WisdomTree Announces Second Quarter 2020 Results – Diluted Loss Per Share of ($0.09), or Earnings Per Share of $0.05, as adjusted

NEW YORK, July 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (NASDAQ: WETF) today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2020.

During the second quarter of 2020, we experienced a partial recovery of our AUM which was adversely impacted by severe market declines arising from the COVID-19 pandemic toward the end of the prior quarter.  This recovery was driven principally by market appreciation, resulting in a 14.6% increase of our ending AUM.  Our business continues to operate remotely without disruption.

$23.0 million of non-cash charges, including (i) a loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of ($23.4) million (ii) a loss on extinguishment of debt of ($2.4) million and (iii) a release of a deferred tax valuation allowance of $2.8 million.

($13.3) million net loss ($8.51 million net income, as adjusted), see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for additional information.    

$57.6 billion of ending AUM, an increase of 14.6% resulting primarily from market appreciation.

$126 million of net inflows ($928 million of net inflows excluding HEDJ/DXJ), driven by inflows into our commodity and leveraged and inverse products, partly offset by outflows from our international developed market equity and U.S. equity products.

0.41% average global advisory fee, a decrease of 0.1 basis point due to AUM mix shift.

$58.1 million of operating revenues, a decrease of 9.0% primarily due to lower average AUM and a lower average global advisory fee.

75.1% gross margin1, a 2.2 point decrease primarily due to lower revenues.

20.3% operating income margin (20.4%1 as adjusted), a 4.2 point decrease (4.7 point decrease, as adjusted1) primarily due to lower revenues, partly offset by reduced discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

$150.0 million issuance of convertible senior notes due 2023, coupled with the repayment of $174.0 million of debt previously outstanding and termination of our revolver, collectively referred to in this press release as the “former Credit Facility.”

$24.9 million repurchase of 6.7 million shares of our common stock, principally in connection with the issuance of the convertible notes.

$0.03 quarterly dividend declared, payable on August 26, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business  on August 12, 2020.

Update from Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree CEO


“During the second quarter, assets under management rebounded, resulting in revenue tailwinds as we entered the second half of the year. The global WisdomTree team has remained focused on what we can control, and demonstrated strong execution in the quarter, including navigating unprecedented volatility in energy markets, generating record client engagement and producing strong U.S.-listed product gross sales and record Europe-listed product net flows. 

“We’ve realized significant cost efficiencies in the current environment, some of which should prove sustainable in the future. We also successfully refinanced our debt, repurchased 6.7 million shares and improved our financial flexibility. Despite the uncertain environment, we are seeing momentum in important lead indicators, and we are well positioned for growth with the right team and strategy in place.”

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  Three Months Ended  
  June 30,
2020
Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019
Consolidated Operating Highlights ($, in billions):          
AUM $ 57.6   $ 50.3   $ 63.6   $ 60.0   $ 60.4  
Net inflows/(outflows) $ 0.1   $ (0.5 ) $ 0.4   $ (0.7 ) $ 0.3  
Average AUM $ 55.7   $ 59.8   $ 61.9   $ 60.3   $ 58.6  
Average advisory fee   0.41 %   0.42 %   0.44 %   0.44 %   0.45 %
           
Consolidated Financial Highlights ($, in millions, except per share amounts):          
Operating revenues $ 58.1   $ 63.9   $ 68.9   $ 67.7   $ 66.3  
Net (loss)/income $ (13.3 ) $ (8.6 ) $ (25.9 ) $ 4.2   $ 2.5  
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share $ (0.09 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.17 ) $ 0.02   $ 0.01  
Operating income margin   20.3 %   24.5 %   21.5 %   23.8 %   18.0 %
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP1):          
Gross Margin   75.1 %   77.3 %   77.3 %   77.7 %   76.5 %
Net income, as adjusted $ 8.5   $ 11.2   $ 10.1   $ 10.6   $ 7.8  
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted $ 0.05   $ 0.07   $ 0.06   $ 0.06   $ 0.05  
Operating income margin, as adjusted   20.4 %   25.1 %   22.0 %   24.1 %   20.2 %
           

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS


Company News
  • In June 2020, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023, repaid our debt previously outstanding and terminated our former Credit Facility; and
  • In June 2020, we entered into a new distribution agreement in Italy for our model portfolios with The Intermonte Eye – a digital service providing investment products to its network of private banks.
Product News
  • In May 2020, we listed sterling trading lines for the WisdomTree Brent Crude Oil (BRNG), the WisdomTree Brent Crude Oil Pre-roll (BRNB) and the WisdomTree WTI Crude Oil Pre-roll (WTIB) on the London Stock Exchange.
  • In June 2020, we announced the results of a WisdomTree study revealing various investor behavior data as it relates to model portfolio usage and allocation.
  • In July 2020, we secured additional third-party relationships for our model portfolios, including: Carson Group, Riskalzye, Kwanti, ETF Logic and Orion; we listed WisdomTree Battery Solutions UCITS ETF (VOLT) and WisdomTree Cloud Computing UCITS ETF (WCLD) on SIX, the Swiss Exchange; and the WisdomTree WTI Crude Oil ETC (CRUD) security holders voted in favour of changing the underlying index tracked by the ETC. The new index is the result of extensive work between WisdomTree and Bloomberg to create an index which would be more resilient to extreme conditions in the WTI Crude Oil market.

