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United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2004.

 

¨   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Transition Period from              to             .

 

Commission file number 1-31234

 


 

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

 

DELAWARE   75-2969997

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

300 CRESCENT COURT, SUITE 1300

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201

(Address of Principal Executive Office)(Zip Code)

 

TELEPHONE NUMBER (214) 756-6900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value—5,549,472 shares as of April 21, 2004.

 



Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

 

INDEX

 

          PAGE

PART I

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

  

Unaudited Financial Statements

    
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

   1
    

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003

   2
    

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2004

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003

   4
    

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   10

Item 3.

  

Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   15

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   15

PART II

  

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   15

Item 2.

  

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

   15

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   15

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   15

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   15

Item 6.

  

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   16

Signatures

   16


Table of Contents

PART I

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    

March 31,

2004


    December 31,
2003


 
ASSETS                 

Current Assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,603     $ 3,643  

Accounts receivable

     2,113       1,931  

Investments, at market value

     18,342       17,413  
    


 


Total current assets

     23,058       22,987  

Goodwill

     2,302       2,302  

Other assets, net

     1,031       948  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 26,391     $ 26,237  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Current Liabilities:

                

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 1,112     $ 935  

Dividends payable

     222       167  

Compensation and benefits payable

     738       2,776  

Income taxes payable

     1,281       472  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     3,353       4,350  

Other liabilities

     25       34  
    


 


Total liabilities

     3,378       4,384  
    


 


Stockholders’ Equity:

                

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued 5,549,472 and outstanding 5,549,119 shares at March 31, 2004, issued 5,550,472 and outstanding 5,550,119 shares at December 31, 2003

     55       56  

Additional paid-in capital

     12,996       12,952  

Treasury stock, at cost – 353 shares at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

     (6 )     (6 )

Unamortized stock compensation

     (2,387 )     (2,609 )

Retained earnings

     12,355       11,460  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     23,013       21,853  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 26,391     $ 26,237  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


     2004

   2003

REVENUES:

             

Advisory fees

   $ 3,420    $ 3,620

Trust fees

     1,452      1,139

Other revenues

     171      253
    

  

Total revenues

     5,043      5,012
    

  

EXPENSES:

             

Employee compensation and benefits

     2,337      2,119

Sales and marketing

     100      143

Information technology

     172      175

Professional services

     224      259

General and administrative

     381      349
    

  

Total expenses

     3,214      3,045
    

  

Income before income taxes

     1,829      1,967

Provision for income tax expense

     712      717
    

  

Net income

   $ 1,117    $ 1,250
    

  

Earnings per share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.21    $ 0.23

Diluted

   $ 0.21    $ 0.23

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

Westwood

Holdings

Group, Inc.

Common

Stock, Par


    Additional
Paid-In
Capital


   

Treasury

Stock


    Unamortized
Stock
Compensation


   

Retained

Earnings


    Total

 

BALANCE, January 1, 2004

   $ 56     $ 12,952     $ (6 )   $ (2,609 )   $ 11,460     $ 21,853  

Net income

                                     1,117       1,117  

Dividends declared ($0.04 per share)

                                     (222 )     (222 )

Stock options vested

             62                               62  

Cancellation of restricted stock

     (1 )     (19 )             20               —    

Amortization of stock compensation

                             202               202  

Tax benefit related to restricted stock

             1                               1  
    


 


 


 


 


 


BALANCE, March 31, 2004

   $ 55     $ 12,996     $ (6 )   $ (2,387 )   $ 12,355     $ 23,013  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     For the three months
ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 1,117     $ 1,250  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     23       24  

Stock option expense

     62       67  

Amortization of stock compensation

     202       —    

Accretion of discount on notes receivable from stockholders

     —         (109 )

Purchases of investments

     (2,155 )     (2,561 )

Sales of investments

     1,930       1,765  

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Increase in accounts receivable

     (182 )     (13 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (47 )     86  

Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     177       27  

Decrease in compensation and benefits payable

     (2,038 )     (2,652 )

Increase in income taxes payable

     810       754  

Decrease in other liabilities

     (9 )     (8 )
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (110 )     (1,370 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Purchases of money market funds

     (706 )     (720 )

Sales of money market funds

     2       501  

Purchase of other assets

     (59 )     (39 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (763 )     (258 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Cash dividends

