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May 9, 2019 at 6:00 AM PDT

Focus Financial Partners Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth of 32.5%, Supported by Record M&A Activity

NEW YORK, May 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Focus Financial Partners Inc. (Nasdaq: FOCS) (“Focus Inc.”, “Focus”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms, today reported results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

First Quarter 2019 Highlights

  • Total revenues of $259.9 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 32.5%
  • GAAP net loss of $2.8 million
  • GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.06
  • Adjusted Net Income(1) of $35.7 million, 40.3% higher than the prior year quarter
  • Adjusted Net Income Per Share(1) of $0.47, reflecting year-over-year growth of 34.3%
  • Closed on three new partner firms, adding acquired base earnings(2) of $11.9 million
  • Closed on nine mergers for existing partner firms
  • Introduced Focus Client Solutions, enabling partner firms to offer clients cash and credit solutions through a network of third-party banks and non-bank lenders  
  1. Non-GAAP financial measures. Please see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this press release for a reconciliation and more information on these measures.
  2. Please see footnote 6 under “How We Evaluate Our Business” later in this press release

“The first quarter again demonstrated the power of the Focus model in a highly attractive growth industry,” said Rudy Adolf, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. “We had a record first quarter of M&A activity, further increasing our presence in the ultra-high net worth and high net worth markets and expanding our international footprint. We continued to identify opportunities for our partner firms to benefit from our scale, intellectual and financial resources, which will drive value for years to come. Our momentum this year remains very strong as we build our business and deliver on our strategic priorities.”

“We are extremely pleased with our year-over-year growth in revenues and Adjusted Net Income Per Share,” said Jim Shanahan, Chief Financial Officer. “These results, combined with the level of M&A activity we achieved during the quarter and a robust pipeline, reinforce our confidence in our 20/20 long-term growth targets. We acquired three new partner firms and completed nine mergers for our existing partner firms that also contributed to our revenue growth in the quarter. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we closed on two additional partner firms and completed seven additional mergers.”

Presentation

This press release presents our results of operations and financial position, including consolidation of our investment in Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus LLC”), since July 30, 2018.  Prior to July 30, 2018, the closing date of our initial public offering (“IPO”), the financial statements included herein represent those of Focus LLC. The financial results of Focus Inc. prior to July 30, 2018 have not been included in these financial statements as it had not engaged in any business activities during such period. Accordingly, these results do not purport to reflect what the results of operations of Focus Inc. would have been had Focus Inc.’s IPO and related transactions occurred prior to July 30, 2018.

First Quarter Financial Highlights

Total revenues were $259.9 million, 32.5% or $63.7 million higher than the first quarter of the prior year.  The primary driver of this increase was attributable to new partner firms acquired over the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, which contributed approximately $48.4 million in revenue during the quarter. The balance of the increase of $15.3 million was primarily due to revenue growth from our existing partner firms partially offset by the lagged effect of the market decline, primarily in equities and fixed income, in the 2018 fourth quarter. The majority of this growth was the result of higher wealth management fees, which is inclusive of mergers completed by partner firms in the last twelve months.

In the first quarter ended March 31, 2019, an estimated 72%, or approximately $188 million, of revenues were correlated to the financial markets, primarily equities and fixed income, of which 71%, or approximately $133 million, were generated from advance billings. The remaining 28%, or approximately $72 million, of revenues were not correlated to the markets. These revenues typically consist of fixed fees for investment advice, tax fees and family office type services, primarily for high and ultra-high net worth clients.  In excess of 95% of revenues were fee-based and recurring during the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Organic revenue growth(1) was 7.7%, which when compared to the prior year quarter, was impacted by the effect of the markets, primarily equities and fixed income, decline in the 2018 fourth quarter and the advanced billing structure utilized by certain of our partner firms. Based on our M&A momentum and the general recovery in the financial markets, our organic revenue growth for the second quarter of 2019 is expected to be above 10%, demonstrating the resiliency of our business model.

Adjusted Net Income(2) was $35.7 million, an increase of 40.3%, or $10.3 million over the prior year quarter. Adjusted Net Income Per Share(2) was $0.47 per share, $0.12, or 34.3%, higher than the prior year quarter, reflecting both acquisition activity completed over the past year and organic growth.

  1. Please see footnote 2 under “How We Evaluate Our Business” later in this press release.
  2. Non-GAAP financial measures. Please see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this press release for a reconciliation and more information on these measures.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of March 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents were $83.8 million, compared to $33.2 million at December 31, 2018. Debt outstanding under the Company’s credit facilities was approximately $1.1 billion, compared to $839.0 million at the end of the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to the cash funding of the acquisitions of new partner firms and mergers completed by our partner firms during the first quarter.

