Marcus & Millichap, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2020

Rhea-AI Summary

Marcus & Millichap (MMI) reported strong fourth quarter 2020 results, with total revenues rising to $250.2 million, up 57.8% sequentially and 5.2% year-over-year. Net income reached $23.6 million, or $0.59 per share, surpassing both the prior quarter and the year-ago period. The company experienced a notable increase in financing fees, up 72.0% sequentially and 42.8% year-over-year, totaling $26.9 million. However, full-year revenues fell to $716.9 million, a decline of 11.1% from 2019. The company remains optimistic about long-term growth despite COVID-19 impacts.

Positive

• Fourth quarter revenue increased 5.2% year-over-year to $250.2 million.
• Net income for the fourth quarter was $23.6 million, compared to $20.7 million in Q4 2019.
• Adjusted EBITDA rose to $36.9 million in Q4 2020 from $32.5 million in Q4 2019.
• Financing fees surged 72.0% sequentially, reaching $26.9 million.
• Completed two business acquisitions in Q4 2020.
• The total number of investment sales professionals increased by 4.2% to 2,006.

Negative

• Full-year revenues declined by 11.1% to $716.9 million from $806.4 million in 2019.
• Net income for the year fell to $42.8 million from $76.9 million in 2019.
• Adjusted EBITDA for the year decreased 34.5% to $75.7 million.
• Overall operating expenses increased by 6.6% to $663.3 million in 2020.

Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (the “Company”, “Marcus & Millichap”, “MMI”) (NYSE: MMI), a leading national brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results and Highlights

• Total revenues were $250.2 million, increasing by 57.8% sequentially and by 5.2% year-over-year
• Net income of $23.6 million, or $0.59 per common share, diluted, compared to $6.0 million, or $0.15 per common share, diluted, in the third quarter of 2020 and $20.7 million, or $0.52 per common share, diluted, in the fourth quarter of 2019
• Adjusted EBITDA of $36.9 million, compared to $12.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $32.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019
• Revenue from financing fees were $26.9 million, increasing by 72.0% sequentially and by 42.8% year-over-year
• Private Client brokerage revenue increased 41.9% sequentially and decreased 2.0% year-over-year
• Middle Market and Larger Transaction brokerage revenue increased 91.8% sequentially and 6.0% year-over-year
• Completed two business acquisitions

Full Year 2020 Results and Highlights

• Total revenues were $716.9 million, compared to $806.4 million in 2019
• Net income of $42.8 million, or $1.08 per common share, diluted, compared to $76.9 million, or $1.95 per common share, diluted, in 2019
• Adjusted EBITDA of $75.7 million, compared to $115.6 million in 2019
• Revenue from financing fees increased 6.4% to $70.5 million
• Number of investment sales professionals was 2,006, increasing by 4.2% over the past 12 months
• Completed four business acquisitions

Hessam Nadji, President and CEO commented, “We concluded a tumultuous year with a record fourth quarter, which was bolstered by our intensified investor outreach, signature internal collaboration which helps clients solve problems and act on opportunities as well as the further resurrection of previously cancelled or delayed deals.” He added, “Positive vaccine news, investor urgency to close transactions before year-end and historically low interest rates helped spur transaction activity. For the year, the Company successfully preserved its strong balance sheet, added to its roster of experienced professionals, completed four strategic acquisitions, implemented a number of technology enhancements and outpaced the market by a healthy margin.”

Mr. Nadji continued, “While the pace of improvement in the transaction market is likely to be slower in the first quarter, we are encouraged by many positive factors that support rising transaction volumes as the year progresses. Expectation of widespread vaccinations, more robust job numbers and additional stimulus should lead to the release of pent-up demand in the second half of the year. We continue to strengthen our tools and technology, as well as make strategic investments, positioning us to create long-term shareholder value.”

