement Date through each vesting date, other than as set forth below, any restricted stock awarded to the participant shall vest and cease to be restricted stock in equal 50% installments on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant of the applicable performance share award.
     In the event of a participant’s termination of employment due to death or Disability after the Settlement Date, 50%, or 100% in the case of Messrs. Millet and McVey, of the total number of unvested shares of restricted stock will immediately vest. Any remaining unvested shares of restricted stock will be forfeited.
     In addition, Messrs. McVey’s and Millet’s Performance Share Award Agreements provide that if employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason after the Settlement Date, 50% of the total number of unvested shares of restricted stock will immediately vest. Any remaining unvested shares of restricted stock will be forfeited.
     In the event of a Change in Control after a Settlement Date, all restricted stock will immediately vest if a participant is terminated without Cause within 24 months following the Change in Control. For Messrs. McVey and Millet only, all restricted will also immediately vest if such Change in Control occurs within three months following a termination of employment for Good Reason. In addition, if immediately prior to the Change in Control the Compensation Committee determines that the restricted stock award will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor, then immediately prior to the Change in Control all unvested shares of restricted stocks will immediately vest.
(2) Approval of Performance Share Awards for Fiscal Year 2008 Performance Period
     On January 15, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved and awarded grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan to eleven key officers and employees of the Company, including the named executive officers set forth in the chart below. The performance period for the awards will be the Company’s fiscal year ending on December 31, 2008 (the “ 2008 Performance Period ”). Subject to remaining employed with the Company during the 2008 Performance Period and through the Settlement Date, each participant may earn between 50% and 150% of the target number of performance shares awarded to such participant based upon the level of achievement of the Performance Goal established by the Compensation Committee for the 2008 Performance Period. Participants will not earn any shares of restricted stock if the Company does not achieve at least 80% of the Performance Goal.

3


 

     Set forth below is the target number of performance shares granted to the following named executive officers of the Company (i.e., the number of performance shares that would be earned based upon achievement of 100% of the performance goal):
             
        Target Number of
Name of Executive Officer   Title   Performance Shares
Richard M. McVey
  Chief Executive Officer     68,600  
T. Kelley Millet
  President     27,400  
James N. B. Rucker
  Chief Financial Officer     8,920  
Nicholas Themelis
  Chief Information Officer     17,200  
     The grants to Messrs. McVey and Millet were made subject to the terms of the form of Performance Share Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1. The grants to the other named executive officers were made subject to the terms of the form of Performance Share Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2.
(3) Approval of New Form of Restricted Stock Agreement
     On January 15, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved a form of Restricted Stock Agreement for use in connection with grants of shares of restricted stock made as of and following such date under the 2004 Plan to all individuals eligible to receive grants of restricted stock under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet. A copy of the form of Restricted Stock Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated by reference herein.
(4) Approval of Restricted Stock Grants
     On January 15, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved grants of restricted stock under the 2004 Plan to the following named executive officers of the Company, which grants were made on January 15, 2008:
         
    Number of Shares of
Name of Executive Officer   Restricted Common Stock
James N. B. Rucker
    7,000  
Nicholas Themelis
    13,500  
     These grants were made subject to the terms of the form of Restricted Stock Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3.
(5) Approval of New Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement
     On January 15, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved a new form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (the “ New ISO Agreement ”) for use in connection with grants of incentive stock options made as of and following such date under the 2004 Plan to all employees of the Company other than Messrs. McVey and Millet. A copy of the form of the New ISO Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated by reference herein.
     The New ISO Agreement is substantially identical to the form of incentive stock option agreement attached as Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, except the New ISO Agreement provides for the following additional terms:
    upon the participant’s death or Disability, 50% of any unvested portion of the stock option at the time of the participant’s termination of employment will become fully vested and

4


 

      exercisable until the earlier of one year from the employment termination date or the expiration of the stated term of the stock option; and
    in the event of a Change in Control, the stock option will be treated in accordance with the 2004 Plan, except that (i) immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Compensation Committee may determine that the stock option will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with the 2004 Plan, and immediately prior to the Change in Control, the stock option will become fully vested and exercisable, and (ii) if the participant incurs a termination of employment by the Company without Cause within 24 months after such Change in Control, the stock option will become fully vested and exercisable until the earlier of 90 days from the date of such termination or the expiration of the stated term of the stock option.
(6) Approval of Stock Option Grants
     On January 15, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved grants of stock options under the 2004 Plan to the following named executive officers of the Company, which grants were made on January 15, 2008.
         
Name of Executive Officer   Number of Stock Options
Richard M. McVey
    287,000  
T. Kelley Millet
    115,000  
James N. B. Rucker
    18,650  
Nicholas Themelis
    35,850  
     The grant to Mr. McVey was made subject to the terms of the form of Stock Option Agreement by and between the Company and Mr. McVey, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated by reference herein. The grant to Mr. Millet was made subject to the terms of the form of Stock Option Agreement by and between the Company and Mr. Millet, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.6 and incorporated by reference herein. The grants to Messrs. Rucker and Themelis were made subject to the New ISO Agreement.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
     (d) Exhibits:
  10.1   Form of Performance Share Award Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.2   Form of Performance Share Award Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for individuals eligible to receive grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).

5


 

  10.3   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for individuals eligible to receive grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.4   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for individuals eligible to receive grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.5   Form of Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) dated effective as of January 15, 2008 by and between the Company and Mr. McVey.
 
  10.6   Form of Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) dated effective as of January 15, 2008 by and between the Company and Mr. Millet.

6


 

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.
             
    MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.    
 
           
Date: January 18, 2008
  By:   /s/ Richard M. McVey
 
Name: Richard M. McVey
   
 
      Title: Chief Executive Officer    

7


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
  10.1   Form of Performance Share Award Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.2   Form of Performance Share Award Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for individuals eligible to receive grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.3   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for individuals eligible to receive grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.4   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) for individuals eligible to receive grants of performance shares under the 2004 Plan other than Messrs. McVey and Millet (used beginning January 15, 2008).
 
  10.5   Form of Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) by and between the Company and Mr. McVey.
 
  10.6   Form of Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to the MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) by and between the Company and Mr. Millet.

8

 

Exhibit 10.1
FORM OF PERFORMANCE
SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT
FOR MESSRS. McVEY AND MILLET
PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
      THIS PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), made effective as of             , by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “ Company ”) and               (the “ Participant ”).
      WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) adopted, and the stockholders of the Company, approved the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated Effective April 28, 2006) (the “ Plan ”);
      WHEREAS , the Company, through the Committee under the Plan, wishes to grant to the Participant a Performance Share Award under the Plan that, upon the achievement of the performance metric set forth on Appendix A attached hereto and subject to the Participant’s continuing service with the Company or an Affiliate through the achievement of such performance metric, may provide for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.003 per share (“Common Stock”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
      WHEREAS , the performance metric set forth on Appendix A attached hereto is intended to constitute a “performance goal”, as set forth under the Plan; and
      WHEREAS , such shares of Common Stock, when issued to the Participant, shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation, the restrictions set forth in Sections 4 and 5 herein).
      NOW, THEREFORE , the Company and the Participant agree as follows:
     1.  Grant of Performance Share Award . Subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company hereby awards and grants to the Participant                      Performance Shares entitling the Participant to receive, for each Performance Share earned in accordance with Section 2 below, one share of Common Stock, subject to the provisions of Appendix A attached hereto (the “ Performance Share Award ”). Fractional shares shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time earned by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.
     2.  Payment . Subject to the Participant’s not incurring a Termination of Employment prior to the Settlement Date (as defined below) (except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement), upon the Committee determining and certifying the level of achievement of the performance metric set forth on Appendix A attached hereto with respect to the Company’s fiscal year beginning on                      and ending on                      (the “ Performance Period ”), the Company shall award to the Participant a number of shares of Common Stock following the Performance Period reflecting the


 

level of attainment of the performance metric in accordance with Appendix A attached hereto (“ Awarded Shares ”) during the Performance Period. The Committee shall certify the level of achievement of the performance metric during the Company’s first fiscal quarter in              , but in any event no later than                      , and on the date of such certification (the “ Settlement Date ”) the Committee shall grant to the Participant the applicable number of Awarded Shares in accordance with Appendix A attached hereto. Pursuant to Sections 4 and 5 hereof, any Awarded Shares granted hereunder shall be subject to certain restrictions, which restrictions relate to the passage of time as an employee of, or consultant to, the Company or its Affiliates, as described in Section 4.1 hereof. While such restrictions are in effect, the Awarded Shares granted subject to such restrictions shall be referred to herein as “ Restricted Stock .” The Performance Shares and, if any, the number of Awarded Shares and the number of shares of Restricted Stock are subject to adjustment under Section 4.2(b) of the Plan. Prior to the Settlement Date, the provisions in Section 9.1 of the Plan regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Performance Share Award.
     3.  Termination of Employment/ Change in Control Prior to Settlement Date .
          3.1. Termination of Employment .
  (a)   In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability, each prior to the Settlement Date, then on the Settlement Date, the Participant shall receive the Restricted Stock that the Participant would have received if the Participant had been employed by the Company on the Settlement Date, based on the actual level of achievement of the performance metric, and all of the unvested shares of such Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested.
 