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
  

  Three Months Ended
  Six Months Ended  
  June 30,
2020
Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019

  June 30,
2020
June 30,
2019
Operating Revenues:              
Advisory fees $ 57,208     $ 62,950     $ 68,179     $ 67,006     $ 65,627     $ 120,158     $ 130,467  
Other income   918       924       728       712       666       1,842       1,311  
Total revenues   58,126       63,874       68,907       67,718       66,293       122,000       131,778  
Operating Expenses:                                                  
Compensation and benefits   17,455       17,295       19,280       18,880       21,300       34,750       42,601  
Fund management and administration   14,461       14,485       15,650       15,110       15,576       28,946       30,742  
Marketing and advertising   1,949       2,468       3,551       3,022       2,910       4,417       5,590  
Sales and business development   2,181       3,417       5,329       4,354       4,171       5,598       8,593  
Contractual gold payments   4,063       3,760       3,516       3,502       3,110       7,823       6,208  
Professional and consulting fees   1,357       1,273       1,604       1,259       1,296       2,630       2,778  
Occupancy, communications and equipment   1,643       1,551       1,587       1,549       1,548       3,194       3,166  
Depreciation and
amortization
  251       256       253       259       264       507       533  
Third-party distribution fees   1,340       1,355       1,146       1,503       1,919       2,695       4,319  
Acquisition and disposition- related costs   33       383       366       190       33       416       346  
Other   1,596       1,997       1,816       1,959       2,255       3,593       4,308  
Total operating expenses   46,329       48,240       54,098       51,587       54,382       94,569       109,184  
Operating income   11,797       15,634       14,809       16,131       11,911       27,431       22,594  
Other Income/(Expenses):              
Interest expense   (2,044 )     (2,419 )     (2,606 )     (2,832 )     (2,910 )     (4,463 )     (5,802 )
(Loss)/gain on revaluation of deferred consideration – gold payments   (23,358 )     (2,208 )     (5,354 )     (6,306 )     (4,037 )     (25,566 )     367  
Interest income   119       163       936       799       818       282       1,597  
Impairments         (19,672 )     (30,138 )                 (19,672 )     (572 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt   (2,387 )                             (2,387 )      
Other gains and losses, net   1,819       (2,507 )     (2 )     843       284       (688 )     (4,343 )
(Loss)/income before income taxes   (14,054 )     (11,009 )     (22,355 )     8,635       6,066       (25,063 )     13,841  
Income tax (benefit)/expense   (804 )     (2,371 )     3,525       4,483       3,587       (3,175 )     2,538  
Net (loss)/income $ (13,250 )   $ (8,638 )   $ (25,880 )   $ 4,152     $ 2,479     $ (21,888 )   $ 11,303  
                                                   
(Loss)/earnings per share – basic $ (0.09 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.02   $ 0.01 2    $ (0.15 )2   $ 0.07  
(Loss)/earnings per share – diluted $   (0.09 )   $   (0.06 )   $ (0.17 )   $   0.02     $ 0.01     $ (0.15 )2   $ 0.07  
Weighted average common shares – basic   151,623       152,519       151,948       151,897       151,818       152,071       151,722  
Weighted average common shares – diluted   151,623       152,519       151,948       167,163       167,249       152,071       166,855  
               
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP1)                    
Compensation and benefits $   17,455     $   17,295     $   19,280     $   18,880     $   19,825        
Total expenses $   46,296     $   47,857     $   53,732     $   51,397     $   52,874        
Operating income $   11,830     $   16,017     $   15,175     $   16,321     $   13,419        
Income before income taxes $   10,911     $   14,358     $   13,503     $   15,131     $   11,611        
Income tax expense $   2,417     $   3,134     $   3,396     $   4,489     $   3,798        
Net income $     8,494     $   11,224     $   10,107     $   10,642     $   7,813        
Earnings per share – diluted $   0.05     $   0.07     $   0.06      $   0.06     $   0.05        
                     

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Revenues

  • Operating revenues decreased 9.0% from the first quarter of 2020 due to lower average AUM of our U.S. listed products due to market depreciation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic toward the end of the prior quarter and net outflows.  Also, our average global advisory fee declined 1 basis point due to AUM mix shift.  These declines were partly offset by net inflows into our international listed products and market appreciation.
  • Operating revenues decreased 12.3% from the second quarter of 2019 due to lower average AUM of our U.S. listed products arising from market depreciation and net outflows, as well as a 4 basis point decline in our average global advisory fee due to AUM mix shift.  These declines were partly offset by higher average AUM of our international listed products arising from net inflows and market appreciation.
  • Our average global advisory fee was 0.41%, 0.42% and 0.45% during the second quarter of 2020, the first quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2019, respectively.

