Waddell & Reed Financial (WDR) 10-Q 3 May 19 2019 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 26, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001052100
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		75,103,723
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 177,611	$ 231,997
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted	23,001	59,558
Investment securities	649,052	617,135
Receivables:
Funds and separate accounts	19,130	18,112
Customers and other	78,608	151,515
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,446	27,164
Total current assets	969,848	1,105,481
Property and equipment, net	58,773	63,429
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets	145,869	145,869
Deferred income taxes	5,920	12,321
Other non-current assets	48,053	16,979
Total assets	1,228,463	1,344,079
Liabilities:
Accounts payable	24,984	26,253
Payable to investment companies for securities	30,168	100,085
Payable to third party brokers	18,134	19,891
Payable to customers	40,426	86,184
Accrued compensation	41,999	54,129
Other current liabilities	63,990	51,580
Total current liabilities	219,701	338,122
Long-term debt	94,872	94,854
Accrued pension and postretirement costs	806	798
Other non-current liabilities	31,544	15,392
Total liabilities	346,923	449,166
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	12,936	11,463
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock—$1.00 par value: 5,000 shares authorized; none issued
Class A Common stock—$0.01 par value: 250,000 shares authorized; 99,701 shares issued; 75,679 shares outstanding (76,790 at December 31, 2018)	997	997
Additional paid-in capital	290,872	311,264
Retained earnings	1,211,566	1,198,445
Cost of 24,022 common shares in treasury (22,911 at December 31, 2018)	(636,726)	(627,587)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,895	331
Total stockholders’ equity	868,604	883,450
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity	$ 1,228,463	$ 1,344,079

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Preferred stock-par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock-shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock-shares issued	0	0
Class A Common stock-par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Class A Common stock-shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Class A Common stock-shares issued	99,701	99,701
Class A Common stock-shares outstanding	75,679	76,790
Common shares in treasury	24,022	22,911

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 259,410	$ 297,615
Operating expenses:
Distribution	109,794	114,470
Compensation and benefits (including share-based compensation of $12,693 and $14,768, respectively)	64,843	68,785
General and administrative	14,704	19,538
Technology	16,308	16,644
Occupancy	6,715	6,964
Marketing and advertising	1,964	2,281
Depreciation	6,001	5,302
Subadvisory fees	3,557	3,708
Total	223,886	237,692
Operating income	35,524	59,923
Investment and other income	9,453	2,816
Interest expense	(1,548)	(1,802)
Income before provision for income taxes	43,429	60,937
Provision for income taxes	10,671	14,966
Net income	32,758	45,971
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	705	(366)
Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 32,053	$ 46,337
Net income per share attributable to Waddell and Reed Financial, Inc. common shareholders, basic and diluted:	$ 0.42	$ 0.56
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted:	76,299	83,111
Investment management fees
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 109,762	$ 133,692
Underwriting and distribution fees
Revenues:
Total Revenues	126,245	138,041
Shareholder service fees
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 23,403	$ 25,882

Consolidated Statements of In_2

Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Income
Compensation and benefits, share-based compensation	$ 12,693	$ 14,768

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 32,758	$ 45,971
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale investment securities during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $517 and $(351), respectively	1,658	(1,131)
Postretirement benefit, net of income tax benefit of $(30) and $(7), respectively	(94)	(23)
Comprehensive income	34,322	44,817
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	705	(366)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 33,617	$ 45,183

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale investment securities during the period, income tax expense (benefit)	$ 517	$ (351)
Postretirement benefit, income tax benefit	$ (30)	$ (7)

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Adoption of new accounting principle guidance | ASU 2016-01			$ 812		$ (812)
Adoption of new accounting principle guidance | ASU 2018-02			36		(36)
Balance at the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 997	$ 301,410	1,092,394	$ (522,441)	524	$ 872,884
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	99,701
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)			46,337			46,337
Recognition of equity compensation		12,065	209			12,274
Net issuance/forfeiture of nonvested shares		(29,707)		29,707
Dividends accrued, $0.25 per share			(20,866)			(20,866)
Repurchase of common stock				(20,507)		(20,507)
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(1,154)	(1,154)
Balance at the end of the period at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 997	283,768	1,118,922	(513,241)	(1,478)	888,968
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	99,701
Balance at the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2017						14,509
Increase (Decrease) in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Net income (loss)						(366)
Net subscription of redeemable noncontrolling interests in sponsored funds						4,427
Balance at the end of the period at Mar. 31, 2018						18,570
Balance at the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 997	311,264	1,198,445	(627,587)	331	883,450
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	99,701
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)			32,053			32,053
Recognition of equity compensation		9,608	93			9,701
Net issuance/forfeiture of nonvested shares		(30,000)		30,000
Dividends accrued, $0.25 per share			(19,025)			(19,025)
Repurchase of common stock				(39,139)		(39,139)
Other comprehensive income (loss)					1,564	1,564
Balance at the end of the period at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 997	$ 290,872	$ 1,211,566	$ (636,726)	$ 1,895	868,604
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	99,701
Balance at the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2018						11,463
Increase (Decrease) in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Net income (loss)						705
Net subscription of redeemable noncontrolling interests in sponsored funds						768
Balance at the end of the period at Mar. 31, 2019						$ 12,936

Consolidated Statements of St_2

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Dividends accrued (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.25

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 32,758	$ 45,971
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,208	5,302
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	551	996
Share-based compensation	12,693	14,768
Investments (gain) loss, net	(19,930)	3,070
Net purchases, maturities, and sales of trading and equity securities	(2,233)	(1,386)
Deferred income taxes	5,914	1,555
Net change in equity securities and trading debt securities held by consolidated sponsored funds	(5,081)	(2,415)
Other	(56)	1,079
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Customer and other receivables	72,892	25,026
Payable to investment companies for securities and payable to customers	(115,675)	(22,761)
Receivables from funds and separate accounts	(1,018)	979
Other assets	9,161	(12,162)
Accounts payable and payable to third party brokers	(3,026)	(3,324)
Other liabilities	(10,655)	(6,433)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(17,497)	50,265
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available for sale and equity method securities	(70,501)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale and equity method securities	19,667
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities	38,375	56,686
Additions to property and equipment	(1,474)	(414)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(13,933)	56,272
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(19,348)	(20,890)
Repurchase of common stock	(40,871)	(20,507)
Repayment of short-term debt, net of debt issuance costs		(94,978)
Net subscriptions (redemptions, distributions and deconsolidations) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in sponsored funds	768	4,427
Other	(62)
Net cash used in financing activities	(59,513)	(131,948)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(90,943)	(25,411)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	291,555	235,985
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$ 200,612	$ 210,574

