Westwood Holdings Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
- None.
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Insights
An examination of Westwood Holdings Group's Q4 earnings reveals a positive revenue trajectory, with a quarter-on-quarter increase from $21.9 million to $23.2 million and a significant jump from the previous year's $20.5 million. This growth is attributed to higher average assets under management (AUM), following strategic acquisitions. The firm's successful integration of Salient Partners and Broadmark Asset Management appears to be a key driver, enhancing their AUM and potentially broadening their market reach and product offerings.
From a financial perspective, the declaration of a $0.15 cash dividend signals confidence in ongoing profitability and a commitment to shareholder returns. However, the dip in net income from $3.4 million in Q3 to $2.6 million in Q4, despite higher revenues, suggests increased operational costs or investment in growth initiatives. The reported comprehensive income also reflects a recovery from the previous year's net loss, indicating a turnaround in financial health. The strategic hires in their wealth business and the focus on improving efficiency and margins are likely to support sustained growth.
Westwood Holdings Group's performance rankings, with strategies like Westwood Salient Select Income achieving top decile performance, are a testament to their investment management prowess. This could enhance their reputation among investors and attract additional funds, particularly in the competitive SmidCap Value space, where institutional wins are expected to fund shortly. The company's emphasis on delivering a combination of active asset allocation with passive investment solutions is a response to the growing demand for diversified investment strategies.
Moreover, the firm's AUM increase to $15.5 billion, complemented by $1.1 billion in assets under advisement (AUA), positions Westwood to leverage economies of scale. The cash and short-term investments uptick to $53.1 million provides liquidity that can be advantageous for operational flexibility and potential future investments. The absence of debt in their balance sheet is a strong indicator of financial stability and risk management, which could be appealing to conservative investors.
It is crucial to note that Westwood Holdings Group's use of non-GAAP Economic Earnings requires careful scrutiny. While these figures can provide a more tailored view of a company's performance by excluding certain expenses or income, they are not standardized and can vary widely between companies. Investors and analysts must examine the reconciliation with GAAP figures to fully understand the adjustments made. The shift from a non-GAAP loss of $0.7 million to a gain of $5.2 million year-over-year is noteworthy, but must be contextualized within the broader framework of GAAP financials to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the company's economic reality.
Westwood Salient Select Income posted top decile performance last quarter
Many of our Multi-Asset Strategies posted top quartile performance last quarter
Institutional wins for SmidCap Value expected to fund in the first half of this year
Managed Investment Solutions joined the Westwood Family
DALLAS, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported fourth quarter earnings. Significant items include:
- SmallCap Value, Select Equity, High Alpha, Dividend Select, Enhanced Balanced, Total Return, Alternative Income and Select Income strategies all beat their primary benchmarks.
- Strong investment performance came from Income Opportunity, Alternative Income, SmallCap Value, High Income and Total Return all posting top quartile rankings, and Westwood Salient Select Income posted a top decile ranking.
- Quarterly revenues totaled
$23.2 million versus the third quarter's$21.9 million and$20.5 million a year ago. Comprehensive income of$2.6 million compared with$3.4 million in the third quarter and a net loss of$3.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. - Non-GAAP Economic Earnings of
$5.2 million for the quarter compared with$6.3 million in the third quarter and a loss of$0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. - Our annual comprehensive income totaled
$9.5 million versus a net loss of$4.6 million for the previous year, and included$5.3 million after taxes of life insurance proceeds and contingent consideration fair value adjustments, both for Salient. - Westwood held
$53.1 million in cash and short-term investments at December 31, 2023, up$4.6 million from September 30, 2023. Stockholders' equity totaled$120.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and we continue to have no debt. - We declared a cash dividend of
$0.15 per common share, payable on April 3, 2024 to stockholders of record on March 1, 2024.
Brian Casey, Westwood’s CEO, commented, "Several of our strategies produced excellent results for our clients in the fourth quarter by delivering top quartile performance. Several SmidCap Value wins in the fourth quarter will be funded shortly and our new business pipeline is growing nicely. Advisors in the intermediary space are definitely taking more meetings and they had a very busy January. Our wealth business has made several key hires and is showing continuous progress in improving efficiency and generating better margins. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to offering clients a new set of capabilities, combining active asset allocation with passive investment solutions, delivered by the creative and highly experienced Managed Investment Solutions team that has just joined Westwood."