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results Compared to Fourth Quarter 2019

Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $250.2 million, compared to $237.9 million for the same period in the prior year, increasing 5.2%. The growth in total revenues was driven by the increase in real estate brokerage commissions, financing fees and other revenues. Real estate brokerage commissions of $217.1 million rose modestly from the prior year. Financing fees increased 42.8% to $26.9 million primarily due to an increase in overall financing volume, partially offset by a decrease in average fee rates. Other revenues increased 75.0% to $6.2 million.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased 4.4% to $220.2 million, compared to $210.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by a 3.5% increase in cost of services and a 5.9% increase in selling, general and administrative expense. Cost of services as a percent of total revenues decreased 100 basis points to 64.2% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the mix in closed deals by seniority/experience level of our investment sales and financing professionals.

Selling, general and administrative expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased 5.9% to $56.4 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher costs associated with (i) compensation related costs, including salaries and related benefits and variable employee incentive compensation; (ii) business development, marketing and other support related to the long-term retention of our sales and financing professionals, as well as recent additions of experienced professionals; and (iii) our acquisition activities. These increases were partially offset by reductions in (i) legal costs and (ii) net other expense categories, including events, travel and other related expenses.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $23.6 million, or $0.59 per common share, basic and diluted, compared to $20.7 million, or $0.53 per common share, basic and $0.52 per common share, diluted, for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $36.9 million, compared to $32.5 million for the same period in the prior year.

Full Year 2020 Results Compared to Full Year 2019

Total revenues for 2020 were $716.9 million, compared to $806.4 million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $89.5 million, or 11.1%. Total operating expenses for 2020 decreased by 6.6% to $663.3 million compared to $710.0 million for the same period in the prior year. Cost of services as a percent of total revenues increased to 62.5%, up 60 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year reflecting a higher proportion of transactions completed by our more senior investment sales and financing professionals in a challenging environment. The Company reported net income for 2020 of $42.8 million, or $1.08 per common share, basic and diluted, compared with net income of $76.9 million, or $1.95 per common share, basic and diluted for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for 2020 decreased by 34.5% to $75.7 million, from $115.6 million for the same period in the prior year. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 2,097 investment sales and financing professionals, a net gain of 76 over the prior year.

Impact of COVID-19

Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March, the Company has implemented recommendations and protocols from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and federal, state and local authorities where it operates to ensure the safety and well-being of its clients, employees, and agents. The Company quickly implemented work from home protocols for all offices and has been conducting business using its extensive technology platform. To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our business, the Company has assessed its cost structure and instituted expense reductions to preserve the Company’s strong balance sheet and financial position.

The impact of shelter-in-place orders, widespread travel restrictions and disruptions to the financial markets in response to the economic uncertainty introduced by the pandemic had an adverse impact on the real estate investment sales market. The slower transaction market in the first half of 2020, impacted the Company’s business, resulting in a reduction in sales volume, revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and earnings per share. The duration of the disruptive nature of the pandemic on the Company’s business as well as the financial impact is unknown but has been diminishing since the onset of the pandemic. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we continued to see a recovery in transaction activity and availability of capital from the initial shock of COVID-19.

Business Outlook

Notwithstanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the current business environment, we believe that the Company is positioned to achieve long-term growth by leveraging a number of factors. These include our leading national brand and market position within the Private Client Market segment, growth opportunities in the Middle Market and Larger Transaction Market segments, significant growth potential in our financing division, Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation, and supplementing our organic growth through incremental strategic acquisitions. The Company’s growth plan also includes further expansion of investment brokerage services in office, industrial and various specialty property types such as hospitality, self-storage and seniors housing.

The Company benefits from its experienced management team, infrastructure investments, industry-leading market research and proprietary technology. The size and fragmentation of the Private Client Market segment continues to offer long-term growth opportunities through consolidation. This market segment consistently accounts for over 80% of all commercial property sales transactions and over 60% of the commission pool and is highly fragmented. The top 10 brokerage firms led by MMI have an estimated 22% share of this segment by transaction count.

