SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): February 4, 2010

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware

001-31234

75-2969997

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)


200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200

Dallas, Texas 75201

(Address of principal executive offices)

(214) 756-6900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


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))


ITEM 2.02:          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. 34-47583, the following information, which is being furnished pursuant to the requirements of Item 2.02, “Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” is being reported under Item 7.01, “Regulation FD Disclosure.”

On February 4, 2010, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. issued a press release entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports 2009 Results; Assets Under Management Increase 42% Year-over-year to Record $10.2 Billion; Assets in WHG Funds Increase 124% Year-over-year to $566 Million”, a copy of which is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.  The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ITEM 7.01:          REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

Westwood also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.33 per common share payable on April 1, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2010.

ITEM 9.01:          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)       Exhibits:  The following exhibit is furnished with this report:

Exhibit Number Description
 
99.1 Press Release dated February 4, 2010, entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports 2009 Results; Assets Under Management Increase 42% Year-over-year to Record $10.2 Billion; Assets in WHG Funds Increase 124% Year-over-year to $566 Million”.

SIGNATURES

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

Date:

February 4, 2010

 
 

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

 
 
By:

/s/ William R. Hardcastle, Jr.

William R. Hardcastle, Jr.,

Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

Description

 

99.1

Press Release dated February 4, 2010, entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports 2009 Results; Assets Under Management Increase 42% Year-over-year to Record $10.2 Billion; Assets in WHG Funds Increase 124% Year-over-year to $566 Million”.

Exhibit 99.1

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports 2009 Results; Assets under Management Increase 42% Year-over-Year to Record $10.2 Billion; Assets in WHG Funds Increase 124% Year-over-Year to $566 Million

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 4, 2010--Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported 2009 fourth quarter revenues of $12.7 million, net income of $2.7 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.41. For the year ended December 31, 2009, Westwood reported revenues of $42.6 million, net income of $7.9 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.18. Cash earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $4.7 million and cash earnings per share (“Cash EPS”) were $0.70 per diluted share. For the year ended December 31, 2009, cash earnings were $15.6 million and Cash EPS were $2.34 per diluted share. (Cash earnings and Cash EPS are non-GAAP financial measures that are explained and reconciled with the most comparable GAAP financial measures in the attached tables.)

Assets under management were $10.2 billion as of December 31, 2009, an increase of 42% compared to December 31, 2008 assets under management of $7.2 billion. The increase in period-ending assets under management was primarily due to market appreciation of assets under management plus significant cash inflows of assets from new clients. The WHG Funds had assets of $566 million as of December 31, 2009, an increase of 124% compared to assets of $253 million as of December 31, 2008.

Brian Casey, Westwood’s President & CEO, commented, “The momentum in our business continued in 2009. We ended the year with record assets under management of over $10 billion; the majority of our products exceeded their respective benchmarks; and the WHG Funds continued to experience outstanding organic growth as assets more than doubled. We also completed our first acquisition, which added an additional $52 million into the WHG LargeCap Value Fund, increasing the scale and profitability of the fund while also lowering fund expenses for all shareholders. We want to thank all of our owner-employees for their continued dedication and hard work as we strive to deliver solid performance and attentive service to our clients.”

Westwood’s 2008 results included revenues of $17.6 million, net income of $5.1 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.79 for the fourth quarter of 2008 and revenues of $46.5 million, net income of $10.5 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.63 for the full year. Cash earnings for the fourth quarter and full year 2008 were $6.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively. Cash EPS for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $1.07 per diluted share and $2.68 per diluted share for the year 2008. Westwood’s full year 2008 results included the positive impact of a performance-based fee of $8.7 million, which was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008 and reflected investment outperformance in 2008 and 2007. Total expenses for the year 2009 were $30.2 million compared to $29.9 million for 2008. Cash expenses for 2009 were $22.6 million compared to $23.2 million for 2008. (An explanation and reconciliation of cash expenses to total expenses are included in the attached tables.)


Westwood also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.33 per common share, payable on April 1, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2010.

Westwood Trust contributed revenue of $10.3 million and net income of $1.4 million in 2009, compared to revenue of $11.1 million and net income of $1.4 million in 2008. As of December 31, 2009, Westwood Trust’s assets under management were $2.0 billion, an increase of 29% compared to $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2008. The increase in assets under management was primarily due to market appreciation of assets under management as well as inflows of assets from new clients.

Westwood will host a conference call to discuss the 2009 fourth quarter results and other business updates at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today. To listen to the conference call, dial 866-337-6663 (domestic) or 904-520-5771 (international). The conference call will also be available via webcast and can be accessed at Westwood’s website, www.westwoodgroup.com, under the Investor Relations tab. The conference call will be available for replay through February 11 by dialing 888-284-7564 (domestic) or 904-596-3174 (international) and entering passcode 2428101.

About Westwood

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. and Westwood Trust. Westwood Management Corp. is a registered investment advisor and provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, the WHG Funds, other mutual funds and clients of Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust provides trust services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals. Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHG.”

For more information on Westwood, please visit Westwood’s website at www.westwoodgroup.com.

For more information on the WHG Funds, please visit the Funds’ website at www.whgfunds.com.

Note on Forward-looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts, including statements about our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “goal,” “target,” “designed,” “on track,” “comfortable with,” “optimistic” and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results and the timing of some events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: our ability to identify and successfully market services that appeal to our customers; the significant concentration of our revenues in four of our customers; our relationships with investment consulting firms; our relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to retain qualified personnel; our ability to successfully develop and market new asset classes; our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures; competition in the marketplace; downturn in the financial markets; the passage of legislation adversely affecting the financial services industries; interest rates; changes in our effective tax rate; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; our ability to capitalize on the performance of our marketing efforts; the acceptance of our new products with our existing and new clients; changes in our dividend policy and uses of our cash; and the other risks detailed from time to time in Westwood’s SEC filings, including but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Westwood is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


 
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
  Three months ended   Year ended
December 31,

December 31,

2009   2008 2009   2008
REVENUES:
Advisory fees
Asset-based $ 9,676 $ 6,589 $ 31,794 $ 26,966
Performance-based - 8,645 - 8,725
Trust fees 2,938 2,748 10,304 11,018
Other revenues, net   109   (396 )   455   (253 )
Total revenues   12,723   17,586     42,553   46,456  
 
EXPENSES:
Employee compensation and benefits 6,765 7,697 23,730 23,209
Sales and marketing 128 208 576 803
WHG mutual funds 175 149 600 384
Information technology 296 291 1,221 1,114
Professional services 401 412 1,531 1,749
General and administrative   671   669     2,277   2,662  
Total expenses   8,436   9,426     30,235   29,921  
Income before income taxes 4,287 8,160 12,318 16,535
Provision for income taxes   1,566   3,039     4,423   5,992  
Net income $ 2,721 $ 5,121   $ 7,895 $ 10,543  
 
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.42 $ 0.83 $ 1.25 $ 1.73
Diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.79 $ 1.18 $ 1.63

 
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
 
    2009       2008  
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,879 $ 3,498
Accounts receivable 6,406 12,638
Investments, at market value 42,246 28,152
Deferred income taxes 2,187 1,781
Other current assets   625     700  
Total current assets 54,343 46,769
Goodwill 3,915 2,302
Deferred income taxes - 934
Intangible assets, net 1,050 -
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,315 and $1,234   578     842  
Total assets $ 59,886   $ 50,847  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 995 $ 1,105
Dividends payable 2,359 2,087
Compensation and benefits payable 6,273 7,052
Income taxes payable 823 1,359
Deferred acquisition liability 900 -
Other current liabilities   11     9  
Total current liabilities 11,361 11,612
Deferred acquisition liability 796 -
Deferred income taxes 238 -
Deferred rent   273     441  
Total long-term liabilities   1,307     441  
Total liabilities   12,668     12,053  
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 7,308,812 and outstanding 7,151,472 shares at December 31, 2009; 7,052,727 and outstanding 6,958,238 shares at December 31, 2008

 

73

 

71

Additional paid-in capital 47,741 37,458
Treasury stock, at cost – 157,340 shares at December 31, 2009; 94,489 shares at December 31, 2008

(6,026

)

(3,500

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,559 -
Retained earnings   3,871     4,765  
Total stockholders’ equity   47,218     38,794  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 59,886   $ 50,847  

 
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
    2009       2008  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 7,895 $ 10,543
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 241 232
Amortization of intangible assets 13 -
Fair market valuation of deferred acquisition liabilities 23 -
Unrealized losses (gains) on investments (588 ) 974
Restricted stock amortization 7,666 6,735
Deferred income taxes (73 ) (978 )
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation (1,518 ) (2,271 )
Net purchases of investments – trading securities (9,721 ) (20,256 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 6,232 (6,039 )
Other assets 76 (47 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (101 ) 81
Compensation and benefits payable (779 ) 2,204
Income taxes payable and prepaid taxes 1,298 2,553
Other liabilities   (58 )   (41 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   10,606     (6,310 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of money market funds – available for sale (64,984 ) (34,849 )
Sales of money market funds – available for sale 63,597 48,123
Cash paid for business combination (251 ) -
Purchases of property and equipment   (86 )   (153 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (1,724 )   13,121  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of treasury stock (2,526 ) (2,430 )
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation 1,518 2,271
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 33 257
Cash dividends   (8,526 )   (7,971 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (9,501 )   (7,873 )
 
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (619 ) (1,062 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   3,498     4,560  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 2,879   $ 3,498  
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for income taxes $ 3,199 $ 4,418
Issuance of restricted stock, net 7,263 7,032

 
Reconciliation of Net Income to Cash Earnings and Total Expenses to Cash Expenses
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended  
December 31, %
  2009       2008   Change
Net Income $ 2,721 $ 5,121 (47 )%
Add: Restricted stock expense 1,972 1,808 9
Add: Intangible amortization 13 - NM
Add: Deferred taxes on goodwill   5     -   NM  
Cash earnings $ 4,711   $ 6,929   (32 )
 
Diluted weighted average shares 6,713,487 6,472,870 4
Cash earnings per share $ 0.70 $ 1.07 (34 )
 
Total expenses $ 8,436 $ 9,426 (11 )
Less: Restricted stock expense (1,972 ) (1,808 ) 9
Less: Intangible amortization   (13 )   -   NM  
Cash expenses $ 6,451   $ 7,618   (15 )%
 
Year Ended
December 31, %
  2009     2008   Change
Net Income $ 7,895 $ 10,543 (25 )%
Add: Restricted stock expense 7,666 6,735 14
Add: Intangible amortization 13 - NM
Add: Deferred taxes on goodwill   5     -   NM  
Cash earnings $ 15,579   $ 17,278   (10 )
 
Diluted weighted average shares 6,664,910 6,451,468 3
Cash earnings per share $ 2.34 $ 2.68 (13 )
 
Total expenses $ 30,235 $ 29,921 1
Less: Restricted stock expense (7,666 ) (6,735 ) 14
Less: Intangible amortization   (13 )   -   NM  
Cash expenses $ 22,556   $ 23,186   (3 )%

As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAP performance measures that we refer to as cash earnings, cash earnings per share (or Cash EPS), and cash expenses. We provide these measures in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income, earnings per share and total expenses, which are reported on a GAAP basis. Management and our Board of Directors review cash earnings, Cash EPS and cash expenses to evaluate Westwood’s ongoing performance, allocate resources and review dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income, earnings per share and total expenses, are useful for both management and investors to evaluate Westwood’s underlying operating and financial performance and its available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider these non-GAAP measures without considering financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We define cash earnings as net income plus non-cash equity-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets and deferred taxes related to goodwill. We define cash expenses as total expenses less non-cash equity-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets. Although depreciation on fixed assets is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating cash earnings or deduct it when calculating cash expenses because depreciation charges represent a decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement. In addition, we do not adjust cash earnings for tax deductions related to restricted stock expense or amortization of intangible assets. Cash EPS represents cash earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

(WHG-G)

CONTACT:
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
Bill Hardcastle, 214-756-6900