Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - Lazard Ltdd848937d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

LAZARD LTD REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 2020 RESULTS

 

Seamless transition

to remote working

environment during

COVID-19 pandemic

 

  

  

Financial Advisory and

Asset Management highly

active as clients seek

trusted expert advice

       

$211 million

of capital returned

to shareholders

in first quarter

NEW YORK, April 30, 2020 – Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) today reported operating revenue1 of $563 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Net income, as adjusted2, was $67 million, or $0.58 per share (diluted) for the quarter.

First-quarter 2020 net income on a U.S. GAAP basis was $64 million, or $0.56 per share (diluted).

“Lazard’s first priority during the global COVID-19 pandemic has been the health and safety of our employees, and we are focused on serving clients with all the resources of our global platform,” said Kenneth M. Jacobs, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard. “We seamlessly transitioned to a remote work environment, thanks to our investments in technology and the dedication of our global teams, who are helping clients navigate tremendous challenges caused by the pandemic and its economic impact. With Lazard’s solid financial footing, our deep relationships with clients, and unrivaled expertise in strategic advisory, restructuring and asset management solutions, we fully expect to emerge from this period in a position of strength.”

 

($ in millions, except

per share data and AUM)

   Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2020      2019      %’20-’19  

Net Income

        

U.S. GAAP

   $ 64      $ 97        (34 )% 

Per share, diluted

   $ 0.56      $ 0.80        (30 )% 

Adjusted2

   $ 67      $ 106        (37 )% 

Per share, diluted

   $ 0.58      $ 0.87        (33 )% 

Operating Revenue1

        

Total operating revenue

   $ 563      $ 620        (9 )% 

Financial Advisory

   $ 295      $ 330        (11 )% 

Asset Management

   $ 269      $ 284        (5 )% 

AUM ($ in billions)

        

Period End

   $ 193      $ 235        (18 )% 

Average

   $ 222      $ 229        (3 )% 

 

Media Contact:    Judi Frost Mackey    +1 212 632 1428    judi.mackey@lazard.com
Investor Contact:    Alexandra Deignan    +1 212 632 6886    alexandra.deignan@lazard.com

Note: Endnotes are on page 6 of this release. A reconciliation of adjusted GAAP to U.S. GAAP is on pages 11-12.

 

1


COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT

In the first quarter of 2020, regional outbreaks of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) became a global pandemic of unprecedented proportion and impact. Social distancing mandates severely affected the global economy and unemployment increased significantly. Governments and central banks responded at an historic scale to support economies and capital markets.

We took swift action, transitioning employees to remote operations, escalating employee engagement through live and interactive forums, and providing resources for individuals to support their communities. Our investments in technology enabled our teams to adapt quickly, employing virtual and secure cloud-based systems to continue communicating, collaborating and conducting client business in this new environment.

The timing of a recovery is uncertain, but will be driven by the course of the pandemic and the efficacy of economic stimulus on the economy. We expect a challenging environment in the near-term from elevated uncertainty, capital markets volatility, lower asset valuations and a downturn in global M&A activity. We believe that our strong financial position, the diversity of our business, and our consistent focus on cost discipline will enable us to weather the economic downturn.

OPERATING REVENUE

Operating revenue was $563 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, 9% lower than the first quarter of 2019.

Financial Advisory

Our Financial Advisory results include M&A Advisory, Capital Advisory, Capital Raising, Restructuring, Shareholder Advisory, Sovereign Advisory, and other strategic advisory work for clients.

Financial Advisory operating revenue was $295 million for the first quarter of 2020, 11% lower than the first quarter of 2019.

During and since the first quarter of 2020, Lazard has been engaged in significant and complex M&A transactions and other advisory assignments globally, including the following (clients are in italics): Ingersoll-Rand in the $15 billion combination of its Industrial segment with Gardner Denver; Special Committee of the Board of Taubman Centers in Taubman’s $10 billion sale to Simon Property Group; Apergy in its combination with ChampionX, valuing the combined entity at $7.4 billion; Capgeminis €5.1 billion acquisition of Altran; UCBs $2.5 billion acquisition of Ra Pharmaceuticals; Arqivas £2.0 billion sale of its Telecoms division to Cellnex; Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing on its up to $1.5 billion sale to Stanley Black & Decker; Saint-Gobain on its $1.4 billion acquisition of Continental Building Products; and NiSources $1.1 billion sale of substantially all of the assets of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts to Eversource.

 

2


Lazard has one of the world’s preeminent restructuring practices, with a long track record of successfully advising businesses and governments. During and since the first quarter of 2020, we have been engaged in a broad range of highly visible and complex restructuring and debt advisory assignments for debtors or creditors, including roles involving: Diamond Offshore Drilling; Forever 21; Global Cloud Xchange; J.C. Penney; PG&E; Premier Oil; Pyxus International; Trevi Finanziaria Industriale; and Valaris. Lazard was the global leader in announced restructurings in the first quarter of 2020 (Source: Refinitiv).

Our Capital and Shareholder Advisory practices remain active globally, advising on a broad range of public and private assignments. Our Sovereign Advisory practice continues to be active advising governments, sovereign and sub-sovereign entities across developed and emerging markets.

For a list of publicly announced Financial Advisory transactions on which Lazard advised in the first quarter of 2020, or continued to advise or completed since March 31, 2020, please visit our website at www.lazard.com/businesses/transactions.

Asset Management

In the text portion of this press release, we present our Asset Management results as 1) Management fees and other revenue, and 2) Incentive fees.

Asset Management operating revenue was $269 million for the first quarter of 2020, 5% lower than the first quarter of 2019.

Management fees and other revenue was $267 million, 6% lower than the first quarter of 2019, and 7% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019.

Average AUM for the first quarter of 2020 was $222 billion, 3% lower than the first quarter of 2019, and 7% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019.

AUM as of March 31, 2020, was $193 billion, down 22% from December 31, 2019, and down 18% from March 31, 2019. The sequential decrease was primarily driven by market depreciation of $43.7 billion, foreign exchange depreciation of $6.6 billion, and net outflows of $4.9 billion.

Incentive fees during the period were $2 million, compared to $1 million for the first quarter of 2019.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Compensation and Benefits

In managing compensation and benefits expense, we focus on annual awarded compensation (cash compensation and benefits plus deferred incentive compensation with respect to the applicable year, net of estimated future forfeitures and excluding charges). We believe annual awarded compensation reflects the actual annual compensation cost more accurately than the GAAP measure of compensation cost, which includes applicable-year cash compensation and

 

3


the amortization of deferred incentive compensation principally attributable to previous years’ deferred compensation. We believe that by managing our business using awarded compensation with a consistent deferral policy, we can better manage our compensation costs, increase our flexibility in the future and build shareholder value over time.

For the first quarter of 2020, we accrued adjusted compensation and benefits expense1 at an adjusted compensation ratio of 60.0%, compared to the first-quarter 2019 ratio of 57.5%. This resulted in $338 million of compensation and benefits expense, compared to $356 million for the first quarter of 2019.

We manage our compensation and benefits expense based on awarded compensation with a consistent deferral policy. We take a disciplined approach to compensation, and our goal is to maintain a compensation-to-operating revenue ratio over the cycle in the mid- to high-50s percentage range on both an awarded and adjusted basis, with consistent deferral policies.

Non-Compensation Expense

For the first quarter of 2020, adjusted non-compensation expense1 was $113 million, 3% lower than the first quarter of 2019, primarily reflecting lower travel and business development expenses, partly offset by higher technology investments.

The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue was 20.0% for the first quarter of 2020, compared to 18.7% for the first quarter of 2019.

Our goal remains to achieve a non-compensation expense-to-operating revenue ratio over the cycle of 16% to 20%.    

TAXES

The provision for taxes, on an adjusted basis1, was $27 million for the first quarter of 2020. The effective tax rate, on an adjusted basis, was 28.8% for the first quarter of 2020, compared to 19.4% for the first quarter of 2019 and 24.1% for the full year of 2019.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND BALANCE SHEET

Our primary capital management goals include managing debt and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

In the first quarter of 2020, Lazard returned $211 million to shareholders, which included: $49 million in dividends; $95 million in share repurchases of our common stock; and $67 million in satisfaction of employee tax obligations in lieu of share issuances upon vesting of equity grants.

As of March 31, 2020, we have repurchased 2.9 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $32.70 per share. In line with our objectives, these repurchases have more than offset the potential dilution from our 2019 year-end equity-based compensation awards (net of estimated forfeitures and tax withholding to be paid in cash in lieu of share issuances), which were granted at an average price of $42.89 per share. As of March 31, 2020, our remaining share repurchase authorization is $306 million.

 

4


On April 29, 2020, Lazard declared a quarterly dividend of $0.47 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on May 22, 2020, to stockholders of record on May 11, 2020.

Lazard’s financial position remains strong. As of March 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents were $793 million, and stockholders’ equity related to Lazard’s interests was $486 million.

***

CONFERENCE CALL

Lazard will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, April 30, 2020, to discuss the company’s financial results for the first quarter of 2020. The conference call can be accessed via a live audio webcast available through Lazard’s Investor Relations website at www.lazard.com, or by dialing 1 (800) 458-4121 (U.S. and Canada) or +1 (323) 794-2093 (outside of the U.S. and Canada), 15 minutes prior to the start of the call.

A replay of the conference call will be available by 10:00 a.m. EDT, Thursday, April 30, 2020, via the Lazard Investor Relations website at www.lazard.com, or by dialing 1 (888) 203-1112 (U.S. and Canada) or +1 (719) 457-0820 (outside of the U.S. and Canada). The replay access code is 3220366.

ABOUT LAZARD

Lazard, one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from more than 40 cities across 25 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com. Follow Lazard at @Lazard.

***

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “target,” “goal”, or “continue”, and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies, business plans and initiatives and anticipated trends in our business. These forward-looking statements, including with respect to the current COVID-19 pandemic, are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

 

5


These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and also discussed from time to time in our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, including the following:

 

   

A decline in general economic conditions or the global or regional financial markets;

 

   

A decline in our revenues, for example due to a decline in overall mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, our share of the M&A market or our assets under management (AUM);

 

   

Losses caused by financial or other problems experienced by third parties;

 

   

Losses due to unidentified or unanticipated risks;

 

   

A lack of liquidity, i.e., ready access to funds, for use in our businesses; and

 

   

Competitive pressure on our businesses and on our ability to retain and attract employees at current compensation levels.

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations and we do not intend to do so.

Lazard Ltd is committed to providing timely and accurate information to the investing public, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. To that end, Lazard and its operating companies use their websites, Lazard’s Twitter account (twitter.com/Lazard) and other social media sites to convey information about their businesses, including the anticipated release of quarterly financial results, quarterly financial, statistical and business-related information, and the posting of updates of assets under management in various mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment products managed by Lazard Asset Management LLC and Lazard Frères Gestion SAS. Investors can link to Lazard and its operating company websites through www.lazard.com.

***

ENDNOTES

 

1 

A non-U.S. GAAP measure. See attached financial schedules and related notes for a detailed explanation of adjustments to corresponding U.S. GAAP results. We believe that presenting our results on an adjusted basis, in addition to the U.S. GAAP results, is the most meaningful and useful way to compare our operating results across periods.

2

First-quarter 2020 adjusted results1 exclude a pre-tax charge of $3.7 million relating to an office space reorganization. On a U.S. GAAP basis, it resulted in a net charge of $2.5 million, or $0.02 (diluted) per share, in the first quarter of 2020.

LAZ-EPE

###

 

6


LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(U.S. GAAP)

 

     Three Months Ended     % Change From  
($ in thousands, except per share data)    March 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    March 31,
2019
    December 31,
2019
    March 31,
2019
 

Total revenue

   $ 558,157     $ 743,406     $ 661,678       (25 %)      (16 %) 

Interest expense

     (20,143     (22,065     (18,004    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net revenue

     538,014       721,341       643,674       (25 %)      (16 %) 

Operating expenses:

          

Compensation and benefits

     319,755       427,308       372,254       (25 %)      (14 %) 

Occupancy and equipment

     32,198       34,045       28,295      

Marketing and business development

     20,186       30,947       27,984      

Technology and information services

     31,358       38,783       32,055      

Professional services

     14,545       23,386       14,217      

Fund administration and outsourced services

     26,390       28,201       28,930      

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

     446       9,876       3,470      

Other

     9,039       10,321       16,806      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Subtotal

     134,162       175,559       151,757       (24 %)      (12 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Benefit pursuant to tax receivable agreement

     —         (503     —        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating expenses

     453,917       602,364       524,011       (25 %)      (13 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating income

     84,097       118,977       119,663       (29 %)      (30 %) 

Provision for income taxes

     25,766       39,446       23,187       (35 %)      11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income

     58,331       79,531       96,476       (27 %)      (40 %) 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (5,691     2,554       (566    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd

   $ 64,022     $ 76,977     $ 97,042       (17 %)      (34 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Attributable to Lazard Ltd Common Stockholders:

          

Weighted average shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     106,303,962       107,548,260       111,944,255       (1 %)      (5 %) 

Diluted

     114,120,179       113,442,101       120,820,084       1     (6 %) 

Net income per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.59     $ 0.70     $ 0.87       (16 %)      (32 %) 

Diluted

   $ 0.56     $ 0.67     $ 0.80       (16 %)      (30 %) 

 

7


LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(U.S. GAAP)

 

($ in thousands)    March 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 
ASSETS

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 793,477     $ 1,231,593  

Deposits with banks and short-term investments

     1,080,737       1,180,686  

Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash

     41,398       43,280  

Receivables

     588,653       663,138  

Investments

     505,753       531,995  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     357,245       373,594  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     533,252       551,504  

Deferred tax assets

     569,546       586,750  

Other assets

     625,062       477,041  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 5,095,123     $ 5,639,581  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Liabilities

    

Deposits and other customer payables

   $ 1,144,992     $ 1,246,200  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     338,913       602,777  

Operating lease liabilities

     623,926       644,345  

Tax receivable agreement obligation

     221,787       247,344  

Senior debt

     1,680,204       1,679,562  

Other liabilities

     525,684       537,779  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,535,506       4,958,007  

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $.01 per share

     1,128       1,128  

Additional paid-in capital

     —         41,020  

Retained earnings

     1,119,176       1,193,570  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (333,412     (293,648
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     786,892       942,070  

Class A common stock held by subsidiaries, at cost

     (300,459     (332,079
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Lazard Ltd stockholders’ equity

     486,433       609,991  

Noncontrolling interests

     73,184       71,583  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     559,617       681,574  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,095,123     $ 5,639,581  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

8


LAZARD LTD

SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)

(Non-GAAP - unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     % Change From  
($ in thousands, except per share data)    March 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    March 31,
2019
    December 31,
2019
    March 31,
2019
 

Revenues:

          

Financial Advisory

   $ 294,773     $ 394,689     $ 329,994       (25 %)      (11 %) 

Asset Management

     268,953       301,046       283,734       (11 %)      (5 %) 

Corporate

     (915     12,275       6,262       NM       NM  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating revenue (b)

   $ 562,811     $ 708,010     $ 619,990       (21 %)      (9 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Expenses:

          

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (c)

   $ 337,686     $ 407,106     $ 356,494       (17 %)      (5 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Ratio of adjusted compensation to operating revenue

     60.0     57.5     57.5    

Non-compensation expense (d)

   $ 112,632     $ 129,615     $ 115,737       (13 %)      (3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Ratio of non-compensation to operating revenue

     20.0     18.3     18.7    

Earnings:

          

Earnings from operations (e)

   $ 112,493     $ 171,289     $ 147,759       (34 %)      (24 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating margin (f)

     20.0     24.2     23.8    

Adjusted net income (g)

   $ 66,552     $ 105,268     $ 105,537       (37 %)      (37 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Diluted adjusted net income per share

   $ 0.58     $ 0.91     $ 0.87       (36 %)      (33 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Diluted weighted average shares (h)

     114,160,044       115,522,380       120,934,661       (1 %)      (6 %) 

Effective tax rate (i)

     28.8     29.7     19.4    

This presentation includes non-U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP”) measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, see Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Selected Summary Financial Information and Notes to Financial Schedules.

 

9


LAZARD LTD

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (“AUM”)

(unaudited)

($ in millions)

 

     As of      Variance  
     March 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
     March 31,
2019
     Qtr to Qtr     1Q 2020 vs
1Q 2019
 

Equity:

            

Emerging Markets

   $ 27,716     $ 40,612      $ 45,112        (31.8 %)      (38.6 %) 

Global

     39,094       49,759        46,788        (21.4 %)      (16.4 %) 

Local

     37,496       48,985        40,083        (23.5 %)      (6.5 %) 

Multi-Regional

     50,335       66,185        63,112        (23.9 %)      (20.2 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total Equity

     154,641       205,541        195,095        (24.8 %)      (20.7 %) 

Fixed Income:

            

Emerging Markets

     11,424       14,387        15,308        (20.6 %)      (25.4 %) 

Global

     9,100       9,233        6,410        (1.4 %)      42.0

Local

     5,421       5,450        5,378        (0.5 %)      0.8

Multi-Regional

     8,376       9,193        7,912        (8.9 %)      5.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total Fixed Income

     34,321       38,263        35,008        (10.3 %)      (2.0 %) 

Alternative Investments

     1,902       2,149        2,659        (11.5 %)      (28.5 %) 

Private Equity

     1,406       1,385        1,393        1.5     0.9

Cash Management

     778       901        824        (13.7 %)      (5.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total AUM

   $ 193,048     $ 248,239      $ 234,979        (22.2 %)      (17.8 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      
     Three Months Ended March 31,            

  Year Ended  

December 31,

       
     2020     2019             2019        

AUM - Beginning of Period

   $ 248,239     $ 214,734         $ 214,734    

Net Flows

     (4,913     38           (9,074  

Market and foreign exchange appreciation (depreciation)

     (50,278     20,207           42,579    
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

AUM - End of Period

   $ 193,048     $ 234,979         $ 248,239    
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

Average AUM

   $ 221,534     $ 228,837         $ 234,374    
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

% Change in average AUM

     (3.2 %)           
  

 

 

           

Note: Average AUM generally represents the average of the monthly ending AUM balances for the period.

 

10


LAZARD LTD

RECONCILIATION OF U.S. GAAP TO SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
($ in thousands, except per share data)    March 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    March 31,
2019
 
Operating Revenue

 

Net revenue - U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 538,014     $ 721,341     $ 643,674  

Adjustments:

      

(Revenue) loss related to noncontrolling interests (j)

     2,772       (5,172     (2,271

(Gains) losses related to Lazard Fund Interests (“LFI”) and other similar arrangements

     19,637       (9,539     (13,870

Distribution fees, reimbursable deal costs and bad debt expense (k)

     (16,384     (22,930     (24,332

Private Equity investment adjustment (l)

     —         108       —    

Interest expense

     18,772       20,475       16,789  

Losses associated with business realignment (m)

     —         3,727       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating revenue, as adjusted (b)

   $ 562,811     $ 708,010     $ 619,990  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Compensation and Benefits Expense

 

Compensation and benefits expense - U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 319,755     $ 427,308     $ 372,254  

Adjustments:

      

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

     —         (7,516     —    

(Charges) credits pertaining to LFI and other similar arrangements

     19,637       (9,539     (13,870

Compensation related to noncontrolling interests (j)

     (1,706     (3,147     (1,890
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits expense, as adjusted (c)

   $ 337,686     $ 407,106     $ 356,494  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Non-Compensation Expense

 

Non-compensation expense - Subtotal - U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 134,162     $ 175,559     $ 151,757  

Adjustments:

      

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

     —         (5,112     —    

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (n)

     —         (4,166     (3,205

Expenses related to office space reorganization (o)

     (3,664     (3,568     —    

Distribution fees, reimbursable deal costs and bad debt expense (k)

     (16,384     (22,930     (24,332

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs (p)

     (446     (9,876     (3,470

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (q)

     —         —         (4,243

Non-compensation expense related to noncontrolling interests (j)

     (1,036     (292     (770
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted (d)

   $ 112,632     $ 129,615     $ 115,737  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Pre-Tax Income and Earnings From Operations

 

Operating Income - U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 84,097     $ 118,977     $ 119,663  

Adjustments:

      

Reduction of tax receivable agreement obligation (“TRA”)

     —         (503     —    

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

     —         16,355       —    

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (n)

     —         4,166       3,205  

Expenses related to office space reorganization (o)

     3,664       3,568       —    

Acquisition-related costs (p)

     —         9,594       3,039  

Private Equity investment adjustment (l)

     —         108       —    

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (q)

     —         —         4,457  

Net (income) loss related to noncontrolling interests (j)

     5,691       (2,554     566  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax income, as adjusted

     93,452       149,711       130,930  

Interest expense

     18,772       20,474       16,575  

Amortization (LAZ only)

     269       1,104       254  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from operations, as adjusted (e)

   $ 112,493     $ 171,289     $ 147,759  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net Income attributable to Lazard Ltd

 

Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd - U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 64,022     $ 76,977     $ 97,042  

Adjustments:

      

Reduction of tax receivable agreement obligation (“TRA”)

     —         (503     —    

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

     —         16,355       —    

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (n)

     —         4,166       3,205  

Expenses related to office space reorganization (o)

     3,664       3,568       —    

Acquisition-related costs (p)

     —         9,594       3,039  

Private Equity investment adjustment (l)

     —         108       —    

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (q)

     —         —         4,457  

Tax benefit allocated to adjustments

     (1,134     (4,997     (2,206
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income, as adjusted (g)

   $ 66,552     $ 105,268     $ 105,537  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - U.S. GAAP Basis

     114,120,179       113,442,101       120,820,084  

Adjustment: participating securities including profits interest participation rights

     39,865       2,080,279       114,577  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, as adjusted (h)

     114,160,044       115,522,380       120,934,661  

Diluted net income per share:

      

U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 0.56     $ 0.67     $ 0.80  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Basis, as adjusted

   $ 0.58     $ 0.91     $ 0.87  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable U.S. GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable U.S. GAAP measures, see Notes to Financial Schedules.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Schedules

 

11


LAZARD LTD

RECONCILIATION OF NON-COMPENSATION U.S. GAAP TO ADJUSTED (a)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
($ in thousands)    March 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    March 31,
2019
 

Non-compensation expense - U.S. GAAP Basis:

      

Occupancy and equipment

   $ 32,198     $ 34,045     $ 28,295  

Marketing and business development

     20,186       30,947       27,984  

Technology and information services

     31,358       38,783       32,055  

Professional services

     14,545       23,386       14,217  

Fund administration and outsourced services

     26,390       28,201       28,930  

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

     446       9,876       3,470  

Other

     9,039       10,321       16,806  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense - Subtotal - U.S. GAAP Basis

   $ 134,162     $ 175,559     $ 151,757  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense - Adjustments:

      

Occupancy and equipment (j) (m) (o)

   ($ 3,733   ($ 3,925   ($ 32

Marketing and business development (j) (k) (m) (n)

     (2,691     (3,908     (3,404

Technology and information services (j) (k) (m) (n)

     (435     (4,426     (3,274

Professional services (j) (k) (m) (n) (o)

     (1,778     (3,825     (1,365

Fund administration and outsourced services (j) (k)

     (12,120     (13,756     (15,909

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs (m) (p)

     (446     (9,876     (3,470

Other (j) (k) (m) (n) (o) (q)

     (327     (6,228     (8,566
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Non-compensation adjustments

   ($ 21,530   ($ 45,944   ($ 36,020
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted:

      

Occupancy and equipment

   $ 28,465     $ 30,120     $ 28,263  

Marketing and business development

     17,495       27,039       24,580  

Technology and information services

     30,923       34,357       28,781  

Professional services

     12,767       19,561       12,852  

Fund administration and outsourced services

     14,270       14,445       13,021  

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

     —         —         —    

Other

     8,712       4,093       8,240  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted (d)

   $ 112,632     $ 129,615     $ 115,737  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable U.S. GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable U.S. GAAP measures, see Notes to Financial Schedules.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Schedules

 

12


LAZARD LTD

Notes to Financial Schedules

 

(a)

Selected Summary Financial Information are non-GAAP measures. Lazard believes that presenting results and measures on an adjusted basis in conjunction with U.S. GAAP measures provides the most meaningful basis for comparison of its operating results across periods.

(b)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) revenue related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below), (ii) (gains)/losses related to the changes in the fair value of investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements for which a corresponding equal amount is excluded from compensation & benefits expense, (iii) revenue related to distribution fees and reimbursable deal costs in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance and bad debt expense (see (k) below), (iv) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (l) below), (v) interest expense primarily related to corporate financing activities, (vi) for the three month periods ended December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019, excess interest expense pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), and (vii) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, losses associated with business realignment (see (m) below).

(c)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (ii) (charges)/credits related to the changes in the fair value of the compensation liability recorded in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, and (iii) compensation and benefits related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below).

(d)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (ii) for the three month periods ended December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019, expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (n) below), (iii) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, expenses related to office space reorganization (see (o) below), (iv) expenses related to distribution fees and reimbursable deal costs in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance and bad debt expense (see (k) below), (v) amortization and other acquisition-related costs (see (p) below), (vi) for the three month period ended March 31, 2019, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), and (vii) expenses related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below).

(e)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, a benefit realting to the reduction in our Tax Receivable Agreement obligation, (ii) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (iii) for the three month periods ended December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019, expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (n) below), (iv) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, expenses related to office space reorganization (see (o) below), (v) amortization and for the three month periods ended December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019, other acquisition-related costs (see (p) below), (vi) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (l) below), (vii) for the three month period ended March 31, 2019, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), (viii) net revenue and expenses related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below), and (ix) interest expense primarily related to corporate financing activities.

(f)

Represents earnings from operations as a percentage of operating revenue, and is a non-GAAP measure.

(g)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, a benefit relating to the reduction in our Tax Receivable Agreement obligation, (ii) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (iii) for the three month periods ended December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019, expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (n) below), (iv) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, expenses related to office space reorganization (see (o) below), (v) for the three month periods ended December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2019, acquisition-related costs (see (p) below), (vi) for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, private equity investment adjustment, (see (l) below), and (vii) for the three month period ended March 31, 2019, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), net of tax benefits.

(h)

A non-GAAP measure which includes units of the long-term incentive compensation program consisting of profits interest participation rights, which are equity incentive awards that, subject to certain conditions, may be exchanged for shares of our common stock. Certain profits interest participation rights and other participating securities may be excluded from the computation of outstanding stock equivalents for U.S. GAAP net income per share.

(i)

Effective tax rate is a non-GAAP measure based upon the U.S. GAAP rate with adjustments for the tax applicable to the non-GAAP adjustments to operating income, generally based upon the effective marginal tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction of the adjustments. The computation is based on a quotient, the numerator of which is the provision for income taxes of $26,900, $44,442, and $25,393 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and March 31, 2019, respectively, and the denominator of which is pre-tax income of $93,452, $149,711, and $130,930 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and March 31, 2019, respectively.

(j)

Noncontrolling interests include revenue and expenses related to Edgewater and ESC funds.

(k)

Represents certain distribution fees and reimbursable deal costs paid to third parties for which an equal amount is excluded from both non-GAAP operating revenue and non-compensation expense, respectively, and excludes bad debt expense, which represents fees that are deemed uncollectible.

(l)

Represents write-down of private equity investment to potential transaction value.

(m)

Represents expenses and losses associated with a business realignment which included employee reductions and the closing of subscale offices and investment strategies.

(n)

Represents expenses associated with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation.

(o)

Represents incremental rent expense related to office space reorganization.

(p)

Primarily represents the change in fair value of the contingent consideration associated with certain business acquisitions.

(q)

The company incurred charges related to the extinguishment of the remaining 4.25% Senior Notes maturing in November 2020. $168 million of the 2020 Notes were redeemed in March 2019 and the remaining $82 million have been redeemed in April 2019. The charges include a pre-tax loss on the extinguishment of $6.5 million and excess interest expense of $0.3 million (due to the period of time between the issuance of the 2029 notes and the settlement of the 2020 notes).

NM Not meaningful

 

13