Document

 
 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): July 29, 2020
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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


Delaware001-3123475-2969997
(State or other jurisdiction(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation)

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per shareWHGNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by checkmark 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 checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨



ITEM 2.02: RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

On July 29, 2020, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, 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 9.01: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

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

Exhibit Number     Description

99.1 Press Release dated July 29, 2020










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: July 29, 2020

          

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
By:/s/ Murray Forbes III
Murray Forbes III
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



Document


https://cdn.kscope.io/b2c8650b814dc9939f35a8bd5a36e37c-whgleftjustallcap6531a1.jpg
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results
Westwood SmallCap Fund Introduces Y Share Class
Westwood SmidCap Fund Introduces Ultra Share Class
Trading outsourced to improve client experience and internal operational efficiency

Dallas, TX, July 29, 2020 – Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today reported second quarter 2020 earnings. Highlights from the quarter include:
Income Opportunity, Enhanced Balanced, SmallCap Value, Alternative Income, Global Convertible, LargeCap Select and Total Return strategies beat their primary benchmarks for the quarter.
Income Opportunity, Enhanced Balanced, Alternative Income, Global Convertible, MLP Opportunities and Total Return strategies achieved top quartile institutional rankings.
Revenues of $15.9 million compared with $16.7 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $21.7 million a year ago.
Net loss of $2.6 million compared with net income of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $1.9 million a year ago. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings of $0.2 million, compared with $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2020 and $4.8 million a year ago.
Repurchased 407,697 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $8.1 million.
At quarter-end, Westwood had $74.2 million in cash and short-term investments, stockholders' equity of $131.4 million and no debt.

Revenues were lower than the first quarter of 2020 and last year's second quarter principally as a result of lower average assets under management ("AUM").
AUM at June 30, 2020 totaled $11.9 billion versus $11.6 billion at March 31, 2020. The increase was due to market appreciation across the majority of our strategies, partially offset by net outflows in our Emerging Market and Global Convertible strategies.
The second quarter net loss of $2.6 million was lower than the first quarter's net income of $1.1 million primarily due to lower revenues, foreign currency transaction losses and higher income taxes partially offset by lower operating expenses. Diluted earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") for the second quarter was $(0.33) compared to $0.13 for the first quarter. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the second quarter were $0.2 million, or $0.03 per share, a decrease from $4.2 million, or $0.50 per share, in the first quarter.
The second quarter net loss of $2.6 million was lower than second quarter of 2019 net income of $1.9 million primarily due to lower revenues, partially offset by lower operating expenses, particularly employee compensation and benefits. Diluted EPS for the second quarter was $(0.33) compared to $0.22 for the second quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP Economic Earnings for the second quarter were $0.2 million, or $0.03 per share, down from $4.8 million, or $0.56 per share for the second quarter of 2019.



Brian Casey, Westwood’s President and CEO, commented, "As the Covid-19 pandemic casts its long shadow over our social and business lives, I want to thank all of our Westwood employees, mostly working from home, for serving our clients so well. I am very pleased to report that several of our portfolio strategies beat their benchmarks for the quarter and also performed well against their peers. Many challenges confront us in the current environment and accordingly, with the full support of our board, we have crafted a strategic plan to restructure certain business areas to reduce operating expenses while continuing to invest in our long-term growth initiatives. As part of this plan, our Westwood International Advisors office in Toronto will cease operations towards the end of the third quarter. Reviews of other business units and products not deemed commercially viable in the long run are likely to lead to additional actions that will be covered in the third quarter call. We believe this plan will enable us to better manage our business in this environment as well as pursue an array of future profitable growth initiatives."
Economic Earnings and 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 second quarter 2020 results and other business matters at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today. To join the conference call, dial 877-303-6235 (U.S. 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 August 6, 2020 by dialing 855-859-2056 (U.S. and Canada) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering the passcode 4963578.
About Westwood Holdings Group
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. is a focused investment management boutique and wealth management firm.
Westwood offers high-conviction equity and outcome-oriented solutions to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm specializes in three distinct investment capabilities: U.S. Value Equity, Multi-Asset and Emerging Markets Equity. To meet the full range of investors’ financial needs, access to these strategies is available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual 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, Westwood also maintains offices in Boston, Houston and Toronto.  
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,” “believe,” “expect,” “could,” 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 AUM; our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures; the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic; the significant concentration of our revenues in a small number of customers; our ability to avoid termination of client agreements and the related investment redemptions; regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry; competition in the investment management industry; our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully; our AUM include investments in foreign companies; our reputation and our relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our