  (b)   In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, each prior to the Settlement Date, then on the Settlement Date, the Participant shall receive the Restricted Stock that the Participant would have received if the Participant had been employed by the Company on the Settlement Date, based on the actual level of achievement of the performance metric, and 50% of the total number of unvested shares of such Restricted Stock shall immediately vest. Any remaining unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited.
          3.2. Change in Control . In the event of a Change in Control before the Settlement Date, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with any one of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
  (a)   The Committee may determine that performance metric set forth on Appendix A would likely have been achieved at or above the 80%

-2-


 

      Performance Target level on the Settlement Date and treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with any one of the following methods, as determined by the Committee:
  (i)   The Committee may determine that the performance metric is deemed achieved at the Performance Target, and on the date of the Change in Control, the Participant shall be granted Restricted Stock at the Performance Target level, subject to the conditions of Section 4, and all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested if (i) such Change in Control occurs within three months following a Termination of Employment by the Participant for Good Reason or (ii) the Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause within 24 months following such Change in Control;
 
  (ii)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan and the Participant will be granted Restricted Stock which shall become immediately vested on the Change in Control; or
 
  (iii)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan.
  (b)   The Committee may determine that performance metric set forth on Appendix A would likely have been achieved below the 80% Performance Target level on the Settlement Date and treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with any one of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
  (i)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will be canceled in its entirety; or
 
  (ii)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan.
  (c)   The Committee may elect not to make a determination of the likely achievement of the performance metric set forth on Appendix A and treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Plan.

-3-


 

  (d)   Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Committee may otherwise determine the treatment of the Performance Share Award, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan.
     4.  Restricted Stock .
          4.1. Vesting . The Restricted Stock shall become vested and cease to be Restricted Stock (but shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Plan) as follows if the Participant has been continuously employed by the Company or an Affiliate from the Settlement Date until the applicable vesting date:
     
Vesting Date   Percentage Vested
                                           
     
                                           
Except as otherwise provided herein, there shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to the applicable vesting dates and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date. When any shares of Restricted Stock become vested, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Participant any related RS Property (as defined below), subject to applicable withholding.
          4.2. Detrimental Activity . The provisions in Section 8.1 of the Plan regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Restricted Stock.
          4.3. Termination of Employment/ Change in Control .
  (a)   Termination of Employment.
  (i)   In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability, each on or after the Settlement Date, then all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested.
 
  (ii)   In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, each on or after the Settlement Date, 50% of the total number of unvested shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to this Agreement shall vest. Any remaining unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited.
  (b)   Change in Control .
  (i)   If on or after the Settlement Date there is a Change in Control and (i) such Change in Control occurs within three months following a Termination of Employment by the Participant for Good Reason or

-4-


 

      (ii) the Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause within 24 months following such Change in Control, then all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested.
  (ii)   If there is a Change in Control after the Settlement Date and immediately prior to the Change in Control it is determined that the Award will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan, then immediately prior to the Change in Control, all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested.
          4.4. Rights as a Holder of Restricted Stock . From and after the Settlement Date, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares, to receive and retain all regular cash dividends payable to holders of Common Stock of record on and after the Settlement Date (although such dividends will be treated, to the extent required by applicable law, as additional compensation for tax purposes), and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Common Stock with respect to the Restricted Stock, with the exceptions that (i) the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Stock until such shares are no longer Restricted Stock; (ii) the Company (or its designated agent) will retain custody of the stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Stock and any other property (“ RS Property ”) issued in respect of the Restricted Stock, including stock dividends at all times such shares are Restricted Stock; (iii) no RS Property will bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts; and (iv) the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer the Restricted Stock in any manner whatsoever. Prior to the Settlement Date, the Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by any Restricted Stock to be granted for the Performance Period (if any) unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such Common Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 4.2(b) of the Plan).
          4.5. Taxes; Section 83(b) Election . The Participant acknowledges, subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, that (i) no later than the date on which any Restricted Stock shall have become vested, the Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment of, any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Restricted Stock which shall have become so vested, including by electing to reduce the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned; (ii) the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Restricted Stock which shall have become so vested, including that the Company

-5-


 

may, but shall not be required to, sell a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to cover applicable withholding taxes; and (iii) in the event that the Participant does not satisfy (i) above on a timely basis, the Company may to the extent permitted by law, but shall not be required to, pay such required withholding and treat such amount as a demand loan to the Participant at the maximum rate permitted by law, with such loan, at the Company’s sole discretion and provided the Company so notifies the Participant within thirty (30) days of the making of the loan, secured by the Common Stock and any failure by the Participant to pay the loan upon demand shall entitle the Company to all of the rights at law of a creditor secured by the Common Stock. The Company may hold as security any certificates representing any Common Stock and, upon demand of the Company, the Participant shall deliver to the Company any certificates in his or her possession representing the Common Stock together with a stock power duly endorsed in blank. The Participant also acknowledges that it is his or her sole responsibility, and not the Company’s, to file timely and properly any election under Section 83(b) of the Code, and any corresponding provisions of state tax laws, if the Participant wishes to utilize such election.
          4.6. Legend . In the event that a certificate evidencing Restricted Stock is issued, the certificate representing the Common Stock shall have endorsed thereon the following legends:
  (a)   “THE ANTICIPATION, ALIENATION, ATTACHMENT, SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, ENCUMBRANCE OR CHARGE OF THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE) OF THE MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC. (THE “COMPANY”) 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2006) (THE “PLAN”) AND AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER AND THE COMPANY DATED AS OF                      . COPIES OF SUCH PLAN AND AGREEMENT ARE ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.”
 
  (b)   Any legend required to be placed thereon by applicable blue sky laws of any state. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue a certificate representing the Restricted Stock prior to vesting as set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
     5.  Restrictions on Transfer . The Participant shall not sell, negotiate, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Performance Share Award or, if any, the shares of Restricted Stock or grant any proxy with respect thereto, except as specifically permitted by the Plan and this Agreement. Any attempted Transfer in violation of this Agreement and the Plan shall be void and of no effect and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and records and to issue “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein or in the Plan shall prohibit the

-6-


 

Participant from pledging the Common Stock the Participant is granted hereunder to the Company pursuant to a stock pledge agreement entered into between the parties hereto.
     6.  Issuance Restrictions . The Company is not obligated to issue any securities if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, the issuance of such Common Stock shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or of any regulations of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange.
     7.  Securities Representations . The shares of Common Stock will be issued to the Participant and this Agreement is being made by the Company in reliance upon the following express representations and warranties of the Participant. The Participant acknowledges, represents and warrants that:
          7.1. The Participant has been advised that the Participant may be an “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in this connection the Company is relying in part on the Participant’s representations set forth in this section;
          7.2. The Common Stock must be held indefinitely by the Participant unless (i) an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available for the resale of such Common Stock or (ii) the Company files an additional registration statement (or a “re-offer prospectus”) with regard to the resale of such Common Stock and the Company is under no obligation to continue in effect a Form S-8 Registration Statement or to otherwise register the resale of the Common Stock (or to file a “re-offer prospectus”);
          7.3. The exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available under current law unless (i) a public trading market then exists for the Common Stock, (ii) adequate information concerning the Company is then available to the public, and (iii) other terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom are complied with and that any sale of the Common Stock may be made only in limited amounts in accordance with such terms and conditions.
     8.  Not an Employment Agreement . Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the issuance of the Performance Share Award or the Common Stock hereunder constitute an agreement by the Company to employ or to continue to employ the Participant during the entire, or any portion of, the term of this Agreement, including but not limited to any period during which any shares of Common Stock are outstanding.
     9.  Power of Attorney . The Company, its successors and assigns, is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, of the Participant for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and

-7-


 

executing any instruments which such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment as attorney-in-fact is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Company, as attorney-in-fact for the Participant, may in the name and stead of the Participant, make and execute all conveyances, assignments and transfers of the Restricted Stock, other RS Property, Common Stock and property provided for herein, and the Participant hereby ratifies and confirms that which the Company, as said attorney-in-fact, shall do by virtue hereof. Nevertheless, the Participant shall, if so requested by the Company, execute and deliver to the Company all such instruments as may, in the judgment of the Company, be advisable for this purpose.
     10.  Miscellaneous .
          10.1. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal legal representatives, successors, trustees, administrators, distributees, devisees and legatees. The Company may assign to, and require, any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or any affiliate by which the Participant is employed to expressly assume and agree in writing to perform this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may not assign this Agreement other than with respect to shares of Common Stock Transferred in compliance with the terms hereof.
          10.2. This award of the Performance Share Award, and upon the settlement thereof the issuance of Restricted Stock (if any), shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or stockholders of the Company to make or authorize an adjustment, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure or the business of the Company, any merger or consolidation of the Company or subsidiaries, any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
          10.3. The Participant agrees that the award of the Performance Share Award hereunder, and upon the settlement thereof the issuance of Restricted Stock (if any), is special incentive compensation and that the Performance Share Award and Restricted Stock (if applicable), any dividends paid thereon (even if treated as compensation for tax purposes) and any other RS Property will not be taken into account as “salary” or “compensation” or “bonus” in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement or profit-sharing plan of the Company or any life insurance, disability or other benefit plan of the Company.
          10.4. No modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced.
          10.5. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile or PDF), all of which taken together shall constitute one contract.

