8-K
false 0001311370 0001311370 2019-10-31 2019-10-31

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 31, 2019

 

Lazard Ltd

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

001-32492

 

98-0437848

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

HM 11

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 441-295-1422

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A Common Stock

 

LAZ

 

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If 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.  

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 31, 2019, Lazard Ltd (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2019. A copy of the Company’s press release containing this information is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.      The following exhibits are furnished as part of this Report on Form 8-K:

Exhibit

Number

   

Description of Exhibit

         
 

99.1

   

Press Release issued on October 31, 2019.

         
 

104

   

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

   

Description of Exhibit

         
 

99.1

   

Press Release issued on October 31, 2019

         
 

104

   

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LAZARD LTD

(Registrant)

     

By:

 

/s/ Scott D. Hoffman

Name:

 

Scott D. Hoffman

Title:

 

Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel

Dated: October 31, 2019

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

LAZARD LTD REPORTS

THIRD-QUARTER AND NINE-MONTH 2019 RESULTS

 

$588 million

in third-quarter

operating revenue

    

Maintaining cost discipline

to accelerate investment

in our businesses

   

$733 million of capital

returned to shareholders in

first nine months of 2019

NEW YORK, October 31, 2019 – Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) today reported third-quarter operating revenue1 of $588 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Net income, as adjusted2, was $88 million, or $0.76 per share (diluted) for the quarter. Third-quarter 2019 net income on a U.S. GAAP basis was $47 million, or $0.40 per share (diluted).

For the first nine months of 2019, net income, as adjusted, was $280 million, or $2.37 per share (diluted). On a U.S. GAAP basis, net income for the first nine months was $210 million, or $1.77 per share (diluted).

“We see increased activity in our Financial Advisory business, and continue to provide clients with a diverse range of innovative investment solutions that position our Asset Management business well for the future,” said Kenneth M. Jacobs, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard. “We are managing the firm with cost discipline while investing in our businesses to serve clients, recruit and develop the best people, and build shareholder value.”

 

($ in millions, except

per share data and AUM)

   Quarter Ended
Sept. 30,
    Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
 
     2019      2018      %’19-’18     2019      2018      %’19-’18  

Net Income

                

US GAAP

   $ 47      $ 107        (56 )%    $ 210      $ 414        (49 )% 

Per share, diluted

   $ 0.40      $ 0.82        (51 )%    $ 1.77      $ 3.16        (44 )% 

Adjusted2

   $ 88      $ 111        (21 )%    $ 280      $ 420        (33 )% 

Per share, diluted

   $ 0.76      $ 0.86        (12 )%    $ 2.37      $ 3.21        (26 )% 

Operating Revenue1

                

Total operating revenue

   $ 588      $ 606        (3 )%    $ 1,838      $ 2,070        (11 )% 

Financial Advisory

   $ 304      $ 304          %    $ 963      $ 1,108        (13 )% 

Asset Management

   $ 283      $ 302        (6 )%    $ 858      $ 961        (11 )% 

AUM ($ in billions)

                

Period End

   $ 231      $ 240        (4 )%         

Average

   $ 234      $ 240        (3 )%    $ 233      $ 247        (6 )% 

 

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

Note: Endnotes are on page 6 of this release. A reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to adjusted GAAP is on pages 13-14.

 

1


OPERATING REVENUE

Operating revenue1 was $588 million for the third quarter of 2019, down 3% from the third quarter of 2018, and $1,838 million for the first nine months of 2019, down 11% from the first nine months of 2018.

Financial Advisory

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

For the third quarter of 2019, Financial Advisory operating revenue was $304 million, approximately even with the third quarter of 2018. These results reflected an increase in M&A completions in North America, offset by a decrease in Europe.

For the first nine months of 2019, Financial Advisory operating revenue was $963 million, 13% lower than the record first nine months of 2018.

