Exhibit 99.1

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

   

WisdomTree Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results

 

Record AUM of $109.7 Billion

940 bps of Operating Margin Expansion vs. YTD June 30, 2023

Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.13 ($0.16, as Adjusted)

 

New York, NY – (Business Wire) – July 26, 2024 – WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2024.

 

$21.8 million of net income ($27.1(1) million of net income, as adjusted), see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for additional information.

 

$109.7 billion of ending AUM, an increase of 2.3% from the prior quarter arising from market appreciation and net inflows.

 

$0.3 billion of net inflows, primarily driven by inflows into our international developed equity, fixed income and U.S. equity products, partially offset by outflows from our commodity products.

 

0.37% average advisory fee, a 1 basis point increase from the prior quarter.

 

$107.0 million of operating revenues, an increase of 10.5% from the prior quarter due to higher average AUM and higher other revenues attributable to our European listed products.

 

81.2% gross margin(1), a 1.8 point increase from the prior quarter due to higher revenues.

 

31.3% operating income margin (35.3%(1) as adjusted), a 2.4 point increase (5.7 point increase, as adjusted(1)) compared to our operating margin of 28.9% (29.6%(1), as adjusted) in the prior quarter primarily due to higher revenues.

 

$0.03 quarterly dividend declared, payable on August 21, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 7, 2024.

Update from Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree CEO

 

“WisdomTree continued to thrive in the second quarter, generating record assets under management with a global footprint and leadership in advisor solutions and tokenization on the back of only 300 employees. It is truly a testament to the efficiency of our business model and reflects our mission, vision and values.  The broadening of our product lineup over the years while adding portfolio solutions for our advisor clients are showcased in our three-plus years of strong net inflows and record assets under management.  Continued traction in those areas, alongside our leadership position in the industry’s secular shift toward ETFs, tokenization and blockchain technology, further set the company up for success in the long run.” 

 

 

 

 

 1 
 

Update from Jarrett Lilien, WisdomTree COO and President

 

“WisdomTree once again delivered strong revenue growth on the back of record assets under management, net inflows and expanding other revenue streams. With well-managed expenses and scale benefits, we’ve expanded adjusted operating margins 840 basis points this year as compared to the first half of last year.  This all translates into an accelerated pace of EPS growth and strong returns for stockholders.” 

 

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  

Three Months Ended

 

 
   June 30,
2024
   Mar. 31,
2024
   Dec. 31,
2023
   Sept. 30,
2023
   June 30,
2023
 
Consolidated Operating Highlights ($ in billions):                         
AUM—end of period  $109.7   $107.2   $100.1   $93.7   $93.7 
Net inflows/(outflows)  $0.3   $2.0   $(0.3)  $2.0   $2.3 
Average AUM  $108.4   $102.4   $96.6   $95.7   $91.6 
Average advisory fee   0.37%   0.36%   0.36%   0.36%   0.36%
                          
Consolidated Financial Highlights ($ in millions, except per
share amounts
):
                         
Operating revenues  $107.0   $96.8   $90.8   $90.4   $85.7 
Net income  $21.8   $22.1   $19.1   $13.0   $54.3 
Diluted earnings per share  $0.13   $0.13   $0.16   $0.07   $0.32 
Operating income margin   31.3%   28.9%   28.7%   29.5%   21.2%
                          
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP(1)):                         
Gross margin   81.2%   79.4%   79.7%   80.1%   79.3%
Net income, as adjusted  $27.1   $20.3   $18.6   $18.0   $14.9 
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted  $0.16   $0.12   $0.11   $0.10   $0.09 
Operating income margin, as adjusted   35.3%   29.6%   28.7%   29.5%   26.9%
                          

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Company News

·In June 2024, WisdomTree stockholders voted for all proposals, including to overwhelmingly elect all nine of WisdomTree’s nominees to the Board of Directors at its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

·Also in June 2024, WisdomTree Europe was named ‘Best ETF Provider’ at the Online Money Awards for the third year in a row.

Product News

·In May 2024, we launched the WisdomTree India Hedged Equity Fund (INDH) on the NASDAQ; we were one of the first issuers to list Crypto ETPs on the London Stock Exchange, including the WisdomTree Physical Bitcoin ETP (BTCW) and the WisdomTree Physical Ethereum ETP (ETHW); and we listed eight 5x short-and-leveraged equity ETPs on the London Stock Exchange, Börse Xetra and Borsa Italiana.