Operating Expenses

  • Operating expenses decreased 4.0% from the first quarter of 2020 due to lower discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including lower sales and business development costs and marketing expenses.
  • Operating expenses decreased 14.8% from the second quarter of 2019 largely due to lower incentive compensation accruals as well as $1.5 million of severance expense included in the prior period, lower fund management and administration costs due to lower average AUM and lower sales and business development costs, marketing expenses and third-party distribution costs. These declines were partly offset by higher contractual gold payments due to higher average gold prices.

Other Income/(Expenses)

  • We recognized a non-cash loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of ($23.4) million, ($2.2) million and ($4.0) million during the second quarter of 2020, first quarter of 2020 and second quarter of 2019, respectively.  These losses arose due to an increase in forward-looking gold prices when compared to the previous periods’ forward-looking gold curves.  The magnitude of any gain or loss recognized is highly correlated to the magnitude of the change in the forward-looking price of gold.
  • Interest expense decreased 15.5% and 29.8% from the first quarter of 2020 and second quarter of 2019, respectively, due to lower levels of debt outstanding and lower interest rates.
  • During the second quarter of 2020, we recognized a non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million arising from the acceleration of debt issuance cost amortization in connection with the termination of our former Credit Facility.
  • Other gains and losses, net, for the second quarter of 2020 includes a gain of $0.9 million arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of our investment in AdvisorEngine.  Gains and losses also generally arise from the sale of gold earned from management fees paid by our physically-backed gold ETPs, foreign exchange fluctuations, securities owned and other miscellaneous items.

Income Taxes

  • Our effective income tax rate for 2020 of 5.7% resulted in an income tax benefit of $0.8 million.  Our tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to a non-deductible loss on revaluation of deferred consideration.  This loss was partly offset by a tax benefit of $2.8 million recognized in connection with the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on interest carryforwards arising from our debt previously held in the United Kingdom and a lower tax rate on foreign earnings.
  • Our adjusted effective income tax rate was 22.2%1.

SIX MONTH HIGHLIGHTS

  • Operating revenues decreased 7.4% as compared to 2019 due to lower average AUM of our U.S. listed products and a 3 basis point decline in our average global advisory fee due to AUM mix shift.  These declines were partly offset by higher average AUM of our international listed products.
  • Operating expenses decreased 13.4% as compared to 2019 largely due to lower incentive compensation accruals as well as $3.5 million of severance expense included in the prior period, lower fund management and administration costs due to lower average AUM and lower sales and business development costs, marketing expenses and third-party distribution costs. These declines were partly offset by higher contractual gold payments due to higher average gold prices.
  • Significant changes in items reported in other income/(expenses) include a non-cash loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of ($25.6) million in 2020 as compared to a gain of $0.4 million in 2019; a non-cash impairment charge of $19.7 million recorded in the first quarter of 2020 in connection with the exit from our investment in AdvisorEngine; a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million in 2020; non-cash charges of $6.0 million and $4.3 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, arising from the release of tax-related indemnification assets upon the expiration of the statute of limitations (an equal and offsetting benefit was recognized in income tax expense); and a gain of $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2020 arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of our investment in AdvisorEngine.
  • Our effective income tax rate for 2020 of 12.7% resulted in an income tax benefit of $3.2 million.  Our tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a valuation allowance on capital losses, a non-deductible loss on revaluation of deferred consideration and tax shortfalls associated with the vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards.  These items were partly offset by a tax benefit of $6.0 million recognized in connection with the release of the tax-related indemnification asset described above, a $2.9 million non-taxable gain recognized upon sale of our Canadian ETF business in the first quarter, a tax benefit of $2.8 million recognized in connection with the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on interest carryforwards arising from our debt previously held in the United Kingdom and a lower tax rate on foreign earnings.

CONFERENCE CALL

WisdomTree will discuss its results and operational highlights during a conference call on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The call-in number will be (877) 303-7209. Anyone outside the U.S. or Canada should call (970) 315-0420. The slides used during the presentation will be available at http://ir.wisdomtree.com. For those unable to join the conference call at the scheduled time, an audio replay will be available on http://ir.wisdomtree.com.