-8-


 

          10.6. The failure of any party hereto at any time to require performance by another party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to require performance of that provision, and any waiver by any party of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision, a waiver of the provision itself, or a waiver of any right under this Agreement.
          10.7. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way restrict or modify any of the terms or provisions hereof.
          10.8. All notices, consents, requests, approvals, instructions and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and validly given or made when delivered, or on the second succeeding business day after being mailed by registered or certified mail, whichever is earlier, to the persons entitled or required to receive the same, at the addresses set forth at the heading of this Agreement or to such other address as either party may designate by like notice. Notices to the Company shall be addressed to the Compensation Committee of the Board with a copy to the Company’s Head of Human Resources.
          10.9. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed and the legal relationships of the parties determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law.
          10.10. By executing this Agreement the Participant hereby accepts the terms and conditions of this Agreement and, effective as of the Settlement Date, shall be deemed to have accepted the award of Restricted Stock within the time period required under Section 8.2(b) of the Plan.
     11.  Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Participant. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. Unless otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any other documents expressly contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Participant.

-9-


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
                 
    MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.    
 
               
 
  By:             
           
      Richard M. McVey    
 
               
 
  Date:          
             
 
               
 
               
         
    [Participant]    
 
               
 
  Date:          
             
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

-10-


 

APPENDIX A
Performance Metric and Number of Shares
A. Performance Metric .
     The Performance metric set forth herein is established for purposes of the grant of the Performance Shares for the Performance Period and is intended to be “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
     The performance metric for the Performance Period ending                      shall be the Company’s attainment of pre-tax operating income of $                      per share of Common Stock before the Company’s payment of any cash bonuses to its employees for performance during the Performance Period and any expenses incurred in connection with all Performance Share Awards for the Performance Period granted by the Company to Eligible Employees and Consultants, as set forth in the Company’s financial statements and as calculated in accordance with GAAP (the “ Performance Target ”). The number of shares of Common Stock awarded will be based on the level of the Performance Target achieved, as specified below (i.e., Awarded Shares). The terms and conditions governing the Performance Share Award will be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee will certify the attainment of the Level of Target Performance Achieved to the extent and in the manner required by Section 162(m) of the Code.
     Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, a number of shares of Common Stock shall be awarded to the Participant on the Settlement Date, as follows:
     
    Percentage of Shares of Common Stock
    Represented by Performance Shares to
Level of Target Performance Achieved   be Awarded
120% and above   150%
100%   100%
80%   50%
less than 80%   0%
B. Interpolation; Fractional Shares . In awarding a percentage of the Common Stock to the Participant, the Committee shall interpolate the percentage of Common Stock awarded for the achievement of the performance metric between each applicable target level, which percentage shall be calculated to the nearest one-hundredth percent. Fractional shares shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time earned by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.

A-1


 

C. Miscellaneous .
     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Committee shall calculate pre-tax operating income in a manner that excludes the following:
  (i)   all items of gain, loss or expense for the applicable fiscal year under consideration that are related to the disposal of a business or discontinued operations; and
 
  (ii)   all items of gain, loss or expense for the applicable fiscal year that are related to changes in accounting principles or to changes in applicable law or regulations.
     In addition, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to exclude from the calculation of operating income all items of gain loss or expense for the applicable fiscal year that are related to extraordinary, special, unusual or non-recurring items, events or circumstances affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company.
     With respect to the Performance Period, to the extent any provision contained herein creates impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision will be of no force or effect.

A-2

 

Exhibit 10.2
FORM OF PERFORMANCE SHARE
AWARD AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES
OTHER THAN MESSRS. McVEY AND MILLET
PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.

2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
      THIS PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), made effective as of                      , by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “ Company ”) and                      (the “ Participant ”).
      WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) adopted, and the stockholders of the Company, approved the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated Effective April 28, 2006) (the “ Plan ”);
      WHEREAS , the Company, through the Committee under the Plan, wishes to grant to the Participant a Performance Share Award under the Plan that, upon the achievement of the performance metric set forth on Appendix A attached hereto and subject to the Participant’s continuing service with the Company or an Affiliate through the achievement of such performance metric, may provide for the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.003 per share (“Common Stock”) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
      WHEREAS , the performance metric set forth on Appendix A attached hereto is intended to constitute a “performance goal”, as set forth under the Plan; and
      WHEREAS , such shares of Common Stock, when issued to the Participant, shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation, the restrictions set forth in Sections 4 and 5 herein).
      NOW, THEREFORE , the Company and the Participant agree as follows:
     1.  Grant of Performance Share Award . Subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company hereby awards and grants to the Participant                      Performance Shares entitling the Participant to receive, for each Performance Share earned in accordance with Section 2 below, one share of Common Stock, subject to the provisions of Appendix A attached hereto (the “ Performance Share Award ”). Fractional shares shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time earned by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.
     2. Payment . Subject to the Participant’s not incurring a Termination of Employment prior to the Settlement Date (as defined below) (except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement), upon the Committee determining and certifying the level of achievement of the performance metric set forth on Appendix A attached hereto with respect to the Company’s fiscal year beginning on                      and ending on                      (the “ Performance Period ”), the Company shall award to the Participant a number of shares of Common Stock following the Performance Period

 


 

reflecting the level of attainment of the performance metric in accordance with Appendix A attached hereto (“ Awarded Shares ”) during the Performance Period. The Committee shall certify the level of achievement of the performance metric during the Company’s first fiscal quarter in                      , but in any event no later than                      , and on the date of such certification (the “ Settlement Date ”) the Committee shall grant to the Participant the applicable number of Awarded Shares in accordance with Appendix A attached hereto. Pursuant to Sections 4 and 5 hereof, any Awarded Shares granted hereunder shall be subject to certain restrictions, which restrictions relate to the passage of time as an employee of, or consultant to, the Company or its Affiliates, as described in Section 4.1 hereof. While such restrictions are in effect, the Awarded Shares granted subject to such restrictions shall be referred to herein as “ Restricted Stock .” The Performance Shares and, if any, the number of Awarded Shares and the number of shares of Restricted Stock are subject to adjustment under Section 4.2(b) of the Plan. Prior to the Settlement Date, the provisions in Section 9.1 of the Plan regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Performance Share Award.
     3.  Termination of Employment/ Change in Control Prior to Settlement Date .
          3.1. Termination of Employment . In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability, each prior to the Settlement Date, then on the Settlement Date, the Participant shall receive the Restricted Stock that the Participant would have received if the Participant had been employed by the Company on the Settlement Date, based on the actual level of achievement of the performance metric, and 50% of the total number of unvested shares of such Restricted Stock shall immediately vest. Any remaining unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited.
          3.2. Change in Control . In the event of a Change in Control before the Settlement Date, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with any one of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
  (a)   The Committee may determine that performance metric set forth on Appendix A would likely have been achieved at or above the 80% Performance Target level on the Settlement Date and treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with any one of the following methods, as determined by the Committee:
  (i)   The Committee may determine that the performance metric is deemed achieved at the Performance Target, and on the date of the Change in Control, the Participant shall be granted Restricted Stock at the Performance Target level, subject to the conditions of Section 4, and all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause within 24 months after such Change in Control;

-2-


 

  (ii)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan and the Participant will be granted Restricted Stock which shall become immediately vested on the Change in Control; or
 
  (iii)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan.
  (b)   The Committee may determine that performance metric set forth on Appendix A would likely have been achieved below the 80% Performance Target level on the Settlement Date and treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with any one of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
  (i)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will be canceled in its entirety; or
 
  (ii)   Immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Performance Share Award will be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan.
  (c)   The Committee may elect not to make a determination of the likely achievement of the performance metric set forth on Appendix A and treat the Performance Share Award in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Plan.
 