Description of Business and Sig

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC. NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company, incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1981, that conducts business through its subsidiaries. Founded in 1937, we are one of the oldest mutual fund complexes in the United States, having introduced the former Waddell & Reed Advisors group of mutual funds (the “Advisors Funds”) in 1940. Over time, we added additional mutual funds: Ivy Funds (the “Ivy Funds”); Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios, our variable product offering (“Ivy VIP”); InvestEd Portfolios, our 529 college savings plan (“InvestEd”); and the Ivy High Income Opportunities Fund, a closed-end mutual fund (“IVH”). In 2016, we introduced the Ivy NextShares ® exchange-traded managed funds (“Ivy NextShares”) (collectively, Ivy Funds, Ivy VIP, InvestEd, IVH, and Ivy NextShares are referred to as the “Funds”). In addition to the Funds, our assets under management (“AUM”) include institutional accounts managed by the Company. As of March 31, 2019, we had $71.7 billion in AUM. We derive our revenues from providing investment management and advisory services, investment product underwriting and distribution, and shareholder services administration to the Funds and institutional accounts. We also provide brokerage services, primarily to retail clients through Waddell & Reed, Inc. (“W&R”), and independent financial advisors associated with W&R (“Advisors”), who provide financial planning and advice to their clients. Investment management and advisory fees and certain underwriting and distribution revenues are based on the level of AUM and assets under administration (“AUA”) and are affected by sales levels, financial market conditions, redemptions and the composition of assets. Our underwriting and distribution revenues consist of fees earned on fee based asset allocation programs and related advisory services, asset based service and distribution fees promulgated under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12b-1”), distribution fees on certain variable products, and commissions derived from sales of investment and insurance products. The products sold have various commission structures and the revenues received from those sales vary based on the type and dollar amount sold. Shareholder service fee revenue includes transfer agency fees, custodian fees from retirement plan accounts, portfolio accounting and administration fees, and is earned based on client AUM or number of client accounts. Our major expenses are for distribution of our products, compensation related costs, occupancy, general and administrative, and information technology. Basis of Presentation We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate to enable a reasonable understanding of the information presented. The information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”). Certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified for consistent presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2018 Form 10-K with the exception of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2016-02, “Leases ” and ASU 2018-07, “ Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ,” which both became effective January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 2 – New Accounting Guidance for the impact these ASU’s had on our consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only a normal and recurring nature) necessary to present fairly our financial position at March 31, 2019 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

New Accounting Guidance

New Accounting Guidance	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
New Accounting Guidance
New Accounting Guidance	2. Accounting Guidance Adopted During the First Quarter of 2019 On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases , and related ASUs, which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by establishing a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet with additional disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) the effective date of the ASU or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. The Company chose the effective date of the ASU as the date of initial application, and as a result, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients for transition and practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting, which the Company has elected. In addition, we have elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. The effect of adoption was the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities of $36.8 million on our balance sheet for our real estate and equipment leases as of January 1, 2019. See Note 11 – Leases, for additional accounting policy information and the additional disclosures required by this ASU. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which simplifies the accounting for share–based payments granted to nonemployees by aligning the accounting with the requirements for employee share–based compensation. Upon adoption of this ASU, the Company no longer revalues certain outstanding share-based awards for nonemployees, which are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement , which eliminates certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, requires entities to disclose new information, and modifies existing disclosure requirements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption of this ASU, disclosure changes will be reflected in our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract , which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition	3. All revenue recognized in the consolidated statements of income is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The vast majority of revenue is determined based on average assets and is earned daily or monthly or is transactional and is earned on the trade date. As such, revenue from remaining performance obligations is not significant. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue by product and distribution channel: Three months ended Three months ended (in thousands) Investment management fees: Funds $ 105,745 127,663 Institutional 4,017 6,029 Total investment management fees $ 109,762 133,692 Underwriting and distribution fees: Unaffiliated Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees $ 16,182 20,976 Sales commissions on front-end load mutual fund and variable annuity sales 438 470 Other revenues 92 185 Total unaffiliated distribution fees $ 16,712 21,631 Broker-Dealer Fee-based asset allocation product revenues $ 65,230 65,516 Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees 15,688 18,377 Sales commissions on front-end load mutual fund and variable annuity sales 12,020 14,427 Sales commissions on other products 7,606 8,422 Other revenues 8,989 9,668 Total broker-dealer distribution fees 109,533 116,410 Total distribution fees $ 126,245 138,041 Shareholder service fees: Total shareholder service fees $ 23,403 25,882 Total revenues $ 259,410 297,615