ABOUT WISDOMTREE

WisdomTree Investments, Inc., through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Europe (collectively, “WisdomTree”), is an ETF and ETP sponsor and asset manager headquartered in New York. WisdomTree offers products covering equity, commodity, fixed income, leveraged and inverse, currency and alternative strategies. WisdomTree currently has approximately $61.5 billion in assets under management globally.

WisdomTree® is the marketing name for WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide.

1   See “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements.” 
  (Loss)/earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as it results in a lower EPS amount as compared to the treasury stock method.


Contact Information:
     
Investor Relations    Media Relations
Jason Weyeneth, CFA    Jessica Zaloom
+1.917.267.3858    +1.917.267.3735
jweyeneth@wisdomtree.com    jzaloom@wisdomtree.com 

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.
Key Operating Statistics (Unaudited)
 

  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019
GLOBAL ETPs ($ in millions)            
Beginning of period assets $ 50,323     $ 63,615     $ 59,981     $ 60,389     $ 59,112  
Assets sold         (778 )                  
Inflows/(outflows)   126       (536 )     390       (698 )     343  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   7,494       (11,958 )     3,247       471       934  
Fund closures   (296 )     (20 )     (3 )     (181 )      
End of period assets $ 57,647     $ 50,323     $ 63,615     $ 59,981     $ 60,389  
Average assets during the period $ 55,689     $ 59,819     $ 61,858     $ 60,306     $ 58,575  
Average advisory fee during the period   0.41 %     0.42 %     0.44 %     0.44 %     0.45 %
Revenue days   91       91       92       92       91  
Number of ETFs – end of the period   311       331       349       348       536  
             
U.S. LISTED ETFs ($ in millions)            
Beginning of period assets $ 28,893     $ 40,600     $ 37,592     $ 39,220     $ 39,366  
Inflows/(outflows)   (1,474 )     (1,273 )     563       (1,198 )     (166 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   4,039       (10,424 )     2,448       (430 )     20  
Fund closures   (114 )     (10 )     (3 )            
End of period assets $ 31,344     $ 28,893     $ 40,600     $ 37,592     $ 39,220  
Average assets during the period $ 30,607     $ 36,936     $ 39,094     $ 37,857     $ 38,945  
Average advisory fee during the period   0.41 %     0.43 %     0.44 %     0.44 %     0.44 %
Number of ETFs – end of the period   67       77       80       80       79  
             
INTERNATIONAL LISTED ETPs ($ in millions)            
Beginning of period assets $ 21,430     $ 23,015     $ 22,389     $ 21,169     $ 19,746  
Assets sold         (778 )                  
Inflows/(outflows)   1,600       737       (173 )     500       509  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   3,455       (1,534 )     799       901       914  
Fund closures   (182 )     (10 )           (181 )      
End of period assets $ 26,303     $ 21,430     $ 23,015     $ 22,389     $ 21,169  
Average assets during the period $ 25,082     $ 22,883     $ 22,764     $ 22,449     $ 19,630  
Average advisory fee during the period   0.41 %     0.41 %     0.44 %     0.44 %     0.46 %
Number of ETPs – end of the period   244       254       269       268       457  
             
PRODUCT CATEGORIES ($ in millions)            
             
Commodity & Currency            
Beginning of period assets $ 19,823     $ 20,074     $ 19,713     $ 18,204     $ 16,689  
Inflows/(outflows)   1,316       592       (244 )     511       611  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   3,121       (843 )     605       998       904  
End of period assets $ 24,260     $ 19,823     $ 20,074     $ 19,713     $ 18,204  
Average assets during the period $ 23,037     $ 20,407     $ 19,892     $ 19,558     $ 16,643  
             
U.S. Equity            
Beginning of period assets $ 12,159     $ 17,746     $ 16,296     $ 15,903     $ 15,759  
Inflows/(outflows)   (242 )     (285 )     458       241       108  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   2,090       (5,302 )     992       152       36  
End of period assets $ 14,007     $ 12,159     $ 17,746     $ 16,296     $ 15,903  
Average assets during the period $ 13,312     $ 16,022     $ 16,983     $ 15,885     $ 15,690  
             
International Developed Market Equity            
Beginning of period assets $ 8,653     $ 13,043     $ 12,200     $ 13,346     $ 14,092  
Inflows/(outflows)   (964 )     (1,100 )     (139 )     (1,011 )     (736 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   1,158       (3,290 )     982       (135 )     (10 )
End of period assets $ 8,847     $ 8,653     $ 13,043     $ 12,200     $ 13,346  
Average assets during the period $ 8,783     $ 11,474     $ 12,640     $ 12,409     $ 13,628  
             
             


