Exhibit 99.1
News Release
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Results
Overland Park, KS, February 4, 2020 — Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE: WDR) today reported fourth quarter 2019 net income1 of $15.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to net income of $33.1 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, during the prior quarter and net income of $46.5 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, during the fourth quarter of 2018. The fourth quarter of 2019 included non-cash asset impairment charges of $12.8 million in connection with certain assets held for sale, including real property related to our corporate headquarters move and the elimination of our internal aviation operations, an $11.2 million non-cash charge related to the annual revaluation of the pension plan liability and $2.3 million in severance expense related to the outsourcing of our transfer agency transactional processing operations. Excluding the non-cash charges and severance expense, adjusted net income2 for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $36.0 million and adjusted net income per diluted share2 was $0.51.
Revenues of $270.1 million decreased slightly compared to the prior quarter and decreased $2.2 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. Operating expenses as reported of $241.2 million increased $10.6 million compared to the prior quarter and increased $13.4 million compared to the same quarter of 2018. Adjusted operating expenses2 decreased $1.5 million, or less than 1%, compared to the third quarter of 2019 and increased $1.4 million, or less than 1%, compared to fourth quarter of 2018. The reported operating margin was 10.7% and the adjusted operating margin2 was 16.3% during the current quarter, compared to 15.9% during the prior quarter and 17.5% during the fourth quarter of 2018.
Assets under management ended the quarter at $70.0 billion, an increase of 2% compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. Average assets under management were $69.1 billion during the current quarter, compared to $70.5 billion during the prior quarter and $71.6 billion during the fourth quarter of 2018. Net outflows of $3.4 billion during the current quarter were higher compared to net outflows of $2.7 billion in the third quarter of 2019 and were lower compared to net outflows of $3.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018. Sales of $1.5 billion during the current quarter declined 14% and 43% compared to the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2018, respectively. Industry-wide flows continued toward fixed income and money market strategies while equity flows remained challenged. Redemptions increased 10% compared to the prior quarter and improved 24% compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.
Wealth management assets under administration ended the quarter at $60.1 billion, an increase of 5% compared to the third quarter of 2019, and a 17% increase compared to prior year-end. For both comparative periods, assets under administration increased primarily due to strong market gains and growth in net new advisory assets, partially offset by brokerage redemptions.
Philip J. Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. shared, “While both the quarter and year remained challenging from a flow perspective within our asset management business, we continued to make steady progress in the transformation of our wealth management business.” Mr. Sanders continued, “On balance, the repositioning of our overall business model, combined with operational improvements across the enterprise and our strong balance sheet, has us well positioned to focus on renewed growth opportunities as we look ahead to 2020 and beyond.”
1Net income represents net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
2See Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures table
Revenues Analysis
Investment management fees decreased $1.1 million, or 1%, compared to the third quarter of 2019 due to a 2% decrease in average assets under management, partially offset by a higher effective management fee rate. The effective management fee rate was 63.6 basis points and increased compared to the prior quarter’s rate due to higher fund fee waivers in the prior quarter. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, investment management fees declined $3.8 million, or 3%, primarily due to lower average assets under management.
Underwriting and distribution fees increased slightly compared to the prior quarter and increased $2.5 million, or 2%, compared to the same quarter in 2018. For both comparative periods, the increases were primarily driven by increased fee-based asset allocation product revenues, partially offset by lower commissionable sales and lower service and distribution fees.
Shareholder service fees decreased slightly compared to the third quarter of 2019 due to lower average assets. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, shareholder service fees declined $0.9 million, or 4%, primarily due to fewer accounts and a decrease in average assets.
Operating Expenses Analysis
Distribution expenses decreased slightly compared to the prior quarter and increased $5.8 million, or 5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 as a result of the increase in underwriting and distribution revenue. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, the expense increase is larger than the revenue increase primarily due to an increase in the compensation grid for associated independent financial advisors implemented at the beginning of 2019.
Compensation and benefits expense totaled $62.8 million and included $2.3 million of severance expense compared to $3.1 million of severance expense in the prior quarter. In addition to lower severance costs, the decrease of $2.2 million, or 3%, compared to the prior quarter is primarily due to lower headcount and lower share-based compensation due to mark-to-market adjustments of cash-settled restricted stock unit awards. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, compensation and benefits expense decreased $1.3 million, or 2%, due to lower incentive compensation costs, lower severance costs and lower headcount. The decreases were partially offset by an increase in share-based compensation costs due to higher forfeitures in the prior year.