Key factors that may influence the Company’s business during 2021 include:

• Hampered transaction velocity as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the market and the Company’s transaction volume, revenues and earnings per share
• Volatility in market sales and investor sentiment driven by:
  • Slowdown in market sales in the short- to mid-term due to local and regional surges of COVID-19 cases, interest rate fluctuations, increasing bid-ask spread between buyers and sellers and economic trends
  • Possible boost to investor sentiment and sales activity based on perceived bottoming of interest rates, easing cycle, increased COVID-19 vaccine supply and distribution and economic initiatives which may increase real estate investor demand, particularly in the second half of 2021
  • Possible impediment of investor sentiment related to regulatory changes at the local, state and national level
• Experienced sales and financing professionals’ larger share of revenue production in a more challenging market environment, resulting in a higher cost of services
• Volatility in the Company’s Middle and Larger Transaction Market segments
• Global geopolitical uncertainty, which may cause investors to refrain from transacting
• The potential for accretive acquisition activity and subsequent integration

Conference Call Details

Marcus & Millichap will host a conference call today to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time/5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the conference call, callers from the United States and Canada should dial (877) 407-9208 ten minutes prior to the scheduled call time. International callers should dial (201) 493-6784. For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a telephonic replay of the call will also be available from 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time/8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 18, 2021, through 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time/11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 4, 2021, by dialing (844) 512-2921 in the United States and Canada or (412) 317-6671 internationally and entering passcode 13713798.

About Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

Marcus & Millichap, Inc. is a leading national brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 2,097 investment sales and financing professionals in 84 offices who provide investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. The Company also offers market research, consulting and advisory services to our clients. Marcus & Millichap closed 8,954 transactions in 2020, with a sales volume of approximately $43.4 billion. For additional information, please visit www.MarcusMillichap.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes forward-looking statements, including the Company’s business outlook for 2021, the potential continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and expectations for changes (or fluctuations) in market share growth. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

• uncertainties relating to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the length and severity of such pandemic and the federal government’s proposed stimulus response package, and the pace of recovery following such pandemic;
• general uncertainty in the capital markets and a worsening of economic conditions and the rate and pace of economic recovery following an economic downturn;
• changes in our business operations, including restrictions on business activities, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;
• market trends in the commercial real estate market or the general economy;
• our ability to attract and retain qualified senior executives, managers and investment sales and financing professionals;
• the effects of increased competition on our business;
• our ability to successfully enter new markets or increase our market share;
• our ability to successfully expand our services and businesses and to manage any such expansions;
• our ability to retain existing clients and develop new clients;
• our ability to keep pace with changes in technology;
• any business interruption or technology failure and any related impact on our reputation;
• changes in interest rates, tax laws, employment laws or other government regulation affecting our business;
• our ability to successfully identify, negotiate, execute and integrate accretive acquisitions; and
• other risk factors included under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

In addition, in this release, the words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions, as they relate to our company, our business and our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Revenues:
Real estate brokerage commissions	$	217,120			$	215,541			$	633,164			$	729,356
Financing fees		26,864				18,806				70,538				66,293
Other revenues		6,230				3,561				13,204				10,779
Total revenues		250,214				237,908				716,906				806,428
Operating expenses:
Cost of services		160,672				155,196				447,879				498,878
Selling, general and administrative		56,413				53,265				204,514				203,110
Depreciation and amortization		3,077				2,343				10,899				8,017
Total operating expenses		220,162				210,804				663,292				710,005
Operating income		30,052				27,104				53,614				96,423
Other income (expense), net		2,426				3,410				6,650				12,477
Interest expense		(205	)			(370	)			(900	)			(1,388	)
Income before provision for income taxes		32,273				30,144				59,364				107,512
Provision for income taxes		8,651				9,423				16,526				30,582
Net income		23,622				20,721				42,838				76,930
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Marketable debt securities, available-for-sale:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)		112				(52	)			799				1,822
Less: reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in other income (expense), net		2				(2	)			34				(43	)
Net change, net of tax of $40, $(6), $286 and $611 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively		114				(54	)			833				1,779
Foreign currency translation loss, net of tax of $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019		(491	)			(376	)			(237	)			(576	)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income		(377	)			(430	)			596				1,203
Comprehensive income	$	23,245			$	20,291			$	43,434			$	78,133
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.59			$	0.53			$	1.08			$	1.95
Diluted	$	0.59			$	0.52			$	1.08			$	1.95
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		39,715				39,468				39,642				39,404
Diluted		39,967				39,640				39,735				39,548

