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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
OR
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
333-126751
(Commission File Number)
LAZARD GROUP LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware |
51-0278097 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| or Organization) |
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number: (212) 632-6000
| Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None | ||
| Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None | ||
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer ¨ | |
| Non-accelerated filer x | Smaller reporting company ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of June 30, 2013, none of the Registrant’s common membership interests were held by non-affiliates. As of June 30, 2013, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC held 710,009 common memberships interests of the Registrant, representing approximately 0.5% of the Registrant’s then outstanding common membership interests. As of January 31, 2014, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC held 710,009 common membership interests, or 0.5% of the Registrant’s then outstanding common membership interests. If LAZ-MD Holdings LLC is not deemed an “affiliate” of the Registrant, then as of June 30, 2013 there would have been 710,009 outstanding common membership interests of the Registrant held by non-affiliates, with a market value of $22,826,789 (assuming each common membership interest has a value equivalent to one share of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock and based on a closing price per share of $32.15 of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock on June 30, 2013).
As of January 31, 2014, in addition to profit participation interests, there were 129,766,090 common membership interests and two managing member interests outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
INDEX
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When we use the terms “Lazard Group”, “Lazard”, “we”, “us”, “our”, and “the Company”, we mean Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that is the current holding company for the subsidiaries that conduct our businesses. Lazard Ltd is a Bermuda exempt company whose shares of Class A common stock (the “Class A common stock”) are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the Symbol “LAZ”. Lazard Ltd’s subsidiaries include Lazard Group and their respective subsidiaries. Lazard Ltd has no material operating assets other than indirect ownership as of December 31, 2013 of approximately 99.5% of the common membership interests in Lazard Group. Lazard Ltd controls Lazard Group through two of its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries who are co-managing members of Lazard Group.
Lazard Group has two primary holders of its common membership interests: Lazard Ltd and LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), a holding company that is owned by Lazard Group’s current and former managing directors. The Lazard Group common membership interests held by LAZ-MD Holdings are effectively exchangeable over time on a one for-one basis with Lazard Ltd for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock. In addition, Lazard Group has granted profit participation interests in Lazard Group to certain of its managing directors in connection with the recapitalization of Lazard Group at the time of Lazard Ltd’s equity public offering. The profit participation interests are discretionary profits interests that are intended to enable Lazard Group to compensate its managing directors in a manner consistent with historical practices.
| Item 1. | Business |
Lazard is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. We have long specialized in crafting solutions to the complex financial and strategic challenges of a diverse set of clients around the world, including corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships and individuals. Founded in 1848 in New Orleans, we currently operate from 41 cities in key business and financial centers across 26 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Central and South America.
Principal Business Lines
We focus primarily on two business segments - Financial Advisory and Asset Management. We believe that the mix of our activities across business segments, geographic regions, industries and investment strategies helps to diversify and stabilize our revenue stream.
Financial Advisory
Our Financial Advisory business offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a wide array of financial advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other strategic matters, restructurings, capital structure, capital raising and various other financial matters. We focus on solving our clients’ most complex issues, providing advice to key decision-makers, senior management, boards of directors and business owners, as well as governments and governmental agencies, in transactions that typically are of significant strategic and financial importance to them.
We continue to build our Financial Advisory business by fostering long-term, senior level relationships with existing and new clients as their independent advisor on strategic transactions. We seek to build and sustain long-term relationships with our clients rather than focusing simply on individual transactions, a practice that we believe enhances our access to senior management of major corporations and institutions around the world. We emphasize providing clients with senior level focus during all phases of transaction analysis and execution.
While we strive to earn repeat business from our clients, we operate in a highly competitive environment in which there are no long-term contracted sources of revenue. Each revenue-generating engagement is separately negotiated and awarded. To develop new client relationships, and to develop new engagements from historical client relationships, we maintain an active dialogue with a large number of clients and potential clients, as well as with their financial and legal advisors, on an ongoing basis. We have gained a significant number of new clients
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each year through our business development initiatives, through recruiting additional senior investment banking professionals who bring with them client relationships and through referrals from directors, attorneys and other third parties with whom we have relationships. At the same time, we lose clients each year as a result of the sale or merger of a client, a change in a client’s senior management, competition from other investment banks and other causes.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our Financial Advisory segment net revenue totaled $981 million, $1.049 billion and $992 million, respectively, accounting for approximately 49%, 55% and 54%, respectively, of our consolidated net revenue for such years. We earned $1 million or more from 235 clients, 255 clients and 241 clients for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the ten largest fee paying clients constituted approximately 19%, 18% and 14% of our Financial Advisory segment net revenue, respectively, with no client individually constituting more than 10% of segment net revenue during any of these years. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our Financial Advisory segment reported operating income (loss) of $21 million, $(9) million and $62 million, respectively. Operating income in 2013 and 2012 included charges of $47 million and $78 million, respectively, associated with the cost saving initiatives (as described in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) announced by the Company in October 2012. Excluding the impact of such charges, our Financial Advisory segment had operating income of $68 million and $69 million in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our Financial Advisory segment had total assets of $715 million, $793 million and $768 million, respectively.
We believe that we have been pioneers in offering financial advisory services on an international basis, with the establishment of our New York, Paris and London offices dating back to the nineteenth century. We maintain a major local presence in the U.S., the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”) and France, including a network of regional branch offices in the U.S., as well as a presence in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Middle East Region.
Over the past several years, our Financial Advisory segment has made several business acquisitions and entered into certain other business relationships. In 2007 we acquired all of the outstanding ownership interests of Goldsmith, Agio, Helms & Lynner, LLC (“GAHL”), a Minneapolis-based investment bank specializing in financial advisory services to mid-sized private companies, all of the outstanding shares of Carnegie, Wylie & Company (Holdings) Pty Ltd (“CWC”), an Australia-based financial advisory and private equity firm, now known as Lazard Australia Holdings Pty Limited, and, along with the Company’s existing financial advisory business in Australia, referred to below as “Lazard Australia”, and we entered into a joint cooperation agreement with Raiffeisen Investment AG (“Raiffeisen”) for merger and acquisition advisory services in Russia and the Central and Eastern European (the “CEE”) region. The cooperation agreement between us and Raiffeisen, one of the CEE region’s top M&A advisors, provides domestic, international and cross-border expertise within Russia and the CEE region. In 2008, we acquired a 50% interest in Merchant Bankers Asociados (“MBA”), an Argentina-based financial advisory services firm with offices across Central and South America. In 2009, we entered into a strategic alliance with a financial advisory firm in Mexico to provide global M&A advisory services for clients, both inside and outside of Mexico, who are seeking to acquire or sell assets in Mexico or have interests in other financial transactions with companies in Mexico, and to provide restructuring advisory services to clients in Mexico. In 2012, we integrated our Brazilian operations based in São Paulo, and established a Lazard Africa initiative to leverage our sovereign and corporate expertise in this rapidly growing region, for our clients in both developed and developing countries.
In addition to seeking business centered in the locations referred to above, we historically have focused in particular on advising clients with respect to cross-border transactions. We believe that we are particularly well known for our legacy of offering broad teams of professionals who are indigenous to their respective regions and who have long-term client relationships, capabilities and know-how in their respective regions, who will coordinate with our professionals with global sector expertise. We also believe that this positioning affords us insight around the globe into key industry, economic, government and regulatory issues and developments, which we can bring to bear on behalf of our clients.
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Services Offered
We advise clients on a wide range of strategic and financial issues. When we advise clients on the potential acquisition of another company, business or certain assets, our services include evaluating potential acquisition targets, providing valuation analyses, evaluating and proposing financial and structural alternatives, and rendering, if appropriate, fairness opinions. We also may advise as to the timing, financing and pricing of a proposed acquisition and assist in negotiating and closing the acquisition. In addition, we may assist in executing an acquisition by acting as a dealer-manager in transactions structured as a tender or exchange offer.
When we advise clients that are contemplating the sale of certain businesses, assets or an entire company, our services include advising on the sale process for the situation, providing valuation analyses, assisting in preparing an offering circular or other appropriate sale materials and rendering, if appropriate, fairness opinions. We also identify and contact selected qualified acquirors and assist in negotiating and closing the proposed sale. As appropriate, we also advise our clients regarding potential financial and strategic alternatives to a sale, including recapitalizations, spin-offs, carve-outs and split-offs. We frequently provide advice with respect to the structure, timing and pricing of these alternatives.
For companies in financial distress, our services may include reviewing and analyzing the business, operations, properties, financial condition and prospects of the company, evaluating debt capacity, assisting in the determination of an appropriate capital structure and evaluating financial and strategic alternatives. If appropriate, we may provide financial advice and assistance in developing and seeking approval of a restructuring or reorganization plan, which may include a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other similar court administered processes in non-U.S. jurisdictions. In such cases, we may assist in certain aspects of the implementation of such a plan, including advising and assisting in structuring and effecting the financial aspects of a sale or recapitalization, structuring new securities, exchange offers, other consideration or other inducements to be offered or issued, as well as assisting and participating in negotiations with affected entities or groups.
When we assist clients in connection with their capital structure, we typically review and analyze structural alternatives, assist in long-term capital planning and advise and assist with respect to rating agency discussions and relationships, among other things.
When we assist clients in raising private or public market financing, our services include originating and executing private placements of equity, debt and related securities, assisting clients in connection with securing, refinancing or restructuring bank loans or other debt, including convertible securities, originating public underwritings of equity, debt and convertible securities and originating and executing private placements of partnership and similar interests in alternative investment funds such as leveraged buyout, mezzanine or real estate focused funds.
Since the beginning of the financial crisis that began in mid-2007, we also have been at the forefront of providing independent advice to governments and governmental agencies challenged by the economic environment. Lazard’s Sovereign Advisory Group has advised a number of countries with respect to sovereign debt and other issues.
On May 10, 2005, Lazard Group transferred its capital markets business, which consisted of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, and fund management activities outside of France, as well as other specified non-operating assets and liabilities, to LFCM Holdings LLC (“LFCM Holdings”), an entity owned by former and current managing directors (including our executive officers) of Lazard Group. We refer to these businesses, assets and liabilities as the “separated businesses” and these transfers collectively as the “separation.” In connection with the separation, we entered into a business alliance agreement dated as of May 10, 2005 by and among Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), an entity owned by former and current managing directors of Lazard Group, and LFCM Holdings (the “business alliance agreement”), pursuant to which a subsidiary of LFCM Holdings generally underwrites and distributes U.S. securities offerings originated by our Financial Advisory business in a manner intended to be
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similar to our practice prior to the separation, with revenue from such offerings generally continuing to be divided evenly between Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings. Consistent with any obligations to LFCM Holdings, we may explore capital markets opportunities in the future.
Staffing
We staff our assignments with a team of quality professionals who have appropriate product and industry expertise. We pride ourselves on, and we believe we differentiate ourselves from our competitors by, being able to offer a high level of attention from senior personnel to our clients and organizing ourselves in such a way that managing directors who are responsible for securing and maintaining client relationships also actively participate in providing related transaction execution services. Our managing directors have significant experience, and many of them are able to use this experience to advise on M&A, financings, restructurings, capital structure and other transactions or financial matters, depending on our clients’ needs. Many of our managing directors and senior advisors come from diverse backgrounds, such as senior executive positions at corporations and in government, law and strategic consulting, which we believe enhances our ability to offer sophisticated advice and customized solutions to our clients. As of December 31, 2013, our Financial Advisory segment had 132 managing directors and 701 other professionals (which includes directors, vice presidents, associates and analysts).
Industries Served
We seek to offer our services across most major industry groups, including, in many cases, sub-industry specialties. Our Mergers and Acquisitions managing directors and professionals are organized to provide advice in the following major industry practice areas:
| • | consumer, |
| • | financial institutions, |
| • | healthcare and life sciences, |
| • | industrial, |
| • | power and energy/infrastructure, |
| • | real estate, and |
| • | technology, media and telecommunications. |
These groups are managed locally in each relevant geographic region and are coordinated globally, which allows us to bring local industry-specific knowledge to bear on behalf of our clients on a global basis. We believe that this enhances the scope and the quality of the advice that we can offer, which improves our ability to market our capabilities to clients.
In addition to our Mergers and Acquisitions and Restructuring practices, we also maintain specialties in the following distinct practice areas within our Financial Advisory segment:
| • | government and sovereign advisory, |
| • | capital structure and debt advisory, |
| • | fund raising for alternative investment funds, |
| • | private investment in public equities, or “PIPES,” and |
| • | corporate finance and other advisory services, including convertible exchange transactions, registered direct offerings and private placements. |
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We endeavor to coordinate the activities of the professionals in these areas with our Mergers and Acquisitions industry specialists in order to offer clients customized teams of cross-functional expertise spanning both industry and practice area expertise.
Strategy
Our focus in our Financial Advisory business is on:
| • | investing in our intellectual capital through senior professionals who we believe have strong client relationships and industry expertise, |
| • | increasing our contacts with existing clients to further enhance our long-term relationships and our efforts in developing new client relationships, |
| • | developing new client relationships, including leveraging the broad geographic footprint and strong relationships in our Asset Management business, |
| • | expanding the breadth and depth of our industry expertise and selectively adding or reinforcing practice areas, such as our Capital Structure Advisory and Sovereign Advisory Groups, |
| • | coordinating our industry specialty activities on a global basis and increasing the integration of our industry experts in Mergers and Acquisitions with our other professionals, and |
| • | broadening our geographic presence by adding new offices, including, since the beginning of 2007, offices in Australia (Melbourne and Perth), Switzerland (Zurich) and the Middle East Region, as well as new regional offices in the U.S. (Boston, Minneapolis and Charlotte), acquiring a 50% interest in a financial advisory firm with offices in Central and South America (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Panama and Peru), integrating our Brazilian operations based in São Paulo, establishing the Lazard Africa initiative and entering into a joint cooperation agreement with respect to Russia and the CEE region, as well as a strategic alliance with a financial advisory firm in Mexico. |
In addition to the investments made as part of this strategy, we believe that our Financial Advisory business may benefit from external market factors, including:
| • | increasing demand for independent, unbiased financial advice; |
| • | debt reduction, recapitalization and related activities that are occurring in the developed markets; |
| • | relatively low interest rates and high corporate cash balances in the current macroeconomic environment; and |
| • | a potential increase in cross-border M&A and large capitalization M&A, two of our areas of historical specialization. |
Going forward, our strategic emphasis in our Financial Advisory business is to leverage the investments we have made to grow our business and drive our productivity. We continue to seek to opportunistically attract outstanding individuals to our business. We routinely reassess our strategic position and may in the future seek opportunities to further enhance our competitive position. In this regard, we have broadened our geographic footprint through acquisitions, investments and alliances.
Recapitalization and Relationship with Natixis
On May 10, 2005, Lazard Ltd completed the initial equity public offering (the “equity public offering”) of Class A common stock of Lazard Ltd (“Class A common stock” or “common stock”), a public offering of equity security units of Lazard Ltd, private placements under an investment agreement with IXIS Corporate & Investment Bank (“IXIS” or, following its merger with and into its parent, “Natixis”) and a private offering of 7.125% senior notes due 2015 of Lazard Group, primarily to recapitalize Lazard Group. We refer to these
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financing transactions and the recapitalization, collectively, as the “recapitalization.” As part of the recapitalization, Lazard Group used the net proceeds from the financing transactions primarily to redeem the outstanding Lazard Group membership interests of certain of its historical partners.
Lazard Group and Natixis had in place a cooperation arrangement to place and underwrite securities in the French capital markets under a common brand, “Lazard-Natixis,” and cooperate in their respective origination, syndication, placement and other activities. The cooperation arrangement primarily covered French listed companies included in the Société des Bourses Francaises (“SBF”) 120 Index and initial public offerings with an expected resulting market capitalization of at least €500 million. The term of the cooperation arrangement expired on December 31, 2012. Discussions have occurred, and may occur in the future, regarding the execution of a new form of cooperation arrangement.
Asset Management
Our Asset Management business offers a broad range of global investment solutions and investment management services in equity and fixed income strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private clients. Our goal in our Asset Management business is to produce superior risk-adjusted investment returns and provide investment solutions customized for our clients. Many of our equity investment strategies share an investment philosophy that centers on fundamental security selection with a focus on analyzing, among other things, a company’s financial position, productivity and opportunities in light of its valuation.
As of December 31, 2013, total assets under management (“AUM”) were $187 billion, of which approximately 82% was invested in equities, 14% in fixed income, 3% in alternative investments and 1% in private equity funds. As of the same date, within the equity platform, approximately 25% of our AUM was invested in emerging markets strategies, 21% in multi-regional (i.e., non-U.S. and regional non-U.S.) investment strategies, 19% in global investment strategies and 17% in local investment strategies. Within the fixed income platform, approximately 5% of our AUM was invested in emerging markets strategies, 6% in multi-regional (i.e., non-U.S. and regional non-U.S.) investment strategies, 1% in global investment strategies and 2% in local investment strategies. Our top ten clients accounted for 24%, 23% and 22% of our total AUM at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, with no client individually constituting more than 10% of our Asset Management segment net revenue during any of the respective years. Approximately 90% of our AUM as of December 31, 2013 was managed on behalf of institutional clients, including corporations, labor unions, public pension funds, insurance companies and banks, and through sub-advisory relationships, mutual fund sponsors, broker-dealers and registered advisors, and approximately 10% of our AUM was managed on behalf of individual client relationships, which are principally with family offices and high-net worth individuals.
The charts below illustrate the mix of our AUM as of December 31, 2013, measured by broad product strategy and by office location.
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For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our Asset Management segment net revenue totaled $1.039 billion, $896 million and $897 million, respectively, accounting for approximately 52%, 47% and 49%, respectively, of our consolidated net revenue for such years. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our Asset Management segment reported operating income of $335 million, $237 million and $268 million, respectively. Operating income in 2013 and 2012 included charges of $0.2 million and $13 million, respectively, associated with the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012, and, in 2013, included a charge of $12 million relating to private equity incentive compensation (as described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”). Excluding the impact of such charges, our Asset Management segment had operating income of $347 million and $250 million in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our Asset Management segment had total assets of $612 million, $567 million and $584 million, respectively.
LAM and LFG
Our largest Asset Management businesses are Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries (“LAM”), with offices in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, London, Milan, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Zurich, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Manama (aggregating approximately $168 billion in total AUM as of December 31, 2013), and Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”), with offices in Paris, Bordeaux, Brussels, Lyon and Nantes (aggregating approximately $18 billion in total AUM as of December 31, 2013). These operations, with 72 managing directors and 362 professionals as of December 31, 2013, provide our asset management business with both a global presence and a local identity.
Primary distinguishing features of these operations include:
| • | a global footprint with global research, global mandates and global clients, |
| • | a broad-based team of investment professionals, including focused, in-house investment analysts across all products and platforms, many of whom have substantial industry or sector specific expertise, and |
| • | world-wide brand recognition and multi-channel distribution capabilities. |
Our Investment Philosophy, Process and Research. Our investment philosophy is generally based upon a fundamental security selection approach to investing. Across many of our products, we apply three key principles to investment portfolios:
| • | select securities, not markets, |
| • | evaluate a company’s financial position, productivity and opportunities in light of its valuation, and |
| • | manage risk. |
In searching for equity investment opportunities, many of our investment professionals follow an investment process that incorporates several interconnected components that may include:
| • | analytical framework analysis and screening, |
| • | accounting analysis, |
| • | fundamental analysis, |
| • | security selection and portfolio construction, and |
| • | risk management. |
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In our Asset Management business, we conduct investment research on a global basis to develop market, industry and company specific insights and evaluate investment opportunities. Our global equity analysts, located in our worldwide offices, are organized around six global industry sectors:
| • | consumer goods, |
| • | financial services, |
| • | health care, |
| • | industrials, |
| • | power and energy, and |
| • | technology, media and telecommunications. |
Investment Strategies. Our Asset Management business provides equity, fixed income, cash management and alternative investment strategies to our clients, paying close attention to our clients’ varying and expanding investment needs. We offer the following product platform of investment strategies:
| Global |
Multi-Regional |
Local |
Emerging Markets | |||||
| Equity |
Global Large Capitalization Small Capitalization Thematic Convertibles** Listed Infrastructure Quantitative Trend Real Estate Multi Strategies Managed Volatility
Global Ex Global Ex-U.K. Global Ex-Japan Global Ex-Australia |
Pan-European Large Capitalization Small Capitalization Quantitative
Eurozone Large Capitalization** Small Capitalization**
Continental European Small Cap Multi Cap Eurozone Euro-Trend (Thematic)
Asian Asia Ex-Japan
Europe, Australasia and Far East Large Capitalization Small Capitalization Multi-Capitalization Quantitative Real Estate |
U.S. Large Capitalization** Mid Capitalization Small/Mid Capitalization Multi-Capitalization Real Estate
Other U.K. (Large Capitalization) U.K. (Small Capitalization) U.K. Quantitative Australia France (Large Capitalization)* France (Small Capitalization)* Japan** Korea |
Global Large Capitalization Small Capitalization Quantitative Multi Strategies Managed Volatility
Latin America Latin America | ||||
| Fixed Income and Cash Management | Global Core Fixed Income High Yield Short Duration |
Pan-European Core Fixed Income High Yield Cash Management* Duration Overlay
Eurozone Fixed Income** Cash Management* Corporate Bonds** |
U.S. Core Fixed Income High Yield Short Duration Municipals Cash Management*
Non-U.S. U.K. Fixed Income |
Global Emerging Debt Emerging Corporates | ||||
| Alternative |
Global Fund of Hedge Funds Fund of Closed-End Funds Convertible Long/Short Equity Arbitrage/Relative Value |
Non-U.S. Japan (Long/Short) |
Global Emerging Income Emerging Debt | |||||
All of the above strategies are offered by LAM, except for those denoted by *, which are offered exclusively by LFG. Investment strategies offered by both LAM and LFG are denoted by **.
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In addition to the primary investment strategies listed above, we also provide locally customized investment solutions to our clients. In many cases, we also offer both diversified and more concentrated versions of our products. These products are generally offered on a separate account basis, as well as through pooled vehicles.
Distribution. We distribute our products through a broad array of marketing channels on a global basis. LAM’s marketing, sales and client service efforts are organized through a global market delivery and service network, with distribution professionals located in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, London, Milan, Montreal, Toronto, Singapore, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Zurich, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Manama and Seoul. We have developed a well-established presence in the institutional asset management arena, managing assets for corporations, labor unions, sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds around the world. In addition, we manage assets for insurance companies, savings and trust banks, endowments, foundations and charities.
We also have become a leading firm in managing mutual funds and separately managed accounts for many of the world’s largest broker-dealers, insurance companies, registered advisors and other financial intermediaries.
LFG markets and distributes its products through sales professionals based in France and Belgium, who directly target both individual and institutional investors.
Strategy
Our strategic plan in our Asset Management business is to focus on delivering superior investment performance and client service and broadening our product offerings and distribution in selected areas in order to continue to drive improved business results. Over the past several years, in an effort to improve our Asset Management business’ operations and expand our Asset Management business, we have:
| • | focused on enhancing our investment performance, |
| • | improved our investment management platform by adding a number of senior investment professionals (including portfolio managers and analysts), |
| • | continued to strengthen our marketing and consultant relations capabilities, including by expanding our marketing resources and leveraging the broad geographic footprint and strong client relationships in our Financial Advisory business, |
| • | expanded our product platform, including through the addition of an emerging markets fixed income team, an asian equity team and a global real estate investment team, and |
| • | continued to expand the geographic reach of our Asset Management business, including through opening offices in Switzerland and Singapore. |
We believe that our Asset Management business has long maintained an outstanding team of portfolio managers and global research analysts. We intend to maintain and supplement our intellectual capital to achieve our goals. We routinely reassess our strategic position and may in the future seek acquisitions or other transactions, including the opportunistic hiring of new employees, in order to further enhance our competitive position. In this regard, in September 2011, LAM acquired the assets of Grubb & Ellis Alesco Global Advisors, LLC (“Alesco”). Alesco is an investment advisor located in San Francisco, California, focusing on real estate securities and managing three registered mutual funds. We also believe that our specific investment strategies, global reach, unique brand identity and access to multiple distribution channels may allow us to expand into new investment products, strategies and geographic locations. In addition, we may expand our participation in alternative investment activities through investments in new and successor funds, through organic growth, acquisitions or otherwise. We may also continue to expand our geographic reach. In 2014, we announced our expansion in the Middle East with plans to open a Dubai office.
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Alternative Investments
Historically, Lazard has made selected investments with its own capital, often alongside capital of qualified institutional and individual investors. These activities typically are organized in funds that make substantial or controlling investments in private or public companies, generally through privately negotiated transactions and with a view to divest within two to seven years. While potentially risky and frequently illiquid, such investments, when successful, can yield investors substantial returns on capital and generate attractive management and performance fees for the sponsor of such funds.
Since 2005, we have been engaged in selected alternative investments and private equity activities. In 2009, we established a private equity business with The Edgewater Funds (“Edgewater”), a Chicago-based private equity firm, through the acquisition of Edgewater’s management vehicles. The acquisition of Edgewater was structured as a purchase by Lazard of interests in a holding company that owns interests in the general partner and management company entities of the current Edgewater private equity funds (the “Edgewater Acquisition”). As of December 31, 2013, Edgewater had approximately $1 billion of AUM and unfunded fee-earning commitments.
In Australia, we operate our private equity business through Lazard Australia, which, as of December 31, 2013, had approximately $173 million of AUM and unfunded fee-earning commitments.
LFCM Holdings, through certain subsidiaries of Lazard Alternative Investments Holdings LLC (“LAI”), operates the alternative investment business (including private equity activities) that was transferred to it in the separation. We retained an investment in certain of the funds that were or are still operated by LAI and its subsidiaries. We are entitled to receive a portion of the carry attributable to our investment in a fund previously formed and managed by LAI (net of compensation payable to investment professionals who manage this fund). In addition, pursuant to the business alliance agreement, we retained an option to acquire the North American and European fund management activities of LAI and have the right to participate in the governance of LAI and to consent to certain actions. On December 15, 2009, we exercised our option to acquire the right to conduct private equity activities in Europe. While the remaining option to purchase the management entities of LAI’s North American businesses (the “North American Option”) is currently exercisable at any time prior to May 10, 2014, during the fourth quarter of 2011, we determined that we are unlikely to exercise such option (see Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
In 2009, the business alliance agreement with LFCM Holdings was amended to remove certain restrictions on our ability to engage in private equity activities in North America and to reduce the price of the North American Option.
Employees
We believe that our people are our most important asset, and it is their reputation, talent, integrity and dedication that underpin our success. As of December 31, 2013, we employed 2,403 people, which included 132 managing directors and 701 other professionals in our Financial Advisory segment and 72 managing directors and 376 other professionals in our Asset Management segment. We strive to maintain a work environment that fosters professionalism, excellence, diversity and cooperation among our employees worldwide. We generally utilize an evaluation process at the end of each year to measure performance, determine compensation and provide guidance on opportunities for improved performance. Generally, our employees are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements, except that our employees in certain of our European offices, including France and Italy, are covered by national, industry-wide collective bargaining agreements. We believe that we have good relations with our employees.
In October 2012 we announced a number of cost saving initiatives to reduce our expenses, which have impacted the number of people that we employ. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition — Cost Saving Initiatives” below.
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Competition
The financial services industry, and all of the businesses in which we compete, are intensely competitive, and we expect them to remain so. Our competitors are other investment banking and financial advisory firms, broker-dealers, commercial and “universal” banks, insurance companies, investment management firms, hedge fund management firms, alternative investment firms and other financial institutions. We compete with some of them globally and with others on a regional, product or niche basis. We compete on the basis of a number of factors, including quality of people, transaction execution skills, investment track record, quality of client service, individual and institutional client relationships, absence of conflicts, range of products and services, innovation, brand recognition and business reputation.
While our competitors vary by country in our Financial Advisory business, we believe our primary competitors in securing engagements are Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Evercore Partners, Goldman Sachs, Greenhill, JPMorgan Chase, Mediobanca, Morgan Stanley, Rothschild and UBS. In our Restructuring practice, our primary competitors are The Blackstone Group, Evercore Partners, Greenhill, Houlihan Lokey, Moelis & Company and Rothschild.
We believe that our primary global competitors in our Asset Management business include, in the case of LAM, Aberdeen and Schroders, Alliance Bernstein, Capital Management & Research, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Invesco, JP Morgan Asset Management, Lord Abbett and MFS and, in the case of LFG, private banks with offices in France as well as large institutional banks and fund managers. We face competition in private equity both in the pursuit of outside investors for our private equity funds and the acquisition of investments in attractive portfolio companies. We compete with hundreds of other funds, many of which are subsidiaries of, or otherwise affiliated with, large financial service providers.
Competition is also intense in each of our businesses for the attraction and retention of qualified employees, and we compete, among other factors, on the level and nature of compensation and equity-based incentives for key employees. Our ability to continue to compete effectively in our businesses will depend upon our ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate our existing employees, in each case at appropriate compensation levels.
In recent years there has been substantial consolidation and convergence among companies in the financial services industry. In particular, a number of large commercial banks, insurance companies and other broad-based financial services firms have established or acquired broker-dealers or have merged with other financial institutions. This trend was amplified in connection with the unprecedented disruption and volatility in the financial markets during the past several years, and, as a result, a number of financial services companies have merged, been acquired or have fundamentally changed their respective business models, including, in certain cases, becoming bank holding companies or commercial banks. Many of these firms have the ability to offer a wider range of products than we offer, including loans, deposit taking, insurance and brokerage services. Many of these firms also offer more extensive asset management and investment banking services, which may enhance their competitive position. They also may have the ability to support investment banking and securities products with commercial banking, insurance and other financial services revenue in an effort to gain market share, which could result in pricing pressure in our businesses. This trend toward consolidation and convergence has significantly increased the capital base and geographic reach of our competitors, and, in certain instances, has afforded them access to government funds. At the same time, demand for independent financial advice has increased and has created opportunities for new entrants, including a number of boutique financial advisory firms.
Regulation
Our businesses, as well as the financial services industry generally, are subject to extensive regulation throughout the world. As a matter of public policy, regulatory bodies are charged with safeguarding the integrity of the securities and other financial markets and with protecting the interests of customers participating in those markets, not with protecting the interests of our stockholders or creditors. Many of our affiliates that participate
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in securities markets are subject to comprehensive regulations that include some form of minimum capital retention requirements and customer protection rules. In the U.S., certain of our subsidiaries are subject to such regulations promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or the Municipal Securities Rulemakers Board (the “MSRB”). Standards, requirements and rules implemented throughout the European Union are broadly comparable in scope and purpose to the regulatory capital and customer protection requirements imposed under the SEC and FINRA rules. European Union directives also permit local regulation in each jurisdiction, including those in which we operate, to be more restrictive than the requirements of such European Union-wide directives. These sometimes burdensome local requirements can result in certain competitive disadvantages to us.
In the U.S., the SEC is the federal agency responsible for the administration of the federal securities laws. FINRA is a voluntary, self-regulatory body composed of members, such as our broker-dealer subsidiaries, that have agreed to abide by FINRA’s rules and regulations. The MSRB is also a voluntary, self-regulatory body, composed of members, including “municipal advisors”, that have agreed to abide by the MSRB’s rules and regulations. The SEC, FINRA, MSRB and non-U.S. regulatory organizations may examine the activities of, and may expel, fine and otherwise discipline us and our employees. The laws, rules and regulations comprising this framework of regulation and the interpretation and enforcement of existing laws, rules and regulations are constantly changing, particularly in light of the extraordinary disruption and volatility in the global financial markets experienced in recent years. The effect of any such changes cannot be predicted and may impact the manner of operation and profitability of our company.
Our principal U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), through which we conduct most of our U.S. Financial Advisory business, is currently registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and FINRA, and as a broker-dealer in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As such, LFNY is subject to regulations governing most aspects of the securities business, including minimum capital retention requirements, record-keeping and reporting procedures, relationships with customers, experience and training requirements for certain employees, and business procedures with firms that are not members of certain regulatory bodies. LFNY is also currently registered with the SEC and the MSRB as a municipal advisor, a registration category that includes placement agents that solicit investments from public pension funds on behalf of investment funds. The MSRB has adopted, and is in the process of adopting, additional rules to govern municipal advisors, including “pay-to-play” rules and rules regarding professional standards, and LFNY is subject to those rules. Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC, a subsidiary of LAM, is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and FINRA and in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Lazard Middle Market LLC, a subsidiary of GAHL, is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and FINRA, and as a broker-dealer in various U.S. states and territories.
Certain U.K. subsidiaries of Lazard Group, including Lazard & Co., Limited, Lazard Fund Managers Limited and Lazard Asset Management Limited, which we refer to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K”) as the “U.K. subsidiaries,” are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”). We also have other subsidiaries that are registered as broker-dealers (or have similar non-U.S. registration) in various jurisdictions.
Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères SAS (“CFLF”), our French subsidiary under which asset management and commercial banking activities are carried out in France, is subject to regulation by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (“ACPR”) for its banking activities conducted through its subsidiary, our Paris-based banking affiliate, Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”). The investment services activities of the Paris group, exercised through LFB and other subsidiaries of CFLF, primarily LFG, also are subject to regulation and supervision by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. In addition, pursuant to the consolidated supervision rules in the European Union, LFB, in particular, as a French credit institution, is required to be supervised by a regulatory body, either in the U.S. or in the European Union. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company and the ACPR agreed on terms for the consolidated supervision of LFB and certain other non-financial advisory European subsidiaries of the Company (referred to herein, on a combined basis, as the “combined European regulated group”) under such rules. Under this new supervision, the combined European regulated group is required to
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comply with periodic financial, regulatory net capital and other reporting obligations. Additionally, the combined European regulated group, together with our European financial advisory entities, is required to perform an annual risk assessment and provide certain other information on a periodic basis, including financial reports and information relating to financial performance, balance sheet data and capital structure (which is similar to the information that the Company had already been providing informally). This new supervision under, and provision of information to, the ACPR became effective December 31, 2013.
Our U.S. broker-dealer subsidiaries, including LFNY, are subject to the SEC’s uniform net capital rule, Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the net capital rules of FINRA, which may limit our ability to make withdrawals of capital from our broker-dealer subsidiaries. The uniform net capital rule sets the minimum level of net capital a broker-dealer must maintain and also requires that a portion of its assets be relatively liquid. FINRA may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying cash dividends if it would result in net capital falling below FINRA’s requirements. In addition, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are also subject to regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, which impose obligations regarding the prevention and detection of money-laundering activities, including the establishment of customer due diligence and other compliance policies and procedures. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in monetary, regulatory and, in certain cases, criminal penalties.
Certain of our Asset Management subsidiaries are registered as investment advisors with the SEC. As registered investment advisors, each is subject to the requirements of the Investment Advisers Act and the SEC’s regulations thereunder. Such requirements relate to, among other things, the relationship between an advisor and its advisory clients, as well as general anti-fraud prohibitions. LAM serves as an advisor to several mutual funds which are registered under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act regulates, among other things, the relationship between a mutual fund and its investment advisor (and other service providers) and prohibits or severely restricts principal transactions between an advisor and its advisory clients, imposes record- keeping and reporting requirements, disclosure requirements, limitations on trades where a single broker acts as the agent for both the buyer and seller (known as “agency cross”), and limitations on affiliated transactions and joint transactions. Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC, a subsidiary of LAM, serves as an underwriter or distributor for mutual funds and hedge funds managed by LAM, and as an introducing broker to Pershing LLC for unmanaged accounts of LAM’s private clients.
As a result of certain recent changes effected by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) related to the regulation of over-the-counter swaps and other derivative instruments, LAM and certain of its subsidiaries have recently registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ( the “CFTC”) and the National Futures Association (the “NFA”), and are subject to certain aspects of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder, and to the rules of the NFA. The CFTC and the NFA have authority over the laws, rules and regulations related to commodities (including the over-the-counter swaps and derivatives markets), and regulate our relationship with clients who trade in these instruments. The U.S. Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder also impose additional record-keeping and reporting requirements and disclosure requirements on LAM and its subsidiaries.
In addition, the Japanese Ministry of Finance and the Financial Supervisory Agency, the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and German banking authorities, among others, regulate relevant operating subsidiaries of the Company and also have capital standards and other requirements comparable to the rules of the SEC. Our business is also subject to regulation by other non-U.S. governmental and regulatory bodies and self-regulatory authorities in other countries where we operate.
Regulators are empowered to conduct administrative proceedings that can result, among other things, in censure, fine, the issuance of cease-and-desist orders or the suspension or expulsion or other disciplining of a broker-dealer or its directors, officers or employees.
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Over the last several years, global financial markets experienced extraordinary disruption and volatility. As a result, the U.S. and other governments and institutions have taken actions, and may continue to take further actions, in response to this disruption and volatility, including expanding current or enacting new standards, requirements and rules that may be applicable to us and our subsidiaries. The effect of any such expanded or new standards, requirements and rules is uncertain and could have adverse consequences to our business and results of operations. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Other Business Risks—Extensive regulation of our businesses limits our activities and results in ongoing exposure to the potential for significant penalties, including fines or limitations on our ability to conduct our businesses.”
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Set forth below are the name, age, present title, principal occupation and certain biographical information for each of our executive officers as of February 21, 2014, all of whom have been appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, our board of directors.
Kenneth M. Jacobs, 55
Mr. Jacobs has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since November 2009. Mr. Jacobs has served as a Managing Director of Lazard since 1991 and had been a Deputy Chairman of Lazard from January 2002 until November 2009. Mr. Jacobs also served as Chief Executive Officer of Lazard North America from January 2002 until November 2009. Mr. Jacobs initially joined Lazard in 1988. Mr. Jacobs is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago and the Brookings Institution.
Matthieu Bucaille, 54
Mr. Bucaille has served as Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since April 1, 2011. Mr. Bucaille has served as a Managing Director of Lazard since 1998 and served as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of LFB in Paris from October 2009 until December 2011. Mr. Bucaille joined Lazard in 1989 from the First Boston Corporation in New York.
Ashish Bhutani, 53
Mr. Bhutani has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since March 2010. Mr. Bhutani is a Vice Chairman and a Managing Director of Lazard and has been the Chief Executive Officer of LAM since March 2004. Mr. Bhutani previously served as Head of New Products and Strategic Planning for LAM from June 2003 to March 2004. Prior to joining Lazard, he was Co-Chief Executive Officer, North America, of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein from 2001 to the end of 2002, and was a member of its Global Corporate and Markets Board, and a member of its Global Executive Committee. Mr. Bhutani worked at Wasserstein Perella Group (the predecessor to Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein) from 1989 to 2001, serving as Deputy Chairman of Wasserstein Perella Group and Chief Executive Officer of Wasserstein Perella Securities from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Bhutani began his career at Salomon Brothers in 1985, where he was a Vice President in Fixed Income. Mr. Bhutani is a member of the Board of Directors of four registered investment companies, which are part of the Lazard fund complex.
Scott D. Hoffman, 51
Mr. Hoffman has served as General Counsel of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since May 2005. Mr. Hoffman has served as a Managing Director of Lazard Group since January 1999 and General Counsel of Lazard Group since January 2001. Mr. Hoffman previously served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel from February 1994 to December 1997 and as a Director from January 1998 to December 1998. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Hoffman was an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York University School of Law.
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Alexander F. Stern, 47
Mr. Stern has served as Chief Operating Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since November 2008. He has served as a Managing Director since January 2002 and as the Firm’s Global Head of Strategy since February 2006. Mr. Stern previously served as a Vice President in Lazard’s Financial Advisory business from January 1998 to December 2000 and as a Director from January 2001 to December 2001. Mr. Stern initially joined Lazard in 1994 and previously held various positions with Patricof & Co. Ventures and IBM.
Where You Can Find Additional Information
Lazard Group files current, annual and quarterly reports, and other information required by the Exchange Act with the SEC. You may read and copy any document the company files at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Company’s SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
Our public website is http://www.lazard.com and the investor relations SEC filings section of our public website is located at http://www.lazard.com/InvestorRelations/SEC-Filings.aspx. We will make available free of charge, on or through the investor relations section of our website, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of directors and executive officers and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Also posted on our website, and available in print upon request of any Lazard Ltd shareholder to the Investor Relations Department, are charters for the Lazard Ltd’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating & Governance Committee. Copies of these charters and Lazard Ltd’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing our directors, officers and employees are also posted on the investor relations section of our website in the corporate governance subsection.
| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
You should carefully consider the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The following risks comprise material risks of which we are aware. If any of the events or developments described below actually occurred, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer.
Risks Relating to the Financial Services Industry and Financial Markets
In recent years, regional and global capital markets and economies have experienced periods of significant disruption and volatility, which has had negative repercussions on the global economy, and any continued disruption or volatility could present challenges for our business.
In recent years, certain adverse financial developments have impacted regional and global capital markets and the macroeconomic climate. These developments included a general slowing of economic growth both in the U.S. and globally, periods of volatility in equity securities markets and volatility and tightening of liquidity in credit markets. In addition, concerns over sovereign debt levels, high unemployment levels, business and consumer confidence levels, geopolitical issues and weak real estate markets have contributed to increased volatility and have affected expectations for the economy and the markets going forward. Furthermore, investor concerns about the financial health of certain European countries and financial institutions caused market disruptions in recent years and may continue to cause disruption in future periods. If significant levels of market disruption and volatility continue, or if current conditions materially worsen, our business may be adversely affected, which may have a material impact on our business and results of operations.
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The full extent of the effects of governmental economic and regulatory involvement in the wake of disruption and volatility in global financial markets remains uncertain.
As a result of market volatility and disruption in recent years, the U.S. and other governments have taken unprecedented steps to try to stabilize the financial system, including investing in financial institutions and taking certain regulatory actions. The full extent of the effects of these actions and legislative and regulatory initiatives (including the Dodd-Frank Act) effected in connection with, and as a result of, such extraordinary disruption and volatility is uncertain, both as to the financial capital markets and participants in general, and as to us in particular.
The soundness of third parties, including our clients, as well as financial, governmental and other institutions, could adversely affect us.
We have exposure to many different industries, institutions, products and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be fully realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due us.
Other Business Risks
Our ability to retain our managing directors and other key professional employees is critical to the success of our business, including maintaining compensation levels at an appropriate level of costs, and failure to do so may materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.
Our people are our most important resource. We must retain the services of our managing directors and other key professional employees, and strategically recruit and hire new talented employees, to obtain and successfully execute the Financial Advisory and Asset Management engagements that generate substantially all our revenue.
We have experienced several significant events in recent years. In general, our industry continues to experience change and exerts competitive pressures for retaining top talent, which makes it more difficult for us to retain professionals. If any of our managing directors and other key professional employees were to retire, join an existing competitor, form a competing company or otherwise leave us, some of our clients could choose to use the services of that competitor or some other competitor instead of our services. In any such event, our investment banking fees, money management fees or AUM could decline. The employment arrangements, non-competition agreements and retention agreements we have or will enter into with our managing directors and other key professional employees may not prevent our managing directors and other key professional employees from resigning from practice or competing against us. In addition, these arrangements and agreements have a limited duration and will expire after a certain period of time. We continue to be subject to intense competition in the financial services industry regarding the recruitment and retention of key professionals, and have experienced departures from and added to our professional ranks as a result. Certain changes to our employee compensation arrangements may result in increased compensation and benefits expense. In addition, any changes to the mix of cash and deferred compensation granted to our employees may affect certain financial measures applicable to our business, including ratios of compensation and benefits expense to revenue, and may result in increased levels of Class A common stock issued to our employees upon vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or grants of restricted stock in a particular year. Our compensation levels, results of operations and financial position may be significantly affected by many factors, including general economic and market conditions, our operating and financial performance, staffing levels and competitive pay conditions.
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Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the volume of the transactions involving our Financial Advisory business and reducing the value or performance of the assets we manage in our Asset Management business, which, in each case, could materially reduce our revenue or income and adversely affect our financial position.
As a financial services firm, our businesses are materially affected by conditions in the global financial markets and economic conditions throughout the world. The financial environment in the U.S. and globally has been volatile during recent years. Unfavorable economic and market conditions can adversely affect our financial performance in both the Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses.
