UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Form 10-K

 


(Mark One)

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20062009

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission file number 1-31234

 


WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware 75-2969997

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200

Dallas, Texas 75201

 75201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’sRegistrant's telephone number, including area code: (214) 756-6900


SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of each class:

 

Name of each exchange on which registered:

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None

 


Indicate by check mark if registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes¨No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes¨No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  ¨No¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’sregistrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.smaller reporting company. See definitionthe definitions of “accelerated filer and large“large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer¨    Accelerated filerx    Non-accelerated filer¨

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filerx
Non-accelerated filer¨Smaller reporting company¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value on June 30, 20062009 of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $90,274,630.$235,650,000. For purposes of this calculation, the registrant has assumed that stockholders that are not officers or directors of the registrant are not affiliates of the registrant.

The number of shares of registrant’sregistrant's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of February 20, 2007: 6,638,525.22, 2010: 7,151,472.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Selected portions of the registrant’sregistrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the 20072010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

 



WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

Index

 

   PAGE

PART 1:I:

  

            Item 1.

 Business  1

            Item 1A.

 Risk Factors  10
            Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments14

            Item 2.

 Properties  14

            Item 3.

 Legal Proceedings  14
            Item 4.Submission of Matters to A Vote of Security Holders14

PART II:

  

            Item 5.

 Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
  15

            Item 6.

 Selected Consolidated Financial Data  18

            Item 7.

 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  19

            Item 7A.

 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  28

            Item 8.

 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  2829

            Item 9.

 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  29

            Item 9A.

 Controls and Procedures  29
            Item 9B.Other Information29

PART III:

  

            Item 10.

 Directors and Executive Officers of the Company  29

            Item 11.

 Executive Compensation  2930

            Item 12.

 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters  2930

            Item 13.

 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  30

            Item 14.

 Principal Accountant Fees and Services  30

PART IV:

  

            Item 15.

 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules  30

 

i


PART I

 

Item 1.Business.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “we,” “us,” “our,” “Westwood,” or “Westwood Holdings Group” when used in this Form 10-K (“Report”) and in the Annual Report to the Stockholders refers to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries and predecessors taken as a whole. This Report contains some forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. 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 those set forth under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

General

We manage investment assets and provide services for our clients through our two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Westwood Management”) and Westwood Trust. Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds,retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, a family of institutional mutual funds, which we call the WHG Funds, other mutual funds and clients of Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals. Our revenues are generally derived from fees based on a percentage of assets under management, and at December 31, 2006,2009, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust collectively managed assets valued at approximately $5.9$10.2 billion. We have been providing investment advisory services since 1983 and, according to recognized industry sources, including Morningstar, Inc., when measured over multi-year periods of ten years and longer, our principal asset classes rank at or above the median in performance within their peer groups.

The core of our business is dependent on our client relationships. We believe that, in addition to investment performance, client service is paramount in the asset management business. As such, a major focus of our business strategy is to continue building strong relationships with clients to better enable us to anticipate their needs and to satisfy their investment objectives. Our team approach is designed to result in efficient, responsive service for our clients. Our future success is dependent to a significant degree on both investment performance and our ability to provide responsiveattentive client service.

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 12, 2001 as a subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. (“SWS”). On June 28, 2002, SWS completed the spin-off of us by effecting a dividend distribution of all of our common stock held by SWS to all of its stockholders on a pro rata basis.2001. We are an independent public company, and our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “WHG.” We are a holding company, and our principal assets consist of the capital stock of Westwood Management and Westwood Trust.

One of the priorities on which we have focused since 2002 is building a foundation in terms of personnel and infrastructure to support a potentially much larger business. We have also developed products that we believe will be desirable within our target institutional and private client markets. The cost of developing new products and the organization as a whole can result in our incurring expenses before material offsetting revenue is realized. We believe that the foundation and products are now in place and have been taking these products to the institutional marketplace in recent years. We have seen a high level of interest from institutional investors in these products, which we hope will generate new revenue streams.

Available Information

We maintain a website at www.westwoodgroup.com. Information foundcontained on, or connected to, our website is not intended toincorporated by reference into this Form 10-K and should not be aconsidered part of this Report.report or any other filing that we make with the SEC. All filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available withoutfree of charge on our website. Additionally, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Audit Committee, Charter, our Compensation Committee Charter and our Governance/Nominating Committee CharterCharters are available without charge on our website. Stockholders also may obtain print copies of these documents free of charge by submitting a written request to William R. Hardcastle, Jr. at the address set forth in the front of this Report. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any document we file with the SEC atwww.sec.gov.

Westwood Management

General

Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to large institutions, including corporate pension funds,retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, having at least $10 – $25 million in investable assets, depending on the asset class. Westwood Management also provides advisory services to the WHG Funds and subadvisory services to other mutual funds. Our overall investment philosophy is determined by a team of professionals including our chief investment officer, Susan M. Byrne, and, with respect to the bulk of assets under management, isconsists of a value-oriented approach that is focused on achieving a superior, risk-adjusted return by investing in companies that aregenerating high levels of free cash flow with strong balance sheets and positioned for growth but are not fully recognized as such in the marketplace. This investment approach is designed to preserve capital induring unfavorable periods and to provide superior real returns over the long term. Ms. Byrne has over 30 years of investment experience. Westwood Management’s investment advisory team also possesses substantial investment management experience, includingconsists of a number of investment management, research and trading professionals.professionals with substantial investment management experience. The continuity of the team and its years of experience are critical elements in successfully managing investments.

Managed Asset Classes

Asset Management. We provide clients withoffer a broad range of investment asset classes designedallowing us to meetserve various types of clients and varying investment objectives. This affords our clients the opportunity to meet their investment objectives through the use of one investment adviser. More than half of our assets under management are invested in our LargeCap Value asset class. The following sets forth the principal asset classes currently managed by Westwood Management:

LargeCap Value: Investments in equity securities of approximately 45-60 well-seasoned companies with market capitalizations generally over $1$5 billion. Our strategy for thisThis portfolio is to investinvested in companies where we expect that future profitability, driven by operational improvements, will be higher than expectations reflected in current share prices. The median market capitalization of our LargeCap Value portfolio was $31.8 billion as of December 31, 2009.

MidCap Value:Investments in equity securities of approximately 50-70 companies with market capitalizations between $4 billion and $20 billion. Similar to the LargeCap Value asset class, we seek to discover operational improvements that are driving earnings growth within small to mid-size companies that can be purchased inexpensively.

SMidCap Value: Investments in equity securities of approximately 45-60 companies with market capitalizations between $100 million and $10 billion. Similar to the LargeCap Valueour other value-oriented asset class,classes, we seek to discover the same kinds of operational improvements that are driving earnings growth but within small to mid-size companies that can be purchased inexpensively.

SmallCap Value: Investments in equity securities of approximately 50-70 companies with market capitalizations between $100 million and $2.5 billion. Similar to the LargeCap Value and SMidCap Valueour other value-oriented asset classes, we seek to invest in high quality companies wherewhose earnings growth is driven by operational improvements that are not yet fully recognized by the market.

AllCap Value: Investments in equity securities of approximately 60-80 well-seasoned companies. The portfolio is generally comprised of the best ideas within all market capitalizations above $100 million. Similar to the LargeCap Valueour other value-oriented asset class,classes, we seek to invest in companies across a broad range of market capitalizations where we expect that future profitability, driven by operational improvements, will be higher than expectations currently reflected in share prices.

LargeCap Enhanced: Investments in equity securities of approximately 75-100 long and 20-30 short, well-seasoned companies with market capitalizations above $3 billion. Using fundamental research with a quantitative screening overlay, this portfolio is invested in companies where we expect that future profitability, driven by operational improvements, will be higher than expectations reflected in current share prices across a broad range of market capitalizations.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (or REITs): Investmentsand also shorts companies where we expect that future profitability is below what is reflected in the publicly traded equity securities of approximately 50 real estate investment trusts. Our investment process involves making investment selections based on qualitative research of high quality REITs.current share prices.

Balanced: Investments in a combination of equity and fixed income securities, which are designed to provide both growth opportunities and income, while also placing emphasis uponemphasizing asset preservation in “down” markets. Westwood Management applies its expertise in dynamic asset allocation and security selection decisions in carrying out this balanced strategy approach.

Income Opportunity: Investments in dividend-paying common stocks, straight and convertible preferred stock, master limited partnerships, REITs and selected debt instruments. The portfolioThis portfolio’s strategy focuses on companies with strong and improving cash flow sufficient to support a sustainable or rising income stream for investors. This asset class is targeted towards investors seeking high current income through dividend-paying and/or interest-bearing securities.

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs): Investments include MLPs (including limited partnerships, “LPs,” and general partnerships, “GPs”), securities of tanker and other marine shipping companies and other securities whose characteristics are consistent with those listed above. The portfolio focuses on companies that, over time, exhibit higher dividend yields, stable and predictable cash flows, low correlations to other asset classes, and growth opportunities.

Core/Intermediate Fixed Income Core/Intermediate Bonds: Investments in high-grade, intermediate term corporate and government bonds. We seek to add value to client portfolios through yield curve positioning and investmentinvesting in debt instruments with improving credit quality.quality potential.

Each asset class isconsists of a portfolio of equity and/or fixed income securities selected by Westwood Management’s portfolio teams and chosen to best provide the long term returns consistent with Westwood Management’s investment philosophy. Our portfolio teams make decisions for all of Westwood Management’s asset classes in accordance with the investment objectives and policies of such asset classes, including determining when and which securities to purchase and sell.

We primarily employ a value-oriented approach in managing the bulk of our equity asset classes. The common thread that permeates throughout our investment strategies is our focus on a disciplined approach to controlling risk and, whenever possible, preserving the core value of the assets under management whenever possible.our clients’ assets. Our value orientedvalue-oriented asset classes haveplace a greater emphasis on identifying companies where earnings result from actual operational improvements and not manufacturedrather than from improvements occurring throughderived from financial statement adjustments. Our desire to prevent the loss of the core value of theclient assets under management is the overriding objective of this strategy, even ifat the cost is the loss of opportunity for potentially higher returns. Whether throughThrough investments in industry leaders or in companies that provide steady and stable growth,exhibit these characteristics, Westwood Management seeks to demonstrate consistently demonstrate superior performance relative to our industry peers and the broad market.relevant benchmark indices.

More than two-thirdshalf of our assets under management are invested in equity securities of companies with a large market capitalization.capitalizations. When measured over multi-year periods, ten years and longer, Westwood Management’s principal asset classes rankhave consistently ranked above the median within their peer groups ingroup performance rankings according to recognized industry sources, including Morningstar, Inc. For the ten-year period ended on December 31, 2006, our LargeCap Value and Balanced asset classes rank in the top quartile in their peer groups.

Our ability to grow our assets under management is primarily dependent on our competitive long-term performance record, and ourbuilding strong relationships with investment consulting firms throughout the nation.nationwide as well as our ability to develop new client relationships. We are continually lookinglook for opportunities to expand our asset classes in terms ofassets under management by growing our existing asset classes and developing new portfolios focusing on investment areas that are not currently part of our current asset classes under management. We primarily intend to grow our asset classes internally but may also consider acquiring new asset classes from third parties, as discussed under “—Growth Strategy” below. Our growth strategy not only provides our clients with more investment opportunities but alsoand diversifies our assets under management, thereby reducing our risk in any one area of investment and increasing our competitive ability to attract new clients.

Cash Management. Westwood Management also provides cash management and custodial services for the cash reserve funds of SWS. The SWS cash reserve funds totaled $172 million at December 31, 2006.

Advisory and Subadvisory Service Agreements

Westwood Management manages client accounts of its clients under investment advisory and subadvisory agreements. As is common inTypical within the asset management industry, thesesuch agreements are usually terminable upon short notice and provide for compensation based on the market value of the client’s assets under management. Westwood Management’s advisory fees are paid quarterly in advance based on the assets under management on the last day of the preceding quarter, quarterly in arrears based on the assets under management on the last day of the previous quarter, just ended, or are based on a daily or monthly analysis of assets under management for the stated period. A limited number of our clients have a performance-based fee component in their contract, which generates additional revenues if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement period. Revenue from advance payments is deferred and recognized over the period that services are performed. Pursuant to these agreements, Westwood Management provides overall investment management services, including directing investments in conformity with the investment objectives and restrictions imposedestablished by the clients. Unless otherwise directed in writing by our client, Westwood Management has the authority to vote all proxies with respect to a client’sclient assets.

Westwood Management is also a party to subadvisory agreements with other investment advisors under which it performs substantially the same services as it does under its advisory agreements. However, the investment strategy adopted for a particular client is subject to supervision and review by the client. Our subadvisory fees are computed based upon the daily net assets of the client and are payable on a monthly basis. As with our advisory agreements, these agreements are terminable upon short notice.

Under our subadvisory agreement with Teton Advisors, Inc. (formerly Gabelli Advisers, Inc.), Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to the GAMCO Westwood Funds family of mutual funds. The Westwood Equity Fund is a large cap value fund with assets consisting of securities valued at approximately $187 million as of December 31, 2006. For the ten-year period ended on December 31, 2006, the Westwood Equity Fund ranked in the 27th percentile in the Large Value category according to Morningstar, Inc. Westwood Management owns shares of Class A Common Stock representing a 19.02%15.3% economic interest in Gabelli Advisers,Teton Advisors, Inc., a subsidiaryan affiliate of GAMCO Investors, Inc. Based on SEC filings, we believe that GAMCO Investors, Inc. owned 19.0%13.2% of our common stock as of December 31, 2006.2009. Westwood Management received subadvisory payments from Teton Advisors, Inc. of $863,000, $780,000$617,000, $784,000 and $889,000$844,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004,2007, respectively.

While Westwood Management provides subadvisory services with respect to the Westwood Funds family of funds, Westwood Management provides investment advisory services directly to the WHG Funds family of mutual funds, namelywhich includes the WHG SMidCap Fund, the WHG Income Opportunity Fund, the WHG LargeCap Value Fund, the WHG Balanced Fund and the WHG BalancedSmallCap Value Fund. “WHG Funds” represent the family of institutional mutual funds for which Westwood Management serves as advisor. “Westwood Funds” represent the family of mutual funds for which Westwood Management serves as subadvisor.

One of our largest clients in terms of assets paid us both asset-based and performance-based advisory fees two of the last three years. Due to a significant performance fee earned in 2008, this client accounted for 19.5% of our fee revenues in 2008; however, this client did not pay us a performance fee in 2009 and accounted for less than 1% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our four largest clients accounted for approximately 25.6%13.1% of totalfee revenues for the twelve monthsyear ended December 31, 2006.2009. The loss of some or all of these large clients or the failure to achieve superior investment performance necessary to earn a performance fee could have a material adverse affect on our business and our results of operations.

Westwood Trust

General

Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals generally having at least $1 million in assets under management. Westwood Trust seeks to define and improve the risk/return profile of the client’s investment portfolio by complementing or enhancing existing investment strategies. Westwood Trust also provides back office services to its clients, including tax reporting, distribution of income to beneficiaries, preparation of trust and account statements and attending to the special needs of particular trusts, as well asand also serves as trustee for tax and estate-planning purposes and for special needs trusts. Westwood Trust is chartered and regulated by the Texas Department of Banking.

Westwood Trust primarily provides services for employee benefit trusts and personal trusts. Employee benefit trusts include retirement plans of businesses to benefit their employees, such as defined contribution plans, pensions and profit sharing plans. Westwood Trust may also be appointed as a trustee and may provide administrative support for these plans, as well as investment advisory and custodial services. Personal trusts are developed to achieve a number of different objectives, and Westwood Trust acts as trustee to these trusts and assists them in developing tax efficienttax-efficient trust portfolios for them.portfolios. The fees charged by Westwood Trust are separately negotiated with each client and are based on the complexity of the operations of the trust and the amount of assets under management.

Services

Westwood Trust undertakes a fiduciary responsibility toward the management of each client’s assets and utilizes a consultative asset allocation approach. This approach involves Westwood Trust examining the client’s financial situation, including the client’s current portfolio of investments, and advising the client on ways in which it can enhance its investment returns and financial position. Westwood Trust also provides custodial services, safekeeping and accounting services.

Common Trust Funds

Westwood Trust sponsors a number of common trust funds in which our clients’ assets are commingled to achieve economies of scale. Westwood Trust’s common trust funds fall within two basic categories: personal trusttrusts and employee benefit trust.trusts. Westwood Trust sponsors common trust funds for most of the asset classes managed by Westwood Management. Westwood Trust also engages third party subadvisors for some of its common trust funds, such as our Growth Equity, International Equity and High Yield Bond common trust funds.

Enhanced Balanced Portfolios

Westwood Trust is a strong proponent of asset class diversification, and offers its clients the ability to diversify among elevenmultiple different asset classes. Westwood Trust Enhanced Balanced portfolios seek to combine these asset classes into a unique customizable portfolio for clients seeking to maximize return for a given level of risk. Periodic adjustments are made to asset class weightings in Enhanced Balanced portfolios based on historical return,returns, risk and correlation data, as well as an analysis of itsour capital markets outlook.

Distribution Channels

We market our services through several distribution channels that allow us to expand the reach of our investment advisory services. These channels provideenable us the ability to leverage the existing distribution infrastructure and capabilities of other financial services firms and intermediaries and focuswhile focusing on our core competency of developing outstanding investment asset classes.

Institutional Investment Consultants

Investment management consulting firms serve as gatekeepers to a large percentage ofmany corporate pensionretirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, which represent Westwood’s primary client target markets. Consultants provide guidance and expertiseto their clients in setting a client’s asset allocation strategy, as well as the establishment of ancreating investment policy. In addition, consultantspolicies. Consultants also make recommendations offor investment firms that they believe willcan best meet their client’s investment objectives. We have established strong relationships with many national and regional investment consulting firms, which has resulted in usour being considered and hired by many of their clients. Continuing to enhance our existing consulting firm relationships, as well as forging new relationships, serves to increase the awareness of our services in both the consultant community and thetheir underlying institutional client base.

Subadvisory Relationships

Our subadvisory relationships allow us to extend the reach of our investment management services to the clients of other investment companies that havewith broad, established distribution capabilities. In subadvisory arrangements, our client is typically the investment company through which our services are offered to investors. In these subadvisory arrangements, our investment advisory services are typically made available through retail-based mutual fund offerings. The investment company that sponsors the mutual fund is responsible for marketing, distribution, operations and accounting related to these funds.