  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019
Emerging Market Equity            
Beginning of period assets $ 4,610     $ 6,417     $ 5,713     $ 5,981     $ 5,644  
Inflows/(outflows)   (21 )     65       198       176       344  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   840       (1,872 )     506       (444 )     (7 )
End of period assets $ 5,429     $ 4,610     $ 6,417     $ 5,713     $ 5,981  
Average assets during the period $ 5,143     $ 5,933     $ 6,008     $ 5,743     $ 5,691  
             
Fixed Income            
Beginning of period assets $ 3,527     $ 3,585     $ 3,337     $ 3,946     $ 3,692  
Inflows/(outflows)   (53 )     21       218       (594 )     235  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   56       (79 )     30       (15 )     19  
End of period assets $ 3,530     $ 3,527     $ 3,585     $ 3,337     $ 3,946  
Average assets during the period $   3,523     $   3,653     $   3,540     $   3,731     $   3,796  
             
Leveraged & Inverse            
Beginning of period assets $   883     $   995     $   1,002     $   989     $   1,060  
Inflows/(outflows)     312         12         (22 )        11         (55 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     153         (124 )       15          2          (16 )
End of period assets $   1,348      $   883     $   995     $   1,002     $   989  
Average assets during the period $   1,162     $   1,009     $   1,033     $   1,020     $   1,042  
             
Alternatives            
Beginning of period assets $   244     $   359     $   419     $   434     $   515  
Inflows/(outflows)     (29 )       (66 )       (61 )       (17 )        (80 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     11         (49 )       1         2         (1 )
End of period assets $   226     $   244     $   359     $   419     $   434  
Average assets during the period $   227     $   328     $   399     $   429     $   476  
             
Closed ETPs            
Beginning of period assets $   424     $   1,396     $   1,301     $   1,586     $   1,661  
Assets sold      —         (778 )        —         —         —  
Inflows/(outflows)     (193 )       225         (18 )       (15 )        (84 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)      65         (399 )       116         (89 )       9  
Fund closures     (296 )       (20 )       (3 )       (181 )       —   
End of period assets $   —     $   424     $   1,396     $   1,301     $   1,586  
Average assets during the period $   502     $   993     $   1,363     $   1,531     $   1,609  
             
Headcount      214          210          208          212          214  


Note: Previously issued statistics may be restated due to fund closures and trade adjustments
Source: WisdomTree

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

     
  June 30,
2020
 
  Dec. 31,
2019
 
  (Unaudited)
   
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,255     $ 74,972  
Securities owned, at fair value   13,110       17,319  
Accounts receivable   24,372       26,838  
Prepaid expenses   5,621       3,724  
Other current assets   1,414       207  
Total current assets   94,772       123,060  
Fixed assets, net   7,835       8,127  
Notes receivable         28,172  
Securities held-to-maturity   581       16,863  
Deferred tax assets, net   5,540       7,398  
Investments   11,192       11,192  
Right of use assets – operating leases   17,230       18,161  
Goodwill   85,856       85,856  
Intangible assets   601,247       603,294  
Other noncurrent assets   184       983  
Total assets $   824,437     $   903,106  
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
LIABILITIES    
Current liabilities:    
Fund management and administration payable $   23,240     $   22,021  
Compensation and benefits payable     7,629         26,501  
Deferred consideration – gold payments     16,364         13,953  
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value     —         582  
Operating lease liabilities     3,293         3,682  
Income taxes payable     2,277         3,372  
Accounts payable and other liabilities     9,376         8,930  
Total current liabilities     62,179         79,041  
Convertible notes     141,479         —  
Debt     —          175,956  
Deferred consideration – gold payments     182,420         159,071  
Operating lease liabilities     18,258         19,057  
Total liabilities     404,336         433,125  
Preferred stock – Series A Non-Voting Convertible, par value $0.01;
 14.750 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
    132,569         132,569  
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Common stock, par value $0.01; 250,000 shares authorized:    
Issued and outstanding: 149,796 and 155,264 at June 30, 2020
 and December 31, 2019, respectively
    1,498         1,553  
Additional paid-in capital     325,406         352,658  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     260         945  
Accumulated deficit     (39,632 )       (17,744 )
Total stockholders’ equity     287,532         337,412  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $   824,437     $   903,106  
           

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)  