For example, revenue generated by our Financial Advisory business is directly related to the volume and value of the transactions in which we are involved. During periods of unfavorable market or economic conditions, the volume and value of M&A transactions may decrease, thereby reducing the demand for our Financial Advisory services and increasing price competition among financial services companies seeking such engagements. Our results of operations would be adversely affected by any such reduction in the volume or value of M&A transactions. In addition, our profitability would be adversely affected due to our fixed costs and the possibility that we would be unable to reduce our variable costs without reducing revenue or within a timeframe sufficient to offset any decreases in revenue relating to changes in market and economic conditions. The future market and economic climate may deteriorate because of many factors, including possible increases in interest rates, inflation, corporate or sovereign defaults, terrorism or political uncertainty.
Within our Financial Advisory business, we have typically seen that, during periods of economic strength and growth, our Mergers and Acquisitions practice historically has been more active and our Restructuring practice has been less active. Conversely, during periods of economic weakness and contraction, we typically have seen that our Restructuring practice has been more active and our Mergers and Acquisitions practice has been less active. As a result, revenue from our Restructuring practice has tended to correlate negatively to our revenue from our Mergers and Acquisitions practice over the course of business cycles. These trends are cyclical in nature and subject to periodic reversal. However, these trends do not cancel out the impact of economic conditions in our Financial Advisory business, which may be adversely affected by a downturn in economic conditions leading to decreased Mergers and Acquisitions practice activity, notwithstanding improvements in our Restructuring practice. Moreover, revenue improvements in our Mergers and Acquisitions practice in strong economic conditions could be offset in whole or in part by any related revenue declines in our Restructuring practice. While we generally have experienced a counter-cyclical relationship between our Mergers and Acquisitions practice and our Restructuring practice, this relationship may not continue in the future.
Our Asset Management business also would be expected to generate lower revenue in a market or general economic downturn. Under our Asset Management business’ arrangements, investment advisory fees we receive typically are based on the market value of AUM. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities, such as that which occurred on a global basis in 2008, or in specific geographic markets or sectors that constitute a significant portion of our AUM (e.g., our emerging markets strategies), would be expected to cause our revenue and income to decline by causing:
| • | the value of our AUM to decrease, which would result in lower investment advisory fees, |
| • | some of our clients to withdraw funds from our Asset Management business due to the uncertainty or volatility in the market, or in favor of investments they perceive as offering greater opportunity or lower risk, which would also result in lower investment advisory fees, |
| • | some of our clients or prospective clients to hesitate in allocating assets to our Asset Management business due to the uncertainty or volatility in the market, which would also result in lower investment advisory fees, or |
| • | negative absolute performance returns for some accounts which have performance-based incentive fees, which would result in a reduction of revenue from such fees. |
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If our Asset Management revenue declines without a commensurate reduction in our expenses, our net income would be reduced. In addition, in the event of a market or general economic downturn, our alternative investment and private equity practices also may be impacted by a difficult fund raising environment and reduced exit opportunities in which to realize the value of their investments. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the levels of our AUM and our investment advisory fees. See “Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could reduce our members’ equity and net income or negatively impact the portfolios of our Asset Management clients and may affect the levels of our AUM” below.
A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from Financial Advisory fees, which are not long-term contracted sources of revenue and are subject to intense competition, and declines in our Financial Advisory engagements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We historically have earned a substantial portion of our revenue from advisory fees paid to us by our Financial Advisory clients, which usually are payable upon the successful completion of a particular transaction or restructuring. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2013, Financial Advisory services accounted for approximately 49% of our consolidated net revenue. We expect that we will continue to rely on Financial Advisory fees for a substantial portion of our revenue for the foreseeable future, and a decline in our advisory engagements or the market for advisory services would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we operate in a highly competitive environment where typically there are no long-term contracted sources of revenue. Each revenue-generating engagement typically is separately awarded and negotiated. Furthermore, many businesses do not routinely engage in transactions requiring our services and, as a consequence, our fee paying engagements with many clients are not likely to be predictable. We also lose clients each year, including as a result of the sale or merger of a client, a change in a client’s senior management and competition from other financial advisors and financial institutions. As a result, our engagements with clients are constantly changing and our Financial Advisory fees could decline quickly due to the factors discussed above.
If the number of debt defaults, bankruptcies or other factors affecting demand for our Restructuring services declines, our Restructuring revenue could suffer.
We provide various restructuring and restructuring-related advice to companies in financial distress or to their creditors or other stakeholders. Historically, the fees from restructuring related services have been a significant part of our Financial Advisory revenue. A number of factors could affect demand for these advisory services, including improving general economic conditions, the availability and cost of debt and equity financing and changes to laws, rules and regulations, including deregulation or privatization of particular industries and those that protect creditors.
Due to the nature of our business, financial results could differ significantly from period to period, which may make it difficult for us to achieve steady earnings growth on a quarterly basis.
We experience significant fluctuations in quarterly revenue and profits. These fluctuations generally can be attributed to the fact that we earn a substantial portion of our Financial Advisory revenue upon the successful completion of a transaction or a restructuring, the timing of which is uncertain and is not subject to our control. As a result, our Financial Advisory business is highly dependent on market conditions and the decisions and actions of our clients, interested third parties and governmental authorities. For example, a client or counterparty could delay or terminate an acquisition transaction because of a failure to agree upon final terms, failure to obtain necessary regulatory consents or board of directors or stockholder approval, failure to secure necessary financing, adverse market conditions or because the seller’s business is experiencing unexpected operating or financial problems. Anticipated bidders for assets of a client during a restructuring transaction may not materialize or our client may not be able to restructure its operations or indebtedness, for example, due to a failure to reach agreement with its principal creditors. In addition, a bankruptcy court may deny our right to collect a “success”
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or “completion” fee. In these circumstances, other than in engagements where we receive monthly retainers, we often do not receive any advisory fees other than the reimbursement of certain expenses despite the fact that we devote resources to these transactions. Accordingly, the failure of one or more transactions to close either as anticipated or at all could cause significant fluctuations in quarterly revenue and profits and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For more information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
In addition, our Asset Management revenue is particularly sensitive to fluctuations in our AUM. Asset Management fees are predominantly based on average AUM as of the end of a quarter or month. As a result, a reduction in AUM at the end of a quarter or month (as a result of market depreciation, withdrawals, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or otherwise) will result in a decrease in management fees. Similarly, timing of flows, contributions and withdrawals are often out of our control and may be inconsistent from quarter to quarter. Incentive fees are driven by investment performance (either absolute performance or relative to an established benchmark), which is directly impacted by market movements, and may therefore fluctuate from period to period.
As a result of quarterly fluctuations, it may be difficult for us to achieve steady earnings growth on a quarterly basis.
We could lose clients and suffer a decline in our Asset Management revenue and earnings if the investments we choose in our Asset Management business perform poorly or if we lose key employees, regardless of overall trends in the prices of securities.
Investment performance affects our AUM relating to existing clients and is one of the most important factors in retaining clients and competing for new Asset Management business. Poor investment performance could impair our revenue and growth because:
| • | existing clients might withdraw funds from our Asset Management business in favor of better performing products, which would result in lower investment advisory fees, |
| • | our incentive fees, which provide us with a set percentage of returns on some alternative investment and private equity funds and other accounts, would decline, |
| • | third-party financial intermediaries, rating services, advisors or consultants may rate our products poorly, which may result in client withdrawals and reduced asset flows, or |
| • | firms with which we have strategic alliances may terminate such relationships with us, and future strategic alliances may be unavailable. |
If key employees were to leave our Asset Management business, whether to join a competitor or otherwise, we may suffer a decline in revenue or earnings and our financial position could be adversely affected. Loss of key employees may occur due to perceived opportunity for promotion, compensation levels, work environment or other individual reasons, some of which may be beyond our control.
Over certain time periods, we may have a higher concentration of assets in certain strategies. To the extent that this is the case, underperformance, changes in investment personnel or other changes in these strategies may result in a withdrawal of assets. If a significant amount of clients withdraw from these strategies for any reason, our revenues would decline and our operating results would be adversely affected.
Our investment style in our Asset Management business, including the mix of asset classes comprising our AUM, may underperform other investment approaches, which may result in significant client or asset departures, or a reduction in AUM.
Even when securities prices are rising generally, performance can be affected by investment style and mix of asset classes. Many of the equity investment strategies in our Asset Management business share a common investment orientation towards fundamental security selection. We believe this style tends to outperform the market
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in some market environments and underperform it in others. In particular, a prolonged growth environment may cause certain investment strategies to go out of favor with some clients, advisors, consultants or third-party intermediaries. In combination with poor performance relative to peers, changes in personnel, extensive periods in particular market environments or other difficulties, the underperformance of our investment style may result in significant client or asset departures or a reduction in AUM.
Because many of our Asset Management clients can remove the assets we manage on short notice, we may experience unexpected declines in revenue and profitability.
Our investment advisory contracts are generally terminable upon very short notice. Institutional and individual clients, and firms with which we have strategic alliances, can terminate their relationship with us, reduce the aggregate amount of AUM or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures for a number of reasons, including investment performance, departures from or changes to the teams that manage our investment products, or changes in prevailing interest rates and financial market performance. Poor performance relative to other investment management firms tends to result in decreased investments in our investment products, increased redemptions of our investment products, and the loss of institutional or individual accounts or strategic alliances. In addition, the ability to terminate relationships may allow clients to renegotiate for lower fees paid for asset management services.
In addition, in the U.S., as required by the Investment Company Act, each of our investment advisory contracts with the mutual funds we advise or subadvise automatically terminates upon its “assignment.” Each of our other investment advisory contracts subject to the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act provide, as required by the Investment Advisers Act, that the contract may not be “assigned” without the consent of the customer. A sale of a sufficiently large block of shares of our voting securities or other transactions could be deemed an “assignment” in certain circumstances. An assignment, actual or constructive, would trigger these termination provisions and could adversely affect our ability to continue managing client accounts.
Access to clients through intermediaries is important to our Asset Management business, and reductions in referrals from such intermediaries or poor reviews of our products or our organization by such intermediaries could materially reduce our revenue and impair our ability to attract new clients.
Our ability to market our Asset Management services relies in part on receiving mandates from the client base of national and regional securities firms, banks, insurance companies, defined contribution plan administrators, investment consultants and other intermediaries. To an increasing extent, our Asset Management business uses referrals from accountants, lawyers, financial planners and other professional advisors. The inability to have this access could materially adversely affect our Asset Management business. In addition, many of these intermediaries review and evaluate our products and our organization. Poor reviews or evaluations of either the particular product or of us may result in client withdrawals or an inability to attract new assets through such intermediaries.
We have investments, primarily through our private equity businesses, in relatively high-risk, illiquid assets, and we may lose some or all of the principal amount of these investments or fail to realize any profits from these investments for a considerable period of time.
We have made, and in the future may make, principal investments in public or private companies or in alternative investments (including private equity funds) established by us or by LFCM Holdings, and continue to hold principal investments directly or through funds managed by LFCM Holdings and certain affiliates of Lazard, including Edgewater and Lazard Australia. Making principal investments is risky, and we may lose some or all of the principal amount of our investments. Certain of these types of investments may be in relatively high-risk, illiquid assets. Because it may take several years before attractive alternative investment opportunities are identified, some or all of the capital committed by us to these funds is likely to be invested in government securities, other short-term, highly rated debt securities and money market funds that traditionally have offered investors relatively lower returns. In addition, these investments may be adjusted for accounting purposes to fair value at the end of
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each quarter, and any related gains or losses would affect our results of operations, even though such fair value fluctuations may have no cash impact, which could increase the volatility of our earnings. It takes a substantial period of time to identify attractive alternative investment opportunities, to raise all the funds needed to make an investment and then to realize the cash value of an investment through resale. Even if an alternative investment proves to be profitable, it may be several years or longer before any profits can be realized in cash or other proceeds.
Our revenue from our private equity business is derived primarily from management fees, which are calculated as a percentage of committed capital or invested capital depending on the stage of each respective fund. Transaction and advisory fees are also earned. Incentive fees are earned if investments are profitable over a specified threshold. Our ability to form new alternative investment funds is subject to a number of uncertainties, including past performance of our funds, market or economic conditions, competition from other fund managers and the ability to negotiate terms with major investors.
Our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the fair value of positions held in our investment portfolios.
We invest capital in various types of equity and debt securities in order to seed LAM equity, debt and alternative investment funds, and for general corporate purposes. Such investments are subject to market fluctuations due to changes in the market prices of securities, interest rates or other market factors, such as liquidity. While we may seek to hedge the market risk for some of these investments, an effective hedge may not be available. These investments are adjusted for accounting purposes to fair value at the end of each quarter regardless of our intended holding period, with any related gains or losses reflected in our results of operations, and therefore may increase the volatility of our earnings, even though such gains or losses may not be realized.
The financial services industry, and all of the businesses in which we compete, are intensely competitive.
The financial services industry is intensely competitive, and we expect it to remain so. We compete on the basis of a number of factors, including the quality of our advice, employees and transaction execution, our products and services, innovation, reputation and price. We have experienced intense fee competition in some of our businesses in recent years, and we believe that we may experience pricing pressures in these and other areas in the future as some of our competitors seek to obtain increased market share by reducing fees.
A number of factors increase the competitive risks of our Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses:
| • | there are relatively few barriers to entry impeding the launch of new asset management and financial advisory firms, including a relatively low cost of entering these businesses, and the successful efforts of new entrants into our lines of business, including major banks and other financial institutions, have resulted in increased competition; |
| • | other industry participants will from time to time seek to recruit our employees away from us in order to compete in our lines of business; and |
| • | certain of our Financial Advisory practices and Asset Management products are newly established and relatively small. |
We also face increased competition due to a trend toward consolidation. In recent years, there has been substantial consolidation and convergence among companies in the financial services industry. In particular, a number of large commercial banks, insurance companies and other broad-based financial services firms have established or acquired broker-dealers or have merged with other financial institutions. This trend was amplified in connection with the unprecedented disruption and volatility in the financial markets during the past several years and, as a result, a number of financial services companies have merged, been acquired or have fundamentally changed their respective business models. Many of these firms have the ability to offer a wide
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range of products, from loans, deposit-taking and insurance to brokerage, asset management and investment banking services, which may enhance their competitive position. They may also have the ability to support investment banking, including financial advisory services, with commercial banking, insurance and other financial services in an effort to gain market share, which could result in pricing pressure in our businesses.
Competitive pressure could adversely affect our ability to attract new or retain existing clients, make successful investments, retain our personnel or maintain AUM, any of which would adversely impact our revenue and earnings.
An inability to access the debt and equity capital markets as a result of our debt obligations, credit ratings or other factors could impair our liquidity, increase our borrowing costs or otherwise adversely affect our competitive position or results of operations.
As of December 31, 2013, Lazard Group and its subsidiaries had approximately $1.1 billion in debt (including capital lease obligations) outstanding, of which $548 million and $500 million relate to Lazard Group senior notes that mature in 2017 and 2020, respectively. This debt has certain mandated payment obligations, which may constrain our ability to operate our business. If we decide to redeem or retire this debt before maturity, we may be required to pay a significant premium to do so, which may adversely impact our earnings and affect our financial position. In addition, in the future we may need to incur debt or issue equity in order to fund our working capital requirements or refinance existing indebtedness, as well as to make acquisitions and other investments. The amount of our debt obligations may impair our ability to raise debt or issue equity for financing purposes. Our access to funds also may be impaired if regulatory authorities take significant action against us, or if we discover that any of our employees had engaged in serious unauthorized or illegal activity. In addition, our borrowing costs and our access to the debt capital markets depend significantly on our credit ratings. These ratings are assigned by rating agencies, which may reduce or withdraw their ratings or place us on “credit watch” with negative implications at any time. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
We may pursue acquisitions, joint ventures or cooperation agreements that may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our business and could present unforeseen integration obstacles or costs.
We routinely assess our strategic position and may in the future seek acquisitions or other transactions to further enhance our competitive position. We have in the past pursued joint ventures and other transactions aimed at expanding the geography and scope of our operations. During 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding ownership interests of GAHL and CWC, we entered into a joint cooperation agreement with Raiffeisen and we entered into a shareholders agreement to acquire a 50% interest in MBA. During 2009, we established a private equity business with Edgewater and entered into a strategic alliance with a financial advisory firm in Mexico. During 2011, we acquired the assets of Alesco. During 2012, we integrated our Brazilian operations based in São Paulo. We expect to continue to explore acquisitions and partnership or strategic alliance opportunities that we believe to be attractive.
Acquisitions and joint ventures involve a number of risks and present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management, difficulty with integrating personnel and financial and other systems, hiring additional management and other critical personnel and increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations. Our clients may react unfavorably to our acquisition and joint venture strategy, we may not realize any anticipated benefits from acquisitions, we may be exposed to additional liabilities of any acquired business or joint venture and we may not be able to renew on similar terms (or at all) previously successful joint ventures or similar arrangements, any of which could materially adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.
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Employee misconduct, which is difficult to detect and deter, could harm us by impairing our ability to attract and retain clients and subjecting us to significant legal liability and reputational harm.
There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees in the financial services industry generally, and we run the risk that employee misconduct could occur in our business as well. For example, misconduct by employees could involve the improper use or disclosure of confidential information, which could result in legal action, regulatory sanctions and serious reputational or financial harm. Our Financial Advisory business often requires that we deal with client confidences of great significance to our clients, improper use of which may harm our clients or our relationships with our clients. Any breach of our clients’ confidences as a result of employee misconduct may impair our ability to attract and retain Financial Advisory clients and may subject us to liability. Similarly, in our Asset Management business, we have authority over client assets, and we may, from time to time, have custody of such assets. In addition, we often have discretion to trade client assets on the client’s behalf and must do so acting in the best interests of the client. As a result, we are subject to a number of obligations and standards, and the violation of those obligations or standards may adversely affect our clients and us. It is difficult to detect and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in all cases.
The financial services industry faces substantial litigation and regulatory risks, and we may face damage to our professional reputation and legal liability if our services are not regarded as satisfactory or for other reasons.
As a financial services firm, we depend to a large extent on our relationships with our clients and our reputation for integrity and high-caliber professional services to attract and retain clients. As a result, if a client is not satisfied with our services, such dissatisfaction may be more damaging to our business than to other types of businesses. Moreover, our role as advisor to our clients on important transactions involves complex analysis and the exercise of professional judgment, including, if appropriate, rendering “fairness opinions” in connection with mergers and other transactions.
In recent years, the volume of claims and amount of damages claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial advisors has been increasing. Our Financial Advisory activities may subject us to the risk of significant legal actions by our clients and third parties, including our clients’ stockholders, under securities or other laws for allegations relating to materially false or misleading statements made in connection with securities and other transactions and potential liability for the fairness opinions and other advice provided to participants in corporate transactions. In our Asset Management business, we make investment decisions on behalf of our clients which could result in substantial losses. This also may subject us to the risk of legal actions alleging negligence, misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty or breach of contract. Our Financial Advisory engagements typically include broad indemnities from our clients and provisions designed to limit our exposure to legal claims relating to our services, but these provisions may not protect us or may not be available or adhered to in all cases. We also are subject to claims arising from disputes with employees for alleged wrongful termination, discrimination or harassment, among other things. These risks often may be difficult to assess or quantify, and their existence and magnitude often remain unknown for substantial periods of time. As a result, we may incur significant legal expenses in defending against litigation. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations or cause significant reputational harm to us, which could seriously harm our business.
Other operational risks may disrupt our businesses, result in regulatory action against us or limit our growth.
Our business is dependent on communications and information systems, including those of our vendors. Any failure or interruption of these systems, whether caused by fire, other natural disaster, power or telecommunications failure, act of terrorism or war or otherwise, could materially adversely affect our operating results. Although back-up systems are in place, our back-up procedures and capabilities in the event of a failure or interruption may not be adequate.
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Particularly in our Asset Management business, we rely heavily on our financial, accounting, trading, compliance and other data processing systems, and those of our third party vendors or service providers who support these functions. We expect that we will need to review whether to continue to upgrade and expand the capabilities of these systems in the future to avoid disruption of, or constraints on, our operations. However, if any of these systems do not operate properly or are disabled, including for reasons beyond our control, we could suffer financial loss, a disruption of our businesses, liability to clients, regulatory intervention or reputational damage. The inability of our systems (or those of our vendors or service providers) to accommodate an increasing volume of transactions also could constrain our ability to expand our businesses.
In addition, if we were to experience a local or regional disaster or other business continuity problem, such as a pandemic or other man-made or natural disaster, our continued success will depend, in part, on the availability of our personnel and office facilities and the proper functioning of our computer, telecommunications, transaction processing and other related systems and operations, as well as those of third parties on whom we rely. Such events could lead us to experience operational challenges, and our inability to successfully recover could materially disrupt our businesses and cause material financial loss, regulatory actions, reputational harm or legal liability.
Extensive regulation of our businesses limits our activities and results in ongoing exposure to the potential for significant penalties, including fines or limitations on our ability to conduct our businesses.
The financial services industry is subject to extensive regulation. We are subject to regulation by governmental and self-regulatory organizations in the jurisdictions in which we operate around the world. Many of these regulators, including U.S. and non-U.S. government agencies and self-regulatory organizations, as well as state securities commissions in the U.S., are empowered to conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fine, the issuance of cease-and-desist orders or the suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer from registration or membership. The requirements imposed by our regulators are designed to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect customers and other third parties who deal with us and are not designed to protect our stockholders. Consequently, these regulations often serve to limit our activities, including through net capital, customer protection and market conduct requirements.
We face the risk of significant intervention by regulatory authorities, including extended investigation and surveillance activity, adoption of costly or restrictive new regulations and judicial or administrative proceedings that may result in substantial penalties. Among other things, we could be fined or be prohibited from engaging in some of our business activities. In addition, the regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to modifications and further regulation. New laws or regulations or changes in the enforcement of existing laws or regulations applicable to us and our clients also may adversely affect our business, and our ability to function in this environment will depend on our ability to constantly monitor and react to these changes.
In recent years, the U.S. and global financial markets experienced periods of extraordinary disruption and volatility. As a result, the U.S. and other governments have taken actions, and may continue to take further actions, in response to this disruption and volatility, including expanding current or enacting new standards, requirements and rules that may be applicable to us and our subsidiaries. The effect of any such expanded or new standards, requirements and rules is uncertain and could have adverse consequences to our business and results of operations. For example, in July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law, bringing sweeping changes in the regulation of financial institutions. It will take several years for all of the rules under the Dodd-Frank Act to be written and become effective, and the final scope and interpretations of those rules, and their impact on our business, will not be fully known for some time, but could have implications for the manner in which we conduct our business and, consequently, its profitability. While we continue to examine the potential impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations, as well as new regulations that may become applicable to us in the U.S. and in the European Union (see “Business—Regulation”), we are not able to predict the ultimate effect on us. In addition, several states and municipalities in the United States have adopted “pay-to-play” rules, which could limit our ability to charge fees in connection with certain of our Private Fund Advisory engagements, and could therefore affect the profitability of that portion of our business.
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The regulatory environment in which our clients operate may also impact our business. For example, changes in antitrust laws or the enforcement of antitrust laws could affect the level of M&A activity and changes in state laws may limit investment activities of state pension plans.
For asset management businesses in general, there have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees of asset management firms, as well as industry-wide regulatory inquiries. These cases and inquiries have resulted in increased scrutiny in the industry and may result in new rules and regulations for mutual funds, hedge funds and their investment managers. This regulatory scrutiny and these rulemaking initiatives may result in an increase in operational and compliance costs or the risk of assessment of significant fines or penalties against our Asset Management business, and may otherwise limit our ability to engage in certain activities.
Financial services firms are subject to numerous conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts. We have adopted various policies, controls and procedures to address or limit actual or perceived conflicts and regularly seek to review and update our policies, controls and procedures. However, these policies, controls and procedures may result in increased costs, additional operational personnel and increased regulatory risk. Failure to adhere to these policies, controls and procedures may result in regulatory sanctions or client litigation.
Specific regulatory changes also may have a direct impact on the revenue of our Asset Management business. In addition to regulatory scrutiny and potential fines and sanctions, regulators continue to examine different aspects of the asset management industry. For example, the use of “soft dollars,” where a portion of commissions paid to broker-dealers in connection with the execution of trades also pays for research and other services provided to advisors, has recently been reexamined by different regulatory bodies and may in the future be limited or modified. Although a substantial portion of the research relied on by our Asset Management business in the investment decision-making process is generated internally by our investment analysts, external research, including external research paid for with soft dollars, is important to the process. This external research generally is used for information gathering or verification purposes, and includes broker-provided research, as well as third-party provided databases and research services. For the year ended December 31, 2013, our Asset Management business obtained research and other services through third-party soft dollar arrangements, the total cost of which we estimate to be approximately $22 million. If the use of soft dollars is limited, we may have to bear some of these costs. In addition, new regulations regarding the management of hedge funds and the use of certain investment products may impact our Asset Management business and result in increased costs. For example, many regulators around the world adopted disclosure and reporting requirements relating to the hedge fund businesses or other businesses, and changes to the laws, rules and regulations in the U.S. related to the over-the-counter swaps and derivatives markets require additional registration, recordkeeping and reporting obligations.
Legislators and regulators around the world continue to explore changes to, and additional oversight of, the financial industry generally. The impact of the potential changes on us are uncertain and may result in an increase in costs or a reduction of revenue associated with our businesses.
See “Business—Regulation” for a further discussion of the regulatory environment in which we conduct our businesses.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could reduce our members’ equity and net income or negatively impact the portfolios of our Asset Management clients and may affect the levels of our AUM.
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies. Our financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars and, for the year ended December 31, 2013, we received approximately 39% of our consolidated net revenue in other currencies, predominantly in euros and British pounds. In addition, we pay a significant amount of our expenses in such other currencies. The exchange rates of these currencies versus the U.S. Dollar affects the carrying value of our assets and liabilities as well as our revenues, expenses and net income. We do not generally hedge such foreign currency exchange rate exposure arising in our subsidiaries outside of the U.S. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may also make period to period comparisons of our results of operations difficult.
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Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates also can impact the portfolios of our Asset Management clients. Client portfolios are invested in securities across the globe, although most portfolios are in a single base currency. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations can adversely impact investment performance for a client’s portfolio and also may affect the levels of our AUM. As our AUM include significant assets that are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, an increase in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to non-U.S. currencies may result in a decrease in the dollar value of our AUM, which, in turn, would result in lower U.S. Dollar-denominated revenue in our Asset Management business.
See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impact on members’ equity from currency translation adjustments.
Lazard Group is a holding company and therefore depends on its subsidiaries to make distributions to Lazard Group to enable it to service its obligations under its indebtedness.
Lazard Group depends on its subsidiaries, which conduct the operations of its businesses, for dividends and other payments to generate the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations, including payments of principal and interest on its indebtedness. However, none of Lazard Group’s subsidiaries is obligated to make funds available to it for servicing such financial obligations. In addition, legal and contractual restrictions in agreements governing current and future indebtedness, as well as financial conditions, minimum regulatory net capital and similar requirements and operating requirements of Lazard Group’s subsidiaries, currently limit and may, in the future, limit Lazard Group’s ability to obtain cash from its subsidiaries. The earnings from, or other available assets of, Lazard Group’s subsidiaries may not be sufficient to pay dividends or make distributions or loans to enable Lazard Group to make payments with respect to its financial obligations when such payments are due. In addition, even if such earnings were sufficient, the agreements governing the current and future indebtedness of Lazard Group’s subsidiaries, regulatory requirements with respect to our broker-dealer and other regulated subsidiaries, foreign exchange controls and a variety of other factors may impede our subsidiaries’ ability to provide Lazard Group with sufficient dividends, distributions or loans to fund its financial obligations, when due.
Tax authorities may challenge our tax computations and classifications, our transfer pricing methods, and our application of related policies and methods.
Our tax returns are subject to audit by federal, local and foreign tax authorities. These authorities may successfully challenge certain tax positions or deductions taken by our subsidiaries. For example, tax authorities may contest intercompany allocations of fee income, management charges or interest charges among affiliates in different tax jurisdictions. While we believe that we have provided the appropriate required reserves (see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), it is possible that a tax authority may disagree with all, or a portion, of the tax benefits claimed. If a tax authority were to successfully challenge our positions, it could result in significant additional tax costs.
Outcome of future U.S. tax legislation is unknown at the present time.
The Executive Branch has not yet submitted its 2015 budget proposals to Congress. The 2014 budget proposals submitted on April 10, 2013 included several potential revenue generating items, including proposals to (i) limit the deduction of certain related party interest and (ii) limit or defer the deduction of interest attributable to foreign source income of foreign subsidiaries.
We are currently unable to predict the ultimate outcome of any of these proposals. If enacted in the form proposed in the 2014 budget submission, however, some of these proposals may increase Lazard’s effective tax rate during future periods.
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Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We have documented and tested our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent auditors regarding our internal control over financial reporting. We are in compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as of December 31, 2013. However, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on our business.
A failure in or breach of our information systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties with which we do business, including as a result of cyber attacks, could disrupt our businesses, lead to reputational harm and legal liability or otherwise impact our ability to operate our business.
Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information involving our computer systems, hardware, software and networks, which we refer to as information systems, and involving the information systems of third parties with which we do business. Such information systems may be subject to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code or other events that could have a security impact and there can be no assurance that we will not suffer material losses relating to cyber attacks on, or other security breaches involving, our information systems, despite taking protective measures to prevent such breaches. If a successful cyber attack or other security breach were to occur, our confidential or proprietary information, or the confidential or proprietary information of our clients or their counterparties, that is stored in, or transmitted through, such information systems could be compromised or misappropriated. Any such cyber attack or other security breach, or any disruption of or failure in the physical or logical infrastructure or operating systems that support such information systems or our businesses, could significantly impact our ability to operate our businesses, result in reputational damage or lead to legal liability, which could lead to the loss of clients or business opportunities and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may also be required to expend additional resources on information security and compliance costs in order to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or other exposures.
LAZ-MD Holdings, Lazard Group, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Ltd entered into various arrangements, including the master separation agreement, which contain cross-indemnification obligations of LAZ-MD Holdings, Lazard Group, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Ltd, that any party may be unable to satisfy.
The master separation agreement that Lazard Ltd entered into with Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings provides, among other things, that LFCM Holdings generally will indemnify Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and LAZ-MD Holdings for losses that we incur arising out of, or relating to, the separated businesses and the businesses conducted by LFCM Holdings and losses that Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group or LAZ-MD Holdings incur arising out of, or relating to, LFCM Holdings’ breach of the master separation agreement. In addition, LAZ-MD Holdings generally will indemnify Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings for losses that they incur arising out of, or relating to, LAZ-MD Holdings’ breach of the master separation agreement. Our ability to collect under the indemnities from LAZ-MD Holdings or LFCM Holdings depends on their financial position. For example, persons may seek to hold us responsible for liabilities assumed by LAZ-MD Holdings or LFCM Holdings or, as a result of the use of the Lazard name by subsidiaries of LFCM Holdings, for certain actions of LFCM Holdings or its subsidiaries. If these liabilities are significant and we are held liable for them, we may not be able to recover any or all of the amount of those losses from LAZ-MD Holdings or LFCM Holdings should either be financially unable to perform under their indemnification obligations.
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In addition, Lazard Group generally will indemnify LFCM Holdings and LAZ-MD Holdings for liabilities related to Lazard Group’s businesses and Lazard Group will indemnify LFCM Holdings and LAZ-MD Holdings for losses that they incur to the extent arising out of, or relating to, Lazard Group’s or Lazard Ltd’s breach of the master separation agreement. Several of the ancillary agreements that Lazard Group entered into together with the master separation agreement also provide for separate indemnification arrangements. For example, under the administrative services agreement, Lazard Group provides a range of services to LFCM Holdings, including information technology, general office and building services and financing and accounting services, and LFCM Holdings will generally indemnify Lazard Group for liabilities that Lazard Group incurs arising from the provision of these services absent Lazard Group’s intentional misconduct. Lazard Group may face claims for indemnification from LFCM Holdings and LAZ-MD Holdings under these provisions regarding matters for which Lazard Group has agreed to indemnify them. If these liabilities are significant, Lazard Group may be required to make substantial payments, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
We may have potential business conflicts of interest with LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings with respect to our past and ongoing relationships that could harm our business operations.
Several employees of Lazard provide services to LFCM Holdings. Conflicts of interest may arise between LFCM Holdings and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships, including:
| • | labor, tax, employee benefits, indemnification and other matters arising from the separation, |
| • | intellectual property and real property matters, including sublease arrangements, |
| • | business combinations, |
| • | business operations or business opportunities of LFCM Holdings or us that would compete with the other party’s business opportunities, including investment banking by us and the management of alternative investment funds by LFCM Holdings, particularly as some of our managing directors provide services to LFCM Holdings, |
| • | the terms of the master separation agreement and related ancillary agreements, including the operation of the alternative investment fund management business and Lazard Group’s option to purchase the business, |
| • | the nature, quality and pricing of administrative services to be provided by us, and |
| • | the provision of services by certain of our managing directors to LFCM Holdings. |
In addition, the administrative services agreement commits us to provide a range of services to LFCM Holdings and LAZ-MD Holdings, which could require the expenditure of significant amounts of time by our management. Our agreements with LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings may be amended upon agreement of the parties to those agreements. We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts and, even if we do, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with a different party.
The use of the “Lazard” brand name by subsidiaries of LFCM Holdings may expose us to reputational harm that could affect our operations and adversely affect our financial position should these subsidiaries take actions that damage the brand name.
The “Lazard” brand name has over 160 years of heritage, connoting, we believe, world-class professional advice, independence and global capabilities with deeply rooted, local know-how. LFCM Holdings operates as a separate legal entity, and Lazard Group licensed to subsidiaries of LFCM Holdings that operate the separated businesses the use of the “Lazard” brand name for certain specified purposes, including in connection with alternative investment fund management and capital markets activities. As these subsidiaries of LFCM Holdings historically have and will continue to use the “Lazard” brand name, and because we no longer control these entities, there is a risk of reputational harm to us if these subsidiaries have, or in the future were to, among other things, engage in poor business practices, experience adverse results or otherwise damage the reputational value
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of the “Lazard” brand name. These risks could expose us to liability and also may adversely affect our revenue and our business prospects.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have made statements under the captions “Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in other sections of this Form 10-K that are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “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 the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the numerous risks and uncertainties outlined in “Risk Factors,” including the following:
| • | a decline in general economic conditions or the global financial markets, |
| • | A decline in our revenues, for example due to a decline in overall M&A activity, our share of the M&A market or our 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. |
These risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Form 10-K may describe additional factors that could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can management assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, 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 Form 10-K to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations and we do not intend to do so.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the:
| • | business’ financial goals, including the ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue, |
| • | business’ ability to deploy surplus cash through dividends, share repurchases and debt repurchases, |
| • | business’ possible or assumed future results of operations and operating cash flows, |
| • | business’ strategies and investment policies, |
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| • | business’ financing plans and the availability of short-term borrowing, |
| • | business’ competitive position, |
| • | future acquisitions, including the consideration to be paid and the timing of consummation, |
| • | potential growth opportunities available to our businesses, |
| • | recruitment and retention of our managing directors and employees, |
| • | potential levels of compensation expense and non-compensation expense, |
| • | business’ potential operating performance, achievements, productivity improvements, efficiency and cost reduction efforts, |
| • | likelihood of success and impact of litigation, |
| • | expected tax rates, including effective tax rates, |
| • | changes in interest and tax rates, |
| • | expectations with respect to the economy, the securities markets, the market for mergers, acquisitions and strategic advisory and restructuring activity, the market for asset management activity and other macroeconomic and industry trends, |
| • | effects of competition on our business, and |
| • | impact of future legislation and regulation on our business. |
The Company is committed to providing timely and accurate information to the investing public, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. To that end, the Company uses its websites to convey information about our businesses, including the anticipated release of quarterly financial results, quarterly financial, statistical and business-related information, and the posting of updates of AUM in various mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment products managed by LAM and its subsidiaries. Investors can link to Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and their operating company websites through http://www.lazard.com. Our websites and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this Form 10-K.
| Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
There are no unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days or more before December 31, 2013 relating to our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.
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| Item 2. | Properties |
The following table lists the properties used for the entire Lazard organization as of December 31, 2013, including properties used by the separated businesses. As a general matter, one or both of our Financial Advisory and Asset Management segments (as well as our Corporate segment) uses the following properties. We sublease to affiliates of LFCM Holdings certain office space, including office space that is used by the separated businesses. This includes subleasing 52,573 square feet principally relating to our lease in New York City located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza to affiliates of LFCM Holdings. Additionally, our London and other offices sublease 55,676 and 3,977 square feet, respectively, to third parties. We remain fully liable for the subleased space to the extent that affiliates of LFCM Holdings, or the third parties, fail to perform their obligations under the subleases for any reason.
| Location |
Square Footage |
Offices | ||
| New York City |
448,764 square feet of leased space |
Principal office located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza | ||
| Other North America |
155,909 square feet of leased space |
Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Montreal and San Francisco | ||
| Paris |
152,924 square feet of owned and leased space |
Principal office located at 121 Boulevard Haussmann | ||
| London |
142,371 square feet of leased space |
Principal office located at 50 Stratton Street | ||
| Other Europe |
111,626 square feet of leased space |
Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Brussels, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Nantes, Stockholm and Zurich | ||
| Asia, Australia and |
84,270 square feet of leased space |
Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Mumbai, Perth, Riyadh, So Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo |
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings |
The Company is involved from time to time in judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings and inquiries concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses, including proceedings initiated by former employees alleging wrongful termination. The Company reviews such matters on a case-by-case basis and establishes any required accrual if a loss is probable and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company experiences significant variation in its revenue and earnings on a quarterly basis. Accordingly, the results of any pending matter or matters could be significant when compared to the Company’s earnings in any particular fiscal quarter. The Company believes, however, based on currently available information, that the results of any pending matters, in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on its business or financial condition.
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
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| Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
As of December 31, 2013, approximately 99.5% and 0.5% of our common membership interests are held by wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and by LAZ-MD Holdings, respectively. Our co-managing member interests are held by two indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and our profit participation interests are held by various managing directors. There are no public trading markets for any of these interests.
Subsequent to the equity public offering, pursuant to provisions of its amended and restated Operating Agreement, Lazard Group distributions in respect of common membership interests are allocated to the holders of such interests on a pro rata basis. Such distributions represent amounts necessary to fund (i) dividends Lazard Ltd declares on its Class A common stock and (ii) tax distributions in respect of income taxes that Lazard Ltd’s subsidiaries and members of LAZ-MD Holdings incur as a result of holding Lazard Group common membership interests. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Lazard Group distributed approximately $0.9 million, $5.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, to LAZ-MD Holdings and approximately $121.6 million, $135.1 million and $70.6 million, respectively, to the subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd, which latter amounts were used by Lazard Ltd to pay dividends to holders of its Class A common stock. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2011, Lazard Group made tax distributions of approximately $3.0 million and $17.5 million, respectively, including $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, paid to LAZ-MD Holdings, and approximately $2.9 million and $16.8 million, respectively, paid to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd (no tax distributions were made during the year ended December 31, 2012).
| Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
The following table sets forth the selected consolidated financial data for the Company for all years presented.
The consolidated statements of financial condition and operations data as of and for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2013 have been derived from Lazard Group’s consolidated financial statements. The audited consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and audited consolidated statements of operations for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2013 are included in this Form 10-K. The audited consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and the audited consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, are not included in this Form 10-K. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
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Selected Consolidated Financial Data
| As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Advisory (a) |
$ | 980,577 | $ | 1,049,090 | $ | 992,107 | $ | 1,119,867 | $ | 986,820 | ||||||||||
| Asset Management (b) |
1,039,130 | 896,260 | 897,401 | 849,662 | 601,652 | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate (c) |
(35,633 | ) | (37,220 | ) | (55,947 | ) | (65,024 | ) | (58,509 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net Revenue |
1,984,074 | 1,908,130 | 1,833,561 | 1,904,505 | 1,529,963 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Compensation and Benefits (d) |
1,278,479 | 1,351,076 | 1,168,909 | 1,194,158 | 1,309,231 | |||||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses (e) |
486,586 | 435,461 | 422,861 | 463,538 | 402,720 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses |
1,765,065 | 1,786,537 | 1,591,770 | 1,657,696 | 1,711,951 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) |
$ | 219,009 | $ | 121,593 | $ | 241,791 | $ | 246,809 | $ | (181,988 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) |
$ | 186,767 | $ | 90,971 | $ | 214,383 | $ | 201,424 | $ | (213,715 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Lazard Group |
$ | 183,063 | $ | 87,609 | $ | 210,705 | $ | 194,544 | $ | (216,547 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets |
$ | 3,093,988 | $ | 3,048,380 | $ | 3,037,453 | $ | 3,336,284 | $ | 3,115,048 | ||||||||||
| Total Debt (f) |
$ | 1,064,184 | $ | 1,094,713 | $ | 1,096,934 | $ | 1,249,753 | $ | 1,261,478 | ||||||||||
| Total Lazard Group Members’ Equity |
$ | 469,472 | $ | 453,179 | $ | 614,344 | $ | 369,565 | $ | 155,371 | ||||||||||
| Total Members’ Equity |
$ | 536,126 | $ | 529,087 | $ | 718,267 | $ | 490,447 | $ | 282,931 | ||||||||||
| Other Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets Under Management: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31 |
$ | 186,924,000 | $ | 167,060,000 | $ | 141,039,000 | $ | 155,337,000 | $ | 129,543,000 | ||||||||||
| Average During Year |
$ | 173,702,000 | $ | 155,549,000 | $ | 152,072,000 | $ | 137,381,000 | $ | 103,988,000 | ||||||||||
| Total Headcount, As of December 31 |
2,403 | 2,513 | 2,511 | 2,332 | 2,294 | |||||||||||||||
|
Notes (in thousands of dollars):
(a) Financial Advisory net revenue consists of the following: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| For The Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
| M&A and Other Advisory |
$ | 768,790 | $ | 792,928 | $ | 700,539 | $ | 714,059 | $ | 526,225 | ||||||||||
| Capital Raising |
78,916 | 73,403 | 93,825 | 111,933 | 83,885 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total Strategic Advisory |
847,706 | 866,331 | 794,364 | 825,992 | 610,110 | |||||||||||||||
| Restructuring |
132,871 | 182,759 | 197,743 | 293,875 |
|
376,710 |
| |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Financial Advisory Net Revenue |
$ | 980,577 | $ | 1,049,090 | $ | 992,107 | $ | 1,119,867 | $ | 986,820 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
(b) Asset Management net revenue consists of the following: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| For The Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
| Management Fees |
$ | 903,956 | $ | 806,044 | $ | 818,038 | $ | 715,885 | $ | 486,810 | ||||||||||
| Incentive Fees |
78,342 | 43,661 | 26,245 | 86,298 | 74,795 | |||||||||||||||
| Other Income |
56,832 | 46,555 | 53,118 | 47,479 | 40,047 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Asset Management Net Revenue |
$ | 1,039,130 | $ | 896,260 | $ | 897,401 | $ | 849,662 | $ | 601,652 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (c) | “Corporate” includes interest expense (net of interest income), investment income (losses) from certain investments and net revenue earned by LFB through its commercial banking operations. |
| (d) | Includes (i) in 2013, charges of $51,399 relating to the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense pertaining to previously granted deferred incentive compensation, severance and benefit payments and other compensation-related costs, all relating to the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012, and $12,203 related to incentive compensation expense related to private equity transactions for which revenue may be recognized in the future (ii) in 2012, charges of $21,754 recorded in the first quarter pertaining to severance costs and benefit payments associated with staff reductions, including the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense of deferred incentive compensation previously granted to individuals being terminated, and $99,987 recorded in the fourth quarter relating to the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense pertaining to previously granted deferred incentive compensation, severance and benefit payments and other compensation-related costs relating to the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012; (iii) in 2010, charges of $24,860 relating to the acceleration of amortization expense pertaining to the amendment of Lazard’s retirement policy with respect to RSU awards; and (iv) in 2009, charges of $86,514 related to the acceleration of amortization expense relating to share-based incentive awards previously granted to our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and $60,512 related to the accelerated vesting of the then unamortized portion of previously awarded deferred cash incentive awards. |
| (e) | Includes (i) in 2013, non-compensation costs of $13,304 relating to the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012 and $54,087 related to the refinancing of the 7.125% senior notes maturing on May 15, 2015; (ii) in 2012, non-compensation costs of $2,905 recorded in the first quarter associated with staff reductions and $2,589 recorded in the fourth quarter relating to the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012; (iii) in 2010, restructuring expense of $87,108 related to the restructuring plan announced in the first quarter of 2010; and (iv) in 2009, restructuring expense of $62,550 related to the restructuring plan announced in the first quarter of 2009. |
| (f) | Represents the aggregate amount reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition relating to senior debt, capital lease obligations and subordinated debt. |
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| Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Lazard Group’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K”). This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Business Summary
Lazard is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. We have long specialized in crafting solutions to the complex financial and strategic challenges of a diverse set of clients around the world, including corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships and individuals. Founded in 1848 in New Orleans, we currently operate from 41 cities in key business and financial centers across 26 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Central and South America.