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Investment Securities
Investment Securities	4. Investment securities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Available for sale securities: Certificates of deposit $ — 5,001 Commercial paper 8,305 7,970 Corporate bonds 257,083 218,121 U.S. Treasury bills — 19,672 Total available for sale securities 265,388 250,764 Trading debt securities: Commercial paper 1,175 1,993 Corporate bonds 77,739 77,250 U.S. Treasury bills 5,913 5,884 Mortgage-backed securities 7 7 Consolidated sponsored funds 35,165 33,088 Total trading securities 119,999 118,222 Equity securities: Common stock 30,680 21,204 Sponsored funds 152,481 153,548 Sponsored privately offered funds 797 678 Consolidated sponsored funds 27,883 24,879 Total equity securities 211,841 200,309 Equity method securities: Sponsored funds 51,824 47,840 Total securities $ 649,052 617,135 Commercial paper and corporate bonds accounted for as available for sale and held as of March 31, 2019 mature as follows: Amortized cost Fair value (in thousands) Within one year $ 105,490 105,322 After one year but within five years 158,769 160,066 $ 264,259 265,388 Commercial paper, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury bills and mortgage-backed securities accounted for as trading and held as of March 31, 2019 mature as follows: Fair value (in thousands) Within one year $ 29,141 After one year but within five years 51,261 After five years but within 10 years 4,432 $ 84,834 The following is a summary of the gross unrealized gains (losses) related to securities classified as available for sale at March 31, 2019: Amortized Unrealized Unrealized cost gains losses Fair value (in thousands) Available for sale securities: Commercial paper $ 8,304 1 — 8,305 Corporate bonds 255,955 1,668 (540) 257,083 $ 264,259 1,669 (540) 265,388 The following is a summary of the gross unrealized gains (losses) related to securities classified as available for sale at December 31, 2018: Amortized Unrealized Unrealized cost gains losses Fair value (in thousands) Available for sale securities: Certificates of deposit $ 5,000 1 — 5,001 Commercial paper 7,902 68 — 7,970 Corporate bonds 219,236 254 (1,369) 218,121 U.S. Treasury bills 19,672 — — 19,672 $ 251,810 323 (1,369) 250,764 A summary of available for sale investment securities with fair values below carrying values at March 31, 2019 is as follows: Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total Unrealized Unrealized Unrealized March 31, 2019 Fair value losses Fair value losses Fair value losses (in thousands) Corporate bonds $ 4,959 (41) 104,926 (499) 109,885 (540) A summary of available for sale investment securities with fair values below carrying values at December 31, 2018 is as follows: Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total Unrealized Unrealized Unrealized December 31, 2018 Fair value losses Fair value losses Fair value losses (in thousands) Corporate bonds $ 36,302 (160) 119,480 (1,209) 155,782 (1,369) The Company’s investment portfolio included 29 available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2019. The Company evaluated available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2019 and concluded no other-than-temporary impairment existed at March 31, 2019. The unrealized losses in the Company’s investment portfolio at March 31, 2019 were primarily caused by changes in interest rates. At this time, the Company does not intend to sell, and does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost. Sponsored Funds The Company has classified its equity investments in the Ivy Funds as equity method investments (when the Company owns between 20% and 50% of the fund) or equity securities measured at fair value through net income (when the Company owns less than 20% of the fund). These entities do not meet the criteria of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and are considered to be voting interest entities (“VOE”). The Company has determined the Ivy Funds are VOEs because the structure of the investment products is such that the voting rights held by the equity holders provide for equality among equity investors. Sponsored Privately Offered Funds The Company holds an interest in a privately offered fund structured in the form of a limited liability company. The members of this entity have the substantive ability to remove the Company as managing member or dissolve the entity upon a simple majority vote. This entity does not meet the criteria of a VIE and is considered to be a VOE. Consolidated Sponsored Funds The following table details the balances related to consolidated sponsored funds at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as well as the Company’s net interest in these funds: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Cash $ 6,086 4,285 Investments 63,048 57,967 Other assets 762 872 Other liabilities (1,093) (79) Redeemable noncontrolling interests (12,936) (11,463) Net interest in consolidated sponsored funds $ 55,867 51,582 During the three months ended March 31, 2019, an Ivy Fund, Ivy NextShares and Ivy Global Investors Funds in which we provided initial seed capital at the time of the funds’ formation were consolidated. During 2018, we liquidated the Ivy Global Investors Société d’Investissement à Capital Variable and its Ivy Global Investors sub-funds, including converting the investments held by the sub-funds to cash, and redeemed the majority of our investment. When we no longer have a controlling financial interest in a sponsored fund, it is deconsolidated from our consolidated financial statements. Fair Value Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the asset. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset. An individual investment’s fair value measurement is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs that are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows: · Level 1 – Investments are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. · Level 2 – Investments are valued using other significant observable inputs, including quoted prices in active markets for similar securities. · Level 3 – Investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs, including the Company’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Assets classified as Level 2 can have a variety of observable inputs. These observable inputs are collected and utilized, primarily by an independent pricing service, in different evaluated pricing approaches depending upon the specific asset to determine a value. The carrying amounts of certificates of deposit and commercial paper are measured at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-time between purchase and expected maturity of the investments. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these investments are generally classified as Level 1 or 2 within the fair value hierarchy. U.S. Treasury bills are valued upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or corroborated by observable market data. The fair value of corporate bonds is measured using various techniques, which consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads and fundamental data relating to the issuer. The fair value of equity derivatives is measured based on active market broker quotes, evaluated broker quotes and evaluated prices from vendors. The following tables summarize our investment securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 that are recognized in our consolidated balance sheets using fair value measurements based on the differing levels of inputs. March 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other Assets Held at Net Asset Value Total (in thousands) Cash equivalents: (1) Money market funds $ 119,874 — — — 119,874 U.S. government sponsored enterprise note — 895 — — 895 Commercial paper — 36,066 — — 36,066 Total cash equivalents $ 119,874 36,961 — — 156,835 Available for sale securities: Commercial paper $ — 8,305 — — 8,305 Corporate bonds — 257,083 — — 257,083 Trading debt securities: Commercial paper — 1,175 — — 1,175 Corporate bonds — 77,739 — 77,739 U.S. Treasury bills — 5,913 — — 5,913 Mortgage-backed securities — 7 — — 7 Consolidated sponsored funds — 35,165 — — 35,165 Equity securities: Common stock 30,660 — 20 — 30,680 Sponsored funds 152,481 — — — 152,481 Sponsored privately offered funds measured at net asset value (2) — — — 797 797 Consolidated sponsored funds 27,883 — — — 27,883 Equity method securities: (3) Sponsored funds 51,824 — — — 51,824 Total investment securities $ 262,848 385,387 20 797 649,052 December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other Assets Held at Net Asset Value Total (in thousands) Cash equivalents: (1) Money market funds $ 121,759 — — — 121,759 U.S. government sponsored enterprise note — 895 — — 895 Commercial paper — 74,277 — — 74,277 Total cash equivalents $ 121,759 75,172 — — 196,931 Available for sale securities: Certificates of deposit $ — 5,001 — — 5,001 Commercial paper — 7,970 — — 7,970 Corporate bonds — 218,121 — — 218,121 U.S. Treasury bills — 19,672 — — 19,672 Trading debt securities: Commercial paper — 1,993 — — 1,993 Corporate bonds — 77,250 — 77,250 U.S. Treasury bills — 5,884 — — 5,884 Mortgage-backed securities — 7 — — 7 Consolidated sponsored funds — 33,088 — — 33,088 Equity securities: Common stock 21,192 — 12 — 21,204 Sponsored funds 153,548 — — — 153,548 Sponsored privately offered funds measured at net asset value (2) — — — 678 678 Consolidated sponsored funds 24,879 — — — 24,879 Equity method securities: (3) Sponsored funds 47,840 — — — 47,840 Total investment securities $ 247,459 368,986 12 678 617,135 (1) Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash investments in actively traded money market funds are measured at net asset value and are classified as Level 1. Cash investments in commercial paper are measured at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short time between purchase of the instrument and its expected realization, and are classified as Level 2. (2) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets. (3) Substantially all of the Company’s equity method investments are investment companies that record their underlying investments at fair value. The following table summarizes the activity of investments categorized as Level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2019: Three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) Level 3 assets at December 31, 2018 $ 12 Additions — Valuation change 8 Redemptions — Level 3 assets at March 31, 2019 $ 20

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments	5. The Company has in place an economic hedge program that uses total return swap contracts to hedge market risk related to its investments in certain sponsored funds. Certain of the consolidated sponsored funds may utilize derivative financial instruments within their portfolios in pursuit of their stated investment objectives. We do not hedge for speculative purposes. Excluding derivative financial instruments held in certain consolidated sponsored funds, the Company was party to six total return swap contracts with a combined notional value of $212.7 million and five total return swap contracts with a combined notional value of $194.4 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. These derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Changes in fair value of the total return swap contracts are recognized in investment and other income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company posted $9.3 million and $5.2 million in cash collateral with the counterparties of the total return swap contracts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The cash collateral is included in Customers and other receivables in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not record its fair value in derivative transactions against the posted collateral. The following table presents the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, excluding derivative financial instruments held in certain consolidated sponsored funds, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and is calculated based on Level 2 inputs: March 31, December 31, Balance sheet 2019 2018 location Fair value Fair value (in thousands) Total return swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ — 4,968 Total return swap contracts Other current liabilities 2,188 — Total $ 2,188 4,968 The following is a summary of net (losses) gains recognized in income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018: Three months ended Income statement March 31, location 2019 2018 (in thousands) Total return swap contracts Investment and other income $ (20,622) 1,364

Goodwill and Identifiable Intan

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	6. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets of an acquired business. Our goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (all considered indefinite lived) at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Goodwill $ 106,970 106,970 Mutual fund management advisory contracts 38,699 38,699 Other 200 200 Total identifiable intangible assets 38,899 38,899 Total $ 145,869 145,869

Indebtedness

Indebtedness	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Indebtedness
Indebtedness	7. Debt is reported at its carrying amount in the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value, calculated based on Level 2 inputs, of the Company’s senior unsecured notes maturing January 13, 2021 was $98.4 million at March 31, 2019 compared to the carrying value net of debt issuance costs of $94.9 million, which is listed under long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet.