     
  Six Months Ended  
  June 30,
2020
June 30,
2019
 
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net (loss)/income $    (21,888 )   $   11,303  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Advisory fees received in gold and other precious metals     (29,135 )       (22,872 )
Loss/(gain) on revaluation of deferred consideration – gold payments     25,566         (367 )
Impairments     19,672         572  
Contractual gold payments     7,823         6,208  
Stock-based compensation     6,159         6,207  
Gain on sale –Canadian ETF business     (2,877 )       —  
Loss on extinguishment of debt     2,387         —  
Amortization of right of use asset     1,588         1,590  
Amortization of issuance costs - former Credit Facility     1,328         1,430  
Deferred income taxes     832         2,443  
Depreciation and amortization     507         533  
Amortization of issuance costs - convertible notes     115         —  
Paid-in-kind interest income     —          (1,223 )
Other     (83 )       5  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Securities owned, at fair value   4,209         (222 )
Accounts receivable   4,461         1,833  
Income taxes payable   (1,046 )       (44 )
Prepaid expenses   (2,016 )       (1,746 )
Gold and other precious metals     20,882         16,318  
Other assets   (702 )       (552 )
Fund management and administration payable     1,677         1,231  
Compensation and benefits payable   (18,431 )       (3,938 )
Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value     (582 )       (1,155 )
Operating lease liabilities     (1,845 )       (1,760 )
Accounts payable and other liabilities     781         (435 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     19,382         15,359  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of fixed assets     (224 )       (15 )
Funding of notes receivable     —         (1,540 )
Proceeds from held-to-maturity securities maturing or called prior to maturity     16,365         39  
Proceeds from the sale of our financial interests in AdvisorEngine     8,155         —  
Proceeds from sale of Canadian ETF business, net     2,774         —  
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities     27,070         (1,516 )
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Repayment of debt     (179,000 )       —   
Shares repurchased     (26,444 )       (2,107 )
Dividends paid     (10,270 )       (10,191 )
Convertible notes issuance costs     (4,611 )       —   
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes     150,000         —   
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     240         14  
Net cash used in financing activities     (70,085 )       (12,284 )
(Decrease)/increase in cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rate     (1,084 )       268  
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents     (24,717 )       1,827  
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year     74,972         77,784  
Cash and cash equivalents – year $   50,255     $   79,611  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for taxes $   2,200     $   4,403  
Cash paid for interest $   3,390     $   4,559  
           

Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

In an effort to provide additional information regarding our results as determined by GAAP, we also disclose certain non-GAAP information which we believe provides useful and meaningful information. Our management reviews these non-GAAP financial measurements when evaluating our financial performance and results of operations; therefore, we believe it is useful to provide information with respect to these non-GAAP measurements so as to share this perspective of management. Non-GAAP measurements do not have any standardized meaning, do not replace nor are superior to GAAP financial measurements and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measurements should be considered in the context with our GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measurements contained in this release include:

  • Adjusted compensation, operating income, operating expenses, income before income taxes, income tax expense, net income and diluted earnings per share.  We disclose adjusted compensation, operating income, operating expenses, income before income taxes, income tax expense, net income and diluted earnings per share as non-GAAP financial measurements in order to report our results exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business.  We believe presenting these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance.  These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following:

    • Unrealized gains or losses on the revaluation of deferred consideration:  Deferred consideration is an obligation we assumed in connection with the ETFS acquisition that is carried at fair value.  This item represents the present value of an obligation to pay fixed ounces of gold into perpetuity and is measured using forward-looking gold prices.  Changes in the forward-looking price of gold may have a material impact on the carrying value of the deferred consideration and our reported financial results.  We exclude this item when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as it is not core to our operating business.  The item is not adjusted for income taxes as the obligation was assumed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours that is based in Jersey, a jurisdiction where we are subject to a zero percent tax rate.

    • Tax shortfalls and windfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards: GAAP requires the recognition of tax windfalls and shortfalls within income tax expense.  These items arise upon the vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards and the magnitude is directly correlated to the number of awards vesting/exercised as well as the difference between the price of our stock on the date the award was granted and the date the award vested or was exercised.  We exclude these items when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as they introduce volatility in earnings and are not core to our operating business.

    • Interest expense from the amortization of discount arising from the bifurcation of the conversion option embedded in the convertible notes:  GAAP requires convertible instruments to be separated into their liability and equity components by allocating the issuance proceeds to each of these components.  The liability component for convertible instruments that qualify for a derivative scope exception (applicable to our convertible notes) is allocated proceeds equal to the estimated fair value of similar debt without the conversion option.  The difference between the gross proceeds received from the issuance of the convertible instrument and the proceeds allocated to the liability component represents the residual amount that is classified in equity.  The discount arising from the recognition of the residual amount classified in equity is amortized as interest expense over the life of the instrument.  We exclude this item when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as it is non-cash and distorts our actual cost of borrowing.  In addition, in June 2020, the FASB approved amendments to ASC 470-20, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options, Cash Conversion and once issued, will include the elimination of the requirement to bifurcate conversion options qualifying for a derivative scope exception. Once effective, this interest expense will no longer be recognized.

