UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

OR

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                          to                       

001-32492

(Commission File Number)

 

LAZARD LTD

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Clarendon House

2 Church Street

Hamilton HM11, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number: (441) 295-1422

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    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  ☒

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  ☒    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  ☒    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 the 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.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

If the Registrant is an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No   ☒

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2017 was approximately $5,558,845,377.

As of January 31, 2018, there were 129,766,091 shares of the Registrant’s Class A common stock outstanding (including 11,271,442 shares held by subsidiaries).

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K in response to Part III Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

 

 

 

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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Part I

When we use the terms “Lazard”, “we”, “us”, “our” and “the Company”, we mean Lazard Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, and its subsidiaries, including Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lazard Group”), that is the current holding company for our businesses. Lazard Ltd’s primary operating asset is its indirect ownership as of December 31, 2017 of all of the common membership interests in Lazard Group and its controlling interest in Lazard Group.

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 43 cities in key business and financial centers across 27 countries throughout North America, Europe, 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, shareholder advisory 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 and other matters. 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 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our Financial Advisory segment net revenue totaled $1.388 billion, $1.301 billion and $1.280 billion, respectively, accounting for approximately 52%, 56% and 54%, respectively, of our consolidated net revenue for such years. We earned $1 million or more from 304 clients, 276 clients and 268 clients for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the ten largest fee paying clients constituted approximately 22%, 23% and 17%, respectively, of our Financial Advisory segment net revenue, with no client individually contributing more than 10% of segment net revenue during any of these years. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and

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2015, our Financial Advisory segment reported operating income of $244 million, $284 million and $274 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our Financial Advisory segment had total assets of $843 million, $907 million and $763 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 United States (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, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Middle East region.

In addition to seeking business centered in the regions described 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, who have long-term client relationships, capabilities and know-how in their respective regions, and who will coordinate with our professionals who have global sector expertise. We also believe that this positioning affords us insight around the globe into key industry, economic, governmental and regulatory issues and developments, which we can bring to bear on behalf of our clients.

Our Financial Advisory business has made certain business acquisitions and entered into other strategic business relationships. For example, in 2014, we acquired certain securities sales and trading assets that facilitate the execution of exchange offers and other transactions related to financial advice provided by our Capital Advisory and Convertible Securities practice groups, and we took other steps that have enabled us to act as an underwriter in public offerings and other distributions of securities in order to buttress our Financial Advisory business. In 2015, we established a Lazard Central and Eastern Europe initiative to provide financial advisory services to businesses and governments in the region, as well as to our clients outside the region that are active in the region. In 2016, we expanded our North American Financial Advisory business through the acquisition of an independent financial advisory firm based in Canada, and we acquired the portion of MBA Lazard that we did not previously own, thereby fully integrating our Latin American operations.

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.

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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 connection with shareholder advisory and corporate preparedness matters, our services may include reviewing and analyzing the business and financial condition of the company and assisting in the evaluation of defense measures and strategic alternatives potentially available to the company.

When we assist clients in raising private or public market financing or capital, our services include assisting clients in connection with securing, refinancing or restructuring bank loans or other debt, including convertible securities, originating and executing, or participating in, public underwritings and private placements 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.

We are at the forefront of providing independent advice to governments and governmental agencies challenged by economic developments. Lazard’s Sovereign Advisory Group has advised a number of countries and institutions with respect to sovereign debt and other financial matters.

Staffing

We staff each of 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 advice and 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, shareholder advisory and other transactions or financial matters, depending on our clients’ needs. Many of our managing directors and senior employees come from diverse backgrounds, such as senior leadership positions in corporations, 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, 2017, our Financial Advisory segment had 152 managing directors and 890 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. Managing directors and professionals in our Mergers and Acquisitions practice are organized to provide advice in the following major industry practice areas:

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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 business:

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:

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:

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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.

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 customized investment solutions for our clients through the active management of their portfolios. Our investment teams construct and manage portfolios using various techniques and investment philosophies, including traditional fundamental research and analysis and quantitative tools.

As of December 31, 2017, total assets under management (“AUM”) were $249 billion, of which approximately 84% was invested in equities, 14% in fixed income, 1% in alternative investments and 1% in private equity funds. As of the same date, within the equity asset class, approximately 28% of our AUM was invested in multi-regional (i.e., non-U.S. and regional non-U.S.) investment strategies, 21% in emerging markets strategies, 18% in global investment strategies and 17% in local investment strategies. Within the fixed income asset class, approximately 7% of our AUM was invested in emerging markets strategies, 4% 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 25%, 21% and 21% of our total AUM at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with no client individually contributing more than 10% of our Asset Management segment net revenue during any of the respective years. Approximately 88% of our AUM as of December 31, 2017 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 12% 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, 2017, measured by broad product strategy and by office location.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our Asset Management segment net revenue totaled $1.256 billion, $1.051 billion and $1.111 billion, respectively, accounting for approximately 48%, 45% and 47%, respectively, of our consolidated net revenue for such years. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our Asset Management segment reported operating income of $445 million, $282 million and $374 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our Asset Management segment had total assets of $756 million, $646 million and $640 million, respectively.

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Our Asset Management business maintains offices in New York, Bordeaux, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Hong Kong, London, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Montreal, Nantes, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Zurich.  These operations, with 96 managing directors and 409 professionals as of December 31, 2017, provide our Asset Management business with both a global presence and a local identity.

Primary distinguishing features of these operations include:

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:

In searching for investment opportunities, many of our investment professionals follow an investment process that incorporates several interconnected components that may include:

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. Many of our global equity analysts, located in our worldwide offices, are organized around six global industry sectors:

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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:

 

In addition to the primary investment strategies listed above, we also provide other asset management services to our clients, including asset allocation and other investment advisory services, as well as locally customized investment solutions. 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.

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Distribution.    We distribute our products through a broad array of marketing channels on a global basis. 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, Bordeaux, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Hong Kong, London, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Montreal, Nantes, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Zurich. 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, sub-advisory funds, and separately managed accounts for many of the world’s largest broker-dealers, insurance companies, registered advisors and other financial intermediaries.

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:

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. 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, and through organic growth, acquisitions or otherwise. We may also continue to expand our geographic reach.

Alternative Investments

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. As of December 31, 2017, Edgewater had approximately $1 billion of AUM and unfunded fee-earning commitments.

Historically, Lazard also has made selected investments with its own capital, often alongside capital of qualified institutional and individual investors in connection with Lazard’s selected alternative investments and private equity activities. These investments typically have been 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-based incentive fees for the sponsor of such funds.

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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, 2017, we employed 2,843 people, which included 152 managing directors and 890 other professionals in our Financial Advisory segment and 96 managing directors and 409 other professionals in our Asset Management segment. We strive to maintain a work environment that fosters professionalism, excellence, diversity, collaboration 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 offices, including France and Italy, are covered by national, industry-wide collective bargaining agreements. We believe that we have good relations with our employees.

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 and price 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 include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Centerview Partners, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Evercore Partners, Goldman Sachs, Greenhill, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Rothschild and UBS. In our Restructuring practice, we believe our primary competitors include Centerview Partners, Evercore Partners, Houlihan Lokey, PJT Partners, Moelis & Company and Rothschild.

We believe that our primary global competitors in our Asset Management business include, in the case of Lazard Asset Management LLC (“LAM LLC”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “LAM”), Aberdeen, Alliance Bernstein, Capital Management & Research, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Invesco, JP Morgan Asset Management, Lord Abbett, MFS, Neuberger Berman and Schroders and, in the case of Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“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.

Many of our competitors are large, consolidated financial institutions that 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. 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. These boutique firms frequently compete, among other factors, on the basis of their independent financial advice, and their activities also could result in pricing and other competitive pressure in our businesses. We also face competition from asset management firms that specialize in providing passively managed investment strategies at relatively low costs, which could result in pricing pressure in our Asset Management business.

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See Item 1A, “Risk Factors—The financial services industry, and all of the businesses in which we compete, are intensely competitive” below.

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 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”), and/or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). 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 SEC, FINRA and other U.S. 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. The effect of any such changes cannot be predicted and may impact the manner of operation and profitability of our businesses.

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 regulations regarding 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. In addition, LFNY is a member organization of the New York Stock Exchange LLC and the NYSE MKT LLC and is subject to various rules and regulations that have been promulgated by these securities exchanges. Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (“LAM Securities”), a subsidiary of LAM LLC, 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 is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and FINRA, and as a broker-dealer in various U.S. states and territories.

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 U.K. subsidiaries of Lazard Group, including Lazard & Co., Limited (“LCL”), 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 authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), and are subject to various rules and regulations made by the FCA under the authorities conferred upon it by the

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Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended by the Financial Services Act 2012. LCL has obtained the appropriate European investment services rights to provide cross-border services into a number of other members of the European Economic Area.

We also have other subsidiaries that are registered as broker-dealers (or have similar non-U.S. registration) in various jurisdictions.

Certain of our Asset Management subsidiaries are registered as investment advisors with the SEC. As a registered investment advisor, each is subject to the requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (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 LLC serves as an investment advisor to several U.S. mutual funds which are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (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, and limitations on affiliated transactions and joint transactions. LAM Securities serves as an underwriter or distributor for mutual funds and private funds managed by LAM, and as an introducing broker to Pershing LLC for unmanaged accounts of certain of LAM LLC’s private clients.

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 our Paris-based banking subsidiary, Lazard Frères Banque SA (“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. 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. In 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 supervision, the combined European regulated group is required to comply with minimum requirements for regulatory net capital to be reported on a quarterly basis and satisfy periodic financial 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.

As a result of certain 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 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 Central Bank of Ireland, the Japanese Ministry of Finance and Financial Services Agency, the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, the Italian Companies and Stock Exchange Commission and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, among others, regulate relevant operating subsidiaries of the Company and also have capital standards and other requirements broadly 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.

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Regulators are empowered to conduct periodic examinations and initiate 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 investment advisor or its directors, officers or employees.

We are also subject to various anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws, rules and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, for example, generally prohibits offering, promising or giving, or authorizing others to give, anything of value, either directly or indirectly, to a non-U.S. government official in order to influence official action or otherwise gain an unfair business advantage, such as to obtain or retain business. Similar rules and regulations exist in other jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, we are required to comply with economic sanctions and embargo programs administered by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and by similar governmental agencies and other authorities worldwide. Violations of any of these laws, rules, regulations and programs can give rise to administrative, civil or criminal penalties.

The U.S. and other governments and institutions have taken actions, and may continue to take further actions, that affect the global financial markets. Such further actions could include 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 20, 2018, all of whom have been appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, our board of directors.

Kenneth M. Jacobs, 59

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.

Evan L. Russo, 43

Mr. Russo became Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group in October 2017.  Mr. Russo has served as a Managing Director of Lazard since 2009, and, prior to becoming Chief Financial Officer, was Co-Head of Lazard’s Capital Markets and Capital Structure Advisory practice. Mr. Russo joined Lazard as a Director in 2007.  Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Russo worked for Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Investment Banking Division, and prior to that, for Barclays Capital. Mr. Russo began his career as a corporate attorney with the law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy.

Ashish Bhutani, 57

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

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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, 55

Mr. Hoffman has served as Chief Administrative Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since July 2017 and as General Counsel of Lazard Ltd since May 2005. Mr. Hoffman has served as a Managing Director of Lazard 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.

Alexander F. Stern, 51

Mr. Stern has served as Chief Operating Officer of Lazard Ltd and Lazard Group since November 2008. Mr. Stern has served as a Managing Director of Lazard since January 2002, as Chief Executive Officer, Financial Advisory, since April 2015, and as 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. Mr. Stern is the chairman of the Board of Directors of LUNGevity Foundation.

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Where You Can Find Additional Information

Lazard Ltd files current, annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements 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, proxy statements 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://investor.shareholder.com/lazard/sec.cfm. 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 Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating & Governance Committee. Copies of these charters and our 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.

 

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 the 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.

Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the volume of 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. Unfavorable economic and market conditions can adversely affect our financial performance in both the Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses. The future market and economic climate may deteriorate because of many factors, such as a general slowing of economic growth globally or regionally, periods of disruption or volatility in securities markets, volatility and tightening of liquidity in credit markets, volatility or significant realignments in currency markets, increases in interest rates, inflation, corporate or sovereign defaults, natural disasters, terrorism or political uncertainty.

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 or uncertain 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.

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

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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, and there is no certainty that strength in one practice will offset weakness in the other.

Our Asset Management business also would be expected to generate lower revenue in a market or general economic downturn. Under our Asset Management business’s arrangements, investment advisory fees we receive typically are based on the market value of AUM. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities, 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:

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 stockholders’ equity and net income or negatively impact the portfolios of our Asset Management clients and may affect the levels of our AUM” below.

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 acquirer’s 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” 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

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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 the daily, monthly or quarterly average AUM. As a result, a reduction in AUM at the end of a day, 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, the 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 such fluctuations, it may be difficult for us to achieve steady revenue and earnings growth on a quarterly basis.

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 asset. 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 of our revenue.

In general, our industry continues to experience change and be subject to significant competitive pressures with respect to the retention of top talent, which makes it more difficult for us to retain professionals. Loss of key employees may occur due to perceived opportunity for promotion, compensation levels, work environment, retirement or the pursuit of philanthropic, civic or similar service opportunities, or other individual reasons, some of which may be beyond our control. If managing directors and other key professional employees were to retire, join an existing competitor, form a competing company or otherwise leave us, we could need to replace them, and some of our clients could eventually choose to use the services of that competitor or some other competitor instead of our services. In any such event, our investment banking fees, asset 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 sufficiently 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 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 incentive 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 the issuance of increased levels of Lazard Ltd’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”), to our employees upon vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) or restricted stock awards 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.

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, our employees and transaction execution, the range and price of our products and services, our innovation and our reputation. 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.

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A number of factors increase the competitive risks of our Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses:

In addition, many of our competitors have the ability to offer a wide 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 people or maintain AUM, any of which would adversely affect our revenue and earnings.

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, 2017, Financial Advisory services accounted for approximately 52% 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 those that protect creditors, and the deregulation or privatization of particular industries.

Potential underwriting and trading activities may expose us to risk.

