Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported third quarter 2023 earnings. Significant items included:
  • SMidCap Value, MidCap Value, Platinum, Dividend Select, Enhanced Balanced, Income Opportunity, High Income and Global Real Estate strategies all beat their primary benchmarks.
  • Our strong investment performance was reflected in quarterly peer rankings with SMidCap Value, MidCap Value, Platinum and Tactical Growth all posting top quartile rankings.
  • Revenues totaled $21.9 million versus the second quarter's $21.9 million and $15.4 million a year ago. Net income of $4.4 million compared with the second quarter's $2.9 million and a net loss of $1.2 million in 2022's third quarter.
  • Our comprehensive income included $4.0 million of life insurance proceeds, partially offset by a $2.5 million charge following an increase in the fair value of contingent consideration, both related to Salient.
  • Non-GAAP Economic Earnings of $6.3 million compared with the second quarter's $5.7 million and $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2022.
  • We launched Managed Investment Solutions, an experienced Chicago-based group that provides customized index solutions to a wide range of clients, and a new private markets strategy called Westwood Energy Secondaries Fund to source energy-related private investments.
  • Westwood held $48.5 million in cash and short-term investments as of September 30, 2023, up $10.4 million from the second quarter. Stockholders' equity totaled $117.8 million and we have no debt.
  • We declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, payable on January 3, 2024 to stockholders of record on December 1, 2023.

Brian Casey, Westwood’s President and CEO, commented, "I want to acknowledge the sudden passing last summer of Chris Guptill, co-founder of Broadmark Asset Management. His long-term partners took over the joint leadership roles they’d shared in preparation for this possibility. As a Key Man in a focused enterprise, an insurance policy was in place, and Chris will long be remembered professionally for his skills as an investor and colleague. On a personal level, we will all miss his dry wit and good-natured demeanor.

We are very pleased with the progress we have made over the past several quarters, especially the integration of relationships and teams from Salient Partners. We are beginning to detect green shoots on the distribution front and we’re looking forward to showcasing our solid investment performance to the marketplace as investors and advisors begin to envisage an environment in which cash is no longer the only game in town. We are ready to capitalize on the sales momentum that our newest investment team, Managed Investment Solutions, will generate with its unique, customized approach, and launched Westwood Energy Secondaries Fund to access private investments in the energy field. I believe that Westwood has the right products and people in place to take advantage of unfolding market opportunities."

Revenues were comparable to the second quarter. Revenues were higher than last year's third quarter reflecting higher average AUM following the acquisition of Salient Partners' asset management business during the fourth quarter of last year.

Firmwide assets under management and advisement totaled $15.5 billion at quarter end, consisting of assets under management ("AUM") of $14.4 billion and assets under advisement ("AUA") of $1.1 billion.

Third quarter net income of $4.4 million compared to the second quarter's $2.9 million due to the receipt of life insurance proceeds offset by changes in the fair value of contingent consideration. Diluted earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") of $0.41 compared to $0.36 for the second quarter. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings of $6.3 million, or $0.77 per share, compared with $5.7 million, or $0.70 per share, in the second quarter.

Third quarter net income of $4.4 million compared to last year's third quarter net loss of $1.2 million due to higher revenues and insurance proceeds, offset by changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and higher employee compensation and benefits expenses. Revenues and expenses were higher following the acquisition of Salient Partners' asset management business in 2022. Diluted EPS was $0.41 compared with a loss of $0.15 per share for 2022's third quarter. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings were $6.3 million, or $0.77 per share, compared with $0.8 million, or $0.10 per share, in the third quarter of 2022.

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

Westwood will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2023 results and other business matters at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today. To join the conference call, please register here:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BI198ee10944264795a68c538221b72c64

After registering, you will be provided with a dial-in number containing a personalized PIN.

