Federated Investors, Inc. FII posted a positive earnings surprise of around 3.4% for fourth-quarter 2017, keeping the earnings surprise streak alive of earnings beat. Following the impressive results, shares gained 3.9%.
Adjusted earnings per share of 61 cents beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents and also improved 17%, year over year, from 52 cents. Results exclude tax benefits of $70.4 million or 70 cents per share related to the tax reform.
Including tax benefits, net income for the quarter came in at $131.8 million or $1.31 per share compared with $55.8 million or 52 cents reported in the year-ago quarter.
Results were chiefly backed by lower expenses, driven by reduced voluntary fee waivers. Also, assets under management (AUM) improved during the quarter. However, lower revenues were the undermining factor.
For full-year 2017, adjusted net income was $220.9 million or $2.18 per share, up from $208.9 million or $2.03 per share in the prior year.
Downtrend in Revenues, Costs Down
For 2017, total revenues came in at $1.1 billion, down 4% year over year.
Total revenues in the fourth quarter declined 4% year over year to $278.3 million. Moreover, the figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $284 million.
The year-over-year decline in revenues was mainly due to the change in a customer relationship and altered average money market assets mix. This was partially mitigated by decreased voluntary fee waivers related to certain money market funds and increased revenues resulting from higher average equity and fixed-income assets.
Also, net investment advisory fees dropped 5% year over year to $186.1 million. In addition, net service fees (other) marked a 1% decrease, amounting to $43.1 million. Further, administrative service fees were down 5% year over year to $49.1 million.
During the reported quarter, Federated derived 40% of its revenues from money market assets, and remaining 60% from equity and fixed-income assets.
Furthermore, supported by a rise in net investment income, the company recorded a spectacular improvement in non-operating income of $2.4 million in the quarter, significantly up year over year.
Total operating expenses dipped 9% year over year to $187.5 million. The fall primarily exhibits decline in distribution expenses associated with a change in a customer relationship and reduced average money market fund assets, partially mitigated by increased distribution expenses related to lower voluntary yield-related fee waivers.
Steady Asset Position
As of Dec 31, 2017, total AUM was $397.6 billion, up 9% year over year. Average managed assets were $382 billion, up 7% from the prior-year quarter.
Federated witnessed equity assets of $68.1 billion, up 9% year over year. Additionally, fixed-income assets grew 25% year over year to $64.2 billion.
Additionally, money market assets increased 5% year over year to $265.2 billion. However, money market mutual fund assets came in at $185.5 billion, down 10% year over year.
As of Dec 31, 2017, cash and other investments were $369.5 million and total long-term debt totaled $170 million, compared with $301.1 million and $165.8 million, respectively, as of Dec 31, 2016.
Capital Deployment Update
For 2017, Federated repurchased 1.84 million shares of Federated class B common stock for $47 million. Notably, during the fourth quarter, the company repurchased 197,237 shares of Federated class B common stock for $4.6 million.
Our Viewpoint
Federated displays substantial growth potential on the back of its diverse asset and product mix, as well as a solid liquidity position. Furthermore, strategic acquisitions are anticipated to be favorable for the company. Additionally, with rise in interest rates, lower fee waivers are expected to aid the company’s top-line performance. Moreover, lower expenses could aid the company’s bottom-line performance further.
Federated Investors, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Federated Investors, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Federated Investors, Inc. Quote
Currently, Federated flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Among other investment managers, Legg Mason Inc. LM reported third-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended Dec 31) reported adjusted net income of $1.02 per share, significantly up 59.4% year over year. Results exclude tax benefit of $213.7 million, or $2.27 per share, and certain one-time items. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was 84 cents. Top-line strength and steady assets under management (AUM) were the tailwinds. Nevertheless, rise in expenses remained a major drag.
Further, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. TROW and Franklin Resources, Inc. BEN are scheduled to report December quarter-end results on Jan 30.
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