In 2014, we took steps that have enabled us to act as an underwriter in public offerings and other distributions of securities in order to buttress our Financial Advisory business. If we act as an underwriter, we may incur losses

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and be subject to reputational harm to the extent that, for any reason, we are unable to sell securities we purchased as an underwriter at the anticipated price levels. In addition, if we act as an underwriter, we may also be subject to liability for material misstatements or omissions in prospectuses and other offering documents relating to offerings we underwrite. In such cases, any indemnification provisions in the applicable underwriting agreement may not be available to us or may not be sufficient to protect us against losses arising from such liability. Operational risk in connection with any offering we underwrite could arise in the form of errors, deficiencies or noncompliance and also could expose us to risk. In addition, indemnification provisions in our agreement with our clearing organization, customer trading and other activities may expose us to off-balance sheet credit risk. Securities may have to be purchased or sold at prevailing market prices in the event a customer fails to settle a trade on its original terms. We seek to manage the risks associated with underwriting and customer trading activities through screening, internal review and trading procedures and processes, but such procedures and processes may not be effective in all cases.

Our investment style in our Asset Management business, including the mix of asset classes and investment strategies comprising our AUM, may underperform or generate less demand than 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. For example, many of the equity investment strategies in our Asset Management business share a common investment orientation towards relative value investing. We believe this style tends to outperform the market in some market environments and underperform it in others. In particular, a prolonged growth environment may cause some of our investment strategies to go out of favor with some clients, advisors, consultants or third-party intermediaries. In addition, all of our investment strategies are actively managed strategies which seek to outperform relative to a benchmark or generate an absolute return.  Management fees for actively managed strategies tend to be higher than those charged for passively managed strategies. The perception that actively managed strategies have, on average, underperformed relative to passively managed strategies over time, combined with greater pressure on clients to acquire asset management services at lower costs, has contributed to increased trends toward passively managed investment strategies. This, in turn, may adversely affect demand for our strategies or result in fee pressure on our business overall. In combination with poor performance relative to peers, changes in personnel, challenging market environments or other difficulties, the underperformance of our investment style may result in significant client or asset departures or a reduction in AUM.

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, 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:

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, as well as changes in a variety of macroeconomic and other factors, 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.

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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 and consultants is important to our Asset Management business, and reductions in referrals from such intermediaries or consultants or poor reviews of our products or our organization by such intermediaries or consultants 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 and consultants 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 or consultants.

Our Asset Management business relies on non-affiliated third-party service providers.

Our Asset Management business has entered into service agreements with third-party service providers for client order management and the execution and settlement of client securities transactions. This business faces the risk of operational failure of any of our clearing agents, the exchanges, clearing houses or other intermediaries we use to facilitate our securities transactions. We oversee and manage these relationships. Poor oversight and control or inferior performance or service on the part of the service provider could result in loss of customers and violations of applicable rules and regulations. Any such failure could adversely affect our ability to effect transactions and to manage our exposure to risk.

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 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, and if available, may not be fully effective. 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.

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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, and we continue to hold principal investments directly or through funds managed by certain affiliates of Lazard, including Edgewater, as well as third parties. 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 each quarter, and any related gains or losses would affect our results of operations and could increase the volatility of our earnings, even though such fair value fluctuations may have no cash impact. 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 may also be 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.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could reduce our stockholders’ 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, including through advisory fees paid to our Financial Advisory business and management fees paid to our Asset Management business. Our financial statements are denominated in U.S. Dollars and, for the year ended December 31, 2017, we received approximately 38% of our consolidated net revenue in other currencies, predominantly in Euros, British Pounds and Australian Dollars. 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 affect 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.

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 funded 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, with all other factors held constant, generally would 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. As of December 31, 2017, AUM with foreign currency exposure represented approximately 74% of our total AUM.

See Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impact on stockholders’ equity from currency translation adjustments and Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impact on operating results from currency transaction adjustments.

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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 modification and further regulation. Such changes may increase the expenses that we incur without necessarily leading to commensurate increases in operating revenue and income. Certain laws and regulations within the U.S. and externally include extraterritorial application that may lead to overlapping or conflicting legal and regulatory burdens with additional risks and implementation expenses. 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.

The U.S. and other governments and institutions have taken actions, and may in the future take further actions, in response to disruption and volatility in the global financial markets. Such further actions could include 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. Rulemaking under the Dodd-Frank Act is still ongoing and the final scope and interpretations of those rules, and their impact on our business, though still not fully known, could have implications for the manner in which we conduct our business and, consequently, its profitability. In recent years, changes include requiring that certain financial instruments be cleared by a regulated clearing organization and the requirement to deliver margin payments for certain derivative transactions. These changes have required adjustments to our operational processes as a result, which may impact certain strategies and businesses. While we continue to examine the requirements 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”), and previously announced actual or potential regulations that may be modified, 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 Capital Advisory engagements, and could therefore affect the profitability of that portion of our business.

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. In addition, many tax laws and regulations have been modified, or are otherwise under review, in the U.S. and in many other jurisdictions in which we and our clients operate. Actual and proposed changes to these laws and regulations may affect the level of M&A activity, including cross-border M&A activity.

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, private equity 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.

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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 been reexamined by different regulatory bodies and may in the future be limited or modified. In particular, the enactment of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (“MiFID II”), regulates the use of soft dollars for certain parts of our business. 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. As a result of MiFID II, our European Union and U.K. Asset Management subsidiaries intend to pay directly for broker research services (instead of utilizing commissions to pay for such services) with respect to certain client accounts managed by these offices. The ultimate impact of MiFID II on our Asset Management business and on the financial industry as a whole remains uncertain, although it has reduced our ability to utilize commissions to pay for research services and other soft dollar services for European-based businesses. Similar pressures may come from other markets around the globe, which may further increase costs related to those research services. For the year ended December 31, 2017, 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 $24 million.

In addition, new regulations affecting the asset management business, including those regarding the management of U.S. mutual funds, hedge funds, UCITs funds and the use of certain investment products may impact our Asset Management business and result in increased costs. For example, the European Union has adopted updated directives on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (“UCITS V”) with respect to various subjects. Among other things, UCITS V establishes remunerations policies which impact the structure of compensation for certain portfolio managers and other personnel within the Company.  UCITS V also establishes certain regulations governing oversight and independence of depository functions. While these rules have already been implemented, they could further impact our personnel or result in changes to our operations, resulting in increased costs to the business.  In addition, many regulators around the world, including those in the U.S., continue to adopt disclosure requirements impacting the asset management business, as well as changes to the laws, rules and regulations relating to 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” above for a further discussion of the regulatory environment in which we conduct our businesses.

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 if conflicts of interest should arise.

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. Our role as advisor to our sovereign and government clients in particular may occasionally result in increased publicity of our involvement with, and our advice to, such clients.

In recent years, the volume of claims and amount of damages claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial advisors has been increasing. The activities of our Financial Advisory business 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. Such legal actions may include allegations relating to aiding and abetting breaches of

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fiduciary duties and to materially false or misleading statements made in connection with securities and other transactions. We may also be exposed to 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. Many of our business activities may subject us to the risk of legal actions alleging negligence, misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty or breach of contract.

We increasingly confront actual and potential conflicts of interest relating to our Financial Advisory business, as well as to the fact that we have both a Financial Advisory business and an Asset Management business. It is possible that actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest could give rise to client dissatisfaction, litigation or regulatory enforcement actions, which could have the effect of limiting our business opportunities. Appropriately identifying and managing actual or perceived conflicts of interest is complex and difficult, and our reputation could be damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with one or more potential or actual conflicts of interest. We have adopted various policies, controls and procedures to address or limit actual or perceived conflicts of interest. However, these policies, controls and procedures may not be adhered to by our employees or be effective in reducing the applicable risks. Any failure of, or failure to adhere to, these policies, controls and procedures may result in regulatory sanctions or client litigation. We may also face competition from time to time from other financial services firms that do not operate under similar policies, controls and procedures.

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.

We may incur significant legal expenses in defending against litigation or regulatory action against us. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and cause significant reputational harm to us, which could seriously harm our business.

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 reputational or financial harm. Our Financial Advisory business often requires that we deal with confidences of great significance to our clients or their counterparties, improper use of which may harm our clients or our relationships with our clients. Any breach of confidences as a result of employee misconduct may adversely affect our reputation, impair our ability to attract and retain Financial Advisory clients and 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.

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice and the SEC have also devoted greater resources to the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In addition, the United Kingdom, France and other jurisdictions have expanded the reach of their anti-bribery laws. While we have developed and implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with anti-bribery and other laws, such policies and procedures may not be effective in all instances to prevent violations. Any determination that we have violated these laws could subject us to, among other things, civil and criminal penalties, material fines, profit disgorgement, injunction against future conduct, securities litigation and reputational damage, any one of which could adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.

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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, which frequently include “cloud”-based networks and services, may be subject to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code or other threats that are constantly evolving and that could have a security impact on us. 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. The increased use of mobile technologies can heighten these and other operational risks. 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 and could result in reputational damage, legal liability, 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 multiply, become more sophisticated and threaten additional aspects of our businesses, 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.

Other operational risks may disrupt our businesses, result in regulatory action against us or limit our growth.

Our business is highly 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, system modification or upgrade, or otherwise, could materially adversely affect our business. 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.

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, and any such system upgrades or expansions could result in significant costs to us. Certain investment teams within our Asset Management business employ proprietary systems, including quantitative models, in connection with their investment processes. These systems and models are often designed and, with assistance from technology personnel, maintained by employees who are members of those investment teams. If any of the foregoing systems fail to 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, errors resulting from these issues or from human error when conducting a trade or other transaction could expose us to significant risk.

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.

For additional information regarding operational risks with respect to our businesses, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Operational Risk” below.

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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, if any, cannot be fully realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to us.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could materially adversely affect 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, 2017. 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 materially adversely affect our business.

We may pursue acquisitions, joint ventures, cooperation agreements or other growth or geographic expansion strategies 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 or growth strategies 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. We expect to continue to explore acquisitions, growth strategies and partnership or strategic alliance opportunities that we believe to be attractive.

Acquisitions, growth strategies and joint ventures involve a number of risks and present financial, managerial and operational challenges. These risks and challenges include potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management, difficulty integrating personnel and financial and other systems, difficulty hiring additional management and other critical personnel, and other challenges arising from the increased scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations.

To the extent that we pursue business opportunities outside of the United States and our other principal business locations, including through acquisitions, joint ventures or other geographic expansion of our existing businesses, we may become subject to political, economic, legal, operational, regulatory and other risks that are inherent in operating in a foreign country, including risks of potential price, capital and currency exchange controls, licensing requirements and other regulatory restrictions, as well as the risk of hostile actions against or affecting our business or people. Our ability to remain in compliance with local laws in a particular foreign jurisdiction could adversely affect our businesses and our reputation.

In addition, our clients may react unfavorably to our acquisition, growth and joint venture strategies, we may not realize any anticipated benefits from such strategies, we may be exposed to additional liabilities of any acquired business or joint venture, we may be exposed to litigation in connection with an acquisition, growth or joint venture transaction, 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, financial position and results of operations.

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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, 2017, Lazard Group and its subsidiaries had approximately $1.2 billion in debt outstanding, of which $500 million, $400 million and $300 million relate to Lazard Group senior notes that mature in 2020, 2025 and 2027, 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.

Our share price may decline due to the large number of our common shares eligible for future sale.

As of December 31, 2017, Lazard Ltd’s authorized and unissued shares of Class A common stock include approximately 16.7 million shares of our Class A common stock underlying RSUs, PRSUs, deferred stock units (“DSUs”) and restricted stock awards that have been granted pursuant to Lazard Ltd’s 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”). RSUs and restricted stock awards generally require future service, among other requirements, as a condition for the delivery of the underlying shares of our 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. Such vesting events generally occur in the first quarter of each year, at which point a large number of our shares of Class A common stock immediately become available for sale. PRSUs generally require future service and satisfaction of performance-based vesting criteria as a condition for the delivery of the underlying shares of Class A common stock, and the number of such shares that may be received in connection with each PRSU generally may range from zero to two times the target number.

We have generally withheld a portion of the Class A common stock issued to our employees upon vesting of RSUs or delivery of restricted stock to comply with minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. In addition, we have historically repurchased in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions a significant number of shares of our Class A common stock. If we were to cease to or were unable to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock, the number of shares outstanding would increase over time, diluting the ownership of our existing stockholders.

Furthermore, we cannot predict whether, when and how many shares of our Class A common stock will be sold into the market and the effect, if any, that the possibility of market sales of shares of our Class A common stock, the actual sale of such shares or the availability of such shares will have on the market price of our Class A common stock or our ability to raise capital through the issuance of equity securities from time to time. There are generally no restrictions on the sale of vested shares of Class A common stock held by our employees other than prohibitions on sales during internal “blackout” periods imposed by us at points between quarterly earnings releases.

The 2008 Plan will expire in May 2018, and we will depend upon a successor incentive compensation plan to continue to grant RSUs, PRSUs, DSUs and restricted stock awards to eligible recipients.

Lazard Ltd is a holding company and, accordingly, depends upon distributions from Lazard Group to pay dividends and taxes and other expenses.

Lazard Ltd is a holding company and has no independent means of generating significant revenue. We control Lazard Group through our indirect control of both of the managing members of Lazard Group. Our subsidiaries incur income taxes on net taxable income of Lazard Group in their respective tax jurisdictions. We intend to continue to cause Lazard Group to make distributions to our subsidiaries in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes payable by us and dividends, if any, declared by us. To the extent that our subsidiaries need funds to

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pay taxes on their share of Lazard Group’s net taxable income, or if Lazard Ltd needs funds for any other purpose, and Lazard Group is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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 distributions, 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, and the group of entities that constitute Lazard Group’s subsidiaries may change over time. 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 obligations 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.

In the event of a change or adverse interpretation of relevant income tax law, regulation or treaty, or a failure to qualify for treaty benefits, our overall tax rate may be substantially higher than the rate used for purposes of our consolidated financial statements.

Our effective tax rate is based upon the application of currently applicable income tax laws, regulations and treaties, current judicial and administrative interpretations of those income tax laws, regulations and treaties, and upon our non-U.S. subsidiaries’ ability to qualify for benefits, including reduced withholding tax rates, among other things, under those treaties, and that a portion of their income is not subject to U.S. tax as effectively connected income. Those income tax laws, regulations and treaties, and the administrative and judicial interpretations of them, are subject to change at any time, and any such change may be retroactive.