Our primary business purpose is to serve our clients. Our deep roots in business centers around the world form a global network of relationships with key decision-makers in corporations, governments and investing institutions. This network is both a competitive strength and a powerful resource for Lazard and our clients. As a firm that competes on the quality of our advice, we have two fundamental assets: our people and our reputation.
We operate in cyclical businesses across multiple geographies, industries and asset classes. In recent years, we have expanded our geographic reach, bolstered our industry expertise and continued to build in growth areas. Companies, government bodies and investors seek independent advice with a geographic perspective, deep understanding of capital structure, informed research and knowledge of global economic conditions. We believe that our business model as an independent advisor will continue to create opportunities for us to attract new clients and key personnel.
Our principal sources of revenue are derived from activities in the following business segments:
| • | Financial Advisory, which offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a wide array of financial advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other strategic matters, restructurings, capital structure, capital raising and various other financial matters, and |
| • | Asset Management, which offers a broad range of global investment solutions and investment management services in equity and fixed income strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private clients. |
In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments and outstanding indebtedness, as well as certain commercial banking activities of Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary, Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).
LFB is a registered bank regulated by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (“ACPR”). It is engaged primarily in commercial and private banking services for clients and funds managed by Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”) and for other clients, investment banking activities, including participation in underwritten offerings of securities in France, and asset-liability management.
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Our consolidated net revenue was derived from the following segments:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Financial Advisory |
49 | % | 55 | % | 54 | % | ||||||
| Asset Management |
52 | 47 | 49 | |||||||||
| Corporate |
(1 | ) | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
We also invest our own capital from time to time, generally alongside capital of qualified institutional and individual investors in alternative investments or private equity investments, and, since 2005, we have engaged in a number of alternative investments and private equity activities, including investments through (i) the Edgewater Funds (“Edgewater”), our Chicago-based private equity firm (see Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), (ii) Lazard Australia Corporate Opportunities Fund 2 (“COF2”), a Lazard-managed Australian fund targeting Australasian mid-market investments, (iii) a mezzanine fund, which invests in mezzanine debt of a diversified selection of small-to mid-cap European companies and (iv) a fund targeting significant noncontrolling-stake investments in established private companies. We also make investments to seed our Asset Management strategies. We may explore and discuss opportunities to expand the scope of our alternative investment and private equity activities in Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere. These opportunities could include internal growth of new funds and direct investments by us, partnerships or strategic relationships, investments with third parties or acquisitions of existing funds or management companies. Also, consistent with any obligations to LFCM Holdings LLC (“LFCM Holdings”), we may explore capital markets opportunities.
Business Environment and Outlook
Economic and global financial market conditions can materially affect our financial performance. As described above, our principal sources of revenue are derived from activities in our Financial Advisory and Asset Management business segments. As our Financial Advisory revenues are primarily dependent on the successful completion of merger, acquisition, restructuring, capital raising or similar transactions, and our Asset Management revenues are primarily driven by the levels of assets under management (“AUM”), weak economic and global financial market conditions can result in a challenging business environment for M&A and capital-raising activity as well as our Asset Management business, but may provide opportunities for our restructuring business.
Equity market indices for developed markets at December 31, 2013 increased when compared to such indices at December 31, 2012, while equity market indices for emerging markets decreased as compared to December 31, 2012. On an industry-wide basis, during 2013, the number of completed and announced M&A transactions decreased, compared to the prior year. Global restructuring activity, as measured by the number of corporate defaults, was slightly lower in 2013 as compared to the prior year, and the aggregate value of debt defaults remained low, consistent with the last several years.
Entering 2014, interest rates remain low and corporate cash balances remain high. Macroeconomic conditions appear to be improving in the developed countries, particularly in North America, CEO and board confidence appears to be returning and, as such, companies based in these regions may be better positioned to make acquisitions for future growth and investors may be increasingly interested in deploying capital for investment purposes. In our Asset Management business, we entered 2014 with a record level of assets under management. Although market volatility may continue, we believe the long term trends appear positive.
We intend to leverage our existing infrastructure to capitalize on any global macroeconomic recovery, any upturn in the M&A cycle, and any momentum in the global equity markets. We expect to generate revenue growth by remaining adequately staffed to capitalize on any macroeconomic recovery and deploying our intellectual capital to generate new revenue streams. The cost saving initiatives that we began in 2012 are effectively complete, and
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through 2013, more than two-thirds of these savings were realized, with the full impact of all the savings expected to be reflected in our 2014 results. See “Cost Saving Initiatives” below and Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our outlook with respect to our Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses is described below.
| • | Financial Advisory – In the near- to mid-term, we expect that the U.S. macroeconomic environment will likely be the strongest of the developed economies. Certain legal decisions in the U.S. reinforce the importance of independent advice, and the global scale and breadth of our Financial Advisory business allows us to advise on large, complex cross-border transactions across a variety of industries. We continue to develop our range of advisory capabilities, in particular in Europe, with our Sovereign Advisory, Restructuring and Capital Advisory businesses. In addition, we believe our businesses throughout the emerging markets, Japan and Australia position us for growth in these markets, while enhancing our relationships with, and the services that we can provide to, clients in developed economies. We have also established the Lazard Africa initiative, to leverage our sovereign and corporate expertise in this rapidly growing region, for our clients in both developed and developing countries. |
| • | Asset Management – Generally, we have seen increased investor demand across regions and investment platforms. In the short to intermediate term, we expect most of our growth will come from defined benefit and defined contribution plans in the developed economies because of their sheer scope and size. Over the longer term, we expect an increasing share of our AUM to come from the developing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, as their retirement systems evolve and individual wealth is increasingly deployed in the financial markets. Our global footprint is already well established in the developed economies and we expect our business in the developing economies will continue to expand. Given our globally diversified platform and our ability to provide investment solutions for a global mix of clients, we believe we are positioned to benefit from growth that may occur in the asset management industry. We recently extended the global footprint of our Asset Management business by opening new offices in Zurich and Singapore. We also announced plans to open an office in Dubai. We are continually developing and seeding new investment strategies that extend our existing platforms. Recent examples of growth initiatives include the following investment strategies: Emerging Markets Debt, Core Emerging Markets Equity, Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity, Real Estate, Managed Volatility Strategies and Asian Equities. |
We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge continuously, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all potentially applicable factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K. Furthermore, net income and revenue in any period may not be indicative of full-year results or the results of any other period and may vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter.
Overall, we continue to focus on the development of our business, including the generation of stable revenue and earnings growth, the prudent management of our costs and expenses, the efficient use of our assets and the return of equity to our members.
Certain data with respect to our Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses is included below.
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Financial Advisory
As reflected in the following table, which sets forth global M&A industry statistics, the value of all completed and announced M&A transactions increased in 2013 compared to 2012, while the number of such transactions decreased as compared to 2012. With respect to the value of announced transactions, the 2013 increase was partially driven by one large transaction. Both the value and number of announced transactions involving deal values greater than $500 million increased in 2013 as compared to 2012.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | % Incr / (Decr) |
||||||||||
| ($ in billions) |
||||||||||||
| Completed M&A Transactions: |
||||||||||||
| All deals: |
||||||||||||
| Value |
$ | 2,601 | $ | 2,549 | 2 | % | ||||||
| Number |
35,945 | 43,417 | (17 | )% | ||||||||
| Deals Greater than $500 million: |
||||||||||||
| Value |
1,846 | 1,704 | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Number |
943 | 954 | (1 | )% | ||||||||
| Announced M&A Transactions: |
||||||||||||
| All deals: |
||||||||||||
| Value |
$ | 2,911 | $ | 2,679 | 9 | % | ||||||
| Number |
37,367 | 43,678 | (14 | )% | ||||||||
| Deals Greater than $500 million: |
||||||||||||
| Value |
2,065 | 1,828 | 13 | % | ||||||||
| Number |
1,062 | 1,012 | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Source: | Dealogic as of January 6, 2014. |
Global restructuring activity during 2013, as measured by the number of corporate defaults, decreased as compared to 2012, and the aggregate value of debt defaults remained low, consistent with the last several years. The number of defaulting issuers decreased slightly to 62 in 2013, according to Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., as compared to 63 in 2012. In the U.S., the number of corporate defaults decreased 30% in 2013 as compared to 2012, while the value of such defaults decreased 17% during the same period.
Asset Management
The percentage change in major equity market indices at December 31, 2013, as compared to such indices at December 31, 2012, and at December 31, 2012, as compared to such indices at December 31, 2011, is shown in the table below.
| Percentage Changes December 31, |
||||||||
| 2013 vs. 2012 | 2012 vs. 2011 | |||||||
| MSCI World Index |
24 | % | 13 | % | ||||
| Euro Stoxx |
18 | % | 14 | % | ||||
| MSCI Emerging Market |
(5 | )% | 15 | % | ||||
| S&P 500 |
30 | % | 13 | % | ||||
The fees that we receive for providing investment management and advisory services are primarily driven by the level of AUM and the nature of the AUM product mix. Accordingly, market movements, foreign currency volatility and changes in our AUM product mix will impact the level of revenues we receive from our Asset Management business when comparing periodic results. A substantial portion of our AUM is invested in equities. Movements in AUM during the period generally reflect the changes in equity market indices. Our AUM at
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December 31, 2013 increased 12% versus AUM at December 31, 2012, primarily due to market appreciation. Average AUM for 2013 also increased 12% as compared to average AUM in 2012.
Cost Saving Initiatives
In October 2012, we announced cost saving initiatives which, at that time, were expected to result in approximately $125 million in annual savings from our compensation and non-compensation cost base. We currently expect total annual savings related to the cost saving initiatives to be approximately $160 million, partially offset by investment in our business.
Approximately $120 million of the expected annual savings relate to compensation expense associated with our headcount, and approximately $40 million to non-compensation expense. Through 2013, more than two-thirds of these savings were realized, with the full impact of all the savings expected to be reflected in our 2014 results.
Expenses associated with implementation of the cost saving initiatives were completed in the second quarter of 2013 and were reflected in our financial results. These implementation expenses were approximately: $38 million in the second quarter of 2013; $26 million in the first quarter of 2013; and $103 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, for a total of approximately $167 million.
The cost saving initiatives are intended to improve our profitability with minimal impact on revenue growth. The initiatives include: streamlining our corporate structure and consolidating support functions; realigning our investments into areas with potential for the greatest long-term return; the settlement of certain contractual obligations; reducing occupancy costs; and creating greater flexibility to retain and attract the best people and invest in new growth areas.
See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial Statement Overview
Net Revenue
The majority of Lazard’s Financial Advisory net revenue historically has been earned from the successful completion of M&A transactions, strategic advisory matters, restructuring and capital structure advisory services, capital raising and similar transactions. The main drivers of Financial Advisory net revenue are overall M&A activity, the level of corporate debt defaults and the environment for capital raising activities, particularly in the industries and geographic markets in which Lazard focuses. In some client engagements, often those involving financially distressed companies, revenue is earned in the form of retainers and similar fees that are contractually agreed upon with each client for each assignment and are not necessarily linked to the completion of a transaction. In addition, Lazard also earns fees from providing strategic advice to clients, with such fees not being dependent on a specific transaction, and may also earn fees in connection with public and private securities offerings and for referring opportunities to LFCM Holdings for underwriting, distribution and placement of securities. The referral fees received from LFCM Holdings are generally one-half of the revenue recorded by LFCM Holdings in respect of such activities. Significant fluctuations in Financial Advisory net revenue can occur over the course of any given year, because a significant portion of such net revenue is earned upon the successful completion of a transaction, restructuring or capital raising activity, the timing of which is uncertain and is not subject to Lazard’s control.
Lazard’s Asset Management segment principally includes Lazard Asset Management LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “LAM”), LFG and Edgewater. Asset Management net revenue is derived from fees for investment management and advisory services provided to clients. As noted above, the main driver of Asset Management net revenue is the level and product mix of AUM, which is generally influenced by the performance of the global equity markets and, to a lesser extent, fixed income markets as well as Lazard’s investment performance, which impacts its
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ability to successfully attract and retain assets. As a result, fluctuations (including timing thereof) in financial markets and client asset inflows and outflows have a direct effect on Asset Management net revenue and operating income. Asset Management fees are generally based on the level of AUM measured daily, monthly or quarterly, and an increase or reduction in AUM, due to market price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, changes in product mix, or net client asset flows will result in a corresponding increase or decrease in management fees. The majority of our investment advisory contracts are generally terminable at any time or on notice of 30 days or less. Institutional and individual clients, and firms with which we have strategic alliances, can terminate their relationship with us, reduce the aggregate amount of AUM or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures for a number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates and financial market performance. In addition, as Lazard’s AUM includes significant amounts of assets that are denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to foreign currencies will impact the value of Lazard’s AUM. Fees vary with the type of assets managed and the vehicle in which they are managed, with higher fees earned on equity assets and alternative investment funds, such as hedge funds and private equity funds, and lower fees earned on fixed income and cash management products.
The Company earns performance-based incentive fees on various investment products, including traditional products and alternative investment funds, such as hedge funds and private equity funds.
For hedge funds, incentive fees are calculated based on a specified percentage of a fund’s net appreciation, in some cases in excess of established benchmarks or thresholds. The Company records incentive fees on traditional products and hedge funds at the end of the relevant performance measurement period, when potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined. The incentive fee measurement period is generally an annual period (unless an account terminates during the year). The incentive fees received at the end of the measurement period are not subject to reversal or payback. Incentive fees on hedge funds are often subject to loss carryforward provisions in which losses incurred by the hedge funds in any year are applied against certain gains realized by the hedge funds in future periods before any incentive fees can be earned.
For private equity funds, incentive fees may be earned in the form of a “carried interest” if profits arising from realized investments exceed a specified threshold. Typically, such carried interest is ultimately calculated on a whole-fund basis and, therefore, clawback of carried interest during the life of the fund can occur. As a result, incentive fees earned on our private equity funds are not recognized until potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined, including any potential for clawback.
Corporate segment net revenue consists primarily of investment gains and losses on the Company’s “seed investments” related to our Asset Management business, principal investments in private equity funds and “equity method” investments, net of hedging activities, as well as gains and losses on investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and on the extinguishment of debt (to the extent applicable), interest income and interest expense. Corporate net revenue also can fluctuate due to changes in the fair value of investments classified as “trading”, as well as due to changes in interest and currency exchange rates and in the levels of cash, investments and indebtedness.
Although Corporate segment net revenue during 2013 represented (1)% of Lazard’s net revenue, total assets in the Corporate segment represented 57% of Lazard’s consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2013, which are attributable to investments in government bonds and money market funds, fixed income funds, alternative investment funds and other securities, private equity investments, cash and assets associated with LFB.
Operating Expenses
The majority of Lazard’s operating expenses relate to compensation and benefits for managing directors and employees. Our compensation and benefits expense includes (i) salaries and benefits, (ii) amortization of the relevant portion of previously granted deferred incentive compensation awards, including (a) share-based incentive compensation under the Lazard Ltd 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and the Lazard Ltd
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2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”) and (b) Lazard Fund Interests awards and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (see Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), (iii) a provision for discretionary or guaranteed cash bonuses and profit pools and (iv) when applicable, severance payments. Compensation expense in any given period is dependent on many factors, including general economic and market conditions, our actual and forecasted operating and financial performance, staffing levels, competitive pay conditions and the nature of revenues earned, as well as the mix between current and deferred compensation.
We believe that “awarded compensation and benefits expense” and the ratio of “awarded compensation and benefits expense” to “operating revenue,” both non-U.S. GAAP measures, are the most appropriate measures to assess the actual annual cost of compensation and provide the most meaningful basis for comparison of compensation and benefits expense between present, historical and future years. “Awarded compensation and benefits expense” for a given year is calculated using “adjusted compensation and benefits expense,” also a non-U.S. GAAP measure, as modified by the following items:
| • | We deduct amortization expense recorded for U.S. GAAP purposes in each fiscal year associated with the vesting of deferred incentive compensation awards, |
| • | We add (i) the grant date fair value of the deferred incentive compensation awards granted applicable to the relevant year-end compensation process (i.e. the grant date fair value of deferred incentive awards granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012 related to the 2013, 2012 and 2011 year-end compensation processes, respectively) and (ii) investments in people (i.e. “sign-on” bonuses) and other special deferred incentive awards granted throughout the applicable year, with such amounts in (i) and (ii) reduced by an estimate of future forfeitures of such awards, and |
| • | We adjust for year-end foreign exchange fluctuations. |
For interim periods we use “adjusted compensation and benefits expense” and the ratio of “adjusted compensation and benefits expense” to “operating revenue,” both non-U.S. GAAP measures, for comparison of compensation and benefits expense between periods. For the calculations with respect to “adjusted compensation and benefits expense” and “awarded compensation and benefits expense” and related ratios to “operating revenue,” see the table under “Consolidated Results of Operations” below.
Compensation and benefits expense is the largest component of our operating expenses. Our goal is for awarded compensation and benefits expense to rise at a slower rate than operating revenue growth, and if operating revenue declines, awarded compensation and benefits expense should also decline. In addition, we seek to maintain discipline with respect to the rate at which we award deferred compensation. Based on a similar level and mix of revenues from our business as in 2012 and a gradual improvement in the macroeconomic environment, we believe that over the cycle we can attain a ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue in the mid-to-high-50s percentage range, which for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 58.2%. While we have implemented initiatives, including the cost saving initiatives announced in October 2012 (see “Cost Saving Initiatives” above and Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), that we believe will assist us in attaining a ratio within this range, there can be no guarantee that such a ratio will be attained or that our policies or initiatives will not change in the future. We may benefit from pressure on compensation costs within the financial services industry in future periods; however, increased competition for senior professionals, changes in the macroeconomic environment or the financial markets generally, lower operating revenue resulting from, for example, a decrease in M&A activity, our share of the M&A market, AUM levels and/or changes in the mix of revenues from our businesses or various other factors could prevent us from attaining this goal.
Lazard’s operating expenses also include “non-compensation expense” which includes costs for occupancy and equipment, marketing and business development, technology and information services, professional services, fund administration and outsourced services and other expenses. In 2013, non-compensation expense also included the implementation of the cost saving initiatives and expenses related to the refinancing of the 7.125% senior notes
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due 2015 (the “2015 Notes”) and the issuance of $500 million of 4.25% senior notes maturing in 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) (see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). In 2012, non-compensation expense included the implementation of the cost saving initiatives, and the relevant portion of the expense relating to the staff reductions. For all periods, the amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions pertains primarily to the acquisition of Edgewater.
We believe that “adjusted non-compensation expense,” a non-U.S. GAAP measure, provides a more meaningful basis for assessing our operating results. For calculations with respect to “adjusted non-compensation expense” see the table under “Consolidated Results of Operations” below.
Provision for Income Taxes
Lazard Group primarily operates in the U.S. as a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s income pertaining to the limited liability company is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes because taxes associated with such income represent obligations of the individual partners. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through corporations and is subject to local income taxes. Income taxes shown on Lazard’s consolidated statements of operations are principally related to foreign taxes from non-U.S. entities and to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) attributable to Lazard’s operations apportioned to New York City.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests primarily consist of amounts related to Edgewater’s management vehicles that the Company is deemed to control but not own. See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s noncontrolling interests.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Lazard’s consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. Many of our non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which operational activities are primarily conducted) that is other than the U.S. Dollar, generally the currency of the country in which the subsidiaries are domiciled. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars using exchange rates as of the respective balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the respective periods based on the daily closing exchange rates. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency are reported as a component of members’ equity. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
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The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Selected financial data from the Company’s reported consolidated results of operations is set forth below, followed by a more detailed discussion of both the consolidated and business segment results.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Net Revenue |
$ | 1,984,074 | $ | 1,908,130 | $ | 1,833,561 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Expenses: |
||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
1,278,479 | 1,351,076 | 1,168,909 | |||||||||
| Non-compensation |
476,472 | 427,102 | 410,946 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions |
10,114 | 8,359 | 11,915 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total operating expenses |
1,765,065 | 1,786,537 | 1,591,770 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income |
219,009 | 121,593 | 241,791 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes |
32,242 | 30,622 | 27,408 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net Income |
186,767 | 90,971 | 214,383 | |||||||||
| Less – Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests |
3,704 | 3,362 | 3,678 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Lazard Group |
$ | 183,063 | $ | 87,609 | $ | 210,705 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income, as a % of Net Revenue |
11.0 | % | 6.4 | % | 13.2 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The tables below describe the components of operating revenue, adjusted and awarded compensation and benefits expense, adjusted non-compensation expense, earnings from operations and related key ratios, which are non-U.S. GAAP measures used by the Company to manage its business. We believe such non-U.S. GAAP measures provide the most meaningful basis for comparison between present, historical and future periods, as described above.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Operating Revenue |
||||||||||||
| Net revenue |
$ | 1,984,074 | $ | 1,908,130 | $ | 1,833,561 | ||||||
| Add (deduct): |
||||||||||||
| Other interest expense (a) |
85,806 | 89,823 | 90,285 | |||||||||
| Revenue related to noncontrolling interests (b) |
(15,115 | ) | (14,104 | ) | (16,696 | ) | ||||||
| Gain on the repurchase of subordinated promissory note (c) |
– | – | (18,171 | ) | ||||||||
| (Gains) losses on investments pertaining to Lazard Fund |
(14,099 | ) | (7,557 | ) | 3,024 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating revenue |
$ | 2,040,666 | $ | 1,976,292 | $ | 1,892,003 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Interest expense (excluding interest expense incurred by LFB) is added back in determining operating revenue because such expense is not considered to be a cost directly related to the revenue of our business. |
| (b) | Revenue related to the consolidation of noncontrolling interests is excluded from operating revenue because the Company has no economic interest in such amount. |
| (c) | Gain related to the repurchase of the Company’s subordinated promissory note is excluded because of the non-operating nature of such transaction. |
| (d) | Changes in the fair value of investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements that correspond to changes in the value of the related compensation liability, which is recorded within compensation and benefits expense, are excluded. |
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| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Compensation and Benefits Expense |
||||||||||||
| Total compensation and benefits expense |
$ | 1,278,479 | $ | 1,351,076 | $ | 1,168,909 | ||||||
| Deduct: |
||||||||||||
| Charges pertaining to staff reductions (a) |
– | (21,754 | ) | – | ||||||||
| Cost saving initiatives (a) |
(51,399 | ) | (99,987 | ) | – | |||||||
| Noncontrolling interests (b) |
(4,232 | ) | (4,040 | ) | (3,740 | ) | ||||||
| Private equity incentive compensation (c) |
|
(12,203 |
) |
– | – | |||||||
| (Charges) credits pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests (d) |
(14,099 | ) | (7,557 | ) | 3,024 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Adjusted compensation and benefits expense |
1,196,546 | 1,217,738 | 1,168,193 | |||||||||
| Deduct – amortization of incentive compensation awards |
(297,607 | ) | (334,796 | ) | (289,366 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total adjusted cash compensation and benefits expense (e) |
898,939 | 882,942 | 878,827 | |||||||||
| Add: |
||||||||||||
| Year-end deferred incentive compensation awards (f) |
291,007 | 272,391 | 282,418 | |||||||||
| Sign-on and other special incentive awards (g) |
22,107 | 42,088 | 39,941 | |||||||||
| Deduct – adjustment for estimated forfeitures (h) |
(27,270 | ) | (27,360 | ) | (28,045 | ) | ||||||
| Other adjustments (i) |
1,908 | 1,354 | (4,620 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Awarded compensation and benefits expense |
$ | 1,186,691 | $ | 1,171,415 | $ | 1,168,521 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Adjusted compensation and benefits expense, |
58.6 | % | 61.6 | % | 61.7 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Awarded compensation and benefits expense, |
58.2 | % | 59.3 | % | 61.8 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Represents expenses pertaining to the first quarter 2012 staff reductions and the cost saving initiatives announced in October 2012, as applicable, for (i) severance costs and benefit payments; (ii) the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense of deferred incentive compensation previously granted to individuals whose employment was terminated; and (iii) the settlement of certain contractual obligations. |
| (b) | Expenses related to the consolidation of noncontrolling interests are excluded because, as is the case with operating revenue, Lazard has no economic interest in such amounts. |
| (c) | Incentive compensation expense pertaining to private equity transactions for which revenue may be recognized in the future is excluded in order to more closely align the timing of the recognition of such expense to the timing of the recognition of the related revenue. |
| (d) | Changes in fair value of the derivative compensation liability recorded in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements are excluded because such amounts correspond to the changes in the fair value of the underlying investments, which are excluded from operating revenue. |
| (e) | Includes base salaries and benefits of $530,399, $515,769 and $506,454 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and cash incentive compensation of $368,540, $367,173 and $372,373 for the respective years. |
| (f) | Grant date fair value of deferred incentive compensation awards applicable to the relevant year-end compensation process (e.g. grant date fair value of deferred incentive awards granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012 related to the 2013, 2012 and 2011 year-end compensation processes, respectively). |
| (g) | Represents deferred incentive compensation awards that are granted outside the year-end compensation process, and includes investments in people (e.g. “sign-on” bonuses). |
| (h) | An estimate, based on historical experience and future expectations, for future forfeitures of the deferred portion of such awards in order to present awarded compensation and benefits expense on a similar basis to that under U.S. GAAP, which also considers estimated forfeitures. |
| (i) | Represents an adjustment to the year-end foreign exchange “spot” rate from the full year average rate for year- end incentive compensation awards. |
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| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted Non-Compensation Expense |
||||||||||||
| Total non-compensation expense |
$476,472 | $427,102 | $ | 410,946 | ||||||||
| Deduct: |
||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests (a) |
(1,993 | ) | (2,558 | ) | (2,008 | ) | ||||||
| Charges pertaining to staff reductions (b) |
– | (2,905 | ) | – | ||||||||
| Cost saving initiatives (b) |
(13,304 | ) | (2,589 | ) | – | |||||||
| Charges pertaining to senior debt refinancing (c) |
(54,087 | ) | – | – | ||||||||
| Provision relating to U.K. lease (d) |
– | – | (5,539 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision relating to LAI option (d) |
– | – | (5,500 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Adjusted non-compensation expense |
$407,088 | $419,050 | $ | 397,899 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Adjusted non-compensation expense, as a % of Operating Revenue |
19.9% | 21.2% | 21.0% | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Expenses related to the consolidation of noncontrolling interests are excluded because, as is the case with operating revenue, the Company has no economic interest in such amounts. |
| (b) | Non-compensation costs in 2013 and 2012 associated with the cost saving initiatives and the first quarter 2012 staff reductions are excluded to enhance comparability of adjusted non-compensation expense between present, historical and future periods. |
| (c) | Charges pertaining to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and the issuance of the 2020 Notes are excluded because of the non-operating nature of such transactions. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activities.” |
| (d) | These charges are excluded due to the non-recurring nature of such items and to enhance comparability of adjusted non-compensation expense between present, historical and future periods (see Notes 12 and 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). |
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Earnings From Operations |
||||||||||||
| Operating revenue |
$ | 2,040,666 | $ | 1,976,292 | $ | 1,892,003 | ||||||
| Deduct: |
||||||||||||
| Adjusted compensation and benefits expense |
(1,196,546 | ) | (1,217,738 | ) | (1,168,193 | ) | ||||||
| Adjusted non-compensation expense |
(407,088 | ) | (419,050 | ) | (397,899 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Earnings from operations |
$ | 437,032 | $ | 339,504 | $ | 325,911 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Earnings from operations, as a % of Operating Revenue |
21.4 | % | 17.2 | % | 17.2 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Certain additional key ratios and headcount information are set forth below:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
| As a % of Net Revenue, by Revenue Category: |
|||||||||||||||
| Investment banking and other advisory fees |
49 | % | 54 | % | 53 | % | |||||||||
| Money management fees |
50 | 45 | 47 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income |
– | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Other |
5 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | (5 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
| Net Revenue |
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
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See Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional financial information on a geographic basis.
| As Of December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2013(a) | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
| Headcount: |
|||||||||||||||
| Managing Directors: |
|||||||||||||||
| Financial Advisory |
132 | 151 | 140 | ||||||||||||
| Asset Management |
72 | 75 | 71 | ||||||||||||
| Corporate |
15 | 14 | 11 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
| Total Managing Directors |
219 | 240 | 222 | ||||||||||||
| Other Employees: |
|||||||||||||||
| Business segment professionals |
1,082 | 1,108 | 1,092 | ||||||||||||
| All other professionals and support staff |
1,102 | 1,165 | 1,197 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
| Total |
2,403 | 2,513 | 2,511 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
| (a) | As of December 31, 2013, the headcount reductions relating to the cost saving initiatives were substantially complete. Such reductions have been partially offset by additional investments and, in the case of managing directors, by promotions. |
Operating Results
Year Ended December 31, 2013 versus December 31, 2012
The Company reported net income attributable to Lazard Group in 2013 of $183 million, as compared to net income of $88 million in 2012. The changes in the Company’s operating results during these years are described below.
Net revenue in 2013 increased $76 million, or 4%, with operating revenue increasing $64 million, or 3%, as compared to 2012. Fee revenue from investment banking and other advisory activities decreased $67 million, or 6%, primarily due to decreases in Restructuring revenue and M&A and Other Advisory fees. The decline in Restructuring revenue was attributable to the closing of several large assignments during 2012, and was consistent with the industry-wide low level of corporate restructuring activity. The decrease in M&A and Other Advisory fee revenue was primarily due to a lower number of completed transactions involving fees greater than $1 million in 2013 as compared to 2012, which included significant fees related to Sovereign Advisory and reflected a higher level of activity in our Lazard Middle Market business. Money management fees, including incentive fees, increased $136 million, or 16%, principally reflecting a $18 billion, or 12%, increase in average AUM as compared to 2012. In the aggregate, interest income, other revenue and interest expense reflected an increase in net revenue of $7 million as compared to 2012. Such increase was primarily due to higher transaction based commission revenue as a result of increased market activity in 2013, and a decrease in interest expense as a result of the refinancing of the 2015 Notes.
Compensation and benefits expense in 2013 decreased $73 million, or 5%, compared to 2012, and included a $51 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives and a $12 million charge related to private equity incentive compensation, as compared to an aggregate $122 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives and staff reductions in 2012.
Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (which excludes certain items and which we believe allows for improved comparability between years, as described above), was $1.197 billion in 2013, a decrease of $21 million, or 2%, when compared to $1.218 billion in 2012, primarily driven by lower headcount related to the cost saving initiatives and, as described below, reduced amortization expense related to 2008 deferred compensation
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(the “2008 grant”). The ratio of adjusted compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was reduced to 58.6% for 2013, as compared to 61.6% for 2012, despite a 3% increase in operating revenue in 2013. Awarded compensation and benefits expense in 2013 was $1.187 billion, an increase of $16 million, or 1%, when compared to $1.171 billion in 2012. The ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was reduced to 58.2% for 2013, as compared to 59.3% for 2012. The grant date fair value of year-end deferred incentive awards for 2013 was $291 million, representing a $19 million, or 7%, increase compared to 2012. As described above, when analyzing compensation and benefits expense on a full year basis, we believe that awarded compensation and benefits expense provides the most meaningful basis for comparison of compensation and benefits expense between present, historical and future years.
The amortization of deferred incentive compensation awards related to 2010, 2011 and 2012 was $298 million for 2013, a decrease of $37 million as compared to $335 million for 2012. The lower level of amortization expense was primarily attributable to the 2008 grant. The 2008 grant had a comparatively longer, four-year vesting period and, together with compensation awards related to 2009, 2010 and 2011 deferred compensation, affected amortization expense for the full year of 2012. The 2008 grant was fully vested on March 1, 2013.
Non-compensation expense in 2013 increased $49 million, or 12%, as compared to 2012 and included a charge of $13 million related to the cost saving initiatives and $54 million related to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and the issuance of the 2020 Notes, as compared to an aggregate charge of $5 million related to the cost saving initiatives and staff reductions in 2012. When excluding such charges, as well as non-compensation costs relating to noncontrolling interests, adjusted non-compensation expense in 2013 decreased $13 million, or 3%, as compared to 2012, primarily due to decreases in (i) marketing and business development expense associated with lower expenses for travel and other business development and (ii) technology expense for telecommunications and market data, all primarily attributable to the cost saving initiatives. Other contributing factors were reduced deal-related costs, which were higher in 2012 as a result of transactions that closed during that period. Such decreases were partially offset by increased investments in technology, and higher mutual fund servicing fees primarily related to the increase in higher average AUM. The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue was 19.9% in 2013 versus 21.2% in 2012.
Amortization of intangible assets increased $2 million, as compared to 2012.
Operating income in 2013 (including the charges relating to the cost saving initiatives, private equity incentive compensation and the refinancing of the 2015 Notes of $64 million, $12 million and $54 million, respectively) increased $97 million, or 80%, as compared to 2012 (including the charges relating to the cost saving initiatives and staff reductions of $103 million and $25 million, respectively, in 2012). Operating income, as a percentage of net revenue, was 11.0%, as compared to 6.4% in 2012.
Earnings from operations increased $98 million, or 29%, when compared to 2012, and, as a percentage of operating revenue, was 21.4% in 2013, as compared to 17.2% in 2012.
The provision for income taxes increased $2 million, or 5%, when compared to 2012, and reflected an effective tax rate of 14.7%, as compared to 25.2% for 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily reflective of the change in the geographic mix of earnings (see Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests remained substantially unchanged as compared to 2012.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus December 31, 2011
The Company reported net income attributable to Lazard Group in 2012 of $88 million, as compared to net income of $211 million in 2011. The changes in the Company’s operating results during these years are described below.
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Net revenue in 2012 increased $75 million, or 4%, with operating revenue increasing $84 million, or 4%, respectively, as compared to 2011. Fee revenue from investment banking and other advisory activities increased $69 million, or 7%, primarily due to an increase in M&A and Other Advisory fees, partially offset by a decrease in Restructuring fees. The increase in M&A and Other Advisory fee revenue was primarily driven by the strong performance of Lazard Middle Market and the overall breadth and volume of our global M&A and Sovereign Advisory businesses. Higher fees were earned from our top 10 clients during 2012, reflecting the closing of several significant M&A and Sovereign Advisory transactions. The decrease in Restructuring fee revenue was generally in line with the industry-wide low level of corporate restructuring activity. Money management fees decreased $1 million during 2012. In the aggregate, interest income, other revenue and interest expense reflected an increase in net revenue of $7 million as compared to 2011. Such increase was principally due to increases in investment income (including a gain relating to the increase in market value of investments underlying Lazard Fund Interests, that correspond to changes in the related compensation and benefits expense for awards expected to vest), that was partially offset by decreases in other revenue due to the $18 million gain on the repurchase of the Company’s subordinated promissory note in 2011, as well as decreases in referral fees from LFCM Holdings and commissions.
Compensation and benefits expense in 2012 increased $182 million, or 16%, compared to 2011, which, in part, reflected a $22 million first quarter 2012 charge associated with staff reductions and a fourth quarter 2012 charge of $100 million related to the cost saving initiatives. Such charges primarily relate to severance costs and benefit payments, with $8 million and $22 million of the respective charges relating to the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense of deferred incentive compensation previously granted to individuals being terminated. Amortization expense of previously granted deferred incentive compensation awards related to the 2008 grant, which, as described above, had a comparatively longer, four year vesting period, also contributed to the increase.
Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (which excludes certain items and which we believe allows for improved comparability between years, as described above), was $1.218 billion in 2012, an increase of $50 million, or 4%, when compared to $1.168 billion in 2011. The ratio of adjusted compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was reduced to 61.6% for 2012 as compared to 61.7% for 2011, despite the 4% increase in operating revenue during the same period. In 2012, amortization expense relating to the 2008 Grant represented approximately 2.0% of operating revenue. Awarded compensation and benefits expense in 2012 of $1.171 billion remained substantially unchanged when compared to $1.169 billion for 2011, despite the 4% increase in operating revenue during the same period. The ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was reduced to 59.3% in 2012 as compared to 61.8% for 2011. The grant date fair value of year-end deferred incentive compensation awards for 2012 was $272 million, representing a $10 million, or 4%, decrease compared to 2011.
Amortization of deferred incentive compensation awards, excluding the above-mentioned charges of $8 million and $22 million relating to the first quarter 2012 staff reductions and fourth quarter 2012 cost saving initiatives, respectively, was $335 million in 2012, as compared to $289 million in 2011. Amortization expense during 2012 included approximately $40 million related to the 2008 grant, which had a four year vesting period, and is the only outstanding grant with a vesting period in excess of three years.
Non-compensation expense in 2012 increased $16 million, or 4%, as compared to 2011. Non-compensation expense in 2012 included a first quarter charge of $3 million associated with the staff reductions and a fourth quarter charge of an additional $3 million related to the cost saving initiatives, while the fourth quarter of 2011 included aggregate charges of $11 million related to the Company’s leased facilities in the U.K. and the write-off of the capitalized costs related to the Company’s option to acquire the fund management activities of Lazard Alternative Investment Holdings LLC (“LAI”). When excluding such charges, as well as non-compensation costs
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relating to noncontrolling interests, adjusted non-compensation expense in 2012 increased $21 million, or 5%, primarily attributable to (i) higher occupancy costs in 2012 as a result of our amended lease and associated build-out costs of our Rockefeller Center facility, (ii) deal-related costs specifically related to transactions that closed in 2012 and (iii) investments in technology, with such increased costs partially offset by decreased professional fees, mutual fund servicing fees, travel and other expenses. The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue was 21.2% in 2012 versus 21.0% for 2011.
Amortization of intangible assets decreased $4 million, or 30%, as compared to 2011.
Operating income in 2012 (including the charges that are described above relating to staff reductions and cost saving initiatives aggregating $25 million and $103 million, respectively) decreased $120 million, or 50%, as compared to operating income in 2011. Operating income, as a percentage of net revenue, was 6.4%, as compared to 13.2% in 2011.
Earnings from operations increased $14 million, or 4%, when compared to 2011, and, as a percentage of operating revenue, was 17.2% in both 2012 and 2011.
The provision for income taxes increased $3 million, or 12%, when compared to 2011, and reflected an effective tax rate of 25.2% as compared to 11.3% for 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily reflective of the geographic mix of earnings (see Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was substantially unchanged compared to 2011.
Business Segments
The following is a discussion of net revenue and operating income for the Company’s segments - Financial Advisory, Asset Management and Corporate. Each segment’s operating expenses include (i) compensation and benefits expenses that are incurred directly in support of the segment and (ii) other operating expenses, which include directly incurred expenses for occupancy and equipment, marketing and business development, technology and information services, professional services, fund administration and outsourcing, and indirect support costs (including compensation and benefits expense and other operating expenses related thereto) for administrative services. Such administrative services include, but are not limited to, accounting, tax, legal, information technology, facilities management and senior management activities. Such support costs are allocated to the relevant segments based on various statistical drivers such as revenue, headcount, square footage and other factors.
Financial Advisory
The following tables summarize the reported operating results attributable to the Financial Advisory segment:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| M&A and Other Advisory |
$ | 768,790 | $ | 792,928 | $ | 700,539 | ||||||
| Capital Raising |
78,916 | 73,403 | 93,825 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total Strategic Advisory |
847,706 | 866,331 | 794,364 | |||||||||
| Restructuring |
132,871 | 182,759 | 197,743 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net Revenue |
980,577 | 1,049,090 | 992,107 | |||||||||
| Operating Expenses (a) |
959,668 | 1,057,620 | 929,688 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) |
$ | 20,909 | $ | (8,530 | ) | $ | 62,419 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income (Loss), As A Percentage Of Net Revenue |
2.1 | % | (0.8 | )% | 6.3 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
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| (a) | Includes, in 2013 and 2012, $47,779 and $77,532, respectively, associated with the implementation of the cost saving initiatives. All years include indirect support costs (including compensation and benefits expense and other operating expenses related thereto). |
Net revenue trends in Financial Advisory for M&A and Other Advisory and Restructuring are generally correlated to the level of completed industry-wide M&A transactions and restructuring transactions occurring subsequent to corporate debt defaults, respectively. However, deviations from this relationship can occur in any given year for a number of reasons. For instance, our results can diverge from industry-wide activity where there are material variances from the level of industry-wide M&A activity in a particular market where Lazard has significant market share, or regarding the relative number of our advisory engagements with respect to larger-sized transactions, and where we are involved in non-public or sovereign advisory assignments. For example, the industry statistics for global M&A transactions described above reflect a 2% increase in the value of all completed transactions in 2013 as compared to 2012, but a 17% decrease in the number of all completed transactions in 2013 as compared to 2012. For M&A deals with values greater than $500 million, the value of completed transactions in 2013 increased 8% as compared to 2012, while the number of such deals decreased 1% as compared to 2012. Our M&A and Other Advisory revenue (which includes Sovereign and Capital Advisory revenue) decreased 3% in 2013 as compared to 2012.
Certain Lazard fee and transaction statistics are set forth below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Lazard Statistics: |
||||||||||||
| Number of clients with fees greater than $1 million: |
||||||||||||
| Total Financial Advisory |
235 | 255 | 241 | |||||||||
| M&A and Other Advisory |
180 | 190 | 166 | |||||||||
| Percentage of total Financial Advisory net revenue from top 10 clients (a) |
19 | % | 18 | % | 14 | % | ||||||
| Number of M&A transactions completed with values greater than $1 billion (b) |
44 | 44 | 59 | |||||||||
| (a) | No individual client constituted more than 10% of our Financial Advisory segment net revenue in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011. |
| (b) | Source: Dealogic as of January 6, 2014. |
The geographical distribution of Financial Advisory net revenue is set forth below in percentage terms and is based on the Lazard offices that generate Financial Advisory net revenue, which are located in the U.S., Europe (primarily in the U.K., France, Italy, Spain and Germany) and the rest of the world (primarily in Australia) and therefore may not be reflective of the geography in which the clients are located.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| United States |
61 | % | 58 | % | 55 | % | ||||||
| Europe |
34 | 34 | 38 | |||||||||
| Rest of World |
5 | 8 | 7 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The Company’s managing directors and many of its professionals have significant experience, and many of them are able to use this experience to advise on M&A, strategic advisory matters and restructuring transactions, depending on clients’ needs. This flexibility allows Lazard to better match its professionals with the counter-cyclical business cycles of mergers and acquisitions and restructurings. While Lazard measures revenue by practice area, Lazard does not separately measure the costs or profitability of M&A services as compared to restructuring services. Accordingly, Lazard measures performance in its Financial Advisory segment based on overall segment operating revenue and operating income margins.
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Financial Advisory Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2013 versus December 31, 2012
Total Strategic Advisory net revenue, representing fees from our M&A and Other Advisory and Capital Raising businesses, decreased $19 million, or 2%, and Restructuring revenue decreased $50 million, or 27%, as compared to 2012.