Income Tax Uncertainties

Income Tax Uncertainties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Uncertainties
Income Tax Uncertainties	8. In the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, unrecognized tax benefits that are not expected to be settled within the next 12 months are included in other liabilities; unrecognized tax benefits that are expected to be settled within the next 12 months are included in income taxes payable; unrecognized tax benefits that reduce a net operating loss, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward are presented as a reduction to non-current deferred income taxes. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company’s consolidated balance sheets included unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest, of $2.6 million ($2.3 million net of federal benefit) and $2.7 million ($2.4 million net of federal benefit), respectively, that if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties is to classify these amounts as income taxes. The total amount of penalties and interest, net of federal benefit, related to income tax uncertainties recognized in the statement of income for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 was $16 thousand. The total amount of accrued penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is $0.6 million ($0.5 million net of federal benefit) and $0.7 million ($0.6 million net of federal benefit), respectively. In the ordinary course of business, many transactions occur for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, respective tax authorities periodically audit our income tax returns. These audits examine our significant tax filing positions, including the timing and amounts of deductions and the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. The Company does not expect the resolution or settlement of any open audits, federal or state, to materially impact the consolidated financial statements. The 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 federal income tax returns are open tax years that remain subject to potential future audit. State income tax returns for all years after 2014 and, in certain states, income tax returns for 2014, are subject to potential future audit by tax authorities in the Company’s major state tax jurisdictions.

Pension Plan and Postretirement

Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension
Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension	9. Benefits payable under our noncontributory retirement plan that covers substantially all employees and certain vested employees of our former parent company (the “Pension Plan”) were based on employees’ years of service and compensation during the final 10 years of employment. On July 26, 2017, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to freeze the Pension Plan, effective September 30, 2017. After September 30, 2017, participants in the Pension Plan ceased accruing additional benefits for future service or compensation. Participants retain benefits accumulated as of September 30, 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Pension Plan. We also sponsor an unfunded defined benefit postretirement medical plan that previously covered substantially all employees, as well as Advisors. The medical plan is contributory with participant contributions adjusted annually. The medical plan does not provide for benefits after age 65 with the exception of a small group of employees that were grandfathered when this plan was established. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company amended this plan to discontinue the availability of coverage for any individuals who retire after December 31, 2016. The components of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs related to these plans were as follows: Other Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Three months ended March 31, Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 2019 2018 (in thousands) Components of net periodic benefit cost: Interest cost $ 1,528 1,508 $ 8 14 Expected return on plan assets (1,590) (2,069) — — Actuarial gain amortization — — (124) (30) Prior service credit amortization — — — (1) Total $ (62) (561) $ (116) (17)

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity	10. Earnings per Share The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. $ 32,053 46,337 Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 76,299 83,111 Earnings per share, basic and diluted $ 0.42 0.56 Dividends During the quarter, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on our Class A common stock in the amount of $0.25 per share payable on May 1, 2019 to stockholders of record on April 10, 2019. The total dividend paid on May 1, 2019 was $18.8 million. Common Stock Repurchases The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of our Class A common stock in the open market and/or private purchases. The acquired shares may be used for corporate purposes, including issuing shares to employees in our stock-based compensation programs. There were 2,226,325 shares and 996,309 shares repurchased in the open market or privately during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which includes 149,073 shares and 121,309 shares, respectively, repurchased from employees who tendered shares to cover income tax withholdings with respect to vesting of stock awards during these two reporting periods. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following tables summarize accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018. Total Unrealized Postretirement accumulated gains (losses) on benefits other AFS investment unrealized comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2019 securities gains (losses) income (loss) (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (797) 1,128 331 Other comprehensive income before reclassification 1,753 — 1,753 Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (95) (94) (189) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,658 (94) 1,564 Balance at March 31, 2019 $ 861 1,034 1,895 Total Unrealized Postretirement accumulated gains (losses) on benefits other AFS investment unrealized comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2018 securities gains (losses) income (loss) (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 145 379 524 Amount reclassified to retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018 (955) 107 (848) Other comprehensive loss before reclassification (1,131) — (1,131) Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — (23) (23) Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (2,086) 84 (2,002) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (1,941) 463 (1,478) Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in net income are summarized in the tables that follow. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 Tax Pre-tax expense Net of tax Statement of income line item (in thousands) Reclassifications included in net income: Gains on available for sale debt securities $ 125 (30) 95 Investment and other income Amortization of postretirement benefits 124 (30) 94 Compensation and benefits Total $ 249 (60) 189 For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Tax Statement of income Pre-tax expense Net of tax line item or retained earnings (in thousands) Reclassifications included in net income or retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018: Sponsored funds investment gains $ 1,295 (340) 955 Retained earnings Amortization of postretirement benefits 30 (114) (84) Compensation and benefits and retained earnings Total $ 1,325 (454) 871

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases
Leases	11. The Company has operating and finance leases for corporate office space and equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to seven years, some of which include options to extend leases for up to 20 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. Certain leases include variable lease payments in future periods based on a market index or rate. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception (or the effective date of the ASU). Operating lease assets and liabilities are included in other non-current assets, other current liabilities, and other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2019. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, other current liabilities, and other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date (or the effective date of the ASU) based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date (or the effective date of the ASU) in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. The components of lease expense were as follows: For the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) Operating Lease Cost $ 5,318 Finance Lease Cost: Amortization of ROU assets $ 83 Interest on lease liabilities 8 Total $ 91 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: For the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 5,238 Operating cash flows from finance leases 8 Financing cash flows from finance leases 80 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases — Finance leases 40 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: March 31, 2019 (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) Operating Leases: Operating lease ROU assets (Other non-current assets) $ 31,876 Other current liabilities $ 13,797 Other non-current liabilities 18,826 Total operating lease liabilities $ 32,623 Finance Leases: Property and equipment, gross $ 1,255 Accumulated depreciation (782) Property and equipment, net $ 473 Other current liabilities $ 290 Other non-current liabilities 198 Total finance lease liabilities $ 488 Weighted average remaining lease term: Operating leases 4 years Finance leases 2 years Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases Finance leases Rent expense was $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had property and equipment under capital leases with a cost of $1.6 million and accumulated depreciation of $1.1 million. Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows: Operating Finance Leases Leases (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019) $ 11,806 233 2020 9,523 224 2021 4,882 46 2022 2,178 6 2023 2,090 — Thereafter 4,703 — Total lease payments 35,182 509 Less imputed interest (2,559) (21) Total $ 32,623 488

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Contingencies
Contingencies	12. The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings, regulatory investigations and claims incident to the normal conduct of business, which may include proceedings that are specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices within the industries in which we operate. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and on the results of operations in a particular quarter or year. The Company establishes reserves for litigation and similar matters when those matters present material loss contingencies that management determines to be both probable and reasonably estimable in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies.” These amounts are not reduced by amounts that may be recovered under insurance or claims against third parties, but undiscounted receivables from insurers or other third parties may be accrued separately. The Company regularly revises such accruals in light of new information. The Company discloses the nature of the contingency when management believes it is reasonably possible the outcome may be significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and, where feasible, an estimate of the possible loss. For purposes of our litigation contingency disclosures, “significant” includes material matters as well as other items that management believes should be disclosed. Management’s judgment is required related to contingent liabilities because the outcomes are difficult to predict. 401(k) Plan Class Action Litigation In an action filed on June 23, 2017 and amended on June 26, 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, Schapker v. Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., et al., (Case No. 17-2365 D. Kan.), Stacy Schapker, a participant in the Company’s 401(k) and Thrift Plan, as amended and restated (the “401(k) Plan”), filed a lawsuit against the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors, the Administrative Committee of the 401(k) Plan, and unnamed Jane and John Doe Defendants 1-25. On August 7, 2017, plaintiff filed a second amended complaint on behalf of the 401(k) Plan and a proposed class of 401(k) Plan participants, alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty and prohibited transactions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, based on the 401(k) Plan’s offering of investments managed by the Company or its affiliates during a proposed class period of June 23, 2011 to present. The second amended complaint dismissed the Company’s Board of Directors as a defendant and named as defendants the Company, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Administrative Committee of the 401(k) Plan, and the individuals who served on those committees during the proposed class period. While the Company and all other defendants deny any and all liability with respect to the claims, the parties to the litigation reached a settlement. The settlement agreement provides a full release for the benefit of the Company and all other defendants and the payment of $4.875 million (less attorney’s fees and costs, class representative compensation, and administrative expenses) to eligible settlement class members, their beneficiaries or alternate payees. On April 8, 2019, the court entered an order granting final approval of the settlement, including certification of a class for settlement purposes only, to include 401(k) Plan participants at any time during the approved class period of June 23, 2011 to November 28, 2018. The settlement is subject to appeal for 30 days following the court’s final approval. The payments contemplated by the settlement are recoverable to the Company through insurance. The Company has recorded a liability and offsetting receivable from insurance, as reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Description of Business and S_2

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate to enable a reasonable understanding of the information presented. The information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”). Certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified for consistent presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2018 Form 10-K with the exception of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2016-02, “Leases ” and ASU 2018-07, “ Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ,” which both became effective January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 2 – New Accounting Guidance for the impact these ASU’s had on our consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only a normal and recurring nature) necessary to present fairly our financial position at March 31, 2019 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue Recognition
Summary of disaggregation of revenue	The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue by product and distribution channel: Three months ended Three months ended (in thousands) Investment management fees: Funds $ 105,745 127,663 Institutional 4,017 6,029 Total investment management fees $ 109,762 133,692 Underwriting and distribution fees: Unaffiliated Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees $ 16,182 20,976 Sales commissions on front-end load mutual fund and variable annuity sales 438 470 Other revenues 92 185 Total unaffiliated distribution fees $ 16,712 21,631 Broker-Dealer Fee-based asset allocation product revenues $ 65,230 65,516 Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees 15,688 18,377 Sales commissions on front-end load mutual fund and variable annuity sales 12,020 14,427 Sales commissions on other products 7,606 8,422 Other revenues 8,989 9,668 Total broker-dealer distribution fees 109,533 116,410 Total distribution fees $ 126,245 138,041 Shareholder service fees: Total shareholder service fees $ 23,403 25,882 Total revenues $ 259,410 297,615

Investment Securities (Tables)

Investment Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Investment Securities
Schedule of investment securities	Investment securities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Available for sale securities: Certificates of deposit $ — 5,001 Commercial paper 8,305 7,970 Corporate bonds 257,083 218,121 U.S. Treasury bills — 19,672 Total available for sale securities 265,388 250,764 Trading debt securities: Commercial paper 1,175 1,993 Corporate bonds 77,739 77,250 U.S. Treasury bills 5,913 5,884 Mortgage-backed securities 7 7 Consolidated sponsored funds 35,165 33,088 Total trading securities 119,999 118,222 Equity securities: Common stock 30,680 21,204 Sponsored funds 152,481 153,548 Sponsored privately offered funds 797 678 Consolidated sponsored funds 27,883 24,879 Total equity securities 211,841 200,309 Equity method securities: Sponsored funds 51,824 47,840 Total securities $ 649,052 617,135
Summary of maturities of securities held	Commercial paper and corporate bonds accounted for as available for sale and held as of March 31, 2019 mature as follows: Amortized cost Fair value (in thousands) Within one year $ 105,490 105,322 After one year but within five years 158,769 160,066 $ 264,259 265,388 Commercial paper, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury bills and mortgage-backed securities accounted for as trading and held as of March 31, 2019 mature as follows: Fair value (in thousands) Within one year $ 29,141 After one year but within five years 51,261 After five years but within 10 years 4,432 $ 84,834
Summary of the gross unrealized gains (losses) related to securities	The following is a summary of the gross unrealized gains (losses) related to securities classified as available for sale at March 31, 2019: Amortized Unrealized Unrealized cost gains losses Fair value (in thousands) Available for sale securities: Commercial paper $ 8,304 1 — 8,305 Corporate bonds 255,955 1,668 (540) 257,083 $ 264,259 1,669 (540) 265,388 The following is a summary of the gross unrealized gains (losses) related to securities classified as available for sale at December 31, 2018: Amortized Unrealized Unrealized cost gains losses Fair value (in thousands) Available for sale securities: Certificates of deposit $ 5,000 1 — 5,001 Commercial paper 7,902 68 — 7,970 Corporate bonds 219,236 254 (1,369) 218,121 U.S. Treasury bills 19,672 — — 19,672 $ 251,810 323 (1,369) 250,764
Summary of available for sale sponsored funds with fair values below carrying values	A summary of available for sale investment securities with fair values below carrying values at March 31, 2019 is as follows: Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total Unrealized Unrealized Unrealized March 31, 2019 Fair value losses Fair value losses Fair value losses (in thousands) Corporate bonds $ 4,959 (41) 104,926 (499) 109,885 (540) A summary of available for sale investment securities with fair values below carrying values at December 31, 2018 is as follows: Less than 12 months 12 months or longer Total Unrealized Unrealized Unrealized December 31, 2018 Fair value losses Fair value losses Fair value losses (in thousands) Corporate bonds $ 36,302 (160) 119,480 (1,209) 155,782 (1,369)
Summary of balances related to consolidated sponsored funds as well the company’s net interest in these funds	The following table details the balances related to consolidated sponsored funds at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as well as the Company’s net interest in these funds: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Cash $ 6,086 4,285 Investments 63,048 57,967 Other assets 762 872 Other liabilities (1,093) (79) Redeemable noncontrolling interests (12,936) (11,463) Net interest in consolidated sponsored funds $ 55,867 51,582
Schedule of fair value of investment securities	The following tables summarize our investment securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 that are recognized in our consolidated balance sheets using fair value measurements based on the differing levels of inputs. March 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other Assets Held at Net Asset Value Total (in thousands) Cash equivalents: (1) Money market funds $ 119,874 — — — 119,874 U.S. government sponsored enterprise note — 895 — — 895 Commercial paper — 36,066 — — 36,066 Total cash equivalents $ 119,874 36,961 — — 156,835 Available for sale securities: Commercial paper $ — 8,305 — — 8,305 Corporate bonds — 257,083 — — 257,083 Trading debt securities: Commercial paper — 1,175 — — 1,175 Corporate bonds — 77,739 — 77,739 U.S. Treasury bills — 5,913 — — 5,913 Mortgage-backed securities — 7 — — 7 Consolidated sponsored funds — 35,165 — — 35,165 Equity securities: Common stock 30,660 — 20 — 30,680 Sponsored funds 152,481 — — — 152,481 Sponsored privately offered funds measured at net asset value (2) — — — 797 797 Consolidated sponsored funds 27,883 — — — 27,883 Equity method securities: (3) Sponsored funds 51,824 — — — 51,824 Total investment securities $ 262,848 385,387 20 797 649,052 December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other Assets Held at Net Asset Value Total (in thousands) Cash equivalents: (1) Money market funds $ 121,759 — — — 121,759 U.S. government sponsored enterprise note — 895 — — 895 Commercial paper — 74,277 — — 74,277 Total cash equivalents $ 121,759 75,172 — — 196,931 Available for sale securities: Certificates of deposit $ — 5,001 — — 5,001 Commercial paper — 7,970 — — 7,970 Corporate bonds — 218,121 — — 218,121 U.S. Treasury bills — 19,672 — — 19,672 Trading debt securities: Commercial paper — 1,993 — — 1,993 Corporate bonds — 77,250 — 77,250 U.S. Treasury bills — 5,884 — — 5,884 Mortgage-backed securities — 7 — — 7 Consolidated sponsored funds — 33,088 — — 33,088 Equity securities: Common stock 21,192 — 12 — 21,204 Sponsored funds 153,548 — — — 153,548 Sponsored privately offered funds measured at net asset value (2) — — — 678 678 Consolidated sponsored funds 24,879 — — — 24,879 Equity method securities: (3) Sponsored funds 47,840 — — — 47,840 Total investment securities $ 247,459 368,986 12 678 617,135 (1) Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash investments in actively traded money market funds are measured at net asset value and are classified as Level 1. Cash investments in commercial paper are measured at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short time between purchase of the instrument and its expected realization, and are classified as Level 2. (2) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets. (3) Substantially all of the Company’s equity method investments are investment companies that record their underlying investments at fair value.
Schedule of activity of investments categorized as Level 3	The following table summarizes the activity of investments categorized as Level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2019: Three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) Level 3 assets at December 31, 2018 $ 12 Additions — Valuation change 8 Redemptions — Level 3 assets at March 31, 2019 $ 20

