WisdomTree Announces Third Quarter 2020 Results – Diluted Loss Per Share of ($0.01), or Earnings Per Share of $0.07, as adjusted

Rhea-AI Summary

WisdomTree Investments reported a net loss of $0.3 million for Q3 2020, a significant improvement from a loss of $13.3 million in Q2 2020. The company's operating revenues rose by 11.2% to $64.6 million, driven by higher average AUM, now at $60.7 billion—up 5.3% quarter-over-quarter. Despite $468 million in net outflows, the average global advisory fee saw a slight increase. The company declared a $0.03 quarterly dividend, payable on November 25, 2020. CEO Jonathan Steinberg expressed optimism for future growth, attributed to operational strengths and a 'remote first' strategy.

Positive

• Operating revenues increased 11.2% to $64.6 million due to higher average AUM.
• Average AUM rose to $60.7 billion, a 5.3% increase from the previous quarter.
• $0.03 quarterly dividend declared, showing commitment to return value to shareholders.
• Operating income margin improved to 22.8%, a 2.5-point increase driven by higher revenues.

Negative

• Net outflows of $468 million, primarily from commodity and international developed market equity products.
• Net loss of $0.3 million, though improved from previous quarters, signals ongoing challenges.

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (NASDAQ: WETF) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2020.

$12.0 million of non-cash charges, including (i) a loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of $8.9 million and (ii) a $3.1 million impairment charge related to our investment in Thesys Group, Inc.

($0.3) million net loss ($11.0¹ million net income, as adjusted), see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for additional information. 

$60.7 billion of ending AUM, an increase of 5.3% arising primarily from market appreciation, partly offset by net outflows.

$468 million of net outflows, driven by outflows from our commodity and international developed market equity products, partly offset by inflows into our U.S. equity and emerging market equity products.

0.42% average global advisory fee, an increase of 1 basis point due to AUM mix shift.

$64.6 million of operating revenues, an increase of 11.2% primarily due to higher average AUM and a higher average global advisory fee.

76.5% gross margin¹, a 1.4 point increase primarily due to higher revenues.

22.8% operating income margin, a 2.5 point increase primarily due to higher revenues, partly offset by higher operating expenses.

$25.0 million issuance of convertible senior notes due 2023, which were issued on the same terms as the notes previously issued.

$4.5 million repurchase of 1.1 million shares of our common stock, principally in connection with the issuance of the convertible notes.

$0.03 quarterly dividend declared, payable on November 25, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 11, 2020.

Update from Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree CEO

“We have restored the momentum built prior to the pandemic through steadfast focus on what we can control and strong execution amid a highly volatile and unusual year. Important elements across our global franchise are starting to align and I’m excited about our growth outlook for the remainder of the year and into 2021.” “Given the strength and sustainability of our execution over the past eight months, we have decided to pursue a ‘remote first’ philosophy and plan to reduce our office space globally. Technology has brought our team closer together and driven productivity gains while our funds continue to operate flawlessly with coordination from our third-party service providers. We are taking this action because we believe it is the right strategy to drive sustained momentum and future growth of the business and the cost savings could be meaningful.”

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

	Three Months Ended
	Sept. 30, 2020			June 30, 2020			Mar. 31, 2020			Dec. 31, 2019			Sept. 30, 2019
Consolidated Operating Highlights ($, in billions):
AUM	$	60.7		$	57.6		$	50.3		$	63.6		$	60.0
Net inflows/(outflows)	$	(0.5	)	$	0.1		$	(0.5	)	$	0.4		$	(0.7	)
Average AUM	$	61.2		$	55.7		$	59.8		$	61.9		$	60.3
Average advisory fee		0.42	%		0.41	%		0.42	%		0.44	%		0.44	%
Consolidated Financial Highlights ($, in millions, except per share amounts):
Operating revenues	$	64.6		$	58.1		$	63.9		$	68.9		$	67.7
Net (loss)/income	$	(0.3	)	$	(13.3	)	$	(8.6	)	$	(25.9	)	$	4.2
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.17	)	$	0.02
Operating income margin		22.8	%		20.3	%		24.5	%		21.5	%		23.8	%
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP1):
Gross margin		76.5	%		75.1	%		77.3	%		77.3	%		77.7	%
Net income, as adjusted	$	11.0		$	8.5		$	11.2		$	10.1		$	10.6
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted	$	0.07		$	0.05		$	0.07		$	0.06		$	0.06
Operating income margin, as adjusted		22.8	%		20.4	%		25.1	%		22.0	%		24.1	%