General and administrative expenses increased $13.4 million compared to the third quarter of 2019, due to a $12.8 million non-cash asset impairment charge and increased project spend during the quarter. Compared to the same quarter in 2018, general and administrative expenses increased $12.7 million due to the non-cash impairment charge.
Technology costs increased $0.9 million, or 6% compared to the prior quarter, primarily due to increased technology consulting expense. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, technology costs decreased slightly, as lower shareholder servicing expense resulting from fewer accounts was partially offset by increased software costs for new technologies.
Occupancy expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 10%, compared to the prior quarter and decreased $1.0 million, or 16%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. For both comparative periods, occupancy costs decreased as a result of the planned closure of field offices.
Marketing and advertising expenses increased $0.3 million, or 16%, compared to the prior quarter due to the timing of sponsorship fees. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, these expenses declined $0.2 million, or 8%, due to reduced fund-related marketing expenses from prior year fund mergers.
Depreciation expense declined $1.1 million, or 22%, compared to the prior quarter and declined $2.6 million, or 41%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, primarily due to fully depreciated capitalized development assets.
Investment and Other Income
Investment and other income declined $10.0 million and $22.2 million compared to the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2018, respectively. For both comparative periods, the decline is primarily due to a non-cash charge related to the annual revaluation of the pension plan liability, partially offset by unrealized gains on the seed and corporate investment portfolios.
The effective tax rate was 28.3% for the quarter compared to 23.3% in the prior quarter and 23.5% last year. The higher effective rate was due to $1.1 million of discrete items related to an increase in state taxes and stock compensation vestings in the current quarter.
Assets Under Management
(in millions)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Prior Qtr. | Year-over-Year Qtr. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | Change | % | Change | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning assets | $ | 25,857 | $ | 27,545 | $ | 31,172 | $ | (1,688 | ) | (6 | )% | $ | (5,315 | ) | (17 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Sales2 | 854 | 999 | 1,673 | (145 | ) | (15 | )% | (819 | ) | (49 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Redemptions | (2,502 | ) | (2,684 | ) | (3,637 | ) | 182 | 7 | % | 1,135 | 31 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net exchanges | 278 | 334 | (131 | ) | (56 | ) | (17 | )% | 409 | 312 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Flows | (1,370 | ) | (1,351 | ) | (2,095 | ) | (19 | ) | (1 | )% | 725 | 35 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Market action | 1,777 | (337 | ) | (4,100 | ) | 2,114 | 627 | % | 5,877 | 143 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending assets | $ | 26,264 | $ | 25,857 | $ | 24,977 | $ | 407 | 2 | % | $ | 1,287 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Annualized organic growth rate | (21.2 | )% | (19.6 | )% | (26.9 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized redemption rate3 | 39.3 | % | 40.9 | % | 53.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Institutional | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning assets | $ | 3,677 | $ | 3,887 | $ | 5,187 | $ | (210 | ) | (5 | )% | $ | (1,510 | ) | (29 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Sales2 | 32 | 49 | 85 | (17 | ) | (35 | )% | (53 | ) | (62 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Redemptions | (874 | ) | (230 | ) | (1,316 | ) | (644 | ) | (280 | )% | 442 | 34 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Net exchanges | — | — | 511 | — | NM | (511 | ) | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Flows | (842 | ) | (181 | ) | (720 | ) | (661 | ) | (365 | )% | (122 | ) | (17 | )% | ||||||||||||||
| Market action | 261 | (29 | ) | (812 | ) | 290 | 1,000 | % | 1,073 | 132 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending assets | $ | 3,096 | $ | 3,677 | $ | 3,655 | $ | (581 | ) | (16 | )% | $ | (559 | ) | (15 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Annualized organic growth rate | (91.6 | )% | (18.6 | )% | (55.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized redemption rate3 | 104.1 | % | 23.9 | % | 117.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning assets | $ | 39,248 | $ | 40,444 | $ | 43,183 | $ | (1,196 | ) | (3 | )% | $ | (3,935 | ) | (9 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Sales2 | 662 | 744 | 958 | (82 | ) | (11 | )% | (296 | ) | (31 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Redemptions | (1,535 | ) | (1,542 | ) | (1,547 | ) | 7 | 0 | % | 12 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net exchanges | (278 | ) | (334 | ) | (380 | ) | 56 | 17 | % | 102 | 27 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Flows | (1,151 | ) | (1,132 | ) | (969 | ) | (19 | ) | (2 | )% | (182 | ) | (19 | )% | ||||||||||||||