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was enacted. The Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax system by, among other changes, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a partial territorial tax system and imposing a one-time repatriation tax on the deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Act also includes several provisions that may limit the benefit of the tax rate reduction, such as restricting the deductibility of interest expense and other corporate business expenses.

The international tax provisions of the Tax Act are complex and the ultimate impact on us of the international provisions, such as the base erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”), the tax on global intangible low- taxed income (“GILTI”) and the other provisions of the Tax Act is uncertain because of the practical and technical application of many of those provisions and the anticipated guidance from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) about those provisions.  The Tax Act could also be subject to potential amendments or legislative corrections in the near to medium term that could adversely affect us. In addition, if we were to convert into a U.S. corporation, we could be subject to additional U.S. taxes, and future payments required under our tax receivable agreement could be accelerated, both of which could reduce the amount of our cash available for distribution or reinvestment.

In addition, the eligibility of our non-U.S. subsidiaries for treaty benefits generally depends upon, among other things, at least 50% of the principal class of shares in such subsidiaries being “ultimately owned” by U.S. citizens and persons who are “qualified residents” for purposes of the treaty. It is possible that this requirement may not be met, and even if it is met, we may not be able to document that fact to the satisfaction of the IRS. If our non-U.S. subsidiaries are not treated as eligible for treaty benefits, such subsidiaries will be subject to additional U.S. taxes, including “branch profits tax” on their “effectively connected earnings and profits” (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) at a rate of 30% rather than a treaty rate of 5%.

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U.S. and foreign governments, institutions (including the European Union and the Organization of Economically Developed Countries) and tax officials have produced and continue to implement many laws, regulations, and treaties that currently govern the taxation of multinational companies. Any implementation of, or changes to, any such laws, regulations and treaties that impact us could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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 or payments under the tax receivable agreement described below.

In addition, there are additional transfer pricing and standardized country by country reporting requirements being implemented. Additional information from country by country reporting, certain local information sharing arrangements, and other documentation held by tax authorities is expected to be subject to greater information sharing arrangements and any challenges from tax authorities reviewing such information could adversely impact our overall tax obligations or our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Uncertainty regarding the outcome of future arrangements between the European Union and the United Kingdom may adversely affect our business.

The Company has a significant presence in many European Union countries, including the United Kingdom. In a June 2016 referendum, the U.K. voted in favor of leaving the European Union, and in February 2017 the U.K.’s House of Commons voted to approve the initiation of formal exit discussions with the European Union. Such exit discussions covering, among other matters, transitional arrangements that would apply following the U.K.’s departure from the European Union in March 2019 are currently in process. At the time that the U.K. ultimately leaves the European Union, the commercial, regulatory and legal environment that would exist, and to which the Company’s U.K. operations would be subject, would be impacted by the nature of arrangements that are under negotiation and yet to be determined between the U.K and the European Union. These arrangements are hard to predict, and uncertainty regarding their outcome may continue. The Company currently does not believe that any of the potential arrangements that are likely to be agreed would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business. These potential arrangements may, however, result in certain changes in the way that we conduct our businesses, which could result in increased costs. In addition, the result of the referendum and the uncertainty it produced has impacted geopolitical perspectives and macroeconomic factors including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity markets, and it has increased volatility in certain markets in which we operate. If these conditions continue or if current conditions worsen, our businesses may be adversely affected, which may impact our financial position and results of operations. See “Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the volume of 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” above.

Our subsidiaries may be required to make payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. The IRS may challenge the tax benefits that give rise to such payments and, under certain circumstances, our subsidiaries may have made or could make payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement in excess of our subsidiaries’ cash tax savings.

As further discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Income Taxes” and Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Second Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2015 (the “Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement”), between Lazard and LTBP Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), provides for the payment by our subsidiaries to the Trust of a significant portion of the cash

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savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that we actually realize as a result of certain tax benefits that are subject to the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. Any amount paid by our subsidiaries to the Trust will generally be distributed to the owners of the Trust, including our executive officers, in proportion to their beneficial interests in the Trust. If the IRS successfully challenges the tax benefits described above, under certain circumstances, our subsidiaries may have made or could make payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement in excess of our subsidiaries’ cash tax savings.

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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,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “target,” “goal” or “continue,” and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies, business plans and initiatives and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the numerous risks and uncertainties outlined in “Risk Factors,” including the following:

These risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Form 10-K 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:

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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 website, its twitter account (twitter.com/Lazard) and other social media sites 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 our Asset Management business. Investors can link to Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and their operating company websites through http://www.lazard.com. Our websites and social media sites 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, 2017 relating to our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.

 

 

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The following table lists the properties used for the entire Lazard organization as of December 31, 2017. 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. Our London and other offices sublease 71,207 and 31,971 square feet, respectively, to third parties. We remain fully liable for the subleased space to the extent that the subtenants fail to perform their obligations under the subleases for any reason.

 

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.

Not applicable.

 

 

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Part II

Our Class A common stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LAZ.” The following table sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our Class A common stock, as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system, and the quarterly dividends declared during 2017 and 2016.

Price Ranges of, and Dividends Declared on, Our Common Stock

 

As of February 2, 2018, there were approximately 25 holders of record of our Class A common stock. This does not include the number of shareholders that hold shares in “street-name” through banks or broker-dealers.

On February 2, 2018, the last reported sales price for our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $58.12 per share.

On January 31, 2018, the Board of Directors of Lazard declared dividends totaling $1.71 per share, comprised of a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, and an extra cash dividend of $1.30 per share, on our Class A common stock. The dividends are payable on February 23, 2018, to stockholders of record on February 12, 2018.

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Share Repurchases in the Fourth Quarter of 2017

The following table sets forth information regarding Lazard’s purchases of its Class A common stock on a monthly basis during the fourth quarter of 2017. Share repurchases are recorded on a trade date basis.

 

 

A significant portion of the Company’s purchases under the share repurchase program are used to offset a portion of the shares that have been or will be issued under the 2008 Plan. Purchases under the share repurchase program may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The rate at which the Company purchases shares in connection with the share repurchase program may vary from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors. Amounts shown in this line item include repurchases of Class A common stock and exclude the shares of Class A common stock withheld by the Company to meet the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements as described below.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had in place trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), pursuant to which it effected stock repurchases in the open market.

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

See Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters—Equity Compensation Plan Information.”

Stock Performance

The stock performance graph below compares the performance of an investment in our Class A common stock, from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017, with that of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Financial Index. The graph assumes $100 was invested at the close of business on December 31, 2012 in each of our Class A common stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Financial Index. It also assumes that dividends were reinvested on the date of payment without payment of any commissions. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.

 

Other Matters

None.

The following table sets forth 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, 2017 have been derived from Lazard Ltd’s consolidated financial statements. The audited consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and audited consolidated statements of operations for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2017 are included in this Form 10-K. The audited consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and the audited consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are not included in this Form 10-K. Historical results should not be considered an indication 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

 

Notes (in thousands of dollars):

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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Lazard Ltd’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 43 cities in key business and financial centers across 27 countries throughout North America, Europe, 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, regional and local 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:

In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments, deferred tax assets, outstanding indebtedness, certain contingent obligations, and assets and liabilities associated with Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary, Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).

Our consolidated net revenue was derived from the following segments:

 

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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, historically, investments through (i)  Edgewater, our Chicago-based private equity firm, (ii) a fund targeting significant noncontrolling-stake investments in established private companies and (iii) until the second quarter of 2017, a mezzanine fund (the “Mezzanine Fund”), which invests in mezzanine debt of a diversified selection of small- to mid-cap European companies. We sold our interest in the Mezzanine Fund in May 2017. We also make investments to seed our Asset Management strategies.

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, 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 and emerging markets at December 31, 2017 increased as compared to such indices at December 31, 2016. In the global M&A markets during 2017, the value and number of all completed M&A transactions decreased as compared to the same period in the prior year, as did the subset of such transactions involving values greater than $500 million. During the same time, the value of all announced M&A transactions, including the subset of such transactions involving values greater than $500 million, also decreased, while the number of all such transactions increased as compared to 2016. During 2017, global restructuring activity, as measured by the number of corporate defaults, decreased as compared to 2016.

On an ongoing basis, regional macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including regional tax and regulatory reform, may impact our business. Overall, the global macroeconomic outlook for the near-to mid-term continues to strengthen. The U.S. economy remains healthy and tax reform has increased earnings expectations. The European economy continues to recover. Corporate cash balances remain high, and borrowing costs remain low for companies with strong credit ratings. Although market volatility may affect our business from time to time, the longer-term trends appear to remain favorable for both of our businesses.

Our outlook with respect to our Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses is described below.

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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 growth, earnings growth and shareholder returns, the evaluation of potential growth opportunities, the prudent management of our costs and expenses, the efficient use of our assets and the return of capital to our shareholders.

Certain data with respect to our Financial Advisory and Asset Management businesses is included below.

Financial Advisory

As reflected in the following table, which sets forth global M&A industry statistics, the value and number of all completed transactions, including completed transactions with values greater than $500 million, decreased in 2017 as compared to 2016.  With respect to announced M&A transactions, the value of all transactions, including announced transactions with values greater than $500 million, also decreased in 2017 as compared to 2016, while the number of all such transactions increased as compared to 2016.

 

 

Global restructuring activity during 2017, as measured by the number of corporate defaults, decreased as compared to 2016. The number of defaulting issuers decreased to 90 in 2017, according to Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., as compared to 142 in 2016.

Net revenue trends in Financial Advisory for Strategic 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

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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, our Strategic Advisory revenue, which includes M&A Advisory, Capital Advisory, Capital Raising, Sovereign Advisory and Shareholder Advisory revenue, increased 2% in 2017 as compared to 2016. The industry statistics for global M&A transactions described above reflect a 10% decrease in the value of all completed transactions in 2017 as compared to 2016. For M&A deals with values greater than $500 million, the value of completed transactions in 2017 decreased 11% as compared to 2016. In addition, with respect to our restructuring activity, revenue increased 30% in 2017 as compared to 2016, in contrast to a 37% decrease in global default activity in 2017 as compared to 2016.

Asset Management

The percentage change in major equity market indices (i) at December 31, 2017, as compared to such indices at December 31, 2016, and (ii) at December 31, 2016, as compared to such indices at December 31, 2015, is shown in the table below.

 

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 exchange rate 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 December 31, 2017 increased 26% versus AUM at December 31, 2016, due to market and foreign exchange appreciation and net inflows. Average AUM for 2017 increased 16% as compared to average AUM in 2016.

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. 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.

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Lazard’s Asset Management segment principally includes 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 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 and the overall amount of management fees generated by the 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 or a redemption occurs 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 (“LFI”) and 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 2017 is not significant compared to Lazard’s net revenue, total assets in the Corporate segment represented 68% of Lazard’s consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2017, which are attributable to cash and cash equivalents, investments in debt and equity securities, interests in alternative investment, debt, equity and private equity funds, deferred tax assets and certain assets associated with LFB.

 

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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 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”), and (b) LFI 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, estimated forfeiture rates, 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 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 also 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 reconciliations and 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.

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Compensation and benefits expense is the largest component of our operating expenses. We seek to maintain discipline with respect to compensation, including the rate at which we award deferred compensation. Our goal is to maintain a ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue and a ratio of adjusted compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue over the cycle in the mid- to high-50s percentage range, which compares to 55.6% and 55.8%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017. While we have implemented policies and initiatives that we believe will assist us in maintaining ratios within this range, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to maintain such ratios, 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 or our AUM levels, changes in the mix of revenues from our businesses, investments in our businesses or various other factors could prevent us from achieving this goal.

Our 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. Our occupancy costs represent a significant portion of our aggregate operating expenses and are subject to change from time to time, particularly as leases for real property expire and are renewed or replaced with new, long-term leases for the same or other real property. In 2016 and 2015, non-compensation expense included expenses related to the redemption of the Company’s 6.85% senior notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”) (see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

We believe that “adjusted non-compensation expense”, a non-U.S. GAAP measure, provides a more meaningful basis for our investors to assess our operating results. For calculations with respect to “adjusted non-compensation expense”, see the table under “Consolidated Results of Operations” below.

Our operating expenses also include our “provision (benefit) pursuant to the tax receivable agreement” (which, in 2017, was offset by the charges described below relating to the Tax Act) and “amortization and other acquisition-related costs”. “Amortization and other acquisition-related costs” include the change in fair value of the contingent consideration associated with business acquisitions and, in 2016, pertain primarily to the acquisition of Edgewater.

Provision for Income Taxes

Lazard Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is subject to U.S. federal income taxes on all of its U.S. operating income, as well as on the portion of non-U.S. income attributable to its U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, Lazard Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is subject to state and local taxes on its income apportioned to various state and local jurisdictions. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Lazard Group is also subject to Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) attributable to its operations apportioned to New York City (see Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).

In the second quarter of 2015, we released substantially all of our valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets. When we are able to use the deferred tax assets, including our net operating losses, in future periods to reduce our income taxes, we will be required to pay a significant portion of the tax savings pursuant to our tax receivable agreement. The amount of such payments will depend on, among other items, our annual taxable income. We therefore also recognized a related liability under the tax receivable agreement. In addition, in the third quarter of 2015, we purchased a portion of our obligation relating to the tax receivable agreement, which had the effect of reducing such liability.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted. The Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax system by, among other changes, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a partial territorial tax system and imposing a one-time repatriation tax on the deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Act also includes several provisions that may limit the benefit of the tax rate reduction, such as restricting the deductibility of interest expense and other corporate business expenses. The Tax Act further includes anti-base erosion provisions such as the BEAT and tax on GILTI. The reduced corporate tax rate required us to remeasure our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and tax receivable agreement obligation.

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See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Income Taxes” below and Notes 16 and 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding income taxes, the impact of the Tax Act on us, our deferred tax assets, the valuation allowance release in 2015 and the tax receivable agreement obligation.

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.

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 stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on transactions in non-functional currencies are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

A portion of our net revenue is derived from transactions that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was positively impacted, and net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was negatively impacted, by exchange rate movements, in each case in comparison to the relevant prior year period. The majority of the impact to net revenue, in both periods, was offset by the impact of the exchange rate movements on our operating expenses during the years denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar.  