·In June 2024, we launched the WisdomTree Global Sustainable UCITS ETF (WSDG) on the London Stock Exchange and Börse Xetra, in collaboration with Irish Life Investment Managers.

·In July 2024, we introduced Portfolio Solutions, a comprehensive suite of solutions empowering new and deeper advisor relationships through scalable model portfolios; we cross-listed the WisdomTree Global Sustainable UCITS ETF (WSDG) on Borsa Italiana; and we partnered with Trading 212, one of the UK’s most popular commission-free investing apps, to offer six ETF model portfolios for European retail investors.

 

 2 
 

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
   June 30,
2024
   Mar. 31,
2024
   Dec. 31,
2023
   Sept. 30,
2023
   June 30,
2023
   June 30,
2024
   June 30,
2023
 
Operating Revenues:                                   
Advisory fees  $98,938   $92,501   $86,988   $86,598   $82,004   $191,439   $159,641 
Other revenues   8,096    4,337    3,856    3,825    3,720    12,433    8,127 
Total revenues   107,034    96,838    90,844    90,423    85,724    203,872    167,768 
Operating Expenses:                                   
Compensation and benefits   30,790    31,054    27,860    27,955    26,319    61,844    53,717 
Fund management and administration   20,139    19,962    18,445    18,023    17,727    40,101    34,880 
Marketing and advertising   5,110    4,408    4,951    3,833    4,465    9,518    8,472 
Sales and business development   3,640    3,611    3,881    3,383    3,326    7,251    6,320 
Contractual gold payments                   1,583        6,069 
Professional fees   6,594    3,630    3,201    3,719    8,334    10,224    12,049 
Occupancy, communications and equipment   1,314    1,210    1,208    1,203    1,172    2,524    2,273 
Depreciation and amortization   418    383    335    307    121    801    230 
Third-party distribution fees   2,687    2,307    2,549    2,694    1,881    4,994    4,134 
Other   2,831    2,323    2,379    2,601    2,615    5,154    4,872 
Total operating expenses   73,523    68,888    64,809    63,718    67,543    142,411    133,016 
Operating income   33,511    27,950    26,035    26,705    18,181    61,461    34,752 
Other Income/(Expenses):                                   
Interest expense   (4,140)   (4,128)   (3,758)   (3,461)   (4,021)   (8,268)   (8,023)
Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred
consideration—gold payments
                   41,361        61,953 
Interest income   1,438    1,398    1,225    791    1,000    2,836    2,083 
Impairments           (339)   (2,703)           (4,900)
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes                           (9,721)
Other losses and gains, net   (1,283)   2,592    1,602    (2,512)   1,286    1,309    (721)
Income before income taxes   29,526    27,812    24,765    18,820    57,807    57,338    75,423 
Income tax expense   7,767    5,701    5,688    5,836    3,555    13,468    4,938 
Net income  $21,759   $22,111   $19,077   $12,984   $54,252   $43,870    70,485 
Earnings per share—basic  $0.13(2)  $0.14(2)  $0.16(2)  $0.07(2)  $0.32(2)  $0.27(2)  $0.43(2)
Earnings per share—diluted  $0.13   $0.13   $0.16(2)  $0.07   $0.32   $0.26   $0.42(2)
Weighted average common shares—basic   146,896    146,464    145,310    145,284    144,351    146,680    144,108 
Weighted average common shares—diluted   166,359    165,268    171,703    177,140    170,672    165,872    165,468 
                                    
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP(1))                                   
Total operating expenses  $69,252   $68,193   $64,809   $63,718   $62,630           
Operating income  $37,782   $28,645   $26,035   $26,705   $23,094           
Income before income taxes  $36,083   $26,987   $23,908   $23,902   $19,752           
Income tax expense  $9,008   $6,731   $5,342   $5,854   $4,833           
Net income  $27,075   $20,256   $18,566   $18,048   $14,919           
Earnings per share—diluted  $0.16   $0.12   $0.11   $0.10   $0.09           
Weighted average common shares—diluted   166,359    165,268    171,703    177,140    170,672           

 

 3 
 

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Revenues

·Operating revenues increased 10.5% and 24.9% from the first quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023, respectively, due to higher average AUM and higher other revenues attributable to our European listed exchange-traded products (“ETPs”).
·Our average advisory fee was 0.37%, 0.36% and 0.36% during the second quarter of 2024, the first quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023, respectively.