M&A and Other Advisory revenue decreased $24 million, or 3%, while Capital Raising revenue increased by $5 million, or 8%, as compared to 2012. The decrease in M&A and Other Advisory revenue was primarily due to a decrease in the number of M&A and Other Advisory transactions involving fees greater than $1 million. Our major clients, which in the aggregate represented 25% of our M&A and Other Advisory revenue for 2013, included 3G Capital, Ameristar Casinos, Amgen, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Cerberus Capital Management, D.E Master Blenders 1753, EADS, Independent Committee of Independent Non-Executive Directors of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation, NV Energy, Piraeus Bank, Rockwood and Tenet Healthcare.
Restructuring revenue is derived from various activities including bankruptcy assignments, global debt and financing restructurings, distressed asset sales and advice on complex on- and off-balance sheet assignments, the timing of which may not correspond to industry announced defaults. The decrease in Restructuring revenue reflected the closing of several large assignments in 2012. Our major clients, which in the aggregate represented 25% of our revenue in 2013, included Allied Pilots Association, Eastman Kodak and Exide Technologies.
Operating expenses decreased $98 million, or 9%, as compared to 2012, and included a $47 million charge in 2013 and a $78 million charge in 2012 related to the cost saving initiatives. Excluding such charge, operating expenses decreased $68 million, or 7%. The primary contributors to the decrease were lower compensation and benefits expense due to lower operating revenue, headcount reductions related to the cost saving initiatives, reductions in amortization expense associated with deferred compensation awards, decreased travel and communications expense related to the cost saving initiatives and lower deal-related costs as a result of transactions that closed in 2013 as compared to 2012.
Financial Advisory operating income in 2013 was $21 million (including the impact of the $47 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives), an increase of $29 million as compared to operating loss of $9 million (including the impact of the $78 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives) in 2012 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 2.1% as compared to (0.8)% in 2012. Excluding the impact of such charges in 2013 and 2012, operating income in 2013 was $68 million, or 7% of net revenue, and was substantially unchanged as compared to operating income in 2012.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus December 31, 2011
Total Strategic Advisory net revenue, representing fees from M&A and Other Advisory and Capital Raising businesses, increased $72 million, or 9%, and Restructuring revenue decreased $15 million, or 8%, as compared to 2011.
M&A and Other Advisory revenue increased $92 million, or 13%, as compared to 2011. Capital Raising revenue decreased $20 million, or 22%. The increase in M&A and Other Advisory revenue was primarily due to the strong performance of Lazard Middle Market and a higher level of fees earned from our top 10 clients, reflecting the closing of several significant M&A and Sovereign Advisory transactions. Our major clients, which in the aggregate represented 25% of our M&A and Other Advisory revenue for the year, included Aeroporti di Roma, Azur Pharm, BTA Bank JSC, Caisse des Dépôts, Delphi Financial Group, GlaxoSmithKline, Google, Government of Greece, Medco Health Solutions, Pireaus Bank and Progress Energy. The decrease in Capital Raising revenue in 2012 was primarily attributable to a decrease in referral fees from LFCM Holdings and a decrease in private placement activity.
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Restructuring revenue is derived from various activities including bankruptcy assignments, global debt and financing restructurings, distressed asset sales and advice on complex on- and off-balance sheet assignments. The decrease in Restructuring revenue in 2012 was generally in line with the industry-wide low level of corporate restructuring activity. Notable assignments completed in 2012 included assignments for Cemex, Eastman Kodak, Lehman Brothers, NewPage Corporation and Tribune Company.
Operating expenses increased $128 million, or 14%, as compared to 2011. The primary contributors to the increase were a fourth quarter 2012 charge aggregating $78 million related to the cost saving initiatives, as well as higher levels of compensation and benefits expense (see the discussion regarding compensation and benefits expense described above under “Operating Results–Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus December 31, 2011”), transaction-related third party fees specifically related to transactions that closed in 2012 and occupancy costs as a result of our amended lease and associated buildout costs of our Rockefeller Center facility.
Financial Advisory operating loss in 2012 was $9 million (with such amount including the impact of the $78 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives), a decrease of $71 million as compared to operating income of $62 million in 2011 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was (0.8)% as compared to 6.3% in 2011. Excluding the impact of such charge in 2012, operating income in 2012 was $69 million, an increase of $7 million, or 11%, as compared to operating income of $62 million in 2011.
Asset Management
The following table shows the composition of AUM for the Asset Management segment (See Item 1. “Business—Principal Business Lines—Asset Management—Investment Strategies”):
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||
| AUM by Asset Class: |
||||||||||||
| Equity: |
||||||||||||
| Emerging Markets |
$ | 47,450 | $ | 44,623 | $ | 34,988 | ||||||
| Global |
35,521 | 36,247 | 32,179 | |||||||||
| Local |
31,232 | 30,890 | 29,028 | |||||||||
| Multi-Regional |
39,859 | 26,411 | 20,167 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total Equity |
154,062 | 138,171 | 116,362 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Fixed Income: |
||||||||||||
| Emerging Markets |
9,048 | 5,154 | 1,457 | |||||||||
| Global |
3,164 | 3,035 | 2,351 | |||||||||
| Local |
3,507 | |
3,549 |
|
3,107 | |||||||
| Multi-Regional |
11,155 | 10,980 | 10,835 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total Fixed Income |
26,874 | 22,718 | 17,750 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Alternative Investments |
4,690 | 4,600 | 5,349 | |||||||||
| Private Equity |
1,151 | 1,398 | 1,486 | |||||||||
| Cash Management |
147 | 173 | 92 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total AUM |
$ | 186,924 | $ | 167,060 | $ | 141,039 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total AUM at December 31, 2013 was $187 billion, an increase of $20 billion, or 12%, as compared to total AUM of $167 billion at December 31, 2012, primarily due to market appreciation. Average AUM for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 12% higher than that for 2012.
As of December 31, 2013, approximately 90% of our AUM was managed on behalf of institutional clients, including corporations, labor unions, public pension funds, insurance companies and banks, and through
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sub-advisory relationships, mutual fund sponsors, broker-dealers and registered advisors, and approximately 10% of our AUM was managed on behalf of individual client relationships, which are principally with family offices and individuals, and was substantially unchanged from the corresponding percentages at December 31, 2012.
As of December 31, 2013, AUM denominated in foreign currencies represented approximately 63% of our total AUM, as compared to 62% at December 31, 2012. Foreign denominated AUM generally declines in value with the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar and increases in value as the U.S. Dollar weakens, with all other factors held constant.
The following is a summary of changes in AUM by asset class for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
| Year Ended December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUM Beginning Balance |
Inflows | Outflows | Net Flows |
Market Value Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Foreign Exchange Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
AUM Ending Balance |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity |
$ | 138,171 | $ | 26,518 | $ | (31,597 | ) | $ | (5,079 | ) | $ | 25,495 | $ | (4,525 | ) | $ | 154,062 | |||||||||||
| Fixed Income |
22,718 | 6,725 | (3,318 | ) | 3,407 | 389 | 360 | 26,874 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
6,171 | 1,063 | (1,325 | ) | (262 | ) | 270 | (191 | ) | 5,988 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 167,060 | $ | 34,306 | $ | (36,240 | ) | $ | (1,934 | ) | $ | 26,154 | $ | (4,356 | ) | $ | 186,924 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Inflows in the Equity asset class were primarily attributable to the Emerging Markets and Multi-Regional platforms, and inflows in the Fixed Income asset class were primarily attributable to the Emerging Markets platform. Outflows in the Equity asset class were primarily attributable to the Global and Local equity platforms, and outflows in the Fixed Income asset class were primarily attributable to the Multi-Regional platform.
| Year Ended December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUM Beginning Balance |
Inflows | Outflows | Net Flows |
Market Value Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Foreign Exchange Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
AUM Ending Balance |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity |
$ | 116,362 | $ | 19,995 | $ | (19,616 | ) | $ | 379 | $ | 21,475 | $ | (45 | ) | $ | 138,171 | ||||||||||||
| Fixed Income |
17,750 | 6,649 | (3,033 | ) | 3,616 | 1,058 | 294 | 22,718 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
6,927 | 699 | (1,953 | ) | (1,254 | ) | 475 | 23 | 6,171 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 141,039 | $ | 27,343 | $ | (24,602 | ) | $ | 2,741 | $ | 23,008 | $ | 272 | $ | 167,060 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUM Beginning Balance |
Inflows | Outflows | Net Flows |
Market Value Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
Foreign Exchange Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
AUM Ending Balance |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity |
$ | 131,300 | $ | 17,513 | $ | (19,765 | ) | $ | (2,252 | ) | $ | (9,932 | ) | $ | (2,754 | ) | $ | 116,362 | ||||||||||
| Fixed Income |
17,144 | 4,481 | (3,664 | ) | 817 | 274 | (485 | ) | 17,750 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
6,893 | 2,120 | (1,733 | ) | 387 | (95 | ) | (258 | ) | 6,927 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 155,337 | $ | 24,114 | $ | (25,162 | ) | $ | (1,048 | ) | $ | (9,753 | ) | $ | (3,497 | ) | $ | 141,039 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
As of February 21, 2014, AUM was $185.2 billion, a $1.7 billion decrease since December 31, 2013. The decrease in AUM was due to market and foreign exchange depreciation of $2.8 billion, partially offset by net inflows of $1.1 billion.
52
Table of Contents
Average AUM for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 for each significant asset class is set forth below. Average AUM generally represents the average of the monthly ending AUM balances for the period.
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||
| Average AUM by Asset Class: |
||||||||||||
| Equity |
$ | 143,923 | $ | 128,357 | $ | 126,710 | ||||||
| Fixed Income |
23,850 | 20,697 | 18,069 | |||||||||
| Alternative Investments |
4,569 | 4,960 | 5,782 | |||||||||
| Private Equity |
1,232 | 1,420 | 1,409 | |||||||||
| Cash Management |
128 | 115 | 102 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total Average AUM |
$ | 173,702 | $ | 155,549 | $ | 152,072 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The following table summarizes the reported operating results attributable to the Asset Management segment:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) |
||||||||||||
| Revenue: |
||||||||||||
| Management Fees |
$ | 903,956 | $ | 806,044 | $ | 818,038 | ||||||
| Incentive Fees |
78,342 | 43,661 | 26,245 | |||||||||
| Other Income |
56,832 | 46,555 | 53,118 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net Revenue |
1,039,130 | 896,260 | 897,401 | |||||||||
| Operating Expenses (a) |
704,045 | 659,502 | 628,945 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income |
$ | 335,085 | $ | 236,758 | $ | 268,456 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income, as a Percentage of Net Revenue |
32.2 | % | 26.4 | % | 29.9 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | In 2013 and 2012, includes $235 and $12,789, respectively, associated with the implementation of the cost saving initiatives, and in 2013, $12,203 relating to private equity compensation. All years include indirect support costs (including compensation and benefits expense and other operating expenses related thereto). |
Our top ten clients accounted for 24%, 23% and 22% of our total AUM at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and no individual client constituted more than 10% of our Asset Management segment net revenue during any of the respective years.
The geographical distribution of Asset Management net revenue is set forth below in percentage terms, and is based on the Lazard offices that manage the respective AUM amounts. Such geographical distribution may not be reflective of the geography of the investment products or clients.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| United States |
62 | % | 63 | % | 60 | % | ||||||
| Europe |
28 | 26 | 29 | |||||||||
| Rest of World |
10 | 11 | 11 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
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Asset Management Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2013 versus December 31, 2012
Asset Management net revenue increased $143 million, or 16%, as compared to 2012. Management fees increased $98 million, or 12%, as compared to 2012, reflecting an $18 billion, or 12%, increase in average AUM. Incentive fees increased $35 million, or 79%, as compared to 2012, primarily due to fees related to traditional investment products and to a lesser extent, alternative investment products. Other revenue increased $10 million, or 22%, as compared to 2012, primarily due to higher transaction based commission revenue as a result of increased market activity.
Operating expenses increased $45 million, or 7%, as compared to 2012, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits expense related to the increase in operating revenue, an increase in mutual fund servicing fees related to the growth in AUM and increased amortization of intangible assets related to Edgewater.
Asset Management operating income in the 2013 period was $335 million, an increase of $98 million (including the impact of the $0.2 million charge relating to the cost saving initiatives and the $12 million charge pertaining to private equity incentive compensation), or 42%, compared to operating income of $237 million (including the impact of the $13 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives) in 2012 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 32.2%, compared to 26.4% in 2012. Excluding the impact of such charges, operating income in 2013 was $347 million, an increase of $97 million, or 39%, as compared to operating income of $250 million in 2012.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus December 31, 2011
Asset Management net revenue decreased $1 million as compared to 2011. Management fees decreased $12 million, or 1%, as compared to 2011, primarily driven by a change in the product mix of average AUM, partially offset by a 2% increase in average AUM. Incentive fees increased $17 million, or 66%, as compared to 2011, primarily due to fees related to alternative investment products. Other revenue decreased $7 million, or 12%, as compared to 2011, primarily due to a decline in commissions from an unusually strong 2011.
Operating expenses increased $31 million, or 5%, as compared to 2011, due to a fourth quarter 2012 charge aggregating $13 million related to the cost saving initiatives, as well as an increase in compensation and benefits expense (see the discussion regarding compensation and benefits expense described above under “Operating Results—Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus December 31, 2011”) and higher occupancy costs in 2012 associated with our amended lease and build-out costs of our Rockefeller Center facility. These increases were partially offset by lower professional fees and fees for fund administration.
Asset Management operating income in 2012 was $237 million (including the impact of the $13 million charge related to the cost saving initiatives), a decrease of $31 million, or 12%, as compared to operating income of $268 million in 2011 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 26.4% as compared to 29.9% in 2011. Excluding the impact of such charge in 2012, operating income in 2012 was $250 million, a decrease of $18 million, or 7%, as compared to operating income of $268 million in 2011.
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Corporate
The following table summarizes the reported operating results attributable to the Corporate segment:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Interest Income |
$ | 9,550 | $ | 15,096 | $ | 13,926 | ||||||
| Interest Expense |
(87,031 | ) | (91,309 | ) | (92,066 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net Interest (Expense) |
(77,481 | ) | (76,213 | ) | (78,140 | ) | ||||||
| Other Revenue |
41,848 | 38,993 | 22,193 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net Revenue (Expense) |
(35,633 | ) | (37,220 | ) | (55,947 | ) | ||||||
| Operating Expenses (a) |
101,352 | 69,415 | 33,137 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Loss |
$ | (136,985 | ) | $ | (106,635 | ) | $ | (89,084 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Includes (i) in 2013 and 2012, $16,689 and 12,255, respectively, associated with the implementation of the cost saving initiatives, (ii) in 2013, $54,087 relating to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and the issuance of the 2020 Notes and (iii) in 2012, $24,659 relating to the staff reductions. |
Corporate Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2013 versus December 31, 2012
Net interest expense decreased $1 million, or 2%, compared to 2012, primarily due to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes.
Other revenue increased $3 million, or 7%, compared to 2012, primarily due to a loss recorded in 2012 related to the sale of an intercompany receivable investment.
Operating expenses increased $32 million, or 46%, compared to 2012, and included (i) in 2013 and 2012, charges of $17 million and $12 million, respectively, associated with the cost saving initiatives, (ii) in 2013, a charge of $54 million pertaining to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes, and (iii) in 2012, a charge of $25 million related to staff reductions. Excluding the impact of such charges in both periods, operating expenses in 2013 decreased $2 million as compared to 2012.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus December 31, 2011
Net interest expense decreased $2 million, or 2%, as compared to 2011.
Other revenue increased $17 million, primarily due to increased net investment gains in 2012, including an increase in the gain in the value of investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests of $11 million, partially offset by an $18 million gain in 2011 on the repurchase of the Company’s subordinated promissory note.
Operating expenses in 2012 (including the $25 million charge in the first quarter of 2012 relating to staff reductions and a fourth quarter 2012 charge aggregating $12 million related to the cost saving initiatives) increased $36 million. Excluding the impact of such charges, as well as aggregate charges of $11 million in 2011 relating to the Company’s leased facilities in the U.K. and the write-off of the capitalized costs relating to the Company’s option to acquire the fund management activities of LAI, operating expenses in 2012 increased $10 million, or 47%, as compared to 2011, primarily relating to (i) occupancy costs, as a result of our amended lease and associated build-out costs of our Rockefeller Center facility, (ii) compensation and benefits expense, including an increase in expense associated with Lazard Fund Interests and (iii) technology costs.
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Cash Flows
The Company’s cash flows are influenced primarily by the timing of the receipt of Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees, the timing of distributions to shareholders, payments of incentive compensation to managing directors and employees and purchases of Class A common stock. Cash flows also were affected in 2013 by the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and the issuance of the 2020 Notes. M&A and Other Advisory and Asset Management fees are generally collected within 60 days of billing, while Restructuring fee collections may extend beyond 60 days, particularly those that involve bankruptcies with court-ordered holdbacks. Fees from our Private Fund Advisory activities are generally collected over a four-year period from billing and typically include an interest component.
The Company makes cash payments for, or in respect of, a significant portion of its incentive compensation during the first three months of each calendar year with respect to the prior year’s results. In addition, during 2013 and 2012, the Company made cash payments, including severance payments, associated with the cost saving initiatives (see “Cost Saving Initiatives” above and Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and (ii) distributed additional amounts to members, which Lazard Ltd utilized to pay a special dividend in 2013 and 2012 and, in 2012, accelerated the payment of its fourth quarter dividend.
Summary of Cash Flows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| ($ in millions) |
||||||||
| Cash Provided By (Used In): |
||||||||
| Operating activities: |
||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 186.8 | $ | 91.0 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (a) |
401.6 | 403.8 | ||||||
| Other operating activities (b) |
(60.7 | ) | 66.6 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
527.7 | 561.4 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Investing activities |
(54.5 | ) | (84.9 | ) | ||||
| Financing activities (c) |
(492.6 | ) | (464.6 | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes |
6.2 | 12.6 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(13.2 | ) | 24.5 | |||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents: |
||||||||
| Beginning of Year |
845.5 | 821.0 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| End of Year |
$ | 832.3 | $ | 845.5 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (a) | Consists of the following: |
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| ($ in millions) |
||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of property |
$ | 34.8 | $ | 30.9 | ||||
| Amortization of deferred expenses, share based incentive compensation and interest rate hedge |
309.2 | 360.0 | ||||||
| Deferred tax provision (benefit) |
(3.3 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||
| Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions |
10.1 | 8.4 | ||||||
| Loss on sale of intercompany receivable |
– | 5.6 | ||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt |
50.8 | – | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 401.6 | $ | 403.8 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
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| (b) | Includes net changes in operating assets and liabilities. |
| (c) | Consists primarily of purchases of shares of Class A common stock, tax withholdings related to the settlement of vested restricted stock units (“RSUs”), distributions to members and noncontrolling interest holders, and activity relating to borrowings, including, in 2013, the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and issuance of the 2020 Notes. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s liquidity and capital resources are derived from operating activities, financing activities and equity offerings.
Operating Activities
Net revenue, operating income and cash receipts fluctuate significantly between periods. In the case of Financial Advisory, fee receipts are generally dependent upon the successful completion of client transactions, the occurrence and timing of which is irregular and not subject to Lazard’s control.
Liquidity is significantly impacted by cash payments for, or in respect of, incentive compensation, a significant portion of which are made during the first three months of the year. As a consequence, cash on hand generally declines in the beginning of the year and gradually builds over the remainder of the year. We also pay certain tax advances during the year on behalf of our managing directors, which serve to reduce their respective incentive compensation payments. We expect this seasonal pattern of cash flow to continue. During 2013 and 2012, liquidity also was impacted by cash payments, including severance payments, associated with the cost saving initiatives (see “Cost Saving Initiatives” above and Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
Lazard’s consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. Many of Lazard’s non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which operational activities are primarily conducted) that is other than the U.S. Dollar, generally the currency of the country in which such subsidiaries are domiciled. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at the respective balance sheet date exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year based on the daily closing exchange rates. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency are reported as a component of members’ equity. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included on the consolidated statements of operations.
We regularly monitor our liquidity position, including cash levels, credit lines, principal investment commitments, interest and principal payments on debt, capital expenditures, purchases of shares of Class A common stock and Lazard Group common membership interests and matters relating to liquidity and to compliance with regulatory net capital requirements. At December 31, 2013, Lazard Group had approximately $832 million of cash, with such amount including approximately $422 million held at Lazard’s operations outside the U.S. Since Lazard provides for U.S. income taxes on substantially all of its unrepatriated foreign earnings, no material amount of additional U.S. income taxes would be recognized upon receipt of dividends or distributions of such earnings from its foreign operations.
We maintain lines of credit in excess of anticipated liquidity requirements. As of December 31, 2013, Lazard had approximately $258 million in unused lines of credit available to it, including a $150 million, three-year, senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders that expires in September 2015 (the “Credit Facility”) (see “—Financing Activities” below) and unused lines of credit available to LFB of approximately $48 million (at December 31, 2013 exchange rates) and Edgewater of $55 million. In addition, LFB has access to the Eurosystem Covered Bond Purchase Program of the Banque de France.
The Credit Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including limitations on consolidations, mergers, indebtedness and certain payments, as well as financial condition covenants relating to leverage and interest coverage ratios. Lazard Group’s obligations under the Credit Facility may be accelerated upon customary events of default, including non-payment of principal or interest, breaches of covenants, cross-defaults to other material debt, a change in control and specified bankruptcy events.
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Financing Activities
The table below sets forth our corporate indebtedness as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The agreements with respect to this indebtedness are discussed in more detail in our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
| Maturity Date |
As of December 31, | Increase (Decrease) |
||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Senior Debt: |
||||||||||||||
| 7.125% |
2015 | $ | – | $ | 528.5 | $ | (528.5 | ) | ||||||
| 6.85% |
2017 | 548.4 | 548.4 | – | ||||||||||
| 4.25% |
2020 | 500.0 | – | 500.0 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Senior Debt |
$ | 1,048.4 | $ | 1,076.9 | $ | (28.5 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company completed a refinancing of the 2015 Notes by issuing a tender and redemption notice for the 2015 Notes and by issuing the 2020 Notes. The transactions resulted in a total refinancing pre-tax loss of $54 million, including the premium for tender or redemption, the recognition of unamortized issuance costs, the recognition of the unamortized amount of the interest rate hedge related to the 2015 Notes and a loss on an interest rate hedge relating to the 2020 Notes.
Lazard’s annual cash flow generated from operations historically has been sufficient to enable it to meet its annual obligations. Lazard has not drawn on its Credit Facility and prior revolving credit facility since June 30, 2006. We believe that our cash flows from operating activities, along with the use of our credit lines as needed, should be sufficient for us to fund our current obligations for the next 12 months.
As long as the lenders’ commitments remain in effect, any loan pursuant to the Credit Facility remains outstanding and unpaid or any other amount is due to the lending bank group, the Credit Facility includes financial covenants that require that Lazard Group not permit (i) its Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the 12-month period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00 or (ii) its Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the 12-month period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, Lazard Group was in compliance with such ratios, with its Consolidated Leverage Ratio being 1.63 to 1.00 and its Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio being 9.51 to 1.00. In any event, no amounts were outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2013.
In addition, the Credit Facility, indenture and supplemental indentures relating to Lazard Group’s senior notes contain certain other covenants (none of which relate to financial condition), events of default and other customary provisions. At December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of these provisions. We may, to the extent required and subject to restrictions contained in our financing arrangements, use other financing sources, which may cause us to be subject to additional restrictions or covenants.
See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding senior and subordinated debt.
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Members’ Equity
At December 31, 2013, total members’ equity was $536 million, as compared to $529 million and $718 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, including $469 million, $453 million and $614 million attributable to Lazard Group on the respective dates. A summary of activity in members’ equity during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is reflected in the table below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||
| Members’ Equity—Beginning of Year |
$ | 529 | $ | 718 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) due to: |
||||||||
| Net income |
187 | 91 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive loss |
(10 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||
| Amortization of share-based incentive compensation |
236 | 310 | ||||||
| Purchase of Class A common stock |
(132 | ) | (332 | ) | ||||
| Settlement of share-based incentive compensation (a) |
(132 | ) | (73 | ) | ||||
| Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net |
(138 | ) | (161 | ) | ||||
| Other—net |
(4 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Members’ Equity—End of Year |
$ | 536 | $ | 529 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (a) | The tax withholding portion of share-based compensation is settled in cash, not shares. The amount of such settlements was $132 million and $45 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2012 this amount includes a conversion of certain share-based awards of $27 million to a liability. |
The Board of Directors of the Company has issued a series of authorizations to repurchase Class A common stock and Lazard Group common membership interests, which help offset the dilutive effect of our share-based incentive compensation plans. During a given year Lazard intends to repurchase at least as many shares as it expects to ultimately issue pursuant to such compensation plans in respect of year-end incentive compensation attributable to the prior year. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:
| Number
of Shares/Common Membership Interests Purchased |
Average Price Per Share/Common Membership Interest |
|||||||
| Years Ending December 31: |
||||||||
| 2011 |
6,135,189 | $ | 33.39 | |||||
| 2012 |
12,817,196 | $ | 27.66 | |||||
| 2013 |
3,488,101 | $ | 37.98 | |||||
As of December 31, 2013, a total of $122 million of share repurchase capacity remained available under the authorizations, of which $22 million and $100 million will expire on December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
The Company plans to continue to deploy excess cash and may do so in a variety of ways, which may include repurchasing outstanding shares of Class A common stock, distributions to members and non-controlling interest holders and repurchasing its outstanding debt.
See Note 13 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Lazard’s members’ equity and incentive plans, respectively.
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Regulatory Capital
We actively monitor our regulatory capital base. Our principal subsidiaries are subject to regulatory requirements in their respective jurisdictions to ensure their general financial soundness and liquidity, which require, among other things, that we comply with certain minimum capital requirements, record-keeping, reporting procedures, relationships with customers, experience and training requirements for employees and certain other requirements and procedures. These regulatory requirements may restrict the flow of funds to and from affiliates. See Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. These regulations differ in the U.S., the U.K., France and other countries in which we operate. Our capital structure is designed to provide each of our subsidiaries with capital and liquidity consistent with its business and regulatory requirements. For a discussion of regulations relating to us, see Item 1, “Business—Regulation” included in this Form 10-K and Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth information relating to Lazard’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013:
| Contractual Obligations Payment Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Less than 1 Year |
1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years |
||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Debt (including interest) (a) |
$ | 1,328,567 | $ | 58,812 | $ | 117,624 | $ | 609,631 | $ | 542,500 | ||||||||||
| Operating Leases (exclusive of $155,547 of sublease income) (b) |
1,018,126 | 81,467 | 151,847 | 134,762 | 650,050 | |||||||||||||||
| Capital Leases (including interest) (b) |
18,173 | 3,221 | 5,474 | 9,478 | – | |||||||||||||||
| Investment Capital Funding Commitments (c) |
27,135 | 27,135 | – | – | – | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total (d) |
$ | 2,392,001 | $ | 170,635 | $ | 274,945 | $ | 753,871 | $ | 1,192,550 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (a) | See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
| (b) | See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
| (c) | See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. These amounts are generally due on demand and therefore are presented in the “less than 1 year” category. |
| (d) | The table above excludes contingent obligations, as well as any possible payments for uncertain tax positions given the inability to estimate the possible amounts and timing of any such payments. See Notes 12, 14, 15 and 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding information in connection with commitments, incentive plans, employee benefit plans and income taxes, respectively. |
Effect of Inflation
We do not believe inflation will significantly affect our compensation costs as they are substantially variable in nature. However, the rate of inflation may affect certain of our other expenses, such as information technology and occupancy costs. To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other effects upon the securities markets or general macroeconomic conditions, it may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations by reducing AUM, net revenue or otherwise. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Other Business Risks—Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the volume of the transactions involving our Financial Advisory business and reducing the value or performance of the assets we manage in our Asset Management business, which, in each case, could materially reduce our revenue or income and adversely affect our financial position.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The
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preparation of Lazard’s consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, Lazard evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, income taxes, investing activities and goodwill. Lazard bases these estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments, including judgements regarding the carrying values of assets and liabilities, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Lazard believes that the critical accounting policies set forth below comprise the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Lazard generates substantially all of its net revenue from providing Financial Advisory and Asset Management services to clients. Lazard recognizes revenue when the following criteria are met:
| • | there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a client, |
| • | the agreed-upon services have been provided, |
| • | fees are fixed or determinable, and |
| • | collection is probable. |
The Company earns performance-based incentive fees on various investment products, including traditional products and alternative investment funds such as hedge funds and private equity funds (see “Financial Statement Overview” for a description of our revenue recognition policies on such fees).
If, in Lazard’s judgment, collection of a fee is not probable, Lazard will not recognize revenue until the uncertainty is removed. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide coverage for estimated losses from our receivables. We determine the adequacy of the allowance by estimating the probability of loss based on our analysis of the client’s creditworthiness and specifically reserve against exposures where we determine the receivables are impaired, which may include situations where a fee is in dispute or litigation has commenced.
With respect to fees receivable from Financial Advisory activities, such receivables are generally deemed past due when they are outstanding 60 days from the date of invoice. However, some Financial Advisory transactions include specific contractual payment terms that may vary from one month to four years (as is the case for our Private Fund Advisory fees) following the invoice date or may be subject to court approval (as is the case with restructuring assignments that include bankruptcy proceedings). In such cases, receivables are deemed past due when payment is not received by the agreed-upon contractual date or the court approval date, respectively. Financial Advisory fee receivables past due in excess of 180 days are fully provided for unless there is evidence that the balance is collectible. Asset Management fees are deemed past due and fully provided for when such receivables are outstanding 12 months after the invoice date. Notwithstanding our policy for receivables past due, we specifically reserve against exposures relating to Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees where we determine receivables are impaired.
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we estimate our income taxes for each of our tax-paying entities in each of their respective jurisdictions. In addition to estimating actual current tax liability for these jurisdictions, we also must account for the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting of items, such as deferred revenue, compensation and benefits expense, unrealized gains or losses on investments and depreciation and amortization, as well as intercompany transactions such as revenue sharing, dividends and interest expense. Differences that are temporary in nature result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred
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tax assets and liabilities, any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets and our unrecognized tax benefits. At December 31, 2013, the Company recorded gross deferred tax assets of approximately $242 million, with such amount partially offset by a valuation allowance of approximately $117 million due to the uncertainty of realizing the benefits of the book versus tax basis differences and certain net operating loss carry-forwards. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized and, when necessary, valuation allowances are established. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. We consider the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred taxes, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies that can be implemented by the Company in making this assessment. If actual results differ from these estimates or Lazard adjusts these estimates in future periods, Lazard may need to adjust its valuation allowance if such circumstances indicate that the valuation allowance should be increased or reduced or is no longer necessary. A change in the valuation allowance would affect the provision for income taxes and could materially impact Lazard’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
The Company records tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based upon the amount that is more likely than not to be realized or paid, including in connection with the resolution of any related appeals or other legal processes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes liabilities for certain unrecognized tax benefits based on the amounts that are more likely than not to be settled with the relevant taxing authority. Such liabilities are evaluated periodically as new information becomes available and any changes in the amounts of such liabilities are recorded as adjustments to “income tax expense.” Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits involve significant judgment and the ultimate resolution of such matters may be materially different from our estimates.
In addition to the discussion above regarding deferred tax assets and associated valuation allowances, as well as unrecognized tax benefit liability estimates, other factors affect our provision for income taxes, including changes in the geographic mix of our business, the level of our annual pre-tax income, transfer pricing and intercompany transactions.
See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding income tax matters.
Investments
Investments consist primarily of debt and equity securities, interests in alternative investment, debt, equity and private equity funds and investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
These investments, with the exception of equity method investments, are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition, and any increases or decreases in the fair value of these investments are reflected in earnings. The fair value of investments is generally based upon market prices or the net asset value (“NAV”) or its equivalent for investments in funds. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the measurement of the fair value of investments.
Gains and losses on investment positions held, which arise from sales or changes in the fair value of the investments, are not predictable and can cause periodic fluctuations in net income and therefore subject Lazard to market and credit risk.
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Data relating to investments is set forth below:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||
| Seed investments by asset class: |
||||||||
| Equities (a) |
$ | 118,535 | $ | 121,955 | ||||
| Fixed income |
13,668 | 6,307 | ||||||
| Alternative investments |
29,920 | 52,826 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total seed investments |
162,123 | 181,088 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Other investments owned: |
||||||||
| Private equity (b) |
104,405 | 100,954 | ||||||
| Short-term investments and other |
11,644 | 1,394 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total other investments owned |
116,049 | 102,348 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Subtotal |
278,172 | 283,436 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Add: |
||||||||
| Equity method (c) |
9,488 | 7,012 | ||||||
| Private equity consolidated, not owned (d) |
9,787 | 11,490 | ||||||
| Lazard Fund Interests (e) |
169,095 | 100,576 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total investments |
$ | 466,542 | $ | 402,514 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (a) | At December 31, 2013 and 2012, seed investments in directly owned equity securities were invested as follows: |
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Percentage invested in: |
||||||||
| Financials |
31 | % | 32 | % | ||||
| Consumer |
29 | 29 | ||||||
| Energy |
|
6 |
|
8 | ||||
| Industrial |
12 | 11 | ||||||
| Technology |
|
9 |
|
7 | ||||
| Other |
13 | 13 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (b) | Private equity investments include investments related to certain legacy businesses and co-investments in private equity funds managed by our Asset Management business. Co-investments owned were $18 million and $14 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. |
| (c) | Represents investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. |
| (d) | Represents private equity investments that are consolidated but owned by noncontrolling interests, and therefore do not subject the Company to market or credit risk. The applicable noncontrolling interests are presented within “members’ equity” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. |
| (e) | Composed of investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements. The market risk associated with such investments is equally offset by the market risk associated with the derivative liability with respect to awards expected to vest. The Company is subject to market risk associated with any portion of such investments that employees may forfeit. See “—Risk Management—Risks Related to Derivatives” for risk management information relating to derivatives. |
At both December 31, 2013 and 2012, $116 million of our total investments at a fair value of $457 million and $396 million, respectively, or 25% and 29%, respectively, were classified as Level 3 investments.
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Substantially all of our Level 3 investments at both dates are priced based on a NAV. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, gains of approximately $13 million and $16 million, respectively, were recognized in “revenue-other” on the consolidated statement of operations pertaining to Level 3 investments.
See Notes 5 and 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding investments measured at fair value, including the levels of fair value within which such measurements of fair value fall.
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company held seed investments of approximately $162 million and $181 million, respectively. Seed investments held in entities in which the Company maintained a controlling interest were $46 million in eight entities at both December 31, 2013 and 2012.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not consolidate or deconsolidate any seed investment entities. As such, 100% of the recorded balance of seed investments as of December 31, 2013 represented the Company’s economic interest in the seed investments. See “—Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” below for more information on the Company’s policy regarding the consolidation of seed investment entities.
For additional information regarding risks associated with our investments, see “Risk Management—Investments” below as well as Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Other Business Risks—Our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the fair value of positions held in our investment portfolios”.
Assets Under Management
AUM primarily consists of debt and equity instruments, which have a value that is readily available based on either prices quoted on a recognized exchange or prices provided by external pricing services.
Prices of equity and debt securities and other instruments that comprise our AUM are provided by well-recognized, independent, third-party vendors. Such third-party vendors rely on prices provided by external pricing services which are obtained from recognized exchanges or markets, or, for certain fixed income securities, from an evaluated bid or other similarly sourced price.
Either directly, or through our third-party vendors, we perform a variety of regular due diligence procedures on our pricing service providers. Those procedures include oversight by our internal operations group, review of the pricing service providers’ internal control frameworks, review of the pricing service providers’ valuation methodologies, reconciliation to client custodial account values and comparison of significant pricing differences.
Goodwill
In accordance with current accounting guidance, goodwill has an indefinite life and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. For years prior to 2011, Lazard made estimates and assumptions in order to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities and to project future earnings using various valuation techniques. Commencing in 2011, as permitted under an amendment issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Company elected to perform a qualitative evaluation about whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount in lieu of actually calculating the fair value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company changed the date of its annual impairment testing from December 31 to November 1. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding goodwill.
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Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lazard Group and entities in which it has a controlling interest. Lazard determines whether it has a controlling interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity (“VOE”) or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) under U.S. GAAP.
| • | Voting Interest Entities. VOEs are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and (ii) the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. Lazard is required to consolidate a VOE if it either holds a majority of the voting interest in such entity or is the general partner in such entity and the third-party investors do not have the right to replace the general partner. |
| • | Variable Interest Entities. VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a VOE. If Lazard has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, in a VIE, it is required to analyze whether it needs to consolidate such VIE. Lazard is required to consolidate a VIE if, through our variable interests, we absorb a majority of the expected losses, expected residual returns, or both, of such entity. |
Lazard’s involvement with various entities that are VOEs or VIEs primarily arises from investment management contracts with fund entities in our Asset Management business. Lazard is not required to consolidate such entities because, with the exception of certain seed investments, as discussed below, we do not hold more than an inconsequential equity interest in such entities and we do not hold other variable interests (including our investment management agreements, which do not meet the definition of variable interests) in such entities.
Lazard makes seed investments in certain entities that are considered VOEs and often require consolidation as a result of our investment. The impact of seed investment entities that require consolidation on the consolidated financial statements, including any consolidation or deconsolidation of such entities, is not material to our financial statements. Our exposure to loss from entities in which we have made seed investments is limited to the extent of our investment in, or investment commitment to, such entities. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Investments” above for more information regarding our investments.
Generally, when the Company initially invests to seed an investment entity, the Company is the majority owner of the entity. Our majority ownership in seed investment entities represents a controlling interest, except when we are the general partner in such entities and the third-party investors have the right to replace the general partner. To the extent material, we consolidate seed investment entities in which we own a controlling interest, and we would deconsolidate any such entity when we no longer have a controlling interest in such entity.
Risk Management
Investments
The Company has investments in a variety of asset classes, primarily debt and equity securities, and interests in alternative investments, debt, equity and private equity funds. The Company makes investments primarily to seed strategies in our Asset Management business or to reduce exposure arising from Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements. The Company measures its net economic exposure to market and other risks arising from investments that it owns, excluding (i) investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements and (ii) investments in funds owned entirely by the noncontrolling interest holders of certain acquired entities.
Risk sensitivities include the effects of economic hedging. For equity market price risk, investment portfolios and their corresponding hedges are beta-adjusted to the All-Country World equity index. Fair value and sensitivity measurements presented herein are based on various portfolio exposures at a particular point in time and may not be representative of future results. Risk exposures may change as a result of ongoing portfolio activities and changing market conditions, among other things.
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Equity Market Price Risk—At December 31, 2013, the Company’s exposure to equity market price risk in its investment portfolio, which primarily relates to investments in equity securities, equity funds and hedge funds, was approximately $134 million. The Company hedges market exposure arising from a significant portion of our equity investment portfolios by entering into total return swaps. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices would result in a net decrease of approximately $1.7 million in the carrying value of such investments, including the effect of the hedging transactions.
Interest Rate/Credit Spread Risk—At December 31, 2013, the Company’s exposure to interest rate and credit spread risk in its investment portfolio related to investments in debt securities or funds which invest primarily in debt securities was $37 million. The Company hedges market exposure arising from a portion of our debt investment portfolios by entering into total return swaps. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates or credit spreads would result in a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in the carrying value of such investments, including the effect of the hedging transactions.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk—At December 31, 2013, the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate risk in its investment portfolio, which primarily relates to investments in foreign currency denominated equity and debt securities, was $85 million. A significant portion of the Company’s foreign currency exposure is hedged through the aforementioned total return swaps, The Company estimates that a 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates versus US dollars would result in a decrease of approximately $1.4 million in the carrying value of such investments, including the effect of the hedging transactions.
Private Equity—The Company invests in private equity primarily as a part of its co-investment activities and to certain legacy businesses. At December 31, 2013, the Company’s exposure to changes in fair value of such investments was approximately $104 million. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in fair value would result in a decrease of approximately $10.4 million in the carrying value of such investments.
Risks Related to Receivables
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide coverage for probable losses from our receivables. We determine the adequacy of the allowance by estimating the probability of loss based on our analysis of the client’s creditworthiness and specifically provide for exposures where we determine the receivables are impaired. At December 31, 2013, total receivables amounted to $623 million, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $29 million. As of that date, Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees, and customer and related party receivables comprised 73%, 8% and 19% of total receivables, respectively. At December 31, 2012, total receivables amounted to $583 million, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $23 million. As of that date, Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees, and customer and related party receivables comprised 69%, 9% and 22% of total receivables, respectively. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had receivables past due or deemed uncollectible of approximately $39 million and $26 million, respectively. See also “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Revenue Recognition” above and Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding receivables.
LFB engages in lending activities, including commitments to extend credit. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, customer receivables included $15 million and $14 million of LFB loans, respectively. Such loans are closely monitored for counterparty creditworthiness to help minimize exposure. In addition, as of December 31, 2013, LFB’s commitments to lend, which are fully collateralized and generally contain requirements for the counterparty to maintain a minimum collateral level, were not significant.
Credit Concentrations
To reduce the exposure to concentrations of credit, the Company monitors large exposures to individual counterparties. As of December 31, 2013 the Company’s largest individual counterparty exposure was a Financial Advisory fee receivable of $12 million.
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Risks Related to Derivatives
Lazard enters into interest rate swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge exposures to interest rates and currency exchange rates and uses equity and fixed income swap contracts to hedge a portion of its market exposure with respect to certain seed investments related to our Asset Management business. Derivative contracts are recorded at fair value. Derivative assets amounted to $1 million at both December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and derivative liabilities, excluding the derivative liability arising from the Company’s obligation pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, amounted to $2 million and $5 million at such respective dates.
The Company also records derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests awards and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, the fair value of which is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liabilities are equally offset by the changes in the fair value of investments which are expected to be delivered upon settlement of Lazard Fund Interests awards. Derivative liabilities relating to Lazard Fund Interests amounted to $162 million and $98 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
In addition, LFB enters into interest rate swaps, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other derivative contracts to hedge exposures to interest rate and currency fluctuations on open positions that arise primarily from client activity. Such foreign currency and interest rate positions are subject to strict internal limits and, based on account balances as of December 31, 2013, we do not believe that the impact of potential significant movements in either the currency or interest rate markets on LFB’s positions would materially affect the Company’s annual operating income.
Risks Related to Short-Term Investments and Corporate Indebtedness
A significant portion of the Company’s indebtedness has fixed interest rates, while its short-term investments generally have floating interest rates. Based on account balances as of December 31, 2013, Lazard estimates that its annual operating income relating to cash and short-term investments and corporate indebtedness would increase by approximately $8 million in the event interest rates were to increase by 1% and decrease by approximately $3 million if rates were to decrease by 1%.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $832 million. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were invested in highly liquid institutional money market funds (a significant majority of which were invested solely in U.S. Government or agency money market funds), in short-term interest earning accounts at a number of leading banks throughout the world, and in short-term certificates of deposit from such banks. Cash and cash equivalents are constantly monitored. On a regular basis, management reviews its investment profile as well as the credit profile of its list of depositor banks in order to adjust any deposit or investment thresholds as necessary.
Operational Risks
Operational risk is inherent in all our business and may, for example, manifest itself in the form of errors, breaches in the system of internal controls, business interruptions, fraud or legal actions due to operating deficiencies or noncompliance. The Company maintains a framework including policies and a system of internal controls designed to monitor and manage operational risk and provide management with timely and accurate information. Management within each of the operating companies is primarily responsible for its operational risk programs. The Company has in place business continuity and disaster recovery programs that manage its capabilities to provide services in the case of a disruption. We purchase insurance programs designed to protect the Company against accidental loss and losses, which may significantly affect our financial objectives, personnel, property or our ability to continue to meet our responsibilities to our various stakeholder groups.
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Recent Accounting Developments
For a discussion of recently issued accounting developments and their impact or potential impact on Lazard’s consolidated financial statements, see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Risk Management
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are included under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management.”