  (d)   Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Committee may otherwise determine the treatment of the Performance Share Award, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan.
  4.   Restricted Stock .
          4.1. Vesting . The Restricted Stock shall become vested and cease to be Restricted Stock (but shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Plan) as follows if the Participant has been continuously employed by the Company or an Affiliate from the Settlement Date until the applicable vesting date:
     
Vesting Date   Percentage Vested
     
     
     

-3-


 

Except as otherwise provided herein, there shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to the applicable vesting dates and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date. When any shares of Restricted Stock become vested, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Participant any related RS Property (as defined below), subject to applicable withholding.
          4.2. Detrimental Activity . The provisions in Section 8.1 of the Plan regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Restricted Stock.
          4.3. Termination of Employment/ Change in Control .
  (a)   Termination of Employment . In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability, each on or after the Settlement Date, 50% of the total number of unvested shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to this Agreement shall vest. Any remaining unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited.
  (b)   Change in Control .
  (i)   If on or after the Settlement Date there is a Change in Control and the Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause within 24 months after such Change in Control, then all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested.
 
  (ii)   If there is a Change in Control after the Settlement Date and immediately prior to the Change in Control it is determined that the Award will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan, then immediately prior to the Change in Control, all unvested Restricted Stock shall become immediately vested.
          4.4. Rights as a Holder of Restricted Stock . From and after the Settlement Date, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such shares, to receive and retain all regular cash dividends payable to holders of Common Stock of record on and after the Settlement Date (although such dividends will be treated, to the extent required by applicable law, as additional compensation for tax purposes), and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Common Stock with respect to the Restricted Stock, with the exceptions that (i) the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Stock until such shares are no longer Restricted Stock; (ii) the Company (or its designated agent) will retain custody of the stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Stock and any other property (“ RS Property ”) issued in respect of the Restricted Stock, including stock dividends at all times such shares are Restricted Stock; (iii) no RS Property will bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts; and (iv) the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer the

-4-


 

Restricted Stock in any manner whatsoever. Prior to the Settlement Date, the Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by any Restricted Stock to be granted for the Performance Period (if any) unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such Common Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 4.2(b) of the Plan).
          4.5. Taxes; Section 83(b) Election . The Participant acknowledges, subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, that (i) no later than the date on which any Restricted Stock shall have become vested, the Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment of, any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Restricted Stock which shall have become so vested, including by electing to reduce the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned; (ii) the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Restricted Stock which shall have become so vested, including that the Company may, but shall not be required to, sell a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to cover applicable withholding taxes; and (iii) in the event that the Participant does not satisfy (i) above on a timely basis, the Company may to the extent permitted by law, but shall not be required to, pay such required withholding and treat such amount as a demand loan to the Participant at the maximum rate permitted by law, with such loan, at the Company’s sole discretion and provided the Company so notifies the Participant within thirty (30) days of the making of the loan, secured by the Common Stock and any failure by the Participant to pay the loan upon demand shall entitle the Company to all of the rights at law of a creditor secured by the Common Stock. The Company may hold as security any certificates representing any Common Stock and, upon demand of the Company, the Participant shall deliver to the Company any certificates in his or her possession representing the Common Stock together with a stock power duly endorsed in blank. The Participant also acknowledges that it is his or her sole responsibility, and not the Company’s, to file timely and properly any election under Section 83(b) of the Code, and any corresponding provisions of state tax laws, if the Participant wishes to utilize such election.
          4.6. Legend . In the event that a certificate evidencing Restricted Stock is issued, the certificate representing the Common Stock shall have endorsed thereon the following legends:
  (a)   “THE ANTICIPATION, ALIENATION, ATTACHMENT, SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, ENCUMBRANCE OR CHARGE OF THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE) OF THE MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC. (THE “COMPANY”) 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE

-5-


 

      APRIL 28, 2006) (THE “PLAN”) AND AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER AND THE COMPANY DATED AS OF                         . COPIES OF SUCH PLAN AND AGREEMENT ARE ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.”
  (b)   Any legend required to be placed thereon by applicable blue sky laws of any state. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue a certificate representing the Restricted Stock prior to vesting as set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
     5.  Restrictions on Transfer . The Participant shall not sell, negotiate, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Performance Share Award or, if any, the shares of Restricted Stock or grant any proxy with respect thereto, except as specifically permitted by the Plan and this Agreement. Any attempted Transfer in violation of this Agreement and the Plan shall be void and of no effect and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and records and to issue “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein or in the Plan shall prohibit the Participant from pledging the Common Stock the Participant is granted hereunder to the Company pursuant to a stock pledge agreement entered into between the parties hereto.
     6.  Issuance Restrictions . The Company is not obligated to issue any securities if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, the issuance of such Common Stock shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or of any regulations of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange.
     7.  Securities Representations . The shares of Common Stock will be issued to the Participant and this Agreement is being made by the Company in reliance upon the following express representations and warranties of the Participant. The Participant acknowledges, represents and warrants that:
               7.1. The Participant has been advised that the Participant may be an “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in this connection the Company is relying in part on the Participant’s representations set forth in this section;
               7.2. The Common Stock must be held indefinitely by the Participant unless (i) an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available for the resale of such Common Stock or (ii) the Company files an additional registration statement (or a “re-offer prospectus”) with regard to the resale of such Common Stock and the Company is under no obligation to continue in effect a Form S-8 Registration Statement or to otherwise register the resale of the Common Stock (or to file a “re-offer prospectus”);

-6-


 

               7.3. The exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available under current law unless (i) a public trading market then exists for the Common Stock, (ii) adequate information concerning the Company is then available to the public, and (iii) other terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom are complied with and that any sale of the Common Stock may be made only in limited amounts in accordance with such terms and conditions.
     8.  Not an Employment Agreement . Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the issuance of the Performance Share Award or the Common Stock hereunder constitute an agreement by the Company to employ or to continue to employ the Participant during the entire, or any portion of, the term of this Agreement, including but not limited to any period during which any shares of Common Stock are outstanding.
     9.  Power of Attorney . The Company, its successors and assigns, is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, of the Participant for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instruments which such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment as attorney-in-fact is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Company, as attorney-in-fact for the Participant, may in the name and stead of the Participant, make and execute all conveyances, assignments and transfers of the Restricted Stock, other RS Property, Common Stock and property provided for herein, and the Participant hereby ratifies and confirms that which the Company, as said attorney-in-fact, shall do by virtue hereof. Nevertheless, the Participant shall, if so requested by the Company, execute and deliver to the Company all such instruments as may, in the judgment of the Company, be advisable for this purpose.
     10.  Miscellaneous .
          10.1. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal legal representatives, successors, trustees, administrators, distributees, devisees and legatees. The Company may assign to, and require, any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or any affiliate by which the Participant is employed to expressly assume and agree in writing to perform this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may not assign this Agreement other than with respect to shares of Common Stock Transferred in compliance with the terms hereof.
          10.2. This award of the Performance Share Award, and upon the settlement thereof the issuance of Restricted Stock (if any), shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or stockholders of the Company to make or authorize an adjustment, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure or the business of the Company, any merger or consolidation of the Company or subsidiaries, any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

-7-


 

          10.3. The Participant agrees that the award of the Performance Share Award hereunder, and upon the settlement thereof the issuance of Restricted Stock (if any), is special incentive compensation and that the Performance Share Award and Restricted Stock (if applicable), any dividends paid thereon (even if treated as compensation for tax purposes) and any other RS Property will not be taken into account as “salary” or “compensation” or “bonus” in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement or profit-sharing plan of the Company or any life insurance, disability or other benefit plan of the Company.
          10.4. No modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced.
          10.5. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile or PDF), all of which taken together shall constitute one contract.
          10.6. The failure of any party hereto at any time to require performance by another party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to require performance of that provision, and any waiver by any party of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision, a waiver of the provision itself, or a waiver of any right under this Agreement.
          10.7. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way restrict or modify any of the terms or provisions hereof.
          10.8. All notices, consents, requests, approvals, instructions and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and validly given or made when delivered, or on the second succeeding business day after being mailed by registered or certified mail, whichever is earlier, to the persons entitled or required to receive the same, at the addresses set forth at the heading of this Agreement or to such other address as either party may designate by like notice. Notices to the Company shall be addressed to the Compensation Committee of the Board with a copy to the Company’s Head of Human Resources.
          10.9. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed and the legal relationships of the parties determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law.
          10.10. By executing this Agreement the Participant hereby accepts the terms and conditions of this Agreement and, effective as of the Settlement Date, shall be deemed to have accepted the award of Restricted Stock within the time period required under Section 8.2(b) of the Plan.
     11.  Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment

-8-


 

provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Participant. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. Unless otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any other documents expressly contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Participant.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
         
  MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
 
 
  By:      
    Richard M. McVey   
       
 
  Date:                                          
 
 
     
 
 
 
Participant

Date:                                          
 
 
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

-9-


 

APPENDIX A
Performance Metric and Number of Shares
A. Performance Metric .
     The Performance metric set forth herein is established for purposes of the grant of the Performance Shares for the Performance Period and is intended to be “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
     The performance metric for the Performance Period ending                      shall be the Company’s attainment of pre-tax operating income of $                per share of Common Stock before the Company’s payment of any cash bonuses to its employees for performance during the Performance Period and any expenses incurred in connection with all Performance Share Awards for the Performance Period granted by the Company to Eligible Employees and Consultants, as set forth in the Company’s financial statements and as calculated in accordance with GAAP (the “ Performance Target ”). The number of shares of Common Stock awarded will be based on the level of the Performance Target achieved, as specified below (i.e., Awarded Shares). The terms and conditions governing the Performance Share Award will be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee will certify the attainment of the Level of Target Performance Achieved to the extent and in the manner required by Section 162(m) of the Code.
     Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, a number of shares of Common Stock shall be awarded to the Participant on the Settlement Date, as follows:
     
    Percentage of Shares of Common Stock
    Represented by Performance Shares to
Level of Target Performance Achieved   be Awarded
120% and above   150%
100%   100%
80%   50%
less than 80%   0%
B. Interpolation; Fractional Shares . In awarding a percentage of the Common Stock to the Participant, the Committee shall interpolate the percentage of Common Stock awarded for the achievement of the performance metric between each applicable target level, which percentage shall be calculated to the nearest one-hundredth percent. Fractional shares shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time earned by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.