Managed Accounts

Managed accounts are similar in some respects to subadvisory relationships in that a third partythird-party financial institution, such as a brokerage firm or turnkey asset management program provider, handles distribution to the end client. The end client in a managed account is typically a high net worth individual or small institution. In these arrangements, the third party financial institution is responsible to the end client for client service, operations and accounting.

Growth Strategy

We believe that we have established a strong platform to support future growth, deriving our strength in large part from the experience and capabilities of our management team and skilled investment professionals. We believe that assembling this focused, stable team has contributed in large part to our solid investment performance, superior client service and a growing array of available asset classes. We believe ourthat opportunities for future growth may come from our ability to:

 

generate growth from new and existing clients and consultant relationships

 

attract and retain key employees

 

grow assets in our additional asset classes

 

foster continued growth of the Westwood Trust platform

 

foster expanded distribution via mutual funds

 

pursue strategic acquisitions and alliances and

continue to strengthen our brand name.

Generate growth from new and existing clients and consultant relationships. As our primary business objective, we intend to maintain and enhance existing relationships with clients and investment consultants by continuing to provide solid investment performance and a high level of quality customer service to these existing relationships. Additionally, we intend to pursue growth through targeted sales and marketing efforts that emphasize our investment performance and superior client service. New institutional client accounts are generally derived through investment consultants, and we have been successful in developing solid long-term relationships with many national and regional investment consultants. TheWe believe that the familiarity with our firm, our people and our processes that we have built in theseconsultant and client relationships is one of the key factors in being considered for new client investment mandates.

Attract and retain key employees. In order to achieve our performance and client relationship objectives, we must be able to retain and attract talented investment professionals. We believe that we have created a workplace environment in which motivated, performance-driven, and client-oriented individuals thrive. As a public company, we are able to offer to our employees a compensation program that includes strong equity incentives sosuch that the success of our employees will be closely tied to the success of our clients. We believe that these factors are critical ingredients in maintaining a stable, client-focused environment. As a result,environment, and accordingly we have built a firm that we believe can support significant future growth.

Grow assets in our additional asset classes. While LargeCap Value is our flagship product and we believe it has significant capacity for additional assets; however, we continue to develop additional asset classes in response to client needs and the opportunities we see in the marketplace. Westwood Management has managedWe believe these additional asset classes provide opportunities for us to grow our assets under management. For instance, we have achieved meaningful growth in assets in our SMidCap Value product since we began marketing this asset class to institutions in 2004. As a result of this growth, the SMidCap Value asset class with solid results for clients at Westwood Trust for several years. We began marketingwas closed to new institutional assets in 2009. The WHG SMidCap Value to institutions in late 2004 and as of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $880 million under management in that asset class.mutual fund remains open. We have also developed additional new asset classes in recent years that we intend to introduce to the institutional marketplace at the appropriate time in the future. SmallCap Value now has a three-yearsix-year track record, Income Opportunity now has compiled a four-yearseven-year track record and AllCap Value will soon have a five-yearcomplete an eight-year track record. We began marketing SmallCap Value to institutions in 2007 and it has already completed the approval process at many investment consulting firms, earning several institutional mandates. Our AllCap product has been receiving increased interest and was awarded several institutional mandates. In 2007, we launched an MLP portfolio in response to the needs of an existing client. We believe that we have the team in place to fully support these new products in the institutional marketplace. We plan to begin marketing our SmallCap Value asset class to existing clients and institutional investment consultants during 2007. If we continue to deliver strong performance, we believe thethat demand for these asset classes can provide meaningful growth in our assets under management in the future.management.

Foster continued growth of the Westwood Trust platform. Westwood Trust has experienced solid growth in serving small- to medium-sized institutions and high net worth individuals. We are seeing a growing level ofcontinued interest from our clients and prospects in the diversified, highly attentive service model that we have developed. A significant percentage of new asset growth at Westwood Trust stems from referrals and additional assets from existing clients. We believe the continued acceptance of our Enhanced Balanced product, which offers diversified exposure to multiple asset classes in a tax efficient, comprehensive solution for clients, provides us with opportunities for future growth.

Foster expanded distribution via mutual funds. In December 2005, we launched two new mutual funds, theThe WHG Funds consist of WHG SMidCap Fund and the(WHGMX), WHG Income Opportunity Fund, and in 2006, we launched two additional mutual funds, the(WHGIX), WHG LargeCap Value Fund and the(WHGLX), WHG Balanced Fund.(WHGBX) and WHG SmallCap Value (WHGSX), which were launched from 2005 through 2007. The WHG Funds, which mirror our institutional strategies, offer capped expense ratios and are available in an institutional share class.class for all funds. In December 2007 we launched an A share for WHG LargeCap Value and WHG Income Opportunity in order to target No Transaction Fee (“NTF”) mutual fund supermarket platforms and the broker/dealer marketplace. The WHG SMidCap Fund has been awarded a 5-star rating by Morningstar Inc., while WHG LargeCap, WHG Income Opportunity and WHG Balanced each have a 4-star rating. We expect WHG SmallCap Value to be rated by Morningstar Inc. in 2010 after it completes its 3-year track record at the end of the first quarter 2010. In 2009 we reduced the expense cap for WHG Income Opportunity and WHG Balanced in order to increase their appeal to investors. We believe that access to our SMidCap Value, Income Opportunity, LargeCap Value, Balanced and BalancedSmallCap Value asset classes via an institutional mutual fund vehicle will present an attractive offering for certain segments of institutional investors, including 401(k) plans.

Pursue strategic acquisitions and alliances. We will carefully evaluate strategic acquisition, joint venture and alliance opportunities carefully.opportunities. We may in time, haveexpress an interest in pursuing acquisitions of asset management firms, mutual funds, or trust companies that havehaving assets with respect to whichwhere we have expertise or those that appear appropriate as a means of expanding the range of asset classes or services we offer or expanding our distribution capabilities. By acquiring investment firms that successfully manage asset classes in whichbeyond our current expertise we do not specialize, we could increase opportunities to attract new clients and provide our existing clients with aan even more diversified range of asset classes. We may also consider entering into alliances with other financial services firms that wouldto allow us to leverage our core competency of developing superior investment products in combination with alliance partners that could provide us with enhanced distribution capabilities or provide our clients with access to additional service offerings.

Continue strengthening our brand name. We believe that the strength of our brand name has been a key component to our successful long-term tenure in the investment industry and will continue to be instrumental to our future success. We have developed our strong brand name largely through high profile coverage in various investment publications and electronic media. A number of our investment professionals, including Ms. Byrne, and David S. Spika, Investment Strategist, Mark Freeman, Senior Vice President, and Ragen Stienke, Vice President, enjoy a visible presence in print and electronic media, which we believe also enhances our brand name. We will continue to look for creative ways to strengthen our brand name and reputation in our target client markets.

Competition

We are subject to substantial and growing competition in all aspects of our business. Barriers to entry to the asset management business are relatively low, and we believe that we will face a growing number of competitors. Although no one company dominates the asset management industry, many companies are larger, better known and have greater resources than we do.us.

Further, we compete with other asset management firms on the basis of asset classes offered, the investment performance of those asset classes in absolute terms and relative to peer group performance, quality of service, fees charged, the level and type of compensation offered to key employees, and the manner in which asset classes are marketed. Many of our competitors haveoffer more asset classes and services and may also have substantially greater assets under management.

We compete against an ever-increasing number ofnumerous investment dealers, banks, insurance companies and others that sell equity funds, taxable income funds, tax-free investments and other investment products. In addition, the allocation by many investors of assets away from active equity investment to index funds, fixed income or similar asset classes has enhanced the ability of firms offering non-equity asset classes and passive equity management to effectively compete with us.us effectively. In short, the competitive landscape in which we operate is both intense and dynamic, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively in the future as an independent company.

Additionally, most prospective clients perform a thorough review of an investment manager’s background, investment policies and performance before committing assets to that manager. In many cases, prospective clients invite a number of competing firms to make presentations. The process of obtaining a new client typically takes twelve to eighteen months from the time of the initial contact. While we have achieved a high degree of success in competing successfully for new clients, it is a process to which we must continue to dedicate significant resources over an extended period, with no certainty of success.

Regulation

Westwood Management

Virtually all aspects of our business are subject to various federal and state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investment advisory clients and stockholders of registered investment advisers. Under such laws and regulations, agencies that regulate investment advisers such as ourselves,like us have broad administrative powers, including the power to limit, restrict or prohibit such an adviseradvisers from carrying on itstheir business in the event that it failsthey fail to comply with such laws and regulations. In such event, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include the suspension of individual employees, limitations on engaging in certain lines of business for specified periods of time, revocation of investment adviser and other registrations, censures and fines. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all material laws and regulations.

Our business is subject to regulation at both the federal and state level by the SEC and other regulatory bodies. Westwood Management is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and under the laws of various states. As a registered investment adviser, Westwood Management is regulated and subject to examination by the SEC. The Investment Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations on registered investment advisers, including fiduciary duties, record keeping requirements, operational requirements, marketing requirements and disclosure obligations. In addition, Westwood Management also acts as adviser to the recently launcheda family of mutual funds, the WHG Funds, which are registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940. As adviser to a registered investment company, Westwood Management must comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and related regulations. The

Investment Company Act imposes numerous obligations on registered investment companies, including requirements relating to operations, fees charged, sales, accounting, record-keeping, disclosure, governance and restrictions on transactions with affiliates. Under the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated pursuant to the federal securities laws, we are subject to periodic examination by the SEC. The SEC is authorized to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations of the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act, ranging from censure to termination of an investment adviser’s registration. The failure of Westwood Management to comply with the requirements of the SEC could have a material adverse effect on Westwood. We must also comply with anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with the requirements of the regulations under the Investment Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act and the USA PATRIOT Act.

Westwood Trust

Westwood Trust also operates in a highly regulated environment and is subject to extensive supervision and examination. As a Texas chartered trust company, Westwood Trust is subject to the Texas Finance Code (the “Finance Code”), the rules and regulations promulgated under the Finance Code and supervision by the Texas Department of Banking. These laws are intended primarily for the protection of Westwood Trust’s clients and creditors, rather than for the benefit of investors. The Finance Code provides for and regulates a variety of matters, such as:

 

minimum capital maintenance requirements;requirements

 

restrictions on dividends;dividends

 

restrictions on investments of restricted capital;capital

 

lending and borrowing limitations;limitations

 

prohibitions against engaging in certain activities;activities

 

periodic examinations by the office of the Texas Department of Banking Commissioner;Commissioner

 

furnishing periodic financial statements to the Texas Department of Banking Commissioner;Commissioner

 

fiduciary record-keeping requirements; andrequirements

 

prior regulatory approval for certain corporate events (such as mergers, sale/purchase of all or substantially all of the assets and transactions transferring control of a trust company).

The Finance Code also gives the Banking Commissioner broad regulatory powers (including penalties and civil and administrative actions) if the trust company violates certain provisions of the Finance Code or conservatorship or closure if Westwood Trust is determined to be in a “hazardous condition” (as defined by law). Westwood Trust’s failure to comply with the law defines that term).Finance Code could have a material adverse effect on Westwood.

Westwood Trust is limited by the Finance Code in the payment of dividends to undivided profits which is described as that part of equity capital equal to the balance of net profits, income, gains, and losses since its formation date minus subsequent distributions to stockholders and transfers to surplus or capital under share dividends or appropriate board resolutions. At the discretion of its board of directors, Westwood Trust has made quarterly and special dividend payments to Westwood Holdings Group out of its undivided profits.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974

We are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and to the related regulations, insofar as we are a “fiduciary” under ERISA with respect to some of our clients. ERISA and applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries under ERISA or who provide services to ERISA plan clients and prohibit certain transactions involving ERISA plan clients. Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

Employees

At December 31, 2006,2009, we had 4864 full-time employees, including 2027 investment management, research and trading professionals, 1319 marketing and client service professionals, and 1518 operations and business management professionals. None of ourNo employees are represented by a labor union and we considerbelieve our employee relations to be good.

Segment information

For information about our operating segments, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust, please see footnote 1014 “Segment Information”Reporting” in the financial statements accompanying this Report.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. We believe these are allrepresent the material risks currently facing our business. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. You should also refer to the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Report, including our financial statements and related notes.

Poor investment performance of the assets managed by us could adversely affect our results of operations.

Because we compete with many other asset management firms on the basis of asset classes offered and the investment performance of those asset classes, our success is dependent to a significant extent on the investment performance of the assets that we manage. Because our revenue is primarily generated from fees derived as a percentage of assets under management, poor performance tends to result in the loss or reduction of client accounts, which correspondingly decreases revenues. Underperformance relative to peer groups for our various asset classes could adversely affect our results of operations, especially if such underperformance is sustainedcontinues for a lengthy period of time.

Some members of our management employees are considered critical to our success, and our inability to attract and retain key employees could compromise our future success.

We believe that our future success will depend to a significant extent upon the services of our executive officers, particularly Susan M. Byrne, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer, and Brian O. Casey, our President and Chief Executive Officer. As with other asset management businesses, our future performance depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of these and certain other key officers, investment professionals, and other key marketing, client service and management personnel. There is substantial competition for these types of skilled personnel. Thepersonnel and the loss of the services of one or more of our key employees or our failure to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

Our revenues are dependent upon the performance of the securities markets and negative performance of the securities markets could reduce our revenues.

Our results of operations are affected by many economic factors, including the performance of the securities markets. Negative performance inwithin the securities markets or certain segments of those markets, or short-term volatility inwithin the securities markets or segments thereof, could result in investors withdrawing assets, from the markets or decreasing their raterates of investment eitheror shifting assets to cash or other asset classes that we do not manage, all of which could reduce our revenues. Because most of our revenues are based on the value of assets under management, a decline in the value of those assets would also adversely affect our revenues. In addition, in periods of slowing growth or declining revenues, profits and profit margins are adversely affected because certain expenses remain relatively fixed.

In particular, more than half of our assets under management are invested in equity securities of companies with a large market capitalization. As a consequence, we are particularly susceptible to the volatility associated with changes in the market for large capitalization stocks. Due to this concentration, any change or reduction in such markets, including a shift of our clients’ and potential clients’ preference from investments in equity securities of large capitalization stocks to other equity or fixed income securities could have a significant negative impact on our revenues and results of operations. This negative impact could occur due to the depreciation in value of our assets under management, and/or the election by clients to select other firms to manage their assets eitheror the election by clients to allocate assets away from asset classes that we manage. Any of whichthese events would result in decreased assets under management and therefore reduced revenues and a decline in results of operations.

If we are unable to realize benefits from the costs we have incurred and are continuing to incur to develop new asset classes and otherwise broaden our capabilities, our growth opportunities may be adversely affected.

We have incurred significant costs overduring the last several years to develop new asset classes, including SMidCap Value, SmallCap Value, AllCap Value, and Income Opportunity, MidCap, LargeCap Enhanced (130/30) and an MLP portfolio, to launch fourfive new mutual funds under the WHG SMidCap Fund, the WHG Income Opportunity Fund, the WHG LargeCap Value FundFunds name, and the WHG Balanced Fund and also to upgrade our business infrastructure. Some of the costs associated with these improvements will continue to be incurred in future periods and are relatively fixed. We may not realize the benefits of these investments and, in the event we are not able to do so, our growth opportunities may be adversely affected.

Due to the substantial cost and time required to introduce new asset classes in our industry, we may not be able to successfully introduce new asset classes in a timely manner, or at all.

The development and marketing of new asset classes in our industry requires a substantial amount of time and financial resources. Our ability to successfully market and sell a new asset class successfully depends on our financial resources, the performance results of the specific asset class, the timing of the offering and our marketing strategies. Once an asset class is developed, whether through acquisition or internal development, we must still effectively market the asset class to our existing and prospective clients. This entails incurring significantsubstantial financial expensescosts related to research on the target assets and the demand for such asset class in the market, as well as sales and marketing costs associated with attracting assets to the new asset class. In addition, our ability to sell new asset classes to our existing and prospective clients depends on our ability to meet or exceed the performance of our competitors who offer the same or similar asset classes. We may not be able to profitably manage the assets within a given asset class.class profitably. Moreover, it may take years before we are able to produce the level of results that will enable us to attract clients. If we are unable to realize the benefits of the costs and expenses incurred in developing new asset classes, we may experience losses as a result of our management of these asset classes, and our ability to introduce further new asset classes and compete in our industry may be hampered.

Our business is dependent on investment advisory, subadvisory and trust agreements that are subject to termination or non-renewal. As a result, we could lose any of our clients on very short notice.

Substantially all of our revenues are derived pursuant to investment advisory, subadvisory and trust agreements with our clients. In general, either party may terminate these agreements upon 30 daysdays’ notice. Any termination of, or failure to renew, a material number of these agreements could have a material adverse impact on us, particularly because many of our costs are relatively fixed.

A small number of clients account for a substantial portion of our business. As such, the reduction or loss of business with any of these clients could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

One of our largest clients in terms of assets paid us both asset-based and performance-based advisory fees two of the last three years. Due to a significant performance fee earned in 2008, this client accounted for 19.5% of our fee revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008; however, this client did not pay us a performance fee in 2009 and accounted for less than 1% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our four largest four clients accounted for 25.6%approximately 13.1% of totalfee revenues for the twelve monthsyear ended December 31, 2006, and we2009. We are therefore dependent to a significant degree on our ability to maintain our existing relationships with these clients. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in maintaining these existing client relationships, or in securing additional clients.clients or achieving the superior investment performance necessary to earn a performance-based advisory fee. Any failure by us to retain one or more of these large clients or establish profitable relationships with additional clients could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competitive fee pressures could reduce revenues and profit margins.

The investment management business is highly competitive and has relatively low barriers to entry. To the extent we are forcedhave to compete on the basis of price, we may not be able to maintain our current fee structure. Although our investment management fees vary from product to product, historically we have competed primarily on the performance of our products and our client service and notrather than on the level of our investment management fees relative to those of our competitors. In recent years however, there has been a trend toward lower fees in the investment management industry. In order to maintain our fee structure in a competitive environment, we must be able to continue to provide clients with investment returns and service that make investors willing to pay our fees. We cannot be assured that we will succeed in providing investment returns and service that will allow us to maintain our current fee structure. Fee reductions on existing or future new business could have an adverse effect on our profit margins and results of operations.

Performance fees could have a significant effect on our revenues and results of operations.