During and since the third quarter of 2019, Lazard has been engaged in significant and complex M&A transactions and other advisory assignments globally, including the following (clients are in italics): Special Committee of the Board of CBS in CBS’s $48 billion merger with Viacom; The Supervisory Board of Takeaway.com on the company’s €10.6 billion combination with Just Eat; a consortium consisting of KIRKBI, Blackstone and CPPIB, in its recommended acquisition of Merlin Entertainments, valuing Merlin at £5.9 billion; Gilead’s R&D collaboration with Galapagos, including $5.1 billion in an upfront payment and an equity investment; Sempra Energy on its $3.6 billion sale of its equity interests in its Peruvian businesses to China Yangtze Power, and its $2.2 billion sale of its equity interests in its Chilean businesses to State Grid International Development; Rabobank’s $2.1 billion sale of Rabobank, National Association to Mechanics Bank; Exotic Metals in its $1.7 billion sale to Parker Hannifin; and Carrefour’s sale of an 80% interest in Carrefour China to Suning.com.

During and since the third quarter of 2019 we have been engaged in a broad range of highly visible and complex restructuring and debt advisory assignments for debtors and creditors, including roles involving: Debenhams; FirstEnergy Solutions; Forever 21; Global Cloud Xchange; PG&E; and Weatherford International.

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

For a list of publicly announced Financial Advisory transactions on which Lazard advised in the third quarter of 2019, or continued to advise or completed since September 30, 2019, please visit our website at www.lazard.com/businesses/transactions.

 

2


Asset Management

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

For the third quarter of 2019, Asset Management operating revenue was $283 million, 6% lower than the third quarter of 2018. For the first nine months of 2019, Asset Management operating revenue was $858 million, 11% lower than the record first nine months of 2018.

Management fees and other revenue was $281 million for the third quarter of 2019, 6% lower than the third quarter of 2018, and 2% lower than the second quarter of 2019. For the first nine months of 2019, management fees and other revenue was $850 million, 10% lower than the first nine months of 2018.

Average assets under management (AUM) for the third quarter of 2019 was $234 billion, 3% lower than the third quarter of 2018, and 1% lower than the second quarter of 2019. Average AUM for the first nine months of 2019 was $233 billion, 6% lower than the first nine months of 2018.

AUM as of September 30, 2019, was $231 billion, down 4% from September 30, 2018, and down 3% from June 30, 2019. The sequential decrease was driven by foreign exchange depreciation of $4.4 billion and net outflows of $4.4 billion, offset by market appreciation of $2.2 billion.

For the third quarter of 2019, incentive fees were $1 million, compared to $2 million for the third quarter of 2018. For the first nine months of 2019, incentive fees were $7 million, compared to $20 million for the first nine months of 2018.

OPERATING EXPENSES

We conducted a review of our business, which resulted in a realignment that included employee reductions and the closing of subscale offices and investment strategies, most of which were completed during the third quarter of 2019. These actions resulted in an expense of $51.5 million in the third quarter, which is excluded from our adjusted results. We believe these actions better align the business with changes in the marketplace and create greater flexibility to focus on strategic growth opportunities.

Compensation and Benefits

In managing compensation and benefits expense, we focus on annual awarded compensation (cash compensation and benefits plus deferred incentive compensation with respect to the applicable year, net of estimated future forfeitures and excluding charges). We believe annual awarded compensation reflects the actual annual compensation cost more accurately than the GAAP measure of compensation cost, which includes applicable-year cash compensation and the amortization of deferred incentive compensation principally attributable to previous years’ deferred compensation. We believe that by managing our business using awarded compensation with a consistent deferral policy, we can better manage our compensation costs, increase our flexibility in the future and build shareholder value over time.

 

3


For the third quarter of 2019, we accrued adjusted compensation and benefits expense1 at an adjusted compensation1 ratio of 57.5%. This resulted in $338 million of adjusted compensation and benefits expense, flat with the third quarter of 2018.

For the first nine months of 2019, adjusted compensation and benefits expense was $1,057 million, compared to $1,155 million for the first nine months of 2018.

