U.S. Listed Product News
| • | | In February 2019, we announced the addition of 44 WisdomTree ETFs to Schwab ETF OneSourceTM, one of the largest commission-free ETF programs in the industry; and we announced the closing and liquidation of eight WisdomTree ETFs. |
| • | | In March 2019, we announced the implementation of changes for the WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged Europe Equity Fund (DDEZ) to the WisdomTree Europe Multifactor Fund (EUMF) and the WisdomTree Dynamic Currency Hedged Japan Equity Fund (DDJP) to the WisdomTree Japan Multifactor Fund (JAMF), transitioning to transparent, actively managed multifactor strategies. |
| • | | In April 2019, we announced the launch of the WisdomTree Indiaex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (IXSE) on the NYSE Arca. |
European Listed Product News
| • | | In February 2019, we announced the launch of two enhanced exchange-traded commodities products: the Boost Enhanced Industrial Metals ETC and the Boost Enhanced Energy ETC, both listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Deutsche Börse Xetra and the Borsa Italiana. |
| • | | In March 2019, we launched our Investor Solutions program and Digital Portfolio Developer (DPD) in Europe. Building on the success of the Advisor Solutions program in the U.S., the program aims to help investment managers to engage more effectively with clients and prospects, and modernize portfolios to meet evolving investor needs; and we launched the WisdomTree USD Floating Rate Treasury Bond UCITS ETF (USFR) on the London Stock Exchange, making U.S. floating rates notes available to European investors in an ETF for the first time. |
| • | | In April 2019, we cross listed seven ETFs on the Swiss Stock Exchange, bringing the total to 16 WisdomTree strategies now listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. |
Assets Under Management
U.S. listed ETF assets under management (“AUM”) was $39.4 billion at March 31, 2019, up 10.9% from December 31, 2018 primarily due to market appreciation. International listed ETP AUM was $19.6 billion at March 31, 2019, up 5.2% from December 31, 2018 due to market appreciation and net inflows.
First Quarter Financial Discussion
The primary reason for the increase in our revenues and expenses this quarter as compared to the first quarter of 2018 is due to our acquisition of ETFS, which was completed in April 2018. We refer to the acquisition throughout this press release as the ETFS Acquisition.
Previously disclosed results for the first quarter of 2018 within our Consolidated Statements of Operations have been reclassified to conform with our current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.
Operating Revenues
Advisory Fees
Advisory fees of $64.8 million increased 10.9% from the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the ETFS Acquisition, partly offset by lower average AUM of our U.S. Business segment. Advisory fees decreased 3.5% from the fourth quarter of 2018 primarily due to a lower average U.S. advisory fee and two fewer revenue days in the current quarter, partly offset by higher average AUM in our International Business segment.
Our average global advisory fee was 0.46%, 0.47% and 0.50% during the first quarter of 2019, fourth quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2018, respectively. The change as compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 was due to a change in product mix primarily in our U.S. Business segment. The change as compared to the first quarter of 2018 was due to the ETFS Acquisition and a change in product mix.
Other Income
Other income of $0.6 million increased 44.0% from the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to creation/redemption fees earned from the ETFS exchange traded products. Other income was essentially unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2018.
Margins
Gross margin for our U.S. Business segment was 80.4%1in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to 83.9%1 3 in the first quarter of 2018 and 80.2%1in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decline as compared to the first quarter of 2018 was primarily due to lower revenue capture and lower average AUM. Gross margin for our International Business segment was 70.1%1in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to 40.1%1 in the first quarter of 2018 and 69.1%1 in the fourth quarter of 2018. The change in gross margin for our International Business segment from the first quarter of 2018 was due to the ETFS Acquisition. The increase from the fourth quarter of 2018 was primarily due to higher average AUM.
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