We have performance fee agreements with a small number of our clients, which would pay us a fee if we outperform a specified index over predetermined periods of time. There can be no assurance that we will perform well relative to such indexes and the failure to do so would cause us to earn none or only part of those potential revenues, which would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations. Our revenues from performance-based fees could fluctuate significantly from one measurement period to the next, depending on how we perform relative to the indexes specified in these agreements. For example, we earned a significant performance fee in 2008, but did not earn a performance fee in 2009.

Any event that negatively affects the asset management industry in general could have a material adverse effect on us.

Any event affecting the asset management industry that results in a general decrease in assets under management or a significant general decline in the number of advisory clients or accounts could negatively impact our revenues. Our future growth and success depends in part upon the growth of the asset management industry.

Our business is subject to extensive regulation with attendant costs of compliance and serious consequences for violations.

Virtually all aspects of our business are subject to various laws and regulations including the Investment Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act, and anti-money laundering laws. These laws and regulations generally grant regulatory agencies and bodies broad administrative powers, including in some cases, the power to limit or restrict us from operating our business and, in other cases,as well as the powers to place us under conservatorship or closure in the event we fail to comply with such laws and regulations. Violations of such laws or regulations could subject us and/or our employees to disciplinary proceedings orand civil or criminal liability, including revocation of licenses, censures, fines or temporary suspension, permanent bar from the conduct of business, conservatorship, or closure. Any such proceeding or liability could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects. Due to the extensive regulations and laws to which we are subject, our management is required to devote substantial time and effort to legal and regulatory compliance issues.

In addition, the regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to change. We may be adversely affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations or by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations. See “ —Regulation.— Regulation.

Misuse of assets and information in the possession of our investment professionals and employees could result in costly litigation and liability for us and our clients.

Our investment professionals handle a significant amount of assets along with financial and personal information for our clients. Although we have implemented a system of controls to minimize the risk of a fraudulent taking or misuse of assets and information, there can be no assurance that our controls will be adequate to prevent taking or misusesuch fraudulent actions by our portfolio managers or employees. If our controls are ineffective in preventing the fraudulent taking or misuse of assets and information, we could be subject to costly litigation, which could consume a substantial amount of our resources, and distract our management from our operations, and could also result in regulatory sanctions. Additionally, any such fraudulent actions could adversely affect some of our clients in other ways, and these clients could seek redress against us.

Acquisitions involve inherent risks that could compromise the success of the combined business and dilute the holdings of current stockholders.

As part of our long-term business strategy, we may consider acquisitions of similar or complementary businesses. See “ —Growth— Growth Strategy.” If we are not correct when we assess the value, strengths, weaknesses, liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition candidates or if we are not successful in integrating the operations of the acquired businesses, the success of the combined business could be compromised. Any future acquisitions will be accompanied by the risks commonly associated with acquisitions. These risks include, among others, potential exposure to unknown liabilities of acquired companies and to acquisition costs and expenses, the difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired companies, the potential disruption to the business of the combined company and potential diversion of management’s time and attention, the impairment of relationships with and the possible loss of key employees and clients as a result of the changes in management, potential future write-downs related to goodwill impairment in connection with acquisitions, and dilution to the stockholders of the combined company if the acquisition is made for stock of the combined company. In addition, asset classes, technologies or businesses of acquired companies may not be effectively assimilated into our business or have a positive effect on the combined company’s revenues or earnings. The combined company may also incur significant expense to complete acquisitions and to support the acquired asset classes and businesses. Further, any such acquisitions may be funded with cash, debt or equity, which could have the effect of diluting the holdings or limiting the rights of stockholders. Finally, we may not be successful in identifying attractive acquisition candidates or completing acquisitions on favorable terms.

We are a holding company and are dependent on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries.

We are a holding company, with no revenue generating operations and no assets other than our ownership interests in Westwood Management and Westwood Trust. Accordingly, we are dependent on the cash flow generated by these operating subsidiaries and must rely on dividends or other intercompany transfers from these operating subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations.

Various factors may hinder the declaration and payment of dividends.

We have historically paid a quarterly dividend. However, the payment of future dividends in the future is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and various factors may prevent us from paying dividends. Such factors include our financial position, capital requirements and liquidity, the existence of a stock repurchase program, any loan agreement restrictions, state corporate and banking law restrictions, results of operations and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. In addition, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends is dependent on the dividends and income we receive from our subsidiaries. At the present time our primary source of cash is dividends that may be received from Westwood Management or Westwood Trust. The payment of dividends by Westwood Management or Westwood Trust is subject to the discretion of their Boards of Directors and compliance with applicable laws, including, in particular, the provisions of the Texas Finance Code applicable to Westwood Trust. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Our business is vulnerable to systems failures that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any delays or inaccuracies in securities pricing information or information processing could give rise to claims against us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are highly dependent on communications and information systems and on third party vendors for securities pricing information and updates from certain software. We may suffer a systems failure or interruption, whether caused by an earthquake, fire, other natural disaster, power or telecommunications failure, unauthorized access, act of God, act of war or otherwise, and our back-up procedures and capabilities may not be adequate or sufficient to eliminate the risk of extended interruptions in operations.

We may not be able to fund future capital requirements on favorable terms, if at all.

We cannot be certain that financing to fund our working capital or other cash requirements, if needed, will be available on favorable terms, if at all. Our capital requirements will vary greatly from quarter to quarter depending on, among other things, capital expenditures, fluctuations in our operating results and financing activities. If future financing is necessary, we may or may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms, if at all. Further, any future equity financings could dilute the relative percentage ownership of the then existing holders of our common stock, and any future debt financings could involve restrictive covenants that limit our ability to take certain actions.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports, our brand and operating results could be harmed. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

While

We cannot be certain that the measures we continuetake to evaluate and improve our internal controls we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time,time; we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in

accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

Our organizational documents contain provisions that may prevent or deter another group from paying a premium over the market price to our stockholders to acquire our stock.

Our organizational documents contain provisions that require a vote of two-thirds of the shares of stock entitled to vote to remove directors for cause, establish that stockholders cannot act by written consent, and that authorize our board of directors to issue, without shareholder approval, blank check preferred stock. In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to business combinations. These provisions could delay, deter or prevent a merger, consolidation, tender offer or other business combination or change of control involving us that could include a premium over the market price of our common stock that some or a majority of our stockholders might consider to be in their best interests.

We are a holding company and are dependent on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries.

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.We are a holding company, with no revenue generating operations and no assets other than our ownership interests in Westwood Management and Westwood Trust. Accordingly, we are dependent on the cash flow generated by these operating subsidiaries and must rely on dividends or other intercompany transfers from these operating subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations.

 

Item 2.Properties.

Westwood, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust conduct their principal operations through a leased property with approximately 21,600 square feet located in Dallas, Texas. The initial term of the lease agreement expires in May 2011. We believe these facilities will be adequate to serve our currently anticipated business needs.

 

Item 3.Legal Proceedings.

We are subject from time to time to certain claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material impact on our financial position, operations or cash flow.

Item 4.Submission of Matters to A Vote of Security Holders.

No matter was submitted to a vote of our stockholders during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2006.

PART II

 

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

Our common stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “WHG” since July 1, 2002. At December 31, 2006,2009, there were approximately 168170 record holders of our common stock, although we believe that the number of beneficial owners of our common stock is substantially greater. The table below sets forth the high and low sale prices for the common stock, as reported by the New York Stock ExchangeNYSE for the periods indicated.

 

  High  Low  High  Low

2006

    

2009

    

Fourth Quarter

  $26.74  $19.75  $40.60  $33.35

Third Quarter

   20.15   18.00   42.28   33.50

Second Quarter

   19.99   18.08   44.44   37.28

First Quarter

   20.15   18.00   42.92   24.12
2005    

2008

    

Fourth Quarter

  $18.66  $17.75  $48.05  $22.47

Third Quarter

   19.45   17.75   53.31   39.05

Second Quarter

   19.10   16.00   43.00   33.38

First Quarter

   20.20   18.80   39.00   32.31

Dividends

We have declared a cash dividend on our common stock for each quarter since the date that our common stock was first publicly traded. The table below sets forth the quarterly and special dividends declared for the periods indicated.

 

  Quarterly  Special  Quarterly

2006

    

2009

  

Fourth Quarter

  $0.15   —    $0.33

Third Quarter

   0.15  $0.85   0.30

Second Quarter

   0.09   —     0.30

First Quarter

   0.09   —     0.30

2005

    

2008

  

Fourth Quarter

  $0.09   —    $0.30

Third Quarter

   0.09  $0.75   0.30

Second Quarter

   0.08   —     0.30

First Quarter

   0.08   —     0.30

In addition, on February 7, 20074, 2010 we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20$0.33 per share on our common stock payable on April 2, 20071, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2007.2010. We currently intend to continue paying cash dividends in such amounts as our boardBoard of directorsDirectors determines is appropriate. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the boardBoard of directorsDirectors and subject to some limitations under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. is the sole stockholder of both Westwood Management and Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust is limited under applicable Texas law in the payment of dividends to undivided profits which is defined as that part of equity capital equal to the balance of net profits, income, gains, and losses since its formation date minus subsequent distributions to stockholders and transfers to surplus or capital under share dividends or appropriate board of director resolutions.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table gives information as of December 31, 20062009 about shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under the Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, our only equity compensation plan in effect at that time. The material terms of this plan were approved by our stockholders at our 2006 annual meeting.2009 Annual Meeting.

 

Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings

Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan

  

Number of

securities to

be issued

upon

exercise of

outstanding
options

(a)

  

Weighted-

average

exercise

price of

outstanding

options

(b)

  

Number of

securities

remaining

available for

future

issuance

under equity

compensation

plans

(excluding

securities

reflected in

column (a))

(c)

Plan Category

  Number of
securities
to be issued
upon
exercise of
outstanding
options

(a)
  Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options

(b)
  Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a))

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  124,531  $12.92  579,563  54,900  $12.90  699,000

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  —     —    —    —     —    —  
                  

Total

  124,531  $12.92  579,563  54,900  $12.90  699,000
                  

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares total stockholder returns of Westwood since July 1, 2002, the date we began trading as a public company after the spin-off,December 31, 2004 with the total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the SNL Asset Manager Index. The SNL Asset Manager Index is a composite of twenty-four32 publicly traded asset management companies.

Comparison of Cumulative Five Year Total Return on Investment Since July 1, 2002

 

  Period ending

Index

  Period ended  Cumulative
Five-Year
Total
Return
 
  07/01/02  12/31/02  12/31/03  12/31/04  12/31/05  12/31/06 12/31/04  12/31/05  12/31/06  12/31/07  12/31/08  12/31/09  
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.  100.00  102.66  145.75  169.87  166.54  225.00  $100.00  $98.04  $132.45  $224.97  $175.99  $232.67  132.67
Russell 2000 Index  100.00  86.21  126.95  150.22  157.06  185.91   100.00   104.55   123.76   121.82   80.66   102.58  2.58  
SNL Asset Manager Index  100.00  86.40  120.47  157.18  199.90  231.82   100.00   127.18   147.49   167.89   79.79   129.44  29.44  

The total return for our stock and for each index assumes $100 invested on July 1, 2002December 31, 2004 in our common stock, the Russell 2000 Index, and the SNL Asset Manager Index, including the reinvestment of dividends. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE.

The closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the year ended December 31, 20062009 was $23.03$36.34 per share. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

Item 6.Selected Consolidated Financial Data.

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial data presented below for the five years ended December 31, 2006,2009, except Assets Under Management, is derived from theour consolidated financial statements as audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm as of and for the yearyears ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and from theour consolidated financial statements as audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm as of and for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and should be read in conjunction with those statements. The data below for a portion of the year ended December 31, 2002 reflects our results as it had historically been operated as a part of SWS. These results may not be indicative of our performance as an independent company. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Report.

 

  

Year ended December 31,

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

  Year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005

Consolidated Statements of Income Data:

                    

Total revenues

  $27,364  $21,940  $19,980  $20,078  $21,624  $42,553  $46,456  $36,292  $27,364  $21,940

Total expenses

   20,110   15,897   13,995   12,198   12,960   30,235   29,921   24,085   20,110   15,897

Income before income taxes

   7,254   6,043   5,985   7,880   8,664   12,318   16,535   12,207   7,254   6,043

Provision for income taxes

   2,785   2,407   2,299   2,996   3,453   4,423   5,992   4,263   2,785   2,407

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   4,469   3,636   3,686   4,884   5,211   7,895   10,543   7,944   4,469   3,636

Net income

   4,508   3,636   3,686   4,884   5,211   7,895   10,543   7,944   4,508   3,636

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share – basic (1)

  $0.80  $0.67  $0.68  $0.91  $0.97

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share – diluted (1)

  $0.79  $0.66  $0.68  $0.90  $0.97

Earnings per share – basic (1)

  $0.81  $0.67  $0.68  $0.91  $0.97

Earnings per share – diluted (1)

  $0.79  $0.66  $0.68  $0.90  $0.97

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share – basic

  $1.25  $1.73  $1.36  $0.80  $0.67

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per share – diluted

  $1.18  $1.63  $1.28  $0.79  $0.66

Earnings per share – basic

  $1.25  $1.73  $1.36  $0.81  $0.67

Earnings per share – diluted

  $1.18  $1.63  $1.28  $0.79  $0.66

Cash dividends declared per common share

  $1.33  $1.09  $0.99  $1.18  $0.04  $1.23  $1.20  $1.15  $1.33  $1.09

 

   

As of December 31,

(in thousands)

   2006  2005  2004  2003  2002

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

          

Cash and investments

  $20,110  $19,775  $19,352  $21,056  $18,589

Total assets

   28,722   27,310   26,277   26,237   24,120

Stockholders’ equity

   22,735   21,559   21,663   21,853   19,123

Assets Under Management (in millions)

  $5,927  $4,928  $3,996  $3,954  $4,078

(1)Earnings per share figures reflect a 1,003.8-for-1 stock split in the form of a stock dividend effective as of June 21, 2002. All amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of this stock split.
   As of December 31,
(in thousands)
   2009  2008  2007  2006  2005

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

          

Cash and investments

  $45,125  $31,650  $26,704  $20,110  $19,775

Total assets

   59,886   50,847   39,024   28,722   27,310

Stockholders’ equity

   47,218   38,794   29,346   22,735   21,559

Assets Under Management (in millions)

  $10,174  $7,185  $7,853  $5,927  $4,928

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” included in this Report, as well as our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Report.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this Report and the Annual Report to Stockholders that are not purely historical facts, including statements about our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “goal,” “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, those set forth below:

 

our ability to identify and successfully market services that appeal to our customers;

 

the significant concentration of our revenues in four of our customers;

 

our relationships with investment consulting firms;

 

our relationships with current and potential customers;

 

our ability to retain qualified personnel;

 

our ability to successfully develop and market new asset classes;classes successfully;

 

our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures;

 

competition in the marketplace;

 

downturndownturns in the financial markets;

 

the passage ofnew legislation adversely affecting the financial services industries;

 

interest rates;

 

changes in our effective tax rate;

 

our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; and

 

the other risks detailed from time to time in our SEC reports.

Additional factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report. You should not rely unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report. Other unknown or unpredictable factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and may be beyond our control. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview

We manage investment assets and provide services for our clients through our two subsidiaries, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust. Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds,retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, the WHG Funds, other mutual funds and clients of Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. Our revenues are generally derived from fees based on a percentage of assets under management and at December 31, 2006,2009 Westwood Management and Westwood Trust collectively managed assets valued at approximately $5.9$10.2 billion. We have been providing investment advisory services since 1983 and, according to recognized industry sources, including Morningstar, Inc., when measured over multi-year periods, our principal asset classes have consistently ranked above the median in performance within their peer groups.

One of the priorities on which we have focused since our spin-off in 2002 is building a foundation in terms of personnel and infrastructure to support a potentially much larger business. We have also developed products that we believe will be desirable within our target institutional and private client markets. The cost of developing new products and the organization as a whole has resulted in us incurring expenses that, in some cases, do not currently have material offsetting revenue. Now that we believe the foundation and the products are in place, we are taking these new products

to the institutional marketplace and believe that institutional investors will recognize the value in these products and generate new revenue streams for us.

We began marketing our SMidCap Value product to institutional investment consultants in late 2004. As a result of this targeted marketing effort, we gained a number of meaningfulassets in SMidCap Value clientsincreased from $78 million at December 31, 2004 to $2.7 billion at December 31, 2009. As a result of this growth, the SMidCap Value asset class was closed to new institutional assets in 2005 and 2006.2009. The WHG SMidCap mutual fund remains open. We continue to devote significant marketing effort to our SMidCap Value product and intend to begin marketing our SmallCap Value product, which now has a three-year track record,efforts to the institutional market during 2007.for our LargeCap Value, SmallCap Value, AllCap Value and other products. Our SmallCap Value product has progressed through the approval process at many investment consulting firms and we are seeing interest in this capacity-constrained product. We won our first institutional mandates in AllCap Value in 2009. Between December 2005 and April 2007 we also launched fourfive mutual funds under the WHG Funds name from December 2005 to September 2006.name. As of December 31, 2006,2009, assets in these fourfive funds were approximately $130$566 million. In addition to the funds’ existing institutional share class, in December 2007 we launched an A share for WHG LargeCap Value and WHG Income Opportunity in order to target No Transaction Fee (“NTF”) mutual fund supermarket platforms and the broker/dealer marketplace. We have twoan additional WHG Funds that areFund registered with the SEC, the WHG SmallCap Value Fund and the WHG AllCap Value Fund, and are evaluating opportunities to launch these fundsthis fund in 2007.the future.

Revenues

We derive our revenues from investment advisory fees, trust fees, and other revenues. Our advisory fees are generated by Westwood Management, which manages its clients’client accounts under investment advisory and subadvisory agreements. Advisory fees are calculated based on a percentage of assets under management, and are paid in accordance with the terms of the agreements. Westwood Management’s advisory fees are paid quarterly in advance based on the assets under management on the last day of the preceding quarter, quarterly in arrears based on the assets under management on the last day of the previous quarter, just ended, or are based on a daily or monthly analysis of assets under management for the stated period. Westwood Management recognizes revenues as services are rendered. A limited number of our clients have a performance-based fee component in their contract, which generates additional revenues if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement periods. In 2008, we recognized a performance-based fee for a client in the second quarter and a separate performance-based fee for another client in the fourth quarter. Since most of our advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, the revenue related to those clients is fully recognized within the quarter. Consequently, there is not a significant amount of deferred revenue contained in our financial statements.

