Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC Reports 2010 Second Quarter Results

NEW YORK, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC (NYSE: OZM) (the "Company" or "Och-Ziff") today reported a GAAP Net Loss(1) of $89.4 million, or $1.05 per basic and diluted Class A Share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The Company also declared a $0.11 per share 2010 second quarter cash dividend on its Class A Shares.

Summary Highlights

• Distributable Earnings of $57.0 million, or $0.14 per Adjusted Class A Share, for the 2010 second quarter compared to $12.6 million, or $0.03 per Adjusted Class A Share, for the 2009 second quarter
• Assets under management of $25.3 billion as of July 1, 2010, unchanged from April 1, 2010 and up from $20.7 billion as of July 1, 2009
• Estimated assets under management of $25.9 billion on August 1, 2010, reflecting year-to-date capital net inflows of $2.2 billion and performance-related appreciation of $600 million  
• Year-to-date estimated net returns through July 31, 2010 of the OZ Master Fund of 2.8%, the OZ Europe Master Fund of 2.6%, the OZ Asia Master Fund of 3.6% and the OZ Global Special Investments Master Fund of 5.0%

"The value of our investment process, our multi-strategy model and our international capabilities was again readily apparent as we generated strong risk-adjusted returns for our fund investors during the second quarter and in July," said Daniel Och, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Och-Ziff.  "Our performance demonstrates the benefits of our active risk management process, investment portfolio diversity and consistently low use of leverage.

"We remain confident that the long-term, secular growth drivers of assets under management remain intact for the hedge fund industry.  Despite recent market volatility, we believe the capital allocation cycle is underway and confidence among institutional investors in this sector remains strong.  We believe that our investment track record and the institutional structure of our business continue to differentiate us in the marketplace, increasing our ability to gain market share and grow assets under management over time."

(1) References to the Company's GAAP Net Loss throughout this press release refer to the Company's GAAP net loss allocated to Class A shareholders.

GAAP NET LOSS ALLOCATED TO CLASS A SHAREHOLDERS

For the 2010 second quarter, Och-Ziff reported a GAAP Net Loss of $89.4 million, or $1.05 per basic and diluted Class A Share, compared to a GAAP Net Loss of $88.3 million, or $1.15 per basic and diluted Class A Share, for the 2009 second quarter.  For the 2010 first half, Och-Ziff reported a GAAP Net Loss of $178.1 million, or $2.12 per basic and diluted Class A Share, compared to a GAAP Net Loss of $170.2 million, or $2.22 per basic and diluted Class A Share, for the 2009 first half.  The increase in the GAAP Net Loss for both periods was primarily driven by an increase in the Company's interest in its principal operating subsidiaries (the "Och-Ziff Operating Group") due to the vesting of Class A Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") and the exchange of Och-Ziff Operating Group A Units ("Group A Units") for Class A Shares.  As a result, a larger share of the losses of the Och-Ziff Operating Group was allocated to the Company.  Offsetting these increases in the GAAP Net Loss was an increase in management fees as a result of higher assets under management and lower compensation and benefits expenses, as the accrual for estimated discretionary cash bonuses taken in the 2009 second quarter did not recur in the 2010 second quarter.

The GAAP Net Loss in the 2010 second quarter and first half primarily resulted from non-cash expenses of $411.8 million and $836.6 million, respectively, associated with the Company's reorganization in connection with its initial public offering ("IPO") in November 2007.  These expenses are related to the amortization of Group A Units, which represent equity interests in the Och-Ziff Operating Group that were issued to the Company's pre-IPO owners in exchange for their pre-IPO interests in those subsidiaries.  The Group A Units generally vest annually over five years until November 2012.  Accordingly, the amortization of these expenses is expected to result in a GAAP Net Loss on an annual basis through 2012.  Once vested, the Group A Units may be exchanged on a one-to-one basis for Class A Shares.

Additionally, the GAAP Net Loss in the 2010 second quarter and first half were driven by non-cash expenses of $28.5 million and $59.4 million, respectively, for the amortization of equity-based compensation.  This expense relates primarily to RSUs awarded to all of the Company's employees in connection with the IPO, which vest annually over four years until November 2011, and subsequent compensation-related grants.  Each RSU represents the right to receive one Class A Share upon vesting.

Throughout this press release, the Company presents financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP.  For a discussion of these non-GAAP measures, please see the discussion "Non-GAAP and Segment Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.    

DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS (NON-GAAP)

The Company's Distributable Earnings for the 2010 second quarter were $57.0 million, or $0.14 per Adjusted Class A Share, compared to $12.6 million, or $0.03 per Adjusted Class A Share, in the 2009 second quarter.  Distributable Earnings for the 2010 first half were $106.2 million, or $0.26 per Adjusted Class A Share, compared to $39.8 million, or $0.10 per Adjusted Class A Share, in the 2009 first half.  The year-over-year increase in both periods was primarily attributable to higher management fees as a result of higher assets under management and lower compensation and benefits expenses, as the accrual for estimated discretionary cash bonuses taken in the 2009 second quarter did not recur in the 2010 second quarter.

Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP measure.  For reconciliations of Distributable Earnings to the respective GAAP Net Losses for the periods described above, please see Exhibits 3 through 6 that accompany this press release.  Additionally, please see the discussion of "Non-GAAP and Segment Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

Och-Ziff's assets under management were $25.5 billion as of June 30, 2010, 3% higher than the $24.8 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2010 and 16% higher than the $21.9 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2009.  The $3.6 billion year-over-year increase was driven by performance-related appreciation of $2.4 billion and capital net inflows of $1.2 billion during the period.  During the 2010 second quarter, the $647.2 million increase in assets under management was driven by capital net inflows of $1.0 billion, partially offset by performance-related depreciation of $388.2 million.  

Estimated assets under management as of August 1, 2010 were $25.9 billion, which reflected August 1, 2010 capital net inflows of approximately $300 million and performance-related appreciation of approximately $300 million.  For the year-to-date period from December 31, 2009 through August 1, 2010, estimated capital net inflows totaled approximately $2.2 billion and estimated performance-related appreciation totaled approximately $600 million.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

For the first half of 2010, performance-related appreciation was principally driven by credit related strategies, convertible arbitrage and private investments.

ECONOMIC INCOME FOR THE OCH-ZIFF FUNDS SEGMENT

The Company conducts substantially all of its business through the Och-Ziff Funds segment, which is currently the Company's only reportable segment under GAAP.  This segment provides investment management and advisory services to the Company's hedge funds and separately managed accounts.

The measures discussed below are presented on an Economic Income basis.  For reconciliations of these segment measures to the respective GAAP measures, please see Exhibits 3 through 6 that accompany this press release.  Additionally, please see the discussion of "Non-GAAP and Segment Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.

Total Revenues – Segment

Total revenues for the 2010 second quarter were $113.0 million, a 33% increase from total revenues for the 2009 second quarter of $85.0 million.  Management fees were $107.0 million, 27% higher than management fees in the prior year period of $84.5 million.  

Total revenues for the 2010 first half were $213.1 million, a 20% increase from total revenues of $177.7 million in the 2009 first half.  Management fees were $206.6 million, 17% higher than management fees of $176.9 million in the 2009 first half.  

Total revenues increased year-over-year in both periods due primarily to higher management fees resulting from the growth in assets under management.  This growth was driven by performance-related appreciation and capital net inflows.  

Compensation and Benefits – Segment

Compensation and benefits for the 2010 second quarter totaled $16.7 million, 61% lower than compensation and benefits of $42.6 million for the 2009 second quarter.  Compensation and benefits for the 2010 first half totaled $34.8 million, 45% lower than compensation and benefits of $63.0 million for the 2009 first half.  

The year-over-year decrease in both periods was principally attributable to the accrual for estimated discretionary cash bonuses taken in the 2009 second quarter which did not recur in the 2010 second quarter.

Non-Compensation Expenses – Segment

Non-compensation expenses for the 2010 second quarter were $21.7 million, a slight decline from non-compensation expenses of $21.8 million for the 2009 second quarter.  Non-compensation expenses in the 2010 first half were $41.3 million, a 10% decrease from non-compensation expenses of $45.9 million in the 2009 first half.  

In both periods, an increase in professional services fees was more than offset by lower interest expense on the Company's variable rate borrowings resulting from the decline in LIBOR rates and the early retirement of an aggregate of $105 million of the Company's term loan in 2009.  Lower insurance costs also contributed to the decline.

Economic Income - Segment

Economic Income for the Och-Ziff Funds segment for the 2010 second quarter was $74.6 million, compared to $20.6 million for the 2009 second quarter.  Economic Income for the 2010 first half was $136.7 million, compared to $68.8 million for the 2009 first half.  The increase in both periods was driven primarily by a combination of higher management fees and lower compensation and benefits expenses.

ECONOMIC INCOME FOR THE COMPANY'S OTHER OPERATIONS (NON-GAAP)

The Company's Other Operations are comprised of its real estate business, which manages and provides advisory services to its real estate funds, and investments in new businesses established to expand certain of the Company's private investment platforms.  The businesses within the Company's Other Operations are currently in their early development stages and are not included in the results of the Och-Ziff Funds segment.  

Economic Income for the Company's Other Operations for the 2010 second quarter was a net loss of $2.9 million, compared to a net loss of $4.8 million for the 2009 second quarter. Economic Income for the Company's Other Operations for the 2010 first half was a net loss of $7.2 million, compared to a net loss of $8.5 million for the 2009 first half.  The decrease in the net loss in both periods was principally the result of lower non-compensation expenses due to the reimbursement of organization expenses related to the Company's new real estate fund.

Economic Income for the Company's Other Operations is a non-GAAP measure.  For reconciliations of Economic Income for the Company's Other Operations to the respective GAAP Net Losses for the periods described above, please see Exhibits 3 through 6 that accompany this press release.  Additionally, please see the discussion of "Non-GAAP and Segment Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.

ECONOMIC INCOME FOR THE COMPANY (NON-GAAP)  

Economic Income for the Company for the 2010 second quarter was $71.6 million, compared to $15.8 million for the 2009 second quarter.  Economic Income for the Company for the 2010 first half was $129.5 million, compared to $60.3 million for the 2009 first half.  The increase for both periods was primarily attributable to higher management fees and lower compensation and benefits expenses in the Och-Ziff Funds segment.

Economic Income for the Company is a non-GAAP measure.  For reconciliations of Economic Income for the Company to the respective GAAP Net Losses for the periods described above, please see Exhibits 3 through 6 that accompany this press release.  Additionally, please see the discussion of "Non-GAAP and Segment Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.

CAPITAL

As of June 30, 2010, the number of Class A Shares outstanding was 87,973,809.  For purposes of calculating Distributable Earnings per Share, the Company assumes that all partner interests in the Och-Ziff Operating Group ("Partner Units") and RSUs outstanding during the period have been converted on a one-to-one basis into Class A Shares.  For the second quarter and first half ended June 30, 2010, the total weighted-average Adjusted Class A Shares outstanding were 409,073,936 and 408,607,532, respectively.

DIVIDEND

The Board of Directors of Och-Ziff authorized a 2010 second quarter dividend of $0.11 per Class A Share.  The dividend is payable on August 19, 2010 to holders of record as of the close of business on August 12, 2010.  The ex-dividend date will be August 10, 2010.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the dividend will be treated as a partnership distribution.  Based on the best information currently available, the Company estimates that when calculating withholding taxes, the entire amount of the 2010 second quarter dividend will be treated as U.S. source dividend income.

Non-U.S. holders of Class A Shares are generally subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (subject to reduction by applicable treaty or other exception) on their share of U.S. source dividends and certain other types of U.S. source income realized by the Company.  With respect to interest, however, no withholding is generally required if proper certification (on an IRS Form W-8) of a beneficial owner's foreign status has been filed with the withholding agent.  Non-U.S. holders must generally provide the withholding agent with a properly completed IRS Form W-8 to obtain any reduction in withholding.

Och-Ziff will host a conference call today, August 3, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company's 2010 second quarter results.  The call will be open to the public and can be accessed by dialing (888) 713-4211 (callers inside the U.S.) or (617) 213-4864 (callers outside the U.S.).  The number should be dialed at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call.  The passcode for the call will be 74499372.  A simultaneous webcast of the call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis on the For Shareholders page of the Company's website at www.ozcap.com.

For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available by dialing (888) 286-8010 (callers inside the U.S.) or (617) 801-6888 (callers outside the U.S.), passcode 56717130, beginning approximately two hours after the event for two weeks.  A webcast replay of the event will also be available on the For Shareholders page of the Company's website.

Non-GAAP and Segment Financial Measures

In addition to analyzing the Company's results on a GAAP basis, Och-Ziff's management also reviews the Company's results on an "Economic Income basis."  Economic Income for the Company, the Och-Ziff Funds segment and Other Operations excludes the adjustments described below that are required for presentation of the Company's results on a GAAP basis, but that management does not consider when evaluating the operating performance of the Company in any given period.  Management, therefore, uses Economic Income as the basis on which it evaluates the performance of the Company's business and makes resource allocation and other operating decisions. In addition, management believes that Economic Income provides a more comparable view of the Company's operating performance from period to period.  Management considers it important that investors review the same operating information that it uses.

Economic Income is a measure of pre-tax operating performance that excludes the following from the Company's results on a GAAP basis:

• Income allocations to the Company's partners and Ziff Brothers Investments (the "Ziffs") on their direct interests in the Och-Ziff Operating Group.  Management reviews operating performance at the Och-Ziff Operating Group level, where substantially all of the Company's operations are performed, prior to making any income allocations;
• Reorganization expenses related to the Company's IPO, equity-based compensation expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses, as management does not consider these non-cash expenses to be reflective of operating performance;
• Changes in the tax receivable agreement liability and net gain on early retirement of debt, as management does not consider these items to be reflective of operating performance;
• Net earnings on the deferred balances and net gains (losses) on investments in Och-Ziff funds, as these amounts primarily relate to amounts due to the Company's partners and the Ziffs for pre-IPO deferred incentive income, and amounts due to employees under deferred cash compensation arrangements, as management does not consider these items to be reflective of operating performance; and
• Amounts related to the consolidated Och-Ziff funds, including the related eliminations of management fees and incentive income, as management reviews the total amount of management fees and incentive income earned from all of the Och-Ziff funds in relation to total assets under management and fund performance.  

In addition, deferred cash compensation expense is recognized in full in the period in which it is awarded, as management determines the total amount of compensation based on the Company's performance in the year of the award.

Management evaluates Economic Income for the Och-Ziff Funds segment, the Company's only reportable segment under GAAP, and for the Company's Other Operations.  Economic Income for Other Operations is a non-GAAP measure that is calculated on the same basis as the methodology that is used to calculate Economic Income for the Och-Ziff Funds segment. Management also evaluates Economic Income for the Company, which is a non-GAAP measure that equals the sum of Economic Income for the Och-Ziff Funds segment and for the Company's Other Operations.

As a result of the adjustments described above, management fees, compensation and benefits, non-compensation expenses and net loss (income) allocated to partners' and others' interests in consolidated subsidiaries are presented on an Economic Income basis for the Company's Other Operations and the Company, and are also non-GAAP measures.  No adjustments to the GAAP basis have been made for incentive income, other revenues and net earnings (losses) on joint ventures.  For reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the respective GAAP measures, please see Exhibits 3 through 6 that accompany this press release.

Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP measure of after-tax operating performance and equals Economic Income for the Company less Adjusted Income Taxes.  Adjusted Income Taxes are estimated assuming the conversion of all outstanding Partner Units into Class A Shares, on a one-to-one basis.  Therefore, all income (loss) of the Och-Ziff Operating Group allocated to the partners is treated as if it were allocated to Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC.  Partner Units represent interests in the Och-Ziff Operating Group held by the partners and the Ziffs, including the Group A Units and other non-equity profit interests in the Och-Ziff Operating Group that automatically convert into Group A Units upon the occurrence of certain events.  Distributable Earnings per Share is equal to Distributable Earnings divided by the weighted-average number of Adjusted Class A Shares.  Adjusted Class A Shares are determined assuming all Partner Units and RSUs are converted on a one-to-one basis into Class A Shares. Management uses Distributable Earnings, among other financial data, to determine the earnings available to distribute as dividends to holders of the Company's Class A Shares and to the Company's partners and the Ziffs with respect to their Partner Units.

The Company's non-GAAP measures should not be considered as alternatives to the Company's GAAP Net Loss or cash flow from operations, or as indicative of liquidity or the cash available to fund operations.  The Company's non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are included in Exhibits 3 through 6 attached to this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that reflect the Company's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance, strategies and expectations, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's financial performance and results, including its ability to increase assets under management, generate positive returns, preserve capital and identify investment opportunities and enhance the Company's investment platforms. The Company generally identifies forward-looking statements by terminology such as "outlook," "believe," "expect," "potential," "continue," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seek," "approximately," "predict," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate," "opportunity," "pipeline," "comfortable," "assume," "remain," "maintain," "sustain," "achieve" or the negative version of those words or other comparable words.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon historical information and on the Company's current plans, estimates and expectations.  The inclusion of this or any other forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to global economic, business and market conditions, the conditions impacting the hedge fund industry, the Company's ability to successfully compete for fund investors, professional investment talent and investment opportunity, its successful formulation and execution of business and growth strategies and its ability to appropriately manage conflicts of interest and tax and other regulatory factors relevant to the Company's business, as well as assumptions relating to the Company's operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the Company's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these statements.  These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed on March 4, 2010.  There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that the Company does not currently view as material or that are not known.  The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute an offer of any Och-Ziff fund.

About Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC is one of the world's largest institutional alternative asset managers with offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Beijing.  Och-Ziff's funds seek to deliver consistent, positive, risk-adjusted returns throughout market cycles, with a strong focus on capital preservation.  Och-Ziff's multi-strategy approach combines global investment strategies, including long/short equity special situations, convertible and derivative arbitrage, structured credit, other credit, private investments and merger arbitrage.  As of August 1, 2010, Och-Ziff had approximately $25.9 billion in assets under management with approximately 600 investor relationships.  For more information, please visit Och-Ziff's website at www.ozcap.com.

Funds Consolidation

Economic Income excludes the impacts of the consolidated Och-Ziff funds, including the related eliminations.

Other Adjustments

(a)  Economic Income presents management fees net of recurring placement and related service fees on assets under management, as management considers these fees a reduction in management fees, not an expense.

(b)  Economic Income recognizes deferred cash compensation expense in full in the period in which it is awarded, as management determines the total amount of compensation based on the Company's performance in the year of the award.

(c)  Economic Income excludes equity-based compensation expenses, as management does not consider these non-cash expenses to be reflective of the operating performance of the Company. The Company includes the number of shares granted in its Adjusted Class A Share count when determining Distributable Earnings Per Share.

(d)  Economic Income excludes allocations to non-equity partner interests. Management reviewed the performance of the Company before it made any allocations to the Company's non-equity partners for periods prior to the Reorganization. For these periods, allocations to the partners, other than Mr. Och, were treated as expenses for U.S. GAAP purposes. Following the Reorganization, only allocations to the partners, other than Mr. Och, that are related to earnings on deferred balances are incurred and these allocations are excluded from Economic Income.

(e)  Economic Income excludes Reorganization expenses, which are non-cash expenses directly attributable to the reclassification of interests held by the partners and the Ziffs prior to the Reorganization as Och-Ziff Operating Group A Units.

(f)  Economic Income excludes the profit sharing expenses related to the Ziffs' interest in the Company. Management reviewed the performance of the Company before it made any allocations to the Ziffs for periods prior to the Reorganization. Following the Reorganization, only profit sharing expenses related to the allocations of earnings on deferred balances are incurred and these allocations are excluded from Economic Income.

(g)  Economic Income excludes depreciation and amortization, changes in the tax receivable agreement liability and net gain on early retirement of debt, as management does not consider these items to be reflective of the operating performance of the Company. Economic Income also excludes income taxes as it is a measure of pre-tax performance.

(h)  Economic Income excludes the net earnings on the deferred balances and net gains (losses) on investments in Och-Ziff funds, as these amounts primarily relate to amounts due to affiliates for deferred balances, and amounts due to employees under deferred cash compensation arrangements that are indexed to the returns of certain funds.

(i)  Economic Income excludes amounts allocated to the partners and the Ziffs on their interests in the Och-Ziff Operating Group, as management reviews the performance of the Company at the Och-Ziff Operating Group level. The Company conducts substantially all of its activities through the Och-Ziff Operating Group.

SOURCE Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC