UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2005

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                        to                        

 

001-32492

(Commission File Number)

 


 

LAZARD LTD

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda  98-0437848
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)Incorporation  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
or Organization)

 


 

Clarendon House

2 Church Street

Hamilton HM11, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number: (441) 295-1422

 


 

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  ¨    No  x

 

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

 

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

As of June 16,November 10, 2005, there were 37.5 million shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock and one share of the registrant’s Class B common stock outstanding.

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, “Lazard,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company, and its subsidiaries, including Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formerly named Lazard LLC, and its subsidiaries.

 

   Page

Part I. Financial Information

   

Item 1. Financial Statements

  1

Item 1A. Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

  1833

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  2842

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  5367

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

  5367

Part II. Other Information

   

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

  5468

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  5468

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  5669

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

  5669

Item 5. Other Information

  5669

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  5669

Signatures

  6073


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements

 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)*

  Page

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2004 and March 31,September 30, 2005*

 2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three month and nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005*

 4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005*

 5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members’ Equity and Stockholders’ Deficiency for the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005*

 6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements*

 7

*The historicalThese unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the historical results of operations and financial position of Lazard Ltd, including consolidation of its investment in Lazard Group LLC, (formerlyformerly known as Lazard LLC and referred to herein as “Lazard Group”),Group,” for all periods presented and includepresented. Prior to May 10, 2005, the date of Lazard Ltd’s equity public offering (as defined in Note 1 of the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), the consolidated financial statements included herein represent the financial statements of Lazard Group. The results of operations and financial condition for certain businesses that Lazard Group no longer owns. Accordingly, theowns are reported as discontinued operations. The historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect what the results of operations and financial position of Lazard Ltd or Lazard Group would have been had these companies been stand-alone, public companies for the periods presented. Specifically, prior to May 10, 2005, the historical results of operations of Lazard Group do not give effect to the following matters:

The separation of Lazard Group’s Capital Markets and Other activities, which consist of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, merchant banking fund management activities outside of France and specified non-operating assets and liabilities. As a result of the separation, these Capital Markets and Other activities are now owned and operated by LFCM Holdings, LLC (“LFCM Holdings”), a newly-formed Delaware limited liability company owned by the current and former managing directors of Lazard Group.

 

Payment for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors, which, as a result of Lazard Group operating as a limited liability company, historically has been accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or in some cases as minority interest, rather than as compensation and benefits expense. As a result,Therefore, prior to May 10, 2005, Lazard Group’s operating income included within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements historically has not reflected payments for services rendered by its managing directors. As a result ofSubsequent to the consummation of the initialequity public offering and additional financing transactions, as described in Note 92 of the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Lazard Ltd now includes all payments for services rendered by its managing directors in employee compensation and benefits expense.and distributions to holders of profit participation interests in Lazard Group (“profit participation members”).

 

U.S. corporate federal income taxes, sincebecause Lazard Group has operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s income has not been subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Taxes related to income earned by partnerships represent obligations of the individual partners. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group historically has operated principally through subsidiary corporations and has been subject to local income taxes. IncomePrior to May 10, 2005, income taxes shown onreflected within Lazard Group’s historicalresults of operations included within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of income are attributable to taxes incurred in non-U.S. entities and to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) attributable to Lazard Group’s operations apportioned to New York City. Subsequent to the initialequity public offering, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd will include U.S. federal income taxes on its allocable share of the results of operations of Lazard Group, giving effect to the post initialequity public offering structure.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(UNAUDITED)

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands)

 

  

December 31,

2004


  March 31,
2005


  

December 31,

2004


  September 30,
2005


ASSETS

            

Cash and cash equivalents

  $313,938  $234,227  $305,753  $371,983

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes

  38,460  39,650   11,260   20,878

Marketable investments

  112,467  95,281   112,467   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

  153,681  131,164   2,029   6,623

Securities owned—at fair value:

            

Bonds—Corporate

  397,258  406,966   329,695   259,775

Non-U.S. Government and agency securities

  53,528  38,077   53,528   29,616

U.S. Government and agency securities pledged as collateral

  98,342  165,931

Equities

  48,101  24,718   3,726   3,191
  
  
  

  

  597,229  635,692   386,949   292,582

Swaps and other contractual agreements

  666  —     666   229

Securities borrowed

  852,266  1,194,668

Receivables—net:

            

Fees

  284,376  240,412   282,642   313,188

Customers

  130,668  204,053   95,440   112,332

Banks

  346,285  323,752   346,283   270,945

Brokers and dealers

  128,979  226,849

Related parties

      55,042

Other

  1,216  1,013   3,002   1,543
  
  
  

  

  891,524  996,079   727,367   753,050

Long-term investments

  202,644  196,892   145,718   89,386

Other investments

  13,019  13,069   13,019   8,312

Property—net of accumulated amortization and depreciation of $151,309 and $151,029

  199,453  188,587

Property—net of accumulated amortization and depreciation of $151,309 and $155,830

   199,453   161,780

Goodwill

  17,205  16,786   17,205   16,252

Other assets

  106,672  108,246   88,663   88,184

Assets of discontinued operations

   1,488,675   
  
  
  

  

Total assets

  $3,499,224  $3,850,341  $3,499,224  $1,809,259
  
  
  

  

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands)

 

  December 31,
2004


  March 31,
2005


  December 31,
2004


  September 30,
2005


 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY

      

Notes payable

  $70,777  $55,496

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

      

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

  196,338  214,405  $52,037  $18,702 

Securities sold, not yet purchased—at fair value:

      

Bonds—Corporate

  76,425  61,207

U.S. Government and agency securities

  133,775  128,407

Equities

  22,281  24,484
  
  
  232,481  214,098

Swaps and other contractual agreements

  4,619  3,576   4,619   4,817 

Securities loaned

  624,918  1,123,507

Payables:

            

Banks

  379,797  461,738   379,797   362,054 

Customers

  178,728  251,803   130,895   172,326 

Brokers and dealers

  43,057  104,558   54   

Related parties

      43,512 
  
  
  

  


  601,582  818,099   510,746   577,892 

Accrued employee compensation

  204,898  67,721

Accrued compensation and benefits

   152,651   247,415 

Senior borrowings

   67,497   1,005,918 

Capital lease obligations

  51,546  45,098   51,546   24,607 

Other liabilities

  652,547  579,765   595,000   542,929 

Subordinated loans

  200,000  200,000

Subordinated borrowings

   200,000   200,000 

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

  100,000  100,000   100,000   

Liabilities of discontinued operations

   1,222,420   
  
  
  

  


Total liabilities

  2,939,706  3,421,765   2,956,516   2,622,280 

Commitments and contingencies

            

Minority interest

  174,720  141,308   157,910   104,460 

Members’ equity (including $18,058 and $5,091 of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax)

  384,798  287,268
  
  

Total liabilities and members’ equity

  $3,499,224  $3,850,341

MEMBERS’ EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

      

Members’ equity

   366,740   

Common stock:

      

Class A, par value $.01 per share, (500,000,000 shares authorized, 37,500,000 shares issued and outstanding)

      375 

Class B, par value $.01 per share, (1 share authorized, 1 share issued and outstanding)

      

Additional paid-in-capital

      (913,860)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

   18,058   (32,423)

Retained earnings

      28,427 
  
  
  

  


Total members’ equity

   384,798   
  

   

Total stockholders’ deficiency

      (917,481)
     


Total liabilities, minority interest, and members’ equity and stockholders’ deficiency

  $3,499,224  $1,809,259 
  

  


 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTH AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND 2005

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands)thousands, except for net income per share data)

 

  

Three Month Period Ended

March 31,


 

Three Months Ended

September 30,


 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
  2004

   2005

 2004

 2005

 2004

 2005

 

REVENUE

       

Investment banking and other advisory fees

  $110,221   $158,135 $127,941  $251,663  $391,064 $615,361 

Money management fees

  95,455   106,059 83,849  101,282  270,695 302,507 

Commissions

  18,366   16,396 2,615  3,569  9,945 11,354 

Trading gains and losses—net

  7,248   8,915 492  2,583  1,669 5,132 

Underwriting

  8,316   4,840 2,562  4,626  12,790 10,155 

Investment gains and losses, non-trading—net

  2,554   2,413 3,823  4,471  10,419 7,385 

Interest income

  11,112   14,066 7,325  10,210  20,897 24,260 

Other

  5,187   3,304 5,050  3,097  16,289 11,752 
  

  
 

 

 
 

Total revenue

  258,459   314,128 233,657  381,501  733,768 987,906 

Interest expense

  12,870   16,150 9,677  24,598  29,818 53,541 
  

  
 

 

 
 

Net revenue

  245,589   297,978 223,980  356,903  703,950 934,365 
  

  
 

 

 
 

OPERATING EXPENSES

       

Employee compensation and benefits

  140,860   127,487

Compensation and benefits (and, commencing May 10, 2005, distributions to profit participation members)(*)

 109,153  215,199  329,116 482,228 

Premises and occupancy costs

  22,227   27,531 17,791  16,653  54,396 50,513 

Professional fees

  13,656   13,332 9,923  12,516  30,598 36,111 

Travel and entertainment

  13,839   10,501 8,942  10,663  33,479 30,768 

Communications and information services

  9,941   10,989 7,103  7,424  21,454 22,316 

Equipment costs

  5,101   5,450 5,239  5,975  15,325 15,543 

Other

  12,068   11,016 10,398  11,184  28,298 31,608 
  

  
 

 

 
 

Total operating expenses

  217,692   206,306 168,549  279,614  512,666 669,087 
  

  
 

 

 
 

OPERATING INCOME

  27,897   91,672

OPERATING INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS(*)

 55,431  77,289  191,284 265,278 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  (2,121)  8,056

Provision for income taxes(*)

 872  17,177  13,214 50,443 
  

  
 

 

 
 

INCOME ALLOCABLE TO MEMBERS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST

  30,018   83,616

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST(*)

 54,559  60,112  178,070 214,835 

Minority interest

  14,965   10,260 11,717  41,101  52,426 77,707 
  

  
 

 

 
 

NET INCOME ALLOCABLE TO MEMBERS

  $15,053   $73,356

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS(*)

 42,842  19,011  125,644 137,128 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS(*) (net of income tax provision of $773, $253, $1,171 and $3,330)

 (2,942) (408) 3,165 (17,576)

EXTRAORDINARY GAIN

 5,507 
  

  
 

 

 
 

NET INCOME (NET INCOME ALLOCABLE TO MEMBERS OF LAZARD GROUP PRIOR TO MAY 10, 2005)(*)

 $  39,900  $  18,603  $134,316 $119,552 
 

 

 
 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
OUTSTANDING:

 

Basic

 37,500,000  37,500,000 

Diluted

 37,528,978  37,518,513 

NET INCOME PER SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK—BASIC:

 

Income from continuing operations

 $0.51  $0.81 
 

 

NET INCOME PER SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK—DILUTED:

 

Income from continuing operations

 $0.51  $0.81 
 

 

DIVIDENDS PAID PER SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

 $0.052  $0.052 
 

 


(*) Excludes, as applicable, with respect to periods ended prior to May 10, 2005 (a) payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors, which, as a result of Lazard Group operating as a limited liability company, historically has been accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or in some cases as minority interest, rather than as compensation and benefits expense, and (b) U.S. corporate federal income taxes, since Lazard Group has operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

THREEFOR THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 AND 2005

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands)

 

 

Three Month Period Ended

March 31,


  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
 2004

 2005

  2004

 2005

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

Net income allocable to members

 $15,053  $73,356 

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

 

Noncash charges included in net income allocable to members:

 

Net income (net income allocable to members of Lazard Group prior to May 10, 2005)

 $134,316  $119,552 

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

 

Noncash charges included in net income:

 

Depreciation and amortization

 2,782  3,934   12,569   11,940 

Minority interest

 14,965  10,260   52,426   77,707 

(Increase) decrease in operating assets:

  

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes

 11,711  (1,190)  2,779   (10,498)

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 (186,945) 22,384   110,892   (5,058)

Securities owned, at fair value and swaps and other contractual agreements

 (318,509) (56,486)  (11,984)  52,773 

Securities borrowed

 (147,650) (342,402)

Receivables

 (297,426) (128,666)  (6,686)  (80,195)

Marketable and long-term investments

 10,473  20,819   133,045   168,793 

Other assets

 (24,263) (3,704)  (41,661)  3,200 

Assets of discontinued operations

  (361,527)  1,485,363 

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 239,781  20,449   16,155   (28,600)

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value and swaps and other contractual agreements

 358,366  (19,208)  (1,780)  427 

Securities loaned

 353,034  498,589 

Payables

 256,439  241,012   3,282   122,168 

Accrued employee compensation and other liabilities

 (130,732) (197,723)  (43,599)  63,072 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

  463,275   (1,223,257)
 

 

 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 157,079  141,424 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  461,502   757,387 
 

 

 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

Additions to property

 (2,093) (849)  (15,161)  (3,284)

Disposals and retirements of property

 2,625  767   7,244   9,761 
 

 

 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 532  (82)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

  (7,917)  6,477 
 

 

 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock, net of expenses of $65,844

  871,656 

Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock

  1 

Proceeds from issuance of equity security units, net of expenses of $15,941

  421,559 

Distributions to members and capital withdrawals

 (193,296) (157,919)  (321,004)  (417,900)

Proceeds from notes payable

 1,318  —   

Repayment of notes payable

 (314) (15,281)

Distributions to LAZ-MD Holdings

  (3,230)

Purchase contracts relating to equity security units

  (6,013)

Settlement of interest rate hedge

  (10,569)

Redemption of historical partner interests (including mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of $100,000)

  (1,617,032)

Distribution of separated business

  (243,178)

Distributions to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings

  (150,000)

Indemnity from LFCM Holdings relating to U.K. pension

  53,600 

Proceeds from issuance of Lazard Group senior notes, net of original issue discount and other expenses of $4,417

  545,583 

Proceeds from other senior borrowings

  8,369   17,509 

Repayment of senior borrowings, including make-whole payment of $7,650 in 2005

  (1,508)  (74,239)

Repayment of senior borrowings of discontinued operations

  (2,341) 

Repayment of capital lease obligations

 (3,584) (4,005)  (10,538)  (21,960)

Net capital contributions and distributions relating to minority interest stockholders

 (51,929) (42,634)

Capital contributions and distributions relating to minority interest stockholders, net

  (96,700)  (52,468)

Common stock dividends

  (1,950)

Lazard Group LLC repurchase of common membership interest from LAZ-MD Holdings

  (4,507)

Other

  29 
 

 

 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

 (247,805) (219,839)  (423,722)  (693,109)
 

 

 


 


EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

 13,841  (1,214)  (56)  (4,525)
 

 

 


 


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 (76,353) (79,711)

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  29,807   66,230 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—January 1

 350,891  313,938   242,032   305,753 
 

 

 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—March 31

 $274,538  $234,227 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—September 30

 $271,839  $371,983 
 

 

 


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

Interest

 $14,916  $20,331 

Income taxes

 $1,261  $2,367 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

(UNAUDITED)

THREEFOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(UNAUDITED)

($ in thousands)

 

  Capital
and
Retained
Earnings


 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
Net of Tax


 Total
Members’
Equity


  Members’
Equity


  Common Stock

 Additional
Paid-in-
Capital


  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
Net of Tax


  Retained
Earnings


  Total
Members’
Equity and
Stockholders’
Deficiency


 

BALANCE—January 1, 2005

  $366,740  td8,058  $384,798 
 Members’
Equity


  Shares

         $        

 Additional
Paid-in-
Capital


  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
Net of Tax


  Retained
Earnings


  Total
Members’
Equity and
Stockholders’
Deficiency


 

Balance—January 1, 2005

 
  

 

 

 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss):

    

Net income allocable to members

  73,356  73,356 

Other comprehensive income—net of tax:

   

Net income allocable to members for the period January 1, 2005 through May 9, 2005

  89,175   89,175 

Net income available for
Class A common stockholders for the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005

 $30,377   30,377 
 


Net income for the period January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005

  119,552 

Other comprehensive
income (loss)—net of tax:

 

Minimum pension liability adjustment

  (8,656)  (8,656)

Currency translation adjustments

   (12,967) (12,967)  (31,256)  (31,256)

Interest rate hedge

  (10,569)  (10,569)
  

 

 

 


Comprehensive income (loss)

  73,356  (12,967) 60,389   69,071 
 


Distribution of net assets of separated businesses

  (243,178)  (243,178)

Indemnity from LFCM Holdings relating to U.K. pension

  53,600   53,600 

Net proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock in equity public offering, including $32,921 issued in cashless exchange

 37,500,000 $375  $871,281   871,656 

Issuance of Class B common stock

 1  —    1   1 

Distributions and withdrawals to members

  (157,919) (157,919)  (417,900)  (417,900)

Redemption of historical partner interests

  (1,517,032)  (1,517,032)

Costs related to issuance of purchase contracts associated with equity security units

  (12,086)  (12,086)

Purchase contracts associated with equity security units

  (6,013)  (6,013)

Distribution to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings

  (150,000)  (150,000)

Dividends

  (1,950)  (1,950)

Lazard Group LLC repurchase of common membership interest from LAZ-MD Holdings

  (4,507)  (4,507)

Amortization of stock units

  103   103 

Adjustment to reclassify minority interest share of undistributed net income for the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005 to additional paid-in-capital

  55,956   55,956 

Transfer to additional paid-in capital

  1,818,595   (1,818,595)  —   
  

 

 

 


 
 

 


 


 


 


BALANCE—March 31, 2005

  $282,177  $5,091  $287,268 

Balance—September 30, 2005

 $—    37,500,001 $375 $(913,860) $(32,423) $28,427  $(917,481) 
  

 

 

 


 
 

 


 


 


 


 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION

 

Organization

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd and subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard” or the “Company”) including, subsequent to May 10, 2005, consolidation of Lazard Ltd’s investment in Lazard Group LLC (formerly(a Delaware limited liability company, formerly known as Lazard LLC and collectively referred to with its subsidiaries as “Lazard Group”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-121407) declared effective by the SEC on May 4, 2005 (the “Registration Statement”) for the initial public offering of shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”common stock”). The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and the accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that Lazard Group may undertake in the future, actual results may be different than the estimates. The consolidated results of operations for the three month periodand nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or the full fiscal year.

 

Lazard GroupLtd is a Delaware limited liabilityBermuda holding company and is governed by its Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, whichthat was amended and restatedincorporated in its entiretyOctober 2004. Lazard Ltd issued on May 10, 2005, at $25 per share, 34,183,162 shares of its Class A common stock in a registered initial public offering (the “Operating Agreement”“equity public offering”). pursuant to the Registration Statement. In addition, on May 10, 2005, pursuant to the IXIS Placements (see Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) and the cashless exchange of certain of our chief executive officer’s interests in Lazard Group with Lazard Ltd, Lazard Ltd issued 2,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock and 1,316,838 shares of its Class A common stock, respectively. These issuances, together with the 34,183,162 shares of Class A common stock issued pursuant to the equity public offering, resulted in Lazard Ltd having 37,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock outstanding. Lazard Ltd, through a number of newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiaries, contributed the net proceeds from the equity public offering, along with the net proceeds it received from the financing transactions (as described in Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), to Lazard Group in exchange for 37,500,000 Lazard Group common membership interests, representing 37.5% and, after giving effect to the repurchase of Lazard Group common membership interests held by LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”) subsequent to May 10, 2005, approximately 37.6% of all outstanding Lazard Group common interests as of May 10, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively, and, through its control of the managing member of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group.

 

Lazard Group’sGroup LLC is governed by an Operating Agreement (the “Operating Agreement”), dated as of May 10, 2005.

Lazard Ltd’s sole operating asset is its ownership of the common membership interest of Lazard Group and its managing member interest of Lazard Group, whose current principal activities are divided into threetwo business segments:

 

Financial Advisory, which includes providing advice on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and other financial matters, and

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

Asset Management, which includes the management of equity and fixed income securities and merchant banking funds, and

Capital Markets and Other, which consists of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, merchant banking fund management activities outside of France and specified non-operating assets and liabilities.funds.

 

In addition, Lazard Group records selected other activities in Corporate, including cash and marketable investments, certain long-term investments, and the commercial banking activities of Lazard Group’s Paris-based Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”). LFB is a registered bank regulated by the Banque de France. LFB’s primary operations include the management of the treasury positions of Lazard Group’s Paris House through its money market desk and, to a lesser extent, credit activities relating to securing loans granted to clients of Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”) and custodial oversight over assets of various clients. In addition, LFB also operates many support functions of the Paris House. Lazard Group also allocates outstanding indebtedness to Corporate.

 

Prior to May 10, 2005, Lazard Group also had a business segment called Capital Markets and Other, which consisted of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services and merchant banking fund management activities outside of France as well as other specified non-operating assets and liabilities. As described below, this business segment’s assets and liabilities (referred to below as the “separated businesses”) were separated from Lazard Group on May 10, 2005, and the assets, liabilities and operating results of this former segment are reflected as discontinued operations. We refer to the transfer of the separated business as the “separation.”

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and Lazard Group’s principal operating subsidiaries,subsidiaries: Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), a New York limited liability company, along with its subsidiaries, including Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “LAM”); Lazard Frères SAS and Maison Lazard SAS, French limited liability companies, along with their respective subsidiaries, including LFB and LFG (collectively referred to as “LFP”); and Lazard & Co., Limited (“LCL”), through Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited, an English private limited company (“LCH”); together with their jointly-owned affiliates and subsidiaries.

The Separation and Recapitalization Transactions

On May 10, 2005, Lazard completed the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the financing transactions described in Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Separation

In the separation, Lazard Group transferred the separated businesses to LFCM Holdings LLC (“LFCM Holdings”) through several steps. First, LAZ-MD Holdings was formed as the new holding company for Lazard Group. Pursuant to this formation, all of the persons who were members of Lazard Group prior to the formation became members of LAZ-MD Holdings and ceased to hold any membership interests in Lazard Group. Lazard Group then contributed the separated businesses to LFCM Holdings, which was then a subsidiary of Lazard Group, and distributed all of the LFCM Holdings interests to LAZ-MD Holdings. After the redemption of the historical partners described below, LAZ-MD Holdings distributed all of the LFCM Holdings interests to its members. Accordingly, after the separation, LFCM Holdings was wholly owned by the members of LAZ-MD Holdings, including Lazard Group’s managing directors at the time of the separation.

In the separation, Lazard Group retained all of Lazard’s Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses. In addition, under the business alliance agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, between Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings (the “business alliance agreement”), Lazard Group was granted the option to acquire the North American and European merchant banking businesses of LFCM Holdings (see Note 4 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

The Recapitalization

On the same day as the separation, LAZ-MD Holdings and Lazard Group effected a recapitalization of their companies. The recapitalization had three principal parts—the financing transactions, the redemption of the historical partner interests and mandatorily redeemable preferred interests of Lazard Group and the issuance of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests to working members. “Historical partners” refers to certain former members of Lazard Group that existed prior to the recapitalization, which consisted of Eurazeo S.A., descendants and relations of Lazard Group’s founders, several historical partners of Lazard Group’s predecessor entities, several current and former managing directors and the other members of these classes. “Working members” refers to members of Lazard Group that existed prior to the recapitalization, which consisted of current and former managing directors of Lazard Group and the separated businesses.

The Financing Transactions

On May 10, 2005, Lazard completed the financing transactions, which consisted of:

the equity public offering,

the initial offering of equity security units (the “ESU offering”),

the private offering of Lazard Group senior notes, and

the private placement of securities to IXIS—Corporate & Investment Bank (“IXIS”).

For a further description of the financing transactions, see Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Lazard used the net proceeds from the financing transactions primarily to:

redeem Lazard Group membership interests, including Lazard Group’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, held by the historical partners for $1,617,032 (including the value of our chief executive officer’s historical interests ($32,921), which were exchanged for shares of Class A common stock in lieu of cash, and the exchange of certain of these membership interests for specific Lazard Group long-term investments valued at $39,774),

capitalize LFCM Holdings and LAZ-MD Holdings in the amount of $67,000 and $83,000, respectively,

repay the 7.53% senior notes due 2011 in aggregate principal amount of $50,000 as well as a related “make-whole” payment of $7,650, and

pay transaction fees and expenses.

The Redemption of the Historical Partners’ Interests

As noted above, a primary purpose of the financing transactions was the redemption of the historical partners’ interests. Prior to the separation and recapitalization, Lazard Group had three general classes of membership interests:

the working member interests, which were owned by working members and consisted of capital and the right to participate in profit and goodwill of Lazard Group,

the historical partner interests, which were owned by the historical partners and consisted of capital and the right to participate in profit and goodwill of Lazard Group, and

the mandatorily redeemable preferred interests, which were owned by certain of the historical partners and consisted of the right to a preferred dividend of 8% per annum and a fixed liquidation amount.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

As part of the recapitalization transactions, historical partner interests and preferred interests generally were redeemed for cash.

Exchange of Working Member Interests for LAZ-MD Holdings Interests

In connection with the formation of LAZ-MD Holdings, the working member interests were exchanged with LAZ-MD Holdings for limited liability company interests in LAZ-MD Holdings. Each holder of a working member interest at the time of the separation and recapitalization transactions received, in exchange for his or her working member interest, a redeemable capital interest in LAZ-MD Holdings consisting of an equivalent amount of capital of LAZ-MD Holdings, an exchangeable interest in LAZ-MD Holdings and, if applicable, a right to receive distributions from LAZ-MD Holdings. The former holders of working member interests hold all of the limited liability company interests in LAZ-MD Holdings.

The separation and recapitalization transactions were consummated pursuant to the master separation agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings (the “master separation agreement”).

Basis of Presentation

The Company prepared an assessment that considered quantitative factors and qualitative factors that included, but was not limited to, the structure and purpose of the separation and recapitalization transactions, corporate governance and the controlling parties of Lazard Group and management concluded that Lazard Ltd is the entity that is most closely associated with Lazard Group and therefore should consolidate the operations of Lazard Group. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2004 and for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 relates to Lazard Group and its subsidiaries. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2005 reflect the consolidated statement of financial condition of Lazard Ltd. The unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 and cash flows for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 reflect the consolidated operating results and cash flows of Lazard Group and its subsidiaries prior to May 10, 2005, and, from May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005, reflect the consolidated operating results and cash flows of Lazard Ltd and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated historical financial statements do not reflect what the results of operations and financial position of the Company would have been had it been a stand-alone, public company prior to May 10, 2005. In addition, the results of operations for periods until the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 are not comparable to results of operations for subsequent periods as described below.

Payments for services rendered by the Company’s managing directors, which, as a result of Lazard Group operating as a limited liability company, historically had been accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or in some cases as minority interest, rather than as compensation and benefits expense, and distributions to profit participation members. As a result, prior to May 10, 2005, Lazard Group’s operating income included within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements historically has not reflected payments for services rendered by its managing directors. Subsequent to the consummation of the equity public offering and the financing transactions as described in Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company now includes all payments for services rendered by its managing directors and distributions to profit participation members in compensation and benefits expense.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Payments for services rendered by managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) had, prior to May 10, 2005, been accounted for as minority interest expense and since that date such payments, together with distributions to profit participation members, have been included within compensation and benefits expense.

The Company’s income has not been subject to U.S. corporate federal income taxes, because Lazard Group operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s income had not been subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Taxes related to income earned by partnerships represent obligations of the individual partners. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group historically had operated principally through subsidiary corporations and had been subject to local income taxes. Prior to May 10, 2005, income taxes reflected within Lazard Group’s results of operations included within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are attributable to taxes incurred in non-U.S. entities and to New York City Unincorporated Business Taxes (“UBT”) apportioned to New York City. Subsequent to the equity public offering, the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd include the federal income taxes on its allocable share of the results of operations of Lazard Group, giving effect to the post equity public offering structure.

Commencing May 10, 2005, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income include a minority interest expense to reflect LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interest of Lazard Group’s common interests. Prior to May 10, 2005, there was no such minority interest expense, as Lazard Ltd had no interest in Lazard Group and all net income prior to that date was allocable to the then members of Lazard Group. As of September 30, 2005, LAZ-MD Holdings’ minority interest in Lazard Group was approximately 62.4%.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the assets and liabilities of the separated businesses have been segregated and reported as “assets of discontinued operations” and “liabilities of discontinued operations”, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2004, and the related results of operations of the separated businesses are reported as discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005. See Note 15 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information relating to discontinued operations.

Certain 2004 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the manner of presentation in 2005. The December 31, 2004 condensed consolidated statement of financial condition includes a reclassification of $44,171 from cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes to cash and cash equivalents and other investments of $40,270 and $3,901, respectively. Such reclassification was made to conform toEach of these reclassifications were also reflected in the presentation at March 31, 2005.

See Note 9 for information regarding the initial public offering, the additional financing transactions and certain separated businesses (each as defined in Note 9). The separated businesses became a part2004 condensed consolidated statement of LFCM Holdings, effective as of May 10, 2005.cash flows.

 

2.EQUITY PUBLIC OFFERING AND OTHER FINANCING TRANSACTIONS

Equity Public Offering—As described above, on May 10, 2005, Lazard Ltd consummated its equity public offering pursuant to the Registration Statement. The aggregate gross proceeds relating to the offering amounted to $854,579, and net proceeds to Lazard Ltd, after $65,844 of expenses incurred by Lazard Ltd in connection with the issuance and distribution of the Class A common stock (including underwriting discounts and commission, expenses paid to the underwriters and certain other expenses), was $788,735. Lazard Ltd contributed all the net proceeds from this offering to Lazard Group in exchange for a controlling interest in Lazard Group.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Other Financing Transactions—On May 10, 2005, Lazard also completed the other financing transactions which are described below.