Derivative Financial Instrume_2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Derivative Financial Instruments
Schedule of fair value of derivative financial instruments, excluding derivative financial instruments held in certain consolidated sponsored funds	The following table presents the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, excluding derivative financial instruments held in certain consolidated sponsored funds, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and is calculated based on Level 2 inputs: March 31, December 31, Balance sheet 2019 2018 location Fair value Fair value (in thousands) Total return swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ — 4,968 Total return swap contracts Other current liabilities 2,188 — Total $ 2,188 4,968
Schedule of net gains (losses) recognized in income of derivative financial instrument	The following is a summary of net (losses) gains recognized in income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018: Three months ended Income statement March 31, location 2019 2018 (in thousands) Total return swap contracts Investment and other income $ (20,622) 1,364

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_2

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Schedule of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets	Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (all considered indefinite lived) at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows: March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Goodwill $ 106,970 106,970 Mutual fund management advisory contracts 38,699 38,699 Other 200 200 Total identifiable intangible assets 38,899 38,899 Total $ 145,869 145,869

Pension Plan and Postretireme_2

Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension
Schedule of components of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs	The components of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs related to these plans were as follows: Other Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Three months ended March 31, Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 2019 2018 (in thousands) Components of net periodic benefit cost: Interest cost $ 1,528 1,508 $ 8 14 Expected return on plan assets (1,590) (2,069) — — Actuarial gain amortization — — (124) (30) Prior service credit amortization — — — (1) Total $ (62) (561) $ (116) (17)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity
Components of basic and diluted earnings per share	The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. $ 32,053 46,337 Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 76,299 83,111 Earnings per share, basic and diluted $ 0.42 0.56
Summary of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) activity	The following tables summarize accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018. Total Unrealized Postretirement accumulated gains (losses) on benefits other AFS investment unrealized comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2019 securities gains (losses) income (loss) (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (797) 1,128 331 Other comprehensive income before reclassification 1,753 — 1,753 Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (95) (94) (189) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,658 (94) 1,564 Balance at March 31, 2019 $ 861 1,034 1,895 Total Unrealized Postretirement accumulated gains (losses) on benefits other AFS investment unrealized comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2018 securities gains (losses) income (loss) (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 145 379 524 Amount reclassified to retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018 (955) 107 (848) Other comprehensive loss before reclassification (1,131) — (1,131) Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — (23) (23) Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (2,086) 84 (2,002) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (1,941) 463 (1,478)
Summary of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in net income	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in net income are summarized in the tables that follow. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 Tax Pre-tax expense Net of tax Statement of income line item (in thousands) Reclassifications included in net income: Gains on available for sale debt securities $ 125 (30) 95 Investment and other income Amortization of postretirement benefits 124 (30) 94 Compensation and benefits Total $ 249 (60) 189 For the three months ended March 31, 2018 Tax Statement of income Pre-tax expense Net of tax line item or retained earnings (in thousands) Reclassifications included in net income or retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018: Sponsored funds investment gains $ 1,295 (340) 955 Retained earnings Amortization of postretirement benefits 30 (114) (84) Compensation and benefits and retained earnings Total $ 1,325 (454) 871

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases
Components of lease expense	The components of lease expense were as follows: For the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) Operating Lease Cost $ 5,318 Finance Lease Cost: Amortization of ROU assets $ 83 Interest on lease liabilities 8 Total $ 91
Schedule of supplemental cash flow information	Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: For the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 5,238 Operating cash flows from finance leases 8 Financing cash flows from finance leases 80 ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases — Finance leases 40
Schedule of supplemental balance sheet information	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: March 31, 2019 (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) Operating Leases: Operating lease ROU assets (Other non-current assets) $ 31,876 Other current liabilities $ 13,797 Other non-current liabilities 18,826 Total operating lease liabilities $ 32,623 Finance Leases: Property and equipment, gross $ 1,255 Accumulated depreciation (782) Property and equipment, net $ 473 Other current liabilities $ 290 Other non-current liabilities 198 Total finance lease liabilities $ 488 Weighted average remaining lease term: Operating leases 4 years Finance leases 2 years Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases Finance leases
Schedule of maturities of operating leases	Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows: Operating Finance Leases Leases (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019) $ 11,806 233 2020 9,523 224 2021 4,882 46 2022 2,178 6 2023 2,090 — Thereafter 4,703 — Total lease payments 35,182 509 Less imputed interest (2,559) (21) Total $ 32,623 488

Description of Business and S_3

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Assets under management	$ 71.7