Revenues of
Firmwide assets under management and advisement totaled
Fourth quarter net income of
Fourth quarter net income of
2023 net income of
Economic Earnings (Loss) and Economic EPS are non-GAAP performance measures that are explained and reconciled with the most comparable GAAP numbers in the attached tables.
Westwood will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023 results and other business matters at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today. To join the conference call, please register here:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/rbn4eokh
After registering, you will be provided with a dial-in number containing a personalized PIN.
Webcast Link: : https://register.vevent.com/register/BI67285b888a794244b24e58e42389eca5
ABOUT WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. is an investment management boutique and wealth management firm.
Westwood offers a broad array of investment solutions to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm specializes in several distinct investment capabilities including U.S. Value Equity, Multi-Asset, Tactical Absolute Return, Energy & Real Assets and Income Alternatives. In addition, the firm has recently begun to add capabilities in Managed Investment Solutions and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Westwood’s strategies are made available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual 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 Chicago, Houston and San Francisco.
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; our stockholder rights agreement may make it more difficult for others to obtain control over us, even if it would be beneficial to our stockholders; risks associated with actions of activist stockholders; distributions to our common stockholders have included and may in the future include a return of capital; inclusion of foreign company investments in our AUM; regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry; our ability to maintain effective cyber security; litigation risks; our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully; our reputation and our relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to perform operational tasks; our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors; our dependence on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries; our ability to maintain effective information systems; our ability to prevent misuse of assets and information in the possession of our employees and third-party vendors, which could damage our reputation and result in costly litigation and liability for our clients and us; our stock is thinly traded and may be subject to volatility; in addition to our stockholder rights agreement, 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; competition in the investment management industry; our ability to avoid termination of client agreements and the related investment redemptions; the significant concentration of our revenues in a small number of customers; our relationships with investment consulting firms; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives; 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; 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, 2022 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023. 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 (LOSS)
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
December 31, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||
REVENUES: | |||||||||||
Advisory fees: | |||||||||||
Asset-based | $ | 16,657 | $ | 16,902 | $ | 13,441 | |||||
Performance-based | 710 | — | 1,018 | ||||||||
Trust fees | 5,124 | 5,063 | 5,429 | ||||||||
Trust performance-based | 349 | — | — | ||||||||
Other, net | 389 | (85 | ) | 568 | |||||||
Total revenues | 23,229 | 21,880 | 20,456 | ||||||||
EXPENSES: | |||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 12,367 | 12,661 | 11,131 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing | 810 | 676 | 677 | ||||||||
Westwood mutual funds | 783 | 872 | 890 | ||||||||
Information technology | 2,367 | 2,334 | 2,104 | ||||||||
Professional services | 1,239 | 1,009 | 1,469 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 2,933 | 3,298 | 2,488 | ||||||||
(Gain) loss from change in fair value of contingent consideration | (113 | ) | 2,483 | — | |||||||
Acquisition expenses | — | — | 5,505 | ||||||||
Total expenses | 20,386 | 23,333 | 24,264 | ||||||||
Net operating income (loss) | 2,843 | (1,453 | ) | (3,808 | ) | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on private investments | (18 | ) | — | (984 | ) | ||||||
Investment income | 561 | 247 | 173 | ||||||||
Other income | 365 | 5,265 | 309 | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 3,751 | 4,059 | (4,310 | ) | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 1,168 | (316 | ) | (1,185 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 2,583 | $ | 4,375 | $ | (3,125 | ) | ||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 2,583 | $ | 4,375 | $ | (3,125 | ) | ||||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 7 | 1,019 | — | ||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. | $ | 2,576 | $ | 3,356 | $ | (3,125 | ) | ||||