ESU Offering—Concurrently with the equity public offering, Lazard Ltd issued, for $25 per unit, equity security units (the “ESUs”) for an aggregate offering amount of $287,500 (and net proceeds of $276,535) in the ESU offering. Each unit consists of (a) a contract which obligates holders to purchase, and Lazard Ltd to sell, on May 15, 2008, a number of newly-issued shares of Class A common stock equal to a settlement rate based on the trading price of Class A common stock during a period preceding that date and (b) a 1/40, or 2.5%, ownership interest in a senior note of an affiliate, Lazard Group Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lazard Group Finance”), with a principal amount of $1 (the “Lazard Group Finance senior notes”).

Lazard Ltd began making quarterly contract adjustment payments on the purchase contracts at an annual rate of 0.505% on August 15, 2005. Lazard Ltd has the right to defer these quarterly contract adjustment payments. In general, during any period in which it defers such payments, Lazard Ltd cannot declare or pay dividends on, make distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock. In connection with the quarterly contract adjustment payments on the purchase contracts, Lazard Ltd recorded a liability as of May 10, 2005 for $6,013 for the present value of such payments (including the similar contract adjustment payments related to IXIS as described below), with a corresponding charge to additional paid-in-capital. The liability will accrete over the three year period ending May 15, 2008, with a corresponding charge to interest expense.

The Lazard Group Finance senior notes, which bear interest at annual rate of 6.12%, will mature (a) in the event of a successful remarketing, on any date no earlier than May 15, 2010 and no later than May 15, 2035, as we may elect, (b) in the event of a failed remarketing, on May 15, 2008 (the “stock purchase date”) and (c) otherwise on May 15, 2035. Lazard Group Finance used the proceeds from the ESU offering to purchase senior notes from Lazard Group (the “Lazard Group notes”) with a principal amount of $287,500. The Lazard Group notes, which have substantially similar terms to the Lazard Group Finance senior notes, are pledged to secure the obligations of the Lazard Group Finance senior notes.

The ability of Lazard Group Finance to pay its obligations under the Lazard Group Finance senior notes depends on its ability to obtain interest and principal payments on the Lazard Group notes. Various financing arrangements, charter provisions and regulatory requirements may impose certain restrictions on the ability of Lazard Group to transfer funds to Lazard Group Finance in the form of principal and interest payments, loans or advances. There are no provisions in either the Lazard Group Finance indenture or the Lazard Group Finance senior notes that protect the holders in the event that Lazard Group incurs substantial additional indebtedness.

Upon a remarketing of the Lazard Group Finance senior notes, in which the applicable interest rate, payment dates and maturity date on the notes will be reset and the notes remarketed, the interest rate, payment dates and maturity date on the Lazard Group notes also will be reset on the same terms such that the interest rate, payment dates and maturity date on the Lazard Group notes are the same as those for the Lazard Group Finance senior notes.

Prior to the issuance of the Class A common stock upon settlement of the purchase contracts, the ESUs will be reflected in Lazard Ltd’s diluted net income per share using the treasury stock method, and would be dilutive when the weighted-average market price of Class A common stock is greater than or equal to $30 per share, the threshold appreciation price. See Note 9 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding net income per share of Class A common stock.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

IXIS Placements—Under the IXIS placements, IXIS, which is a subsidiary of Caisse Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne, purchased an aggregate of $200,000 of Lazard Ltd securities on May 10, 2005, $150,000 of which were equity security units (the “IXIS ESU placement”) and $50,000 of which were shares of Class A common stock. The terms of the equity security units issued in connection with the IXIS ESU placement are the same as the equity security units described above. The price per security paid by IXIS was equal, in the case of shares of Class A common stock, to the price per share in the equity public offering and, in the case of equity security units, the price per unit in the ESU offering. Lazard Group Finance used the net proceeds from the IXIS ESU placement to purchase Lazard Group notes with a principal amount of $150,000. Lazard Ltd contributed the net proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock to Lazard Group.

Lazard Group Senior Notes—Concurrent with the equity public offering, Lazard Group issued, in a private placement, $550,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.125% senior notes due May 15, 2015 (the “Lazard Group senior notes”). The Lazard Group senior notes were issued net of original issue discount of $435. Interest on the notes is due May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2005. The notes are unsecured. A registration rights agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, among Lazard Group and the initial purchasers of the Lazard Group senior notes provided the holders of the Lazard Group senior notes with registration rights. In that agreement Lazard Group agreed to register the offer and sale of substantially identical notes (the “exchange notes”) in exchange for the privately-placed notes (the “old notes”). In connection therewith, Lazard Group filed a registration statement on Form S-4 that was declared effective by the SEC on September 28, 2005 and Lazard Group commenced an exchange offer (the “exchange offer”) on that date to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $550,000 of the old notes for an equal aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes. The exchange offer expired on October 26, 2005. On October 31, 2005, Lazard Group closed the exchange offer, at which time it exchanged $546,000 in aggregate principal amount of its old notes (approximately 99.3% of the aggregate principal amount of old notes outstanding) for $546,000 in aggregate principal amount of its exchange notes. The exchange notes are substantially identical to the old notes, except that the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act and, as a result, the transfer restrictions applicable to the old notes do not apply to the exchange notes.

The indenture governing the Lazard Group senior notes contains covenants that limit Lazard Group’s ability and that of its subsidiaries, subject to important exceptions and qualifications, to, among other things, create a lien on any shares of capital stock of any designated subsidiary, and consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. The indenture also contains a customary make-whole provision in the event of early redemption.

In connection with the issuance of the Lazard Group senior notes, on April 1, 2005, Lazard Group entered into an interest rate forward agreement with a bank for a notional amount of $650,000. By entering into this interest rate forward agreement, Lazard Group was able to ensure that the base rate (excluding market-driven credit spreads) on the Lazard Group senior notes would be no greater than 4.5%. Lazard Group settled the interest rate forward agreement with the bank as of May 9, 2005, which required a payment by Lazard Group of $13,004. Of this amount, $11,003 was deemed to be the effective portion of the hedge and has been recorded within other comprehensive income (loss) and is being amortized as a charge to interest expense over the ten year term of the Lazard Group senior notes (with such amortization amounting to $275 and $434 during the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, respectively). The remaining $2,001 was charged to interest expense in the three month period ended June 30, 2005.

Credit Facilities—Concurrent with the equity public offering, Lazard Group entered into a five year, $125,000 senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders. As of September 30, 2005, $15,000 was outstanding under this credit facility. In addition, Lazard Group entered into a commitment letter dated April 14,

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

2005 that provides that, subject to customary conditions precedent for transactions of this nature, including regulatory approval, a group of lenders will provide a separate $25,000 subordinated credit facility for LFNY, our U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary. The LFNY facility is expected to be a four-year revolving credit facility, and then converts to a term loan facility for an additional year. This commitment letter, as extended, expires November 30, 2005. Both the $125,000 senior revolving credit facility and the $25,000 subordinated credit facility bear interest at either a Eurodollar or Federal Funds rate, plus an applicable margin, which varies from 125 to 200 basis points, depending on Lazard Group’s rating as determined by designated rating agencies.

The senior revolving credit facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type, and we expect that the LFNY facility will as well. The senior revolving credit facility, among other things, limits the ability of the borrower to incur debt, grant liens, pay dividends, enter into mergers or to sell all or substantially all of its assets and contains financial covenants that must be maintained. We expect that the LFNY facility will contain similar restrictions and covenants for a facility of its type. Upon approval by the NASD, the LFNY facility is intended to qualify as a satisfactory subordination agreement in accordance with the applicable NASD rules and regulations.

3.STRATEGIC ALLIANCE IN ITALY

 

Alliance in ItalyIn September 2002, Lazard Groupthe Company and Banca Intesa S.p.A. (“Intesa”) announced an agreement to form a strategic alliance (the “Strategic Alliance”), pursuant to which, in January 2003, Intesa effectively became a 40% partner in Lazard Group’sthe Company’s business in Italy. Pursuant to the terms of the Strategic Alliance, Intesa made a $100,000 investment in Lazard Group’sthe Company’s business in Italy, and purchased a $50,000 subordinated promissory note issued by Lazard Group’sthe Company’s business in Italy. The subordinated promissory note has a scheduled maturity in 2078 (subject to extension), with interest payable annually at the rate of 3.0% per annum.

 

From time to time, Lazard Group has considered appropriate modifications to its joint venture relationship with Intesa. Lazard Group has held various discussions with Intesa in connection with the separation and recapitalization transactions, including Lazard Ltd’s recent equity public offering, and prior to consummation of the equity public offering, Intesa has notified Lazard Group of its intention not to extend the term of the joint venture relationship beyond the expiration date of December 31, 2007. As a result, under the terms of the Strategic Alliance,strategic alliance, unless Lazard Group and Intesa otherwise agree, Lazard Group will repurchase Intesa’s 40% interest in Lazard Group’sour business in Italy and repay theits related $50,000 subordinated promissory note for an aggregate amount not to exceedof approximately $150,000 less certain distributions received by Intesa in connection with the joint venture, on or prior to February 4, 2008. Based on the current performance of the joint venture, Lazard Group doeswe do not currently expect thean expiration of the joint venture in these circumstances to have a material adverse effect on itsour operating results.

As part of these negotiations and discussions, Lazard Group received a letter from Intesa in July, 2005 informing Lazard Group of its intention to commence arbitration proceedings in order to obtain an order declaring Intesa’s right to early termination of the joint venture arrangements and the ineffectiveness of those arrangements on equitable grounds, as a result of the separation and recapitalization transactions and management changes at our Italian business. In the letter, Intesa stated that pending the determination of any arbitration, it intended to continue to perform in accordance with the joint venture arrangements until the initial expiration date of December 31, 2007. If at the end of an arbitration proceeding, it were to be determined that Intesa was entitled to early termination on the grounds alleged, Lazard would be obligated to repurchase their interest and note at that time if any such determination were finally made before Lazard repurchases such interest and note in connection with the end of the term of the joint venture on December 31, 2007.

In addition to its direct investment in Lazard’s business in Italy, Intesa also purchased a $150,000 subordinated convertible promissory note from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lazard Group. If in an appropriate

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

forum it were to be determined that Intesa was entitled to early termination on the grounds alleged, the $150,000 convertible promissory note could become immediately due and payable. Intesa has also asserted its intention to seek damages relating to such termination or ineffectiveness.

Lazard believes that the allegations are without merit and, in the event an action is actually brought, intends to defend and protect its rights and interests with respect to these matters and the joint venture arrangements vigorously. Lazard also expects to pursue any and all related claims that it may have, including with respect to the nonperformance by Intesa of certain of its obligations under the arrangements, in connection with any such action, and to seek damages with respect to those claims.

 

3.4.LAZARD ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS

Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings entered into a business alliance agreement that granted Lazard Group the option to acquire the North American and European fund management activities of Lazard Alternative Investments Holdings LLC (“LAI”), the subsidiary of LFCM Holdings that owns and operates LFCM Holdings’ merchant banking activities. This option is exercisable at any time prior to the ninth anniversary of the consummation of the equity public offering, for a total price of $10,000. The option may be exercised by Lazard Group in two parts, consisting of an $8,000 option to purchase the North American merchant banking activities and a $2,000 option to purchase the European merchant banking activities. LAI’s merchant banking activities consist of the merchant banking management and general partner entities, together with Lazard Group’s direct investments in related funds that were transferred to LFCM Holdings pursuant to or in anticipation of the separation.

The business alliance agreement provides Lazard Group with certain governance rights with respect to LAI and provides for support by LFCM Holdings of the business of LAI. With respect to historical investments and funds transferred to LFCM Holdings as part of the separation, profits realized prior to the option exercise are for the account of LFCM Holdings, whereas profits realized after the exercise of the option are for the account of Lazard Group. Lazard Group intends to invest capital in future funds to be managed by LFCM Holdings’ subsidiaries and is entitled to receive incentive fee payments from such funds, as well as profits related to such investments, if any, irrespective of whether it exercises its purchase option.

On February 25, 2005, Lazard Group formed a new private equity fund, Corporate Partners II Limited, with $1,000,000 of institutional capital commitments and a $100,000 capital commitment from Lazard Group, the principal portion of which may require funding at any time through 2010. As of September 30, 2005, Lazard Group has contributed $89 of its capital commitment, which is recorded as a long term investment. Pursuant to the master separation and business alliance agreements entered into between Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings, this fund is managed by a subsidiary of LFCM Holdings, and Lazard Group retained a capital commitment to the fund and is entitled to receive the carried interest distributions made by the fund (other than the carried interest distributions made to investment professionals who manage the fund).

In July 2005, LFCM Holdings formed a new private equity fund, Lazard Senior Housing Partners LP. The first closing of the fund has the ability to raise up to a maximum of $550,000 of capital commitments, including a minimum and maximum capital commitment from Lazard Group of $10,000 and $27,000, respectively, the principal portion of which will require funding at any time through 2008. In connection with such capital commitment, Lazard funded $682 in October 2005.

Pursuant to the business alliance agreement, Lazard Group has certain other limited partner capital commitments to planned investment funds to be managed and controlled by LFCM Holdings, all of which commitments are contingent upon the formation of such investment funds. As of September 30, 2005 these

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

capital commitments are as follows—Lazard Technology Partners III—$15,000; Lazard European Mid-Market Buyout Fund—10% of the total fund capital commitments, with a maximum capital commitment by Lazard Group of 50 million Euros; Lazard Structured Finance Investors LLC—$10,000. As of September 30, 2005, none of these investment funds have been formed and Lazard Group has not made any payment toward such contingent capital commitments.

5.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

Lazard Group,Ltd, through its subsidiaries provides certain retirement and other post-employment benefits to certain of its employees through defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans. Expenses incurred related to the defined benefit pension plans, the defined benefit pension plan supplement and the post-retirement health care plans for the three month and nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005 are shown in the tabletables below.

 

  Pension
Plans


 Pension Plan
Supplement


 Post-
Retirement
Medical Plans


  Pension
Plans


 Pension Plan
Supplement


 Post-
Retirement
Medical Plans


 

Three month period ended March 31, 2004

   

Three month period ended September 30, 2004

   

Service cost

  $4,602  $85  $481  $2,724  $84  $454 

Interest cost

  6,960  35  390   4,839   33   396 

Expected return on plan assets

  (7,520)    (5,733) 

Amortization of transition (asset) obligation

  (30)    (27) 

Amortization of prior service cost

  136  22     (417)  21  

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

  702  (5) 8   582   (3)  14 
  

 

 
  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost

  $4,850  $137  $879

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $1,968  $135  $864 
  

 

 
  


 


 


The net periodic benefit cost (credit) is related to continuing and discontinued operations as follows:

   

Continuing operations

  $1,690  $86  $678 

Discontinued operations

   278   49   186 
  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $1,968  $135  $864 
  


 


 


Three month period ended September 30, 2005

   

Service cost

  $1,883  $65 

Interest cost

   6,413  $22   141 

Expected return on plan assets

   (6,611) 

Amortization of prior service cost

   (109)  (482)

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

   795   (3)  126 

Settlements (curtailments)

   (1,250)  (2,169)
  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $1,121  $19  $(2,319)
  


 


 


The net periodic benefit cost (credit) is related to continuing and discontinued operations as follows:

   

Continuing operations

  $2,409  $13  $(2,272)

Discontinued operations

   (1,288)  6   (47)
  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $1,121  $19  $(2,319)
  


 


 


LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

  Pension
Plans


 Pension Plan
Supplement


 Post-
Retirement
Medical Plans


   Pension
Plans


 Pension Plan
Supplement


 Post-
Retirement
Medical Plans


 

Three month period ended March 31, 2005

   

Nine month period ended September 30, 2004

   

Service cost

  $10,431  $254  $1,363 

Interest cost

   16,024   100   1,197 

Expected return on plan assets

   (17,843) 

Amortization of transition (asset) obligation

   (85) 

Amortization of prior service cost

   (159)  65  

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

   1,727   (9)  42 
  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $10,095  $410  $2,602 
  


 


 


The net periodic benefit cost (credit) is related to continuing and discontinued operations as follows:

   

Continuing operations

  $9,261  $265  $2,043 

Discontinued operations

   834   145   559 
  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $10,095  $410  $2,602 
  


 


 


Nine month period ended September 30, 2005

   

Service cost

  $1,998  $89   $5,841  $196 

Interest cost

  6,774  $22  135    19,844  $66   427 

Expected return on plan assets

  (6,973)    (20,439) 

Amortization of prior service cost

  (115) (482)   (336)  (1,446)

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

  844  (3) 111    2,468   (9)  379 

Settlements (curtailments)

   2,710   (6,184)
  

 

 

  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  2,528  19  (147)  $10,088  $57  $(6,628)

Settlements (curtailments)

   (2,302)
  

 

 

  


 


 


Total benefit cost (credit)

  $2,528  $19  $(2,449)

The net periodic benefit cost (credit) is related to continuing and discontinued operations as follows:

   

Continuing operations

  $8,315  $40  $(7,031)

Discontinued operations

   1,773   17   403 
  

 

 

  


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $10,088  $57  $(6,628)
  


 


 


 

Lazard GroupThe Company has the right to amend or terminate its benefit plans at any time, subject to the terms of such plans and applicable law. Recent amendments and terminations are described below.

 

Amendments to LFNY Employee Benefit Plans

 

  LFNY Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Pension Plan Supplement—Effective as of January 31, 2005, the LFNY Employees’ Pension Plan and the Employees’ Pension Plan Supplement were amended to cease future benefit accruals and future participation. As a result of such amendment, active participants will continue to receive credit for service completed after January 31, 2005 for purposes of vesting; however, future service will not count for purposes of future benefit accruals under the plans. Vested benefits for active participants as of January 31, 2005 will be retained.

 

  

LFNY Defined Contribution Plan—Effective January 1, 2005, the LFNY Defined Contribution Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) was amended to implement an employer match to participant pre-tax contributions. LFNY will match 100% of pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) Plan, excluding catch-up contributions,

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

up to 4% of eligible compensation. Participants will be 100% vested in all employer-matching contributions after three years of service. Any service accrued prior to January 1, 2005 will count toward this three-year vesting requirement.

 

  LFNY Post-Retirement Medical Plan—Effective December 31, 2005, post-retirement health care benefits will no longer be offered to those members and employees hired on or after the effective date and for those members and employees hired before the effective date who attain the age of 40 after December 31, 2005. In addition, effective January 1, 2006, the cost sharing policy will change for those who qualify for the benefit.

 

LFNY Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Post-Retirement Medical Plan Settlement Transaction—As a result of the separation and in accordance with SFAS No. 88,Employers’ Accounting for Settlement and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits, the Company recorded a charge of $3,255 ($2,710 and $545 relating to pension and post-retirement medical plan obligations, respectively), for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 for the estimated cost relating to the settlement of pension and post-retirement medical plan obligations and special termination benefits to employees in the separated businesses. Of this amount, $2,420 is included in income (loss) from discontinued operations and $835 is included in compensation and benefits expense. In the three month period ended September 30, 2005, a credit adjustment of $1,250 relating to settlement of the pension obligation was recorded and is included in income (loss) from discontinued operations.

Termination of LCH’s Post-Retirement Medical Plan—In April 2004, LCH announced a plan to terminate its Post-Retirement Medical Plan. As a result of such action, benefits available to eligible active employees and retirees will cease on February 28, 2007. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)SFAS No. 106,Employers’ Accounting for Post-Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, Lazard Groupthe Company is recognizing the effect of such termination, which resulted in a reduction in Lazard Group’sthe Company’s accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation of approximately $24,000, the effect of which will reduce employee compensation and benefits expense over the period ending February 2007. For the three month periodand nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2005, employee compensation and benefits expense was reduced by approximately $2,300$2,169 and $6,729, respectively, related to the effect of such termination.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

Employer Contributions and Indemnities from LFCM Holdings—As reflected in Lazard Group’s December 31, 2004 consolidated financial statements, included in the Registration Statement, Lazard Group’s principal U.K. pension plans had a combined deficit of approximately $95,000 (or approximately 49,20049.2 million British pounds). This deficit would ordinarily be funded over time. Lazard Group has been in discussions withIn the trusteesthird quarter of the pension plans aimed at reaching agreement regarding a deficit reduction plan. In May 2005, “Heads of Terms” have been agreedagreements were executed between Lazard Group and the trustees of the plans dealing with a plan for the future funding of the deficit as well as with asset allocation. In June 2005, Lazard Group expects to execute a final agreement with the trustees. Irrespective of the terms in the final executed agreement,of these agreements, in considering their duties to beneficiaries, the trustees also have the power to change the asset allocation. Any changes in the asset allocation could changeincrease or decrease the unfunded liability that would be funded over time, depending on asset mix, any increase in liabilities and investment returns. It is also the case that the pensions regulator in the U.K. may have the power to require contributions to be made to plans, and to impose support in respect of the funding of plans by related companies other than the direct obligors. As part of the separation, (see Note 9), Lazard Group made a contribution to LFCM Holdings of $55,000 in connection with the provision by LFCM Holdings of support relating to U.K. pension liabilities and other indemnities. Lazard Group anticipates that as part of the separation, LFCM Holdings will make payments of 30,000 British pounds in the aggregate to reimburse Lazard Group when Lazard Group or one of its subsidiaries makes payments to reduce the pension plan deficit.

 

ApproximatelyContributions of approximately $31,000 (or 16,40016.4 million British pounds) of contributions were made to Lazard Group’s defined benefit pension plans in 2005 in the U.K. Of such amount, approximately $1,600 was contributedU.K during the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, and the remainder was contributed on June 1, 2005 when LFCM Holdings also satisfied its obligation to reimburse 15,000of which 15.0 million British pounds to Lazard Group.were reimbursed by LFCM Holdings.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

Lazard Group will make further payments amounting to 16,40016.4 million British pounds on June 1, 2006, 8,2008.2 million British pounds on June 1, 2007 and 8,2008.2 million British pounds on June 1, 2008. Relating to the June 1, 2006 payment, Lazard Group recorded a receivable of approximately $26,800 from LFCM Holdings relating to the 15.0 million British pounds which LFCM Holdings is obligated to reimburse Lazard Group (see Note 12 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

4.6.VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Financial Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46, which provides additional guidance on the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, for enterprises that have interests in entities that meet the definition of a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). On December 24, 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46R,Consolidation of Certain Variable Interest Entities—an interpretation of ARB No. 51, which requires that an entity consolidate a VIE if that enterprise has a variable interest that will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both.

 

Lazard Group is involved with various entities in the normal course of business that are VIEs and hold variable interests in such VIEs. Transactions associated with these entities primarily include investment management, real estate and private equity investments. Those VIEs for which Lazard Group iswas the primary beneficiary were consolidated beginning inat December 31, 2004 in accordance with FIN 46R. Those VIEs includeincluded company sponsored venture capital investment vehicles established in connection with Lazard Group’sLazard’s compensation plans.

Lazard Group’s merchant banking activities consist of making private equity, venture capital and real estate investments on behalf of customers. At March 31, 2005, in In connection with the separation, Lazard Group transferred its merchant banking activities, the net assetsgeneral partnership interests in those VIEs to a subsidiary of entities for whichLFCM Holdings. Lazard Group has determined that it is no longer the primary beneficiary with respect to those VIEs and, as a significant variable interest was approximately $102,000. Lazard Group’s variable interests associated with these entities, consistingresult, the Company no longer consolidates such VIEs.

7.SENIOR BORROWINGS

Senior borrowings are comprised of investments, carried interestthe following as of December 31, 2004 and management fees, were approximately $24,350, which represents the maximum exposure to loss, only if totalSeptember 30, 2005:

   

Principal

Amount


  

Maturity

Date


  

Annual

Interest

Rate


  Outstanding as of

       

December 31,

2004


  

September 30,

2005


Third Parties

                  

Lazard Group senior notes(a)

  $550,000  2015  7.125%     $550,000

Lazard Group 7.53% notes (repaid May, 2005)

   50,000  2011  7.53% $50,000    

Senior Revolving Credit Agreement

   125,000  2010  5.177%(b)      15,000

Other

      Various  3.0 - 8.6%  17,497   3,418
             

  

Total

             67,497   568,418
             

  

Related Parties

                  

Lazard Group notes issued to Lazard Group Finance in connection with issuance of the ESUs

   437,500  2035(a) 6.12%      437,500
             

  

Total

             —     437,500
             

  

Total Senior Borrowings

            $67,497  $1,005,918
             

  


(a)See Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Interest rates vary and are based on either a Federal Funds rate or a Eurodollar rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. As of September 30, 2005, the annual interest rate, including the applicable margin, is 5.177%.

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

8.INCOME TAXES

Prior to May 10, 2005, the Company was not subject to U.S. federal income taxes. However, the Company was subject to UBT attributable to its operations apportioned to New York City. In addition, certain non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company were subject to income taxes in their local jurisdictions. Commencing May 10, 2005, a portion of the Company’s income is also subject to U.S. federal income tax and the Company’s provision for income taxes is accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 109—Accounting for Income Taxes.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Such temporary differences are reflected in deferred tax assets and liabilities and are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities,” respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred taxes, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies that can be implemented by the Company in making this assessment.

The provision for income taxes for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 was $872, $17,177, $13,214 and $50,443, respectively. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% and Lazard’s projected effective tax rate of 28% on its share of Lazard Group’s income for the period May 10, 2005 through December 31, 2005 is primarily due to earnings attributable to Lazard’s non-U.S. affiliates being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate and is partially offset by U.S. state and local income taxes, including UBT, which are incremental to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations, as presented, is lower than the projected effective income tax rate because a significant portion of income from continuing operations for that period was earned prior to May 10, 2005 (and prior to Lazard obtaining its ownership interest in Lazard Group) and is not subject to federal income taxes.

At September 30, 2005, in connection with the consolidation of Lazard Group and Lazard Ltd, and the redemption of the historical and working member interests, Lazard Ltd recorded deferred tax assets of $31,000 and $235,000, respectively, with such amounts fully offset by a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to uncertainty of realizing the benefits of the book versus tax basis differences. The realization of the deferred tax assets depends, among other factors, on the future geographic mix of the earnings of Lazard Group and on Lazard Group meeting certain statutory limitations on amortization deductions.

Tax Receivable Agreement

The redemption of historical partner interests in connection with the separation and recapitalization has resulted, and the exchanges of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests for shares of Class A common stock may result, in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Lazard Group attributable to Lazard Ltd’s interest in Lazard Group. The tax receivable agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, with LFCM Holdings requires Lazard to pay LFCM Holdings 85% of the cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that Lazard actually realizes as a result of the above-mentioned increases in tax basis and related to Lazard entering into the agreement. Lazard would benefit from the remaining 15% of any cash

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

assets declined 100%savings realized. LFCM Holdings is contractually required to distribute any amounts paid to it by Lazard to persons who were working members at March 31, 2005. At March 31, 2005, the consolidated statement of financial condition included $22,552 of incremental assets relatingLazard Group immediately prior to the consolidationseparation and recapitalization. As of VIEs for such merchant banking activities in which Lazard Group was deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

In connection with its Capital Markets and Other segment activities, Lazard Group holds a significant variable interest in an entity with liabilities of $12,800 at March 31, 2005. Lazard Group’s variable interests associated with this entity, primarily paid-in-kind notes, were approximately $12,800 at March 31, 2005. As the noteholders have sole recourse onlySeptember 30, 2005, due to the underlying assets, Lazard Group hasuncertainty of realizing the tax benefits as described above, no exposure to loss at March 31, 2005. Also,amounts have been recorded as Lazard Group is not the primary beneficiary, the entity has not been consolidated.a result of this agreement.

 

5.9.NET INCOME PER SHARE

The Company’s net income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 consists of the following:

   

Three Month

Period Ended

September 30, 2005


  

Nine Month

Period Ended

September 30, 2005


 

Income from continuing operations

  $19,011  $137,128 

Loss from discontinued operations

  (408) (17,576)
   

 

Net income

  18,603  119,552 

Less - Net income allocable to members of Lazard Group (for the period January 1, 2005 through May 9, 2005)

  (408) 89,175 
   

 

Net income available for Class A common stockholders (for the periods July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005 and May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005, respectively)

  $19,011  $  30,377 
   

 

Historical net income per share information is not applicable for reporting periods prior to May 10, 2005, the date of the consummation of the equity public offering.

The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share amounts from continuing operations for the three month period ended September 30, 2005 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 (which, as described above, represents the period commencing May 10, 2005, through September 30, 2005) is described below.

Basic Net Income Per Share

Numerator—utilizes income from continuing operations for the respective periods.

Denominator—utilizes the 37,500,000 shares of Class A common stock issued concurrent with the equity public offering.

Diluted Net Income Per Share

Numerator—utilizes income from continuing operations for the respective reporting periods as in the basic net income per share calculation described above, plus, on an as-if-exchanged basis, to the extent dilutive, amounts applicable to LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, and corporate tax related thereto, in the respective reporting periods.

