Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

WisdomTree Announces Fourth Quarter 2022 Results – Record quarter-end AUM of $82.0 billion;

Full year inflow rate of 16% across all products

Diluted loss per share of ($0.20); Earnings per share of $0.04, as adjusted

Net flows of $5.3 billion in the quarter (highest flowing quarter since 2015)

Nine consecutive quarters of net inflows

New York, NY – (Business Wire) – February 3, 2023 – WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022.

($28.3) million net loss ($7.0(1) million net income, as adjusted); see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for additional information.

$35.4 million non-cash loss associated with the revaluation of deferred consideration-gold payments due to a decrease in the discount rate used to compute the present value of the annual payment obligations, as well as higher gold prices.

$82.0 billion of ending AUM, an increase of 15.7% arising from market appreciation and net inflows.

$5.3 billion of net inflows, primarily driven by inflows into our fixed income, U.S. equity and commodity products.

0.36% average advisory fee, a decrease of 2 basis points due to AUM mix shift.

$73.3 million of operating revenues, essentially unchanged from the previous quarter as higher average AUM was offset by a decline in our average advisory fee.

76.9% gross margin(1), a 0.6 point decrease from the previous quarter due to fund rebalances and recent fund launches.

16.0% operating income margin, a 4.5 point decrease compared to our operating margin of 20.5% in the prior quarter primarily due to higher expenses related to the finalization of year-end compensation and seasonal marketing and sales-related initiatives.

$0.03 quarterly dividend declared, payable on March 1, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2023.

Update from Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree CEO

“The momentum we built from last year has set the table for a very exciting 2023 for WisdomTree. We expect our solid fund performance and positioning, combined with growth in our managed models franchise, will drive another year of strong organic growth. Additionally, we remain excited and focused on launching WisdomTree Prime and anticipate the platform will be available in app stores in Q2, enabling many users across the U.S. to build holistic portfolios from our suite of digital funds and real-world asset tokens and merge saving, spending and investing activities. Overall, WisdomTree remains on track with exceptional momentum, the right strategy and a tremendous opportunity ahead in ETFs, models, advisors solutions, digital assets and blockchain-enabled finance.”

 

1


Update from Jarrett Lilien, WisdomTree COO and President

“Driven by over $12 billion of net inflows in 2022, WisdomTree exited the year with record assets under management. Our 16% pace of organic flow growth in 2022 was not only the best among our public asset manager peers, but it was the best year for flows since 2015. That momentum has continued into 2023 with over $1.5 billion of net inflows, putting WisdomTree in a position to achieve its tenth consecutive quarter of firm-wide net inflows. With products and solutions that are not only strong performers, but positioned very well against this market backdrop, we see ample opportunity in front of us and could not be more excited about what is to come in 2023.”

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

     Three Months Ended  
     Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Consolidated Operating Highlights ($ in billions):

          

AUM—end of period

   $ 82.0     $ 70.9     $ 74.3     $ 79.4     $ 77.5  

Net inflows

   $ 5.3     $ 1.7     $ 3.9     $ 1.3     $ 1.9  

Average AUM

   $ 77.7     $ 74.7     $ 77.7     $ 77.8     $ 76.0  

Average advisory fee

     0.36     0.38     0.39     0.40     0.40

Consolidated Financial Highlights ($ in millions, except per share amounts):

          

Operating revenues

   $ 73.3     $ 72.4     $ 77.3     $ 78.4     $ 79.2  

Net (loss)/income

   $ (28.3   $ 81.2     $ 8.0     $ (10.3   $ 11.2  

Diluted (loss)/earnings per share

   $ (0.20   $ 0.50     $ 0.05     $ (0.08   $ 0.07  

Operating income margin

     16.0     20.5     20.5     22.6     28.5

As Adjusted (Non-GAAP(1)):

          

Gross margin

     76.9     77.5     79.2     80.2     80.5

Net income, as adjusted

   $ 7.0     $ 9.3     $ 11.3     $ 14.1     $ 15.7  

Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted

   $ 0.04     $ 0.06     $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.10  

Operating income margin, as adjusted

     16.0     20.5     23.1     25.7     28.5

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Company News

 

   

In November 2022, our wholly-owned subsidiary, WisdomTree Securities, Inc. received membership approval as a broker-dealer from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), enabling it to facilitate transactions in blockchain-enabled funds offered in the WisdomTree PrimeTM mobile application.