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Selected financial data derived 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.

 

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. 

 

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Headcount information is set forth below:

 

Operating Results

Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus December 31, 2016

The Company reported net income attributable to Lazard Ltd of $254 million, as compared to net income of $388 million in 2016. The changes in the Company’s operating results during these years are described below.

Net revenue increased $311 million, or 13%, with operating revenue increasing $310 million, or 13%, as compared to 2016. Fee revenue from investment banking and other advisory activities increased $87 million, or 7%, as compared to 2016, due to an increase in Strategic Advisory and Restructuring revenue. Asset management fees, including incentive fees, increased $197 million, or 20%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in average AUM. In the aggregate, interest income, other revenue and interest expense increased $27 million, or 75%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to gains in 2017 attributable to investments held in connection with LFI.

Compensation and benefits expense increased $172 million, or 13%, as compared to 2016, primarily associated with increased operating revenue, charges pertaining to LFI and an increase in social charges.

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (which excludes certain items and which we believe allows for improved comparability between periods, as described above) was $1,481 million, an increase of $156 million, or 12%, as compared to $1,325 million in 2016. The ratio of adjusted compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was 55.8% for 2017, as compared to 56.5% for 2016. Awarded compensation and benefits expense in 2017 was $1,476 million, an increase of $159 million, or 12%, when compared to $1,317 million in 2016. The ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was 55.6% and 56.2% for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The year-end deferred incentive compensation awarded for 2017 was $351 million, representing an increase of $9 million, or 2%, as compared to 2016. 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.

Non-compensation expense increased $59 million, or 13%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to expenses associated with the ERP system implementation and expenses related to office space reorganization, as well as higher mutual fund service fees related to the growth in AUM and higher marketing and business development expenses. Adjusted non-compensation expense, which excludes non-compensation costs related to the ERP system implementation, office space reorganization and noncontrolling interests, increased $27 million, or 6%, as compared to 2016. The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue was 17.4% for 2017, as compared to 18.5% in 2016.

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Amortization and other acquisition-related costs decreased $26 million as compared to 2016, primarily due to the change in fair value of the contingent consideration in 2016 associated with the Edgewater business acquisition. The contingent consideration associated with the Edgewater business acquisition was settled during 2016.

The Tax Act reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, which required us to remeasure the tax receivable agreement obligation. As a result of the change in the U.S. corporate tax rate, we reduced the tax receivable agreement obligation by $203 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and recorded a $203 million benefit pursuant to the tax receivable agreement (see Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).

Operating income increased $308 million, or 60%, as compared to 2016. In 2017, operating income included the benefit pursuant to the tax receivable agreement described above.

Earnings from operations increased $127 million, or 22%, as compared to 2016. Earnings from operations, as a percentage of operating revenue, was 26.8%, as compared to 25.0% in 2016.

As a result of the Tax Act, the Company incurred a charge of approximately $420 million primarily relating to the reduction in deferred tax assets, which was partially offset by the benefit pursuant to the tax receivable agreement described above.  Accordingly, the provision (benefit) for income taxes reflects an effective tax rate of 68.5%, as compared to 23.9% for 2016. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2017 reflects the impact of the Tax Act. See Notes 16 and 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Critical Accounting Policies—Income Taxes” below.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests remained substantially unchanged as compared to 2016.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus December 31, 2015

The Company reported net income attributable to Lazard Ltd of $388 million, as compared to net income of $986 million in 2015. The changes in the Company’s operating results during these years are described below.

Net revenue decreased $20 million, or 1%, with operating revenue decreasing $36 million, or 2%, as compared to 2015. Fee revenue from investment banking and other advisory activities increased $22 million, or 2%, primarily due to an increase in Restructuring revenue, which generally reflected a higher level of activity in the U.S. energy sector in 2016. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in Strategic Advisory fees, which primarily reflected a lower level of closings, and a decrease in the average transaction fee with respect to completed transactions involving fees greater than $1 million, as compared to 2015. Asset Management fees, including incentive fees, decreased $38 million, or 4%, as compared to 2015, due primarily to a decrease in average AUM, a change in the mix of AUM and a decrease in incentive fees. In the aggregate, interest income, other revenue and interest expense decreased $4 million as compared to 2015, primarily due to a $24 million gain in 2015 on the disposal of the Company’s Australian private equity business (which relates primarily to the realization of carried interest at fair value), partially offset in 2016 by (i) the gain on the acquisition of MBA Lazard (which resulted from the increase in the fair value of the Company’s investment in MBA Lazard prior to the acquisition) and (ii) higher gains attributable to investments held in connection with LFI.

Compensation and benefits expense increased $21 million, or 2%, as compared to 2015, primarily due to higher amortization expense.

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (which excludes certain items and which we believe allows for improved comparability between periods, as described above) was $1,325 million, an increase of $6 million as compared to $1,319 million in 2015. The ratio of adjusted compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was 56.5% for 2016, as compared to 55.4% for 2015. Awarded compensation and benefits expense in 2016 was $1,317 million, a decrease of $16 million, or 1%, when compared to $1,333 million in 2015. The ratio of awarded compensation and benefits expense to operating revenue was 56.2% and 56.0% for 2016 and 2015, respectively. The year-end deferred incentive compensation awarded for 2016 was $342 million, representing a $6 million, or 2%, increase compared to 2015. As described above, when analyzing compensation and benefits expense on a full-year

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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.

Non-compensation expense decreased $57 million, or 11%, as compared to 2015, primarily due to charges of $3 million and $60 million related to the redemption of the Company’s 2017 Notes in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Adjusted non-compensation expense, which excludes such charges, as well as non-compensation costs relating to noncontrolling interests, remained substantially unchanged as compared to 2015. The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue was 18.5%, as compared to 18.2% in 2015.

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs increased $29 million as compared to 2015, primarily due to the change in fair value of the contingent consideration associated with the Edgewater business acquisition.

As a result of the possible utilization of certain deferred tax assets that are subject to the tax receivable agreement, including the impact of the partial extinguishment of our tax receivable agreement obligation in the third quarter of 2015, the provision pursuant to the tax receivable agreement in 2015 was $548 million (see Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).

Operating income increased $534 million as compared to 2015. In 2016, operating income included (i) a charge relating to the redemption of the remaining balance of the Company’s 2017 Notes and (ii) amortization and other acquisition-related costs. In 2015, operating income included (i) a charge relating to the redemption of a significant portion of the Company’s 2017 Notes and (ii) the impact of the provision pursuant to the tax receivable agreement described above.

Earnings from operations decreased $42 million, or 7%, as compared to 2015. In 2016, earnings from operations excluded (i) a charge relating to the redemption of the remaining balance of the Company’s 2017 Notes and (ii) amortization and other acquisition-related costs. In 2015, earnings from operations excluded (i) the charge related to the redemption of a significant portion of the Company’s 2017 Notes and (ii) the impact of the provision pursuant to the tax receivable agreement described above. Earnings from operations, as a percentage of operating revenue, was 25.0%, as compared to 26.4% in 2015.

The provision for income taxes reflects an effective tax rate of 23.9%, as compared to 6,074.3% for 2015. The unusually high effective tax rate in 2015 was primarily driven by (i) the reduction of operating income in 2015 as a result of the provision pursuant to the tax receivable agreement, and (ii) the release of substantially all of our valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets in 2015. See Notes 16 and 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Critical Accounting Policies—Income Taxes” below.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests remained substantially unchanged as compared to 2015.

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, human resources, 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.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company’s reporting by geographic region was transitioned from the Company’s previously disclosed North America, Europe and rest of the world regions to the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and Asia Pacific. Comparable prior year information has been recast to reflect our revised geographic presentation.

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Financial Advisory

The following table summarizes the reported operating results attributable to the Financial Advisory segment:

 

Certain Lazard fee and transaction statistics for the Financial Advisory segment are set forth below:

 

 

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 Americas (primarily in the U.S. and Latin America), EMEA (primarily in the U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Spain) and the Asia Pacific region (primarily in Australia) and therefore may not be reflective of the geography in which the clients are located.

 

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, 2017 versus December 31, 2016

Financial Advisory net revenue increased $87 million, or 7%, as compared to 2016. Strategic Advisory net revenue was $1,126 million, an increase of $27 million, or 2%, as compared to $1,099 million in 2016. Restructuring revenue was $262 million, an increase of $60 million, or 30%, as compared to $202 million in 2016.

The increase in Strategic Advisory net revenue was primarily due to an increase in the number of completed transactions involving fees greater than $1 million as compared to 2016. Clients which in the aggregate represented a significant portion of our Strategic Advisory revenue in the 2017 period included Air Products, Danone, Dow Chemical, Express Scripts, Gilead, Harman, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, Lexmark, Paysafe, and Sanofi.

Restructuring revenue in 2017 primarily reflected the closing of large assignments as compared to 2016. Clients which in the aggregate represented a significant portion of our Restructuring revenue in 2017 included Peabody Energy, Linn Energy and Toys “R” Us.

Operating expenses increased $127 million, or 12%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in compensation associated with increased operating revenue.

Financial Advisory operating income was $244 million, a decrease of $40 million, or 14%, as compared to operating income of $284 million in 2016 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 17.6%, as compared to 21.8% in 2016.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus December 31, 2015

Financial Advisory net revenue increased $21 million, or 2%, as compared to 2015. Strategic Advisory net revenue was $1,099 million, a decrease of $75 million, or 6%, as compared to $1,174 million in 2015. Restructuring revenue was $202 million, an increase of $96 million, or 91%, as compared to $106 million in 2015.

The decrease in Strategic Advisory net revenue primarily reflected a lower level of closings, and a decrease in the average transaction fee with respect to completed transactions involving fees greater than $1 million, as compared to 2015. Clients which in the aggregate represented a significant portion of our Strategic Advisory revenue in 2016 included Anheuser-Busch InBev, ARM Holdings, Columbia Pipeline Group, Pepco, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tyco and Xerox.

Restructuring revenue in 2016 primarily reflected a higher level of activity in the U.S. energy sector in 2016. Clients which in the aggregate represented a significant portion of our Restructuring revenue in 2016 included Pacific Exploration & Production, Peabody Energy, Seventy Seven Energy, The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Energy Future Holdings and Vantage Drilling.

Operating expenses increased $11 million, or 1%, as compared to 2015, primarily due to an increase in amortization of deferred incentive compensation and, in 2016, amortization and other acquisition-related costs.

Financial Advisory operating income was $284 million, an increase of $10 million, or 4%, as compared to operating income of $274 million in 2015 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 21.8%, as compared to 21.4% in 2015.

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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”):

 

Total AUM at December 31, 2017 was $249 billion, an increase of $51 billion, or 26%, as compared to total AUM of $198 billion at December 31, 2016, due to market appreciation, foreign exchange appreciation and net inflows. Average AUM for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased $32 billion, or 16%, as compared to 2016.

As of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately 88% of our AUM 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, as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately 12% of our AUM was managed on behalf of individual client relationships, which are principally with family offices and individuals.

As of December 31, 2017, AUM with foreign currency exposure represented approximately 74% of our total AUM, as compared to 70% at December 31, 2016. AUM with foreign currency exposure 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

  

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Inflows in the Equity asset class were primarily attributable to the Global, Multi-Regional and Emerging Markets equity platforms, and inflows in the Fixed Income asset class were primarily attributable to the Emerging Markets and Multi-Regional platforms. Outflows in the Equity asset class were primarily attributable to the Multi-Regional, Emerging Markets and Global equity platforms, and outflows in the Fixed Income asset class were primarily attributable to the Emerging Markets and Multi-Regional platforms.

 

 

As of February 20, 2018, AUM was $255.2 billion, a $5.7 billion increase since December 31, 2017. The increase in AUM was due to foreign exchange appreciation of $3.7 billion, net inflows of $1.3 billion and market appreciation of $0.7 billion.

Average AUM for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 for each significant asset class is set forth below. Average AUM generally represents the average of the monthly ending AUM balances for the period.

 

 

The following table summarizes the reported operating results attributable to the Asset Management segment:

 

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Our top ten clients accounted for 25%, 21% and 21% of our total AUM at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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 and distribute the respective AUM amounts. Such geographical distribution may not be reflective of the geography of the investment products or clients.

 

Asset Management Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus December 31, 2016

Asset Management net revenue increased $205 million, or 20%, as compared to 2016. Management fees and other revenue was $1,210 million, an increase of $175 million, or 17%, as compared to $1,035 million in 2016, primarily due to an increase in average AUM. Incentive fees were $46 million, an increase of $30 million as compared to $16 million in 2016.

Operating expenses increased $41 million, or 5%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to increases in compensation associated with increased operating revenue.

Asset Management operating income was $445 million, an increase of $163 million, or 58%, as compared to operating income of $282 million in 2016 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 35.4%, as compared to 26.8% in 2016.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus December 31, 2015

Asset Management net revenue decreased $60 million, or 5%, as compared to 2015. Management fees and other revenue was $1,035 million, a decrease of $51 million, or 5%, compared to $1,086 million in 2015, primarily due to lower average AUM and a change in the mix of AUM, and a $24 million gain in 2015 on the disposal of the Company’s Australian private equity business (which relates primarily to the realization of carried interest at fair value). Incentive fees were $16 million, a decrease of $9 million, or 38%, compared to $25 million in 2015.

Operating expenses increased $33 million, or 4%, as compared to 2015, primarily due to the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration associated with the Edgewater business acquisition.

Asset Management operating income was $282 million, a decrease of $93 million, or 25%, as compared to operating income of $374 million in 2015 and, as a percentage of net revenue, was 26.8%, as compared to 33.7% in 2015.

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Corporate

The following table summarizes the reported operating results attributable to the Corporate segment:

 

 

Corporate Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus December 31, 2016

Net interest expense remained substantially unchanged as compared to 2016.

Other revenue increased $20 million, or 73%, as compared to 2016, primarily due to gains in 2017 attributable to investments held in connection with LFI.

Operating expenses decreased $165 million as compared to 2016. Operating expenses included, in 2017, a benefit of $203 million pursuant to the tax receivable agreement (see Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Excluding the impact of such benefit, operating expenses increased $38 million compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits expense, including an increase in charges pertaining to LFI.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus December 31, 2015

Net interest expense decreased $2 million, or 4%, as compared to 2015.

