In terms of new investment activity during the second quarter of 2006, GCP invested an additional $13 million (11% of which was firm capital) (consisting of add-on investments in existing portfolio companies) compared to $74 million (11% of which was firm capital) invested in the same period of 2005.
On March 31, 2006, we announced the initial closing of GSAVP, our first venture capital fund, which will focus on early stage investments in companies in the greater New York Tri-State area. Total committed capital for GSAVP as of its initial closing is $80 million. The firm committed $11 million of the capital raised and the firm’s managing directors have personally committed a further $20 million. The remainder of the committed capital was raised from a variety of institutional investors, as well as from wealthy families and corporate executives. Committed capital is expected to be drawn down from time to time over an investment period of up to five years to fund investments. During the second quarter of 2006 we funded $550,000 of our commitment.
The investment gains or losses in our investment portfolio may fluctuate significantly over time due to factors beyond our control, such as individual portfolio company performance, equity market valuations and merger and acquisition opportunities. Revenue recognized from gains recorded in the first three and six months of 2006 and 2005 are not necessarily indicative of revenue that may be realized in future periods.
We classify operating expenses as compensation and benefits expense and non-compensation expenses.
Our operating expenses for the second quarter of 2006 were $37.6 million, which compares to $19.5 million of operating expenses for the second quarter of 2005. This represents an increase in operating expenses of $18.1 million or 93%, which relates principally to an increase in compensation expense and is described in more detail below. The pre-tax income margin was 37% in the second quarter of 2006 compared to 33% for the second quarter of 2005.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, total operating expenses were $91.4 million, which compares to total operating expenses of $46.2 million for the comparable period in 2005. The increase of $45.2 million or 98% relates principally to an increase in compensation expense and is described in more detail below. The pre-tax income margin for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was 42% compared to 37% for the comparable period in 2005.
The following table sets forth information relating to our operating expenses, which are reported net of reimbursements of certain expenses by our clients and merchant banking portfolio companies:
Our employee compensation and benefits expense in the second quarter of 2006 was $26.4 million, which reflects a 45% ratio of compensation to revenues. This amount compares to $11.7 million for the second quarter of 2005, which reflected a 40% ratio of compensation to revenues.
Table of ContentsThe increase of $14.7 million or 126% is primarily due to the higher level of revenues in the second quarter of 2006 and a higher ratio of compensation to revenues as well as the impact of increased amortization of previously issued restricted stock units. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, our employee compensation and benefits expense was $73.6 million, which compares against $31.7 million of compensation and benefits expense for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase of $41.9 million or 132% is primarily due to the higher level of revenues in the first six months of 2006 compared to the comparable period in 2005 and a higher ratio of compensation to revenues as well as the impact of increased amortization of previously issued restricted stock units. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the ratio of compensation to revenues was 46%, compared to a 43% ratio of compensation to revenues for the comparable period in 2005.
Our compensation expense is generally based upon revenue and can fluctuate materially in any particular quarter depending upon the amount of revenue recognized as well as other factors. Accordingly, the amount of compensation expense recognized in any particular quarter may not be indicative of compensation expense in a future period.
Non-Compensation Expense
Our non-compensation expense includes the costs for occupancy and rental, communications, information services, professional fees, travel and entertainment, insurance, recruitment, depreciation and other operating expenses. Reimbursable client expenses are netted against non-compensation expenses.
Our non-compensation expenses were $11.2 million in the second quarter of 2006, which compared to $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2005, representing an increase of 44%. The increase is related principally to increases in expenses and provisions for legal contingencies, increases in occupancy and other costs associated with new office space in London and New York, and increases in information services, travel and communications primarily as a result of additional personnel and business development activities, offset in part by the absence of the third-party fee related to fundraising for GCP II in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005.
