Document


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): October 25, 2017

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


Delaware    001-31234    75-2969997
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission    (IRS Employer
of incorporation)     File Number)    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):

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

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

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

o    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 October 25, 2017, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) issued a press release entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results; Quarterly Dividend Increased 10%”, 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, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

ITEM 7.01:    REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

Westwood announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.68 per common share, an increase of 10% from the previous quarterly dividend rate, payable on January 2, 2018 to stockholders of record on December 8, 2017.

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 October 25, 2017, entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results; Quarterly Dividend Increased 10%”.












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: October 25, 2017

                
WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.


By:    /s/ Tiffany B. Kice        
Tiffany B. Kice
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer








EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number        Description

99.1
    





Exhibit


https://cdn.kscope.io/d0456bb3dcb79af2dde3ff57a7214910-whglogoa03.jpg
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results
Quarterly Dividend Increased 10%

Dallas, TX, October 25, 2017 – Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported third quarter 2017 revenues of $33.5 million compared to $31.8 million in the third quarter of 2016 and $33.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. The increase from the prior year quarter primarily related to higher average assets under management ("AUM") due to market appreciation. The decrease from the immediately preceding quarter was primarily due to performance fees earned in the second quarter of 2017, partially offset by higher average AUM.

AUM at September 30, 2017 totaled $23.6 billion, up from $21.3 billion and $22.6 billion at September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017, respectively.1 

During the quarter, we recorded a $2.5 million legal settlement charge, net of insurance recovery and taxes, related to resolution of litigation, which decreased third quarter 2017 diluted earnings per share by $0.30.

Third quarter net income of $4.1 million compared with $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease primarily related to the settlement noted above, partially offset by higher revenues. Diluted earnings per share of $0.49 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $0.72 in the third quarter of 2016. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the quarter decreased from $10.6 million, or $1.30 per share, in 2016's third quarter, to $9.0 million, or $1.07 per share, in the third quarter of 2017.

Third quarter net income of $4.1 million compared with $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2017. The decrease was driven primarily by the settlement noted above. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter of $0.49 compared to $0.83 for the second quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the quarter of $9.0 million, or $1.07 per share, compared to $11.7 million, or $1.41 per share, in the immediately preceding quarter.

Highlights related to the third quarter 2017 include:
Revenues of $33.5 million increased $1.7 million from the third quarter of 2016 and were relatively flat with the second quarter of 2017.
Top quartile performance was delivered by our SmallCap Value and LargeCap Value strategies.
All of our U.S. value strategies provided strong absolute and relative returns for two consecutive quarters.
Resolution of the AGF litigation.
We agreed to sell our Omaha-based Private Wealth operations, which is expected to close by year end.






Brian Casey, Westwood’s President & CEO, commented, "Within our U.S. value strategies, we were very pleased that first half performance momentum continued in both absolute and relative terms into the third quarter, most notably for our SmallCap Value and LargeCap Value strategies. Recognizing that an earnings-driven market has historically supported our investment philosophy, we are optimistic that our strategies can deliver excess returns and client-specific outcomes. Additionally, we were pleased to resolve AGF's litigation and believe that the resolution was in the best interests of our company and our shareholders. Finally, this marks the fifteenth consecutive year that we have increased our dividend, and more than $165 million in dividends has been returned to shareholders over this period."

Westwood’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.68 per common share, an increase of 10% from the previous quarterly dividend rate, payable on January 2, 2018 to stockholders of record on December 8, 2017. At quarter-end, Westwood had $99.5 million in cash and investments, stockholders’ equity of $155.4 million, and no debt.

Economic Earnings and Economic Earnings per Share ("Economic EPS") are non-GAAP performance measures and are explained and reconciled with the most comparable GAAP numbers in the attached tables.

Westwood will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2017 results and other business matters at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today. To join the conference call, dial 877-303-6235 (domestic and Canada) or 631-291-4837 (international). The conference call can also be accessed via our Investor Relations page at westwoodgroup.com and will be available for replay through November 1, 2017 by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) and then entering the passcode 88303365.

