Stifel Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Financial Results


  • 23rd consecutive year of record net revenues.
  • Annual net revenues of $3.0 billion, increased 3.4% compared with 2017.
  • Record quarterly net income available to common shareholders of $111.7 million, or $1.38 per diluted common share.
  • Record non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders of $126.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted common share.
  • Non-GAAP return on tangible common equity of 27.0%.
  • Announced an increase in quarterly dividend by 25% to $0.15 per common share starting in first quarter of 2019.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today reported net income available to common shareholders of $111.7 million, or $1.38 per diluted common share on net revenues of $793.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared with net loss attributable to common shareholders of $4.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share, on net revenues of $804.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2017.

For the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Company reported record non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders of $126.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted common share. The Company’s reported GAAP net income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily impacted by merger-related expenses. Details are discussed below and in the “Non-GAAP Financial Matters” section.

Chairman’s Comments

“We had a great year. 2018 represented our 23rd consecutive year of record net revenues as our wealth management segment generated record results and our institutional business posted its second strongest year. Additionally, our focus on expense management contributed to our record pre-tax income and net income available to shareholders. Our non-GAAP return on common and tangible equity was 14.9% and 24.4%, respectively, and we returned approximately $215 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases,” stated Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman & CEO of Stifel.

Mr. Kruszewski continued, “As I look forward, I’m highly optimistic about our ability to grow and add value to our clients and our shareholders. We continue to expand our wealth management business through successful recruiting of financial advisors as well as through our bank. In our institutional business, our growth will continue to be driven by the addition of high quality talent through selective hires and strategic acquisitions. While market conditions can be volatile, our long term strategy remains focused on growth and deploying our capital with a focus on generating the best risk adjusted returns.”

Fourth Quarter Review

Quarterly Highlights

  • Net revenues of $793.4 million, decreased 1.3% compared with the year-ago quarter, increased 7.5% sequentially.
  • Record net revenues and pre-tax operating income in Global Wealth Management.
  • Record net income available to common shareholders of $111.7 million, or $1.38 per diluted common share.
  • Record non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders of $126.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted common share.
  • Bank net interest margin of 2.89% increased 2 basis points sequentially.
  • Repurchased approximately 2.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $46.64 per share.

Financial Highlights (Unaudited) Three Months Ended 
(in 000s, except per share data) GAAP
12/31/18
  GAAP (1)
12/31/17
  %
Change
  GAAP
9/30/18
  %
Change
   Non-GAAP (2)
12/31/18
  Non-GAAP (2)
12/31/17
  %
Change
 
Net revenues $793,449  $804,085   (1.3) $738,342   7.5   $793,449  $804,085   (1.3)
Net income/(loss) $114,062  $(1,988) n/m  $103,858   9.8   $129,134  $122,969   5.0 
Preferred dividend  2,344   2,344      2,343  n/m    2,344   2,344    
Net income/(loss) available to common shareholders $111,718  $(4,332) n/m  $101,515   10.1   $126,790  $120,625   5.1 
Earnings per diluted common share $1.41  $(0.03) n/m  $1.27   11.0   $1.60  $1.49   7.4 
Earnings per diluted common share available to common shareholders $1.38  $(0.06) n/m  $1.25   10.4   $1.57  $1.47   6.8 
Compensation ratio  56.5%  77.1%      57.2%       56.0%  60.0%    
Non-compensation ratio  23.8%  23.0%      23.8%       22.1%  19.9%    
Pre-tax operating margin (3)  19.7%  (0.1%)      19.0%       21.9%  20.1%    


Brokerage Revenues

Brokerage revenues, defined as commissions and principal transactions, were $248.5 million, a 6.6% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 3.0% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.

  Three Months Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change  9/30/18  % Change 
Global Wealth Management brokerage revenues $157,331  $163,421   (3.7) $158,818   (0.9)
Institutional brokerage:                    
Equity capital markets  48,705   49,628   (1.9)  43,904   10.9 
Fixed income capital markets  42,463   52,961   (19.8)  38,446   10.4 
Total institutional brokerage  91,168   102,589   (11.1)  82,350   10.7 
Total brokerage revenues $248,499  $266,010   (6.6) $241,168   3.0 
  • Global Wealth Management brokerage revenues were $157.3 million, a 3.7% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 0.9% decrease compared with the third quarter of 2018.
  • Institutional equity brokerage revenues were $48.7 million, a 1.9% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 10.9% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.
  • Institutional fixed income brokerage revenues were $42.5 million, a 19.8% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 10.4% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.

Investment Banking Revenues

Investment banking revenues were $201.2 million, a 13.5% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 19.1% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.

