Lazard Ltd Reports Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter 2020 Results

5 Feb 2021

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Record quarterly operating revenue of $849 million 

Record Financial Advisory quarterly operating revenue of $509 million 

Record year-end assets under management of $259 billion 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2021-- Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) today reported annual operating revenue1 of $2,524 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Net income, as adjusted2, was $410 million, or $3.60 per share (diluted) for the year. On a U.S. GAAP basis, net income for the year was $402 million, or $3.54 per share (diluted).

For the fourth quarter of 2020, net income, as adjusted, was $192 million, or $1.66 per share (diluted), a quarterly record. On a U.S. GAAP basis, net income for the fourth quarter was $190 million, or $1.64 per share (diluted).

“Our record quarterly results capped a remarkable year for Lazard. Our people overcame one of the most challenging environments in modern history to serve our clients with outstanding financial advice and solutions,” said Kenneth M. Jacobs, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard. “We enter 2021 with momentum across our businesses globally and growth opportunities in which we continue to invest.”

($ in millions, except
per share data and AUM)

Year Ended
Dec. 31,

 

 

 

Quarter Ended
Dec. 31,

2020

 

2019

 

%’20-’19

 

 

 

2020

 

2019

 

%’20-’19

Net Income (loss)

 

 

 

 

US GAAP

$402

$287

40%

 

$190

$77

147%

Per share, diluted

$3.54

$2.44

45%

 

$1.64

$0.67

145%

Adjusted2

$410

$385

7%

 

$192

$105

83%

Per share, diluted

$3.60

$3.28

10%

 

$1.66

$0.91

82%

Operating Revenue1

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenue

$2,524

$2,546

(1)%

 

$849

$708

20%

Financial Advisory

$1,403

$1,357

3%

 

$509

$395

29%

Asset Management

$1,111

$1,159

(4)%

 

$336

$301

12%

AUM ($ in billions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period End

$259

$248

4%

 

Average

$225

$234

(4)%

 

$246

$238

3%

Note: Endnotes are on page 6 of this release. A reconciliation to U.S. GAAP is on page 14-15.

OPERATING REVENUE

Operating revenue1 was $2,524 million for 2020, 1% lower than 2019. Fourth-quarter 2020 operating revenue was $849 million, a quarterly record and 20% higher than the fourth 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.

For the full year of 2020, Financial Advisory operating revenue was $1,403 million, 3% higher than 2019.

For the fourth quarter of 2020, Financial Advisory operating revenue was $509 million, a quarterly record and 29% higher than the fourth quarter of 2019.

During and since the fourth 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): Exor in the $28.6 billion merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with Peugeot; Gilead’s $21 billion acquisition of Immunomedics; Teladoc Health’s $18.5 billion merger with Livongo; Special Committee of the Board of Taubman Centers in Taubman’s $9.4 billion sale to Simon Property Group; Stonepeak’s $8.1 billion acquisition of Astound Broadband from TPG; Telefonica’s partnership with Allianz to deploy fiber in Germany involving expected overall investment of €5 billion; AVEVA’s $5 billion acquisition of OSIsoft; Iliad’s $4.3 billion acquisition of Play; Engie’s €3.4 billion sale of a 29.9% stake in Suez to Veolia; MassMutual’s $3.4 billion sale of its retirement plan business to Empower Retirement; Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation’s $2.7 billion sale of IMTT to Riverstone Holdings; Aimmune’s $2.6 billion sale to Nestlé Health Science; Google’s $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit; Accor in its taking full ownership of sbe hotel brands; and Gardner-Gibson’s sale to ICP Building Solutions Group.

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 fourth 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: 24 Hour Fitness; Abengoa; Belk; Bourbon; California Resources Corporation; CorpGroup; Corsair; Diamond Offshore Drilling; Express; FTS International; Gavilan Resources; Hi-Crush; JCPenney; Libbey; NMC Health; Peabody; Premier Oil; Prisa; Seadrill Limited; Transocean; Ursa Piceance; and Valaris. Lazard was the global leader in completed restructurings for 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 Lazard’s publicly announced Financial Advisory transactions, 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.