For the first six months of 2006, our non-compensation expenses were $17.8 million, which compared to $14.5 million in the first six months of 2005, representing an increase of 23%. The increase is related principally to increases in expenses and provisions for legal contingencies, increases in occupancy and other costs associated with new office space in London, New York and Dallas, and greater information services, travel and communications primarily as a result of additional personnel and business development activities, offset in part by the absence of the third-party fee related to fundraising for GCP II in 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 and the absence of uncollectible accounts in 2006 as compared to the same period of 2005.
Non-compensation expense as a percentage of revenue in the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 were 19% and 11%, respectively, compared to 26% and 20% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005. The decrease in these non-compensation expenses as a percentage of revenue in the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 as compared to the same periods in 2005 reflects a modest increase in non-compensation expenses compared to significantly greater revenue.
Our non-compensation expense as a percentage of revenue can vary as a result of a variety of factors including fluctuation in quarterly revenue amounts, the amount of recruiting and business development activity, the amount of reimbursement of engagement-related expenses by clients, currency movements and other factors. Accordingly, the non-compensation expense as a percentage of revenue in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the non-compensation expense as a percentage of revenue in future periods.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for taxes in the second quarter of 2006 was $8.4 million, which reflects an effective tax rate of approximately 39%. This compares to a provision for taxes in the second quarter of 2005 of $3.6 million based on an effective tax rate of approximately 36% for the period. The increase in the
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Table of Contentsprovision for taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the same period in the prior year resulted primarily from higher pre-tax income and a higher effective tax rate applied to a greater proportion of our income that was earned in higher tax rate jurisdictions in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to the second quarter of 2005.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the provision for taxes was $25.8 million, which reflects an effective tax rate of approximately 38%. This compares to a provision for taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2005 of $10.0 million based on an effective tax rate of approximately 37% for the period. The increase in the provision for taxes in the first six months of 2006 primarily resulted from higher pre-tax income in the period and a higher effective tax rate primarily due to the fact that a greater proportion of our 2006 year-to-date income was earned in higher tax rate jurisdictions than in the same period in the prior year.
The effective tax rate can fluctuate as a result of variations in the relative amounts of advisory and merchant banking income earned in the tax jurisdictions in which the firm operates and invests. Accordingly, the effective tax rate in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the effective tax rate in future periods.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity position is monitored by our Management Committee, which generally meets monthly. The Management Committee monitors cash, other significant working capital assets and liabilities, debt, principal investment commitments and other matters relating to liquidity requirements. As cash accumulates it is invested in short term liquid investments.
We generate cash from both our operating activities in the form of advisory fees and our merchant banking investments in the form of distributions of investment proceeds and profit overrides. We use our cash primarily for operating purposes, compensation of our employees, payment of income taxes, investments in merchant banking funds, payment of dividends, repurchase of shares of our stock and leasehold improvements.
A large portion of our liabilities (including accrued bonuses related to profit overrides for unrealized gains of GCP and tax liabilities that are deferred until the gains from the GCP investments are realized) are associated with unrealized earnings (i.e., recorded on our books but for which cash proceeds have not yet been received) from our merchant banking investments. The amounts payable for these liabilities may increase or decrease depending on the change in the fair value of the GCP funds and are payable, subject to clawback, at the time the funds realize cash proceeds.
To increase our financial flexibility, on January 31, 2006, we obtained from a U.S. commercial bank an unsecured $20.0 million revolving loan facility to provide for working capital needs, facilitate the funding of merchant banking investments and other general corporate purposes. Interest on borrowings is based on LIBOR plus 1.875%. The revolving bank loan facility matures on August 1, 2007. At June 30, 2006, $3.0 million of borrowings were outstanding on the loan facility.
As of June 30, 2006, we had total commitments (not reflected on our balance sheet) relating to future principal investments in GCP, GSAVP and other merchant banking activities of $93.5 million. These commitments are expected to be drawn on from time to time and be substantially invested over a period of up to five years from the relevant commitment dates.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, the firm repurchased in open market transactions 482,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $63.46. In July 2006, the Board of Directors of Greenhill & Co. Inc. increased the authorization to repurchase up to $40.0 million of common stock in open market transactions. Additionally, in early 2006, we closed the repurchase of 195,222 shares at a price of $46.80 per share from a former employee. We also purchased an additional 48,806 shares of common stock from the same former employee at a price of $48.75 per share. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2006, we are deemed to have repurchased 49,348 shares of its common stock at an average price of $69.26 per share in conjunction with the payment of tax liabilities in respect of stock delivered to its employees in settlement of restricted stock units.