| Market action | 2,501 | (64 | ) | (5,037 | ) | 2,565 | 4,008 | % | 7,538 | 150 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending assets | $ | 40,598 | $ | 39,248 | $ | 37,177 | $ | 1,350 | 3 | % | $ | 3,421 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Annualized organic growth rate | (11.7 | )% | (11.2 | )% | (9.0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized redemption rate3 | 13.6 | % | 13.4 | % | 13.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning assets | $ | 68,782 | $ | 71,876 | $ | 79,542 | $ | (3,094 | ) | (4 | )% | $ | (10,760 | ) | (14 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Sales2 | 1,548 | 1,792 | 2,716 | (244 | ) | (14 | )% | (1,168 | ) | (43 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Redemptions | (4,911 | ) | (4,456 | ) | (6,500 | ) | (455 | ) | (10 | )% | 1,589 | 24 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Net exchanges | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Flows | (3,363 | ) | (2,664 | ) | (3,784 | ) | (699 | ) | (26 | )% | 421 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Market action | 4,539 | (430 | ) | (9,949 | ) | 4,969 | 1,156 | % | 14,488 | 146 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending assets | $ | 69,958 | $ | 68,782 | $ | 65,809 | $ | 1,176 | 2 | % | $ | 4,149 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Annualized organic growth rate | (19.6 | )% | (14.8 | )% | (19.0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized redemption rate3 | 27.7 | % | 24.3 | % | 35.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Unaffiliated includes National channel (home office and wholesale), Defined Contribution Investment Only “DCIO”, Registered Investment Advisor “RIA” and Variable Annuity “VA”. |
| (2) | Sales is primarily gross sales (net of sales commissions). This amount also includes net reinvested dividends and capital gains, and investment income. |
| (3) | Excludes Money Market. |
| MorningStar Fund Rankings 1 | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | |||||||||
| Funds ranked in top half | 43 | % | 42 | % | 33 | % | ||||||
| Assets ranked in top half | 52 | % | 62 | % | 41 | % | ||||||
| MorningStar Ratings 1 | Overall | 3 Years | 5 Years | |||||||||
| Funds with 4/5 stars | 34 | % | 31 | % | 23 | % | ||||||
| Assets with 4/5 stars | 51 | % | 42 | % | 34 | % | ||||||
| (1) | Based on class I share, which reflects the largest concentration of sales and assets. |
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management | Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Prior Qtr. | Year-over-Year Qtr. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | Change | % | Change | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets under administration (AUA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advisory assets | $ | 26,947 | $ | 25,107 | $ | 21,207 | $ | 1,840 | 7 | % | $ | 5,740 | 27 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Non-advisory assets | 33,148 | 32,006 | 30,059 | 1,142 | 4 | % | 3,089 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets under administration | 60,095 | 57,113 | 51,266 | 2,982 | 5 | % | 8,829 | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net new advisory assets1 | $ | 261 | $ | 236 | $ | (45 | ) | $ | 25 | 11 | % | $ | 306 | 680 | % | |||||||||||||
| Net new non-advisory assets1, 2 | (859 | ) | (769 | ) | (840 | ) | (90 | ) | (12 | )% | (19 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||||||||
| Total net new AUA1, 2 | (598 | ) | (533 | ) | (885 | ) | (65 | ) | (12 | )% | 287 | 32 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Annualized advisory AUA growth3 | 4.2 | % | 3.8 | % | (0.8 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized AUA growth3 | (4.2 | )% | (3.7 | )% | (6.1 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advisors and advisor associates | 1,327 | 1,344 | 1,403 | (17 | ) | (1 | )% | (76 | ) | (5 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Avg. trailing 12-month revenue per advisor4(in thousands) | $ | 438 | $ | 422 | $ | 343 | $ | 16 | 4 | % | $ | 95 | 28 | % | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | Net new assets are calculated as total client deposits and net transfers less client withdrawals. |
| (2) | Excludes activity related to products held outside of our wealth management platform. These assets represent less than 10% of total AUA. |
| (3) | Annualized growth is calculated as annualized quarterly net new assets divided by beginning AUA. |
| (4) | Production per Advisor is calculated as trailing 12- month Total underwriting and distribution fees less “other” underwriting and distribution fees divided by the average number of Advisors. “Other” underwriting and distribution fees predominantly includes fees paid by Advisors for programs and services. |