Of the total debt outstanding as of March 31, 2019, $797.0 million were term loan borrowings and $290.0 million were borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit agreement. The Company’s net leverage ratio at March 31, 2019 was 3.88x and a reflection of the strong M&A momentum during the first quarter.

New Developments

In the second quarter of 2019, we introduced Focus Client Solutions, a new value-added service we are offering to our partner firms. We have created a network of third-party banks and non-bank lenders to provide a competitive array of cash and credit solutions that enables our partners to proactively help their clients achieve higher yields on cash, as well as unlock home equity and business opportunities through refinancing, commercial lending and other options. This is a unique offering in the RIA industry and another example of how we use our scale, access and purchasing power to help our partners deliver exceptional services to their clients.

Teleconference, Webcast and Presentation Information

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rudy Adolf, and Chief Financial Officer, Jim Shanahan, will host a conference call today, May 9, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s 2019 first quarter results. The call can be accessed by dialing +1-877-504-6131 (inside the U.S.) or +1-786-815-8445 (outside the U.S.) and entering the passcode 8787832. 

A live, listen-only webcast, together with a slide presentation titled “2019 First Quarter Earnings Release Supplement” dated May 9, 2019, will be available under “Events” in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website, www.focusfinancialpartners.com. A webcast replay of the call will be available shortly after the event at the same address. 

About Focus Financial Partners Inc.

Focus Financial Partners is a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides access to best practices, resources, and continuity planning for its partner firms who serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with comprehensive wealth management services. Focus partner firms maintain their operational independence, while they benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing information contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company’s operations and business environment which may cause the Company’s actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additional information on risk factors that could potentially affect the Company’s financial results may be found in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor and Media Contact Information

Tina Madon
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Tel: (646) 813-2909
[email protected]

How We Evaluate Our Business

We focus on several key financial metrics in evaluating the success of our business, the success of our partner firms and our resulting financial position and operating performance. Key metrics for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 include the following:

  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
    2018       2019  
  (In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Revenue Metrics:      
Revenues $   196,229     $   259,924  
Revenue growth (1) from prior period    44.8 %     32.5 %
Organic revenue growth (2) from prior period   17.6 %     7.7 %
       
Management Fees Metrics (operating expense):      
Management fees $   46,300     $   57,006  
Management fees growth (3) from prior period    39.3 %     23.1 %
Organic management fees growth (4) from prior period    24.5 %     1.8 %
       
Adjusted EBITDA Metrics:      
Adjusted EBITDA (5) $   44,221     $   54,514  
Adjusted EBITDA growth (5) from prior period   56.8 %     23.3 %
       
Adjusted Net Income Metrics:      
Adjusted Net Income (5)  $   25,456     $   35,714  
Adjusted Net Income growth (5) from prior period    38.8 %     40.3 %
       
Adjusted Net Income Per Share Metrics:      
Adjusted Net Income Per Share (5) $   0.35     $   0.47  
Adjusted Net Income Per Share growth (5) from prior period   38.8 %     34.3 %
Adjusted Shares Outstanding (5)   71,843,916       76,793,979  
       
Other Metrics:      
Acquired Base Earnings (6) $   2,750     $   11,913  
Number of partner firms at period end (7)     52         60  
       