New Accounting Guidance (Detail

New Accounting Guidance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
New Accounting Guidance
ROU assets	$ 31,876
Lease liabilities	$ 32,623
ASU 2016-02 | Reclassification
New Accounting Guidance
ROU assets		$ 36,800
Lease liabilities		$ 36,800

Revenue Recognition - Disaggreg

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	$ 259,410	$ 297,615
Investment management fees
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	109,762	133,692
Investment management fees - Funds
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	105,745	127,663
Investment management fees - Institutional
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	4,017	6,029
Underwriting and distribution fees
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	126,245	138,041
Unaffiliated
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	16,712	21,631
Unaffiliated Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	16,182	20,976
Unaffiliated sales commissions on front-end load mutual fund and variable annuity sales
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	438	470
Unaffiliated other revenues
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	92	185
Broker-Dealer
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	109,533	116,410
Broker-Dealer, Fee-based asset allocation product revenues
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	65,230	65,516
Broker-Dealer, Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	15,688	18,377
Broker-Dealer, sales commissions on front-end load mutual fund and variable annuity sales
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	12,020	14,427
Broker-Dealer, sales commissions on other products
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	7,606	8,422
Broker-Dealer, other revenues
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	8,989	9,668
Shareholder service fees
Revenue Recognition
Total Revenues	$ 23,403	$ 25,882

Investment Securities - Investm

Investment Securities - Investment securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Available for sale securities:
Available for sale securities	$ 265,388	$ 250,764
Trading debt securities:
Trading debt securities	119,999	118,222
Equity securities:
Equity securities	211,841	200,309
Equity method securities:
Total investment securities	649,052	617,135
Certificates of deposit
Available for sale securities:
Available for sale securities		5,001
Commercial paper
Available for sale securities:
Available for sale securities	8,305	7,970
Trading debt securities:
Trading debt securities	1,175	1,993
Corporate bonds
Available for sale securities:
Available for sale securities	257,083	218,121
Trading debt securities:
Trading debt securities	77,739	77,250
U.S. treasury bills
Available for sale securities:
Available for sale securities		19,672
Trading debt securities:
Trading debt securities	5,913	5,884
Fixed income securities: Mortgage-backed securities
Trading debt securities:
Trading debt securities	7	7
Consolidated Sponsored Funds
Trading debt securities:
Trading debt securities	35,165	33,088
Equity securities:
Equity securities	27,883	24,879
Common Stock
Equity securities:
Equity securities	30,680	21,204
Sponsored funds
Equity securities:
Equity securities	152,481	153,548
Equity method securities:
Equity method securities	51,824	47,840
Sponsored privately offered funds
Equity securities:
Equity securities	$ 797	$ 678

Investment Securities - Maturit

Investment Securities - Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Amortized Cost
Within one year	$ 105,490
After one year but within five years	158,769
Amortized Cost	264,259	$ 251,810
Fair value
Within one year	105,322
After one year but within five years	160,066
Total fair value	265,388	$ 250,764
Fair value
Within one year	29,141
After one year but within five years	51,261
After five years but within 10 years	4,432
Total fair value	$ 84,834

Investment Securities - Inves_2

Investment Securities - Investment securities and summary of the gains (losses) related to securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Available for sale securities:
Amortized Cost	$ 264,259	$ 251,810
Unrealized gains	1,669	323
Unrealized losses	(540)	(1,369)
Fair value	265,388	250,764
Certificates of deposit
Available for sale securities:
Amortized Cost		5,000
Unrealized gains		1
Fair value		5,001
Commercial paper
Available for sale securities:
Amortized Cost	8,304	7,902
Unrealized gains	1	68
Fair value	8,305	7,970
Corporate bonds
Available for sale securities:
Amortized Cost	255,955	219,236
Unrealized gains	1,668	254
Unrealized losses	(540)	(1,369)
Fair value	$ 257,083	218,121
U.S. treasury bills
Available for sale securities:
Amortized Cost		19,672
Fair value		$ 19,672

Investment Securities - Availab

Investment Securities - Available for sale sponsored funds with fair values below carrying values (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)security	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Unrealized losses
Securities in an unrealized loss position | security	29
Corporate bonds
Fair value
Less than 12 months	$ 4,959	$ 36,302
12 months or longer	104,926	119,480
Total fair value	109,885	155,782
Unrealized losses
Less than 12 months	(41)	(160)
12 months or longer	(499)	(1,209)
Total unrealized losses	$ (540)	$ (1,369)

Investment Securities - Consoli

Investment Securities - Consolidated Sponsored Funds (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investment Securities
Cash	$ 177,611	$ 231,997
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	(12,936)	(11,463)
Consolidated Sponsored Funds
Investment Securities
Cash	6,086	4,285
Investments	63,048	57,967
Other assets	762	872
Other liabilities	(1,093)	(79)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	(12,936)	(11,463)
Net interest in consolidated sponsored funds	$ 55,867	$ 51,582

Investment Securities - Fair va

Investment Securities - Fair value of investment securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	$ 156,835	$ 196,931
Available for sale securities	265,388	250,764
Trading debt securities	119,999	118,222
Equity securities	211,841	200,309
Total investment securities	649,052	617,135
Money market funds
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	119,874	121,759
U.S. government sponsored enterprise note
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	895	895
Certificates of deposit
Fair value of investments
Available for sale securities		5,001
Commercial paper
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	36,066	74,277
Available for sale securities	8,305	7,970
Trading debt securities	1,175	1,993
Corporate bonds
Fair value of investments
Available for sale securities	257,083	218,121
Trading debt securities	77,739	77,250
U.S. treasury bills
Fair value of investments
Available for sale securities		19,672
Trading debt securities	5,913	5,884
Fixed income securities: Mortgage-backed securities
Fair value of investments
Trading debt securities	7	7
Common Stock
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	30,680	21,204
Consolidated Sponsored Funds
Fair value of investments
Trading debt securities	35,165	33,088
Equity securities	27,883	24,879
Sponsored funds
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	152,481	153,548
Equity method securities	51,824	47,840
Sponsored privately offered funds
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	797	678
Level 1
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	119,874	121,759
Total investment securities	262,848	247,459
Level 1 | Money market funds
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	119,874	121,759
Level 1 | Common Stock
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	30,660	21,192
Level 1 | Consolidated Sponsored Funds
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	27,883	24,879
Level 1 | Sponsored funds
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	152,481	153,548
Equity method securities	51,824	47,840
Level 2
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	36,961	75,172
Total investment securities	385,387	368,986
Level 2 | U.S. government sponsored enterprise note
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	895	895
Level 2 | Certificates of deposit
Fair value of investments
Available for sale securities		5,001
Level 2 | Commercial paper
Fair value of investments
Cash equivalents	36,066	74,277
Available for sale securities	8,305	7,970
Trading debt securities	1,175	1,993
Level 2 | Corporate bonds
Fair value of investments
Available for sale securities	257,083	218,121
Trading debt securities	77,739	77,250
Level 2 | U.S. treasury bills
Fair value of investments
Available for sale securities		19,672
Trading debt securities	5,913	5,884
Level 2 | Fixed income securities: Mortgage-backed securities
Fair value of investments
Trading debt securities	7	7
Level 2 | Consolidated Sponsored Funds
Fair value of investments
Trading debt securities	35,165	33,088
Level 3
Fair value of investments
Total investment securities	20	12
Level 3 | Common Stock
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	20	12
Other Assets Held at Net Value
Fair value of investments
Total investment securities	797	678
Other Assets Held at Net Value | Sponsored privately offered funds
Fair value of investments
Equity securities	$ 797	$ 678