In connection with the legal proceeding described in Part II — Other Information, Item 1 — Legal Proceedings , we placed in escrow $4.6 million on July 28, 2006.
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Table of ContentsCash Flows
In the first six months of 2006, our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $39.4 million from December 31, 2005. We used $42.0 million in operating activities, including a net decrease in working capital of $45.0 million (principally from the payment of annual bonuses and an increase in accounts receivable), partially offset by $3.0 million from net income after giving effect to the non-cash items. We generated $41.0 million in investing activities, including $59.5 million from distributions from our merchant banking investments, partially offset by $9.6 million used for the purchase of auction rate securities and $6.6 million for leasehold improvements and equipment purchases. We used $40.8 million for financing activities, including $36.4 million for the repurchase of our common stock and $9.8 million for the payment of dividends which were partially funded through net borrowings of $3.0 million.
In the first six months of 2005, our cash and cash equivalents increased by $33.6 million from December 31, 2004. We generated $43.5 million in investing activities, including $52.4 million from the net sale of securities and $6.0 million from distributions from our merchant banking investments, partially offset by $14.1 million in new investments in our merchant banking funds. We generated $2.2 million from operating activities, including $11.5 from net income after giving effect to the non-cash items, partially offset by a net decrease in working capital of $9.2 million (principally from the payment of annual bonuses). We used $10.1 million for financing activities, including $6.4 million for the payment of dividends and $4.5 million for the repurchase of our common stock.
Contractual Obligations
On March 31, 2006, affiliates of GCP amended one existing credit agreement and entered into one new credit agreement with Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital, Inc., as administrative agent, and pursuant to which they have borrowed in the aggregate $168 million, secured by the shares of Global Signal Inc. common stock owned by them (which comprises substantially all of their assets). Under the terms of a separate recourse agreement, the lenders will have recourse to Greenhill Capital Partners, LLC in the event of fraud or intentional or grossly negligent misrepresentations by the borrowers or the institution of insolvency proceedings by or against the borrower, Greenhill Capital Partners LLC or the general partners of GCP. Proceeds from the loans were used to fund distributions to GCP’s limited partners, which include executive officers of Greenhill and the firm. The credit agreements mature in September 2007.
Market Risk
We limit our investments to (1) short-term cash investments and other securities, which we believe do not face any material interest rate risk, equity price risk or other market risk and (2) principal investments in Greenhill Capital Partners and other merchant banking funds.
We have invested our cash in short duration, highly rates fixed income investments including highly rated short-term debt securities and money market funds. Changes in interest rates and other economic and market conditions could affect these investments adversely; however, we do not believe that any such changes will have a material effect on our results of operations. Our short-term cash investments are primarily denominated in US dollars, UK sterling and Euros, and we face modest foreign currency risk in our cash balances held in non-US dollar denominated accounts. To the extent that the cash balances in local currency exceed our short term obligations, we may hedge our foreign currency exposure.
With regard to our principal investments (including our portion of any profit overrides earned on such investments), we face exposure to changes in the estimated fair value of the companies in which our merchant banking funds invest, which historically has been volatile. Significant changes in the public equity markets may have a material effect on our results of operations. We have analyzed our potential exposure to general equity market risk by performing sensitivity analyses on our principal investments. Significant volatility in the general equity markets would impact our operations primarily because of changes in the fair value of our merchant banking investments that are publicly traded
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Table of Contentssecurities or are privately held securities owned for more than one year. Our analysis showed that if we assume that at June 30, 2006, the market prices of all public securities, and therefore, the general equity market, were 10% lower, the impact on our operations would be a decrease in revenues of $8.5 million. We do not believe there would be any other material impact. We meet on a quarterly basis to determine the fair value of the investments held in our merchant banking portfolio and to discuss the risks associated with those investments. The Investment Committee manages the risks associated with the merchant banking portfolio by closely monitoring and managing the types of investments made as well as the monetization and realization of existing investments.
