Eaton Vance Corp. Report for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended July 31, 2020

BOSTON, Aug. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) today reported earnings per diluted share of ($0.01) for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, reflecting a $0.90 per diluted share charge against earnings in connection with a $100.5 million impairment loss recognized during the quarter on the Company's investment in 49 percent-owned affiliate Hexavest Inc. (Hexavest). For comparison, the Company earned $0.90 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and $0.65 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

The Company reported adjusted earnings per diluted share⁽¹⁾ of $0.82 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of 7 percent from $0.88 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and an increase of 3 percent from $0.80 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, adjusted earnings exceeded earnings under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) by $0.83 per diluted share, reflecting the reversal of the $100.5 million impairment loss recognized on the Company's investment in Hexavest, the reversal of $8.5 million of net gains of consolidated sponsored funds and consolidated collateralized loan obligation (CLO) entities (collectively, consolidated investment entities) and the Company's other seed capital investments, the add-back of $1.6 million of management fees and expenses of consolidated investment entities, and the reversal of $0.2 million of net excess tax benefits related to stock‐based compensation awards. Earnings under U.S. GAAP exceeded adjusted earnings by $0.02 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, reflecting the reversal of $4.6 million of net gains of consolidated investment entities and other seed capital investments, the add-back of $2.3 million of management fees and expenses of consolidated investment entities, and the reversal of $0.6 million of net excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation awards. In the second quarter of fiscal 2020, adjusted earnings exceeded earnings under U.S. GAAP by $0.15 per diluted share, reflecting the reversal of $16.8 million of net losses of consolidated investment entities and other seed capital investments, the add-back of $1.8 million of management fees and expenses of consolidated investment entities, and the reversal of $1.1 million of net excess tax benefits related to stock‐based compensation awards.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company had consolidated net inflows of $2.7 billion, representing 2 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets (consolidated net flows divided by beginning of period consolidated assets under management). This compares to net inflows of $8.0 billion and 7 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and net outflows of $9.3 billion and -7 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Excluding Parametric overlay services, the Company had net inflows of $1.2 billion and 1 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, net inflows of $5.3 billion and 5 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and net outflows of $2.8 billion and -3 percent annualized internal growth in managed assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

The Company's annualized 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 2 percent in both the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and -6 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Consolidated assets under management were $507.4 billion on July 31, 2020, up 5 percent from $482.8 billion of consolidated managed assets on July 31, 2019 and up 9 percent from $465.3 billion of consolidated managed assets on April 30, 2020. The year-over-year increase in consolidated assets under management reflects net inflows of $9.3 billion and market price appreciation of $15.3 billion. The sequential quarterly increase in consolidated assets under management reflects net inflows of $2.7 billion and market price appreciation of $39.4 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

"Supported by positive organic revenue growth and rising equity markets, Eaton Vance's business and financial results have snapped back sharply from the pandemic-related lows of our second fiscal quarter," said Thomas E. Faust Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While significant uncertainties remain, our business momentum is building and our outlook is increasingly optimistic."

Average consolidated assets under management were $484.5 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, up 3 percent from $471.0 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and up 1 percent from $479.5 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

As shown in Attachment 10, excluding performance-based fees, annualized management fee rates on consolidated assets under management averaged 30.3 basis points in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, down 5 percent from 31.8 basis points in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and up 2 percent from 29.7 basis points in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Changes in average annualized management fee rates for the compared periods primarily reflect shifts in the Company's mix of business.

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 of July 31, 2020, managed assets of the Company's 49 percent-owned affiliate Hexavest decreased to $6.8 billion, down 49 percent from $13.4 billion of managed assets on July 31, 2019 and down 21 percent from $8.6 billion of managed assets on April 30, 2020. Hexavest had net outflows of $2.7 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, $0.6 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and $2.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The impairment loss recognized on the Company's investment in Hexavest in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 reflects the net outflows experienced by Hexavest and the associated decline in Hexavest's revenue and profits. The Company remains supportive of Hexavest's leadership and investment approach, and has no plans to change its ownership position in Hexavest. 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 our consolidated totals.

Financial Highlights

Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 vs. Third Quarter Fiscal 2019 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, revenue decreased 2 percent to $420.8 million from $431.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Management fees were down 2 percent, as a 5 percent decrease in the Company's consolidated average annualized management fee rate more than offset a 3 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management. Performance fees were $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, versus $0.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Distribution and service fee revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 were collectively down 5 percent from the third quarter of fiscal 2019, reflecting lower average managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees.

Operating expenses decreased 2 percent to $289.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from $294.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, reflecting decreases in compensation, distribution expense and fund-related expenses, partially offset by increases in service fee expense, amortization of deferred sales commissions and other operating expenses. The decrease in compensation reflects lower operating income-based bonus accruals, lower sales-based incentive compensation and lower severance expenses, partially offset by higher salaries and benefit expenses associated with increases in headcount and higher stock-based compensation expense. The decline in distribution expense reflects a decrease in up-front sales commission expense, a decrease in marketing and promotion costs, lower Class C distribution fee payments and lower intermediary marketing support payments. The decrease in fund-related expenses reflects a reduction in fund expenses borne by the Company, partially offset by higher sub-advisory fees paid. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher private fund service fee payments, partially offset by lower Class A and Class C service fee payments. The increase in amortization of deferred sales commissions reflects higher private fund commission amortization. Other operating expenses increased 5 percent, primarily reflecting increases in information technology spending, facilities expenses and other corporate expenses, partially offset by lower travel expenses.

Operating income decreased 4 percent to $131.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from $137.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company's operating margin decreased to 31.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from 31.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. As shown in Attachment 2, on an adjusted basis including the management fee revenue and excluding the operating expenses of consolidated investment entities, operating income was down 5 percent year-over-year. Our adjusted operating margin decreased to 31.6 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from 32.4 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Non-operating income totaled $32.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and $5.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The year-over-year change primarily reflects an $18.8 million increase in net gains and other investment income of consolidated sponsored funds and the Company's investments in other sponsored strategies, and an $8.0 million improvement in net income (expense) of 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 22.6 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 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 (loss) of affiliates was ($100.2) million and $2.2 million in the third quarters of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 included the $100.5 million impairment loss recognized on the Company's investment in Hexavest discussed above. In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, substantially all of equity in net income of affiliates related to the Company's investment in Hexavest.

As detailed in Attachment 3, net income attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $28.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and $6.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The year-over-year change reflects an increase in income earned by consolidated sponsored funds, partially offset by a decrease in net income allocated to non-controlling interest holders of majority-owned subsidiaries due to 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 109.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and 109.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The year-over-year increase reflects new shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and the exercise of employee stock options in excess of share repurchases. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding were 111.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and 113.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, a decrease of 2 percent. The decline in weighted average diluted shares outstanding 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.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 vs. Second Quarter Fiscal 2020

In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, revenue increased 4 percent to $420.8 million from $405.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Management fees were up 4 percent, primarily reflecting a 1 percent increase in average consolidated assets under management, a 2 percent increase in the Company's consolidated average annualized management fee rate and the impact of two more fee days in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Performance fees were $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, versus $2.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Distribution and service fee revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 were collectively up 2 percent from the second quarter of fiscal 2020, reflecting higher average managed assets in fund share classes that are subject to these fees.

Operating expenses increased 2 percent to $289.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from $284.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily reflecting increases in compensation and service fee expense, partially offset by decreases in distribution expense, fund-related expenses and other operating expenses. The increase in compensation reflects higher operating income-based and investment performance-based bonus accruals, higher stock-based compensation expense and higher salary and benefit expenses associated with increases in headcount and the impact of two additional payroll days, partially offset by lower sales-based incentive compensation. The increase in service fee expense reflects higher private fund and Class A service fee payments. The decrease in distribution expense reflects a reduction in up-front sales commission expense, partially offset by an increase in marketing costs. The decrease in fund-related expenses reflects lower fund expenses borne by the Company. Other operating expenses decreased 2 percent, primarily reflecting lower travel expenses, partially offset by an increase in other corporate expenses. Amortization of deferred sales commissions in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was substantially unchanged from the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Operating income increased 8 percent to $131.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from $122.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company's operating margin increased to 31.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from 30.0 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. As shown in Attachment 2, on an adjusted basis including the management fee revenue and excluding the operating expenses of consolidated investment entities, operating income was up 7 percent sequentially. Our adjusted operating margin increased to 31.6 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from 30.5 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Non-operating income totaled $32.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 versus $73.4 million of non-operating expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The sequential change reflects an $84.2 million positive change in net gains (losses) and other investment income of consolidated sponsored funds and the Company's investments in other sponsored strategies, a $21.0 million improvement in net income (expense) of consolidated CLO entities and a $0.5 million decrease in interest expense. The decrease in interest expense reflects the repayment of borrowings under the Company's line of credit made in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Such borrowings were fully repaid before the end of the second quarter.

The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates, was 22.6 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and 45.3 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company's effective tax rate is discussed in greater detail under "Taxation" below.

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates was ($100.2) million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and $1.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 included the $100.5 million impairment loss recognized on the Company's investment in Hexavest discussed above. In the second quarter of fiscal 2020, substantially all of equity in net income of affiliates related to the Company's investment in Hexavest.

As detailed in Attachment 3, net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests was $28.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and $(44.0) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The sequential change reflects improved income (expense) of consolidated sponsored funds.

The Company's weighted average basic shares outstanding were 109.2 million in both the third quarter and the second quarter of fiscal 2020. On a diluted basis, the Company's weighted average shares outstanding were 111.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and 111.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase in weighted average diluted shares outstanding reflects an increase in the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock awards due to a decrease in the unrecognized compensation expense on these awards.

Taxation

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

The Company's income tax provision for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, third quarter of fiscal 2019 and second quarter of fiscal 2020 includes $0.5 million, $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of charges associated with certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that took effect for the Company in fiscal 2019, relating principally to limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation.

The Company's income tax provision was reduced by net excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation awards totaling $0.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, $0.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and $1.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

As shown in Attachment 2, the Company's calculations of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share remove the impairment loss recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 on the Company's investment in 49 percent-owned affiliate Hexavest, exclude gains (losses) and other investment income (expense) of consolidated investment entities and other seed capital investments, add back the management fees and expenses of consolidated investment entities, and exclude the tax impact of stock-based compensation shortfalls or windfalls. On this basis, the Company's adjusted effective tax rate was 27.1 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, 26.4 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and 24.9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. On the same adjusted basis, the Company estimates that its effective tax rate will be approximately 26.4 to 26.9 percent for the balance of fiscal 2020 and for the fiscal year as a whole. 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 July 31, 2020, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $878.9 million and its investments included $170.6 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 the first nine months of fiscal 2020, the Company used $98.9 million to repurchase and retire approximately 2.4 million shares of its Non-Voting Common Stock under its repurchase authorizations. Of the current 8.0 million share repurchase authorization, approximately 4.0 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 and nine months ended July 31, 2020. To participate in the conference call, please dial 866-521-4909 (domestic) or 647-427-2311 (international) and refer to "Eaton Vance Corp. Third 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 6157816 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 July 31, 2020, Eaton Vance had consolidated assets under management of $507.4 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, the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy or capital markets, 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.

Attachment 2

Non-U.S. GAAP Information and Reconciliations

Management believes that certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, specifically, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per diluted share, while not a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial measures, may be effective indicators of the Company's performance over time. Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures should not be construed to be superior to U.S. GAAP measures. In calculating these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, operating income, net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and earnings per diluted share are adjusted to exclude items management deems non-operating or non-recurring in nature, or otherwise outside the ordinary course of business. These adjustments may include, when applicable, the add back of closed-end fund structuring fees, costs associated with debt repayments and tax settlements, the tax impact of stock-based compensation shortfalls or windfalls, impairment charges and non-recurring charges for the effect of tax law changes. The adjusted measures also exclude the impact of consolidated investment entities and other seed capital investments. Management and our Board of Directors, as well as certain of our outside investors, consider the adjusted numbers a measure of the Company's underlying operating performance. Management believes adjusted net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders and adjusted earnings per diluted share are important indicators of our operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and may provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying business.

Effective in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company's calculation of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures excludes the impact of consolidated investment entities and other seed capital investments. Adjustments to U.S. GAAP operating income include the add-back of management fee revenue received from consolidated investment entities that are eliminated in consolidation and the non-management expenses of consolidated sponsored funds recognized in consolidation. Adjustments to U.S. GAAP net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders include the after-tax impact of these adjustments to operating income and the elimination of gains (losses) and other investment income (expense) of consolidated investment entities and other seed capital investments included in non-operating income (expense), as determined net of tax and non-controlling and other beneficial interests. All prior period non-U.S. GAAP financial measures have been updated to reflect this change.