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| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
| Index to Consolidated Financial Statements | Page | |||
| Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
70 | |||
| 71-72 | ||||
| Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 |
73 | |||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
75 | |||
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
76 | |||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
77 | |||
| 78 | ||||
| 81 | ||||
| 131 | ||||
| Financial Statement Schedules |
||||
| Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) |
||||
| Condensed Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 |
F-2 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
F-3 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
F-4 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
F-5 | |||
| F-6 | ||||
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Lazard Group LLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
| • | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; |
| • | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and |
| • | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992). Based on management’s assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, as stated in their report which appears under “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Members of Lazard Group LLC:
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Lazard Group LLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as listed in the Index at Item 8 as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Company, and our report dated February 27, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2014
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Members of Lazard Group LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Lazard Group LLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in members’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Lazard Group LLC and subsidiaries at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2014
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
DECEMBER 31, 2013 and 2012
(dollars in thousands)
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 832,277 | $ | 845,503 | ||||
| Deposits with banks | 244,879 | 292,494 | ||||||
| Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash | 62,046 | 65,232 | ||||||
| Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $28,777 and $23,017 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively): |
||||||||
| Fees |
452,535 | 400,529 | ||||||
| Customers and other |
52,220 | 53,713 | ||||||
| Related parties |
117,862 | 128,388 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 622,617 | 582,630 | |||||||
| Investments |
466,542 | 402,514 | ||||||
| Property (net of accumulated amortization and depreciation of $253,930 and $225,861 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) |
248,795 | 225,032 | ||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $45,379 and $35,281 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) |
363,877 | 392,822 | ||||||
| Other assets | 252,955 | 242,153 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Assets |
$ | 3,093,988 | $ | 3,048,380 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
DECEMBER 31, 2013 and 2012
(dollars in thousands)
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
| Liabilities: |
||||||||
| Deposits and other customer payables |
$ | 275,434 | $ | 269,763 | ||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits |
523,063 | 467,578 | ||||||
| Senior debt |
1,048,350 | 1,076,850 | ||||||
| Capital lease obligations |
15,834 | 17,863 | ||||||
| Related party payables |
202,919 | 209,072 | ||||||
| Other liabilities |
492,262 | 478,167 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Liabilities |
2,557,862 | 2,519,293 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
| MEMBERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
| Members’ equity (net of 5,744,856 and 10,230,729 shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, at a cost of $194,873 and $295,442 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) |
571,668 | 545,572 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
(102,196 | ) | (92,393 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Lazard Group LLC Members’ Equity |
469,472 | 453,179 | ||||||
| Noncontrolling interests |
66,654 | 75,908 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Members’ Equity |
536,126 | 529,087 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity |
$ | 3,093,988 | $ | 3,048,380 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| REVENUE |
||||||||||||
| Investment banking and other advisory fees |
$ | 972,533 | $ | 1,039,188 | $ 970,167 | |||||||
| Money management fees |
994,707 | 858,834 | 859,996 | |||||||||
| Interest income |
11,076 | 17,390 | 22,215 | |||||||||
| Other |
92,797 | 84,077 | 75,394 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total revenue |
2,071,113 | 1,999,489 | 1,927,772 | |||||||||
| Interest expense |
87,039 | 91,359 | 94,211 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net revenue |
1,984,074 | 1,908,130 | 1,833,561 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES |
||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
1,278,479 | 1,351,076 | 1,168,909 | |||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment |
122,899 | 113,136 | 100,681 | |||||||||
| Marketing and business development |
84,213 | 95,573 | 88,411 | |||||||||
| Technology and information services |
89,288 | 86,892 | 83,212 | |||||||||
| Professional services |
40,660 | 42,193 | 46,715 | |||||||||
| Fund administration and outsourced services |
59,298 | 51,389 | 52,793 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions |
10,114 | 8,359 | 11,915 | |||||||||
| Other |
80,114 | 37,919 | 39,134 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total operating expenses |
1,765,065 | 1,786,537 | 1,591,770 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OPERATING INCOME |
219,009 | 121,593 | 241,791 | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes |
32,242 | 30,622 | 27,408 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| NET INCOME |
186,767 | 90,971 | 214,383 | |||||||||
| LESS - NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS |
3,704 | 3,362 | 3,678 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC |
$ | 183,063 | $ | 87,609 | $ 210,705 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| NET INCOME |
$ | 186,767 | $ | 90,971 | $ | 214,383 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX: |
||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustments |
(3,421 | ) | 21,699 | (9,476 | ) | |||||||
| Amortization of interest rate hedge |
2,502 | 1,055 | 1,054 | |||||||||
| Employee benefit plans: |
||||||||||||
| Actuarial loss (net of tax benefit of $6,388, $12,950 and $12,526 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) |
(13,500 | ) | (40,298 | ) | (38,248 | ) | ||||||
| Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,929, $1,145 and $1,031 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) |
4,605 | 4,399 | 2,206 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX |
(9,814 | ) | (13,145 | ) | (44,464 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
176,953 | 77,826 | 169,919 | |||||||||
| LESS - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS |
3,625 | 3,358 | 3,443 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LAZARD GROUP LLC |
$ | 173,328 | $ | 74,468 | $ | 166,476 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 186,767 | $ | 90,971 | $ | 214,383 | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of property |
34,750 | 30,855 | 24,580 | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred expenses, share-based incentive compensation and interest rate hedge |
309,229 | 359,983 | 299,654 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions |
10,114 | 8,359 | 11,915 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax benefit |
(3,275 | ) | (1,127 | ) | (9,431 | ) | ||||||
| Loss on sale of intercompany receivable |
– | 5,638 | – | |||||||||
| Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt |
50,757 | – | (18,171 | ) | ||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in operating assets: |
||||||||||||
| Deposits with banks |
58,570 | (806 | ) | 63,639 | ||||||||
| Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash |
4,811 | 11,613 | 16,408 | |||||||||
| Receivables-net |
(35,481 | ) | 112,809 | 52,956 | ||||||||
| Investments |
(62,098 | ) | (37,941 | ) | 25,282 | |||||||
| Other assets |
(62,463 | ) | (60,973 | ) | (70,214 | ) | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Deposits and other payables |
(11,223 | ) | (30,927 | ) | (62,399 | ) | ||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits and other liabilities |
47,193 | 72,992 | (159,584 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
527,651 | 561,446 | 389,018 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
| Additions to property |
(60,964 | ) | (89,300 | ) | (46,438 | ) | ||||||
| Disposals of property |
6,411 | 4,368 | 1,161 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(54,553 | ) | (84,932 | ) | (45,277 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
| Proceeds from: |
||||||||||||
| Contribution from noncontrolling interests |
832 | 1,741 | 13,328 | |||||||||
| Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses |
493,398 | – | – | |||||||||
| Excess tax benefits from share-based incentive compensation |
1,108 | – | 1,386 | |||||||||
| Sale of intercompany receivable |
– | 81,105 | – | |||||||||
| Payments for: |
||||||||||||
| Senior and subordinated debt |
(578,464 | ) | – | (131,829 | ) | |||||||
| Capital lease obligations |
(2,659 | ) | (2,519 | ) | (2,322 | ) | ||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
(13,367 | ) | (22,507 | ) | (28,642 | ) | ||||||
| Repurchase of common membership interests from members of LAZ-MD Holdings |
– | – | (794 | ) | ||||||||
| Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
(132,477 | ) | (332,095 | ) | (172,864 | ) | ||||||
| Distribution to members |
(125,516 | ) | (140,278 | ) | (92,454 | ) | ||||||
| Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation |
(132,533 | ) | (44,883 | ) | (93,750 | ) | ||||||
| Other financing activities |
(2,866 | ) | (5,203 | ) | (33,538 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
(492,544 | ) | (464,639 | ) | (541,479 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH |
6,220 | 12,644 | (6,070 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(13,226 | ) | 24,519 | (203,808 | ) | |||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—January 1 |
845,503 | 820,984 | 1,024,792 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—December 31 |
$ | 832,277 | $ | 845,503 | $ | 820,984 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
||||||||||||
| Cash paid during the year for: |
||||||||||||
| Interest |
$ | 86,329 | $ | 88,235 | $ | 92,702 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Income taxes, net of refunds |
$ | 21,853 | $ | 22,314 | $ | 40,172 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Members’ Equity |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax |
Total Lazard Group Members’ Equity |
Noncontrolling Interests |
Total Members’ Equity |
||||||||||||||||
| Balance – January 1, 2011 |
$ | 404,588 | $ | (35,023 | ) | $ | 369,565 | $ | 120,882 | $ | 490,447 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
210,705 | 210,705 | 3,678 | 214,383 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss – net of tax |
(44,229 | ) | (44,229 | ) | (235 | ) | (44,464 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of share-based incentive compensation |
275,142 | 275,142 | 275,142 | |||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net |
(92,454 | ) | (92,454 | ) | (20,402 | ) | (112,856 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
(172,864 | ) | (172,864 | ) | (172,864 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax benefit of $972 |
(92,778 | ) | (92,778 | ) | (92,778 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common membership interests from LAZ-MD Holdings |
(794 | ) | (794 | ) | (794 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Business acquisitions and related equity transactions: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
103,567 | 103,567 | 103,567 | |||||||||||||||||
| Common membership interests issued |
53,486 | 53,486 | 53,486 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lazard Ltd Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization) |
5,201 | 5,201 | 5,201 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other |
(203 | ) | (203 | ) | (203 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2011(*) |
$ | 693,596 | $ | (79,252 | ) | $ | 614,344 | $ | 103,923 | $ | 718,267 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Members’ Equity |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax |
Total Lazard Group Members’ Equity |
Noncontrolling Interests |
Total Members’ Equity |
||||||||||||||||
| Balance – January 1, 2012 |
$ | 693,596 | $ | (79,252 | ) | $ | 614,344 | $ | 103,923 | $ | 718,267 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
87,609 | 87,609 | 3,362 | 90,971 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss – net of tax |
(13,141 | ) | (13,141 | ) | (4 | ) | (13,145 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of share-based incentive compensation |
310,348 | 310,348 | 310,348 | |||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net |
(140,278 | ) | (140,278 | ) | (20,766 | ) | (161,044 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Deconsolidation of investment companies |
(10,607 | ) | (10,607 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
(332,095 | ) | (332,095 | ) | (332,095 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax expense of $972 |
(45,855 | ) | (45,855 | ) | (45,855 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Modification of equity incentive compensation award |
(26,922 | ) | (26,922 | ) | (26,922 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Business acquisitions and related equity transactions: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
285 | 285 | 285 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lazard Ltd Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization) |
4,079 | 4,079 | 4,079 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other |
(5,195 | ) | (5,195 | ) | (5,195 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2012 (*) |
$ | 545,572 | $ | (92,393 | ) | $ | 453,179 | $ | 75,908 | $ | 529,087 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
79
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Members’ Equity |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax |
Total Lazard Group Members’ Equity |
Noncontrolling Interests |
Total Members’ Equity |
||||||||||||||||
| Balance – January 1, 2013 |
$ | 545,572 | $ | (92,393 | ) | $ | 453,179 | $ | 75,908 | $ | 529,087 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
183,063 | 183,063 | 3,704 | 186,767 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss – net of tax |
(9,735 | ) | (9,735 | ) | (79 | ) | (9,814 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of share-based incentive compensation |
235,898 | 235,898 | 235,898 | |||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to members and noncontrolling interests, net |
(125,516 | ) | (125,516 | ) | (12,535 | ) | (138,051 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
(132,477 | ) | (132,477 | ) | (132,477 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in connection with share-based incentive compensation and related tax benefit of $40 |
(132,493 | ) | (132,493 | ) | (132,493 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Business acquisitions and related equity transactions: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Delivery of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
285 | 285 | 285 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lazard Ltd Class A common stock issuable (including related amortization) |
790 | 790 | 790 | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment related to noncontrolling interests |
(588 | ) | (68 | ) | (656 | ) | (344 | ) | (1,000 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other |
(2,866 | ) | (2,866 | ) | (2,866 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Balance – December 31, 2013 (*) |
$ | 571,668 | $ | (102,196 | ) | $ | 469,472 | $ | 66,654 | $ | 536,126 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (*) | Includes 129,766,090 common membership interests at December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Also includes profit participation interests and two managing member interests at each such date. |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
80
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| 1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
Organization
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are those of Lazard Group LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to with its subsidiaries as “Lazard Group” or the “Company”). Lazard Group is a Delaware limited liability company and is governed by an Operating Agreement dated as of May 10, 2005, as amended (the “Operating Agreement”).
Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Ltd”), including its indirect investment in Lazard Group LLC, is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms and has long specialized in crafting solutions to the complex financial and strategic challenges of our clients. We serve a diverse set of clients around the world, including corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships and individuals.
Lazard Ltd indirectly held approximately 99.5% and 98.8% of all outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Lazard Ltd, through its control of the managing members of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group. LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (“LAZ-MD Holdings”), an entity owned by Lazard Group’s current and former managing directors, held approximately 0.5% and 1.2% of the outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, LAZ-MD Holdings was the sole owner of the one issued and outstanding share of Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”) which provided LAZ-MD Holdings with approximately 0.5% and 1.2% of the voting power but no economic rights in Lazard Ltd as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Subject to certain limitations, LAZ-MD Holdings’ interests in Lazard Group are exchangeable for Lazard Ltd Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”).
Lazard Group’s principal operating activities are included in two business segments:
| • | Financial Advisory, which offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a wide array of financial advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other strategic matters, restructurings, capital structure, capital raising and various other financial matters, and |
| • | Asset Management, which offers a broad range of global investment solutions and investment management services in equity and fixed income strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private clients. |
In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments and outstanding indebtedness, as well as certain commercial banking activities of Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).
LFB is a registered bank regulated by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (“ACPR”). It is engaged primarily in commercial and private banking services for clients and funds managed by Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“LFG”) and other clients, investment banking activities, including participation in underwritten offerings of securities in France, and asset-liability management.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company’s policy is to consolidate (i) entities in
81
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
which it has a controlling financial interest, (ii) variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company has a variable interest and is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and (iii) limited partnerships where the Company is the general partner, unless the presumption of control is overcome. When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity, but exerts significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial decisions, the Company applies the equity method of accounting in which it records in earnings its share of earnings or losses of the entity. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
The consolidated financial statements include Lazard Group and Lazard Group’s principal operating subsidiaries: Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), a New York limited liability company, along with its subsidiaries, including Lazard Asset Management LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “LAM”); the French limited liability companies Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères SAS (“CFLF”) along with its subsidiaries, LFB and LFG, and Maison Lazard SAS and its subsidiaries; and Lazard & Co., Limited (“LCL”), through Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited (“LCH”), an English private limited company, together with their jointly owned affiliates and subsidiaries.
| 2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The accounting policies below relate to reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.
Foreign Currency Translation—The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. Many of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries have a functional currency (i.e., the currency in which operational activities are primarily conducted) that is other than the U.S. Dollar, generally the currency of the country in which such subsidiaries are domiciled. Such subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year based on the daily closing exchange rates. Adjustments that result from translating amounts from a subsidiary’s functional currency to U.S. Dollars are reported in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax” (“AOCI”). Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included on the consolidated statements of operations. Net foreign currency remeasurement gains (losses) amounted to $(2,564), $(673) and $1,387, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and are included in “revenue-other” on the respective consolidated statements of operations.
Use of Estimates—In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions regarding:
| • | valuations of assets and liabilities requiring fair value estimates including, but not limited to, investments, derivatives, securities sold, not yet purchased and assumptions used to value pension and other post-retirement plans; |
| • | the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts; |
| • | the realization of deferred taxes and adequacy of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions; |
| • | the outcome of litigation; |
| • | the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets; |
| • | the amortization period of intangible assets; |
| • | the valuation of shares issued or issuable that contain transfer restrictions; |
| • | the vesting of share-based and other deferred compensation plan awards, and |
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| • | other matters that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the consolidated financial statements. |
Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company defines cash equivalents as short-term, highly liquid securities and cash deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.
Deposits with Banks—Represents LFB’s short-term deposits, principally with the Banque de France. The level of these deposits may be driven by the level of LFB customer and bank-related interest-bearing time and demand deposits (which can fluctuate significantly on a daily basis) and by changes in asset allocation.
Cash Deposited with Clearing Organizations and Other Segregated Cash—Primarily represents restricted cash deposits made by the Company, including those to satisfy the requirements of clearing organizations.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—We maintain an allowance for bad debts to provide for estimated losses relating to fees and customer receivables. We determine the adequacy of the allowance by estimating the probability of loss based on management’s analysis of the client’s creditworthiness and specifically reserve against exposures where we determine the receivables may be impaired, which may include situations where a fee is in dispute or litigation has commenced.
With respect to fees receivable from Financial Advisory activities, such receivables are generally deemed past due when they are outstanding 60 days from the date of invoice. However, some Financial Advisory transactions include specific contractual payment terms that may vary from one month to four years (as is the case for our interest-bearing financing receivables) following the invoice date or may be subject to court approval (as is the case with bankruptcy-related restructuring assignments). In such cases, receivables are deemed past due when payment is not received by the agreed-upon contractual date or the court approval date, respectively. Financial Advisory fee receivables past due in excess of 180 days are fully provided for unless there is evidence that the balance is collectable. Asset Management fees are deemed past due and fully provided for when such receivables are outstanding 12 months after the invoice date. Notwithstanding our policy for receivables past due, we specifically reserve against exposures relating to Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees where we determine receivables are impaired.
See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding receivables.
Investments—Investments in debt and marketable equity securities held either directly, or indirectly through asset management funds, at the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value recorded in earnings in accordance with standard industry practices. Such amounts are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Investments in debt and marketable equity securities held at the Company’s non broker-dealer subsidiaries are considered “trading” securities and are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Investments also include interests in alternative investment funds and private equity funds, each accounted for at fair value, as well as investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Any increases or
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
decreases in the carrying value of those investments accounted for at fair value and the Company’s share of net income or losses pertaining to its equity method investments are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Dividend income is reflected in “revenue-other” on the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income includes accretion or amortization of any discount or premium arising at acquisition of the related debt security. Securities transactions and the related revenue and expenses are recorded on a “trade date” basis.
See Notes 5 and 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s investments.
Property-net—Property is stated at cost or, in the case of property under capital leases, the present value of the future minimum lease payments, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Buildings represent owned property and amounts recorded pursuant to capital leases (see Notes 8 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), with the related obligations recorded as capital lease obligations. Such buildings are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and are amortized over the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. Depreciation of furniture and equipment, including computer hardware and software, is determined on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives. Depreciation and amortization expense aggregating $34,750, $30,855 and $24,580 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is included on the respective consolidated statements of operations in “occupancy and equipment” or “technology and information services”, depending on the nature of the underlying asset. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—As goodwill has an indefinite life, it is required to be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. For years prior to 2011, the Company assessed whether any goodwill recorded by its applicable reporting units was impaired by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its respective carrying amount. In this process, Lazard used its best judgment and information available to it at the time to perform this review and utilized various valuation techniques in order to determine the applicable fair values. Commencing in 2011, as permitted under an amendment issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), the Company elected to perform a qualitative evaluation about whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount in lieu of actually calculating the fair value of the reporting unit.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company changed the date of its annual goodwill impairment testing from December 31 to November 1. This change is preferable because it provides the Company with additional time to complete the annual goodwill impairment test in advance of its year-end reporting. The Company will continue to perform interim impairment testing should circumstances or events require. This change does not result in a delay, acceleration, or avoidance of an impairment charge. This change will be applied prospectively because it is impracticable to apply it retrospectively due to the difficulty in making estimates and assumptions without using hindsight. The Company completed its annual goodwill review as of November 1, 2013 and determined that no impairment existed.
Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The pattern of amortization reflects the timing of the realization of the economic benefits of such intangible assets. For acquired customer contracts, the period of realization is deemed to be the period when the related revenue is recognized. This analysis is performed by comparing the carrying value of the intangible asset being reviewed for impairment to the current and expected future cash
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
flows expected to be generated from such asset on an undiscounted basis, including eventual disposition. An impairment loss would be measured for the amount by which the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value.
See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to goodwill and other intangible assets.
Derivative Instruments—A derivative is typically defined as an instrument whose value is “derived” from underlying assets, indices or reference rates, such as a future, forward, swap, or option contract, or other financial instrument with similar characteristics. Derivative contracts often involve future commitments to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount (e.g., interest rate swaps or currency forwards) or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specified terms on a specified date (e.g., options to buy or sell securities or currencies).
The Company enters into forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts, interest rate swaps, interest rate futures, equity and fixed income swaps and other derivative contracts to economically hedge exposures to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates and equity and debt prices. The Company reports its derivative instruments separately as assets and liabilities unless a legal right of set-off exists under a master netting agreement enforceable by law. The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded at their fair value, and are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are included in “interest income” and “interest expense”, respectively, or “revenue-other”, depending on the nature of the underlying item, in the consolidated statements of operations.
In addition to the derivative instruments described above, the Company records derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests awards (“Lazard Fund Interests”) and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, the fair value of which is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, and is included in “accrued compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liabilities are included in “compensation and benefits” in the consolidated statements of operations, the impact of which equally offsets the changes in the fair value of investments which are currently expected to be delivered upon settlement of Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which are reported in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations. For information regarding Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, see Notes 5, 7 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Deposits and Other Customer Payables—Principally relates to LFB customer-related demand and time deposits, both interest-bearing and non-interest bearing, short-term inter-bank borrowings and amounts due on short-term collateralized borrowing activities. Collateralized borrowing activities amounted to $13,854 at December 31, 2012 and were fully collateralized with pledged assets of equal or greater value (no such collateralized borrowing activities existed at December 31, 2013).
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased—Securities sold, not yet purchased represents liabilities for securities sold for which payment has been received and the obligations to deliver such securities are included within “other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial condition. These securities are accounted for at fair value, with any increase or decrease in fair value recorded in earnings in accordance with standard securities industry practices. Such gains and losses are reflected in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities—The majority of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value or at amounts that approximate fair value. Such assets and liabilities include cash and cash
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
equivalents, deposits with banks, cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash, receivables, investments (excluding investments accounted for at amortized cost, interest-bearing deposits or using the equity method of accounting), derivative instruments, deposits and other customer payables.
Revenue Recognition
Investment Banking and Other Advisory Fees—Fees for M&A and Other Advisory services and Restructuring advisory services are recorded when earned, which is generally the date the related transactions are consummated. Expenses that are directly related to such transactions and billable to clients are deferred to match revenue recognition. “Investment banking and other advisory fees” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations are presented net of client reimbursements of expenses. The amount of expenses reimbursed by clients for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are $18,327, $24,762 and $18,942, respectively.
Money Management and Incentive Fees—Money management fees are derived from fees for investment management and advisory services provided to clients. Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis primarily based on a percentage of client assets managed. Fees vary with the type of assets managed, with higher fees earned on equity assets, alternative investment (such as hedge funds) and private equity funds, and lower fees earned on fixed income and money market products.
The Company earns performance-based incentive fees on various investment products, including traditional products and alternative investment funds such as hedge funds and private equity funds.
For hedge funds, incentive fees are calculated based on a specified percentage of a fund’s net appreciation, in some cases in excess of established benchmarks or thresholds. The Company records incentive fees on traditional products and hedge funds at the end of the relevant performance measurement period, when potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined. The incentive fee measurement period is generally an annual period (unless an account terminates during the year). The incentive fees received at the end of the measurement period are not subject to reversal or payback. Incentive fees on hedge funds generally are subject to loss carryforward provisions in which losses incurred by the hedge funds in any year are applied against certain gains realized by the hedge funds in future periods before any incentive fees can be earned.
For private equity funds, incentive fees may be earned in the form of a “carried interest” if profits arising from realized investments exceed a specified threshold. Typically, such carried interest is ultimately calculated on a whole-fund basis and, therefore, clawback of carried interests during the life of the fund can occur. As a result, incentive fees earned on our private equity funds are not recognized until potential uncertainties regarding the ultimate realizable amounts have been determined, including any potential for clawback.
Receivables relating to money management and incentive fees are reported in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Soft Dollar Arrangements—The Company’s Asset Management business obtains research and other services through “soft dollar” arrangements. Consistent with the “soft dollar” safe harbor established by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Asset Management business does not have any contractual obligation or arrangement requiring it to pay for research and other services obtained through soft dollar arrangements with brokers. Instead, the provider is obligated to pay for the services. Consequently, the Company does not incur any liability and does not accrue any expenses in connection with any research or other services obtained by the Asset Management business pursuant to such soft dollar arrangements. If the use of soft dollars is limited or prohibited in the future by regulation, we may have to bear the costs of such research and other services.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Awards—Equity-based incentive compensation awards that do not require future service are expensed immediately. Equity-based compensation awards that require future service are amortized over the applicable vesting period, or requisite service period, based on the fair value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of grant. Equity-based incentive compensation is recognized in “compensation and benefits” expense.
Costs-Saving Initiatives and Staff Reductions—Charges associated with management-approved cost-saving plans or staff reductions can include severance costs, charges to vacate facilities and contract cancellation costs. Severance costs are generally accrued on the date that employees are notified of their benefits and other costs are generally accrued as the Company ceases to use facilities or cancels contracts. The Company records severance-related liabilities in “accrued compensation and benefits” and other types of liabilities in “other liabilities” in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Income Taxes—Substantially all of Lazard’s operations outside the U.S. are conducted in “pass-through” entities for U.S. income tax purposes and the Company provides for U.S. income taxes on a current basis for substantially all of those earnings. The repatriation of prior year earnings attributable to “non-pass-through” entities would not result in the recognition of a material amount of additional U.S. income taxes.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Such temporary differences are reflected as deferred tax assets and liabilities and are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities”, respectively, on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A deferred tax asset is recognized if it is more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of greater than 50%) that a tax benefit will be accepted by a taxing authority.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized and, when necessary, a valuation allowance is established. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of deferred tax assets:
| • | future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; |
| • | future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; |
| • | taxable income in prior carryback years; and |
| • | tax-planning strategies. |
The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers all available positive and negative evidence, including, but not limited to, the following:
| • | nature, frequency, and magnitude of any recent losses and current operating results; |
| • | duration of statutory carryforward periods; |
| • | historical experience with tax attributes expiring unused; and |
| • | near-term and medium-term financial outlook. |
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The Company records tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based upon the amount that is more likely than not to be realized or paid, including in connection with the resolution of any related appeals or other legal processes. Accordingly, the Company recognizes liabilities for certain unrecognized tax benefits based on the amounts that are more likely than not to be settled with the relevant taxing authority.
The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in “income tax expense”. See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information relating to income taxes.
The amount of cash paid during the year for income taxes shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 has been conformed to the current year presentation, which is net of refunds.
| 3. | RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS |
Offsetting (Netting) Assets and Liabilities—In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the new disclosure requirements issued by the FASB regarding the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments, including derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either (i) offset or (ii) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement. The new disclosures are designed to make financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and will enable users of an entity’s financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. The disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with retrospective application required. The adoption of the new disclosure requirements did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income—In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the FASB’s amended guidance regarding the presentation of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment required that the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income be presented by component and disclosed where the respective line item was reported in the consolidated statement of operations. The amendment was to be applied prospectively, and is effective with interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits—In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards exist. The guidance requires that the unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of such unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain situations, as defined in the guidance. The new presentation requirements are effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2013, the impact of which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| 4. | RECEIVABLES |
The Company’s receivables represent receivables from fees, customers and other and related parties.
Receivables are stated net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, for past due amounts and for specific accounts deemed uncollectible, which may include situations where a fee is in dispute. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Balance, January 1 |
$ | 23,017 | $ | 19,450 | $ | 15,017 | ||||||
| Bad debt expense |
4,395 | 6,579 | 7,952 | |||||||||
| Charge-offs, foreign currency translation and other adjustments |
1,365 | (3,012 | ) | (3,519 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31 |
$ | 28,777 | $ | 23,017 | $ | 19,450 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had receivables past due or deemed uncollectible of $39,341 and $25,604, respectively.
Of the Company’s fee receivables at December 31, 2013 and 2012, $69,464 and $76,481, respectively, represented interest-bearing financing receivables. In addition, at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had interest-bearing related party receivables of $108,204 and $101,833, respectively. Based upon our historical loss experience, the credit quality of the counterparties, and the lack of past due or uncollectible amounts, there was no allowance for doubtful accounts required at those dates related to such receivables.
The aggregate carrying amount of our non-interest bearing receivables of $444,949 and $404,316 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, approximates fair value.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| 5. | INVESTMENTS |
The Company’s investments and securities sold, not yet purchased, consist of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Debt (including interest-bearing deposits of $516 and $578, respectively) |
$ | 8,529 | $ | 5,948 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Equities |
59,394 | 44,992 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Funds: |
||||||||
| Alternative investments (a) |
37,030 | 57,890 | ||||||
| Debt (a) |
47,206 | 19,918 | ||||||
| Equity (a) |
190,702 | 154,310 | ||||||
| Private equity |
114,193 | 112,444 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 389,131 | 344,562 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Equity method |
9,488 | 7,012 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total investments |
466,542 | 402,514 | ||||||
| Less: |
||||||||
| Interest-bearing deposits |
516 | 578 | ||||||
| Equity method |
9,488 | 7,012 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Investments, at fair value |
$ | 456,538 | $ | 394,924 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value (included in “other liabilities”) |
$ | 4,045 | $ | 2,755 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (a) | Interests in alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds include investments with fair values of $7,099, $31,515 and $130,481, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and $5,054, $18,615 and $76,907, respectively, at December 31, 2012, held in order to satisfy the Company’s liability upon vesting of previously granted Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements. Lazard Fund Interests represent grants by the Company to eligible employees of actual or notional interests in a number of Lazard-managed funds (see Notes 7 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). |
Debt securities primarily consist of seed investments invested in debt securities held within separately managed accounts related to our Asset Management business and non-U.S. government debt securities.
Equities primarily consist of seed investments invested in marketable equity securities of large-, mid- and small-cap domestic, international and global companies held within separately managed accounts related to our Asset Management business.
Interests in alternative investment funds primarily consist of interests in various Lazard-managed hedge funds and funds of funds.
Debt funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business, which invest in debt securities, and amounts related to Lazard Fund Interests discussed above.
Equity funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business, which are invested in equity securities, and amounts related to Lazard Fund Interests discussed above.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Private equity investments include those owned by Lazard and those consolidated but not owned by Lazard. Private equity investments owned by Lazard are primarily comprised of investments in private equity funds. Such investments primarily include (i) a mezzanine fund, which invests in mezzanine debt of a diversified selection of small- to mid-cap European companies, (ii) Corporate Partners II Limited (“CP II”), a fund targeting significant noncontrolling-stake investments in established private companies, (iii) Edgewater Growth Capital Partners III, L.P. (“EGCP III”), a fund primarily making equity and buyout investments in middle market companies and (iv) Lazard Australia Corporate Opportunities Fund (“COF2”), a Lazard-managed Australian fund targeting Australian mid-market investments.
Private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard relate to the economic interests that are owned by the management team and other investors in the Edgewater Funds (“Edgewater”) which totaled $9,787 and $11,490 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (see Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company reported in revenue-other on its consolidated statements of operations gross unrealized investment gains and losses pertaining to “trading” securities as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Gross unrealized investment gains |
$ | 19,465 | $ | 20,511 | $ | 1,634 | ||||||
| Gross unrealized investment losses |
$ | 2,588 | $ | 236 | $ | 12,332 | ||||||
| 6. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Lazard categorizes its investments and certain other assets and liabilities recorded at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:
| Level 1. | Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that Lazard has the ability to access. |
| Level 2. | Assets and liabilities whose values are based on (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, (ii) assets valued based on net asset value (“NAV”), or its equivalent redeemable at the measurement date or within the near term without redemption restrictions, or (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or derived principally from, or corroborated by, market data. |
| Level 3. | Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. Items included in Level 3 include securities or other financial assets whose trading volume and level of activity have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity and there is no longer sufficient frequency or volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis, as well as assets valued based on NAV or its equivalent, but not redeemable within the near term as a result of redemption restrictions. |
The Company’s investments in non-U.S. Government and other debt securities are classified as Level 1 when their respective fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 2 when their fair values are primarily based on prices as provided by external pricing services.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The fair value of equities is classified as Level 1 or Level 3 as follows: marketable equity securities are classified as Level 1 and are valued based on the last trade price on the primary exchange for that security as provided by external pricing services; equity securities in private companies are generally classified as Level 3.
The fair value of investments in alternative investment funds is classified as either Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the time frame of any applicable redemption restriction, and is valued at NAV or its equivalent, which is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators.
The fair value of investments in debt funds is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are primarily based on the publicly reported closing price for the fund, and classified as Level 2 when the fair values are primarily based on NAV or its equivalent and are redeemable within the near term.
The fair value of investments in equity funds is classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 as follows: publicly traded asset management funds are classified as Level 1 and are valued based on the reported closing price for the fund; investments in asset management funds redeemable in the near term are classified as Level 2 and are valued at NAV or its equivalent, which is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators; and funds valued based on NAV or its equivalent that are not redeemable within the near term are classified as Level 3.
The fair value of investments in private equity funds is classified as Level 3, and is primarily based on NAV or its equivalent. Such investments are not redeemable within the near term.
The fair values of derivatives entered into by the Company are classified as Level 2 and are based on the values of the related underlying assets, indices or reference rates as follows - the fair value of forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts is a function of the spot rate and the interest rate differential of the two currencies from the trade date to settlement date; the fair value of equity and fixed income swaps is based on the change in fair values of the related underlying equity security, financial instrument or index and a specified notional holding; the fair value of interest rate swaps is based on the interest rate yield curve; and the fair value of derivative liabilities related to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for forfeitures. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Where reported information regarding an investment is based on data received from external fund administrators or pricing services, the Company reviews such information and classifies the investment at the relevant level within the fair value hierarchy.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following tables present the classification of investments and certain other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 within the fair value hierarchy:
| December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
| Investments: |
||||||||||||||||
| Debt (excluding interest-bearing deposits) |
$ | 1,681 | $ | 6,332 | $ | – | $ | 8,013 | ||||||||
| Equities |
58,054 | – | 1,340 | 59,394 | ||||||||||||
| Funds: |
||||||||||||||||
| Alternative investments |
– | 37,030 | – | 37,030 | ||||||||||||
| Debt |
47,202 | 4 | – | 47,206 | ||||||||||||
| Equity |
190,660 | 42 | – | 190,702 | ||||||||||||
| Private equity |
– | – | 114,193 | 114,193 | ||||||||||||
| Derivatives |
– | 682 | – | 682 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 297,597 | $ | 44,090 | $ | 115,533 | $ | 457,220 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold, not yet purchased |
$ | 4,045 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 4,045 | ||||||||
| Derivatives |
– | 164,001 | – | 164,001 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 4,045 | $ | 164,001 | $ | – | $ | 168,046 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
| Investments: |
||||||||||||||||
| Debt (excluding interest-bearing deposits) |
$ | 1,443 | $ | 3,927 | $ | – | $ | 5,370 | ||||||||
| Equities |
44,802 | – | 190 | 44,992 | ||||||||||||
| Funds: |
||||||||||||||||
| Alternative investments |
– | 54,433 | 3,457 | 57,890 | ||||||||||||
| Debt |
19,914 | 4 | – | 19,918 | ||||||||||||
| Equity |
145,231 | 9,069 | 10 | 154,310 | ||||||||||||
| Private equity |
– | – | 112,444 | 112,444 | ||||||||||||
| Derivatives |
– | 933 | – | 933 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 211,390 | $ | 68,366 | $ | 116,101 | $ | 395,857 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold, not yet purchased |
$ | 2,696 | $ | 59 | $ | – | $ | 2,755 | ||||||||
| Derivatives |
– | 102,492 | – | 102,492 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 2,696 | $ | 102,551 | $ | – | $ | 105,247 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
There were no transfers between any of the Level 1, 2 and 3 categories in the fair value measurement hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
| Year Ended December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance |
Net
Unrealized/ Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue- Other (a) |
Purchases/ Acquisitions |
Sales/ Disposition |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |
Ending Balance |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Investments: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equities |
$ | 190 | $ | 11 | $ | 1,095 | $ | – | $ | 44 | $ | 1,340 | ||||||||||||
| Alternative investment funds |
3,457 | 117 | – | (3,574 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity funds |
10 | – | – | (10 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||||
| Private equity funds |
112,444 | 13,245 | 6,166 | (19,231 | ) | 1,569 | 114,193 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 Assets |
$ | 116,101 | $ | 13,373 | $ | 7,261 | $ | (22,815 | ) | $ | 1,613 | $ | 115,533 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance |
Net
Unrealized/ Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue- Other (a) |
Purchases/ Acquisitions |
Sales/ Dispositions |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |
Ending Balance |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Investments: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equities |
$ | 211 | $ | 5 | $ | – | $ | (30 | ) | $ | 4 | $ | 190 | |||||||||||
| Alternative investment funds |
10,171 | 130 | – | (6,844 | ) | – | 3,457 | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity funds |
– | – | 10 | – | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Private equity funds |
122,718 | 15,983 | 8,589 | (35,796 | ) | 950 | 112,444 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 Assets |
$ | 133,100 | $ | 16,118 | $ | 8,599 | $ | (42,670 | ) | $ | 954 | $ | 116,101 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance |
Net
Unrealized/ Realized Gains (Losses) Included In Revenue- Other (a) |
Purchases/ Acquisitions |
Sales/ Dispositions |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |
Ending Balance |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Investments: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equities |
$ | 316 | $ | 72 | $ | 25 | $ | (195 | ) | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 211 | ||||||||||
| Alternative investment funds |
– | (169 | ) | 10,340 | – | – | 10,171 | |||||||||||||||||
| Private equity funds |
163,482 | (3,319 | ) | 33,117 | (69,218 | )(b) | (1,344 | ) | 122,718 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 Assets |
$ | 163,798 | $ | (3,416 | ) | $ | 43,482 | $ | (69,413 | ) | $ | (1,351 | ) | $ | 133,100 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| (a) | Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 include net unrealized gains (losses) of $6,032, $12,910 and $(3,268), respectively. |
| (b) | Sales/dispositions of private equity fund investments for the year ended December 31, 2011 include $49,500 in connection with a reduction of interests in a fund which ceased to be consolidated by the Company. |
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value—The table below presents the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 that are not measured at fair value in the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition, and excludes certain financial instruments such as equity method investments.
| December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements Using: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||||||||
| Financial Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 832,277 | $ | 832,277 | $832,277 | $– | $ | – | ||||||||||||
| Deposits with banks |
244,879 | 244,879 | 244,879 | – | – | |||||||||||||||
| Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash |
62,046 | 62,046 | 62,046 | – | – | |||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing financing receivables |
69,464 | 71,433 | – | – | 71,433 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments) |
516 | 516 | 516 | – | – | |||||||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits and other customer payables |
$ | 275,434 | $ | 275,434 | $275,434 | $ | – | $ | – | |||||||||||
| Senior debt |
1,048,350 | 1,117,247 | – | 1,117,247 | – | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements Using: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Fair Value | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
||||||||||||||||
| Financial Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 845,503 | $ | 845,503 | $ | 845,503 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||||
| Deposits with banks |
292,494 | 292,494 | 292,494 | – | – | |||||||||||||||
| Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash |
65,232 | 65,232 | 65,232 | – | – | |||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing financing receivables |
76,481 | 78,493 | – | – | 78,493 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing deposits (included within investments) |
578 | 578 | 578 | – | – | |||||||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits and other customer payables |
$ | 269,763 | $ | 269,763 | $ | 269,763 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||||
| Senior debt |
1,076,850 | 1,207,227 | – | 1,207,227 | – | |||||||||||||||
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost that approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities. Money market funds are valued through the use of quoted market prices, or $1.00 per share, which generally is the NAV of the fund.
The carrying value of deposits with banks, and cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash, approximates fair value because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and expected maturity.
Fair values of interest-bearing financing receivables were generally determined by discounting both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, using a discount rate approximating current market interest rates for comparable financial instruments and based on unobservable inputs.
The carrying value of deposits and other customer payables and investments accounted for at amortized cost, such as interest-bearing deposits, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
The Company’s senior debt is carried at historical amounts. The fair value of the Company’s senior debt is based on market quotations.
Fair Value of Certain Investments Based on NAV—The Company’s Level 2 and Level 3 investments at December 31, 2013 and 2012 include certain investments that are valued using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value. Information with respect thereto was as follows:
| December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of Fair Value Not Redeemable |
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable |
Investments Redeemable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value | Unfunded Commitments |
% Next 5 Years |
% 5-10 Years |
% Thereafter |
Redemption Frequency |
Redemption Notice Period | ||||||||||||||||
| Alternative investment funds: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hedge funds |
$ | 31,837 | $ | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (a) | <30-90 days | ||||||||||||
| Funds of funds |
475 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (b) | <30-90 days | ||||||||||||||
| Other |
4,718 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (c) | <30-60 days | ||||||||||||||
| Debt funds |
4 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (d) | 30 days | ||||||||||||||
| Equity funds |
42 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (e) | 30-90 days | ||||||||||||||
| Private equity funds: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity growth |
70,054 | 27,135 | 100% | 17% | 60% | 23% | NA | NA | ||||||||||||||
| Mezzanine debt |
44,139 | – | 100% | –% | –% | 100% | NA | NA | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 151,269 | $ | 27,135 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | weekly (17%), monthly (65%) and quarterly (18%) |
| (b) | monthly (95%) and quarterly (5%) |
| (c) | daily (7%), weekly (1%) and monthly (92%) |
| (d) | daily (100%) |
| (e) | daily (13%), monthly (58%) and quarterly (29%) |
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of Fair Value Not Redeemable |
Estimated Liquidation Period of Investments Not Redeemable |
Investments Redeemable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value | Unfunded Commitments |
% Next 5 Years |
% 5-10 Years |
% Thereafter |
Redemption Frequency |
Redemption Notice Period | ||||||||||||||||
| Alternative investment funds: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hedge funds |
$ | 25,110 | $ | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (a) | <30-90 days | ||||||||||||
| Funds of funds |
23,252 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (b) | <30-120 days | ||||||||||||||
| Other |
9,528 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (c) | <30-60 days | ||||||||||||||
| Debt funds |
4 | – | NA | NA | NA | NA | (d) | 30 days | ||||||||||||||
| Equity funds |
9,079 | – | 2% | –% | –% | 2% | (e) | 30-120 days | ||||||||||||||
| Private equity funds: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity growth |
71,068 | 31,482 | 100% | 21% | 61% | 18% | NA | NA | ||||||||||||||
| Mezzanine debt |
41,376 | – | 100% | – | – | 100% | NA | NA | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 179,417 | $ | 31,482 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Redemption frequency as follows:
| (a) | weekly (20%), monthly (73%) and quarterly (7%) |
| (b) | monthly (2%) and quarterly (98%) |
| (c) | daily (60%), weekly (1%) and monthly (39%) |
| (d) | daily (100%) |
| (e) | daily (37%) and monthly (61%) |
See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of significant investment strategies for investments with value based on NAV.
Investment Capital Funding Commitments—At December 31, 2013, the Company’s maximum unfunded commitments for capital contributions to investment funds arose from (i) commitments to CP II, which amounted to $1,940 for potential “follow-on investments” and/or for fund expenses through the earlier of February 25, 2017 or the liquidation of the fund, (ii) commitments to EGCP III, which amounted to $18,501, through the earlier of October 12, 2016 (i.e., the end of the investment period) for investments and/or expenses (with a portion of the undrawn amount of such commitments as of that date remaining committed until October 12, 2023 in respect of “follow-on investments” and/or fund expenses) or the liquidation of the fund and (iii) commitments to COF2, which amounted to $6,694, through the earlier of November 11, 2016 (i.e., the end of the investment period) for investments and/or fund expenses (with a portion of the undrawn amount of such commitments as of that date remaining committed until November 11, 2019 in respect of “follow-on investments” and/or fund expenses) or the liquidation of the fund.
