DALLAS, April 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported first quarter 2019 earnings. Highlights from the quarter include:
- Revenues of $23.9 million compared with $26.1 million in the fourth quarter and $33.6 million in last year's first quarter.
- Net income of $0.4 million compared with $5.4 million in the fourth quarter and $8.0 million in last year's first quarter. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings of $4.1 million compared with $9.5 million in the fourth quarter and $12.6 million in the first quarter of 2018.
- SmallCap Value, SMidCap, Emerging Markets, Market Neutral Income, Emerging Markets SMid, SMidCap Plus and Flexible Income all outperformed their primary benchmarks.
- Top decile performance was achieved by our Market Neutral Income and Flexible Income teams and our SmallCap Value team posted top quartile performance.
- We welcomed Adrian Helfert as Senior Vice President and Director of Multi-Asset Portfolios to lead our Multi-Asset and Income Portfolio teams.
- We introduced Sensible Fees™ as part of a creative product initiative to offer clients attractive, risk-adjusted incentive fees in efficient asset classes.
- At quarter-end, Westwood had $102 million in cash and short-term investments, stockholders’ equity of $156.1 million, and no debt.
Revenues of $23.9 million decreased $2.3 million from the prior year's fourth quarter on lower average assets under management ("AUM") resulting from net outflows. Revenues decreased $9.7 million from last year's first quarter on lower average AUM and lower performance-based fees.
AUM at March 31, 2019 totaled $16.8 billion compared to $16.6 billion at December 31, 2018 and $22.6 billion at March 31, 2018.
First quarter net income of $0.4 million compared with $5.4 million in the fourth quarter, which benefited from higher asset-based fees and foreign currency transaction gains. The current quarter included higher seasonal payroll tax and benefit plan matching on bonuses paid during the first quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of $0.05 compared to $0.64 for the fourth quarter. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the first quarter of $4.1 million, or $0.49 per share, compared to $9.5 million, or $1.12 per share, in the fourth quarter.
First quarter net income of $0.4 million compared with $8.0 million in last year's first quarter. The decrease is due to lower total revenues and a $0.6 million net foreign currency loss, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings decreased from $12.6 million, or $1.48 per share, in the first quarter of 2018, to $4.1 million, or $0.49 per share, in the current quarter.
Brian Casey, Westwood’s President & CEO, commented, "We are disappointed with the levels of outflows that began during 2018, but we firmly believe that we have established the right path forward to renewed growth. We continue to make significant investments in our portfolio management, sales, distribution and infrastructure teams to support strong business development. We are encouraged by the reception accorded our recently announced Sensible Fees™ pricing structure that will offer a thoughtful, risk-adjusted incentive fee structure to investors in efficient asset classes, and we continue to make solid progress with our digital platform transformation. We are working to implement our vision to combine deeper client engagement with superior operational and reporting efficiencies to better position us to face more industry disruption in the years to come."
Westwood’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.72 per common share, payable on July 1, 2019 to stockholders of record on June 7, 2019.
Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per Share ("Economic EPS") are non-GAAP performance measures and are explained and reconciled with the most comparable GAAP numbers in the attached tables.
Westwood will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2019 results and other business matters at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today. To join the conference call, dial 877-303-6235 (domestic and Canada) or 631-291-4837 (international). The conference call can also be accessed via our Investor Relations page at westwoodgroup.com and will be available for replay through October 31, 2018 by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) and then entering the passcode 9365934.
About Westwood
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. provides investment management services to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm has $16.8 billion in assets under management, of which $2.7 billion are in values-based and socially responsible investment mandates as of March 31, 2019. Westwood offers a range of investment strategies including U.S. equities, Multi-Asset, Emerging Markets equities, Global Convertible securities and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) portfolios. Access to these strategies is available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual funds, UCITS funds and other pooled vehicles. Westwood benefits from significant, broad-based employee ownership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHG.” Based in Dallas, Texas, Westwood also maintains offices in Toronto, Boston and Houston.
For more information on Westwood, please visit westwoodgroup.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts, including, without limitation, statements about our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including without limitation, words such as “anticipate,” “forecast,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “goal,” “may,” “target,” “designed,” “on track,” “comfortable with,” “optimistic” and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results and the timing of some events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: the composition and market value of our assets under management; regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry; competition in the investment management industry; our assets under management includes investments in foreign companies; our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully; our reputation and relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to maintain effective cyber security; our ability to perform operational tasks; our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives; our ability to maintain effective information systems; our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors; litigation risks; our ability to properly address conflicts of interest; our ability to maintain adequate insurance coverage; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures; our relationships with investment consulting firms; the significant concentration of our revenues in a small number of customers; and the other risks detailed from time to time in Westwood’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Westwood is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SOURCE: Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
(WHG-G)
CONTACT:
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
Terry Forbes
SVP, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(214) 756-6900
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | March 31, 2018 | |||||||||
| REVENUES: | |||||||||||
| Advisory fees: | |||||||||||
| Asset-based | $ | 16,406 | $ | 19,388 | $ | 24,483 | |||||
| Performance-based | 180 | — | 1,335 | ||||||||
| Trust fees | 6,539 | 6,688 | 7,609 | ||||||||
| Other, net | 737 | 43 | 140 | ||||||||
| Total revenues | 23,862 | 26,119 | 33,567 | ||||||||
| EXPENSES: | |||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | 14,610 | 13,102 | 17,759 | ||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 530 | 535 | 443 | ||||||||
| Westwood mutual funds | 846 | 842 | 985 | ||||||||