 

   

In December 2022, we were named a 2022 “Best Places to Work in Money Management” by Pensions & Investments for the third year in a row and the sixth year since the award was created; nine new digital funds became effective with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), leading up to the planned broad public rollout of the WisdomTree Prime mobile application in the coming months; and we issued a 2022 year-end letter to stockholders from our Board of Directors, providing an update on WisdomTree’s strategy and strong financial results, employee and corporate governance initiatives, digital assets initiatives and continued engagement with stockholders.

Product News

 

   

In November 2022, we won “Most Innovative ETF of the Year” at the ETF Stream Awards 2022 in Europe for WisdomTree Recycling Decarbonisation UCITS ETF (WRCY); we won “ETF Launch of the Year” at the Funds Europe Awards 2022 for WisdomTree Carbon (CARB); and we updated the ESG disclosures for all European funds categorized as Article 8 and Article 9, to align with the incoming Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

 

   

In December 2022, we launched the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Growth Fund (QGRW) on the NYSE; and we cross-listed the WisdomTree Recycling Decarbonisation UCITS ETF (WRCY), WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate UCITS ETF (WTRE), WisdomTree Blockchain UCITS ETF (WBLK) and WisdomTree BioRevolution UCITS ETF (WDNA) in Mexico on the Bolsa Mexicana.

 

2


WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Years Ended  
     Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
    Dec. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Operating Revenues:

              

Advisory fees

   $ 70,913     $ 70,616     $ 75,586     $ 76,517     $ 77,441     $ 293,632     $ 298,052  

Other income

     2,397       1,798       1,667       1,851       1,734       7,713       6,266  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     73,310       72,414       77,253       78,368       79,175       301,345       304,318  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

              

Compensation and benefits

     24,831       23,714       24,565       24,787       23,178       97,897       88,163  

Fund management and administration

     16,906       16,285       16,076       15,494       15,417       64,761       58,912  

Marketing and advertising

     4,240       3,145       3,894       4,023       4,565       15,302       14,090  

Sales and business development

     3,407       2,724       3,131       2,609       2,668       11,871       9,907  

Contractual gold payments

     4,107       4,105       4,446       4,450       4,262       17,108       17,096  

Professional fees

     2,666       2,367       4,308       4,459       2,099       13,800       7,616  

Occupancy, communications and equipment

     1,110       986       1,049       753       725       3,898       4,629  

Depreciation and amortization

     104       58       53       47       45       262       738  

Third-party distribution fees

     1,793       1,833       1,818       2,212       1,830       7,656       7,176  

Other

     2,427       2,324       2,109       1,845       1,823       8,705       6,933  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     61,591       57,541       61,449       60,679       56,612       241,260       215,260  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     11,719       14,873       15,804       17,689       22,563       60,085       89,058  

Other Income/(Expenses):

              

Interest expense

     (3,736     (3,734     (3,733     (3,732     (3,740     (14,935     (12,332

(Loss)/gain on revaluation of deferred consideration—gold payments

     (35,423     77,895       2,311       (17,018     (3,048     27,765       2,018  

Interest income

     945       811       770       794       864       3,320       2,009  

Impairments

     —         —         —         —         —         —         (16,156

Other losses, net

     (1,815     (5,289     (4,474     (24,707     (1,368     (36,285     (7,926
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss)/income before income taxes

     (28,310     84,556       10,678       (26,974     15,271       39,950       56,671  

Income tax (benefit)/expense

     (21     3,327       2,673       (16,713     4,084       (10,734     6,874  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income

   $ (28,289   $ 81,229     $ 8,005     $ (10,261   $ 11,187     $ 50,684     $ 49,797  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss)/earnings per share—basic

   $ (0.20   $ 0.50 (2)    $ 0.05 (2)    $ (0.08 )(2)    $ 0.07 (2)    $ 0.31 (2)    $ 0.31 (2) 

(Loss)/earnings per share—diluted

   $ (0.20   $ 0.50 (2)    $ 0.05     $ (0.08 )(2)    $ 0.07     $ 0.31 (2)    $ 0.31  