A-1


 

C. Miscellaneous .
     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Committee shall calculate pre-tax operating income in a manner that excludes the following:
  (i)   all items of gain, loss or expense for the applicable fiscal year under consideration that are related to the disposal of a business or discontinued operations; and
  (ii)   all items of gain, loss or expense for the applicable fiscal year that are related to changes in accounting principles or to changes in applicable law or regulations.
     In addition, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to exclude from the calculation of operating income all items of gain loss or expense for the applicable fiscal year that are related to extraordinary, special, unusual or non-recurring items, events or circumstances affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company.
     With respect to the Performance Period, to the extent any provision contained herein creates impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision will be of no force or effect.

A-2

 

Exhibit 10.3
FORM OF RESTRICTED
STOCK AGREEMENT
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC. 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2006)
           THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the ___ day of ____________, ______, by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal office at 140 Broadway, 42 nd Floor, New York, New York 10005 (the “Company”), and _______________, residing at _________________________________ (the “Participant”).
          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) adopted, and the stockholders of the Company, approved the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) (the “Plan”);
          WHEREAS, the Company, through the Committee under the Plan, wishes to grant to the Participant shares of its common stock, par value $.003 per share (“Common Stock” or the “Shares”) in the amount set forth below; and
          WHEREAS, such Shares are subject to certain restrictions.
          NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Participant agree as follows:
           1. Sale of Shares . Subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company awards to the Participant, ____________ shares of the Company’s Common Stock on _______________ (the “Grant Date”). To the extent required by law, the Participant shall pay the Company the par value ($.003) (the “Purchase Price”) for each Share awarded to the Participant simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement in cash or cash equivalents payable to the order of the Company. Pursuant to the Plan and Section 2 of this Agreement, the Shares are subject to certain restrictions, which restrictions shall expire in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and Section 2 hereof. While such restrictions are in effect, the Shares subject to such restrictions shall be referred to herein as “Restricted Stock.”

 


 

           2. Vesting . (a) Except as set forth in subsections (b) and (c) below, the Restricted Stock shall become vested and cease to be Restricted Stock (but shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Plan) as follows if the Participant has been continuously employed by the Company until such date:
     
Vesting Date   Percentage Vested
 
   
 
   
 
   
          There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to the applicable vesting dates and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date.
          (b) Upon the death or Disability of the Participant, 50% of any shares of Restricted Stock that are unvested at the time of such Termination shall become vested and cease to be Restricted Stock (but shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Plan). Any remaining unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited.
          (c) In the event of a Change in Control, the Restricted Stock shall be treated in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Plan; provided that, (i) immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Restricted Stock will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan, and immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Restricted Stock shall become fully vested and cease to be Restricted Stock (but shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Plan) and (ii) if the Participant incurs a Termination by the Company without Cause within 24 months after such Change in Control, the Restricted Stock shall become fully vested and cease to be Restricted Stock (but shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Plan).
           3. Restrictions on Transfer . The Participant shall not sell, negotiate, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Shares or grant any proxy with respect thereto, except as specifically permitted by the Plan and this Agreement. Any attempted Transfer in violation of this Agreement and the Plan shall be void and of no effect and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and records and to issue “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein or in the Plan shall prohibit the Participant from pledging the Shares the Participant is granted hereunder to the Company pursuant to a stock pledge agreement entered into between the parties hereto.
           4. Forfeiture . (a) The provisions in Section 8.l of the Plan regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Restricted Stock.
               (b) If a Participant incurs a Termination for any reason, the Company shall repurchase from the Participant for the Purchase Price paid for such shares of Restricted Stock, any and all Restricted Stock.

 


 

           5.  Rights as a Holder of Restricted Stock . From and after the issue date, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote the Shares, to receive and retain all regular cash dividends payable to holders of Shares of record on and after the issue date (although such dividends will be treated, to the extent required by applicable law, as additional compensation for tax purposes), and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Shares with respect to the Restricted Stock, with the exceptions that (i) the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Stock until such shares are no longer Restricted Stock; (ii) the Company (or its designated agent) will retain custody of the stock certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Stock and any other property (“RS Property”) issued in respect of the Restricted Stock, including stock dividends at all times such Shares are Restricted Stock; (iii) no RS Property will bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts; and (iv) the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer the Restricted Stock in any manner whatsoever.
           6.  Taxes; Section 83(b) Election . The Participant acknowledges, subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, that (i) no later than the date on which any Restricted Stock shall have become vested, the Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment of, any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Restricted Stock which shall have become so vested; (ii) the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to any Restricted Stock which shall have become so vested, including that the Company may, but shall not be required to, sell a number of Shares sufficient to cover applicable withholding taxes; and (iii) in the event that the Participant does not satisfy (i) above on a timely basis, the Company may, but shall not be required to, pay such required withholding and treat such amount as a demand loan to you at the maximum rate permitted by law, with such loan, at the Company’s sole discretion and provided the Company so notifies the Participant within thirty (30) days of the making of the loan, secured by the Shares and any failure by you to pay the loan upon demand shall entitle the Company to all of the rights at law of a creditor secured by the Shares. The Company may hold as security any certificates representing any Shares and, upon demand of the Company, the Participant shall deliver to the Company any certificates in his or her possession representing Shares together with a stock power duly endorsed in blank. The Participant also acknowledges that it is his or her sole responsibility, and not the Company’s, to file timely and properly any election under Section 83(b) of the Code, and any corresponding provisions of state tax laws, if the Participant wishes to utilize such election.
           7.  Legend . In the event that a certificate evidencing Restricted Stock is issued, the certificate representing the Shares shall have endorsed thereon the following legends:
          (a) “THE ANTICIPATION, ALIENATION, ATTACHMENT, SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, ENCUMBRANCE OR CHARGE OF THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE) OF THE MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC. (THE “COMPANY”) 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (THE “PLAN”) AND AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER AND THE COMPANY DATED AS OF THE ___ DAY

 


 

OF _________. COPIES OF SUCH PLAN AND AGREEMENT ARE ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.”
          (b) Any legend required to be placed thereon by applicable blue sky laws of any state. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue a certificate representing the Restricted Stock prior to vesting as set forth in Section 2 hereof.
           8. Securities Representations . The Shares are being issued to the Participant and this Agreement is being made by the Company in reliance upon the following express representations and warranties of the Participant. The Participant acknowledges, represents and warrants that:
          (a) The Participant has been advised that the Participant may be an “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in this connection the Company is relying in part on the Participant’s representations set forth in this section;
          (b) The Shares must be held indefinitely by the Participant unless (i) an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available for the resale of such Shares or (ii) the Company files an additional registration statement (or a “re-offer prospectus”) with regard to the resale of such Shares and the Company is under no obligation to continue in effect a Form S-8 Registration Statement or to otherwise register the resale of the Shares (or to file a “re-offer prospectus”);
          (c) The exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available under current law unless (i) a public trading market then exists for the Common Stock of the Company, (ii) adequate information concerning the Company is then available to the public, and (iii) other terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom are complied with and that any sale of the Shares may be made only in limited amounts in accordance with such terms and conditions.
           9. Not an Employment Agreement . Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the issuance of the Shares hereunder constitute an agreement by the Company to employ or to continue to employ the Participant during the entire, or any portion of, the term of this Agreement, including but not limited to any period during which any Shares are outstanding.
           10. Power of Attorney . The Company, its successors and assigns, is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, of the Participant for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instruments which such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment as attorney-in-fact is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Company, as attorney-in-fact for the Participant, may in the name and stead of the Participant, make and execute all conveyances, assignments and transfers of the Restricted Stock, other RS Property, Shares and property provided for herein, and the Participant hereby ratifies and confirms that which the Company, as said attorney-in-fact, shall do by virtue hereof. Nevertheless, the Participant shall, if so requested by the Company, execute and deliver to the Company all such instruments as may, in the judgment of the Company, be advisable for this purpose.

