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2 Report 6-2018
Industry Profitability supervision and wealth management was
Securities industry profitability is traditionally responsible for 26 percent of industry revenues in
measured by the pretax profits of the 2016, compared to just 4 percent in 1991.
broker/dealer operations of New York Stock Profits totaled $12.3 billion during the first half of
Exchange (NYSE) member firms. Other business 2017, 33 percent higher ($3 billion) than one year
lines of the member firms, such as retail and earlier. Profits rose on higher revenue, which
commercial banking, are excluded. increased by 13.5 percent. 1
The securities industry had record losses in 2007 The strength of the financial markets since the
and 2008 during the financial crisis. Over the next presidential election has contributed to stronger
two years, profitability rebounded to its highest revenue growth. While trading revenue was lower
levels on record, aided by the low-interest-rate in the second quarter than in the first, it still
policies of the Federal Reserve. Profits fell in four totaled $7.4 billion during the first half, 40 percent
of the next five years, as the industry adjusted to higher than one year ago. Revenue from
new regulations and weak revenue growth, and underwriting securities totaled $11.3 billion, an
absorbed the cost of legal settlements stemming increase of 23 percent. Together, these revenue
from the financial crisis. sources were higher by 29 percent ($4.2 billion).
In 2016, profits increased by 21 percent to Other revenue sources were also higher. For
$17.3 billion, reversing a three-year trend of example, account supervision and wealth
declining profits (see Figure 1). Increased management totaled $24.7 billion, up 20 percent
profitability was driven by cost-cutting and lower ($4 billion) from one year ago.
noncompensation expenses, which include the
cost of legal settlements. While profits could be lower in the second half
since large firms are reporting weaker trading
Over the past 25 years, income derived from revenue, profits are still likely to exceed last
trading activities has become a smaller share of years level of $17.3 billion barring a major
total revenue. In 2016, trading accounted for less setback, such as a market correction. Notably,
than 7 percent of revenue, down from 28 percent second-half profits have been lower in seven of
in 1991. As trading revenue has declined over the the eight years since the 2008 financial crisis.
years, revenue from other sources has gained in The industry could also benefit from federal tax
importance. For example, revenue from account reform, which could lower corporate tax rates.
FIGURE 1
Securities Industry Profits
75
Billions of Dollars
50
25
-25
-50
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Note: Pretax profits for broker/dealer operations of New York Stock Exchange member firms.
Sources: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association; NYSE/Intercontinental Exchange
October 2017 3
Employment Over the next three years, the industry added
Nationally, the securities industry lost 65,800 jobs 11,100 jobs, bringing employment to 177,000 in
between 2008 and 2010, a decline of 7 percent. 2016, the highest level since the financial crisis.
New York State accounted for one-third of these Despite the growth, there were still 6 percent
losses. Despite recent job gains, the industry in (11,900) fewer industry jobs in New York City
than before the financial crisis.
New York is still 6 percent smaller than before the
financial crisis, while it exceeds the pre-crisis Preliminary employment data show that the
level in the rest of the nation by nearly 4 percent. industry lost jobs through the first five months of
the year, but those losses were more than offset
Since 2010, California and Texas have each in the following four months, for a net gain of
added more securities jobs than New York and more than 300 jobs so far this year. As of
have had faster rates of job growth. New York still September 2017, there were 178,000 jobs in the
has many more industry jobs than any other state securities industry in New York City.
(197,700 in 2016), more than twice the number of
second-ranked California and three times as New York Citys share of the nations securities
many as third-ranked Texas. industry has shrunk over the past three decades,
primarily because of geographic diversification,
Securities industry employment in New York City new technologies and cost-cutting. In 1990, New
peaked at 201,100 jobs in 2000, but the industry York City accounted for one-third of the nations
lost 35,200 jobs through 2003 as a result of the securities industry jobs, but its share fell to
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and 24 percent by 2000. Since the attacks on the
the bursting of the dot-com bubble. World Trade Center in 2001, the Citys share has
fallen further to 19 percent.