Operating Expenses

·Operating expenses increased 6.7% from the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to higher professional fees arising from expenses incurred in connection with an activist campaign, as well as higher marketing expenses.
·Operating expenses increased 8.9% from the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher incentive and stock-based compensation expense and increased headcount, fund management and administration costs, third-party distribution fees and marketing expenses. These increases were partly offset by lower professional fees and the termination of the deferred consideration—gold payments obligation on May 10, 2023.

Other Income/(Expenses)

·Interest expense was essentially unchanged from the first quarter of 2024. Interest expense increased 3.0% from the second quarter of 2023 due to the recognition of imputed interest on our obligation payable to Gold Bullion Holdings (Jersey) Limited (“GBH”), a subsidiary of the World Gold Council, in connection with our repurchase in November 2023 of our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, partly offset by a lower level of debt outstanding.
·Interest income increased 2.9% and 43.8% from the first quarter of 2024 and second quarter of 2023, respectively, due to a higher level of interest-earning assets.
·Other losses and gains, net was a loss of $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2024. The quarter included net losses of $1.3 million and $0.3 million on our investments and financial instruments owned, respectively. Gains and losses also generally arise from the sale of gold and crypto earned from management fees paid by our physically-backed gold and crypto ETPs, foreign exchange fluctuations and other miscellaneous items.

Income Taxes

·Our effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2024 was 26.3%, resulting in income tax expense of $7.8 million. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to non-deductible executive compensation, an increase in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance on losses recognized on our investments and state and local income taxes. These items were partly offset by a lower tax rate on foreign earnings.
·Our adjusted effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2024 was 25.0%(1).

SIX MONTH HIGHLIGHTS

·Operating revenues increased 21.5% as compared to 2023 due to higher average AUM and higher other revenues attributable to our European listed ETPs.
·Operating expenses increased 7.1% as compared to 2023 primarily due to higher incentive and stock-based compensation expense and increased headcount, fund management and administration costs, marketing expenses, sales and business development expenses, third-party distribution fees, as well as higher depreciation and amortization. These increases were partly offset by lower contractual gold payments and professional fees.
·Significant items reported in other income/(expense) in 2024 include: an increase in interest expense of 3.1% due to imputed interest on our obligation payable to GBH, partly offset by a lower level of debt outstanding; an increase in interest income of 36.1% due to an increase in our interest-earning assets; net gains on our financial instruments owned of $1.8 million; and losses on our investments of $1.2 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 2024 was 23.5%, resulting in an income tax expense of $13.5 million. Our tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to non-deductible executive compensation and state and local income taxes. These items were partly offset by a lower tax rate on foreign earnings and tax windfalls associated with the vesting of stock-based compensation awards.

 

 4 
 

CONFERENCE CALL DIAL-IN AND WEBCAST DETAILS

WisdomTree will discuss its results and operational highlights during a live webcast on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET, which can be accessed using the following link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=5z2QQw8B.

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, solutions and products leveraging blockchain technology. We empower investors and consumers 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 and have launched next-generation digital products, services and structures, including digital or blockchain-enabled mutual funds and tokenized assets, as well as our blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime®.*

* The WisdomTree Prime digital wallet and digital asset services are made available through WisdomTree Digital Movement, Inc., a federally registered money services business, state-licensed money transmitter and financial technology company (NMLS ID: 2372500) or WisdomTree Digital Trust Company, LLC, in select U.S. jurisdictions and may be limited where prohibited by law. WisdomTree Digital Trust Company, LLC is chartered as a limited purpose trust company by the New York State Department of Financial Services to engage in virtual currency business. Visit https://www.wisdomtreeprime.com or the WisdomTree Prime mobile app for more information.

WisdomTree currently has approximately $111.2 billion in assets under management globally.

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

Please visit us on X, at @WisdomTreeNews.