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

Non-Compensation Expense

For the third quarter of 2019, adjusted non-compensation expense1 was $125 million, 15% higher than the third quarter of 2018. The increase reflects business development expenses and investments in technology infrastructure. The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue1 for the third quarter of 2019 was 21.3%, compared to 18.1% for the third quarter of 2018.

For the first nine months of 2019, adjusted non-compensation expense was $369 million, 8% higher than the first nine months of 2018. The ratio of adjusted non-compensation expense to operating revenue for the first nine months of 2019 was 20.1%, compared to 16.5% for the first nine months of 2018.

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

TAXES

The provision for taxes, on an adjusted basis1, was $18 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $78 million for the first nine months of 2019. The effective tax rate on the same basis was 16.6% for the third quarter and 21.7% for the first nine months of 2019, compared to 23.0% and 21.2% for the respective 2018 periods.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND BALANCE SHEET

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

For the third quarter of 2019, Lazard returned $130 million to shareholders, which included: $50 million in dividends; $79 million in share repurchases of our Class A common stock; and $1 million in satisfaction of employee tax obligations in lieu of share issuances upon vesting of equity grants.

For the first nine months of 2019, Lazard returned $733 million to shareholders, which included: $206 million in dividends; $430 million in share repurchases of our Class A common stock; and $97 million in satisfaction of employee tax obligations in lieu of share issuances upon vesting of equity grants.

 

4


During the first nine months of 2019, we repurchased 11.9 million shares at an average price of $36.01 per share, which included 2.2 million shares repurchased in the third quarter at an average price of $35.20 per share.

On October 30, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized additional share repurchases of up to $300 million, which expires as of December 31, 2021, bringing our total outstanding share repurchase authorization to $437 million.

On October 30, 2019, Lazard declared a quarterly dividend of $0.47 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on November 22, 2019, to stockholders of record on November 11, 2019.

Lazard’s financial position remains strong. As of September 30, 2019, our cash and cash equivalents were $959 million, and stockholders’ equity related to Lazard’s interests was $613 million.

***

CONFERENCE CALL

Lazard will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EDT on October 31, 2019, to discuss the company’s financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019. The conference call can be accessed via a live audio webcast available through Lazard’s Investor Relations website at www.lazard.com, or by dialing 1 (888) 394-8218 (toll-free, U.S. and Canada) or +1 (323) 701-0225 (outside of the U.S. and Canada), 15 minutes prior to the start of the call.

A replay of the conference call will be available by 10:00 a.m. EDT on October 31, 2019, via the Lazard Investor Relations website at www.lazard.com, or by dialing 1 (888) 203-1112 (toll-free, U.S. and Canada) or +1 (719) 457-0820 (outside of the U.S. and Canada). The replay access code is: 1856836.

ABOUT LAZARD

Lazard, one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 43 cities across 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com. Follow Lazard at @Lazard.

***

 

5


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

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

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

Losses due to unidentified or unanticipated risks;

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

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

***

ENDNOTES

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

2 Adjusted results1 for the third-quarter and first nine months of 2019 exclude the following items on a pre-tax-basis: (i) $51.5 million in third-quarter costs associated with a business realignment that included employee reductions and the closing of subscale offices and investment strategies; (ii) $2.4 million and $13.2 million, respectively, of costs associated with the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system; (iii) $6.8 million relating to a first quarter debt refinancing by Lazard Ltd’s subsidiary Lazard Group LLC; (iv) ($0.1) million and $7.6 million, respectively, of acquisition-related (benefits) costs, primarily reflecting changes in fair value of contingent consideration associated with certain business acquisitions; (v) $11.9 million of private equity investment adjustments in the second quarter; and (vi) $1.1 million in third-quarter costs related to office space reorganization. On a U.S. GAAP basis, these items resulted in a net charge of $42 million, or $0.36 (diluted) per share, for the third quarter, and a net charge of $70 million, or $0.60 (diluted) per share, for the first nine months of 2019.