For the full year of 2020, Asset Management operating revenue was $1,111 million, 4% lower than 2019. For the fourth quarter of 2020, Asset Management operating revenue was $336 million, 12% higher than the fourth quarter of 2019.

Management fees and other revenue was $1,053 million for full-year 2020, 7% lower than 2019. For the fourth quarter of 2020, management fees and other revenue was $284 million, 1% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019, and 10% higher than the third quarter of 2020.

Average assets under management (AUM) for full-year 2020 was $225 billion, 4% lower than 2019. Average AUM for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $246 billion, 3% higher than the fourth quarter of 2019, and 9% higher than the third quarter of 2020.

AUM as of December 31, 2020 was a year-end record of $259 billion, up 4% from December 31, 2019, and up 14% from September 30, 2020. The sequential increase from September 30, 2020 was driven by market appreciation of $25.4 billion and foreign exchange appreciation of $5.8 billion, partially offset by net outflows of $286 million.

For the full year of 2020, incentive fees were $58 million, compared to $21 million for 2019. For the fourth quarter of 2020, incentive fees were $52 million, compared to $14 million for the fourth 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 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.

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense1 for 2020 was $1,502 million, 3% higher than 2019, with a consistent deferral policy. The corresponding adjusted compensation ratio1 was 59.5% for 2020, compared to 57.5% for 2019.

Awarded compensation expense1 for 2020 was $1,510 million, 3% higher than 2019. The corresponding awarded compensation ratio1 was 59.8% for 2020, compared to 57.7% for 2019.

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

Adjusted non-compensation expense1 for 2020 was $432 million, 13% lower than 2019. The ratio of non-compensation expense to operating revenue1 was 17.1% for 2020, compared to 19.6% for 2019.

Adjusted non-compensation expense1 for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $117 million, 10% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019. The ratio of non-compensation expense to operating revenue1 was 13.7% for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 18.3% for the fourth quarter of 2019.

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

TAXES

The provision for taxes, on an adjusted basis1, was $104 million for full-year 2020 and $24 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The effective tax rate on the same basis was 20.2% for full-year 2020, compared to 24.1% for full-year 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 2020, Lazard returned $365 million to shareholders, which included: $197 million in dividends; $95 million in share repurchases of our Class A common stock; and $73 million in satisfaction of employee tax obligations in lieu of share issuances upon vesting of equity grants.

During 2020, we repurchased 2.9 million shares of our Class A common stock for an average price of $32.70 per share. As of January 1, 2021, our remaining share repurchase authorization was $300 million.

On February 4, 2021, Lazard declared a quarterly dividend of $0.47 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on March 2, 2021, to stockholders of record on February 19, 2021.

Lazard’s financial position remains strong. As of December 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents were $1,390 million, and stockholders’ equity related to Lazard’s interests was $912 million.

CONFERENCE CALL

Lazard will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EST on February 5, 2021, to discuss the company’s financial results for the full year and fourth 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 (888) 204-4368 (U.S. and Canada) or +1 (323) 794-2551 (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. EST on February 5, 2021, via the Lazard Investor Relations website, 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 5881308.

ABOUT LAZARD

Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from more than 40 cities and 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 statements 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.

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 U.S. GAAP results, is the most meaningful and useful way to compare our operating results across periods.

2 Fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 adjusted results1 exclude pre-tax charges of $4.2 million and $12.6 million, respectively, of costs relating to an office space reorganization and $0.4 million in the fourth quarter and full year relating to the reduction of our Tax Receivable Agreement (TRA) obligation. On a U.S. GAAP basis, these charges resulted in a net charge of $2.6 million, or $0.02 (diluted) per share, for the fourth quarter, and a net charge of $7.8 million, or $0.07 (diluted) per share, for the full year of 2020.