Other revenue increased $16 million as compared to 2015, primarily due to the gain on the acquisition of MBA Lazard (which resulted from the increase in the fair value of the Company’s investment in MBA Lazard prior to the acquisition) as well as gains attributable to investments held in connection with LFI.

Operating expenses decreased $598 million as compared to 2015.  Operating expenses included, in 2016, a charge of $3 million relating to the redemption of the remaining portion of the Company’s 2017 Notes, and, in 2015, (i) a charge of $60 million related to the redemption of a significant portion of the Company’s 2017 Notes and (ii) a charge of $548 million related to the provision pursuant to the tax receivable agreement (see Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). Excluding the impact of such charges, operating expenses increased $6 million compared to 2015, primarily due to an increase in amortization of deferred incentive compensation, including an increase in amortization pertaining to LFI.

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 (i) in

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2016, by the issuance of the 2027 Notes and the redemption of the remaining balance of the 2017 Notes and (ii) in 2015, by the redemption of $450 million of the 2017 Notes and the issuance of the 2025 Notes. Strategic 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 Capital 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. The Company also paid a special dividend in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Summary of Cash Flows:

 

 

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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.

Liquidity is also affected by the level of deposits and other customer payables, principally at LFB. To the extent that such deposits and other customer payables rise or fall, this has a corresponding impact on liquidity held at LFB, with the majority of such amounts generally being recorded in “deposits with banks and short-term investments”. In the year ended December 31, 2017, as reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition, both “deposits with banks and short-term investments” and “deposits and other customer payables” increased as compared to December 31, 2016, due to a higher level of LFB customer-related demand deposits, primarily from clients and funds managed by LFG.

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 stockholders’ 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, dividend payments, purchases of shares of Class A common stock and matters relating to liquidity and to compliance with regulatory net capital requirements. At December 31, 2017, Lazard had approximately $1.5 billion of cash, with such amount including approximately $710 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, we expect that no material amount of additional U.S. income taxes would be recognized upon receipt of dividends or distributions of such earnings from our foreign operations. Although the Tax Act generally requires companies to pay a one-time repatriation tax on previously unremitted foreign earnings of certain non-U.S. corporate subsidiaries, most of the Company’s operations outside the U.S. are conducted in “pass-through” entities for U.S. income tax purposes, and the Company has already provided for U.S. income taxes on their earnings. As a result, the Company expects that no material amount of additional U.S. income taxes would be recognized as a result of the Tax Act’s one-time repatriation tax or otherwise upon the receipt of cash dividends or distributions of such earnings from our foreign operations.

We maintain lines of credit in excess of anticipated liquidity requirements. As of December 31, 2017, Lazard had approximately $169 million in unused lines of credit available to it, including a $150 million, five-year, senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders that expires in September 2020 (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) (see “—Financing Activities” below) and unused lines of credit available to LFB of approximately $18 million (at December 31, 2017 exchange rates).

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary terms and conditions, including limitations on consolidations, mergers, indebtedness and certain payments, as well as financial condition covenants relating to

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leverage and interest coverage ratios. Lazard Group’s obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 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.

Financing Activities

The table below sets forth our corporate indebtedness as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. 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.

 

 During November 2016, Lazard Group completed an offering of the 2027 Notes. Lazard Group used a portion of the net proceeds of the 2027 Notes to redeem or otherwise retire the remaining $98 million of 2017 Notes, which, including the recognition of unamortized issuance costs, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment in connection with the redemption of such 2017 Notes of approximately $3 million.

During February 2015, Lazard Group completed an offering of the 2025 Notes. Lazard Group used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem or otherwise retire $450 million of the 2017 Notes, which, including the recognition of unamortized issuance costs, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment in connection with the redemption of such 2017 Notes of approximately $60 million.

Lazard’s annual cash flow generated from operations historically has been sufficient to enable it to meet its annual obligations. 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 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement remains outstanding and unpaid or any other amount is due to the lending bank group, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes financial covenants that require that Lazard Group not permit (i) its Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) for the 12-month period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be greater than 3.25 to 1.00 or (ii) its Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) 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, 2017, Lazard Group was in compliance with such ratios, with its Consolidated Leverage Ratio being 1.16 to 1.00 and its Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio being 20.44 to 1.00. In any event, no amounts were outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2017.

In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, 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, 2017, 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 debt.

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Stockholders’ Equity

At December 31, 2017, total stockholders’ equity was $1,259 million, as compared to $1,294 million and $1,367 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, including $1,200 million, $1,236 million and $1,313 million attributable to Lazard Ltd on the respective dates. The net activity in stockholders’ equity during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is reflected in the table below:

 

 

The Board of Directors of Lazard has issued a series of authorizations to repurchase Class A common stock, which help offset the dilutive effect of our share-based incentive compensation plans. During a given year the Company 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. The rate at which the Company purchases shares in connection with this annual objective may vary from period to period due to a variety of factors. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:

 

As of December 31, 2017, a total of $248 million of share repurchase authorization remained available under the Company’s share repurchase program, $48 million of which will expire on December 31, 2018 and $200 million of which will expire on December 31, 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had in place trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pursuant to which it effected stock repurchases in the open market.

On January 31, 2018, the Board of Directors of Lazard declared dividends totaling $1.71 per share, comprised of a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, and an extra cash dividend of $1.30 per share, on our Class A common stock. The dividends are payable on February 23, 2018, to stockholders of record on February 12, 2018.

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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, paying dividends to stockholders and repurchasing its outstanding debt.

See Notes 13 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Lazard’s stockholders’ equity and incentive plans, respectively.

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 rules regarding 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, 2017:

 

 

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

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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 impacting overall levels of M&A activity, reducing our AUM or 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 is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The 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 (including the impact on the tax receivable agreement obligation), 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 judgments 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:

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 Capital 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

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reserve against exposures relating to Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees where we determine receivables are impaired.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted new revenue recognition guidance. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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 its respective jurisdiction. In addition to estimating actual current tax liabilities for these jurisdictions, we also must account for the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting of items, such as basis adjustments, compensation and benefits expense, and depreciation and amortization. Differences which are temporary in nature result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, any valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets and our unrecognized tax benefits.

We recognize a deferred tax asset 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. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based upon currently enacted tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions. At December 31, 2017, on a consolidated basis, we recorded gross deferred tax assets of approximately $790.7 million with such amount partially offset by a valuation allowance of approximately $61.5 million (as described below).

Subsequent to the initial recognition of deferred tax assets, we also must continually assess the likelihood that such deferred tax assets will be realized. If we determine that we may not fully derive the benefit from a deferred tax asset, we consider whether it would be appropriate to apply a valuation allowance against the applicable deferred tax asset, taking into account all available information. The ultimate realization of a deferred tax asset for a particular entity depends, among other things, on the generation of taxable income by such entity in the applicable jurisdiction.

We consider multiple possible sources of taxable income when assessing a valuation allowance against a deferred tax asset, including:

The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers all available information, including the following:

The weight we give to any particular item is, in part, dependent upon the degree to which it can be objectively verified. We give greater weight to the recent results of operations of a relevant entity. Pre-tax operating losses on a three year cumulative basis or lack of sustainable profitability are considered objectively verifiable evidence and will generally outweigh a projection of future taxable income.

Certain of our tax-paying entities have individually experienced losses on a cumulative three year basis or have tax attributes that may expire unused. In addition, one of our tax paying entities has recorded a valuation allowance on substantially 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

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account all available information, we cannot determine that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets held by these entities will be realized. Consequently, we have recorded valuation allowances on $61.5 million of deferred tax assets held by these entities as of December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2015, we had released the valuation allowance on substantially all of our deferred tax assets and since have not recorded a significant valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets because most of our tax paying entities have continued to be profitable. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a deferred tax benefit of approximately $878 million associated with the release of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. We also recorded a separate deferred tax benefit of $378 million that reflected the tax deductibility of payments under the tax receivable agreement. In addition, we recorded a deferred tax expense of approximately $161 million relating to the reduction of a deferred tax asset as a result of the partial extinguishment of our tax receivable agreement obligation. See “—Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement” below for more information regarding our accrual under the tax receivable agreement in the second quarter of 2015 and the partial extinguishment of our tax receivable agreement obligation in the third quarter of 2015.

We record tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based upon our estimates regarding 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, we recognize 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.

On January 1, 2017, we adopted new accounting guidance on share-based incentive compensation. As a result of the adoption of this new guidance, we recognized excess tax benefits of $9.0 million from the vesting of share-based incentive compensation in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. Upon adoption of the new guidance, we also recorded deferred tax assets of $81.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $12.1 million, for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits (including tax benefits from dividends or dividend equivalents) on share-based incentive compensation, with an offsetting adjustment to retained earnings. See Notes 3 and 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the adoption of this new guidance. The new guidance has since January 1, 2017 affected, and the Company expects that in future periods the new guidance will affect, the provision for income taxes for the delivery of stock under share-based incentive compensation arrangements, as well as the effective tax rate in the relevant periods, which could be material to the consolidated statements of operations and the classification of cash flows in the relevant periods.

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted. The Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax system by, among other changes, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a partial territorial tax system and imposing a one-time repatriation tax on the deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Act also includes several provisions that may limit the benefit of the tax rate reduction, such as restricting the deductibility of interest expense and other corporate business expenses. The Tax Act further includes anti-base erosion provisions such as the BEAT and tax on GILTI.

 

Lazard is a holding company that is treated as a publicly traded partnership for U.S. tax purposes, and our U.S. and certain foreign subsidiaries will be impacted by the Tax Act.  While the Tax Act is currently expected to be moderately positive for us, the reduced corporate tax rate required us to remeasure our deferred tax assets and the liability associated with our tax receivable agreement. See Notes 16 and 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impact of the Tax Act on us.

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 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to income taxes.

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Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement

During the period ended June 30, 2015, we released substantially all of our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. As a result, we accrued a corresponding liability during the period ended June 30, 2015 for amounts relating to the Second Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2015 (the “Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement”), between Lazard and LTBP Trust (the “Trust”). In addition, in the third quarter of 2015, we purchased a portion of our obligation relating to the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, which had the effect of reducing such liability. See Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement.

The amount of the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement liability is an undiscounted amount based upon currently enacted tax laws, including the Tax Act, the current structure of the Company and various assumptions regarding potential future operating profitability. The assumptions reflected in the estimate involve significant judgment, and if our structure were to change or our annual taxable income were to increase, we could be required to accelerate payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. As such, the actual amount and timing of payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement could differ materially from our estimates. Any changes in the amount of the estimated liability would be recorded as a non-compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Adjustments, if necessary, to the related deferred tax assets would be recorded through income tax expense.

The cumulative liability relating to our obligations under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement recorded as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $310 million, which includes the impact of the Tax Act, and $514 million, respectively, and is recorded in “tax receivable agreement obligation” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Investments

Investments consist primarily of interest-bearing deposits, 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 interest-bearing deposits and 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.

Lazard is subject to market and credit risk on investments held. As such, 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.

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Data relating to investments is set forth below:

 

 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, total investments with a fair value of $427 million and $459 million, respectively, included $80 million and $130 million, respectively, or 19% and 28%, respectively, of investments that were classified using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient. 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.

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As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company held seed investments of approximately $135 million and $134 million, respectively. Seed investments held in entities in which the Company maintained a controlling interest were $28 million in eight entities as of December 31, 2017, as compared to $41 million in six entities as of December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not consolidate or deconsolidate any seed investment entities or LFI investment entities. As such, 100% of the recorded balance of seed investments and LFI investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 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, as of November 1, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs 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. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding goodwill.

Consolidation

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.

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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 LFI 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, (ii) investments in funds owned entirely by the noncontrolling interest holders of certain acquired entities and (iii) interest-bearing deposits over 90 days that allow daily withdrawals without principal penalties.

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.

Equity Market Price Risk—At December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 $107 million and $110 million, respectively. 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 $2.0 million and $1.0 million in the carrying value of such investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, including the effect of the hedging transactions.

Interest Rate/Credit Spread Risk—At December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 $58 million and $53 million, respectively. 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 $1.3 million and $0.9 million in the carrying value of such investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, including the effect of the hedging transactions.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk—At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate risk in its investment portfolio, which primarily relates to investments in foreign currency denominated equity

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and debt securities, was $65 million and $64 million, respectively. A significant portion of the Company’s foreign currency exposure related to our equity and debt investment portfolios is hedged through the aforementioned total return swaps. The Company estimates that a 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates versus the U.S. Dollar would result in a decrease of approximately $1.7 million in the carrying value of such investments as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 in connection with certain legacy businesses. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s exposure to changes in fair value of such investments was approximately $57 million and $96 million, respectively. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in fair value would result in a decrease of approximately $5.7 million and $9.6 million in the carrying value of such investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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, among other things, and specifically provide for exposures where we determine the receivables are impaired. At December 31, 2017, total receivables amounted to $572 million, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $24 million. As of that date, Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees, and customers and other receivables comprised 85% and 15% of total receivables, respectively. At December 31, 2016, total receivables amounted to $638 million, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $16 million. As of that date, Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees, and customers and other receivables comprised 88% and 12% of total receivables, respectively. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had receivables past due or deemed uncollectible of approximately $35 million and $22 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 (primarily for clients of LFG). At December 31, 2017 and 2016, customer receivables included $61 million and $51 million of LFB loans, respectively, with such loans being fully collateralized and closely monitored for counterparty creditworthiness.

Credit Concentrations

To reduce the exposure to concentrations of credit, the Company monitors large exposures to individual counterparties.

Risks Related to Derivatives

Lazard enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps to hedge exposures to currency exchange rates and interest rates and uses total return swap contracts on various equity and debt indices 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 $4 million and $2 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and derivative liabilities, excluding the derivative liability arising from the Company’s obligation pertaining to LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, amounted to $16 million and $12 million at such respective dates.