     (167 )     (108 )

Payments on notes receivable from stockholders

     —         965  
    


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (167 )     857  
    


 


NET DECREASE IN CASH

     (1,040 )     (771 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     3,643       4,359  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 2,603     $ 3,588  
    


 


Supplemental cash flow information:

                

Cash (refunded) paid during the period for income taxes

   $ (32 )   $ 4  

Cancellation of restricted stock

     (20 )     —    

Tax benefit allocated directly to equity

     1       —    

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Unaudited)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

 

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 12, 2001, as a subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. (“SWS”). On June 28, 2002, SWS completed the spin-off of Westwood by effecting a dividend distribution of all of the Westwood common stock held by SWS to all of its stockholders on a pro rata basis.

 

Westwood manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Management”) and Westwood Trust (“Trust”). Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds and also clients of Trust. Trust provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. Revenue is largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under management (“AUM”). Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and in the composition of AUM impact revenue and results of operations.

 

Management is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Trust is chartered and regulated by the Texas Department of Banking.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit and reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2004, and results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All such adjustments are normal and recurring in nature. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented using the accrual basis of accounting and have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for the presentation of interim financial information as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, therefore, do not purport to contain all necessary financial disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America that might otherwise be necessary in the circumstances, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Refer to the accounting policies described in the notes to the Company’s annual financial statements, which were consistently followed in preparing this interim financial information. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2004 or any future period.

 

Within these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, historical transactions and events involving Management and Trust are discussed as if the Company were the entity involved in the transaction or event.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Unaudited)

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized as services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between the Company’s subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of AUM. Advisory and trust fees are generally payable in advance on a calendar quarterly basis. Advance payments are deferred and recognized over the periods services are performed. Other revenues generally consist of interest and investment income and consulting fees. These revenues are recognized as earned or as the services are performed.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less.

 

Investments

 

Money market securities are classified as available for sale securities and have no significant fluctuating values. All other marketable securities are classified as trading securities. All securities are carried at quoted market value on the accompanying balance sheet. Net unrealized holding gains or losses on investments classified as trading securities are reflected as a component of other revenues. The Company measures realized gains and losses on investments using the specific identification method.

 

Goodwill

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Upon adoption of SFAS 142 the Company discontinued its amortization of goodwill. During the third quarters of 2003 and 2002, the Company completed its annual impairment assessment as required by SFAS 142. No impairment loss or transition adjustments were required. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of July 1.

 

Federal Income Taxes

 

The Company files a Federal income tax return as a consolidated group for the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured at enacted income tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse, and are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Deferred income tax expense is generally the result of changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Stock Options

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company elected to begin expensing the cost associated with stock options granted subsequent to January 1, 2002 to employees as well as non-employee directors under the SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” fair value model. The Company values stock options issued based upon an option pricing model and recognizes this value as an expense over the periods in which the options vest. For stock options granted prior to January 1, 2002, the Company accounted for its option plan under the APB 25 intrinsic value model, which resulted in no compensation cost being recognized at date of grant or at the vesting of the SWS options on June 28, 2002. If the Company had continued to account for option grants under APB 25 for the 2003 period, reported net income would have been $1,157,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Unaudited)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available information. The fair value amounts discussed in Note 3 are not necessarily indicative of either the amounts the Company would realize upon disposition of these instruments or the Company’s intent or ability to dispose of these assets. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, as well as accounts receivable and payable, approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of investments designated as “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations as well as mutual fund shares, equals their fair value, which is equal to prices quoted in active markets and, with respect to mutual funds, the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. The carrying amount of investments designated as “available for sale” securities, primarily money market accounts, equals their fair value, which is equal to the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. The market values of the Company’s money market holdings generally do not fluctuate.

 

Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for these periods is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the effect of the dilutive impact of stock options and shares of restricted stock granted to employees and non-employee directors, as well as the dilutive impact of shares of the Company’s common stock held in the deferred compensation plan. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the treasury stock method.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share and share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


     2004

   2003

Net income

   $ 1,117    $ 1,250

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

     5,398,619      5,394,159

Dilutive potential shares from stock options

     18,818      563

Dilutive potential shares from restricted shares

     11,932      —  

Dilutive potential shares from deferred compensation plan

     353      353
    

  

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     5,429,722      5,395,075
    

  

Earnings per share – basic

   $ 0.21    $ 0.23

Earnings per share – diluted

   $ 0.21    $ 0.23

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Unaudited)

 

3. INVESTMENTS:

 

Investments held as trading securities and investments held as available for sale securities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Cost

  

Gross

Unrealized
Gains


   Gross
Unrealized
Losses


   Estimated
Market
Value


March 31, 2004:

                           

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

   $ 1,606    $ —      $ —      $ 1,606

Funds:

                           

Money Market

     15,849      —        —        15,849

Equity

     632      139      —        771

Bond

     113      3      —        116
    

  

  

  

Marketable securities

   $ 18,200    $ 142    $ —      $ 18,342
    

  

  

  

December 31, 2003:

                           

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

   $ 1,602    $ —      $ —      $ 1,602

Funds:

                           

Money Market

     15,137      —        —        15,137

Equity

     485      105      —        590

Bond

     81      3      —        84
    

  

  

  

Marketable securities

   $ 17,305    $ 108    $ —      $ 17,413
    

  

  

  

 

All of these investments are carried at market value. The money market funds are available for sale securities. The other investments are trading securities.

 

4. EQUITY:

 

On February 3, 2004, Westwood’s Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per common share payable on April 1, 2004 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2004.

 

5. SEGMENT REPORTING:

 

The Company operates two segments: the Management segment and the Trust segment. Such segments are managed separately based on types of products and services offered and their related client bases. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based primarily on income before income taxes.

 

Management

 

The Management segment provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, and investment subadvisory services to mutual funds and clients of Trust.

 

Trust

 

The Trust segment provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that Trust sponsors.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Unaudited)

 

All segment accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment balances that eliminate in consolidation have been applied to the appropriate segment.

 

     Management

   Trust

   Other

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

     (in thousands)

Three months ended March 31, 2004

                                    

Net revenues from external sources

   $ 3,561    $ 1,457    $ 25     $ —       $ 5,043

Net intersegment revenues

     611      —        —         (611 )     —  

Income before income taxes

     1,834      262      (267 )     —         1,829

Segment assets

     21,031      4,027      1,333       —         26,391

Segment goodwill

     1,790      512      —         —         2,302

Three months ended March 31, 2003

                                    

Net revenues from external sources

   $ 3,731    $ 1,148    $ 133     $ —       $ 5,012

Net intersegment revenues

     418      —        —         (418 )     —  

Income before income taxes

     1,711      169      87       —         1,967

Segment assets

     18,569      4,437      1,300       —         24,306

Segment goodwill

     1,790      512      —         —         2,302

 

6. CONTINGENCIES:

 

During the first quarter of 2004, the Company entered into contracts to build out and furnish the Company’s new office space. Unpaid and unrecognized obligations under these agreements were approximately $377,000 at March 31, 2004. The Company expects to incur additional costs of approximately $655,000 to furnish the new office space in the second quarter of 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report, including statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” concerning our financial position and liquidity, results of operations, prospects for future growth, and other matters are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause our results to differ materially from the results discussed in, or contemplated by, such forward-looking statements include the risks described under “Business—Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks include, without limitation, risks related to our limited operating history as an independent public company; risks related to some members of our management being critical to our success and our inability to attract and retain key employees, which could compromise our future success; risks related to some of our executive officers having substantial influence over our investment policies; risks related to the negative performance of the securities markets; risks related to poor investment performance of the assets managed by us; risks related to our business being dependent on investment advisory, subadvisory and trust agreements that are subject to termination or non-renewal and the related risk of losing any of our clients on very short notice; risks related to having a small number of clients account for a substantial portion of our business; risks related to any event that negatively affects the asset management industry; risk related to the substantial cost and time required to introduce new asset classes in our industry; risks related to our inability to successfully and timely expand our asset classes; risks related to our business being subject to pervasive regulation with attendant costs of compliance and serious consequences for violations; risks related to potential misuse of assets and information in the possession of our portfolio managers and employees; risks related to acquisitions, which may be part of our long-term business strategy and involve inherent risks that could compromise the success of the combined business and dilute the holdings of our stockholders; risks related to various factors hindering our ability to declare and pay dividends; risks related to our business being vulnerable to systems failures; risks related to our potential inability to fund our capital requirements; risks related to the indemnification obligations contained in the distribution agreement and the tax separation agreement that we entered into with SWS and that neither party may be able to satisfy; risks related to conflicts of interests of members of our Board of Directors due to their relationship with SWS; and risks related to certain provisions in our charter documents discouraging a third party from acquiring control of us.

 

Overview

 

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through its two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Management”) and Westwood Trust (“Trust”). Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds and clients of Trust. Trust provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. We have been providing investment advisory services since 1983 and, according to recognized industry sources, including Morningstar, Inc., when measured over multi-year periods, five years and longer, our principal asset classes rank above the median in performance within their peer groups.

 

Revenues

 

We derive our revenues from investment advisory fees, trust fees, and other revenues. Our advisory fees are generated by Westwood Management, which manages its clients’ accounts under investment advisory and subadvisory agreements. Advisory fees are calculated based on a percentage of assets under management, and are paid in accordance with the terms of the agreements. Most of Westwood Management’s advisory fees are paid quarterly in advance based on the assets under management on the last day of the preceding quarter. However, some fees are paid quarterly in arrears or are based on a daily or monthly analysis of assets under management for the stated period. Westwood Management recognizes revenues as services are rendered.

 

Our trust fees are generated by Westwood Trust pursuant to trust or custodial agreements. Trust fees are separately negotiated with each client and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management, which in turn is influenced by the complexity of the operations of the trust and the services provided. Westwood Trust also provides trust services to a small number of clients on a fixed fee basis. Similar to advisory fees generated by Westwood Management, most trust fees are paid quarterly in advance and are recognized as services are rendered.

 

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Table of Contents

Our other revenues generally consist of interest income, investment income and consulting fees. We invest most of our cash in money market funds, although we do invest smaller amounts in bonds and equity instruments. The most significant component of our other revenues is consulting fees paid to us by Gabelli Advisers, Inc.

 

Assets Under Management

 

Assets under management increased $62 million, or 1.6%, to $3.9 billion at March 31, 2004, compared with $3.8 billion at March 31, 2003. Average assets under management for the first quarter of 2004 were $3.9 billion, a decrease of 0.8% compared with the first quarter of 2003. The increase in period ending assets under management was principally attributable to the market appreciation of assets under management as well as inflows from new clients offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. The following table sets forth Management and Trust’s assets under management as of March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003:

 

    

As of March 31, (1)

(in millions)


   % Change

 
     2004

   2003

  

March 31, 2004 vs.

March 31, 2003


 

Westwood Management Corp.

                    

Separate Accounts

   $ 1,780    $ 1,622    9.7 %

Subadvisory

     633      1,057    (40.1 )

Gabelli Westwood Funds

     405      409    (1.0 )

Managed Accounts

     154      111    38.7  
    

  

  

Total

     2,972      3,199    (7.1 )

Westwood Trust

                    

Commingled Funds

     772      511    51.1  

Private Accounts

     82      63    30.2  

Agency/Custody Accounts

     55      46    19.6  
    

  

  

Total

     909      620    46.6  

Total Assets Under Management

   $ 3,881    $ 3,819    1.6 %
    

  

  


(1)   The above table excludes the SWS cash reserve funds for which Westwood Management serves as investment advisor and Westwood Trust serves as custodian. The SWS cash reserve funds were $168 million and $488 million as of March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These accounts are noted separately due to their unique nature within our business and because they can experience significant fluctuations on a weekly basis.

 

Management. In the preceding table, “Separate Accounts” represent corporate pension and profit sharing plans, public employee retirement accounts, Taft Hartley plans, endowments, foundations and individuals. “Subadvisory” represents relationships where Management provides investment management services for funds offered by other financial institutions. “Gabelli Westwood Funds” represent the family of mutual funds for which Management serves as subadvisor. “Managed Accounts” represent relationships with brokerage firms and other registered investment advisors who offer Management’s products to their customers.

