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 24, 2018

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 24, 2018, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) issued a press release entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results; Quarterly Dividend Increased 6%, Representing the 16th Consecutive Year of Increases”, 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 $0.72 per common share, an increase of 6% from the previous quarterly dividend rate, payable on January 2, 2019 to stockholders of record on December 7, 2018.

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 24, 2018, entitled “Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results; Quarterly Dividend Increased 6%, Representing the 16th Consecutive Year of Increases”.












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 24, 2018

                
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/d862e1213250fef2d70e697d7a171ec8-whglogoa14.jpg
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results
Quarterly Dividend Increased 6%, Representing the 16th Consecutive Year of Increases

Dallas, TX, October 24, 2018 – Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported third quarter 2018 earnings. Highlights from the quarter include:
Revenues of $29.9 million compared with $33.5 million in last year's third quarter and $32.8 million in the second quarter of this year.
Net income of $5.4 million compared with $4.1 million in last year's third quarter and $8.0 million in the second quarter of this year.
Our Emerging Markets and Emerging Markets SMid strategies delivered top decile peer rankings, and our LargeCap Value and Emerging Markets Plus strategies achieved top quartile peer rankings.
Nearly all of our U.S. Value and Emerging Markets strategies beat their primary benchmarks for the quarter.
At quarter-end, Westwood had $119.1 million in cash and short-term investments, stockholders’ equity of $164.7 million, and no debt.

Revenues of $29.9 million decreased $3.6 million from last year's third quarter on lower average assets under management resulting from net outflows and the sale of the Omaha-based component of our Private Wealth business. Revenues decreased $2.9 million from this year's second quarter on lower average assets under management and the recording of performance-based fees of $1.6 million in the second quarter.

Assets under management at September 30, 2018 totaled $20.8 billion compared to $23.6 billion at September 30, 2017 and $21.6 billion at June 30, 2018.

Third quarter net income of $5.4 million compared with $4.1 million in last year's third quarter. The current quarter benefited from lower compensation expenses after selling the Omaha-based component of our Private Wealth business and reductions in incentive compensation, offset by lower asset-based fees and higher information technology expenses as we continue to invest in our technology infrastructure. The prior year quarter was negatively impacted by a $2.5 million legal settlement charge, net of insurance recovery and taxes. Diluted earnings per share of $0.62 in the current quarter compared to $0.49 in the third quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings increased from $9.0 million, or $1.07 per share, in last year's third quarter, to $9.5 million, or $1.11 per share, in the third quarter of 2018.

Third quarter net income of $5.4 million compared with $8.0 million in the second quarter, which benefited from higher asset-based fees, performance-based fees and foreign currency transaction gains. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of $0.62 compared to $0.94 for the second quarter. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the third quarter of $9.5 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to $12.2 million, or $1.43 per share, in the second quarter.






Brian Casey, Westwood’s President & CEO, commented, "Our U.S. Value products performed very well, with solid security selection driving outperformance, as high-quality companies were rewarded. We are especially proud of our LargeCap Value strategy, which outperformed its primary benchmark for the 7th straight quarter while earning top quartile peer rankings year-to-date as well as over the last one- and five-year time periods. Our Emerging Markets strategies also made good progress, with two strategies making the top decile and the other strategy reached the top quartile. As we’ve often stated, we believe that our clients want differentiated performance, which starts with being distinctively different from merely passive indexes. As we look at Westwood's near-term business opportunities, we'll be focusing on sales execution across our high conviction and outcome oriented investment strategies."

Westwood’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.72 per common share, an increase of 6% from the previous quarterly dividend rate, payable on January 2, 2019 to stockholders of record on December 7, 2018.

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 2018 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 October 31, 2018 by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) and then entering the passcode 7071105.

About Westwood

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. provides investment management services to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm has $20.8 billion in assets under management, of which $3.5 billion are in values-based and socially responsible investment mandates as of September 30, 2018. Westwood offers a range of investment strategies including U.S. equities, Multi-Asset, Global and Emerging Markets equities, Global Convertible securities and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) portfolios. Access to these strategies is available through separate accounts, 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 and Houston.

For more information on Westwood, please visit westwoodgroup.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 reputation and relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to perform operational tasks; our ability to maintain effective cyber security; our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives; our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors; our ability to maintain effective information systems; 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, 2017 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018. 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.
Terry Forbes
Vice President of Finance
(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,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
Advisory fees:
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-based
$
22,023

 
$
23,473

 
$
25,334

Performance-based

 
1,649

 

Trust fees
7,191

 
7,465

 
7,858

Other, net
640

 
173

 
300

Total revenues
29,854

 
32,760

 
33,492

EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
14,444

 
14,654

 
15,601

Sales and marketing
549

 
409

 
457

Westwood mutual funds
979

 
1,002

 
977

Information technology
2,332

 
2,383

 
1,855

Professional services
1,372

 
1,277

 
1,681

Legal settlement

 

 
4,009

General and administrative
3,027

 
2,099

 
3,160

Total expenses
22,703

 
21,824

 
27,740

Income before income taxes
7,151

 
10,936

 
5,752

Provision for income taxes
1,783

 
2,944

 
1,620

Net income
$
5,368

 
$
7,992

 
$
4,132

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
616

 
(479
)
 