The Company also records derivative liabilities relating to its obligations pertaining to LFI 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 LFI awards. Derivative liabilities relating to LFI amounted to $182 million and $170 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Risks Related to Cash and Cash Equivalents and Corporate Indebtedness

A significant portion of the Company’s indebtedness has fixed interest rates, while its cash and cash equivalents generally have market interest rates. Based on account balances as of December 31, 2017, Lazard estimates that its annual operating income relating to cash and cash equivalents would increase by approximately $15 million in the event interest rates were to increase by 1% and decrease by approximately $15 million if rates were to decrease by 1%.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $1.5 billion. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were invested in (i) highly liquid institutional money market funds (a significant majority of which were invested solely in U.S. Government or agency money market funds), (ii) in short-term interest bearing and non-interest bearing accounts at a number of leading banks throughout the world, and (iii) 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 Risk

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, employee misconduct, business interruptions, fraud, including fraud perpetrated by third parties, 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 policies designed to help protect the Company against accidental loss and losses that may significantly affect our financial objectives, personnel, property or our ability to continue to meet our responsibilities to our various stakeholder groups. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” above for more information regarding operational risk in our business.

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.

 

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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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of Lazard Ltd 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 consolidated 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:

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. 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 (2013). Based on management’s assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017.

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, 2017, 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 Stockholders of Lazard Ltd:

 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Lazard Ltd and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), 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, 2017 of the Company, and our report dated February 26, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.

Basis for Opinion

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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 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.

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 2018

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Lazard Ltd:

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Lazard Ltd and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 8 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 2018

 

We have served as the Company’s auditors since 2000.

 

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2017 and 2016

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2017 and 2016

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

 

Organization

Lazard Ltd, a Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Lazard Ltd”, “Lazard”, “we” or the “Company”), including Lazard Ltd’s indirect investment in Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively referred to, together with its subsidiaries, as “Lazard Group”), 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 100% of all outstanding Lazard Group common membership interests as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Lazard Ltd, through its control of the managing members of Lazard Group, controls Lazard Group, which is governed by an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated as of October 26, 2015, as amended (the “Operating Agreement”).  

Lazard Ltd’s primary operating asset is its indirect ownership of the common membership interests of, and managing member interests in, Lazard Group, whose principal operating activities are included in two business segments:

In addition, we record selected other activities in our Corporate segment, including management of cash, investments, deferred tax assets, outstanding indebtedness, certain contingent obligations, and assets and liabilities associated with Lazard Group’s Paris-based subsidiary Lazard Frères Banque SA (“LFB”).

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 entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The Company consolidates:

When the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity, but exerts significant influence over such entity’s operating and financial decisions, the Company either (i) applies the equity method of accounting in which it records a proportionate share of the entity’s net earnings, or (ii) elects the option to measure at fair value. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The consolidated financial statements include Lazard Ltd, Lazard Group and Lazard Group’s principal operating subsidiaries: Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“LFNY”), a New York limited liability company, along with its

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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 Lazard Frères Gestion SAS (“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.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, specifically by including capital lease obligations, previously presented separately, in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, see Note 20 for the recasting of geographic information.

 

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. Foreign currency remeasurement gains (losses), net of hedge transactions (see Note 7) amounted to $1,900, $(1,153) and $1,589 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in “revenue-other” on the respective consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of management’s estimates. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions regarding:

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.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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 and Short-Term Investments—Represents LFB’s short-term deposits, including with the Banque de France and amounts placed by LFB in short-term, highly liquid securities, such as French government securities, with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. The level of these deposits and investments 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 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. 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 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.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

See Notes 5 and 6 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), with the related obligations recorded in “other liabilities” 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 $31,498, $33,264 and $32,785 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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. The Company performs 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.

The Company completed its annual goodwill review as of November 1, 2017, 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 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 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, total return swap contracts on various equity and debt indices 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 are generally 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 (“LFI”) 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

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, which are reported in “revenue-other” in the consolidated statements of operations. For information regarding LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, see Notes 5, 7 and 14.

Deposits and Other Customer Payables—Principally relates to LFB customer-related demand deposits, both interest-bearing and non-interest bearing.

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.

Contingent Consideration Liabilities —The contingent consideration liabilities of businesses acquired in a business combination are initially recorded at fair value and any change in the fair value is recognized in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statements of operations. The contingent consideration liability is included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

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 equivalents, deposits with banks and short-term investments, 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 Strategic Advisory services and Restructuring advisory services are recorded when (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a client, (ii) fees are fixed or determinable, (iii) the agreed-upon services have been completed and delivered to the client or the transaction or events contemplated in the engagement letter are determined to be substantially completed, which is generally the date the related transactions are consummated and (iv) collection is reasonably assured. 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are $17,793, $16,998 and $19,358, respectively.

Asset Management Fees—Asset 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.

In addition, 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

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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 asset management and incentive fees are reported in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted new revenue recognition guidance. See Note 3.

Soft Dollar Arrangements—Certain entities within the Company’s Asset Management business obtain research and other services through commission-sharing arrangements with broker-dealers, which are also known as “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. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company obtained research and other services through soft dollar arrangements valued at approximately $24,000. The use of soft dollars is limited by regulations in the European Union and the U.K. and, as such, the Company intends to directly pay a portion of the costs of such research and other services going forward.

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. Compensation expense recognized for equity-based incentive compensation is determined based on the number of awards that in the Company’s estimate are considered probable of vesting (including as a result of any applicable performance conditions). Equity-based incentive compensation is recognized in “compensation and benefits” expense.

Cost 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—Lazard Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is subject to U.S. federal income taxes on all of its U.S. operating income, as well as on the portion of non-U.S. income attributable to its U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, Lazard Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is subject to state and local taxes on its income apportioned to various state and local jurisdictions. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Lazard Group is also subject to Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) attributable to its operations apportioned to New York City.

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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 deferred tax liabilities 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:

The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted also considers all available information, including the following:

The Company records tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return based upon the Company’s estimates regarding 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 “provision (benefit) for income taxes”. See Note 16 for additional information relating to income taxes.

Compensation—Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting—In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new guidance regarding share-based incentive compensation. The new guidance includes several amendments which affect various aspects of the accounting for share-based incentive compensation transactions, including the income tax consequences, estimation of forfeitures, effect on earnings per share, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2017. Since adoption, the new guidance has affected, and the Company expects that in future periods the new guidance will affect, the provision for income taxes for the delivery of stock under share-based incentive compensation arrangements, as well as the effective tax rate in the relevant periods, which could be material to the consolidated statements of operations and the classification of cash flows in the relevant periods. The inclusion of excess tax benefits as an operating activity within the statement of cash flows was adopted on a prospective basis, with prior periods unadjusted. Based on the new guidance, the excess tax benefits are no longer included as assumed proceeds in the calculation of earnings per share under the treasury stock method on a prospective basis. Upon adoption of the new guidance, the Company also recorded deferred tax assets of $81,544, net of a valuation allowance of $12,090, for previously

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

unrecognized excess tax benefits (including tax benefits from dividends or dividend equivalents) on share-based incentive compensation arrangements, with an offsetting adjustment to retained earnings. With respect to forfeiture rates, the Company will continue to estimate the number of awards expected to be forfeited, rather than electing the option to account for forfeitures as they occur. See Note 16.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers—In May 2014, the FASB issued comprehensive new revenue recognition guidance. The guidance requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those services and requires enhanced disclosures. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs, including whether they may be offset against revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of the new revenue guidance by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance may be adopted using a full retrospective approach or a modified cumulative effect approach. The Company adopted the revenue recognition guidance upon its effective date of January 1, 2018 using the modified cumulative effect approach.  The Company’s adoption efforts included the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance and the evaluation of revenue contracts. 

The Company evaluated the potential impact of the new guidance including (i) the timing of revenue recognition for Financial Advisory and Asset Management fees and (ii) the presentation of certain contract costs. With respect to revenue recognition, the Company assessed the potential impact of the new guidance on the Company’s recognition of certain M&A and Restructuring Advisory fees (e.g., transaction completion, transaction announcement and retainer fees), including whether the Company’s fulfillment of its performance obligations under M&A and Restructuring Advisory engagement contracts would be deemed to occur over time, or at specific points in time, under the new guidance. Interpretive guidance on this particular topic was issued for comment by the Financial Reporting Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is expected to be finalized during the first quarter of 2018. The Company considered the proposed guidance, and has concluded that M&A and Restructuring Advisory fees would typically be recognized over time as performance occurs, subject to constraints, using an appropriate measure of progress.  In addition, Asset Management fees would typically be recognized over time as performance occurs, subject to constraints, using an appropriate measure of progress.  Therefore, with regard to revenue recognition, it is expected that there will be no material impact to the Company’s financial statements.

 

With respect to the potential impact of the new guidance on the Company’s presentation of certain contract costs, the Company has concluded that the new guidance will result in the gross basis of presentation of certain contract costs that are currently presented net of certain items in revenues. The most significant changes with respect to presentation relate to (a) certain distribution costs within our Asset Management business and (b) certain reimbursable deal costs within our Financial Advisory business, both of which are currently presented net against revenues and will be presented as expenses on a gross basis under the new guidance. The impact to the Company’s financial statements is prospective and dependent on future activity levels. The Company currently expects that the prospective presentation will result in an increase to net revenue with a corresponding increase to operating expenses, and that there will be no material impact to net income.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—In August and November 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance which clarifies how a company should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows and clarifies that restricted cash should be included in the total of cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance for both updates is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2018 and its impact is not expected to be material to the Company’s financial statements.

Clarifying the Definition of a Business—In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to clarify the definition of a business within the context of business combinations.  The updated guidance requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business.  This updated guidance is expected to reduce the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated as business combinations.  If further evaluation is necessary, the updated guidance will require that a business set include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output.  The updated guidance will remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements.  The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied on a prospective basis.  The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it will be applied to business combinations on a prospective basis.

Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost—In March 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on the presentation of net benefit cost in the statement of operations and the components eligible for capitalization. The new guidance requires that only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost be presented with other employee compensation costs in operating expenses, applied on a retrospective basis. The other components of net benefit cost, including amortization of prior service cost, and gains and losses from settlements and curtailments, are to be included in non-operating expenses. The new guidance also stipulates that only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization, applied on a prospective basis. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and no material impact is expected.

Compensation—Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting—In May 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance on modifications to share-based payment awards. The updated guidance requires entities to account for the effects of a modification to a share-based payment award unless the following are all the same immediately before and after the modification: (i) the fair value of the award, (ii) the vesting conditions of the award, and (iii) the classification of the award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and no material impact is expected because the Company’s accounting policy is already in compliance with the new guidance.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income—In February 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance on the tax effects of items in AOCI. Specifically, the new guidance will permit, but not require, a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (see Note 16). The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with an option to apply it in the period of adoption or on a retrospective basis for each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate is recognized. Early adoption of the new guidance is permitted for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance for leases. The guidance requires a lessee to (i) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the statement of financial condition, (ii) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis and (iii) classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments—In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance regarding the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in the current guidance with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit loss estimates. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment—In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 is the process of measuring a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The new guidance requires entities to measure a goodwill impairment loss as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill. The FASB also eliminated the requirements for entities that have reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts to perform a qualitative assessment for the goodwill impairment test. Instead, those entities would be required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount. The new guidance is effective for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

 

The Company’s receivables represent fee receivables, amounts due from customers and other receivables.

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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

 

Bad debt expense, net of recoveries is included in “investment banking and other advisory fees” on the consolidated statements of operations.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had receivables past due or deemed uncollectible of $34,865 and $22,212, respectively.

Of the Company’s fee receivables at December 31, 2017 and 2016, $80,536 and $76,133, respectively, represented interest-bearing financing receivables. 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 $491,080 and $562,149 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, approximates fair value.

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The Company’s investments and securities sold, not yet purchased, consist of the following at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits have original maturities of greater than three months but equal to or less than one year and are carried at cost that approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

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.

Alternative investment funds primarily consist of interests in various Lazard-managed hedge funds, funds of funds and mutual funds.

Debt funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business that invest in debt securities, amounts related to LFI discussed above and an investment in a Lazard-managed debt fund.

Equity funds primarily consist of seed investments in funds related to our Asset Management business that invest in equity securities, and amounts related to LFI discussed above.

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, 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) Edgewater Growth Capital Partners III, L.P. (“EGCP III”), a fund primarily making equity and buyout investments in middle market companies, (ii) a fund targeting significant noncontrolling-stake investments in established private companies and (iii) until the second quarter of 2017, a mezzanine fund (the “Mezzanine Fund”), which invests in mezzanine debt of a diversified selection of small- to mid-cap European companies. Lazard sold its interest in the Mezzanine Fund in May 2017. In addition, in 2015, the Company disposed of its private equity business in Australia in a transaction with the management of the disposed business. Revenue of $24,388 relating to the disposal of the business primarily represents the realization of carried interest at fair value and is included in “revenue-other” on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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”).

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company reported in “revenue-other” on its consolidated statements of operations net unrealized investment gains and losses pertaining to “trading” securities still held as of the reporting date as follows:

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities—Lazard categorizes its investments and certain other assets and liabilities recorded at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:

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, debt funds and equity funds is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are primarily based on the publicly reported closing price for the fund.

 

The fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased, is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The fair value of the contingent consideration liability is classified as Level 3 and the fair value of the liability is remeasured at each reporting period. The inputs used to derive the fair value of the contingent consideration include the application of probabilities when assessing certain performance thresholds for the relevant periods.  Any change in the fair value is recognized in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statement of operations. Our business acquisitions may involve the potential payment of contingent consideration upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds.  The contingent consideration liability is initially recorded at fair value of the contingent payments on the acquisition date and is included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 12.

The fair value of derivatives entered into by the Company is classified as Level 2 and is 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 total return swaps is based on the change in fair value 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 LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for forfeitures. See Note 7.

Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (“NAV”)—As a practical expedient, the Company uses NAV or its equivalent to measure the fair value of certain investments. NAV is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators. The Company’s investments valued at NAV as a practical expedient in (i) alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds are redeemable in the near term, and (ii) private equity funds are not redeemable in the near term as a result of redemption restrictions.

The following tables present, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the classification of (i) investments and certain other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the fair value hierarchy and (ii) investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient:

 

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

 

 

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

 

 

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, 2017 and 2016.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value—The tables below present the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 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.

 

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, 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.

The carrying value of deposits with banks and short-term investments, 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.