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share data and margin)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Prior Qtr. | Year-over-Year Qtr. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | Change | % | Change | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment management fees | $ | 110,706 | $ | 111,806 | $ | 114,521 | $ | (1,100 | ) | (1 | )% | $ | (3,815 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Underwriting and distribution fees | 136,309 | 135,787 | 133,788 | 522 | 0 | % | 2,521 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholder service fees | 23,056 | 23,087 | 23,921 | (31 | ) | (0 | )% | (865 | ) | (4 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 270,071 | 270,680 | 272,230 | (609 | ) | (0 | )% | (2,159 | ) | (1 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution1 | 117,225 | 117,425 | 111,456 | (200 | ) | (0 | )% | 5,769 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits (including share-based compensation of $11,142, $11,580 and $9,039, respectively) | 62,816 | 64,999 | 64,155 | (2,183 | ) | (3 | )% | (1,339 | ) | (2 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 30,061 | 16,680 | 17,403 | 13,381 | 80 | % | 12,658 | 73 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | 15,950 | 15,019 | 15,982 | 931 | 6 | % | (32 | ) | (0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 5,143 | 5,684 | 6,116 | (541 | ) | (10 | )% | (973 | ) | (16 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Marketing and advertising | 2,467 | 2,134 | 2,685 | 333 | 16 | % | (218 | ) | (8 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 3,767 | 4,833 | 6,387 | (1,066 | ) | (22 | )% | (2,620 | ) | (41 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Subadvisory fees | 3,777 | 3,882 | 3,647 | (105 | ) | (3 | )% | 130 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 241,206 | 230,656 | 227,831 | 10,550 | 5 | % | 13,375 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 28,865 | 40,024 | 44,399 | (11,159 | ) | (28 | )% | (15,534 | ) | (35 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income | (4,804 | ) | 5,212 | 17,351 | (10,016 | ) | (192 | )% | (22,155 | ) | (128 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (1,533 | ) | (1,562 | ) | (1,553 | ) | 29 | 2 | % | 20 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 22,528 | 43,674 | 60,197 | (21,146 | ) | (48 | )% | (37,669 | ) | (63 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 6,382 | 10,175 | 14,125 | (3,793 | ) | (37 | )% | (7,743 | ) | (55 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 16,146 | 33,499 | 46,072 | (17,353 | ) | (52 | )% | (29,926 | ) | (65 | )% | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | 210 | 445 | (396 | ) | (235 | ) | (53 | )% | 606 | 153 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. | $ | 15,936 | $ | 33,054 | $ | 46,468 | $ | (17,118 | ) | (52 | )% | $ | (30,532 | ) | (66 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Net income per share, basic and diluted: | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 69,896 | 72,387 | 77,786 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 10.7 | % | 14.8 | % | 16.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 Distribution expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | 23,392 | 24,068 | 25,406 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management | 93,833 | 93,357 | 86,050 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 117,225 | $ | 117,425 | $ | 111,456 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share data and margin)
| Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | Change | % | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment management fees | $ | 445,144 | $ | 507,906 | $ | (62,762 | ) | (12 | )% | |||||||
| Underwriting and distribution fees | 531,836 | 550,010 | (18,174 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||||
| Shareholder service fees | 93,335 | 102,385 | (9,050 | ) | (9 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total | 1,070,315 | 1,160,301 | (89,986 | ) | (8 | )% | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution1 | 460,921 | 456,832 | 4,089 | 1 | % | |||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits (including share-based compensation of $46,613 and $51,565, respectively) | 254,534 | 263,329 | (8,795 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 77,482 | 73,643 | 3,839 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Technology | 63,719 | 65,275 | (1,556 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||||
| Occupancy | 24,243 | 27,197 | (2,954 | ) | (11 | )% | ||||||||||
| Marketing and advertising | 8,964 | 10,323 | (1,359 | ) | (13 | )% | ||||||||||
| Depreciation | 19,829 | 25,649 | (5,820 | ) | (23 | )% | ||||||||||
| Subadvisory fees | 14,931 | 14,805 | 126 | 1 | % | |||||||||||
| Intangible asset impairment | — | 1,200 | (1,200 | ) | (100 | )% | ||||||||||
| Total | 924,623 | 938,253 | (13,630 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 145,692 | 222,048 | (76,356 | ) | (34 | )% | ||||||||||
| Investment and other income | 18,886 | 22,705 | (3,819 | ) | (17 | )% | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (6,195 | ) | (6,461 | ) | 266 | 4 | % | |||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 158,383 | 238,292 | (79,909 | ) | (34 | )% | ||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 41,418 | 55,480 | (14,062 | ) | (25 | )% | ||||||||||