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Company News In August 2020, we issued and sold an additional $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2023 following our issuance in June 2020 of $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of such notes. In September 2020, we won two awards at the AJ Bell Fund & Investment Trust Awards 2020 for WisdomTree Physical Gold (PHAU) and WisdomTree Cloud Computing UCITS ETF (WCLD). In October 2020, we were named “Best International Equity ETF Issuer ($1BN+)” by the ETF Express U.S. Awards 2020, which recognizes excellence among ETF issuers and service providers across a wide range of categories. Product News In August 2020, we announced an index change for WTI Crude Oil ETC (CRUD) following a vote by security holders; we announced that enhancements were made to the WisdomTree Growth Leaders Fund (PLAT) – previously the WisdomTree Modern Tech Platforms Fund – focusing on growth exposure of platform businesses with the addition of growth screen criteria and a fee reduction; and we cross-listed five funds in Mexico – four European products: SGBS, WCLD1, VOLT, WTAI and one U.S. ETF: WCLD. In October 2020, we implemented a number of volatility proofing measures for three currency-hedged and six short-and-leveraged ETPs in Europe; we announced a forward share split of 2:1 on the WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (CXSE); we applied an ESG screen and introduced the WisdomTree Composite Risk Score to the WisdomTree Global Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF (GGRA), the WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend UCITS ETF (DGSE) and the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income UCITS ETF (DEM); and we announced a collaboration with 55ip, a financial technology company, to deliver WisdomTree model portfolios utilizing 55ip’s automated tax-smart technology.

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended																				Nine Months Ended
	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019				Sept. 30, 2020				Sept. 30, 2019
Operating Revenues:
Advisory fees	$	63,919			$	57,208			$	62,950			$	68,179			$	67,006			$	184,077			$	197,473
Other income		721				918				924				728				712				2,563				2,023
Total revenues		64,640				58,126				63,874				68,907				67,718				186,640				199,496
Operating Expenses:
Compensation and benefits		19,098				17,455				17,295				19,280				18,880				53,848				61,481
Fund management and administration		15,219				14,461				14,485				15,650				15,110				44,165				45,852
Marketing and advertising		2,996				1,949				2,468				3,551				3,022				7,413				8,612
Sales and business development		2,386				2,181				3,417				5,329				4,354				7,984				12,947
Contractual gold payments		4,539				4,063				3,760				3,516				3,502				12,362				9,710
Professional and consulting fees		950				1,357				1,273				1,604				1,259				3,580				4,037
Occupancy, communications and equipment		1,611				1,643				1,551				1,587				1,549				4,805				4,715
Depreciation and amortization		253				251				256				253				259				760				792
Third-party distribution fees		1,233				1,340				1,355				1,146				1,503				3,928				5,822
Acquisition and disposition- related costs		—				33				383				366				190				416				536
Other		1,611				1,596				1,997				1,816				1,959				5,204				6,267
Total operating expenses		49,896				46,329				48,240				54,098				51,587				144,465				160,771
Operating income		14,744				11,797				15,634				14,809				16,131				42,175				38,725
Other Income/(Expenses):
Interest expense		(2,511	)			(2,044	)			(2,419	)			(2,606	)			(2,832	)			(6,974	)			(8,634	)
Loss on revaluation of deferred consideration – gold payments		(8,870	)			(23,358	)			(2,208	)			(5,354	)			(6,306	)			(34,436	)			(5,939	)
Interest income		111				119				163				936				799				393				2,396
Impairments		(3,080	)			—				(19,672	)			(30,138	)			—				(22,752	)			(572	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				(2,387	)			—				—				—				(2,387	)			—
Other gains and losses, net		744				1,819				(2,507	)			(2	)			843				56				(3,500	)
Income/(loss) before income taxes		1,138				(14,054	)			(11,009	)			(22,355	)			8,635				(23,925	)			22,476
Income tax expense/(benefit)		1,408				(804	)			(2,371	)			3,525				4,483				(1,767	)			7,021
Net (loss)/income	$	(270	)		$	(13,250	)		$	(8,638	)		$	(25,880	)		$	4,152			$	(22,158	)		$	15,455
(Loss)/earnings per share – basic		($0.01	)2			($0.09	)			($0.06	)			($0.17	)			$0.022				($0.16	)2			$0.09
(Loss)/earnings per share – diluted		($0.01	)2			($0.09	)			($0.06	)			($0.17	)			$0.02				($0.16	)2			$0.09
Weighted average common shares – basic		145,564				151,623				152,519				151,948				151,897				149,886				151,782
Weighted average common shares – diluted		145,564				151,623				152,519				151,948				167,163				149,886				166,944
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP1)
Total operating expenses	$	49,896			$	46,296			$	47,857			$	53,732			$	51,397
Operating income	$	14,744			$	11,830			$	16,017			$	15,175			$	16,321
Income before income taxes	$	13,242			$	10,911			$	14,358			$	13,503			$	15,131
Income tax expense	$	2,205			$	2,417			$	3,134			$	3,396			$	4,489
Net income	$	11,037			$	8,494			$	11,224			$	10,107			$	10,642
Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.07			$	0.05			$	0.07			$	0.06			$	0.06