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The following tables present, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, certain investments that are valued using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

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(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Investment Capital Funding Commitments—At December 31, 2017, the Company’s maximum unfunded commitments for capital contributions to investment funds primarily arose from commitments to EGCP III, which amounted to $8,613. The investment period for EGCP III ended on October 12, 2016, after which point the Company’s obligation to fund capital contributions for new investments in EGCP III expired.  The Company remains obligated until October 12, 2023 (or any earlier liquidation of EGCP III) to make capital contributions necessary to fund follow-on investments and to pay for fund expenses.

The table below presents the fair value 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 obligations pertaining to LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements reported within “accrued compensation and benefits” (see Note 14) on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

 

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 LFI 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015, were as follows:

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, property consisted of the following:

 

 

The components of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented below:

 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, goodwill of $320,751 and $308,576, 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

 

All changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are attributable to the Company’s Financial Advisory segment.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Pursuant to the Company’s goodwill impairment review for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company determined that no impairment existed.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The gross cost and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, by major intangible asset category, are as follows:

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets, included in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statements of operations, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2,932, $2,522 and $5,821, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s other assets, by type, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s other liabilities, by type, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

 

Senior debt is comprised of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

 

During February 2015, Lazard Group completed an offering of $400,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.75% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”). Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year. Lazard Group used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem or otherwise retire $450,000 of the 2017 Notes, which, including the recognition of unamortized issuance costs, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $60,219. Such loss on debt extinguishment was recorded in “operating expenses—other” on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

On September 25, 2015, Lazard Group entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for a five-year $150,000 senior revolving credit facility with a group of lenders (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which expires in September 2020. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated September 25, 2012. Borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement generally will bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin for specific interest periods determined based on Lazard Group’s highest credit rating from an internationally recognized credit agency. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, no amounts were outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, 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, 2017, the Company was in compliance with such provisions. All of the Company’s senior debt obligations are unsecured.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Debt maturities relating to senior borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2017 for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2022 and thereafter are set forth in the table below.

 

 

The Company’s senior debt at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is carried at historical amounts. See Note 6 for information regarding the fair value and fair value hierarchy category of the Company’s senior debt.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $169,000 in unused lines of credit available to it, including the credit facility provided under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and unused lines of credit available to LFB of approximately $18,000 (at December 31, 2017 exchange rates).

 

 

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, 2017, 2016 and 2015, aggregate rental expense relating to operating leases amounted to $84,632, $76,704 and $79,549, 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 also subleases office space under agreements which expire on various dates through 2022. Sublease income from such agreements was $7,659, $7,858 and $9,587 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which includes sublease income of $1,281 from an affiliate of LMDC Holdings LLC (“LMDC Holdings”) for the year ended December 2015.

Capital lease obligations recorded under sale/leaseback transactions were paid in 2017. Such obligations were collateralized primarily by certain buildings with a net book value of approximately $13,538 at December 31, 2016. The net book value of all assets recorded under capital leases aggregated $13,628 at December 31, 2016.

At December 31, 2017, minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, net of sublease income, are approximately as follows:

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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, 2017, LFB had $2,995 of such indemnifications and held $2,995 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.

 

Business Acquisitions—For businesses acquired in 2016, the remaining consideration consists of (i) previously paid one-time cash payments, 60,817 shares of Class A common stock subject to non-compete provisions and non-contingent interests exchangeable into 204,651 shares of Class A common stock, and (ii) up to 810,742 additional shares of Class A common stock that are subject to certain performance thresholds. As of December 31, 2017, none of the contingent shares had been earned.

Other Commitments—The Company has various other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, each of LFB and LFNY may enter into underwriting commitments in which it will participate as an underwriter. At December 31, 2017, LFB and LFNY had no such underwriting commitments.

See Notes 6 and 15 for information regarding commitments relating to investment capital funding commitments and obligations to fund our pension plans, respectively.

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.

 

 

Share Repurchase Program—During the year ended December 31, 2017 and since 2014, the Board of Directors of Lazard authorized the repurchase of Class A common stock as set forth in the table below.

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

 

The Company expects that the share repurchase program will primarily be used to offset a portion of the shares that have been or will be issued under the Lazard Ltd 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Pursuant to the share repurchase program, purchases have been made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The rate at which the Company purchases shares in connection with the share repurchase program may vary from period to period due to a variety of factors. Purchases with respect to such program are set forth in the table below:

 

 

There were 10,747,142 and 7,628,786 shares of Class A common stock held by our subsidiaries at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Such shares of Class A common stock are reported, at cost, as “Class A common stock held by subsidiaries” on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, certain of our executive officers received Class A common stock in connection with the vesting or settlement of previously-granted deferred equity incentive awards. The vesting or settlement of such equity awards gave rise to a tax payable by the executive officers, and, consistent with our past practice, the Company purchased shares of Class A common stock from the executive officers equal in value to all or a portion of the estimated amount of such tax. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company purchased shares of Class A common stock from an executive officer. The aggregate value of all such purchases in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $14,700, $4,900 and $17,700, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, a total of $248,384 of share repurchase authorization remained available under the Company’s share repurchase program, $48,384 of which will expire on December 31, 2018 and $200,000 of which will expire on December 31, 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had in place trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), pursuant to which it effected stock repurchases in the open market.

Preferred Stock—Lazard Ltd has 15,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, inclusive of its Series A and Series B preferred stock. Series A and Series B preferred shares were issued in connection with certain prior year business acquisitions and were each non-participating securities convertible into Class A common stock, and had no voting or dividend rights. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, no shares of Series A or Series B preferred stock were outstanding, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, 7,921 shares of Series A preferred stock were outstanding, and no shares of Series B preferred stock were outstanding. At December 31, 2015, no shares of Series A preferred stock were convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a contingent or a non-contingent basis.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax—The tables below reflect the balances of each component of AOCI at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and activity during the years then ended:

 

 

 

The table below reflects adjustments for items reclassified out of AOCI, by component, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Noncontrolling Interests—Noncontrolling interests principally represent interests held in Edgewater’s management vehicles that the Company is deemed to control, but does not own.

The tables below summarize net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, in the Company’s consolidated financial statements:

 

 

 

Dividends Declared, January 31, 2018—On January 31, 2018, the Board of Directors of Lazard declared dividends totaling $1.71 per share, comprised of a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, and an extra cash dividend of $1.30 per share, on our Class A common stock.  The dividends are payable on February 23, 2018, to stockholders of record on February 12, 2018.

 

 

Share-Based Incentive Plan Awards

A description of Lazard Ltd’s 2008 Plan and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and activity with respect thereto during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below.

Shares Available Under the 2008 Plan and 2005 Plan

The 2008 Plan authorizes the issuance of shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) and other share-based awards. Under the 2008 Plan, the maximum number of shares available 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. The 2008 Plan will expire in May 2018, although unvested awards granted under the 2008 Plan before it expires will remain outstanding and continue to be subject to its terms.

The 2005 Plan authorized 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 share-based awards. Each RSU 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. The 2005 Plan expired in the second quarter of 2015, although unvested awards granted under the 2005 Plan remain outstanding and continue to be subject to its terms.

The following reflects the amortization expense recorded with respect to share-based incentive plans within “compensation and benefits” expense (with respect to RSUs, PRSUs and restricted stock awards) and “professional

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

services” expense (with respect to deferred stock units (“DSUs”)) within the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations:

 

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, including as a result of any applicable performance conditions. A change in estimated forfeiture rates or performance results in a cumulative adjustment to 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.

For purposes of calculating diluted net income per share, RSUs, DSUs and restricted stock awards are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding using the “treasury stock” method. PRSUs are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding to the extent the performance conditions are met at the end of the reporting period, also using the “treasury stock” method.

The Company’s share-based incentive plans and awards 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 shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis after the stipulated vesting periods. PRSUs, which are RSUs that are also subject to service-based vesting conditions, have additional performance 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015, issuances of RSUs pertaining to such dividend participation rights and respective charges to “retained earnings”, net of estimated forfeitures (with corresponding credits to “additional paid-in-capital”), consisted of the following:

 

 

Non-executive members of the Board of Directors (“Non-Executive Directors”) 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 31,280, 38,771 and 23,961 DSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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 shares of Class A common stock at the time of cessation of service to the Board of Directors and, for purposes of calculating

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

diluted net income per share, are included in the diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding using the “treasury stock” method. DSUs include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to dividends paid on Class A common stock.

The Company’s Directors’ Fee Deferral Unit Plan permits the Non-Executive Directors to elect to receive additional DSUs in lieu of some or all of their cash fees. The number of DSUs 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 immediately preceding the date of the grant. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 13,882, 10,043  and 2,482 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, 2017:

 

 

In connection with RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 1,290,601, 1,421,396 and 2,249,935 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 2,707,562, 3,118,998 and 5,506,133 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, estimated unrecognized RSU compensation expense was approximately $139,793, with such expense expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.8 years subsequent to December 31, 2017.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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, 2017:

 

 

In connection with shares of restricted Class A common stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 150,470, 141,026 and 108,833 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 341,206, 678,846 and 438,291 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The restricted stock awards include a cash dividend participation right equivalent to dividends paid on Class A common stock during the period, which will vest concurrently with the underlying restricted stock award. At December 31, 2017, estimated unrecognized restricted stock expense was approximately $27,181, with such expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.8 years subsequent to December 31, 2017.

PRSUs

PRSUs are RSUs that 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 a three-year period. 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 generally can range from zero to two times the target number. PRSUs will vest on a single date approximately three years following the date of the grant, 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 include dividend participation rights that provide that during vesting periods the target number of PRSUs (or, following the relevant performance period, the actual number of shares of Class A common stock that are no longer subject to performance conditions) receive dividend equivalents at the same rate that dividends are paid on Class A common stock during such periods. These dividend equivalents are credited as RSUs that are not subject to the performance-based vesting criteria but are otherwise subject to the same restrictions as the underlying PRSUs to which they relate.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The following is a summary of activity relating to PRSUs during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017:

 

 

In connection with certain PRSUs that vested or were settled during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company satisfied its minimum statutory tax withholding requirements in lieu of delivering 127,530, 64,169 and 32,086 shares of Class A common stock during such respective years. Accordingly, 698,035, 352,852 and 664,413 shares of Class A common stock held by the Company were delivered during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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. As of December 31, 2017, the total estimated unrecognized compensation expense was approximately $9,174, and the Company expects to amortize such expense over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.7 years subsequent to December 31, 2017.

LFI and Other Similar Deferred Compensation Arrangements

Commencing in February 2011, the Company granted LFI to eligible employees. In connection with LFI 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. LFI 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 LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The following is a summary of activity relating to LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

 

The amortization of the prepaid compensation asset will generally be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.9 years subsequent to December 31, 2017.

The following is a summary of the impact of LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements on “compensation and benefits” expense within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Incentive Awards Granted In February 2018

In February 2018, the Company granted approximately $351,000 of deferred incentive compensation awards (including PRSUs valued at the target payout level) to eligible employees. These grants included: RSUs or shares of restricted Class A common stock; deferred incentive compensation awards that allow eligible employees the choice of receiving a portion of their award in a combination of (i) LFI 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.

The RSUs, restricted Class A common stock and LFI granted each provide for one-third vesting on or around March 2, 2020 and the remaining two-thirds vesting on or around March 1, 2021. The PRSUs granted provide for vesting on or around March 1, 2021, 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.

 

 

The Company provides retirement and other post-retirement benefits to certain of its employees through defined benefit pension plans (the “pension plans”) and, until December 2016, in the U.S., a partially funded contributory medical post-retirement plan covering certain qualifying U.S. employees (the “medical plan” and together with the pension plans, the “post-retirement plans”). The Company also offers defined contribution plans to its employees. 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.

 

Medical Plan—The medical plan was previously amended such that effective January 1, 2005 the plan limited post-retirement medical coverage to then former and current employees of the Company that were hired prior to January 1, 2005 and attained the age of 55 on or prior to December 31, 2005, and their dependents. Effective December 31, 2016, the Company ceased offering the medical plan.

 

In October 2016, the Company paid participants in the medical plan $2,936 in the aggregate to settle in full the Company’s obligations under the medical plan. The settlement of such obligations resulted in the recognition of a gain of $1,788 that is recorded as a reduction to compensation and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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 (the “Trustees”). Management also evaluates from time to time whether to make voluntary contributions to the plans.

The Company does not expect to make a contribution to the U.S. pension plan during the year ending December 31, 2018. The Company expects to contribute approximately $21,000 to the other non-U.S. pension plans during the year ending December 31, 2018. 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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.

 

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of plan assets, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit), the return on the Company’s post-retirement plan assets, benefits paid, contributions and other amounts recognized in AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

The amounts in AOCI on the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2017 that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the year ending December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are set forth below:

 

 

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 historical returns. This basis is consistent for all years presented.

 

Expected Benefit Payments—The following table summarizes the expected benefit payments for the Company’s pension plans for each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter:

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Plan Assets—The following tables present the categorization of our pension plans’ assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, measured at fair value, into a fair value hierarchy and investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in accordance with fair value measurement disclosure requirements:

 

 

 

Included in equity funds are $102,455 and $97,933 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, that are invested in funds managed by LAM.

Consistent with the plans’ investment strategies, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s U.S. pension plan had 55% and 53%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in equity funds in Level 1 and measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient and 45% and 47%, respectively, invested in Level 1 debt funds. The Company’s non-U.S. pension plans at December 31, 2017 and 2016 had 32% and 31%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in equities and equity funds that are primarily Level 1 assets; 62% and 62%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in debt and debt funds that are Level 1 assets and measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient, and 6% and 7%, respectively, of the plans’ assets invested in cash, which is a Level 1 asset, or in alternative investment funds that are primarily measured at NAV.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Investment Policies and Strategies—The primary investment goal is to ensure that the pension 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 plans 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 investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient is determined based on information provided by external fund administrators and such investments are redeemable in the near term.