Our trust fees are generated by Westwood Trust pursuant to trust or custodial agreements. Trust fees are separately negotiated with each client and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management, which in turn is influenced by the complexity of the operations of the trust and the services provided.management. Westwood Trust also provides trust services to a small number of clients on a fixed fee basis. Most trust fees are paid quarterly in advance and are recognized as services are rendered. Since the majority of Westwood Trusts’Trust’s advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, the revenue related to those clients is fully recognized within the quarter. Consequently,quarter; consequently, there is not a significant amount of deferred revenue contained in our financial statements.

Our other revenues generally consist of interest and investment income. Although we invest most of our cash in money market funds,U.S. Treasury securities, we also invest in bondsequity instruments and equity instruments.money market funds.

Assets Under Management

Assets under management increased $999 million,$3.0 billion, or 20.3%42%, to $5.9$10.2 billion at December 31, 20062009 compared to $4.9$7.2 billion at December 31, 2005.2008. This increase was primarily due to market appreciation of assets under management and net inflows of assets from new clients. Quarterly average assets under management increased $747 million, or 10%, to $8.5 billion for 2009 compared with $7.7 billion for 2008.

Assets under management decreased $668 million, or 9%, to $7.2 billion at December 31, 2008 compared to $7.9 billion at December 31, 2007. The increasedecrease in assets under management was primarily due to the market appreciationdepreciation of assets under management, andpartially offset by net inflows of assets from new clients, partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certainand existing clients. Quarterly average assets under management increased $1.1 billion,$813 million, or 25.0%12%, to $5.5$7.7 billion for 20062008 compared with $4.4$6.9 billion for 2005.2007.

Assets under management increased $932 million, or 23.3%, to $4.9 billion at December 31, 2005 compared to $4.0 billion at December 31, 2004. The increase in assets under management was primarily due inflows of assets from new clients and the market appreciation of assets under management, partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Quarterly average assets under management increased $477 million, or 12.2%, to $4.4 billion for 2005 compared with $3.9 billion for 2004.

   

As of December 31, (1)

(in millions)

  % Change 
  2006  2005  2004  2006 vs. 2005  2005 vs. 2004 

Westwood Management Corp.

         

Separate Accounts

  $2,578  $2,357  $1,853  9.4% 27.2%

Subadvisory

   953   719   577  32.5  24.6 

WHG Funds

   130   8   —    1,525.0  —   

Westwood Funds

   374   373   372  0.3  0.3 

Managed Accounts

   315   225   169  40.0  33.1 
                   

Total

   4,350   3,682   2,971  18.1  23.9 

Westwood Trust

         

Commingled Funds

   1,229   990   856  24.1  15.7 

Private Accounts

   225   209   122  7.7  71.3 

Agency/Custody Accounts

   123   47   47  161.7  —   
                   

Total

   1,577   1,246   1,025  26.6  21.6 

Total Assets Under Management

  $5,927  $4,928  $3,996  20.3% 23.3%
                   


(1)The above table excludes the SWS cash reserve funds for which Westwood Management serves as investment adviser and Westwood Trust serves as custodian. The SWS cash reserve funds were $172 million, $184 million and $194 million as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These accounts are noted separately due to their unique nature within our business and because they can experience significant fluctuations on a weekly basis.
   As of December 31,
(in millions)
  % Change 
   2009  2008  2007  2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 

Westwood Management Corp.

         

Separate Accounts

  $4,889  $3,080  $3,846  59 (20)% 

Subadvisory

   1,972   1,619   1,051  22   54  

WHG Funds

   566   253   234  124   8  

Westwood Funds

   289   300   362  (4 (17

Managed Accounts

   449   375   491  20   (24
                   

Total

   8,165   5,627   5,984  45   (6

Westwood Trust

         

Commingled Funds

   1,511   1,173   1,427  29   (18

Private Accounts

   376   286   324  31   (12

Agency/Custody Accounts

   122   99   118  23   (16
                   

Total

   2,009   1,558   1,869  29   (17

Total Assets Under Management

  $10,174  $7,185  $7,853  42 (9)% 
                   

Westwood Management.In the preceding table, “Separate Accounts” represent corporate pension and profit sharing plans, public employee retirement accounts,funds, Taft Hartley plans, endowments, foundations and individuals. “Subadvisory” represents relationships where Westwood Management provides investment management services for funds offered by other financial institutions. “WHG Funds” represent the family of institutional mutual funds for which Westwood Management serves as advisor. “Westwood Funds” represent the family of mutual funds for which Westwood Management serves as subadvisor. “Managed Accounts” represent relationships with brokerage firms and other registered investment advisors who offer Westwood Management’s products to their customers.

Westwood Trust. In the preceding table, “Commingled Funds” represent funds that have been established to facilitate investment of fiduciary funds of multiple clients by combining assets into a single trust for taxable and tax-exempt entities. “Private Accounts” represent discretionary accounts where Westwood Trust acts as trustee or agent and has full investment discretion. “Agency/Custody Accounts” represent non-discretionary accounts in which Westwood Trust provides agent or custodial services, but does not act in an advisory capacity. For certain assets in this category, Westwood Trust currently provides limited custody services for a minimal or zero fee, currently, but views these assets as potentially converting to fee-generating managed assets in the future. As an example, some assets in this category consist of low-basis stock that iscurrently being held in custody for clients, currently, but will likely transfer to fee-generating managed assets during an intergenerationalinter-generational transfer of wealth at some point in the future.future date.

Results of Operations

The following table and discussion of our results of operations is based upon data derived from theour consolidated statements of income contained in our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with these statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.Report.

 

  

Years ended December 31,

(in thousands)

  % Change   Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
  % Change 
  2006  2005  2004  2006 vs. 2005 2005 vs. 2004   2009  2008 2007  2009 vs. 2008 2008 vs. 2007 
Revenues                 

Advisory fees

  $17,532  $13,868  $13,069  26.4% 6.1%        

Asset-based

  $31,794  $26,966   $21,719  18 24

Performance-based

   —     8,725    3,021  (100 189  

Trust fees

   8,240   7,031   5,818  17.2  20.8    10,304   11,018    10,275  (6 7  

Other revenues

   1,592   1,041   1,093  52.9  (4.8)   455   (253  1,277  280   (120
                                

Total revenues

   27,364   21,940   19,980  24.7  9.8    42,553   46,456    36,292  (8 28  
Expenses                 

Employee compensation and benefits

   14,920   11,566   9,799  29.0  18.0    23,730   23,209    18,411  2   26  

Sales and marketing

   528   443   473  19.1  (6.3)   576   803    581  (28 38  

WHG mutual funds

   238   14   —    1600.0  —      600   384    161  56   139  

Information technology

   925   809   692  14.3  16.9    1,221   1,114    970  10   15  

Professional services

   1,373   1,194   1,248  15.0  (4.3)   1,531   1,749    1,630  (12 7  

General and administrative

   2,126   1,871   1,783  13.6  4.9    2,577   2,662    2,332  (3 14  
                                

Total expenses

   20,110   15,897   13,995  26.5  13.6    30,235   29,921    24,085  1   24  
                                

Income before income taxes

   7,254   6,043   5,985  20.0  1.0    12,318   16,535    12,207  (26 35  

Provision for income taxes

   2,785   2,407   2,299  15.7  4.7    4,423   5,992    4,263  (26 41  
                                

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   4,469   3,636   3,686  22.9  (1.4)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax

   39   —     —    —    —   
                
Net income  $4,508  $3,636  $3,686  24.0% (1.4)%  $7,895  $10,543   $7,944  (25)%  33
                                

Year Ended December 31, 20062009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20052008

Total Revenue.Our total revenues increaseddecreased by 24.7%8% to $27.4$42.6 million in 20062009 compared with $21.9$46.5 million in 2005. Advisory2008. Asset-based advisory fees increased by 26.4%18% to $17.5$31.8 million in 20062009 from $13.9$27.0 million in 2005 primarily2008 due to growth inhigher average assets under management as a result of existing clients due to market appreciation as well asof assets and net inflows from new clients addedclients. Performance-based advisory fees decreased 100% from $8.7 million in 2006. These increases were partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients.2008 due to no performance fees earned in 2009. We are eligible to earn a performance fee in 2010 dependent upon out-performance in 2010, subject to an under-performance carry-forward from 2009. Trust fees increaseddecreased by 17.2%6% to $8.2$10.3 million in 20062009 from $7.0$11.0 million in 2005 primarily2008 due to inflows from new clients added in 2006 as well as growth inlower average beginning-of-quarter assets under management in 2009. The vast majority of existing clients due to market appreciation. These increasesour Trust fees is billed in advance based on assets at the end of the previous quarter and were partially offsetnegatively impacted by the withdrawalsharp market decline in the fourth quarter of assets by certain clients.2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Other revenues, which generally consist of interest and investment income, increased by 52.9%280% to $1.6 million$455,000 in 20062009 compared with $1.0 million$(253,000) in 2005.2008. Other revenues increased primarily due to increasesa $1.6 million increase in net unrealized gains. Partially offsetting this increase were an increase of $554,000$456,000 in net realized losses and a $399,000 decrease in interest and dividend income, $150,000 in realized gains and $79,000 in unrealized gains. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $231,000 in consulting revenue from Gabelli Advisers, which was due to the termination of our consulting fee arrangement. We were notified by Gabelli Advisers in the fourth quarter 2006 that our consulting payment arrangement was to be replaced with a dividend payment from Gabelli Advisers, which is included in dividend income. The amount of the dividend was approximately $50,000 less than the amount of consulting payments that had been accrued up to that point.

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits, which generally consist of salaries, incentive compensation, equity basedequity-based compensation expense and benefits, increased by 29.0%2% to $14.9$23.7 million compared with $11.6$23.2 million in 2005.2008. This increase resultedwas primarily fromdue to an increase of approximately $2.4 million$931,000 in restricted stock expense due to additional restricted stock grants in July 2006, May 2006February 2009 as well as the higher market price at the time the shares were granted compared to prior grants, and July 2005, increasedan increase of $526,000 in salary expense of $726,000 due to increased headcount and salary increases for certain employees and increased headcount. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $845,000 in incentive compensation expense of $207,000, increased payroll taxes related to the increasesand $203,000 in salary and incentive

compensation expense and the payment of dividends on unvested restricted stock, increased employee health insurance expense and increased 401(k) and profit sharing contributions. A decrease of $124,000 in compensation expense relatedcontributions both due to stock options partially offset these increases.lower pretax income. We had 4864 full-time employees as of December 31, 20062009 compared to 4763 at December 31, 2005.2008.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing costs consist of expenses associated with our marketing efforts, including travel and entertainment, direct and consultant marketing, and advertising costs. Sales and marketing costs increaseddecreased by 19.1%28% to $528,000$576,000 in 20062009 compared with $443,000$803,000 in 2005.2008. The increasedecrease is primarily the result of increases in direct marketing expense of $40,000 anddecreases in travel and entertainment costs of $47,000.$135,000 and in direct marketing expense of $69,000.

WHG Mutual Funds. WHG Mutual Funds expenses generally consist of costs associated with our marketing, distribution and administration efforts related to the WHG Funds. WHG mutual funds expenses were $238,000increased 56% to $600,000 in 20062009 compared with $14,000$384,000 in 2005.2008. This substantial increase is primarily due to a $164,000 increase in legal fees and a $40,000 increase in direct marketing expense. Legal fees were related to the launchreorganization of the funds inPhiladelphia Fund into the fourth quarterWHG LargeCap Value Fund. On November 16, 2009, we acquired the business and substantially all of 2005the related assets of Baxter Financial Corporation related to its management of the Philadelphia Fund. In connection with this acquisition, the Philadelphia Fund was reorganized into the WHG LargeCap Value Fund. Related to this acquisition, we recorded total assets of $2.7 million and deferred liabilities of $1.7 million. We paid consideration on the secondclosing date and third quarters of 2006. Currently,are obligated to pay deferred payments twelve and twenty-four months from the largest component of these costs is fund expense reimbursements reflecting our partial subsidy of mutual fund expenses, as we have capped the expense ratios for the funds in order to competitively position them in institutional and defined contribution markets.transaction closing date.

Information Technology. Information technology expenses are generally costs associated with proprietary investment research tools, computing hardware, software licenses, maintenance and support, telecommunications and other related costs. Information technology expense increased by 14.3%10% to $925,000$1.2 million in 20062009 compared with $809,000$1.1 million in 2005.2008. The increase is primarily due to increases of $61,000 in costs related to the addition of a new performance measurement tool for Westwood Trust clients and other application enhancements, $35,000$48,000 in IT environment support costs, $43,000 in software maintenance and $16,000licenses and $43,000 in costs related to the upgrade of a critical application. These increases were partially offset by decreases in website maintenance costs, equipment rental costs and computer hardware depreciation expense.data fees.

Professional Services. Professional services expenses generally consist of audit, external subadvisor expense, legal and other professional fees. Professional services expense increaseddecreased by 15.0%12% to $1.4$1.5 million in 20062009 compared with $1.2$1.7 million in 2005.2008. The increasedecrease is primarily due to a $196,000 increase$354,000 decrease in advisory fees paid to external subadvisors due to increased assets under management in international equity and growth common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust and a $68,000 increasebeing temporarily invested in passive index funds. Increases of $73,000 in legal fees. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $81,000expense and $56,000 in external audit and Sarbanes-Oxley costs resulting from our change in external auditors forother professional fees partially offset the fiscal year 2006.decrease.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses generally consist of costs associated with the lease of our office space, insurance, office supplies, custody expense, investor relations, charitable contributions and other miscellaneous expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 3% to $2.6 million in 2009 compared with $2.7 million in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to decreases of $82,000 in miscellaneous expenses, $43,000 in occupancy expense, $40,000 in custody expense and $30,000 in training and seminars expense. Partially offset these decreases, we incurred an increase of $121,000 in insurance expense as we increased professional liability coverage amounts due to the requirements of certain large new clients.

Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes decreased by 26% to $4.4 million in 2009 compared with $6.0 million in 2008 primarily due to lower income before taxes. The effective tax rate was 35.9% in 2009 compared to 36.2% in 2008.

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007

Total Revenue.Our total revenues increased by 13.6%28% to $2.1$46.5 million in 20062008 compared with $1.9$36.3 million in 2005.2007. Asset-based advisory fees increased by 24% to $27.0 million in 2008 from $21.7 million in 2007 primarily due to net inflows from new and existing clients. These increases were partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Performance-based advisory fees increased 189% to $8.7 million in 2008 from $3.0 million in 2007 primarily due to an out-performance fee of $5.2 million carried over from 2007, which was subject to potential under-performance reductions in 2008, which did not occur. Performance fees for 2008 out-performance were fully recognized in 2008 and there is no carryover into 2009. We are eligible to earn a performance fee in 2009 dependent on out-performance in 2009. Trust fees increased by 7% to $11.0 million in 2008 from $10.3 million in 2007 primarily due to higher average fee realizations. Other revenues, which generally consist of interest and investment income, decreased by 120% to $(253,000) in 2008 compared with $1.3 million in 2007. Other revenues decreased primarily due to an $872,000 increase in unrealized losses, a $405,000 decrease in net realized gains and a $390,000 decrease in interest income. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of $143,000 in dividend income.

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits increased by 26% to $23.2 million compared with $18.4 million in 2007. This increase resulted primarily due to an increase of $1.6 million in incentive compensation expense due to higher pretax income, an increase of approximately $1.4 million in restricted stock expense due to additional restricted stock grants in February 2008 and July 2007, an increase of $1.2 million in salary expense due to increased headcount and salary increases for certain employees, and an increase of $251,000 in profit sharing contributions. We had 63 full-time employees as of December 31, 2008 compared to 52 at December 31, 2007.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing costs increased by 38% to $803,000 in 2008 compared with $581,000 in 2007. The increase is primarily the result of increases in travel and entertainment costs of $185,000 and in direct marketing expense of $31,000.

WHG Mutual Funds. WHG mutual funds expenses increased 139% to $384,000 in 2008 compared with $161,000 in 2007. This increase is primarily due to an $189,000 increase in shareholder servicing expense and a $106,000 increase in legal fees. Decreased fund reimbursement expense due to lower reimbursements due to a higher level of assets in the funds compared to last year partially offset these increases.

Information Technology. Information technology expense increased by 15% to $1,114,000 in 2008 compared with $970,000 in 2007. The increase is primarily due to increases of $82,000$43,000 in theIT environment support costs, $32,000 in software maintenance and licenses, $30,000 in quotations and $24,000 in research tools.

Professional Services. Professional services expense increased by 7% to $1.7 million in 2008 compared with $1.6 million in 2007. The increase is primarily due to a $55,000 increase in advisory fees paid to our independent directors, $50,000external subadvisors due to increased average assets under management in charitable contributions, $50,000 from the write-offgrowth and high yield common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust, a $33,000 increase in other professional fees related to collective fund start-up costs and an increase in public relations expense and a $21,000 increase in legal expense.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by 14% to $2.7 million in 2008 compared with $2.3 million in 2007. The increase is primarily due to increases of uncollectible receivables$147,000 in custody expense due to the terminationaddition of the Gabelli Advisers consulting fee arrangement and $24,000a second international subadvisor at Westwood Trust, $39,000 in occupancy costs.expense, $36,000 in miscellaneous expenses and $36,000 in office supplies expense.

Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased by 15.7%41% to $2.8$6.0 million in 20062008 compared with $2.4$4.3 million in 20052007 primarily due to higher income before taxes. The effective tax rate was 38.4%36.2% in 20062008 compared to 39.8%34.9% in 2005. The effective tax rate in 2006 is lower than 2005 because $135,000 of restricted stock expense in 2005 was not deductible for tax purposes due to the grant price exceeding the market price on the date of vest.

Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle, Net of Tax. In December 2004, the FASB revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123 (R)”), requiring public companies to recognize the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions in their financial statements. We applied the fair value provisions of the original SFAS No. 123 for all options and restricted shares we issued and accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. Under SFAS No. 123 (R) we are required to estimate the effect of forfeitures. As a result, on January 1, 2006 we recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle totaling $39,000, net of tax, in order to reverse compensation expense recorded for unvested securities as of December 31, 2005 that is in excess of what we estimate will vest.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004

Total Revenue.Our total revenues increased by 9.8% to $21.9 million in 2005 compared with $20.0 million in 2004. Advisory fees increased by 6.1% to $13.9 million in 2005 from $13.1 million in 2004 primarily due to new clients added in 2005 and growth in assets under management of existing clients due to market appreciation. These increases were partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Trust fees increased by 20.8% to $7.0 million in 2005 from $5.8 million in 2004 primarily due to new clients added in 2005 and growth in assets under management of existing clients due to market appreciation. These increases were partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Other revenues, which generally consist of interest and investment income and consulting fees, decreased by 4.8% to $1.0 million in 2005 compared with $1.1 million in 2004. Other revenues decreased primarily due to decreased realized gains of $242,000, a reduction in consulting revenue of $48,000 due to decreased average assets under management in the Westwood Funds as well as increased expenses related to the administration of the Westwood Funds by Gabelli Advisers, Inc. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $229,000 in interest and dividend income due to higher interest rates earned on investments.

