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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.q117ex-321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.q117ex-312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.q117ex-311.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.q117ex-101.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
 
 
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
 
 
 

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number: 001-10994
 
 
 
 
 
 
virtuslogo2016.jpg
VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Delaware
 
95-4191764
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
100 Pearl St., Hartford, CT 06103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(800) 248-7971
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 
 
 
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
 
 ¨
  
Accelerated filer
 
x
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
 ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 6,989,326 as of April 30, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 



VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.
INDEX
 
 
 
Page
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.
 
“We,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Virtus” as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, refer to Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Financial Statements


1


Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
($ in thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
235,930

 
$
64,588

Investments
86,066

 
89,371

Accounts receivable, net
37,841

 
35,879

Assets of consolidated sponsored investment products
 
 
 
Cash of consolidated sponsored investment products
1,866

 
3,650

Cash pledged or on deposit of consolidated sponsored investment products
1,107

 
984

Investments of consolidated sponsored investment products
112,930

 
142,075

Other assets of consolidated sponsored investment products
39,702

 
3,270

Assets of consolidated investment product
 
 
 
Cash equivalents of consolidated investment product
13,957

 
14,449

Investments of consolidated investment product
354,002

 
346,967

Other assets of consolidated investment product
6,152

 
5,888

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
7,264

 
7,728

Intangible assets, net
38,194

 
38,427

Goodwill
6,788

 
6,788

Deferred taxes, net
45,716

 
47,535

Other assets
25,908

 
16,789

Total assets
$
1,013,423

 
$
824,388

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued compensation and benefits
$
16,519

 
$
47,885

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
30,364

 
25,176

Dividends payable
5,991

 
3,479

Debt

 
30,000

Other liabilities
13,702

 
13,505

Liabilities of consolidated sponsored investment products
2,834

 
4,109

Liabilities of consolidated investment product
 
 
 
Notes payable of consolidated investment product
325,843

 
328,761

Securities purchased payable and other liabilities of consolidated investment product
20,806

 
12,534

Total liabilities
416,059

 
465,449

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
44,976

 
37,266

Equity:
 
 
 
Equity attributable to stockholders:
 
 
 
Series D mandatory convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,150,000 shares authorized; 1,150,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
110,837

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 10,219,189 shares issued and 6,989,144 shares outstanding at March 31, 2017 and 9,119,058 shares issued and 5,889,013 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016
102

 
91

Additional paid-in capital
1,196,031

 
1,090,331

Accumulated deficit
(410,200
)
 
(424,279
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(136
)
 
(224
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,230,045 and 3,230,045 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
(344,246
)
 
(344,246
)
Total equity attributable to stockholders
552,388

 
321,673

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,013,423

 
$
824,388


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
($ in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
Investment management fees
$
59,271

 
$
57,644

 
Distribution and service fees
10,783

 
12,478

 
Administration and transfer agent fees
8,981

 
9,998

 
Other income and fees
741

 
175

 
Total revenues
79,776

 
80,295

 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
Employment expenses
39,641

 
35,977

 
Distribution and other asset-based expenses
15,323

 
18,101

 
Other operating expenses
13,226

 
10,765

 
Other operating expenses of consolidated sponsored investment products
577

 
1,133

 
Other operating expenses of consolidated investment product
65

 
56

 
Depreciation and other amortization
664

 
862

 
Amortization expense
233

 
651

 
Total operating expenses
69,729

 
67,545

 
Operating Income
10,047

 
12,750

 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net
297

 
(658
)
 
Realized and unrealized gain on investments of consolidated sponsored investment products, net
3,726

 
295

 
Realized and unrealized gain of consolidated investment product, net
718

 
2,235

 
Other income, net
646

 
228

 
Total other income, net
5,387

 
2,100

 
Interest Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(243
)
 
(132
)
 
Interest and dividend income
188

 
273

 
Interest and dividend income of investments of consolidated sponsored investment products
1,495

 
2,961

 
Interest income of consolidated investment product
4,161

 
2,206

 
Interest expense of consolidated investment product
(2,857
)
 
(732
)
 
Total interest income, net
2,744

 
4,576

 
Income Before Income Taxes
18,178

 
19,426

 
Income tax expense
4,433

 
7,556

 
Net Income
13,745

 
11,870

 
Noncontrolling interests
(718
)
 
493

 
Net Income Attributable to Stockholders
13,027

 
12,363

 
Preferred stockholder dividends
(2,084
)
 

 
Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders
$
10,943

 
$
12,363

 
Earnings per Share—Basic
$
1.67

 
$
1.48

 
Earnings per Share—Diluted
$
1.62

 
$
1.45

 
Cash Dividends Declared per Preferred Share
$
1.81

 
$

 
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share
$
0.45

 
$
0.45

 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding—Basic (in thousands)
6,542

 
8,344

 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding—Diluted (in thousands)
6,773

 
8,506

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
13,745

 
$
11,870

 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of ($61) for the three months ended March 31, 2016

 
99

 
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $(54) and ($97) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
88

 
160

 
Other comprehensive income
88

 
259

 
Comprehensive income
13,833

 
12,129

 
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(718
)
 
493

 
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stockholders
$
13,115

 
$
12,622

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4




Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
13,745

 
$
11,870

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation expense, intangible asset and other amortization
960

 
1,573

Stock-based compensation
3,491

 
3,270

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 
(130
)
Amortization of deferred commissions
516

 
763

Payments of deferred commissions
(671
)
 
(500
)
Equity in earnings of equity method investments
(629
)
 
(218
)
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on trading securities, net
(297
)
 
658

Sales of trading securities, net
2,396

 
11,197

Deferred taxes, net
2,817

 
4,900

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net and other assets
(13,013
)
 
(4,944
)
Accrued compensation and benefits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities
(24,305
)
 
(35,710
)
Operating activities of consolidated sponsored investment products:
 
 
 
Realized and unrealized gains on investments of consolidated sponsored investment products, net
(4,139
)
 
(683
)
Purchases of investments by consolidated sponsored investment products
(32,805
)
 
(112,013
)
Sales of investments by consolidated sponsored investment products
39,706

 
103,196

Net purchases of short term investments by consolidated sponsored investment products
(1,735
)
 
(12,728
)
Purchases of securities sold short by consolidated sponsored investment products, net
(20
)
 
(3,655
)
Change in cash pledged or on deposit of consolidated sponsored investment products
(123
)
 
1,682

Change in other assets of consolidated sponsored investment products
118

 
(1,292
)
Change in liabilities of consolidated sponsored investment products
128

 
618

Operating activities of consolidated investment product:
 
 
 
Realized and unrealized gains of consolidated investment product, net
(718
)
 
(2,235
)
Purchases of investments by consolidated investment product
(59,673
)
 
(7,481
)
Sales of investments by consolidated investment product
58,485

 
3,402

Change in other assets of consolidated investment product
417

 
(163
)
Change in liabilities of consolidated investment product
44

 
248

Net cash used in operating activities
(15,305
)
 
(38,375
)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(369
)
 
(591
)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents of consolidated sponsored investment products due to consolidation, net
5,615

 
103

Equity method investment contributions

 
(759
)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(66
)
 
(60
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
5,180

 
(1,307
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings (Payments) on borrowings by consolidated sponsored investment products, net
73

 
(1,839
)
Borrowings of debt of consolidated investment product

 
2,867

Repayment of notes payable by consolidated investment product
(500
)
 

Repayments on credit facility
(30,000
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of mandatory convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs
111,280

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
109,762

 

Common stock dividends paid
(2,894
)
 
(3,911
)
Repurchases of common shares

 
(15,000
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
86

 
375

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of restricted stock units
(2,464
)
 
(1,001
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 
130

Payment of deferred financing costs
(61
)
 

(Redemptions) Contributions of noncontrolling interests, net
(6,091
)
 
19,928

Net cash provided by financing activities
179,191

 
1,549

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
169,066

 
(38,133
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
82,687

 
97,384

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
$
251,753

 
$
59,251

Non-Cash Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Change in accrual for capital expenditures
$
(166
)
 
$
(153
)
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Decrease to noncontrolling interest due to consolidation and (deconsolidation) of consolidated sponsored investment products
$
13,083

 
$
(52,874
)
Common stock dividends payable
$
3,145

 
$
4,173

Preferred stock dividends payable
$
2,084

 
$

               Accrued stock issuance costs
$
886

 
$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock
 
Preferred Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
Attributed To
Stockholders
 
Non-
controlling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Redeemable
Non-
controlling
Interests
($ in thousands except per share data)
Shares
 
Par Value
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balances at December 31, 2015
8,398,944

 
$
96

 

 

 
$
1,140,875

 
$
(472,614
)
 
$
(1,034
)
 
1,214,144

 
$
(157,699
)
 
$
509,624

 
$
(167
)
 
$
509,457

 
$
73,864

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 
12,363

 

 

 

 
12,363

 

 
12,363

 
(493
)
Net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 
160

 

 

 
160

 

 
160

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 
99

 

 

 
99

 

 
99

 

Activity of noncontrolling interests, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(32,946
)
Cash dividends declared ($0.45 per common share)

 

 

 

 
(3,850
)
 

 

 

 

 
(3,850
)
 
 
 
(3,850
)
 

Repurchases of common shares
(176,204
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
176,204

 
(15,000
)
 
(15,000
)
 

 
(15,000
)
 

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions
37,091

 
1

 

 

 
374

 

 

 

 

 
375

 

 
375

 

Taxes paid on stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
(1,001
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,001
)
 

 
(1,001
)
 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
4,029

 

 

 

 

 
4,029

 

 
4,029

 

Tax deficiencies from stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
(1,246
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,246
)
 

 
(1,246
)
 

Balances at March 31, 2016
8,259,831

 
$
97

 

 

 
$
1,139,181

 
$
(460,251
)
 
$
(775
)
 
1,390,348

 
$
(172,699
)
 
$
505,553

 
$
(167
)
 
$
505,386

 
$
40,425

Balances at December 31, 2016
5,889,013

 
$
91

 

 

 
$
1,090,331

 
$
(424,279
)
 
$
(224
)
 
3,230,045

 
$
(344,246
)
 
$
321,673

 
$

 
$
321,673

 
$
37,266

Adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-09

 

 

 

 

 
1,052

 

 

 

 
1,052

 

 
1,052

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
13,027

 

 

 

 
13,027

 

 
13,027

 
718

Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale

 

 

 

 

 

 
88

 

 

 
88

 

 
88

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity of noncontrolling interests, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
6,992

Issuance of mandatory convertible preferred stock, net of offering costs

 

 
1,150,000

 
110,837

 

 

 

 

 

 
110,837

 

 
110,837

 

Cash dividends declared ($1.8125 per preferred share)

 

 

 

 
(2,084
)
 

 

 

 

 
(2,084
)
 

 
(2,084
)
 

Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
1,046,500

 
10

 

 

 
109,310

 

 

 

 

 
109,320

 

 
109,320

 

Cash dividends declared ($0.45 per common share)

 

 

 

 
(3,322
)
 

 

 

 

 
(3,322
)
 

 
(3,322
)
 

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions
53,631

 
1

 

 

 
85

 

 

 

 

 
86

 

 
86

 

Taxes paid on stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
(2,464
)
 

 

 

 

 
(2,464
)
 
 
 
(2,464
)
 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 
4,175

 

 

 

 

 
4,175

 

 
4,175

 

Balances at March 31, 2017
6,989,144

 
$
102

 
1,150,000

 
110,837

 
$
1,196,031

 
$
(410,200
)
 
$
(136
)
 
3,230,045

 
$
(344,246
)
 
$
552,388

 
$

 
$
552,388

 
$
44,976


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Organization and Business
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “Virtus”), a Delaware corporation, operates in the investment management industry through its subsidiaries.
The Company provides investment management and related services to individuals and institutions throughout the United States of America. The Company’s retail investment management services are provided to individuals through products consisting of open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (“UCITS”) and separately managed accounts. Institutional investment management services are provided to corporations, multiemployer retirement funds, employee retirement systems, foundations, endowments, structured products and as a subadviser to unaffiliated mutual funds.

2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.

The Company has reclassified certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period's presentation. The Company has reclassified its prior net presentation of purchases and sales of investments by its consolidated sponsored investments products and its consolidated investment product in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to conform with the current year presentation of showing such purchases and sales as separate line items within the cash flows from operating activities. The reclassification had no impact on the net cash provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, or any impact on the other Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s significant accounting policies, which have been consistently applied, are summarized in its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New Accounting Standards Implemented

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09") on January 1, 2017. This standard makes several modifications to the accounting for forfeitures and employer tax withholdings on share-based compensation as well as the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies. ASU 2016-09 also clarifies the statement of cash flows presentation for certain components of share-based awards. Upon adoption of this ASU, the Company recorded a $1.1 million cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for excess tax benefits that were not previously recognized because the related tax deduction had not reduced current taxes payable. The Company elected to adopt all provisions impacting the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Cash Flows prospectively and the Company elected to recognize the impact of forfeitures as they occur.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-07, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 232): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting, on January 1, 2017. This standard eliminates the requirement that, when an existing cost method investment qualifies for use of the equity method, an investor must restate its historical financial statements, as if the equity method had been used during all previous periods. Under the new guidance, at the point an investment qualifies for the equity method, any unrealized gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) would be recognized through earnings. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

7



New Accounting Standards Not Yet Implemented

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 requires the inclusion of restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending cash on the statement of cash flows. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. A reporting entity should apply this standard on a retrospective basis as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the standard is effective. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ("ASU 2016-15"), which clarifies the treatment of several cash flow activities. ASU 2016-15 also clarifies that when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one classification of cash flows and cannot be separated, classification will depend on the predominant source or use. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 was originally effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year for periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of the standard requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption and early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date. The core principle of the model is that revenue is recognized upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received for the goods or services. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The Company's implementation assessment includes the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance, as well as the evaluation of revenue contracts, and it is also evaluating the presentation of certain revenue-related costs on a gross versus net basis and related disclosures of revenue. Although the Company is still evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09, it has not identified material changes in the timing of revenue recognition.        

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net), which amends the principal-versus-agent implementation guidance in ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, discussed above. The new guidance will impact whether an entity reports revenue on a gross or net basis. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements, which is effective for the Company in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2014-09.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). The standard replaces current codification Topic 840 with updated guidance on accounting for leases and requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from an operating lease on the balance sheet, whereas previous GAAP rules did not require lease assets and liabilities to be recognized for most leases. Furthermore, this standard permits companies to make an accounting policy election to not recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. For both finance leases and operating leases, the lease liability should be initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will not significantly change under this new guidance. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements but expects to record a right of use asset and a related lease obligation in the Company's consolidated balance sheet upon adoption.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01"), which requires all equity investments (other than those accounted for under the equity method) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements with respect to equity investments that currently report changes in fair value as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity attributable to stockholders. Comprehensive income, net of tax, with respect to these equity investments was $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

8



In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business ("ASU 2017-01"). The standard clarifies the definition of a business and adds guidance to assist entities when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or as businesses. The standard provides a screen to determine whether a set of assets and activities qualifies as a business or as a set of assets. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard requires a prospective approach to adoption, and early adoption is only permitted for specific transactions. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). ASU 2017-04 requires that an entity perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but the loss cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments require a prospective approach to adoption and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets, net are summarized as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Definite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
Investment contracts
$
158,747

 
$
158,747

Accumulated amortization
(155,369
)
 
(155,136
)
Definite-lived intangible assets, net
3,378

 
3,611

Indefinite-lived intangible assets
34,816

 
34,816

Total intangible assets, net
$
38,194

 
$
38,427



9


Activity in intangible assets, net is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Intangible assets, net
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
38,427

 
$
40,887

Amortization
(233
)
 
(651
)
Balance, end of period
$
38,194

 
$
40,236


4. Investments
Investments consist primarily of investments in the Company's sponsored mutual funds, excluding the investments in consolidated sponsored investment products and the consolidated investment product, which are separately discussed in Note 14. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company's investments were as follows:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Marketable securities
$
70,595

 
$
74,907

Equity method investments
8,360

 
7,731

Nonqualified retirement plan assets
6,186

 
5,808

Other investments
925

 
925

Total investments
$
86,066

 
$
89,371

Marketable Securities
The Company’s marketable securities consist of both trading and available-for-sale securities. The composition of the Company’s marketable securities is summarized as follows:
March 31, 2017
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Unrealized
Gain
 
Fair
Value
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored mutual funds
$
57,071

 
$
(2,185
)
 
$
112

 
$
54,998

Equity securities
10,705

 

 
1,269

 
11,974

Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored closed-end funds
3,566

 
(247
)
 
304

 
3,623

Total marketable securities
$
71,342

 
$
(2,432
)
 
$
1,685

 
$
70,595


10


December 31, 2016
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Unrealized
Gain
 
Fair
Value
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored mutual funds
$
61,784

 
$
(1,942
)
 
$
177

 
$
60,019

Equity securities
10,578

 

 
895

 
11,473

Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored closed-end funds
3,500

 
(265
)
 
180

 
3,415

Total marketable securities
$
75,862

 
$
(2,207
)
 
$
1,252

 
$
74,907


For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized a net realized gain of $0.6 million on trading securities, and for three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized a net realized loss of $0.4 million on trading securities.

5. Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding the assets and liabilities of consolidated sponsored investment products and the consolidated investment product, which are separately discussed in Note 14, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by fair value hierarchy level were as follows:
March 31, 2017
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
223,087

 
$

 
$

 
$
223,087

Marketable securities trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored mutual funds
54,998

 

 

 
54,998

Equity securities
11,974

 

 

 
11,974

Marketable securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored closed-end funds
3,623

 

 

 
3,623

Other investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonqualified retirement plan assets
6,186

 

 

 
6,186

Total assets measured at fair value
$
299,868

 
$

 
$

 
$
299,868



11


December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
48,620

 
$

 
$

 
$
48,620

Marketable securities trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored mutual funds
60,019

 

 

 
60,019

Equity securities
11,473

 

 

 
11,473

Marketable securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsored closed-end funds
3,415

 

 

 
3,415

Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonqualified retirement plan assets
5,808

 

 

 
5,808

Total assets measured at fair value
$
129,335

 
$

 
$

 
$
129,335

The following is a discussion of the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s assets measured at fair value:
Cash equivalents represent investments in money market funds. Cash investments in actively traded money market funds are valued using published net asset values and are classified as Level 1.
Sponsored funds represent investments in open-end mutual funds and closed-end funds for which the Company acts as the investment manager. The fair value of open-end mutual funds is determined based on their published net asset values and are categorized as Level 1. The fair value of closed-end funds is determined based on the official closing price on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
Equity securities include securities traded on active markets and are valued at the official closing price (typically last sale or bid) on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded and are categorized as Level 1.
Nonqualified retirement plan assets represent open-end mutual funds within a nonqualified retirement plan whose fair value is determined based on their published net asset value and are categorized as Level 1.

Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities equal or approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments.

Transfers into and out of levels are reflected when (1) significant inputs used for the fair value measurement, including market inputs or performance attributes, become observable or unobservable, (2) when the Company determines it has the ability, or no longer has the ability, to redeem, in the near term, certain investments that the Company values using a net asset value, or (3) if the book value no longer represents fair value. There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

6. Business Combinations

On December 16, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) to acquire RidgeWorth Holdings, LLC (“RidgeWorth”). The purchase price for the acquisition of RidgeWorth (the “Proposed Acquisition”) will be (x) $472.0 million, plus (y) the fair market value of certain of RidgeWorth’s investments at the effective time of the Proposed Acquisition (the "Closing"), with the final purchase price subject to adjustments for working capital and client consents. The Proposed Acquisition is expected to close in mid-2017, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions; however, there can be no assurance that the Proposed Acquisition will close, or if it does, when the Closing will occur.

7. Equity Transactions

The Company did not make any share repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, there were 200,000 shares available to be repurchased of a total of 3,430,045 shares of Company common stock that had been approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Under the terms of the program, the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time at its discretion through open market repurchases, privately negotiated transactions and/or

12


other mechanisms, depending on price and prevailing market and business conditions. The program, which has no specified term, may be suspended or terminated at any time.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,046,500 shares of common stock and 1,150,000 shares of 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock ("MCPS") in public offerings, which included the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, for net proceeds of $220.1 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses.
The MCPS has a liquidation preference of $100.00 per share. Unless converted earlier, each share of MCPS will convert automatically on February 1, 2020 (the "mandatory conversion date") into between 0.7576 and 0.9091 shares of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion will be determined based on the average volume-weighted average price per share of the Company's common stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the 22nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the mandatory conversion date. Each share of MCPS can be converted prior to the mandatory conversion date, at the option of the holder, at the minimum conversion rate of 0.7576 or at specified rate, in the event of a fundamental change as defined in the certificate of designations of the MCPS.
Dividends on the MCPS will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by the board of directors, at an annual rate of 7.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share. If declared, these dividends will be paid in cash, or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock (or a combination) on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2017, and continuing to, and including, February 1, 2020.
 
On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per common share to be paid on May 10, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2017. The Company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.8125 per share on the Company's 7.25% MCPS to be paid on May 1, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2017.

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
 
 
Unrealized 
Gains
and (Losses)
on Securities
Available-for-
Sale
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Balance December 31, 2016
$
(224
)
 
 
Unrealized net gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax of ($54)
88

 
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
 
Net current-period other comprehensive income
88

 
 
Balance March 31, 2017
$
(136
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized
Gains
and (Losses)
on Securities
Available-for-
Sale
 
Foreign 
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Balance December 31, 2015
$
(465
)
 
$
(569
)
Unrealized net losses on securities available-for-sale, net of tax of $(97)
160

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(61)

 
99

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

Net current-period other comprehensive loss
160

 
99

Balance March 31, 2016
$
(305
)
 
$
(470
)


13



9. Stock-based Compensation

The Company's Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock options and unrestricted shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2017, a maximum of 2,400,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the Plan. At March 31, 2017, 616,820 shares of common stock remained available for issuance. Shares that are issued upon exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs are newly issued shares from the Plan and are not issued from treasury stock.

Restricted Stock Units

Each RSU entitles the holder to one share of common stock when the restriction expires. RSUs generally have a term of one to three years and may be time-vested or performance-contingent. The fair value of each RSU is estimated using the intrinsic value method, which is based on the fair market value price on the date of grant unless it contains a performance metric that is considered a market condition. RSUs that contain a market condition are valued using a simulation valuation model. RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is summarized as follows:
 
 
Number
of Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
302,824

 
$
111.56

Granted
158,687

 
$
111.38

Forfeited
(26,329
)
 
$
124.22

Settled
(55,418
)
 
$
129.75

Outstanding at March 31, 2017
379,764

 
$
107.95

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, a total of 22,977 and 13,024 RSUs, respectively, were withheld by the Company as a result of net share settlements to settle minimum employee tax withholding obligations. The Company paid $2.5 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in minimum employee tax withholding obligations related to RSUs withheld. These net share settlements had the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduced the number of shares that would have been otherwise issued as a result of the vesting.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company granted 24,784 RSUs which contain performance based metrics in addition to a service condition (Performance Share Units or "PSUs"). Compensation expense for these PSUs is recognized over the three year service period based upon the value determined using a combination of the intrinsic value method, for awards that contain a performance metric that represents a "performance condition" in accordance with ASC 718, and the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model, for awards under the performance metric that represents a "market condition" under ASC 718. Compensation expense for the awards that contain a market condition is fixed at the date of grant and will not be adjusted in future periods based upon the achievement of the market condition. Compensation expense for the awards with a performance condition is recorded each period based upon a probability assessment of the expected outcome of the performance metric with a final adjustment upon the final outcome. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, total stock-based compensation expense was $0.1 million for these PSUs.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company also granted 48,241 PSUs as special one-time awards in connection with the execution of the Proposed Acquisition. These PSUs will vest in equal installments on the first and second anniversary of the grant date, subject to (1) the closing of the Proposed Acquisition and (2) execution of integration activities of the Proposed Acquisition. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, there was no stock-based compensation expense for the PSUs related to the Proposed Acquisition.
The Company recognized total stock compensation expense of $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. As of March 31, 2017, unamortized stock-based compensation expense for unvested RSUs was $23.6 million, with a weighted-average remaining amortization period of 2.1 years.

14





Stock Options

Stock options generally cliff vest after three years and have a contractual life of 10 years. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant.

Stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is summarized as follows:
 
 
Number
of Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
137,157

 
$
17.77

Granted

 
$

Exercised
(26,149
)
 
$
23.25

Forfeited

 
$

Outstanding at March 31, 2017
111,008

 
$
16.48


10. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution for potential common stock issuances and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, including (1) shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs and common stock option exercises using the treasury stock method and (2) shares issuable upon the conversion of the Company's MCPS as determined under the if-converted method. For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, preferred stock dividends have been subtracted from net income in periods in which utilizing the if-converted method would be anti-dilutive.

The computation of basic and diluted EPS is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
Net Income
$
13,745

 
$
11,870

Noncontrolling interests
(718
)
 
493

Net Income Attributable to Stockholders
13,027

 
12,363

Preferred stock dividends
(2,084
)
 

Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders
$
10,943

 
$
12,363

Shares (in thousands):

 

Basic: Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
6,542

 
8,344

Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversion of dilutive instruments
231

 
162

Diluted: Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
6,773

 
8,506

Earnings per Share—Basic
$
1.67

 
$
1.48

Earnings per Share—Diluted
$
1.62

 
$
1.45


The following table details the securities that have been excluded from the above computation of weighted-average number of shares for diluted EPS, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.


15


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Restricted stock units

 
14

Preferred stock
674

 

Total anti-dilutive securities
674

 
14


11. Income Taxes

In calculating the provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances at each interim period. On a quarterly basis, the estimated annual effective tax rate is adjusted, as appropriate, based upon changes in facts and circumstances, if any, as compared to those forecasted at the beginning of the fiscal year and each interim period thereafter.

The provision for income taxes reflected U.S. federal, state and local taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 24.4% and 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the estimated effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in the valuation allowances related to market adjustments on the Company’s marketable securities and the impact of recording excess tax benefits as a result of stock option exercises and RSU vestings.

12. Debt

Credit Facility

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company made $30.0 million in repayments on its senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility"). At March 31, 2017, no amounts were outstanding under the Credit Facility. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either LIBOR for interest periods of one, two, three or six months or an alternate base rate (as defined in the Credit Facility agreement), plus, in each case, an applicable margin, that ranges from 0.75% to 2.25%. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Company is also required to pay certain fees, including an annual commitment fee that ranges from 0.30% to 0.45% on undrawn amounts and a letter of credit participation fee at an annual rate equal to the applicable margin as well as any applicable fronting fees, each of which is payable quarterly in arrears.

The credit agreement governing the Credit Facility contains customary restrictive covenants on the Company and its subsidiaries. Restrictive covenants in the credit agreement include, but are not limited to: prohibitions on creating, incurring or assuming any liens; entering into merger arrangements; selling, leasing, transferring or otherwise disposing of assets; making a material change in the nature of the business; entering into transactions with affiliates; and incurring indebtedness through the subsidiaries. Many of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Financial covenants under the credit agreement include: (i) the quarterly maintenance of a leverage ratio (total debt to adjusted EBITDA), as defined in the credit agreement, of not greater than 3.00:1.00, and (ii) a minimum interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to interest expense) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ended before the date of determination) of not less than 4.00:1.00.

The credit agreement governing the Credit Facility also contains customary provisions regarding events of default which could result in an acceleration or increase in amounts due, including (subject to certain materiality thresholds and grace periods) payment default, failure to comply with covenants, material inaccuracy of a representation or warranty, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, change of control, certain judgments, ERISA matters, cross-default to other debt agreements, governmental action prohibiting or restricting the company or its subsidiaries in a manner that has a material adverse effect and failure of certain guaranty obligations. The lenders (and their respective affiliates) may have provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking, cash management, underwriting, lending, commercial banking, leasing, foreign exchange, trust or other advisory services to the company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. These parties may have received, and may in the future receive, customary compensation for these services.


16


Debt Financing Commitment

In connection with the Merger Agreement, on December 16, 2016, the Company entered into a debt financing commitment letter (the "Commitment Letter") with Barclays Bank PLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. (the “Initial Commitment Parties”). Pursuant to the Commitment Letter, the Initial Commitment Parties committed to arrange and provide the Company with a senior secured credit facility ("Loan Facility") composed, as of March 31, 2017, of (i) a term loan of up to $260.0 million with an expected maturity of seven years from the execution date and (ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $100.0 million maturing five years after the execution date.
    
On March 2, 2017, the Company priced a $260.0 million first-lien term loan with a seven year tenor.  The loan was priced with 0.50% of upfront fees and a spread of LIBOR plus 3.75% (LIBOR floor of 0.75%).   The spread steps down to LIBOR plus 3.50% at net leverage levels of less than 1.0. The term loan will be drawn down at the closing date for the Proposed Acquisition.  A delayed draw fee is in place for the period between pricing of the term loan on March 2, 2017 and the closing date of the Proposed Acquisition. In addition, the Company priced a $100.0 million, five year revolving credit facility at a spread of LIBOR plus 3.75% (LIBOR floor is 0.00%).

The availability of borrowings under the term loan and revolving credit facility are subject to satisfaction of certain customary conditions which include termination and repayment of all amounts outstanding under our existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility (using cash on hand). The term loan and revolving credit facility will contain affirmative and negative financial and operating covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type. The term loan and revolving credit facility will be guaranteed by the Company's domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) and will be secured by substantially all of the Company's assets.

13. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters

The Company is regularly involved in litigation and arbitration as well as examinations, inquiries and investigations by various regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), involving its compliance with, among other things, securities laws, client investment guidelines, laws governing the activities of broker-dealers and other laws and regulations affecting its products and other activities. Legal and regulatory matters of this nature involve or may involve but are not limited to the Company’s activities as an employer, issuer of securities, investor, investment adviser, broker-dealer or taxpayer. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company discusses matters with its regulators raised during regulatory examinations or is otherwise subject to their inquiry. These matters could result in censures, fines, penalties or other sanctions.

The Company accrues for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, in the event the Company determines that a loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, and it becomes possible to develop what the Company believes to be a reasonable range of possible loss, then the Company will include disclosures related to such matter as appropriate and in compliance with ASC 450, Loss Contingencies. The disclosures, accruals or estimates, if any, resulting from the foregoing analysis are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. Based on information currently available, available insurance coverage and established reserves, the Company believes that the outcomes of its legal and regulatory proceedings are not likely, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or its consolidated financial condition. However, in the event of unexpected subsequent developments and given the inherent unpredictability of these legal and regulatory matters, the Company can provide no assurance that its assessment of any claim, dispute, regulatory examination or investigation or other legal matter will reflect the ultimate outcome and an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

In re Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Securities Litigation; formerly Tom Cummins v. Virtus Investment Partners Inc.
et al

On February 20, 2015, a putative class action complaint alleging violations of certain provisions of the federal securities laws was filed by an individual shareholder against the Company and certain of the Company’s current officers (the “defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Court"). On April 21, 2015, three plaintiffs, including the original plaintiff, filed motions to be appointed lead plaintiffs and, on June 9, 2015, the Court appointed

17


Arkansas Teachers Retirement System lead plaintiff. On August 21, 2015, the plaintiff filed a Consolidated Class Action Complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) amending the originally filed complaint, which was purportedly filed on behalf of all purchasers of the Company’s common stock between January 25, 2013 and May 11, 2015 (the “Class Period”). The Consolidated Complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and concealed material adverse facts relating to certain funds formerly subadvised by F-Squared Investments Inc. ("F-Squared"). The Consolidated Complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5. The plaintiff seeks to recover unspecified damages. A motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint was filed on behalf of the Company and the other defendants on October 21, 2015. On July 1, 2016, the Court entered an opinion and order granting in part, and denying in part, the motion to dismiss, narrowing Plaintiff's claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and dismissing one of the defendants from the suit. The remaining defendants' Answer to the Consolidated Complaint was filed on August 5, 2016. Plaintiff's motion for class certification is fully briefed, and oral argument was held on March 3, 2017. The motion remains pending. The Company believes that the suit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company believes that there is not a material loss that is probable and reasonably estimable related to this claim.

Mark Youngers v. Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. et al

On May 8, 2015, a putative class action complaint alleging violations of certain provisions of the federal securities laws was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "District Court") by an individual who alleges he is a former shareholder of one of the Virtus mutual funds formerly subadvised by F-Squared and formerly known as the AlphaSector Funds. The complaint alleges claims against the Company, certain of the Company’s officers and affiliates, and certain other parties (the “defendants”). The complaint was purportedly filed on behalf of purchasers of the AlphaSector Funds between May 8, 2010 and December 22, 2014, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and concealed or omitted material facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading. On June 7, 2015, a group of three individuals, including the original plaintiff, filed a motion to be appointed lead plaintiff, and on July 27, 2015, the District Court appointed movants as lead plaintiff. On October 1, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a First Amended Class Action Complaint which, among other things, added a derivative claim for breach of fiduciary duty on behalf of Virtus Opportunities Trust. On October 19, 2015, the District Court entered an order transferring the action to the Southern District of New York (the "Court"). On January 4, 2016, the Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint. A motion to dismiss was filed on behalf of the Company and affiliated defendants on February 1, 2016. On July 1, 2016, the Court entered an opinion and order granting in part, and denying in part, the motion to dismiss. The Court dismissed four causes of action entirely and a fifth cause of action with respect to a portion of the Class Period. The Court also dismissed all claims against ten defendants named in the Complaint. The Court held that the Plaintiffs may pursue certain securities claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1933. The remaining defendants filed an Answer to the Second Amended Complaint on August 5, 2016. A Stipulation of Voluntary Dismissal of the claim under Section 12 of the Securities Act was filed on September 15, 2016. The defendants filed a motion to certify an interlocutory appeal of the July 1, 2016 order to the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on August 26, 2016. The motion was denied on January 6, 2017. Plaintiff's motion for class certification is fully briefed, and oral argument was held on March 3, 2017. The motion remains pending. The Company believes that the suit has no basis in law or fact and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company believes that there is not a material loss that is probable and reasonably estimable related to this claim.

14. Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries and investment products that are consolidated. Voting interest entities ("VOEs") are consolidated when the Company is considered to have a controlling financial interest which is typically present when the Company owns a majority of the voting interest in an entity or otherwise has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity.

The Company evaluates any variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which the Company has a variable interest for consolidation. A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) where as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not possess: (i) the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (ii) the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity; or (iii) proportionate voting and economic interests and where substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately fewer voting rights. If an entity has any of these characteristics, it is considered a VIE and is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

18



The Company has two types of investment products that are consolidated: consolidated sponsored investment products and a consolidated investment product. Consolidated sponsored investment products ("CSIPs") are investment products in which the Company generally holds a majority of the beneficial interests. The consolidated investment product ("CIP") is a collateralized loan obligation ("CLO") in which the Company has less than the majority of the beneficial interests. The consolidation and deconsolidation of these investment products have no impact on net income attributable to stockholders. The Company’s risk with respect to these investments is limited to its beneficial interests in these products. The Company has no right to the benefits from, and does not bear the risks associated with, these investment products beyond the Company’s investments in, and fees generated from, these products.

Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products

In the normal course of its business, the Company sponsors various investment products. The Company consolidates, as a CSIP, an investment product when it owns a majority of the voting interest in the entity as a VOE or it is the primary beneficiary of an investment product that is a VIE. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company consolidated 18 and 19 sponsored investment products, respectively, which includes one sponsored investment product that was considered a VIE for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company deconsolidated one sponsored investment product.
The following table presents the balances of the CSIPs that, after intercompany eliminations, were reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
As of
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
VOEs
 
VIE
 
VOEs
 
VIE
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cash and cash equivalents
$
2,044

 
$
929

 
$
1,859

 
$
2,775

Investments
61,028

 
51,902

 
99,247

 
42,828

All other assets
38,603

 
1,099

 
2,211

 
1,059

Total liabilities
(2,033
)
 
(801
)
 
(2,310
)
 
(1,799
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
(12,175
)
 
(32,801
)
 
(12,505
)
 
(24,761
)
The Company’s net interests in consolidated sponsored investment products
$
87,467

 
$
20,328

 
$
88,502

 
$
20,102


Fair Value Measurements of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products

The assets and liabilities of the CSIPs measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by fair value hierarchy level were as follows:

As of March 31, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities
$

 
$
71,932

 
$
161

 
$
72,093

Equity securities
40,470

 
367

 

 
40,837

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value
$
40,470

 
$
72,299

 
$
161

 
$
112,930

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
$
1

 
$
280

 
$

 
$
281

Short sales
588

 

 

 
588

Total Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
$
589

 
$
280

 
$

 
$
869


19


As of December 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities
$

 
$
101,510

 
$
87

 
$
101,597

Equity securities
40,270

 
208

 

 
40,478

Derivatives
4

 

 

 
4

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value
$
40,274

 
$
101,718

 
$
87

 
$
142,079

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
$
3

 
$
235

 
$
62

 
$
300

Short sales
649

 

 

 
649

Total Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
$
652

 
$
235

 
$
62

 
$
949


The following is a discussion of the valuation methodologies used for the assets and liabilities of the Company’s CSIPs measured at fair value.
Investments of CSIPs represent the underlying debt, equity and other securities held in sponsored products which are consolidated by the Company. Equity securities are valued at the official closing price on the exchange on which the securities are traded and are categorized within Level 1. Level 2 investments include most debt securities, which are valued based on quotations received from independent pricing services or from dealers who make markets in such securities and certain equity securities, including non-US securities, for which closing prices are not readily available or are deemed to not reflect readily available market prices and are valued using an independent pricing service. Pricing services do not provide pricing for all securities, and therefore indicative bids from dealers are utilized, which are based on pricing models used by market makers in the security and are also included within Level 2. Level 3 investments include debt securities that are not widely traded, are illiquid or are priced by dealers based on pricing models used by market makers in the security.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, securities held by CSIPs with an end of period value of $0.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively, were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 because an exchange price became available. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, securities held by CSIPs with an end of period value of $0.4 million and $0.0 million, respectively, were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 because an exchange price was no longer available.

The following table is a reconciliation of assets of CSIPs for Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 ($ in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Level 3 Debt securities (a)
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
25

 
$
1,397

Realized losses, net
(65
)
 
(102
)
Purchases
100

 
19

Paydowns
(1
)
 
(1
)
Sales
(36
)
 
(498
)
Transferred to Level 2

 
(618
)
Transfers from Level 2
76

 
710

Change in unrealized gain, net
62

 
89

Balance at end of period
$
161

 
$
996


(a)
None of the securities reflected in the table were internally fair valued at March 31, 2017 or March 31, 2016. The investments that are categorized as Level 3 were valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment.

20


All transfers are deemed to occur at the end of period. Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 were due to a decrease in trading activities at period end.

Short Sales

Some of the Company’s CSIPs may engage in short sales, which are transactions in which a security is sold which is not owned or is owned but there is no intention to deliver, in anticipation that the price of the security will decline. Short sales are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets within other liabilities of CSIPs.

Consolidated Investment Product

At March 31, 2017, the Company consolidated one CLO with a par value of $356.3 million consisting of six classes of senior secured floating rate notes payable with a par value of $320.0 million and subordinated notes with a par value of $36.3 million.

The following table presents the balances of the CIP that, after intercompany eliminations, were reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
As of
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
13,957

 
$
14,449

Investments
354,002

 
346,967

Other assets
6,152

 
5,888

Notes payable
(325,843
)
 
(328,761
)
Securities purchased payable and other liabilities
(20,806
)
 
(12,534
)
The Company’s net interests in the consolidated investment product
$
27,462

 
$
26,009


Investments of Consolidated Investment Product

Total investments of $354.0 million at March 31, 2017 represent bank loan investments, which comprise the majority of the CLO portfolio asset collateral and are senior secured corporate loans from a variety of industries. Bank loan investments mature at various dates between 2018 and 2025, pay interest at LIBOR plus a spread of up to 9.5% and typically range in S&P credit rating categories from BBB- to CCC-. At March 31, 2017, the unpaid principal balance of the senior bank loans exceeded the fair value by approximately $0.6 million. No collateral assets were in default as of March 31, 2017.

Notes Payable of Consolidated Investment Product

The CLO has note obligations that bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a pre-defined spread ranging from 1.0% to 8.75%. The principal amounts outstanding of the note obligations issued by the CLO mature in April 2028. The CLO may elect to reinvest any prepayments received on bank loan investments prior to April 2020. Any subsequent prepayments received must be used to pay down the note obligations.

The Company’s beneficial interests and maximum exposure to loss related to the CIP is limited to (i) ownership in the subordinated notes and (ii) accrued management fees. The secured notes of the CLO have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CLO and are classified as financial liabilities. Although these beneficial interests are eliminated upon consolidation, the application of the measurement alternative, as adopted on January 1, 2016, prescribed by ASU 2014-13, results in the net amount of the CIP shown above to be equivalent to the beneficial interests retained by the Company at March 31, 2017 as shown in the table below:


21


 
As of
Beneficial Interests
March 31, 2017
($ in thousands)
 
Subordinated notes
$
27,091

Accrued investment management fees
371

  Total Beneficial Interests
$
27,462


The following table represents revenue and expenses of the CIP included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2017
Income:
 
Realized and unrealized gain, net
$
718

Interest Income
4,161

  Total Income
$
4,879

 
 
Expenses:
 
Other operating expenses
65

Interest expense
2,857

  Total Expense
$
2,922

Net Income (loss) attributable to consolidated investment product
$
1,957


As summarized in the table below, the application of the measurement alternative as prescribed by ASU 2014-13 results in the consolidated net income summarized above to be equivalent to the Company’s own economic interests in the CIP which are eliminated upon consolidation:

Economic Interests
Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2017
Distributions received and unrealized gains on the subordinated notes held by the Company
$
1,477

Investment management fees
480
  Total Economic Interests
$
1,957



22


Fair Value Measurements of Consolidated Investment Product

The assets and liabilities of the CIP measured at fair value on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level were as follows:

As of March 31, 2017:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
13,957

 
$

 
$

 
$
13,957

Bank loans

 
352,440

 
$
1,562

 
$
354,002

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value
$
13,957

 
$
352,440

 
$
1,562

 
$
367,959

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes payable
$

 
$
325,843

 
$

 
$
325,843

Total Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

 
325,843

 

 
325,843

As of December 31, 2016:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
14,449

 
$

 
$

 
$
14,449

Bank loans

 
346,967

 

 
346,967

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value
$
14,449

 
$
346,967

 
$

 
$
361,416

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes payable
$

 
$
328,761

 
$

 
$
328,761

Total Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
$

 
$
328,761

 
$

 
$
328,761


The following is a discussion of the valuation methodologies used for the assets and liabilities of the Company’s CIP measured at fair value:

Cash equivalents represent investments in money market funds. Cash investments in actively traded money market funds are valued using published net asset values and are classified as Level 1.

Bank loans represent the underlying debt securities held in the sponsored product which are consolidated by the Company. Bank loan investments include debt securities, which are generally at the average mid-point of bid and ask quotations obtained from a third-party pricing service. Fair value may also be based upon valuations obtained from independent third-party brokers or dealers utilizing matrix pricing models that consider information regarding securities with similar characteristics. In certain instances, fair value has been determined utilizing discounted cash flow analyses or single broker non-binding quotes. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these assets are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy.

Notes payable represent notes issued by the CLO and are measured using the measurement alternative in ASU 2014-13. Accordingly, the fair value of CLO liabilities was measured as the fair value of CLO assets less the sum of (a) the fair value of the beneficial interests held by the Company and (b) the carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services.

The securities purchase payable at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments.


23


The following table is a reconciliation of assets of CIPs for Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 ($ in thousands)
2017
Level 3 Debt securities (a)
 
Balance at beginning of period
$

Purchases

Sales

Transferred from Level 2
1,562

Realized gains

Balance at end of period
$
1,562


(a)
None of the securities reflected in the table were internally fair valued at March 31, 2017. The investments that are categorized as Level 3 were valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. All transfers are deemed to occur at the end of period. Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 were due to a decrease in trading activities at period end.

Nonconsolidated VIEs

Certain of the Company’s affiliates serve as the collateral manager for other collateralized loan and collateralized bond obligations (collectively, “CDOs”). The assets and liabilities of these CDOs reside in bankruptcy remote, special purpose entities in which the Company has no ownership in, nor holds any notes issued by, the CDOs and provides neither recourse nor guarantees. The Company has determined that the investment management fees it receives for serving as collateral manager for these CDOs did not represent a variable interest as: (1) the fees the Company earns are compensation for services provided and are commensurate with the level of effort required to provide the investment management services; (2) the Company does not hold other interests in the CDOs that individually, or in the aggregate, would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the CDO's expected losses or receive more than an insignificant amount of the CDO's expected residual return; and (3) the investment management arrangement only includes terms, conditions and amounts that are customarily present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm's length.
    
The Company has interests in certain other entities that are VIEs that the Company does not consolidate as it is not the primary beneficiary of those entities. The Company is not the primary beneficiary as its interest in these entities does not provide the Company with the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities economic performance. At March 31, 2017, the carrying value and maximum risk of loss related to the Company's interest in these VIEs was $9.6 million.

24




Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that are, or may be considered to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("the Exchange Act"). All statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “estimate,” “intent,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “continue,” “project,” “predict,” “would,” “potential,” “future,” “forecast,” “guarantee,” “assume,” “likely,” “target” or similar statements or variations of such terms.
Our forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions and projections about our Company and the markets in which we operate. Our financial statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve substantial risks and uncertainty, including assumptions and projections concerning our assets under management, net cash inflows and outflows, operating cash flows and future credit facilities, for all future periods. All of our statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q only.

We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially. We do not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. If there are any future public statements or disclosures by us which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this Quarterly Report.

Our business and our forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the following risks and uncertainties: (a) any reduction in our assets under management; (b) the withdrawal, renegotiation or termination of investment advisory agreements; (c) damage to our reputation; (d) failure to comply with investment guidelines or other contractual requirements; (e) the inability to attract and retain key personnel; (f) challenges from the competition we face in our business; (g) adverse regulatory and legal developments; (h) unfavorable changes in tax laws or limitations; (i) adverse developments related to unaffiliated subadvisers; (j) negative implications of changes in key distribution relationships; (k) interruptions in or failure to provide service by third parties; (l) volatility associated with our common stock; (m) adverse civil litigation and government investigations or proceedings; (n) the risk of loss on our investments; (o) the inability to make quarterly distributions; (p) the lack of sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; (q) liabilities and losses not covered by insurance; (r) the inability to satisfy financial covenants; (s) the failure to complete the acquisition of RidgeWorth; (t) the inability to achieve expected acquisition-related financial benefits and synergies and other risks and uncertainties described in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Certain other factors which may impact our continuing operations, prospects, financial results and liquidity or which may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are discussed or included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC and are available on our website at www.virtus.com under “Investor Relations.” You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

Overview

We are a provider of investment management and related services to individuals and institutions. We use a multi-manager, multi-style approach, offering investment strategies from affiliated managers and unaffiliated subadvisers, each having its own distinct investment style, autonomous investment process and individual brand. By offering a broad array of products, we believe we can appeal to a greater number of investors, which allows us to have offerings across market cycles through changes in investor preferences. Our earnings are primarily driven by asset-based fees charged for services relating to these various products including investment management, fund administration, distribution and shareholder services.

We offer investment strategies for individual and institutional investors in different product structures and through multiple distribution channels. Our investment strategies are available in a diverse range of styles and disciplines, managed by

25


a collection of boutique investment managers, both affiliated and unaffiliated. We have offerings in various asset classes (domestic and international equity, fixed income and alternative), in all market capitalizations (large, mid and small), in different styles (growth, blend and value) and with various investment approaches (fundamental, quantitative and thematic). Our retail products include open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities ("UCITS") and separately managed accounts. We also offer certain of our investment strategies to institutional clients.

We distribute our open-end funds and exchange traded funds principally through financial intermediaries. We have broad distribution access in the retail market, with distribution partners that include national and regional broker-dealers, independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisors, banks and insurance companies. In many of these firms, we have a number of products that are on firms’ preferred “recommended” lists and on fee-based advisory programs. Our sales efforts are supported by regional sales professionals, a national account relationship group and separate teams for exchange traded funds and our retirement and insurance products.
    
Our separately managed accounts are distributed through financial intermediaries and directly by teams at one of our affiliated managers. Our institutional distribution strategy is an affiliate-centric and coordinated model. Through relationships with consultants, our affiliates target key market segments, including foundations and endowments, corporate, public and private pension plans and unaffiliated subadvised mutual funds.

Financial Highlights
 
Net income per diluted share was $1.62 in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of $0.17, or 12% from $1.45 in the first quarter of 2016.
Total sales (inflows) were $3.3 billion in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of $0.5 billion or 18% from $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2016. Net flows were $0.5 billion in the first quarter of 2017, an improvement from $(2.6) billion in the first quarter of 2016.
Assets under management were $48.0 billion at March 31, 2017, an increase of $45.7 billion at March 31, 2016.

Agreement to Acquire RidgeWorth

On December 16, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire RidgeWorth Holdings, LLC ("RidgeWorth") (the “Proposed Acquisition”), a multi-boutique asset management firm with $42.3 billion (as of March 31, 2017) in assets managed by affiliated investment managers and unaffiliated subadvisers. The purchase price for the Proposed Acquisition will be (x) $472.0 million, plus (y) the fair market value of certain investments at the effective time of the Proposed Acquisition (the "Closing"), with the final purchase price subject to adjustments for working capital and client consents. The Proposed Acquisition is expected to close in mid-2017; however, we cannot provide any assurance that the Proposed Acquisition will close, or if it does, when the Closing will occur.
        
Assets Under Management

At March 31, 2017, assets under management were $48.0 billion representing an increase of $2.4 billion, or 5.2% from March 31, 2016 and an increase of $2.6 billion or 5.7% from December 31, 2016. The increase in assets under management from December 31, 2016 was primarily due to market appreciation of $2.4 billion and net inflows of $0.5 billion.

Average assets under management, which generally correspond to our fee-earning asset levels, were $46.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $0.7 billion, or 1.5%, from $45.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in average assets under management compared to March 31, 2016 was primarily due to the cumulative impact of market appreciation.

Operating Results

In the first quarter of 2017, total revenues decreased 0.6% to $79.8 million from $80.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. Operating income decreased by 21.2% from $12.8 million in the first quarter of 2016 to $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to higher operating expenses which included $1.6 million of costs related to the Proposed Acquisition.


Assets Under Management by Product

The following table summarizes our assets under management by product:

26


 
 
As of March 31,
 
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$
 
%
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Open-end funds (1)
$
24,716.8

 
$
26,536.0

 
$
(1,819.2
)
 
(6.9
)%
Closed-end funds
6,814.3

 
6,543.6

 
270.7

 
4.1
 %
Exchange traded funds
863.3

 
353.6

 
509.7

 
144.1
 %
Total fund assets
32,394.4

 
33,433.2

 
(1,038.8
)
 
(3.1
)%
Separately managed accounts (2)
9,312.1

 
7,021.1

 
2,291.0

 
32.6
 %
Total retail assets
41,706.5

 
40,454.3

 
1,252.2

 
3.1
 %
Total institutional assets (2)
6,313.3

 
5,196.9

 
1,116.4

 
21.5
 %
Total Assets Under Management
$
48,019.8

 
$
45,651.2

 
$
2,368.6

 
5.2
 %
Average Assets Under Management (3)
$
46,373.0

 
$
45,666.1

 
$
706.9

 
1.5
 %
 
(1)
Includes assets under management of retail and variable insurance funds.
(2)
Includes assets under management related to option strategies and structured products.
(3)
Averages are calculated as follows:
- Funds - average daily or weekly balances
- Separately Managed Accounts - prior quarter ending balance or average of month-end balances in quarter
- Institutional Accounts - average of month-end balances in quarter

27


Asset Flows by Product
The following table summarizes asset flows by product:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
($ in millions)
2017
 
2016
 
Open-End Funds (1)
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
23,432.8

 
$
28,882.1

 
Inflows
2,032.7

 
2,193.4

 
Outflows
(2,134.7
)
 
(4,794.3
)
 
Net flows
(102.0
)
 
(2,600.9
)
 
Market performance
1,444.5

 
295.9

 
Other (2)
(58.5
)
 
(41.1
)
 
Ending balance
$
24,716.8

 
$
26,536.0

 
Closed-End Funds
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
6,757.4

 
$
6,222.3

 
Inflows

 

 
Outflows
(81.6
)
 

 
Net flows
(81.6
)
 

 
Market performance
280.8

 
421.3

 
Other (2)
(142.3
)
 
(100.0
)
 
Ending balance
$
6,814.3

 
$
6,543.6

 
Exchange Traded Funds
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
596.8

 
$
340.8

 
Inflows
265.7

 
62.3

 
Outflows
(23.0
)
 
(33.8
)
 
Net flows
242.7

 
28.5

 
Market performance
34.6

 
(13.6
)
 
Other (2)
(10.8
)
 
(2.1
)
 
Ending balance
$
863.3

 
$
353.6

 
Separately Managed Accounts (3)
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
8,473.5

 
$
6,784.4

 
Inflows
689.2

 
399.2

 
Outflows
(297.9
)
 
(364.3
)
 
Net flows
391.3

 
34.9

 
Market performance
453.8

 
210.8

 
Other (2)
(6.5
)
 
(9.0
)
 
Ending balance
$
9,312.1

 
$
7,021.1

 
Institutional Accounts (3)(4)
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
6,105.8

 
$
5,155.7

 
Inflows
277.7

 
186.2

 
Outflows
(208.6
)
 
(276.6
)
 
Net flows
69.1

 
(90.4
)
 
Market performance
148.6

 
148.4

 
Other (2)
(10.2
)
 
(16.8
)
 
Ending balance
$
6,313.3

 
$
5,196.9

 
Total
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
45,366.3

 
$
47,385.3

 
Inflows
3,265.3

 
2,841.1

 
Outflows
(2,745.8
)
 
(5,469.0
)
 
Net flows
519.5

 
(2,627.9
)
 
Market performance
2,362.3

 
1,062.8

 
Other (2)
(228.3
)
 
(169.0
)
 
Ending balance
$
48,019.8

 
$
45,651.2

 


28


(1)
Includes assets under management of retail and variable insurance funds.
(2)
Represents open-end and closed-end mutual fund distributions, net of reinvestments, net flows of cash management strategies, net flows from non-sales related activities such as asset acquisitions/(dispositions), marketable securities investments/(withdrawals) and the impact on assets from the use of leverage.
(3)
Includes assets under management related to option strategies.
(4)
Includes assets under management related to structured products.
The following table summarizes our assets under management by asset class:
 
 
As of March 31,
 
Change
 
% of Total
 
2017
 
2016
 
$
 
%
 
2017
 
2016
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
$
27,990.5

 
$
27,061.4

 
$
929.1

 
3.4
 %
 
58.3
%
 
59.3
%
Fixed income
15,908.7

 
14,994.2

 
914.5

 
6.1
 %
 
33.1
%
 
32.8
%
Alternatives (1)
3,622.4

 
3,091.0

 
531.4

 
17.2
 %
 
7.6
%
 
6.8
%
Other (2)
498.2

 
504.6

 
(6.4
)
 
(1.3
)%
 
1.0
%
 
1.1
%
Total
$
48,019.8

 
$
45,651.2

 
$
2,368.6

 
5.2
 %
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
(1)
Consists of real estate securities, master-limited partnerships and other.
(2)
Consists of option strategies.

Average Assets Under Management and Average Basis Points
The following table summarizes the average assets under management and the average management fees earned in basis points:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Average Fees Earned
(expressed in basis points)
 
Average Assets Under Management (3)
($ in millions)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Products
 
 
 
Open-End Funds (1)
50.5

 
47.3

 
$
24,157.6

 
$
27,295.9

Closed-End Funds
66.2

 
65.4

 
6,786.1

 
6,152.3

Exchange Traded Funds
31.7

 
34.6

 
759.2

 
337.1

Separately Managed Accounts (2)
53.9

 
56.1

 
8,463.6

 
6,768.4

Institutional Accounts (2)
36.8

 
36.7

 
6,206.5

 
5,112.4

All Products
51.3

 
49.7

 
$
46,373.0

 
$
45,666.1

 
(1)
Includes assets under management of retail and variable insurance funds.
(2)
Includes assets under management related to option strategies.
(3)
Averages are calculated as follows:
- Funds - average daily or weekly balances
- Separately Managed Accounts - prior quarter ending balance or average of month-end balances in quarter
- Institutional Accounts - average of month-end balances in quarter

Average fees earned represent investment management fees net of fees paid to third-party service providers for investment management related services and investment management fees earned from CSIPs and our CIP, divided by average net assets. Mutual fund and exchange traded fund fees are calculated based on average daily or weekly net assets. Separately managed account fees are calculated based on the end of the preceding or current quarter’s asset values or on an average of month-end balances. Institutional account fees are calculated based on an average of month-end balances or current quarter’s asset values. Average fees earned will vary based on several factors, including the asset mix and reimbursements to funds.

29


The average fee rate earned for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased by 1.6 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to a 3.2 basis point increase in the open-end mutual fund fee rate primarily attributable to an increase in average assets in higher fee equity products. The increase in the open-end mutual fund fee rate was partially offset by fee rate decreases in separately managed accounts and exchange traded funds primarily due to net inflows into lower fee intermediary-sponsored managed accounts and lower average fee rate ETF funds.
Results of Operations
Summary Financial Data
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment management fees
$
59,271

 
$
57,644

 
$
1,627

 
2.8
 %
Other revenue
20,505

 
22,651

 
(2,146
)
 
(9.5
)%
Total revenues
79,776

 
80,295

 
(519
)
 
(0.6
)%
Total operating expenses
69,729

 
67,545

 
2,184

 
3.2
 %
Operating income
10,047

 
12,750

 
(2,703
)
 
(21.2
)%
Other income (expense), net
5,387

 
2,100

 
3,287

 
156.5
 %
Interest income, net
2,744

 
4,576

 
(1,832
)
 
(40.0
)%
Income before income taxes
18,178

 
19,426

 
(1,248
)
 
(6.4
)%
Income tax expense
4,433

 
7,556

 
(3,123
)
 
(41.3
)%
Net income
13,745

 
11,870

 
1,875

 
15.8
 %
Noncontrolling interests
(718
)
 
493

 
(1,211
)
 
(245.6
)%
Net Income Attributable to Stockholders
13,027

 
12,363

 
664

 
5.4
 %
Preferred stockholder dividends
(2,084
)
 

 
(2,084
)
 
(100.0
)%
Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders
$
10,943

 
$
12,363

 
$
(1,420
)
 
(11.5
)%
Revenues

Revenues by source are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment management fees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funds
$
42,198

 
$
43,502

 
$
(1,304
)
 
(3.0
)%
Separately managed accounts
11,434

 
9,475

 
1,959

 
20.7
 %
Institutional accounts
5,639

 
4,667

 
972

 
20.8
 %
Total investment management fees
59,271

 
57,644

 
1,627

 
2.8
 %
Distribution and service fees
10,783

 
12,478

 
(1,695
)
 
(13.6
)%
Administration and transfer agent fees
8,981

 
9,998

 
(1,017
)
 
(10.2
)%
Other income and fees
741

 
175

 
566

 
323.4
 %
Total revenues
$
79,776

 
$
80,295

 
$
(519
)
 
(0.6
)%
Investment Management Fees
Investment management fees are earned based on a percentage of assets under management and are paid pursuant to the terms of the respective investment management contracts, which generally require monthly or quarterly payments.

30


Investment management fees increased by $1.6 million, or 2.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to a $0.7 billion, or 1.5%, increase in average assets under management and the 1.6 basis point increase in the average fee rate earned.


Distribution and Service Fees

Distribution and service fees, which are asset based fees earned from open-end funds for distribution services, decreased by $1.7 million or 13.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in the prior year due to lower average open-end assets under management in share classes that have distribution and service fees.

Administration and Transfer Agent Fees

Administration and transfer agent fees represent fees earned for fund administration and shareholder services from our open-end mutual funds and certain of our closed-end funds. Fund administration and transfer agent fees decreased by $1.0 million or 10.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in the prior year due to lower average assets under management for which the Company provides fund administration and shareholder services.

Other Income and Fees

Other income and fees primarily represent contingent sales charges earned from investor redemptions of certain shares sold without a front-end sales charge. Other income and fees increased $0.6 million or 323.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to $0.5 million in other income related to the recovery of costs from a third-party service provider.

Operating Expenses
Operating expenses by category were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment expenses
$
39,641

 
$
35,977

 
$
3,664

 
10.2
 %
Distribution and other asset-based expenses
15,323

 
18,101

 
(2,778
)
 
(15.3
)%
Other operating expenses
13,868

 
11,954

 
1,914

 
16.0
 %
Depreciation and amortization expense
897

 
1,513

 
(616
)
 
(40.7
)%
Total operating expenses
$
69,729

 
$
67,545

 
$
2,184

 
3.2
 %

Employment Expenses

Employment expenses primarily consist of fixed and variable compensation and related employee benefit costs. Employment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $39.6 million which represented an increase of $3.7 million or 10.2% compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase compared to prior year reflects higher sales-based compensation due to a 15% increase in total sales, higher profit-based compensation due to higher profits at our affiliates, and $1.5 million of incremental incentive compensation primarily related to efforts associated with the Proposed Acquisition.

Distribution and Other Asset-Based Expenses

Distribution and other asset-based expenses consist primarily of payments to third-party distribution partners for providing services to investors in our funds and payments to third-party service providers for investment management related services. These payments are primarily based on percentages of assets under management or revenues. These expenses also include the amortization of deferred sales commissions related to up-front commissions on shares sold without a front-end sales charge to shareholders. The deferred sales commissions are amortized on a straight line basis over the periods in which commissions are generally recovered from distribution fee revenues and contingent sales charges received from shareholders of the funds upon redemption of their shares. Distribution and other asset-based expenses decreased by $2.8 million, or 15.3%, in

31


the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower average open-end fund assets under management and a lower percentage of assets under management in share classes where we pay distribution expenses.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses primarily consist of investment research and technology costs, professional fees, travel and distribution related costs, rent and occupancy expenses, operating expenses of our CSIPs and CIP and other miscellaneous costs. Other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased by $1.9 million or 16.0% when compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to $1.6 million of costs incurred related to the Proposed Acquisition primarily comprised of professional fees and payments to our financial advisers. Other operating expenses related to our CSIPs and CIP for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased by $0.5 million over the prior year primarily due to a lower balance of CSIPs during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of the straight-line depreciation of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements as well as the amortization of acquired investment advisory contracts, recorded as definite-lived intangible assets, both over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized.

Other Income, net

Other Income, net by category was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net
$
297

 
$
(658
)
 
$
955

 
145.1
 %
Realized and unrealized gain on investments of consolidated sponsored investment products, net
3,726

 
295

 
3,431

 
1,163.1
 %
Realized and unrealized gain of consolidated investment product, net
718

 
2,235

 
(1,517
)
 
(67.9
)%
Other income, net
646

 
228

 
418

 
183.3
 %
Total Other Income, net
$
5,387

 
$
2,100

 
$
3,287

 
(156.5
)%

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net increased during the three months ended March 31, 2017 by $1.0 million, or 145.1%, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to realized gains of approximately $0.6 million related to our marketable securities in domestic equity strategies partially offset by unrealized losses of $0.3 million primarily related to our alternative strategies. The $0.7 million in realized and unrealized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016, was primarily related to our marketable securities in alternative strategies.

Realized and unrealized gain on investments of consolidated sponsored investment products, net

Realized and unrealized gains, net on investments of CSIPs were $3.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $0.3 million during the same period in the prior year. The realized and unrealized gains, net for the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily consisted of unrealized gains related to emerging markets debt and target date retirement strategies.

Realized and unrealized gain of consolidated investment product, net

Realized and unrealized gains, net of our CIP were $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 which primarily consisted of $2.4 million in changes on the note payable as a result of applying the measurement alternative of ASU 2014-13 partially offset by $1.7 million in unrealized and realized losses on the investments of the CIP. The $2.2 million in

32


realized and unrealized gains during the three months ended March 31, 2016, is primarily attributable to unrealized gains on the investments of the CIP.

Interest (Expense) Income, net

Interest (Expense) Income, net by category were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$
(243
)
 
$
(132
)
 
$
(111
)
 
(84.1
)%
Interest and dividend income
188

 
273

 
$
(85
)
 
(31.1
)%
Interest and dividend income of investments of consolidated sponsored investment products
1,495

 
2,961

 
$
(1,466
)
 
(49.5
)%
Interest income of consolidated investment product
4,161

 
2,206

 
$
1,955

 
88.6
 %
Interest expense of consolidated investment product
(2,857
)
 
(732
)
 
(2,125
)
 
(290.3
)%
Total Interest Income, net
$
2,744

 
$
4,576

 
$
(1,832
)
 
(40.0
)%

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was due to a higher average level of debt outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in prior year.

Interest and Dividend Income

Interest and dividend income decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to a lower balance of marketable investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in prior year.

Interest and Dividend Income of Investments of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products
    
Interest and dividend income of CSIPs decreased $1.5 million or 49.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to a lower balance of CSIPs during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Interest Income and Interest Expense of Consolidated Investment Product
    
Interest Income of CIP consists primarily of interest income from the investments of the CIP. Interest income of CIP increased $2.0 million or 88.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the higher balance of investments of the CIP during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

Interest expense of CIP represents interest expense on the notes payable of the CIP. Interest expense of CIP for the three months ended March 31, 2017 represented interest on the outstanding notes payable par value of $320.0 million, while interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 included interest expense for the financing facility in place during the warehouse phase of the CLO which had $155.5 million outstanding as of March 31, 2016.

Income Tax Expense

The provision for income taxes reflects U.S. federal, state and local taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 24.4% and 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the estimated effective tax rate was primarily due to valuation allowance related market adjustments on our marketable securities and the impact of recording excess tax benefits as a result of stock option exercises and RSU vestings.

33



Liquidity and Capital Resources
Certain Financial Data
The following table summarizes certain key financial data relating to our liquidity and capital resources:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Change
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%    
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
235,930

 
$
64,588

 
$
171,342

 
265.3
 %
Investments
86,066

 
89,371

 
(3,305
)
 
(3.7
)%
Deferred taxes, net
45,716

 
47,535

 
(1,819
)
 
(3.8
)%
Dividends payable
5,991

 
3,479

 
2,512

 
72.2
 %
Total equity
552,388

 
321,673

 
230,715

 
71.7
 %
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
%
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provided by (Used In):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Activities
$
(15,305
)
 
$
(38,375
)
 
$
23,070

 
60.1
%
Investing Activities
5,180

 
(1,307
)
 
6,487

 
496.3
%
Financing Activities
179,191

 
1,549

 
177,642

 
11,468.2
%

Overview

At March 31, 2017, we had $235.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $70.6 million of investments in marketable securities compared to $64.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $74.9 million of investments in marketable securities at December 31, 2016. Our credit facility (the "Credit Facility") allows the Company to borrow up to $150.0 million and expires in September 2021. At March 31, 2017, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,046,500 shares of common stock and 1,150,000 shares of 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock ("MCPS") in public offerings, each of which included the exercised over-allotment option for net proceeds of $220.1 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds of these offerings, together with cash on hand, proceeds from the sale of investments and gross borrowings of approximately $260.0 million from a new term loan Debt Financing Commitment, as described in the Debt Financing Commitment section below, to finance the Proposed Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. Upon entering into the new term loan, which is expected to occur at the Closing, our existing Credit Facility will be terminated.

Uses of Capital

Our main uses of capital related to operating activities include payments of annual incentive compensation, income tax payments and other operating expenses which primarily consist of investment research and technology costs, professional fees, distribution and occupancy costs. Annual incentive compensation which is one of the largest annual operating cash expenditures is paid in the first quarter of the year. In the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, we paid approximately $39.7 million and $42.5 million, respectively, in incentive compensation earned during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

In addition to the capital used for operating activities other uses of cash will include (i) the purchase price for the Proposed Acquisition currently expected to close in mid-2017, (ii) transaction and financing related fees associated with the Proposed Acquisition, (iii) integration costs, including severance, related to the Proposed Acquisition, (iv) investments in our

34


organic growth, including our distribution efforts and launches of new products (v) seeding of new investments (vi) interest expense payments on debt outstanding and (vii) dividend payments to preferred and common stockholders. Although we continuously monitor working capital to ensure adequate resources are available for near-term liquidity requirements, our liquidity could be impacted by certain contingencies, including any legal or regulatory matters as described in Note 13 of our consolidated financial statements.
    
Capital and Reserve Requirements

We operate two broker-dealer subsidiaries registered with the SEC which are subject to certain rules regarding minimum net capital, as defined by those rules. The broker-dealers are required to maintain a ratio of “aggregate indebtedness” to “net capital,” as defined, which may not exceed 15 to 1 and must also maintain a minimum amount of net capital. Failure to meet these requirements could result in adverse consequences to us including additional reporting requirements, a lower required ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital or interruption of our business. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital of our broker-dealers was below the maximum allowed, and net capital was significantly greater than the required minimum.

Balance Sheet

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and money market fund investments. Investments consist primarily of investments in our affiliated mutual funds. CSIPs primarily represent investment products we sponsor and where we own a majority of the voting interest in the entity. As of March 31, 2017, we consolidated a total of 18 sponsored investment products. Our CIP represents our investment in a collateralized loan obligation ("CLO").

Operating Cash Flow

Net cash used in operating activities of $15.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased by $23.1 million from net cash used in operating activities of $38.4 million in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities was due primarily to a decrease in net purchases of investments of CSIPs and CIP and increased realized and unrealized gains.

Investing Cash Flow

Net cash provided by investing activities consists primarily of capital expenditures and other investing activities related to our business operations. Net cash provided by investing activities of $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased by $6.5 million from net cash used in investing activities of $1.3 million in the same period for the prior year. The primary investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were cash inflows of $5.6 million related to the consolidation of a sponsored investment product.

Financing Cash Flow

Cash flows used in financing activities consist primarily of issuance of common and preferred stock, return of capital through repurchases of common shares and dividends, withholding obligations for the net share settlement of employee share transactions and contributions to noncontrolling interests related to our CSIPs. Net cash provided by financing activities increased $177.6 million to $179.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The primary reason for the increase was due to cash inflows of $221.0 million related to the issuance of preferred stock and common stock, net of issuance costs paid partially offset by the repayments of $30.0 million on our credit facility.

Debt

    Credit Facility

    During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company made $30.0 million in repayments on its existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility"). At March 31, 2017, no amounts were outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had the capacity to draw on the full amount of the Credit Facility.
 
    Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either LIBOR for interest periods of one, two, three or six months or an alternate base rate (as defined in the Credit Facility agreement), plus, in each case, an applicable margin, that ranges from 0.75% to 2.25%. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, we are also required

35


to pay certain fees, including an annual commitment fee that ranges from 0.30% to 0.45% on undrawn amounts and a letter of credit participation fee at an annual rate equal to the applicable margin as well as any applicable fronting fees, each of which is payable quarterly in arrears.

The credit agreement governing the Credit Facility contains customary restrictive covenants on the Company and its subsidiaries. Restrictive covenants in the credit agreement include, but are not limited to: prohibitions on creating, incurring or assuming any liens; entering into merger arrangements; selling, leasing, transferring or otherwise disposing of assets; making a material change in the nature of the business; entering into transactions with affiliates; and incurring indebtedness through the subsidiaries. Many of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Financial covenants under the credit agreement include: (i) the quarterly maintenance of a leverage ratio (total debt to adjusted EBITDA), as defined in the credit agreement, of not greater than 3.00:1.00, and (ii) a minimum interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to interest expense) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ended before the date of determination) of not less than 4.00:1.00.

Debt Financing Commitment

In connection with the Merger Agreement, on December 16, 2016, the Company entered into a debt financing commitment letter (the "Commitment Letter") with Barclays Bank PLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. (the “Initial Commitment Parties”). Pursuant to the Commitment Letter, the Initial Commitment Parties committed to arrange and provide the Company with a senior secured credit facility ("Loan Facility") composed, as of March 31, 2017, of (i) a term loan of up to $260.0 million with an expected maturity of seven years from the execution date and (ii) a revolving credit facility of up to $100.0 million maturing five years after the execution date.

On March 2, 2017, the Company priced a $260.0 million first-lien term loan with a seven year tenor.  The loan was priced with 0.50% of upfront fees and a spread of LIBOR plus 3.75% (LIBOR floor of 0.75%).   The spread steps down to LIBOR plus 3.50% at net leverage levels of less than 1.0.  In addition, the Company priced a $100.0 million, five year revolving credit facility at a spread of LIBOR plus 3.75% (LIBOR floor is 0.00%).  The term loan will be drawn down at the closing date for the Proposed Acquisition.  A delayed draw fee is in place for the period between pricing of the term loan on March 2, 2017 and the closing date of the Proposed Acquisition.   

The availability of borrowings under the term loan and revolving credit facility are subject to satisfaction of certain customary conditions which include termination and repayment of all amounts outstanding under our existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility (using cash on hand). The term loan and revolving credit facility will contain affirmative and negative financial and operating covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type. The term loan and revolving credit facility will be guaranteed by the Company's domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) and will be secured by substantially all of the Company's assets. We expect to close such debt financing concurrently with closing the Proposed Acquisition.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations are summarized in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of March 31, 2017, there have been no material changes outside of the ordinary course of business in our contractual obligations since December 31, 2016 other than the repayment of the $30.0 million that was outstanding under our existing Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require the use of estimates. Actual results will vary from these estimates. A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. A complete description of our significant accounting policies is included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There were no changes in our critical accounting policies in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of accounting standards, see Note 2 within our condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk
Substantially all of our revenues are derived from investment management, distribution and service and administration and transfer agent fees, which are based on the market value of assets under management. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities would cause our revenues and income to decline due to a decrease in the value of the assets under management. In addition, a decline in security prices could cause our clients to withdraw their investments in favor of other investments offering higher returns or lower risk, which would cause our revenues and income to decline.
We are also subject to market risk due to a decline in the market value of our investments, which consist of marketable securities, the Company’s net interests in CSIPs and the Company’s net interest in a CIP. The following table summarizes the impact of a 10% increase or decrease in the fair values of these financial instruments:
 
March 31, 2017
$ in thousands
Fair Value
 
10% Change
 
 
 
 
Marketable Securities - Available for Sale (a)
$
3,623

 
$
362.3

Marketable Securities - Trading (b)
66,972

 
6,697.2

Company's net interests in Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products (c)
107,795

 
10,779.5

Company's net interest in Consolidated Investment Product (c)
27,091

 
2,709.1

Total Investments subject to Market Risk
$
205,481

 
$
20,548.1

(a)
Any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, until the investment is sold or otherwise disposed of, or if the investment is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously reported in equity is included in income. The Company evaluates the carrying value of investments for impairment on a quarterly basis. In its impairment analysis, the Company takes into consideration numerous criteria, including the duration and extent of any decline in fair value, and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value. If the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the security is generally written down to fair value through the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. If such a 10% increase or decrease in fair value were to occur, it would not result in an other-than-temporary impairment charge that would be material to the Company's pre-tax earnings.
(b)
If such a 10% increase or decrease in fair values were to occur, the change of these trading investments would result in a corresponding increase or decrease in our pre-tax earnings.
(c)
These represent the Company's direct investments in investment products that are consolidated. Upon consolidation, these direct investments are eliminated, and the assets and liabilities of CIP and CSIP are consolidated in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, together with a noncontrolling interest balance representing the portion of the CIP or CSIP owned by third parties. If a 10% increase or decrease in the fair values of the Company's direct investments in CIP and CSIP were to occur, it would result in a corresponding increase or decrease in the Company's pre-tax earnings.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. At March 31, 2017, we were exposed to interest rate risk as a result of approximately $174.7 million in investments in fixed and floating rate income funds/vehicles in which we have invested and which includes our net interests in CSIPs and our CIP. We considered a hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates and determined that the fair value of our fixed income investments would change by an estimated $2.6 million.
At March 31, 2017, we had no amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to, at our option, either LIBOR for interest periods of one, two, three or six months

37


or an alternate base rate (as defined in the Credit Facility agreement), plus, in each case, an applicable margin, that ranges from 0.75% to 2.25%.
     At March 31, 2017, we had $325.8 million outstanding of notes payable of our CIP. The notes bear interest at an annual rate equal to average LIBOR rate for interest periods of three months and six months plus, in each case, an applicable margin, that ranges from 1.00% to 8.75%.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2017, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

Legal Matters

The Company is regularly involved in litigation and arbitration as well as examinations, inquiries and investigations by various regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), involving its compliance with, among other things, securities laws, client investment guidelines, laws governing the activities of broker-dealers and other laws and regulations affecting its products and other activities. Legal and regulatory matters of this nature involve or may involve but are not limited to the Company’s activities as an employer, issuer of securities, investor, investment adviser, broker-dealer or taxpayer. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company discusses matters with its regulators raised during regulatory examinations or is otherwise subject to their inquiry. These matters could result in censures, fines, penalties or other sanctions.

The Company accrues for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, in the event the Company determines that a loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, and it becomes possible to develop what the Company believes to be a reasonable range of possible loss, then the Company will include disclosures related to such matter as appropriate and in compliance with ASC 450, Loss Contingencies. The disclosures, accruals or estimates, if any, resulting from the foregoing analysis are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. Based on information currently available, available insurance coverage and established reserves, the Company believes that the outcomes of its legal and regulatory proceedings are not likely, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or its consolidated financial condition. However, in the event of unexpected subsequent developments and given the inherent unpredictability of these legal and regulatory matters, the Company can provide no assurance that its assessment of any claim, dispute, regulatory examination or investigation or other legal matter will reflect the ultimate outcome and an adverse outcome

38


in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.

In re Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Securities Litigation; formerly Tom Cummins v. Virtus Investment Partners Inc.
et al

On February 20, 2015, a putative class action complaint alleging violations of certain provisions of the federal securities laws was filed by an individual shareholder against the Company and certain of the Company’s current officers (the “defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Court"). On April 21, 2015, three plaintiffs, including the original plaintiff, filed motions to be appointed lead plaintiffs and, on June 9, 2015, the Court appointed Arkansas Teachers Retirement System lead plaintiff. On August 21, 2015, the plaintiff filed a Consolidated Class Action Complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) amending the originally filed complaint, which was purportedly filed on behalf of all purchasers of the Company’s common stock between January 25, 2013 and May 11, 2015 (the “Class Period”). The Consolidated Complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and concealed material adverse facts relating to certain funds formerly subadvised by F-Squared Investments Inc. ("F-Squared"). The Consolidated Complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5. The plaintiff seeks to recover unspecified damages. A motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint was filed on behalf of the Company and the other defendants on October 21, 2015. On July 1, 2016, the Court entered an opinion and order granting in part, and denying in part, the motion to dismiss, narrowing Plaintiff's claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and dismissing one of the defendants from the suit. The remaining defendants' Answer to the Consolidated Complaint was filed on August 5, 2016. Plaintiff's motion for class certification is fully briefed, and oral argument was held on March 3, 2017. The motion remains pending. The Company believes that the suit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company believes that there is not a material loss that is probable and reasonably estimable related to this claim.

Mark Youngers v. Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. et al

On May 8, 2015, a putative class action complaint alleging violations of certain provisions of the federal securities laws was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "District Court") by an individual who alleges he is a former shareholder of one of the Virtus mutual funds formerly subadvised by F-Squared and formerly known as the AlphaSector Funds. The complaint alleges claims against the Company, certain of the Company’s officers and affiliates, and certain other parties (the “defendants”). The complaint was purportedly filed on behalf of purchasers of the AlphaSector Funds between May 8, 2010 and December 22, 2014, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and concealed or omitted material facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading. On June 7, 2015, a group of three individuals, including the original plaintiff, filed a motion to be appointed lead plaintiff, and on July 27, 2015, the District Court appointed movants as lead plaintiff. On October 1, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a First Amended Class Action Complaint which, among other things, added a derivative claim for breach of fiduciary duty on behalf of Virtus Opportunities Trust. On October 19, 2015, the District Court entered an order transferring the action to the Southern District of New York (the "Court"). On January 4, 2016, the Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint. A motion to dismiss was filed on behalf of the Company and affiliated defendants on February 1, 2016. On July 1, 2016, the Court entered an opinion and order granting in part, and denying in part, the motion to dismiss. The Court dismissed four causes of action entirely and a fifth cause of action with respect to a portion of the Class Period. The Court also dismissed all claims against ten defendants named in the Complaint. The Court held that the Plaintiffs may pursue certain securities claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1933. The remaining defendants filed an Answer to the Second Amended Complaint on August 5, 2016. A Stipulation of Voluntary Dismissal of the claim under Section 12 of the Securities Act was filed on September 15, 2016. The defendants filed a motion to certify an interlocutory appeal of the July 1, 2016 order to the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on August 26, 2016. The motion was denied on January 6, 2017. Plaintiff's motion for class certification is fully briefed, and oral argument was held on March 3, 2017. The motion remains pending. The Company believes that the suit has no basis in law or fact and intends to defend it vigorously. The Company believes that there is not a material loss that is probable and reasonably estimable related to this claim.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors
    
The reader should carefully consider, in connection with the other information in this report, the Company’s risk factors previously reported in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

As of March 31, 2017, 3,430,045 shares of our common stock have been authorized to be repurchased under a share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors, and 200,000 shares remain available for repurchase. Under the terms of the program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at our discretion through open market repurchases, privately negotiated transactions and/or other mechanisms, depending on price and prevailing market and business conditions. The program, which has no specified term, may be suspended or terminated at any time. We did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
    
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Shares of our common stock purchased by participants in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan were delivered to participant accounts via open market purchases at fair value by the third-party administrator under the plan. We do not reserve shares for this plan or discount the purchase price of the shares.

Item 6.        Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Designations of the 7.25% Series D Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2017)
 
 
 
4.1
 
Specimen 7.25% Series D Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2017)
 
 
 
10.1
 
Form of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Performance Share Units Agreement (Special Integration Award) under the Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan
 
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
101
  
The following information formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 
 
 
 
 
 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: May 8, 2017
 
VIRTUS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael A. Angerthal
 


Michael A. Angerthal
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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