Defined Contribution Plans—Pursuant to certain matching contributions, the Company contributes to employer sponsored defined contribution plans. Such contributions amounted to $15,065, $14,454 and $12,493 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which are included in “compensation and benefits” expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

Lazard Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is subject to U.S. federal income taxes on all of its U.S. operating income, as well as on the portion of non-U.S. income attributable to its U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, Lazard Ltd, through its subsidiaries, is subject to state and local taxes on its income apportioned to various state and local jurisdictions. Outside the U.S., Lazard Group operates principally through subsidiary corporations that are subject to local income taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Lazard Group is also subject to UBT attributable to its operations apportioned to New York City.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Act”) was enacted. The Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax system by, among other changes, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a partial territorial tax system and imposing a one-time repatriation tax on the deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Act also includes several provisions that may limit the benefit of the tax rate reduction, such as restricting the deductibility of interest expense and other corporate business expenses. The Tax Act further includes anti-base erosion provisions such as the base erosion and anti-abuse tax and tax on global intangible low-taxed income.

As a result of the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21%, the Company was required to remeasure its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new federal income tax rate of 21% based on the balances that existed on the date of the enactment of the Tax Act. The lower corporate tax rate resulted in a reduction of our net deferred tax assets by approximately $420,000. See also Note 18 for the impact of the Tax Act to the tax receivable agreement obligation.

The Tax Act also requires companies to pay a one-time repatriation tax on previously unremitted earnings of certain non-U.S. corporate subsidiaries. Most of the Company’s operations outside the U.S. are conducted in “pass-through” entities for U.S. income tax purposes, and, as a result, the deemed repatriation transition tax does not apply to these pass-through entities or their earnings. The Company instead provides for U.S. income taxes on a current basis for those earnings. The Company also conducts operations outside the U.S. through foreign corporate subsidiaries, and the Company recorded approximately $1,000 of deferred tax expense related to the one-time repatriation tax on the foreign earnings of those corporate subsidiaries.

In accordance with the guidance provided by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, the Company has recognized the provisional tax impact related to the one-time deemed repatriation tax on certain foreign earnings and the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets. The impact of the Tax Act on the Company may differ from these provisional estimates, due to, among other items, the issuance of additional regulatory guidance, our interpretations of the provisions of the Tax Act, changes to certain estimates and amounts related to the earnings and profits of

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

certain subsidiaries and the filing of our tax returns. We will recognize any changes to the provisional amounts as we refine our estimates and expect to complete our analysis of the provisional items during the second half of 2018.

On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted new accounting guidance on share-based incentive compensation. As a result of the adoption of this new guidance, the Company recognized excess tax benefits of approximately $9,000 from the vesting of share-based incentive compensation in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company also recorded deferred tax assets of $81,544, net of a valuation allowance of $12,090, as of January 1, 2017, for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits (including tax benefits from dividends or dividend equivalents) on share-based incentive compensation, with an offsetting adjustment to retained earnings. See Note 3 for further information on the adoption of this new guidance.

The components of the Company’s provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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.

 

 

 

See Note 20 regarding “operating income (loss)” by geographic region.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, 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 are as follows:

 

 

Prior to 2015, the Company had a valuation allowance on substantially all of our deferred tax assets at that time. However, in assessing our valuation allowance as of June 30, 2015, we considered all available information, including the magnitude of recent and current operating results, the relatively long duration of statutory carryforward periods, our historical experience utilizing tax attributes prior to their expiration dates, the historical volatility of operating results of these entities and our assessment regarding the sustainability of their profitability. At that time, we concluded that there was a sufficient history of sustained profitability at these entities that it was more likely than not that these entities would be able to realize deferred tax assets. Accordingly, during the period ended June 30, 2015, we released substantially all of the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets held by these entities.

As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a deferred tax benefit of approximately $878,000. In addition, included in basis adjustments, we also recorded (i) a separate deferred tax benefit of approximately $378,000 that reflected the tax deductibility of payments under the tax receivable agreement and (ii) a deferred tax expense of approximately $161,000 relating to the reduction of a deferred tax asset as a result of the partial extinguishment of our tax receivable agreement obligation. See Note 18 for more information regarding our accrual under the tax receivable agreement in the second quarter of 2015 and the partial extinguishment of our tax receivable agreement obligation in the third quarter of 2015.

Certain of our tax-paying entities have individually experienced losses on a cumulative three year basis or have tax attributes that may expire unused. In addition, one of our tax paying entities has recorded a valuation allowance on substantially 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 held by these entities will be realized. Consequently, we have recorded valuation allowances on $61,456 and $69,593 of deferred tax assets held by these entities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Changes in the deferred tax assets valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

 

 

The Company had net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards for which related deferred tax assets of $239,959 were recorded at December 31, 2017 primarily relating to:

 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 2012. 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Additional information with respect to unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

The Company anticipates that it is reasonably possible that approximately $20,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties recorded at December 31, 2017, may be recognized within 12 months as a result of the lapse of the statute of limitations in various tax jurisdictions.

 

 

The Company’s basic and diluted net income per share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are computed as described below.

Basic Net Income Per Share

Numerator—utilizes net income attributable to Lazard Ltd for the respective years.

Denominator—utilizes the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the respective years, plus applicable adjustments to such shares associated with shares of Class A common stock issuable on a non-contingent basis.

Diluted Net Income Per Share

Numerator—utilizes net income attributable to Lazard Ltd for the respective years as in the basic net income per share calculation described above.

Denominator —utilizes the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the respective years as in the basic net income per share calculation described above, plus, to the extent dilutive, the incremental number of shares of Class A common stock required to settle share-based incentive compensation.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

The calculations of the Company’s basic and diluted net income per share and weighted average shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are presented below:

 

 

 

Sponsored Funds

The Company serves as an investment advisor for certain affiliated investment companies and fund entities and receives management fees and, for the alternative investment funds, performance-based incentive fees for providing such services. Investment advisory fees relating to such services were $649,089, $516,667 and $534,752 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in “asset management fees” on the consolidated statements of operations. Of such amounts, $69,107 and $49,944 remained as receivables at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in “fees receivable” on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

124

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

Tax Receivable Agreement

The Second Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2015 (the “Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement”), between Lazard and LTBP Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), provides for the payment by our subsidiaries to the Trust of (i) approximately 45% (following the July 2015 purchase described below) of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that we actually realize as a result of certain increases in tax basis and of certain other tax benefits related to the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, and (ii) an amount that we currently expect will approximate 85% of the cash tax savings that may arise from tax benefits attributable to payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. Our subsidiaries expect to benefit from the balance of cash savings, if any, in income tax that our subsidiaries realize. Any amount paid by our subsidiaries to the Trust will generally be distributed to the owners of the Trust, including our executive officers, in proportion to their beneficial interests in the Trust.

For purposes of the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement, cash savings in income and franchise tax will be computed by comparing our subsidiaries’ actual income and franchise tax liability to the amount of such taxes that our subsidiaries would have been required to pay had there been no increase in the tax basis of certain tangible and intangible assets of Lazard Group attributable to our subsidiaries’ interest in Lazard Group and had our subsidiaries not entered into the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until approximately 2033 or, if earlier, until all relevant tax benefits have been utilized or expired.

As described in Note 16, during the period ended June 30, 2015, we released substantially all of our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. As a result, we accrued a corresponding liability of $961,948 during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 for amounts relating to the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement at that time.

The amount of the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement liability is an undiscounted amount based upon currently enacted tax laws, including the Tax Act, the current structure of the Company and various assumptions regarding potential future operating profitability. The assumptions reflected in the estimate involve significant judgment. For example, if our structure were to change or our annual taxable income were to increase, we could be required to accelerate payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. As such, the actual amount and timing of payments under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement could differ materially from our estimates. Any changes in the amount of the estimated liability would be recorded as a non-compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Adjustments, if necessary, to the related deferred tax assets would be recorded through the “provision (benefit) for income taxes”.

In July 2015, we purchased approximately 47% of the then-outstanding beneficial interests in the Trust from certain owners of the Trust for $42,222 in cash, which resulted in the automatic cancellation of such beneficial interests and the extinguishment of a significant portion of our payment obligations under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement. The extinguishment of these payment obligations resulted in a pre-tax gain of $420,792 recorded in “provision pursuant to tax receivable agreement” on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the extinguishment of these payment obligations resulted in a reduction of the tax benefits that would have been attributable to the actual payments and, accordingly, we recorded a deferred tax expense of approximately $161,000 on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015.

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2015, the Company recorded a “provision (benefit) pursuant to tax receivable agreement” on the consolidated statements of operations of $(202,546) and $547,691, respectively. As described in Note 16, the Tax Act reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% which required the Company to remeasure the tax receivable agreement obligation. Pursuant to the change in the U.S. corporate tax rate, in 2017, the Company reduced the tax receivable agreement obligation by $202,546. The cumulative liability relating to our obligations under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $310,275 and $513,610, respectively, and is recorded in “tax receivable agreement obligation” on the

125

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

consolidated statements of financial condition. The balance at December 31, 2017 reflects a payment made under the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement in the year ended December 31, 2017 of $789.

Other

See Note 13 for information regarding related party transactions pertaining to shares repurchased from certain of our executive officers.

 

 

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. In addition, the ratio of aggregate indebtedness (as defined) to net capital may not exceed 15:1. At December 31, 2017, LFNY’s regulatory net capital was $156,289, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $151,311. LFNY’s aggregate indebtedness to net capital ratio was 0.48:1 as of December 31, 2017.

Certain U.K. subsidiaries of the Company, including LCL, Lazard Fund Managers Limited and Lazard Asset Management Limited (collectively, the “U.K. Subsidiaries”) are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. At December 31, 2017, the aggregate regulatory net capital of the U.K. Subsidiaries was $192,717, which exceeded the minimum requirement by $173,756.

CFLF, 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, LFB.  LFB, as a registered bank, is engaged primarily in commercial and private banking services for clients and funds managed by LFG (asset management), and other clients, and asset-liability management.  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. At December 31, 2017, the consolidated regulatory net capital of CFLF was $140,353, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $85,904. 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 supervision, the combined European regulated group is required to comply with minimum requirements for regulatory net capital to be reported on a quarterly basis and satisfy periodic financial and other reporting obligations. At December 31, 2017, the regulatory net capital of the combined European regulated group was $170,933, which exceeded the minimum requirement set for regulatory capital levels by $68,025. 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.

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, 2017, for those subsidiaries with regulatory capital requirements, their aggregate net capital was $162,440, which exceeded the minimum required capital by $134,275.

At December 31, 2017, each of these subsidiaries individually was in compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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.

 

 

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 its Financial Advisory and Asset Management business segments as described in Note 1. In addition, as described in Note 1, the Company records selected other activities in its Corporate segment.

The Company’s segment information for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is prepared using the following methodology:

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, human resources, legal, facilities management and senior management activities.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, no individual client constituted more than 10% of the net revenue of any of the Company’s business segments.

127

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, 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:

 

 

 

 

 

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LAZARD LTD

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(dollars in thousands, except for per share data, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

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.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company’s reporting by geographic region was transitioned from the Company’s previously disclosed North America, Europe and rest of the world regions to the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and Asia Pacific. Comparable prior year information has been recast to reflect our revised geographic presentation.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. 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.

 

 

 

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure during the last two fiscal years.

 

 

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 the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive

130

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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 Control 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.

 

 

 

On February 22, 2018, the Company announced that the Board of Directors elected Iris Knobloch to join the Board, effective April 1, 2018. Ms. Knobloch will also serve on the Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board. Ms. Knobloch will receive compensation pursuant to the Company’s directors’ compensation program for independent directors of the Company, the terms of which are described in Item 1 of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 14, 2017, and are incorporated herein by reference. Ms. Knobloch has served as President of Warner Bros Entertainment in France since 2006, where she oversees all of its French businesses. She also supervises the company’s Home Entertainment business in the Benelux region and Warner Bros’ strategic development in Africa. Previously, she was in charge of Time Warner’s International Relations and Strategic Policy for Europe, and also worked in Los Angeles and London. Prior to Warner Bros, Ms. Knobloch was an attorney with Norr, Stiefenhofer & Lutz and with O’Melveny & Myers in Munich, New York and Los Angeles.  Ms. Knobloch is the Vice Chairman and Lead Independent Director of the Board of Directors of AccorHotels, a Member of the Board of Directors of Central European Media Enterprises, and a Governor of the American Hospital in Paris. She received a J.D. degree from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet and an L.L.M. degree from New York University.

 

In addition, the Company announced that current independent director Richard D. Parsons was named Lead Director of the Board.

 

 

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PART III

 

Information regarding members of the Board of Directors, including its audit committee and audit committee financial expert, as well as information regarding our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers, will be presented in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders, which will be held in April 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our executive officers is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant”.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item with respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be set forth under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting and Compliance” in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Information regarding executive officer and director compensation will be presented in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders, which will be held in April 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related shareholder matters will be presented in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders, which will be held in April 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017 regarding securities issued under our 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan  and 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

 

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Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence, will be presented in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders, which will be held in April 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Information regarding principal accountant fees and services will be presented in Lazard Ltd’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders, which will be held in April 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

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PART IV

 

 

 

134

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135

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136

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137

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LAZARD LTD

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

ITEMS 15(a)(1) AND 15(a)(2)

 

 

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

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LAZARD LTD

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

F-2

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LAZARD LTD

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

F-3

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LAZARD LTD

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

F-4

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LAZARD LTD

(parent company only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 2016 AND 2015

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

F-5

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LAZARD LTD

(parent company only)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

The accompanying Lazard Ltd condensed financial statements (the “Parent Company Financial Statements”), including the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lazard Ltd and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the notes thereto.

The Parent Company Financial Statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, 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.

 

For the period ended December 31, 2016, equity in earnings of subsidiaries also includes a gain of $12,668 related to the portion of a business acquired in the fourth quarter of 2016 that was previously owned by one of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

F-6

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SIGNATURES

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 26, 2018

 

 

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.

 

 

II-1

Exhibit 12.1

LAZARD LTD

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (a)

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Lazard Ltd and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

 

Notes (dollars in thousands):

 

Exhibit 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-126752, No. 333-154977, No. 333-193845 and No. 333-217597 each on Form S-8, and Registration Statement No. 333-210959 on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 26, 2018, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Lazard Ltd and subsidiaries (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2017.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 2018

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, 2017 of Lazard Ltd (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 26, 2018

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2

I, Evan L. Russo, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 of Lazard Ltd (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 26, 2018

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

February 26, 2018

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Lazard Ltd (the “Registrant”) hereby certifies that the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (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.

 

 

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 26, 2018

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of Lazard Ltd (the “Registrant”) hereby certifies that the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (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.

 

 

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.