LAZ-EPE

 
LAZARD LTD 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(U.S. GAAP)
 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

% Change From

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2020

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

2019

 
Total revenue

$898,326

$598,022

$743,406

50%

 

21%

Interest expense

(20,172)

(20,344)

(22,065)

 

 

 

Net revenue

878,154

577,678

721,341

52%

 

22%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

524,736

354,625

427,308

48%

 

23%

 

 

 

Occupancy and equipment

33,592

31,318

34,045

 

 

 

Marketing and business development

8,161

7,562

30,947

 

 

 

Technology and information services

36,100

33,457

38,783

 

 

 

Professional services

20,330

14,701

23,386

 

 

 

Fund administration and outsourced services

26,431

26,196

28,201

 

 

 

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

436

458

9,876

 

 

 

Other

11,308

4,681

10,321

 

 

 

Subtotal

136,358

118,373

175,559

15%

 

(22%)

Benefit pursuant to tax receivable agreement

(439)

-

(503)

 

 

 

Operating expenses

660,655

472,998

602,364

40%

 

10%

 

 

 

Operating income

217,499

104,680

118,977

108%

 

83%

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

22,729

28,165

39,446

(19%)

 

(42%)

Net income

194,770

76,515

79,531

155%

 

145%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

4,881

1,423

2,554

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd

$189,889

$75,092

$76,977

153%

 

147%

 

 

 

Attributable to Lazard Ltd Common Stockholders:

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

Basic

107,316,315

107,168,615

107,548,260

0%

 

(0%)

Diluted

115,144,030

113,181,564

113,442,101

2%

 

2%

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

Basic

$1.73

$0.69

$0.70

151%

 

147%

Diluted

$1.64

$0.66

$0.67

148%

 

145%

LAZARD LTD 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(U.S. GAAP)
 
Year Ended

December 31,

December 31,

 

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2020

2019

% Change

 

Total revenue

$2,646,769

$2,666,958

(1%)

Interest expense

(80,631)

(80,185)

 

Net revenue

2,566,138

2,586,773

(1%)

Operating expenses:

 

Compensation and benefits

1,550,684

1,563,395

(1%)

 

Occupancy and equipment

127,682

123,149

 

Marketing and business development

42,426

115,033

 

Technology and information services

133,544

143,739

 

Professional services

66,304

71,852

 

Fund administration and outsourced services

103,070

114,049

 

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

1,795

19,410

 

Other

38,931

43,951

 

Subtotal

513,752

631,183

(19%)

Benefit pursuant to tax receivable agreement

(439)

(503)

 

Operating expenses

2,063,997

2,194,075

(6%)

 

Operating income

502,141

392,698

28%

 

Provision for income taxes

99,449

94,982

5%

Net income

402,692

297,716

35%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

231

11,216

 

Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd

$402,461

$286,500

40%

 

Attributable to Lazard Ltd Common Stockholders:

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

Basic

106,862,739

110,189,862

(3%)

Diluted

113,483,380

116,079,806

(2%)

 

Net income per share:

 

Basic

$3.69

$2.57

44%

Diluted

$3.54

$2.44

45%

LAZARD LTD
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(U.S. GAAP)
 

December 31,

 

December 31,

($ in thousands)

2020

 

2019

 
ASSETS
 
Cash and cash equivalents

$1,389,876

$1,231,593
Deposits with banks and short-term investments

1,134,463

1,180,686

Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash

44,488

43,280

Receivables

743,141

663,138

Investments

658,532

531,995

Goodwill and other intangible assets

384,071

373,594

Operating lease right-of-use assets

513,923

551,504

Deferred tax assets

538,448

586,750

Other assets

564,919

477,041

 
Total Assets

$5,971,861

$5,639,581
 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Liabilities
Deposits and other customer payables

$1,201,150

$1,246,200
Accrued compensation and benefits

734,544

602,777

Operating lease liabilities

606,963

644,345

Tax receivable agreement obligation

221,451

247,344

Senior debt

1,682,741

1,679,562

Other liabilities

525,579

537,779

Total liabilities

4,972,428

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

135,439

41,020

Retained earnings

1,295,386

1,193,570

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(238,368)

(293,648)

Subtotal

1,193,585

942,070

Class A common stock held by subsidiaries, at cost

(281,813)

(332,079)

Total Lazard Ltd stockholders' equity

911,772

609,991

Noncontrolling interests

87,661

71,583

Total stockholders' equity

999,433

681,574

 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$5,971,861

$5,639,581
LAZARD LTD 
SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)
(Non-GAAP - unaudited)
 

Three Months Ended

 

 

% Change From

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2020

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

2019

 
Revenues:
 
Financial Advisory

$508,626

$306,977

$394,689

66%

 

29%

Asset Management

336,152

261,047

301,046

29%

 

12%

Corporate

3,990

1,023

12,275

290%

 

(67%)

 

 

 

Operating revenue (b)

$848,768

$569,047

$708,010

49%

 

20%

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (c)

$497,260

$341,428

$407,106

46%

 

22%

Ratio of adjusted compensation to operating revenue

58.6%

60.0%

57.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense (d)

$116,568

$103,081

$129,615

13%

 

(10%)

Ratio of non-compensation to operating revenue

13.7%

18.1%

18.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from operations (e)

$234,940

$124,538

$171,289

89%

 

37%

Operating margin (f)

27.7%

21.9%

24.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted net income (g)

$192,444

$76,102

$105,268

153%

 

83%

 

 

 

Diluted adjusted net income per share

$1.66

$0.67

$0.91

148%

 

82%

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares (h)

115,831,033

113,780,625

115,522,380

2%

 

0%

 
Effective tax rate (i)

11.1%

27.9%

29.7%

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.
LAZARD LTD 
SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)
(Non-GAAP - unaudited)
Year Ended

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2020

 

2019

 

 

% Change

 
Revenues:
 
Financial Advisory

$1,403,282

$1,357,398

3%

Asset Management

1,111,498

1,158,645

(4%)

Corporate

8,760

29,919

(71%)

 

Operating revenue (b)

$2,523,540

$2,545,962

(1%)

 

Expenses:

 

 

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (c)

$1,502,123

$1,463,928

3%

Ratio of adjusted compensation to operating revenue

59.5%

57.5%

 

 

Non-compensation expense (d)

$431,898

$498,551

(13%)

Ratio of non-compensation to operating revenue

17.1%

19.6%

 

 

Earnings:

 

 

Earnings from operations (e)

$589,519

$583,483

1%

Operating margin (f)

23.4%

22.9%

 

 

Adjusted net income (g)

$410,249

$384,811

7%

 

Diluted adjusted net income per share

$3.60

$3.28

10%

 

Diluted weighted average shares (h)

113,904,200

117,348,401

(3%)

 
Effective tax rate (i)

20.2%

24.1%

This presentation includes 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.
               
LAZARD LTD 
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS - ANALYSIS
(unaudited)
($ in millions except share price)
               
 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

2019

 

2020

               
ADJUSTED U.S. GAAP BASIS (c)
               
Base salary  

$339.3

  

$354.0

  

$355.8

  

$372.7

  

$404.9

  

$431.9

  

$446.9

  

$455.0
Benefits and other  

191.2

 

215.6

 

228.3

 

201.9

 

243.4

 

263.6

 

258.3

 

227.7

Cash incentive compensation  

368.5

 

432.9

 

413.9

 

398.3

 

465.5

 

445.5

 

390.8

 

435.3

Total cash compensation, benefits and other  

899.0

 

1,002.5

 

998.0

 

972.9

 

1,113.8

 

1,141.0

 

1,096.0

 

1,118.0

Amortization of deferred incentive awards  

297.6

 

299.2

 

320.8

 

352.4

 

367.3

 

375.6

 

367.9

 

384.1

Compensation and benefits - Adjusted U.S. GAAP basis (j)  

$1,196.6

 

$1,301.7

 

$1,318.8

 

$1,325.3

 

$1,481.1

 

$1,516.6

 

$1,463.9

 

$1,502.1

               
% of Operating Revenue  

58.8%

 

55.6%

 

55.4%

 

56.5%

 

55.8%

 

55.1%

 

57.5%

 

59.5%

               
               
               
AWARDED BASIS
               
Total cash compensation and benefits (per above)  