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.
KEY OPERATING METRICS SUMMARY
(Unaudited)

Total sales volume was $15.6 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2020, encompassing 2,978 transactions consisting of $11.2 billion for real estate brokerage (2,071 transactions), $3.1 billion for financing (642 transactions) and $1.3 billion in other transactions, including consulting and advisory services (265 transactions). Total sales volume was $43.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, encompassing 8,954 transactions consisting of $32.1 billion for real estate brokerage (6,288 transactions), $7.7 billion for financing (1,943 transactions) and $3.6 billion in other transactions, including consulting and advisory services (723 transactions). As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 2,006 investment sales professionals and 91 financing professionals. Key metrics for real estate brokerage and financing activities (excluding other transactions) are as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
Real Estate Brokerage		2020				2019				2020				2019
Average Number of Investment Sales Professionals		1,948				1,882				1,920				1,843
Average Number of Transactions per Investment Sales Professional		1.06				1.09				3.28				3.82
Average Commission per Transaction	$	104,838			$	105,142			$	100,694			$	103,572
Average Commission Rate		1.94	%			1.97	%			1.98	%			1.98	%
Average Transaction Size (in thousands)	$	5,404			$	5,341			$	5,097			$	5,234
Total Number of Transactions		2,071				2,050				6,288				7,042
Total Sales Volume (in millions)	$	11,191			$	10,950			$	32,052			$	36,858
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
Financing (1)		2020				2019				2020				2019
Average Number of Financing Professionals		87				96				86				102
Average Number of Transactions per Financing Professional		7.38				6.06				22.59				19.06
Average Fee per Transaction	$	38,083			$	31,034			$	33,747			$	32,680
Average Fee Rate		0.80	%			0.83	%			0.85	%			0.88	%
Average Transaction Size (in thousands)	$	4,789			$	3,729			$	3,948			$	3,693
Total Number of Transactions		642				582				1,943				1,944
Total Financing Volume (in millions)	$	3,075			$	2,170			$	7,672			$	7,180
(1) Operating metrics calculated excluding certain financing fees not directly associated to transactions.

The following table sets forth the number of transactions, sales volume and revenues by commercial real estate market segment for real estate brokerage:

	Three Months Ended,
	December 31, 2020								September 30, 2020								Change
Real Estate Brokerage	Number		Volume			Revenues			Number		Volume			Revenues			Number			Volume				Revenues
			(in millions)			(in thousands)					(in millions)			(in thousands)						(in millions)				(in thousands)
<$1 million	295		$	190		$	7,906		241		$	156		$	6,290		54			$	34			$		1,616
Private Client Market ($1 - <$10 million)	1,570			4,908			138,830		1,168			3,592			97,856		402				1,316					40,974
Middle Market ($10 - <$20 million)	112			1,526			29,719		70			945			17,643		42				581					12,076
Larger Transaction Market (≥$20 million)	94			4,567			40,665		48			2,302			19,055		46				2,265					21,610
	2,071		$	11,191		$	217,120		1,527		$	6,995		$	140,844		544			$	4,196			$		76,276
	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020								2019								Change
Real Estate Brokerage	Number		Volume			Revenues			Number		Volume			Revenues			Number			Volume				Revenues
			(in millions)			(in thousands)					(in millions)			(in thousands)						(in millions)				(in thousands)
<$1 million	295		$	190		$	7,906		278		$	183		$	7,404		17			$	7			$		502
Private Client Market ($1 - <$10 million)	1,570			4,908			138,830		1,558			5,080			141,717		12				(172	)				(2,887	)
Middle Market ($10 - <$20 million)	112			1,526			29,719		129			1,768			31,297		(17	)			(242	)				(1,578	)
Larger Transaction Market (≥$20 million)	94			4,567			40,665		85			3,919			35,123		9				648					5,542
	2,071		$	11,191		$	217,120		2,050		$	10,950		$	215,541		21			$	241			$		1,579
	Year Ended December,
	2020								2019								Change
Real Estate Brokerage	Number		Volume			Revenues			Number		Volume			Revenues			Number			Volume				Revenues
			(in millions)			(in thousands)					(in millions)			(in thousands)						(in millions)				(in thousands)
<$1 million	944		$	600		$	24,456		1,011		$	657		$	27,012		(67	)		$	(57	)		$		(2,556	)
Private Client Market ($1 - <$10 million)	4,773			15,115			421,767		5,311			17,239			487,528		(538	)			(2,124	)				(65,761	)
Middle Market ($10 - <$20 million)	316			4,311			81,621		441			6,002			107,818		(125	)			(1,691	)				(26,197	)
Larger Transaction Market (≥$20 million)	255			12,026			105,320		279			12,960			106,998		(24	)			(934	)				(1,678	)
	6,288		$	32,052		$	633,164		7,042		$	36,858		$	729,356		(754	)		$	(4,806	)		$		(96,192	)

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except for shares and par value)
	December 31, 2020 (Unaudited)			December 31, 2019
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	243,152		$	232,670
Commissions receivable, net		10,391			5,003
Prepaid expenses		10,153			10,676
Income tax receivable		—			4,999
Marketable debt securities, available-for-sale (includes amortized cost of $158,148 and $150,517 at December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $0 allowance for credit losses)		158,258			150,752
Advances and loans, net		2,413			2,882
Other assets		4,711			3,185
Total current assets		429,078			410,167
Property and equipment, net		23,436			22,643
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		84,024			90,535
Marketable debt securities, available-for-sale (includes amortized cost of $45,181 and $59,468 at December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively, and $0 allowance for credit losses)		47,773			60,809
Assets held in rabbi trust		10,295			9,452
Deferred tax assets, net		21,374			22,122
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		52,053			22,312
Advances and loans, net		106,913			66,647
Other assets		4,176			4,347
Total assets	$	779,122		$	709,034
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	$	18,288		$	10,790
Notes payable to former stockholders		—			6,564
Deferred compensation and commissions		58,106			44,301
Income tax payable		3,726			—
Operating lease liabilities		19,190			17,762
Accrued bonuses and other employee related expenses		21,007			22,388
Total current liabilities		120,317			101,805
Deferred compensation and commissions		38,7

FAQ

What were the total revenues for Marcus & Millichap (MMI) in Q4 2020?

Total revenues for Marcus & Millichap in Q4 2020 were $250.2 million.

How did Marcus & Millichap (MMI) perform in terms of net income in Q4 2020?

Marcus & Millichap reported a net income of $23.6 million, or $0.59 per share in Q4 2020.

What was the change in financing fees for Marcus & Millichap (MMI) in Q4 2020?

Financing fees increased by 72.0% sequentially and 42.8% year-over-year, reaching $26.9 million.

How did the full-year revenue for Marcus & Millichap (MMI) compare to 2019?

Full-year revenues for Marcus & Millichap declined by 11.1% to $716.9 million in 2020, down from $806.4 million in 2019.

What is the outlook for Marcus & Millichap (MMI) following their Q4 2020 results?

Marcus & Millichap is optimistic for long-term growth, citing expected recovery in transaction activity as COVID-19 impacts diminish.