In addition, the reported amounts of our revenues may be affected by movements in the rate of exchange between the euro and pound sterling (in which 33% of our revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2006 were denominated) and the dollar, in which our financial statements are denominated. We do not currently hedge against movements in these exchange rates. We analyzed our potential exposure to a decline in exchange rates by performing a sensitivity analysis on our net income. We do not believe we face any material risk in this respect.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates and assumptions regarding investment valuations, compensation accruals and other matters that affect the condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnote disclosures. Management believes that the estimates used in preparing its consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. We believe that the following discussion addresses Greenhill’s most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
Basis of Financial Information
Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates and assumptions regarding future events that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and related footnotes, including investment valuations, compensation accruals and other matters. We believe that the estimates used in preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the firm include all consolidated accounts and Greenhill & Co., Inc. and all other entities in which we have a controlling interest, including Greenhill & Co. International LLP, after eliminations of all significant inter-company accounts and transactions. In accordance with revised Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) Interpretation No. 46 (‘‘FIN 46-R’’), ‘‘Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities’’, the firm consolidates the general partners of our merchant banking funds in which we have a majority of the economic interest. The firm does not consolidate the merchant banking funds since the firm, through its general partner and limited partner interests, does not have a majority of the economic interest in such funds and under EITF No. 04-5, ‘‘Accounting for an Investment in a Limited Partnership When the Investor Is the Sole General Partner and the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,’’ is subject to removal by a simple majority of unaffiliated third-party investors.
Revenue Recognition
Financial Advisory Fees
We recognize advisory fee revenue when the services related to the underlying transactions are completed in accordance with the terms of the respective engagement letters. Retainer fees are generally recognized as advisory fee income over the period the services are rendered.
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Table of ContentsOur clients reimburse certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by us in the conduct of advisory engagements. Expenses are reported net of such client reimbursements.
Merchant Banking Fund Management Revenues
Merchant Banking Fund Management revenue consists of (i) management fees on our merchant banking activities, (ii) gains (or losses) on investments in our merchant banking funds and other principal investment activities and (iii) merchant banking profit overrides.
Fund management fees are recognized over the period of related service.
We recognize revenue on investments in merchant banking funds based on our allocable share of realized and unrealized gains (or losses) reported by such funds on a quarterly basis. Investments held by merchant banking funds are recorded at estimated fair value. Investments in privately held companies are initially carried at cost as an approximation of fair value and generally adjusted after being held by the fund for one year to the estimated fair value as determined by the general partner of the fund after giving consideration to the cost of the security, the pricing of other sales of securities by the portfolio company, the price of securities of other companies comparable to the portfolio company, purchase multiples paid in other comparable third-party transactions, the original purchase price multiple, market conditions, liquidity, operating results and other financial data. Discounts are generally applied to the funds’ privately held investments to reflect the lack of liquidity and other transfer restrictions. Investments in publicly traded securities are valued using quoted market prices discounted for any legal or contractual restrictions on sale. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuations as well as the discounts applied, the estimated fair values of investment in privately held companies may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed. The values at which our investments are carried on our books are adjusted to fair value at the end of each quarter and the volatility in general economic conditions, stock markets and commodity prices may result in significant changes in the fair value of the investments.
We recognize merchant banking profit overrides when certain financial returns are achieved over the life of the fund. Profit overrides are calculated as a percentage of the profits over a specified threshold earned by such funds on investments managed on behalf of unaffiliated investors of GCP I, principally all investors, except the firm, in GCP II and GSAVP, and are subject to clawback. Future losses in the value of the fund’s investments may require amounts previously recognized as profit overrides to be reversed to the fund in future periods. Accordingly, merchant banking profit overrides are recognized as revenue only after material contingencies have been resolved.