$899.0

  

$1,002.5

  

$998.0

  

$972.9

  

$1,113.8

  

$1,141.0

  

$1,096.0

  

$1,118.0
Deferred year-end incentive awards  

291.0

 

325.2

 

336.1

 

342.4

 

351.0

 

377.8

 

361.3

 

364.4

Compensation and benefits before sign-on and other                
special deferred incentive awards  

1,190.0

 

1,327.7

 

1,334.1

 

1,315.3

 

1,464.8

 

1,518.8

 

1,457.3

 

1,482.4

Sign-on and other special deferred incentive awards (k)  

22.1

 

14.2

 

26.4

 

29.9

 

36.2

 

45.7

 

37.6

 

54.9

Total Compensation and benefits - Notional  

1,212.1

 

1,341.9

 

1,360.5

 

1,345.2

 

1,501.0

 

1,564.5

 

1,494.9

 

1,537.3

Adjustment for actual/estimated forfeitures (l)  

(27.3)

 

(25.4)

 

(27.2)

 

(27.9)

 

(25.3)

 

(27.5)

 

(25.9)

 

(27.3)

Compensation and benefits - Awarded (m)  

$1,184.8

 

$1,316.5

 

$1,333.3

 

$1,317.3

 

$1,475.7

 

$1,537.0

 

$1,469.0

 

$1,510.0

               
% of Operating Revenue - Awarded Basis (m)  

58.2%

 

56.3%

 

56.0%

 

56.2%

 

55.6%

 

55.8%

 

57.7%

 

59.8%

               
               
               
Memo:                
Total value of deferred equity-based year end                
incentive awards  

$180.9

 

$219.0

 

$267.7

 

$234.8

 

$216.4

 

$253.8

 

$165.5

  TBD
               
Equity-based year end awards - share equivalents ('000)  

4,146

 

4,329

 

7,778

 

5,395

 

3,850

 

6,735

 

3,858

  TBD
Price at issuance  

$43.62

 

$50.60

 

$34.42

 

$43.43

 

$56.22

 

$37.69

 

$42.89

  TBD
               
Deferred compensation awards ratio (n)  

24.5%

 

24.5%

 

25.2%

 

26.0%

 

24.0%

 

24.9%

 

24.8%

 

24.6%

               
Operating revenue  

$2,034.3

 

$2,340.2

 

$2,380.1

 

$2,344.3

 

$2,654.5

 

$2,754.8

 

$2,546.0

 

$2,523.5

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 the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, see Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Selected Summary Financial Information and Notes to Financial Schedules.
LAZARD LTD
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT ("AUM")
(unaudited)
($ in millions)
 
As of Variance

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2020

 

2020

 

2019

 

Qtr to Qtr

 

YTD

 
Equity:
Emerging Markets

$33,254

$29,942

$40,612

11.1%

 

(18.1%)

Global

56,246

48,382

49,759

16.3%

 

13.0%

Local

48,672

43,559

48,985

11.7%

 

(0.6%)

Multi-Regional

71,560

61,872

66,185

15.7%

 

8.1%

Total Equity

209,732

183,755

205,541

14.1%

 

2.0%

Fixed Income:

 

 

 

Emerging Markets

13,651

12,743

14,387

7.1%

 

(5.1%)

Global

11,962

9,948

9,233

20.2%

 

29.6%

Local

5,600

5,554

5,450

0.8%

 

2.8%

Multi-Regional

12,571

11,252

9,193

11.7%

 

36.7%

Total Fixed Income

43,784

39,497

38,263

10.9%

 

14.4%

Alternative Investments

2,748

2,283

2,149

20.4%

 

27.9%

Private Equity

1,420

1,396

1,385

1.7%

 

2.5%

Cash Management

958

821

901

16.7%

 

6.3%

Total AUM

$258,642

$227,752

$248,239

13.6%

 

4.2%

 
 
 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

2019

 
AUM - Beginning of Period

$227,752

$230,874

$248,239

$214,734
 
Net Flows

(286)

519

(11,368)