Denominator—utilizes the 37,500,000 shares of Class A common stock as in the basic net income per share calculation described above, plus non-vested restricted stock unit awards issued to certain employees of the Company as calculated using the treasury stock method. In addition, the denominator includes LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, on an as-if-exchanged basis, to the extent dilutive.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share of Class A common stock available to stockholders are set forth below:

   

Three Months

Ended


  

Period

Ended*


   September 30, 2005

Basic Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock

      

Numerator:

      

Income from continuing operations available for Class A common stockholders for the periods July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005 and from May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005, respectively

  $ 19,011  $ 30,377
   
  

Denominator:

      

Average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the periods described above

  37,500,000  37,500,000
   
  

Basic net income per share of Class A common stock

  $0.51  $0.81
   
  

Diluted Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock

      

Numerator:

      

Income from continuing operations available for Class A common stockholders for the periods July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005 and from May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005, respectively

  $19,011  $30,377
   
  

Denominator:

      

Average number of shares of Class A common stock, as reported for basic above

  37,500,000  37,500,000

Add—Weighted average number of incremental shares issuable from non-vested stock awards

  28,978  18,513
   
  

Total

  37,528,978  37,518,513
   
  

Diluted net income per share of Class A common stock

  $0.51  $0.81
   
  

*Net income per share of Class A common stock for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 relates to the period commencing with the equity public offering on May 10, 2005.

The LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests (which represent the right to receive 62,118,749 shares of Class A common stock upon exchange) and the ESUs were antidilutive and consequently the effect of their conversion into shares of Class A common stock has been excluded from diluted net income per share of Class A common stock during the periods presented.

The loss from discontinued operations for the periods subsequent to May 9, 2005 had no impact on basic and diluted net income per share of Class A common stock as such amounts are allocable to members since the amounts relate to adjustments of operations prior to the consummation of the equity public offering.

10.MINORITY INTEREST

The Company consolidates various LAM related general partnership interests that it controls but does not wholly own and its business in Italy which, through a strategic alliance, is owned 40% by Intesa. As a result of consolidating these companies, the Company recognizes the portion of income not associated with the Company’s ownership as minority interest.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Also, as described in Note 1 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, commencing May 10, 2005, the Company no longer recognizes payments for services rendered by the managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) as charges to minority interest. Effective May 10, 2005, those charges are now included in compensation and benefits and distributions to profit participation members. In addition, commencing May 10, 2005, the Company records a charge to minority interest expense relating to LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interest in Lazard Group (which, after giving effect to the repurchase from LAZ-MD Holdings of Lazard Group common membership interests that were exchangeable for 381,251 shares of Class A common stock subsequent to May 10, 2005, approximated 62.4% at September 30, 2005), with such expense amounting to $36,373 for the three month period ended September 30, 2005 and $59,186 for the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005. Accordingly, for these reasons, amounts recorded as minority interest expense for periods prior to May 10, 2005 are not comparable to amounts recorded as minority interest expense for periods commencing May 10, 2005.

The Company classifies LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership of Lazard Group’s common membership interests as a reduction of Lazard Ltd’s additional paid-in capital rather than as minority interest, since the balance of such minority interest as of September 30, 2005 (amounting to $569,345) is negative. See Note 13 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to distributions paid to LAZ-MD Holdings.

11.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments—Lazard Group has various leases and other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the fulfillment of such commitments in accordance with their terms will not have a material adverse effect on Lazard Group’sLazard’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In addition to amounts recorded at December 31, 2004 for abandoned leased space in the U.K., during the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, Lazard provided for further costs of approximately $27,300 relating to such abandoned leased space in the U.K., of which approximately $21,000 is reimbursable from LFCM Holdings under a lease indemnity agreement which is described further in Note 12 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The $27,300 is comprised of approximately $10,000 of write-offs of leasehold improvements recorded in the three month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005 Lazard Groupand $17,300 relating to lease obligations recorded a provisionduring the first six months of approximately $6,300 for abandoned leased space.2005. In accordance with SFAS No. 146,Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, thisthe $17,300 provision, recorded on the cease-use date, was determined based on the fair value of the liability for costs that will continue to be incurred for the remaining term of the lease without economic benefit to Lazard, Group, based on the remaining lease rentals, reduced by estimated sublease rentals. Suchrentals.The amount was recorded as “premises and occupancy costs”not covered by the indemnity ($6,300) is included in “income (loss) from discontinued operations” on the condensed consolidated statement of income for the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005 (with all of such charge recorded during the first six months of 2005). The amount due under the lease indemnity from LFCM Holdings of $21,000 is reported within “receivables - related parties” on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2005.

See Note 9 with regard12 of Notes to formation of new private equity fund, Corporate Partners II Limited.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding amounts due from (to) related parties.

 

Legal—Lazard Group’sLazard’s businesses, as well as the financial services industry generally, are subject to extensive regulation throughout the world. Lazard Group is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings and inquiries concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses. Management believes, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings,matters, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on Lazard Group’sits financial condition but might be material to its operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

Lazard Group has received a request for information from the NASD as part of what it understands to be an industry investigation relating to gifts and gratuities, which is focused primarily on theLazard’s former Capital Markets business, that iswhich business was transferred to LFCM Holdings as a part of the separated businesses now owned and operated by LFCM Holdings.separation. In addition, Lazard Group has received requests for information from the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts seeking information concerning gifts and entertainment involving an unaffiliated mutual fund company, which are also focused on the Capital Markets business that is part of the separated businesses.same business. Lazard Group believes that other broker-dealers have also received requests for information. In the course of an internal review of these matters, prior to the separation, there were personnel changes in Lazard’s former Capital Markets business, including resignations by individuals who were formerly associated with such separated business. These investigations are continuing and Lazard Group cannot predict their potential outcomes, which outcomes, if any, could include regulatory consequences, nor can Lazard Group estimate any potential loss or range of losses related to them.consequences. Accordingly, Lazard Group has not recorded an accrual for losses related to any such judicial, regulatory or arbitration proceedings.

 

Lazard Ltd and Goldman Sachs & Co., the lead underwriter of Lazard Ltd’s equity public offering of its Class A common stock, as well as several members of Lazard Ltd’s management and board of directors, have been named as defendants in several putative class action lawsuits and a putative stockholder derivative lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and in a putative class action lawsuit and a putative stockholder derivative lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The defendants have removed the putative class action lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and have removed the putative derivative lawsuit filed in that court to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs in the putative class action lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York have filed a consolidated amended complaint. The putative class action lawsuits purport to have been filed on behalf of persons who purchased securities of Lazard Ltd in connection with the equity public offering or in the open market. The putative class actions allege various violations of the federal securities laws and seek, inter alia, compensatory damages, rescission or rescissory damages and other unspecified equitable, injunctive or other relief. The putative derivative actions purport to be brought on behalf of Lazard Ltd against its directors and Goldman Sachs & Co. and allege, among other things, that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to Lazard Ltd in connection with matters related to the equity public offering and seek compensatory damages, punitive damages and other unspecified equitable or other relief. We believe that the suits are without merit and intend to defend them vigorously.

For a description of recent developments involving Lazard Group’s relationship with Intesa see Note 3 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6.12.DUE FROM (TO) RELATED PARTIES

Amounts due from and to related parties as of September 30, 2005 are set forth below (there were no such amounts at December 31, 2004):

   Receivables

  Payables

LFCM Holdings

  $55,042  $40,084

LAZ-MD Holdings

       7

Lazard Group Finance (excludes senior debt—see Note 7)

       3,421
   

  

Totals

  $55,042  $43,512
   

  

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

LFCM Holdings

LFCM Holdings owns and operates the separated businesses and is owned by the working members, including Lazard’s managing directors who are also members of LAZ-MD Holdings. In addition to the master separation agreement which effected the separation and recapitalization discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, LFCM Holdings entered into an insurance matters agreement and a license agreement that addressed various business matters associated with the separation, as well as several other agreements discussed below.

Under the employee benefits agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings, LFCM Holdings generally assumed, as of the completion of the separation and recapitalization transactions, all outstanding and future liabilities in respect of the current and former employees of the separated businesses. Lazard retained all accrued liabilities under, and assets of, the pension plans in the U.S. and the U.K. as well as the 401(k) plan accounts of the inactive employees of LFCM Holdings and its subsidiaries. See Note 5 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding employer contributions and indemnities from LFCM Holdings.

Pursuant to the administrative services agreement dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among LAZ-MD Holdings, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group (the “administrative services agreement”), Lazard Group provides selected administrative and support services to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings, such as cash management and debt service administration, accounting and financing activities, tax, payroll, human resources administration, financial transaction support, information technology, public communications, data processing, procurement, real estate management, and other general administrative functions. Lazard Group charges for these services based on Lazard Group’s cost allocation methodology. Notwithstanding Lazard Group’s providing data processing services, Lazard Group will not provide any security administration services, as such services are being transferred to LFCM Holdings.

The services provided by Lazard Group to LFCM Holdings and by LFCM Holdings to Lazard Group under the administrative services agreement generally will be provided until December 31, 2008. LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group have a right to terminate the services earlier if there is a change of control of either party or the business alliance provided in the business alliance agreement expires or is terminated. The party receiving a service may also terminate a service earlier upon 180 days’ notice as long as the receiving party pays the service provider an additional three months of service fee for terminated service.

The business alliance agreement provides that Lazard Group will refer to LFCM Holdings selected opportunities for underwriting and distribution of securities. In addition Lazard Group will provide assistance in the execution of any such referred business. In exchange for the referral obligation and assistance, Lazard Group will receive a referral fee from LFCM Holdings equal to approximately half of the revenue obtained by LFCM Holdings in respect of any underwriting or distribution opportunity. In addition, LFCM Holdings will refer opportunities in the Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses to Lazard Group. In exchange for this referral, LFCM Holdings will be entitled to a customary finders’ fee from Lazard Group. The business alliance agreement further provides that, during the term of the business alliance, LFNY and LAM Securities, subsidiaries of Lazard, will introduce execution and settlement transactions to newly-formed broker-dealer entities affiliated with LFCM Holdings. The term of the business alliance will expire on the fifth anniversary of the equity public offering, subject to periodic automatic renewal, unless either party elects to terminate in connection with any such renewal or elects to terminate on account of a change of control of either party.

As discussed in Note 4 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the business alliance agreement granted Lazard Group options to acquire the North American and European merchant banking activities of LAI.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

For the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005, amounts recorded by Lazard Group relating to administrative and support services and referral fees for underwriting transactions amounted to $2,215 and $2,544, respectively, with such amounts recorded as reductions to operating expenses and as underwriting revenue, respectively.

Under the master separation agreement and a related lease indemnity agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between LFCM Holdings and one of our London subsidiaries, LFCM Holdings is obligated to indemnify Lazard for selected liabilities relating to abandoned leased space in the U.K., up to a maximum of $29,000. In connection with Lazard’s recent entry into subleases with respect to a portion of this abandoned leased space and the incurrence of related liabilities, Lazard expects to enter into an agreement with LFCM Holdings pursuant to which LFCM Holdings will pay to Lazard approximately $25,700 over a payment schedule to be agreed by such parties in full satisfaction of LFCM’s indemnification obligations with respect to the abandoned leased space.

Receivables from LFCM Holdings include approximately $21,000 related to the lease indemnity agreement and $26,800 related to the U.K. pension indemnity (see Notes 11 and 5 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, respectively). Payables to LFCM Holdings include amounts relating to the separation under the master separation agreement. Included in such amounts are interest bearing payables of approximately $38,500 for the period commencing July 1, 2005, with such interest expense (at market interest rates) amounting to $466 in the three month period ended September 30, 2005. Lazard Group currently anticipates paying off this amount concurrent with entry into the agreement with LFCM Holdings regarding the lease indemnity referred to above.

LAZ-MD Holdings

As of September 30, 2005, LAZ-MD Holdings holds an approximate 62.4% common interest in Lazard Group and Lazard Ltd holds the remaining 37.6% common interest. Additionally, LAZ-MD Holdings is the sole owner of the one issued and outstanding share of Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”) of Lazard Ltd. As of September 30, 2005, the Class B common stock provides LAZ-MD Holdings with approximately 62.4% of the voting power but no economic rights in Lazard Ltd. Subject to certain limitations, LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests are exchangeable for Class A common stock. However, the Class B common stock will represent no less than 50.1% of the voting power until December 31, 2007.

Lazard Group provides selected administrative and support services to LAZ-MD Holdings through the administrative services agreement as discussed above. Lazard Group intends to charge for these services based on Lazard Group’s cost allocation methodology. For the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005 such amount was not material. Notwithstanding Lazard Group’s providing data processing services, Lazard Group will not provide any security administration services, as such services are being transferred to LFCM Holdings.

Pursuant to the administrative services agreement, Lazard Group also provides tax services to LAZ-MD Holdings. The services provided by Lazard Group to LAZ-MD Holdings will generally be provided until December 31, 2014, unless terminated earlier because of a change of control of either party. For the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005, Lazard’s charges to LAZ-MD Holdings for such services were not material.

Lazard Group Finance

As further discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Lazard Group Finance purchased Lazard Group notes and will receive periodic interest payments from Lazard Group. As of September 30, 2005, interest expense and amounts payable relating to the Lazard Group notes amounted to $10,791 and $3,421, respectively.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

13.MEMBERS’ EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

 

Pursuant to Lazard Group’s Operating Agreementoperating agreement as in effect on March 31, 2005 and prior to the amendmentamended and restatement of such agreement on May 10, 2005,restated Operating Agreement, Lazard Group allocatesallocated and distributesdistributed to its

LAZARD GROUP LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

members a substantial portion of its distributable profits in three monthly installments, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year. Such installment distributions usually beginbegan in February. In addition, other periodic distributions to members include,included, as applicable, capital withdrawals, fixed return on members’ equity and income tax advances made on behalf of members.

 

In connection with the consummation of the initialequity public offering (see(as discussed in Note 9)2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), during the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, members’ equity was reduced by approximately $18,000$145,000 for the repurchase of working member interests. Additional repurchases of working member interests and redemptions of working members’ capital made subsequentprior to March 31, 2005, in connection with the consummation of the initialequity public offering, approximated $126,000offering.

Pursuant to provisions of its amended and restated Operating Agreement, Lazard Group distributions in respect of common membership interests are allocated to the holders of such interests on a pro rata basis. Currently, approximately 37.6% and 62.4% of the outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests are held by subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and by LAZ-MD Holdings, respectively. Such distributions represent amounts necessary to fund (i) any dividends Lazard Ltd may declare on its Class A common stock and (ii) tax distributions in respect of income taxes that Lazard Ltd’s subsidiaries and the members of LAZ-MD Holdings incur as a result of holding Lazard Group common membership interests. In August, 2005, Lazard Group distributed $3,230 to LAZ-MD Holdings and $1,950 to Lazard Ltd subsidiaries, which was used by Lazard Ltd to pay dividends to holders of its Class A common stock. On October 29, 2005, Lazard Group made total tax distributions of $18,164, including $11,327 paid to LAZ-MD Holdings. On November 8, 2005, the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd declared a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share on its outstanding Class A common stock, amounting to $3,375, payable on November 30, 2005 to stockholders of record on November 18, 2005. To fund this dividend, the Board of Directors of Lazard Group, on November 8, 2005, declared a distribution to its members of $8,966 payable on November 28, 2005, which will result in a distribution of $3,375 to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and $5,591 to LAZ-MD Holdings.

Shares Available Under the Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)

As described in more detail in the Registration Statement, the Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units and other equity-based awards. See below for information regarding stock unit awards granted in September, 2005.

Stock Unit Grants

On September 1, 2005, the Non-Executive Directors of Lazard Ltd were granted 9,968 deferred stock units, with alla per unit fair value on the date of grant of $25.33 per share, that were awarded pursuant to compensatory arrangements previously approved by the Board of Directors on August 9, 2005. These units represent approximately 50% of the Directors’ annual compensation for service on the Board of Directors and its committees and are convertible into Class A common stock after a Director resigns or otherwise ceases to be a member of the Board. The remaining compensation is paid in cash.

In September 2005, various employees were awarded restricted stock units that, after the stipulated vesting periods, convert into Class A common stock. A total of 886,300 restricted stock units were granted with a per unit fair value on the date of grant of $23.72 per share, with such payments having been made byunits vesting one third each on May 9, 2005.10, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Additionally, 14,400 restricted stock units were granted with a per unit fair value on the date of grant of $23.92 per share, with such units vesting on May 10, 2008. The employee restricted stock unit awards are subject to forfeiture should employment be discontinued prior to the vesting dates or the violation of certain restrictive covenants. Vesting of the restricted stock units may be accelerated upon a change of control.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

The aggregate fair value of the restricted stock units is amortized, as compensation expense, over the vesting periods and are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding using the treasury stock method.

 

7.14.REGULATORY AUTHORITIES

 

LFNY is a U.S. registered broker-dealer and is subject to the net capital requirements of Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Under which requires the alternative method permitted by this rule,maintenance of minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. At September 30, 2005, the minimum required net capital as defined, is 2% of aggregate debit items arising from customer transactions or $1,500, whichever is greater.$4,834. At September 30, 2005, LFNY’s regulatory net capital at March 31, 2005 was $70,982,$34,228, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $69,482.$29,394, and the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 2 to 1. In the second quarter of 2005, the Company changed from the alternative method to the aggregate indebtedness method for computing net capital requirements.

 

Certain U.K. subsidiaries of Lazard Group, namely LCL, Lazard Brothers & Co., Limited, Lazard Fund Managers Limited and Lazard Asset Management Limited and Lazard European Private Equity Partners LLP (the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”(the “FSA”). At March 31,Recent changes to FSA rules may result in LCL being required to calculate its consolidated regulatory net capital on a basis consistent with U.K. statutory reporting. As a result, the assets and liabilities of entities within the subgroup of LCH, not all of which are regulated by the FSA, may now be required to be included in LCL’s calculation of consolidated regulatory net capital. The Company has entered into discussion with the FSA in relation to this matter. The Company presently estimates that at September 30, 2005, the aggregate regulatory net capital of the U.K. subsidiariesSubsidiaries was $181,741,$143,626, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $76,078. As a result$69,509. The results of the separation, Lazard European Private Equity Partners LLP is now owned by LFCM Holdings.discussions with the FSA may, however, have a material adverse effect on these amounts.

 

The Financial Advisory activities of Lazard Frères SAS (“LF”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including LFB, are authorized by the Comité des Etablissements de Crédit et des Entreprises d’Investissement and are regulated by the Comité de la Réglementation Bancaire et Financière. Supervision is exercised by the Commission Bancaire, which is responsible, in liaison with the Banque de France, for ensuring compliance with the regulations. In this context LF has the status of a bank holding company (“Compagnie Financière”) and LFB is a registered bank (“Etablissement de Crédit”). In addition, the investment services activities of the Paris group, exercised through LFB and other subsidiaries, primarily LFG (asset management) and Fonds Partenaires Gestion (private equity, merchant banking), are subject to regulation and supervision by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. At March 31,September 30, 2005, the consolidated regulatory net capital of LF was $148,183,$137,644, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $53,318.$49,526.

 

Certain other U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries are subject to various other capital adequacy requirements promulgated by various regulatory and exchange authorities in the countries in which they operate. At March 31,September 30, 2005, for those subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements, aggregate net capital of those subsidiaries were $35,787,$36,645, which exceeded the minimum required capital by $25,137.$24,759.

 

At March 31,September 30, 2005, each of these subsidiaries individually were in compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.

 

8.15.DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In connection with the separation discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on May 10, 2005 the Company transferred its Capital Markets and Other segment to LFCM Holdings. The disposal qualifies as a discontinued operation under SFAS No. 144—Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. The Company transferred net assets with a carrying value of $243,178 and a fair value of approximately $245,600. Because these operations were distributed to the working

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

members of Lazard Group, no gain or loss was recognized on the separation. The master separation agreement provides a 150 day period for preparation and review of the closing balance sheet of the separated businesses. As a result of this process, during the three month period ended September 30, 2005, Lazard Group recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $408, which was attributable to the resolution of certain fair value estimates on investments held by the Capital Markets segment transferred to LFCM Holdings, actuarial valuation adjustments for estimated pension and other post-retirement benefit plan settlements and the settlement of various costs shared prior to the separation. This loss is borne by the members of Lazard Group prior to the equity public offering of Lazard Ltd, and, as such, is excluded from the computation of net income per share of Class A common stock.

Operating results of the Capital Markets and Other segment were as follows:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,


  Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
   2004

  2005

  2004

  2005

 

Net revenue

  $37,775  $(1,079) $130,978  $39,599 
   


 


 

  


Pre-tax income (loss)

  $(2,169) $(155) $4,336  $(14,246)

Income taxes

   773   253   1,171   3,330 
   


 


 

  


Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)

  $(2,942) $(408) $3,165  $(17,576)
   


 


 

  


16.SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS

 

Lazard Group’sThe Company’s reportable segments offer different products and services and are managed separately as different levels and types of expertise are required to effectively manage the segments’ transactions. Each

LAZARD GROUP LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

segment is reviewed to determine the allocation of resources and to assess its performance. In reportingPrior to management, Lazard Group’sMay 10, 2005, the Company’s business results arewere categorized into the following three segments: Financial Advisory, Asset Management and Capital Markets and Other. On May 10, 2005 the Capital Markets and Other segment was disposed of in connection with the separation discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Consequently, subsequent to May 10, 2005, the Company has two segments: Financial Advisory which includes providing advice on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and other financial matters.matters; and Asset Management which includes the management of equity and fixed income securities and merchant banking funds. Capital Markets and Other consistsconsisted of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, merchant banking fund management activities outside of France and specified non-operating assets and liabilities. In addition, Lazard Groupthe Company records selected other activities in Corporate, including cash and marketable investments, certain long-term investments, and the commercial banking activities of LFB. Lazard GroupThe Company also allocates outstanding indebtedness to Corporate.

 

Lazard Group’sAs discussed in Note 1 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, historical results of operations are reported as an historical partnership until the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and do not include payments for services rendered by managing directors as compensation expense and a provision for U.S. federal income taxes. Such payments and tax provisions are included in subsequent periods. Therefore, historical results for periods prior to the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and subsequent thereto are not comparable.

The Company’s segment information for the three month and nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005 is prepared using the following methodology:

 

Revenue and expenses directly associated with each segment are included in determining operating income.

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

Expenses not directly associated with specific segments are allocated based on the most relevant measures applicable, including headcount, square footage and other factors.

 

Segment assets are based on those directly associated with each segment, and include an allocation of certain assets relating to various segments, based on the most relevant measures applicable, including headcount, square footage and other factors.

 

Lazard GroupThe Company allocates trading gains and losses, investment gains and losses, interest income and interest expense among the various segments based on the segment in which the underlying asset or liability is reported.

 

Each segment’s operating expenses include (i) employee compensation and benefits expenses that are incurred directly in support of the businesses and (ii) other operating expenses, which include directly incurred expenses for premises and occupancy, professional fees, travel and entertainment, communications and information services, equipment and indirect support costs (including compensation and other operating expenses related thereto) for administrative services. Such administrative services include, but are not limited to, accounting, tax, legal, facilities management and senior management activities.

 

Lazard GroupManagement evaluates segment results based on net revenue and operating income.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Managementincome and believes that the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution to continuing operations with respect to net revenue, operating income and total assets:

 

   For the three month period ended March 31, 2004

Net Revenue and Operating Income (Loss)


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Corporate

  

Capital Markets

and Other


  Total

Net Revenue

  $105,494  $96,826  $1,135  $42,134  $245,589
   

 
  
  

 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $(7,107) $31,924  $3,461  $(381) $27,897
   

 
  
  

 
   For the three month period ended March 31, 2005

Net Revenue and Operating Income (Loss)


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Corporate

  

Capital Markets

and Other


  Total

Net Revenue

  $157,259  $106,863  $(4,023) $37,879  $297,978
   
  
  

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $59,862  $36,881  $1,526  $(6,597) $91,672
   
  
  

 

 

Total Assets


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Corporate

  

Capital Markets

and Other


  Total

At December 31, 2004

  $380,331  $245,449  $1,384,769  $1,488,675  $3,499,224
   
  
  
  
  

At March 31, 2005

  $322,358  $242,703  $1,247,962  $2,037,318  $3,850,341
   
  
  
  
  

   For the three month period ended September 30, 2004

Net Revenue and Operating Income


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Segment
Totals


  Corporate

  Total

Net Revenue

  $131,680  $89,269  $220,949   $   3,031  $223,980
   

  

  

  


 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $32,077  $22,543  $54,620   $      811  $55,431
   

  

  

  


 

   For the three month period ended September 30, 2005

Net Revenue and Operating Income


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Segment
Totals


  Corporate

  Total

Net Revenue

  $257,785  $110,994  $368,779   $(11,876) $356,903
   

  

  

  


 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $83,031  $20,059  $103,090   $(25,801) $77,289
   

  

  

  


 

   For the nine month period ended September 30, 2004

Net Revenue and Operating Income


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Segment
Totals


  Corporate

  Total

Net Revenue

  $407,251  $289,956  $697,207   $   6,743  $703,950
   

  

  

  


 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $90,823  $90,350  $181,173   $ 10,111  $191,284
   

  

  

  


 

   For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005

Net Revenue and Operating Income


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Segment
Totals


  Corporate

  Total

Net Revenue

  $626,610  $326,695  $953,305   $(18,940) $934,365
   

  

  

  


 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $213,971  $81,725  $295,696   $(30,418) $265,278
   

  

  

  


 

   As of December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2005

Total Assets


  

Financial

Advisory


  

Asset

Management


  Segment
Totals


  Corporate

  Total

December 31, 2004 (*)

  $380,331  $245,449  $625,780  $1,384,769  $2,010,549
   

  

  

  


 

September 30, 2005

  $419,574  $285,773  $705,347  $1,103,912  $1,809,259
   

  

  

  


 


9.(*)SUBSEQUENT EVENTSExcludes assets of discontinued operations of $1,488,675 at December 31, 2004.

Initial Public Offering, Separation, Additional Financing Transactions and Recapitalization—On May 10, 2005, Lazard Ltd completed its initial public offering of Class A common stock (the “initial public offering”) that involved substantially all of Lazard Group’s business and completed certain additional financing transactions. The historical consolidated financial statements reflect the historical results of operations and financial position of Lazard Group, including the separated businesses for all periods presented, including the results of operations and financial condition for certain businesses that Lazard Group no longer owns. Accordingly, the historical financial statements do not reflect what the results of operations and financial position of Lazard Ltd or Lazard Group would have been had these companies been stand-alone, public companies for the periods presented. Specifically, the historical results of operations do not give effect to the following matters:

The separation of Lazard Group’s Capital Markets and Other activities (the “separation”), which consists of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, merchant banking fund management activities outside of France and specified non-operating assets and liabilities (the “separated businesses”). As a result of the separation, the Capital Markets and Other activities are now owned and operated by LFCM Holdings.

Payment for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors, which, as a result of Lazard Group operating as a limited liability company, historically has been accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or in some cases as minority interest, rather than as compensation and benefits expense. As a result, Lazard Group’s operating income historically has not reflected payments for services rendered by its managing directors. As a result of the consummation of the initial public offering and the additional financing transactions, Lazard Ltd now includes all payments for services rendered by its managing directors in compensation and benefits expense.

U.S. corporate federal income taxes, since Lazard Group has operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard

LAZARD GROUP LLCLTD

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

 

17.

Group’s income has not been subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Taxes related to income earned by partnerships represent obligations of the individual partners. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group historically has operated principally through subsidiary corporations and has been subject to local income taxes. Income taxes shown on Lazard Group’s historical consolidated statements of income are attributable to taxes incurred in non-U.S. entities and to UBT attributable to Lazard Group’s operations apportioned to New York City. Subsequent to the initial public offering, the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd will include U.S. federal income taxes on its allocable share of the results of operations of Lazard Group, giving effect to the post initial public offering structure.

PANMURE GORDON AND EXTRAORDINARY GAIN

 

As more fully describedIn January 2004, a subsidiary of the Company acquired certain assets, net of certain liabilities, of West LB Panmure Limited, an unrelated entity in the Registration Statement,U.K. Subsequent to the separated businesses were separated from Lazard Group in connectionacquisition, the acquired business became part of the Company’s Capital Markets and Other segment, operating as Panmure Gordon, a division of LCL. Panmure Gordon provides clients with Lazard Ltd’s initial public offeringcorporate finance advisory services, corporate broking capabilities and equity sales and trading. The total purchase price allocated to the net assets of Class A common stock and Lazard Ltd’s additional public offeringthe business acquired was $1,580 related to legal costs incurred to complete the transaction. The fair value of equity security units (the “ESU offering”)the net assets acquired exceeded the purchase price of those net assets by $5,658. In accordance with SFAS No. 141,Business Combinations, the private placementCompany recognized an extraordinary gain of senior unsecured notes of Lazard Group (the “debt offering”) and the investment agreement with IXIS—Corporate & Investment Bank (the “IXIS investment agreement,” together with the ESU offering and the debt offering, the “additional financing transactions,” together with the initial public offering, the “recapitalization”). The initial public offering, the ESU offering and the debt offering were each completed on May 10, 2005. The separated businesses became a part of LFCM Holdings LLC effective as of May 10, 2005.

Initial Public Offering—On May 10, 2005, Lazard Ltd issued, at $25 per share, 34,183,162 shares of its Class A common stock in a registered public offering pursuant$5,507 after reducing long-lived assets, principally representing property, to the Registration Statement. The aggregate gross proceeds relating to the offering amounted to $854,579, and net proceeds to Lazard Ltd, after approximately $66,000 of expenses incurred by Lazard Ltd in connection with the issuance and distribution of the common stock (including underwriting discounts and commission, expenses paid to the underwriters and certain other expenses), was approximately $788,579. Lazard Ltd contributed all the net proceeds from this offering to Lazard Group in exchange for a controlling interest in Lazard Group.$0.

 

Additional Financing Transactions—On May 10, 2005, Lazard also completed several additional financing transactions, which are described below.