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

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA WISDOMTREE PRIME:

NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT SIPC PROTECTED | NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY

The products and services available through the WisdomTree Prime app are not endorsed, indemnified or guaranteed by any regulatory agency.

                                 

(1)See “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements.”
(2)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. In addition, the three months ended December 31, 2023 includes a gain of $7.966 recognized upon the repurchase of our Series C non-voting preferred shares convertible into approximately 13.1 million shares of common stock from GBH, which is excluded from net income, but required to be added to net income to arrive at income available to common stockholders in the calculation of EPS. This gain is excluded from our EPS when computed on a non-GAAP basis.

 

 

Contact Information:

 

Investor Relations Corporate Communications
Jeremy Campbell Jessica Zaloom
+1.917.267.3859 +1.917.267.3735
jeremy.campbell@wisdomtree.com jzaloom@wisdomtree.com

 

 5 
 

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

KEY OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

 

     
   Three Months Ended 
  

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
GLOBAL ETPs ($ in millions)                    
                     
Beginning of period assets  $107,230   $100,124   $93,735   $93,666   $90,740 
Inflows/(outflows)   340    1,990    (255)   1,983    2,327 
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   2,116    5,116    6,644    (1,914)   599 
End of period assets  $109,686   $107,230   $100,124   $93,735   $93,666 
Average assets during the period  $108,392   $102,360   $96,534   $95,743   $91,578 
Average advisory fee during the period   0.37%   0.36%   0.36%   0.36%   0.36%
Revenue days   91    91    92    92    91 
Number of ETFs—end of the period   350    338    337    344    344 
                          
U.S. LISTED ETFs ($ in millions)                         
                          
Beginning of period assets  $78,087   $72,486   $68,018   $65,903   $61,283 
Inflows/(outflows)   1,106    1,983    (67)   3,601    3,249 
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   529    3,618    4,535    (1,486)   1,371 
End of period assets  $79,722   $78,087   $72,486   $68,018   $65,903 
Average assets during the period  $78,436   $74,730   $69,694   $68,008   $62,712 
Number of ETFs—end of the period   78    77    76    80    80 
                          
EUROPEAN LISTED ETPs ($ in millions)                         
                          
Beginning of period assets  $29,143   $27,638   $25,717   $27,763   $29,457 
(Outflows)/inflows   (766)   7    (188)   (1,618)   (922)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   1,587    1,498    2,109    (428)   (772)
End of period assets  $29,964   $29,143   $27,638   $25,717   $27,763 
Average assets during the period  $29,956   $27,630   $26,840   $27,735   $28,866 
Number of ETPs—end of the period   272    261    261    264    264 
                          
PRODUCT CATEGORIES ($ in millions)                         
                          
U.S. Equity                         
Beginning of period assets  $31,670   $29,156   $25,643   $26,001   $24,534 
Inflows   221    536    487    864    414 
Market (depreciation)/appreciation   (57)   1,978    3,026    (1,222)   1,053 
End of period assets  $31,834   $31,670   $29,156   $25,643   $26,001 
Average assets during the period  $31,252   $30,056   $26,822   $26,501   $24,732 
                          
Commodity & Currency                         
Beginning of period assets  $21,944   $21,336   $20,466   $22,384   $24,924 
Outflows   (1,499)   (460)   (449)   (1,814)   (1,513)
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   1,542    1,068    1,319    (104)   (1,027)
End of period assets  $21,987   $21,944   $21,336   $20,466   $22,384 
Average assets during the period  $22,437   $20,837   $21,254   $22,278   $24,033 
                          
Fixed Income                         
Beginning of period assets  $21,218   $21,197   $21,797   $20,215   $18,708 
Inflows/(outflows)   236    (14)   (715)   1,670    1,471 
Market (depreciation)/appreciation   (24)   35    115    (88)   36 
End of period assets  $21,430   $21,218   $21,197   $21,797   $20,215 
Average assets during the period  $21,277   $21,082   $21,889   $20,965   $19,185 

 

 6 
 

 