 


 

           11. Miscellaneous .
          (a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal legal representatives, successors, trustees, administrators, distributees, devisees and legatees. The Company may assign to, and require, any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or any affiliate by which the Participant is employed to expressly assume and agree in writing to perform this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may not assign this Agreement other than with respect to Shares Transferred in compliance with the terms hereof.
          (b) This award of Restricted Stock shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or stockholders of the Company to make or authorize an adjustment, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure or the business of the Company, any merger or consolidation of the Company or subsidiaries, any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
          (c) The Participant agrees that the award of the Restricted Stock hereunder is special incentive compensation and that it, any dividends paid thereon (even if treated as compensation for tax purposes) and any other RS Property will not be taken into account as “salary” or “compensation” or “bonus” in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement or profit-sharing plan of the Company or any life insurance, disability or other benefit plan of the Company.
          (d) No modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced.
          (e) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one contract.
          (f) The failure of any party hereto at any time to require performance by another party of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to require performance of that provision, and any waiver by any party of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision, a waiver of the provision itself, or a waiver of any right under this Agreement.
          (g) The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way restrict or modify any of the terms or provisions hereof.
          (h) All notices, consents, requests, approvals, instructions and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and validly given or made when delivered, or on the second succeeding business day after being mailed by registered or certified mail, whichever is earlier, to the persons entitled or required to receive the same, at the addresses set forth at the heading of this Agreement or to such other address as either party may designate by like notice. Notices to the Company shall be addressed to the Compensation Committee of the Board with a copy to General Counsel, MarketAxess Holdings Inc., 140 Broadway, 42 nd Floor, New York, NY 10005.

 


 

          (i) This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed and the legal relationships of the parties determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law.
          (j) By executing this Agreement within 60 days after the day and year first written above, the award of Restricted Stock shall be accepted by the Participant within the time period required under Section 8.2(b) of the Plan.
           12. Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Participant. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. Unless otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any other documents expressly contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Participant.

 


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
         
  MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
 
 
  Richard M. McVey, Chief Executive Officer
 
  Dated:    
 
           
Participant:
 
 
Name
 
Dated:   
     
     
     
 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4
FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(
AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2006)
          AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of                      by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) and                                           (the “Participant”).
Preliminary Statement
          The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or a committee appointed by the Board (the “Committee”) to administer the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) (the “Plan”), has authorized this grant of an incentive stock option (the “Option”) on ______ (the “Grant Date”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.003 per share (the “Common Stock”) set forth below to the Participant, as an Eligible Employee of the Company or an Affiliate (collectively, the Company and all Subsidiaries and Parents of the Company shall be referred to as the “Employer”). Unless otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Participant. By signing and returning this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges having received and read a copy of the Plan and agrees to comply with it, this Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations.
          Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
          1. Tax Matters . The Option granted hereby is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option will not qualify as an “incentive stock option,” among other events, (i) if the Participant disposes of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option at any time during the two (2) year period following the date of this Agreement or the one (1) year period following the date on which the Option is exercised; (ii) except in the event of the Participant’s death or disability, as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, if the Participant is not employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of exercise of the Option; or (iii) to the extent the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the Common Stock subject to “incentive stock options” which become exercisable for the first time in any calendar year exceeds $100,000. To the extent that the Option does not qualify as an

 


 

FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION AGREEMENT
“incentive stock option,” it shall not effect the validity of the Option and shall constitute a separate non-qualified stock option.
          2. Grant of Option . Subject in all respects to the Plan and the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein, the Participant is hereby granted an Option to purchase from the Company                        shares of Common Stock, at a price per share of $                      (the “Option Price”).
          3. Exercise . (a) Except as set forth in subsections (b) through (e) below, the Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows, provided that the Participant has not incurred a Termination of Employment prior to the vesting date:
         
Vesting Date   Percentage Vested  
 
       
 
       
 
       
     To the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock as provided above, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein and in accordance with Section 6.4(d) of the Plan, including, without limitation, by the filing of any written form of exercise notice as may be required by the Committee and payment in full of the Option Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the portion of the Option exercised. Upon expiration of the Option, the Option shall be canceled and no longer exercisable.
          There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date.
          (b) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting of the Option at any time.
          (c) The provisions in Section 6.4(c) of the Plan regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Option.
          (d) Upon the death or Disability of the Participant, 50% of any unvested portion of the Option at the time of such Termination shall become fully vested and exercisable in accordance with Section 5(a) below. Any remaining unvested Options shall terminate and be cancelled immediately upon such Termination.
          (e) In the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall be treated in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Plan; provided that, (i) immediately prior to the

2


 

FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION AGREEMENT
Change in Control, the Committee may determine that the Option will not be continued, assumed or have new rights substituted therefor in accordance with Section 12.1(a) of the Plan, and immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable and (ii) if the Participant incurs a Termination by the Company without Cause within 24 months after such Change in Control, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable in accordance with Section 5(b) below.
          4. Option Term . The term of each Option shall be ten (10) years after the Grant Date, subject to earlier termination in the event of the Participant’s Termination as specified in Section 5 below.
          5. Termination .
          Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Option, to the extent vested at the time of the Participant’s Termination, shall remain exercisable as follows:
          (a) In the event of the Participant’s Termination by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof; provided, however, that in the case of Retirement, if the Participant dies within such one (1) year exercise period, any unexercised Option held by the Participant shall thereafter be exercisable by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate, to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
          (b) In the event of the Participant’s involuntary Termination without Cause, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
          (c) In the event of the Participant’s voluntary Termination (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 5(d) below), the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
          (d) In the event of the Participant’s Termination for Cause or in the event of the Participant’s voluntary Termination within ninety (90) days after an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, the Participant’s entire Option (whether or not vested) shall terminate and expire upon such Termination.
Any portion of the Option that is not vested as of the date of the Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

3


 

FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION AGREEMENT
          6. Restriction on Transfer of Option . No part of the Option shall be Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of the Participant, may be exercised only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. In addition, the Option shall not be assigned, negotiated, pledged or hypothecated in any way (except as provided by law or herein), and the Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to Transfer the Option or in the event of any levy upon the Option by reason of any execution, attachment or similar process contrary to the provisions hereof, such transfer shall be void and of no effect and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and records and to issue “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent.
          7. Rights as a Stockholder . The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of the shares, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan.
          8. Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any exercise notice or other documents expressly contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.
          9. Notices . Any notice or communication given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two (2) days after being sent by United States mail; or (iii) on the first business day following the date of deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time to time specify):
If to the Company, to:
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42 nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Compensation Committee
If to the Participant, to the address on file with the Company.

4


 

FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION AGREEMENT
          10. No Obligation to Continue Employment . This Agreement is not an agreement of employment. This Agreement does not guarantee that the Employer will employ the Participant for any specific time period, nor does it modify in any respect the Employer’s right to terminate or modify the Participant’s employment or compensation.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
         
  MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
 
 
  By:      
    Richard M. McVey      
 
    Dated: _______________________________  
 
         
     
     
[Participant’s Name]     
     
Date:                                                                               

5

 

Exhibit 10.5
FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT FOR MR. MCVEY
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2006)
     AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of                      by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “Company and Richard M. McVey (the “Executive”).
Preliminary Statement
     The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or a committee appointed by the Board (the “Committee”) to administer the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) (the “Plan”), has authorized this grant of an incentive stock option (the “Option”) on                      (the “Grant Date”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.003 per share (the “Common Stock”) set forth below to the Executive, as an Eligible Employee of the Company or an Affiliate (collectively, the Company and all Subsidiaries and Parents of the Company shall be referred to as the “Employer”). Unless otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Executive. By signing and returning this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges having received and read a copy of the Plan and agrees to comply with it, this Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations.
     Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     1.  Tax Matters . The Option granted hereby is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option will not qualify as an “incentive stock option,” among other events, (i) if the Executive disposes of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option at any time during the two (2) year period following the date of this Agreement or the one (1) year period following the date on which the Option is exercised; (ii) except in the event of the Executive’s death or disability, as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, if the Executive is not employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of exercise of the Option; or (iii) to the extent the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the Common Stock subject to “incentive stock options” which become exercisable for the first time in any calendar year exceeds $100,000. To the extent that the Option does not qualify as an “incentive stock option,” it shall not effect the validity of the Option and shall constitute a separate non-qualified stock option.

 


 

     2.  Grant of Option . Subject in all respects to the Plan and the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein, the Executive is hereby granted an Option to purchase from the Company              shares of Common Stock, at a price per share of $              (the “Option Price”).
     3.  Exercise . (a) Except as set forth in subsections (b) through (f) below, the Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows, provided that the Executive has not incurred a Termination of Employment prior to the vesting date:
     
Vesting Date   Percentage Vested
     
     To the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock as provided above, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the Executive, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein and in accordance with Section 6.4(d) of the Plan, including, without limitation, by the filing of any written form of exercise notice as may be required by the Committee and payment in full of the Option Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the portion of the Option exercised. Upon expiration of the Option, the Option shall be canceled and no longer exercisable.
     There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting of the Option at any time.
     (b) Upon death or Disability of the Executive, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable.
     (c) In the event the Executive’s Service is terminated by the Company without Cause,              shares shall immediately vest and become exercisable.
     (d) In the event of a change of Control in which the holders of the Company’s outstanding capital stock receive only cash in exchange for such capital stock, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to such Change in Control. In the event of any other Change in Control, the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable upon any termination of the Executive’s Service by the Company (or any successor thereto) without Cause occurring after such Change in Control.

