Legg Mason Reports Results For Fourth Fiscal Quarter And Fiscal Year-Ended 2018

BALTIMORE, April 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Legg Mason, Inc. (NYSE: LM) today reported its operating results for the fourth fiscal quarter and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. 

Joseph A. Sullivan, Chairman and CEO of Legg Mason said, "We are very pleased with strong operating results for the past quarter, highlighted by solid investment performance, a higher operating revenue yield, expense management and long-term inflows.  Higher advisory fee revenues and better than expected performance fees reflect a continued focus on alternative and next generation active products and solutions.  Legg Mason's global retail distribution platform had another strong quarter as a result of expanded client choice of investment strategies and vehicles.  

"For the fiscal year, the adjusted operating margin increased nicely driven by generally strong markets, portfolio diversification and revenue growth, combined with thoughtful expense management. We continue to see many growth opportunities ahead and are focused on building our current business momentum in the coming year."

Assets Under Management of $754.1 Billion

Assets Under Management were $754.1 billion at March 31, 2018 compared with $767.2 billion at December 31, 2017, resulting from $10.7 billion in liquidity outflows, negative market performance and other of $3.1 billion (despite positive foreign exchange of $2.9B) and realizations of $0.5 billion.  These were partially offset by long-term inflows of $1.2 billion.

At March 31, 2018, fixed income represented 56% of AUM, while equity represented 27%, alternative represented 9% and liquidity represented 8%. 

By geography, 69% of AUM was from clients domiciled in the United States and 31% from non-US domiciled clients.

Average AUM during the quarter was $766.9 billion compared to $759.9 billion in the prior quarter and $718.9 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.  Average long-term AUM was $697.1 billion compared to $685.3 billion in the prior quarter and $632.7 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.

Of Legg Mason's long-term U.S. mutual fund assets, 52% were in funds rated 4 or 5 stars by Morningstar.

Operating Results - Comparison to the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018

Net income was $76.3 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to net income of $149.2 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. In addition to the net impact of the factors listed below, the decreased earnings were driven by lower non-pass through performance fees and seasonal expenses. 

     This quarter's results included:

• Contingent consideration credit adjustments of $15.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.
• Net losses on seed and other investments, not offset in compensation, of $11.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share.
• Permal acquisition and transition-related costs of $1.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.
• Corporate severance costs of $1.9 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

     The prior quarter's results included:

• One-time non-cash tax benefit of $213.7 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, related to the new tax law.
• Non-cash intangible asset impairment charge of $195.0 million, or $1.62 per diluted share.
• Discrete tax expense items of $7.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share.
• EnTrustPermal acquisition and transition-related costs of $1.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Operating revenues of $785.1 million were down 1% compared to $793.1 million in the prior quarter reflecting:

• A decrease in non-pass through performance fees of $15.9 million, which more than offset an increase in pass through performance fees of $3.5 million.
• Excluding performance fees, operating revenues increased 1% due to higher average long-term AUM.

Operating expenses were $618.3 million compared to $820.4 million in the prior quarter, but excluding the non-cash impairment charge of $195.0 million in the third fiscal quarter, expenses were down slightly, reflecting:

• Contingent consideration credits of $15.5 million.
• Higher compensation and benefits of $3.4 million driven by an increase in seasonal compensation, higher pass through performance fees and sales commissions, partially offset by a decrease in non-pass through performance fees.
• Decrease in distribution and servicing expense of $5.2 million, primarily due to two fewer days in the quarter.
• Increases in Communications & Technology expenses and Occupancy Expenses of $2.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
• A $7.0 million increase in Other Expenses including higher advertising, charitable contributions and foreign exchange losses.
• A $2.2 million loss in the market value of deferred compensation and seed investments which is recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits with an offset in non-operating income, as compared to a $4.3 million gain in the prior quarter.

Non-operating expense was $43.1 million, as compared to $13.5 million in the prior quarter reflecting:  

• Net losses on seed and other investments, not offset in compensation, were $11.9 million compared with gains of $1.5 million in the prior quarter.
• Losses on funded deferred compensation and seed investments, as described above.
• A $1.3 million loss associated with the consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles compared to a $7.9 million gain in the prior quarter. The consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles has no impact on net income as the effects of consolidation are fully attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Operating margin was 21.2% compared to (3.4%) in the prior quarter, reflecting the impact of the non-cash impairment charge of $195.0 million in the prior quarter.  Operating margin, as adjusted⁴, was 23.8%, as compared to 27.2% in the prior quarter. 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, excluding consolidated investment vehicles, was $8.6 million compared to $13.6 million in the prior quarter, principally related to Clarion, EnTrustPermal, RARE and Royce.

(4) See "Use of Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information."

Operating Results - Comparison to the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017

Net income was $76.3 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to net income of $75.9 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.  In addition to the factors listed below, the increased earnings were driven by higher average long-term AUM and higher non-pass through performance fees.

     This quarter's results included:

• Contingent consideration credit adjustments of $15.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.
• Net losses on seed and other investments, not offset in compensation, of $11.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share.
• EnTrustPermal acquisition and transition-related costs of $1.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.
• Corporate severance costs of $1.9 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

     The prior year quarter's results included:

• Discrete tax credits of $15.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.
• Gains on the sales of non-strategic managers of $4.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.
• Royce MEP non-cash charge of $4.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.
• EnTrustPermal acquisition and transition-related costs of $2.1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Operating revenues of $785.1 million were up 9% compared with $723.1 million in the prior year quarter reflecting:

• Increases principally due to higher average long-term AUM.
• An increase in non-pass through performance fees of $15.2 million, and an increase in pass through performance fees of $5.4 million.

Operating expenses of $618.3 million were up 1% compared with $613.2 million in the prior year quarter reflecting:

• Contingent consideration credits of $15.5 million
• Increased compensation, related to increased revenues driven by higher average long-term AUM and performance fees.
• Increased communications and technology expenses of $4.7 million.
• Increased other expenses of $1.7 million driven by the higher advertising expenses.
• Acquisition and transition-related charges of $1.8 million, as compared with $2.1 million in the prior year.
• A $2.2 million loss in the market value of deferred compensation and seed investments, which is recorded as a decrease in compensation and benefits with an offset in non-operating income, compared with a gain of $5.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Non-operating expense was $43.1 million, compared to $7.1 million in the prior year quarter reflecting:

• Net losses on seed and other investments, not offset in compensation, of $11.9 million compared with net gains of $11.9 million in the prior year quarter.
• Losses on funded deferred compensation and seed investments, as described above compared with a gain in the prior year quarter.
• A $1.3 million loss associated with the consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles, as compared to a $5.2 million gain in the prior year quarter. The consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles has no impact on net income as the effects of consolidation are fully attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Operating margin was 21.2% as compared to 15.2% in the prior year quarter.  Operating margin, as adjusted, was 23.8%, as compared to 20.6% in the prior year quarter.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, excluding consolidated investment vehicles, was $8.6 million, compared to $11.1 million in the prior year quarter, principally related to Clarion, EnTrustPermal, RARE and Royce.

Comparison to the Full Fiscal Year 2017

Net income was $352.1 million, or $3.72 per diluted share, compared to net income of $227.3 million, or $2.18 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2017.  In addition to the factors listed below, the increased earnings were driven by higher average long-term AUM and higher non-pass through performance fees.

     This year's results included:

• Tax benefit of $213.7 million, or $2.26 per diluted share
• Non-cash impairment charges of $229.0 million, or $1.96 per diluted share
• Contingent consideration credit adjustments of $31.3 million, or $0.33 per diluted share.
• EnTrustPermal acquisition and transition-related costs of $7.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.

     The prior year's results included:

• Non-cash impairment charges of $35.0 million, or $0.26 per diluted share.
• Contingent consideration credit adjustments of $39.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.
• Acquisition and transition-related costs of $75.1 million, or $0.48 per diluted share.
• Royce MEP non-cash charge of $4.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.

Operating revenues of $3.1 billion were up 9% compared with $2.9 billion in the prior year reflecting:

• Increases principally due to higher average long-term AUM, as well as
• An increase in non-pass through performance fees of $71.5 million, and an increase in pass through performance fees of $48.0 million.

Operating expenses of $2.7 billion were up 12% compared with $2.5 billion in the prior year, but excluding the non -cash impairment charges were up 4% reflecting:

• Increased compensation, related to increased revenues driven by higher average long-term AUM and higher performance fees.
• Distribution and servicing expenses decreased $9.8 million resulting from lower AUM on which we pay third party distributors.
• A $14.0 million increase in other expenses, excluding acquisition and transition-related charges, largely due to increased professional fees, advertising, charitable contributions and foreign exchange losses.
• Contingent consideration fair value adjustments of $31.3 million, compared with $39.5 million in the prior year.
• Acquisition and transition-related charges of $7.0 million, as compared with $75.1 million in the prior year.
• A $12.3 million gain in the market value of deferred compensation and seed investments, which is recorded as an increase in compensation and benefits with an offset in non-operating income, compared with a gain of $14.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Non-operating expense was $90.2 million, compared to $51.4 million in the prior year quarter reflecting:

• Net losses on corporate investments, not offset in compensation, were $1.8 million compared with net gains of $25.0 million in the prior year.
• Gains on funded deferred compensation and seed investments, as described above.
• A $10.0 million gain associated with the consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles, as compared to a $15.6 million gain in the prior year. The consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles has no impact on net income as the effects of consolidation are fully attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Operating margin was 12.5% as compared to 14.6% in the prior year.  Operating margin, as adjusted, was 24.6%, as compared to 19.7% in the prior year.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, excluding consolidated investment vehicles, was $44.6 million, compared to $48.0 million in the prior year, principally related to Clarion, EnTrustPermal, RARE and Royce.

Quarterly Business Developments and Recent Announcements

• QS Investors received the Lipper award for the 3-year period ended November 30, 2017 in the Global Multi-Cap Core Funds category.
• Royce & Associates received the Lipper award for the 3-year period ended November 30, 2017 in the International Small/Mid-Cap Growth Funds category.
• Western Asset received the Lipper award for the 3-year and 5-year periods ended November 30, 2017 in the Core Bond Funds category.
• The Western Asset Asian Opportunities Bond Fund received the Morningstar award for the Best Asia Bond Fund.
• Western Asset won Morningstar Australia's Fund Manager of the Year 2018 in the Fixed Income category.
• Legg Mason, in partnership with BetaShares launched two Active ETFs in Australia, which mirror two Martin Currie Australia investment strategies.
• Legg Mason launched a Portfolio Investment Entity (PIE) version of the Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunistic Fixed Income Fund in New Zealand.

Balance Sheet

At March 31, 2018, Legg Mason's cash position was $736.1 million.  Total debt, after a $100 million revolver repayment in March 2018, was $2.4 billion and stockholders' equity was $3.9 billion.  The ratio of total debt to total capital was 38%, down from 39% in the prior quarter.  Seed investments totaled $268.3 million.

In the fourth fiscal quarter, the Company did not retire any shares because of the accelerated repurchase in the prior quarter.

The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company's common stock in the amount of $0.34 per share.  The dividend is payable on July 9, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 12, 2018.

Conference Call to Discuss Results

A conference call to discuss the Company's results, hosted by Joseph A. Sullivan, will be held at 5:00 p.m. EDT today. The call will be open to the general public.  Interested participants should access the call by dialing 1-800-447-0521 (or for international calls 1-847-413-3238), confirmation number 46762769, at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start to ensure connection.  A live, listen-only webcast will also be available via the Investor Relations section of www.leggmason.com.

The presentation slides that will be reviewed during the discussion of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Legg Mason website shortly after the release of the financial results.

A replay of the live broadcast will be available on the Legg Mason website, www.leggmason.com, in the Investor Relations section, or by dialing 1-888-843-7419 (or for international calls 1-630-652-3042), enter pass code 46762769# when prompted.  Please note that the replay will be available beginning at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, and ending at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

About Legg Mason

Guided by a mission of Investing to Improve Lives,™  Legg Mason helps investors globally achieve better financial outcomes by expanding choice across investment strategies, vehicles and investor access through independent investment managers with diverse expertise in equity, fixed income, alternative and liquidity investments.  Legg Mason's assets under management are $754.1 billion as of March 31, 2018.  To learn more, visit our web site, our newsroom, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. 

This release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Legg Mason's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 and in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Supplemental Data Regarding Quarterly Performance

Strategy Performance

For purposes of investment performance comparisons, strategies are an aggregation of discretionary portfolios (separate accounts, investment funds, and other products) into a single group that represents a particular investment objective.  In the case of separate accounts, the investment performance of the account is based upon the performance of the strategy to which the account has been assigned.  Each of our asset managers has its own specific guidelines for including portfolios in their strategies. For those managers which manage both separate accounts and investment funds in the same strategy, the performance comparison for all of the assets is based upon the performance of the separate account.

Approximately eighty-seven percent of total AUM is included in strategy AUM as of March 31, 2018, although not all strategies have three-, five-, and ten-year histories.  Total strategy AUM includes liquidity assets.  Certain assets are not included in reported performance comparisons. These include: accounts that are not managed in accordance with the guidelines outlined above; accounts in strategies not marketed to potential clients; accounts that have not yet been assigned to a strategy; and certain smaller products at some of our affiliates. 

Past performance is not indicative of future results.  For AUM included in institutional and retail separate accounts and investment funds managed in the same strategy as separate accounts, performance comparisons are based on gross-of-fee performance. For investment funds which are not managed in a separate account format, performance comparisons are based on net-of-fee performance. Funds-of-hedge funds generally do not have specified benchmarks. For purposes of this comparison, performance of those products is net of fees, and is compared to the relevant HFRX index.  These performance comparisons do not reflect the actual performance of any specific separate account or investment fund; individual separate account and investment fund performance may differ.  The information in this presentation is provided solely for use regarding this presentation, and is not directed toward existing or potential clients of Legg Mason.

Long-term US Fund Assets Beating Lipper Category Average

Long-term US fund assets include open-end, closed-end, and variable annuity funds. These performance comparisons do not reflect the actual performance of any specific fund; individual fund performance may differ.  Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.  Source: Lipper Inc.