 

Trust. In the preceding table, “Commingled Funds” represent funds that have been established to facilitate investment of fiduciary funds of multiple clients by combining assets into a single trust for taxable and tax-exempt entities. “Private Accounts” represent discretionary accounts where Trust acts as trustee or agent and has full investment discretion. “Agency/Custody Accounts” represent non-discretionary accounts in which Trust provides agent or custodial services for a fee, but does not act in an advisory capacity.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table and discussion of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 is based upon data derived from the consolidated statements of income contained in our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with these statements, which are included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
(in thousands)


   % Change

 
     2004

   2003

   2003 vs. 2002

 

Revenues

                    

Advisory fees

   $ 3,420    $ 3,620    (5.5 )%

Trust fees

     1,452      1,139    27.5  

Other revenues

     171      253    (32.4 )
    

  

  

Total revenues

     5,043      5,012    0.6  

Expenses

                    

Employee compensation and benefits

     2,337      2,119    10.3  

Sales and marketing

     100      143    (30.1 )

Information technology

     172      175    (1.7 )

Professional services

     224      259    (13.5 )

General and administrative

     381      349    9.2  
    

  

  

Total expenses

     3,214      3,045    5.6  
    

  

  

Income before income taxes

     1,829      1,967    (7.0 )

Provision for income tax expense

     712      717    (0.7 )
    

  

  

Net income

   $ 1,117    $ 1,250    (10.6 )%
    

  

  

 

Three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to three months ended March 31, 2003

 

Total Revenues. Our total revenues increased by 0.6% to $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Advisory fees decreased by 5.5% to $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 primarily as a result of decreased average assets under management due to the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. These withdrawals were offset to some extent by market appreciation of assets under management and inflows from new clients. Trust fees increased by 27.5% to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, primarily due to increased average assets under management due to inflows from new and existing clients and market appreciation of assets as well as a higher average fee due to a change in the mix of Trust assets under management. Other revenues, which generally consists of interest and investment income as well as consulting fees, decreased by 32.4% to $171,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $253,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Other revenues decreased primarily as a result of interest income due to accretion of discount on notes receivable from stockholders created by principal payments by certain executive officers that occurred in the 2003 period but not in the 2004 period. This was offset to some extent by better mark to market performance and realized gains on investments.

 

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits costs generally consist of salaries, benefits, incentive compensation and equity based compensation expense. Employee compensation and benefits increased by 10.3% to $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. This increase resulted primarily from restricted stock expense that was recognized in the 2004 period but not in the 2003 period. We had 44 full-time employees as of March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003.

 

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing costs generally consist of costs associated with our marketing efforts, including travel and entertainment, advertising and consultant marketing costs. Sales and marketing costs decreased by 30.1% to $100,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $143,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The decrease is primarily the result of decreased travel and entertainment costs partially offset by higher direct marketing costs associated with our managed accounts channel.

 

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Information Technology. Information technology expenses generally consist of costs associated with computing hardware and software licenses, maintenance, support and depreciation, telecommunications, proprietary investment research tools and other related costs. Information technology costs decreased by 1.7% to $172,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $175,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The decrease is primarily due to lower costs associated with investment research tools.

 

Professional Services. Professional services expenses generally consist of costs associated with legal, subadvisory fees, audit and other professional services. Professional services expenses decreased by 13.5% to $224,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $259,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The decrease is primarily the result of professional recruiting fees that were incurred in the 2003 period but not in the 2004 period. This decrease was partially offset by higher advisory fees paid to external subadvisors resulting from increased assets under management in common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust, and increased audit expense related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses generally consist of costs associated with the lease of our office space, investor relations, licenses and fees, depreciation, insurance, office supplies and other miscellaneous expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 9.2% to $381,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $349,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The increase is primarily due to increased corporate insurance costs and higher custody expense.

 

Provision for Income Tax Expense. Provision for income tax expense decreased by 0.7% to $712,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared with $717,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The effective tax rate was 38.9% and 36.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We fund our operations and cash requirements with cash generated from operating activities. As of March 31, 2004, we had no long-term debt. The changes in net cash provided by operating activities generally reflect the changes in earnings plus the effect of non-cash items and changes in working capital. Changes in working capital, especially accounts receivable and accounts payable, are generally the result of timing differences between collection of fees billed and payment of operating expenses.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2004, cash flow used in operating activities, principally our investment advisory business, was $110,000. At March 31, 2004, we had working capital of $19.7 million. Cash flow used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $763,000, primarily related to the investment of excess cash balances and purchase of fixed assets. Cash flow used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $167,000 and was due to cash dividends paid.