2


 

     (e) In the event that the Executive engages in Detrimental Activity (as defined in Exhibit A hereto) prior to any exercise of the Option, the Option shall thereupon terminate and expire. As a condition of the exercise of the Option, the Executive shall certify (or shall be deemed to have certified) at the time of exercise in a manner acceptable to the Company that the Executive is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and that the Executive has not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, any Detrimental Activity. In the event the Executive engages in Detrimental Activity during the one (1) year period commencing on the date any portion of the Option is exercised or becomes vested, the Company shall be entitled to recover from the Executive at any time within one (1) year after such exercise or vesting, and the Executive shall pay over to the Company, an amount equal to any gain realized as a result of the exercise (whether at the time of exercise or thereafter). The foregoing provisions of this Section 3(e) shall cease to apply upon a Change in Control.
     (f) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Agreement, any unvested portion of the Option shall, upon such termination of the Executive’s Service, be non-exercisable and shall be canceled.
     4.  Option Term . The term of each Option shall be ten (10) years after the Grant Date, subject to earlier termination in the event of the Executive’s Termination as specified in Section 5 below.
     5.  Termination . Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Option, to the extent vested at the time of the Executive’s Termination, shall remain exercisable as follows:
     (a) In the event of the Executive’s Termination by reason of death or Disability, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable. The Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) two (2) years from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
     (b) In the event of the Executive’s involuntary Termination without Cause, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
     (c) In the event of the Executive’s voluntary Termination (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 5(e) below), the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
     (d) In the event of the Executive’s Termination for Cause or in the event of the Executive’s voluntary Termination within ninety (90) days after an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, the Executive’s entire Option (whether or not vested) shall terminate and expire upon such Termination.

3


 

     6.  Restriction on Transfer of Option .
     (a) No part of the Option shall be Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of the Executive, may be exercised only by the Executive or the Executive’s guardian or legal representative. In addition, the Option shall not be assigned, negotiated, pledged or hypothecated in any way (except as provided by law or herein), and the Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to Transfer the Option or in the event of any levy upon the Option by reason of any execution, attachment or similar process contrary to the provisions hereof, such transfer shall be void and of no effect and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and records and to issue “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent.
     (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6(a) above, the Option shall be Transferable, in whole or in part, to a Family Member (as defined below) of the Executive. Any portion of the Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of this Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option by a permissible transferee of the Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Option shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
     (c) For purposes hereof, a “Family Member” shall mean, solely to the extent provided for in Rule 701 under the Securities Act, any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Executive’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the employee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the employee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests or as otherwise defined in Rule 701 under the Securities Act.
     7.  Rights as a Stockholder . The Executive shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option unless and until the Executive has become the holder of record of the shares, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan.
     8.  Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that

4


 

this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any exercise notice or other documents expressly contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof.
     9.  Notices . Any notice or communication given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two (2) days after being sent by United States mail; or (iii) on the first business day following the date of deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time to time specify):
If to the Company, to:
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42 nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Compensation Committee
     If to the Executive, to the address on file with the Company.
     10.  No Obligation to Continue Employment . This Agreement is not an agreement of employment. This Agreement does not guarantee that the Employer will employ the Executive for any specific time period, nor does it modify in any respect the Employer’s right to terminate or modify the Executive’s employment or compensation.
[ End of text. Signature page follows. ]

5


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
             
    MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
           
 
      Richard M. McVey    
 
      Chief Executive Officer    
 
           
 
  Dated:        
 
           
 
           
 
  By:        
 
           
 
      James N.B. Rucker    
 
      Chief Financial Officer    
 
           
 
  Dated:        
 
     
 
   
         
EXECUTIVE:    
 
       
     
[Executive]    
 
       
Dated:
       
 
 
 
   

6


 

EXHIBIT A
DEFINITION OF DETRIMENTAL ACTIVITY
     For purposes of this Agreement, “ Detrimental Activity ” shall mean: (a) the disclosure to anyone outside the Company or its affiliates, or the use in any manner other than in the furtherance of the Company’s or its affiliate’s business, without written authorization from the Company, of any confidential information or proprietary information, relating to the business of the Company or its affiliates that is acquired by an Executive prior to the termination of the Executive’s Service; (b) activity while employed or performing services that results, or if known could result, in the termination of the Executive’s Service that is classified by the Company as a termination for Cause; (c) engaging in Solicitation (as defined below) without, in all cases, written authorization from the Company; (d) the making of disparaging comments or statements by the Executive, or the inducement of others by the Executive to make any disparaging comments or statements, to the press, the Company’s or its affiliates’ employees, consultants or any individual or entity with whom the Company or its affiliates has a business relationship which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any manner: (i) the conduct of the business of the Company or its affiliates (including, without limitation, any products or business plans or prospects); or (ii) the business reputation of the Company or its affiliates, or any of their products, or their past or present officers, directors or employees; (e) without written authorization from the Company, engaging in Competition (as defined below). For purposes of sub-sections (a), (c), and (e) above, the Board of Directors of the Company shall each have authority to provide the Executive with written authorization to engage in the activities contemplated thereby and no other person shall have authority to provide the Executive with such authorization. Except as specifically provided in any other agreement between the Executive and the Company, Detrimental Activity shall not be deemed to occur after the end of the one (1) year period following the date of termination of the Executive’s Service.
     “ Competition ” means the Executive’s participation, directly or indirectly, as an individual proprietor, partner, stockholder, officer, employee, director, joint venturer, investor, lender, consultant or in any capacity whatsoever (within the United States or in any foreign country where the Company or its affiliates does business) in a business (whether a division, unit, subsidiary or affiliate), other than the Company and its affiliates: (i) that is engaged in the design, development, operation or promotion of a multi-dealer electronic platform or electronic commerce network (ECN) for fixed income securities (or other fixed income instruments) information research, distribution, trading and/or other transactions; (ii) whose principal business is electronic distribution, research and/or trading of fixed income securities (or other fixed income instruments); or (iii) that is not included in subsections (i) or (ii) and as to which the Company or its affiliates have taken demonstrable steps at the time of termination of the Executive’s employment. Competition does not include: (i) the Executive’s ownership of not more than 1% of the total outstanding stock of a publicly held company; or (ii) the Executive’s performance of services for any enterprise to the

7


 

extent such services are not performed, directly or indirectly, for a business in the aforesaid Competition (including, without limitation, his performance of services for any entity which has a division or business unit engaging in competition with the Company’s or its affiliates’ business, if such performance does not in any capacity, directly or indirectly, involve work with or assistance to such division or business unit). The meaning of “as to which the Company has taken demonstrable steps” shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith based on written memoranda or similar writings or communications and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes hereunder.
     “ Solicitation ” means (i) recruiting, soliciting or inducing any nonclerical employee or consultant of the Company or its affiliates to terminate his or her employment with, or otherwise cease or reduce his or her relationship with, the Company or such affiliate; (ii) hiring or assisting another person or entity to hire any nonclerical employee or consultant of the Company or its affiliates or any person who, to the Executive’s knowledge, within six months before was such a person; or (iii) soliciting or inducing any person or entity to terminate, or otherwise to cease, reduce, or diminish in any way its relationship with or prospective relationship with the Company or its affiliates. You may however, if requested by any entity with which you are not affiliated, serve as a reference for any person who at the time of the request is not an employee of, or consultant to, the Company or its affiliates.

