Eaton Vance Corp. Report for the Three Months and Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019

BOSTON, Nov. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) today reported earnings per diluted share of $3.50 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, an increase of 13 percent from $3.11 of earnings per diluted share in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The Company reported adjusted earnings per diluted share⁽¹⁾ of $3.45 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, an increase of 7 percent from $3.21 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Earnings under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) exceeded adjusted earnings by $0.05 per diluted share in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, reflecting the reversal of net excess tax benefits related to stock‐based compensation awards of $5.4 million. Adjusted earnings exceeded earnings under U.S. GAAP by $0.10 per diluted share in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, reflecting the add back of $24.0 million of charges related to enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the 2017 Tax Act), a $6.5 million charge recognized upon the expiration of the Company's option to acquire an additional 26 percent ownership interest in 49 percent-owned Hexavest, Inc. (Hexavest) and the reversal of net excess tax benefits related to stock‐based compensation awards of $17.5 million.

The Company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.96 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 10 percent from $0.87 of earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and an increase of 7 percent from $0.90 of earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. 

The Company reported adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.95 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 12 percent from $0.85 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and an increase of 6 percent from $0.90 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Earnings under U.S. GAAP exceeded adjusted earnings by $0.01 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and $0.02 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, reflecting the reversal of net excess tax benefits related to stock‐based compensation awards of $1.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Earnings under U.S. GAAP matched adjusted earnings in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Net gains and other investment income related to seed capital investments contributed $0.13 and $0.03 to earnings per diluted share in the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Other income and expense amounts related to consolidated collateralized loan obligation (CLO) entities contributed $0.07 and $0.01 to earnings per diluted share in the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Net gains and other investment income related to seed capital investments contributed $0.04 to earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, $0.01 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and $0.06 in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Other income and expense amounts related to consolidated CLO entities contributed $0.04 to earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, were negligible in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and reduced earnings by $0.02 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Consolidated net inflows of $23.9 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 represent 5 percent internal growth in managed assets (consolidated net inflows divided by beginning of period consolidated assets under management). This compares to net inflows of $17.3 billion and 4 percent internal growth in managed assets in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Excluding exposure management mandates, the Company's internal growth in managed assets was 4 percent and 8 percent in the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Consolidated net inflows of $9.8 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 represent 8 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets. This compares to net inflows of $2.1 billion and 2 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and net inflows of $8.0 billion and 7 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Excluding exposure management mandates, the Company's annualized internal growth in managed assets was 3 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 5 percent in both the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The Company's internal management fee revenue growth (management fees attributable to consolidated inflows less management fees attributable to consolidated outflows divided by beginning of period consolidated management fee revenue) was negligible in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and 4 percent in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The Company's annualized internal management fee revenue growth was 2 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, 1 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. These growth rates reflect the Company's retrospective adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, on November 1, 2018, which provides for management fee revenue to be recorded net of associated subsidy expenses.

Consolidated assets under management were $497.4 billion on October 31, 2019, up 13 percent from $439.3 billion of consolidated managed assets on October 31, 2018 and up 3 percent from $482.8 billion of consolidated managed assets on July 31, 2019. The year-over-year increase in consolidated assets under management reflects net inflows of $23.9 billion and market price appreciation of $34.2 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The sequential quarterly increase in consolidated assets under management reflects net inflows of $9.8 billion and market price appreciation of $4.9 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

"Eaton Vance closed fiscal 2019 with record annual and quarterly earnings and new highs in assets under management," said Thomas E. Faust Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While not immune from our industry's continuing challenges, we remain confident of our future growth prospects."

Average consolidated assets under management were $462.8 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, up 5 percent from $442.4 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Average consolidated assets under management were $488.9 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, up 8 percent from $453.3 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and up 4 percent from $471.0 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

As shown in Attachment 10, excluding performance-based fees, annualized management fee rates on consolidated assets under management averaged 31.6 basis points in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, down 4 percent from 33.0 basis points in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Excluding performance-based fees, annualized management fee rates on consolidated assets under management averaged 30.8 basis points in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, down 6 percent from 32.7 basis points in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and down 3 percent from 31.8 basis points in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Changes in average annualized management fee rates for the compared periods primarily reflect shifts in the Company's mix of business. Average annualized management fee rates for prior year periods have been restated to reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09 on November 1, 2018 as described above.

Attachments 5 and 6 summarize the Company's consolidated assets under management and net flows by investment mandate and investment vehicle reporting categories. Attachments 7, 8 and 9 summarize the Company's ending consolidated assets under management by investment mandate, investment vehicle and investment affiliate. Attachment 10 shows the Company's average annualized management fee rates by investment mandate.

As shown in Attachments 5 and 6, consolidated sales and other inflows were $168.9 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, up 8 percent from $156.5 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Consolidated sales and other inflows were $46.6 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, up 32 percent from $35.2 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and up 14 percent from $40.8 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Consolidated redemptions and other outflows were $144.9 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, up 4 percent from $139.1 billion in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. Consolidated redemptions and other outflows were $36.8 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, up 12 percent from $33.0 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and up 12 percent from $32.8 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

As of October 31, 2019, the Company's 49 percent-owned affiliate Hexavest Inc. (Hexavest) managed $13.4 billion of client assets, down 3 percent from $13.8 billion of managed assets on October 31, 2018 and substantially unchanged from the $13.4 billion of managed assets on July 31, 2019. Hexavest had net outflows of $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion in the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Hexavest had net outflows of $0.4 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, net outflows of $0.9 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and net outflows of $0.6 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Attachment 11 summarizes the assets under management and net flows of Hexavest. Other than Eaton Vance-sponsored funds for which Hexavest is the adviser or sub-adviser, the managed assets and flows of Hexavest are not included in Eaton Vance consolidated totals. 

Fiscal 2019 vs. Fiscal 2018⁽²⁾ 

In fiscal 2019, revenue decreased 1 percent to $1.68 billion from $1.69 billion in fiscal 2018. Management fees were substantially unchanged year-over-year, as a 5 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management was offset by lower consolidated average management fee rates. Performance fees were $1.7 million in fiscal 2019 and $(1.7) million in fiscal 2018. Distribution and service fee revenues were collectively down 5 percent, reflecting lower managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees.

Operating expenses increased 2 percent to $1.16 billion in fiscal 2019 from $1.14 billion in fiscal 2018. Increases in compensation, service fee expense, amortization of deferred sales commissions, fund-related expenses and other operating expenses were partially offset by a decrease in distribution expense. The increase in compensation reflects higher salaries and benefits associated with increases in headcount, higher stock-based compensation and increases in severance, partially offset by lower sales-based incentive compensation and operating income-based bonus accruals. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher Class A and private fund service fee payments, partially offset by lower Class C service fee payments. The increase in amortization of deferred sales commissions reflects higher private fund commission amortization. The increase in fund-related expenses reflects higher sub-advisory fees paid. Other operating expenses increased 5 percent, primarily reflecting increases in information technology spending, facilities expenses and travel expenses, partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets that were fully amortized during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and lower professional services expenses. The decrease in distribution expense primarily reflects lower Class C distribution fee payments, partially offset by higher marketing and promotion costs and an increase in up-front sales commission expense.

Operating income decreased 6 percent to $520.9 million in fiscal 2019 from $555.2 million in fiscal 2018. Operating margin decreased to 30.9 percent in fiscal 2019 from 32.8 percent in fiscal 2018.

Non-operating income totaled $38.2 million in fiscal 2019 versus $12.0 million of non-operating expense in fiscal 2018. The year-over-year change primarily reflects a $41.0 million increase in net gains and other investment income from the Company's investments in sponsored strategies, including consolidated sponsored funds, and a $9.3 million increase in income contribution from consolidated CLO entities.

The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates, was 24.2 percent in fiscal 2019 and 28.8 percent in fiscal 2018. The Company's effective tax rate is discussed in greater detail under "Taxation" below.

Equity in net income of affiliates was $9.1 million in fiscal 2019 and $11.4 million in fiscal 2018. In fiscal 2019, substantially all equity in net income of affiliates related to the Company's investment in Hexavest. Equity in net income of affiliates in fiscal 2018 included $11.0 million from the Company's Hexavest investment and $0.4 million from the Company's investment in a private equity partnership.

As detailed in Attachment 3, net income attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $32.8 million in fiscal 2019 and $16.0 million in fiscal 2018. The year-over-year change reflects an increase in income earned by consolidated sponsored funds and the Company's accelerated repurchase of certain profit and capital interests in Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (Parametric) entities held by current and former employees, which settled at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

The Company's weighted average basic shares outstanding were 110.1 million in fiscal 2019 and 114.7 million in fiscal 2018, a decrease of 4 percent. The year-over-year reduction reflects share repurchases in excess of new shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of employee stock options. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding were 114.4 million in fiscal 2019 and 122.9 million in fiscal 2018, a decrease of 7 percent. The decline in weighted average diluted shares outstanding further reflects a decrease in the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and unvested restricted stock awards due to lower market prices of the Company's shares.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 vs. Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2018⁽²⁾ 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, revenue increased 1 percent to $433.7 million from $430.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Management fees were up 2 percent, as an 8 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management more than offset lower consolidated average management fee rates. Performance fees were $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and $(0.3) million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Distribution and service fee revenues were collectively down 3 percent, reflecting lower managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees.

Operating expenses increased 4 percent to $298.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from $286.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Increases in compensation, service fee expense, amortization of deferred sales commissions and fund-related expenses were partially offset by decreases in distribution expense and other operating expenses. The increase in compensation reflects higher salaries and benefits associated with increases in headcount, higher stock-based compensation and increases in severance, partially offset by decreases in performance-based and operating income-based bonus accruals and lower sales-based incentive compensation. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher Class A and private fund service fee payments, partially offset by lower Class C service fee payments. The increase in amortization of deferred sales commissions reflects higher private fund commission amortization. The increase in fund-related expenses reflects higher sub-advisory fees paid. The decrease in distribution expense primarily reflects lower Class C distribution fee payments, partially offset by an increase in up-front sales commission expense. Other operating expenses decreased by 1 percent, primarily reflecting lower professional services expenses and a decrease in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets that were fully amortized during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, partially offset by an increase in information technology spending and facilities expenses.

Operating income decreased 6 percent to $135.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from $144.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Operating margin decreased to 31.2 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from 33.5 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

Non-operating income totaled $15.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 versus $4.9 million of non-operating expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The year-over-year change reflects a $14.6 million increase in net gains and other investment income from the Company's investments in sponsored strategies, including consolidated sponsored funds, and a $5.9 million increase in income contribution from consolidated CLO entities.

The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates, was 22.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 26.4 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company's effective tax rate is discussed in greater detail under "Taxation" below.

Equity in net income of affiliates was $2.2 million and $2.5 million in the fourth quarters of fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively, substantially all relating to the Company's investment in Hexavest.

As detailed in Attachment 3, net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and $(0.3) million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The year-over-year change reflects an increase in income earned by consolidated sponsored funds and the Company's accelerated repurchase of certain profit and capital interests in Parametric entities held by current and former employees, which settled at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

The Company's weighted average basic shares outstanding were 108.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 113.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease of 4 percent. The year-over-year reduction reflects share repurchases in excess of new shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of employee stock options. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding were 113.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 121.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease of 6 percent. The decline in weighted average diluted shares outstanding further reflects a decrease in the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and unvested restricted stock awards due to lower market prices of the Company's shares.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 vs. Third Quarter Fiscal 2019    

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, revenue increased 1 percent to $433.7 million from $431.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Management fees were up 1 percent, as a 4 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management more than offset lower consolidated average management fee rates. Performance fees were $0.1 million in both the fourth and third quarters of fiscal 2019. Distribution and service fee revenues were collectively up 1 percent, reflecting higher managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees.

Operating expenses increased 1 percent to $298.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from $294.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, reflecting increases in compensation, distribution expense, service fee expense, amortization of deferred sales commissions and fund-related expenses. The increase in compensation reflects higher salaries and benefits associated with increases in headcount, higher sales-based incentive compensation and increases in severance, partially offset by decreases in performance-based and operating income-based bonus accruals, lower payroll taxes and a decrease in stock-based compensation. The increase in distribution expense reflects higher marketing and promotion costs and an increase in up-front sales commission expense. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher private fund service fee payments. The increase in amortization of deferred sales commissions reflects higher private fund commission amortization. The increase in fund-related expenses primarily reflects an increase in fund expenses borne by the Company and higher sub-advisory fees paid. Other operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were substantially unchanged from the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Operating income decreased 1 percent to $135.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from $137.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Operating margin decreased to 31.2 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from 31.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Non-operating income totaled $15.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and $5.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The sequential change reflects a $9.8 million increase in income contribution from consolidated CLO entities and a $0.3 million increase in net gains and other investment income from the Company's investments in sponsored strategies, including consolidated sponsored funds.