LAZ-EPE

###

 

6


LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(U.S. GAAP)

 

     Three Months Ended     % Change From  
     September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     June 30,     September 30,  
($ in thousands, except per share data)    2019     2019     2018     2019     2018  

Total revenue

   $ 611,073     $ 650,801     $ 640,800       (6 %)      (5 %) 

Interest expense

     (20,005     (20,111     (14,319    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net revenue

     591,068       630,690       626,481       (6 %)      (6 %) 

Operating expenses:

          

Compensation and benefits

     391,363       372,470       343,987       5     14

Occupancy and equipment

     29,856       30,953       28,848      

Marketing and business development

     27,318       28,784       21,868      

Technology and information services

     34,076       38,825       36,394      

Professional services

     15,105       19,144       13,353      

Fund administration and outsourced services

     28,425       28,493       34,748      

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs (benefits)

     1,022       5,042       (5,851    

Other

     11,530       5,294       14,453      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Subtotal

     147,332       156,535       143,813       (6 %)      2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating expenses

     538,695       529,005       487,800       2     10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating income

     52,373       101,685       138,681       (48 %)      (62 %) 

Provision for income taxes

     4,177       28,172       29,956       (85 %)      (86 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income

     48,196       73,513       108,725       (34 %)      (56 %) 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     1,492       7,736       1,651      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd

   $ 46,704     $ 65,777     $ 107,074       (29 %)      (56 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Attributable to Lazard Ltd Common Stockholders:

          

Weighted average shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     109,285,727       111,981,204       119,456,516       (2 %)      (9 %) 

Diluted

     113,881,690       116,175,349       129,859,728       (2 %)      (12 %) 

Net income per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.42     $ 0.57     $ 0.90       (26 %)      (53 %) 

Diluted

   $ 0.40     $ 0.55     $ 0.82       (27 %)      (51 %) 

 

7


LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(U.S. GAAP)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,        
($ in thousands, except per share data)    2019     2018     % Change  

Total revenue

   $ 1,923,552     $ 2,180,533       (12 %) 

Interest expense

     (58,120     (41,416  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net revenue

     1,865,432       2,139,117       (13 %) 

Operating expenses:

      

Compensation and benefits

     1,136,087       1,165,193       (2 %) 

Occupancy and equipment

     89,104       88,326    

Marketing and business development

     84,086       75,755    

Technology and information services

     104,956       102,173    

Professional services

     48,466       42,498    

Fund administration and outsourced services

     85,848       103,159    

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs (benefits)

     9,534       (13,468  

Other

     33,630       51,032    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subtotal

     455,624       449,475       1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating expenses

     1,591,711       1,614,668       (1 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     273,721       524,449       (48 %) 

Provision for income taxes

     55,536       105,684       (47 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

     218,185       418,765       (48 %) 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     8,662       5,036    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income attributable to Lazard Ltd

   $ 209,523     $ 413,729       (49 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Attributable to Lazard Ltd Common Stockholders:

      

Weighted average shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     111,070,395       119,897,626       (7 %) 

Diluted

     116,959,041       130,750,392       (11 %) 

Net income per share:

      

Basic

   $ 1.87     $ 3.45       (46 %) 

Diluted

   $ 1.77     $ 3.16       (44 %) 

 

8


LAZARD LTD

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(U.S. GAAP)

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
($ in thousands)    2019     2018  
ASSETS     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 959,001     $ 1,246,537  

Deposits with banks and short-term investments

     1,289,288       1,006,969  

Cash deposited with clearing organizations and other segregated cash

     40,280       38,379  

Receivables

     668,167       685,534  

Investments

     535,848       575,148  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     368,996       375,318  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     558,723       —    

Deferred tax assets

     601,183       597,776  

Other assets

     530,393       471,580  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 5,551,879     $ 4,997,241  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Liabilities

    

Deposits and other customer payables

   $ 1,405,836     $ 1,154,207  

Accrued compensation and benefits

     418,779       585,484  

Senior debt

     1,678,921       1,434,260  

Tax receivable agreement obligation

     246,953       270,640  

Operating lease liabilities

     652,681       —    

Other liabilities

     462,488       582,557  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,865,658       4,027,148  