Weighted average common shares—basic

     143,126       143,120       143,046       142,782       142,070       143,020       143,847  

Weighted average common shares—diluted

     143,126       158,953       158,976       142,782       159,826       158,914       161,263  

As Adjusted (Non-GAAP(1))

              

Total operating expenses

   $ 61,591     $ 57,541     $ 59,425     $ 58,244     $ 56,612      

Operating income

   $ 11,719     $ 14,873     $ 17,828     $ 20,124     $ 22,563      

Income before income taxes

   $ 8,615     $ 12,645     $ 14,498     $ 17,674     $ 19,968      

Income tax expense

   $ 1,588     $ 3,323     $ 3,241     $ 3,611     $ 4,232      

Net income

   $ 7,027     $ 9,322     $ 11,257     $ 14,063     $ 15,736      

Earnings per share—diluted

   $ 0.04     $ 0.06     $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.10      

 

3


QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Revenues

 

 

Operating revenues were essentially unchanged from the third quarter of 2022 and decreased 7.4% from the fourth quarter of 2021 as higher average AUM was offset by a decline in our average advisory fee.

 

 

Our average advisory fee was 0.36%, 0.38% and 0.40% during the fourth quarter of 2022, the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021, respectively.

Operating Expenses

 

 

Operating expenses increased 7.0% from the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to higher incentive compensation, marketing expenses, sales and business development expenses and fund management and administration costs.

 

 

Operating expenses increased 8.8% from the fourth quarter of 2021 primarily due to higher incentive compensation and headcount, fund management and administration costs, sales and business development expenses, professional fees incurred in connection with our digital assets initiative and other expenses. These increases were partly offset by lower marketing expenses.

Other Income/(Expenses)

 

 

Interest expense was essentially unchanged from the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021.

 

 

We recognized a non-cash loss on revaluation of deferred consideration of $35.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2022. The loss arose primarily from a decrease in the discount rate used to compute the present value of the annual payment obligations, as well as higher gold prices. The magnitude of any gain or loss recognized is highly correlated to changes in the discount rate and the magnitude of the change in the forward-looking price of gold.

 

 

Interest income was essentially unchanged from the third quarter of 2022 and fourth quarter of 2021.

 

 

Other net losses were $1.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and included losses on our financial instruments owned and investments of $1.5 million. Gains and losses also generally arise from the sale of gold earned from management fees paid by our physically-backed gold exchange-traded products (“ETPs”), foreign exchange fluctuations and other miscellaneous items.

Income Taxes

 

 

Our income tax provision for the fourth quarter of 2022 was a benefit of $0.02 million. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% due to a non-deductible loss on revaluation of deferred consideration, partly offset by a reduction in the valuation allowance on foreign net operating losses.

 

 

Our adjusted effective income tax rate was 18.4%(1).

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Operating revenues were essentially unchanged from 2021.

 

 

Operating expenses increased 12.1% as compared to 2021 primarily due to higher incentive compensation and headcount, professional fees including $4.5 million incurred in response to an activist campaign and professional fees associated with our digital assets initiative, fund management and administration costs, sales and business development expenses, marketing expenses, third-party distribution fees and other expenses. These increases were partly offset by lower occupancy expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses.

 

 

Significant items reported in other income/(expense) in 2022 include: an increase in interest expense of 21.1% due to a higher level of debt outstanding; a non-cash gain on revaluation of deferred consideration of $27.8 million; an increase in interest income of 65.3% due to an increase in our financial instruments owned; a non-cash charge of $19.9 million upon the release of tax-related indemnification assets arising from a favorable resolution of certain tax audits as well as the expiration of the statute of limitations (an equal and offsetting benefit was recognized in income tax expense); and losses on our financial instruments owned and investments of $16.9 million. Gains and losses also generally arise from the sale of gold earned on management fees paid by our physically-backed gold ETPs, foreign exchange fluctuations and other miscellaneous items.

 

 

Our effective income tax rate for 2022 was negative 26.9%, resulting in an income tax benefit of $10.7 million. Our tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the reduction in unrecognized tax benefits associated with the release of the tax-related indemnification asset described above, a reduction in the valuation allowance on foreign net operating losses, a non-taxable gain on revaluation of deferred consideration and a lower tax rate on foreign earnings. These items were partly offset by an increase in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance on losses recognized on financial instruments owned.