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits increased by 18.0% to $11.6 million compared with $9.8 million in 2004. This increase was due primarily to increases of $864,000 in restricted stock expense related to a full year of amortization of the 2004 grant and six months of amortization of the 2005 grant in 2005 compared to six months of amortization of the 2004 grant in the prior year, $505,000 in incentive compensation expense in 2005 compared to 2004, $287,000 in salary expense due to increased headcount and salary increases, $79,000 in 401(k) match expense due to an increase in our match rate from 4% in 2004 to 6% in 2005, $66,000 in health insurance expense primarily due to increased premiums and $40,000 in profit sharing expense due to an increased compensation base. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $117,000 in deferred compensation expense due to the termination of our deferred compensation plan in 2004. At December 31, 2005 we had 47 full-time employees compared to 45 at December 31, 2004.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing costs decreased by 6.3% to $443,000 in 2005 compared with $473,000 in 2004. The decrease is primarily the result of decreases in direct marketing expense of $23,000 and advertising costs of $19,000. An increase of $8,000 in travel and entertainment costs partially offset the decreases.

WHG Mutual Funds. WHG mutual funds expense was $14,000 in 2005 while no expense was incurred in 2004. The 2005 expense consisted of mutual fund expense reimbursements resulting from the launch of two mutual funds in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Information Technology. Information technology expense increased by 16.9% to $809,000 in 2005 compared with $692,000 in 2004. The increase is primarily due to increases of $58,000 in support costs, $52,000 in costs related to the implementation of new customer relationship management and email archiving systems, $28,000 in computer hardware depreciation expense and $10,000 in website maintenance costs. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $23,000 in equipment rental costs and $9,000 in costs associated with investment research tools.

Professional Services. Professional services expense decreased by 4.3% to $1.2 million in 2005. The decrease is primarily due to a $134,000 decrease in professional fees primarily related to lower Sarbanes-Oxley compliance costs, a decrease in other professional fees of $71,000 and a decrease in legal fees of $66,000. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of $166,000 in advisory fees paid to external subadvisors due to increased assets under management in international equity and growth common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust, as well as the engagement of a subadvisor in the second quarter of 2004 to manage growth portfolios at Westwood Trust and an increase of $60,000 in external audit expense.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by 4.9% to $1.9 million in 2005 compared with $1.8 million in 2004. The increase is primarily due to increases of $58,000 in occupancy costs due to the new office space we moved into in mid 2004, $53,000 in depreciation due to office furnishings purchased in mid 2004, $19,000 in custody expense due to increased assets under management at Westwood Trust, $16,000 in property taxes due to the new office space and furnishings and $11,000 in director’s fees primarily due to an increase in the

number of outside directors. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $60,000 in stationery and printing costs, office supplies and other costs incurred in 2004 associated with moving and furnishing our corporate office and $41,000 in other administrative expenses.

Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased by 4.7% to $2.4 million in 2005 compared with $2.3 million in 2004 primarily due to higher income before taxes. The effective tax rate was 39.8% in 2005 compared to 38.4% in 2004.2007. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2005 was primarily due primarily to a decreasemore taxable income in the deduction35% tax bracket for restricted stock that vestedfederal income taxes than in 2005, which was driven by the market price on the vesting date being lower than the price on the grant date.previous year.

Supplemental Financial Information

As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAPnon-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) performance measures that we refer to as cash earnings and cash expenses. We provide these measures in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income and total expenses, which are reported on a GAAPU.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis. Both our Management and Board of Directors review cash earnings and cash expenses to evaluate our ongoing performance, allocate resources and review dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income and total expenses, are useful for both management and investors to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and our available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider these non-GAAP measures without considering financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

In calculating cash earnings, we add to net income the non-cash expense associated with equity-based compensation awards of restricted stock and stock options. In calculating cash earnings foroptions, amortization of intangible assets and the year ended December 31, 2006, we also eliminatedeferred taxes related to the non-cash cumulative effecttax-basis amortization of change in accounting principle associated with our implementation of SFAS No.123 (R).goodwill. We define cash expenses as total expenses less non-cash equity-based compensation expense.expense and amortization of intangible assets. Although depreciation on fixed assets is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating cash earnings or deduct it when calculating cash expenses because depreciation charges represent a decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement.

For the year ended December 31, 2006,2009, our cash earnings increaseddecreased by 51.6%10% to $9.1$15.6 million compared with $6.0$17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005,2008, primarily due to a 24.7% increasean 8% decrease in total revenues.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to cash earnings and total expenses to cash expenses for the years presented:

 

   2006  2005  2004  % Change 
     

2006 vs.

2005

  

2005 vs.

2004

 

GAAP Net Income

  $4,508,000  $3,636,000  $3,686,000  24.0% (1.4)%

Add: Restricted stock expense

   4,500,000   2,114,000   1,250,000  112.9  69.1 

Add: Stock option expense

   126,000   250,000   249,000  (49.6) 0.4 

Less: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   (39,000)  —     —    —    —   
                   

Non-GAAP cash earnings

  $9,095,000  $6,000,000  $5,185,000  51.6  15.7 
                   

Total GAAP expenses

  $20,110,000  $15,897,000  $13,995,000  26.5  13.6 

Less: Restricted stock expense

   (4,500,000)  (2,114,000)  (1,250,000) 112.9  69.1 

Less: Stock option expense

   (126,000)  (250,000)  (249,000) (49.6) 0.4 
                   

Cash expenses

  $15,484,000  $13,533,000  $12,496,000  14.4  8.3 
                   
(in thousands)  2009  2008  2007  % Change 
     2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 

Net Income

  $7,895   $10,543   $7,944   (25)%  33

Add: Restricted stock expense

   7,666    6,735    5,316   14   27  

Add: Intangible amortization

   13    —      —     —     —    

Add: Deferred taxes on goodwill

   5    —      —     —     —    
                   

Cash earnings

  $15,579   $17,278   $13,260   (10 30  
                   

Total expenses

  $30,235   $29,921   $24,085   1   24  

Less: Restricted stock expense

   (7,666  (6,735  (5,316 14   27  

Less: Intangible amortization

   (13  —      —     —     —    
                   

Cash expenses

  $22,556   $23,186   $18,769   (3)%  24
                   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically we have funded our operations and cash requirements with cash generated from operating activities. As of December 31, 2006,2009, we had no long-term debt. The changes in net cash provided by operating

activities generally reflect the changes in earnings plus the effect of non-cash items and changes in working capital. Changes in working capital, especially accounts receivable and accounts payable, are generally the result of timing differences between collection of fees billed and payment of operating expenses.

During 2006,2009, cash flow provided by operating activities, principally our investment advisory business, was $7.2$10.6 million compared to cash used in operations of $6.3 million during 2008 and $2.4cash provided by operations of $11.7 million during 2005 and 2004, respectively.2007. The increase of $940,000 from 2005$16.9 million was due primarily to 2006 was primarily due to increased cash earnings, offset in part by the reduced net change in operating assetspurchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and liabilities. The increase of $3.8 million from 2004 to 2005 was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable. The decrease of $18.0 million from 2007 to 2008 was due primarily to the net purchasespurchase of trading securities, increasedU.S. Treasury Bills and an increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase in cash earnings and the net change in operating assets and liabilities.earnings. At December 31, 20062009 and 2005,2008, we had working capital of $19.7$43.0 million and $18.3$35.2 million, respectively.

Cash flow provided byused in investing activities during 20062009 was $0.9$1.7 million and was primarily related to net sales of available-for-sale investments. Cash provided by investing activities during 2005 of $1.0 million was primarily related to net sales of available-for-sale investments and cash paid to acquire a business. Cash flow used in investing activities during 20042008 of $112,000$13.1 million was primarily relateddue to the build-out and furnishingnet sales of investments, partially offset by the Company’s new office space, offsetpurchase of fixed assets. Cash flow used in part byinvesting activities during 2007 of $3.1 million was primarily due to net purchases of available-for-sale investments.

Cash used in financing activities during 2006 of $9.5 million, $7.9 million and $6.2 million during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, was primarily relateddue to the payment of cash dividends on our commonand the purchase of treasury stock, of $8.3 million, offset in part by $402,000 in proceeds received from stock option exercises. Cash used in financing activities during 2005 and 2004 was $6.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, and was primarilyexcess tax benefits related to vested restricted shares and proceeds from the paymentissuance of cash dividends on our common stock.stock due to option exercises.

We had cash and investments of $20.1$45.1 million and $19.8$31.7 million at December 31, 20062009 and December 31, 2005,2008, respectively. As required by the Texas Finance Code, Westwood Trust maintains current assets in an amount equal to the required minimum restricted capital of $1.0 million, which is included in Investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We had no liabilities for borrowed money at December 31, 20062009 or December 31, 2005,2008, and our accounts payable were paid in the ordinary course of business for each of the periods then ended.

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors including our results of operations, the timing and magnitude of capital expenditures or strategic initiatives, and our dividend policy.policy and other business and risk factors described in this Form 10-K. We believe that current cash and short-term investment balances and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the operating and capital requirements of our ordinary business operations through at least the next twelve months. However, there can be no assurance that we will not require additional financing within this time frame. The failure to raise needed capital on attractive terms, if at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 20062009 (in thousands).

 

  Payments due in:  Payments due in:

Contractual Obligations

  Total  

Less than

1 year

  

1-3

years

  

3-5

years

  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3
years
  3-5
years

Non-cancelable operating leases

  $2,869  $626  $1,292  $951

Operating lease obligations

  $973  $680  $293  $—  

Deferred acquisition liabilities

   1,696   900   796   —  
            

Total

  $2,669  $1,580  $1,089  $—  

Accounting Developments

In June 2006,December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards BoardFASB amended ASC No. 805, “Business Combinations” (“FASB”ASC 805”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting. ASC 805 establishes principles and requirements for uncertaintyhow an acquirer: (1) recognizes and measures in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’sits financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 prescribesthe acquiree; (2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or gain from a recognition thresholdbargain purchase; and measurement attribute for(3) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statement recognitionstatements to evaluate the nature and measurementfinancial effects of a tax position takenthe business combination. ASC 805 applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or expected to be taken in a tax return. The provisionsafter the beginning of FIN 48 are effectivethe first reporting period for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2006.2008. We adopted ASC 805 during 2009 and it did not impact our financial statements.

In December 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures for interests in variable interest entities (“VIE”). This standard changes the manner in which an entity determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, whether that VIE should be consolidated and requires additional disclosures. As proposed, SFAS 167 would be effective for our fiscal year 2010. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of SFAS 167 on our financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC No. 855, “Subsequent Events” (“ASC 855”). ASC 855 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. We have evaluated our tax positionsincluded the required disclosure in the tax returns we have filed,notes to our financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued further guidance under ASC No. 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”). The guidance requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as unfiled tax positionsin annual financial statements to improve the transparency and quality of financial reporting and requires those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This guidance was effective for the amounts

second quarter of 2009 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

comprising our deferred tax assetsIn April 2009, the FASB issued further guidance under ASC No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and determinedDisclosures” (“ASC 820”). The additional guidance addresses estimating fair value in accordance with ASC 820 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased along with providing guidance on identifying circumstances that FIN 48 willindicate a transaction is not orderly. ASC 820 was effective for the second quarter of 2009 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In September 2006,June 2009, the FASB issued FASB StatementASC No. 157, Fair Value Measurements105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“FAS 157”), which addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under generally accepted accounting principles. The provisions of FAS 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of FAS 157.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”ASC 105”). SAB 108 was issued to provide consistency between how registrants quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108ASC 105 established an approach that requires dual quantification of financial statement misstatements based on the effects of the misstatement on the income statement, balance sheet and other disclosures. It is referred toAccounting Standards Codification as the “dual” approach assource of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB and requires references to the codification in place of references to previously issued and organized accounting pronouncements. We adopted ASC 105 during 2009 and it combines two widely used approaches, which focuseddid not have a material impact on either the income statement or the balance sheet. SAB 108 removes the singular focus on either of thoseour financial statements and the lingering errors that could potentially result. SAB 108 allows registrants to initially apply the dual approach either by (1) retroactively adjusting prior financial statements as if the dual approach had always been used or by (2) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the dual approach as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006, and was adopted by us on December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 had no effect on our financial statements.disclosures.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent losses and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In applying accounting principles, we must often make individual estimates and assumptions regarding expected outcomes or uncertainties. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe the following are areas where the degree of judgment and complexity in determining amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements make the accounting policies critical. Historically, actual results have not differed materially from estimates.

Goodwill

During the third quarters of 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004,2007, we completed our annual impairment assessment as required by SFAS 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. No impairment losses were required. We perform our annual impairment assessment as of July 1.1 and would reassess if circumstances indicated a potential impairment between our annual assessment dates. We assess the fair value of our business units with goodwill using a market multiple approach. No events occurred in the last half of 2009 that indicated that these assets should be retested for impairment.

Stock OptionsIntangible Assets

For all options granted after January 1, 2002, we have been expensingOur intangible assets represent the cost associated with employees as well as non-employee directors. Weacquisition date fair value stock options issued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognize this value as an expense over the periods in which the options vest. Implementation of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires us to make certain assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yieldmutual fund assets acquired and expectedare reflected net of amortization. In valuing these assets, we made significant estimates regarding the useful life, growth rates and potential attrition of the options.assets acquired. We utilized assumptionsperiodically review our intangible assets for events or circumstances that would indicate impairment. If the carrying value of these assets exceeded the fair value, we believedwould record an impairment to be most appropriate atremove the time of the valuation. Had we used different assumptions in the pricing model the expense recognized for stock options may have been different than the expense recognized in our financial statements. As of December 31, 2006, all outstanding options have vested and all related compensation has been expensed.

excess.

Restricted Stock

We have granted restricted stock to employees, non-employee directors and a non-employee directors. In accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Revised, weconsultant. We calculate compensation cost for restricted stock grants by using the fair market value of itsour common stock at the date of grant, the number of shares issued and an estimate of shares that will not vest due to forfeitures. This compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting period. The estimate of shares that will not vest due to forfeitures is based on our historical forfeiture rate and our expectation of potential forfeitures, which is dependent upon our judgment. If actual experience differs significantly from these estimates, stock based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially affected. If forfeitures of restricted stock do not occur or are significantly less than our estimation, we would record as much as $45,000 of compensation cost in addition to what we currently expect to expense over the next 2.2 years.

Accounting for Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes reflects the statutory tax obligations of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment and complex calculations are used in determining our tax liability and in evaluating our tax positions. We adjust our income tax provision in the period in which we determine that actual outcomes will likely be different from our estimates. Changes in tax laws may result in a change to our tax position and effective tax rate. We classify any interest or penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

Deferred income taxes reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of our assets and liabilities as measured at enacted income tax rates. Our deferred taxes relate principally to stock-based compensation expense, which is deductible for tax purposes at the time restricted stock vests and stock options are exercised.

Allocation of Purchase Price paid for Baxter Financial Corporation

On November 16, 2009, we acquired the business and substantially all of the related assets of Baxter Financial Corporation related to its management of the Philadelphia Fund. In connection with this acquisition, the Philadelphia Fund was reorganized into the WHG LargeCap Value Fund. Related to this acquisition, we recorded total assets of $2.7 million and deferred liabilities of $1.7 million. We paid consideration on the closing date and are obligated to pay deferred payments twelve and twenty-four months from the transaction closing date. With the assistance of a third party valuation expert, we made assumptions to determine the values of the assets we acquired and the amount of the deferred liabilities we expect to pay. The settlement amounts of these liabilities could be materially different from what we recorded on the acquisition date, based on the value of assets in the acquired customer accounts as of the deferred payment dates. Any such difference would be recorded in our earnings in the periods leading up to the payments.

Significant Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are summarized below.

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized in the period the services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between our subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management. Performance-based fees may pay us an additional fee if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement period when the fees have been fully earned.

Accounting for Investments

We have designated our investments, other than money market holdings and shares of Teton Advisors, Inc. (“Teton shares”), as “trading” securities, which are recorded at market value with the related unrealized gains and losses reflected in “Other revenues” in the consolidated statements of income. Our “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations as well as mutual fund and common trust fund shares, are valued based upon quoted market prices and, with respect to funds, the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. We have generally designated our investments in money market accounts and the Teton shares as “available for sale.” The market values of our money market holdings generally do not fluctuate. The Teton shares are carried at quoted market value with a 25% discount for lack of marketability. Unrealized gains and losses on the Teton shares are recorded through other comprehensive income. Dividends and interest on all of our investments are accrued as earned.

 

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We utilizeinvest our corporate capital in various financial instruments such as United States treasury bills, equity mutual funds and U.S.United States government and agency obligations, which entail certain inherent market risks. We do not currently participate in any hedging activities, nor do we currently utilize any derivative financial instruments. The following information describes the key aspects of certain financial instruments that have market risks.

Interest Rates and Securities Markets

Our cash equivalents and other investment instruments are exposed to financial market risk due to fluctuations in interest rates, which may affect our interest income. These instruments are not entered into for trading purposes. We do not expect our interest income to be significantly affected by a sudden change in market interest rates.

The value of our assets under management is affected by changes in interest rates and fluctuations in securities markets. Since we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from investment advisory and trust fees based on the value of assets under management, our revenues may be adversely affected by changing interest rates or a decline in the prices of securities generally.

 

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The independent registered public accounting firm’s reports and financial statements listed in the accompanying index are included in Item 15 of this report.Report. See Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Not applicable.None.

 

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of December 31, 2006,2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Please refer to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.’s Management Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting on page F-5F-4 of this Report.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on (1) our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and (2) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This report can be found on page F-4.F-3.

For the quarterfiscal year ended December 31, 2006,2009, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.Other Information.

Not applicable.