  1. Represents period-over-period growth in our GAAP revenue.
  2. Organic revenue growth represents the period-over-period growth in revenue related to partner firms, including growth related to acquisitions of wealth management practices and customer relationships by our partner firms and partner firms that have merged, that for the entire periods presented, are included in our consolidated statements of operations for each of the entire periods presented. We believe these growth statistics are useful in that they present full-period revenue growth of partner firms on a ‘‘same store’’ basis exclusive of the effect of the partial period results of partner firms that are acquired during the comparable periods.
  3. The terms of our management agreements entitle the management companies to management fees typically consisting of all Earnings Before Partner Compensation (“EBPC”) in excess of Base Earnings up to Target Earnings, plus a percentage of any EBPC in excess of Target Earnings. Management fees growth represents the growth in GAAP management fees earned by management companies. While an expense, we believe that growth in management fees reflect the strength of the partnership.
  4. Organic management fee growth represents the period-over-period growth in management fees earned by management companies related to partner firms, including growth related to acquisitions of wealth management practices and customer relationships by our partner firms and partner firms that have merged, that for the entire periods presented, are included in our consolidated statements of operations for each of the entire periods presented.  We believe that these growth statistics are useful in that they present full-period growth of management fees on a ‘‘same store’’ basis exclusive of the effect of the partial period results of partner firms that are acquired during the comparable periods.
  5. For additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income Per Share and Adjusted Shares Outstanding, including a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, please read ‘‘Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Adjusted EBITDA’’ and ‘‘Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures —Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share’’.
  6. The terms of our management agreements entitle the management companies to management fees typically consisting of all future EBPC of the acquired wealth management firm in excess of Base Earnings up to Target Earnings, plus a percentage of any EBPC in excess of Target Earnings. Acquired Base Earnings is equal to our retained cumulative preferred position in Base Earnings. We are entitled to receive these earnings notwithstanding any earnings that we are entitled to receive in excess of Target Earnings. Base Earnings may change in future periods for various business or contractual matters. For example, from time to time when a partner firm consummates an acquisition, the management agreement among the partner firm, the management company and the principals is amended to adjust Base Earnings and Target Earnings to reflect the projected post-acquisition earnings of the partner firm.
  7. Represents the number of partner firms on the last day of the period presented. The number includes new partner firms acquired during the period reduced by any partner firms that merged with existing partner firms prior to the last day of the period.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

FOCUS FINANCIAL PARTNERS INC.
Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
    Three Months Ended
  March 31,
      2018       2019  
REVENUES:        
Wealth management fees   $   184,323     $   243,084  
Other     11,906       16,840  
Total revenues     196,229       259,924  
OPERATING EXPENSES:        
Compensation and related expenses      73,349       101,448  
Management fees      46,300       57,006  
Selling, general and administrative      36,287       52,257  
Management contract buyout           1,428  
Intangible amortization      19,494       28,741  
Non-cash changes in fair value of estimated     6,371       7,414  
contingent consideration    
Depreciation and other amortization      1,882       2,313  
Total operating expenses     183,683       250,607  
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS      12,546       9,317  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):        
Interest income      142       197  
Interest expense      (14,272 )     (12,859 )
Amortization of debt financing costs      (959 )     (782 )
Gain on sale of investment      5,509        
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings      (14,011 )      
Other income (expense) —net      93       (236 )
Income from equity method investments      74       314  
Total other expense—net      (23,424 )     (13,366 )
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX      (10,878 )     (4,049 )
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)     1,176       (1,221 )
NET LOSS   $   (12,054 )     (2,828 )
Non-controlling interest           (114 )
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO         
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS       $   (2,942 )
         
Loss per share of Class A common stock:        
Basic       $   (0.06 )
Diluted       $   (0.06 )
         
Weighted average shares of Class A common        
stock outstanding:        
Basic          46,211,599  
Diluted          46,211,599  
         

 

FOCUS FINANCIAL PARTNERS INC.
Unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
  December 31,    March 31,
  2018       2019  
ASSETS      
Cash and cash equivalents $   33,213     $   83,779  
Accounts receivable less allowances of $576 at 2018 and $661 at 2019   98,596       119,202  
Prepaid expenses and other assets   76,150       83,501  
Fixed assets—net    24,780       24,860  
Operating lease assets         171,189  
Debt financing costs—net    12,340       11,666  
Deferred tax assets—net   70,009       75,360  
Goodwill    860,495       945,503  
Other intangible assets—net    762,195       881,096  
TOTAL ASSETS  $   1,937,778     $   2,396,156  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
LIABILITIES      
Accounts payable  $   8,935     $   13,603  
Accrued expenses    36,252       42,054  
Due to affiliates   39,621       41,281  
Deferred revenue    6,215       7,870  
Other liabilities    158,497       169,717  
Operating lease liabilities         181,597  
Borrowings under credit facilities (stated value of $838,985 and $1,086,978   836,582       1,084,683  
at December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively)  
Tax receivable agreements obligation   39,156       43,075  
TOTAL LIABILITIES    1,125,258       1,583,880  
EQUITY      
Class A common stock, par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized;   462       467  
46,265,903 and 46,675,183 shares issued and outstanding at  
December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively  
Class B common stock, par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized;    228       225  
22,823,272 and 22,568,831 shares issued and outstanding at  
December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively  
Additional paid-in capital   471,386       459,488  
Accumulated deficit   (590 )     (3,532 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,824 )     (1,594 )
Total shareholders’ equity   469,662       455,054  
Non-controlling interest   342,858       357,222  
Total equity   812,520       812,276  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $   1,937,778     $   2,396,156  
       