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $.01 per share

     1,298       1,298  

Additional paid-in capital

     682,003       750,692  

Retained earnings

     1,168,382       1,195,563  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (288,621     (273,818
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,563,062       1,673,735  

Class A common stock held by subsidiaries, at cost

     (949,620     (756,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Lazard Ltd stockholders’ equity

     613,442       916,851  

Noncontrolling interests

     72,779       53,242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     686,221       970,093  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,551,879     $ 4,997,241  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9


LAZARD LTD

SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)

(Non-GAAP - unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     % Change From  
     September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     June 30,     September 30,  
($ in thousands, except per share data)    2019     2019     2018     2019     2018  

Revenues:

          

Financial Advisory

   $ 303,901     $ 328,814     $ 303,769       (8 %)      0%  

Asset Management

     282,596       291,269       301,527       (3 %)      (6%

Corporate

     1,765       9,617       314       (82 %)      NM  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating revenue (b)

   $ 588,262     $ 629,700     $ 605,610       (7 %)      (3%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Expenses:

          

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (c)

   $ 338,250     $ 362,078     $ 337,930       (7 %)      0%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Ratio of adjusted compensation to operating revenue

     57.5     57.5     55.8    

Non-compensation expense (d)

   $ 125,185     $ 128,014     $ 109,330       (2 %)      15%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Ratio of non-compensation to operating revenue

     21.3     20.3     18.1    

Earnings:

          

Earnings from operations (e)

   $ 124,827     $ 139,608     $ 158,350       (11 %)      (21%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Operating margin (f)

     21.2     22.2     26.1    

Adjusted net income (g)

   $ 88,260     $ 85,746     $ 111,424       3     (21%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Diluted adjusted net income per share

   $ 0.76     $ 0.73     $ 0.86       4     (12%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Diluted weighted average shares (h)

     115,513,679       117,422,884       129,859,728       (2 %)      (11%

Effective tax rate (i)

     16.6     28.8     23.0    

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

 

10


LAZARD LTD

SELECTED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (a)

(Non-GAAP - unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
($ in thousands, except per share data)    September 30,
2019
    September 30,
2018
    % Change  

Revenues:

      

Financial Advisory

   $ 962,709     $ 1,107,631       (13 %) 

Asset Management

     857,599       960,791       (11 %) 

Corporate

     17,644       1,825       NM  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating revenue (b)

   $ 1,837,952     $ 2,070,247       (11 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Expenses:

      

Adjusted compensation and benefits expense (c)

   $ 1,056,822     $ 1,155,198       (9 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Ratio of adjusted compensation to operating revenue

     57.5     55.8  

Non-compensation expense (d)

   $ 368,936     $ 341,892       8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Ratio of non-compensation to operating revenue

     20.1     16.5  

Earnings:

      

Earnings from operations (e)

   $ 412,194     $ 573,157       (28 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating margin (f)

     22.4     27.7  

Adjusted net income (g)

   $ 279,543     $ 420,359       (33 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Diluted adjusted net income per share

   $ 2.37     $ 3.21       (26 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Diluted weighted average shares (h)

     117,957,075       130,750,392       (10 %) 

Effective tax rate (i)

     21.7     21.2  

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

 

11


LAZARD LTD

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (“AUM”)

(unaudited)

($ in millions)

 

     As of      Variance  
     September 30,     June 30,     December 31,               
     2019     2019     2018      Qtr to Qtr     YTD  

Equity:

           

Emerging Markets

   $ 38,385     $ 42,836     $ 41,899        (10.4 %)      (8.4 %) 

Global

     46,539       47,559       41,490        (2.1 %)      12.2

Local

     40,706       40,575       36,020        0.3     13.0

Multi-Regional

     62,825       64,888       57,589        (3.2 %)      9.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total Equity

     188,455       195,858       176,998        (3.8 %)      6.5

Fixed Income:

           