PART III

 

Item 10.Directors and Executive Officers of the Company.

The information required by this item is or will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 20072010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., which is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Proxy Statement”). This definitive proxy statementThe Proxy Statement relates to a meeting of stockholders involving the election of directors and the portions therefrom required to be set forth in this Form 10-K by this item are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

Item 11.Executive Compensation.

The information required by this item is or will be set forth in the Proxy Statement. This definitive proxy statementThe Proxy Statement relates to a meeting of stockholders involving the election of directors and the portions therefrom required to be set forth in this Form 10-K by this item are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

 

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information required by this item is or will be set forth in the Proxy Statement. This definitive proxy statement relates to a meeting of stockholders involving the election of directors and the portions therefrom required to

be set forth in this Form 10-K by this item are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

The information required by this item is or will be set forth in the Proxy Statement. This definitive proxy statementStatement relates to a meeting of stockholders involving the election of directors and the portions therefrom required to be set forth in this Form 10-K by this item are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

 

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information required by this item is or will be set forth in the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement relates to a meeting of stockholders involving the election of directors and the portions therefrom required to be set forth in this Form 10-K by this item are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The information required by this item is or will be set forth in the Proxy Statement. This definitive proxy statementThe Proxy Statement relates to a meeting of stockholders involving the election of directors and the portions therefrom required to be set forth in this Form 10-K by this item are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

PART IV

 

Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

Financial Statement Schedules

The financial statements included in this Report are listed in the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 of this Report. Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are either not required under the related instructions or inapplicable.

Exhibits

The exhibits required to be furnished pursuant to Item 15 are listed in the Exhibit Index filed herewith, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the undersigned directors and officers of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. hereby constitutes and appoints Brian O. Casey and William R. Hardcastle, Jr., or any one of them, its, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for it, him or her and in its, his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, with full power to act alone, to sign any and all amendments to this Report, and to file each such amendment to the Report, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as it, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
By: 

/s/ BrianS/    BRIAN O. CaseyCASEY        

 Brian O. Casey
 Chief Executive Officer and President

Dated: February 22, 200725, 2010

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SignaturesTitle

Signatures

Title

/s/ BrianS/    BRIAN O. CaseyCASEY        

Brian O. Casey

 Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal
Brian O. CaseyExecutive Officer)

/s/ WilliamS/    WILLIAM R. Hardcastle, Jr.HARDCASTLE, JR.        

 Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
William R. Hardcastle, Jr. 

/s/ Craig WhittenS/    CRAIG WHITTEN        

 Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Craig Whitten 

/s/ SusanS/    SUSAN M. ByrneBYRNE        

Susan M. Byrne

 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Investment
Susan M. ByrneOfficer

/s/ TomS/    TOM C. DavisDAVIS        

 Director
Tom C. Davis 

/s/ Frederick R. MeyerS/    RICHARD M. FRANK        

 Director

Frederick R. Meyer

Richard M. Frank
 

/s/ Jon L. Mosle, Jr.S/    ROBERT D. MCTEER        

 Director

Jon L. Mosle, Jr.

Robert D. McTeer
 

/s/ Richard M. FrankS/    FREDERICK R. MEYER        

 Director

Richard M. Frank

Frederick R. Meyer
 

/s/ Raymond E. WooldridgeS/    JON L. MOSLE, JR.        

 Director
Jon L. Mosle, Jr.

/S/    GEOFFREY R. NORMAN        

Director
Geoffrey R. Norman

/S/    RAYMOND E. WOOLDRIDGE        

Director
Raymond E. Wooldridge

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

   Page

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Grant Thornton LLP on the financial statements of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. as of and for the yearyears ended December 31, 20062009, 2008 and 2007

  

F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP on the financial statements of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004


F-3

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Grant Thornton LLP – audit of (1) management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and (2) the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting

  F-4F-3

Report of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.’s management assessment of internal control over financial reporting

F-4

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

  F-5

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

  F-7F-6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

  F-8F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

  F-9F-8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  F-10F-9

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders ofShareholders

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006,2009 and December 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(revised 2004) – “Share-Based Payment”.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated February 22, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Grant Thornton

February 22, 2007
Dallas, Texas

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2005.2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, suchthe consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20052009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2005,2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 22, 2006

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.:

We also have audited, management’s assessment, included in accordance with the accompanying Reportstandards of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.’s Management Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effectivethe Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006,2009, based on criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated February 25, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 25, 2010

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

We have audited Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.’s Management Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment,assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006,2009, based on the criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2006,2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholder’sstockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended, December 31, 2006, and our report dated February 22, 200725, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

/s/ Grant Thornton

Dallas, Texas

February 25, 2010

February 22, 2007
Dallas, Texas

REPORT OF WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.’S MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL

CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.:

The management of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)). Westwood’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The management of Westwood assessed the effectiveness of Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.2009. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) inInternal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2006,2009, Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

Westwood’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our assessment of Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page F-4.F-3.

 

By: 

/s/ BrianS/    BRIAN O. CaseyCASEY        

 Brian O. Casey, Chief Executive Officer
 

/s/ WilliamS/    WILLIAM R. Hardcastle, Jr.HARDCASTLE, JR.        

 William R. Hardcastle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

February 22, 200725, 2010

Dallas, Texas

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 20062009 and 20052008

(in thousands, except par values and share amounts)

 

  2006  2005   2009 2008 

ASSETS

       

Current Assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $2,177  $1,897   $2,879   $3,498  

Accounts receivable

   3,111   2,452    6,406    12,638  

Investments, at market value

   17,933   17,878    42,246    28,152  

Deferred income taxes

   1,267   573    2,187    1,781  

Other current assets

   465   410    625    700  
              

Total current assets

   24,953   23,210    54,343    46,769  

Goodwill

   2,302   2,302    3,915    2,302  

Deferred income taxes

   214   244    —      934  

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $774 and $523

   1,253   1,554 

Intangible assets, net

   1,050    —    

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,315 and $1,234

   578    842  
              

Total assets

  $28,722  $27,310   $59,886   $50,847  
       
       

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current Liabilities:

       

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $778  $715   $995   $1,105  

Dividends payable

   996   539    2,359    2,087  

Compensation and benefits payable

   2,801   2,980    6,273    7,052  

Income taxes payable

   689   694    823    1,359  

Deferred acquisition liability

   900    —    

Other current liabilities

   10   7    11    9  
              

Total current liabilities

   5,274   4,935    11,361    11,612  

Deferred acquisition liability

   796    —    

Deferred income taxes

   238    —    

Deferred rent

   713   816    273    441  
       

Total long-term liabilities

   1,307    441  
              

Total liabilities

   5,987   5,751    12,668    12,053  
              

Stockholders’ Equity:

       

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and

outstanding 6,638,525 shares at December 31, 2006; issued and outstanding

5,986,647 shares at December 31, 2005

   66   60 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 7,308,812 and outstanding 7,151,472 shares at December 31, 2009; issued 7,052,727 and outstanding 6,958,238 shares at December 31, 2008

   73    71  

Additional paid-in capital

   20,289   21,459    47,741    37,458  

Unamortized stock compensation

   —     (6,572)

Treasury stock, at cost – 157,340 shares at December 31, 2009; 94,489 shares at December 31, 2008

   (6,026  (3,500

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   1,559    —    

Retained earnings

   2,380   6,612    3,871    4,765  
              

Total stockholders’ equity

   22,735   21,559    47,218    38,794  
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $28,722  $27,310   $59,886   $50,847  
              

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

  2006  2005  2004  2009  2008 2007

REVENUES:

           

Advisory fees

  $17,532  $13,868  $13,069     

Asset-based

  $31,794  $26,966   $21,719

Performance-based

   —     8,725    3,021

Trust fees

   8,240   7,031   5,818   10,304   11,018    10,275

Other revenues

   1,592   1,041   1,093

Other revenues, net

   455   (253  1,277
                  

Total revenues

   27,364   21,940   19,980   42,553   46,456    36,292
         
         

EXPENSES:

           

Employee compensation and benefits

   14,920   11,566   9,799   23,730   23,209    18,411

Sales and marketing

   528   443   473   576   803    581

WHG mutual funds

   238   14   —     600   384    161

Information technology

   925   809   692   1,221   1,114    970

Professional services

   1,373   1,194   1,248   1,531   1,749    1,630

General and administrative

   2,126   1,871   1,783   2,577   2,662    2,332
                  

Total expenses

   20,110   15,897   13,995   30,235   29,921    24,085
                  

Income before income taxes

   7,254   6,043   5,985   12,318   16,535    12,207

Provision for income taxes

   2,785   2,407   2,299   4,423   5,992    4,263
                  

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   4,469   3,636   3,686

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income taxes of $21

   39   —     —  
         

Net income

  $4,508  $3,636  $3,686  $7,895  $10,543   $7,944
                  

Earnings per share:

           

Basic:

      

Continuing operations

  $0.80  $0.67  $0.68

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   0.01   —     —  
         

Net income

  $0.81  $0.67  $0.68
         

Diluted:

      

Continuing operations

  $0.79  $0.66  $0.68

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   0.00   —     —  
         

Net income

  $0.79  $0.66  $0.68
         

Basic

  $1.25  $1.73   $1.36

Diluted

  $1.18  $1.63   $1.28

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  

Westwood Holdings
Group, Inc.

Common Stock, Par

  

Additional

Paid-In

Capital

  

Treasury

Stock

  

Unamortized

Stock
Compensation

  

Retained

Earnings

  Total   Westwood Holdings
Group, Inc.

Common Stock, Par
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Treasury
Stock
  Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Retained
Earnings
  Total 
  Shares  Amount    Shares Amount      

BALANCE, January 1, 2004

  5,550,119  $56  $12,952  $(6) $(2,609) $11,460  $21,853 

Net income

          3,686   3,686 

Sale of treasury stock – 353 shares

  353   —      6     6 

Issuance of restricted stock

  192,500   2   3,460    (3,462)   —   

Amortization of stock compensation

         1,250    1,250 

Tax benefit related to equity compensation

       157      157 

Dividends declared ($0.99 per share)

          (5,682)  (5,682)

Stock options vested

       249      249 

Stock options exercised

  11,175   —     144      144 
                      

BALANCE, December 31, 2004

  5,754,147  $58  $16,962  $—    $(4,821) $9,464  $21,663 

BALANCE, January 1, 2007

  6,638,525   $66  $20,289   $—     $—    $2,380   $22,735  

Net income

          3,636   3,636           7,944    7,944  

Issuance of restricted stock

  211,500   2   3,863    (3,865)   —     154,571    2   (2      —    

Amortization of stock compensation

         2,114    2,114       5,316        5,316  

Tax benefit related to equity compensation

       113      113       1,558        1,558  

Dividends declared ($1.09 per share)

          (6,488)  (6,488)

Stock options vested

       250      250 

Dividends declared ($1.15 per share)

          (7,746  (7,746

Stock options exercised

  21,000   —     271      271   47,231    —     609        609  

Purchases of treasury stock

  (32,919     (1,070     (1,070
                                            

BALANCE, December 31, 2005

  5,986,647  $60  $21,459  $—    $(6,572) $6,612  $21,559 

BALANCE, December 31, 2007

  6,807,408   $68  $27,770   $(1,070 $—    $2,578   $29,346  

Net income

          4,508   4,508           10,543    10,543  

Issuance of restricted stock

  620,784   6   (6)     —     192,500    2   (2      —    

Reversal of unamortized stock compensation due to FAS 123 (R) implementation

       (6,572)   6,572    —   

Amortization of stock compensation

       4,500      4,500       6,735        6,735  

Tax benefit related to equity compensation

       440      440       2,699        2,699  

Dividends declared ($1.33 per share)

          (8,740)  (8,740)

Stock options vested

       126      126 

Dividends declared ($1.20 per share)

          (8,356  (8,356

Stock options exercised

  31,094   —     402      402   19,900    1   256        257  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

       (60)     (60)

Purchases of treasury stock

  (61,570     (2,430     (2,430
                                            

BALANCE, December 31, 2006

  6,638,525  $66  $20,289  $—    $—    $2,380  $22,735 

BALANCE, December 31, 2008

  6,958,238   $71  $37,458   $(3,500 $—    $4,765   $38,794  

Net income

          7,895    7,895  

Issuance of restricted stock

  233,150    2   (2      —    

Issuance of stock for business combination

  20,435    —     752        752  

Amortization of stock compensation

      7,666        7,666  

Other comprehensive income – unrealized gain on investment securities

        1,559    1,559  

Tax benefit related to equity compensation

      1,834        1,834  

Dividends declared ($1.23 per share)

          (8,789  (8,789

Stock options exercised

  2,500    —     33        33  

Purchases of treasury stock

  (62,851     (2,526     (2,526
                                            

BALANCE, December 31, 2009

  7,151,472   $73  $47,741   $(6,026 $1,559  $3,871   $47,218  
                      

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

(in thousands)

 

  2009 2008 2007 
  2006 2005 2004 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net income

  $4,508  $3,636  $3,686   $7,895   $10,543   $7,944  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

   266   272   191 

Loss on sale of other assets

   —     —     4 

Unrealized gains on investments

   (143)  (64)  (21)

Stock option expense

   126   250   249 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation

   241    232    228  

Amortization of intangible assets

   13    —      —    

Fair market valuation of deferred acquisition liabilities

   23    —      —    

Unrealized losses (gains) on investments

   (588  974    102  

Restricted stock amortization

   4,500   2,114   1,250    7,666    6,735    5,316  

Deferred income taxes

   (685)  (300)  (153)   (73  (978  (256

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   (39)  —     —   

Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation

   (30)  —     —      (1,518  (2,271  (1,286

Net purchases of investments – trading securities

   (889)  (288)  (2,248)   (9,721  (20,256  (1,339

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

   (659)  (620)  99    6,232    (6,039  (3,488

Other assets

   (58)  (18)  (7)   76    (47  (186

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   63   86   (307)   (101  81    246  

Compensation and benefits payable

   (179)  277   (73)   (779  2,204    2,047  

Income taxes payable and prepaid taxes

   435   830   (338)   1,298    2,553    2,374  

Other liabilities

   8   109   95    (58  (41  (16
                    

Net cash provided by operating activities

   7,224   6,284   2,427 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   10,606    (6,310  11,686  
          
          

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

        

Purchases of money market funds – available for sale

   (7,869)  (4,863)  (21,755)   (64,984  (34,849  (8,009

Sales of money market funds – available for sale

   8,846   5,969   22,805    63,597    48,123    5,035  

Purchase of property and equipment

   (70)  (75)  (1,189)

Sale of property and equipment

   —     —     27 

Cash paid for business combination

   (251  —      —    

Purchases of property and equipment

   (86  (153  (114
                    

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   907   1,031   (112)   (1,724  13,121    (3,088
                    

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Sale of treasury stock

   —     —     6 

Purchases of treasury stock

   (2,526  (2,430  (1,070

Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation

   30   —     —      1,518    2,271    1,286  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   402   271   144    33    257    609  

Cash dividends

   (8,283)  (6,409)  (5,388)   (8,526  (7,971  (7,040
                    

Net cash used in financing activities

   (7,851)  (6,138)  (5,238)   (9,501  (7,873  (6,215
                    

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

   280   1,177   (2,923)

Cash, beginning of year

   1,897   720   3,643 
          

Cash, end of year

  $2,177  $1,897  $720 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (619  (1,062  2,383  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

   3,498    4,560    2,177  
          

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $2,879   $3,498   $4,560  
                    

Supplemental cash flow information:

        

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

  $3,034  $1,878  $2,790   $3,199   $4,418   $2,144  

Issuance of restricted stock

   11,507   3,865   3,462    7,263    7,032    5,330  

Tax benefit allocated directly to equity

   440   113   157 

Dividends declared and not paid until the subsequent year

   996   539   460 

Assets acquired by recording liabilities

   —     —     693 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”, “we” or “our”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 12, 2001, as a subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. (“SWS”). On June 28, 2002, SWS completed the spin-off of Westwood by effecting a dividend distribution of all of the Westwood common stock held by SWS to all of its stockholders on a pro rata basis. Westwood is an independent public company, with SWS having no continuing ownership interest in Westwood. For a more detailed discussion of the spin-off and the various agreements entered into by Westwood and SWS, see the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed by Westwood with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2002.

2001. Westwood manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Westwood Management”) and Westwood Trust (“Westwood Trust”). Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds,retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds and also clients of Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust provides to institutions and high net worth individuals with trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. Revenue is largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under management.management (“AUM”). Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and in the composition of AUM impact revenuerevenues and results of operations.

Westwood Management is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Westwood Trust is chartered and regulated by the Texas Department of Banking.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented using the accrual basis of accounting and include the accounts of Westwood and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. We have examined our relationships for potential variable interest entities (“VIE”) and determined that the common trust funds we manage are VIEs in which we have variable interests, but for which consolidation is not required.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized as services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between our subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management. A limited number of our clients have a performance-based fee component in their contract, which would pay us an additional fee if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement period. Most advisory and trust fees are payable in advance or in arrears on a calendar quarterly basis. Advance payments are deferred and recognized over the periods services are performed. Since most of our advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, the revenue related to those clients is fully recognized within the quarter. Consequently there is not a significant amount of deferred revenue contained in our financial statements. Deferred revenue is shown on the balance sheet under the heading of “Other current liabilities”. Other revenues generally consist of interest and investment income. These revenues are recognized as earned or as the services are performed.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less.

Investments

Money market securities are generally classified as available for sale securities and have no significantsignificantly fluctuating values. Class A shares of Teton Advisors, Inc. (“Teton shares”) are classified as available for sale. All other marketable securities are classified as trading securities. All securities, except the Teton shares, are carried at quoted market value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Net unrealized holding gains or losses on investments classified as trading securities are reflected as a component of other revenues. The Teton shares are carried at quoted market value with a 25% discount for lack of marketability. Unrealized gains and losses on the Teton shares are recorded through other comprehensive income. We measure realized gains and losses on investments using the specific identification method.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of furniture and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets (from 3 to 7 years), and depreciation on leasehold improvements is provided over the lease term using the straight-line method. We capitalize leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and most office equipment purchases. The following table reflects information about our fixed assets as of December 31, 20062009 and 2005.2008.

 

  2006 2005   2009 2008 

Leasehold improvements cost

  $828  $938   $504   $613  

Leasehold improvements – accumulated depreciation

   (127)  (79)   (278  (228

Furniture and fixtures cost

   696   694    783    763  

Furniture and fixtures – accumulated depreciation

   (267)  (170)   (570  (465

Computer hardware and office equipment cost

   504   445    597    701  

Computer hardware and office equipment – accumulated depreciation

   (381)  (274)   (458  (542
              

Net fixed assets

  $1,253  $1,554   $578   $842  
              

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired assets over the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested annually for impairment.