Webcast Link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/96mgehos

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 two distinct investment capabilities: U.S. Value Equity and Multi-Asset, which includes Asset Allocation, Energy and Real Assets and Tactical Absolute Return. 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 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 and AUA; our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures; 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; 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; we have made and may continue to make business combinations as a part of our business strategy, which may present certain risks and uncertainties; our relationships with investment consulting firms; 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 ForbesChief Financial Officer and Treasurer(214) 756-6900

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

  Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2023   June 30, 2023   September 30, 2022
REVENUES:          
Advisory fees:          
Asset-based $ 16,902     $ 16,799     $ 10,474  
Trust fees   5,063       5,024       5,177  
Other, net   (85 )     122       (245 )
Total revenues   21,880       21,945       15,406  
EXPENSES:          
Employee compensation and benefits   12,661       13,688       9,526  
Sales and marketing   676       764       335  
Westwood mutual funds   872       746       270  
Information technology   2,334       2,566       1,939  
Professional services   1,009       1,355       1,536  
General and administrative   3,298       3,235       2,181  
(Gain) loss from change in fair value of contingent consideration   2,483       (4,078 )      
Acquisition expenses               701  
Total expenses   23,333       18,276       16,488  
Net operating income (loss)   (1,453 )     3,669       (1,082 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on private investments         24       (249 )
Net investment income   247       211       104  
Other income   5,265       239       206  
Income (loss) before income taxes   4,059       4,143       (1,021 )
Income tax provision   (316 )     1,244       154  
Net income (loss) $ 4,375     $ 2,899     $ (1,175 )
Total comprehensive income (loss) $ 4,375     $ 2,899     $ (1,175 )
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest   1,019       4        
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. $ 3,356     $ 2,895     $ (1,175 )
Earnings (loss) per Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. share:          
Basic $ 0.42     $ 0.36     $ (0.15 )
Diluted $ 0.41     $ 0.36     $ (0.15 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:          
Basic   8,002,537       7,991,228       7,794,060  
Diluted   8,116,747       8,131,333       7,794,060  
Economic Earnings $ 6,263     $ 5,686     $ 800  
Economic EPS $ 0.77     $ 0.70     $ 0.10  
Dividends declared per share $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15  
                       

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

  Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2023   September 30, 2022
REVENUES:      
Advisory fees:      
Asset-based $ 50,734     $ 33,244  
Performance-based   555        
Trust fees   15,118       16,257  
Other, net   145       (1,276 )
Total revenues   66,552       48,225  
EXPENSES:      
Employee compensation and benefits   40,551       28,993  
Sales and marketing   2,180       1,326  
Westwood mutual funds   2,350       1,311  
Information technology   7,283       5,615  
Professional services   3,893       3,888  
General and administrative   9,579       6,569  
(Gain) loss from change in fair value of contingent consideration   (2,655 )      
Acquisition expenses   209       1,588  
Total expenses   63,390       49,290  
Net operating income   3,162       (1,065 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on private investments   24       (511 )
Net investment income   630       93  
Other income   5,876       598  
Income before income taxes   9,692       (885 )
Income tax provision   1,704       618  
Net income (loss) $ 7,988     $ (1,503 )
Total comprehensive income (loss) $ 7,988     $ (1,503 )
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest   1,044        
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. $ 6,944     $ (1,503 )
Earnings (loss) per share:      
Basic $ 0.87     $ (0.19 )
Diluted $ 0.86     $ (0.19 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
Basic   7,949,773       7,867,555  
Diluted   8,072,739       7,867,555  
Economic Earnings $ 15,536     $ 4,302  
Economic EPS $ 1.92     $ 0.55  
Dividends declared per share $ 0.45     $ 0.45  
               