The commitment regarding EGCP III described above reflects a March 1, 2012 reduction of $17,400 from the Company’s original commitment of $50,000 that an investor group, owned by current and former managing directors, including certain of our executive officers, assumed from the Company. In connection with their assumption of this assumed commitment, each investor received a right to collect a portion of the Company’s carried interest arising from EGCP III, to the extent any such carried interest is actually received by the Company, equal to 20% of the profit earned by such investor on his or her investment.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| 7. | DERIVATIVES |
The tables below present the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments reported within “other assets” and “other liabilities” and the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities relating to its obligation pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (see Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Derivative Assets: |
||||||||
| Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts |
$ | 250 | $ | 893 | ||||
| Equity and fixed income swaps and other (a) |
432 | 40 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| $ | 682 | $ | 933 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Derivative Liabilities: |
||||||||
| Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts |
$ | 1,579 | $ | 322 | ||||
| Interest rate swaps |
– | 235 | ||||||
| Equity and fixed income swaps (a) |
– | 4,342 | ||||||
| Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements |
162,422 | 97,593 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| $ | 164,001 | $ | 102,492 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| (a) | For equity and fixed income swaps, amounts represent the netting of gross derivative assets and liabilities of $2,019 and $1,587 as of December 31, 2013, respectively, and $0 and $4,342 as of December 31, 2012, respectively, for contracts with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements. Such amounts are recorded “net” in “other assets”, with receivables for net cash collateral under such contracts of $11,384 and $15,304 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. |
Net gains (losses) with respect to derivative instruments (predominantly reflected in “revenue-other”) and the Company’s derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements (included in “compensation and benefits” expense) as reflected on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts |
$ | (3,162 | ) | $ | (1,844 | ) | $ | 2,422 | ||||
| Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements |
(14,099 | ) | (7,557 | ) | 3,024 | |||||||
| Equity and fixed income swaps and other |
(11,853 | ) | (16,514 | ) | 5,045 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| $ | (29,114 | ) | $ | (25,915 | ) | $ | 10,491 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| 8. | PROPERTY |
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, property consists of the following:
| Estimated Depreciable Life in Years |
December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
| Buildings |
33 | $ | 173,772 | $ | 166,560 | |||||||
| Leasehold improvements |
3-20 | 175,600 | 143,408 | |||||||||
| Furniture and equipment |
3-10 | 149,597 | 122,124 | |||||||||
| Construction in progress |
3,756 | 18,801 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
502,725 | 450,893 | ||||||||||
| Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
253,930 | 225,861 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Property |
$ | 248,795 | $ | 225,032 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| 9. | GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
The components of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Goodwill |
$ | 345,453 | $ | 364,328 | ||||
| Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization) |
18,424 | 28,494 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| $ | 363,877 | $ | 392,822 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, goodwill of $280,912 and $299,787, respectively, was attributable to the Company’s Financial Advisory segment and, at each such respective date, $64,541 of goodwill was attributable to the Company’s Asset Management segment.
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Balance, January 1 |
$ | 364,328 | $ | 356,657 | $ | 313,229 | ||||||
| Business acquisitions, including, in the 2011 period, additional contingent consideration earned relating to a prior year business acquisition |
1,748 | 4,272 | 42,566 | |||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(20,623 | ) | 3,399 | 862 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31 |
$ | 345,453 | $ | 364,328 | $ | 356,657 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company changed its annual impairment evaluation date from December 31 to November 1. Pursuant to the Company’s goodwill impairment review for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company determined that no impairment existed.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, by major intangible asset category, are as follows:
| December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Cost |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
Gross Cost |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Success/performance fees |
$ | 30,740 | $ | 17,173 | $ | 13,567 | $ | 30,740 | $ | 10,678 | $ | 20,062 | ||||||||||||
| Management fees, customer relationships and non-compete agreements |
33,063 | 28,206 | 4,857 | 33,035 | 24,603 | 8,432 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| $ | 63,803 | $ | 45,379 | $ | 18,424 | $ | 63,775 | $ | 35,281 | $ | 28,494 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Amortization expense of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $10,114, $8,359 and $11,915, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
| Year Ending December 31, |
Amortization Expense (a) |
|||
| 2014 |
$ | 6,810 | ||
| 2015 |
6,433 | |||
| 2016 |
5,181 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total amortization expense |
$ | 18,424 | ||
|
|
|
|||
| (a) | Approximately 43% of intangible asset amortization is attributable to a noncontrolling interest. |
| 10. | OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES |
The following table sets forth the Company’s other assets, by type, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Current tax receivables and deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance) and other taxes |
$ | 103,719 | $ | 111,150 | ||||
| Prepaid compensation (see Note 14) |
60,433 | 47,445 | ||||||
| Other advances and prepayments |
33,504 | 33,397 | ||||||
| Deferred debt issuance costs |
9,188 | 4,902 | ||||||
| Other |
46,111 | 45,259 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 252,955 | $ | 242,153 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following table sets forth the Company’s other liabilities, by type, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Accrued expenses |
$ | 136,376 | $ | 146,921 | ||||
| Current and deferred income taxes and other taxes |
99,075 | 100,643 | ||||||
| Employee benefit-related liabilities |
104,013 | 83,629 | ||||||
| Deferred lease incentives |
84,897 | 74,880 | ||||||
| Unclaimed funds at LFB |
26,626 | 28,716 | ||||||
| Abandoned leased space (principally in the U.K.) |
12,855 | 8,475 | ||||||
| Securities sold, not yet purchased |
4,045 | 2,755 | ||||||
| Other |
24,375 | 32,148 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 492,262 | $ | 478,167 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 11. | SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED DEBT |
Senior Debt—Senior debt is comprised of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| Initial Principal Amount |
Maturity Date |
Annual Interest Rate |
Outstanding As Of December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lazard Group 7.125% Senior Notes (a) |
$ | 550,000 | 5/15/15 | 7.125 | % | $ | – | $ | 528,500 | |||||||||||
| Lazard Group 6.85% Senior Notes |
600,000 | 6/15/17 | 6.85 | % | 548,350 | 548,350 | ||||||||||||||
| Lazard Group 4.25% Senior Notes (b) |
500,000 | 11/14/20 | 4.25 | % | 500,000 | – | ||||||||||||||
| Lazard Group Credit Facility |
150,000 | 9/25/15 | 0.79 | % | – | – | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 1,048,350 | $ | 1,076,850 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| (a) | On November 6, 2013, the Company launched a tender for all of the outstanding 7.125% senior notes maturing on May 15, 2015 (the “2015 Notes”) and simultaneously announced a redemption notice for any notes not tendered. As a result, the outstanding 2015 Notes of $528,500 were extinguished in the fourth quarter of 2013, which resulted in a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of $50,757, including the recognition of unamortized issuance costs. As a result of the extinguishment, the unamortized amount of the interest rate hedge related to the 2015 Notes was also recognized, which resulted in a loss of $1,563. Both the loss on extinguishment and the loss related to the interest rate hedge were recorded in “operating expenses—other” in the consolidated statement of operations. |
| (b) | On November 14, 2013, and in connection with the redemption of the 2015 Notes, Lazard Group issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes maturing on November 14, 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable semi-annually on May 14 and November 14 of each year commencing on May 14, 2014. In connection with the issuance of the 2020 Notes, the Company entered into and settled an interest rate forward agreement and recognized a related loss of $ 1,767. The loss was recorded in “operating expenses—other” in the consolidated statements of operations. |
On September 25, 2012, Lazard Group entered into a $150,000, three-year senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders (the “Credit Facility”), which expires in September 2015. The Credit Facility replaced a similar revolving credit facility which was terminated as a condition to effectiveness of the Credit Facility. Interest rates under the Credit Facility vary and are based on either a Federal Funds rate or a Eurodollar rate, in each case plus an applicable margin. As of December 31, 2013, the annual interest rate for a loan accruing interest (based on the
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Federal Funds overnight rate), including the applicable margin, was 0.79%. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no amounts were outstanding under the Credit Facility or the prior revolving credit facility, respectively.
The Credit Facility contains customary terms and conditions, including certain financial covenants. In addition, the Credit Facility, the indenture and the supplemental indentures relating to Lazard Group’s senior notes contain certain covenants, events of default and other customary provisions, including a customary make-whole provision in the event of early redemption, where applicable. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with such provisions. All of the Company’s senior debt obligations are unsecured.
Debt maturities relating to senior borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2013 for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2018 and thereafter are set forth in the table below.
| Year Ending December 31, |
||||
| 2014-2016 |
$ | – | ||
| 2017 |
548,350 | |||
| 2018 |
– | |||
| Thereafter |
500,000 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | 1,048,350 | ||
|
|
|
|||
The Company’s senior debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012 is carried at historical amounts. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the fair value and fair value hierarchy category of the Company’s senior debt.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $258,000 in unused lines of credit available to it, including the Credit Facility, and unused lines of credit available to LFB of approximately $48,000 (at December 31, 2013 exchange rates) and Edgewater of $55,000. In addition, LFB has access to the Eurosystem Covered Bond Purchase Program of the Banque de France.
Subordinated Debt—On July 22, 2011, the Company repurchased its then outstanding $150,000 subordinated promissory note, at a cost, excluding accrued interest, of $131,829. Such repurchase resulted in a pre-tax gain of $18,171, which was recognized by the Company in the third quarter of 2011 and included in “revenue-other” on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
| 12. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Leases—The Company leases office space and equipment under non-cancelable lease agreements, which expire on various dates through 2033.
Operating lease agreements, in addition to base rentals, generally are subject to escalation provisions based on certain costs incurred by the landlord. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, aggregate rental expense relating to operating leases amounted to $86,476, $80,861 and $76,701, respectively, and is included in “occupancy and equipment” or “technology and information services” on the consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the underlying asset. The Company subleases office space under agreements, which expire on various dates through 2033. Sublease income from such agreements was $11,404, $9,613 and $10,967 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which includes sublease income of $4,136, $3,290 and $2,192, respectively, from an affiliate of LFCM Holdings LLC (“LFCM Holdings”).
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Capital lease obligations recorded under sale/leaseback transactions are payable through 2017 at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 6.2%. Such obligations are collateralized primarily by certain buildings with a net book value of approximately $19,876 and $21,932 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The net book value of all assets recorded under capital leases aggregated $20,806 and $23,486 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
At December 31, 2013, minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases, net of sublease income, are approximately as follows:
| Year Ending December 31, |
Minimum Rental Commitments | |||||||
| Capital | Operating | |||||||
| 2014 |
$ | 3,221 | $ | 81,467 | ||||
| 2015 |
2,895 | 77,427 | ||||||
| 2016 |
2,579 | 74,420 | ||||||
| 2017 |
9,478 | 69,530 | ||||||
| 2018 |
– | 65,232 | ||||||
| Thereafter |
– | 650,050 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total minimum lease payments |
18,173 | 1,018,126 | ||||||
| Less amount representing interest |
2,339 | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Present value of capital lease commitments |
$ | 15,834 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Less sublease proceeds |
155,547 | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net lease payments |
$ | 862,579 | ||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
With respect to abandoned leased facilities in the U.K., at December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has recognized liabilities of $11,203 and $7,516, respectively, which are included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Payments toward the liabilities continue through the remaining term of the leases. Such liabilities are based on the discounted future commitment, net of expected sublease income.
Guarantees—In the normal course of business, LFB provides indemnifications to third parties to protect them in the event of non-performance by its clients. At December 31, 2013, LFB had $5,897 of such indemnifications and held $4,993 of collateral/counter-guarantees to secure these commitments. The Company believes the likelihood of loss with respect to these indemnities is remote. Accordingly, no liability is recorded in the consolidated statement of financial condition.
Certain Business Transactions—On September 25, 2008, the Company, LAM and LAZ Sub I, LLC, a then newly-formed subsidiary of LFNY, completed the merger of LAZ Sub I, LLC with and into LAM (the “LAM Merger”). Prior to the LAM Merger, the common equity interests of LAM were held by LFNY, and certain other equity interests of LAM, representing contingent payments should certain specified fundamental transactions occur, were held by present and former employees of LAM. Following the LAM Merger, all equity interests of LAM are owned directly or indirectly by LFNY.
The aggregate non-contingent consideration relating to the equity interests of LAM held by present and former employees of LAM and its subsidiaries consisted of (i) cash payments made from the closing of the LAM Merger through January 2, 2009 of approximately $60,000, (ii) a cash payment made on October 31, 2011 of approximately $90,000, (iii) the delivery on October 31, 2011 of 2,210,520 shares of Class A common stock and (iv) the satisfaction
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
of Lazard’s minimum statutory tax withholding requirements for certain employees in lieu of delivering 68,384 shares of Class A common stock on October 31, 2011. In addition, with respect to certain former employees of LAM and its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, additional cash payments of $961 and additional issuances of 24,537 shares of Class A common stock are subject to delayed payment/issuance until the eighth anniversary of the closing of the LAM Merger because the applicable employees were no longer employed by Lazard or its affiliates on October 31, 2011, subject to certain exceptions.
On July 15, 2009, the Company established a private equity business with Edgewater. Edgewater manages funds primarily focused on buy-out and growth equity investments in middle market companies. The acquisition was structured as a purchase by Lazard Group of interests in a holding company that in turn owns interests in the general partner and management company entities of the current Edgewater private equity funds (the “Edgewater Acquisition”). Following the Edgewater Acquisition, Edgewater’s leadership team retained a substantial economic interest in such entities.
The aggregate fair value of the consideration recognized by the Company at the acquisition date was $61,624. Such consideration consisted of (i) a one-time cash payment, (ii) 1,142,857 shares of Class A common stock (the “Initial Shares”) and (iii) up to 1,142,857 additional shares of Class A common stock (the “Earnout Shares”) that are subject to earnout criteria and payable over time. The Initial Shares are subject to forfeiture provisions that lapse only upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds and transfer restrictions during the four year period ending December 2014. The Earnout Shares will be issued only if certain performance thresholds are met. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 1,371,992 and 1,209,154 shares, respectively, have been earned because applicable performance thresholds have been satisfied. Such shares are no longer subject to any contingencies. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 1,029,006 and 686,004, respectively, of such shares have been settled.
Contingent Consideration Relating To Other Business Acquisitions—For a business acquired in 2013, the Company was obligated to issue a maximum of 107,617 shares of Class A common stock if certain performance thresholds were achieved. The Company is no longer obligated to issue such shares.
For a business acquired in 2012, at December 31, 2012, 170,988 shares of Class A common stock (including dividend equivalent shares) were issuable on a non-contingent basis. Such shares were delivered in the first quarter of 2013. The Company is obligated to issue a maximum of 202,650 additional shares of Class A common stock if certain performance thresholds are achieved.
For a business acquired in 2011, the Company was obligated to pay earnout consideration if certain performance thresholds were achieved. The maximum potential earnout consideration payable by the Company could not exceed $7,000. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, no cash payments relating to the earnout consideration were required. As the performance thresholds ultimately were not achieved, the Company is no longer obligated to pay the earnout consideration.
Other Commitments—In the normal course of business, LFB enters into commitments to extend credit, predominately at variable interest rates. These commitments have varying expiration dates, are fully collateralized and generally contain requirements for the counterparty to maintain a minimum collateral level. These commitments may not represent future cash requirements as they may expire without being drawn upon. At December 31, 2013, these commitments were not material.
See Notes 6 and 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding commitments relating to investment capital funding commitments and obligations to fund our pension plans, respectively.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The Company has various other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, LFB enters into underwriting commitments in which it participates as a joint underwriter. The settlement of such transactions are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. At December 31, 2013, LFB had no such underwriting commitments.
In the opinion of management, the fulfillment of the commitments described herein will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Legal—The Company is involved from time to time in judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings and inquiries concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses, including proceedings initiated by former employees alleging wrongful termination. The Company reviews such matters on a case-by-case basis and establishes any required accrual if a loss is probable and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company experiences significant variation in its revenue and earnings on a quarterly basis. Accordingly, the results of any pending matter or matters could be significant when compared to the Company’s earnings in any particular fiscal quarter. The Company believes, however, based on currently available information, that the results of any pending matters, in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on its business or financial condition.
| 13. | MEMBERS’ EQUITY |
Issuance of Class A Common Shares—During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,434,561 shares of Class A common stock and delivered 3,515,362 shares from Class A common stock held by its subsidiaries in connection with the LAM Merger (as described in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and certain prior year business acquisitions.
Lazard Group Distributions—As previously described, Lazard Group’s common membership interests are held by subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and by LAZ-MD Holdings. Pursuant to provisions of the Operating Agreement, Lazard Group distributions in respect of its common membership interests are allocated to the holders of such interests on a pro rata basis. Such distributions represent amounts necessary to fund (i) any dividends Lazard Ltd may declare on its Class A common stock and (ii) tax distributions in respect of income taxes that Lazard Ltd’s subsidiaries and the members of LAZ-MD Holdings incur as a result of holding Lazard Group common membership interests.
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Lazard Group distributed the following amounts to LAZ-MD Holdings and the subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Tax distributions: |
||||||||||||
| LAZ-MD Holdings |
$ | 80 | $ | – | $ | 699 | ||||||
| Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd |
2,896 | – | 16,800 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| $ | 2,976 | $ | – | $ | 17,499 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Other distributions: |
||||||||||||
| LAZ-MD Holdings |
$ | 920 | $ | 5,170 | $ | 4,383 | ||||||
| Subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd |
121,620 | 135,108 | 70,572 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| $ | 122,540 | $ | 140,278 | $ | 74,955 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Pursuant to Lazard Group’s Operating Agreement, Lazard Group allocates and distributes to its members a substantial portion of its distributable profits in installments, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year. Such installment distributions usually begin in February.
Exchange of Lazard Group Common Membership Interests—During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Lazard Ltd issued 839,658, 5,207,112 and 876,814 shares of Class A common stock, respectively, in connection with the exchange of a like number of Lazard Group common membership interests (received from members of LAZ-MD Holdings in exchange for a like number of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests).
Share Repurchase Program—During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd authorized the repurchase of Class A common stock and Lazard Group common membership interests as set forth in the table below.
| Date |
Share Repurchase Authorization |
Expiration | ||||||
| February, 2011 |
$ | 250,000 | December 31, 2012 | |||||
| October, 2011 |
$ | 125,000 | December 31, 2013 | |||||
| April, 2012 |
$ | 125,000 | December 31, 2013 | |||||
| October, 2012 |
$ | 200,000 | December 31, 2014 | |||||
| October, 2013 |
$ | 100,000 | December 31, 2015 | |||||
The Company expects that the share repurchase program, with respect to the Class A common stock, will primarily be used to offset a portion of the shares that have been or will be issued under the Lazard Ltd 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and the Lazard Ltd 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Pursuant to such authorizations, purchases have been made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:
| Number
of Shares/Common Membership Interests Purchased |
Average Price Per Share/Common Membership Interest |
|||||||
| Years Ending December 31: |
||||||||
| 2011 |
6,135,189 | $ | 33.39 | |||||
| 2012 |
12,817,196 | $ | 27.66 | |||||
| 2013 |
3,488,101 | $ | 37.98 | |||||
As a result of the delivery of shares of Class A common stock through December 31, 2013 relating to (i) the settlement of vested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and deferred stock units (“DSUs”), (ii) the incentive plan share awards of shares of restricted Class A common stock, (iii) the delivery of shares of restricted Class A common stock in exchange for RSUs and (iv) the delivery of shares of Class A common stock in connection with business acquisitions and the LAM Merger, there were 5,744,856 and 10,230,729 shares of Class A common stock held by Lazard Group at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Such shares of Class A common stock are reported, at cost, as a reduction of members’ equity within the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
As of December 31, 2013, a total of $121,589 of share repurchase capacity remained available under the Company’s share repurchase authorizations, of which $21,589 and $100,000 will expire on December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax—The table below reflects the components of AOCI at December 31, 2013 and activity during the year then ended:
| Currency Translation Adjustments |
Interest Rate Hedge |
Employee Benefit Plans |
Total AOCI |
Amount Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests |
Total Lazard Group LLC AOCI |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2013 |
$ | 38,657 | $ | (2,502 | ) | $ | (128,536 | ) | $ | (92,381 | ) | $ | 12 | $ | (92,393 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Activity January 1 to December 31, 2013: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications |
(3,421 | ) | – | (13,500 | ) | (16,921 | ) | (11 | ) | (16,910 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings, net of tax |
– | 2,502 | 4,605 | 7,107 | – | 7,107 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Net other comprehensive |
(3,421 | ) | 2,502 | (8,895 | ) | (9,814 | ) | (11 | ) | (9,803 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2013 |
$ | 35,236 | $ | – | $ | (137,431 | ) | $ | (102,195 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | (102,196 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
The table below reflects adjustments for items reclassified out of AOCI, by component, for the year ended December 31, 2013:
| Amortization of interest rate hedge |
$ | 2,502 | (a) | |
|
|
|
|||
| Amortization relating to employee benefit plans |
6,534 | (b) | ||
| Less – related income taxes |
1,929 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Net of tax |
4,605 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total reclassifications, net of tax |
$ | 7,107 | ||
|
|
|
| (a) | Included in “interest expense” and “operating expenses—other” in the amounts of $939 and $1,563, respectively, on the consolidated statements of operations. |
| (b) | Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Such amount is included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statement of operations. |
Noncontrolling Interests—Noncontrolling interests principally represent interests held in Edgewater’s management vehicles that the Company is deemed to control, but does not own.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The tables below summarize net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements:
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Edgewater |
$ | 3,913 | $ | 3,491 | $ | 4,130 | ||||||
| Other |
(209 | ) | (129 | ) | (452 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 3,704 | $ | 3,362 | $ | 3,678 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Noncontrolling Interests As Of December 31, |
||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Edgewater |
$ | 66,641 | $ |
75,262 |
| |||
| Other |
13 | |
646 |
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 66,654 | $ |
75,908 |
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| 14. | INCENTIVE PLANS |
Share-Based Incentive Plan Awards
A description of Lazard Ltd’s 2005 Plan and 2008 Plan and activity with respect thereto during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is presented below.
Shares Available Under the 2005 Plan and 2008 Plan
The 2005 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs and other equity-based awards. Each stock unit or similar award granted under the 2005 Plan represents a contingent right to receive one share of Class A common stock, at no cost to the recipient. The fair value of such awards is generally determined based on the closing market price of Class A common stock at the date of grant.
In addition to the shares available under the 2005 Plan, additional shares of Class A common stock are available under the 2008 Plan. The maximum number of shares available under the 2008 Plan is based on a formula that limits the aggregate number of shares that may, at any time, be subject to awards that are considered “outstanding” under the 2008 Plan to 30% of the then-outstanding shares of Class A common stock (treating, for this purpose, the then-outstanding exchangeable interests of LAZ-MD Holdings on a “fully-exchanged” basis as described in the 2008 Plan).
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following reflects the amortization expense recorded with respect to share-based incentive plans within “compensation and benefits” expense (with respect to RSUs, performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) and restricted stock awards) and “professional services” expense (with respect to DSUs) within the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Share-based incentive awards: |
||||||||||||
| RSUs (a) |
$ | 209,974 | $ | 298,809 | $ | 264,110 | ||||||
| PRSUs |
12,934 | – | – | |||||||||
| Restricted Stock (b) |
11,374 | 10,003 | 9,767 | |||||||||
| DSUs |
808 | 768 | 632 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 235,090 | $ | 309,580 | $ | 274,509 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Includes charges relating to the cost saving initiatives and staff reductions, as applicable, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, aggregating $9,099 and $26,158, respectively (see Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). |
| (b) | Includes charges relating to the cost saving initiatives for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, of $247 and $713, respectively. |
The ultimate amount of compensation and benefits expense relating to share-based awards is dependent upon the actual number of shares of Class A common stock that vest. The Company periodically assesses the forfeiture rates used for such estimates. A change in estimated forfeiture rates results in a cumulative adjustment to previously recorded compensation and benefits expense and also would cause the aggregate amount of compensation expense recognized in future periods to differ from the estimated unrecognized compensation expense described below.
The Company’s incentive plans are described below.
RSUs and DSUs
RSUs generally require future service as a condition for the delivery of the underlying shares of Class A common stock (unless the recipient is then eligible for retirement under the Company’s retirement policy) and convert into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis after the stipulated vesting periods. PRSUs, which are a form of RSUs that are also subject to service-based vesting conditions, have additional conditions, and are described below. The grant date fair value of the RSUs, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, is amortized over the vesting periods or requisite service periods (generally one-third after two years, and the remaining two-thirds after the third year), and is adjusted for actual forfeitures over such period.
RSUs generally include a dividend participation right that provides that during vesting periods each RSU is attributed additional RSUs (or fractions thereof) equivalent to any dividends paid on Class A common stock during such period. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, dividend participation rights required the issuance of 442,242, 920,791 and 389,846 RSU’s, respectively.
Non-executive members of the Board of Directors of Lazard Group (who are also the same Non-Executive Directors of Lazard Ltd) receive approximately 55% of their annual compensation for service on the Board of Directors and its committees in the form of DSUs, which resulted in 39,315, 53,239 and 26,859 DSUs granted
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Their remaining compensation is payable in cash, which they may elect to receive in the form of additional DSUs under the Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan described below. DSUs are convertible into Class A common stock at the time of cessation of service to the Board. DSUs include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to any ordinary quarterly dividends paid on Class A common stock, and resulted in nominal cash payments for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
The Company’s Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan permits its Non-Executive Directors to elect to receive additional DSUs pursuant to the 2005 Plan in lieu of some or all of their cash fees. The number of DSUs that shall be granted to a Non-Executive Director pursuant to this election will equal the value of cash fees that the applicable Non-Executive Director has elected to forego pursuant to such election, divided by the market value of a share of Class A common stock on the date on which the foregone cash fees would otherwise have been paid. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 7,623, 10,597 and 8,184 DSUs, respectively, had been granted pursuant to such Plan.
DSU awards are expensed at their fair value on their date of grant, inclusive of amounts related to the Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan.
The following is a summary of activity relating to RSUs and DSUs during the three-year period ended December 31, 2013:
| RSUs | DSUs | |||||||||||||||
| Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
Units | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
|||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2011 |
22,108,635 | $ | 35.67 | 121,737 | $ | 34.46 | ||||||||||
| Granted (including 389,846 RSUs relating to dividend participation) |
7,002,736 | $ | 43.21 | 35,043 | $ | 36.09 | ||||||||||
| Forfeited |
(305,155 | ) | $ | 37.83 | – | – | ||||||||||
| Vested |
(8,054,387 | ) | $ | 39.13 | (16,120 | ) | $ | 34.76 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2011 |
20,751,829 | $ | 36.84 | 140,660 | $ | 34.83 | ||||||||||
| Granted (including 920,791 RSUs relating to dividend participation) |
8,594,744 | $ | 27.68 | 63,836 | $ | 24.06 | ||||||||||
| Forfeited |
(581,411 | ) | $ | 35.59 | – | – | ||||||||||
| Vested/Exchanged |
(7,284,031 | ) | $ | 34.71 | – | – | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2012 |
21,481,131 | $ | 33.92 | 204,496 | $ | 31.47 | ||||||||||
| Granted (including 442,242 RSUs relating to dividend participation) |
5,174,810 | $ | 37.21 | 46,938 | $ | 34.42 | ||||||||||
| Forfeited |
(268,900) | $ | 34.47 | – | – | |||||||||||
| Vested |
(9,768,849) | $ | 34.65 | – | – | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2013 |
16,618,192 | $ | 34.51 | 251,434 | $ | 32.02 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 9,768,849, 7,284,031 and 8,054,387 RSUs vested or were exchanged, respectively (including, in 2012, 1,523,642 RSUs that were exchanged for shares of restricted Class A common stock and 958,213 RSUs that were modified through forward purchase agreements into a liability award of $28,612). As of the modification date in 2012, the Company recorded a liability in “accrued compensation and benefits” of $26,922 related to such liability award and an offsetting reduction to “members’ equity”. Such liability awards were settled on March 1, 2013 for $28,612. During the year ended
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
December 31, 2013, compensation expense of $1,690 was recorded for such liability awards. In connection with the vested RSUs, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of issuing 3,651,050, 1,471,814 and 2,353,561 shares of Class A common stock in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Accordingly, 6,117,799, 3,330,362, and 5,700,826 shares of Class A common stock held by Lazard Group were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
As of December 31, 2013, unrecognized RSU compensation expense, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, was approximately $156,537, with such unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.0 years subsequent to December 31, 2013.
Restricted Stock
The following is a summary of activity related to shares of restricted Class A common stock associated with compensation arrangements during the three-year period ended December 31, 2013:
| Restricted Shares |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
|||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2011 |
95,332 | $ | 37.63 | |||||
| Granted |
327,238 | $ | 43.70 | |||||
| Vested |
(327,238 | ) | $ | 43.70 | ||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2011 |
95,332 | $ | 37.63 | |||||
| Granted/Exchanged (a) |
2,100,965 | $ | 34.34 | |||||
| Forfeited |
(21,178 | ) | $ | 29.51 | ||||
| Vested |
(202,510 | ) | $ | 31.43 | ||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2012 |
1,972,609 | $ | 34.85 | |||||
| Granted |
368,736 | $ | 36.74 | |||||
| Forfeited |
(37,782 | ) | $ | 33.37 | ||||
| Vested |
(1,728,509 | ) | $ | 36.00 | ||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2013 |
575,054 | $ | 32.72 | |||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Includes, during the year ended December 31, 2012, as described above, 1,523,642 shares of restricted Class A common stock issued in exchange for 1,523,642 previously granted RSUs at a grant date fair value of $35.95 per share. The vesting terms of such restricted Class A common stock issued were substantially the same as those of the original awards exchanged. There was no incremental compensation cost incurred as a result of the exchanges. |
As mentioned above, during 2012, the Company exchanged 1,523,642 RSUs for shares of restricted Class A common stock.
In connection with shares of restricted Class A common stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 18,599 and 28,129 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 1,709,910 and 174,381 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The awards include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to any dividends paid on Class A common stock during the period, which will vest concurrently with the underlying restricted stock award. At December 31, 2013, unrecognized restricted stock expense was approximately $7,361, with such expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.2 years subsequent to December 31, 2013.
PRSUs
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company granted 448,128 PRSUs. The PRSUs are subject to both performance-based and service-based vesting conditions. The number of shares of Class A common stock that a recipient will receive upon vesting of a PRSU will be calculated by reference to certain performance metrics that relate to the Company’s performance over the three-year period beginning on January 1, 2012 and ending on December 31, 2014. The target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to each PRSU is one; however, based on the achievement of the performance criteria, the number of shares of Class A common stock that may be received in connection with each PRSU can range from zero to two times the target number (or, for the PRSUs granted in 2013, three times the target number in the event of a substantial increase in 2014 in our revenue (adjusted for certain items)). The PRSUs granted in 2013 will vest 33% in March 2015 and 67% in March 2016, provided the applicable service and performance conditions are satisfied. In addition, the performance metrics applicable to each PRSU will be evaluated on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year during the performance period and, if the Company has achieved a threshold level of performance with respect to the fiscal year, 25% of the target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to each PRSU will no longer be at risk of forfeiture based on the achievement of performance criteria. PRSUs generally include dividend participation rights. In October 2013, the Company modified the outstanding PRSUs that may vest above the level of two times target to add incremental performance criteria. Pursuant to the modification, in addition to the previously applicable performance criteria, the Company would also have to achieve a particular level of fiscal year 2014 revenue (adjusted for certain items) in order for the PRSUs to vest between a level of two to three times the target level.
Compensation expense recognized for PRSU awards is determined by multiplying the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying such awards that, based on the Company’s estimate, are considered probable of vesting, by the grant date fair value of $36.11 per share. As of December 31, 2013, the total estimated unrecognized compensation expense for PRSUs granted in 2013 was approximately $19,430, and the Company expects to amortize such expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.4 years.
Lazard Fund Interests and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements
Commencing in February 2011, the Company granted Lazard Fund Interests to eligible employees. In connection with the Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which generally require future service as a condition for vesting, the Company recorded a prepaid compensation asset and a corresponding compensation liability on the grant date based upon the fair value of the award. The prepaid asset is amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods or requisite service periods (which are generally similar to the comparable periods for RSUs), and is charged to “compensation and benefits” expense within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Lazard Fund Interests and similar deferred compensation arrangements that do not require future service are expensed immediately. The related compensation liability is accounted for at fair value as a derivative liability, which contemplates the impact of estimated forfeitures, and is adjusted for changes in fair value primarily related to changes in value of the underlying investments.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following is a summary of activity relating to Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| Prepaid Compensation Asset |
Compensation Liability |
|||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2013 |
$ | 47,445 | $ | 97,593 | ||||
| Granted |
72,217 | 72,217 | ||||||
| Settled |
– | (24,006 | ) | |||||
| Forfeited |
(1,075 | ) | (1,544 | ) | ||||
| Amortization |
(58,023 | ) | – | |||||
| Change in fair value related to: |
||||||||
| Increase in fair value of underlying investments |
– | 14,099 | ||||||
| Adjustment for estimated forfeitures |
– | 4,643 | ||||||
| Other |
(131 | ) | (580 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Balance, December 31, 2013 |
$ | 60,433 | $ | 162,422 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Prepaid Compensation |
Compensation Liability |
|||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2012 |
$ | 17,783 | $ | 29,900 | ||||
| Granted |
64,679 | 64,679 | ||||||
| Settled |
– | (10,646 | ) | |||||
| Forfeited |
(1,603 | ) | (1,711 | ) | ||||
| Amortization |
(33,476 | ) | – | |||||
| Change in fair value related to: |
||||||||
| Increase in fair value of underlying investments |
– | 7,557 | ||||||
| Adjustment for estimated forfeitures |
– | 7,841 | ||||||
| Other |
62 | (27) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Balance, December 31, 2012 |
$ | 47,445 | $ | 97,593 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
The amortization of the prepaid compensation asset will generally be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years subsequent to December 31, 2013.
The following is a summary of the impact of Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements on “compensation and benefits” expense within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Amortization, net of forfeitures (a) |
$ | 62,197 | $ | 41,209 | $ | 14,551 | ||||||
| Change in the fair value of underlying investments |
14,099 | 7,557 | (3,024 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 76,296 | $ | 48,766 | $ | 11,527 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (a) | Includes charges relating to the cost saving initiatives for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, of $2,665 and $3,495, respectively. |
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Incentive Awards Granted In February 2014
In February 2014, the Company granted approximately $275,000 of deferred incentive awards (excluding PRSUs) to eligible employees. These grants included: RSUs or shares of restricted Class A common stock; deferred incentive awards that allow eligible employees the choice of receiving a portion of their award in a combination of (i) Lazard Fund Interests and (ii) additional RSUs or shares of restricted Class A common stock; deferred cash awards; and a portion of fund managers’ year-end incentive compensation that is reinvested in certain asset management funds. In addition, the Company granted approximately $16,000 of PRSUs (valued at the target payout level).
The RSUs, restricted Class A common stock and Lazard Fund Interests granted each provide for one-third vesting on March 1, 2016 and the remaining two-thirds vesting on March 1, 2017. The PRSUs granted provide for cliff vesting in March 2017, provided that the applicable service and performance conditions are satisfied, and will convert into Class A common stock within a range equal to zero to two times the target number of shares of Class A common stock subject to the awards. Compensation expense with respect to such incentive awards will generally be recognized over the vesting period, with such compensation expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years.
| 15. | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS |
The Company provides retirement and other post-retirement benefits to certain of its employees through defined benefit pension plans (the “pension plans”) and, in the U.S., a partially funded contributory post-retirement plan covering qualifying U.S. employees (the “medical plan” and together with the pension plans, the “post-retirement plans”). The Company also offers defined contribution plans. The post-retirement plans generally provide benefits to participants based on average levels of compensation. Expenses related to the Company’s employee benefit plans are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
Employer Contributions to Pension Plans—The Company’s funding policy for its U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans is to fund when required or when applicable upon an agreement with the plans’ Trustees. Management also evaluates from time to time whether to make voluntary contributions to the plans. The Company did not make a contribution to the U.S. pension plans during the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company does not expect to make a contribution to the U.S. pension plans during the year ending December 31, 2014.
On April 30, 2012, the Company and the Trustees of the U.K. pension plans concluded the December 31, 2010 triennial valuations of the plans. In connection with such valuations and a previously negotiated agreement with the Trustees, the Company and the Trustees agreed upon pension funding terms (the “agreement”) (which superseded the terms of an agreement reached in June 2009 with respect to the previous triennial valuation as of December 31, 2007) whereby the Company: (i) made a contribution in December 2011 to the plans of 2.3 million British pounds ($3,687 at December 31, 2011 exchange rates) from a previously established escrow account, (ii) agreed to make contributions of 1 million British pounds during each year from 2012 through 2020 inclusive and (iii) amended the previous escrow arrangement into an account security arrangement covering 10.2 million British pounds, committing to make annual contributions of 1 million British pounds into such account security arrangement during each year from 2014 through 2020 inclusive. It was further agreed that, to the extent that the value of the plans’ assets falls short of the funding target for June 1, 2020 that has been agreed upon with the Trustees, the assets from the account security arrangement would be released into the plans at that date. Additionally, the Company agreed to fund the expenses of administering the plans, including certain regulator levies and the cost of other professional
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
advisors to the plans. The terms of the agreement are subject to adjustment based on the results of subsequent triennial valuations. The aggregate amount in the account security arrangement was approximately $16,900 and $16,500 at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and has been recorded in “cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash” on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition. Income on the account security arrangement accretes to the Company and is recorded in interest income.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company contributed 1.4 million British pounds to these U.K. pension plans and expects to contribute a similar amount during the year ending December 31, 2014. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2013, no contributions were made to other non-U.S. pension plans. The Company expects to contribute approximately $4,800 to these other non-U.S. pension plans during the year ending December 31, 2014.
The following table summarizes the changes in the benefit obligations, the fair value of the assets, the funded status and amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition for the post-retirement plans. The Company uses December 31 as the measurement date for its post-retirement plans.
| Pension Plans |
Medical Plan | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| Change in benefit obligation |
||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year |
$ | 656,025 | $ | 575,031 | $ | 5,668 | $ | 5,362 | ||||||||
| Service cost |
940 | 670 | 53 | 60 | ||||||||||||
| Interest cost |
27,219 | 27,636 | 182 | 211 | ||||||||||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss |
32,329 | 57,057 | (647 | ) | 310 | |||||||||||
| Benefits paid |
(23,258 | ) | (26,420 | ) | (176 | ) | (275 | ) | ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation and other adjustments |
16,595 | 22,051 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Benefit obligation at end of year |
709,850 | 656,025 | 5,080 | 5,668 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Change in plan assets |
||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
607,705 | 568,911 | ||||||||||||||
| Actual return on plan assets |
41,353 | 33,882 | ||||||||||||||
| Employer contributions |
2,274 | 8,221 | 176 | 275 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits paid |
(23,258 | ) | (26,420 | ) | (176 | ) | (275 | ) | ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation and other adjustments |
15,770 | 23,111 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year |
643,844 | 607,705 | – | – | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Funded (deficit) at end of year |
$ | (66,006 | ) | $ | (48,320 | ) | $ | (5,080 | ) | $ | (5,668 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of: |
||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid pension asset (included in “other assets”) |
$ | 148 | $ | 2,659 | ||||||||||||
| Accrued benefit liability (included in “other liabilities”) |
(66,154 | ) | (50,979 | ) | $ | (5,080 | ) | $ | (5,668 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net amount recognized |
$ | (66,006 | ) | $ | (48,320 | ) | $ | (5,080 | ) | $ | (5,668 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Amounts recognized in AOCI (excluding tax benefits of $30,448 and $25,989 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) consist of: |
||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial net loss (gain) |
$ | 159,575 | $ | 143,133 | $ | (597 | ) | $ | 50 | |||||||
| Prior service cost |
8,901 | 11,342 | – | – | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Net amount recognized |
$ | 168,476 | $ | 154,475 | $ | (597 | ) | $ | 50 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following table summarizes the fair value of plan assets, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
| U.S. Pension Plans As Of December 31, |
Non-U.S. Pension Plans As Of December 31, |
Total As Of December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets |
$ | 26,200 | $ | 25,231 | $ | 617,644 | $ | 582,474 | $ | 643,844 | $ | 607,705 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation |
$ | 29,427 | $ | 35,276 | $ | 680,423 | $ | 620,749 | $ | 709,850 | $ | 656,025 | ||||||||||||
| Projected benefit obligation |
$ | 29,427 | $ | 35,276 | $ | 680,423 | $ | 620,749 | $ | 709,850 | $ | 656,025 | ||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit), the return on plan assets, benefits paid, contributions and other amounts recognized in AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
| Pension Plans For The Years Ended December 31, |
Medical Plan For The Years Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost |
$ | 940 | $ | 670 | $ | 651 | $ | 53 | $ | 60 | $ | 69 | ||||||||||||
| Interest cost |
27,219 | 27,636 | 28,266 | 182 | 211 | 278 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets |
(27,078 | ) | (26,657 | ) | (30,490 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior service cost |
2,843 | 2,751 | 2,979 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial loss |
3,691 | 1,658 | 258 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement loss (a) |
– | 1,135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Net periodic benefit cost |
$ | 7,615 | $ | 7,193 | $ | 1,664 | $ | 235 | $ | 271 | $ | 347 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Actual return on plan assets |
$ | 41,353 | $ | 33,882 | $ | 29,870 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employer contributions |
$ | 2,274 | $ | 8,221 | $ | 8,689 | $ | 176 | $ | 275 | $ | 347 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits paid |
$ | 23,258 | $ | 26,420 | $ | 21,718 | $ | 176 | $ | 275 | $ | 347 | ||||||||||||
| Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI (excluding tax benefit of $4,459, $11,805 and $11,495 during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial (gain) loss |
$ | 17,251 | $ | 50,209 | $ | 51,703 | $ | (647 | ) | $ | 310 | $ | (438 | ) | ||||||||||
| Reclassification of prior service (cost) credit to earnings |
(2,843 | ) | (2,751 | ) | (2,979 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of actuarial loss to earnings |
(3,691 | ) | (2,793 | ) | (258 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Currency translation and other adjustments |
3,284 | 2,729 | (491 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Total recognized in AOCI |
$ | 14,001 | $ | 47,394 | $ | 47,975 | $ | (647 | ) | $ | 310 | $ | (438 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Net amount recognized in total periodic benefit cost and AOCI |
$ | 21,616 | $ | 54,587 | $ | 49,639 | $ | (412 | ) | $ | 581 | $ | (91 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
| (a) | During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company’s pension plans in the U.S. made lump sum benefit payments in excess of the plans’ annual service and interest costs, which, under U.S. GAAP, requires that |
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| the plans’ obligations and assets be remeasured. The remeasurement of the plans resulted in the recognition of actuarial losses totaling $2,167 recorded in “other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax” (“OCI”), which, combined with a settlement loss of $1,135 recognized in “compensation and benefits” expense, resulted in a net charge to OCI of $1,032. |
The amounts in AOCI on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2013 that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the year ending December 31, 2014 are as follows:
| Pension Plans |
Medical Plan |
Total | ||||||||||
| Prior service cost |
$ | 2,954 | $ | – | $ | 2,954 | ||||||
| Net actuarial loss (gain) |
$ | 4,451 | $ | (90 | ) | $ | 4,361 | |||||
The assumptions used to develop actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation and net periodic pension cost as of or for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are set forth below:
| Pension Plans December 31, |
Medical Plan December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate |
4.3% | 4.6 | % | 4.8 | % | 4.3% | 3.4% | 4.1% | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate |
3.3% | 3.2 | % | 4.7 | % | 3.4% | 4.1% | 5.0% | ||||||||||||||||
| Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets |
4.7% | 4.7 | % | 5.4 | % | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||||
| Healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initial |
8.0% | 8.0% | 8.0% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ultimate |
5.0% | 6.0% | 6.0% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ultimate trend rate achieved |
2019 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Generally, the Company determined the discount rates for its defined benefit plans by utilizing indices for long-term, high-quality bonds and ensuring that the discount rate does not exceed the yield reported for those indices after adjustment for the duration of the plans’ liabilities.