| Net income | 116,965 | 182,812 | (65,847 | ) | (36 | )% | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | 1,973 | (776 | ) | 2,749 | 354 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. | $ | 114,992 | $ | 183,588 | $ | (68,596 | ) | (37 | )% | |||||||
| Net income per share, basic and diluted: | $ | 1.57 | $ | 2.28 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 73,299 | 80,468 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 13.6 | % | 19.1 | % | ||||||||||||
| 1 Distribution expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | 96,718 | 112,562 | ||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management | 364,203 | 344,270 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 460,921 | $ | 456,832 | |||||||||||||
Underwriting and distribution fees
(in thousands)
| For the three months ended Dec. 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | Wealth Management | Total | ||||||||||
| Fee-based asset allocation product revenues | $ | — | $ | 75,382 | $ | 75,382 | ||||||
| Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees | 15,860 | 15,609 | 31,469 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on front-end load mutual funds and variable annuity products | 431 | 11,639 | 12,070 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on other products | — | 8,187 | 8,187 | |||||||||
| Other revenues | 48 | 9,153 | 9,201 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting and distribution fees | $ | 16,339 | $ | 119,970 | $ | 136,309 | ||||||
| For the three months ended Sep. 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | Wealth Management | Total | ||||||||||
| Fee-based asset allocation product revenues | $ | — | $ | 73,356 | $ | 73,356 | ||||||
| Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees | 16,286 | 16,144 | 32,430 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on front-end load mutual funds and variable annuity products | 364 | 12,519 | 12,883 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on other products | — | 8,024 | 8,024 | |||||||||
| Other revenues | 67 | 9,027 | 9,094 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting and distribution fees | $ | 16,717 | $ | 119,070 | $ | 135,787 | ||||||
| For the three months ended Dec. 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | Wealth Management | Total | ||||||||||
| Fee-based asset allocation product revenues | $ | — | $ | 67,504 | $ | 67,504 | ||||||
| Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees | 17,307 | 16,347 | 33,654 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on front-end load mutual funds and variable annuity products | 468 | 12,994 | 13,462 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on other products | — | 9,533 | 9,533 | |||||||||
| Other revenues | 109 | 9,526 | 9,635 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting and distribution fees | $ | 17,884 | $ | 115,904 | $ | 133,788 | ||||||
| For the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | Wealth Management | Total | ||||||||||
| Fee-based asset allocation product revenues | $ | — | $ | 284,188 | $ | 284,188 | ||||||
| Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees | 65,227 | 63,197 | 128,424 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on front-end load mutual funds and variable annuity products | 1,730 | 48,471 | 50,201 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on other products | — | 32,314 | 32,314 | |||||||||
| Other revenues | 290 | 36,419 | 36,709 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting and distribution fees | $ | 67,247 | $ | 464,589 | $ | 531,836 | ||||||
| For the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| Unaffiliated | Wealth Management | Total | ||||||||||
| Fee-based asset allocation product revenues | $ | — | $ | 269,069 | $ | 269,069 | ||||||
| Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees | 78,041 | 70,938 | 148,979 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on front-end load mutual funds and variable annuity products | 1,886 | 54,895 | 56,781 | |||||||||
| Sales commissions on other products | — | 36,131 | 36,131 | |||||||||
| Other revenues | 568 | 38,482 | 39,050 | |||||||||
| Total underwriting and distribution fees | $ | 80,495 | $ | 469,515 | $ | 550,010 | ||||||
Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
| Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Cash & cash equivalents (unrestricted) | $ | 151,815 | $ | 231,997 | ||||
| Investment securities | 688,346 | 617,135 | ||||||
| Other assets | 245,572 | 285,649 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 34,726 | 63,429 | ||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 145,869 | 145,869 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,266,328 | $ | 1,344,079 | ||||
| Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | ||||||||
| Long-term debt | 94,926 | 94,854 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 343,300 | 354,312 | ||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 19,205 | 11,463 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 808,897 | 883,450 | ||||||
| Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | $ | 1,266,328 | $ | 1,344,079 | ||||