   Three Months Ended 
  

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
International Developed Market Equity                         
Beginning of period assets  $18,103   $15,103   $13,902   $13,423   $11,433 
Inflows   1,253    1,599    9    798    1,593 
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   29    1,401    1,192    (319)   397 
End of period assets  $19,385   $18,103   $15,103   $13,902   $13,423 
Average assets during the period  $18,809   $16,688   $14,266   $13,873   $12,276 
                          
Emerging Market Equity                         
Beginning of period assets  $11,189   $10,726   $9,569   $9,191   $8,811 
Inflows   57    217    412    451    329 
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   629    246    745    (73)   51 
End of period assets  $11,875   $11,189   $10,726   $9,569   $9,191 
Average assets during the period  $11,448   $10,900   $9,833   $9,652   $8,998 
                          
Leveraged & Inverse                         
Beginning of period assets  $1,828   $1,815   $1,781   $1,864   $1,785 
(Outflows)/inflows   (18)   (50)   (59)   (1)   12 
Market appreciation/(depreciation)   112    63    93    (82)   67 
End of period assets  $1,922   $1,828   $1,815   $1,781   $1,864 
Average assets during the period  $1,905   $1,792   $1,803   $1,894   $1,798 
                          
Cryptocurrency                         
Beginning of period assets  $874   $414   $243   $248   $239 
Inflows   75    158    28    10    (1)
Market (depreciation)/appreciation   (111)   302    143    (15)   10 
End of period assets  $838   $874   $414   $243   $248 
Average assets during the period  $856   $614   $325   $238   $236 
                          
Alternatives                         
Beginning of period assets  $404   $377   $334   $340   $306 
Inflows   15    4    32    5    22 
Market (depreciation)/appreciation   (4)   23    11    (11)   12 
End of period assets  $415   $404   $377   $334   $340 
Average assets during the period  $408   $391   $342   $342   $320 
                          
Headcount   304    300    303    299    291 

 

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)

 

  

June 30,
2024

 

Dec. 31,
2023

   (Unaudited)     
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  $132,459   $129,305 
Financial instruments owned, at fair value   69,783    58,722 
Accounts receivable   42,664    35,473 
Prepaid expenses   8,595    5,258 
Other current assets   1,199    1,036 
Total current assets   254,700    229,794 
Fixed assets, net   413    427 
Securities held-to-maturity   218    230 
Deferred tax assets, net   6,786    11,057 
Investments   8,288    9,684 
Right of use assets—operating leases   847    563 
Goodwill   86,841    86,841 
Intangible assets, net   605,580    605,082 
Other noncurrent assets   457    459 
Total assets  $964,130   $944,137 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
LIABILITIES          
Current liabilities:          
Fund management and administration payable  $26,551   $30,085 
Compensation and benefits payable   20,315    38,111 
Payable to Gold Bullion Holdings (Jersey) Limited (“GBH”)   14,804    14,804 
Income taxes payable   1,830    3,866 
Operating lease liabilities   847    578 
Accounts payable and other liabilities   20,341    15,772 
Total current liabilities   84,688    103,216 
Convertible notes—long term   275,638    274,888 
Payable to GBH   25,671    24,328 
Total liabilities   385,997    402,432 
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: 151,857 and 150,330 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   1,519    1,503 
Additional paid-in capital   315,359    312,440 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (931)   (548)
Retained earnings   129,617    95,741 
Total stockholders’ equity   445,564    409,136 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $964,130   $944,137 

 