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

  September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022
ASSETS      
Current Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,178     $ 23,859  
Accounts receivable   13,174       13,900  
Investments, at fair value   31,312       15,342  
Prepaid income taxes   423       446  
Other current assets   4,129       4,645  
Total current assets   66,216       58,192  
Investments   7,247       4,455  
Equity method investments   4,256       6,574  
Noncurrent investments at fair value   259       3,027  
Goodwill   39,501       35,732  
Deferred income taxes   1,110       1,762  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   3,758       4,976  
Intangible assets, net   25,846       28,952  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $9,903 and $9,277   1,576       1,828  
Other long-term assets   982       929  
Total long-term assets   84,535       88,235  
Total assets $ 150,751     $ 146,427  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current Liabilities:      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 6,523     $ 5,678  
Dividends payable   1,436       1,745  
Compensation and benefits payable   7,261       8,689  
Operating lease liabilities   1,286       1,502  
Total current liabilities   16,506       17,614  
Accrued dividends   784       701  
Contingent consideration   10,246       12,901  
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities   3,412       4,563  
Total long-term liabilities   14,442       18,165  
Total liabilities   30,948       35,779  
Stockholders’ Equity:      
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 11,896,172 and outstanding 9,180,195 shares at September 30, 2023; issued 11,527,544 and outstanding 8,881,831 shares at December 31, 2022   119       115  
Additional paid-in capital   201,424       199,914  
Treasury stock, at cost - 2,715,977 shares at September 30, 2023; 2,645,713 shares at December 31, 2022   (85,990 )     (85,128 )
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   2,212       (4,253 )
Total Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity   117,765       110,648  
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary   2,038        
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 150,751     $ 146,427  
 

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2023       2022  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income (loss) $ 7,988     $ (1,503 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:      
Depreciation   511       488  
Amortization of intangible assets   3,106       1,218  
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments   (499 )     1,822  
Stock-based compensation expense   5,111       4,410  
Deferred income taxes   652       (252 )
Non-cash lease expense   844       800  
Loss on asset disposition   69        
Gain on remeasurement of lease liabilities   (119 )      
Fair value change of contingent consideration   (2,655 )      
Gain on insurance settlement   (5,000 )      
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Net (purchases) sales of trading securities   (15,626 )     12,149  
Accounts receivable   1,355       1,862  
Other current assets   1,101       (562 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (55 )     246  
Compensation and benefits payable   (1,428 )     (3,622 )
Income taxes payable   25       (810 )
Other liabilities   (1,064 )     (927 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (5,684 )     15,319  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Acquisition, net of cash acquired   (741 )      
Purchases of property and equipment   (119 )     (123 )
Insurance settlement proceeds   5,000        
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   4,140       (123 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Purchases of treasury stock         (2,851 )
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes   (863 )     (626 )
Cash dividends   (4,274 )     (4,459 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (5,137 )     (7,936 )
Effect of currency rate changes on cash         4  
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (6,681 )     7,264  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   23,859       15,206  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 17,178     $ 22,470  
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:      
Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 1,024     $ 1,807  
Accrued dividends $ 2,220     $ 2,280  
Additional operating lease right-of-use assets $     $ 1,217  
               

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESReconciliation of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. to Economic Earnings(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 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 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 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 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 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 for tax deductions related to restricted stock expense or amortization of intangible assets. Economic EPS represents Economic Earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

  Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2023   June 30, 2023   September 30, 2022
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. $ 3,356   $ 2,895   $ (1,175 )
Stock-based compensation expense   1,739     1,624     1,509  
Intangible amortization   1,043     1,042     407  
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization   125     125     59  
Economic Earnings $ 6,263   $ 5,686   $ 800  
Earnings (loss) per share $ 0.41   $ 0.36   $ (0.15 )
Stock-based compensation expense   0.21     0.19     0.19  
Intangible amortization   0.13     0.13     0.05  
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization   0.02     0.02     0.01  
Economic EPS $ 0.77   $ 0.70   $ 0.10  
Diluted weighted average shares   8,116,747     8,131,333     7,794,060  
           
      Nine Months Ended
      September 30, 2023   September 30, 2022
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.     $ 6,944   $ (1,503 )
Stock-based compensation expense       5,111     4,410  
Intangible amortization       3,106     1,218  
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization       375     177  
Economic Earnings     $ 15,536   $ 4,302  
Earnings (loss) per share     $ 0.86   $ (0.19 )
Stock-based compensation expense       0.63     0.57  
Intangible amortization       0.38     0.15  
Tax benefit from goodwill amortization       0.05     0.02  
Economic EPS     $ 1.92   $ 0.55  
Diluted weighted average shares       8,072,739     7,867,555  
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