8

 

Exhibit 10.6
FORM OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT FOR MR. MILLET
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28, 2006)
          AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of                      by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) and T. Kelley Millet (the “Executive”).
Preliminary Statement
          The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or a committee appointed by the Board (the “Committee”) to administer the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) (the “Plan”), has authorized this grant of an incentive stock option (the “Option”) on                      (the “Grant Date”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.003 per share (the “Common Stock”) set forth below to the Executive, as an Eligible Employee of the Company or an Affiliate (collectively, the Company and all Subsidiaries and Parents of the Company shall be referred to as the “Employer”). Unless otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Executive. By signing and returning this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges having received and read a copy of the Plan and agrees to comply with it, this Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations.
          Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
          1. Tax Matters . The Option granted hereby is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option will not qualify as an “incentive stock option,” among other events, (i) if the Executive disposes of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option at any time during the two (2) year period following the date of this Agreement or the one (1) year period following the date on which the Option is exercised; (ii) except in the event of the Executive’s death or disability, as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, if the Executive is not employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of exercise of the Option; or (iii) to the extent the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the Common Stock subject to “incentive stock options” which become exercisable for the first time in any calendar year exceeds $100,000. To the extent that the Option does not qualify as an

 


 

“incentive stock option,” it shall not effect the validity of the Option and shall constitute a separate non-qualified stock option.
          2. Grant of Option . Subject in all respects to the Plan and the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein, the Executive is hereby granted an Option to purchase from the Company                      shares of Common Stock, at a price per share of $                      (the “Option Price”).
          3. Exercise . (a) Except as set forth in subsections (b) through (f) below, the Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows, provided that the Executive has not incurred a Termination of Employment prior to the vesting date:
     
Vesting Date   Percentage Vested
     
     
     
     To the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock as provided above, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the Executive, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein and in accordance with Section 6.4(d) of the Plan, including, without limitation, by the filing of any written form of exercise notice as may be required by the Committee and payment in full of the Option Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the portion of the Option exercised. Upon expiration of the Option, the Option shall be canceled and no longer exercisable.
          There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting of the Option at any time.
          (b) Upon death or Disability of the Executive, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable.
          (c) In the event the Executive’s Service is terminated by the Company without Cause,         shares shall immediately vest and become exercisable.
          (d) In the event of a change of Control in which the holders of the Company’s outstanding capital stock receive only cash in exchange for such capital stock, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to such Change in Control. In the event of any other Change in Control, the unvested portion

2


 

of the Option shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable upon (i) such Change in Control if such Change in Control occurs within three (3) months following any resignation by the Executive for “Good Reason” (as defined in the Letter Agreement) or a termination of the Participant’s service by the Company (or the successor thereto) without Cause, or (ii) any resignation by the Executive for Good Reason or termination of the Executive’s service by the Company (or the successor thereto) without Cause occurring twenty-four (24) months after such Change in Control and shall be exercisable in accordance with Section 5(b) below. .
          (e) In the event that the Executive engages in Detrimental Activity (as defined in Exhibit A hereto) prior to any exercise of the Option, the Option shall thereupon terminate and expire. As a condition of the exercise of the Option, the Executive shall certify (or shall be deemed to have certified) at the time of exercise in a manner acceptable to the Company that the Executive is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and that the Executive has not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, any Detrimental Activity. In the event the Executive engages in Detrimental Activity during the one (1) year period commencing on the date any portion of the Option is exercised or becomes vested, the Company shall be entitled to recover from the Executive at any time within one (1) year after such exercise or vesting, and the Executive shall pay over to the Company, an amount equal to any gain realized as a result of the exercise (whether at the time of exercise or thereafter). The foregoing provisions of this Section 3(e) shall cease to apply upon a Change in Control.
          (f) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Agreement, any unvested portion of the Option shall, upon such termination of the Executive’s Service, be non-exercisable and shall be canceled.
          4. Option Term . The term of each Option shall be ten (10) years after the Grant Date, subject to earlier termination in the event of the Executive’s Termination as specified in Section 5 below.
          5. Termination . Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Option, to the extent vested at the time of the Executive’s Termination, shall remain exercisable as follows:
          (a) In the event of the Executive’s Termination by reason of death or Disability, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable. The Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) two (2) years from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
          (b) In the event of the Executive’s involuntary Termination without Cause, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

3


 

          (c) In the event of the Executive’s voluntary Termination (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 5(e) below), the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
          (d) In the event of the Executive’s Termination for Cause or in the event of the Executive’s voluntary Termination within ninety (90) days after an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, the Executive’s entire Option (whether or not vested) shall terminate and expire upon such Termination.
          6. Restriction on Transfer of Option .
          (a) No part of the Option shall be Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of the Executive, may be exercised only by the Executive or the Executive’s guardian or legal representative. In addition, the Option shall not be assigned, negotiated, pledged or hypothecated in any way (except as provided by law or herein), and the Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to Transfer the Option or in the event of any levy upon the Option by reason of any execution, attachment or similar process contrary to the provisions hereof, such transfer shall be void and of no effect and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and records and to issue “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent.
          (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6(a) above, the Option shall be Transferable, in whole or in part, to a Family Member (as defined below) of the Executive. Any portion of the Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of this Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the Option by a permissible transferee of the Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Option shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
          (c) For purposes hereof, a “Family Member” shall mean, solely to the extent provided for in Rule 701 under the Securities Act, any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Executive’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the employee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the employee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests or as otherwise defined in Rule 701 under the Securities Act.
          7. Rights as a Stockholder . The Executive shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option unless and until the Executive has become the holder of record of the shares, and no adjustments shall be

4


 

made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan.
          8. Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any exercise notice or other documents expressly contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof.
          9. Notices . Any notice or communication given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two (2) days after being sent by United States mail; or (iii) on the first business day following the date of deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time to time specify):
If to the Company, to:
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42 nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Compensation Committee
If to the Executive, to the address on file with the Company.
          10. No Obligation to Continue Employment . This Agreement is not an agreement of employment. This Agreement does not guarantee that the Employer will employ the Executive for any specific time period, nor does it modify in any respect the Employer’s right to terminate or modify the Executive’s employment or compensation.
[ End of text. Signature page follows. ]

5


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
         
  MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
 
 
  By:      
    Richard M. McVey   
    Chief Executive Officer   
 
Dated:                                                               
EXECUTIVE:
     
 
T. Kelley Millet
   
Dated:                                          

6


 

EXHIBIT A
DEFINITION OF DETRIMENTAL ACTIVITY
     For purposes of this Agreement, “ Detrimental Activity ” shall mean: (a) the disclosure to anyone outside the Company or its affiliates, or the use in any manner other than in the furtherance of the Company’s or its affiliate’s business, without written authorization from the Company, of any confidential information or proprietary information, relating to the business of the Company or its affiliates that is acquired by an Executive prior to the termination of the Executive’s Service; (b) activity while employed or performing services that results, or if known could result, in the termination of the Executive’s Service that is classified by the Company as a termination for Cause; (c) engaging in Solicitation (as defined below) without, in all cases, written authorization from the Company; (d) the making of disparaging comments or statements by the Executive, or the inducement of others by the Executive to make any disparaging comments or statements, to the press, the Company’s or its affiliates’ employees, consultants or any individual or entity with whom the Company or its affiliates has a business relationship which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any manner: (i) the conduct of the business of the Company or its affiliates (including, without limitation, any products or business plans or prospects); or (ii) the business reputation of the Company or its affiliates, or any of their products, or their past or present officers, directors or employees; (e) without written authorization from the Company, engaging in Competition (as defined below). For purposes of sub-sections (a), (c), and (e) above, the Board of Directors of the Company shall each have authority to provide the Executive with written authorization to engage in the activities contemplated thereby and no other person shall have authority to provide the Executive with such authorization. Except as specifically provided in any other agreement between the Executive and the Company, Detrimental Activity shall not be deemed to occur after the end of the one (1) year period following the date of termination of the Executive’s Service.
     “ Competition ” means the Executive’s participation, directly or indirectly, as an individual proprietor, partner, stockholder, officer, employee, director, joint venturer, investor, lender, consultant or in any capacity whatsoever (within the United States or in any foreign country where the Company or its affiliates does business) in a business (whether a division, unit, subsidiary or affiliate), other than the Company and its affiliates: (i) that is engaged in the design, development, operation or promotion of a multi-dealer electronic platform or electronic commerce network (ECN) for fixed income securities (or other fixed income instruments) information research, distribution, trading and/or other transactions; (ii) whose principal business is electronic distribution, research and/or trading of fixed income securities (or other fixed income instruments); or (iii) that is not included in subsections (i) or (ii) and as to which the Company or its affiliates have taken demonstrable steps at the time of termination of the Executive’s employment. Competition does not include: (i) the Executive’s ownership of not more than 1% of the total outstanding stock of a publicly held company; or (ii) the Executive’s performance of services for any enterprise to the

7


 

extent such services are not performed, directly or indirectly, for a business in the aforesaid Competition (including, without limitation, his performance of services for any entity which has a division or business unit engaging in competition with the Company’s or its affiliates’ business, if such performance does not in any capacity, directly or indirectly, involve work with or assistance to such division or business unit). The meaning of “as to which the Company has taken demonstrable steps” shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith based on written memoranda or similar writings or communications and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes hereunder.
     “ Solicitation ” means (i) recruiting, soliciting or inducing any nonclerical employee or consultant of the Company or its affiliates to terminate his or her employment with, or otherwise cease or reduce his or her relationship with, the Company or such affiliate; (ii) hiring or assisting another person or entity to hire any nonclerical employee or consultant of the Company or its affiliates or any person who, to the Executive’s knowledge, within six months before was such a person; or (iii) soliciting or inducing any person or entity to terminate, or otherwise to cease, reduce, or diminish in any way its relationship with or prospective relationship with the Company or its affiliates. You may however, if requested by any entity with which you are not affiliated, serve as a reference for any person who at the time of the request is not an employee of, or consultant to, the Company or its affiliates.

8