The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates, was 22.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 25.5 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company's effective tax rate is discussed in greater detail under "Taxation" below.

Equity in net income of affiliates was $2.2 million in both the fourth and third quarters of fiscal 2019, substantially all relating to the Company's investment in Hexavest.

As detailed in Attachment 3, net income attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and $6.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The sequential change reflects an increase in income earned by consolidated sponsored funds and the Company's accelerated repurchase of certain profit and capital interests in Parametric entities held by current and former employees, which settled at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.

The Company's weighted average basic shares outstanding decreased to 108.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from 109.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The sequential reduction reflects share repurchases in excess of new shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of employee stock options. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding increased to 113.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 from 113.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The increase in weighted average diluted shares outstanding reflects an increase in the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and unvested restricted stock awards due to higher market prices of the Company's shares.

Taxation

The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company's effective tax rate:

The Company's income tax provision for fiscal 2019 includes $3.2 million of charges associated with certain provisions of the 2017 Tax Act taking effect for the Company in fiscal 2019, relating principally to limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. These charges totaled $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and $1.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The Company's income tax provision for fiscal 2019 and 2018 was reduced by net excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation awards of $5.4 million and $17.5 million, respectively. These net excess tax benefits totaled $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and $0.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The Company's income tax provision for fiscal 2018 also included a non-recurring charge of $24.0 million related to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company's income tax provision was reduced by $0.7 million due to the refinement of prior estimates used to calculate the non-recurring impact of the 2017 Tax Act.

The Company's calculations of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share remove the tax impact of stock-based compensation shortfalls or windfalls recognized in connection with the accounting guidance adopted by the Company in fiscal 2018 and the non-recurring tax impact of U.S. tax law changes. On this basis, the Company's adjusted effective tax rate was 25.2 percent and 27.6 percent for fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively, and was 23.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, 28.6 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and 25.9 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. On the same adjusted basis, the Company estimates that its effective tax rate will be approximately 26.5 to 27.0 percent for fiscal 2020. The Company's actual adjusted effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 may vary from this estimate due to changes in the Company's tax policy interpretations and assumptions, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued and other factors.

Balance Sheet Information

As of October 31, 2019, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $557.7 million and its investments included $297.8 million of short-term debt securities with maturities between 90 days and one year. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Company's $300 million credit facility at such date. During fiscal 2019, the Company used $299.9 million to repurchase and retire approximately 7.4 million shares of its Non-Voting Common Stock under its repurchase authorizations. Of the current 8.0 million share repurchase authorization, approximately 6.3 million shares remain available.

Conference Call Information

Eaton Vance Corp. will host a conference call and webcast at 11:00 AM eastern time today to discuss the financial results for the three months and fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. To participate in the conference call, please dial 866-521-4909 (domestic) or 647-427-2311 (international) and refer to "Eaton Vance Corp. Fourth Fiscal Quarter Earnings." A webcast of the conference call can also be accessed via Eaton Vance's website, eatonvance.com.

A replay of the call will be available for one week by calling 800-585-8367 (domestic) or 416-621-4642 (international) or by accessing Eaton Vance's website, eatonvance.com. To listen to the replay, enter the conference ID number 9993809 when instructed.

About Eaton Vance Corp.

Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) provides advanced investment strategies and wealth management solutions to forward-thinking investors around the world. Through principal investment affiliates Eaton Vance Management, Parametric, Atlanta Capital, Calvert and Hexavest, the Company offers a diversity of investment approaches, encompassing bottom-up and top-down fundamental active management, responsible investing, systematic investing and customized implementation of client-specified portfolio exposures. As of October 31, 2019, Eaton Vance had consolidated assets under management of $497.4 billion. Exemplary service, timely innovation and attractive returns across market cycles have been hallmarks of Eaton Vance since 1924. For more information, visit eatonvance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as "forward-looking statements." The Company's actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward-looking statements, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, client sales and redemption activity, the continuation of investment advisory, administration, distribution and service contracts, and other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SOURCE Eaton Vance Corp.

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