ESU Offering—Concurrently with the initial public offering, Lazard Ltd issued, for $25 per unit, equity security units for an aggregate offering amount of $287,500 in the ESU offering. Each unit consists of (a) a contract which obligates holders to purchase, and Lazard Ltd to sell, on May 15, 2008, a number of newly-issued shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock equal to a settlement rate based on the trading price of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock during a period preceding that date and (b) a 1/40, or 2.5%, ownership interest in a senior note of an affiliate, Lazard Group Finance LLC (“Lazard Group Finance”), with a principal amount of $1 (the “senior notes”).

Lazard Ltd will make quarterly contract adjustment payments on the purchase contracts at an annual rate of 0.505% commencing August 15, 2005, subject to its right to defer these payments. In general, during any period in which it defers contract adjustment payments, Lazard Ltd cannot declare or pay dividends on, make distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock.

The senior notes of Lazard Group Finance are senior obligations of Lazard Group Finance. The notes will mature on May 15, 2035, or on such earlier date as Lazard Ltd may elect in connection with the remarketing. In no event, however, will Lazard Ltd reset the maturity date to be prior to May 15, 2010. Lazard Group Finance used the net proceeds from the ESU offering to purchase senior notes from Lazard Group (the “Lazard Group notes”). The Lazard Group notes, which have substantially similar terms to the senior notes, are pledged to secure the obligations of Lazard Group Finance under the senior notes. The ability of Lazard Group Finance to pay its obligations under the senior notes depends on its ability to obtain interest and principal payments on the Lazard Group notes.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

Upon a remarketing of the senior notes, in which the applicable interest rate, payment dates and maturity date on the notes will be reset and the notes remarketed, the interest rate, payment dates and maturity date on the Lazard Group notes also will be reset on the same terms such that the interest rate, payment dates and maturity date on the Lazard Group notes are the same as those for the senior notes.

The equity security units will be reflected in Lazard Ltd’s diluted net income per share using the treasury stock method, and would be dilutive when the weighted-average market price of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock is greater than or equal to $30 per share, the threshold appreciation price.

IXIS Investment Agreement—Under the IXIS investment agreement, IXIS—Corporate & Investment Bank (“IXIS”), which is a subsidiary of Caisse Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne, purchased an aggregate of $200,000 of Lazard Ltd securities on May 10, 2005, $150,000 of which were equity security units (the “IXIS ESU placement”) and $50,000 of which were shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock. The terms of the equity security units issued in connection with the IXIS ESU placement are the same as the equity security units described above. The price per security paid by IXIS was equal, in the case of shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, to the price per share in the initial public offering and, in the case of equity security units, the price per unit in the ESU offering. Lazard Group Finance used the net proceeds from the IXIS ESU placement to purchase Lazard Group notes. Lazard Ltd contributed the net proceeds from the sale of Lazard Ltd Class A Common Stock to Lazard Group.

Lazard Group Senior Notes—Concurrent with the initial public offering, Lazard Group issued, in a private placement, $550,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.125% senior notes due May 15, 2015. The notes were issued net of original issue discount of $435. Interest on the notes is due May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2005. The notes are unsecured.

The indenture governing the senior notes contains covenants that limit Lazard Group’s ability and that of its subsidiaries, subject to important exceptions and qualifications, to, among other things, create a lien on any shares of capital stock of any designated subsidiary, and consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. The indenture governing the senior notes also contains a customary make-whole provision in the event of early redemption.

In connection with the issuance of the senior notes, on April 1, 2005, Lazard Group entered into an interest rate forward agreement with a bank for a notional amount of $650,000. By entering into this interest rate forward agreement, Lazard Group was able to ensure that the base rate (excluding market-driven credit spreads) on Lazard Group’s senior notes would be no greater than 4.5%. Lazard Group settled the interest rate forward agreement with the bank as of May 9, 2005, which required a payment by Lazard Group of approximately $13,000. Of this amount, approximately $11,000 was deemed to be the effective portion of the hedge and has been recorded as other comprehensive income and will be amortized as a charge to interest expense over the ten year term of the senior notes.

Recapitalization—In connection with the consummation of the initial public offering and additional financing transactions, Lazard Group used the net proceeds primarily to (a) redeem membership interests, including Lazard Group’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, held by the historical partners for $1,616,411, (b) capitalize the separated businesses in the amount of $150,000, (c) repay the $50,000, 7.53% Senior Notes due 2011 in aggregate principal amount of $50,000 as well as a related “make-whole” payment of $7,650 and (d) pay transaction fees and expenses.

LAZARD GROUP LLC

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

Lazard Alternative Investments—The business alliance agreement entered into between Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings, granted Lazard Group the option to acquire the North American and European fund management activities of Lazard Alternative Investments Holdings LLC (“LAI”), the subsidiary of LFCM Holdings that owns and operates LFCM Holdings’ merchant banking activities, exercisable at any time prior to the ninth anniversary of the consummation of the initial public offering, for a total price of $10,000. The option may be exercised by Lazard Group in two parts, consisting of an $8,000 option to purchase the North American merchant banking activities and a $2,000 option to purchase the European merchant banking activities. LAI’s merchant banking activities initially consist of the merchant banking management and general partner entities, together with Lazard Group’s direct investments in related funds that were transferred to LFCM Holdings pursuant to or in anticipation of the separation.

On February 25, 2005, Lazard Group formed a new private equity fund, Corporate Partners II Limited, with $1,000,000 of institutional capital commitments and a $100,000 capital commitment from Lazard Group through 2010. Pursuant to the master separation and business alliance agreements entered into between Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings, following the completion of the separation, this fund is managed by a subsidiary of LFCM Holdings, and Lazard Group retained a capital commitment to the fund and is entitled to receive the carried interest distributions made by the fund (other than the carried interest distributions made to investment professionals who manage the fund).

The business alliance agreement provides Lazard Group with certain governance rights with respect to LAI and provides for support by LFCM Holdings of the business of LAI. With respect to historic investments and funds transferred to LFCM Holdings as part of the separation, profits realized prior to the option exercise are for the account of LFCM Holdings, whereas profits realized after the exercise of the option are for the account of Lazard Group. Lazard Group intends to invest capital in future funds to be managed by LFCM Holdings’ subsidiaries and is entitled to receive incentive fee payments from such funds, as well as profits related to such investments, if any, irrespective of whether it exercises its purchase option.

Panmure Gordon—On April 26, 2005, Lazard Group completed the sale of Panmure Gordon & Co., Limited (“Panmure Gordon”) to Durlacher Corporation PLC, a U.K. broking firm (“Durlacher”). Panmure Gordon, acquired in 2004 by Lazard Group, operated as part of Lazard Group’s Capital Markets and Other segment in the U.K. As part of the April 2005 transaction, Lazard Group received an ownership interest of 32.8% in Durlacher, which was transferred to LFCM Holdings in connection with the separation. Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings have agreed to share any cash proceeds, to be derived prior to May 2013, from any subsequent sale by LFCM Holdings of the shares it owns in Durlacher.

 

18.NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

*    *    *    *On May 30, 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154—Accounting and Error Corrections,a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3, which changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle as well as to changes required by an accounting pronouncement that does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 applies to (a) financial statements of business enterprises and not-for-profit organizations and (b) historical summaries of information based on primary financial statements that include an accounting period in which an accounting change or error correction is reflected.

SFAS No. 154 eliminates the requirement in APB Opinion No. 20,Accounting Changes, to include the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the income statement in the period of change. Instead, to enhance the comparability of prior period financial statements, SFAS No. 154 requires that changes in accounting principle be retrospectively applied. Under retrospective application, the new accounting principle is applied as of the beginning of the first period presented as if that principle had always been used. The cumulative effect of the change is reflected in the carrying value of assets and liabilities as of the first period presented and the offsetting adjustments are recorded to opening retained earnings. Each period presented is adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the change. Although retrospective application is similar to restating prior periods, SFAS No. 154 gives the treatment a new name to differentiate it from restatement for the correction of an error. Only direct effects of the change will be included in the retrospective application; all indirect effects will be recognized in the period of change. If it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect for all prior periods, the new accounting principle should be applied as if it were adopted prospectively from the earliest date practicable.Additionally, under SFAS No. 154, a change in reporting entity is also retrospectively applied as of the beginning of the first period presented. Any correction of an error continues to be reported by restating prior period financial statements as of the beginning of the first period presented.

SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Early adoption is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after the date the Statement was issued. The Statement does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements, including those that are in a transition phase as of the

LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except per share or membership interest amounts, unless otherwise noted)

effective date of the Statement. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 is not expected to have a material impact on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of Lazard.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R)Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”), a revision to SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”). SFAS 123(R), which is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005, requires that all stock-based compensation be accounted for at fair value, thereby eliminating application of the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. SFAS 123(R) requires that the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments be measured based on the fair value on the date of grant (with certain limited exceptions). The cost of the employee services are recognized over the period the requisite services are performed. Any excess tax benefit, as defined by SFAS 123(R), is recognized as an addition to paid-in-capital and cash retained as a result of the excess tax benefit is included in financing activities within the statement of cash flows.

The Company’s accounting policy provides for the expensing of the fair value of any share-based compensation over the stipulated vesting periods. The Company does not currently anticipate that the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will have a significant impact on its results of operations.

Item 1A. Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

 

   Page

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income For The ThreeNine Month Periods Ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005

  20

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition As of March 31, 2005

2535

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income for the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005 and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at March 31, 2005 present the consolidated results of operations and financial position of Lazard LtdGroup and Lazard GroupLtd assuming that the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the initialequity public offering and the additional financing transactions, had been completed as of January 1, 2004 with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income data, and at March 31, 2005 with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of financial condition data.2004. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and upon assumptions that our management believes are reasonable in order to reflect, on a pro forma basis, the impact of the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the initialequity public offering and the additional financing transactions, on the historical financial information of Lazard Group.Lazard. The adjustments are described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of financial condition, and principally include the matters set forth below.

 

The separation, which is described in more detail in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”Operations” and the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Payment for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors, which, as a result of Lazard Group operating as a limited liability company, historically hasprior to May 10, 2005, had been accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or in some cases as minority interest, rather than as employee compensation and benefits expense. As a result, Lazard Group’s operating income, historically hasprior to May 10, 2005, included within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements had not reflected payments for services rendered by its managing directors. As a result ofSubsequent to the consummation of the initialequity public offering, as described in Note 1 of the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Lazard Ltd now includes all payments for services rendered by our managing directors in employee compensation and benefits expense.

 

U.S. corporate federal income taxes, since Lazard Group has operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s income has not been subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Taxes related to income earned by partnerships represent obligations of the individual partners. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group historically has operated principally through subsidiary corporations and has been subject to local income taxes. IncomePrior to May 10, 2005, income taxes shown onreflected within Lazard Group’s historicalresults of operations included within the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of income are attributable to taxes incurred in non-U.S. entities and to New York City UBT attributable to Lazard Group’s operations apportioned to New York City. Subsequent to the equity public offering, the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd include U.S. federal income taxes on its allocable share of Lazard Group’s results of operations, giving effect to the post equity public offering structure.

 

Minority interest expense reflecting ownership by LAZ-MD Holdings, LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company, of approximately 62.5% of the Lazard Group common membership interests outstanding immediately after the initialequity public offering and the separation and recapitalization transactions.transactions and approximately 62.4% at September 30, 2005. LAZ-MD Holdings is a holding company that is owned by current and former managing directors of Lazard Group.

 

The use of proceeds from the initial public offering and the additional financing transactions.

 

The net incremental expense related to the additional financing transactions.transactions and the exclusion of certain one-time equity public offering-related costs.

 

Lazard Ltd has also assumed the conversion of the exchangeable interests in order to determine a pro forma basic and diluted income per share of Class A common stock.

The unaudited pro forma financial information of Lazard Ltd should be read together with the Registration Statement and the accompanying “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Lazard Group’sLazard’s historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related

notes included elsewhere herein. ThePrior to May 10, 2005, the historical consolidated financial data reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma financial information represent historical consolidated financial data of Lazard Group. Such historical consolidated financial data of Lazard Group reflects the historical results of continuing operations, and financial position of Lazard Group, includingwith the separated businesses.businesses presented within “income (loss) from discontinued operations”.

 

The pro forma consolidated financial information are included for informational purposes only and do not purport to reflect the results of operations or financial position of Lazard Group or Lazard Ltd that would have occurred had they operated as separate, independent companies during the periods presented. Actual results might have differed from pro forma results if Lazard Group or Lazard Ltd had operated independently. The pro forma consolidated financial information should not be relied upon as being indicative of Lazard Group or Lazard Ltd’s results of operations or financial condition had the transactions described in connection with the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the initialequity public offering and the additional financing transactions, been completed on the dates assumed.January 1, 2004. The pro forma consolidated financial information also does not project the results of operations or financial position for any future period or date.

LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2004

  Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2004

 
 Pro Forma Adjustments

 Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Additional
Financing
Transactions


  Lazard
Group
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted


  Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Initial
Public
Offering


  Lazard Ltd
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted (m)


      Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Other
Financing
Transactions


  

Lazard

Ltd
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted


  Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Equity
Public
Offering


  Lazard Ltd
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted
Prior to
Full
Exchange


  Pro Forma
Adjustments
For Full
Exchange


  Lazard
Ltd
Pro Forma
After Full
Exchange


 
 Historical

 Separation (a)

 Subtotal

 Other

 Total

  Historical

 Pro Forma
Adjustments


 Total

 
 ($ in thousands, except per share data)  ($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Total revenues

 $258,459  ($44,780) $213,679  $213,679  $213,679  $213,679 

Total revenue

 $733,768  $733,768  $733,768  $733,768  $733,768 

Interest expense

 (12,870)(b) 2,646  (10,224) (10,224) $(13,943)(e) (24,167) (24,167)  (29,818)(a) (29,818) ($41,831)(h)  (71,649) (71,649) (71,649)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 245,589  (42,134) 203,455  203,455  (13,943) 189,512  189,512 

Net revenue

  703,950  703,950  (41,831)  662,119  662,119  662,119 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

  

Compensation and benefits

 140,860  (28,812) 112,048  $8,113 (c) 120,161  120,161  120,161   329,116  $85,092(c) 414,208   414,208  414,208  414,208 

Premises and occupancy costs

 22,227  (3,954) 18,273  18,273  18,273  18,273   54,396  54,396   54,396  54,396  54,396 

Professional fees

 13,656  (3,102) 10,554  10,554  10,554  10,554   30,598  30,598   30,598  30,598  30,598 

Travel and entertainment

 13,839  (1,655) 12,184  12,184  12,184  12,184   33,479  33,479   33,479  33,479  33,479 

Other

 27,110  (4,992) 22,118  22,118  22,118  22,118   65,077  65,077   65,077  65,077  65,077 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 217,692  (42,515) 175,177  8,113  183,290  183,290  183,290   512,666   85,092  597,758   597,758  597,758  597,758 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Operating income or loss

 27,897  381  28,278  (8,113) 20,165  (13,943) 6,222  6,222 

Operating income from continuing operations

  191,284   (85,092) 106,192  (41,831)  64,361  64,361  64,361 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 (2,121) (489) (2,610) (1,976)(d) (4,586) 5,519 (f) 933  $303 (g) 1,236   13,214   1,919(d) 15,133  (5,479)(i)  9,654  $3,138(j) 12,792  $5,229(n) 18,021 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Income allocable to members before minority interest

 30,018  870  30,888  (6,137) 24,751  (19,462) 5,289  (303) 4,986 

Income from continuing operations before minority interest

  178,070   (87,011) 91,059  (36,352)  54,707  (3,138) 51,569  (5,229) 46,340 

Minority interest

 14,965  (1) 14,964  (18,688)(c) (3,724) (3,724) 5,634 (h) 1,910   52,426   (55,709)(c) (3,283)  (3,283) 36,244(k) 32,961  (36,244)(o) (3,283)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Net income allocable to members

 $15,053  $871  $15,924  $12,551  $28,475  ($19,462) $9,013  ($5,937) $3,076 

Income from continuing operations

  125,644   (31,302) 94,342  (36,352)  57,990  (39,382) 18,608  31,015  49,623 

Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)

  3,165   (3,165)(e) 

Extraordinary gain

  5,507   (5,507)(e) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

Net income

  $134,316   ($39,974) $94,342  ($36,352)  $57,990  ($39,382) $18,608  $31,015  $49,623 
 


 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:

 

Basic

 100,000,000 (i) 37,500,000 (k) 100,000,000(f) 37,500,000(l) 

Diluted

 100,000,000 (i) 100,000,000 (k) 100,000,000(f) 100,000,000(l) 

Net income per share:

 

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

 

Basic

 $0.28 (j) $0.08 (l) $0.94(g) $0.50(m) 

Diluted

 $0.28 (j) $0.08 (l) $0.94(g) $0.50(m) 
 

Pro forma calculations assuming full exchange of exchangeable interests:

Pro forma calculations assuming full exchange of exchangeable interests:

 

 

Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:

Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:

 

 

Basic

 100,000,000(p) 

Diluted

 100,000,000(q) 

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

 

 

Basic

 $0.50(r)

Diluted

 $0.50(r)

 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

  Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2005

 
     Pro Forma Adjustments

     Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Additional
Financing
Transactions


  Lazard
Group
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted


  Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Initial
Public
Offering


  Lazard Ltd
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted (m)


 
  Historical

  Separation (a)

  Subtotal

  Other

  Total

     
  ($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Total revenues

 $314,128  ($44,121) $270,007     $270,007     $270,007     $270,007 

Interest expense

 (16,150)(b) 6,242  (9,908)    (9,908) $(13,943)(e) (23,851)    (23,851)
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 297,978  (37,879) 260,099     260,099  (13,943) 246,156     246,156 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

                           

Compensation and benefits

 127,487  (21,606) 105,881  $46,798(c) 152,679     152,679     152,679 

Premises and occupancy costs

 27,531  (11,148) 16,383     16,383     16,383     16,383 

Professional fees

 13,332  (4,474) 8,858     8,858     8,858     8,858 

Travel and entertainment

 10,501  (1,526) 8,975     8,975     8,975     8,975 

Other

 27,455  (5,722) 21,733     21,733     21,733     21,733 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 206,306  (44,476) 161,830  46,798  208,628     208,628     208,628 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income or loss

 91,672  6,597  98,269  (46,798) 51,471  (13,943) 37,528     37,528 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 8,056  (253) 7,803  (11)(d) 7,792  (2,163)(f) 5,629  $1,829 (g) 7,458 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income allocable to members before minority interest

 83,616  6,850  90,466  (46,787) 43,679  (11,780) 31,899  (1,829) 30,070 

Minority interest

 10,260  (1) 10,259  (14,534)(c) (4,275)    (4,275) 22,609 (h) 18,334 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income allocable to members

 $73,356  $6,851  $80,207  ($32,253) $47,954  ($11,780) $36,174  ($24,438) $11,736 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                           

Basic

             100,000,000 (i)          37,500,000 (k)

Diluted

             100,000,000 (i)          100,000,000 (k)

Net income per share:

                           

Basic

             $0.48 (j)          $0.31 (l)

Diluted

             $0.48 (j)          $0.31 (l)

  Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005

 
  Historical

  Pro Forma
Adjustments


  Total

  Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Other
Financing
Transactions


  

Lazard

Ltd
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted


  Pro Forma
Adjustments
For The
Equity
Public
Offering


  

Lazard Ltd
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted,

Prior to
Full
Exchange


  Pro Forma
Adjustments
for Full
Exchange


  Lazard
Ltd Pro
Forma
After Full
Exchange


 
  ($ in thousands, except per share data) 

Total revenue

 $987,906      $987,906      $987,906      $987,906      $987,906 

Interest expense

  (53,541)(a)  $1,661(b)  (51,880) $(22,626)(h)  (74,506)      (74,506)      (74,506)
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net revenue

  934,365   1,661   936,026   (22,626)  913,400       913,400       913,400 
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Operating Expenses:

                                    

Compensation and benefits (and commencing May 10, 2005, distributions to profit participation members)

  482,228   75,476(c)  557,704       557,704       557,704       557,704 

Premises and occupancy costs

  50,513       50,513       50,513       50,513       50,513 

Professional fees

  36,111   (2,935)(b)  33,176       33,176       33,176       33,176 

Travel and entertainment

  30,768       30,768       30,768       30,768       30,768 

Other

  69,467       69,467       69,467       69,467       69,467 
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Operating expenses

  669,087   72,541   741,628       741,628       741,628       741,628 
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Operating income from continuing operations

  265,278   (70,880)  194,398   (22,626)  171,772       171,772       171,772 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  50,443   463(d)  50,906   (8,515)(i)  42,391  $(946)(j)  41,445  $5,881(n)  47,326 
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before minority interest

  214,835   (71,343)  143,492   (14,111)  129,381   946   130,327   (5,881)  124,446 

Minority interest

  77,707   (9,081)(c)  68,626       68,626   18,987(k)  87,613   (78,173)(o)  9,440 
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations

  137,128   (62,262)  74,866   (14,111)  60,755   (18,041)  42,714   72,292   115,006 

Loss from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)

  (17,576)  17,576(e)                            
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net income

 $119,552  $(44,686) $74,866  $(14,111) $60,755  $(18,041) $42,714  $72,292  $115,006 
  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:

                                    

Basic

          99,907,829(f)              37,500,000(l)        

Diluted

          99,907,829(f)              37,509,765(l)        

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

                                    

Basic

          $0.75(g)              $1.14(m)        

Diluted

          $0.75(g)              $1.14(m)        
                                     

Calculations as reported in Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income:

 

        

Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:

 

        

Basic

                                  37,500,000 

Diluted

                                  37,518,513 

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

 

        

Basic

                                  $0.81 

Diluted

                                  $0.81 

Pro forma calculations assuming full exchange of exchangeable interests:

 

        

Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:

 

        

Basic

                                  99,907,829(p)

Diluted

                                  99,917,595(q)

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

 

        

Basic

                                  $1.15(r)

Diluted

                                  $1.15(r)

 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income ($ in thousands):

 

(a)Reflects adjustments necessary to remove the historical results of operations of Lazard Group’s separated businesses.

(b)Interest expense includes accrued dividends relating to Lazard Group’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock issued in March 2001, which amounted to $2,000 and $2,000$6,000 for the threenine month periodsperiod ended March 31, 2004September 30, 2004. The nine month period ended September 30, 2005 includes a credit of $8,000 which represents accrued dividends on Lazard Group’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock which were cancelled in connection with the redemption of membership interests of historical partners.

(b)Represents adjustments to exclude non-recurring, one-time costs related to the separation and 2005, respectively.recapitalization, which consisted of interest of $1,661 and professional fees of $2,935 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005.

 

(c)Prior to the initialequity public offering, payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’sthe Company’s managing directors were accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or as minority interest expense in the case of payments to LAM managing directors and certain key LAM employee members during 2004 and through May 9, 2005, rather than as employee compensation and benefits expense. As a result, Lazard Group’s employeethe Company’s compensation and benefits expense and net income allocable to members did not reflect most payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors. Commencing May 10, 2005, payments for services rendered by the Company’s managing directors and employee members of LAM are being reported as compensation and benefits expense. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Financial Measures and Indicators—Net Income (Net Income Allocable to Members.Members of Lazard Prior to May 10, 2005).

 

The adjustment reflects the classification of thesethose payments for services rendered prior to May 10, 2005 as employee compensation and benefits expense and has been determined as if the new compensation policy described below had been in place during 2004 andfor all periods prior to May 10, 2005. Accordingly, the pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income data reflect compensation and benefits expense based on new retention agreements that are in effect.

 

Following the completion of the initialequity public offering, Lazard’sthe Company’s policy is that its employee compensation and benefits expense, including that payable to its managing directors, will not exceed 57.5% of operating revenue each year (although Lazardthe Company retains the ability to change this policy in the future). Lazard Group’sThe Company’s managing directors have been informed of this new policy. The new retention agreements with its managing directors generally provide for a fixed salary and discretionary bonus, which may include an equity-based compensation component. LazardThe Company defines “operating revenue” for these purposes as consolidated total revenue from continuing operations less (i) total revenue attributable to the separated businesses and (ii) interest expense related to LFB and certain revenue related to the consolidation of LAM general partnerships, with such operating revenue being $208,976$720,362 and $265,529$969,920 for the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

 

The overall net adjustment to increase historical employee compensation and benefits expense (after eliminating the expenses related to the separated businesses) is $8,113$85,092 and $46,798$75,476 for the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively. The net adjustments are the result of (i) aggregating the distributions representing payments for services rendered by managing directors and employee members of LAM prior to May 10, 2005, which was $262,220 and $75,476 for the 2004 and 2005 periods, respectively, and, (ii) with respect to the 2004 period, the $8,113net adjustment represents the net addition for the portion of distributions representing payments for services rendered by managing directors and employee members of LAM of $92,335, and theincludes a reduction of $84,222$177,128 to reflect the new compensation arrangements with our managing directors to achieve a target compensation expense-to-operating revenue ratio of 57.5% from its historical ratio for that period of 97.8%82.1%. In the 2005 period, the new compensation arrangements were in effect, thus, Lazard Group’sthe Company’s employee compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue ratio is 57.5% and no further adjustment is necessary.

 

(d)Reflects an adjustment of net tax benefit adjustmentsexpense of $1,976$1,919 and $11$463 for the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively. The net adjustment includesadjustments consist of (i) a tax benefit of $1,601 in the three month period ended March 31, 2004, which reflects the application of the historical effective Lazard Group income tax ratesrate against the applicable pro forma adjustments, (no similar adjustment applicablewhich were $3,059 and $758 for the threenine month periodperiods ended March 31, 2005),September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and (ii) a tax benefitbenefits of $1,140 and $295 reclassified from LAM minority interest of $375 and $11 for the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

(e)

Reflects net incremental interest expenseadjustments necessary to remove Lazard Group’s discontinued operations and when applicable, extraordinary items, related to the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the additional financing transactions and the amortization of capitalized costs associated with the

additional financing transactions, estimated to be $13,943 and $13,943 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

separated businesses.

 

(f)Reflects the net income tax impact associated with the separation and recapitalization transactions.

(g)Represents an adjustment for Lazard Ltd entity-level taxes of $303 and $1,829 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

The difference between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% and Lazard Ltd’s estimated effective tax rate of 28% is primarily due to the earnings attributable to Lazard Ltd’s non-U.S. subsidiaries being taxable at rates lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate, partially offset by U.S. state and local taxes which are incremental to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate.

(h)Minority interest expense includes an adjustment for LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership of 62.5% of the Lazard Group common membership interests outstanding immediately after the initial public offering, with such minority interest being the result of multiplying LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interests in Lazard Group by Lazard Group’s pro forma, as adjusted, net income allocable to members. LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interests in Lazard Group are exchangeable, on a one-for-one basis, into shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, and, on a fully exchanged basis, would amount to 62,500,000 shares or 62.5% of Lazard Ltd’s shares outstanding.

(i)For purposes of presentation of basic and diluted net income per share of Class A common stock, it was assumed that all Lazard Group common membership interests were exchanged into 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 and 99,907,829 shares of Class A common stock for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005. The shares for the 2005 period consider the repurchase in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 of Lazard Ltd’sGroup common membership interests held by LAZ-MD Holdings that were exchangeable for the equivalent of 381,251 shares of Class A common stock.

 

(j)(g)Calculated after considering the impact of the pro forma adjustments described in notes (a), (c) and (d) above and based on the weighted average basic and diluted shares of Class A common stock outstanding, as applicable, as described in note (i)(f) above. Net income per share of Class A common stock is not comparable to Lazard Ltd pro forma as adjusted net income per share of Class A common stock due to the effect of the recapitalization, including the initialequity public offering and the additional financing transactions, and because net income allocable to members does not reflect U.S. corporate federal income taxes since Lazard Group has operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes, whereas Lazard Ltd net income includes a provision in respect of such taxes.

 

(h)Reflects net incremental interest expense related to the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the financing transactions and the amortization of capitalized costs associated with the financing transactions, as if such transactions had been consummated as of January 1, 2004. The adjustments are estimated to be $41,831 and $22,626 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

(i)Reflects the net income tax impact associated with the separation and recapitalization transactions.

(j)Represents an adjustment for Lazard Ltd entity-level taxes, prior to full exchange of all Lazard Group common membership interests into shares of Class A common stock, as illustrated in the following tables:

Allocation of Operating Income

   

Nine Months

Ended September 30,


 
   2004

  2005

 

Operating income:

         

Lazard Group

  $64,361  $172,349 

Lazard Ltd

   —     (577)
   

  


Total

  $64,361  $171,772 
   

  


Operating income allocable to Lazard Ltd:

         

Lazard Group (approximately 37.6%*)

  $24,135  $64,719 

Lazard Ltd (100%)

   —     (577)
   

  


Total

  $24,135  $64,142 
   

  


Operating income allocable to LAZ-MD Holdings:

         

Lazard Group (approximately 62.4%*)

  $40,226  $107,630 
   

  



*Lazard Ltd’s ownership interests in Lazard Group, for pro forma purposes, was assumed to be 37.5% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 and for the period January 1, 2005 through July 26, 2005, with a subsequent increase to approximately 37.6% for the remainder of the nine month period ended September 30, 2005. LAZ-MD Holding’s ownership interests were correspondingly adjusted from 62.5% to approximately 62.4%.