(9,074)

Market and foreign exchange
appreciation

31,176

16,846

21,771

42,579

 
AUM - End of Period

$258,642

$248,239

$258,642

$248,239
 
Average AUM

$245,604

$238,197

$225,361

$234,374
 
% Change in average AUM

3.1%

(3.8%)

Note: Average AUM generally represents the average of the monthly ending AUM balances for the period.
LAZARD LTD 
RECONCILIATION OF U.S. GAAP TO SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Year Ended

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2020

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

2019

 
Operating Revenue
Net revenue - U.S. GAAP Basis

$878,154

$577,678

$721,341

$2,566,138

$2,586,773
 
Adjustments:
Revenue related to noncontrolling interests (o)

(8,054)

(4,042)

(5,172)

(11,497)

(23,426)

Gains related to Lazard Fund Interests ("LFI") and other similar arrangements

(25,207)

(11,261)

(9,539)

(40,634)

(31,657)

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

(14,647)

(12,016)

(22,930)

(64,983)

(76,032)

Private Equity investment adjustment (q)

-

-

108

-

12,056

Interest expense

18,522

18,688

20,475

74,516

74,521

Losses associated with business realignment (r)

-

-

3,727

-

3,727

 
Operating revenue, as adjusted (b)

$848,768

$569,047

$708,010

$2,523,540

$2,545,962
 
Compensation and Benefits Expense
Compensation and benefits expense - U.S. GAAP Basis

$524,736

$354,625

$427,308

$1,550,684

$1,563,395
 
Adjustments:
Expenses associated with business realignment (r)

-

-

(7,516)

-

(56,635)

Charges pertaining to LFI and other similar arrangements

(25,207)

(11,261)

(9,539)

(40,634)

(31,657)

Compensation related to noncontrolling interests (o)

(2,269)

(1,936)

(3,147)

(7,927)

(11,175)

 
Compensation and benefits expense, as adjusted (c)

$497,260

$341,428

$407,106

$1,502,123

$1,463,928
 
Non-Compensation Expense
Non-compensation expense - Subtotal - U.S. GAAP Basis

$136,358

$118,373

$175,559

$513,752

$631,183
 
Adjustments:
Expenses associated with business realignment (r)

-

-

(5,112)

-

(6,922)

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (s)

-

-

(4,166)

-

(17,359)

Expenses related to office space reorganization (t)

(4,184)

(2,311)

(3,568)

(12,646)

(4,711)

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

(14,647)

(12,016)

(22,930)

(64,983)

(76,032)

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs (u)

(436)

(458)

(9,876)

(1,795)

(19,410)

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (v)

-

-

-

-

(6,505)

Non-compensation expense related to noncontrolling interests (o)

(523)

(507)

(292)

(2,430)

(1,693)

 
Non-compensation expense, as adjusted (d)

$116,568

$103,081

$129,615

$431,898

$498,551
 
Pre-Tax Income and Earnings From Operations
Operating Income - U.S. GAAP Basis

$217,499

$104,680

$118,977

$502,141

$392,698
 
Adjustments:
Reduction of tax receivable agreement obligation ("TRA")

(439)

-

(503)

(439)

(503)

Expenses associated with business realignment (r)

-

-

16,355

-

67,809

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (s)

-

-

4,166

-

17,359

Expenses related to office space reorganization (t)

4,184

2,311

3,568

12,646

4,711

Acquisition-related costs (u)

-

-

9,594

-

17,171

Private Equity investment adjustment (q)

-

-

108

-

12,056

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (v)

-

-

-

-

6,805

Net income related to noncontrolling interests (o)

(4,881)

(1,423)

(2,554)

(231)

(11,216)

Pre-tax income, as adjusted

216,363

105,568

149,711

514,117

506,890

Interest expense

18,522

18,688

20,474

74,516

74,220

Amortization (LAZ only)

55

282

1,104

886

2,373

Earnings from operations, as adjusted (e)

$234,940

$124,538

$171,289

$589,519

$583,483
 
 
Net Income attributable to Lazard Ltd
Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd - U.S. GAAP Basis