Investment Securities - Inves_3

Investment Securities - Investment category (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Level 3 assets at beginning of period	$ 12
Valuation change	8
Level 3 assets at end of period	$ 20

Derivative Financial Instrume_3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) - Not designated as a hedge - Total return swap contracts $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)contract	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)contract
Derivative Financial Instruments
Number of contracts | contract	6		5
Notional value	$ 212,700		$ 194,400
Cash collateral with the counterparties	9,300		5,200
Level 2
Derivative Financial Instruments
Fair value - assets			4,968
Fair value - liabilities	2,188
Level 2 | Investment and other income (loss)
Derivative Financial Instruments
Net gains (losses) recognized in income	(20,622)	$ 1,364
Level 2 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivative Financial Instruments
Fair value - assets			$ 4,968
Level 2 | Other current liabilities
Derivative Financial Instruments
Fair value - liabilities	$ 2,188

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_3

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill	$ 106,970	$ 106,970
Mutual fund management advisory contracts	38,699	38,699
Other	200	200
Total identifiable intangible assets	38,899	38,899
Total goodwill and identifiable intangible assets	$ 145,869	$ 145,869

Indebtedness (Details)

Indebtedness (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Indebtedness
Long-term debt	$ 94,872	$ 94,854
Senior 5.75% unsecured notes due, 2021 ("Series B Notes")
Indebtedness
Fair value of outstanding long-term indebtedness	98,400
Long-term debt	$ 94,900

Income Tax Uncertainties (Detai

Income Tax Uncertainties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Uncertainties
Unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest that if recognized would impact effective tax rate	$ 2,600	$ 2,700
Unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest, net of federal tax benefit that if recognized would affect effective tax rate	2,300	2,400
Total expense of interest and penalties, net of federal benefit related to uncertain tax positions	16
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	600	700
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, net of federal benefit	$ 500	$ 600

Pension Plan and Postretireme_3

Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Pension Benefits
Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pension
Final number of years of employee's compensation to determine the benefits payable	10 years
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Interest cost	$ 1,528	$ 1,508
Expected return on plan assets	(1,590)	(2,069)
Total	$ (62)	(561)
Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pension
Age of employees after which the plan does not provide benefits	65 years
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Interest cost	$ 8	14
Actuarial gain amortization	(124)	(30)
Prior service cost amortization		(1)
Total	$ (116)	$ (17)

Stockholders' Equity - Earnings

Stockholders' Equity - Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Components of basic and diluted earnings per share
Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 32,053	$ 46,337
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	76,299,000	83,111,000
Earnings per share:
Earnings per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.56
Dividends
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Dividends to be paid	$ 18,800
Common stock repurchases
Shares repurchased in the open market or privately	2,226,325	996,309
Shares repurchased from employees to cover income tax withholdings	149,073	121,309

Stockholders' Equity - Accumula

Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 883,450	$ 872,884
Balance at the end of the period	868,604	888,968
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	331	524
Amount reclassified to retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018		(848)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	1,753	(1,131)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(189)	(23)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,564	(2,002)
Balance at the end of the period	1,895	(1,478)
Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS investment securities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	(797)	145
Amount reclassified to retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018		(955)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	1,753	(1,131)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(95)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,658	(2,086)
Balance at the end of the period	861	(1,941)
Postretirement benefits unrealized gains (losses)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,128	379
Amount reclassified to retained earnings for ASUs adopted in 2018		107
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(94)	(23)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(94)	84
Balance at the end of the period	$ 1,034	$ 463

Stockholders' Equity - Reclassi

Stockholders' Equity - Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in net income (Details) - Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Reclassifications included in net income:
Pre-tax	$ 249	$ 1,325
Tax expense	(60)	(454)
Net of tax	189	871
Sponsored funds investment losses | Retained earnings
Reclassifications included in net income:
Pre-tax		1,295
Tax expense		(340)
Net of tax		955
Gains (losses) on available for sale debt securities | Investment and other income (loss)
Reclassifications included in net income:
Pre-tax	125
Tax expense	(30)
Net of tax	95
Postretirement benefits unrealized gains (losses) | Compensation and benefits
Reclassifications included in net income:
Pre-tax	124	30
Tax expense	(30)	(114)
Net of tax	$ 94	$ (84)

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases
Option to extend - Operating	true
Option to extend - Finance	true
Option to terminate - Operating	true
Option to terminate - Finance	true
Minimum
Leases
Remaining lease terms - Operating	1 year
Remaining lease terms - Finance	1 year
Maximum
Leases
Remaining lease terms - Operating	7 years
Remaining lease terms - Finance	7 years
Option to extend period - Operating	20 years
Option to extend period - Finance	20 years
Option to terminate period - Operating	1 year
Option to terminate period - Finance	1 year

Leases - Rental Expenses (Detai

Leases - Rental Expenses (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases
Rent expense before adoption	$ 6

Leases - Components of Lease (D

Leases - Components of Lease (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Components of lease expense
Operating Lease Cost	$ 5,318
Finance Lease Cost:
Amortization of ROU assets	83
Interest on lease liabilities	8
Total	$ 91

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 5,238
Operating cash flows from finance leases	8
Financing cash flows from finance leases	80
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations - Finance leases	$ 40

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases
Operating lease ROU assets	$ 31,876
Financial position	us-gaap:OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Operating lease liabilities - current	$ 13,797
Financial position	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent	$ 18,826
Financial position	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Total Operating lease liabilities	$ 32,623
Financing Lease ROU assets	$ 473
Financial position	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Finance lease liabilities - current	$ 290
Financial position	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Finance lease liabilities - noncurrent	$ 198
Financial position	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Finance lease liabilities	$ 488
Weighted average remaining lease term - Operating leases	4 years
Weighted average remaining lease term - Financing leases	2 years
Weighted average discount rate - Operating leases	4.33%
Weighted average discount rate - Financing leases	6.00%
Finance lease assets
Leases
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,255
Accumulated depreciation	$ (782)

Leases - Capital Leases (Detail

Leases - Capital Leases (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases
Property and equipment under capital leases, cost	$ 1.6
Property and equipment accumulated depreciation	$ 1.1

Leases - Maturity of Lease Liab

Leases - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases maturities:
2019 (excluding three months ended March 31, 2019)	$ 11,806
2020	9,523
2021	4,882
2022	2,178
2023	2,090
Thereafter	4,703
Total lease payments	35,182
Less imputed interest	(2,559)
Total	32,623
Finance Leases maturities:
2019 (excluding three months ended March 31, 2019)	233
2020	224
2021	46
2022	6
Total lease payments	509
Less imputed interest	(21)
Total	$ 488

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Case No. 17-2365 D. Kan
Shareholder Derivative Litigation
Settlement agreement amount	$ 4,875