Pro Forma Income Tax Provision

   Nine Months
Ended September 30,


 
       2004    

      2005    

 

Lazard Ltd’s entity level taxes (28%)

  $6,758  $17,670 

Flow through provision for Lazard Group income taxes applicable to LAZ-MD Holdings’ approximately 62.4% ownership–effective tax rates of 15.0% and 21.9% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively

   6,034   23,775 
   


 


Total pro forma provision for income taxes

   12,792   41,445 

Pro forma provision for income taxes before final adjustment for the equity public offering

   9,654   42,391 
   


 


Pro forma adjustment

  $3,138  $(946)
   


 


Lazard Ltd consolidated effective tax rate

   19.9%  24.1%
   


 


The difference between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% and Lazard Ltd’s estimated effective tax rate of 28% on its approximately 37.6% share of Lazard Group’s income is primarily due to the earnings attributable to Lazard Ltd’s non-U.S. subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate, partially offset by U.S. state and local taxes which are incremental to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate.

(k)ForMinority interest expense includes an adjustment for LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership of Lazard Group common membership interests, with such minority interest being the result of multiplying LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interests in Lazard Group by Lazard Group’s pro forma, as adjusted, net income allocable to members. LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interests in Lazard Group, for pro forma purposes, was assumed to be 62.5% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 and for the period January 1, 2005 through July 26, 2005, with a subsequent reduction to approximately 62.4% for the remainder of presentationthe nine month period ended September 30, 2005. LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interests in Lazard Group are exchangeable, on a one-for-one basis, into shares of Class A common stock, and, on a fully exchanged basis, would amount to 62,500,000 shares of Class A common stock or 62.5% of Lazard Ltd’s shares outstanding as of September 30, 2004, and 62,118,749 shares of Class A common stock, or approximately 62.4% of Lazard Ltd’s shares outstanding, as of September 30, 2005.

(l)For basic net income per share of Class A common stock, the weighted average shares outstanding reflects the 37,500,000 shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock outstanding immediately following the initialequity public offering.offering and the IXIS private placement and recapitalization. For purposes of presentation of diluted net income per share of Class A common stock for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004, LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests are included on an as-if-exchanged basis. For diluted net income per share of Class A common stock for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, weighted average shares outstanding include incremental shares issuable from non-vested stock unit awards. LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests are not included in the weighted average share outstanding for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 because, on an as-if-exchanged basis, such exchangeable interests were antidilutive. Shares issuable with respect to the exercise of the purchase contracts associated with the equity security units offered in the ESU offering and the IXIS ESU placement are not included in either period because, under the treasury stock method, of accounting, such securities currently are not dilutive.

(l)(m)Calculated after considering the impact of all the pro forma adjustments described above and based on the weighted average basic and diluted shares of Class A common stock outstanding, as applicable, as described in note (k)(l) above. See the table below for a detailed reconciliation of pro forma basic to pro forma diluted net income per share.share of Class A common stock.

 

  Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

  Weighted
Average Shares
Outstanding


 Net
Income


  Net
Income
Per Share


 Weighted
Average Shares
Outstanding


 Net
Income


  Net
Income
Per Share


  ($ in thousands, except per share data)

Amounts as reported for Basic net income per share

 37,500,000 $3,076  $0.08 37,500,000 $11,736  $0.31
       
      

Amounts applicable to LAZ-MD exchangeable interests:

              

Share of Lazard Group net income

   5,634 (*)     22,609 (*)  

Additional Corporate tax

   (506)(**)     (3,050)(**)  

Shares issuable

 62,500,000      62,500,000     
  
 

   
 

  

Amounts as reported for Diluted net income per share

 100,000,000 $8,204  $0.08 100,000,000 $31,295  $0.31
  
 

 
 
 

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

  Weighted
Average Shares
Outstanding


 Net
Income


  Net Income
Per Share
of Class A
Common
Stock


 Weighted
Average Shares
Outstanding


 Net
Income


 Net Income
Per Share
of Class A
Common
Stock


  ($ in thousands, except per share data)

Amounts as reported for basic pro forma net income per share of Class A common stock

 37,500,000 $18,608  $0.50 37,500,000 $42,714 $1.14
        

      

Amounts applicable to LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests:

                 

Share of Lazard Group income

    36,244 (a)           

Additional Corporate tax

    (5,229)(b)           

Shares issuable

 62,500,000               

Restricted stock units

          9,766      
  
 


    
 

   

Amounts as reported for diluted pro forma net income per share of Class A common stock

 100,000,000 $49,623  $0.50 37,509,766 $42,714 $1.14
  
 


 

 
 

 

 *
(a)Approximately 62.5% of pro forma Lazard Group net income of $9,013 and $36,174 in$57,990 for the 2004 and 2005nine month period respectively.ended September 30, 2004.
 **(b)Based on pro forma Lazard Group operating income of $6,222 and $37,528 in$64,361 for the 2004 and 2005nine month period respectively.ended September 30, 2004.

 

(m)(n)Captions relating to “income allocable to members” means “income” with respect to theRepresents an adjustment for Lazard Ltd amounts.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

  As of March 31, 2005

 
               

Pro Forma
Adjustments for
the Capital
Contribution
Relating to the
Initial Public

Offering and
the Additional
Financing
Transactions


  

Lazard

Group
Pro Forma,
as Adjusted


  

Pro Forma

Adjustments

for the

Initial Public

Offering


  

Lazard Ltd

Consolidated

Pro Forma,

as Adjusted


 
    Pro Forma Adjustments

        
           
  Historical

 Separation (a)

  Subtotal

 Other

  Total

     
  ($ in thousands) 

ASSETS

                          

Cash and cash equivalents

 $234,227 ($43,960) $190,267 ($84,000)(b) $106,267(e) $53,278(f) $159,545      $159,545 

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes

 39,650 (23,500) 16,150    16,150     16,150      16,150 

Marketable investments

 95,281    95,281    95,281(e)    95,281      95,281 

Securities owned

 635,692 (275,559) 360,133    360,133     360,133      360,133 

Securities borrowed

 1,194,668 (1,194,668)                     

Receivables

 996,079 (301,784) 694,295    694,295     694,295      694,295 

Other assets

 654,744 (197,847) 456,897    456,897  (39,774)(f)     $261,000 (h)   
               9,070(f)     (261,000)(h)   
               435(f) 426,628      426,628 
  
 

 
 

 

 

 

 


 

Total assets

 $3,850,341 ($2,037,318) $1,813,023 ($84,000) $1,729,023  $23,009  $1,752,032   $—    $1,752,032 
  
 

 
 

 

 

 

 


 

LIABILITIES, MEMBERS’ EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                          

Notes payable

 $55,496 ($1,382) $54,114    $54,114  ($50,000)(f) $4,114      $4,114 

Securities loaned

 1,123,507 (1,123,507)                     

Payables

 818,099 (197,415) 620,684    620,684     620,684      620,684 

Accrued employee compensation

 67,721 (20,878) 46,843 $20,493(c)                
         76,630(d) 143,966(e)    143,966      143,966 

Miscellaneous other liabilities

 1,056,942 (439,522) 617,420    617,420  6,013(g) 623,433   $—(h) 623,433 

Lazard Group senior notes

              550,000 (f) 550,000      550,000 

Lazard Group Finance senior notes underlying equity security units

              437,500 (f) 437,500      437,500 

Subordinated loans

 200,000    200,000    200,000     200,000      200,000 

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

 100,000    100,000    100,000  (100,000)(f)        —   

Minority interest

 141,308 (18,748) 122,560 (20,493)(c) 102,067     102,067   (i) 102,067 

Members’ equity

 287,268 (235,866) 51,402 (84,000)(b) (109,228) 859,570 (f)          
         (76,630)(d)    (1,516,411)(f)          
               (150,000)(f)          
               (7,650)(f)          
               (6,013)(g) (929,732)  929,732 (i) —   

Stockholders’ equity (deficiency):

                          

Common stock, par value $.01 per share

                     375(i) 375 

Additional paid-in capital

                     (930,107)(g)(i) (930,107)
  
 

 
 

 

 

 

 


 

Total members’ equity and stockholders' equity (deficiency)

 287,268 (235,866) 51,402 (160,630) (109,228) (820,504) (929,732)  —    (929,732)
  
 

 
 

 

 

 

 


 

Total liabilities, members’ equity and stockholders’ equity (deficiency)

 $3,850,341 ($2,037,318) $1,813,023 ($84,000) $1,729,023  $23,009  $1,752,032   $—    $1,752,032 
  
 

 
 

 

 

 

 


 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition ($ in thousands):

(a)Reflects adjustments necessaryentity-level taxes to remove the historical balances relating to Lazard Group’s separated businesses. Subsequent to March 31, 2005, the separated businesses’ members’ equity as reflected in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement of financial condition will be reduced by approximately $126,000 related to the repurchase of working member interests and capital redemptions in connection with the consummation of the initial public offering, all of which has been paid as of May 9, 2005.

(b)Reflects cash contribution in recognition of indemnities made by the separated businesses in favor of Lazard Group.

(c)Reclassifies minority interest relating to services rendered by managing directors and employee members associated with Lazard Group’s controlled affiliate, LAM, to accrued compensation.

(d)Prior to the initial public offering, payment for services rendered by managing directors were accounted for as distributions to members’ capital (and subsequent to January 1, 2003, minority interest for LAM) rather than as compensation expense. Aseffect a result, the accrued compensation liability account did not reflect a liability for most services rendered by managing directors. As a result of the consummation of the initial public offering, Lazard now includes all payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors in compensation and benefits expense. The pro forma adjustment reflects the compensation payable to managing directors (excluding LAM and the separated businesses).

(e)Historically, employee bonuses have generally been paid in January following the end of each fiscal year. Payments to managing directors for services rendered have generally been made in three monthly installments, as soon as practicable, after the end of each fiscal year. Such payments usually begin in February and end in April. Accordingly, the cash and marketable investments balances shown do not reflect the final payment made in April, to Lazard Group’s managing directors for services rendered.

(f)Reflects the net impact of the initial public offering, the additional financing transactions and the recapitalization representing (1) a net increase in members’ equity of $859,570, consisting of the issuance of $937,500 of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, which includes $50,000 in value of shares issued to IXIS pursuant to the IXIS investment agreement and $32,921 related to the cashlessfull exchange of historical partner interests of Lazard Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock at the initial public offering price, less estimated transaction fees and expenses attributable to these equity offerings of $77,930 (which represents the estimated total transaction fees of $87,000 less $9,070 of capitalized debt issuance costs), (2) the issuance of $550,000 principal amount of Lazard Group senior notes and (3) the issuance of $437,500 of equity security units, $150,000 of which were issued to IXIS pursuant to the IXIS investment agreement. The aggregate proceeds of $1,925,000, prior to estimated transaction fees and expenses, which, combined with $39,774 in certain Lazard Group long-term investments (which were used to satisfy a portion of the historical partner redemption consideration), were used to (a) redeem $1,616,411 in historical partner interests, which included $100,000 in Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock and $32,921 in the cashless exchange of Lazard Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer’s historical partner interests for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, (b) repay $50,000 in principal amount of 7.53% Senior Notes due 2011, including a make-whole amount of $7,650, (c) distribute an aggregate of $150,000 to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings and (d) pay estimated transaction fees and expenses of $87,000. The estimated net proceeds from the initial public offering and the additional financings exceeded the identified use of proceeds described above by $53,278, which resulted in an equivalent increase in cash and cash equivalents. Further, other assets reflect a net reduction of $30,269 related to the utilization of $39,774 in long-term investments, as mentioned above, as well as the original issue discount of $435 related to the issuance of $550,000 principal amount of Lazard Group senior notes and an increase related to the capitalization of $9,070 in debt issuance costs.

(g)

Reflects an adjustment of $6,013 to record a liability for the present value of the quarterly contract adjustment payments related to the purchase contracts associated with the equity security units, including those issued pursuant to the IXIS ESU placement, with a corresponding charge to additional paid-in-capital. This adjustment is calculated based upon contract adjustment payments equal to 0.505% of the principal

amount of the equity security units, discounted to present value at an annual rate of 6.12% over the three-year life of the purchase contracts.

(h)In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, and in connection with the consolidation of Lazard Group into Lazard Ltd, Lazard recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $30,000, with such amount fully offset by a valuation allowance. In addition, in connection with the redemption of the historical partner interests and preferred interests, Lazard also recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $231,000, with such amount also fully offset by a valuation allowance. The valuation allowances have been recorded because it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of the deferred tax assets depends, among other factors, on the future geographic mix of the earnings of Lazard Group and on Lazard Group meeting certain statutory limitations on amortization deductions.

(i)Reflects the issuance of shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock pursuant to the initial public offering, net of applicable costs with respect thereto, and the net effect of the consolidation by Lazard Ltd of Lazard Group, including the classification of LAZ-MD Holdings’ approximate 62.5% ownership of Lazard Group’sGroup common membership interests as of March 31, 2005 asJanuary 1, 2004.

(o)Represents a reductionreversal of the minority interests related to LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership of Lazard Ltd’s additional paid-in capital rather than minority interest, since such minority interest would be negative.Group common membership interests to effect a full exchange of interests as of January 1, 2004.

(p)For pro forma basic net income per share of Class A common stock, the weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding: (i) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 reflects 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, which includes Class A common stock outstanding immediately following the equity public offering, the IXIS private placement and recapitalization and the LAZ-MD Holdings’ membership interests in Lazard Group, exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for Class A common stock, as if the LAZ-MD Holdings’ exchangeable interests were fully exchanged as of January 1, 2004, and (ii) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, reflects 99,907,829 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, which includes the 100,000,000 shares mentioned above less the impact of the repurchase in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 from LAZ-MD Holdings of Lazard Group common membership interests that were exchangeable for 381,251 shares of Class A common stock. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements differ from this presentation, as this presentation includes LAZ-MD Holdings membership interests in Lazard Group that are exchangeable for Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, because the LAZ-MD Holdings membership interests are not considered a common stock equivalent for basic net income per share of Class A common stock for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005. In addition, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not present net income per share data for periods prior to May 10, 2005, the date of the equity public offering.

(q)For pro forma diluted net income per share of Class A common stock, the weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding: (i) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 reflects 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, which includes Class A common stock outstanding immediately following the equity public offering, the IXIS private placement and recapitalization and the LAZ-MD Holdings’ membership interests in Lazard Group, exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for Class A common stock, as if the LAZ-MD Holdings’ exchangeable interests were fully exchanged as of January 1, 2004, and (ii) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 reflects 99,917,595 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, which includes the 100,000,000 shares mentioned above plus incremental shares issuable from non-vested stock unit awards less the impact of the repurchase in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 from LAZ-MD Holdings of Lazard Group membership interests that were exchangeable for 381,251 shares of Class A common stock. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements differ from this presentation, as this presentation includes LAZ-MD Holdings membership interests in Lazard Group that are exchangeable for Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, because the LAZ-MD Holdings membership interests are antidilutive for diluted net income per share of Class A common stock for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005. In addition, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not present net income per share data for periods prior to May 10, 2005, the date of the equity public offering.

(r)Calculated after considering the impact of the pro forma adjustments described above and based on the weighted average pro forma basic and pro forma diluted shares of Class A common stock outstanding, as applicable, as described in notes (p) and (q) above. See the table below for a detailed reconciliation of pro forma basic to pro forma diluted net income per share of Class A common stock.

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

  Weighted
Average Shares
Outstanding


 Pro Forma
Net
Income


  Pro Forma
Net
Income
Per Share
of Class A
Common
Stock


 Weighted
Average Shares
Outstanding


 Pro Forma
Net
Income


 Pro Forma
Net
Income
Per Share
of Class A
Common
Stock


  ($ in thousands, except per share data)

Amounts as reported for basic pro forma net income per share of Class A common stock, as if the LAZ-MD Holdings, exchangeable interests were fully exchanged as of January 1, 2004

 100,000,000 $49,623  $0.50 99,907,829 $115,006 $1.15
        

      

Restricted stock units

          9,766      
  
 

     
 

   

Amounts as reported for diluted pro forma net income per share of Class A common stock

 100,000,000 $49,623  $0.50 99,917,595 $115,006 $1.15
  
 

  

 
 

 

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Certain Factors that May Affect Our Business

 

We haveManagement has included in Parts I and II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q statements that are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Registration Statements on Form S-1 (File Nos. 333-121407 and 333-123463) and Form S-4 (File No. 333-126751) (collectively, the “Registration Statements”) under the caption “Risk Factors,” including the following:

 

a decline in general economic conditions or the global financial markets;markets,

 

losses caused by financial or other problems experienced by third parties;parties,

 

losses due to unidentified or unanticipated risks;risks,

 

  a lack of liquidity,i.e., ready access to funds, for use in our businesses;businesses, and

 

competitive pressure.

 

Lazard GroupThe Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can wemanagement assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

Although we believemanagement believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, wemanagement cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither wemanagement nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We areThe Company is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations and we dodoes not intend to do so.

 

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Lazard Group’s:our:

 

business’ possible or assumed future results of operations and operating cash flows,

 

business’ strategies and investment policies,

 

business’ financing plans and the availability of short-term borrowing,

 

business’ competitive position,

 

potential growth opportunities available to its business,

 

the recruitment and retention of its managing directors and employees,

 

target levels of compensation,

 

business’ potential operating performance, achievements, productivity improvements, efficiency and cost reduction efforts,

 

likelihood of success and impact of litigation,

expected tax rate,

changes in interest and tax rates,

 

expectation with respect to the economy, securities markets, the market for mergers and acquisitions activity, the market for asset management activity and other industry trends,

 

the benefits to itsour business resulting from the effects of the separation and recapitalization transactions, including the initialequity public offering and the additional financing transactions,

 

the effects of competition on its business, and

 

the impact of future legislation and regulation on its business.

 

Lazard Ltd is committed to providing timely and accurate information to the investing public, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. To that end, Lazard and its operating companies use their websites to convey information about their businesses, including the anticipated release of quarterly financial results and the posting of updates of assets under management in various hedge funds and mutual funds and other investment products managed by Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries. Monthly updates of these funds will be posted to the Lazard Asset Management website(www.lazardnet.com) on the 3rd business day following the end of each month. Investors can link to Lazard and its operating company websites throughwww.lazard.com. Our websites and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this quarterly report.

Completion of Separation and Recapitalization Transactions

 

For presentation purposes, the information presented below reflects the historical results of operations and financial position of Lazard Group prior to the separation. The separation and recapitalization transactions were completed as of May 10, 2005, at which time the separated business became part of LFCM Holdings.

Except as otherwise expressly noted, this quarterly report, including this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (the “MD&A”) and the historical consolidated financial data of Lazard Group and Lazard Ltd, reflect the historical results of operations and financial position of Lazard Group includingand Lazard Ltd, and includes the separated businesses.businesses in discontinued operations. In addition to other adjustments, the pro forma financial data included in this Form 10-Q reflect financial data forof Lazard Group and Lazard Ltd giving effect to the separation, as well as other adjustments made as a result of the initialequity public offering, and the additional financing transactions and the recapitalization.

Historical results of operations are reported as a historical partnership until the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and do not include payments for services rendered by managing directors as compensation expense and a provision for U.S. federal income taxes. Such payments and tax provisions are included in subsequent periods. Therefore, historical results for periods prior to the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and subsequent thereto are not comparable. This MD&A includes certain pro forma financial data to present operating results on a comparable basis in this regard.

 

Business Summary

 

Lazard Group’s principal sources of revenue are derived from activities in the following business segments:

 

Financial Advisory, which includes providing advice on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and other financial matters, and

 

Asset Management, which includes the management of equity and fixed income securities and merchant banking funds, and

Capital Markets and Other, which consists of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, merchant banking fund management activities outside of France and specified non-operating assets and liabilities. In connection with the separation, Lazard Group transferred its Capital Markets and Other segment to LFCM Holdings on May 10, 2005.funds.

 

In addition, Lazard Group records selected other activities in Corporate, including cash and marketable investments, certain long-term investments and the commercial banking activities of our Paris-based LFB. LFB is a registered bank regulated by the Banque de France. LFB’s primary operations include the management of the treasury

positions of Lazard’sLazard Group’s Paris House through its money market desk and, to a lesser extent, credit activities relating to securing loans granted to clients of LFG and custodial oversight over assets of various clients. In addition, LFB also operates many support functions of the Paris House. Lazard Group also allocates outstanding indebtedness to Corporate. FollowingAccordingly, following the initialequity public offering, the indebtedness and interest expense related to the additional financing transactions will beis accounted for as part of Corporate.

 

Prior to May 10, 2005, Lazard Group also had a business segment called Capital Markets and Other, which consisted of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, merchant banking fund management activities outside of France as well as other specified non-operating assets and liabilities. Lazard Group transferred its Capital Markets and Other segment to LFCM Holdings on May 10, 2005 and it is no longer a segment of the Company, and the assets, liabilities and operating results of the former segment are reflected as discontinued operations.

For the three month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, Financial Advisory, Asset Management, Capital Markets and Other and Corporate contributed approximately 53%72%, 36%, 12%31% and (1)(3)% of Lazard Group’sconsolidated net revenue, respectively.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, Financial Advisory, Asset Management and Corporate contributed approximately 67%, 35% and (2)% of consolidated net revenue, respectively.

Business Environment

 

Economic and market conditions, particularly global mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) activity, can significantly affect our financial performance. Lazard operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Lazard’s management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can Lazard assess the impact of all factors on Lazard’sits business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Registration Statement. Net income and revenues in any period may not be indicative of full-year results or the results of any other period and may vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter.

 

The respective source for the data contained herein relating to (i) the volume of global and trans-Atlantic completed and announced merger and acquisition transactions is Thomson FinancialDealogic as of April 11,October 7, 2005, (ii) the amount of corporate debt defaults is Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., all rights reserved, (iii) the amount of hedge fund assets is from Van Hedge Fund Advisors, and (iv) funds raised for global private capital, including private equity and venture capital investment funds, is Thomson Venture Economics/National Venture Capital, March 2005.reserved.

 

Financial Advisory

 

For the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, the volume of global completed M&A transactions increased 41%17% versus the corresponding period ended March 31,September 30, 2004, increasing to $343$1,580 billion from $244$1,349 billion, respectively, with the volume of trans-Atlantic completed M&A transactions experiencing a 49%an 8% increase. Over the same period, the volume of global announced M&A transactions increased by 18%45% in 2005, from $499$1,437 billion to $589$2,089 billion, and the volume of trans-Atlantic announced M&A transactions increased by 6%51% from $16$84 billion to $17$127 billion, reflecting growing industry-wide activity. Over the same time frame, financial restructuring activity continuedincreased primarily due to decline,defaults in the media and airline sectors, with the amount of corporate debt defaults fallingincreasing from $4$8 billion to $2 billion, or by 49%.$17 billion. Lazard believes that its Financial Advisory business would benefit from any sustained increase in M&A volume.volume and corporate debt defaults.

 

For the three month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, Lazard Group’s Mergers and AcquisitionsM&A net revenue increased to $122$187 million from $74$105 million, or 66%78%, forversus the corresponding period in 2004 as M&A activity rebounded. At the same time, Financial Restructuring net revenue also increased to $24$40 million from $18$21 million, or 33%92%, over the same time period, reflecting increased restructuring activity despite declining levels of global corporate debt defaults.completions. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, Lazard’s M&A net revenue increased to $492 million from $314 million, or 57% versus the corresponding period in 2004. Financial restructuring net revenue also increased to $80 million from $53 million or 53% over the same time period.

Asset Management

 

While globalGlobal stock, markets experienced substantial appreciation in 2004, markets in the first quarternine months of 2005 experienced some volatility.continue to be mixed. In the first quarternine months of 2005, global markets softenedstrengthened as evidenced by the MSCI World Index decliningincreasing by 2%9%. European markets, however, showed modest gains with the FTSE 100, CAC 40 and DAX indices gaining 2%14%, 7%20% and 2%19%, respectively. In the U.S., however, the Dow Jones Industrial S&P 500 and NASDAQ indices declined 3%, 3%2% and 8%1%, respectively, while the S&P 500 increased 1% during the same period. Despite the recent softness, globalGlobal stock markets over the last twelve months remained on the positive side. From AprilOctober 1, 2004 until March 31,September 30, 2005, the MSCI World Index rose by 9%, and the FTSE 100, CAC 40 and DAX indices rose by 12%20%, 12%26% and 13%30%, respectively. In the U.S., the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial S&P 500 and NASDAQ indices remained slightlyshowed positive with gains of 1%10%, 5% and 0.3%13%, respectively, during the same twelve month period. The changes in global market indices generally correspond with Lazard Group’s market-related changes in its Assets Under Management (“AUM”).

Recent Developments

As described in more detail in Note 9 to the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on May 10, 2005 the initial public offering, the additional financing transactions, the separation and the recapitalization were consummated.

On April 26, 2005, Lazard Group completed the sale of its U.K. capital markets business, Panmure Gordon & Co., Limited, to Durlacher. As part of the transaction, Lazard Group received an ownership interest of approximately 32.8% in Durlacher, which was transferred to LFCM Holdings in connection with the separation.

 

Key Financial Measures and Indicators

 

Net Revenue

 

The majority of Lazard Group’s Financial Advisory net revenue is earned from the successful completion of mergers, acquisitions, restructurings or similar transactions. In some client engagements, often those involving financially distressed companies, revenue is earned in the form of retainers and similar fees that are contractually agreed upon with each client for each assignment and are not necessarily linked to the completion of a transaction. In addition, Lazard also earns fees from providing strategic advice to a client,clients, with such fees not being dependent on a specific transaction. Lazard Group’s Financial Advisory segment also earns revenue from public and private securities offerings in conjunction with activities of theits former Capital Markets and Other segment. In general, such fees are shared equally between Lazard Group’s Financial Advisory and its former Capital Markets and Other segments. As a result of the consummation of the initialequity public offering, Lazard Group now has an arrangement with LFCM Holdings under which the separated Capital Markets business will continue to distribute securities in public offerings originated by Lazard Group’s Financial Advisory business in a manner similar to its practice prior to the initialequity public offering. The main driver of Financial Advisory net revenue is overall M&A and restructuring volume, particularly in the industries and geographic markets in which Lazard Group focuses.

 

Lazard Group’s Asset Management segment includes LAM, LFG and merchant banking operations. Asset Management net revenue is derived from fees for investment management and advisory services provided to institutional and private clients. The main driver of Asset Management net revenue is the level of AUM, which is influenced in large part by Lazard’s investment performance and by Lazard’s ability to successfully attract and retain assets, as well as the broader performance of the global equity markets and, to a lesser extent, fixed income markets. As a result, fluctuations in financial markets and client asset inflows and outflows have a direct effect on Asset Management net revenue and operating income. In addition, as Lazard Group’s AUM include significant assets that are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to non-U.S. currencies will impact the value of Lazard Group’s AUM. Fees vary with the type of assets managed, with higher fees earned on actively managed equity assets, alternative investments (such as hedge funds) and merchant banking products, and lower fees earned on fixed income and cash management products. Lazard Group also earns performance-based incentive fees on some investment products, such as hedge funds, merchant banking funds and other investment products. Incentive fees on hedge funds are typically calculated based on a specified percentage of a fund’s net appreciation during a fiscal period and can be subject to loss carry-forward provisions in which losses incurred in the current period are applied against future period net appreciation. Incentive fees on merchant banking funds also may be earned in the form of a carried interest when profits from merchant banking investments exceed a specified threshold. Lazard Group’s Asset Management net revenue during the three month and nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005 demonstrate the volatility that incentive fees have on total net revenue.

Capital Markets and Other net revenue largely consists of primary revenue earned from underwriting fees from securities offerings and secondary revenue earned in the form of commissions and trading profits from principal transactions in Lazard Group’s equity, fixed income and convertibles businesses and underwriting and other fee revenue from corporate broking in the U.K. Lazard Group also earns fund management fees and, if applicable, carried interest incentive fees related to merchant banking funds managed as part of this segment. Such carried interest incentive fees are earned when profits from merchant banking investments exceed a specified threshold. In addition, Lazard Group generates investment income and net interest income principally from long-term investments, cash balances and securities financing transactions. In connection with the separation, Lazard Group transferred the Capital Markets and Other segment to LFCM Holdings as of May 10, 2005.

Corporate net revenue consists primarily of investment income generated from long-term investments, including principal investments that Lazard Group has made in merchant banking and alternative investment funds managed by the Asset Management segment, net interest income generated by LFB, interest income related to cash and marketable investments and interest expense related to outstanding borrowings. As a result of the consummation of the initialequity public offering, interest expense related to the additional financing transactions is now included as part of Corporate.in Corporate net revenue. Corporate net revenue can fluctuate due to mark-to-market adjustments on long-term and marketable investments, changes in interest rates and in interest rate spreads earned by LFB and changes in the levels of Lazard’s cash, marketable investments, long-term investments and indebtedness. Although Corporate net revenue in the first quarternine months of 2005 represented (1)(2)% of Lazard Group’s net revenue, total assets in this segment represented 32%61% of Lazard Group’s consolidated total assets as of March 31,September 30, 2005, (or 69% excluding the Capital Markets and Other segment), principally attributable to the relatively significant amounts of assets associated with LFB, and, to a lesser extent, cash, marketable investments and long-term investment balances.

 

Lazard expects to experience significant fluctuations in net revenue and operating income during the course of any given year. These fluctuations arise because a significant portion of Financial Advisory net revenue is earned upon the successful completion of a transaction or financial restructuring, the timing of which is uncertain and is not subject to Lazard’s control. Asset Management net revenue is also subject to periodic fluctuations. Asset Management fees are generally based on AUM measured as of the end of a quarter or month, and an increase or reduction in AUM at such dates, due to market price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, net client asset flows or otherwise, will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in management fees. In addition, incentive fees earned on AUM are generally not recorded until the fourth quarter of Lazard Group’s fiscal year, when potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined. For most of our funds such date is year-end, and therefore such incentive fees would be recorded in the fourth quarter of Lazard Group’s fiscal year.

Discontinued Operations

As described above, in connection with the separation Lazard Group transferred the Capital Markets and Other segment to LFCM Holdings as of May 10, 2005. Capital Markets and Other net revenue largely consisted of primary revenue earned from underwriting fees from securities offerings and secondary revenue earned in the form of commissions and trading profits from principal transactions in Lazard Group’s equity, fixed income and convertibles businesses and underwriting and other fee revenue from corporate broking in the U.K. Lazard Group also earned fund management fees and, if applicable, carried interest incentive fees related to merchant banking funds managed as part of this former segment. Such carried interest incentive fees were earned when profits from merchant banking investments exceeded a specified threshold. In addition, Lazard Group generated investment income and net interest income principally from long-term investments, cash balances and securities financing transactions.

 

Operating Expenses

 

The majority of Lazard Group’s operating expenses relate to employee compensation and benefits. As a limited liability company, prior to this consummation of the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 payments for services rendered by the majority of Lazard Group’s managing directors were accounted for as distributions of members’ capital. In addition, subsequent to January 1, 2003, payments for services rendered by managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) have beenwere accounted for as minority interest expense. See “—Minority Interest.” As a result, Lazard Group’s employee compensation and benefits expense and operating income including for the quarternine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005 have not reflected mostonly those payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors. As a result ofdirectors for the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005. Subsequent to the consummation of the initialequity public offering, Lazard Group now includes all payments for services rendered by its managing directors, including the managing directors of LAM and distributions to profit participation members, in employee compensation and benefits expense.

 

The balance of Lazard Group’s operating expenses is referred to below as “non-compensation expense,” which includes costs for premises and occupancy, professional fees, travel and entertainment, communications and information services, equipment, depreciation and amortization and other expenses.

The operating expenses set forth in “—Consolidated Results of Operations” doreflects some, but not reflectall of the added costs Lazard expects to incur as a result of the initialequity public offering. Lazard expects that it will incur additional expenses for, among other things, directors’ fees, SEC reporting and compliance, investor relations, legal, accounting and other costs associated with being a public company.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Lazard Group has historically operated in the U.S. as a limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s incomeGroup has not been subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Taxes related to income earned by partnerships represent obligations of the individual partners. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group historically has operated principally through corporations and has been subject to local income taxes. Income taxes shown on Lazard Group’s historical consolidated statements of income are attributable to taxes incurred in non-U.S. entities and to UBT attributable to Lazard Group’s operations apportioned to New York City.

Following the initialequity public offering, Lazard Group is continuing to operate in the U.S. as a limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and remainremains subject to local income taxes outside the U.S. and to UBT. In addition, Lazard Ltd will beLtd’s corporate subsidiaries are subject to additional income taxes, which taxes will be reflected in its consolidated financial statements as described in Note (g) in the “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information—Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.”

 

Minority Interest

 

Minority interest consistsThe Company consolidates various LAM related general partnership interests that it controls but does not wholly own, and its business in Italy which, through a strategic alliance, is owned 40% by Intesa. As a result of a numberconsolidating these companies, the Company recognizes the portion of components,income not associated with the Company’s ownership as minority interest.

Also, as described in more detailNote 1, commencing May 10, 2005, the Company no longer recognizes payments for services rendered by the managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) as charges to minority interest. Effective May 10, 2005, those charges are now included in compensation and benefits and distributions to profit participation members. In addition, commencing May 10, 2005, the Registration Statement. The table below summarizesCompany records a charge to minority interest expense and liabilityrelating to LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interest in Lazard Group’s consolidated financial statements:Group (which approximated 62.4% at September 30, 2005), with such expense amounting to $36.4 million for the 3 month period ended September 30, 2005 and $59.2 million for the period May 10, 2005 through September 30, 2005. Accordingly, for these reasons, amounts recorded as minority interest expense for periods prior to May 10, 2005 are not comparable to amounts recorded as minority interest expense for periods commencing May 10, 2005.

   Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
   2004

  2005

 
   ($ in thousands) 

Minority Interest Expense:

       

LAM Members

  $18,734  $15,004 

LAM General Partnerships

  (123) (387)

Italian Strategic Alliance

  (3,502) (4,357)

Merchant Banking General Partnership Interests

  —    —   

Other

  (144) —   
   

 

Total

  $14,965  $10,260 
   

 

   As of

   December 31,
2004


  March 31,
2005


   ($ in thousands)

Minority Interest Liability:

      

LAM Members

  $57,351  $38,263

LAM General Partnerships

  43,186  32,649

Italian Strategic Alliance

  51,902  46,281

Merchant Banking General Partnership Interests

  20,655  22,523

Other

  1,626  1,592
   
  

Total

  $174,720  $141,308
   
  

 

Net Income (Net Income Allocable to Members of Lazard Group Prior to May 10, 2005)

 

Prior to the initialequity public offering, payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors were accounted for as distributions from members’ capital, or as minority interest expense in the case of payments to LAM managing directors and certain key LAM employee members, rather than as compensation and benefits expense. As a result, prior to May 10, 2005 Lazard Group’s compensation and benefits expense and net income allocable to members, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, did not reflect most payments for services rendered by its managing directors. As a result ofFollowing the consummation of the initialequity public offering and additional financing transactions, as described in Note 9 of the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Lazard Ltd now includes all payments for services rendered by its managing directors, including the managing directors of LAM and distributions to profit participation members, in employee compensation and benefits expense.

Results of Operations

 

Lazard Group’sLazard’s consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. Many of Lazard Group’sour non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which operational activities are primarily conducted) that is other than the U.S. dollar, generally the currency of the country in which the subsidiaries are domiciled. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at year endusing exchange rates as of the respective balance sheet date while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year.respective periods. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency are reported as a component of members’ and stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Historical results of operations are reported as a historical partnership until the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and do not include payments for services rendered by managing directors as compensation expense and a provision for U.S. federal income taxes. Such payments and tax provisions are included in subsequent periods. Therefore, historical results for periods prior to the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and subsequent thereto are not comparable. This MD&A includes certain pro forma financial data to present operating results on a more comparable basis.

The consolidated results of operations for the three month and nine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and 2005 are set forth below:

 

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
   2004

  2005

 
   ($ in thousands) 

Net Revenue:

       

Financial Advisory

  $105,494  $157,259 

Asset Management

  96,826  106,863 

Capital Markets and Other(a)

  42,134  37,879 

Corporate

  1,135  (4,023)
   

 

Net revenue

  245,589  297,978 
   

 

Operating Expenses:

       

Employee compensation and benefits

  140,860  127,487 

Non-compensation expense

  76,832  78,819 
   

 

Total operating expenses

  217,692  206,306 
   

 

Operating Income

  27,897  91,672 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  (2,121) 8,056 
   

 

Income Allocable to Members Before Minority Interest

  30,018  83,616 

Minority Interest

  14,965  10,260 
   

 

Net Income Allocable to Members

  $15,053  $73,356 
   

 


(a)As described above, in the separation Lazard Group transferred the business comprising its Capital Markets and Other business segment to LFCM Holdings as of May 10, 2005.
   

Three Months Ended

September 30,


  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
   2004

  2005

  2004

  2005

 
   ($ in thousands) 

Net Revenue:

                 

Financial Advisory

  $131,680  $257,785  $407,251  $626,610 

Asset Management

   89,269   110,994   289,956   326,695 

Corporate

   3,031   (11,876)  6,743   (18,940)
   


 


 

  


Net revenue

   223,980   356,903   703,950   934,365 
   


 


 

  


Operating Expenses:

                 

Compensation and benefits (and, commencing to May 10, 2005, distributions to profit participation members)

   109,153   215,199   329,116   482,228 

Non-compensation expense

   59,396   64,415   183,550   186,859 
   


 


 

  


Total operating expenses

   168,549   279,614   512,666   669,087 
   


 


 

  


Operating Incomefrom Continuing Operations

   55,431   77,289   191,284   265,278 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   872   17,177   13,214   50,443 
   


 


 

  


Income from Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest

   54,559   60,112   178,070   214,835 

Minority Interest

   11,717   41,101   52,426   77,707 
   


 


 

  


Income from Continuing Operations

   42,842   19,011   125,644   137,128 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations

   (2,942)  (408)  3,165   (17,576)

Extraordinary Gain

         5,507    
   


 


 

  


Net Income (Net Income Allocable to Members of Lazard Group Prior to May 10, 2005)

  $39,900  $18,603  $134,316  $119,552 
   


 


 

  



Certain pro forma information with respect to the periods described above are presented below:

                 

ProForma Net Revenue

  $210,036  $356,903  $662,119  $913,400 
   


 


 

  


Pro Forma Operating Income from Continuing Operations

  $18,778  $77,289  $64,361  $171,772 
   


 


 

  


Pro Forma Income from Continuing Operations

  $6,252  $19,011  $18,608  $42,714 
   


 


 

  


The Company calculates operating revenue as follows:

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,


  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
   2004

  2005

  2004

  2005

 
   ($ in thousands) 

Operating Revenue:

                 

Net revenue

  $223,980  $356,903  $703,950  $934,365 

Add - interest expense

   9,677   24,598   29,818   53,541 
   


 


 


 


Total revenue

   233,657   381,501   733,768   987,906 

Less:

                 

LFB interest expense

   (4,332)  (4,489)  (13,406)  (15,234)

Revenue relating to consolidation of LAM General Partnerships

   —     (2,752)  —     (2,752)
   


 


 


 


Operating Revenue

  $229,325  $374,260  $720,362  $969,920 
   


 


 


 


Certain key ratios, statistics and headcount information for the three month and nine months periods ended March 31,September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2005 are set forth below:

 

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,


   

Three Months Ended

September 30,


 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
  2004

 2005

   2004

 2005

 2004

 2005

 

As a % of Net Revenue:

      

Financial Advisory

  43 % 53 %  59% 72% 58% 67%

Asset Management

  39 % 36 %  40  31  41  35 

Capital Markets and Other(a)

  17 % 12 %

Corporate

  % (1) %  1  (3) 1  (2)
  

 

  

 

 

 

Net Revenue

  100 % 100 %  100% 100% 100% 100%
  

 

  

 

 

 

As a % of Net Revenue:

      

Operating Income

  11% 31%

Operating Income—historical

  25% 22% 27% 28%
  

 

 

 

Operating Income—pro forma

  9% 22% 10% 19%
  

 

  

 

 

 

Headcount, as of the end of each period, prior to the separation:

   

Managing Directors:

   

Financial Advisory

  128  131 

Asset Management

  34  39 

Capital Markets and Other(a)

  19  19 

Corporate

  6  6 

Limited Managing Directors

  20  20 

All Other Employees

  2,409  2,279 
  

 

Total

  2,616  2,494 
  

 

  As of September 30,

 
  2004*

 2005

 

Headcount, as of the end of each period, after the separation:

   

Headcount, as of the end of each period:

   

Managing Directors:

      

Financial Advisory

  128  131   127  123  

Asset Management

  34  39   33  38  

Corporate

  6  6   6  8  

Limited Managing Directors

  19  19   19  16  

All Other Employees

  2,142  2,035 

Other Employees:

   

Professional

  799  769  

Other

  1,345  1,244  
  

 

  

 

 

Total

  2,329  2,230   2,329  2,198  
  

 

  

 

 

(a)*As described above, inAfter giving effect to the separation Lazard Group transferred the business comparing its Capital Markets and Other business segment to LFCM Holdings as of May 10, 2005.

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

A discussion of Lazard Group’sthe Company’s consolidated results of operations is set forth below, followed by a more detailed discussion of business segment results. Historical results of operations are reported as a historical

partnership until the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and do not include payments for services rendered by managing directors as compensation expense and a provision for U.S. federal income taxes. Such payments and tax provisions are included in subsequent periods. Therefore, historical results for periods prior to the equity public offering on May 10, 2005 and subsequent thereto are not comparable. This MD&A includes certain pro forma financial data to present operating results on a more comparable basis.

Revenues

 

Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2005 versus March 31,September 30, 2004.

Net revenue was $298$357 million for the three month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, up $52$133 million, or 21%59%, versus net revenue of $246$224 million for the corresponding period in 2004. During the 2005 period, M&A net revenue increased by 66%78%, Financial Restructuring net revenue increased by 33%92%, and Asset Management net revenue increased by 10%, while Capital Markets and Other net revenue decreased by 10%24%.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 versus September 30, 2004

 

Employee compensationFor the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, net revenue was $934 million, up $230 million, or 33%, versus net revenue of $704 million for the corresponding period in 2004. During the 2005 period, M&A net revenue increased by 57%, Financial Restructuring net revenue increased by 53% and Asset Management net revenue increased by 13%.

Operating Expenses

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 versus September 30, 2004

Compensation and benefits expense in 2005 was $127$215 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2005, period, a decreasean increase of $14$106 million, or 9%97%, versus expense of $141$109 million for the corresponding period in 2004. The expense decreaseincrease was primarily due to the adoptionCompany’s inclusion, subsequent to the consummation of Lazard’s policythe equity public offering, of all payments for services rendered by its managing directors in compensation and benefits expense, including distributions to manage its overall business, excluding the separated businesses, at a compensation-to-operating revenue ratioprofit participation members payments for services rendered by managing directors of 57.5%, a 5% decrease inLAM (and employee headcount and

members of LAM) which previously had been accounted for as minority interest expense, partially offset by reductions in pension and post-retirement health benefit costs.

Non-compensation expense was $64 million or 17% of operating revenues in the three month period ended September 30, 2005, compared with $59 million or 26% of operating revenues in the comparable period in 2004. The decrease in headcount was primarily a result of a reassessment of staffing needs, principallythe year-to-date ratio is due to the operating leverage from higher operating revenue more than offsetting the increase in the Financial Advisory, Corporate and Capital Markets and Other segments.

Non-compensation expense was $79 million for the 2005 period, up $2 million or 3% versus expense of $77 million for the corresponding period in 2004.non-compensation expense. Premises and occupancy expenses in the 2005 period were $28$17 million, an increasea decrease of $5approximately $1 million, or 24%6%, due primarily to a provision for abandoned leasedless occupied space in London.London and lower refurbishment costs in the U.S. Professional fees in the 2005 period were $13 million, essentially flatup approximately $3 million, or 26%, versus $10 million in the corresponding 2004 period.period, primarily due to increased legal, audit and directors’ fees associated with being a public company, as well as additional legal fees incurred in the normal course of business. Travel and entertainment expenses in the 2005 period were $11 million, a decreasean increase of $3$2 million, or 24%19%, versus $14$9 million for the 2004 period primarily due to lower travel expense in thefirst quarter of 2005.increased business development efforts. Communication and information services and equipment costs in the 2005 period, in the aggregate, were $16$13 million, an increase ofup $1 million or 9%, versus $15 million for the 2004 period. Other expenses were $11 million, a decreasean increase of approximately $1 million, or 9%8%, versus $12$10 million for the 2004 period.

 

Operating income was $92$77 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2005, period, an increase of $64$22 million, or 229% greater than39% versus operating income of $28$55 million for the corresponding period in 2004. Operating income as a percentage of net revenue was 31%22% for the first three monthsthird quarter in 2005 versus 11%25% for the corresponding period in 2004.2004, with the decline in margin principally related to the increase in compensation and benefits as described above, partially offset by the increase in revenues. On a pro forma basis, operating income as a

percentage of pro forma net revenue was 22% for the 2005 period versus 9% for the corresponding period in 2004, with the increase due to the operating leverage from higher operating revenue.

 

ProvisionNine Months Ended September 30, 2005 versus September 30, 2004

Compensation and benefits expense was $482 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, an increase of $153 million, or 47%, versus expense of $329 million for the corresponding period in 2004. The expense increase was primarily due to the Company’s inclusion, subsequent to the consummation of the equity public offering, of all payments for services rendered by its managing directors in compensation and benefits expense, including distributions to profit participation members and payments for services rendered by managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) which previously had been accounted for as minority interest expense, partially offset by reductions in pension and post-retirement health benefit costs.

Non-compensation expense was $187 million or 19% of operating revenue in the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, compared with $184 million or 25% of operating revenue in the comparable period in 2004. On a pro forma basis, which in 2005 excludes one-time professional fees related to the equity public offering, non-compensation expense was approximately $184 million or 19% of operating revenue of $970 million in the 2005 period, compared with $184 million or 25% of operating revenue of $720 million in the 2004 period. The decrease in the year-to-date ratio is due to the operating leverage from higher operating revenues more than offsetting the increase in non-compensation expense. Excluding the one-time professional fees related to the equity public offering, of approximately $3 million, non-compensation expense was flat in the 2005 period compared with the comparable 2004 period. Premises and occupancy expenses in the 2005 period were $51 million, a decrease of approximately $4 million, or 7%, due primarily to less occupied space in London and lower refurbishment costs in the U.S. Professional fees in the 2005 period were $36 million, up approximately $6 million, or 18%, versus the corresponding 2004 period principally due to fees related to the equity public offering and increased costs associated with being a public company as described above. Travel and entertainment expenses in the 2005 period were $31 million, a decrease of $3 million, or 8%, versus the 2004 period. Communication and information services and equipment costs in the 2005 period, in the aggregate, were $38 million, an increase of $1 million versus the 2004 period. Other expenses were $32 million, an increase of approximately $3 million, or 12%, versus $28 million for the 2004 period due to increased fees to rating agencies and regulatory bodies, charitable contributions and all other expenses spread across various businesses, with no one business or location representing a significant portion of the increase.

Operating income taxes was $8$265 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $10$74 million, versus a $2or 39% greater than operating income of $191 million tax benefit for the corresponding period in 2004. Operating income as a percentage of net revenue was 28% for the first nine months in 2005 versus 27% for the corresponding period in 2004, with the increase in margin primarily resulting from the increase in revenues, partially offset by the increase in compensation and benefits expense described above. On a pro forma basis, operating income as a percentage of pro forma net revenue was 19% for the 2005 period versus 10% for the corresponding period in 2004, with the increase due to the operating leverage from higher operating revenue.

Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes was $17 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2005 an increase of $16 million versus $1 million for the corresponding period in 2004. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 the provision for income taxes was $50 million, an increase of $37 million versus $13 million for the corresponding period in 2004. The increases in the three month and nine month periods of 2005 are primarily due to increased profitability in locations that are subject to corporate income taxes.taxes and the additional income taxes incurred in Lazard Ltd as described in Note in the “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information—Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.”

Discontinued Operations

Net losses from discontinued operations were $0.4 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2005, versus net losses of $3 million in the corresponding period in 2004. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, net losses from discontinued operations were $18 million versus net income of $3 million in the corresponding period in 2004.

Minority Interest

 

Minority interest was $10$41 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2005, period, a decreasean increase of $5$29 million versus $15$12 million for the corresponding period in 2004, principally due to a decrease in performance-based compensation for LAM members and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in2004. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, minority interest associated with the Strategic Alliance with Intesa in Italy.

Net income allocable to members was $73$78 million, for the 2005 period, an increase of $58$26 million from the $15versus $52 million for the corresponding period in 2004.

The increase in both the three and nine month periods was principally due to the minority interest expense related to LAZ-MD Holdings’ ownership interest (62.4% as of September 30, 2005) of Lazard Group commencing May 10, 2005, as well as from the increase in profits from our financial advisory business in Italy. The increase in both periods was partially offset by the compensation for LAM members now being recorded in compensation and benefits expense commencing with the consummation of the equity public offering on May 10, 2005, while prior thereto such amounts were recorded in minority interest expense.

As described above, amounts recorded as minority interest expense for periods prior to May 10, 2005 are not comparable to amounts recorded as minority interest expense for periods commencing May 10, 2005.

 

Business Segments

 

The following data discusses net revenue and operating income for the Company’s continuing operations by business segment. The operating results exclude a discussion of Corporate, due to its relatively minor contribution to operating results. Each segment’s operating expenses include (i) employee compensation and benefits expenses that are incurred directly in support of the businesses and (ii) other operating expenses, which include directly incurred expenses for premises and occupancy, professional fees, travel and entertainment, communications and information services, equipment, and indirect support costs (including compensation and benefits expense and other operating expenses related thereto) for administrative services. Such administrative services include, but are not limited to, accounting, tax, legal, facilities management and senior management activities. Such support costs are allocated to the relevant segments based on various statistical drivers such as, among other items, headcount, square footage and transactional volume.

Financial Advisory

 

The following table summarizes the operating results of the Financial Advisory segment:segment.

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,


   Three Months Ended
September 30,


 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
  2004

 2005

   2004

 2005

 2004

 2005

 
  ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands) 

M&A

  $73,835  $122,311   $105,131  $187,241  $314,073  $491,559 

Financial Restructuring

  18,200  24,148    20,800   39,956   52,500   80,367 

Corporate Finance and Other

  13,459  10,800    5,749   30,588   40,678   54,684 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Net Revenue

  105,494  157,259    131,680   257,785   407,251   626,610 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Direct Employee Compensation and Benefits

  59,387  49,885 

Direct Compensation and Benefits and, commencing May 10, 2005, distributions to profit participation members

   52,992   130,476   163,997   269,388 

Other Operating Expenses(a)

  53,214  47,512    46,611   44,278   152,431   143,251 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Total Operating Expenses

  112,601  97,397    99,603   174,754   316,428   412,639 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Operating Income

  $(7,107) $59,862   $32,077  $83,031  $90,823  $213,971 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Revenue

  (7)% 38%   24%  32%  22%  34%
  

 

  


 


 


 


Headcount as of the end of each period(b):

   
  As of September 30,

     
  2004

 2005

     

Headcount (b):

   

Managing Directors

  128  131    127   123  

Limited Managing Directors

  4  5    4   5  

Other Employees

  838  791 

Other Employees:

   

Professional

   525   488  

Other

   324   301  
  

 

  


 


 

Total

  970  927    980   917  
  

 

  


 


 

(a)Includes indirect support costs (including compensation and benefits expense and other operating expenses related thereto).
(b)Excludes headcount related to indirect support functions. Such headcount is included in the Corporate headcount.

Net revenue trends in Financial Advisory for M&A and Financial Restructuring generally are correlated to the volume of completed industry-wide mergers and acquisitions activity and restructurings occurring subsequent to corporate debt defaults, respectively. However, deviations from this relationship can occur in any given year for a number of reasons. For instance, material variances in the level of mergers and acquisitions activity in a particular geography where Lazard Group has significant market share or the number of its advisory engagements with respect to larger-sized transactions can cause its results to diverge from industry-wide activity. Certain Lazard Group client statistics and global industry statistics are set forth below:

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
  2004

 2005

     2004  

   2005  

 

Lazard Statistics:

      

Number of Clients:

      

Total

  148  159    331   371 

With Fees Greater than $1 million

  26  37    96   130 

Percentage of Total Fees from Top 10 Clients

  46% 48%   28%  25%

Number of M&A Transactions Completed Greater than $1 billion

  4  4    29   32 

Industry Statistics ($ in billions):

      

Volume of Completed M&A Transactions:

   

Volume of Completed M&A Transactions (a):

   

Global

  $244  $343   $1,349  $1,580 

Trans-Atlantic

  24  36    91   98 

Global Corporate Debt Defaults(b)

  4  2    8   17 

(a)Source: Dealogic as of October 7, 2005
(b)Source: Moody’s Investor Service, Inc.

Clients with whom Lazard Group transacted significant business in the first nine months of 2005 included Alcan, Charter Communications, Clayton Dubilier & Rice, Institute for International Research, National Australia Bank, Nextel Communications, Parmalat, Pirelli, Telecom Italia Mobile, and Telesystem International Wireless.

Financial Advisory net revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 was earned from 371 clients, compared to 331 clients in the corresponding period in 2004. Advisory fees of $1 million or more were earned from 130 of Lazard Group’s clients for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to 96 in the corresponding period in 2004.

The geographical distribution of Financial Advisory net revenue is set forth below in percentage terms. The offices that generate Financial Advisory net revenue are located in North America, Europe (principally in the U.K., France, Italy and Germany) and the rest of the world (principally in Asia).

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,


  Three Months Ended
September 30,


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
  2004

  2005

      2004    

     2005    

     2004    

     2005    

 

North America

      55%      44%  42% 51% 42% 44%

Europe

  45%  52%  58  48  57  54 

Rest of World

  —%  4%  —    1  1  2 
  
  
  

 

 

 

Total

  100%  100%  100% 100% 100% 100%
  
  
  

 

 

 

 

Lazard Group’sThe Company’s managing directors and many of its professionals have significant experience, and many of them are able to use this experience to advise on both mergers and acquisitions and restructuring transactions, depending on clients’ needs. This flexibility allows Lazard Group to better match its professional staff with the counter-cyclical business cycles of mergers and acquisitions and financial restructurings. While Lazard Group

measures revenue by practice area, Lazard Group does not separately measure the separate costs or profitability of mergers and acquisitions services as compared to financial restructuring services. Accordingly, Lazard Group measures performance in its Financial Advisory segment based on overall segment net revenue and operating income margins.

 

Financial Advisory Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2005 versus March 31,September 30, 2004.

In the 2005 period, M&A net revenue increased by $48$82 million, or 66%78%, driven by the improved environment for mergers and acquisitions activity. The increase in M&A net revenue was also accompanied by a $6$19 million, or 33%92%, increase in Financial Restructuring net revenue versus the corresponding period in 2004. Other Financial Advisory net revenue decreasedincreased by $3$25 million primarily from decreased underwriting activity, partially offset by increases inprincipally as a result of a higher level of private equity fund raising.

Clients with whom Lazard Group transacted significant business in the first three months of 2005 included Alcan, Bekaert, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Debenhams, National Australia Bank, National Energy & Gas, Protein Design Labs, Serco Group, Telesystem International Wireless and USGen New England. In addition, Lazard Group has represented MCI in its evaluation of its strategic alternatives, SunGard Data Systems Inc. in its sale to various private equity firms and Tower Automotive, Inc. on its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

Financial Advisory net revenue for the 2005 period was earned from 159 clients, compared to 148 in 2004. Advisory fees of $1 million or more were earned from 37 of Lazard Group’s clients for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to 26 in the corresponding three months in 2004.

 

Operating expenses were $97 million for the 2005 period, a decrease of $16 million, or 14%, versus operating expenses of $113 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Employee compensation and benefits expense decreased by $10 million, or 16%, primarily due to a 6% decrease in employee headcount, lower pension and post-retirement health benefit costs, and the adoption of Lazard’s policy to manage its overall business, excluding the separated businesses, at a compensation-to-operating revenue ratio of 57.5%. Other operating expenses decreased by $6 million, or 11%. The principal reasons for this decrease related to (i) professional fees, which decreased by $2 million due to lower consulting and legal fees, (ii) travel and entertainment expense, which decreased by $3 million, and (iii) premises and occupancy expense, which decreased by approximately $1 million due to less occupied space in London for this segment.

Financial Advisory operating income was $60$175 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $67$75 million, or 75%, versus operating expenses of $100 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Compensation and benefits expense increased by $77 million, or 146%, primarily due to the Company’s inclusion, subsequent to the consummation of the equity public offering, of all payments for services rendered by its managing directors, including distributions to profit participation members, in compensation and benefits expense, partially offset by lower pension and post-retirement health benefit costs. Other operating expenses decreased by $2 million, or 5%.

Financial Advisory operating income was $83 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $51 million, versus operating lossesincome of $7$32 million for the corresponding period in 2004. Operating income as a percentage of segment net revenue was 38%32% for the 2005 period versus a loss of 7%24% for the corresponding period in 2004.2004, with the increase in margin in 2005 attributable to the higher revenues in that period, partially offset by the increase in recorded compensation in the 2005 period.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 versus September 30, 2004

In the 2005 period, M&A net revenue increased by $177 million, or 57%, driven by the improved productivity of our managing directors and the improved environment for mergers and acquisitions activity. The increase in M&A net revenue was also accompanied by an approximate $28 million, or 53%, increase in Financial Restructuring net revenue versus the corresponding period in 2004. Other Financial Advisory net revenue increased by $14 million principally as a result of a higher level of private equity fund raising.

Operating expenses were $413 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $97 million, or 30%, versus operating expenses of $316 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Compensation and benefits expense increased by $105 million, or 64%, primarily due to the Company’s inclusion, subsequent to the consummation of the equity public offering, of all payments for services rendered by its managing directors, including distributions to profit participation members, in compensation and benefits expense, partially offset by lower pension and post-retirement health benefit costs. Other operating expenses decreased by $9 million, or 6%. The principal reasons for this decrease related to (i) travel and entertainment expense, which decreased by $4 million, and (ii) premises and occupancy expense, which decreased by approximately $3 million due to less occupied space in London and lower refurbishment cost in the U.S.

Financial Advisory operating income was $214 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $123 million, versus operating income of $91 million for the corresponding period in 2004. Operating income as a percentage of segment net revenue was 34% for the 2005 period versus 22% for the corresponding period in 2004, with the increase in margin in 2005 attributable to the increase in revenues, partially offset by the increase in recorded compensation expense in the 2005 period.