 

FOCUS FINANCIAL PARTNERS INC.  
Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows  
(In thousands)  
  Three Months Ended  
March 31,  
    2018       2019    
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net loss $   (12,054 )   $   (2,828 )  
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating        
activities—net of effect of acquisitions:        
Intangible amortization     19,494       28,741    
Depreciation and other amortization    1,882       2,313    
Amortization of debt financing costs   959       782    
Non-cash equity compensation expense    3,854       3,921    
Non-cash changes in fair value of estimated contingent consideration   6,371       7,414    
Income from equity method investments   (74 )     (314 )  
Distributions received from equity method investments    344       263    
Other non-cash items    (368 )     (575 )  
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings   14,011          
Changes in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable   (11,017 )     (20,690 )  
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (8,167 )     (5,788 )  
Accounts payable    1,410       4,662    
Accrued expenses    5,383       3,741    
Due to affiliates    (9,914 )     1,723    
Other liabilities    (1,280 )     (7,537 )  
Deferred revenue   1,891       85    
Net cash provided by operating activities   12,725       15,913    
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Cash paid for acquisitions and contingent consideration—net of cash acquired   (25,531 )     (203,394 )  
Purchase of fixed assets    (2,312 )     (1,875 )  
Other    (3,400 )        
Net cash used in investing activities    (31,243 )     (205,269 )  
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Borrowings under credit facilities          295,000    
Repayments of borrowings under credit facilities    (1,987 )     (47,007 )  
Contingent consideration paid    (2,180 )     (7,649 )  
Payments of debt financing costs    (634 )        
Proceeds from exercise of stock options         214    
Payments on finance lease obligations   (59 )     (57 )  
Distributions for unitholders    (138 )     (596 )  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities    (4,998 )     239,905    
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   10       17    
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (23,506 )     50,566    
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:        
Beginning of period   51,455       33,213    
End of period $   27,949     $   83,779    
         

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) excluding interest income, interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), amortization of debt financing costs, intangible amortization and impairments, if any, depreciation and other amortization, non-cash equity compensation expense, non-cash changes in fair value of estimated contingent consideration, gain on sale of investment, loss on extinguishment of borrowings, other expense/income, net, other one-time transaction expenses, and management contract buyout, if any. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA, viewed in addition to and not in lieu of, our reported GAAP results, provides additional useful information to investors regarding our performance and overall results of operations for various reasons, including the following:

  • Non-cash equity grants made to employees or non-employees at a certain price and point in time do not necessarily reflect how our business is performing at any particular time; stock-based compensation expense is not a key measure of our operating performance;
  • Contingent consideration or earn outs can vary substantially from company to company and depending upon each company’s growth metrics and accounting assumption methods, the non-cash changes in fair value of estimated contingent consideration is not considered a key measure in comparing our operating performance; and
  • Amortization expenses can vary substantially from company to company and from period to period depending upon each company’s financing and accounting methods; the fair value and average expected life of acquired intangible assets and the method by which assets were acquired; the amortization of intangible assets obtained in acquisitions are not considered a key measure in comparing our operating performance.

We use Adjusted EBITDA:

  • As a measure of operating performance;
  • For planning purposes, including the preparation of budgets and forecasts;
  • To allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of our business; and
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies.

Adjusted EBITDA does not purport to be an alternative to net income (loss) or cash flows from operating activities. The term Adjusted EBITDA is not defined under GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income (loss), operating income or any other performance or liquidity measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect all cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense on our debt or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments.

In addition, Adjusted EBITDA can differ significantly from company to company depending on strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate and capital investments. We compensate for these limitations by relying also on the GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019:

  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
    2018       2019  
  (In thousands)
Net loss $   (12,054 )   $   (2,828 )
Interest income    (142 )     (197 )
Interest expense   14,272       12,859  
Income tax expense (benefit)   1,176       (1,221 )
Amortization of debt financing costs   959       782  
Intangible amortization   19,494       28,741  
Depreciation and other amortization    1,882       2,313  
Non-cash equity compensation expense    3,854       3,921  
Non-cash changes in fair value of estimated
  contingent consideration
  6,371       7,414  
Gain on sale of investment    (5,509 )      
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings    14,011        
Other expense (income), net   (93 )     236  
Management contract buyout         1,428  
Other one-time transaction expenses         1,066  
Adjusted EBITDA  $   44,221     $   54,514  
       

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share

We analyze our performance using Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share are non-GAAP measures. We define Adjusted Net Income as net income (loss) excluding income tax expense (benefit), amortization of debt financing costs, intangible amortization and impairments, if any, non-cash equity compensation expense, non-cash changes in fair value of estimated contingent consideration, gain on sale of investment, loss on extinguishment of borrowings,  management contract buyout, if any, and other one-time transaction expenses. The calculation of Adjusted Net Income also includes adjustments to reflect (i) a pro forma 27% income tax rate assuming all earnings of Focus LLC were recognized by Focus Inc. and no earnings were attributable to non-controlling interests and (ii) tax adjustments from intangible asset related income tax benefits from acquisitions based on a pro forma 27% tax rate.

Adjusted Net Income Per Share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the Adjusted Shares Outstanding. Adjusted Shares Outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2019 includes: (i) the weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the period, (ii) the weighted average incremental shares of Class A common stock related to stock options and unvested Class A common stock, if any, outstanding during the period, (iii) the weighted average number of Focus LLC common units outstanding during the period (assuming that 100% of such Focus LLC common units have been exchanged for Class A common stock) and (iv) the weighted average number of common unit equivalents of Focus LLC vested and unvested incentive units outstanding during the period based on the closing price of our Class A common stock on the last trading day of the period (assuming that 100% of such Focus LLC common units have been exchanged for Class A common stock).

Adjusted Net Income Per Share for the periods prior to July 30, 2018 is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the Adjusted Shares Outstanding. Adjusted Shares Outstanding for the periods prior to July 30, 2018 was 71,843,916 and includes all vested and unvested shares of Class A common stock issued in connection with the IPO and Reorganization Transactions, assumes that all vested non-compensatory stock options and unvested compensatory stock options outstanding at the closing of the IPO have been exercised (assuming vesting of unvested compensatory stock options and a then-current value of the Class A common stock equal to the $33.00 IPO price) and assumes that 100% of the Focus LLC common units and vested and unvested incentive units outstanding at the closing of the IPO have been exchanged for Class A common stock (assuming vesting of the unvested incentive units and a then-current value of the Focus LLC common units equal to the $33.00 IPO price).

We believe that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share, viewed in addition to and not in lieu of, our reported GAAP results, provide additional useful information to investors regarding our performance and overall results of operations for various reasons, including the following:

  • Non-cash equity grants made to employees or non-employees at a certain price and point in time do not necessarily reflect how our business is performing at any particular time; stock-based compensation expense is not a key measure of our operating performance;
  • Contingent consideration or earn outs can vary substantially from company to company and depending upon each company’s growth metrics and accounting assumption methods; the non-cash changes in fair value of estimated contingent consideration is not considered a key measure in comparing our operating performance; and
  • Amortization expenses can vary substantially from company to company and from period to period depending upon each company’s financing and accounting methods, the fair value and average expected life of acquired intangible assets and the method by which assets were acquired; the amortization of intangible assets obtained in acquisitions are not considered a key measure in comparing our operating performance.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share do not purport to be an alternative to net income (loss) or cash flows from operating activities. The terms Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share are not defined under GAAP, and Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share are not a measure of net income (loss), operating income or any other performance or liquidity measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

  • Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share do not reflect all cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
  • Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; and
  • Other companies in the financial services industry may calculate Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

In addition, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share can differ significantly from company to company depending on strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate and capital investments. We compensate for these limitations by relying also on the GAAP results and use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share as supplemental information.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019:

  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
    2018       2019  
  (In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Net loss $   (12,054 )   $   (2,828 )
Income tax expense (benefit)   1,176       (1,221 )
Amortization of debt financing costs   959       782  
Intangible amortization    19,494       28,741  
Non-cash equity compensation expense   3,854       3,921  
Non-cash changes in fair value of estimated
  contingent consideration
  6,371       7,414  
Gain on sale of investment   (5,509 )      
Loss on extinguishment of borrowings   14,011        
Management contract buyout         1,428  
Other one-time transaction expenses (1)         1,066  
  Subtotal  $   28,302     $   39,303  
Pro forma income tax expense (27%) (2)   (7,641 )     (10,612 )
Tax Adjustments (2) (3)   4,795       7,023  
Adjusted Net Income $   25,456     $   35,714  
Adjusted Shares Outstanding (4)    71,843,916        76,793,979  
Adjusted Net Income Per Share  $   0.35     $   0.47  
       