In selecting the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considered the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits of the plan, giving consideration to expected returns on different asset classes held by the plans in light of prevailing economic conditions as well as historic returns. This basis is consistent for all years presented.
The assumed cost of healthcare has an effect on the amounts reported for the Company’s medical plan. A 1% change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would increase (decrease) our cost and obligation as follows:
| 1% Increase | 1% Decrease | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
| Cost |
$ | 33 | $ | 44 | $ | (24 | ) | $ | (31 | ) | ||||||
| Obligation |
$ | 675 | $ | 880 | $ | (494 | ) | $ | (610 | ) | ||||||
117
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Expected Benefit Payments—The following table summarizes the expected benefit payments for the Company’s post-retirement plans for each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter:
| Pension Plans |
Medical Plan |
|||||||
| 2014 |
$ | 23,736 | $ | 397 | ||||
| 2015 |
25,095 | 398 | ||||||
| 2016 |
26,473 | 395 | ||||||
| 2017 |
26,721 | 392 | ||||||
| 2018 |
28,761 | 391 | ||||||
| 2019-2023 |
163,107 | 1,894 | ||||||
Plan Assets—The following tables present the categorization of our pension plans’ assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, measured at fair value, into a fair value hierarchy in accordance with fair value measurement disclosure requirements:
| As of December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Asset Category |
||||||||||||||||
| Cash |
$ | 5,835 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 5,835 | ||||||||
| Debt |
43,764 | – | – | 43,764 | ||||||||||||
| Equities |
27,762 | – | – | 27,762 | ||||||||||||
| Funds: |
||||||||||||||||
| Alternative investments |
907 | 43,123 | 698 | 44,728 | ||||||||||||
| Debt |
11,942 | 323,812 | 2,222 | 337,976 | ||||||||||||
| Equity |
183,779 | – | – | 183,779 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 273,989 | $ | 366,935 | $ | 2,920 | $ | 643,844 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| As of December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Asset Category |
||||||||||||||||
| Cash |
$ | 10,714 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 10,714 | ||||||||
| Debt |
47,298 | – | – | 47,298 | ||||||||||||
| Equities |
29,337 | – | – | 29,337 | ||||||||||||
| Funds: |
||||||||||||||||
| Alternative investments |
– | 39,930 | 404 | 40,334 | ||||||||||||
| Debt |
12,430 | 307,695 | 2,024 | 322,149 | ||||||||||||
| Equity |
157,873 | – | – | 157,873 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 257,652 | $ | 347,625 | $ | 2,428 | $ | 607,705 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Activity in the fair value of the pension plans’ Level 3 debt and alternative investment funds for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of net unrealized/realized gains of $434 and $443, respectively, and favorable foreign currency translation adjustments of $58 and $77, respectively, and in 2012, purchases of $131.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Included in Level 1 equity funds are $81,633 and $106,873 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that are invested in funds managed by LAM.
Consistent with the plans’ investment strategies, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s U.S. pension plan had 54% and 51%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in Level 1 equity funds and 46% and 49%, respectively, invested in Level 1 debt funds. The Company’s non-U.S. pension plans at December 31, 2013 and 2012 had 32% and 30%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in equities and equity funds that are primarily Level 1 assets; 60% and 61%, respectively of the plans’ assets invested in debt and debt funds that are primarily Level 2 assets, and 8% and 9%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in cash, which is a Level 1 asset, or in alternative investment funds that are primarily Level 2 assets.
Investment Policies and Strategies—The primary investment goal is to ensure that the plans remain well funded, taking account of the likely future risks to investment returns and contributions. As a result, a portfolio of assets is maintained with appropriate liquidity and diversification that can be expected to generate long-term future returns that minimize the long-term costs of the pension plans without exposing the trust to an unacceptable risk of under-funding. The Company’s likely future ability to pay such contributions as are required to maintain the funded status of the plans over a reasonable time period is considered when determining the level of risk that is appropriate. The fair value of plan investments classified as Level 1 assets are based on market quotes. The fair value of plan assets classified as Level 2 assets are primarily valued based on inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or derived principally from, or corroborated by, market data. The fair value of plan investments classified as Level 3 assets are primarily based on NAV determined based on information provided by external fund administrators.
Defined Contribution Plans—Pursuant to certain matching contributions, the Company contributes to employer sponsored defined contribution plans. Such contributions amounted to $11,778, $13,070 and $10,944 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
| 16. | COST SAVING INITIATIVES |
Cost Saving Initiatives—In October 2012, the Company announced cost saving initiatives (the “Cost Saving Initiatives”) relating to the Company’s operations. These initiatives include streamlining our corporate structure and consolidating support functions; realigning our investments into areas with potential for the greatest long-term return; the settlement of certain contractual obligations; reducing occupancy costs; and creating greater flexibility to retain and attract the best people and invest in new growth areas.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Expenses associated with the implementation of the Cost Saving Initiatives were completed during the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company incurred these expenses, by segment, as reflected in the tables below:
| Financial Advisory |
Asset Management |
Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2013: |
||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
$ | 45,746 | $ | 236 | $ | 5,417 | $ | 51,399 | ||||||||
| Other |
2,033 | (1 | ) | 11,272 | 13,304 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 47,779 | $ | 235 | $ | 16,689 | $ | 64,703 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Financial Advisory |
Asset Management |
Corporate | Total | |||||||||||||
| Cumulative October 2012 Through |
||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
$ | 121,879 | $ | 12,292 | $ | 17,215 | $ | 151,386 | ||||||||
| Other |
3,432 | 732 | 11,729 | 15,893 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
$ | 125,311 | $ | 13,024 | $ | 28,944 | $ | 167,279 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Activity related to the obligations pursuant to the Cost Saving Initiatives during 2013 was as follows:
| Accrued Compensation and Benefits |
Other Liabilities |
Total | ||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2013 |
$ | 46,128 | $ | 1,714 | $ | 47,842 | ||||||
| New charges |
51,399 | 13,304 | 64,703 | |||||||||
| Less: |
||||||||||||
| Non-cash charges |
(12,007 | ) | (3,387 | ) | (15,394 | ) | ||||||
| Settlements |
(73,660 | ) | (6,275 | ) | (79,935 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2013 |
$ | 11,860 | $ | 5,356 | $ | 17,216 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| 17. | INCOME TAXES |
Although a portion of Lazard Group’s income is subject to U.S. federal income taxes, Lazard Group primarily operates in the U.S. as a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, Lazard Group’s income from its U.S. operations is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes because such income is attributable to its partners. In addition, Lazard Group is subject to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) which is attributable to Lazard Group’s operations apportioned to New York City. UBT is incremental to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes.
Substantially all of Lazard’s foreign operations are conducted in “pass-through” entities for U.S. income tax purposes and the Company provides for U.S. income taxes on a current basis for substantially all of those earnings. The repatriation of prior earnings attributable to “non-pass-through” entities would not result in the recognition of a material amount of additional U.S. income taxes.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The components of the Company’s provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, and a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rates for such years, are shown below.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Current: |
||||||||||||
| Federal |
$ | (4,681 | ) | $ | 1,947 | $ | (282 | ) | ||||
| Foreign |
34,637 | 26,676 | 35,452 | |||||||||
| State and local (primarily UBT) |
5,561 | 3,126 | 1,669 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total current |
35,517 | 31,749 | 36,839 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Deferred: |
||||||||||||
| Federal |
2,205 | – | (478 | ) | ||||||||
| Foreign |
(4,520 | ) | (1,127 | ) | (2,832 | ) | ||||||
| State and local (primarily UBT) |
(960 | ) | – | (6,121 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total deferred |
(3,275 | ) | (1,127 | ) | (9,431 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 32,242 | $ | 30,622 | $ | 27,408 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| U.S. federal statutory income tax rate |
35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | ||||||
| Rate benefit for U.S. partnership operations |
(35.0 | ) | (35.0 | ) | (35.0 | ) | ||||||
| Foreign taxes |
13.8 | 19.0 | 13.5 | |||||||||
| State and local taxes (primarily UBT) |
2.5 | 2.6 | (1.8 | ) | ||||||||
| Other, net |
(1.6 | ) | 3.6 | (0.4 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Effective income tax rate |
14.7 | % | 25.2 | % | 11.3 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding operating income (loss) by geographic region.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Deferred income taxes are provided for the effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the consolidated statements of financial condition. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. Details of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in “other assets” and “other liabilities”, respectively, on the consolidated statements of financial condition, are as follows:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Deferred Tax Assets: |
||||||||
| Basis adjustments (primarily as a result of the separation and recapitalization transactions that occurred during 2005 and from secondary offerings) |
$ | 31,090 | $ | 40,391 | ||||
| Compensation and benefits |
86,138 | 87,890 | ||||||
| Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards |
103,645 | 68,828 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
4,811 | 2,130 | ||||||
| Other |
16,645 | 9,222 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Gross deferred tax assets |
242,329 | 208,461 | ||||||
| Valuation allowance |
(116,830 | ) | (102,820 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Deferred tax assets (net of valuation allowance) |
$ | 125,499 | $ | 105,641 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Deferred Tax Liabilities: |
||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 2,517 | $ | 14,959 | ||||
| Compensation and benefits |
22,975 | 1,421 | ||||||
| Goodwill |
520 | 669 | ||||||
| Other |
43,656 | 32,043 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Deferred tax liabilities |
$ | 69,668 | $ | 49,092 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Although we have been profitable on a consolidated basis in the last three years, certain of our tax-paying entities have individually experienced losses on a cumulative three-year basis. In addition, one of our tax paying entities has recorded a valuation allowance on all of its deferred tax assets due to the combined effect of operating losses in certain subsidiaries of that entity as well as foreign taxes that together substantially offset any U.S. tax liability. Taking into account all available information, we cannot determine that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized. Considering the recent operating results of such entities, we have recorded valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets of $116,830 and $102,820 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2013 reflects a net increase of $14,010 from the balance of $102,820 at December 31, 2012. This increase consists primarily of charges to income tax expense.
The Company had net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards for which related deferred tax assets were recorded at December 31, 2013 primarily relating to indefinite-lived carryforwards (subject to various limitations) of approximately $74,619, primarily in the U.K., France, Australia, Germany, Singapore and Italy.
As a result of certain realization requirements regarding share-based incentive plan awards, certain deferred tax assets pertaining to tax deductions related to equity compensation in excess of compensation recognized for financial reporting that would otherwise have been recognized at both December 31, 2013 and 2012 of $3,536 and $1,161 are not included in the table above. The impact of such excess tax deductions will be recorded in members’ equity if and when such deferred tax assets are ultimately realized.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by foreign tax authorities and by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities for years prior to 2009. While we are under examination in various tax jurisdictions with respect to certain open years, the Company does not expect that the result of any final determination related to these examinations will have a material impact on its financial statements. Developments with respect to such examinations are monitored on an ongoing basis and adjustments to tax liabilities are made as appropriate.
A reconciliation of the beginning to the ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Balance, January 1 (excluding interest and penalties of $10,745, $6,999 and $5,742, respectively) |
$ | 36,494 | $ | 40,562 | $ | 37,376 | ||||||
| Increases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to tax positions taken during: |
||||||||||||
| Prior years |
417 | 284 | 1,081 | |||||||||
| Current year |
11,134 | 12,484 | 11,327 | |||||||||
| Decreases in gross unrecognized tax benefits relating to: |
||||||||||||
| Tax positions taken during prior years |
(385 | ) | (4,631 | ) | (3,584 | ) | ||||||
| Settlements with tax authorities |
(3,404 | ) | (2,343 | ) | – | |||||||
| Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations |
(5,083 | ) | (9,862 | ) | (5,638 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Balance, December 31 (excluding interest and penalties of $11,814, $10,745 and $6,999, respectively) |
$ | 39,173 | $ | 36,494 | $ | 40,562 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Additional information with respect to unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate (includes interest and penalties of $11,814, $10,745 and $6,999 respectively) |
$ | 36,272 | $ | 38,602 | $ | 41,355 | ||||||
| Offset to deferred tax assets for unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate |
$ | 14,715 | $ | 8,637 | $ | 6,206 | ||||||
| Interest and penalties recognized in current income tax expense (after giving effect to the reversal of interest and penalties of $3,390, $3,169 and $1,583, respectively) |
$ | 1,069 | $ | 3,746 | $ | 1,257 | ||||||
The Company anticipates that it is reasonably possible that approximately $8,600 of unrecognized tax benefits recorded at December 31, 2013 may be recognized within 12 months as a result of the lapse of the statute of limitations in various tax jurisdictions.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
| 18. | RELATED PARTIES |
Amounts receivable from, and payable to, related parties are set forth below:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| Receivables |
||||||||
| LFCM Holdings |
$ | 7,794 | $ | 20,529 | ||||
| Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries |
109,942 | 104,587 | ||||||
| Other |
126 | 3,272 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 117,862 | $ | 128,388 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Payables |
||||||||
| LFCM Holdings |
$ | 3,051 | $ | 2,943 | ||||
| Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries |
199,137 | 205,424 | ||||||
| Other |
731 | 705 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total |
$ | 202,919 | $ | 209,072 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
LFCM Holdings
LFCM Holdings owns and operates the capital markets business and fund management activities, as well as other specified non-operating assets and liabilities, that were transferred to it by Lazard Group (referred to as the “separated businesses”) in May 2005 and is owned by former and current managing directors (which also include the Company’s executive officers) who were or are also members of LAZ-MD Holdings. In addition to the master separation agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings (the “master separation agreement”), which effected the separation and recapitalization that occurred in May 2005, LFCM Holdings entered into certain agreements that addressed various business matters associated with the separation, including agreements related to administrative and support services (the “administrative services agreement”), employee benefits, insurance matters and licensing. In addition, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group entered into a business alliance agreement (the “business alliance agreement”). Certain of these agreements are discussed below.
Under the employee benefits agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings, LFCM Holdings generally assumed, as of the completion of the separation and recapitalization transactions, all outstanding and future liabilities in respect of the former and current employees of the separated businesses. The Company retained all accrued liabilities under, and assets of, the pension plans in the U.S. and the U.K. as well as the 401(k) plan accounts of the inactive employees of LFCM Holdings and its subsidiaries.
Pursuant to the administrative services agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among LAZ-MD Holdings, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group, Lazard Group provides selected administrative and support services to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings, such as cash management and debt service administration, accounting and financing activities, tax, payroll, human resources administration, financial transaction support, information technology, public communications, data processing, procurement, real estate management and other general administrative functions. Lazard Group charges for these services based on Lazard Group’s cost allocation methodology.
The services provided pursuant to the administrative services agreement by Lazard Group to LFCM Holdings, and by LFCM Holdings to Lazard Group, are subject to automatic annual renewal, unless either party gives 180 days’ notice of termination. LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group have a right to terminate the services
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
earlier if there is a change of control of either party or the business alliance provided in the business alliance agreement entered into on May 10, 2005, by and among LAZ-MD Holdings, LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group (described below) expires or is terminated. The party receiving a service may also terminate a service earlier upon 180 days’ notice as long as the receiving party pays the service provider an additional three months of service fee for the terminated service.
The business alliance agreement provides, among other matters, that Lazard Group will refer to LFCM Holdings selected opportunities for underwriting and distribution of securities. In addition, Lazard Group will provide assistance in the execution of any such referred business. In exchange for the referral obligation and assistance, Lazard Group will receive a referral fee from LFCM Holdings equal to approximately one-half of the revenue obtained by LFCM Holdings in respect of any underwriting or distribution opportunity. In addition, LFCM Holdings will refer opportunities in the Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses to Lazard Group. In exchange for this referral, LFCM Holdings will be entitled to a customary finders’ fee from Lazard Group. The business alliance agreement further provides that, during the term of the business alliance, LFNY and Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of LFNY, will introduce execution and settlement transactions to broker-dealer entities affiliated with LFCM Holdings. The business alliance agreement is subject to periodic automatic renewal, unless Lazard Group or LFCM Holdings elects to terminate the agreement in connection with any such renewal or elects to terminate on account of a change of control of the other party. As of December 31, 2013, the date by which either party was required to provide notice of non-renewal had been tolled, and neither party had given notice of non-renewal or termination.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, amounts recorded by Lazard Group relating to the administrative services agreement amounted to $1,456, $7,637 and $10,277, respectively, and net referral fees for underwriting, private placement, M&A and restructuring transactions under the business alliance agreement amounted to $(1,646), $5,947 and $18,862, respectively. Amounts relating to the administrative services agreement are reported as reductions to operating expenses. Net referral fees for underwriting transactions under the business alliance agreement are reported in “revenue-other”. Net referral fees for private placement, M&A and restructuring transactions under the business alliance agreement are reported in advisory fee revenue.
Receivables from LFCM Holdings and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 include $3,112 and $14,299, respectively, related to administrative and support services and other receivables which include sublease income and reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of LFCM Holdings, and $4,682 and $6,230, respectively, related to referral fees for underwriting and private placement transactions. Payables to LFCM Holdings and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2013 and 2012 include $3,051 and $2,943, respectively, primarily relating to referral fees for Financial Advisory transactions.
Lazard Ltd Subsidiaries
Lazard Group’s receivables from subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 included interest-bearing loans of $108,204 and $101,833, respectively, including accrued interest thereon. Interest income relating to interest-bearing loans with subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd amounted to $6,371, $11,382 and $7,680 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Lazard Group’s payables to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd included $3,125 and $3,410, respectively, in connection with Lazard Group’s prior year business acquisitions. In addition, as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Lazard Group’s payables to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd included interest-bearing loans, plus accrued interest thereon, of approximately $194,000 and $202,000, respectively. Such amounts at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 included approximately $75,000 and
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
$86,000, respectively, resulting from the sale in the first quarter of 2012 of an interest-bearing intercompany receivable due from a Lazard Group subsidiary to a Lazard Ltd subsidiary, which was sold at a discount to reflect arm’s-length terms, resulting in a loss to Lazard Group of $5,638. Interest expense relating to interest-bearing loans with subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd amounted to $7,718, $9,843 and $4,086 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Other
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, amounts recorded by Lazard Group relating to referral fees for restructuring and M&A transactions and fee sharing with MBA Lazard Holdings S.A. and its affiliates (“MBA”), an Argentina-based group in which the Company has a 50% ownership interest, amounted to $(2,221), $1,506 and $1,866 respectively, and are reported in advisory fee revenue.
Other receivables and payables at December 31, 2013 and 2012 primarily relate to referral fees for M&A and restructuring transactions with MBA and at December 31, 2012 a related party loan.
LAZ-MD Holdings
Lazard Group provides certain administrative and support services to LAZ-MD Holdings through the administrative services agreement as discussed above, with such services generally to be provided until December 31, 2014 unless terminated earlier because of a change in control of either party. Lazard Group charges LAZ-MD Holdings for these services based on Lazard Group’s cost allocation methodology and, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, such charges amounted to $1,000, $1,000 and $750, respectively.
Lazard Alternative Investments
The business alliance agreement, among other things, granted Lazard Group the option to acquire the North American and European fund management activities of Lazard Alternative Investments Holdings LLC (“LAI”), the subsidiary of LFCM Holdings that owns and operates LFCM Holdings’ alternative investment (including private equity) activities, for an aggregate purchase price of $8,000 and $2,000, respectively. On December 15, 2009, Lazard Group exercised its option to acquire the European fund management activities of LAI for a purchase price of $2,000. Through February 2009, the Company had prepaid $5,500 of the option exercise price related to the North American business of LAI. The remaining option to purchase the North American fund management activities is currently exercisable at any time prior to May 10, 2014, for a purchase price of $2,500.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that it was unlikely to exercise the North American option. Accordingly, during such period the Company wrote-off the $5,500 previously capitalized cost associated with the prepayment of the option which is included within “other” operating expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
| 19. | REGULATORY AUTHORITIES |
LFNY is a U.S. registered broker-dealer and is subject to the net capital requirements of Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act. Under the basic method permitted by this rule, the minimum required net capital, as defined, is a specified fixed percentage (6 2/3%) of total aggregate indebtedness recorded in LFNY’s Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single (“FOCUS”) report filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), or $100, whichever is greater. At December 31, 2013, LFNY’s regulatory net capital was $110,317, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $106,944.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Certain U.K. subsidiaries of the Company, including LCL, Lazard Fund Managers Limited and Lazard Asset Management Limited (the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. At December 31, 2013, the aggregate regulatory net capital of the U.K. Subsidiaries was $77,786, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $63,349.
CFLF, under which asset management and commercial banking activities are carried out in France, is subject to regulation by the ACPR for its banking activities conducted through its subsidiary, LFB. The investment services activities of the Paris group, exercised through LFB and other subsidiaries of CFLF, primarily LFG (asset management), also are subject to regulation and supervision by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. At December 31, 2013, the consolidated regulatory net capital of CFLF was $196,109, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $162,915. In addition, pursuant to the consolidated supervision rules in the European Union, LFB, in particular, as a French credit institution, is required to be supervised by a regulatory body, either in the U.S. or in the European Union. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company and the ACPR agreed on terms for the consolidated supervision of LFB and certain other non-financial advisory European subsidiaries of the Company (referred to herein, on a combined basis, as the “combined European regulated group”) under such rules. Under this new supervision, the combined European regulated group is required to comply with periodic financial, regulatory net capital and other reporting obligations. Additionally, the combined European regulated group, together with our European financial advisory entities, is required to perform an annual risk assessment and provide certain other information on a periodic basis, including financial reports and information relating to financial performance, balance sheet data and capital structure (which is similar to the information that the Company had already been providing informally). This new supervision under, and provision of information to, the ACPR became effective December 31, 2013.
Certain other U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries are subject to various capital adequacy requirements promulgated by various regulatory and exchange authorities in the countries in which they operate. At December 31, 2013, for those subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements, their aggregate net capital was $113,118, which exceeded the minimum required capital by $78,848.
At December 31, 2013, each of these subsidiaries individually was in compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.
Any new or expanded rules and regulations that may be adopted in countries in which we operate (including regulations that have not yet been proposed) could affect us in other ways.
| 20. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Company’s reportable segments offer different products and services and are managed separately as different levels and types of expertise are required to effectively manage the segments’ transactions. Each segment is reviewed to determine the allocation of resources and to assess its performance. The Company’s principal operating activities are included in two business segments as described in Note 1 above - Financial Advisory and Asset Management. In addition, as described in Note 1 above, the Company records selected other activities in its Corporate segment.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The Company’s segment information for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is prepared using the following methodology:
| • | Revenue and expenses directly associated with each segment are included in determining operating income. |
| • | Expenses not directly associated with specific segments are allocated based on the most relevant measures applicable, including headcount, square footage and other factors. |
| • | Segment assets are based on those directly associated with each segment, and include an allocation of certain assets relating to various segments, based on the most relevant measures applicable, including headcount, square footage and other factors. |
The Company allocates investment gains and losses, interest income and interest expense among the various segments based on the segment in which the underlying asset or liability is reported.
Each segment’s operating expenses include (i) compensation and benefits expenses incurred directly in support of the businesses and (ii) other operating expenses, which include directly incurred expenses for occupancy and equipment, marketing and business development, technology and information services, professional services, fund administration and outsourced services and indirect support costs (including compensation and other operating expenses related thereto) for administrative services. Such administrative services include, but are not limited to, accounting, tax, legal, facilities management and senior management activities.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, no individual client constituted more than 10% of the net revenue of any of the Company’s business segments.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
Management evaluates segment results based on net revenue and operating income (loss) and believes that the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution with respect to net revenue, operating income (loss) and total assets:
| As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2013(b) | 2012(b) | 2011 | ||||||||||||
| Financial Advisory |
Net Revenue | $ | 980,577 | $ | 1,049,090 | $ | 992,107 | |||||||
| Operating Expenses (a) | 959,668 | 1,057,620 | 929,688 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating Income (Loss) | $ | 20,909 | $ | (8,530 | ) | $ | 62,419 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 714,708 | $ | 793,007 | $ | 767,699 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Asset Management |
Net Revenue | $ | 1,039,130 | $ | 896,260 | $ | 897,401 | |||||||
| Operating Expenses (a) | 704,045 | 659,502 | 628,945 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 335,085 | $ | 236,758 | $ | 268,456 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 612,018 | $ | 566,677 | $ | 583,524 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Corporate |
Net Revenue | $ | (35,633 | ) | $ | (37,220 | ) | $ | (55,947 | ) | ||||
| Operating Expenses (a) | 101,352 | 69,415 | 33,137 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating Loss | $ | (136,985 | ) | $ | (106,635 | ) | $ | (89,084 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,767,262 | $ | 1,688,696 | $ | 1,686,230 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
Net Revenue | $ | 1,984,074 | $ | 1,908,130 | $ | 1,833,561 | |||||||
| Operating Expenses (a) | 1,765,065 | 1,786,537 | 1,591,770 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 219,009 | $ | 121,593 | $ | 241,791 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 3,093,988 | $ | 3,048,380 | $ | 3,037,453 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| (a) | Operating expenses include depreciation and amortization of property as set forth in table below. |
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Financial Advisory |
$ | 5,256 | $ | 5,710 | $ | 6,739 | ||||||
| Asset Management |
2,556 | 3,250 | 3,502 | |||||||||
| Corporate |
26,938 | 21,895 | 14,339 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 34,750 | $ | 30,855 | $ | 24,580 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| (b) | See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Cost Saving Initiatives announced by the Company in 2013 and 2012, and the impact on each of the Company’s business segments. |
Geographic Information
Due to the highly integrated nature of international financial markets, the Company manages its business based on the profitability of the enterprise as a whole. Accordingly, management believes that profitability by geographic region is not necessarily meaningful. The Company’s revenue and identifiable assets are generally allocated based on the country or domicile of the legal entity providing the service.
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LAZARD GROUP LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
The following table sets forth the net revenue from, and identifiable assets for, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries by geographic region allocated on the basis described above.
| As Of Or For The Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| Net Revenue: |
||||||||||||
| United States |
$ | 1,215,736 | $ | 1,168,199 | $ | 1,087,507 | ||||||
| United Kingdom |
205,695 | 180,784 | 190,307 | |||||||||
| France |
281,740 | 265,523 | 234,441 | |||||||||
| Other Western Europe |
123,975 | 132,754 | 174,284 | |||||||||
| Rest of World |
156,928 | 160,870 | 147,022 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 1,984,074 | $ | 1,908,130 | $ | 1,833,561 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Operating Income (Loss): |
||||||||||||
| United States |
$ | 236,449 | $ | 166,819 | $ | 215,528 | ||||||
| United Kingdom |
(6,474 | ) | (37,329 | ) | (18,074 | ) | ||||||
| France |
14,845 | 8,332 | 8,262 | |||||||||
| Other Western Europe |
(8,260 | ) | (20,812 | ) | 27,276 | |||||||
| Rest of World |
(17,551 | ) | 4,583 | 8,799 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 219,009 | $ | 121,593 | $ | 241,791 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Identifiable Assets: |
||||||||||||
| United States |
$ | 1,612,546 | $ | 1,568,818 | $ | 1,586,064 | ||||||
| United Kingdom |
239,606 | 226,578 | 253,365 | |||||||||
| France |
824,712 | 808,655 | 773,196 | |||||||||
| Other Western Europe |
118,939 | 114,763 | 116,682 | |||||||||
| Rest of World |
298,185 | 329,566 | 308,146 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total |
$ | 3,093,988 | $ | 3,048,380 | $ | 3,037,453 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
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SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. These quarterly results were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
| 2013 Fiscal Quarter | ||||||||||||||||||||
| First(a) | Second(a) | Third | Fourth(b) | Year | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue |
$ | 401,184 | $ | 490,327 | $ | 479,969 | $ | 612,594 | $ | 1,984,074 | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses |
379,960 | 448,391 | 398,899 | 537,815 | 1,765,065 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Operating income |
$ | 21,224 | $ | 41,936 | $ | 81,070 | $ | 74,779 | $ | 219,009 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 18,202 | $ | 35,157 | $ | 68,818 | $ | 64,590 | $ | 186,767 | ||||||||||
| Less - net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
2,097 | 264 | 2,100 | (757 | ) | 3,704 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Lazard Group |
$ | 16,105 | $ | 34,893 | $ | 66,718 | $ | 65,347 | $ | 183,063 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (a) | See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Cost Saving Initiatives. |
| (b) | See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the debt refinancing. |
| 2012 Fiscal Quarter | ||||||||||||||||||||
| First | Second | Third | Fourth(a) | Year | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue |
$ | 480,528 | $ | 436,937 | $ | 429,311 | $ | 561,354 | $ | 1,908,130 | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses |
447,950 | 391,483 | 381,811 | 565,293 | 1,786,537 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) |
$ | 32,578 | $ | 45,454 | $ | 47,500 | $ | (3,939 | ) | $ | 121,593 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
$ | 27,744 | $ | 34,919 | $ | 36,731 | $ | (8,423 | ) | $ | 90,971 | |||||||||
| Less - net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
2,179 | 1,647 | (1,565 | ) | 1,101 | 3,362 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Lazard Group |
$ | 25,565 | $ | 33,272 | $ | 38,296 | $ | (9,524 | ) | $ | 87,609 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| (a) | See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Cost Saving Initiatives announced in the fourth quarter of 2012. |
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| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures |
There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure during the last two fiscal years.
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures |
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2013 (the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act), and the related report of our independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9B. | Other Information |
None.
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| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
Directors with Terms Expiring in 2014
Kenneth M. Jacobs, age 55, has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since November 2009. Mr. Jacobs has served as a Managing Director of Lazard since 1991 and had been a Deputy Chairman of Lazard from January 2002 until November 2009. Mr. Jacobs also served as Chief Executive Officer of Lazard North America from January 2002 until November 2009. Mr. Jacobs initially joined Lazard in 1988. Mr. Jacobs is a member of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago and the Brookings Institution. Mr. Jacobs was selected to be the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company because of his vision, intellect and dynamism, his proven track record of creativity in building new businesses, and his skills as a trusted advisor, collaborator and team leader.
Philip A. Laskawy, age 72, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since July 2008. Mr. Laskawy served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young from 1994 until his retirement in 2001, after 40 years of service with the professional services firm. Mr. Laskawy served as Chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board from 2006 to 2007, and as a member of the 1999 Blue Ribbon Committee on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees. Mr. Laskawy has served as Chairman of Fannie Mae since September 2008 and is also a member of the board of directors of Loews Corp. and Henry Schein, Inc. Mr. Laskawy had previously served on the board of directors of General Motors Corp. until June 2013. Mr. Laskawy is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Mr. Laskawy was selected to be a director of the Company because of his expertise in the areas of auditing and accounting, his qualifications as an “audit committee financial expert” and the unique perspective he brings as a former chief executive of a major professional services firm.
Michael J. Turner, CBE, age 65, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since March 2006. In November 2008, Mr. Turner was appointed the non-executive Chairman of Babcock International Group PLC. Mr. Turner was the Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems plc from March 2002 until August 2008. Mr. Turner joined BAE Systems in 1966 and held a number of commercial, marketing and general management positions, including Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to March 2002. Mr. Turner was appointed a non-executive member of the board of directors of GKN PLC in September 2009 and then Chairman in May 2012. Mr. Turner is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Mr. Turner was selected to be a director of the Company because of his extensive background, experience and leadership as a former chief executive in the aerospace and defense industry and the Board of Directors’ desire to add geographical diversity to its membership that reflects the Company’s client base in Europe.
Directors with Terms Expiring in 2015
Andrew M. Alper, age 56, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since October 2012. Mr. Alper serves as Chairman of Alper Investments, Inc. From October 2006 to January 2013, Mr. Alper served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EQA Partners, LP, a limited partnership engaged in a global macro strategy. From February 2002 to June 2006, Mr. Alper served as President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Chairman of the New York City Industrial Development Agency, appointed to both positions by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Prior to that, Mr. Alper spent 21 years in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he was Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Banking Division from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Alper was co-head of the Financial Institutions Group of the Investment Banking Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Alper previously served on the board of directors of FBR Capital Markets Corporation from January 2007 until June 2009. Mr. Alper is Chairman of the University of Chicago board of trustees and also serves as a trustee of The University of
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Chicago Medical Center and the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Mr. Alper is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Mr. Alper was selected to be a director of the Company because of his extensive experience with the financial and operational aspects of businesses that are comparable to the Company, as well as his background and experience in government service.
Ashish Bhutani, age 53, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since March 2010. Mr. Bhutani is a Managing Director of Lazard and has been the Chief Executive Officer of LAM since March 2004. Mr. Bhutani previously served as Head of New Products and Strategic Planning for LAM from June 2003 to March 2004. Prior to joining Lazard, he was Co-Chief Executive Officer, North America, of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein from 2001 to the end of 2002, and was a member of its Global Corporate and Markets Board, and a member of its Global Executive Committee. Mr. Bhutani worked at Wasserstein Perella Group (the predecessor to Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein) from 1989 to 2001, serving as Deputy Chairman of Wasserstein Perella Group and Chief Executive Officer of Wasserstein Perella Securities from 1994 to 2001. Mr. Bhutani began his career at Salomon Brothers in 1985, where he was a Vice President in Fixed Income. Mr. Bhutani is a member of the board of directors of four registered investment companies, which are part of the Lazard fund complex. Mr. Bhutani was selected to be a director of the Company because of his extensive background, experience and knowledge of the asset management industry, his role within the firm as Chief Executive Officer of LAM and Mr. Jacobs’ and the Board’s desire that Mr. Bhutani become a regular contributor to the Board’s deliberations.
Steven J. Heyer, age 61, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since June 2005 and was appointed Lead Director in November 2009. Mr. Heyer is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lela.com, an ecommerce company. Mr. Heyer is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Pod Hotel Group. Mr. Heyer is a member of the board of directors of Omnicare, Inc. From February 2010 until March 2011, Mr. Heyer served as Chairman and CEO of Harry & David Holdings, Inc., a company that was in financial distress at the time of his appointment and that filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2011. Mr. Heyer resigned as CEO prior to the company’s bankruptcy filing but remained as Chairman to provide guidance and leadership through the bankruptcy proceedings. The company emerged from bankruptcy in September 2011, and Mr. Heyer resigned as Chairman at that time. Mr. Heyer was the Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide from October 2004 until April 2007. Prior to joining Starwood, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company from 2002 to September 2004. From 1994 to 2001 he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., and a member of AOL Time Warner’s Operating Committee. Previously, Mr. Heyer was President and Chief Operating Officer of Young & Rubicam Advertising Worldwide, and before that spent 15 years at Booz Allen & Hamilton, ultimately becoming Senior Vice President and Managing Partner. Mr. Heyer has ownership positions in a portfolio of private companies and is a member of many of their boards of directors. Mr. Heyer is a member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Mr. Heyer was selected to be a director of the Company because of the depth of his analytical skills, which he has applied in a variety of leadership positions across diverse industry groups, including broadcast media, consumer products, and hotel and leisure companies.
Sylvia Jay, CBE, age 67, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since March 2006. From June 2011 until July 2013, Lady Jay was Chairman of L’Oreal UK. From September 2005 until June 2011, she was Vice Chairman of L’Oreal UK. From January 2001 to August 2005, she was the Director General of the Food & Drink Federation, a UK trade body. Lady Jay joined the United Kingdom Civil Service in 1971. Her civil service career, until she resigned in 1995, mainly concerned government financial aid to developing countries, including being a non-executive director of the Gibraltar Ship Repair Company. She also worked in the Civil Service Selection Board to recruit fast stream administrators and diplomats; the French Ministere de la Cooperation; and the French Trésor. Lady Jay also was a member of a small international team that set up the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Lady Jay is a member of the board of directors of Saint-Gobain, Alcatel-Lucent and Groupe Casino, and was Chairman of Food from Britain from 2005 until 2009. Lady
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Jay is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Lady Jay was selected to be a director of the Company because of her extensive background and experience in government service and the Board’s desire to add geographical diversity that reflects the Company’s client base in Europe.
Directors with Terms Expiring in 2016
Laurent Mignon, age 50, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since July 2009. Mr. Mignon has served as Chief Executive Officer of Natixis (the successor to IXIS Corporate & Investment Bank) since May 2009. From September 2007 to May 2009, he was General Partner of Oddo & Cie, a private French investment bank. Prior to joining Oddo & Cie, Mr. Mignon was the Chief Executive Officer of AGF France. He joined AGF France in 1997 as Chief Financial Officer and was nominated to be a member of the Executive Committee in 1998. Prior to joining the AGF Group, Mr. Mignon held a variety of positions in banking over a ten-year period, ranging from trading to investment banking. Mr. Mignon is a member of the board of directors of Arkema. Mr. Mignon was selected to be a director of the Company pursuant to an agreement that Lazard entered into with Natixis at the time of Lazard Ltd’s equity public offering in 2005. See “Agreements with Natixis” below.
Richard D. Parsons, age 65, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since June 2012. Mr. Parsons has been a senior advisor to Providence Equity Partners LLC since September 2009. Mr. Parsons also serves as a member of the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness for the U.S. Office of the President. Mr. Parsons is a member of the board of directors of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and The Madison Square Garden Company. Mr. Parsons previously served as Chairman of the board of directors of Citigroup Inc. from February 2009 through April 2012, and had served as a director of Citigroup Inc. since 1996. From May 2003 until his retirement in December 2008, Mr. Parsons served as Chairman of the board of directors of Time Warner Inc., and from May 2002 until December 2007, Mr. Parsons served as Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Inc. Mr. Parsons was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dime Bancorp, Inc. Among his numerous community activities, Mr. Parsons is Chairman of the Apollo Theatre Foundation, Chairman of the Jazz Foundation of America, and a member of the board of directors of the New York City Partnership and Teach for America. Mr. Parsons also is a trustee of the Museum of Modern Art. Mr. Parsons is a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Mr. Parsons was selected to be a director of the Company because of his extensive and diverse leadership experience with both financial services and non-financial services businesses.
Hal S. Scott, age 70, has served as a director of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since March 2006. Professor Scott is the Nomura Professor and Director of the Program on International Financial Systems at Harvard Law School, where he has taught since 1975. Before joining Harvard, he served as a Law Clerk for the Hon. Justice Byron R. White, U.S. Supreme Court, from 1973 to 1974, and as an Assistant Professor of Law, University of California at Berkeley from 1974 to 1975. Professor Scott has published numerous books and articles on finance, international trade and securities laws. He is the President of the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, Inc. Professor Scott is a past President of the International Academy of Consumer and Commercial Law and was a Governor of the American Stock Exchange from 2002 to 2005. Professor Scott is the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of Lazard Ltd’s Board of Directors. Professor Scott was selected to be a director of the Company because of his impressive academic background and expertise in public policy and global financial market regulation as it affects the financial services industry.
Agreements with Natixis
As of December 31, 2013, Natixis (the successor to IXIS Corporate & Investment Bank) held 6,999,800 shares of Class A common stock of Lazard Ltd, of which 2,000,000 shares of Class A common stock were acquired in recapitalization transactions in May 2005 and 4,999,800 shares were acquired in May 2008 upon the
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settlement of the purchase contracts related to $150 million of Lazard Ltd’s equity security units (which equity security units were also acquired in the recapitalization transactions in May 2005). In connection with this investment by Natixis in May 2005, we agreed to nominate one person designated by Natixis to our Board of Directors until such time as (1) the shares of common stock of Lazard Ltd then owned by Natixis, plus (2) the shares of common stock of Lazard Ltd issuable under the terms of any exchangeable securities issued by Lazard Ltd then owned by Natixis, constitute less than 50% of the sum of (a) the shares of common stock of Lazard Ltd initially purchased by Natixis, plus (b) the shares of common stock of Lazard Ltd issuable under the terms of any exchangeable securities issued by Lazard Ltd initially purchased by Natixis. Laurent Mignon is currently the Natixis nominee to our Board of Directors.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Since Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Lazard Group is part of Lazard Ltd’s consolidated reporting group, Lazard Group is not required to have a separate audit committee. Lazard Ltd maintains an independent audit committee and the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd has determined that Mr. Laskawy has the requisite qualifications to satisfy the SEC’s definition of “audit committee financial expert”.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Lazard Ltd has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to all directors, managing directors, officers and employees of Lazard Ltd and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Lazard Ltd also has adopted a Supplement to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for certain other senior officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and principal accounting officer. Each of these codes is available on our website at http://www.lazard.com/Investorrelations/CodeandEthics.aspx. A print copy of each of these documents is available to any shareholder upon request. We intend to disclose amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, if any, on our website.
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation |
Information relating to the compensation of our directors and executive officers, including a Compensation Discussion and Analysis, will be included in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2014 annual general meeting of shareholders. We expect that Lazard Ltd will file its definitive proxy statement in March 2014. An amendment to this 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be made at that time to reflect this additional compensation information.
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
As of December 31, 2013, approximately 99.5% and 0.5% of our common membership interests were held by indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and by LAZ-MD Holdings, respectively. Our managing member interests are held by two indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd and our profit participation interests are held by various managing directors.
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
Director Independence
Pursuant to the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE, the Board of Directors has adopted standards for determining whether directors have material relationships with Lazard. Under these standards, a director employed by Lazard cannot be deemed to be an “independent director,” and consequently Messrs. Jacobs and Bhutani are not independent directors of Lazard.
The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Alper, Heyer, Laskawy, Parsons, Scott and Turner and Lady Jay do not have a material relationship with Lazard under the Board of Directors’ standards for
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independence and, accordingly, each is independent under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. In making its independence determinations, the Board of Directors considered financial advisory services provided by Lazard in 2013, 2012 and 2011 to L’Oreal USA, Inc., a sister company of L’Oreal UK, as well as financial advisory services provided by Lazard to L’Oreal SA, the ultimate parent company of L’Oreal UK. Until her retirement in July 2013, Lady Jay was Chairman of L’Oreal UK. Lady Jay was not an executive officer of L’Oreal USA or L’Oreal SA. Lazard provided financial advisory services in the ordinary course of business to L’Oreal USA and L’Oreal SA pursuant to these engagements, and the engagements were deemed immaterial pursuant to Lazard’s Standards of Director Independence.
The Board of Directors also determined that Mr. Mignon was independent, after giving careful consideration to the relationship between Lazard and Natixis, of which Mr. Mignon is the Chief Executive Officer. Natixis is the successor entity in a merger with IXIS Corporate & Investment Bank, which participated as an investor in the recapitalization transactions in May 2005. See “Agreements with Natixis” above. In connection with Natixis’s original investment in 2005, Lazard agreed to nominate one person designated by Natixis to our Board of Directors, currently Mr. Mignon. Lazard had a cooperation arrangement with Natixis in France during 2012. The cooperation arrangement provided that Lazard Group and Natixis would place and underwrite securities on the French equity primary capital markets under a common brand, “Lazard-Natixis,” and cooperate in their respective origination, syndication and placement activities. The cooperation arrangement expired on December 31, 2012, and did not generate revenue for Natixis or Lazard during 2013. The Board of Directors determined, in its business judgment, that these relationships were not material, noting that the cooperation arrangement did not generate revenue for Natixis or Lazard during 2013 and, during 2012, the cooperation arrangement generated only $800,000 and $500,000 of revenue for Natixis and Lazard, respectively. See “Agreements with Natixis” and “Certain Relationships with Our Directors, Executive Officers and Employees.”
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Policy on Related Party Transactions
Our Board of Directors has adopted a written policy requiring that all “Interested Transactions” (as defined below) be approved or ratified by either the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd or, under certain circumstances, the Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd. The Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd is required to review the material facts of all Interested Transactions that require the Committee’s approval or ratification and either approve or disapprove of the entry into the Interested Transaction. In determining whether to approve or ratify an Interested Transaction, the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the Interested Transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the interest of the “Related Party” (as defined below) in the transaction. In addition, the Board of Directors of Lazard Ltd has delegated to the Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd the authority to pre-approve or ratify (as applicable) any Interested Transaction with a Related Party in which the aggregate amount involved is expected to be less than $1 million. A report is then made to the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd at its next regularly scheduled meeting of each new Interested Transaction pre-approved by the Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee of Lazard Ltd. Any director who is a Related Party with respect to an Interested Transaction may not participate in any discussion or approval of such Interested Transaction. An “Interested Transaction” is one in which (i) we are a participant, (ii) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000, (iii) one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees, 5% shareholders, or their family members (each a “Related Party”) has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction and (iv) the transaction is required to be disclosed in our Proxy Statement or Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC.