| Shares outstanding | 68,847 | 76,790 | ||||||
Unaudited Condensed Cash Flow
(in thousands)
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 89,382 | $ | 61,084 | $ | 93,278 | $ | 165,983 | $ | 357,011 | ||||||||||
| Investing activities | 11,309 | (14,173 | ) | (32,224 | ) | (6,851 | ) | 10,347 | ||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (52,838 | ) | (58,591 | ) | (69,152 | ) | (224,547 | ) | (311,788 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net change during period | $ | 47,853 | $ | (11,680 | ) | $ | (8,098 | ) | $ | (65,415 | ) | $ | 55,570 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except number of shares) | 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of shares | 2,315,326 | 2,480,019 | 2,443,723 | 9,164,564 | 6,963,269 | |||||||||||||||
| Total cost | $ | 37,542 | $ | 40,715 | $ | 46,873 | $ | 154,219 | $ | 135,891 | ||||||||||
| Dividend paid | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rate per share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 1.00 | ||||||||||
| Total paid | $ | 17,731 | $ | 18,372 | $ | 19,684 | $ | 74,291 | $ | 81,215 | ||||||||||
| Capital returned to stockholders | $ | 55,273 | $ | 59,087 | $ | 66,557 | $ | 228,510 | $ | 217,106 | ||||||||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
“Adjusted net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.,” “adjusted net income per share, basic and diluted,” “adjusted operating expenses,” and “adjusted operating margin” are non-GAAP financial measures that are not presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding charges and gains that are not indicative of our core operating results, and allow management and investors to better evaluate our performance between periods and compared to other companies in our industry.
These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP and you should not rely on non-GAAP financial measures alone as measures of our performance.
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the table below.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands)
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 31, | Sep. 30, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | Dec. 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (GAAP) | $ | 15,936 | $ | 33,054 | $ | 46,468 | $ | 114,992 | $ | 183,588 | ||||||||||
| Adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Severance | 2,320 | 3,081 | 3,200 | 5,401 | 9,066 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-cash asset impairments | 12,841 | — | — | 12,841 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Intangible impairment | — | — | — | — | 1,200 | |||||||||||||||
| Pension revaluation | 11,217 | — | (16,129 | ) | 11,217 | (16,129 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Tax effect of adjustments | (6,331 | ) | (739 | ) | 3,103 | (7,070 | ) | 1,407 | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (non-GAAP) | $ | 35,983 | $ | 35,396 | $ | 36,642 | $ | 137,381 | $ | 179,132 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average share outstanding-basic and diluted | 69,896 | 72,387 | 77,786 | 73,299 | 80,468 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income per share, basic and diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 1.87 | $ | 2.23 | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses (GAAP) | $ | 241,206 | $ | 230,656 | $ | 227,831 | $ | 924,623 | $ | 938,253 | ||||||||||
| Adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Severance | 2,320 | 3,081 | 3,200 | 5,401 | 9,066 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-cash asset impairments | 12,841 | — | — | 12,841 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Intangible impairment | — | — | — | — | 1,200 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted operating expenses (non-GAAP) | $ | 226,045 | $ | 227,575 | $ | 224,631 | $ | 906,381 | $ | 927,987 | ||||||||||
| Operating income (GAAP) | $ | 28,865 | $ | 40,024 | $ | 44,399 | $ | 145,692 | $ | 222,048 | ||||||||||
| Adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Severance | 2,320 | 3,081 | 3,200 | 5,401 | 9,066 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-cash asset impairments | 12,841 | — | — | 12,841 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Intangible impairment | — | — | — | — | 1,200 | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) | $ | 44,026 | $ | 43,105 | $ | 47,599 | $ | 163,934 | $ | 232,314 | ||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | 270,071 | $ | 270,680 | $ | 272,230 | $ | 1,070,315 | $ | 1,160,301 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP) | 16.3 | % | 15.9 | % | 17.5 | % | 15.3 | % | 20.0 | % | ||||||||||
Earnings Conference Call
Stockholders, members of the investment community and the general public are invited to listen to a live Web cast of our earnings release conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. During this call, Philip J. Sanders, CEO, will review our quarterly results. Live access to the teleconference will be available on the “Investor Relations” section of our Web site atir.waddell.com. A Web cast replay will be made available shortly after the conclusion of the call and accessible for seven days.