  Three Months Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change  9/30/18  % Change 
Capital raising:                    
Global Wealth Management $7,915  $8,899   (11.1) $7,722   2.5 
                     
Equity capital markets  51,839   57,800   (10.3)  65,000   (20.2)
Fixed income capital markets  30,390   42,820   (29.0)  20,553   47.9 
Institutional Group  82,229   100,620   (18.3)  85,553   (3.9)
Total capital raising (4)  90,144   109,519   (17.7)  93,275   (3.4)
Advisory fees (4)  111,089   123,227   (9.9)  75,717   46.7 
Total investment banking $201,233  $232,746   (13.5) $168,992   19.1 
  • Global Wealth Management capital raising revenues were $7.9 million, an 11.1% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 2.5% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.
  • Institutional equity capital raising revenues were $51.8 million, a 10.3% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 20.2% decrease compared with the third quarter of 2018.
  • Institutional fixed income capital raising revenues were $30.4 million, a 29.0% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 47.9% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.
  • Advisory fee revenues were $111.1 million, a 9.9% decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 46.7% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides accounting guidance on the recognition of revenues from contracts and requires gross presentation of certain costs that were previously offset against revenue. This change was applied prospectively from January 1, 2018 and there is no impact on our previously presented results. With our adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018, capital raising and advisory fee revenues are no longer presented net of the related reimbursable out-of-pocket deal expenses. As a result, capital raising and advisory fee revenues and other operating expenses are higher in the fourth quarter of 2018 by an identical $7.9 million, with no impact to net income.

Asset Management and Service Fee Revenues

Asset management and service fee revenues were a record $210.1 million, a 12.6% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 4.6% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018. The increase from the comparative period in 2017 is primarily attributable to the growth in fee-based accounts. See Asset Management and Service Fee Break-down table.

Net Interest Income

Record net interest income of $126.7 million, an 18.6% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 4.4% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018. The increase is primarily due to growth of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as higher interest rates.

  • Interest income was $184.5 million, a 45.7% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and an 8.7% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.
  • Interest expense was $57.9 million, a 191.3% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2017 and a 19.4% increase compared with the third quarter of 2018.

Annual Review

Annual Highlights

  • Record net revenues of $3.0 billion, increased 3.4% compared with 2017.
  • Record net revenues and pre-tax operating income in Global Wealth Management.
  • Record net income available to common shareholders of $384.6 million, or $4.73 per diluted common share.
  • Record non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders of $429.4 million, or $5.28 per diluted common share.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $384.6 million, or $4.73 per diluted common share on record net revenues of $3.0 billion, compared with net income available to common shareholders of $173.5 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, on net revenues of $2.9 billion for the comparable period in 2017.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company reported record non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders of $429.4 million, or $5.28 per diluted common share. The Company’s reported GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily impacted by merger-related and litigation-related expenses. Details are discussed below and in the “Non-GAAP Financial Matters” section.

Financial Highlights (Unaudited) Year Ended 
(in 000s, except per share data) GAAP 12/31/18  GAAP 12/31/17  % Change   Non-GAAP (2)
12/31/18
  Non-GAAP (2)
12/31/17
  % Change 
Net revenues $3,024,881  $2,926,432   3.4   $3,024,906  $2,928,416   3.3 
Net income $393,968  $182,871   115.4   $438,817  $332,758   31.9 
Preferred dividend  9,375   9,375       9,375   9,375    
Net income available to common shareholders $384,593  $173,496   121.7   $429,442  $323,383   32.8 
Earnings per diluted common share $4.84  $2.26   114.2   $5.40  $4.11   31.4 
Earnings per diluted common share available to common shareholders $4.73  $2.14   121.0   $5.28  $3.99   32.3 
Compensation ratio  58.5%  66.9%       58.0%  61.2%    
Non-compensation ratio  23.8%  23.9%       22.4%  21.7%    
Pre-tax operating margin (5)  17.7%  9.2%       19.6%  17.1%    


Brokerage Revenues

Brokerage revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $1.0 billion, a 6.2% decrease compared with 2017.

  Year Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change 
Global Wealth Management brokerage revenues $638,173  $661,334   (3.5)
Institutional brokerage:            
Equity capital markets  185,960   199,526   (6.8)
Fixed income capital markets  184,977   214,870   (13.9)
Total institutional brokerage  370,937   414,396   (10.5)
Total brokerage revenues $1,009,110  $1,075,730   (6.2)
  • Global Wealth Management brokerage revenues were $638.2 million, a 3.5% decrease compared with 2017.
  • Institutional equity brokerage revenues were $186.0 million, a 6.8% decrease compared with 2017.
  • Institutional fixed income brokerage revenues were $185.0 million, a 13.9% decrease compared with 2017.