    • Other items:  Loss on extinguishment of debt, the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance recognized on interest carryforwards arising from our debt previously outstanding in the United Kingdom, a gain arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of our investment in AdvisorEngine, impairment charges, a gain recognized upon sale of our Canadian ETF business, severance expense and acquisition and disposition-related costs are excluded when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements.

  • Adjusted effective income tax rate.  We disclose our adjusted effective income tax rate as a non-GAAP financial measurement in order to report our effective income tax rate exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business.  We believe reporting our adjusted effective income tax rate provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our income taxes.  Our adjusted effective income tax rate is calculated by dividing adjusted income tax expense by adjusted income before income taxes.  See above for information regarding the items that are excluded.  

  • Gross margin and gross margin percentage.  We disclose our gross margin and gross margin percentage as non-GAAP financial measurements because we believe they provide investors with a consistent way to analyze the amount we retain after paying third-party service providers to operate our ETPs.  These measures also assist us in analyzing the profitability of our products.  We define gross margin as total operating revenues less fund management and administration expenses.  Gross margin percentage is calculated as gross margin divided by total operating revenues.
      
  • Adjusted operating income margin.  We disclose adjusted operating income margin as a non-GAAP financial measurement in order to report our operating income margin exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business.   

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (CONSOLIDATED)
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

             
  Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share: June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019 
Sept. 30,
2019  
June 30,
2019 

Net (loss)/income, as reported
$ (13,250 )   $ (8,638 )   $ (25,880 )   $ 4,152     $ 2,479  
Add back: Loss on revaluation of deferred consideration   23,358       2,208       5,354       6,306       4,037  
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of income taxes   1,910                          
Deduct: Release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance recognized on interest carryforwards arising from debt previously outstanding in the United Kingdom   (2,842 )                        
Add back: Interest expense from the amortization of discount arising from the bifurcation of the conversion option embedded in the convertible notes, net of income taxes   42                          
Deduct: Gain arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair value of consideration received from the exit of investment in AdvisorEngine.   (868 )                        
Add back: Impairments, net of income taxes         19,672       30,138              
Deduct: Gain recognized upon sale of Canadian ETF business         (2,877 )                  
Add back: Severance expense, net of income taxes                           1,194  
Add back: Tax shortfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards   119       501       142       30       76  
Add back: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, net of income taxes   25       358       353       154       27  
Adjusted net income $ 8,494     $ 11,224     $ 10,107     $ 10,642     $ 7,813  
Weighted average common shares - diluted   166,634       167,561       167,203       167,163       167,249  
Adjusted earnings per share - diluted $ 0.05     $ 0.07     $ 0.06     $ 0.06     $ 0.05  
             
         
  Three Months Ended  
Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percentage:   June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019  
Sept. 30,
2019  
June 30,
2019  

Operating revenues
$ 58,126     $ 63,874     $ 68,907     $ 67,718     $ 66,293  
Less: Fund management and administration   (14,461 )     (14,485 )     (15,650 )     (15,110 )     (15,576 )
Gross margin $ 43,665     $ 49,389     $ 53,257     $ 52,608     $ 50,717  
Gross margin percentage   75.1 %     77.3 %     77.3 %     77.7 %     76.5 %
                               


  Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating
Income Margin:  
June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019
 
Operating revenues
$ 58,126     $ 63,874     $ 68,907     $ 67,718     $ 66,293  
             
Operating income $ 11,797     $ 15,634     $ 14,809     $ 16,131     $ 11,911  
Add back: Severance expense, before income taxes                           1,475  
Add back: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, before
 income taxes
  33       383       366       190       33  
Adjusted operating income $ 11,830     $ 16,017     $ 15,175     $ 16,321     $ 13,419  
Adjusted operating income margin   20.4 %     25.1 %     22.0 %     24.1 %     20.2 %
                         


  Three Months Ended
Adjusted Compensation Expense: June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019

Compensation expense
$ 17,455   $ 17,295   $ 19,280   $ 18,880   $ 21,300  
Deduct: Severance expense, before income taxes                   (1,475 )
Adjusted compensation expense $ 17,455   $ 17,295   $ 19,280   $ 18,880   $ 19,825  
             
             


  Three Months Ended
Adjusted Total Operating Expenses: June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019

Total operating expenses
$ 46,329     $ 48,240     $ 54,098     $ 51,587     $ 54,382  
Deduct: Severance expense, before income taxes                           (1,475 )
Deduct: Acquisition and disposition-related costs, before
 income taxes
  (33 )     (383 )     (366 )     (190 )     (33 )
Adjusted total operating expenses $ 46,296     $ 47,857     $ 53,732     $ 51,397     $ 52,874  
                               
             


  Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes: June 30,
2020
  Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019