Emerging Markets

     14,738       15,692       14,980        (6.1 %)      (1.6 %) 

Global

     8,433       6,195       4,851        36.1     73.8

Local

     5,818       5,767       6,113        0.9     (4.8 %) 

Multi-Regional

     8,733       8,935       6,994        (2.3 %)      24.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total Fixed Income

     37,722       36,589       32,938        3.1     14.5

Alternative Investments

     2,347       2,492       2,430        (5.8 %)      (3.4 %) 

Private Equity

     1,387       1,383       1,469        0.3     (5.6 %) 

Cash Management

     963       1,144       899        (15.8 %)      7.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total AUM

   $ 230,874     $ 237,466     $ 214,734        (2.8 %)      7.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      
     Three Months Ended September 30            Nine Months Ended September 30  
     2019     2018            2019     2018  

AUM - Beginning of Period

   $ 237,466     $ 237,876        $ 214,734     $ 249,459  

Net Flows

     (4,385     (288        (9,593     (1,727

Market and foreign exchange appreciation (depreciation)

     (2,207     2,499          25,733       (7,645
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

AUM - End of Period

   $ 230,874     $ 240,087        $ 230,874     $ 240,087  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average AUM

   $ 233,878     $ 239,897        $ 232,885     $ 246,920  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

% Change in average AUM

     (2.5%          (5.7%  
  

 

 

        

 

 

   

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

 

12


LAZARD LTD

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

(unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
($ in thousands, except per share data)   2019     2019     2018     2019     2018  
Operating Revenue

 

Net revenue - U.S. GAAP Basis

  $ 591,068     $ 630,690     $ 626,481     $ 1,865,432     $ 2,139,117  

Adjustments:

         

Revenue related to noncontrolling interests (j)

    (4,164     (11,819     (4,512     (18,254     (15,351

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

    (1,764     (6,484     (3,647     (22,118     (1,712

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

    (15,413     (13,357     (25,880     (53,102     (90,112

Private Equity investment adjustment (l)

    —         11,948       —         11,948       —    

Interest expense

    18,535       18,722       13,168       54,046       38,305  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating revenue, as adjusted (b)

  $ 588,262     $ 629,700     $ 605,610     $ 1,837,952     $ 2,070,247  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Compensation and Benefits Expense

 

Compensation and benefits expense - U.S. GAAP Basis

  $ 391,363     $ 372,470     $ 343,987     $ 1,136,087     $ 1,165,193  

Adjustments:

         

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

    (49,119     —         —         (49,119     —    

Charges pertaining to LFI and other similar arrangements

    (1,764     (6,484     (3,647     (22,118     (1,712

Compensation related to noncontrolling interests (j)

    (2,230     (3,908     (2,410     (8,028     (8,283
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits expense, as adjusted (c)

  $ 338,250     $ 362,078     $ 337,930     $ 1,056,822     $ 1,155,198  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Non-Compensation Expense

 

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

  $ 147,332     $ 156,535     $ 143,813     $ 455,624     $ 449,475  

Adjustments:

         

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

    (1,810     —         —         (1,810     —    

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (n)

    (2,362     (7,626     (7,659     (13,193     (20,489

Expenses related to office space reorganization (o)

    (1,143     —         —         (1,143     (2,425

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

    (15,413     (13,357     (25,880     (53,102     (90,112

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

    (1,022     (5,042     5,851       (9,534     13,468  

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (q)

    —         (2,262     (6,523     (6,505     (6,523

Non-compensation expense related to noncontrolling interests (j)

    (397     (234     (272     (1,401     (1,502
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted (d)

  $ 125,185     $ 128,014     $ 109,330     $ 368,936     $ 341,892  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Pre-Tax Income and Earnings From Operations

 

Operating Income - U.S. GAAP Basis

  $ 52,373     $ 101,685     $ 138,681     $ 273,721     $ 524,449  

Adjustments:

         

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

    51,454       —         —         51,454       —    

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (n)

    2,362       7,626       7,659       13,193       20,489  

Expenses related to office space reorganization (o)