1
Assets under advisement ("AUA") totaled $362 million compared to $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017, respectively, reflecting the transfer of $713 million of AUA to AUM during the third quarter of 2017.

About Westwood

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. provides investment management services to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. With $23.6 billion in assets under management (as of September 30, 2017), our firm offers a range of investment strategies including U.S. equities, Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), Multi-Asset, Global and Emerging Markets equities, and Global Convertible securities portfolios. Access to our strategies is available through separate accounts, commingled funds, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual funds, UCITS funds, and other pooled vehicles. Westwood benefits from significant, broad-based employee ownership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WHG.” Based in Dallas, Texas, Westwood also maintains offices in Toronto, Boston, Omaha, and Houston.

For more information on Westwood, please visit www.westwoodgroup.com.

For more information on the Westwood Funds®, please visit www.westwoodfunds.com.







Forward-looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts, including, without limitation, statements about our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including without limitation, words such as “anticipate,” “forecast,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “goal,” “may,” “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: the composition and market value of our assets under management; regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry; competition in the investment management industry; our assets under management includes investments in foreign companies; our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully; our relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to retain qualified personnel; our ability to maintain effective cyber security; our ability to maintain effective information systems; our ability to pursue and properly integrate acquired businesses; litigation risks; our ability to properly address conflicts of interest; our ability to maintain adequate insurance coverage; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures; our relationships with investment consulting firms; the significant concentration of our revenues in a small number of customers; and the other risks detailed from time to time in Westwood’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017. 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 events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

# # # #


SOURCE: Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

(WHG-G)
CONTACT:
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
Tiffany B. Kice
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(214) 756-6900





WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
Advisory fees:
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-based
$
25,334

 
$
24,496

 
$
23,447

Performance-based

 
1,031

 
226

Trust fees
7,858

 
7,917

 
7,690

Other, net
300

 
312

 
414

Total revenues
33,492

 
33,756

 
31,777

   
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
$
15,601

 
$
15,557

 
$
15,637

Sales and marketing
457

 
513

 
408

Westwood mutual funds
977

 
909

 
755

Information technology
1,855

 
1,883

 
1,874

Professional services
1,681

 
1,318

 
1,903

Legal settlement
4,009

 

 

General and administrative
3,160

 
2,993

 
2,147

Total expenses
27,740

 
23,173

 
22,724

Income before income taxes
5,752

 
10,583

 
9,053

Provision for income taxes
1,620

 
3,687

 
3,166

Net income
$
4,132

 
$
6,896

 
$
5,887

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
1,297

 
934

 
(453
)
Total comprehensive income
$
5,429

 
$
7,830

 
$
5,434

   
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.51

 
$
0.84

 
$
0.74

Diluted
$
0.49

 
$
0.83

 
$
0.72

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
   Basic
8,171,809

 
8,167,277

 
7,995,680

   Diluted
8,420,749

 
8,316,508

 
8,179,956

 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic Earnings
$
8,990

 
$
11,710

 
$
10,615

Economic EPS
$
1.07

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.30

 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
0.62

 
$
0.62

 
$
0.57










WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
REVENUES:
 
 
 
Advisory fees:
 
 
 
Asset-based
$
73,619

 
$
67,928

Performance-based
1,417

 
635

Trust fees
23,570

 
22,798

Other, net
1,265

 
568

Total revenues
99,871

 
91,929

   
 
 
 
EXPENSES:
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
$
48,875

 
$
47,239

Sales and marketing
1,447

 
1,423

Westwood mutual funds
2,749

 
2,282

Information technology
5,494

 
6,039

Professional services
4,495

 
4,707

Legal settlement
4,009

 

General and administrative
8,697

 
7,028

Total expenses
75,766

 
68,718

Income before income taxes
24,105

 
23,211

Provision for income taxes(1)
7,013

 
8,141

Net income
$
17,092

 
$
15,070

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
2,438

 
1,007

Total comprehensive income
$
19,530

 
$
16,077

   
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
2.10

 
$
1.89

Diluted
$
2.05

 
$
1.84

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
   Basic
8,136,350

 
7,952,938

   Diluted
8,350,926

 
8,212,468

 
 
 
 
Economic Earnings
$
31,308

 
$
29,094

Economic EPS
$
3.75

 
$
3.54

 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
1.86

 
$
1.71

_____________________
(1)
Our as adjusted tax rate for the first nine months of 2017 of 29.1% included a $1.0 million discrete tax benefit associated with the adoption of new accounting guidance related to stock–based compensation awards that vested during the first quarter of 2017.










WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31, 2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
51,436

 
$
33,679

Accounts receivable
22,163

 
23,429

Investments, at fair value
48,093

 
56,485

Income taxes receivable
2,744

 

Other current assets
6,261

 
2,364

Total current assets
130,697

 
115,957

Goodwill
27,144

 
27,144

Deferred income taxes
9,473

 
10,903

Intangible assets, net
19,945

 
21,394

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,354 and $4,590
4,103

 
4,280

Total assets
$
191,362

 
$
179,678

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
2,851

 
$
2,641

Accrued litigation settlement
8,018

 

Dividends payable
6,666

 
6,679

Compensation and benefits payable
14,126

 
17,200

Income taxes payable
722

 
3,148

Total current liabilities
32,383

 
29,668

Accrued dividends
1,495

 
1,767

Deferred rent
2,055

 
2,174

Total liabilities
35,933

 
33,609

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 9,986,076 and outstanding 8,884,421 shares at September 30, 2017; issued 9,801,938 and outstanding 8,810,375 shares at December 31, 2016
100

 
98

Additional paid-in capital
176,329

 
162,730

Treasury stock, at cost - 1,101,655 shares at September 30, 2017; 991,563 shares at December 31, 2016
(50,910
)
 
(44,353
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,849
)
 
(4,287
)
Retained earnings
31,759

 
31,881

Total stockholders’ equity
155,429

 
146,069

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
191,362

 
$
179,678







WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
17,092

 
$
15,070

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
722

 
732

Amortization of intangible assets
1,449

 
1,470

Unrealized gains on trading investments
(539
)
 
(676
)
Stock based compensation expense
12,298

 
12,164

Deferred income taxes
1,481

 
114

Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation

 
(165
)
Other

 
275

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Net sales of investments- trading securities
8,931

 
23,147

Accounts receivable
1,686

 
(2,711
)
Other current assets
(3,881
)
 
900

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
178

 
(82
)
Accrued litigation settlement
8,018

 

Compensation and benefits payable
(2,696
)
 
(6,758
)
Income taxes payable
(5,181
)
 
(4,637
)
Other liabilities
(111
)
 
154

Net cash provided by operating activities
39,447

 
38,997

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(537
)
 
(1,680
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(537
)
 
(1,680
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchases of treasury stock

 
(5,629
)
Purchase of treasury stock under employee stock plans
(1,326
)
 
(614
)
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes
(5,231
)
 
(3,710
)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation

 
165

Payment of contingent consideration in acquisition

 
(5,562
)
Cash dividends
(16,787
)
 
(14,827
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(23,344
)
 
(30,177
)
Effect of currency rate changes on cash
2,191

 
812

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
17,757

 
7,952

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
33,679

 
22,740

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
51,436

 
$
30,692

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
$
10,245

 
$
12,632

Common stock issued for acquisition
$

 
$
3,734

Accrued dividends
$
8,161

 
$
7,682

Tenant allowance included in Property and equipment
$

 
$
1,128







WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Net Income to Economic Earnings
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
Net Income
$
4,132

 
$
6,896

 
$
5,887

Add: Stock based compensation expense
4,233

 
4,168

 
4,082

Add: Intangible amortization
469

 
490

 
490

Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization
156

 
156

 
156

Economic Earnings
$
8,990

 
$
11,710

 
$
10,615

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares
8,420,749

 
8,316,508

 
8,179,956

Economic EPS
$
1.07

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.30

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net Income
$
17,092

 
$
15,070

Add: Stock based compensation expense
12,298

 
12,164

Add: Intangible amortization
1,449

 
1,470

Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization
469

 
390

Economic Earnings
$
31,308

 
$
29,094

 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares
8,350,926

 
8,212,468

Economic EPS
$
3.75

 
$
3.54


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

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