Web Site Resources
We invite you to visit the Investor Relations section of our Web site atir.waddell.com. Under the “Investor Information” tab you will find a link to presentations as well as to data tables, which include supplemental information schedules.
Contacts
Investor Contact:
Mike Daley, Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer & Investor Relations, (913) 236-1795, mdaley1@waddell.com
Mutual Fund Investor Contact:
Call (888) WADDELL, or visitwww.waddell.comorwww.ivyinvestments.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please invest carefully.
About the Company
Through its subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. has provided investment management and wealth management services to clients throughout the United States since 1937. Today, we distribute our investment products through the unaffiliated channel under the IVY INVESTMENTS® brand (encompassing broker/dealer, retirement, and registered investment advisors), our wealth management channel (through independent financial advisors associated with WADDELL & REED, INC.), and our institutional channel (including defined benefit plans, pension plans, endowments and subadvisory relationships). For more information, visit ir.waddell.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the current views and assumptions of management with respect to future events regarding our business and industry in general. These forward-looking statements include all statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, including statements with respect to revenues and earnings, the amount and composition of assets under management and assets under administration, distribution sources, expense levels, redemption rates, stock repurchases and the financial markets and other conditions. These statements are generally identified by the use of such words as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “outlook,” “will,” “potential” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking information provided by us or on our behalf is not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those discussed below. If one or more events related to these or other risks, contingencies or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those forecasted or expected. Certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which include, without limitation:
| · | The loss of existing distribution relationships or inability to access new distribution relationships; |
| · | A reduction in assets under our management on short notice, through increased redemptions in our distribution channels or our Funds, particularly those Funds with a high concentration of assets, or investors terminating their relationship with us or shifting their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures; |
| · | The adverse ruling or resolution of any litigation, regulatory investigations and proceedings, or securities arbitrations by a federal or state court or regulatory body; |
| · | Changes in our business model, operations and procedures, including our methods of distributing our proprietary products, as a result of evolving fiduciary standards; |
| · | The introduction of legislative or regulatory proposals or judicial rulings that change the independent contractor classification of our financial advisors at the federal or state level for employment tax or other employee benefit purposes; |
| · | A decline in the securities markets or in the relative investment performance of our Funds and other investment portfolios and products as compared to competing funds; |
| · | Our inability to reduce expenses rapidly enough to align with declines in our revenues due to various factors, including fee pressure, the level of our assets under management or our business environment; |
| · | Non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations and changes in current legal, regulatory, accounting, tax or compliance requirements or governmental policies; |
| · | Our inability to attract and retain senior executive management and other key personnel to conduct our wealth management and investment management business; |
| · | A failure in, or breach of, our operational or security systems or our technology infrastructure, or those of third parties on which we rely; and |
| · | Our inability to implement new information technology and systems, or our inability to complete such implementation in a timely or cost effective manner. |
The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with other cautionary statements included in this and other reports and filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information in Item 1 “Business” and Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Part I and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of Part II to our Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and as updated in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the year ending December 31, 2019. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we undertake no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.