| Information technology | 1,977 | 2,350 | 2,038 | ||||||||
| Professional services | 1,149 | 1,106 | 1,028 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 2,434 | 2,264 | 2,414 | ||||||||
| (Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions | 820 | (1,968 | ) | (1,063 | ) | ||||||
| Total expenses | 22,366 | 18,231 | 23,604 | ||||||||
| Net operating income | 1,496 | 7,888 | 9,963 | ||||||||
| Gain on sale of operations | — | — | 524 | ||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,496 | 7,888 | 10,487 | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1,104 | 2,475 | 2,509 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 392 | $ | 5,413 | $ | 7,978 | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 831 | (2,057 | ) | (1,199 | ) | ||||||
| Total comprehensive income | $ | 1,223 | $ | 3,356 | $ | 6,779 | |||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.96 | |||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 0.93 | |||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
| Basic | 8,363,109 | 8,383,972 | 8,270,793 | ||||||||
| Diluted | 8,455,386 | 8,503,522 | 8,539,545 | ||||||||
| Economic Earnings | $ | 4,116 | $ | 9,515 | $ | 12,642 | |||||
| Economic EPS | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 1.48 | |||||
| Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.68 | |||||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
(unaudited)
| March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Current Assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 52,421 | $ | 52,449 | |||
| Accounts receivable | 15,563 | 18,429 | |||||
| Investments, at fair value | 49,601 | 65,781 | |||||
| Prepaid income taxes | 864 | 349 | |||||
| Other current assets | 3,622 | 2,731 | |||||
| Total current assets | 122,071 | 139,739 | |||||
| Investments | 5,675 | 5,425 | |||||
| Goodwill | 19,804 | 19,804 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 4,838 | 5,102 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8,472 | 8,698 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 15,549 | 15,961 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,689 and $6,462 | 4,740 | 4,454 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 181,149 | $ | 199,183 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| Current Liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 2,672 | $ | 2,518 | |||
| Dividends payable | 7,232 | 7,710 | |||||
| Compensation and benefits payable | 2,646 | 15,102 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,538 | 1,432 | |||||
| Income taxes payable | 1,254 | 365 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 15,342 | 27,127 | |||||
| Accrued dividends | 748 | 1,576 | |||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 8,949 | 9,331 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 25,039 | 38,034 | |||||
| Stockholders’ Equity: | |||||||
| Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 10,340,629 and outstanding 8,975,865 shares at March 31, 2019; issued 10,182,583 and outstanding 8,904,902 shares at December 31, 2018 | 104 | 102 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 197,598 | 194,116 | |||||
| Treasury stock, at cost - 1,364,764 shares at March 31, 2019; 1,277,681 shares at December 31, 2018 | (62,077 | ) | (58,711 | ) | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (4,052 | ) | (4,883 | ) | |||
| Retained earnings | 24,537 | 30,525 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 156,110 | 161,149 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 181,149 | $ | 199,183 | |||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 392 | $ | 7,978 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation | 212 | 213 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 413 | 418 | |||||
| Unrealized (gains) losses on trading investments | (374 | ) | 232 | ||||
| Stock based compensation expense | 3,252 | 4,187 | |||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 242 | 270 | |||||
| Deferred income taxes | 273 | (859 | ) | ||||
| Gain on sale of operations | — | (524 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
| Net sales (purchases) of investments- trading securities | 16,554 | 2,175 | |||||
| Accounts receivable | 2,981 | (2,575 | ) | ||||
| Other current assets | (886 | ) | 3,027 | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (275 | ) | (22 | ) | |||
| Compensation and benefits payable | (12,305 | ) | (13,712 | ) | |||
| Income taxes payable | 379 | 871 | |||||
| Other liabilities | (293 | ) | (327 | ) | |||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 10,565 | 1,352 | |||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (71 | ) | (299 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from Omaha divestiture | — | 10,013 | |||||
| Purchases of investments | (250 | ) | — | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (321 | ) | 9,714 | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock under employee stock plans | (981 | ) | (726 | ) | |||
| Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes | (2,385 | ) | (4,687 | ) | |||
| Cash dividends | (7,686 | ) | (7,332 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (11,052 | ) | (12,745 | ) | |||
| Effect of currency rate changes on cash | 780 | (1,020 | ) | ||||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (28 | ) | (2,699 | ) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 52,449 | 54,249 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 52,421 | $ | 51,550 | |||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | |||||||
| Cash paid during the period for income taxes | $ | 453 | $ | — | |||
| Accrued dividends | $ | 7,980 | $ | 7,836 | |||
| Accrued purchase of property and equipment | $ | 425 | $ | 29 | |||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Net Income to Economic Earnings
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | March 31, 2018 | |||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 392 | $ | 5,413 | $ | 7,978 | |||||
| Add: Stock based compensation expense | 3,252 | 3,625 | 4,187 | ||||||||
| Add: Intangible amortization | 413 | 417 | 418 | ||||||||
| Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization | 59 | 60 | 59 | ||||||||
| Economic Earnings | $ | 4,116 | $ | 9,515 | $ | 12,642 | |||||
| Diluted weighted average shares | 8,455,386 | 8,503,522 | 8,539,545 | ||||||||
| Economic EPS | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 1.48 | |||||
As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAP performance measures that we refer to as Economic Earnings and Economic EPS. We provide these measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income and earnings per share, which are reported on a GAAP basis. Management reviews Economic Earnings and Economic EPS to evaluate Westwood’s ongoing performance, allocate resources, and review our dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income or earnings per share, are useful for management and investors when evaluating Westwood’s underlying operating and financial performance and its available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider these non-GAAP measures without also considering financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
We define Economic Earnings as net income plus non-cash equity-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, and deferred taxes related to goodwill. Although depreciation on fixed assets is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating Economic Earnings because depreciation charges represent an allocation of the decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement. In addition, we do not adjust Economic Earnings for tax deductions related to restricted stock expense or amortization of intangible assets. Economic EPS represents Economic Earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.