Calculation of Adjusted Shares Outstanding:      
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock      
outstanding—basic (5)         46,211,599  
Adjustments:      
Shares of Class A common stock issued in connection with   42,529,651        
the IPO and Reorganization Transactions (6)  
Weighted average incremental shares of Class A common         7,855  
stock related to stock options and unvested Class A  
common stock (7)  
Weighted average Focus LLC common units outstanding (8)   22,499,665       22,783,692  
Weighted average common unit equivalent of Focus LLC      
incentive units outstanding (9)   6,814,600       7,790,833  
Adjusted Shares Outstanding (4)    71,843,916        76,793,979  
       
  1. In Q1 2019, relates to one-time expenses related to (a) Loring Ward severance cash compensation of $280, which were recorded in compensation and related expenses and (b) transaction expenses of $786, which were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, associated with the acquisition of Loring Ward.
  2. For periods ended prior to the closing of the IPO and the consummation of the related reorganization transactions on July 30, 2018, these adjustments are being made for comparative purposes only.
  3. As of March 31, 2019, estimated tax adjustments from intangible asset related income tax benefits from closed acquisitions based on a pro forma 27% tax rate for the next 12 months is $29,157.
  4. For historical periods prior to the closing of the IPO and consummation of the related reorganization transactions on July 30, 2018, the Adjusted Shares Outstanding are deemed to be outstanding for comparative purposes only.
  5. Represents our GAAP weighted average Class A common stock outstanding–basic.
  6. The issuance of Class A common stock that occurred upon closing of the IPO and the consummation of related reorganization transactions on July 30, 2018 is assumed to have occurred as of January 1, 2018 for comparative purposes.
  7. The incremental shares for the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to stock options and unvested Class A common stock as calculated using the treasury stock method were not included in the calculation of the GAAP weighted average shares of Class A common stock—diluted as the result would have been anti-dilutive.
  8. Assumes that 100% of the Focus LLC common units were exchanged for Class A common stock.
  9. Assumes that 100% of the vested and unvested Focus LLC incentive units were converted into Focus LLC common units based on the closing price of our Class A common stock at the end of the respective period and such Focus LLC common units were exchanged for Class A common stock. For the periods ending prior to July 30, 2018, the conversion to Focus LLC common units was based on the $33.00 IPO price.

The following table provides supplemental information regarding the economic ownership of Focus Financial Partners, LLC, as of March 31, 2019:

  As of March 31, 2019
Economic Ownership of Focus Financial Partners, LLC Interests: Interest   %
Focus Financial Partners Inc. (1) 46,675,183   60.7%
Non-Controlling Interests (2) 30,183,233   39.3%
Total 76,858,416   100.0%
       
  1. Includes 118,169 unvested common units.
  2. Includes 7,614,402 Focus LLC common units issuable upon conversion of the outstanding 18,048,706 vested and unvested incentive units (assuming vesting of the unvested incentive units and a March 31, 2019 period end value of the Focus LLC common units equal to $35.64).

The following table provides supplemental information regarding the outstanding Focus LLC vested and unvested Incentive Units (“IUs”) at March 31, 2019. The vested IUs in future periods can be exchanged into shares of Class A common stock (after conversion into a number of Focus LLC common units that takes into account the then-current value of common units and such IUs aggregate hurdle amount), and therefore, the Company calculates the Class A common stock equivalent of such IUs for purposes of calculating Adjusted Net Income per Share.  The period-end share price of the Company’s Class A common stock is used to calculate the intrinsic value of the outstanding units in order to calculate a common unit equivalent of the Focus LLC IUs. 

Focus Financial Partners, LLC Incentive Units by Hurdle:
   
 Hurdle Rates   Number Outstanding 
$   1.42   175,421
    5.50   97,798
    6.00   56,702
    7.00   514,609
    9.00   2,081,799
    11.00   1,372,761
    12.00   520,000
    13.00   858,817
    14.00   56,205
    16.00   168,552
    17.00   80,000
    19.00   884,797
    21.00   3,975,500
    22.00   1,289,667
    23.00   524,828
    27.00   29,484
    28.50   1,646,766
    33.00   3,715,000
    18,048,706
   

The following table provides supplemental information regarding the Company’s Class A and B common stock:

  Q1 2019 Weighted Average Outstanding Number of Shares Outstanding at March 31, 2019 Number of Shares Outstanding at May 3, 2019
Class A 46,211,599 46,675,183 46,692,832
Class B 22,783,692 22,568,831 22,568,831

 

 

Focus_Reflex_CMYK (1).jpg

 

Source: Focus Financial Partners Inc.