(Loss)/income before income taxes
$ (14,054 )   $ (11,009 )   $ (22,355 )   $ 8,635   $ 6,066
Add back: Loss on revaluation of deferred consideration      23,358          2,208          5,354        6,306      4,037
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of debt      2,387         —          —        —      — 
Add back: Interest expense from the amortization of discount
 arising from the bifurcation of the conversion option
 embedded in the convertible notes, before income taxes
    55         —         —       —      — 
Deduct: Gain arising from an adjustment to the estimated fair
 value of consideration received from the exit of investment in
 AdvisorEngine
     (868 )       —         —       —      — 
Add back: Impairments, before income taxes     —           19,672          30,138       —      — 
Add back: Loss recognized upon reduction of a tax-related
 indemnification asset
    —           5,981         —        —      — 
Deduct: Gain recognized upon sale of Canadian ETF business     —           (2,877 )       —        —      — 
Add back: Acquisition and disposition-related costs,
 before income taxes
     33          383          366        190      33
Add back: Severance expense, before income taxes     —          —          —          —       1,475
Adjusted income before income taxes $   10,911     $   14,358     $   13,503     $   15,131   $ 11,611
                         


  Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Income Tax Expense and Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate: June 30,
2020
Mar. 31,
2020
Dec. 31,
2019
Sept. 30,
2019
June 30,
2019

Adjusted income before income taxes (above)
$ 10,911   $ 14,358     $ 13,503     $ 15,131     $ 11,611  
           
Income tax (benefit)/expense $ (804 ) $ (2,371 )   $ 3,525     $ 4,483     $ 3,587  
Add back: Tax benefit arising from loss on extinguishment of
 debt
  477                        
Add back: Release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance
 recognized on interest carryforwards arising from debt
 previously outstanding in the United Kingdom
  2,842                        
Add back: Tax benefit arising from the amortization of
 discount associated with the bifurcation of the conversion
 option embedded in the convertible notes
  13                        
Add back: Tax benefit arising from reduction of a tax-related
 indemnification asset
      5,981                    
Deduct: Tax shortfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-
 based compensation awards
  (119 )   (501 )     (142 )     (30 )     (76 )
Add back: Tax benefit arising from acquisition and
 disposition-related costs
  8     25       13       36       6  
Add back: Tax benefit arising from severance expense                         281  
Adjusted income tax expense $ 2,417   $ 3,134     $ 3,396     $ 4,489     $ 3,798  
Adjusted effective income tax rate   22.2 %   21.8 %     25.1 %     29.7 %     32.7 %
                             

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the risks described below. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. You should read this press release completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release may include statements about

  • the ultimate duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its short-term and long-term impact on our business and the global economy;
  • anticipated trends, conditions and investor sentiment in the global markets and ETPs;
  • anticipated levels of inflows into and outflows out of our ETPs;
  • our ability to deliver favorable rates of return to investors;
  • competition in our business;
  • our ability to develop new products and services;
  • our ability to maintain current vendors or find new vendors to provide services to us at favorable costs;
  • our ability to successfully operate and expand our business in non-U.S. markets; and
  • the effect of laws and regulations that apply to our business.

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including without limitation:

  • declining prices of securities, gold and other precious metals and other commodities can adversely affect our business by reducing the market value of the assets we manage or causing WisdomTree ETP investors to sell their fund shares and trigger redemptions;
  • fluctuations in the amount and mix of our AUM, whether caused by disruptions in the financial markets or otherwise, including but not limited to a pandemic event such as COVID-19, may negatively impact revenues and operating margins, and may impede our ability to refinance our debt upon maturity, increase the cost of borrowing or result in our debt being called prior to maturity;
  • competitive pressures could reduce revenues and profit margins;
  • we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of products, and as a result, our operating results are particularly exposed to investor sentiment toward investing in the products’ strategies and our ability to maintain the AUM of these products, as well as the performance of these products and market-specific and political and economic risk;
  • a significant portion of our AUM is held in products with exposure to U.S. and international developed markets and we therefore have exposure to domestic and foreign market conditions and are subject to currency exchange rate risks;
  • withdrawals or broad changes in investments in our ETPs by investors with significant positions may negatively impact revenues and operating margins;
  • over the last few years, we have expanded our business globally. This expansion subjects us to increased operational, regulatory, financial and other risks;
  • many of our ETPs have a limited track record, and poor investment performance could cause our revenues to decline; and
  • we depend on third parties to provide many critical services to operate our business and our ETPs. The failure of key vendors to adequately provide such services could materially affect our operating business and harm WisdomTree ETP investors.

Other factors, such as general economic conditions, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, also may have an effect on the results of our operations. For a more complete description of the risks noted above and other risks that could cause our actual results to differ from our current expectations, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. Therefore, these forward-looking statements do not represent our views as of any date other than the date of this press release.


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Source: WisdomTree Investments, Inc.