 

4


CONFERENCE CALL DIAL-IN AND WEBCAST DETAILS

WisdomTree will discuss its results and operational highlights during a live webcast on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. ET, which can be accessed using the following link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=mwe6KVat. Participants also can dial in using the following numbers: (877) 407-9210 or (201) 689-8049. Click here to access the participant international toll-free access numbers. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to log in or dial into the conference call 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. All earnings materials and the webcast can be accessed through WisdomTree’s investor relations website at https://ir.wisdomtree.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available shortly after the call.

ABOUT WISDOMTREE

WisdomTree is a global financial innovator, offering a well-diversified suite of exchange-traded products (ETPs), models and solutions. We empower investors to shape their future and support financial professionals to better serve their clients and grow their businesses. WisdomTree is leveraging the latest financial infrastructure to create products that provide access, transparency and an enhanced user experience. Building on our heritage of innovation, we are also developing next-generation digital products and structures, including digital funds and tokenized assets, as well as our blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime.

WisdomTree currently has approximately $87.1 billion in assets under management globally.

For more information about WisdomTree and WisdomTree Prime, visit: https://www.wisdomtree.com.

Please visit us on Twitter at @WisdomTreeNews.

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

 

 

(1)

See “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements.”

(2)

Earnings/(loss) 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
Jeremy Campbell    Jessica Zaloom
+1.646.522.2602    +1.917.267.3735
Jeremy.campbell@wisdomtree.com    jzaloom@wisdomtree.com

 

5


WisdomTree, Inc.

Key Operating Statistics (Unaudited)

 

                                                                                    
     Three Months Ended  
     Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

GLOBAL ETPs ($ in millions)

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 70,878     $ 74,302     $ 79,407     $ 77,479     $ 72,783  

Inflows/(outflows)

     5,264       1,747       3,852       1,319       1,902  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     5,844       (5,171     (8,953     609       2,809  

Fund closures

     —         —         (4     —         (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 81,986     $ 70,878     $ 74,302     $ 79,407     $ 77,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 77,654     $ 74,687     $ 77,744     $ 77,811     $ 75,990  

Average advisory fee during the period

     0.36     0.38     0.39     0.40     0.40

Revenue days

     92       92       91       90       92  

Number of ETFs—end of the period

     348       347       344       341       329  

U.S. LISTED ETFs ($ in millions)

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 48,043     $ 47,255     $ 48,622     $ 48,210     $ 44,742  

Inflows/(outflows)

     4,232       3,812       4,278       2,250       1,865  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     3,700       (3,024     (5,645     (1,838     1,618  

Fund closures

     —         —         —         —         (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 55,975     $ 48,043     $ 47,255     $ 48,622     $ 48,210  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 53,659     $ 49,473     $ 48,275     $ 47,502     $ 46,942  

Number of ETFs—end of the period

     79       78       77       77       75  

EUROPEAN LISTED ETPs ($ in millions)

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 22,835     $ 27,047     $ 30,785     $ 29,269     $ 28,041  

Inflows/(outflows)

     1,032       (2,065     (426     (931     37  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     2,144       (2,147     (3,308     2,447       1,191  

Fund closures

     —         —         (4     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 26,011     $ 22,835     $ 27,047     $ 30,785     $ 29,269  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 23,995     $ 25,214     $ 29,469     $ 30,309     $ 29,048  

Number of ETPs—end of the period

     269       269       267       264       254  

PRODUCT CATEGORIES ($ in millions)

          

U.S. Equity

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 20,952     $ 21,058     $ 23,738     $ 23,860     $ 21,383  

Inflows/(outflows)

     1,022       1,239       306       779       783  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     2,140       (1,345     (2,986     (901     1,694  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 24,114     $ 20,952     $ 21,058     $ 23,738     $ 23,860  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 23,496     $ 22,541     $ 22,368     $ 23,138     $ 22,962  

Commodity & Currency

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 19,561     $ 23,624     $ 26,302     $ 24,598     $ 23,825  

Inflows/(outflows)

     796       (2,179     (475     (1,053     (251

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,731       (1,884     (2,203     2,757       1,024  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 22,088     $ 19,561     $ 23,624     $ 26,302     $ 24,598  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 20,346     $ 21,628     $ 25,767     $ 25,889     $ 24,421  