$189,889

$75,092

$76,977

$402,461

$286,500
Adjustments:
Reduction of tax receivable agreement obligation ("TRA")

(439)

-

(503)

(439)

(503)

Expenses associated with business realignment (r)

-

-

16,355

-

67,809

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (s)

-

-

4,166

-

17,359

Expenses related to office space reorganization (t)

4,184

2,311

3,568

12,646

4,711

Acquisition-related costs (u)

-

-

9,594

-

17,171

Private Equity investment adjustment (q)

-

-

108

-

12,056

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (v)

-

-

-

-

6,805

Tax benefit allocated to adjustments

(1,190)

(1,301)

(4,997)

(4,419)

(27,097)

 
Net income, as adjusted (g)

$192,444

$76,102

$105,268

$410,249

$384,811
 
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - U.S. GAAP Basis

115,144,030

113,181,564

113,442,101

113,483,380

116,079,806

Adjustment: participating securities including profits interest participation rights

687,003

599,061

2,080,279

420,820

1,268,595

 
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, as adjusted (h)

115,831,033

113,780,625

115,522,380

113,904,200

117,348,401

 
Diluted net income per share:
U.S. GAAP Basis

$1.64

$0.66

$0.67

$3.54

$2.44
Non-GAAP Basis, as adjusted

$1.66

$0.67

$0.91

$3.60

$3.28
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
LAZARD LTD 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-COMPENSATION U.S. GAAP TO ADJUSTED (a)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

 

 

Year Ended

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

($ in thousands)

2020

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

2019

 
Non-compensation expense - U.S. GAAP Basis:
Occupancy and equipment

$33,592

$31,318

$34,045

$127,682

$123,149
Marketing and business development

8,161

7,562

30,947

42,426

115,033

Technology and information services

36,100

33,457

38,783

133,544

143,739

Professional services

20,330

14,701

23,386

66,304

71,852

Fund administration and outsourced services

26,431

26,196

28,201

103,070

114,049

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

436

458

9,876

1,795

19,410

Other

11,308

4,681

10,321

38,931

43,951

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

$136,358

$118,373

$175,559

$513,752

$631,183
 
Non-compensation expense - Adjustments:
Occupancy and equipment (o) (r) (t)

($3,419)

($2,278)

($3,925)

($11,878)

($5,178)

Marketing and business development (o) (p) (r) (s)

(383)

(185)

(3,908)

(4,014)

(16,810)

Technology and information services (o) (p) (r) (s)

155

(169)

(4,426)

(616)

(17,525)

Professional services (o) (p) (r) (s) (t)

(4,101)

(2,269)

(3,825)

(9,806)

(8,672)

Fund administration and outsourced services (o) (p)

(12,114)

(13,593)

(13,756)

(47,956)

(55,543)

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs (r) (u)

(436)

(458)

(9,876)

(1,795)

(19,410)

Other (o) (p) (r) (s) (t) (v)

508

3,660

(6,228)

(5,789)

(9,494)

Subtotal Non-compensation adjustments

($19,790)

($15,292)

($45,944)

($81,854)

($132,632)

 
Non-compensation expense, as adjusted:
Occupancy and equipment

$30,173

$29,040

$30,120

$115,804

$117,971
Marketing and business development

7,778

7,377

27,039

38,412

98,223

Technology and information services

36,255

33,288

34,357

132,928

126,214

Professional services

16,229

12,432

19,561

56,498

63,180

Fund administration and outsourced services

14,317

12,603

14,445

55,114

58,506

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

-

-

-

-

-

Other

11,816

8,341

4,093

33,142

34,457

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted (d)

$116,568

$103,081

$129,615

$431,898

$498,551
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
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 non-controlling interests (see (o) below), (ii) gains 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 (p) below), (iv) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (q) below), (v) interest expense primarily related to corporate financing activities, (vi) for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2019, excess interest expense pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (v) below), and (vii) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, losses associated with business realignment plan (see (r) below).
 
(c) A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (r) below), (ii) charges 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 (o) below).
 