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Revenues

• Operating revenues increased 11.2% from the second quarter of 2020 due to higher average global AUM arising from market appreciation, partly offset by net outflows.  Also, our average global advisory fee increased 1 basis point due to AUM mix shift. 
• Operating revenues decreased 4.5% from the third quarter of 2019 due to a 2 basis point decline in our average global advisory fee arising from AUM mix shift, notwithstanding the increase in our average AUM.
• Our average global advisory fee was 0.42%, 0.41% and 0.44% during the third quarter of 2020, the second quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2019, respectively.

Operating Expenses

• Operating expenses increased 7.7% from the second quarter of 2020 due to higher incentive compensation accruals, marketing expenses, and higher fund management and administration costs due to higher average AUM and an increase in contractual gold payments due to higher average gold prices.
• Operating expenses decreased 3.3% from the third quarter of 2019 due to lower sales and business development costs, partly offset by higher contractual gold payments due to higher average gold prices.

Other Income/(Expenses)

• We recognized a non-cash loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of ($8.9) million, ($23.4) million and ($6.3) million during the third quarter of 2020, second quarter of 2020 and third quarter of 2019, respectively.  These losses arose due to an increase in forward-looking gold prices when compared to the previous periods’ forward-looking gold curves.  The magnitude of any gain or loss recognized is highly correlated to the magnitude of the change in the forward-looking price of gold.
• Interest expense increased 22.8% from the second quarter of 2020 to $2.5 million primarily due to higher effective interest rates.  This expense decreased 11.3% from the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to a lower level of debt outstanding.
• During the third quarter of 2020, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $3.1 million related to our investment in Thesys.
• Other gains, net, were $0.7 million, $1.8 million and $0.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, second quarter of 2020 and third quarter of 2019, respectively.  The third quarter of 2020 and second quarter of 2020 includes a gain of $0.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively, arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of our investment in AdvisorEngine Inc.  Gains and losses also generally arise from the sale of gold earned from management fees paid by our physically-backed gold ETPs, foreign exchange fluctuations, securities owned and other miscellaneous items.

Income Taxes

• Our effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2020 of 123.7% resulted in income tax expense of $1.4 million.  Our tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to a non-deductible loss on revaluation of deferred consideration.  This loss was partly offset by a lower tax rate on foreign earnings.
• Our adjusted effective income tax rate was 16.7%¹.

NINE MONTH HIGHLIGHTS

• Operating revenues decreased 6.4% as compared to 2019 due to a 3 basis point decline in our average global advisory fee arising from AUM mix shift.
• Operating expenses decreased 10.1% as compared to 2019 due to lower incentive compensation accruals as well as $3.5 million of severance expense included in the prior period, lower sales and business development costs, third party distribution costs, marketing expenses and other expenses, as well as lower fund management and administration costs primarily due to the sale of our Canadian ETF business. These declines were partly offset by higher contractual gold payments due to higher average gold prices.
• Significant changes in items reported in other income/(expenses) include a decrease in interest expense of 19.2% due to a lower level of debt outstanding; non-cash loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of ($34.4) million and ($5.9) million in 2020 and 2019, respectively; non-cash impairment charges of $22.8 million recorded in 2020; a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million in 2020; non-cash charges of $6.0 million and $4.3 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, arising from the release of tax-related indemnification assets upon the expiration of the statute of limitations (an equal and offsetting benefit was recognized in income tax expense); and a gain of $1.1 million in 2020 arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of our investment in AdvisorEngine.
• Our effective income tax rate for 2020 of 7.4% resulted in an income tax benefit of $1.8 million.  Our tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a valuation allowance on capital losses, a non-deductible loss on revaluation of deferred consideration and tax shortfalls associated with the vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards.  These items were partly offset by a tax benefit of $6.0 million recognized in connection with the release of the tax-related indemnification asset described above, a $2.9 million non-taxable gain recognized upon sale of our Canadian ETF business in the first quarter, a tax benefit of $2.8 million recognized in connection with the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on interest carryforwards arising from our debt previously held in the United Kingdom and a lower tax rate on foreign earnings.

CONFERENCE CALL

WisdomTree will discuss its results and operational highlights during a conference call on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The call-in number will be (877) 303-7209. Anyone outside the U.S. or Canada should call (970) 315-0420. The slides used during the presentation will be available at http://ir.wisdomtree.com. For those unable to join the conference call at the scheduled time, an audio replay will be available on http://ir.wisdomtree.com.

ABOUT WISDOMTREE

WisdomTree Investments, Inc., through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Europe (collectively, “WisdomTree”), is an ETF and ETP sponsor and asset manager headquartered in New York. WisdomTree offers products covering equity, commodity, fixed income, leveraged and inverse, currency and alternative strategies. WisdomTree currently has approximately $62.5 billion in assets under management globally.

WisdomTree^® is the marketing name for WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide.

_____________

¹      See “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements.”
²      Earnings/(loss) per share (“EPS”) is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as it results in a lower EPS amount as compared to the treasury stock method.

Contact Information:
Investor Relations	Media Relations
Jason Weyeneth, CFA	Jessica Zaloom
+1.917.267.3858	+1.917.267.3735
jweyeneth@wisdomtree.com	jzaloom@wisdomtree.com

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.
Key Operating Statistics (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020			Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
GLOBAL ETPs ($ in millions)
Beginning of period assets	$	57,647			$	50,323			$	63,615			$	59,981			$	60,389
Assets sold		—				—				(778	)			—				—
Inflows/(outflows)		(468	)			126				(536	)			390				(698	)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		3,560				7,494				(11,958	)			3,247				471
Fund closures		(46	)			(296	)			(20	)			(3	)			(181	)
End of period assets	$	60,693			$	57,647			$	50,323			$	63,615			$	59,981
Average assets during the period	$	61,194			$	55,689			$	59,819			$	61,858			$	60,306
Average advisory fee during the period		0.42	%			0.41	%			0.42	%			0.44	%			0.44	%
Revenue days		92				91				91				92				92
Number of ETFs – end of the period		305				311				331				349				348
U.S. LISTED ETFs ($ in millions)
Beginning of period assets	$	31,344			$	28,893			$	40,600			$	37,592			$	39,220
Inflows/(outflows)		575				(1,474	)			(1,273	)			563				(1,198	)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		1,373				4,039				(10,424	)			2,448				(430	)
Fund closures		—				(114	)			(10	)			(3	)			—
End of period assets	$	33,292			$	31,344			$	28,893			$	40,600			$	37,592
Average assets during the period	$	32,962			$	30,607			$	36,936			$	39,094			$	37,857
Average advisory fee during the period		0.41	%			0.41	%			0.43	%			0.44	%			0.44	%
Number of ETFs – end of the period		67				67				77				80				80
INTERNATIONAL LISTED ETPs ($ in millions)
Beginning of period assets	$	26,303			$	21,430			$	23,015			$	22,389			$	21,169
Assets sold		—				—				(778	)			—				—
Inflows/(outflows)		(1,043	)			1,600				737				(173	)			500
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		2,187				3,455				(1,534	)			799				901
Fund closures		(46	)			(182	)			(10	)			—				(181	)
End of period assets	$	27,401			$	26,303			$	21,430			$	23,015			$	22,389
Average assets during the period	$	28,232			$	25,082			$	22,883			$	22,764			$	22,449
Average advisory fee during the period		0.42	%			0.41	%			0.41	%			0.44	%			0.44	%
Number of ETPs – end of the period		238				244				254				269				268
PRODUCT CATEGORIES ($ in millions)
Commodity & Currency
Beginning of period assets	$	24,260			$	19,823			$	20,074			$	19,713			$	18,204
Inflows/(outflows)		(1,087	)			1,316				592				(244	)			511
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		2,036				3,121				(843	)			605				998
End of period assets	$	25,209			$	24,260			$	19,823			$	20,074			$	19,713
Average assets during the period	$	25,959			$	23,037			$	20,407			$	19,892			$	19,558
U.S. Equity
Beginning of period assets	$	13,997			$	12,151			$	17,732			$	16,281			$	15,889
Inflows/(outflows)		897				(241	)			(285	)			460				239
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		718				2,087				(5,296	)			991				153
End of period assets	$	15,612			$	13,997			$	12,151			$	17,732			$	16,281
Average assets during the period	$	15,139			$	13,302			$	16,011			$	16,969			$	15,872
International Developed Market Equity
Beginning of period assets	$	8,821			$	8,632			$	13,011			$	12,169			$	13,313
Inflows/(outflows)		(587	)			(965	)			(1,097	)			(135	)			(1,009	)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		369				1,154				(3,282	)			977				(135	)
End of period assets	$	8,603			$	8,821			$	8,632			$	13,011			$	12,169
Average assets during the period	$	8,819			$	8,760			$	11,447			$	12,607			$	12,379

	Three Months Ended
	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Emerging Market Equity
Beginning of period assets	$	5,413			$	4,600			$	6,400			$	5,699			$	5,966
Inflows/(outflows)		257				(25	)			69				195				176
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		309				838				(1,869	)			506				(443	)
End of period assets	$	5,979			$	5,413			$	4,600			$	6,400			$	5,699
Average assets during the period	$	5,913			$	5,129			$	5,918			$	5,991			$	5,729
Fixed Income
Beginning of period assets	$	3,530			$	3,527			$	3,585			$	3,337			$	3,946
Inflows/(outflows)		76				(53	)			21				218				(594	)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		24				56				(79	)			30				(15	)
End of period assets	$	3,630			$	3,530			$	3,527			$	3,585			$	3,337
Average assets during the period	$	3,605			$	3,523			$	3,653			$	3,540			$	3,731
Leveraged & Inverse
Beginning of period assets	$	1,349			$	882			$	995			$	1,002			$	989
Inflows/(outflows)		(10	)			312				12				(22	)			12
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		92				155				(125	)			15				1
End of period assets	$	1,431			$	1,349			$	882			$	995			$	1,002
Average assets during the period	$	1,481			$	1,163			$	1,008			$	1,033			$	1,019
Alternatives
Beginning of period assets	$	225			$	244			$	358			$	418			$	434
Inflows/(outflows)		(4	)			(29	)			(66	)			(61	)			(17	)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		8				10				(48	)			1				1
End of period assets	$	229			$	225			$	244			$	358			$	418
Average assets during the period	$	226			$	226			$	328			$	398			$	428
Closed ETPs
Beginning of period assets	$	52			$	464			$	1,460			$	1,362			$	1,648
Assets sold		—				—				(778	)			—				—
Inflows/(outflows)		(10	)			(189	)			218				(21	)			(16	)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)		4				73				(416	)			122				(89	)
Fund closures		(46	)			(296	)			(20	)			(3	)			(181	)
End of period assets	$	—			$	52			$	464			$	1,460			$	1,362
Average assets during the period	$	52			$	549			$	1,047			$	1,428			$	1,590
Headcount		211				214				210				208				212

Note: Previously issued statistics may be restated due to fund closures and trade adjustments
Source: WisdomTree

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Sept. 30, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,561			$	74,972
Securities owned, at fair value		32,574				17,319
Accounts receivable		26,163				26,838
Income taxes receivable		38				—
Prepaid expenses		4,971				3,724
Other current assets		704				207
Total current assets		128,011				123,060
Fixed assets, net		7,654				8,127
Notes receivable		—				28,172
Securities held-to-maturity		501				16,863
Deferred tax assets, net		7,115				7,398
Investments		8,112				11,192
Right of use assets – operating leases		16,788				18,161
Goodwill		85,856				85,856
Intangible assets		601,247				603,294
Other noncurrent assets		185				983
Total assets	$	855,469			$	903,106
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Fund management and administration payable	$	22,427			$	22,021
Compensation and benefits payable		13,881				26,501
Deferred consideration – gold payments		17,202				13,953
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value		—				582
Operating lease liabilities		3,124				3,682
Income taxes payable		—				3,372
Accounts payable and other liabilities		10,383				8,930
Total current liabilities		67,017				79,041
Convertible notes		165,819				—
Debt		—				175,956
Deferred consideration – gold payments		190,546				159,071
Operating lease liabilities		17,849				19,057
Total liabilities		441,231				433,125
Preferred stock – Series A Non-Voting Convertible, par value $0.01; 14.750 shares authorized, issued and outstanding		132,569				132,569
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.01; 250,000 shares authorized:
Issued and outstanding: 148,782 and 155,264 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively		1,488				1,553
Additional paid-in capital		319,443				352,658
Accumulated other comprehensive income		640				945
Accumulated deficit		(39,902	)			(17,744	)
Total stockholders’ equity		281,669				337,412
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	855,469			$	903,106

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)  

	Nine Months Ended
	Sept. 30, 2020				Sept. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss)/income	$	(22,158	)		$	15,455
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Advisory fees received in gold and other precious metals		(46,077	)			(36,306	)
Loss on revaluation of deferred consideration – gold payments		34,436				5,939
Impairments		22,752				572
Contractual gold payments		12,362				9,710
Stock-based compensation		9,003				8,581
Gain on sale –Canadian ETF business		(2,877	)			—
Loss on extinguishment of debt		2,387				—
Amortization of right of use asset		2,384				2,379
Amortization of issuance costs - former credit facility		1,328				2,159
Deferred income taxes		(961	)			1,383
Amortization of issuance costs - convertible notes		882				—
Depreciation and amortization		760				792
Paid-in-kind interest income		—				(1,856	)
Other		(1,173	)			(330	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Securities owned, at fair value		(15,255	)			5,497
Accounts receivable		3,166				2,358
Income taxes receivable/payable		(3,399	)			4,350
Prepaid expenses		(1,325	)			(888	)
Gold and other precious metals		32,969				25,751
Other assets		(341	)			(571	)
Fund management and administration payable		735				(366	)
Compensation and benefits payable		(12,349	)			1,476
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value		(582	)			(1,130	)
Operating lease liabilities		(2,778	)			(2,662	)
Accounts payable and other liabilities		1,679				788
Net cash provided by operating activities		15,568				43,081
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed assets		(292	)			(25	)
Funding of notes receivable		—				(1,790	)
Proceeds from held-to-maturity securities maturing or called prior to maturity		16,441				2,313
Proceeds from the sale of our financial interests in AdvisorEngine		9,592				—
Proceeds from sale of Canadian ETF business, net		2,774				—
Net cash provided by investing activities		28,515				498
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt		(179,000	)			(15,000	)
Shares repurchased		(30,979	)			(2,187	)
Dividends paid		(15,207	)			(15,286	)
Convertible notes issuance costs		(5,411	)			—
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes		175,250				—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		240				70
Net cash used in financing activities		(55,107	)			(32,403	)
Decrease in cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rate		(387	)			(385	)
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(11,411	)			10,791
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year		74,972				77,784
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	$	63,561			$	88,575
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for taxes	$	7,650			$	5,439
Cash paid for interest	$	3,390			$	6,997

Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

In an effort to provide additional information regarding our results as determined by GAAP, we also disclose certain non-GAAP information which we believe provides useful and meaningful information. Our management reviews these non-GAAP financial measurements when evaluating our financial performance and results of operations; therefore, we believe it is useful to provide information with respect to these non-GAAP measurements so as to share this perspective of management. Non-GAAP measurements do not have any standardized meaning, do not replace nor are superior to GAAP financial measurements and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measurements should be considered in the context with our GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measurements contained in this press release include:

• Adjusted operating income, operating expenses, income before income taxes, income tax expense, net income and diluted earnings per share.  We disclose adjusted operating income, operating expenses, income before income taxes, income tax expense, net income and diluted earnings per share as non-GAAP financial measurements in order to report our results exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business.  We believe presenting these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance.  These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following:
  • Unrealized gains or losses on the revaluation of deferred consideration:  Deferred consideration is an obligation we assumed in connection with the ETFS acquisition that is carried at fair value.  This item represents the present value of an obligation to pay fixed ounces of gold into perpetuity and is measured using forward-looking gold prices.  Changes in the forward-looking price of gold may have a material impact on the carrying value of the deferred consideration and our reported financial results.  We exclude this item when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as it is not core to our operating business.  The item is not adjusted for income taxes as the obligation was assumed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours that is based in Jersey, a jurisdiction where we are subject to a zero percent tax rate.
  • Tax shortfalls and windfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards: GAAP requires the recognition of tax windfalls and shortfalls within income tax expense.  These items arise upon the vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards and the magnitude is directly correlated to the number of awards vesting/exercised as well as the difference between the price of our stock on the date the award was granted and the date the award vested or was exercised.  We exclude these items when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as they introduce volatility in earnings and are not core to our operating business.
  • Interest expense from the amortization of discount arising from the bifurcation of the conversion option embedded in the convertible notes:  GAAP requires convertible instruments to be separated into their liability and equity components by allocating the issuance proceeds to each of these components.  The liability component for convertible instruments that qualify for a derivative scope exception (applicable to our convertible notes) is allocated proceeds equal to the estimated fair value of similar debt without the conversion option.  The difference between the gross proceeds received from the issuance of the convertible instrument and the proceeds allocated to the liability component represents the residual amount that is classified in equity.  The discount arising from the recognition of the residual amount classified in equity is amortized as interest expense over the life of the instrument.  We exclude this item when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as it is non-cash and distorts our actual cost of borrowing.  In addition, in August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options, Cash Conversion which includes the elimination of the requirement to bifurcate conversion options qualifying for a derivative scope exception. Once effective, this interest expense will no longer be recognized.
  • Other items:  Loss on extinguishment of debt, the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance recognized on interest carryforwards arising from our debt previously outstanding in the United Kingdom, a gain arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of our investment in AdvisorEngine, impairment charges, a gain recognized upon sale of our Canadian ETF business and acquisition and disposition-related costs are excluded when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements.

• Adjusted effective income tax rate.  We disclose our adjusted effective income tax rate as a non-GAAP financial measurement in order to report our effective income tax rate exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business.  We believe reporting our adjusted effective income tax rate provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our income taxes.  Our adjusted effective income tax rate is calculated by dividing adjusted income tax expense by adjusted income before income taxes.  See above for information regarding the items that are excluded.  
• Gross margin and gross margin percentage.  We disclose our gross margin and gross margin percentage as non-GAAP financial measurements because we believe they provide investors with a consistent way to analyze the amount we retain after paying third-party service providers to operate our ETPs.  These measures also assist us in analyzing the profitability of our products.  We define gross margin as total operating revenues less fund management and administration expenses.  Gross margin percentage is calculated as gross margin divided by total operating revenues.   
• Adjusted operating income margin.  We disclose adjusted operating income margin as a non-GAAP financial measurement in order to report our operating income margin exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business.   

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (CONSOLIDATED)
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share:	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Net (loss)/income, as reported	$	(270	)		$	(13,250	)		$	(8,638	)		$	(25,880	)		$	4,152
Add back: Loss on revaluation of deferred consideration		8,870				23,358				2,208				5,354				6,306
Add back: Impairments, net of income taxes		2,326				—				19,672				30,138				—
Add back: Interest expense from the amortization of discount arising from the bifurcation of the conversion option embedded in the convertible notes, net of income taxes		286				42				—				—				—
Deduct: Gain arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of investment in AdvisorEngine		(225	)			(868	)			—				—				—
Add back: Tax shortfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards		50				119				501				142				30
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of income taxes		—				1,910				—				—				—
Deduct: Release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance recognized on interest carryforwards arising from debt previously outstanding in the United Kingdom		—				(2,842	)			—				—				—
Deduct: Gain recognized upon sale of Canadian ETF business		—				—				(2,877	)			—				—
Add back: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, net of income taxes		—				25				358				353				154
Adjusted net income	$	11,037			$	8,494			$	11,224			$	10,107			$	10,642
Weighted average common shares - diluted		160,876				166,634				167,561				167,203				167,163
Adjusted earnings per share - diluted	$	0.07			$	0.05			$	0.07			$	0.06			$	0.06
	Three Months Ended
Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percentage:	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Operating revenues	$	64,640			$	58,126			$	63,874			$	68,907			$	67,718
Less: Fund management and administration		(15,219	)			(14,461	)			(14,485	)			(15,650	)			(15,110	)
Gross margin	$	49,421			$	43,665			$	49,389			$	53,257			$	52,608
Gross margin percentage		76.5	%			75.1	%			77.3	%			77.3	%			77.7	%

	Three Months Ended
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Income Margin:	Sept. 30, 2020					June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Operating revenues	$	64,640				$	58,126			$	63,874			$	68,907			$	67,718
Operating income	$	14,744				$	11,797			$	15,634			$	14,809			$	16,131
Add back: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, before income taxes		—					33				383				366				190
Adjusted operating income	$	14,744				$	11,830			$	16,017			$	15,175			$	16,321
Adjusted operating income margin		22.8	%				20.4	%			25.1	%			22.0	%			24.1	%

	Three Months Ended
Adjusted Total Operating Expenses:	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Total operating expenses	$	49,896			$	46,329			$	48,240			$	54,098			$	51,587
Deduct: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, before income taxes		—				(33	)			(383	)			(366	)			(190	)
Adjusted total operating expenses	$	49,896			$	46,296			$	47,857			$	53,732			$	51,397

	Three Months Ended
Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes:	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Income/(loss) before income taxes	$	1,138			$	(14,054	)		$	(11,009	)		$	(22,355	)		$	8,635
Add back: Loss on revaluation of deferred consideration		8,870				23,358				2,208				5,354				6,306
Add back: Impairments, before income taxes		3,080				—				19,672				30,138				—
Add back: Interest expense from the amortization of discount arising from the bifurcation of the conversion option embedded in the convertible notes, before income taxes		379				55				—				—				—
Deduct: Gain arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of investment in AdvisorEngine		(225	)			(868	)			—				—				—
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				2,387				—				—				—
Add back: Loss recognized upon reduction of a tax-related indemnification asset		—				—				5,981				—				—
Deduct: Gain recognized upon sale of Canadian ETF business		—				—				(2,877	)			—				—
Add back: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, before income taxes		—				33				383				366				190
Adjusted income before income taxes	$	13,242			$	10,911			$	14,358			$	13,503			$	15,131

	Three Months Ended
Adjusted Income Tax Expense and Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate:	Sept. 30, 2020				June 30, 2020				Mar. 31, 2020				Dec. 31, 2019				Sept. 30, 2019
Adjusted income before income taxes (above)	$	13,242			$	10,911			$	14,358			$	13,503			$	15,131
Income tax expense/(benefit)	$	1,408			$	(804	)		$	(2,371	)		$	3,525			$	4,483
Add back: Tax benefit arising from impairments		754				—				—				—				—
Add back: Tax benefit arising from the amortization of discount associated with the bifurcation of the conversion option embedded in the convertible notes		93				13				—				—				—
Deduct: Tax shortfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards		(50	)			(119	)			(501	)			(142	)			(30	)
Add back: Tax benefit arising from loss on extinguishment of debt		—				477				—				—				—
Add back: Release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance recognized on interest carryforwards arising from debt previously outstanding in the United Kingdom		—				2,842				—				—				—
Add back: Tax benefit arising from reduction of a tax-related indemnification asset		—				—				5,981				—				—
Add back: Tax benefit arising from acquisition and disposition-related costs		—				8				25				13				36
Adjusted income tax expense	$	2,205			$	2,417			$	3,134			$	3,396			$	4,489
Adjusted effective income tax rate		16.7	%			22.2	%			21.8	%			25.1	%			29.7	%

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the risks described below. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. You should read this press release completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release may include statements about

• the ultimate duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its short-term and long-term impact on our business and the global economy;
• anticipated trends, conditions and investor sentiment in the global markets and ETPs;
• anticipated levels of inflows into and outflows out of our ETPs;
• our ability to deliver favorable rates of return to investors;
• competition in our business;
• our ability to develop new products and services;
• our ability to maintain current vendors or find new vendors to provide services to us at favorable costs;
• our ability to successfully operate and expand our business in non-U.S. markets; and
• the effect of laws and regulations that apply to our business.

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including without limitation:

• declining prices of securities, gold and other precious metals and other commodities can adversely affect our business by reducing the market value of the assets we manage or causing WisdomTree ETP investors to sell their fund shares and trigger redemptions;
• fluctuations in the amount and mix of our AUM, whether caused by disruptions in the financial markets or otherwise, including but not limited to a pandemic event such as COVID-19, may negatively impact revenues and operating margins, and may impede our ability to refinance our debt upon maturity, increase the cost of borrowing or result in our debt being called prior to maturity;
• competitive pressures could reduce revenues and profit margins;
• we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of products, and as a result, our operating results are particularly exposed to investor sentiment toward investing in the products’ strategies and our ability to maintain the AUM of these products, as well as the performance of these products and market-specific and political and economic risk;
• a significant portion of our AUM is held in products with exposure to U.S. and international developed markets and we therefore have exposure to domestic and foreign market conditions and are subject to currency exchange rate risks;
• withdrawals or broad changes in investments in our ETPs by investors with significant positions may negatively impact revenues and operating margins;
• over the last few years, we have expanded our business globally. This expansion subjects us to increased operational, regulatory, financial and other risks;
• many of our ETPs have a limited track record, and poor investment performance could cause our revenues to decline; and
• we depend on third parties to provide many critical services to operate our business and our ETPs. The failure of key vendors to adequately provide such services could materially affect our operating business and harm WisdomTree ETP investors.

Other factors, such as general economic conditions, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, also may have an effect on the results of our operations. For a more complete description of the risks noted above and other risks that could cause our actual results to differ from our current expectations, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. Therefore, these forward-looking statements do not represent our views as of any date other than the date of this press release.

FAQ

What were WisdomTree's earnings results for Q3 2020?

WisdomTree reported a net loss of $0.3 million for Q3 2020, compared to a loss of $13.3 million in Q2 2020.

How much AUM does WisdomTree currently have?

As of Q3 2020, WisdomTree's ending assets under management (AUM) were $60.7 billion.

What is the quarterly dividend declared by WisdomTree?

WisdomTree declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03, payable on November 25, 2020.

What drove the increase in WisdomTree's operating revenues in Q3 2020?

The increase in operating revenues by 11.2% to $64.6 million was primarily due to higher average AUM.

What are the net outflows reported by WisdomTree?

WisdomTree reported net outflows of $468 million during Q3 2020.