Earnings (loss) per share: | |||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.42 | $ | (0.40 | ) | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.41 | $ | (0.40 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
Basic | 8,007,896 | 8,002,537 | 7,775,545 | ||||||||
Diluted | 8,184,736 | 8,116,747 | 7,775,545 | ||||||||
Economic Earnings (Loss) | $ | 5,181 | $ | 6,263 | $ | (738 | ) | ||||
Economic EPS | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.77 | $ | (0.09 | ) | ||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.15 | |||||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||
REVENUES: | |||||||
Advisory fees: | |||||||
Asset-based | $ | 67,391 | $ | 46,685 | |||
Performance-based | 1,265 | 1,018 | |||||
Trust fees | 20,242 | 21,686 | |||||
Trust performance-based | 349 | — | |||||
Other, net | 534 | (708 | ) | ||||
Total revenues | 89,781 | 68,681 | |||||
EXPENSES: | |||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 52,918 | 40,124 | |||||
Sales and marketing | 2,990 | 2,003 | |||||
Westwood mutual funds | 3,133 | 2,201 | |||||
Information technology | 9,650 | 7,719 | |||||
Professional services | 5,132 | 5,357 | |||||
General and administrative | 12,512 | 9,057 | |||||
(Gain) loss from change in fair value of contingent consideration | (2,768 | ) | — | ||||
Acquisition expenses | 209 | 7,093 | |||||
Total expenses | 83,776 | 73,554 | |||||
Net operating income (loss) | 6,005 | (4,873 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on private investments | 6 | (1,495 | ) | ||||
Net investment income (loss) | 1,191 | 266 | |||||
Other income | 6,241 | 907 | |||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 13,443 | (5,195 | ) | ||||
Income tax provision | 2,872 | (567 | ) | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 10,571 | $ | (4,628 | ) | ||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 10,571 | $ | (4,628 | ) | ||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 1,051 | — | |||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. | $ | 9,520 | $ | (4,628 | ) | ||
Earnings (loss) per share: | |||||||
Basic | $ | 1.20 | $ | (0.59 | ) | ||
Diluted | $ | 1.17 | $ | (0.59 | ) | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
Basic | 7,964,423 | 7,844,363 | |||||
Diluted | 8,112,139 | 7,844,363 | |||||
Economic Earnings | $ | 20,717 | $ | 3,564 | |||
Economic EPS | $ | 2.55 | $ | 0.45 | |||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.60 | |||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
(unaudited)
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current Assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20,422 | $ | 23,859 | |||
Accounts receivable | 14,394 | 13,900 | |||||
Investments, at fair value | 32,674 | 15,342 | |||||
Income taxes receivable | 205 | 446 | |||||
Other current assets | 4,543 | 4,645 | |||||
Total current assets | 72,238 | 58,192 | |||||
Investments | 7,247 | 4,455 | |||||
Equity method investments | 4,284 | 6,574 | |||||
Noncurrent investments at fair value | 241 | 3,027 | |||||
Goodwill | 39,501 | 35,732 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 728 | 1,762 | |||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 3,673 | 4,976 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 24,803 | 28,952 | |||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of | 1,444 | 1,828 | |||||
Other long-term assets | 1,008 | 929 | |||||
Total long-term assets | 82,929 | 88,235 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 155,167 | $ | 146,427 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Current Liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 6,130 | $ | 5,678 | |||
Dividends payable | 1,692 | 1,745 | |||||
Compensation and benefits payable | 9,539 | 8,689 | |||||
Operating lease liabilities | 1,286 | 1,502 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 18,647 | 17,614 | |||||
Accrued dividends | 675 | 701 | |||||
Contingent consideration | 10,133 | 12,901 | |||||
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 3,266 | 4,563 | |||||
Total long-term liabilities | 14,074 | 18,165 | |||||
Total liabilities | 32,721 | 35,779 | |||||
Stockholders’ Equity: | |||||||
Common stock, | 119 | 115 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 201,622 | 199,914 | |||||
Treasury stock, at cost – 2,715,977 shares at December 31, 2023; 2,645,713 shares at December 31, 2022 | (85,990 | ) | (85,128 | ) | |||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | 4,650 | (4,253 | ) | ||||
Total Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. stockholders' equity | 120,401 | 110,648 | |||||
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary | 2,045 | — | |||||
Total equity | 122,446 | 110,648 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 155,167 | $ | 146,427 | |||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 10,571 | $ | (4,628 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation | 670 | 687 | |||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 4,149 | 1,889 | |||||