(d) A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (r) below), (ii) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (s) below), (iii) expenses related to office space reorganization (see (t) below), (iv) expenses related to distribution fees and reimbursable deal costs in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance and bad debt expense (see (p) below), (v) amortization other acquisition-related costs (see (u) below), (vi) for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2019, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (v) below), and (vii) expenses related to noncontrolling interests (see (o) below).
 
(e) A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, a benefit relating to the reduction in our Tax Receivable Agreement obligation, (ii) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (r) below), (iii) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (s) below), (iv) expenses related to office space reorganization (see (t) below), (v) amortization and for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, other acquisition-related costs (see (u) below), (vi) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (q) below), (vii) for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2019, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (v) below), (viii) net revenue and expenses related to noncontrolling interests (see (o) 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 and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, a benefit relating to the reduction in our Tax Receivable Agreement obligation, (ii) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (r) below), (iii) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (s) below), (iv) expenses related to office space reorganization (see (t) below), (v) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, acquisition-related costs (see (u) below), (vi) for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (q) below), and (vii) for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2019, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (v) 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 $23,919, $29,466 and $44,442 for the three month periods ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively, $103,868 and $122,079 for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the denominator of which is pre-tax income of $216,363, $105,568 and $149,711 for the three month periods ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, $514,117 and $506,890 for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
(j) A reconciliation of U.S. GAAP compensation and benefits expense to compensation and benefits expense, as adjusted:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

2019

 

2020

 
Compensation & benefits expense - U.S. GAAP Basis

$1,278,534

$1,313,606

$1,319,746

$1,340,543

$1,512,873

$1,514,735

$1,563,395

$1,550,684
 
Adjustments:
Charges associated with business realignment (r)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(56,635)

-

Charges pertaining to ERP system implementation (s)

-

-

-

-

-

(1,190)

-

-

Charges pertaining to cost saving initiatives

(51,399)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(Charges) credits pertaining to LFI and other similar arrangements comp. liability

(14,099)

(7,326)

3,827

(3,318)

(23,526)

14,086

(31,657)

(40,634)

Charges pertaining to Private Equity incentive compensation

(12,203)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Compensation related to noncontrolling interests (o)

(4,232)

(4,567)

(4,776)

(11,900)

(8,285)

(10,999)

(11,175)

(7,927)

 
Compensation & benefits expense, as adjusted

$1,196,601

$1,301,713

$1,318,797

$1,325,325

$1,481,062

$1,516,632

$1,463,928

$1,502,123
 
(k) Special deferred incentive awards are granted outside the year end compensation process and include grants to new hires, retention awards, and performance units earned under PRSU grants.
 
(l) Under U.S. GAAP, an estimate is made for future forfeitures of the deferred portion of such awards. This estimate is based on both historical experience and future expectations. The result reflects the cost associated with awards that are expected to vest. This calculation is undertaken in order to present awarded compensation on a similar basis to GAAP compensation. Amounts for 2013-2016 represent actual forfeiture experience. The 2017-2020 amounts represent estimated forfeitures.
 
(m) Awarded Compensation and Benefits was restated in 2017 to eliminate the year-end foreign exchange adjustment to better align awarded compensation with revenue. The impact of the change is not material.
 
(n) Deferred compensation awards ratio is deferred year-end incentive awards, divided by total awarded compensation excluding sign-on and other special deferred incentive awards and actual/estimated forfeitures.
 
(o) Noncontrolling interests include revenue and expenses principally related to Edgewater and ESC Funds.
 
(p) 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.
 
(q) Represents write-down of private equity investment to potential transaction value.
 
(r) Represents expenses and losses associated with a business realignment which included employee reductions and the closing of subscale offices and investment strategies.
 
(s) Represents expenses associated with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation.
 
(t) Primarily represents incremental rent expense, building depreciation, impairment losses, and legal fees related to office space reorganization.
 
(u) Primarily represents the change in fair value of the contingent consideration associated with certain business acquisitions.
 
(v) In 2019, 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).
 
TBD To be determined

 

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

Source: Lazard Ltd