Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2020 Results


Strong Relative Performance for our US Value Equity Products
Functioning Smoothly Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

DALLAS, April 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported first quarter 2020 earnings. Highlights from the quarter include:

  • Our LargeCap Value, SMidCap, SmallCap Value, AllCap Value and LargeCap Select strategies, and our Total Return strategy fund all beat their primary benchmarks for the quarter.
  • Our LargeCap Value, SMidCap and AllCap Value strategies achieved top quartile institutional rankings, while our Total Return strategy fund achieved a top decile institutional ranking.
  • Our significant investment in cloud-based systems and business continuity planning enabled our teams to continue to serve our clients well while working remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Revenues of $16.7 million compared with $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $23.9 million a year ago.
  • Net income of $1.1 million compared with $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $0.4 million a year ago. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings of $4.2 million, compared with $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $4.1 million a year ago.
  • Repurchased 272,059 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $4.9 million.
  • At quarter-end, Westwood had $82.4 million in cash and short-term investments, stockholders' equity of $138.4 million and no debt.

After quarter-end we repurchased an additional 407,697 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.1 million, which completed the amount previously authorized under our share repurchase program. Subsequently, Westwood’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $10.0 million of share repurchases under our share repurchase program.

Revenues were lower than the fourth quarter of 2019 and last year's first quarter principally due to lower average assets under management ("AUM").

AUM at March 31, 2020 totaled $11.6 billion, versus $15.2 billion at December 31, 2019 and $16.8 billion at March 31, 2019. The decreases were due to net outflows in our Income Opportunity and LargeCap Value strategies primarily during late 2019 and pandemic-affected market depreciation in early 2020 across multiple strategies.

First quarter 2020 net income of $1.1 million was lower than fourth quarter 2019 net income of $2.5 million primarily due to lower revenues and unrealized losses on private investments, partially offset by lower operating expenses and income taxes. Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") for the first quarter of 2020 were $0.13 compared to $0.30 for the fourth quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 were $4.2 million, or $0.50 per share, a decrease from $5.4 million, or $0.64 per share, in 2019's fourth quarter.

First quarter 2020 net income of $1.1 million increased from first quarter 2019 net income of $0.4 million primarily due to lower operating expenses, particularly employee compensation and benefits, foreign currency transaction gains and income taxes, partially offset by lower revenues and unrealized losses on private investments. Diluted EPS for the first quarter of 2020 were $0.13 compared to $0.05 for the first quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the first quarter of 2020 were $4.2 million, or $0.50 per share, up from $4.1 million, or $0.49 per share for the first quarter of 2019.

Brian Casey, Westwood’s President and CEO, commented, "The first quarter of 2020 will go down in history as one of the toughest on record. Our U.S. investment teams performed well and we had solid momentum in our sales and distribution efforts prior to the Covid-19 shutdown. The investments we have made in technology over the past several years allowed our entire team to work seamlessly from their homes. We held daily management team meetings and weekly crisis team meetings to manage through the early stages of the global pandemic. We completed the remainder of our buyback program and established a new $10.0 million share repurchase program for future flexibility while remaining debt free. We are suspending our second quarter dividend in order to preserve capital during these unprecedented times. Our Board of Directors will review the dividend each quarter for potential reinstatement when we have greater clarity with respect to the economy and the capital markets."

Economic Earnings and Economic EPS are non-GAAP performance measures and are explained and reconciled with the most comparable GAAP numbers in the attached tables.

Westwood will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2020 results and other business matters at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today.  To join the conference call, dial 877-303-6235 (U.S. and Canada) or 631-291-4837 (international).  The conference call can also be accessed via our Investor Relations page at westwoodgroup.com and will be available for replay through May 7, 2020 by dialing 855-859-2056 (U.S. and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering the passcode 3591568.

About Westwood

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. provides investment management services to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm has $11.6 billion in assets under management, of which $1.6 billion are in values-based, global-sanctions compliant and socially responsible investment mandates as of March 31, 2020.  Westwood offers a range of investment strategies including U.S. equities, Multi-Asset, Emerging Markets equities, Global Convertible securities and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs)  portfolios. Access to these strategies is available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual funds, UCITS funds and other pooled vehicles. Westwood benefits from significant, broad-based employee ownership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHG.” Based in Dallas, Westwood also maintains offices in Toronto, Boston and Houston.

For more information on Westwood, please visit westwoodgroup.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts, including, without limitation, statements about our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including without limitation, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “could,” and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results and the timing of some events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation:
the composition and market value of our AUM; our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures; the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic; the significant concentration of our revenues in a small number of customers; our ability to avoid termination of client agreements and the related investment redemptions; regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry; competition in the investment management industry; our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully; our AUM include investments in foreign companies; our reputation and our relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to maintain effective cyber security; our ability to perform operational tasks; our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives; our ability to maintain effective information systems; our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors; litigation risks; our ability to declare and pay dividends; our ability to fund future capital requirements on favorable terms; our ability to properly address conflicts of interest; our ability to maintain adequate insurance coverage; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; our stock is thinly traded and may be subject to volatility; our organizational documents contain provisions that may prevent or deter another group from paying a premium over the market price to our stockholders to acquire our stock; we are a holding company dependent on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries; our relationships with investment consulting firms; and the other risks detailed from time to time in Westwood’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Westwood is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE:  Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

(WHG-G)
CONTACT:
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
Terry Forbes
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(214) 756-6900


WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 March 31,
2019
REVENUES:     
Advisory fees:     
    Asset-based$11,102  $12,768  $16,406 
    Performance-based—  310  180 
Trust fees5,951  6,219  6,539 
Other, net(384(681737 
    Total revenues16,669  18,616  23,862 
      
EXPENSES:     
Employee compensation and benefits12,668  12,092  14,610 
Sales and marketing478  518  530 
Westwood mutual funds515  674  846 
Information technology2,031  2,150  1,977 
Professional services1,193  1,064  1,149 
General and administrative2,306  2,363  2,434 
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions(2,938712  820 
    Total expenses16,253  19,573  22,366 
Net operating income (loss)416  (9571,496 
Unrealized gains (losses) on private investments(9953,296  — 
Investment income544  1,318  — 
Other income34  34  — 
Income (loss) before income taxes(13,691  1,496 
Income tax expense (benefit)(1,1031,150  1,104 
Net income$1,102  $2,541  $392 
Other comprehensive income (loss):     
  Foreign currency translation adjustments(3,242)856  831 
Total comprehensive income (loss)$(2,140)$3,397  $1,223 
      
Earnings per share:     
Basic$0.13  $0.30  $0.05 
Diluted$0.13  $0.30  $0.05 
      
Weighted average shares outstanding:     
Basic8,414,393 8,389,322 8,363,109
Diluted8,458,473 8,449,689 8,455,386
      
Economic Earnings$4,200  $5,418  $4,116 
Economic EPS$0.50  $0.64  $0.49 
      
Dividends declared per share$0.43  $0.72  $0.72 
         

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
ASSETS   
Current Assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$45,116    $49,766   
Accounts receivable11,172    13,177   
Investments, at fair value37,272    50,324   
Prepaid income taxes658    1,150   
Other current assets2,168    2,544   
    Total current assets96,386    116,961   
Investments8,154    8,154   
Noncurrent investments at fair value3,243    4,238   
Goodwill19,804    19,804   
Deferred income taxes3,831    2,216   
Operating lease right-of-use assets7,220    7,562   
Intangible assets, net14,833    15,256   
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $7,570 and $7,3953,931    4,152   
Other long-term assets400    364   
 Total assets$157,802    $178,707   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current Liabilities:   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$1,676    $2,145   
Dividends payable4,834    7,362   
Compensation and benefits payable2,323    9,975   
Operating lease liabilities1,622    1,584   
Accrued stock repurchases920    —   
Income taxes payable323    289   
    Total current liabilities11,698    21,355   
Accrued dividends411    1,303   
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities7,304    7,762   
   Total long-term liabilities7,715    9,065   
   Total liabilities19,413    30,420   
    
Stockholders’ Equity:   
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 10,548,103 and outstanding 8,780,041 shares at March 31, 2020; issued 10,306,570 and outstanding 8,881,086 shares at December 31, 2019106    103   
Additional paid-in capital206,267    203,441   
Treasury stock, at cost – 1,768,061 shares at March 31, 2020; 1,425,483 shares at December 31, 2019(69,965)  (63,281) 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(6,185)  (2,943) 
Retained earnings8,166    10,967   
  Total stockholders’ equity138,389    148,287   
  Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$157,802    $178,707   

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2020 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
Net income$1,102    $392  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
    Depreciation233    212  
    Amortization of intangible assets423    413  
    Unrealized (gains) losses on investments1,133    (374)
    Stock-based compensation expense2,616    3,252  
    Deferred income taxes(1,643)  273  
    Non-cash lease expense305    242  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
    Net (purchases) sales of investments – trading securities12,916    16,554  
    Accounts receivable1,844    2,981  
    Other current assets326    (886)
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(469)  (275)
    Compensation and benefits payable(7,356)  (12,305)
    Income taxes payable475    379  
    Other liabilities(383)  (293)
          Net cash provided by operating activities11,522    10,565  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Purchases of property and equipment(16)  (71)
Purchases of investments—    (250)
         Net cash used in investing activities(16)  (321)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Purchases of treasury stock(3,947)  (981)
Purchases of treasury stock for employee stock plans(697)  —  
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes(1,120)  (2,385)
Cash dividends(7,324)  (7,686)
         Net cash used in financing activities(13,088)  (11,052)
Effect of currency rate changes on cash(3,068)  780  
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(4,650)  (28)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period49,766    52,449  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$45,116    $52,421  
    
Supplemental cash flow information:   
Cash paid during the period for income taxes$64    $453  
Accrued dividends$5,245    $7,980  
Accrued purchases of property and equipment$—    $425  
Accrued purchases of treasury stock$920    $—  

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Net Income to Economic Earnings
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 March 31,
2019
Net Income$1,102  $2,541  $392 
Add:  Stock-based compensation expense2,616  2,373  3,252 
Add:  Intangible amortization423  445  413 
Add:  Tax benefit from goodwill amortization59  59  59 
Economic Earnings$4,200  $5,418  $4,116 
      
Diluted weighted average shares8,458,473 8,449,689 8,455,386
Economic EPS$0.50  $0.64  $0.49 

As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAP performance measures that we refer to as Economic Earnings and Economic EPS. We provide these measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income and earnings per share, which are reported on a GAAP basis. Our management and Board of Directors review Economic Earnings and Economic EPS to evaluate our ongoing performance, allocate resources, and review our dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income or earnings per share, are useful for management and investors when evaluating our underlying operating and financial performance and our available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider these non-GAAP measures without also considering financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We define Economic Earnings as net income plus non-cash equity-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, and deferred taxes related to goodwill. Although depreciation on fixed assets is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating Economic Earnings because depreciation charges represent an allocation of the decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement. In addition, we do not adjust Economic Earnings for tax deductions related to restricted stock expense or amortization of intangible assets. Economic EPS represents Economic Earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.