During the third quarters of 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004,2007, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment as required by SFAS 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”assessments. No impairment losses were required. We perform our annual impairment assessment as of July 1. As1 and would reassess if circumstances indicated a potential impairment between our annual assessment dates. We assess the fair value of December 31, 2006, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust had netour business units with goodwill using a market multiple approach. No events occurred in the last half of $1,790,000 and $512,000, respectively.2009 that would indicate that these assets should be retested for impairment.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform toOur intangible assets represent the 2006 presentation. On the balance sheet, reclassificationacquisition date fair value of the prior year current portionmutual fund assets acquired and are reflected net of net deferred tax asset wasamortization. In valuing these assets, we made from non-current “Deferred income taxes”significant estimates regarding the useful life, growth rates and potential attrition of the assets acquired. We periodically review our intangible assets for events or circumstances that would indicate impairment. If the carrying value of these assets exceeded the fair value, we would record an impairment to “Deferred income taxes” inremove the current assets section.excess.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

Federal Income Taxes

We file a Federal income tax return as a consolidated group for Westwood and its subsidiaries. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured at enacted income tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is generally the result of changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes relate primarily to stock-based compensation expense.

Other Comprehensive Income

We record all changes in other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains on available for sale securities.

Accounting Developments

In December 2007, the FASB amended ASC No. 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”). ASC 805 establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer: (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or gain from a bargain purchase; and (3) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. ASC 805 applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first reporting period for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted ASC 805 during 2009 and it did not impact our financial statements.

In December 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures for interests in variable interest entities (“VIE”). This standard changes the manner in which an entity determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, whether that VIE should be consolidated and requires additional disclosures. As proposed, SFAS 167 would be effective for our fiscal year 2010. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of SFAS 167 on our financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC No. 855, “Subsequent Events” (“ASC 855”). ASC 855 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. We have included the required disclosure in the notes to our financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued further guidance under ASC No. 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”). The guidance requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements to improve the transparency and quality of financial reporting and requires those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This guidance was effective for the second quarter of 2009 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

In April 2009, the FASB issued further guidance under ASC No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). The additional guidance addresses estimating fair value in accordance with ASC 820 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased along with providing guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. ASC 820 was effective for the second quarter of 2009 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC No. 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“ASC 105”). ASC 105 established Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB and requires references to the codification in place of references to previously issued and organized accounting pronouncements. We adopted ASC 105 during 2009 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Accounting Developments

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We have evaluated the positions in the tax returns we have filed and the amounts comprising our deferred tax assets and determined that FIN 48 will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), which addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under generally accepted accounting principles. The provisions of FAS 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of FAS 157 on our financial statements.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 was issued to provide consistency between how registrants quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 established an approach that requires dual quantification of financial statement misstatements based on the effects of the misstatement on the income statement, balance sheet and other disclosures. It is referred to as the “dual” approach as it combines two widely used approaches, which focused on either the income statement or the balance sheet. SAB 108 removes the singular focus on either of those financial statements and the lingering errors that could potentially result. SAB 108 allows registrants to initially apply the dual approach either by (1) retroactively adjusting prior financial statements as if the dual approach had always been used or by (2) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the dual approach as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006, and was adopted by us on December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 had no effect on our financial statements

Stock Based Compensation

We account for stock basedstock-based compensation in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Revised (“SFAS No. 123R”).ASC 718. Under SFAS No. 123R, stock basedASC 718, stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock basedstock-based awards measured at grant date, is recognized over the relevant service period, and is adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. We have elected to use the modified prospective transition method as permitted by SFAS No. 123R and therefore have not restated our financial results for prior periods. Under this transition method, we apply the provisions of SFAS No. 123R to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after January 1, 2006. Additionally, we recognize compensation cost for the portion of awards that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006 for which the requisite service had not been rendered, as the remaining service is rendered. The compensation cost we record for these awards is based on their grant-date fair value as required by SFAS No. 123R. SFAS No. 123R also requires us to report the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow.ASC 718.

We have issued restricted stock and stock options in accordance with itsour Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.Plan (the “Plan”). We valued stock options issued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognizerecognized this value as an expense over the periods in which the options vest.vested. Implementation of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requiresrequired us to make certain assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options. We utilized assumptions that we believed to be most appropriate at the time of the valuation. Had we used different assumptions in the pricing model, the expense recognized for stock options may have been different than the expense recognized in our financial statements. We must also apply judgment in developing an expectation of awards of restricted stock and

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

stock options that may be forfeited. If actual experience differs significantly from these estimates, stock basedstock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially affected.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

TheWe have determined the estimated fair values of our financial instruments have been determined by us using available information. The fair value amounts discussed in NoteNotes 4 and 5 are not necessarily indicative of either the amounts we would realizerealizeable upon disposition of these instruments or our intent or ability to dispose of these assets. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, as well as accounts receivable and payable, approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of investments designated as “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations as well as WHG Funds mutual fundfunds and Westwood Trust common trust fund shares, equals their fair value, which is equal to prices quoted in active markets and, with respect to funds, the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. The carrying amount of investments designated as “available for sale” securities, primarilyincluding money market accounts and Teton shares, equals their fair value. The fair value whichof money market accounts is equal to the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. The net assetmarket values of our money market holdings generally do not fluctuate. The fair value of the Teton shares is equal to the closing market price as of December 31, 2009 of $15.99 per share less a 25% discount for lack of marketability.

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted the provisions of ASC 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures regarding certain fair value measurements. ASC 820 establishes a three tier hierarchy for measuring fair value as follows:

level 1 – quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets,

level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable and

level 3 – unobservable inputs where there is little or no market activity.

3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

Our trade accounts receivable balances do not include any allowance for doubtful accounts nor has any bad debt expense attributable to trade receivables been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2004 through 2005. In 2006, as a result2009 and 2008. As of December 31, 2008, our accounts receivable balance included $8.7 million due from our largest client. This amount was collected in the terminationfirst quarter of our consulting fee arrangement with Gabelli Advisers and the payment of a dividend in its place, we charged $50,000 of previously accrued consulting revenue to bad debt expense that was in excess of what we received in dividends from Gabelli Advisers.2009. The majority of our accounts receivable balances areis advisory and trust fees receivable from customers that we believe and have experienced to be fully collectable.

Certain of our directors, executive officers and their affiliates invest their personal funds directly in accounts held and managed by us. There were no amounts due from these accounts as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. For the years 2009, 2008 and 2007, we recorded trust fees from these accounts of $382,000, $407,000 and $296,000, respectively.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

4. INVESTMENTS:

Investment balances are presented in the table below (in thousands). All of these investments are carried at marketfair value. The money market funds and Teton shares are accounted for as available for sale securities. The other investments are accounted for as trading securities.

 

  Cost  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

  

Estimated

Market

Value

  Cost  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Market
Value

December 31, 2006:

        

December 31, 2009:

       

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

  $33,949  $3  $—     $33,952

Funds:

       

Money Market

   3,230   —     —      3,230

Equity – available for sale

   —     2,399   —      2,399

Equity – trading

   2,823   35   (193  2,665
            

Marketable securities

  $40,002  $2,437  $(193 $42,246
            

December 31, 2008:

       

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

  $1,757  $—    $—    $1,757  $22,142  $83  $—     $22,225

Funds:

      ��        

Money Market

   12,241   —     —     12,241   1,843   —     —      1,843

Equity

   3,603   332   —     3,935   4,910   —     (826  4,084
                        

Marketable securities

  $17,601  $332  $—    $17,933  $28,895  $83  $(826 $28,152
                        

December 31, 2005:

        

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

  $1,686  $—    $—    $1,686

Funds:

        

Money Market

   13,206   —     —     13,206

Equity

   2,797   189   —     2,986
            

Marketable securities

  $17,689  $189  $—    $17,878
            

The following amounts are included in our income statement under the heading “Other revenues” for the years indicated (in thousands):

   2009  2008  2007 

Realized gains

  $10   $12   $368  

Realized losses

   (505  (51  (2
             

Net realized (losses)/gains

   (495  (39  366  
             

Interest income—trading

   171    161    145  

Interest income—available-for -sale

   1    255    597  

Dividend income

   187    295    152  

Unrealized gains/(losses)

   588    (974  (102

We realized income tax (benefits)/expense related to realized investment gains and losses of (in thousands): $(173), $(14) and $128 for the years ended 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

5. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table summarizes the values of our assets as of December 31, 2009 within the fair value hierarchy, which is described in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” under the heading “Fair Value of Financial Instruments”

Assets

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total

Investments in securities:

        

Trading

  $36,617  $—    $—    $36,617

Available-for-sale

   3,230   —     2,399   5,629
                

Total Financial instruments

  $39,847  $—    $2,399  $42,246
                

The following table presents information regarding the assets that we used level 3 inputs to determine fair value (in thousands). This represents 200,000 Class A shares of Teton Advisors, Inc. that we own. We determined the fair value of these shares as the closing market price as of December 31, 2009 less a 25% discount for lack of marketability. This fair value amount is not necessarily indicative of either the amount we would realize upon disposition of these shares or our intent or ability to dispose of them. There were no transfers of level 3 assets to or from other asset classes and there were no gains, losses, purchases or sales of the Teton shares.

Asset

  Beginning
balance
  Unrealized gains
included in Other
Comprehensive

Income
  Ending
balance

Investment in securities, available-for-sale

  $—    $2,399  $2,399

6. ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

On November 16, 2009, we acquired the business and substantially all the related assets of Baxter Financial Corporation related to its management of the Philadelphia Fund. In connection with this acquisition, the Philadelphia Fund was reorganized into the WHG LargeCap Value Fund. This acquisition was made in order to increase WHG Funds revenue, increase economies of scale in the WHG LargeCap Value Fund and increase fund assets to a level that is more attractive to potential institutional clients. At closing, we paid consideration totaling $1.0 million, comprised of 20,435 shares of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. common stock and $251,000 in cash, which was the result of a multiple applied to the total mutual fund assets we obtained. We are obligated to pay deferred payments twelve and twenty-four months from the transaction closing date. These deferred payments, which are subject to a total purchase price cap, are payable in shares of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. common stock and/or cash at our discretion and are subject to adjustment based on the value of assets in the acquired customer accounts as of the deferred payment dates. Related to this acquisition, we recorded total assets of $2.7 million, comprised solely of goodwill and intangible assets, and deferred liabilities of $1.7 million. Proforma results of operations have not been presented because the results of operations would not have been materially different from those reported in our Consolidated Statement of Income.

The goodwill we acquired is not amortized, but does provide a tax deduction. The changes in goodwill for the last two years were as follows (in thousands):

   2009  2008

Beginning balance

  $2,302  $2,302

Acquired goodwill

   1,613   —  
        

Ending balance

  $3,915  $2,302
        

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The intangible assets we purchased were primarily the customer accounts of the Philadelphia Fund, but also include allocations to trade-name and a non-solicitation agreement, which together comprise approximately 1% of the allocated purchase price. The following amounts are included inis a summary of our income statement under the heading “Other revenues”intangible assets at December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

   Weighted
Average

Amortization
Period
  Gross
Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net
Carrying
Amount

Intangible assets

  10.8 years  $1,063  $(13 $1,050

Amortization expense was $13,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009. Estimated amortization expense for the intangible assets for the next five years indicated:is as follows (in thousands):

 

   2006  2005  2004 

Realized gains

  $329,000  $170,000  $440,000 

Realized losses

   (9,000)  —     (3,000)
             

Net realized gains

   320,000   170,000   437,000 
             

Interest income

   752,000   498,000   195,000 

Dividend income

   329,000   29,000   77,000 

Unrealized gains

   143,000   64,000   56,000 

Consulting income

   48,000   280,000   328,000 

For the Year ending December 31,

  Estimated
Amortization
Expense

2010

  $106

2011

   104

2012

   95

2013

   95

2014

   95

5.7. INCOME TAXES:

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004 (effective rates of 38.4%, 39.8% and 38.4%, respectively)2007 differs from the amount that would otherwise have been calculated by applying the Federal corporate tax rate (34%)rates to income before income taxes. The difference between the Federal corporate tax rate of 34% and the effective tax rate is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

  2006 2005  2004   2009 2008 2007 

Federal statutory rate

   35.0  35.0  35.0

Effective tax rate

   35.9  36.2  34.9

Income tax expense at the statutory rate

  $2,466  $2,055  $2,035   $4,311   $5,788   $4,173  

State franchise and income taxes

   412   296   272 

State margin, franchise and income taxes

   230    238    168  

Other, net

   (93)  56   (8)   (118  (34  (78
                    

Total income tax expense

  $2,785  $2,407  $2,299   $4,423   $5,992   $4,263  
                    

We include penalties and interest on income based taxes in the “Provision for income taxes” line on our income statement. We recorded penalties and interest of $4,103, $25,748 and $388 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Income taxes as set forth in the consolidated statements of income consisted of the following components (in thousands):

 

  2006 2005 2004   2009 2008 2007 

State – current

  $638  $454  $369   $345   $373   $266  

State – deferred

   (5)  (4)  22    4    (7  (8

Federal – current

   2,811   2,253   2,083    4,151    6,597    4,253  

Federal – deferred

   (659)  (296)  (175)   (77  (971  (248
                    

Total income tax expense

  $2,785  $2,407  $2,299   $4,423   $5,992   $4,263  
                    

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 20062009 and 20052008 are presented below (in thousands):

 

   2006  2005 

Depreciation at rates different for tax than for financial reporting

  $(154) $(197)

Restricted stock amortization

   1,427   741 

Stock option expense

   239   254 

Other

   (31)  19 
         

Total deferred tax assets

  $1,481  $817 
         

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

   2009  2008 

Deferred tax assets:

   

Restricted stock amortization

  $2,489   $2,046  

Stock option expense

   105    110  

Incentive compensation

   175    347  

Unrealized losses on investments

   55    264  

Deferred rent

   42    63  

Other

   4    4  
         

Total deferred tax assets

   2,870    2,834  
         

Deferred tax liabilities:

   

Depreciation at rates different for tax than for financial reporting

   (79  (119

Intangibles

   (3  —    

Unrealized gains on investments

   (839  —    
         

Total deferred tax liabilities

   (921  (119
         

Net deferred tax assets

  $1,949   $2,715  
         

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected on our balance sheet as of December 31, 20062009 and 20052008 as follows:follows (in thousands):

 

   2006  2005 

Net current deferred tax asset, included in other current assets

  $1,267  $573 

Non-current deferred tax asset

   490   513 

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

   (276)  (269)
         

Total net deferred tax assets

  $1,481  $817 
         
   2009  2008 

Net current deferred tax asset

  $2,187   $1,781  
         

Non-current deferred tax assets

   683    1,053  

Non-current deferred tax liabilities,

   (921  (119
         

Net non-current deferred tax (liabilities)/assets reflected on the balance sheet

   (238  934  
         

Total net deferred tax assets

  $1,949   $2,715  
         

As a result of our history of taxable income and the nature of the items from which deferred tax assets are derived, management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of theour deferred tax assets. We include penalties and interest on income based taxes in the “Provision for income taxes” line on our income statement. We recorded $77 of penalties and interest in 2006. There were no penalties or interest recorded in 2004 and 2005. For federal income taxes, 2003, 2004 and 20052006 through 2008 are open tax years. For Texas franchise taxes, 2004, 2005 and 2006through 2008 are open tax years.

6.8. REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS:

Westwood Trust is subject to the capital requirements of the Texas Department of Banking, and has a minimum capital requirement of $1.0 million. At December 31, 2006,2009, Westwood Trust had total stockholders’ equity of approximately $3.7$3.3 million, which is $2.7$2.3 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement.

Westwood Trust is limited under applicable Texas law in the payment of dividends to undivided profits: that part of equity capital equal to the balance of net profits, income, gains and losses since its formation date minus subsequent distributions to stockholders and transfers to surplus or capital under share dividends or appropriate Board resolutions. At the discretion of its board of directors, Westwood Trust has made quarterly and special dividend payments to us out of its undivided profits.

7.WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

9. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

We have issued stock options and restricted shares to our employees, and non-employee directors and a non-employee consultant and offer 401(k) matching and profit sharing contributions to our employees. The Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) reserves shares of Westwood common stock for issuance to eligible employees, directors and directorsconsultants of Westwood or its subsidiaries in the form of restricted stock and stock options. The total number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including the predecessor plans to the Plan) may not exceed

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

1,948,100 2,648,100 shares. In the event of a change in control of Westwood, the Plan contains provisions providing for the acceleration of the vesting of restricted stock and stock options. At December 31, 2006,2009, approximately 580,000699,000 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan.

The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense we recorded and the total income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation arrangements for the years indicated:indicated (in thousands):

 

  2006  2005  2004  2009  2008  2007

Total stock based compensation expense

  $4,626,000  $2,364,000  $1,499,000  $7,666  $6,735  $5,316
Total income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based compensation   930,000   515,000   194,000   3,699   4,184   3,049

We recorded certain adjustments to comply with SFAS No. 123R. Since we accounted for forfeitures of equity based awards as they occurred instead of estimatingRestricted Stock

Under the effect of forfeitures when applying the original Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, on January 1, 2006Plan, we recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle totaling $39,000, net of tax, in order to reverse compensation expense recorded for unvested securities as of December 31, 2005 that was in excess of what we estimate will vest. The amount of stock based compensation expense recorded in continuing operations in 2006 using estimated forfeitures was approximately $27,000 more than it would have been had we not estimated forfeitures and continued to account for forfeitures as they occurred.

Restricted Stock

We have granted restricted stock to employees, and non-employee directors and a non-employee consultant, which are subject to a service condition, and to theour Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, which are subject to a service condition and performance goals. Until the shares vest, they are restricted from sale, transfer or assignment in accordance with the terms of the agreements under which they were issued. We calculate compensation cost for restricted stock grants by using the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant, the number of shares issued and an estimate of shares that will not vest due to forfeitures. This compensation cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting period. As of December 31, 2009, there was approximately $13.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. In order to satisfy tax liabilities that employees will owe on their shares that vest, we may withhold a sufficient number of vested shares from employees on or about the date vesting occurs. For 2007, weWe estimate that the number ofapproximately 72,000 shares that could potentially be withheld in 2010 for this purpose could total approximately 57,000 shares.purpose. Our two types of restricted stock grants are discussed below.

Employee and non-employee director restricted share grants

For the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004,2007, we granted restricted stock to employees, non-employee directors and a non-employee directors.consultant. The employees’ shares vest over four years and the directors’ and consultant’s shares vest over one year. The following table details the status and changes in our restricted stock grants that are subject only to a service condition for the year ended December 31, 2006:2009:

 

Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:

  Shares 

Weighted Average

Grant Date Fair

Value

  Shares Weighted
Average

Grant
Date Fair
Value

Non-vested , January 1, 2006

  472,000  $18.41

Non-vested, January 1, 2009

  507,450   $29.74

Granted

  228,600   18.05  242,500    31.15

Vested

  (133,996)  18.50  (191,450  26.06

Forfeited

  (7,816)  18.37  (9,350  31.15
           

Non-vested , December 31, 2006

  558,788   18.24

Non-vested, December 31, 2009

  549,150    31.62
          

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested during the years indicated:

 

Restricted shares subject only to a service condition:

  2006  2005  2004  2009  2008  2007

Weighted-average grant date fair value

  $18.05  $18.29  $18.00  $31.15  $36.51  $32.77

Fair value of shares vested

  $2,523,000  $1,415,000  $81,000

Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)

  $8,020  $8,675  $6,491

CEO and CIO performance-based restricted share grants

WeIn 2006, we granted shares to theour Chief Executive Officer and theour Chief Investment Officer that vest over four years and six years, respectively, provided annual performance goals established by the compensation committeeCompensation Committee are met. For the first vesting year 2006,2009, the officers became vested in the applicable percentage of their restricted shares since Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income for 20062009 was at least 10% greater than Westwood’s$12,075,000, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7% over the adjusted pre-tax income for the year 2005. In each subsequent2004. Each year, during the applicable vesting period, the compensation committee will establish a specific goal for that year’s vesting of the restricted shares, which will be based in all cases upon Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income, as defined. If in any year during the vesting period the performance goal is not met, the compensation committeeCompensation Committee may establish a goal for a subsequent vesting period, which if achieved or exceeded may result in full or partial vesting of the shares that did not otherwise become vested in a prior year. However, in no event will the maximum number of shares, which may become vested over the vesting period, exceed 100,000 shares in the case of our Chief Executive Officer and 300,000 shares in the case of our Chief Investment Officer. If a portion of the performance-based restricted shares do not vest, no compensation expense is recognized for that portion and any previously recognized compensation expense related to the shares that do not vest would be reversed.

 

Restricted shares subject to service and performance conditions:

  Shares 

Weighted Average

Grant Date Fair

Value

  Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

Non-vested, January 1, 2006

  —     —  

Non-vested, January 1, 2009

  175,000   $18.81

Granted

  400,000  $18.81  —      —  

Vested

  (75,000)  18.81  (75,000  18.81

Forfeited

  —     —    —      —  
          

Non-vested, December 31, 2006

  325,000   18.81

Non-vested, December 31, 2009

  100,000   $18.81
          

The following table shows the weighted-average grant date fair value for shares granted and the total fair value of shares vested during the years indicated:

Restricted shares subject to a service and performance condition:

  2009  2008  2007

Weighted-average grant date fair value

  $—    $—    $—  

Fair value of shares vested (in thousands)

  $2,726  $2,131  $2,820

Because the performance goal was met in 2006,2009, the shares are vested in substance, but require certification by the compensation committee of Westwood,our Compensation Committee, at which time a share price will be determined for tax purposes. As a result, we estimate that the total fair value of the shares that vested in 20062009 was $1,727,000,approximately $2,726,000, which uses a share price of $23.03,$36.34, the closing price of our stock as of the last business day of 2006. The weighted-average grant date fair value of these vested shares was $18.81. There were no performance-based restricted shares issued before 2006.2009.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

Stock Options

Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan have a maximum ten-year term and vest over a period of four years. Options exercised represent newly issued shares. Westwood’s outstanding stock options, which wereare all exercisable, as of December 31, 2006, have exercise prices ranging fromof $12.90 toand $14.80 and a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 5.52.5 years. A summary of the status of Westwood’sWestwood's outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007 is presented below.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

  December 31, 2006  December 31, 2005  December 31, 2004  December 31, 2009  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007
  

Underlying

Shares

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Underlying

Shares

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Underlying

Shares

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  Underlying
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Underlying
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Underlying
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Outstanding, beginning of period

   155,625  $12.93   176,625  $12.92   189,175  $12.92   57,400   $12.93   77,300   $12.92   124,531   $12.92

Granted

   —     —     —     —     —     —     —      —     —      —     —      —  

Exercised

   (31,094)  12.95   (21,000)  12.90   (11,175)  12.90   (2,500  12.93   (19,900  12.90   (47,231  12.91

Forfeited

   —     —     —     —     (1,375)  12.90   —      —     —      —     —      —  
                              

Outstanding, end of period

   124,531   12.92   155,625   12.93   176,625   12.92   54,900    12.90   57,400    12.93   77,300    12.92
                              

Exercisable, end of period

   124,531   12.92   110,000   12.93   85,250   12.92   54,900    12.90   57,400    12.93   77,300    12.92

Intrinsic value – outstanding

  $1,259,000    $824,000    $1,197,000  

Intrinsic value – exercisable

   1,259,000     582,000     578,000  

Intrinsic value – outstanding and exercisable

  $1,286,000     $888,000     $1,907,000   

The following table displays information for Westwood stock options exercised for the periods presented:presented (in thousands):

   For the years ended
   2006  2005  2004

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

  $213,000  $94,000  $63,000

Cash received from the exercise of stock options

   402,000   271,000   144,000

   For the years ended
   2009  2008  2007

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

  $63  $605  $686

Cash received from the exercise of stock options

   33   257   609

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Savings Plan

Westwood has a defined contribution 401(k) and profit sharing plan that was adopted in July 2002 and covers all of our employees. Discretionary employer profit sharing contributions become fully vested after six years of service by the participant. Profit sharing expense related to our employees for 2006, 2005 and 2004 was approximately $308,000, $282,000 and $242,000, respectively. For the 401(k) portion of the plan, Westwood provided a match in 2006 and 2005 of up to 6% of eligible compensation, an increase from the 4% match provided in 2004. Westwood’scompensation. These 401(k) matching contributions vest immediatelyimmediately.

The following table displays our profit sharing and 401(k) contributions for the expense totaled approximately $308,000, $280,000 and $200,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.periods presented (in thousands):

   For the years ended
   2009  2008  2007

Profit sharing expense

  $372  $575  $324

401(k) matching contributions

   546   524   394

8.10. EARNINGS PER SHARE:

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the periods ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004,2007, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for these periods is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the effect of the dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock and shares held in the Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, which was terminated in 2004.stock. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the treasury stock method. There were no anti-dilutive restricted shares or options as of December 31, 2009, 2008 or 2007.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share and share amounts):

 

  2006  2005  2004  2009  2008  2007

Net income

  $4,508  $3,636  $3,686  $7,895  $10,543  $7,944

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

   5,594,139   5,464,033   5,405,133   6,339,791   6,107,807   5,854,894

Dilutive potential shares from stock options

   45,766   43,125   33,087   27,197   33,379   43,421

Dilutive potential shares from restricted shares

   50,550   33,184   —     297,922   310,282   301,354

Dilutive potential shares from deferred compensation plan

   —     —     271
                  

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

   5,690,455   5,540,342   5,438,491   6,664,910   6,451,468   6,199,669

Earnings per share – basic

  $0.81  $0.67  $0.68  $1.25  $1.73  $1.36

Earnings per share – diluted

  $0.79  $0.66  $0.68  $1.18  $1.63  $1.28

9.11. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Westwood Trust sponsors common trust funds (“CTFs”) for its clients. These funds allow clients to commingle assets to achieve economies of scale. The CTFs are considered VIEs because we formed these entities, we are the decision maker for most of their activities and we cannot be removed from our role as sponsor and investment advisor. We receive management fees for the assets in these funds that are commensurate with market rates.

We evaluate all of our CTFs to determine whether or not we qualify as the primary beneficiary based on whether there is an obligation to absorb the majority of the expected losses or a right to receive the majority of the residual returns. Since all losses and returns are distributed to the shareholders of the CTFs, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary for any of our CTFs as of December 31, 2009. Consequently, the CTFs are not part of our consolidated financial statements.

As of December 31, 2009, we sponsored CTFs with assets totaling $1.5 billion and we hold a corporate investment of $219,000 in one CTF. We have not provided any financial support that we were not previously contractually obligated to provide and our risk of loss is limited to the investment of $219,000, which is part of “Investments” on our balance sheet. There are no arrangements that would require us to provide additional financial support to any of the CTFs. Our investment in the CTF is accounted for as an investment in accordance with our other investments described in “Note. 4 INVESTMENTS” of these financial statements.

12. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Total other comprehensive income is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity on a net-of-tax basis. There were no elements of comprehensive income as of December 31, 2008 or 2007. The components of other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

   Gross
Amount
  Deferred
Tax
Expense
  Net
Amount

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

  $2,399  $(840 $1,559

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

We lease our offices under a non-cancelable operating lease agreement. Rental expense for facilities and equipment leases for fiscal years 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 20042007 aggregated approximately $684,000, $664,000$687,000, $729,000 and $629,000,$702,000, respectively, and is included in general and administrative and information technology expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

At December 31, 2006,2009, the future contractual rental payments for non-cancelable operating leases for each of the following five years and thereafter follow (in thousands):

 

Year ending:

     

2007

  $626

2008

   639

2009

   653

2010

   672  $680

2011

   279   287

2012

   6

2013

   —  

2014

   —  
      

Total payments due

  $2,869  $973
      

10.14. SEGMENT REPORTING:

We operate two segments: the Westwood Management segment and the Westwood Trust segment. SuchTrust. These segments are managed separately based on the types of products and services offered and their related client bases. We evaluate the performance of our segments based primarily on income before income taxes. The entity Westwood Holdings, the parent company of Westwood Management and Westwood Trust, does not have revenues or employees and is the entity in which we record stock-based compensation expense.

Westwood Management

Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations and the WHG Funds, as well as investment subadvisory services to mutual funds and clients of Westwood Trust.

Westwood Trust

Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals.

All segment accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment balances that eliminate in consolidation have been applied to the appropriate segment.

Westwood Management

The Westwood Management segment provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations and the WHG Funds, and investment subadvisory services to mutual funds and clients of Westwood Trust.

Westwood Trust

The Westwood Trust segment provides trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals.

   Westwood
Management
  Westwood
Trust
  Westwood
Holdings
  Eliminations  Consolidated

2009

        

Net revenues from external sources

  $32,243  $10,310  $—     $—     $42,553

Net intersegment revenues

   3,476   12   —      (3,488  —  

Net interest and dividend revenue

   355   7   —      —      362

Depreciation and amortization

   196   58   —      —      254

Income (loss) before income taxes

   17,707   2,277   (7,666  —      12,318

Income tax expense (benefit)

   6,160   840   (2,577  —      4,423

Segment assets

   50,687   4,001   5,198    —      59,886

Segment goodwill

   3,403   512   —      —      3,915

Expenditures for long-lived assets

   62   24   —      —      86

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

  

Westwood

Management

  

Westwood

Trust

  Other Eliminations Consolidated  Westwood
Management
  Westwood
Trust
  Westwood
Holdings
 Eliminations Consolidated

2006

        

2008

        

Net revenues from external sources

  $18,970  $8,394  $—    $—    $27,364  $35,367  $11,089  $—     $—     $46,456

Net intersegment revenues

   3,050   5   —     (3,055)  —     3,950   8   —      (3,958  —  

Net interest and dividend revenue

   927   154   —     —     1,081   689   71   —      —      760

Depreciation and amortization

   202   64   —     —     266   175   58   —      —      233

Income (loss) before income taxes

   20,983   2,287   (6,735  —      16,535

Income tax expense (benefit)

   3,647   731   (1,593)  —     2,785   7,445   871   (2,324  —      5,992

Income (loss) before income taxes

   9,955   1,925   (4,626)  —     7,254

Segment assets

   22,190   4,512   2,020   —     28,722   41,740   4,821   4,286    —      50,847

Segment goodwill

   1,790   512   —      —      2,302

Expenditures for long-lived assets

   54   16   —     —     70   118   35   —      —      153

2005

        

2007

        

Net revenues from external sources

  $14,821  $7,119  $—    $—    $21,940  $25,851  $10,441  $—     $—     $36,292

Net intersegment revenues

   2,808   6   —     (2,814)  —     3,823   5   —      (3,828  —  

Net interest and dividend revenue

   439   48   —     —     487   841   166   —      —      1,007

Depreciation and amortization

   208   64   —     —     272   171   57   —      —      228

Income (loss) before income taxes

   14,910   2,613   (5,316  —      12,207

Income tax expense (benefit)

   2,609   536   (738)  —     2,407   5,129   940   (1,806  —      4,263

Income (loss) before income taxes

   6,994   1,413   (2,364)  —     6,043

Segment assets

   21,274   4,495   1,541   —     27,310   30,354   4,755   3,915    —      39,024

Segment goodwill

   1,790   512   —      —      2,302

Expenditures for long-lived assets

   53   22   —     —     75   83   31   —      —      114

2004

        

Net revenues from external sources

  $14,055  $5,887  $38  $—    $19,980

Net intersegment revenues

   2,344   8   —     (2,352)  —  

Net interest and dividend revenue

   231   19   8   —     258

Depreciation and amortization

   149   42   —     —     191

Income tax expense (benefit)

   2,541   333   (575)  —     2,299

Income (loss) before income taxes

   6,706   857   (1,578)  —     5,985

Segment assets

   20,756   3,844   1,677   —     26,277

Expenditures for long-lived assets

   894   295   —     —     1,189

11.15. CONCENTRATION:

DuringFor the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052009, 2008 and 2004,2007, our four largest clients accounted for 13.1%, 31.0% and 25.9% of our fee revenue, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, our largest client accounted for 19.5% and 10.2% of our fee revenues, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2009, no customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2006, our largest four clients accounted for 25.6% of total revenues.

(in thousands)  Years ended December 31, 
  2009  2008  2007 

Advisory fees from Westwood Management’s largest client*:

    

Asset-based fees

  $267   $453   $541  

Performance-based fees

   —      8,645    3,021  

Percent of fee revenue

   0.6  19.5  10.2

*This client was not our largest client in 2009.

12.16. SUBSEQUENT EVENT:EVENTS:

On February 7, 2007,4, 2010, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20$0.33 per share on common stock payable on April 2, 2007 for1, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2007.2010.

On February 24, 2010, we issued 211,000 shares of restricted stock to employees at a price of $39.22 per share. The shares are subject to vesting conditions described in “Note. 9 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS” of these financial statements.

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

13.17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited):

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 20062009 and 20052008 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

  Quarter  Quarter
  First  Second  Third  Fourth  First  Second  Third  Fourth

2006

        

Revenues

  $6,511  $6,639  $6,895  $7,319

Income before income taxes

   2,043   1,617   1,564   2,030

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   1,257   986   921   1,305

Net income

   1,296   986   921   1,305

Basic income before cumulative effect of accounting change per common share

   0.23   0.18   0.16   0.23

Diluted income before cumulative effect of accounting change per common share

   0.22   0.18   0.16   0.22

Basic earnings per common share

   0.23   0.18   0.16   0.23

Diluted earnings per common share

   0.23   0.18   0.16   0.22

2005

        

2009

        

Revenues

  $5,082  $5,253  $5,554  $6,051  $8,217  $9,972  $11,641  $12,723

Income before income taxes

   1,421   1,526   1,433   1,663   1,929   2,504   3,598   4,287

Net income

   875   937   814   1,010   1,230   1,630   2,314   2,721

Basic earnings per common share

   0.16   0.17   0.15   0.18   0.20   0.26   0.36   0.42

Diluted earnings per common share

   0.16   0.17   0.15   0.18   0.19   0.25   0.35   0.41

2008

        

Revenues

  $9,127  $9,651  $10,092  $17,586

Income before income taxes

   3,013   2,598   2,764   8,160

Net income

   1,955   1,731   1,736   5,121

Basic earnings per common share

   0.32   0.29   0.28   0.83

Diluted earnings per common share

   0.31   0.27   0.27   0.79

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit


Number

  

Description of Exhibits

3.1

  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (3)(9)

3.2

  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (6)

4.1

  Form of Common Stock Certificate of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (3)

10.1

  Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (including related forms of Stock Option Agreement and Restricted Stock Agreement) (7)+

10.2

  Tax Separation Agreement between SWS Group, Inc. and Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (2)

10.3

  Office Lease between Westwood Management Corp. and Crescent Real Estate Funding I, L.P., dated as of April 4, 1990, and amendment thereto (4)

10.4

  Ninth Modification of Office Lease between Westwood Management Corp. and Crescent Real Estate Funding I, dated as of November 25, 2003 (5)

10.5

  Tenth Modification of Office Lease between Westwood Management Corp. and Crescent Real Estate Funding I, dated as of February 23, 2004 (5)

10.6

  Software License Agreement between Infovisa and Westwood Trust, dated as of December 1, 2001 (4)

10.7

  Software License and Support Agreement between Advent Software, Inc. and Westwood Management Corp., dated as of December 30, 1996 (4)

10.8

  Form of Indemnification Agreement for Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (5)+

10.9

  Form of Indemnification Agreement for Westwood Management Corp. (5)+

10.10

  Form of Indemnification Agreement for Westwood Trust (5)+

10.11

  Executive Employment Agreement between Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and Susan M. Byrne (8)+

10.12

  Executive Employment Agreement between Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and Brian O. Casey (8)+

10.13

  Schedule of Director Compensation (1)

21.1

  Subsidiaries (4)

23.1

  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLPGrant Thornton (1)

24.1

  Power of Attorney (included on first signature page) (1)

31.1

  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Westwood required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (1)

31.2

  Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Westwood required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (1)

32.1

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (1)#

32.2

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (1)#

(1)Filed herewith.
(2)Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement on Form 10/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2002.
(3)Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form 10/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2002.
(4)Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2002.
(5)Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
(6)Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2005.
(7)Incorporated by reference from Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2006.July 1, 2009.
(8)Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2006.
(9)Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008.
+Indicates management contract or compensation plan, contract or arrangement.
#Pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of SEC Regulation S-K, these exhibits are furnished rather than filed with this Report.