Federated Hermes, Inc. reports first quarter 2021 earnings

PITTSBURGH, April 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI), a global leader in active, responsible investing, today reported earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.75 for Q1 2021, compared to $0.63 for the same quarter last year, on net income of $74.5 million for Q1 2021, compared to $64.2 million for Q1 2020.

Federated Hermes' total managed assets were $625.0 billion at March 31, 2021, up $19.2 billion or 3% from $605.8 billion at March 31, 2020 and up $5.6 billion or 1% from $619.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2020. Total average managed assets for Q1 2021 were $618.1 billion, up $37.9 billion or 7% from $580.2 billion reported for Q1 2020 and up $7.6 billion or 1% from $610.5 billion reported for Q4 2020.

"Strong investment performance and client interest in a range of our actively managed strategies distributed in key regions around the world generated net positive fund sales in Q1 2021 and helped Federated Hermes reach a record $96.2 billion in equity assets under management," said J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer. "Fixed-income assets under management were a record $86.5 billion at the end of the first quarter, and we experienced net sales across a range of investment objectives—from short duration to short-intermediate to high-yield strategies."

Federated Hermes' board of directors declared a dividend of $0.27 per share. The dividend is payable on May 14, 2021 to shareholders of record as of May 7, 2021. During Q1 2021, Federated Hermes purchased 1,505,000 shares of Federated Hermes class B common stock for $45.0 million. The company's board of directors also authorized a new share repurchase program, which is the firm's 13th repurchase program and which allows Federated Hermes to repurchase up to 4 million additional shares of class B common stock in the open market with no expiration date. The repurchased stock is to be held in treasury for employee share-based compensation plans, potential acquisitions and other corporate activities. The company's existing 3.5 million share repurchase program, approved in April 2020, has effectively been completed.

Equity assets were a record $96.2 billion at March 31, 2021, up $28.0 billion or 41% from $68.2 billion at March 31, 2020 and up $4.4 billion or 5% from $91.8 billion at Dec. 31, 2020. Top-selling equity funds during Q1 2021 on a net basis were Federated Hermes Global Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Federated Hermes Global Equity ESG Fund, Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund (UCITS), Federated Hermes Asia ex-Japan Equity Fund and Federated Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund.

Fixed-income assets were a record $86.5 billion at March 31, 2021, up $21.8 billion or 34% from $64.7 billion at March 31, 2020 and up $2.2 billion or 3% from $84.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2020. Top-selling fixed-income funds during Q1 2021 on a net basis were Federated Hermes Ultrashort Bond Fund, Federated Hermes SDG Engagement High Yield Credit Fund (UCITS), Federated Hermes Total Return Bond Fund, Federated Hermes Short-Intermediate Total Return Bond Fund and Federated Hermes Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund.

Alternative/private market assets were a record $19.3 billion at March 31, 2021, up $1.2 billion or 7% from $18.1 billion at March 31, 2020 and up $0.2 billion or 1% from $19.1 billion at Dec. 31, 2020.

Money market assets were $419.1 billion at March 31, 2021, down $32.2 billion or 7% from $451.3 billion at March 31, 2020 and down $1.2 billion or less than 1% from $420.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2020. Money market fund assets were $297.2 billion at March 31, 2021, down $38.9 billion or 12% from $336.1 billion at March 31, 2020 and down $4.7 billion or 2% from $301.9 billion at Dec. 31, 2020.

Financial Summary

Q1 2021 vs. Q1 2020

Revenue decreased $18.0 million or 5% percent primarily due to an increase in voluntary fee waivers related to certain money market funds in order for those funds to maintain positive or zero net yields (voluntary yield-related fee waivers). For further information, see "Impact of voluntary yield-related fee waivers" below. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenue due to higher average equity and fixed-income assets and an increase in revenue from alternative/private markets assets primarily related to revenue of a previously nonconsolidated entity being recorded in operating revenue beginning March 2020.

During Q1 2021, Federated Hermes derived 75% of its revenue from long-term assets (49% from equity, 16% from fixed-income and 10% from alternative/private markets and multi-asset), 24% from money market assets, and 1% from sources other than managed assets. 

Operating expenses decreased $22.7 million or 9% primarily due to decreased distribution expenses predominantly resulting from higher voluntary yield-related fee waivers, partially offset by increases in compensation expense.