Restricted Stock Units
In accordance with the fair value method prescribed by FASB Statement No. 123(R), ‘‘Share-Based Payment’’, which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, ‘‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation’’, restricted stock units with future service requirements are recorded as compensation expense and generally is amortized over a five-year service period following the date of grant. Compensation expense is determined at the date of grant. As the firm expenses the awards, the restricted stock units recognized are recorded within stockholders’ equity. The firm records dividend equivalents in stockholders’ equity on outstanding restricted stock units that are expected to vest. The firm adopted Statement 123(R) as of January 1, 2005, and it did not have a material effect on the accounting for restricted stock units in its consolidated financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We do not believe we face any material interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk, equity price risk or other market risk except as disclosed in Item 2 — ‘‘Market Risk’’ above.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of the firm’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the
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Table of Contentsfirm’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’)). Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
No change in the firm’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) occurred during the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the firm’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II — Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In February 2003, the firm was retained to perform services on behalf of Loral Space & Communications, Inc. (‘‘Loral’’). Loral subsequently sought protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (’’Chapter 11’’). The fees paid by Loral to Greenhill were approved periodically, on an interim basis, by the court in which Loral's Chapter 11 cases were pending. Loral's plan of reorganization was confirmed in late 2005. In early 2006, representatives of certain Loral securityholders objected to Greenhill's fees. The objections of one group of securityholders have been denied by the Bankruptcy Court. The Bankruptcy Court, in an order (’’Order’’) entered on July 24, 2006, denied Greenhill’s motion for summary judgment in respect of the remaining objections (those of the unsecured creditors’ committee (’’UCC’’)) and granted the UCC’s motion for summary judgment in part. One issue relating to the UCC’s objections remains pending before the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to the Order, Greenhill has placed in excess of $4.6 million in escrow, which is the amount the UCC has argued Greenhill should repay out of the full amount of fees paid to it in connection with the Loral assignment. The UCC has indicated that it will also seek interest on this amount from the time it was paid until it was placed in escrow. Greenhill intends to continue to contest the UCC’s objections vigorously and to appeal the denial of its summary judgment motion. However, if the UCC’s objections are ultimately sustained by the bankruptcy court and/or Greenhill’s appeal is denied, Greenhill may be required to pay to Loral the escrowed amount plus interest.
Item 1A: Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchases in the Second Quarter of 2006:
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Period |  |  | Total Number of Shares Repurchased2 |  |  | Average Price Paid Per Share |  |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs |  |  | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs3 |
April 1 – April 30 |  |  |  |  | 33,600 | |  |  |  | $ | 70.16 | |  |  |  |  | 33,600 | |  |  |  | $ | 34,169,148 | |
May 1 – May 30 |  |  |  |  | 244,350 | |  |  |  |  | 65.59 | |  |  |  |  | 244,350 | |  |  |  |  | 18,141,440 | |
June 1 – June 30 |  |  |  |  | 142,900 | |  |  |  |  | 61.10 | |  |  |  |  | 142,900 | |  |  |  |  | 9,410,401 | |
 |
 |  |
2 | Excludes 44,929 shares the Company is deemed to have repurchased at $70.37 from employees in conjunction with the payment of tax liabilities in respect of stock delivered to employees in settlement of restricted stock units. |
 |  |
3 | These shares were purchased pursuant to the authorization granted by our Board of Directors to purchase up to $40,000,000 in shares of our common stock, as announced on January 25, 2006. Our Board of Directors subsequently, on July 27, 2006, granted a new authorization to purchase up to $40,000,000 of shares of our common stock. |
28
Table of ContentsItem 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits:
 |  |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
 |  |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
 |  |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
 |  |
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
29
Table of ContentsSignatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: August 4, 2006
 | GREENHILL & CO., INC. |
 | By: /s/ ROBERT F. GREENHILL |
 | Name: Robert F. Greenhill Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
 | By: /s/ JOHN D. LIU |
 | Name: John D. Liu Title: Chief Financial Officer |
30