Federated Hermes, Inc. reports second quarter 2021 earnings

PITTSBURGH, July 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI), a global leader in active, responsible investing, today reported earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.56 for Q2 2021, compared to $0.80 for the same quarter last year, on net income of $55.9 million for Q2 2021, compared to $81.2 million for Q2 2020. Federated Hermes reported YTD 2021 earnings per diluted share of $1.31, compared to $1.44 for the same period in 2020, on YTD 2021 net income of $130.4 million, compared to $145.4 million for the same period in 2020. As a result of legislation enacted in the U.K. that increases the U.K. corporate income tax rate from 19% to 25% effective April 1, 2023, Federated Hermes' Q2 2021 results include a $14.5 million noncash tax expense, or $0.11 per diluted share.

Federated Hermes' total managed assets were a record $645.8 billion at June 30, 2021, up $17.0 billion or 3% from $628.8 billion at June 30, 2020 and up $20.8 billion or 3% from $625.0 billion at March 31, 2021. Total average managed assets for Q2 2021 were $639.7 billion, up $2.8 billion or less than 1% from $636.9 billion reported for Q2 2020 and up $21.6 billion or 3% from $618.1 billion reported for Q1 2021.

"As the economy continued to reopen in the second quarter, Federated Hermes offered our global clients a range of strong-performing active, responsible investment strategies. We reached record long-term assets on new highs in equity, fixed-income and alternative/private markets," said J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer. "Fixed-income investors also positioned themselves for what may be the first sustained rising-rate environment in decades, and ultrashort and multisector products were among those that led net sales."

Federated Hermes' board of directors declared a dividend of $0.27 per share. The dividend is payable on Aug. 13, 2021 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 6, 2021. During Q2 2021, Federated Hermes purchased 993,100 shares of Federated Hermes class B common stock for $31.8 million.

Equity assets were a record $100.5 billion at June 30, 2021, up $23.6 billion or 31% from $76.9 billion at June 30, 2020 and up $4.3 billion or 4% from $96.2 billion at March 31, 2021. Top-selling equity funds during Q2 2021 on a net basis were Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund (UCITS), Federated Hermes Asia ex-Japan Equity Fund, Federated Hermes Global Equity ESG Fund, Federated Hermes Global Emerging Markets Equity Fund and Federated Hermes Global Emerging Markets SMID Equity Fund.

Fixed-income assets were a record $90.8 billion at June 30, 2021, up $17.7 billion or 24% from $73.1 billion at June 30, 2020 and up $4.3 billion or 5% from $86.5 billion at March 31, 2021. Top-selling fixed-income funds during Q2 2021 on a net basis were Federated Hermes Ultrashort Bond Fund, Federated Hermes Institutional Fixed Income Fund, Federated Hermes Total Return Bond Fund, Federated Hermes SDG Engagement High Yield Credit Fund (UCITS) and Federated Hermes Strategic Income Fund.

Alternative/private market assets were a record $21.0 billion at June 30, 2021, up $3.5 billion or 20% from $17.5 billion at June 30, 2020 and up $1.7 billion or 9% from $19.3 billion at March 31, 2021.

Money market assets were $429.8 billion at June 30, 2021, down $27.8 billion or 6% from $457.6 billion at June 30, 2020 and up $10.7 billion or 3% from $419.1 billion at March 31, 2021. Money market fund assets were $302.0 billion at June 30, 2021, down $42.8 billion or 12% from $344.8 billion at June 30, 2020 and up $4.8 billion or 2% from $297.2 billion at March 31, 2021.

Financial Summary

In Q2 2021, the U.K. enacted legislation that increased their corporate income tax rate from 19% to 25% effective April 1, 2023. As a result, Federated Hermes' income tax provision includes a $14.5 million noncash tax expense, or $0.11 per diluted share, to revalue certain deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Q2 2021 vs. Q2 2020

Revenue decreased $49.7 million or 14% primarily due to an increase in voluntary fee waivers related to certain money market funds in order for those funds to maintain positive or zero net yields (voluntary yield-related fee waivers) and a decrease in revenue due to lower average money market assets. For further information on the waivers, see "Impact of voluntary yield-related fee waivers" below. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in revenue due to higher average equity and fixed-income assets. 

During Q2 2021, Federated Hermes derived 83% of its revenue from long-term assets (55% from equity assets, 19% from fixed-income assets and 9% from alternative/private markets and multi-asset), 16% from money market assets, and 1% from sources other than managed assets.

Operating expenses decreased $34.2 million or 13% primarily due to decreased distribution expenses predominantly resulting from higher voluntary yield-related fee waivers.

Nonoperating income (expenses), net decreased $7.2 million or 51% primarily due to a smaller increase in the market value of investments in Q2 2021 compared to a greater increase in the market value of investments in Q2 2020 resulting from the recovery in the markets following the initial onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

Q2 2021 vs. Q1 2021

Revenue decreased $30.1 million or 9% primarily due to an increase in voluntary yield-related fee waivers and a decrease in carried interest revenue of consolidated variable interest entities. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in revenue due to higher average money market and long-term assets.

Operating expenses decreased $14.5 million or 6% primarily due to decreased compensation expense of consolidated variable interest entities and a decrease in distribution expenses predominantly resulting from higher voluntary yield-related fee waivers.

Nonoperating income (expenses), net increased $5.0 million or 268% primarily due to an increase in the market value of investments.

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020

Revenue decreased $67.7 million or 9% primarily due to an increase in voluntary yield-related fee waivers and a decrease in revenue from lower average money market assets. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in revenue due to higher average equity and fixed-income assets, previously nonconsolidated variable interest entities being recorded in operating revenue beginning in Q1 2021 and an increase in revenue from alternative/private markets assets, primarily due to the revenue of a previously nonconsolidated entity being recorded in operating revenue beginning in March 2020.

For the first half of 2021, Federated Hermes derived 79% of its revenue from long-term assets (52% from equity, 18% from fixed-income and 9% from alternative/private markets and multi-asset), 20% from money market assets, and 1% from sources other than managed assets.

Operating expenses decreased $57.0 million or 11% primarily due to decreased distribution expenses predominantly resulting from higher voluntary yield-related fee waivers.

Nonoperating income (expense), net increased $1.7 million or 25% primarily due to an increase in the market value of investments.  This increase was partially offset by a gain recorded in March 2020 from a fair value adjustment to the equity investment of a previously nonconsolidated entity.

Impact of voluntary yield-related fee waivers

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, voluntary yield-related fee waivers totaled $117.8 million and $200.9 million, respectively. These fee waivers were partially offset by related reductions in distribution expenses of $71.0 million and $132.5 million, respectively, such that the net negative pre-tax impact to Federated Hermes was $46.8 million and $68.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, voluntary yield-related fee waivers totaled $19.7 million and $20.1 million, respectively. These fee waivers were largely offset by related reductions in distribution expenses of $17.7 million and $18.0 million, respectively, such that the net negative pre-tax impact to Federated Hermes was $2.0 million and $2.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

Short-term interest rates continued to hover near historic lows during Q2 2021 as technical factors at the front end of the yield curve kept yields on short-term government securities—including repurchase agreements and Treasury bills—just above zero. At their June Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the Federal Reserve increased the Reverse Repo Facility and the Interest on Excess Reserves rates by 5 basis points each, to 5 and 15 basis points, respectively.

As a result, the negative impact on pre-tax income from minimum yield waivers on money market mutual funds and certain separate accounts may be approximately $38 million during Q3 2021. The amount of minimum yield waivers can vary based on a number of factors, including, among others, interest rates, yields, asset levels, asset flows and the ability of distributors to share in waivers. Any change in these factors can impact the amount and level of minimum yield waivers, including in a material way.

Federated Hermes' level of business activity and financial results are dependent upon many factors, including market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior. These factors and others, including asset levels and mix, product sales and redemptions, market appreciation or depreciation, revenues, fee waivers, expenses and regulatory changes, can significantly impact Federated Hermes' business activity levels and financial results. Risk factors and uncertainties that can influence Federated Hermes' financial results are discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Federated Hermes will host an earnings conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern on July 30, 2021. Investors are invited to listen to the earnings teleconference by calling 877-407-0782 (domestic) or 201-689-8567 (international) prior to the 9 a.m. start time. To listen online, go to the Investor Relations section and the Analyst Information tab of FederatedHermes.com at least 15 minutes prior to register and join the call. A replay will be available at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern on July 30, 2021. To access the telephone replay, dial 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international) and enter access code 42046. The online replay will be available via FederatedHermes.com for one year.

Federated Hermes, Inc. is a leading global investment manager with $645.8 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2021. Guided by our conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create wealth over the long term, our investment solutions span equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies. Providing world-class active investment management and engagement services to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries, our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes' nearly 2,000 employees include those in London, New York, Boston and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com.

Federated Hermes ranks in the top 7% of equity fund managers in the industry, the top 9% of money market fund managers and the top 10% of fixed-income fund managers¹. Federated Hermes also ranks as the 10th-largest manager of model-delivered SMAs². For more information, including an analyst presentation, visit FederatedHermes.com.

1) ISS Market Intelligence (SIMFUND), June 30, 2021. Based on assets under management in open-end funds.

2) Money Management Institute/Cerulli, Q1 2021.

Federated Securities Corp. is distributor of the Federated Hermes funds.

Separately managed accounts are made available through Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated MDTA LLC, Hermes Fund Managers Ireland Limited, Hermes Investment Management Limited, and Hermes GPE LLP, each a registered investment advisor in one or more of the U.S., U.K. or Ireland.

Certain statements in this press release, such as those related to performance, investor preferences and demand, asset flows, asset mix, interest rates, gross yields and fee waivers constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties include the ability of the company to predict the level of fee waivers and expenses in future quarters, predict whether performance fees or carried interest will be earned and retained, and sustain product demand, asset flows and mix, which could vary significantly depending on various factors, such as market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior. Other risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness, or updating, of such statements in the future.