Nonoperating income (expenses), net increased $8.9 million or 127% primarily due to an increase in the market value of investments since the negative impact of the pandemic on the markets in Q1 2020. This increase was partially offset by a gain recorded in March 2020 from a fair value adjustment to the equity investment of a previously nonconsolidated entity.

Q1 2021 vs. Q4 2020

Revenue decreased $22.7 million or 6% primarily due to an increase in voluntary yield-related fee waivers, two fewer days in Q1 2021 and a decrease in revenue from lower average money market assets. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in revenue due to higher average equity and fixed-income assets.

Operating expenses decreased $5.4 million or 2% primarily due to decreased distribution expenses predominantly resulting from higher voluntary yield-related fee waivers.

Nonoperating income (expenses), net decreased $12.8 million or 87% primarily due to the increase in the market value of investments in Q1 2021 being less than the increase in Q4 2020.

Impact of voluntary yield-related fee waivers

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, voluntary yield-related fee waivers totaled $83.1 million. These fee waivers were largely offset by related reductions in distribution expenses of $61.4 million, such that the net negative pre-tax impact to Federated Hermes was $21.7 million.

Short-term interest rates reached historical lows during Q1 2021 as technical factors at the front end of the yield curve drove yields on short-term government securities – including repurchase agreements and Treasury bills – to near zero in mid- to late February, which is where they remain currently.

As a result, the negative impact on pre-tax income from minimum yield waivers on money market mutual funds and certain separate accounts may range from $35 million to $45 million during Q2 2021. This range is based on gross yields on government money market portfolios of 3 to 10 basis points. Federated Hermes projects that the negative impact from minimum yield waivers for 2021 will peak in Q2. The amount of minimum yield waivers can vary based on a number of factors, including, among others, interest rates, yields, asset levels, asset flows and the ability of distributors to share in waivers. Any change in these factors can impact the amount and impact of minimum yield waivers, including in a material way.

Federated Hermes' level of business activity and financial results are dependent upon many factors, including market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior. These factors and others, including asset levels and mix, product sales and redemptions, market appreciation or depreciation, revenues, fee waivers, expenses and regulatory changes, can significantly impact Federated Hermes' business activity levels and financial results. Risk factors and uncertainties that can influence Federated Hermes' financial results are discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Federated Hermes will host an earnings conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern on April 30, 2021. Investors are invited to listen to the earnings teleconference by calling 877-407-0782 (domestic) or 201-689-8567 (international) prior to the 9 a.m. start time. To listen online, go to the Investor Relations section and the Analyst Information tab of FederatedHermes.com at least 15 minutes prior to register and join the call. A replay will be available at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern on April 30, 2021. To access the telephone replay, dial 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international) and enter access code 40761. The online replay will be available via FederatedHermes.com for one year.

Federated Hermes, Inc. is a leading global investment manager with $625.0 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. Guided by our conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create wealth over the long term, our investment solutions span equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies. Providing world-class active investment management and engagement services to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries, our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes' nearly 2,000 employees include those in London, New York, Boston and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com.

Federated Hermes ranks in the top 7% of equity fund managers in the industry, the top 9% of money market fund managers and the top 10% of fixed-income fund managers¹. Federated Hermes also ranks as the 9th-largest manager of model-delivered SMAs². For more information, including an analyst presentation, visit FederatedHermes.com.

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1) ISS Market Intelligence (SIMFUND), March 31, 2021. Based on assets under management in open-end funds.
2) Money Management Institute/Cerulli, Q4 2020.

Federated Securities Corp. is distributor of the Federated Hermes funds.

Separately managed accounts are made available through Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated MDTA LLC, Hermes Fund Managers Ireland Limited, Hermes Investment Management Limited, and Hermes GPE LLP, each a registered investment advisor in one or more of the U.S., U.K. or Ireland.

Certain statements in this press release, such as those related to performance, investor preferences and demand, asset flows, asset mix, interest rates, gross yields and fee waivers constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties include the ability of the company to predict the level of fee waivers and expenses in future quarters, predict whether performance fees or carried interest will be earned and retained, and sustain product demand, asset flows and mix, which could vary significantly depending on various factors, such as market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior. Other risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness, or updating, of such statements in the future.

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SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc.