Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Results

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE: WDR) today reported a fourth quarter 2020 net loss¹ of $6.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to net income of $30.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, during the prior quarter and net income of $15.9 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, during the fourth quarter of 2019. The fourth quarter of 2020 included $39.6 million in costs related to the proposed acquisition of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. by Macquarie Asset Management, the asset management division of Macquarie Group (“Macquarie”) pursuant to a merger agreement announced on December 2, 2020. Excluding the merger-related costs, adjusted net income² for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $25.5 million and adjusted net income per diluted share² was $0.41. The fourth quarter of 2019 included non-cash asset impairment charges of $12.8 million in connection with certain assets held for sale, including real property related to our corporate headquarters move and the elimination of our internal aviation operations, an $11.2 million non-cash charge related to the annual revaluation of the pension plan liability and $2.3 million in severance expense related to the outsourcing of our transfer agency transactional processing operations. Excluding the non-cash charges and severance expense, adjusted net income² for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $36.0 million and adjusted net income per diluted share² was $0.51.

Highlights

• Announced execution of a merger agreement under which Macquarie would acquire all the outstanding shares of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. for $25.00 per share in cash representing total consideration of approximately $1.7 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021 subject to regulatory approvals, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions.
• Continued solid financial performance, with a 3.9% increase in revenues compared to the prior quarter led by higher average assets benefiting both Investment Management fees and Wealth Management Advisory fees
• Average Assets Under Management (AUM) increased 5% compared to the prior quarter
  • Both gross sales and the overall redemption rate improved compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter in 2019, with unaffiliated sales notably improving.
  • Investment performance improved broadly across the complex. As measured by percentage of assets, one- and five- year performance improved while three-year performance remained consistent.
• Successful quarter for Wealth Management asset growth
  • Net new Assets Under Administration³ (AUA) grew 1.5%, annualized, on the strength of positive net new Advisory AUA for the 8^th consecutive quarter.
  • Number of advisors and advisor associates increased to 1,333 on strong recruiting results in the fourth quarter. Since January 1, 2020, 51 advisors have affiliated with Waddell & Reed with combined prior firm AUA totaling over $2.8 billion.
• Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share paid on February 1, 2021 to stockholders of record as of January 11, 2021.
• Balance sheet remains strong with $760.5 million in unrestricted cash and investments at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020; repaid $95.0 million Series B senior unsecured notes in January 2021.

“2020 marked another year of solid progress in transforming our firm into a more diversified and growth-oriented financial services enterprise, with meaningful progress across both of our businesses while successfully navigating a global pandemic,” said Philip J. Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Mr. Sanders continued, “We are also well underway in planning a seamless transition for our clients and advisors as we move towards closing our merger agreement with Macquarie Asset Management.”

1. Net (loss) income represents net (loss) income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
2. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures table
3. Net new advisory AUA are calculated as total client deposits and net transfers less client withdrawals. Client deposits include dividends and interest.

Financial Summary

Revenues totaled $278.1 million for the quarter, an increase of $10.4 million and $8.0 million, compared to the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively. Operating expenses for the quarter of $283.9 million included $39.6 million in merger-related costs, increasing $53.9 million compared to the third quarter of 2020 and increasing $42.7 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted operating expenses² increased $14.3 million and $18.3 million, compared to the third quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively. The operating margin was (2.1)% during the current quarter, compared to 14.1% and 10.7% during the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively. The adjusted operating margin² was 12.1% for the current quarter compared to 14.1% and 16.3% during the prior quarter and prior year fourth quarter, respectively.

AUM ended the quarter at $74.8 billion, an increase of 10% and 7%, compared to the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively. The increase in both comparative periods was due to market appreciation. Average AUM were $71.1 billion during the current quarter, compared to $67.9 billion during the prior quarter and $69.1 billion during the fourth quarter of 2019. Net outflows of $1.8 billion during the current quarter were consistent compared to the prior quarter and were lower compared to net outflows of $3.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019. Sales of $2.0 billion during the current quarter increased 9% and 28%, compared to the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively. The sales improvements were led by our Mid Cap suite with sales of both strategies improving from the prior quarter. Redemptions increased slightly compared to the prior quarter and were 24% better compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. We continue to see elevated redemptions in our International Core Equity product despite improved short‑term performance.

Wealth management AUA ended the quarter at $69.7 billion, an increase of 11% and 16%, compared to the third quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2019, respectively. Average AUA were $64.0 billion during the current quarter, compared to $61.4 billion during the prior quarter and $58.0 billion during the fourth quarter of 2019. Positive market action as well as positive net new AUA of $228 million both contributed to the increase in AUA and average AUA. 

1. Controllable expenses defined as compensation and benefits, general and administrative, occupancy, technology, and marketing and advertising costs
2. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures table

Revenues Analysis

Investment management fees increased $5.5 million, or 5%, compared to the third quarter of 2020 due to a 5% increase in average AUM and a slight increase in the effective management fee rate. The effective management fee rate for the current quarter was 62.7 basis points compared to 62.4 basis points for the prior quarter. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, investment management fees increased $1.4 million, or 1%, primarily due to higher average AUM, partially offset by a lower effective management fee rate. The effective management fee rate decrease from 63.6 basis points in the prior year was due to targeted pricing reductions on certain products made in previous periods and increased money market fee waivers.

Underwriting and distribution fees increased $5.0 million, or 4%, compared to the prior quarter due to higher advisory fees and higher service and distribution fees from higher asset levels. Compared to the same quarter in 2019, underwriting and distribution fees increased $8.1 million, or 6%, due to increased advisory fees from higher asset levels, partially offset by lower sales commission revenues.

Shareholder service fees remained consistent with the third quarter of 2020. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, shareholder service fees declined $1.5 million, or 6%, due to a reduction in fund reimbursement revenues related to the outsourcing of our transfer agency transactional processing operations, which was offset by lower reimbursable costs.

Operating Expenses Analysis

Distribution expenses increased $6.3 million, or 5%, compared to the prior quarter and increased $11.2 million, or 10%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 primarily as a result of the increase in underwriting and distribution revenue. The expense increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 was larger than the revenue increase primarily due to an increase in the average advisor payout rate from continued increases in production.

Compensation and benefits expense increased $33.6 million, or 54%, compared to the prior quarter and increased $33.2 million, or 53%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. For both comparative periods, compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to merger-related compensation expense of $29.1 million, including mark-to-market adjustments on outstanding restricted share units as a result of the increase in share price of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Class A common stock, retention award accruals, and higher cash incentive payments. In addition, compensation and benefits expense increased due to deferred compensation plan valuation adjustments and higher incentive accruals.

General and administrative expenses increased $13.4 million, or 70%, compared to the third quarter of 2020 primarily due to merger-related expenses of $10.5 million, including legal expense, consulting expense, and project-related asset impairments. The remaining increase was due to higher virtual sales incentive meeting accruals and non-cash impairment charges related to field office closures. Compared to the same quarter in 2019, general and administrative expenses increased $2.5 million, or 8%, due to merger-related expenses and a shift of our transfer agency transactional processing operations costs from technology expenses to general and administrative expenses as a result of outsourcing and increased strategic project spending. Partially offsetting these increases were lower travel and meetings costs and lower non-cash impairment charges.

Technology costs increased $0.8 million, or 6%, compared to the prior quarter primarily due to higher technology consulting costs related to ongoing strategic projects. Technology costs decreased $0.8 million, or 5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, as costs related to the transfer agency transactional processing operations outsourcing were shifted to general and administrative expenses. This decrease was partially offset by increased technology consulting and software costs for new technologies.

Occupancy expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 18%, compared to the prior quarter and decreased $1.7 million, or 34%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. For both comparative periods, occupancy costs decreased as a result of the planned transition from advisors leasing space from the Company to advisors utilizing personal branch offices.

Marketing and advertising expenses increased $0.5 million, or 36%, compared to the prior quarter primarily due to higher sponsorship fees. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, marketing and advertising expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 24%, primarily due to lower sponsorship fees in connection with the shift to virtual industry conferences.

Depreciation expense increased slightly compared to the prior quarter and declined $0.7 million, or 17%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease compared to 2019 was due to capitalized software development assets becoming fully depreciated.

Investment and Other Income

Investment and other income decreased $4.1 million compared to the prior quarter primarily due to lower unrealized gains, net of hedging activity, on the seed and corporate investment portfolios. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, investment and other income increased $6.2 million primarily due to lower pension costs due to the non-cash charge related to the revaluation of the pension plan liability in the fourth quarter of 2019. This increase was partially offset by lower unrealized gains, net of hedging activity, on the seed and corporate investment portfolios and a decline in interest income for the corporate investment portfolio.

The effective tax rate was (12.8)% for the quarter compared to 24.8% in the prior quarter and 28.3% last year. The lower effective tax rate in the current quarter was due to a pre-tax book loss, which was partially offset by higher tax expense from certain non-deductible merger-related costs.

1. Unaffiliated includes National channel (home office and wholesale), Defined Contribution Investment Only, Registered Investment Advisor and Variable Annuity.
2. Sales consist of gross sales and includes net reinvested dividends, capital gains and investment income.
3. Excludes Money Market.

1. Based on class I share, which reflects the largest concentration of sales and assets.

1. Average AUA are calculated as the average of the beginning of month AUA during each reporting period.
2. Net new AUA are calculated as total client deposits and net transfers less client withdrawals. Client deposits include dividends and interest.
3. Excludes activity related to products held outside of our wealth management platform. These assets represent less than 10% of total AUA.
4. Annualized growth is calculated as annualized quarterly net new AUA divided by beginning AUA.
5. Production per Advisor is calculated as trailing 12- month Total underwriting and distribution fees less “other” underwriting and distribution fees divided by the average number of advisors. “Other” underwriting and distribution fees predominantly includes fees paid by advisors for programs and services.