Fixed Income

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 11,695     $ 9,192     $ 5,418     $ 4,356     $ 3,530  

Inflows/(outflows)

     3,392       2,627       4,038       1,242       838  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     186       (124     (264     (180     (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 15,273     $ 11,695     $ 9,192     $ 5,418     $ 4,356  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 13,962     $ 10,077     $ 7,426     $ 4,691     $ 4,119  

 

6


                                                                                              
     Three Months Ended  
     Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

International Developed Market Equity

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 9,183     $ 9,968     $ 11,422     $ 11,894     $ 11,181  

Inflows/(outflows)

     40       (115     79       97       440  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     972       (670     (1,533     (569     273  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 10,195     $ 9,183     $ 9,968     $ 11,422     $ 11,894  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 10,000     $ 10,032     $ 10,695     $ 11,543     $ 11,524  

Emerging Market Equity

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 7,495     $ 8,386     $ 9,991     $ 10,375     $ 10,666  

(Outflows)/inflows

     (53     114       (223     189       (3

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     674       (1,005     (1,382     (573     (288
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 8,116     $ 7,495     $ 8,386     $ 9,991     $ 10,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 7,770     $ 8,329     $ 9,155     $ 10,116     $ 10,550  

Leveraged & Inverse

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 1,523     $ 1,618     $ 1,856     $ 1,775     $ 1,663  

Inflows/(outflows)

     59       45       90       (2     10  

Market appreciation/(depreciation)

     172       (140     (328     83       102  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 1,754     $ 1,523     $ 1,618     $ 1,856     $ 1,775  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 1,623     $ 1,589     $ 1,765     $ 1,830     $ 1,761  

Alternatives

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 306     $ 305     $ 293     $ 261     $ 222  

Inflows/(outflows)

     12       16       34       29       56  

Market (depreciation)/appreciation

     (8     (15     (22     3       (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 310     $ 306     $ 305     $ 293     $ 261  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 305     $ 313     $ 299     $ 275     $ 229  

Cryptocurrency

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ 163     $ 151     $ 383     $ 357     $ 295  

(Outflows)/inflows

     (4     —         3       37       28  

Market (depreciation)/appreciation

     (23     12       (235     (11     34  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ 136     $ 163     $ 151     $ 383     $ 357  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ 152     $ 178     $ 265     $ 324     $ 406  

Closed ETPs

          

Beginning of period assets

   $ —       $ —       $ 4     $ 3     $ 18  

Inflows/(outflows)

     —         —         —         1       1  

Market depreciation

     —         —         —         —         (1

Fund closures

     —         —         (4     —         (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period assets

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 4     $ 3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average assets during the period

   $ —       $ —       $ 4     $ 5     $ 18  

Headcount

     273       274       264       253       241  

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

Source: WisdomTree

 

7


WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Dec. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 132,101     $ 140,709  

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

     126,239       127,166  

Accounts receivable

     30,549       31,864  

Prepaid expenses

     4,684       3,952  

Other current assets

     390       276  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     293,963       303,967  

Fixed assets, net

     544       557  

Indemnification receivable

     1,353       21,925  

Securities held-to-maturity

     259       308  

Deferred tax assets, net

     10,536       8,881  

Investments

     35,721       14,238  

Right of use assets—operating leases

     1,449       520  

Goodwill

     85,856       85,856  

Intangible assets, net

     603,567       601,247  

Other noncurrent assets

     571       361  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,033,819     $ 1,037,860  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities:

    

Convertible notes—current

   $ 174,197     $ —    

Compensation and benefits payable

     36,521       32,782  

Fund management and administration payable

     24,121       20,661  

Deferred consideration—gold payments

     16,796       16,739  

Income taxes payable

     1,599       3,979  

Operating lease liabilities

     1,125       209  

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     9,077       9,297  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     263,436       83,667  

Convertible notes—long term

     147,019       318,624  

Deferred consideration—gold payments

     183,494       211,323  

Operating lease liabilities

     339       328  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     1,351       21,925  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     595,639       635,867  

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; 400,000 shares authorized:

    

Issued and outstanding: 146,517 and 145,107 at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively

     1,465       1,451  

Additional paid-in capital

     291,847       289,736  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income