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Related Party Transactions
On May 10, 2005, as part of Lazard Ltd’s equity public offering, we completed a series of financing transactions, the net proceeds of which were primarily used to redeem the outstanding Lazard Group membership interests of Lazard Group’s historical partners. In the discussions below, we refer to these financing transactions and the equity public offering, collectively, as the “recapitalization.” Concurrently, on May 10, 2005, Lazard Group transferred its capital markets business, which consisted of equity, fixed income and convertibles sales and trading, broking, research and underwriting services, its fund management activities outside of France and specified non-operating assets and liabilities, to LFCM Holdings. In the discussions below, we refer to these businesses, assets and liabilities as the “separated businesses” and these transfers collectively as the “separation.”
Relationship with LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings
As of December 31, 2013, LAZ-MD Holdings owned approximately 0.50% of the voting power of all shares of Lazard Ltd’s voting stock through its ownership of the Class B common stock of Lazard Ltd. LAZ-MD Holdings’ voting power in Lazard Ltd is intended to mirror its economic interest in Lazard Group, and its voting power will continue to decrease over time in connection with the exchange of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests by current and former members of Lazard Group for shares of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock. The current and former members of Lazard Group, including our managing directors who held member interests at the time of the recapitalization, own LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests and, through the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement, have the right to cause LAZ-MD Holdings to vote its Class B common stock on an as-if-exchanged basis.
In addition, LFCM Holdings, which is the entity that owns and operates the separated businesses, ceased to be a subsidiary of Lazard Group and LAZ-MD Holdings at the time of the separation. It is owned by current and former managing directors (including our executive officers). The chairman of LFCM Holdings provides services to, and is compensated by, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lazard Group. LFCM Holdings reimbursed us for a portion of our compensation expenses relating to such person for services that he rendered to LFCM Holdings in 2013. The aggregate amount of such reimbursement was approximately $500,000 as of December 31, 2013. LFCM Holdings or its affiliates also reimbursed us for services of certain other employees of our business that were rendered to LFCM Holdings during 2013 and made payments to us under sublease arrangements during 2013.
We entered into several agreements with Lazard Ltd, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings to effect the separation and recapitalization transactions and to define and regulate the relationships of the parties.
Agreements with LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings
We have provided below summary descriptions of the master separation agreement and the other key related agreements we entered into with Lazard Ltd, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings in connection with the separation and recapitalization transactions, as well as any material amendments thereto. These agreements effected the separation and recapitalization transactions and also provide a framework for our ongoing relationship with LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings. These agreements include:
| • | the master separation agreement; |
| • | the license agreement; |
| • | the administrative services agreement; and |
| • | the business alliance agreement. |
The descriptions set forth below, which summarize selected terms of these agreements, are not complete. Copies of these agreements have been filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K and are available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov.
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Master Separation Agreement
On May 10, 2005, Lazard Ltd entered into the master separation agreement with Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings. The master separation agreement contains key provisions relating to the separation and recapitalization transactions and the relationship among the parties after completion of the separation and recapitalization. The master separation agreement identified the assets, liabilities and businesses of Lazard Group that were transferred to LFCM Holdings in connection with the separation and recapitalization and described when and how the separation and recapitalization occurred. In addition, the master separation agreement continues to regulate aspects of the relationship among the parties, including the exchange mechanics of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests.
Relationship Among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings. The master separation agreement contains various provisions governing the relationship among Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings after the separation and recapitalization, including with respect to the following matters.
Limitation on Scope of LAZ-MD Holdings’ Operations. The master separation agreement provides that LAZ-MD Holdings will not engage in any business other than to act as the holding company for the members’ interests in Lazard Group and Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock and actions incidental thereto, except as otherwise agreed by Lazard Ltd.
Parity of Lazard Group Common Membership Interests and Lazard Ltd’s common stock. The master separation agreement sets forth the intention of Lazard Group and Lazard Ltd that the number of Lazard Group common membership interests held by Lazard Ltd (or its subsidiaries) will at all times be equal in number to the number of outstanding shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.
Expenses. The master separation agreement sets forth the intention of Lazard Group to reimburse Lazard Ltd for its costs and expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business.
LAZ-MD Holdings Exchangeable Interests. The master separation agreement sets forth the terms and arrangements with respect to the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, including the exchange rate and timing of exchangeability of those interests. The master separation agreement also provides for certain mandatory exchanges of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, including mandatory exchanges that may be caused by subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd following the ninth anniversary of Lazard Ltd’s initial equity public offering, or May 10, 2014.
Indemnification. In general, under the master separation agreement, Lazard Group indemnifies LFCM Holdings, LAZ-MD Holdings and their respective representatives and affiliates for any and all losses (including tax losses) that such persons incur to the extent arising out of or relating to our business (both historically and in the future) and any and all losses that LFCM Holdings, LAZ-MD Holdings and their respective representatives and affiliates incur arising out of or relating to any breach of the master separation agreement by Lazard Group or Lazard Ltd.
In general, under the master separation agreement, LFCM Holdings indemnifies Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and their respective representatives and affiliates for any and all losses (including tax losses) that such persons incur arising out of or relating to the separated businesses and the businesses conducted by LFCM Holdings (both historically and in the future) and any and all losses that Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LAZ-MD Holdings and their respective representatives or affiliates incur arising out of or relating to any breach of the master separation agreement by LFCM Holdings.
In general, under the master separation agreement, LAZ-MD Holdings indemnifies Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group, LFCM Holdings and their respective representatives and affiliates for any and all losses that such persons incur to the extent arising out of or relating to any breach of the master separation agreement by LAZ-MD Holdings.
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Any indemnification amounts are reduced by any insurance proceeds and other offsetting amounts recovered by the indemnitee. The master separation agreement specifies procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters.
Other Provisions. The master separation agreement also contains provisions governing the sharing of information between Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group, on the one hand, and LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings, on the other hand.
On November 6, 2006, Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and LAZ-MD Holdings entered into Amendment No. 1 to the master separation agreement (the “amendment”). The amendment modified the provisions of the master separation agreement relating to the exchange terms of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests. The modifications included the following:
| • | An exchange of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests may be conditioned upon the actual sale of all or any portion (such amount designated by the holder) of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests in connection with a registered offering. |
| • | Holders of LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests that are then exchangeable may exchange these interests not only at annual registration periods, but also in connection with demand and piggy-back registration opportunities and during window periods after the filing of selected Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K by Lazard Ltd. |
| • | In addition to requiring the consent of Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and LAZ-MD Holdings to amend the exchangeability provisions, any amendment that materially and adversely impacts the rights of any holder thereunder requires the consent of such holder, or it will not apply to such person unless such amendment applies to, and affects the rights of all holders equally, regardless of whether or not such person is providing services to Lazard Ltd. |
Lazard License Agreement
The logo, trademarks, trade names and service marks of Lazard are currently the property of various wholly owned subsidiaries of Lazard Group. Pursuant to the master separation agreement, Lazard Group and those subsidiaries entered into a license agreement with LFCM Holdings that governs the use of the Lazard and LF names by LFCM Holdings in connection with the separated businesses.
In general, LFCM Holdings is permitted to use the Lazard and LF names to the extent that the Lazard name was being used at the time of the separation and recapitalization by the separated businesses and is permitted to use the LF name solely for the use of the name LFCM Holdings LLC in its capacity as a holding company for the separated businesses. Under the agreement, LFCM Holdings pays $100,000 per year for the right to license the Lazard name. The license survives with respect to capital markets activities until the expiration or termination of the business alliance provided for in the business alliance agreement that LFCM Holdings entered into with Lazard Group. With respect to alternative investment (including private equity) activities, LFCM Holdings’ license survives until the earlier of the expiration, termination or closing of the options to purchase the North American and European fund management activities, granted in the business alliance agreement, as described in “—Business Alliance Agreement”, or until the business alliance agreement is terminated. The license for the LF name in LFCM Holdings LLC may be terminated by either party for any reason after the license with respect to the capital markets business and the license for the alternative investment activities have both expired or been terminated. Upon termination of either the license with respect to the capital markets business or the license for the alternative investment activities, the license fee for the calendar year following the termination and each year thereafter will be $75,000 per year. If both of those licenses are terminated, the license fee for the calendar year following the termination and each year thereafter will be $25,000 per year.
Administrative Services Agreement
We entered into an administrative services agreement with LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings regarding the provision of administrative and support services after the separation and recapitalization.
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Pursuant to the administrative services agreement, Lazard Group provides selected administrative and support services to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings, such as:
| • | cash management and debt service administration; |
| • | accounting and financing activities; |
| • | tax; |
| • | payroll; |
| • | human resources administration; |
| • | financial transaction support; |
| • | information technology; |
| • | public communications; |
| • | data processing; |
| • | procurement; |
| • | real estate management; and |
| • | other general administrative functions. |
Lazard Group charges LFCM Holdings for the above services based on Lazard Group’s cost allocation methodology. Notwithstanding Lazard Group’s provision of data processing services, Lazard Group does not provide any security administration services, as such services were transferred to LFCM Holdings.
Pursuant to the administrative services agreement, Lazard Group also provides tax services to LAZ-MD Holdings and LFCM Holdings provides security administrative services to Lazard Group.
The services provided by Lazard Group to LFCM Holdings, and by LFCM Holdings to Lazard Group, under the administrative services agreement generally were to be provided until December 31, 2008, and were subject to automatic annual renewal, unless either party gives 180 days’ notice of termination. As of December 31, 2013, neither party has given notice of termination, and the agreement has been automatically renewed for an additional one-year period. LFCM Holdings and Lazard Group have a right to terminate the services earlier if there is a change of control of either party or the business alliance provided for in the business alliance agreement expires or is terminated. The party receiving a service may also terminate a service earlier upon 180 days’ notice as long as such receiving party pays the service provider an additional three months of service fee for the terminated service. The services provided by Lazard Group to LAZ-MD Holdings will generally be provided until December 31, 2014, unless terminated earlier. See Note 18 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of payments made in 2013 under the administrative services agreement.
In the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the party receiving services under the administrative services agreement waives any rights and claims it may have against the service provider in respect of any services provided under the administrative services agreement.
Business Alliance Agreement
Lazard Group and LFCM Holdings entered into a business alliance agreement that provides for the continuation of Lazard Group’s and LFCM Holdings’ business relationships in the areas and on the terms summarized below.
The business alliance agreement provides that Lazard Group will refer to LFCM Holdings selected opportunities for underwriting and distribution of securities. In addition, Lazard Group will provide assistance in the execution of any such referred business. In exchange for this referral obligation and assistance, Lazard Group
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is entitled to a referral fee from LFCM Holdings equal to approximately half of the revenue obtained by LFCM Holdings in respect of any underwriting or distribution opportunity. In addition, LFCM Holdings will refer opportunities in the financial advisory and asset management businesses to Lazard Group. In exchange for this referral, LFCM Holdings is entitled to a customary finders’ fee from Lazard Group. In addition, the business alliance agreement further provides that, during the term of the business alliance, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC will introduce execution and settlement transactions to newly formed broker-dealer entities affiliated with LFCM Holdings. The term of the business alliance is subject to periodic automatic renewal, unless either party elects not to renew or elects to terminate on account of a change of control of the other party. As of December 31, 2013, the date by which either party was required to provide notice of non-renewal had been tolled, and neither party had given notice of non-renewal or termination. See Note 18 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of payments made in 2013 under the business alliance agreement.
In addition, the business alliance agreement granted Lazard Group an option to purchase the North American fund management activities of Lazard Alternative Investments Holdings LLC, or LAI, the subsidiary of LFCM Holdings that owns and operates LFCM Holdings’ alternative investment activities. This option is currently exercisable at any time prior to May 10, 2014 for a purchase price of $2.5 million. The option price for the North American fund management activities reflects a reduction of $1.5 million due to the payment of a like amount to LFCM Holdings in February 2008 in connection with the initial public offering of Sapphire Industrials Corp., a special purpose acquisition company formed by a subsidiary of Lazard Group, and a reduction of $4 million due to the payment of a like amount in February 2009 to LFCM Holdings in connection with the spin-off of Corporate Partners II Limited to the investment professionals who managed it. In consideration for the February 2009 payment, the business alliance agreement was amended to remove any restriction on Lazard Group engaging in private equity businesses in North America. See Note 18 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. LAI’s fund management activities initially consisted of fund management and general partner entities that were transferred to LFCM Holdings in connection with the separation. The business alliance agreement provides that, prior to the expiration, termination or exercise of the option, Lazard Group has certain governance rights with respect to LAI, and LFCM Holdings is required to support the business of LAI. Lazard Group may agree to new capital commitments and other obligations with respect to newly formed funds in its sole discretion. Lazard Group may be entitled to receive from LFCM Holdings all or a portion of payments from the incentive fees attributable to newly established LAI funds less compensation payable to investment professionals who manage these funds. In addition, Lazard Group is obligated to abide by obligations that existed as of the date of the separation and recapitalization with respect to funds existing as of such date.
Pursuant to the business alliance agreement, LFCM Holdings agreed not to compete with any existing Lazard Group businesses until the latest to occur of the termination of the license agreement, the expiration, termination or exercise of the option to purchase the North American merchant banking activities, or the expiration or termination of the business alliance.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, Lazard Group completed a refinancing of its 7.125% senior notes due 2015 (the “2015 Notes”) by issuing a tender and redemption notice for the 2015 Notes and by issuing $500 million of 4.25% senior notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). Lazard Capital Markets LLC (“LCM”), a subsidiary of LFCM Holdings, served as a co-manager in the offering of the 2020 Notes. Pursuant to the business alliance agreement, Lazard Group became entitled to receive approximately half of the revenue obtained by LCM in connection with the offering.
LAZ-MD Holdings Stockholders’ Agreement
Members of LAZ-MD Holdings, consisting of current and former members of Lazard Group, including certain managing directors, have entered into a stockholders’ agreement with LAZ-MD Holdings and Lazard Ltd that addresses, among other things, LAZ-MD Holdings’ voting of its share of Class B common stock of Lazard
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Ltd and registration rights in favor of the shareholders who are party to the agreement. Every member at the time of the separation and recapitalization was offered the opportunity to become a party to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement.
The LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement will continue in effect until all LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests have been exchanged for shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock, and individual members of LAZ-MD Holdings will cease being party to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement upon full exchange of their LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests and underlying Lazard Group interests for Lazard Ltd’s common stock and such common stock is capable of resale generally under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement may be terminated on an earlier date by LAZ-MD Holdings members entitled to vote at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate voting power represented by the LAZ-MD Holdings members who are party to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement. The LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement generally may be amended at any time by a majority of the aggregate voting power represented by LAZ-MD Holdings members who are party to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement.
On November 6, 2006, Lazard Group delivered to LAZ-MD Holdings an acknowledgement letter (the “acknowledgement letter”) modifying the terms of the retention agreements of persons party to the amended and restated LAZ-MD stockholders’ agreement who were at that time current managing directors. The modifications include Lazard Group’s agreement that, in the event that any such person shall become entitled to exchangeability immediately following the third anniversary of the initial equity public offering, or May 10, 2008, of his or her LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, that person will not forfeit the right to early exchangeability with respect to the first tranche of his or her LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests if he or she breaches the restrictive covenants (i.e., non-compete and non-solicitation provisions) in the retention agreement of such individual (although shares in the second and third tranches that would otherwise become exchangeable would not be exchangeable until the eighth anniversary of our equity public offering (May 10, 2013) in such an instance). The terms of the acknowledgement letter were approved by our Board of Directors.
Registration Rights. On November 6, 2006, the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement was amended and restated. The amended and restated stockholders’ agreement modified in certain respects the terms of the registration rights granted to holders of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests who are party to that agreement.
The amended and restated LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement provides that the holders of shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock already issued or to be issued upon exchange of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests or the Lazard Group common membership interests currently held by LAZ-MD Holdings will be granted registration rights. These shares we refer to as “registrable securities,” and the holders of these registrable securities we refer to as “holders.” The holders are third-party beneficiaries for that purpose under the amended and restated LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement, meaning that they will have the right to request LAZ-MD Holdings to compel Lazard Ltd to honor those obligations under the amended and restated LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement.
The amended and restated LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement provides that, after exchange for shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock, each holder is entitled to unlimited “piggyback” registration rights, meaning that each holder can include his or her registrable securities in registration statements filed by Lazard Ltd, subject to certain limitations. Holders also have “demand” registration rights, meaning that after exchange for shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock, they may require us to register the registrable securities held by them, subject to certain minimum sale and other requirements. Lazard Ltd will pay the costs associated with all such registrations. Moreover, Lazard Ltd also will use its reasonable best efforts to file and make effective a registration statement on the third through the ninth anniversaries of the separation and recapitalization, in order to register registrable securities that were issued on those anniversaries or otherwise subject to continuing volume or transfer restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act upon the exchange of the LAZ-MD Holdings
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exchangeable interests and the Lazard Group common membership interests, provided that the amount of registrable securities subject to such registration exceeds certain minimum value requirements.
Shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock will cease to be registrable securities upon the consummation of any sale of such shares pursuant to an effective registration statement or under Rule 144 of the Securities Act or when they become eligible for sale under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. However, any holder who has shares that would have been registrable securities but for their eligibility for sale under Rule 144 and who holds, in the aggregate, an amount of registrable securities with a market value in excess of $25 million of Lazard Ltd’s outstanding common stock will be entitled to continued demand, annual registration and piggyback registration rights as described above.
Any amendments to the registration rights provisions of the amended and restated stockholders’ agreement shall require the affirmative approval of holders holding two-thirds of the shares of Lazard Ltd common stock covered under the amended and restated stockholders’ agreement in addition to the consent of Lazard Ltd and LAZ-MD Holdings, and any amendment that materially and adversely impacts the rights of any holder under the amended and restated stockholders’ agreement will also require the consent of such holder or it will not apply to such person unless such amendment applies to and affects the rights of all holders equally, regardless of whether or not such person is providing services to Lazard Ltd.
Each holder of registrable securities party to the amended and restated stockholders’ agreement may enforce his or her registration rights directly against Lazard Ltd, although LAZ-MD Holdings may elect to assume, seek and conduct the enforcement of any claims itself on behalf of such holder.
We expect that substantially all of Lazard Ltd’s common stock to be issued upon exchange of the LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests will have the foregoing registration rights.
Voting Rights. Prior to any vote of the shareholders of Lazard Ltd, the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement requires a separate, preliminary vote of the members of LAZ-MD Holdings who are party to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement (either by a meeting or by proxy or written instruction of the members of LAZ-MD Holdings) on each matter upon which a vote of the shareholders is proposed to be taken. Pursuant to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement, members of LAZ-MD Holdings holding LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests who are party to that agreement are individually entitled to direct LAZ-MD Holdings how to vote their proportionate interest in Lazard Ltd’s Class B common stock on an as-if-exchanged basis. For example, if a current or former member’s LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests were exchangeable for 1,000 shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock, that member would be able to instruct LAZ-MD Holdings how to vote 1,000 of the votes represented by the Class B common stock of Lazard Ltd. However, the LAZ-MD Holdings Board of Directors has the ability to vote the voting interest represented by the Class B common stock of Lazard Ltd in its discretion if the LAZ-MD Holdings Board of Directors determines that it is in the best interests of LAZ-MD Holdings.
The votes under the Class B common stock of Lazard Ltd that are associated with any current or former member who does not direct LAZ-MD Holdings how to vote on a particular matter will be abstained from voting. The terms of the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement with respect to voting continue to apply to any party to the LAZ-MD Holdings stockholders’ agreement who receives Lazard Group common membership interests upon exchange of his or her LAZ-MD Holdings exchangeable interests, until such time as that holder exchanges all of his or her Lazard Group common membership interests for shares of Lazard Ltd’s common stock.
Certain Relationships with Our Directors, Executive Officers and Employees
Laurent Mignon, a member of our Board of Directors, is the Chief Executive Officer of Natixis. In April 2004, Lazard Group and Natixis (as the successor to IXIS Corporate & Investment Bank) entered into a
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cooperation arrangement to place and underwrite securities on the French capital markets under a common brand, “Lazard-Natixis” (formerly “Lazard-Ixis”), and cooperate in their respective origination, syndication, placement and other activities. This cooperation covered French listed companies exceeding a market capitalization of €500 million. On March 15, 2005, Lazard Group and Natixis expanded this arrangement into an exclusive arrangement within France. The cooperation arrangement was renewed on July 8, 2012 for an additional term that expired on December 31, 2012. The cooperation arrangement did not generate revenue for Natixis or Lazard during 2013. Discussions have occurred, and may occur in the future, regarding the execution of a new form of cooperation arrangement.
During 2013 and consistent with our past practice, the Company purchased shares of Class A common stock from certain of our executive officers in connection with the vesting of previously-granted deferred equity incentive awards. The receipt of Class A common stock by such executive officers in connection with such equity awards gave rise to a tax, and the shares of Class A common stock purchased by the Company represented the estimated amount of such tax. Each transaction, including its terms, was reported in a Form 4 filing.
| Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services |
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, fees for services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates were as follows (in thousands of dollars):
| Fees |
2013 | 2012 | ||||||
| Audit Fees for the audit of Lazard’s annual financial statements, the audit of the effectiveness of Lazard’s internal controls over financial reporting and reviews of the financial statements included in Lazard’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements |
$ | 6,712 | $ | 6,575 | ||||
| Audit-Related Fees, including fees for audits of employee benefit plans, computer and control related audit services, agreed-upon procedures, merger and acquisition assistance, regulatory and compliance reviews, fund audits and other accounting research services |
$ | 1,027 | $ | 1,481 | ||||
| Tax Fees for tax consulting and compliance services not related to the audit |
$ | 1,129 | $ | 1,178 | ||||
| All Other Fees |
– | – | ||||||
Lazard Ltd’s Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP to Lazard and its subsidiaries. The policy provides the guidelines necessary to adhere to Lazard’s commitment to auditor independence and compliance with relevant laws, regulations and guidelines relating to auditor independence. The policy sets forth four categories of permitted services (Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other), listing the types of permitted services in each category. All of the permitted services require pre-approval by the Audit Committee. In lieu of Audit Committee pre-approval on an engagement-by-engagement basis, each category of permitted services, with reasonable detail as to the types of services contemplated, is pre-approved as part of the annual budget approval by the Audit Committee. Permitted services not contemplated during the budget process must be presented to the Audit Committee for approval prior to the commencement of the relevant engagement. The Audit Committee chair, or, if he is not available, any other member of the Committee, may grant approval for any such engagement if approval is required prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee.
All of the fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2013 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, and there were no services for which the de minimus exception permitted in certain circumstances under SEC rules was utilized.
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| Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
| (a) | Documents filed as part of this Report: |
| 1. | Consolidated Financial Statements |
| The consolidated financial statements required to be filed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed on page F-1 hereof and in Part II, Item 8 hereof. |
| 2. | Financial Statement Schedule |
| The financial statement schedule required in the Annual Report on Form 10-K is listed on page F-1 hereof. The required schedule appears on pages F-2 through F-6 hereof. |
| 3. | Exhibits |
| 3.1 | Certificate of Formation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-126751) on Form S-4 filed on July 21, 2005). | |
| 3.2 | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Formation of the Registrant, changing name to Lazard Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-126751) on Form S-4 filed on July 21, 2005). | |
| 3.3 | Operating Agreement of Lazard Group LLC, dated as of May 10, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 3.4 | Amendment No. 1 to the Operating Agreement of Lazard Group LLC, dated as of December 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on December 19, 2005). | |
| 3.5 | Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 7, 2008, to the Operating Agreement of Lazard Group LLC, dated as of May 10, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on May 8, 2008). | |
| 3.6 | Amendment No. 3, dated as of April 27, 2010, to the Operating Agreement of Lazard Group LLC, dated as of May 10, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2010). | |
| 4.1 | Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-126751) on Form S-4 filed on July 21, 2005). | |
| 4.2 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-126751) on Form S-4 filed on July 21, 2005). | |
| 4.3 | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 21, 2007, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on June 22, 2007). | |
| 4.4 | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2013, between Lazard Group LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on November 14, 2013). | |
| 4.5 | Form of Senior Notes (included in Exhibits 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4). | |
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Table of Contents
| 10.1 | Master Separation Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.2 | Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 6, 2006, to the Master Separation Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among to Registrant, Lazard Ltd and LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2006). | |
| 10.3 | Second Amendment, dated as of May 7, 2008, to the Master Separation Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, as amended, by and among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on May 9, 2008). | |
| 10.4 | Class B-1 and Class C Members Transaction Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1 filed on December 17, 2004). | |
| 10.5 | Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2006. by and among LAZ-MD Holdings LLC, Lazard Ltd and certain members of LAZ-MD Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2006). | |
| 10.6 | First Amendment, dated as of May 7, 2008, to the Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Agreement dated as of November 6, 2006, between LAZ-MD Holdings LLC and Lazard Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2008). | |
| 10.7 | Employee Benefits Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd, LAZ-MD Holdings LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.8 | Insurance Matters Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between Lazard Group LLC and LFCM Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.9 | License Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Strategic Coordination Company LLC, Lazard Freres & Co LLC, Lazard Freres S.A.S., Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited and LFCM Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File-No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.10 | Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among LAZ-MD Holdings LLC, LFCM Holdings LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.11 | Business Alliance Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between the Registrant and LFCM Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.12 | Amendment and Consent, dated February 9, 2009, to the Business Alliance Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and between the Registrant and LFCM Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Lazard Ltd’s Annual Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009). | |
| 10.13 | Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lazard Strategic Coordination Company LLC, dated as of January 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005). | |
147
Table of Contents
| 10.14 | Lease, dated as of January 27, 1994, by and between Rockefeller Center Properties and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 1, 2005). | |
| 10.15 | Amendment dated as of February 16, 2001, by and among RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. (as the successor in interest to Rockefeller Center Properties), RCPI 30 Rock 22234849, L.L.C. and Lazard Group LLC (as the successor in interest to Lazard Freres & Co. LLC), to the Lease dated as of January 27, 1994, by and among Rockefeller Center Properties and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 2011). | |
| 10.16 | Occupational Lease, dated as of August 9, 2002, by and among Burford (Stratton) Nominee 1 Limited, Burford (Stratton) Nominee 2 Limited, Burford (Stratton) Limited, Lazard & Co., Limited and Lazard LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on February 11, 2005). | |
| 10.17* | Lazard Ltd’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on May 2, 2005). | |
| 10.18* | Lazard Ltd’s 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex B to Lazard Ltd’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-32492) filed on March 24, 2008). | |
| 10.19* | Lazard Ltd’s 2005 Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on March 21, 2005). | |
| 10.20* | Form of Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of May 4, 2005, applicable to and related Schedule I for, Scott D. Hoffman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005. | |
| 10.21* | Form of First Amendment, dated as of May 7, 2008, to Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of May 4, 2005, for Scott D. Hoffman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on May 9, 2008). | |
| 10.22* | Amendment, dated as of February 23, 2011, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and other Covenants dated as of May 4, 2005 and amended as of May 7, 2008 for Scott D. Hoffman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 2011). | |
| 10.23* | Form of Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and other Covenants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on April 11, 2005). | |
| 10.24* | Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of October 4, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Alexander F. Stern (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant’s Annual Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009). | |
| 10.25* | First Amendment, dated as of March 23, 2010, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of October 4, 2004, with Alexander F. Stern (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on March 23, 2010). | |
| 10.26* | Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of March 18, 2005, by and between the Registrant and Kenneth M. Jacobs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on March 1, 2010). | |
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Table of Contents
| 10.27* | First Amendment, dated as of March 23, 2010, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of March 18, 2005, with Kenneth M. Jacobs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-126751) filed on March 23, 2010). | |
| 10.28* | Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of October 4, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Matthieu Bucaille (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 2011). | |
| 10.29* | First Amendment, dated as of April 1, 2011, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of October 4, 2004, between the Registrant and Matthieu Bucaille (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 2011). | |
| 10.30* | Acknowledgement Letter, dated as of November 6, 2006 from the Registrant to certain managing directors of the Registrant modifying the terms of the retention agreements of persons party to the Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2006). | |
| 10.31 | Letter Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2005 from IXIS Corporate and investment Bank to Lazard LLC and Lazard Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Lazard Ltd’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-121407) on Form S-1/A filed on March 21, 2005). | |
| 10.32 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2005, by and among Lazard Group Finance LLC, the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and IXIS Corporate and Investment Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on June 16, 2005). | |
| 10.33* | Description of Non-Executive Director Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005). | |
| 10.34* | Form of Award Letter for Annual Grant of Deferred Stock Units to Non-Executive Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Lazard Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32492) filed on September 8, 2005). | |
| 10.35* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units to Executive Officers under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Lazard Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32492) filed on January 26, 2006). | |
| 10.36* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units to Executive Officers under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Lazard Ltd’s Annual Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009). | |
| 10.37* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Deferred Cash Award to Executive Officers under the 2008 incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to Lazard Ltd’s Annual Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009). | |
| 10.38* | Directors Fee Deferral Unit Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Lazard Ltd’s Quarterly Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-Q filed on May 11, 2006). | |
| 10.39* | First Amended Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units to Executive Officers under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to Lazard Ltd’s Annual Report (File No. 001-32492) on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2007). | |
| 10.40 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 14, 2008, by and among Lazard Ltd, LAZ Sub I, Lazard Asset Management LLC and Lazard Asset Management Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Lazard Ltd’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32492) filed on August 15, 2008). | |
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Table of Contents
| 10.41 | Senior Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2012, among the Registrant, the Banks from time to time parties thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2012). | |
| 10.42* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2010). | |
| 10.43* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Lazard Fund Interests under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 2011). | |
| 10.44* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock to Executive Officers who are or may become eligible for retirement under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on May 2, 2012). | |
| 10.45* | First Amendment, dated as of August 2, 2011, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of March 15, 2005, between the Registrant and Ashish Bhutani (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2011). | |
| 10.46* | Second Amendment, dated as of October 24, 2012, to the Agreement relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of March 18, 2005, and amended on March 23, 2010, among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and Kenneth M. Jacobs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2012). | |
| 10.47* | Second Amendment, dated as of March 14, 2013, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants dated as of March 15, 2005 and amended on August 2, 2011, among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and Ashish Bhutani (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
| 10.48* | Second Amendment, dated as of March 14, 2013, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants dated as of October 4, 2004 and amended on April 1, 2011, among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and Matthieu Bucaille (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
| 10.49* | Second Amendment, dated as of March 14, 2013, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants dated as of May 4, 2005 and amended on May 7, 2008 and February 23, 2011, among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and Scott D. Hoffman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
| 10.50* | Second Amendment, dated as of March 14, 2013, to the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants dated as of October 4, 2004 and amended on March 23, 2010, among the Registrant, Lazard Ltd and Alexander F. Stern (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
| 10.51* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Performance-Based Stock Units under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
| 10.52* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Lazard Fund Interests to Named Executive Officers under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
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Table of Contents
| 10.53* | Form of Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units to Named Executive Officers under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report (File No. 333-126751) on Form 10-Q filed on April 30, 2013). | |
| 12.1 | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. | |
| 18.1 | Preferability Letter Regarding Change in Accounting Principle Relating to Goodwill. | |
| 21.1 | Subsidiaries of Registrant. | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
| 31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Kenneth M. Jacobs. | |
| 31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Matthieu Bucaille. | |
| 32.1 | Section 1350 Certification for Kenneth M. Jacobs. | |
| 32.2 | Section 1350 Certification for Matthieu Bucaille. | |
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | |
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | |
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase | |
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase | |
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase | |
| 101.PRE | Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase | |
| * | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
151
Table of Contents
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
ITEMS 15 (a)(1) AND 15 (a)(2)
| Page No. |
||||
| Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
70 | |||
| 71-72 | ||||
| Consolidated Financial Statements |
||||
| Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 |
73 | |||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
75 | |||
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 |
76 | |||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
77 | |||
| 78 | ||||
| 81 | ||||
| 131 | ||||
| Financial Statement Schedule |
||||
| Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) |
||||
| Condensed Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 |
F-2 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
F-3 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
F-4 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 |
F-5 | |||
| F-6 | ||||
Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
F-1
Table of Contents
(parent company only)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
(dollars in thousands)
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
| ASSETS |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 130,570 | $ | 58,617 | ||||
| Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash |
– | 609 | ||||||
| Investments in subsidiaries, equity method |
1,108,983 | 1,279,675 | ||||||
| Due from subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd |
422,920 | 359,660 | ||||||
| Receivables-net |
3,385 | 10,621 | ||||||
| Investments |
143,010 | 73,183 | ||||||
| Property-net |
104,269 | 74,508 | ||||||
| Intangible assets - net |
666 | 1,066 | ||||||
| Other assets |
71,048 | 51,049 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Assets |
$ | 1,984,851 | $ | 1,908,988 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY: |
||||||||
| Liabilities: |
||||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits |
$ | 165,919 | $ | 138,462 | ||||
| Due to subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd |
211,073 | 167,143 | ||||||
| Senior debt |
1,048,350 | 1,076,850 | ||||||
| Other liabilities |
90,037 | 73,354 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Liabilities |
1,515,379 | 1,455,809 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
| Members’ Equity: |
||||||||
| Members’ equity |
571,668 | 545,572 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
(102,196 | ) | (92,393 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Members’ Equity |
469,472 | 453,179 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity |
$ | 1,984,851 | $ | 1,908,988 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
See notes to condensed financial statements.
F-2
Table of Contents
(parent company only)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| REVENUE |
||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of subsidiaries |
$ | 415,162 | $ | 336,214 | $ | 398,933 | ||||||
| Interest income |
7,064 | 12,453 | 19,049 | |||||||||
| Other |
12,059 | (4,602 | ) | 1,983 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total revenue |
434,285 | 344,065 | 419,965 | |||||||||
| Interest expense |
79,302 | 83,127 | 84,343 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net revenue |
354,983 | 260,938 | 335,622 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES |
||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefits |
108,065 | 160,634 | 120,324 | |||||||||
| Professional services |
5,825 | 6,030 | 3,306 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions |
400 | 400 | 715 | |||||||||
| Other |
57,776 | 5,372 | 3,799 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Total operating expenses |
172,066 | 172,436 | 128,144 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OPERATING INCOME |
182,917 | 88,502 | 207,478 | |||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for incomes taxes |
(146 | ) | 893 | (3,227 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| NET INCOME |
$ | 183,063 | $ | 87,609 | $ | 210,705 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See notes to condensed financial statements.
F-3
Table of Contents
(parent company only)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| NET INCOME |
$ | 183,063 | $ | 87,609 | $ | 210,705 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX: |
||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustments |
(3,342 | ) | 21,703 | (9,241 | ) | |||||||
| Amortization of interest rate hedge |
2,502 | 1,055 | 1,054 | |||||||||
| Employee benefit plans: |
||||||||||||
| Actuarial loss (net of tax benefit of $6,388, $12,950 and $12,526 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) |
(13,500 | ) | (40,298 | ) | (38,248 | ) | ||||||
| Adjustments for items reclassified to earnings (net of tax expense of $1,929, $1,145 and $1,031 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) |
4,605 | 4,399 | 2,206 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAX |
(9,735 | ) | (13,141 | ) | (44,229 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
$ | 173,328 | $ | 74,468 | $ | 166,476 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See notes to condensed financial statements.
F-4
Table of Contents
(parent company only)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(dollars in thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 183,063 | $ | 87,609 | $ | 210,705 | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of subsidiaries |
(415,162 | ) | (336,214 | ) | (398,933 | ) | ||||||
| Deferred tax benefit |
(420 | ) | – | (3,791 | ) | |||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt |
50,757 | – | – | |||||||||
| Loss on sale of intercompany receivable |
– | 5,638 | – | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred expenses, share-based incentive compensation and interest rate hedge |
290,693 | 340,157 | 282,897 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of property |
8,467 | 4,179 | 466 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions |
400 | 400 | 715 | |||||||||
| Dividends received from subsidiaries |
584,792 | 374,340 | 598,877 | |||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
| Due to/from subsidiaries |
197 | 50,926 | (10,494 | ) | ||||||||
| Investments |
(69,827 | ) | (46,997 | ) | 664 | |||||||
| Other operating assets and liabilities |
(15,317 | ) | 37,667 | (101,460 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
617,643 | 517,705 | 579,646 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
| Additions to property |
(34,556 | ) | (58,668 | ) | (20,079 | ) | ||||||
| Capital contribution to subsidiaries |
(33,705 | ) | (39,978 | ) | (224,012 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(68,261 | ) | (98,646 | ) | (244,091 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
| Proceeds from: |
||||||||||||
| Excess tax benefit from share-based incentive compensation |
1,108 | – | 1,386 | |||||||||
| Sale of intercompany receivable |
– | 81,105 | – | |||||||||
| Issuance of senior debt, net of expenses |
493,398 | – | – | |||||||||
| Payments for: |
||||||||||||
| Senior debt |
(578,464 | ) | – | – | ||||||||
| Capital lease obligations |
(79 | ) | (75 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||||
| Distributions to members |
(125,516 | ) | (140,278 | ) | (92,454 | ) | ||||||
| Settlement of vested share-based incentive compensation |
(132,533 | ) | (44,883 | ) | (93,750 | ) | ||||||
| Repurchase of common membership interests from members of LAZ-MD Holdings |
– | – | (794 | ) | ||||||||
| Purchase of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock |
(132,477 | ) | (332,095 | ) | (172,864 | ) | ||||||
| Other financing activities |
(2,866 | ) | (5,195 | ) | (203 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
(477,429 | ) | (441,421 | ) | (358,721 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
71,953 | (22,362 | ) | (23,166 | ) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, January 1 |
58,617 | 80,979 | 104,145 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, December 31 |
$ | 130,570 | $ | 58,617 | $ | 80,979 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
See notes to condensed financial statements.
F-5
Table of Contents
(parent company only)
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 1. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
The accompanying Lazard Group LLC condensed financial statements (the “Parent Company Financial Statements”), including the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Group LLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the notes thereto.
The Parent Company Financial Statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the disclosures in the condensed financial statements. Management believes that the estimates utilized in the preparation of the condensed financial statements are reasonable. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
The Parent Company Financial Statements include investments in subsidiaries, accounted for under the equity method.
F-6
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: February 27, 2014
| LAZARD GROUP LLC | ||
| By: |
/s/ Kenneth M. Jacobs | |
|
| ||
| Kenneth M. Jacobs | ||
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Capacity |
Date | ||
| /s/ Kenneth M. Jacobs Kenneth M. Jacobs |
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Matthieu Bucaille Matthieu Bucaille |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Dominick Ragone Dominick Ragone |
Chief Accounting Officer | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Andrew M. Alper Andrew M. Alper |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Ashish Bhutani Ashish Bhutani |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Steven J. Heyer Steven J. Heyer |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Sylvia Jay Sylvia Jay |
Director |
February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Philip A. Laskawy Philip A. Laskawy |
Director |
February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Laurent Mignon Laurent Mignon |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Richard D. Parsons Richard D. Parsons |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Hal S. Scott Hal S. Scott |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
| /s/ Michael J. Turner Michael J. Turner |
Director | February 27, 2014 | ||
II-1
Exhibit 12.1
LAZARD GROUP LLC
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (a)
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Lazard Group LLC and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) |
$ | 219,009 | $ | 121,593 | $ | 241,791 | $ | 246,809 | $ | (181,988 | ) | |||||||||
| Add—Fixed charges |
111,317 | 116,255 | 114,998 | 121,656 | 132,785 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) before |
$ | 330,326 | $ | 237,848 | $ | 356,789 | $ | 368,465 | $ | (49,203 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Fixed Charges: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest (b) |
$ | 87,039 | $ | 91,359 | $ | 94,211 | $ | 102,249 | $ | 113,280 | ||||||||||
| Other (c) |
24,278 | 24,896 | 20,787 | 19,407 | 19,505 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Total fixed charges |
$ | 111,317 | $ | 116,255 | $ | 114,998 | $ | 121,656 | $ | 132,785 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
2.97 | (d) | 2.05 | (e) | 3.10 | 3.03 | (f) | – | (g) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Deficiency in the coverage of operating income (loss) before fixed charges to total fixed charges |
$ | 181,988 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Notes (dollars in thousands):
| (a) | For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges: |
| • | earnings for the periods presented represent income before income taxes and fixed charges, and |
| • | fixed charges represent the interest expense and the portion of rental expense which represents an appropriate interest factor. |
| (b) | The Company’s policy is to include interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Accordingly, such interest expense is not included in the computations of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges. |
| (c) | Other fixed charges consist of the interest factor in rentals. |
| (d) | Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented after giving effect to a charge of (i) $64,703 associated with the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012, (ii) $54,087 pertaining to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and the issuance of the 2020 Notes and (iii) $12,203 relating to private equity incentive compensation. Excluding the impact of such charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 4.14. |
| (e) | Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2012 is presented after giving effect to (i) a charge in the first quarter of $24,659 relating to severance costs and benefit payments associated with staff reductions, including the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense of deferred incentive compensation previously granted to individuals being terminated, (ii) a charge in the fourth quarter of $102,576 associated with the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October, 2012. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 3.14. |
| (f) | Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2010 is presented after giving effect to (i) a restructuring charge of $87,108 and (ii) a charge of $24,860 relating to the amendment of Lazard’s retirement policy with respect to RSU awards. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 3.95. |
| (g) | Operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 is presented after giving effect to (i) a restructuring charge of $62,550, (ii) the acceleration of amortization expense of $86,514 relating to share-based incentive awards previously granted to our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and (iii) the acceleration of amortization expense of $60,512 relating to the accelerated vesting of the unamortized portion of previously awarded deferred cash incentive awards. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.21. |
Exhibit 18.1
February 27, 2014
Lazard Group LLC
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, New York 10112
Dear Sirs/Madams:
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Group LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, included in your Annual Report on Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission and have issued our report thereon dated February 27, 2014. Note 2 to such consolidated financial statements contains a description of your adoption during the year ended December 31, 2013 of the change in the annual goodwill impairment test date from December 31st to November 1st. In our judgment, such change is to an alternative accounting principle that is preferable under the circumstances.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
Exhibit 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT
| NAME OF SUBSIDIARY |
COUNTRY OF ORGANIZATION | |
| Lazard International Holdings, Inc. |
U.S. | |
| Lazard Frères & Co. LLC |
U.S. | |
| Lazard Asset Management LLC |
U.S. | |
| Lazard & Co., Holdings Limited |
United Kingdom | |
| Lazard & Co., Limited |
United Kingdom | |
| Lazard & Co., Services Limited |
United Kingdom | |
| Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères SAS |
France | |
| Lazard Frères Gestion SAS |
France | |
| Lazard Frères Banque SA |
France | |
| Maison Lazard SAS |
France |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-174547 on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 27, 2014, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Lazard Group LLC, and the effectiveness of Lazard Group LLC’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lazard Group LLC for the year ended December 31, 2013.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2014
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, Kenneth M. Jacobs, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 of Lazard Group LLC (the “Registrant”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 27, 2014
| /s/ Kenneth M. Jacobs |
| Kenneth M. Jacobs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Matthieu Bucaille, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 of Lazard Group LLC (the “Registrant”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 27, 2014
| /s/ Matthieu Bucaille |
| Matthieu Bucaille Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 32.1
February 27, 2014
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Lazard Group LLC (the “Registrant”) hereby certifies that the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
| /s/ Kenneth M. Jacobs |
| Kenneth M. Jacobs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
EXHIBIT 32.2
February 27, 2014
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Lazard Group LLC (the “Registrant”) hereby certifies that the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
| /s/ Matthieu Bucaille |
| Matthieu Bucaille |
| Chief Financial Officer |
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.