Asset Management

 

The following table shows the composition of AUM mandates for the Asset Management segment:

 

  As of

  As of

  December 31,
2004


  March 31,
2005


  December 31,
2004


  September 30,
2005


  ($ in millions)  ($ in millions)

AUM:

            

International Equities

  $39,267  $39,544  $39,267  $40,336

Global Equities

  17,762  17,827  17,762  16,133

U.S. Equities

  12,716  12,353  12,716  12,685
  
  
  
  

Total Equities

  69,745  69,724  69,745  69,154
  
  
  
  

International Fixed Income

  6,226  6,477  6,226  6,807

Global Fixed Income

  2,008  1,982  2,008  2,070

U.S. Fixed Income

  2,970  2,855  2,970  2,577
  
  
  
  

Total Fixed Income

  11,204  11,314  11,204  11,454
  
  
  
  

Alternative Investments

  2,800  2,921  2,800  3,204

Merchant Banking

  551  523  551  801

Cash Management

  2,135  1,775  2,135  1,979
  
  
  
  

Total AUM

  $86,435  $86,257  $86,435  $86,592
  
  
  
  

 

The following is a summary of changes in Asset Management’sAverage AUM for the three month and average AUM during the yearnine month periods ended December 31,September 30, 2004 and the quarter ended March 31, 2005.September 30, 2005 is set forth below. Average AUM is based on an average of quarterly ending balances for the respective periods.

 

   Year Ended
December 31,
2004


  

Three Month
Period Ended
March 31,

2005


 
   ($ in millions) 

AUM—Beginning of Period

  $78,371  $86,435 

Net Flows

  (3,489) 346 

Market Appreciation (Depreciation)

  10,793  (43)

Foreign Currency Adjustments

  760  (481)
   

 

AUM—End of Period

  $86,435  $86,257 
   

 

Average AUM

  $80,261  $86,346 
   

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,


  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


       2004    

      2005    

      2004    

      2005    

   ($ in millions)

Average AUM

  $78,238  $84,802  $78,712  $85,574
   

  

  

  

The following is a summary of changes in AUM for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2005.

   Three Months Ended
September 30,


  Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
   2004

  2005

  2004

  2005

 
   ($ in millions) 

AUM—Beginning of Period

  $77,982  $83,012   $78,371  $86,435 

Net Flows

  (200) (1,751)  (1,863) (4,349)

Market Appreciation/(Depreciation)

  523  5,369   2,121  5,654 

Foreign Currency Adjustments

  189  (38)  (135) (1,148)
   

 

 


 

AUM—End of Period

  $78,494  $86,592   $78,494  $86,592 
   

 

 


 

AUM as of September 30, 2005 was $86.6 billion, up marginally from AUM of $86.4 billion as of December 31, 2004. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, market appreciation of $5.7 billion was substantially offset by net outflows of $4.3 billion and decreases related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $1.1 billion. Net outflows were experienced primarily in International and Global Equities.

For the three month period ended September 30, 2005, average AUM was $84.8 billion, an increase of $6.6 billion, or 8%, versus $78.2 billion in the corresponding period in 2004.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, average AUM was $85.6 billion, an increase of approximately $6.9 billion, or 9%, versus $78.7 billion in the corresponding period in 2004.

The following table summarizes the operating results of the Asset Management segment:segment.

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,


   Three Months Ended
September 30,


 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
  2004

 2005

   2004

 2005

 2004

 2005

 
  ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands) 

Management and Other Fees

  $96,796  $102,043   $93,099  $108,277  $284,638  $316,045 

Incentive Fees

  30  4,820    (3,830)  2,717   5,318   10,650 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Net Revenue

  96,826  106,863    89,269   110,994   289,956   326,695 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Direct Employee Compensation and Benefits

  29,983  33,740 

Direct Compensation and Benefits, and, commencing May 10, 2005, distributions to profit participant members

   29,488   55,225   92,039   133,438 

Other Operating Expenses(a)

  34,919  36,242    37,238   35,710   107,567   111,532 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Total Operating Expenses

  64,902  69,982    66,726   90,935   199,606   244,970 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Operating Income

  $31,924  $36,881   $22,543  $20,059  $90,350  $81,725 
  

 

  


 


 


 


Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Revenue

  33% 35%   25%  18%  31%  25%
  

 

  


 


 


 


Headcount as of the end of each period(b):

   
  As of September 30,

     
  2004

 2005

     

Headcount(b):

   

Managing Directors

  34  39    33   38  

Limited Managing Directors

  2  2    2   2  

Other Employees

  567  581 

Other Employees:

   

Professional

   262   270  

Other

   323   321  
  

 

  


 


 

Total

  603  622    620   631  
  

 

  


 


 

(a)Includes indirect support costs (including compensation and benefits expense and other operating expenses related thereto).
(b)Excludes headcount related to indirect support functions. Such headcount is included in the Corporate headcount.

 

The geographical distribution of Asset Management net revenue is set forth below in percentage terms:

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,


  Three Months Ended
September 30,


 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
  2004

  2005

  2004

 2005

 2004

 2005

 

North America

     59%     60%  56% 59% 59% 58%

Europe

  33%  32%  36  34  33  34 

Rest of World

  8%  8%  8  7  8  8 
  
  
  

 

 

 

Total

  100%  100%  100% 100% 100% 100%
  
  
  

 

 

 

Asset Management Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2005 versus March 31,September 30, 2004.Asset

Asset Management net revenue was $107$111 million in the 2005 period, an increase of $10$22 million, or 10%24%, versus net revenue of $97$89 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Management and Other fees for the 2005 period were $102$108 million, up $5$15 million, or 5%16%, versus the corresponding period in 2004. The 2005 period includes approximately $3 million of revenue within management and other fee revenue relating to the consolidation of LAM General Partnerships, with a corresponding charge to minority interest expense. Incentive fees earned in the 2005 period were approximately $5$3 million, versus $30 thousand$(4) million recorded in the corresponding period in 2004. The 2004 primarily due to higher performance versus benchmarks in certain investment funds.

For the 2005 period average AUM was $86.3 billion,included an increase of approximately $7.2 billion, or 9%, versus $79.1 billion in the corresponding period in 2004. Net revenue grew at a faster rate than average AUM primarily dueadjustment to the incentive fees earned inrecorded for the 2005 period.

AUM as of March 31, 2005 was $86.3 billion, just slightly lower than AUM of $86.4 billion as of December 31, 2004. During the threesix month period ended March 31, 2005, AUM decreased $0.1 billion primarily due to decreases related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $0.5 billion, partially offset by net inflows of $0.4 billion.

June 30, 2004.

Operating expenses were $70$91 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $5$24 million, or 8%36%, versus operating expenses of $65$67 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Employee compensationCompensation and benefits expense increased by $4$26 million, or 13%87% versus the corresponding period in 2004, primarily due to headcount increasesthe Company’s inclusion, subsequent to the consummation of the equity public offering, of all payments for services rendered by its managing directors in certain product groupscompensation and officesbenefits expense, including distributions to profit participation members and payments for services rendered by managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) which previously had been accounted for as well as increases in performance-based bonus accruals.minority interest expense. Other operating expenses increaseddecreased by $1approximately $2 million, or 4%, versus the corresponding period in 2004.

 

Asset Management operating income was $37$20 million in the 2005 period, an increasea decrease of $5$3 million, or 16%11%, versus operating income of $32$23 million for the corresponding period in 2004. Operating income as a percentage of segment net revenue was 35%18% for the 2005 period versus 33%25% for the corresponding period in 2004, with the decline in 2005 attributable to the increase in recorded compensation expense in the 2005 period, partially offset by higher revenues in that period.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 versus September 30, 2004

Asset Management net revenue was $327 million in the 2005 period, an increase of $37 million, or 13%, versus net revenue of $290 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Management and Other fees for the 2005 period were $316 million, up $31 million, or 11%, versus the corresponding period in 2004. The 2005 period includes approximately $3 million of revenue within management and other fee revenue relating to the consolidation of LAM General Partnerships, with a corresponding charge to minority interest expense. Excluding the effect of such LAM General Partnership revenue, the increase in management and other fee revenue is generally consistent with the growth in average AUM. Incentive fees earned in the 2005 period were $11 million, versus $5 million recorded in the corresponding period in 2004.

 

Capital MarketsOperating expenses were $245 million for the 2005 period, an increase of $45 million, or 23%, versus operating expenses of $200 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Compensation and benefits expense increased by $41 million, or 45% versus the corresponding period in 2004, principally due to the Company’s inclusion, subsequent to the consummation of the equity public offering, of all payments for services rendered by its managing directors in compensation and benefits expense, including distributions to profit participation members and payments for services rendered by managing directors of LAM (and employee members of LAM) which previously had been accounted for as minority interest expense. Other operating expenses increased by $4 million, or 4%, versus the corresponding period in 2004 principally due to increased professional fees and travel costs.

 

The following table summarizes theAsset Management operating results of the Capital Markets and Other segment:

   Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
   2004

  2005

 
   ($ in thousands) 

Revenue:

       

Capital Markets advisory fees

  $8,633  $3,100 

Money management fees

  6,189  5,182 

Commissions

  14,519  12,552 

Trading gains and losses-net

  6,422  9,545 

Underwriting

  5,440  2,086 

Investment gains (losses), non-trading-net

  (759) 4,301 

Interest income

  4,049  7,518 

Other

  287  (163)
   

 

Total revenue

  44,780  44,121 

Interest expense

  (2,646) (6,242)
   

 

Net Revenue

  42,134  37,879 
   

 

Direct Employee Compensation and Benefits

  25,579  19,586 

Other Operating Expenses(a)

  16,936  24,890 
   

 

Total Operating Expenses

  42,515  44,476 
   

 

Operating Income (Loss)

  $(381) $(6,597)
   

 

Operating Income (Loss) as a Percentage of Net Revenue

  (1)% (17)%
   

 

Headcount as of the end of each period(b):

       

Managing Directors

  19  19 

Limited Managing Directors

  1  1 

Other Employees

  267  244 
   

 

Total

  287  264 
   

 


(a)Includes indirect support costs (including compensation and other operating expenses related thereto).
(b)Excludes headcount related to support functions. Such headcount is included in the Corporate headcount.

Capital Markets and Other Results of Operations

The net revenue included in the Capital Markets and Other segment is related primarily to revenue earned from underwriting fees from securities offerings and secondary trading revenue earned in the form of commissions and trading profits from principal transactions in equity, fixed income and convertibles businesses. In addition, this segment earned underwriting and other fee revenue from corporate broking in the U.K. related to the January 2004 acquisition of the assets of Panmure Gordon. Also included in this segment are fund

management fees and, if applicable, carried interest incentive fees related to merchant banking funds managed as part of this segment. Carried interest fees are earned when profits from merchant banking investments exceed a certain threshold. In addition, investment income and net interest income from long-term investments, cash balances and securities financing transactions also are included in the Capital Markets and Other segment. These capital market activities are part of the businesses that were separated from the operations of Lazard Group on May 10, 2005 in the separation. The results of the operations of the Capital Markets and Other segment are included in Lazard Group’s historical financial statements. However, for periods after the completion of the separation, Lazard Group no longer owns the Capital Markets and Other segment and will report the segment as a discontinued operation. Under the business alliance agreement entered into in connection with the separation, Lazard Group has an option to acquire the merchant banking business from LFCM Holdings.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 versus March 31, 2004.Capital Markets and Other net revenue was $38$82 million in the 2005 period, a decrease of $4$8 million, or 10%, versus net revenueoperating income of $42$90 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Lower net revenue in sales, trading and broking were the principal contributors to the decrease.

Operating expenses were $44 million for the 2005 period, up $2 million or 5% versus operating expenses of $43 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Employee compensation and benefits expense in the 2005 period decreased by $6 million, or 23%, primarily relating to the salaries and termination costs associated with the closing of certain departments in the 2004 period, as well as lower pension and post-retirement health benefit costs in the 2005 period. Other operating expenses increased by $8 million or 47%. Premises and occupancy costs increased by $8 million in the 2005 period, primarily due to a one-time charge related to abandoned leased space in London. Professional fees increased by approximately $2 million due to increased legal fees. All other operating expenses decreased by $2 million primarily due to lower support group charges in connection with the sale of Panmure Gordon.

Capital Markets and Other operating loss was approximately $7 million in the 2005 period, versus a loss of $0.4 million in the corresponding period in 2004. Operating lossincome as a percentage of segment net revenue was 17%25% for the 2005 period versus a loss of 1% in31% for the corresponding period in 2004.2004, with the decline in 2005 attributable to the increase in recorded compensation expense in the 2005 period, partially offset by higher revenues in that period.

Cash Flows

 

Historically, Lazard Group’sthe Company’s cash flows have been influenced primarily by the timing of receipt of Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees, the timing of distributions to members and payment of bonuses to employees. In general, we collect our accounts receivable within 60 days. In restructuring transactions, particularly restructurings involving bankruptcies, receivables sometimes take longer to collect than 60 days due to issues such as court-ordered holdbacks. In addition, the receivables of our Private Fund Advisory Group are generally collectible in eight payments over a four year period.

 

Cash and cash equivalents were $234$372 million at March 31,September 30, 2005, a decreasean increase of $80$66 million versus cash and cash equivalents of $314$306 million at December 31, 2004. During the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, cash of $141$757 million was provided by operating activities, including $73$120 million from net income, allocable to members, $14$90 million of noncash charges, principally consisting of depreciation and amortization of $4$12 million and minority interest of $10$78 million and $54$547 million being provided by net changes in other operating assets and operating liabilities. Cash of $0.1$6 million was used inprovided from investing activities. Financing activities and exchange rate changes during this period used $220cash of $693 million of cash,and $4 million, respectively, primarily for distributions to historical partners, members, separated businesses and minority interest holders, of $201 million. Lazard Groupwith these items partially offset by proceeds from the financing transactions. The Company traditionally makes payments for employee bonuses and distributions to members and minority interest holders primarily in the first quarterfour months of the year with respect to the prior year’s results.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, Lazard Group’sthe Company’s source of liquidity has been cash provided by operations, with a traditional seasonal pattern of cash flow. While employee salaries are paid throughout the year, annual discretionary bonuses have historically been paid to employees in January relating to the prior year. Lazard Group’sThe Company’s managing directors are paid a salary during the year, but a majority of their annual cash distributions with respect to the prior year have historically been paid to them in three monthly installments in February, March and April. In

addition, and to a lesser extent, during the year we pay certain tax advances on behalf of our managing directors, and these advances serve to reduce the amounts due to the managing directors in the three installments described above. As a consequence, our level of cash on hand generally decreases significantly during the first quarterfour months of the year and gradually builds up over the remaining three quarterseight months of the year. We expect this seasonal pattern of cash flow to continue.

 

We regularly monitor our liquidity position, including cash levels, credit lines, principal investment commitments, interest and principal payments on debt, capital expenditures and matters relating to liquidity and to compliance with regulatory net capital requirements. We maintain senior and subordinated lines of credit in excess of anticipated liquidity requirements. As of March 31,September 30, 2005, Lazard Group had $225$196 million in unused lines of credit available to it, including $150$49 million relatedof unused lines of credit available to the separated businesses which expired pursuantLFB. This amount excludes a $25 million credit line to the separation.Lazard Frères & Co. LLC that is currently covered by a commitment letter described below.

 

Lazard Group’s annual cash flow generated from operations historically has been sufficient to enable it to meet its annual obligations. We believe that our cash flows from operating activities, after giving effect to the separation,including use of our credit lines as needed, should be sufficient for us to fund our current obligations for the next 12 months and beyond. In addition,As noted above, we intend to maintain lines of credit that can be utilized should the need arise. ConcurrentConcurrently with the initialequity public offering, Lazard Group entered into a five year, $125 million senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders. In addition, Lazard Group entered into a commitment letter dated April 14, 2005 thatwhich provides that, subject to customary conditions precedent for transactions of this nature, including regulatory approval, a group of lenders will provide a separate $25 million subordinated credit facility for Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, our U.S. broker dealerbroker-dealer subsidiary. The Lazard Frères & Co. LLC facility willis expected to be a four-year revolving credit facility, and then will continue asconverts to a term loan facility for an additional year. This commitment letter expires, July 31, 2005. Theas extended, November 30, 2005.The senior revolving credit facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type, and we expect that the Lazard Frères & Co. LLC facility will as well. The senior revolving credit facility, among other things, limits the ability of the

borrower to incur debt, grant liens, pay dividends, enter into mergers or to sell all or substantially all of its assets and contains financial covenants that must be maintained. We expect that the Lazard Frères & Co. LLC facility will contain similar restrictions and covenants for a facility of its type. TheUpon approval by the NASD, the Lazard Frères & Co. LLC facility is intended to qualify as a satisfactory subordination agreement in accordance with the applicable NASD rules and regulations. We may, to the extent required and subject to restrictions contained in our financing arrangements, use other financing sources in addition to any new credit facilities.

 

As of March 31,September 30, 2005, Lazard Group was in compliance with all of its obligations under its various borrowing arrangements.

 

We actively monitor our regulatory capital base. Our principal subsidiaries are subject to regulatory requirements in their respective jurisdictions to ensure their general financial soundness and liquidity, which require, among other things, that we comply with certain minimum capital requirements, record-keeping, reporting procedures, relationships with customers, experience and training requirements for employees and certain other requirements and procedures. These regulatory requirements may restrict the flow of funds to affiliates. Regulatory approval is generally required for paying dividends in excess of certain established levels. See Note 714 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. These regulations differ in the U.S., the U.K., France, and other countries thatin which we operate in.operate. Our capital structure is designed to provide each of our subsidiaries with capital and liquidity consistent with its business and regulatory requirements. For a discussion of regulations relating to us, see “Business—Regulation” included in the Registration Statements.

 

Substantially all of the net proceeds received from the initialequity public offering and the additional financing transactions were used in connection with the recapitalization, and, to a lesser extent, to capitalize LFCM Holdings and LAZ-MD Holdings. See Note 9Notes 1 and 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We expect that the net incremental interest cost related to the additional financing transactions will be approximately $56 million per year. We expect to service the resultant incremental debt with operating cash flow and the utilization of credit facilities and, to the extent required, other financing sources.

On October 31, 2005, Lazard Group closed the exchange offer described in Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, whereupon it exchanged $546 million in aggregate principal amount of its old notes (approximately 99.3% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding) for $546 million in aggregate principal amount of its exchange notes. The exchange notes are substantially identical to the old notes, except that the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act and, as a result, the transfer restrictions applicable to the old notes do not apply to the exchange notes.

Net revenue and operating income historically have fluctuated significantly between quarters. This variability arises from the fact that transaction completion fees comprise the majority of our net revenue, with the billing and recognition of such fees being dependent upon the successful completion of client transactions, the occurrence and timing of which is irregular and not subject to Lazard’s control. In addition, incentive fees earned on AUM and compensation related thereto are generally not recorded until the fourth quarter of Lazard Group’s fiscal year, when potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined.

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table sets forth information relating to Lazard Group’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004:

 

  Contractual Obligations Payment Due by Period

  Contractual Obligations Payment Due by Period

  Total

  Less than
1 Year


  1-3 Years

  3-5 Years

  More than
5 Years


  Total

  Less than
1 Year


  1-3 Years

  3-5 Years

  More than
5 Years


  ($ in thousands)  ($ in thousands)

Operating Leases

  $542,124  $50,145  $94,356  $88,414  $309,209  $542,124  $50,145  $94,356  $88,414  $309,209

Capital Leases

  66,554  26,558  5,770  5,770  28,456   66,554   26,558   5,770   5,770   28,456

Notes Payable and Subordinated
Loans (a)

  270,777  20,777  —    —    250,000   270,777   20,777         250,000

Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred
Stock (a)

  100,000  —    —    —    100,000   100,000            100,000

Merchant Banking Commitments (b)

  14,031  2,526  11,505  —    —     14,031   2,526   11,505      

Contractual Commitments to Managing Directors, Senior Advisors and Employees (c)

  72,573  38,008  33,583  982  —     72,573   38,008   33,583   982   
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  

  

  

Total (d)

  $1,066,059  $138,014  $145,214  $95,166  $687,665  $1,066,059  $138,014  $145,214  $95,166  $687,665
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  

  

  


(a)In May 2005, the $50 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.53% Senior Notes due 2011 was prepaid and the Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock were redeemed in connection with the separation and recapitalization transactions.
(b)Lazard Group may be required to fund itsthese merchant banking commitments at any time through 2006, depending on the timing and level of investments by its merchant banking funds.
(c)During 2002, 2003 and 2004, following the hiring of new senior management, Lazard Group invested significant amounts in the recruitment and retention of senior professionals in an effort to reinvest in the intellectual capital of Lazard Group’s business. The majority of these commitments expired on December 31, 2004. The nature of the commitments to managing directors and employees, which represent most of the future commitments, is related primarily to guaranteed payments for services of managing directors and guaranteed compensation for employees. These payments and compensation were guaranteed to recruit and retain the professional talent needed to promote growth in our business. As a result, while payments for services rendered by Lazard Group’s managing directors prior to 2002 generally did not exceed net income allocable to members, in 2002, 2003 and 2004 distributions to Lazard Group’s managing directors exceeded our net income allocable to members.
(d)The table above does not include any potential obligations relating to the LAM equity rights.

 

The contractual obligations table above does not include the following developments since December 31, 2004: (1) obligations related to Corporate Partners II Limited, a new private equity fund formed on February 25, 2005, with $1 billion of institutional capital commitments and a $100 million capital commitment from us, the principal portion of which may require funding at any time through 2010 (as of September 30, 2005, Lazard Group has contributed $89 thousand of its capital commitment); (2) obligations related to the first closing of a new private equity fund formed in July 2005, with the ability to raise up to a maximum of $550 million of capital commitments, including a minimum and (2)maximum capital commitment from us of $10 million and $27 million, respectively, the principal portion of which will require funding at any time through 2008 (in October 2005, Lazard Group contributed its initial capital commitment which amounted to $682 thousand); (3) any potential payment related to the IXIS cooperation arrangement as described in more detail in the Registration Statement.The(the level of this potential payment to IXIS would depend, among other things, on the level of revenue generated by the cooperation activities. Theactivities, and the potential payment is limited to a maximum of approximately €16.5 million (subject to reduction in certain circumstances) which would only occur if the cooperation activities generate no revenue over the course of the

three-year initial period of such activities, the cooperation agreement is not renewed and ourLazard Ltd’s stock price fails to sustain certain price levels. Lazard Group has held various discussionslevels); (4) any possible change in the relationship with Intesa in connection with the separation and recapitalization transactions, and Intesa has notified Lazard Group(see Note 3 of its intention notNotes to extend the term of the joint venture relationship beyond the expiration date of December 31, 2007. As a result, under the terms of the strategic alliance, unless Lazard Group and Intesa otherwise agree, in 2008 Lazard Group will repurchase its 40% interest in our business in Italy and repay the $50 million subordinated promissory note included within notes payable and subordinated debt in the table above for an aggregate amount not to exceed $150 million, less certain distributions received by Intesa in connection with the joint venture, on or prior to February 4, 2008. In addition, the table above does not includeUnaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements); (5) the debt obligations incurred in May 2005 concurrent with

the additional financing transactions related to Lazard Group’s issuance of $550 million in principal amount of 7.125% senior notes due 2015 and $437.5 million in principal amount of 6.12% senior notes issued to Lazard Group Finance in connection with the issuance of the equity security units and any amounts payable with respect to the $125 million senior revolving credit facility, of which $15 million was outstanding as of September 30, 2005 (see Notes 2 and 7 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements); and (6) any contingent limited partner capital commitments as described in more detail in Note 94 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of Lazard Group’sLazard’s consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, Lazard evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, compensation liabilities, income taxes, investing activities and goodwill. Lazard bases these estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Lazard believes that the critical accounting policies set forth below comprise the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Lazard Group generates substantially all of its net revenue from providing financial advisory and asset management and capital markets services to clients. Lazard recognizes revenue when the following criteria are met:

 

there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a client,

 

the agreed-upon services have been provided,

 

fees are fixed or determinable, and

 

collection is probable.

 

Lazard’s clients generally enter into agreements with Lazard that vary in duration depending on the nature of the service provided. Lazard typically bills clients for the full amounts due under the applicable agreements on or after the dates on which the specified service has been provided. Generally, payments are due within 60 days of billing.billing (or over longer periods of time with respect to billings related to restructurings and our Private Fund Advisory Group). Lazard assesses whether collection is probable based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the client and an assessment of the client’s current creditworthiness. If, in Lazard’s judgment, collection of a fee is not probable, Lazard will not recognize revenue until the uncertainty is removed. In rare cases, an allowance for doubtful collection may be established, for example, if a fee is in dispute or litigation has commenced.

 

Income Taxes

 

As part of the process of preparing its consolidated financial statements, Lazard Group is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process requires Lazard Group to

estimate its actual current tax liability and to assess temporary differences resulting from differing book versus tax treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, compensation and benefits expense, unrealized gains on long-term investments and depreciation. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within Lazard Group’sLazard’s consolidated statements of financial condition. Lazard Group must then assess the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and, to the extent it believes that recovery is not

likely, Lazard Group must establish a valuation allowance. Significant management judgment is required in determining Lazard Group’sLazard’s provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax assets. In connection with the consolidation of Lazard Group hasand Lazard Ltd and the redemption of the historical and working member interests, Lazard Ltd recorded gross deferred tax assets of $88$31 million as of December 31, 2004, which areand $235 million, respectively, with such amounts fully offset by a valuation allowance due to uncertainties related to its ability to utilize such deferredthe uncertainty of realizing the benefits of the book versus tax assets, which principally consist of certain foreign net operating loss carryforwards, before they expire. Lazard Group’sbasis differences. Lazard’s determination of the need for a valuation allowance is based on its estimates of future taxable income by jurisdiction, and the period over which its corresponding deferred tax assets will be recoverable. If actual results differ from these estimates or Lazard Group adjusts these estimates in future periods, Lazard Group may need to adjust its valuation allowance, which could materially impact Lazard Group’sLazard’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

In addition, in order to determine the quarterly tax rate, Lazard Group is required to estimate full year pre-tax income and the related annual income tax expense in each jurisdiction. Tax exposures can involve complex issues and may require an extended period of time to resolve. Changes in the geographic mix or estimated level of annual pre-tax income can affect Lazard Group’sLazard’s overall effective tax rate. Significant management judgment is required in determining Lazard Group’sLazard’s provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax assets. Furthermore, Lazard Group’sLazard’s interpretation of complex tax laws may impact its measurement of current and deferred income taxes.

 

Valuation of Investments

 

“Marketable investments” and “long-term investments” consist principally of investments in exchange traded funds, merchant banking and alternative investment funds, and other privately managed investments. Gains and losses on marketable investments and long-term investments, which arise from changes in the fair value of the investments, are not predictable and can cause periodic fluctuations in net income allocable to members.

 

In determining fair value, Lazard Group separates its investments into two categories. The first category consists of those investments that are publicly-traded, which, as of March 31,September 30, 2005, were approximately 44%9% of Lazard Group’sLazard’s marketable investments and long-term investments. For these investments, we determine value by quoted market prices. The second category consists of those that are not publicly-traded. For these investments, Lazard Group determines value based upon its best estimate of fair value. As of March 31,September 30, 2005, this second category of investments comprises the remaining 56%91% of Lazard Group’sLazard’s marketable investments and long-term investments.

 

The fair value of those investments that are not publicly traded is based upon an analysis of the investee’s financial results, condition, cash flows and prospects. Adjustments to the carrying value of such investments are made if there are third-party transactions evidencing a change in value. Adjustments also are made, in the absence of third-party transactions, if Lazard Group determines that the expected realizable value of the investment differs from its carrying value. In reaching that determination, Lazard Group considers many factors, including, but not limited to, the operating cash flows and financial performance of the investee, expected exit timing and strategy, and any specific rights or terms associated with the investment, such as conversion features and liquidation preferences. Partnership interests, including general partnership and limited partnership interests in real estate funds, are recorded at fair value based on changes in the fair value of the partnership’s underlying net assets.

 

Because of the inherent uncertainty in the valuation of investments that are not readily marketable, estimated values may differ significantly from the values that would have been reported had a ready market for

such investments existed. Lazard Group seeks to maintain the necessary resources, with the appropriate experience and training, to ensure that control and independent price verification functions are adequately performed.

 

Goodwill

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may

have occurred. In this process, Lazard Group makes estimates and assumptions in order to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities and to project future earnings using valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow model. Lazard Group uses its best judgment and information available to it at the time to perform this review. Because Lazard Group’sLazard’s assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future earnings as part of the valuation, actual results could differ.

 

Consolidation of VIEs

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lazard Group and all other entities in which we are the primary beneficiary or control. Lazard Group determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) under U.S. GAAP.

 

Voting Interest Entities.    Voting interest entities are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and (ii) the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. Voting interest entities are consolidated in accordance with Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” as amended.amended by SFAS No. 94, “Consolidated Financial Statements.” ARB No. 51 states that the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in an entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. SFAS No. 94 amends ARB No. 51 to require consolidation of all majority-owned subsidiaries unless control is temporary or does not rest with the majority owner. SFAS No. 94 also requires consolidation of a majority-owned subsidiary even if it has non-homogeneous operations, a large minority interest, or a foreign location. Accordingly, Lazard Group consolidates voting interest entities in which it has the majority of the voting interest.interest in accordance with ARB No. 51 and SFAS No. 94.

 

Variable Interest Entities.    VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both.

 

The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE.

 

Lazard Group determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by first performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE that includes, among other factors, its capital structure, contractual terms, and related party relationships. Where qualitative analysis is not conclusive, Lazard Group performs a quantitative analysis. For purposes of allocating a VIE’s expected losses and expected residual returns to the VIE’s variable interest holders, Lazard Group calculates its share of the VIE’s expected losses and expected residual returns using a cash flows model that allocates those expected losses and residual returns to it, based on contractual arrangements and/or Lazard Group’sLazard’s position in the capital structure of the VIE under various scenarios. Lazard Group would reconsider its assessment of whether it is the primary beneficiary if there are changes to any of the variables used in determining the primary beneficiary. Those variables may include changes to financial arrangements, contractual terms, capital structure and related party relationships.