     (1,420     682  

Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit)

     13,719       (22,445
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     305,611       269,424  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,033,819     $ 1,037,860  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

8


WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Years Ended  
     Dec. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 50,684     $ 49,797  

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

    

Advisory and license fees paid in gold, other precious metals and cryptocurrency

     (57,290     (74,970

Contractual gold payments

     17,108       17,096  

Losses on financial instruments owned, at fair value

     16,516       3,715  

Stock-based compensation

     10,385       9,998  

Gain on revaluation of deferred consideration—gold payments

     (27,765     (2,018

Amortization of issuance costs—convertible notes

     2,592       2,187  

Deferred income taxes

     (1,296     316  

Amortization of right of use asset

     963       1,950  

Depreciation and amortization

     262       738  

Impairments

     —         16,156  

Gain on sale—Canadian ETF business, including remeasurement of contingent consideration

     —         (787

Other

     386       (272

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (720     (3,506

Prepaid expenses

     (808     (139

Gold and other precious metals

     41,847       57,417  

Other assets

     (309     (394

Intangibles—software development

     (2,370     —    

Fund management and administration payable

     3,723       1,348  

Compensation and benefits payable

     4,485       10,242  

Income taxes payable

     (2,308     3,101  

Operating lease liabilities

     (965     (15,560

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     (33     (1,097
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     55,087       75,318  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of financial instruments owned, at fair value

     (67,734     (115,526

Purchase of investments

     (21,863     (5,750

Purchase of fixed assets

     (220     (293

Proceeds from the sale of financial instruments owned, at fair value

     52,115       19,441  

Proceeds from the sale—Canadian ETF business, net, including receipt of contingent consideration

     —         2,360  

Proceeds from held-to-maturity securities maturing or called prior to maturity

     45       136  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (37,657     (99,632
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Dividends paid

     (19,362     (19,459

Shares repurchased

     (3,418     (34,506

Convertible notes issuance costs

     —         (4,297

Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes

     —         150,000  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     —         815  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

     (22,780     92,553  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash flow due to changes in foreign exchange rate

     (3,258     (955
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (8,608     67,284  

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

     140,709       73,425  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

   $ 132,101     $ 140,709  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 12,500     $ 8,456  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

   $ 12,313     $ 9,898  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9


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 press release include:

Adjusted Operating Income, Operating Expenses, Income Before Income Taxes, Income Tax Expense, Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

We disclose adjusted 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 measurements provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance. These non-GAAP financial measurements 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 and changes in the discount rate used to compute the present value of the annual payment obligations 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.

Gains or losses on financial instruments owned: We account for our financial instruments owned as trading securities, which requires these instruments to be measured at fair value with gains and losses reported in net income. In the third quarter of 2021, we began excluding these items when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as these securities have become a more meaningful percentage of total assets and the gains and losses introduce volatility in earnings and are not core to our operating business.

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.

Other items: Unrealized gains and losses recognized on our investments, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowance and expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign 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.

 

10


WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (CONSOLIDATED)

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share:    Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Net (loss)/income, as reported

   $ (28,289   $ 81,229     $ 8,005     $ (10,261   $ 11,187  

Add back/(deduct): Loss/(gain) on revaluation of deferred consideration

     35,423       (77,895     (2,311     17,018       3,048  

Add back: Losses on financial instruments owned, net of income taxes

     669       4,778       3,165       3,893       1,501  

Add back: Increase in deferred tax asset valuation allowance on financial instruments owned and investments

     364       1,454       901       2,010       —    

Deduct: Decrease in deferred tax asset valuation allowance on net operating losses of a European subsidiary

     (1,609     —         —         —         —    

Add back/(deduct): Unrealized loss/(gain) recognized on our investments, net of income taxes

     469       (248     (55     124       —    

Add back/(deduct): Tax shortfalls/(windfalls) upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards

     —         4       20       (565     —    

Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign, net of income taxes

     —         —         1,532       1,844       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 7,027     $ 9,322     $ 11,257     $ 14,063     $ 15,736  

Weighted average common shares—diluted

     159,478       158,953       158,976       158,335       159,826  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per share—diluted

   $ 0.04     $ 0.06     $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.10  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended  
Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percentage:    Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Operating revenues

   $ 73,310     $ 72,414     $ 77,253     $ 78,368     $ 79,175  

Less: Fund management and administration

     (16,906     (16,285     (16,076     (15,494     (15,417
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 56,404     $ 56,129     $ 61,177     $ 62,874     $ 63,758  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin percentage

     76.9     77.5     79.2     80.2     80.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Income Margin:    Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Operating revenues

   $ 73,310     $ 72,414     $ 77,253     $ 78,368     $ 79,175  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

   $ 11,719     $ 14,873     $ 15,804     $ 17,689     $ 22,563  

Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign

     —         —         2,024       2,435       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income

   $ 11,719     $ 14,873     $ 17,828     $ 20,124     $ 22,563  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income margin

     16.0     20.5     23.1     25.7     28.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

11


     Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Total Operating Expenses:    Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Total operating expenses

   $ 61,591     $ 57,541     $ 61,449     $ 60,679     $ 56,612  

Deduct: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign

     —         —         (2,024     (2,435     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted total operating expenses

   $ 61,591     $ 57,541     $ 59,425     $ 58,244     $ 56,612  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes:    Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

(Loss)/income before income taxes

   $ (28,310   $ 84,556     $ 10,678     $ (26,974   $ 15,271  

Add back/(deduct): Loss/(gain) on revaluation of deferred consideration

     35,423       (77,895     (2,311     17,018       3,048  

Add back: Losses on financial instruments owned

     883       6,311       4,180       5,142       1,649  

Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign

     —         —         2,024       2,435       —    

Add back/(deduct): Unrealized loss/(gain) recognized on investments

     619       (327     (73     163       —    

Add back: Loss recognized upon reduction of a tax-related indemnification asset

     —         —         —         19,890       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted income before income taxes

   $ 8,615     $ 12,645     $ 14,498     $ 17,674     $ 19,968  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended  
Adjusted Income Tax Expense and Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate:    Dec. 31,
2022
    Sept. 30,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    Mar. 31,
2022
    Dec. 31,
2021
 

Adjusted income before income taxes (above)

   $ 8,615     $ 12,645     $ 14,498     $ 17,674     $ 19,968  

Income tax (benefit)/expense

   $ (21   $ 3,327     $ 2,673     $ (16,713   $ 4,084  

Add back: Tax benefit arising from losses on financial instruments owned

     214       1,533       1,015       1,249       148  

Add back: Decrease in deferred tax asset valuation allowance on net operating losses of a European subsidiary

     1,609       —         —         —         —    

Deduct: Increase in deferred tax asset valuation allowance on financial instruments owned

     (364     (1,454     (901     (2,010     —    

Add back: Tax benefit arising from expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign

     —         —         492       591       —    

Add back/deduct: Tax benefit/(expense) on unrealized gains and losses on investments

     150       (79     (18     39       —    

(Deduct)/add back: Tax (shortfalls)/windfalls upon vesting and exercise of stock-based compensation awards

     —         (4     (20     565       —    

Add back: Tax benefit arising from reduction of a tax-related indemnification asset

     —         —         —         19,890       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted income tax expense

   $ 1,588     $ 3,323     $ 3,241     $ 3,611     $ 4,232  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted effective income tax rate

     18.4     26.3     22.4     20.4     21.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

12


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, or the war in Ukraine, and their 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;

 

   

whether we will experience future growth;

 

   

our ability to develop new products and services and their success;

 

   

our ability to maintain current vendors or find new vendors to provide services to us at favorable costs;

 

   

our ability to successfully implement our strategy relating to digital assets and blockchain-enabled financial services, including WisdomTree Prime, and achieve its objectives;

 

   

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:

 

   

adverse market developments arising from the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact our assets under management, resulting in a decline in our revenues and other potential operational challenges;

 

   

declining prices of securities, gold and other precious metals and other commodities and changes in interest rates and general market conditions 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, or the war in Ukraine, may negatively impact revenues and operating margins, and may impede our ability to refinance our debt upon maturity or, increase the cost of borrowing upon a refinancing;

 

   

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;

 

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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 internationally. 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;

 

   

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; and

 

   

actions of activist stockholders against us have been costly and may be disruptive and cause uncertainty about the strategic direction of our business.

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, 2021, as amended, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

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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