    1,143       —         —         1,143       2,425  

Acquisition-related (benefits) costs (p)

    (74     4,612       (6,707     7,577       (16,020

Private Equity investment adjustment (l)

    —         11,948       —         11,948       —    

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (q)

    —         2,348       6,818       6,805       6,818  

Net income related to noncontrolling interests (j)

    (1,492     (7,736     (1,651     (8,662     (5,036
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax income, as adjusted

    105,766       120,483       144,800       357,179       533,125  

Interest expense

    18,535       18,636       12,873       53,746       38,010  

Amortization (LAZ only)

    526       489       677       1,269       2,022  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from operations, as adjusted (e)

  $ 124,827     $ 139,608     $ 158,350     $ 412,194     $ 573,157  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net Income attributable to Lazard Ltd

 

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

  $ 46,704     $ 65,777     $ 107,074     $ 209,523     $ 413,729  

Adjustments:

         

Expenses associated with business realignment (m)

    51,454       —         —         51,454       —    

Expenses associated with ERP system implementation (n)

    2,362       7,626       7,659       13,193       20,489  

Expenses related to office space reorganization (o)

    1,143       —         —         1,143       2,425  

Acquisition-related (benefits) costs (p)

    (74     4,612       (6,707     7,577       (16,020

Private Equity investment adjustment (l)

    —         11,948       —         11,948       —    

Charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (q)

    —         2,348       6,818       6,805       6,818  

Tax benefit allocated to adjustments

    (13,329     (6,565     (3,420     (22,100     (7,082
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income, as adjusted (g)

  $ 88,260     $ 85,746     $ 111,424     $ 279,543     $ 420,359  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

 

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

    113,881,690       116,175,349       129,859,728       116,959,041       130,750,392  

Adjustment: participating securities

    1,631,989       1,247,535       —         998,034       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, as adjusted (h)

    115,513,679       117,422,884       129,859,728       117,957,075       130,750,392  

Diluted net income per share:

         

U.S. GAAP Basis

  $ 0.40     $ 0.55     $ 0.82     $ 1.77     $ 3.16  

Non-GAAP Basis, as adjusted

  $ 0.76     $ 0.73     $ 0.86     $ 2.37     $ 3.21  

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

See Notes to Financial Schedules

 

13


LAZARD LTD

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

(unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
($ in thousands)   2019     2019     2018     2019     2018  

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

         

Occupancy and equipment

  $ 29,856     $ 30,953     $ 28,848     $ 89,104     $ 88,326  

Marketing and business development

    27,318       28,784       21,868       84,086       75,755  

Technology and information services

    34,076       38,825       36,394       104,956       102,173  

Professional services

    15,105       19,144       13,353       48,466       42,498  

Fund administration and outsourced services

    28,425       28,493       34,748       85,848       103,159  

Amortization and other acquisition-related (benefits) costs

    1,022       5,042       (5,851     9,534       (13,468

Other

    11,530       5,294       14,453       33,630       51,032  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

  $ 147,332     $ 156,535     $ 143,813     $ 455,624     $ 449,475  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense - Adjustments:

         

Occupancy and equipment (j) (o) (k)

  ($ 1,195   ($ 25   $ 131     ($ 1,253   ($ 2,434

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

    (3,005     (6,493     (4,476     (12,902     (13,206

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

    (2,396     (7,427     (7,548     (13,099     (19,863

Professional services (j) (k) (n)

    (1,392     (2,091     (1,102     (4,847     (3,695

Fund administration and outsourced services (k)

    (13,329     (12,549     (19,257     (41,787     (56,112

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

    (1,022     (5,042     5,851       (9,534     13,468  

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

    192       5,106       (8,082     (3,266     (25,741
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Non-compensation adjustments

  ($ 22,147   ($ 28,521   ($ 34,483   ($ 86,688   ($ 107,583
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted:

         

Occupancy and equipment

  $ 28,661     $ 30,928     $ 28,979     $ 87,851     $ 85,892  

Marketing and business development

    24,313       22,291       17,392       71,184       62,549  

Technology and information services

    31,680       31,398       28,846       91,857       82,310  

Professional services

    13,713       17,053       12,251       43,619       38,803  

Fund administration and outsourced services

    15,096       15,944       15,491       44,061       47,047  

Amortization and other acquisition-related costs

    —         —         —         —         —    

Other

    11,722       10,400       6,371       30,364       25,291  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compensation expense, as adjusted (d)

  $ 125,185     $ 128,014     $ 109,330     $ 368,936     $ 341,892  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

See Notes to Financial Schedules

 

14


LAZARD LTD

Notes to Financial Schedules

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) revenue related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below), (ii) gains related to the changes in the fair value of investments held in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements for which a corresponding equal amount is excluded from compensation & benefits expense, (iii) revenue related to distribution fees and reimbursable deal costs in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance and bad debt expense (see (k) below), (iv) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 and for the three month period ended June 30, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (l) below), (v) interest expense primarily related to corporate financing activities, and (vi) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, for the three month period ended June 30, 2019 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, excess interest expense pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below).

 

(c)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (ii) charges related to the changes in the fair value of the compensation liability recorded in connection with Lazard Fund Interests and other similar deferred compensation arrangements, and (iii) compensation and benefits related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below).

 

(d)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (ii) expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (n) below), (iii) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, expenses related to office space reorganization (see (o) below), (iv) expenses related to distribution fees and reimbursable deal costs in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance and bad debt expense (see (k) below), (v) amortization and other acquisition-related benefits (costs) (see (p) below), (vi) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, for the three month period ended June 30, 2019 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), and (vii) expenses related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below).

 

(e)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (ii) expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (n) below), (iii) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, expenses related to office space reorganization (see (o) below), (iv) amortization and other acquisition-related (benefits) costs (see (p) below), (v) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 and for the three month period ended June 30, 2019, private equity investment adjustment (see (l) below), (vi) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, for the three month period ended June 30, 2019 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), (vii) net revenue and expenses related to noncontrolling interests (see (j) below), and (viii) interest expense primarily related to corporate financing activities.

 

(f)

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

 

(g)

A non-GAAP measure which excludes (i) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, expenses associated with business realignment plan (see (m) below), (ii) expenses associated with ERP system implementation (see (n) below), (iii) for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2019 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, expenses related to office space reorganization (see (o) below), (iv) amortization and other acquisition-related (benefits) costs (see (p) below), (v) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 and for the three month period ended June 30, 2019, private equity investment adjustment, (see (l) below), and (vi) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019, for the three month period ended June 30, 2019 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, charges pertaining to Senior Debt refinancing (see (q) below), net of tax benefits.

 

(h)

A non-GAAP measure which includes for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and for the three month period ended June 30, 2019, units of the newly established long-term incentive compensation program consisting of profits interest participation rights, which are equity incentive awards that, subject to certain conditions, may be exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock. Profits interest participation rights and other participating securities are excluded from the computation of outstanding stock equivalents for U.S. GAAP net income per share.

 

(i)

Effective tax rate is a non-GAAP measure based upon the U.S. GAAP rate with adjustments for the tax applicable to the non-GAAP adjustments to operating income, generally based upon the effective marginal tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction of the adjustments. The computation is based on a quotient, the numerator of which is the provision for income taxes of $17,507, $34,737, and $33,376 for the three month periods ended September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively, $77,637 and $112,767 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and the denominator of which is pre-tax income of $105,766, $120,483, and $144,800 for the three month periods ended September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively, $357,179 and $533,125 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

(j)

Noncontrolling interests include revenue and expenses principally related to Edgewater, and is a non-GAAP measure.

 

(k)

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

 

(l)

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

 

(m)

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

 

(n)

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

 

(o)

Represents incremental rent expense and lease abandonment costs related to office space reorganization and an onerous lease provision.

 

(p)

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

 

(q)

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

NM Not meaningful

 

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