 

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 46R the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the VIE are included in the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Group if it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary. Any third party interest in these consolidated entities is reflected as minority interest in our consolidated financial statements.

Risk Management

 

Risk management is an important part of our business, but ishistorically was focused primarily on the activities of the Capital Markets and Other segment, which was transferred to LCFM Holdings on May 10, 2005. As a result, Lazard Group has separately summarized the

The discussion ofbelow relates to risk management for Lazard’s continuing operations, namely its Financial Advisory and Asset Management Corporatesegments and Capital Markets and Other segments.

Financial Advisory and Asset ManagementCorporate.

 

Lazard Group believes that, due to the nature of the businesses and the manner in which it conducts our operations, the Financial Advisory and Asset Management segments are not subject to material market risks such as equity price risk, but are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risks which are summarized below.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

Foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that our revenue and expenses may be affected by movements in the rate of exchange between non-U.S. dollar denominated balances (primarily euros and British pounds) and the U.S. dollar, the currency in which our financial statements are presented. In addition, Asset Management revenues are based primarily on the value of AUM. Accordingly, market appreciation/depreciation, including fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, directly impact Asset Management net revenue and net income.

For the threenine month period ended March 31,September 30, 2005, approximately 26%74% of Lazard Group’sLazard’s consolidated operating income was generated in non-U.S. dollar currencies.

 

Lazard Group generally does not hedge non-dollar foreign exchange exposure, as described above, arising in its operations outside the U.S. These foreign operations manage their individual foreign currency exposures with reference to their own base currency. However, Lazard Group does track and control the foreign currency exchange rate risks arising in each principal operation and has established limits for such exposures. In certain cases, Lazard GroupWith respect to LFB’s operations, LFB may take open foreign exchange positions with a view to profit within internally defined limits, but Lazard GroupLFB does not utilize foreign exchange options in this context.

 

Corporate

Lazard Group’sLazard’s Corporate activities are exposed to risks arising from transactions in trading and non-trading derivatives and to interest rate risk arising from short-term assets and third party loans.

 

Trading and Non-Trading Derivatives

 

We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps and other contracts for trading purposes, and non-trading derivative contracts, including forward foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps and other derivative contracts to hedge exposures to interest rate and currency fluctuations. These trading and non-trading contracts are recorded at their fair values on our statements of financial condition and the related gains and losses on trading contracts are included in “trading gains and losses—net” on our consolidated statements of income. Lazard Group’sLazard’s hedging strategy is an integral part of its trading strategy and therefore the related gains and losses on Lazard Group’sLazard’s hedging activities also are recorded in “trading gains and losses-net” on the consolidated statements of income.

The table below presents the fair values of Lazard Group’sLazard’s trading and non-trading derivatives as of December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2005:of:

 

December 31,

2004


March 31,

2005


($ in thousands)

Assets:

Trading Derivatives:

Interest rate swap contracts

$377$—  

Exchange rate contracts

289—  


Total

$666$—  


  

December 31,

2004


  

March 31,

2005


  

December 31,

2004


  

September 30,

2005


  ($ in thousands)

Assets:

      

Trading Derivatives:

      

Interest rate swap contracts

  $377  $229

Exchange rate contracts

   289   —  
  

  

Total

  $666  $229
  ($ in thousands)  

  

Liabilities:

            

Trading Derivatives:

            

Interest rate swap contracts

  $1,124  $662  $1,124  $734

Exchange rate contracts

  291  —     291   —  
  
  
  

  

Total trading derivatives

  1,415  662   1,415   734
  
  
  

  

Non-Trading Derivatives:

            

Interest rate swap contracts

  3,204  2,914   3,204   4,083
  
  
  

  

Total

  $4,619  $3,576  $4,619  $4,817
  
  
  

  

 

Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Risk—Trading, Non-Trading and Securities Owned

 

The risk management strategies that we employ use various stress tests to measure the risks of trading, non-trading and securities owned activities. Based on balances of securities owned, Lazard Group’sLazard’s interest rate risk as measured by a 0.25% +/- movement in interest rates totaled $175 thousand as of December 31, 2004 and $50was approximately $70 thousand as of March 31,September 30, 2005. Foreign currency risk on those same balances, measured by a 2% +/- movement against the U.S. dollar, totaled $23 thousand as of December 31, 2004 and $6$20 thousand as of March 31,September 30, 2005.

 

Interest Rate Risk—Short Term Investments and Corporate Indebtedness

 

A significant portion of Lazard’s liabilities have fixed interest rates or maximum interest rates, while its cash and short-term investments generally have floating interest rates. Lazard Group estimates that operating income relating to cash and short-term investments and corporate indebtedness would change by approximately $4 million, on an annual basis, in the event interest rates were to increase or decrease by 1%.

 

Capital Markets and Other

Risk management is an important part of the operation of the Capital Markets and Other segment since the business is exposed to a variety of risks including market, credit, settlement and other risks that are material and require comprehensive controls and ongoing management. The information below describes areas of risk, and how Lazard manages risk of the Capital Markets and Other business segment, which was separated on May 10, 2005.

Lazard utilizes a Global Capital Markets Risk Committee to assess risk management practices, particularly as these practices relate to regulatory requirements. In addition, Lazard utilizes an independent Risk Management Group, which reports to Lazard’s chief financial officer and is responsible for analyzing risks and for coordinating and monitoring the risk management process. Further, the Risk Management Group supports the Global Capital Markets Risk Committee by providing risk profiles and analyses to the committee.

The Global Capital Markets Risk Committee and the Risk Management Group are responsible for the maintenance of a comprehensive risk management practice and process including:

a formal risk governance organization that defines the oversight process and its components,

clearly defined risk management policies and procedures supported by a specific framework,

communication and coordination among the business executives and risk functions, while maintaining strict segregation of responsibilities, controls, and oversight, and

clearly defined risk tolerance levels, which are regularly reviewed to ensure that our risk-taking is consistent with our business strategy, capital structure, and current and anticipated market conditions.

Risks inherent in the Capital Markets business are summarized below.

Market Risk

Market risk is the potential change in a financial instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, equity prices or other risks. The level of market risk is influenced by the volatility and the liquidity in the markets in which financial instruments are traded.

Historically, Lazard Group has sought to mitigate market risk associated with trading inventories by employing hedging strategies that correlate rate, price, and spread movements of trading inventories and related financing and hedging activities. Lazard Group has employed a combination of cash instruments and derivatives to hedge market exposure. The following discussion describes the types of market risk faced in the Capital Markets and Other segment.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect the value of financial instruments, primarily securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased. Lazard Group typically uses U.S. Treasury securities in the Capital Markets and Other segment to manage interest rate risk relating to interest bearing deposits of non-U.S. banking operations as well as certain non-U.S. securities owned. Lazard Group historically hedged its interest rate risk by using interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements. Interest rate swaps generally involve the exchange of fixed and floating interest payment obligations without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. Forward rate agreements are contracts under which two counterparties agree on the interest to be paid on a notional deposit of a specified maturity at a specific future settlement date with no exchange of principal.Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

Currency Risk. Currency risk arises fromOn May 30, 2005, the possibilityFASB issued SFAS No. 154—Accounting and Error Corrections,a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3, which changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle as well as to changes required by an accounting pronouncement that fluctuationsdoes not include specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 applies to (a) financial statements of business enterprises and not-for-profit organizations and (b) historical summaries of information based on primary financial statements that include an accounting period in foreign exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. Lazard Group has used currency forwards and options in the Capital Markets and Other segment to manage currency risk. Exchange rate contracts include cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange forwards. Currency swaps are agreements to exchange future payments in one currency for payments in another currency. These agreements are used to transform the assetswhich an accounting change or liabilities denominated in different currencies. Foreign exchange forwards are contracts for delayed delivery of currency at a specified future date.error correction is reflected.

 

SFAS No. 154 eliminates the requirement in APB Opinion No. 20,Equity Price RiskAccounting Changes. Equity price risk arises, to include the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the income statement in the period of change. Instead, to enhance the comparability of prior period financial statements, SFAS No. 154 requires that changes in accounting principle be retrospectively applied. Under retrospective application, the new accounting principle is applied as of the beginning of the first period presented as if that principle had always been used. The cumulative

effect of the change is reflected in the carrying value of assets and liabilities as of the first period presented and the offsetting adjustments are recorded to opening retained earnings. Each period presented is adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the change. Although retrospective application is similar to restating prior periods, SFAS No. 154 gives the treatment a new name to differentiate it from restatement for the correction of an error. Only direct effects of the change will be included in the retrospective application; all indirect effects will be recognized in the period of change. If it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect for all prior periods, the new accounting principle should be applied as if it were adopted prospectively from the possibilityearliest date practicable.Additionally, under SFAS No. 154, a change in reporting entity is also retrospectively applied as of the beginning of the first period presented. Any correction of an error continues to be reported by restating prior period financial statements as of the beginning of the first period presented.

SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Early adoption is permitted for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after the date the Statement was issued. The Statement does not change the transition provisions of any existing accounting pronouncements, including those that equity security prices will fluctuate, affectingare in a transition phase as of the valueeffective date of equity securities.the Statement. The Capital Markets and Other segmentadoption of SFAS No. 154 is subjectnot expected to equity price risk primarily in securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased as well as for equity swap contracts entered into for trading purposes.have a material impact on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of Lazard.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R)Credit RiskShare-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”), a revision to SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”). SFAS 123(R), which is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005, requires that all stock-based compensation be accounted for at fair value, thereby eliminating application of the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. SFAS 123(R) requires that the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments be measured based on the fair value on the date of grant (with certain limited exceptions). The cost of the employee services are recognized over the period the requisite services are performed. Any excess tax benefit, as defined by SFAS 123(R), is recognized as an addition to paid-in-capital and cash retained as a result of the excess tax benefit is included in financing activities within the statement of cash flows.

 

The Capital Markets and Other segment is exposed toCompany’s accounting policy provides for the riskexpensing of loss if an issuer or counterparty fails to performthe fair value of any share-based compensation over the stipulated vesting periods. The Company does not currently anticipate that the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will have a significant impact on its obligations under contractual terms and the collateral held, if any, is insufficient or worthless. Both cash instruments and derivatives expose the business to this typeresults of credit risk. Lazard Group has established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk on principal transactions, including reviewing and establishing limits for credit exposure, maintaining collateral and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.operations.

 

In the normal course of business, the Capital Markets and Other segment executes, settles and finances various customer securities transactions. Execution of securities transactions includes the purchase and sale of securities that expose us to default risk arising from the potential that customers or counterparties may fail to satisfy their obligations. In these situations, the Capital Markets and Other segment may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments at unfavorable market prices to satisfy obligations to other customers or counterparties. Lazard Group has historically sought to control the risks associated with customer margin activities by requiring customers to maintain collateral in compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines.

Liabilities to other brokers and dealers related to unsettled transactions (i.e., securities failed-to-receive) are recorded at the amount for which the securities were acquired and are paid upon receipt of the securities from other brokers or dealers. In the case of aged securities failed-to-receive, Lazard Group may purchase the underlying security in the market and seek reimbursement for losses from the counterparty.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The exposure to credit risk associated with the Capital Markets and Other trading and other activities is measured on an individual counterparty basis, as well as by groups of counterparties that share similar attributes. To reduce the potential for risk concentration, credit limits are established and monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions.

At March 31, 2005, Lazard Group’s most significant concentration of credit risk was with the U.S. Government and its agencies. This concentration consists of both direct and indirect exposures. Direct exposure primarily results from securities owned that are issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies. Indirect exposure results from maintaining U.S. Government and agency securities as collateral for resale agreements and securities borrowed transactions. The direct exposure on these transactions is with the counterparty; thus, the Capital Markets and Other segment has credit exposure to the U.S. Government and its agencies only in the event of the counterparty’s default.

Off-Balance Sheet Risks

The Capital Markets and Other segment may be exposed to a risk of loss not reflected on the consolidated financial statements for securities sold but not yet purchased, should the value of such securities rise.

For transactions in which credit is extended to others, the Capital Markets and Other segment seeks to control the risks associated with these activities by requiring the counterparty to maintain margin collateral in compliance with various regulatory and internal guidelines. Counterparties include customers who are generally institutional investors and brokers and dealers that are members of major exchanges. Required margin levels are monitored daily and, pursuant to such guidelines, counterparties are required to deposit additional collateral or reduce securities positions when necessary.

It is the policy of the Capital Markets and Other segment to take possession of securities purchased under agreements to resell. The market value of the assets acquired are monitored to ensure their adequacy as compared to the amount at which the securities will be subsequently resold, as specified in the respective agreements. The agreements provide that, where appropriate, the delivery of additional collateral may be required.

In connection with securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the Capital Markets and Other segment monitors the market value of assets delivered to ensure that the collateral value is not excessive as compared to the amount at which the securities will be subsequently repurchased.

Operational Risk

Operational risk is the exposure to loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems or external events excluding credit, liquidity, market and insurance risk. It arises from various sources such as organization, compliance, operational risk assessment and control, employees and agents, process and systems, external events and outsourcing. Lazard Group has developed a risk management framework to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. The securities operations area prepares various daily, weekly and monthly reports to monitor these risks.

Risk Management Framework

The risk management framework utilized in addressing the risks associated with the Capital Markets and Other segment of Lazard Group’s business is described below.

Market Risk

Based on the balances of securities owned, at the applicable dates, Lazard Group quantifies the sensitivities of its current portfolios to changes in market variables. These sensitivities are then utilized in the context of historical data to estimate earnings and loss distributions that current portfolios could have incurred throughout the historical period. From these distributions, Lazard Group derives a number of useful risk statistics, including a statistic it refers to as Value at Risk, or “VaR.” The disclosed VaR is an estimate of the maximum amount current portfolios could lose with 99% confidence, over a given time interval. The VaR for our overall portfolios is less than the sum of the VaRs for individual risk categories because movements in different risk categories occur at different times and, historically, extreme movements have not occurred in all risk categories simultaneously. The difference between the sum of the VaRs for individual risk categories and the VaR calculated for all risk categories is shown in the following tables and may be viewed as a measure of the diversification within our portfolios.

In Lazard Group’s VaR system, it uses a historical simulation for two years to estimate VaR using a 99% confidence level and a one-day holding period for trading instruments.

In addition to the VaR risk measurement, the risk framework applies various stress tests to test the portfolios under stressful situations as follows:

Interest Rate Risk:Parallel moves of treasury yield curves of +/-  0.25%.
Curve Risk:Non-parallel moves of treasury yield curves within +/-  0.25%.
Spread Risk:For corporate bonds only, +/-  0.50% moves in yield curve.
Equity Price Risk:+/-  10% move in equity prices.
Currency Risk:+/-  2% move in foreign exchange rates against U.S. dollars.

The following table summarizes Lazard Group’s risk exposure according to the categories described above as of December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2005.

   Risk Measures

   As of

  Average(1)

   December 31,
2004


  March 31,
2005


  
   ($ in thousands)

Interest Rate Risk

  $206  $398  $491

Curve Risk

  127  598  837

Spread Risk

  927  653  901

Equity Price Risk

  539  1,614  1,542

Currency Risk

  29  17  108

VaR

  547  861  879

(1)Average is based on an average of monthly ending amounts from April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005.

Credit Risk

Lazard Group monitors its credit risk and exposure that originates from Lazard’s business. Credit risk against each issuer is measured by calculating the risk-adjusted exposure. The risk adjustment is based on rating of the issuer, and this risk is netted for all positions with the same issuer.

The credit risk framework determines two types of credit risks:

Credit Risk of the Issuer. The framework analyzes current positions in each issuer to determine the risk adjusted exposure, which is the estimated maximum potential exposure to the issuer in the future. Each issuer has a limit based on its rating. The portfolio’s aggregate risk-adjusted exposure is monitored on a daily basis. The levels of risk-adjusted exposures in the U.S. bond and convertible desks are set forth below:

   Credit Risk of the Issuer

   As of

  Average(1)

   December
31, 2004


  March
31, 2005


  
   ($ in thousands)

Risk Adjusted Exposure

  $8,998  $19,415  $24,437

(1)Average is based on an average of monthly ending amounts from April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005.

Credit Risk of the Trading Counterparty. Lazard Group utilizes a report indicating the gross counterparty exposure and settlement risk. The settlement risk indicates the risk if the counterparty reneges on a trade. In that case, Lazard Group may have to buy or sell the security at additional cost. The framework has established limits for counterparties based on ratings.

Limit Monitoring Process

Lazard Group has established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk on principal transactions, including reviewing and establishing limits for credit exposure, maintaining collateral and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.

The risk framework has developed a portfolio approach for risk measurements. This helps senior management assign limits at various levels such as location, trading desks and issuers. Senior management establishes policy limits representing the maximum risk it is willing to take on a normal day.

Credit risk limits take into account measures of both current and potential exposures and are set and monitored by broad risk type, product type and tenor to maturity. Credit risk mitigation techniques include, where appropriate, the right to require initial collateral or margin, the right to terminate transactions or to obtain collateral should unfavorable events occur, the right to call for collateral when certain exposure thresholds are exceeded, and the purchase of credit default protection.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Risk Management

 

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are included under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management”. TheManagement.” Because the Capital Markets and Other segment was separated from the operations of Lazard Groupthe Company in connection with the separation effective May 10, 2005. Commencingon May 10, 2005, disclosures aboutthe market riskrisks specific to the Capital Markets and Other segment will not be applicableno longer apply to Lazard Group.the Company.

 

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective, in all material

respects, to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

 

Our businesses, as well as the financial services industry generally, are subject to extensive regulation throughout the world. Lazard is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings and inquiries concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses. Lazard believes, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings,matters, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition but might be material to its operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

 

Lazard has received a request for information from the NASD as part of what it understands to be an industry investigation relating to gifts and gratuities, which is focused primarily on theLazard’s former Capital Markets business, that iswhich business was transferred to LFCM Holdings as a part of the separated businesses now owned and operated by LFCM Holdings.separation. In addition, Lazard has received requests for information from the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts seeking information concerning gifts and entertainment involving an unaffiliated mutual fund company, which are also focused on the Capital Markets business that is part of the separated businesses.same business. Lazard believes that other broker-dealers have also received requests for information. These investigations are continuing and we cannot predict their potential outcomes, if any, which outcomes, could include regulatory consequences. Lazard intends to continue to fully cooperate in these inquiries. In the course of an internal review of these matters, prior to the separation, there have beenwere personnel changes in theLazard’s former Capital Markets business, that is a part of the separated businesses, including resignations by individuals who were formerly associated with such separated businesses. These investigations are continuing and Lazard cannot predict their potential outcomes, which outcomes, if any, could include regulatory consequences.

 

Lazard Ltd and Goldman Sachs & Co., the lead underwriter of Lazard Ltd’s equity public offering of its Class A common stock, as well as several members of Lazard Ltd’s management and board of directors, have been named as defendants in several putative class action lawsuits and a putative stockholder derivative lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and in a putative class action lawsuit and a putative stockholder derivative lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The defendants have removed the putative class action lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and have removed the putative derivative lawsuit filed in that court to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiffs in the putative class action lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York have filed a consolidated amended complaint. The putative class action lawsuits purport to have been filed on behalf of persons who purchased securities of Lazard Ltd in connection with the equity public offering or in the open market. The putative class actions allege various violations of the federal securities laws and seek, inter alia, compensatory damages, rescission or rescissory damages and other unspecified equitable, injunctive or other relief. The putative derivative actions purport to be brought on behalf of Lazard Ltd against its directors and Goldman Sachs & Co. and allege, among other things, that the directors breached their fiduciary duties to Lazard Ltd in connection with matters related to the equity public offering and seek compensatory damages, punitive damages and other unspecified equitable or other relief. We believe that the suits are without merit and intend to defend them vigorously.

For a description of recent developments involving Lazard Group’s relationship with Intesa, see Note 3 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

On May 10, 2005, we issued 34,183,162 shares of our Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Class A common stock”), in a registered public offering pursuant to the Registration Statement and pursuant to an additional registration statement (the “462(b) Registration Statement”) filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The offering has terminated, and all securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement and the 462(b) Registration Statement have been sold. The managing underwriter for the offering was Goldman, Sachs & Co. An aggregate of 35,034,265 shares of Class A Common Stock were registered pursuant to the Registration Statement at an aggregate estimated offering price of $945,925,155 (based upon the estimated maximum price of $27.00 per share that was estimated by Lazard Ltd in accordance with Rule 457(a) of the Securities Act, prior to the pricing of the initial public offering). Another 4,276,371 shares of Class A common stock were registered pursuant to the 462(b) Registration Statement at an aggregate offering price of $106,909,275. A total of 34,183,162 shares of Class A common stock were sold at an aggregate actual offering price of $854,579,050 (based upon the price of $25.00 per share at which the shares actually sold). An aggregate of 5,127,474 shares of Class A common stock were registered and were available to cover over-allotments, but such shares were not issued. The amount of expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the Class A common stock (including underwriting discounts and commission, expenses paid to the underwriters and certain other expenses) was approximately $66 million. The net offering proceeds to us from the initial public offering after subtracting these expenses was approximately $789 million.

On May 10, 2005, we issued 11,500,000 equity security units (“ESUs”), in a registered public offering pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was declared effective by the SEC on May 4, 2005 (Commission file number 333-123463). The offering has terminated, and all securities registered pursuant to this Registration Statement have been sold. The managing underwriter for the offering was Goldman, Sachs & Co. An aggregate of 11,500,000 units of ESUs were registered pursuant to the Registration Statement at an aggregate estimated offering price of $287,500,000 (based upon the estimated maximum price of $25.00 per unit that was estimated by us in accordance with Rule 457(a) of the Securities Act prior to the pricing of the public offering). A total of 11,500,000 units of ESUs were sold at an aggregate actual offering price of $287,500,000 (based upon the price of $25.00 per share at which the securities actually sold). The amount of expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the ESUs (including underwriting discounts and commission, expenses paid to the underwriters and certain other expenses) was approximately $11 million. The net offering proceeds to us from the ESU offering after subtracting these expenses was approximately $276.5 million.None.

 

On May 10, 2005, pursuant to an investment agreement, we issued to IXIS—Corporate & Investment Bank (“IXIS”), which is a subsidiary of Caisse Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne an aggregate of $200,000,000 of our securities, $150,000,000 of which were ESUs and $50,000,000 of which were shares of our Class A common stock. The ESUs and the Class A common stock were issued to IXIS in a private placement under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated thereunder. IXIS purchased 6,000,000 ESUs at $25.00 per unit, and purchased 2,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock at $25.00 per share. With respect to the ESUs, IXIS received a payment from us equal in percentage terms to those paid to the underwriters for the public offering of the ESUs. The aggregate payment that IXIS received in respect of the sale of the ESUs was approximately $4,875,000.The ESUs have the same features of the ESUs sold to the public in the registered public offering. For additional description of the terms and conditions of the investment agreement and the securities purchased by IXIS, see “Description of Capital Stock—IXIS Investment in Our Common Stock” and “Description of Indebtedness—IXIS Investment in Exchangeable Debt Securities” in the Registration Statement, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

The following table illustrates our sources and uses of proceeds relating to the initial public offering of the Class A common stock, the offering of the ESUs and the other additional financing transactions described above:

Sources of Proceeds


     

Uses of Proceeds


   
($ in thousands)

Common stock issued pursuant to the initial public offering

  $ 854,579  

Redemption of historical
interests (b)

  $1,616,411

Common stock issued pursuant to the IXIS investment agreement

  50,000  

Repay 7.53% Senior Notes due
2011 (c)

  57,650

Cashless exchange of historical interests for common stock (a)

  32,921  

Capitalization of LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings

  150,000

Equity security units issued pursuant to the ESU offering

  287,500  

Estimated transaction fees and expenses

  87,000

Equity security units issued in the IXIS ESU placement

  150,000  

Retained cash

  53,278

Lazard Group senior notes, net of original issue discount of $435

  549,565      

Exchange of long-term investments as a portion of redemption consideration

  39,774      
   
     

Total

  $1,964,339  Total  $1,964,339
   
     

(a)For a description of this exchange, see “The Separation and Recapitalization Transactions and the Lazard Organizational Structure—The Separation and Recapitalization Transactions—The Redemption of Historical Partners’ Interests” in the Registration Statement which description is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)Includes exchange of certain long-term investments as a portion of redemption consideration and the cashless exchange of the historical partner interests of our Chief Executive Officer for Class A common stock.
(c)Includes “make-whole” amount of $7.65 million.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 5.Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6.Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits:

 

2.1  Master Separation Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among the Registrant, Lazard Group LLC, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
2.2  Class B-1 and Class C Members Transaction Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1 filed on December 17, 2004).
3.1  Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum of Association of Lazard Ltdthe Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on March 21, 2005).
3.2  Certificate of Incorporation in Change of Name of Lazard Ltdthe Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on March 21, 2005).
3.3  Amended and Restated Bye-laws of Lazard Ltd.Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
4.1  Form of Specimen Certificate for Class A common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on April 11, 2005).
4.2  Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between Lazard Group Finance LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
4.3  First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between Lazard Group Finance LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
4.4Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between the Lazard Group Finance LLC and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Lazard Group LLC’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-126751) on Form S-4 filed on July 21, 2005).
4.5  Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, as Purchase Contract Agent.Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).

4.54.6  Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd,the Registrant, The Bank of New York, as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary and The Bank of New York, as Purchase Contract Agent.Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
4.64.7  Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Group Finance LLC, The Bank of New York, as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
4.74.8  Form of Normal Equity Security Units Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.4).
4.84.9  Form of Stripped Equity Security Units Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.4).
4.94.10  Form of Senior Note (included in Exhibit 4.3).
10.1  Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among LAZ-MD Holdings LLC, the Registrant and certain members of LAZ-MD Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.2  Operating Agreement of Lazard Group LLC, dated as of May 10, 2005.2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.3  Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Ltd Sub A, Ltd Sub B and LFCM Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.4  Employee Benefits Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among the Registrant, Lazard Group LLC, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.5  Insurance Matters Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between Lazard Group LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.6  License Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Strategic Coordination Company, LLC, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, Lazard Frères S.A.S., Lazard & Co. Holdings Limited and LFCM Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.7  Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among LAZ-MD Holdings LLC, LFCM Holdings LLC and Lazard Group LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.8  Business Alliance Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between Lazard Group LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.9  First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Lazard Asset Management LLC, dated as of January 10, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).

10.10  Master Transaction and Relationship Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2003, by and among Banca Intesa S.p.A., Lazard LLC and Lazard & Co. S.r.l. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form
S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.11  Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2003, by and among Lazard Funding LLC, Lazard LLC and Banca Intesa S.p.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on
February 11, 2005).
10.12  $150 Million Subordinated Convertible Promissory Note due 2018, issued by Lazard Funding LLC to Banca Intesa S.p.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on
February 11, 2005).
10.13  $50 Million Subordinated Non-Transferable Promissory Note due 2078, issued by Lazard & Co. S.r.l. to Banca Intesa S.p.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on
February 11, 2005).
10.14  Guaranty of Lazard LLC to Banca Intesa S.p.A., dated as of March 26, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).

10.15  Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lazard Strategic Coordination Company LLC, dated as of January 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.16  Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2001, by and between Lazard Funding Limited LLC, Lazard LLC, and the purchasers thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.17  Amendment No. 1, dated as of August 27, 2003, to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2001, by and between Lazard Funding Limited LLC, Lazard LLC and the purchasers thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.18  Lease, dated as of January 27, 1994, by and between Rockefeller Center Properties and Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.19  Lease with an Option to Purchase, dated as of July 11, 1990, by and between Sicomibail and Finabail and SCI du 121 Boulevard Hausmann (English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.20  Occupational Lease, dated as of August 9, 2002, Burford (Stratton) Nominee 1 Limited, Burford (Stratton) Nominee 2 Limited, Burford (Stratton) Limited, Lazard & Co., Limited and Lazard LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005).
10.21  2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on May 2, 2005).
10.22  2005 Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on March 21, 2005).

10.23  Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of May 4, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group LLC and Bruce Wasserstein.Wasserstein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.24  Agreement Relating to Reorganization of Lazard, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard LLC and Bruce Wasserstein.Wasserstein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.25  Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of May 4, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd,the Registrant, Lazard Group LLC and Steven J. Golub.Golub (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.26  Form of Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of May 4, 2005, applicable to, and related Schedule I for, each of Michael J. Castellano, Scott D. Hoffman and Charles G. Ward III.III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.27  Agreements Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-121407) filed on April 11, 2005).
10.28  Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, between Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. and Lazard Frères & Co. LLC.LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.29  Letter Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005, from IXIS Corporate and Investment Bank to Lazard LLC and Lazard Ltd.Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on March 21, 2005).

10.30  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005 by and among Lazard Group Finance LLC, the Registrant, Lazard LLC and IXIS Corporate and Investment Bank.Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.31  Letter Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, with Bruce Wasserstein family trusts.trusts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.32  Senior Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, among Lazard Group LLC, the Banks from time to time parties thereto, Citibank, N.A., The Bank of New York, New York Branch, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005).
10.33Description of Non-Executive Director Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).
10.34Form of Award Letter for Annual Grant of Deferred Stock Units to Non-Executive Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32492) filed on September 8, 2005).
31.1  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Bruce Wasserstein.
31.2  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Michael J. Castellano.
32.1  Section 1350 Certification for Bruce Wasserstein.
32.2  Section 1350 Certification for Michael J. Castellano.

(b) No Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the period from January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2005.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: June 16,November 10, 2005

 

LAZARD LTD

By: /s/    Bruce Wasserstein
  

Name: Bruce Wasserstein

Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

By: /s/    Michael J. Castellano
  

Name: Michael J. Castellano

Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

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