By 2007, the industry had regained two-thirds of
the jobs it lost, but the financial crisis caused the New York Citys share of the industry in New York
industry to shed 22,600 jobs in the City between State declined from nearly 96 percent in 1990 to
2007 and 2010. Although employment rose in 93 percent in 2000. Since 2005, New York City
2011, the industry was unable to sustain the has accounted for about 89 percent of the States
recovery and resumed downsizing through 2013 securities industry. Most of the job growth in the
rest of the State since 1990 has been on Long
(see Figure 2).
Island and in Westchester County.
FIGURE 2
Annual Change in Securities Industry Employment
15
10
Thousands of Jobs
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
4 Report 6-2018
Bonuses from prior years) rose by 2 percent to $23.9 billion
Following the financial crisis, the securities (see Figure 3), the first increase in three years.
industry changed its compensation practices in
The average bonus was $138,210 in 2016, which
response to new regulations and guidelines
was 1 percent higher than in the prior year (also
designed to discourage excessive risk-taking.
shown in Figure 3). The average bonus rose at a
Firms raised base salaries, and now pay a
slower rate than the bonus pool because the pool
smaller share of bonuses in the current year while
was shared by a larger number of employees
deferring a larger share to future years.
than in the previous year.
Despite these actions, bonuses remain an
The amount set aside for compensation by the
important part of the compensation packages
member firms of the New York Stock Exchange in
paid to securities industry employees. OSC
the first half of 2017 was 3.8 percent higher than
estimates that bonuses account for about one-
one year earlier, which suggests that bonuses
third of the average salary of industry employees
could be higher than last year. OSC will release
working in New York City.
its estimate for 2017 bonuses for industry
Like most businesses, financial firms report employees in New York City in March 2018.
compensation (i.e., base salaries, fringe benefits,
Average Salaries
and bonuses including deferred remuneration) on
an accrual basis of accounting. As such, most of In 2016, the average salary (including bonuses)
the resources that are being set aside for in New York Citys securities industry declined by
performance-related compensation during 2017 3 percent to $375,300. Nonetheless, the
will be paid in January through March of 2018. securities industry has the highest average
salary, by far, of any major industry in New York
In March 2017, the Office of the State Comptroller City. Other high-wage industries include banking
(OSC) estimated that the bonus pool paid to New ($185,000), broadcasting ($162,100), insurance
York Citys securities industry employees for work ($159,200) and the tech sector ($147,300).
performed in 2016 (including bonuses deferred
FIGURE 3
Securities Industry Bonuses in New York City
Cash Bonus Pool Average Bonus
40 200
35
Thousands of Dollars
Billions of Dollars
30 150
25
20 100
15
10 50
5
0 0
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
Note: Bonuses for securities industry employees who work in New York City. Estimates include deferred bonuses that have been realized.
Sources: NYS Department of Labor; OSC analysis
October 2017 5
The average salary in the securities industry has The average salaries of industry jobs in the
fallen by 19 percent since 2007, after adjusting suburbs have been growing faster than in New
for inflation. As shown in Figure 4, the decline has York City. In 2016, the average salary in Long
narrowed the pay gap between the securities Island was $354,400, 18 percent higher than in
industry and the rest of the private sector. 2007 after taking inflation into account. In
Westchester County, the average salary grew by
FIGURE 4 9 percent to reach $256,700.
Average Salaries in New York City
Adjusted for Inflation Workforce Characteristics
500
Thousands of Dollars
100
Rest of Private Sector than one-fifth were Asian; only 13 percent were
Black or Hispanic. One-third (32 percent) were
0
immigrants and most (78 percent) came from
1981
1986
1991
1996
2001
2006
2011
2016
6 Report 6-2018
Role in New York Citys Economy growth in some other sectors, such as retail,
Historically, the securities industry has been New manufacturing, construction, and leisure and
York Citys most powerful economic engine. In hospitality, has begun to slow. Even though the
the two prior economic recoveries, it accounted industry was responsible for just 3 percent of the
for an average of 10 percent of the private sector job gains in New York City between 2013 and
job gains. In the current recovery, however, the 2016, it was responsible for 15 percent of the
industry has played a much smaller role. increase in private sector wages, second only to
business services (see Figure 6).
Since the financial crisis, New York Citys
economy has become more diversified and less The securities industry is smaller today than
dependent on the securities industry. Other before the financial crisis, but it remains an
employment sectors, such as the tech sector and important part of New York Citys economy. While
business services, are playing larger roles in job it accounted for just 4.8 percent of private sector
and wage growth. A more diversified economy jobs in 2016, it was responsible for 20.1 percent
helps insulate the City against downturns, making of all private sector wages paid in New York City
it less dependent on one industry for growth. (down from 28.2 percent in 2007).
New York City lost 100,100 jobs in 2009 at the The high incomes earned by securities industry
peak of the Great Recession, including 18,800 employees create economic activity not just in
jobs in the securities industry. Since then, the City New York City, but in the surrounding region.
has added nearly 630,000 jobs, but the securities OSC estimates that 1 in 10 jobs in the City and
industry was responsible for less than 2 percent 1 in 16 jobs in the State are either directly or
of those jobs. In fact, the industry was a drag on indirectly associated with the securities industry.
the economy during the first part of the recovery, OSC had previously reported that each job
losing 3,700 more jobs between 2009 and 2013 gained or lost in the industry leads to the creation
while other sectors were adding jobs. or loss of three additional jobs in other industries.
Since then, the securities industry has been However, the multiplier effect has declined to two
contributing to employment growth, adding additional jobs in recent years, as wages have
11,100 jobs between 2013 and 2016. The fallen. 2
resumption of job growth has occurred while
FIGURE 6
Industry Share of the Growth in Private Sector Wages
2013 to 2016 Leisure and Hospitality
Tech
14% 8%
Private Education
7%
Securities
15% Rest of Finance
10%
Construction
6%
Health Care
Business Services 5%
21%
All Other
Sources: NYS Department of Labor; OSC analysis 14%
October 2017 7
Tax Revenue New York State
The securities industry is a major source of tax New York State depends on Wall Street tax
revenue for both the State and the City. Firms revenues even more than New York City because
pay business taxes pursuant to the States the State relies more heavily on personal and
general business corporation tax (Article 9A) and business taxes, and does not levy a property tax
the Citys general corporation or unincorporated as the City does.
business taxes. In addition, high compensation in
Because of timing differences between the City
the industry boosts personal income tax receipts.
and State fiscal years, the State did not
Capital gains derived from Wall Streets activities
experience as sharp of a decline in tax revenues
are also subject to personal income tax.
as the City. OSC estimates that payments from
New York City the securities industry in State fiscal year (SFY)
OSC estimates that tax collections attributable to 2016-17 declined by 3 percent to $13.5 billion.
the securities industry fell by 13 percent to The securities industrys share of all State tax
$3.2 billion in City fiscal year (CFY) 2017 (see collections fell slightly to 18 percent in
Figure 7). 3 The fall-off resulted from a sharp SFY 2016-17. The drop-off in collections resulted
decline in capital gains realizations in 2016. The largely from a decline in capital gains realizations
securities industrys share of total New York City in 2015. The larger decline in realizations in 2016
tax collections fell to 6 percent in CFY 2017, will affect securities industry-related tax payments
down from 7 percent in the prior year. in the current State fiscal year.
FIGURE 7
Securities Industry-Related Tax Payments
New York City New York State
Tax Payments (left axis) Share (right axis) Tax Payments (left axis) Share (right axis)
5 15 16 28
14
Billions of Dollars
24
Billions of Dollars
4 12 12 20
3 9 10
16
8
2 6 12
6
4 8
1 3
2 4
0 0 0 0
1996
1999
2002
2005
2008
2011
2014
2017
95-96
98-99
01-02
04-05
07-08
10-11
13-14
16-17
1
Total revenues were higher by $11 billion in the first half of 2017. Net revenues, which reflect interest expenses, were higher by $5.3 billion.
2
OSC estimates the economic impact by utilizing the IMPLAN model.
3
These estimates exclude revenue from real property taxes, real estate transaction taxes and sales taxes because OSC is unable to identify
the securities industrys share of those tax payments.
Prepared by the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York
Office of the New York State Comptroller
110 State Street, 15th Floor, Albany, NY 12236
(518) 474-4015 www.osc.state.ny.us