Investment Banking

Investment banking revenues were $707.7 million, a 2.6% decrease compared with 2017.

  Year Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change 
Capital raising:            
Global Wealth Management  31,293   40,466   (22.7)
             
Equity capital markets  213,633   182,728   16.9 
Fixed income capital markets  91,262   142,963   (36.2)
Institutional Group  304,895   325,691   (6.4)
Total capital raising (4)  336,188   366,157   (8.2)
Advisory fees (4)  371,482   360,606   3.0 
Total investment banking $707,670  $726,763   (2.6)
  • Global Wealth Management capital raising revenues were $31.3 million, a 22.7% decrease compared with 2017.
  • Institutional equity capital raising revenues were $213.6 million, a 16.9% increase compared with 2017.
  • Institutional fixed income capital raising revenues were $91.3 million, a 36.2% decrease compared with 2017.
  • Advisory fee revenues were $371.5 million, a 3.0% increase compared with 2017.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, which provides accounting guidance on the recognition of revenues from contracts and requires gross presentation of certain costs that were previously offset against revenue. This change was applied prospectively from January 1, 2018 and there is no impact on our previously presented results. With our adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018, capital raising and advisory fee revenues are no longer presented net of the related reimbursable out-of-pocket deal expenses. As a result, capital raising and advisory fee revenues and other operating expenses are higher in 2018 by an identical $33.8 million, with no impact to net income.

Asset Management and Service Fee Revenues

Asset management and service fee revenues were a record $806.2 million, a 14.8% increase compared with 2017. The increase from the comparative period in 2017 is primarily attributable to the growth in fee-based accounts.

Net Interest Income

Record net interest income of $476.4 million, a 23.9% increase compared with 2017. The increase is primarily due to growth of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as higher interest rates.

  • Interest income was $646.4 million, a 42.3% increase compared with 2017.
  • Interest expense was $170.1 million, a 142.9% increase compared with 2017.

Fourth Quarter &Full Year 2018

Compensation and Benefits Expenses

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compensation and benefits expenses were $448.4 million, which included $4.0 million of merger-related and severance expenses (collectively, non-GAAP adjustments). This compares with $620.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $422.3 million in the third quarter of 2018. Excluding the non-GAAP adjustments, compensation and benefits as a percentage of net revenues were 56.0% in the fourth quarter of 2018 (non-GAAP measure).

For the year ended December 31, 2018, compensation and benefits expenses were $1.8 billion, which included $17.3 million of merger-related and severance expenses, (collectively, non-GAAP adjustments) compared to $2.0 billion in 2017. Excluding the non-GAAP adjustments, compensation and benefits as a percentage of net revenues were 58.0% in the year ended December 31, 2018 (non-GAAP measure).


  Three Months Ended  Year Ended 
  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/18  12/31/17 
GAAP compensation and benefits $448,375  $620,256  $1,770,762  $1,958,929 
As a percentage of net revenues  56.5%  77.1%  58.5%  66.9%
Non-GAAP adjustments: (6)                
Merger-related and severance  (4,044)  (4,161)  (17,333)  (34,528)
Tax reform     (133,319)     (133,319)
   (4,044)  (137,480)  (17,333)  (167,847)
Non-GAAP compensation and benefits $444,331  $482,776  $1,753,429  $1,791,082 
As a percentage of non-GAAP net revenues  56.0%  60.0%  58.0%  61.2%


Non-Compensation Operating Expenses

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, non-compensation operating expenses were 189.1 million, which included merger-related and litigation-related expenses (collectively, non-GAAP adjustments) of $13.7 million. This compares with $184.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $175.5 million in the third quarter of 2018. Excluding the non-GAAP adjustments, non-compensation operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 were 22.1% (non-GAAP measure).

For the year ended December 31, 2018, non-compensation operating expenses were $719.8 million, which included merger-related and litigation-related expenses (collectively, non-GAAP adjustments) of $40.7 million, compared with $698.0 million in 2017. Excluding the non-GAAP adjustments, non-compensation operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 were 22.4% (non-GAAP measure).

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended 
  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/18  12/31/17 
GAAP non-compensation expenses $189,143  $184,649  $719,757  $697,967 
As a percentage of net revenues  23.8%  23.0%  23.8%  23.9%
Non-GAAP adjustments: (6)                
Merger-related  (13,670)  (6,718)  (33,862)  (23,617)
Litigation-related  (18)  (15,961)  (6,792)  (35,961)
Tax reform     (2,206)     (2,206)
   (13,688)  (24,885)  (40,654)  (61,784)
Non-GAAP non-compensation expenses $175,455  $159,764  $679,103  $636,183 
As a percentage of non-GAAP net revenues  22.1%  19.9%  22.4%  21.7%


Provision for Income Taxes

The GAAP effective income tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was 26.9%. This compares with an effective income tax rate of (142.4%) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 26.1% for the third quarter of 2018. The adjusted non-GAAP effective income tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was 25.6%.

The GAAP effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 26.3%, compared with 32.2% in 2017. The adjusted non-GAAP effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 25.9%.

The provision for income taxes for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily impacted by the tax reform enacted in the fourth quarter of 2017 that, among other things, lowered the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended 
  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/18  12/31/17 
GAAP provision for income taxes $41,869  $1,168  $140,394  $86,665 
GAAP effective tax rate  26.9%  (142.4%)  26.3%  32.2%
Non-GAAP adjustments: (6)                
Merger-related, litigation-related, and severance  4,262   5,379   15,242   32,248 
Other  (1,602)     (2,079)   
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (7)     21,144      38,596 
Tax reform     53,328      53,328 
Revaluation of deferred tax assets     (42,443)     (42,443)
   2,660   37,408   13,163   81,729 
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes $44,529  $38,576  $153,557  $168,394 
Non-GAAP effective tax rate  25.6%  23.9%  25.9%  33.6%


Conference Call Information

Stifel Financial Corp. will host its fourth quarter 2018 financial results conference call on Friday, February 1, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. The conference call may include forward-looking statements.

All interested parties are invited to listen to Stifel’s Chairman and CEO, Ronald J. Kruszewski, by dialing (800) 651-2240 and referencing conference ID #8264278. A live audio webcast of the call, as well as a presentation highlighting the Company’s results, will be available through the Company's web site, www.stifel.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the broadcast will be available through the above-referenced web site beginning approximately one hour following the completion of the call.

Company Information

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; Century Securities Associates, Inc., and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s web site at www.stifel.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements in this earnings release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on various assumptions.  The forward-looking statements in this earnings release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following possibilities:  the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies or the branch offices and financial advisors; a material adverse change in financial condition; the risk of borrower, depositor, and other customer attrition; a change in general business and economic conditions; changes in the interest rate environment, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation and regulation; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, geopolitical, and technological factors affecting the companies’ operations, pricing, and services; and other risk factors referred to from time to time in filings made by Stifel Financial Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made. Stifel Financial Corp. disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended    Year Ended 
(in 000s, except per share amounts) 12/31/18    12/31/17    % Change    9/30/18    % Change    12/31/18    12/31/17    % Change 
Revenues:                                              
Commissions $167,039    $168,754     (1.0)   $158,016     5.7    $657,732    $678,904     (3.1)
Principal transactions  81,460     97,256     (16.2)    83,152     (2.0)    351,378     396,826     (11.5)
Brokerage revenues  248,499     266,010     (6.6)    241,168     3.0     1,009,110     1,075,730     (6.2)
                                               
Capital raising  90,144     109,509     (17.7)    93,295     (3.4)    336,188     366,147     (8.2)
Advisory fees  111,089     123,237     (9.9)    75,717     46.7     371,482     360,616     3.0 
Investment banking  201,233     232,746     (13.5)    169,012     19.1     707,670     726,763     (2.6)
Asset management and service fees  210,063     186,563     12.6     200,743     4.6     806,175     702,064     14.8 
Other income  6,996     12,016     (41.8)    6,127     14.2     25,553     37,524     (31.9)
Operating revenues  666,791     697,335     (4.4)    617,050     8.1     2,548,508     2,542,081     0.3 
Interest revenue  184,534     126,615     45.7     169,760     8.7     646,449     454,381     42.3 
Total revenues  851,325     823,950     3.3     786,810     8.2     3,194,957     2,996,462     6.6 
Interest expense  57,876     19,865     191.3     48,468     19.4     170,076     70,030     142.9 
Net revenues  793,449     804,085     (1.3)    738,342     7.5     3,024,881     2,926,432     3.4 
                                               
Non-interest expenses:                                              
Compensation and benefits  448,375     620,256     (27.7)    422,324     6.2     1,770,762     1,958,929     (9.6)
Occupancy and equipment rental  57,158     54,844     4.2     54,035     5.8     222,384     222,708     (0.1)
Communication and office supplies  36,786     30,807     19.4     33,330     10.4     140,254     133,493     5.1 
Commissions and floor brokerage  11,169     10,945     2.0     11,338     (1.5)    41,967     44,132     (4.9)
Provision for loan losses  5,122     5,340     (4.1)    6,924     (26.0)    18,366     25,320     (27.5)
Other operating expenses  78,908     82,713     (4.6)    69,861     13.0     296,786     272,314     9.0 
Total non-interest expenses  637,518     804,905     (20.8)    597,812     6.6     2,490,519     2,656,896     (6.3)
Income/(loss) before income taxes  155,931     (820)   n/m     140,530     11.0     534,362     269,536     98.3 
Provision for income taxes  41,869     1,168    n/m     36,672     14.2     140,394     86,665     62.0 
Net income/(loss)  114,062     (1,988)   n/m     103,858     9.8     393,968     182,871     115.4 
Preferred dividends  2,344     2,344          2,343    n/m     9,375     9,375      
Net income/(loss) available to common shareholders $111,718    $(4,332)   n/m    $101,515     10.1    $384,593    $173,496     121.7 
Earnings per common share: (1)                                              
Basic $1.56    $(0.06)   n/m    $1.41     10.6    $5.36    $2.53     111.9 
Diluted $1.38    $(0.06)   n/m    $1.25     10.4    $4.73    $2.14     121.0 
                                               
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                                              
Basic  71,666     68,782     4.2     71,919     (0.4)    71,786     68,562     4.7 
Diluted  80,706     68,782     17.3     81,484     (1.0)    81,321     81,035     0.4 
                                               
Cash dividends declared per common share $0.12    $0.10     20.0    $0.12         $0.48    $0.20     140.0 


Summary Business Segment Results (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended  Year Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17    % Change  9/30/18  % Change  12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change 
Net revenues:                                  
Global Wealth Management $509,256  $473,938     7.5  $498,161   2.2  $1,990,319  $1,822,218   9.2 
Institutional Group  286,640   332,401     (13.8)  245,952   16.5   1,055,495   1,110,768   (5.0)
Other  (2,447)  (2,254)    (8.6)  (5,771)  57.6   (20,933)  (6,554)  (219.4)
  Total net revenues $793,449  $804,085     (1.3) $738,342   7.5  $3,024,881  $2,926,432   3.4 
                                   
Operating expenses:                                  
Global Wealth Management $320,296  $304,077     5.3  $314,784   1.8  $1,253,316  $1,195,312   4.9 
Institutional Group  244,488   258,901     (5.6)  211,647   15.5   898,444   892,787   0.6 
Other  72,734   241,927     (69.9)  71,381   1.9   338,759   568,797   (40.4)
  Total operating expenses $637,518  $804,905     (20.8) $597,812   6.6  $2,490,519  $2,656,896   (6.3)
                                   
Operating contribution:                                  
Global Wealth Management $188,960  $169,861     11.2  $183,377   3.0  $737,003  $626,906   17.6 
Institutional Group  42,152   73,500     (42.7)  34,305   22.9   157,051   217,981   (28.0)
Other  (75,181)  (244,181)    (69.2)  (77,152)  (2.6)  (359,692)  (575,351)  (37.5)
  Income/(loss) before income taxes $155,931  $(820)   n/m  $140,530   11.0  $534,362  $269,536   98.3 
                                   
As a percentage of net revenues:                                 
Compensation and benefits                                  
  Global Wealth Management  48.5   48.9         48.5       48.6   50.0     
  Institutional Group  62.0   59.7         59.4       60.0   59.9     
Non-compensation operating expenses                                  
  Global Wealth Management  14.4   15.3         14.7       14.4   15.6     
  Institutional Group  23.3   18.2         26.7       25.1   20.5     
Income before income taxes                                  
  Global Wealth Management  37.1   35.8         36.8       37.0   34.4     
  Institutional Group  14.7   22.1         13.9       14.9   19.6     
Consolidated pre-tax margin  19.7   (0.1)        19.0       17.7   9.2     


Stifel Financial Corp. 
          
Financial metrics (unaudited):As of and For the Three Months Ended 
(in 000s, except percentages and per share amounts)12/31/18 12/31/17 9/30/18 
Total assets$24,519,598 $21,383,953 $23,760,048 
Total equity 3,197,593  2,861,576  3,161,569 
Book value per common share$43.04 $38.26 $41.25 
Return on common equity (8) 14.8% (0.6%) 14.0%
Non-GAAP return on common equity (2) (8) 16.7% 17.6% 15.1%
Return on tangible common equity (9) 23.8% (1.0%) 22.7%
Non-GAAP return on tangible common equity (2) (9) 27.0% 28.9% 24.7%
Tier 1 common capital ratio (10) 16.8% 16.9% 16.7%
Tier 1 risk based capital ratio (10) 18.2% 19.0% 18.0%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (10) 9.3% 9.5% 9.6%
Pre-tax margin on net revenues 19.7% (0.1%) 19.0%
Non-GAAP pre-tax margin on net revenues (2) 21.9% 20.1% 20.6%
Effective tax rate 26.9% (142.4%) 26.1%
Non-GAAP effective tax rate (2) 25.6% 23.9% 26.1%


Statistical Information (unaudited): As of and For the Three Months Ended 
(in 000s, except financial advisors and locations) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change  9/30/18  % Change 
Financial advisors (11)  2,301   2,244   2.5   2,298   0.1 
Locations  404   391   3.3   404    
Total client assets $269,862,000  $272,591,000   (1.0) $289,136,000   (6.7)
Fee-based client assets $90,174,000  $87,560,000   3.0  $96,008,000   (6.1)
Client money market and insured product $16,109,000  $17,286,000   (6.8) $15,121,000   6.5 
Secured client lending (12) $2,893,074  $3,079,737   (6.1) $3,185,710   (9.2)


  Asset Management and Service Fee Break-down (unaudited) 
Asset Management and Service Fee Revenues: Three Months Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change  9/30/18  % Change 
Private Client Group (13) $159,775  $137,622   16.1  $152,021   5.1 
Asset Management  28,670   27,328   4.9   27,555   4.0 
Third-party Bank Sweep Program  11,062   11,437   (3.3)  11,029   0.3 
Other (14)  10,556   10,176   3.7   10,138   4.1 
Total asset management and service fee revenues $210,063  $186,563   12.6  $200,743   4.6 
                     
Fee-based Assets: Three Months Ended 
(in millions) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change  9/30/18  % Change 
Private Client Group (13) $66,097  $64,613   2.3  $71,463   (7.5)
Asset Management  30,269   29,349   3.1   31,091   (2.6)
Elimination (15)  (6,192)  (6,402)  (3.3)  (6,546)  (5.4)
Total fee-based assets $90,174  $87,560   3.0  $96,008   (6.1)
                     
Individual Program Banks $2,569  $3,879   (33.8) $2,953   (13.0)
                     
ROA (bps) (16)                    
Private Client Group (13)  89.4   89.4       89.7     
Asset Management  37.9   37.2       35.5     
Individual Program Banks  159.3   112.4       134.0     


Stifel Bancorp, Inc. (17) - a component of Global Wealth Management 
  
Selected operating data (unaudited):Three Months Ended  Year Ended 
(in 000s, except percentages)12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change  9/30/18  % Change  12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change 
Net Interest Income$121,790  $103,985   17.1  $116,204   4.8  $459,549  $376,099   22.2 
Bank loan loss provision 5,122   5,340   (4.1)  6,924   (26.0)  18,366   25,320   (27.5)
Charge-offs    105  n/m     n/m   14   3,058   (99.5)
Net Interest Margin 2.89%  2.85%  1.4   2.87%  0.7   2.90%  2.77%  4.7 


Financial Metrics (unaudited): As of 
(in 000s, except percentages) 12/31/18  12/31/17  9/30/18 
Total Assets $17,818,887  $14,995,795  $16,989,337 
Total Equity  1,233,243   1,058,488   1,185,935 
Total Loans, net (includes loans held for sale)  8,723,172   7,173,827   8,516,052 
Total Deposits  15,863,613   13,411,935   14,502,952 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value  3,064,257   3,766,372   3,343,170 
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost  4,215,533   3,694,377   4,562,021 
Commercial and industrial  3,304,234   2,437,938   3,127,435 
Residential real estate  2,875,014   2,593,576   2,792,269 
Securities-based loans  1,786,966   1,819,206   1,836,450 
Commercial real estate  318,961   116,258   328,814 
Loans held for sale  205,557   226,068   262,063 
Stifel Bank & Trust:            
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (10)  14.4%  14.3%  14.2%
Tier 1 capital ratio (10)  14.6%  14.3%  14.2%
Total capital ratio (10)  15.6%  15.3%  15.2%
Tier 1 leverage ratio (10)  7.1%  7.1%  7.0%
Stifel Bank:            
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (10)  12.3% n/a   13.8%
Tier 1 capital ratio (10)  12.3% n/a   13.8%
Total capital ratio (10)  13.5% n/a   15.0%
Tier 1 leverage ratio (10)  9.9% n/a   12.5%
             
Credit Metrics:            
Allowance for loan losses $85,833  $67,466  $80,700 
Allowance as a percentage of retained loans  1.00%  0.96%  0.97%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%
Total nonperforming assets  24,455   27,030   24,352 
Nonperforming assets as % of total assets  0.14%  0.18%  0.14%


Global Wealth Management Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended    Year Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18    12/31/17    % Change    9/30/18  % Change    12/31/18    12/31/17    % Change 
Revenues:                                            
Commissions $117,006    $118,292     (1.1)   $117,795   (0.7)   $472,135    $474,623     (0.5)
Principal transactions  40,325     45,129     (10.6)    41,023   (1.7)    166,038     186,711     (11.1)
    Brokerage revenues  157,331     163,421     (3.7)    158,818   (0.9)    638,173     661,334     (3.5)
                                             
Asset management and service fees  210,051     186,373     12.7     200,735   4.6     806,132     701,756     14.9 
Net interest  132,402     112,190     18.0     127,341   4.0     503,185     400,414     25.7 
Investment banking  7,915     8,899     (11.1)    7,722   2.5     31,374     40,466     (22.5)
Other income  1,557     3,055     (49.0)    3,545   (56.1)    11,455     18,248     (37.2)
  Net revenues  509,256     473,938     7.5     498,161   2.2     1,990,319     1,822,218     9.2 
Non-interest expenses:                                            
Compensation and benefits  246,750     231,736     6.5     241,713   2.1     968,102     911,986     6.2 
Non-compensation operating expenses  73,546     72,341     1.7     73,071   0.7     285,214     283,326     0.7 
  Total non-interest expenses  320,296     304,077     5.3     314,784   1.8     1,253,316     1,195,312     4.9 
Income before income taxes $188,960    $169,861     11.2    $183,377   3.0    $737,003    $626,906     17.6 
                                             
As a percentage of net revenues:                                            
Compensation and benefits  48.5     48.9           48.5         48.6     50.0       
Non-compensation operating expenses  14.4     15.3           14.7         14.4     15.6       
Income before income taxes  37.1     35.8           36.8         37.0     34.4       


Institutional Group Summary Results of Operations (Unaudited) 
  Three Months Ended    Year Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change    9/30/18  % Change    12/31/18  12/31/17  % Change 
Revenues:                                    
Commissions $50,034  $50,462   (0.8)   $40,220   24.4    $185,597  $204,281   (9.1)
Principal transactions  41,134   52,127   (21.1)    42,130   (2.4)    185,340   210,115   (11.8)
  Brokerage revenues  91,168   102,589   (11.1)    82,350   10.7     370,937   414,396   (10.5)
Capital raising  82,229   100,620   (18.3)    85,553   (3.9)    304,895   325,691   (6.4)
Advisory fees  111,089   123,227   (9.9)    75,717   46.7     371,401   360,606   3.0 
  Investment banking  193,318   223,847   (13.6)    161,270   19.9     676,296   686,297   (1.5)
Other (18)  2,154   5,965   (63.9)    2,332   (7.6)    8,262   10,075   (18.0)
    Net revenues  286,640   332,401   (13.8)    245,952   16.5     1,055,495   1,110,768   (5.0)
Non-interest expenses:                                    
Compensation and benefits  177,782   198,416   (10.4)    146,187   21.6     633,297   665,514   (4.8)
Non-compensation operating expenses  66,706   60,485   10.3     65,460   1.9     265,147   227,273   16.7 
  Total non-interest expenses  244,488   258,901   (5.6)    211,647   15.5     898,444   892,787   0.6 
Income before income taxes $42,152  $73,500   (42.7)   $34,305   22.9    $157,051  $217,981   (28.0)
                                     
As a percentage of net revenues:                                    
Compensation and benefits  62.0   59.7         59.4         60.0   59.9     
Non-compensation operating expenses  23.3   18.2         26.7         25.1   20.5     
Income before income taxes  14.7   22.1         13.9         14.9   19.6     


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company utilized certain non-GAAP calculations as additional measures to aid in understanding and analyzing the Company’s financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Specifically, the Company believes that the non-GAAP measures provide useful information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company’s core operating results and business outlook. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of the business and facilitate a meaningful comparison of the Company’s results in the current period to those in prior and future periods. Reference to these non-GAAP measures should not be considered as a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance. The non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or as being superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures primarily exclude expenses which management believes are, in some instances, non-recurring and not representative of on-going business.

A limitation of utilizing these non-GAAP measures is that the GAAP accounting effects of these charges do, in fact, reflect the underlying financial results of the Company’s business and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and analyzing its financial results. Therefore, the Company believes that GAAP measures and the same respective non-GAAP measures of the Company’s financial performance should be considered together. 

The following table provides details with respect to reconciling net income and earnings per diluted common share on a GAAP basis for the three months ended December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 to net income and earnings per diluted common share on a non-GAAP basis for the same period.

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended 
(in 000s) 12/31/18  12/31/17  9/30/18  12/31/18  12/31/17 
GAAP net income/(loss) $114,062  $(1,988) $103,858  $393,968  $182,871 
Preferred dividend  2,344   2,344   2,343   9,375   9,375 
Net income/(loss) available to common shareholders  111,718   (4,332)  101,515   384,593   173,496 
                     
Non-GAAP adjustments:                    
Merger-related and severance  (19)  17,714   10,879   10,777   51,220   60,130 
Litigation-related (20)  18   15,961   774   6,792   35,961 
Tax reform (21)     135,525         135,525 
Provision for income taxes (22)  (2,660)  (37,408)  (3,004)  (13,163)  (81,729)
Total non-GAAP adjustments  15,072   124,957   8,547   44,849   149,887 
Non-GAAP net income available to common shareholders $126,790  $120,625  $110,062  $429,442  $323,383 
                     
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding  80,706   82,267   81,484   81,321   81,035 
                     
GAAP earnings per diluted common share (1) $1.41  $(0.03) $1.27  $4.84  $2.26 
Non-GAAP adjustments  0.19   1.52   0.11   0.55   1.85 
Non-GAAP earnings per diluted common share $1.60  $1.49  $1.38  $5.39  $4.11 
                     
GAAP earnings per diluted common share available to common shareholders (1) $1.38  $(0.06) $1.25  $4.73  $2.14 
Non-GAAP adjustments  0.19   1.53   0.10   0.55   1.85 
Non-GAAP earnings per diluted common share available to common shareholders $1.57  $1.47  $1.35  $5.28  $3.99 


Footnotes

(1)  GAAP earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2017 is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding, not fully dilutive shares, as they are anti-dilutive in periods a loss is incurred.
(2)  Reconciliations of the Company’s GAAP results to these non-GAAP measures are discussed within and under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(3)  Non-GAAP pre-tax margin for the three months ended December 31, 2018 of 21.9% is calculated by adding non-GAAP adjustments of $17.7 million to our GAAP income before income taxes of $155.9 million and dividing it by non-GAAP net revenues for the quarter of $793.4 million. Reconciliations of the Company’s GAAP results to certain non-GAAP measures is discussed within and under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(4)  Excludes revenue included in the Other segment.
(5)  Non-GAAP pre-tax margin for the year ended December 31, 2018 of 19.6% is calculated by adding non-GAAP adjustments of $58.0 million to our GAAP income before income taxes of $534.4 million and dividing it by non-GAAP net revenues for the year of $3,024.9 million. Reconciliations of the Company’s GAAP results to certain non-GAAP measures is discussed within and under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(6)  See further discussion of non-GAAP adjustments under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(7)  During the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted new accounting guidance associated with stock-based compensation.
(8)  Computed by dividing annualized net income by average common shareholders’ equity or, in the case of non-GAAP return on common equity, computed by dividing non-GAAP net income by average common shareholders’ equity.
(9)  Computed by dividing annualized net income by average tangible shareholders' equity or, in the case of non-GAAP return on tangible common equity, computed by dividing non-GAAP net income by average tangible shareholders' equity. Tangible common shareholders' equity equals total common shareholders' equity less goodwill and identifiable intangible assets.
(10)  Capital ratios are estimates at time of the Company’s earnings release.
(11)  Includes 101, 112, and 104 independent contractors at December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and September 30, 2018, respectively.
(12)  Includes client margin balances held by our broker-dealer subsidiaries and securities-based loans held at Stifel Bank.
(13)  Includes Private Client Group and Trust Business.
(14)  Includes fund networking fees, retirement fees, transaction/handling fees, and ACAT fees.
(15)  Asset management assets included in Private Client Group or Trust accounts.
(16)  Return on assets (ROA) is calculated based on prior period-end balances for Private Client Group and Asset Management, and average quarterly balances for Individual Program Banks.
(17)  Includes Stifel Bank & Trust and Stifel Bank, formerly known as The Business Bank of St. Louis, which was acquired on August 31, 2018.
(18)  Includes net interest, asset management and service fees, and other income.
(19)  Primarily related to charges attributable to integration-related activities, signing bonuses, amortization of restricted stock awards and promissory notes issued as retention, professional fees, and amortization of intangible assets acquired. These costs were directly related to acquisitions of certain businesses and are not representative of the costs of running the Company’s on-going business.
(20)  Litigation-related adjustments for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 are primarily related to costs associated with the Company’s previously disclosed legal matters.
(21)  Primarily related to previously disclosed actions taken by the Company in response to the Tax Legislation that was enacted in the fourth quarter of 2017 to maximize tax savings.
(22)  See details of non-GAAP adjustments under “Provision for Income Taxes.”
    


Media Contact:  Neil Shapiro  (212) 895-1891
Investor Contact:  Joel Jeffrey  (212) 271-3610
www.stifel.com/investor-relations