1,297

Total comprehensive income
$
5,984

 
$
7,513

 
$
5,429

   
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.64

 
$
0.95

 
$
0.51

Diluted
$
0.62

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.49

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 Basic
8,402,697

 
8,399,148

 
8,171,809

Diluted
8,598,230

 
8,543,353

 
8,420,749

 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic Earnings
$
9,541

 
$
12,245

 
$
8,990

Economic EPS
$
1.11

 
$
1.43

 
$
1.07

 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
0.68

 
$
0.68

 
$
0.62









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,
 
 
2018
 
2017
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Advisory fees:
 
 
 
 
Asset-based
 
$
69,979

 
$
73,619

Performance-based
 
2,984

 
1,417

Trust fees
 
22,265

 
23,570

Other, net
 
953

 
1,265

Total revenues
 
96,181

 
99,871

EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
 
46,857

 
48,875

Sales and marketing
 
1,401

 
1,447

Westwood mutual funds
 
2,966

 
2,749

Information technology
 
6,753

 
5,494

Professional services
 
3,677

 
4,495

Legal settlement
 

 
4,009

General and administrative
 
6,477

 
8,697

Total expenses
 
68,131

 
75,766

Net operating income
 
28,050

 
24,105

Gain on sale of operations
 
524

 

Income before income taxes
 
28,574

 
24,105

Provision for income taxes
 
7,236

 
7,013

Net income
 
$
21,338

 
$
17,092

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(1,062
)
 
2,438

Total comprehensive income
 
$
20,276

 
$
19,530

   
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.55

 
$
2.10

Diluted
 
$
2.49

 
$
2.05

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
8,359,088

 
8,136,350

 Basic
 
8,561,918

 
8,350,926

Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic Earnings
 
$
34,428

 
$
31,308

Economic EPS
 
$
4.02

 
$
3.75

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
 
$
2.04

 
$
1.86










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

 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
48,086

 
$
54,249

Accounts receivable
19,832

 
21,660

Investments, at fair value
71,003

 
51,324

Prepaid income taxes
589

 
4,269

Other current assets
2,308

 
6,612

Total current assets
141,818

 
138,114

Investments
5,425

 

Goodwill
19,804

 
27,144

Deferred income taxes
5,081

 
3,407

Intangible assets, net
16,379

 
19,804

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,287 and $5,673
4,120

 
4,190

Total assets
$
192,627

 
$
192,659

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
2,521

 
$
3,501

Dividends payable
7,295

 
7,357

Compensation and benefits payable
12,726

 
19,075

Income taxes payable
2,198

 
1,598

Total current liabilities
24,740

 
31,531

Accrued dividends
1,349

 
1,717

Noncurrent income taxes payable

 
1,017

Deferred rent
1,866

 
1,998

Total liabilities
27,955

 
36,263

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 10,196,635 and outstanding 9,018,436 shares at September 30, 2018; issued 9,980,827 and outstanding 8,899,587 shares at December 31, 2017
102

 
100

Additional paid-in capital
191,062

 
179,241

Treasury stock, at cost - 1,178,199 shares at September 30, 2018; 1,081,240 shares at December 31, 2017
(55,215
)
 
(49,788
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(2,826
)
 
(1,764
)
Retained earnings
31,549

 
28,607

Total stockholders’ equity
164,672

 
156,396

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
192,627

 
$
192,659







WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
21,338

 
$
17,092

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
653

 
722

Amortization of intangible assets
1,255

 
1,449

Unrealized (gains) losses on trading investments
145

 
(539
)
Stock based compensation expense
11,658

 
12,298

Deferred income taxes
(1,693
)
 
1,481

Gain on sale of operations
(524
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Net sales (purchases) of investments- trading securities
(19,824
)
 
8,931

Accounts receivable
1,537

 
1,686

Other current assets
4,185

 
(3,881
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(650
)
 
178

Accrued litigation settlement

 
8,018

Compensation and benefits payable
(6,157
)
 
(2,696
)
Income taxes payable
3,265

 
(5,181
)
Other liabilities
(118
)
 
(111
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
15,070

 
39,447

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(676
)
 
(537
)
Proceeds from Omaha divestiture
10,013

 

Purchases of investments
(5,425
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
3,912

 
(537
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury stock under employee stock plans
(726
)
 
(1,326
)
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes
(4,701
)
 
(5,231
)
Cash dividends
(18,825
)
 
(16,787
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(24,252
)
 
(23,344
)
Effect of currency rate changes on cash
(893
)
 
2,191

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(6,163
)
 
17,757

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
54,249

 
33,679

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
48,086

 
$
51,436

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
$
5,634

 
$
10,245

Accrued dividends
$
8,644

 
$
8,161







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,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
Net Income
$
5,368

 
$
7,992

 
$
4,132

Add: Stock based compensation expense
3,695

 
3,776

 
4,233

Add: Intangible amortization
419

 
418

 
469

Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization
59

 
59

 
156

Economic Earnings
$
9,541

 
$
12,245

 
$
8,990

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares
8,598,230

 
8,543,353

 
8,420,749

Economic EPS
$
1.11

 
$
1.43

 
$
1.07


 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Net Income
$
21,338

 
$
17,092

Add: Stock based compensation expense
11,658

 
12,298

Add: Intangible amortization
1,255

 
1,449

Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization
177

 
469

Economic Earnings
$
34,428

 
$
31,308

 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares
8,561,918

 
8,350,926

Economic EPS
$
4.02

 
$
3.75



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.