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments | (839 | ) | 2,136 | ||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 6,518 | 6,001 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,036 | (916 | ) | ||||
Non-cash lease expense | 1,103 | 1,110 | |||||
Loss on asset disposition | 69 | — | |||||
Gain on remeasurement of lease liabilities | (119 | ) | — | ||||
Fair value change of contingent consideration | (2,768 | ) | — | ||||
Gain on insurance settlement | (5,000 | ) | — | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Net (purchases) sales of investments – trading securities | (16,609 | ) | 48,977 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 135 | (313 | ) | ||||
Other current assets | 660 | (1,842 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (447 | ) | 1,251 | ||||
Compensation and benefits payable | 851 | (861 | ) | ||||
Income taxes payable | 241 | (687 | ) | ||||
Other liabilities | (1,433 | ) | (1,314 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (1,212 | ) | 51,490 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (741 | ) | (33,419 | ) | |||
Insurance settlement proceeds | 5,000 | — | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (147 | ) | (320 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 4,112 | (33,739 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Purchases of treasury stock | — | (2,851 | ) | ||||
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes | (863 | ) | (627 | ) | |||
Cash dividends | (5,474 | ) | (5,625 | ) | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | (6,337 | ) | (9,103 | ) | |||
Effect of currency rate changes on cash | — | 5 | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (3,437 | ) | 8,653 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 23,859 | 15,206 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 20,422 | $ | 23,859 | |||
Supplemental cash flow information: | |||||||
Cash paid during the period for income taxes | $ | 1,594 | $ | 1,858 | |||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | $ | 173 | $ | 1,217 | |||
Accrued dividends | $ | 2,368 | $ | 2,446 | |||
Acquired contingent consideration | $ | — | $ | 12,901 | |||
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. to Economic Earnings (Loss)
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)
As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAP performance measures that we refer to as Economic Earnings (Loss) and Economic EPS. We provide these measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. and earnings (loss) per share, which are reported on a GAAP basis. Our management and Board of Directors review Economic Earnings (Loss) 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 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. or earnings (loss) 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 (Loss) as Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. 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 (Loss) because depreciation charges represent an allocation of the decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement. Although gains and losses from changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are non-cash, we do not add or subtract those back when calculating Economic Earnings (Loss) because gains and losses on changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are considered regular following an acquisition. In addition, we do not adjust Economic Earnings (Loss) for tax deductions related to restricted stock expense or amortization of intangible assets. Economic EPS represents Economic Earnings (Loss) divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
December 31, 2023 | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. | $ | 2,576 | $ | 3,356 | $ | (3,125 | ) | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | 1,407 | 1,739 | 1,591 | ||||||
Intangible amortization | 1,073 | 1,043 | 671 | ||||||
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization | 125 | 125 | 125 | ||||||
Economic Earnings (Loss) | $ | 5,181 | $ | 6,263 | $ | (738 | ) | ||
Earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.41 | $ | (0.40 | ) | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | 0.17 | 0.21 | 0.20 | ||||||
Intangible amortization | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.09 | ||||||
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | ||||||
Economic EPS | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.77 | $ | (0.09 | ) | ||
Diluted weighted average shares | 8,184,736 | 8,116,747 | 7,775,545 |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. | $ | 9,520 | $ | (4,628 | ) | |
Stock-based compensation expense | 6,518 | 6,001 | ||||
Intangible amortization | 4,179 | 1,889 | ||||
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization | 500 | 302 | ||||
Economic Earnings | $ | 20,717 | $ | 3,564 | ||
Earnings (loss) per share | $ | 1.17 | $ | (0.59 | ) | |
Stock-based compensation expense | 0.80 | 0.77 | ||||
Intangible amortization | 0.52 | 0.24 | ||||
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization | 0.06 | 0.04 | ||||
Economic EPS | $ | 2.55 | $ | 0.45 | ||
Diluted weighted average shares | 8,112,139 | 7,844,363 |
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