ability to maintain effective cyber security; our ability to perform operational tasks; our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives; our ability to maintain effective information systems; our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors; litigation risks; our ability to declare and pay dividends; our ability to fund future capital requirements on favorable terms; 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 stock is thinly traded and may be subject to volatility; our organizational documents contain provisions that may prevent or deter another group from paying a premium over the market price to our stockholders to acquire our stock; we are a holding company dependent on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries; our relationships with investment consulting firms; 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, 2019 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020. 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
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(214) 756-6900



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


Three Months Ended
June 30, 2020March 31, 2020June 30, 2019
REVENUES:
Advisory fees:
Asset-based$9,328  $11,102  $14,695  
Performance-based695  —  120  
Trust fees5,657  5,951  6,444  
Trust performance-based fees40  —  —  
Other, net155  (384) 450  
Total revenues15,875  16,669  21,709  
   
EXPENSES:
Employee compensation and benefits10,787  12,668  11,378  
Sales and marketing253  478  514  
Westwood mutual funds434  515  661  
Information technology2,030  2,031  2,282  
Professional services991  1,193  1,169  
General and administrative2,191  2,306  2,402  
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions1,323  (2,938) 724  
Total expenses18,009  16,253  19,130  
Net operating income (loss)(2,134) 416  2,579  
Unrealized gains (losses) on private investments159  (995) —  
Investment income124  544  —  
Other income34  34  77  
Income (loss) before income taxes(1,817) (1) 2,656  
Income tax expense (benefit)758  (1,103) 795  
Net income (loss)$(2,575) $1,102  $1,861  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
   Foreign currency translation adjustments1,371  (3,242) 735  
Total comprehensive income (loss)$(1,204) $(2,140) $2,596  
   
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic$(0.33) $0.13  $0.22  
Diluted$(0.33) $0.13  $0.22  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic7,879,6988,414,3938,446,610
Diluted7,879,6988,458,4738,476,777
Economic Earnings$224  $4,200  $4,773  
Economic EPS$0.03  $0.50  $0.56  
Dividends declared per share$0.00  $0.43  $0.72  





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


Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020June 30, 2019
REVENUES:
Advisory fees:
Asset-based$20,430  $31,101  
Performance-based695  300  
Trust fees11,608  12,983  
Trust performance-based fees40  —  
Other, net(229) 1,187  
Total revenues32,544  45,571  
   
EXPENSES:
Employee compensation and benefits23,455  25,988  
Sales and marketing731  1,044  
Westwood mutual funds949  1,507  
Information technology4,061  4,259  
Professional services2,184  2,318  
General and administrative4,497  4,836  
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions(1,615) 1,544  
Total expenses34,262  41,496  
Net operating income (loss)(1,718) 4,075  
Unrealized gains (losses) on private investments(836) —  
Investment income668  —  
Other income68  77  
Income (loss) before income taxes(1,818) 4,152  
Income tax expense (benefit)(345) 1,899  
Net income (loss)$(1,473) $2,253  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
   Foreign currency translation adjustments(1,871) 1,566  
Total comprehensive income (loss)$(3,344) $3,819  
   
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic$(0.18) $0.27  
Diluted$(0.18) $0.27  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic8,147,0458,406,367
Diluted8,147,0458,467,589
Economic Earnings$4,424  $8,889  
Economic EPS$0.54  $1.05  
Dividends declared per share$0.43  $1.44  




WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
(unaudited)
June 30, 2020December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$43,926  $49,766  
Accounts receivable10,751  13,177  
Investments, at fair value30,228  50,324  
Prepaid income taxes709  1,150  
Other current assets1,764  2,544  
Total current assets87,378  116,961  
Investments8,154  8,154  
Noncurrent investments at fair value3,401  4,238  
Goodwill19,804  19,804  
Deferred income taxes3,139  2,216  
Operating lease right-of-use assets6,981  7,562  
Intangible assets, net14,398  15,256  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $7,827 and $7,3953,741  4,152  
Other long-term assets425  364  
Total assets$147,421  $178,707  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$1,781  $2,145  
Dividends payable1,127  7,362  
Compensation and benefits payable3,912  9,975  
Operating lease liabilities1,666  1,584  
Income taxes payable192  289  
Total current liabilities8,678  21,355  
Accrued dividends371  1,303  
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities6,943  7,762  
Total long-term liabilities7,314  9,065  
Total liabilities15,992  30,420  
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 10,558,111 and outstanding 8,382,342 shares at June 30, 2020; issued 10,306,570 and outstanding 8,881,086 shares at December 31, 2019
106  103  
Additional paid-in capital208,572  203,441  
Treasury stock, at cost - 2,175,758 shares at June 30, 2020; 1,425,483 shares at December 31, 2019
(78,050) (63,281) 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(4,814) (2,943) 
Retained earnings5,615  10,967  
Total stockholders’ equity131,429  148,287  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$147,421  $178,707  




WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30,
20202019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)$(1,473) $2,253  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation465  425  
Amortization of intangible assets858  836  
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments904  (600) 
Stock-based compensation expense4,921  5,683  
Deferred income taxes(939) 763  
Non-cash lease expense615  561  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
Net sales of investments – trading securities20,029  18,779  
Accounts receivable2,350  4,891  
Other current assets709  (589) 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(361) (604) 
Compensation and benefits payable(5,790) (10,357) 
Income taxes payable307  (288) 
Other liabilities(771) (692) 
Net cash provided by operating activities21,824  21,061  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment(56) (402) 
Purchases of investments—  (250) 
Net cash used in investing activities(56) (652) 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of treasury stock(12,952) (806) 
Purchases of treasury stock for employee stock plans(697) (981) 
Restricted stock returned for payment of taxes(1,120) (2,385) 
Cash dividends(11,043) (13,860) 
Net cash used in financing activities(25,812) (18,032) 
Effect of currency rate changes on cash(1,796) 1,484  
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(5,840) 3,861  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period49,766  52,449  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$43,926  $56,310  
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for income taxes$288  $1,417  
Accrued dividends$1,498  $8,150  
Accrued purchases of property and equipment$—  $203  





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

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2020March 31, 2020June 30, 2019
Net income (loss)$(2,575) $1,102  $1,861  
Add: Stock-based compensation expense2,305  2,616  2,430  
Add: Intangible amortization435  423  423  
Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization59  59  59  
Economic Earnings$224  $4,200  $4,773  
Diluted weighted average shares7,879,6988,458,4738,476,777
Economic EPS$0.03  $0.50  $0.56  
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020June 30, 2019
Net income (loss)$(1,473) $2,253  
Add: Stock-based compensation expense4,921  5,682  
Add: Intangible amortization858  836  
Add: Tax benefit from goodwill amortization118  118  
Economic Earnings$4,424  $8,889  
Diluted weighted average shares8,147,045  8,467,589  
Economic EPS$0.54  $1.05  

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 (loss) and earnings (loss) per share, which are reported on a GAAP basis. Our management and Board of Directors review Economic Earnings and Economic EPS to evaluate our ongoing performance, allocate resources, and review our dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income (loss) or earnings (loss) per share, are useful for management and investors when evaluating our underlying operating and financial performance and our 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 (loss) 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.