 8 
 

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2024   2023
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $43,870   $70,485 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Advisory and license fees paid in gold, other precious metals and cryptocurrency   (25,365)   (25,692)
Stock-based compensation   10,755    8,506 
Deferred income taxes   4,326    2,964 
Gains on financial instruments owned, at fair value   (1,772)   (947)
Imputed interest on payable to GBH   1,342     
Losses on investments   1,195    819 
Depreciation and amortization   801    230 
Amortization of issuance costs—convertible notes   750    1,069 
Amortization of right of use asset   647    640 
Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred consideration—gold payments       (61,953)
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes       9,721 
Impairments       4,900 
Contractual gold payments       6,069 
Other       (946)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (7,132)   (5,254)
Prepaid expenses   (3,353)   (3,425)
Gold and other precious metals   24,972    18,441 
Other assets   (118)   347 
Fund management and administration payable   (3,430)   6,419 
Compensation and benefits payable   (17,657)   (18,941)
Income taxes payable   (2,028)   (2,523)
Operating lease liabilities   (662)   (652)
Accounts payable and other liabilities   4,031    9,752 
Net cash provided by operating activities   31,172    20,029 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of financial instruments owned, at fair value   (14,193)   (40,532)
Purchase of investments       (10,000)
Cash paid—software development   (1,184)    
Purchase of fixed assets   (102)   (58)
Proceeds from the sale of financial instruments owned, at fair value   5,303    102,020 
Proceeds from the exit from investment in Securrency, Inc.   465     
Proceeds from held-to-maturity securities maturing or called prior to maturity   12    14 
Receipt of contingent consideration—Sale of Canadian ETF business       1,477 
Acquisition of Securrency Transfers, Inc. (net of cash acquired)       (985)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities   (9,699)   51,936 
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Dividends paid   (9,873)   (9,647)
Shares repurchased   (7,820)   (3,540)
Repurchase and maturity of convertible notes       (184,272)
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes       130,000 
Termination of deferred consideration—gold payments       (50,005)
Issuance costs—convertible notes       (3,548)
Issuance costs—Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock       (97)
Net cash used in financing activities   (17,693)   (121,109)
(Decrease)/increase in cash flow due to changes in foreign exchange rate   (626)   778 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   3,154    (48,366)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of year   129,305    132,101 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period  $132,459   $83,735 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for income taxes  $11,138   $5,900 
Cash paid for interest  $6,175   $4,514 

 

 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:

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. We exclude these items when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as the gains and losses introduce volatility in earnings and are not core to our operating business.

Tax windfalls and shortfalls upon vesting of stock-based compensation awards: GAAP requires the recognition of tax windfalls and shortfalls within income tax expense. These items arise upon the vesting 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.

Imputed interest on our payable to the Gold Bullion Holdings (Jersey) Limited (“GBH”): During the fourth quarter of 2023, we repurchased our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, which was convertible into approximately 13.1 million shares of WisdomTree common stock, from GBH, a subsidiary of the World Gold Council, for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $84.4 million. Under the terms of the transaction, we paid GBH $40.0 million on the closing date, with the remainder of the purchase price payable in equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date, with no requirement to pay interest. Under US GAAP, the obligation is recorded at its present value utilizing a market rate of interest on the closing date of 7.0% and the corresponding discount is amortized as interest expense pursuant to the effective interest method of accounting over the life of the obligation. We exclude this item when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as recognition of interest expense is non-cash and contrary to the stated terms of our obligation.

Other items: Gains and losses recognized on our investments, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowance, expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign, unrealized gains or losses on the revaluation/termination of deferred consideration—gold payments which we terminated in the second quarter of 2023, loss on extinguishment of convertible notes, impairments and litigation expenses associated with certain provisions of our Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 17, 2023, as amended, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, 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.

 

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GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (CONSOLIDATED)

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended 

 

Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share:

 

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
                     
Net income, as reported  $21,759   $22,111   $19,077   $12,984   $54,252 
Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist
campaign, net of income taxes
   3,234    526            3,720 
Add back/(deduct): Losses/(gains) recognized on investments,
net of income taxes
   998    (93)   (336)   323    (2,346)
Add back: Imputed interest on payable to GBH, net of income
taxes
   513    504    224         
Add back/(deduct): Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax asset
valuation allowance on financial instruments owned and
investments
   391    (531)   (280)   1,234    (508)
Add back/(deduct): Losses/(gains) on financial instruments
owned, net of income taxes
   220    (1,562)   (370)   1,479    762 
(Deduct)/add back: Tax (windfalls)/shortfalls upon vesting of
stock-based compensation awards
   (40)   (699)   (6)   (18)   33 
Add back: Litigation expenses associated with certain
provisions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement, net of
income taxes
                   367 
Add back: Impairments, net of income taxes           257    2,046     
Deduct: Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred
consideration—gold payments
                   (41,361)
Adjusted net income  $27,075   $20,256   $18,566   $18,048   $14,919 
Weighted average common shares—diluted   166,359    165,268    171,703    177,140    170,672 
Adjusted earnings per share—diluted  $0.16   $0.12   $0.11   $0.10   $0.09 

 

   Three Months Ended 

 

Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percentage:

 

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
                     
Operating revenues  $107,034   $96,838   $90,844   $90,423   $85,724 
Less: Fund management and administration   (20,139)   (19,962)   (18,445)   (18,023)   (17,727)
Gross margin  $86,895   $76,876   $72,399   $72,400   $67,997 
Gross margin percentage   81.2%   79.4%   79.7%   80.1%   79.3%

 

   Three Months Ended 

Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating

Income Margin:

 

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
                     
Operating revenues  $107,034   $96,838   $90,844   $90,423   $85,724 
Operating income  $33,511   $27,950   $26,035   $26,705   $18,181 
Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist
campaign
   4,271    695            4,913 
Adjusted operating income  $37,782   $28,645   $26,035   $26,705   $23,094 
Adjusted operating income margin   35.3%   29.6%   28.7%   29.5%   26.9%

 

 

 11 
 

 

   Three Months Ended 

 

Adjusted Total Operating Expenses:

 

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
                     
Total operating expenses  $73,523   $68,888   $64,809   $63,718   $67,543 
Deduct: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign   (4,271)   (695)           (4,913)
Adjusted total operating expenses  $69,252   $68,193   $64,809   $63,718   $62,630 

 

   Three Months Ended 

 

Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes:

 

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
                     
Income before income taxes  $29,526   $27,812   $24,765   $18,820   $57,807 
Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist
campaign
   4,271    695            4,913 
Add back/(deduct): Losses/(gains) recognized on investments   1,318    (123)   (1,003)   426    (3,099)
Add back: Imputed interest on payable to GBH   677    666    296         
Add back/(deduct): Losses/(gains) on financial instruments
owned
   291    (2,063)   (489)   1,953    1,007 
Add back: Litigation expenses associated with certain
provisions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement
                   485 
Add back: Impairments           339    2,703     
Deduct: Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred
consideration—gold payments
                   (41,361)
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes                    
Adjusted income before income taxes  $36,083   $26,987   $23,908   $23,902   $19,752 

 

   Three Months Ended 
Adjusted Income Tax Expense and Adjusted Effective Income
Tax Rate:
 

June 30,

2024

  

Mar. 31,

2024

  

Dec. 31,

2023

  

Sept. 30,

2023

  

June 30,

2023

 
                     
Adjusted income before income taxes (above)  $36,083   $26,987   $23,908   $23,902   $19,752 
Income tax expense  $7,767   $5,701   $5,688   $5,836   $3,555 
Add back: Tax benefit arising from expenses incurred in
response to an activist campaign
   1,037    169            1,193 
(Deduct)/add back: (Increase)/decrease in deferred tax asset
valuation allowance on financial instruments owned and
investments
   (391)   531    280    (1,234)   508 
Add back/(deduct): Tax benefit/(expense) on gains and losses on
investments
   320    (30)   (667)   103    (753)
Add back: Tax benefit on imputed interest   164    162    72         
Add back/(deduct): Tax benefit/(expense) arising from
(gains)/losses on financial instruments owned
   71    (501)   (119)   474    245 
Add back/(deduct): Tax windfalls/(shortfalls) upon vesting of
stock-based compensation awards
   40    699    6    18    (33)
Add back: Tax benefit arising from litigation expenses
associated with certain provisions of the Stockholder Rights
Agreement
                   118 
Add back: Tax benefit arising from impairments           82    657     
Adjusted income tax expense  $9,008   $6,731   $5,342   $5,854   $4,833 
Adjusted effective income tax rate   25.0%   24.9%   22.3%   24.5%   24.5%

 

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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 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:

·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 potential for 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;
·the effect of laws and regulations that apply to our business; and
·actions of activist stockholders.

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

·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 events such as a pandemic or war, geopolitical conflicts, political events, acts of terrorism and other matters beyond our control, 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;
·withdrawals or broad changes in investments in our ETPs by investors with significant positions may negatively impact revenues and operating margins;
·we face increased operational, regulatory, financial and other risks as a result of conducting our business internationally, and as we expand our digital assets product offerings and services beyond our existing ETP business;
·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, which 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, 2023 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

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.

 

Category: Business Update

 

 

13