 

We had cash and investments, net of dividends payable, of $20.7 million at March 31, 2004, compared to $20.9 million at December 31, 2003. Dividends payable were $222,000 and $167,000 as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. We had no liabilities for borrowed money at March 31, 2004. Accounts payable were $10,000 and zero at March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors. We believe that current cash and short-term investment balances and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the operating and capital requirements of our ordinary business operations through at least the next twelve months. However, there can be no assurance that we will not require additional financing within this time frame. Our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary. The failure to raise needed capital on attractive terms, if at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

Our obligation under the deferred compensation plan was $647,000 at March 31, 2004, up $184,000 from the balance at December 31, 2003. This liability will grow while deferred compensation plan participants remain employed with Westwood and will decrease when participants’ employment is terminated and the related liability is paid. The timing of the payments cannot be estimated. Our obligation under this plan will be satisfied with specific cash and investments that are segregated from the assets that we use in the course of running our business.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, the Company entered into contracts to build out and furnish the Company’s new office space. Unpaid and unrecognized obligations under these agreements were approximately $377,000 at March 31, 2004. The Company expects to incur additional costs of approximately $655,000 to furnish the new office space in the second quarter of 2004.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized in the period the services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between our subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management.

 

Accounting for Investments

 

We record our investments in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 115. We have designated our investments other than money market holdings as “trading” securities, which are recorded at market value with the related unrealized gains and losses reflected in “Other revenues” in the consolidated statements of income. Our “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations as well as mutual fund shares, are valued based upon quoted market prices and, with respect to mutual funds, the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. We have designated our investments in money market accounts as “available for sale”. The market values of our money market holdings generally do not fluctuate. Dividends and interest on all of our investments are accrued as earned.

 

Goodwill

 

Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Upon adoption of SFAS 142 the Company discontinued its amortization of goodwill. During the third quarters of 2003 and 2002, the Company completed its annual impairment assessment as required by SFAS 142. No impairment loss or transition adjustments were required. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of July 1.

 

Stock Options

 

Effective January 1, 2002, we elected to begin expensing the cost associated with stock options granted subsequent to January 1, 2002 to employees as well as non-employee directors under the SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” fair value model. We value stock options issued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognize this value as an expense over the periods in which the options vest. Implementation of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires us to make certain assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options. We utilized assumptions that we believed to be most appropriate at the time of the valuation. Had we used different assumptions in the pricing model the expense recognized for stock options may have been different than the expense recognized in our financial statements.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Westwood utilizes various financial instruments, which entail certain inherent market risks. We do not currently participate in any hedging activities, nor do we currently utilize any derivative financial instruments. The following information describes the key aspects of certain financial instruments that have market risks.

 

Interest Rates and Securities Markets

 

Our cash equivalents and other investment instruments are exposed to financial market risk due to fluctuation in interest rates, which may affect our interest income. These instruments are not entered into for speculative trading purposes. We do not expect our interest income to be significantly affected by a sudden change in market interest rates.

 

The value of our assets under management is affected by changes in interest rates and fluctuations in securities markets. Since we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from investment advisory and trust fees based on the value of assets under management, our revenues may be adversely affected by changing interest rates or a decline in the prices of securities generally.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Westwood’s management evaluated, with the participation of Westwood’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (performing functions similar to a Chief Financial Officer), the effectiveness of Westwood’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer have concluded that Westwood’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There has been no change in Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject from time to time to certain claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material impact on our financial position, operations or cash flow.

 

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

  (a)   Exhibits

 

  10.1   Form of Indemnification Agreement for Westwood Trust

 

  31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14

 

  31.2   Certification of President and Chief Operating Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14

 

  32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

  32.2   Certification of President and Chief Operating Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

  (b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2004 reporting the Company’s results from operations and a dividend declaration.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: April 21, 2004

 

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

   

By:

 

    /s/ Susan M. Byrne


       

Susan M. Byrne

       

Chief Executive Officer

       

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

By:

 

    /s/ Brian O. Casey


       

Brian O. Casey

       

President and Chief Operating Officer

       

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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