Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2006.

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Transition Period from              to             .

Commission file number 1-31234

 


WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   75-2969997

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

200 CRESCENT COURT, SUITE 1200

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201

(Address of Principal Executive Office)(Zip Code)

TELEPHONE NUMBER (214) 756-6900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value — 6,631,431 shares as of October 24, 2006.

 



Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.

INDEX

 

     PAGE

PART I

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements   
   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005    1
   Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005    2
   Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006    3
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005    4
   Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements    5

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    12

Item 3.

   Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk    19

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    20

PART II

   OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    20

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    20

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    20

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    20

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    20

Item 5.

   Other Information    20

Item 6.

   Exhibits    20

Signatures

   21


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

 

ASSETS

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,772    $ 1,897  

Accounts receivable

     2,504      2,452  

Investments, at market value

     15,343      17,878  

Other current assets

     533      410  
               

Total current assets

     26,152      22,637  

Goodwill

     2,302      2,302  

Deferred income taxes

     1,092      817  

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $718 and $523

     1,334      1,554  
               

Total assets

   $ 30,880    $ 27,310  
               

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 652    $ 715  

Dividends payable

     6,630      539  

Compensation and benefits payable

     1,896      2,980  

Income taxes payable

     47      694  

Other current liabilities

     9      7  
               

Total current liabilities

     9,234      4,935  

Deferred rent

     741      816  
               

Total liabilities

     9,975      5,751  
               

Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 6,630,056 shares at September 30, 2006; issued and outstanding 5,986,647 shares at December 31, 2005

     66      60  

Additional paid-in capital

     18,768      21,459  

Unamortized stock compensation

     —        (6,572 )

Retained earnings

     2,071      6,612  
               

Total stockholders’ equity

     20,905      21,559  
               

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 30,880    $ 27,310  
               

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
     2006    2005    2006    2005

REVENUES:

           

Advisory fees

   $ 4,391    $ 3,466    $ 12,881    $ 9,966

Trust fees

     2,086      1,773      6,026      5,144

Other revenues

     418      315      1,138      779
                           

Total revenues

     6,895      5,554      20,045      15,889
                           

EXPENSES:

           

Employee compensation and benefits

     4,058      3,049      10,979      8,328

Sales and marketing

     148      110      431      337

WHG mutual funds

     80      —        167      —  

Information technology

     225      199      682      576

Professional services

     312      315      1,040      908

General and administrative

     508      448      1,522      1,360
                           

Total expenses

     5,331      4,121      14,821      11,509
                           

Income before income taxes

     1,564      1,433      5,224      4,380

Provision for income taxes

     643      619      2,060      1,754
                           

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

     921      814      3,164      2,626

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income taxes of $21

     —        —        39      —  
                           

Net income

   $ 921    $ 814    $ 3,203    $ 2,626
                           

Earnings per share:

           

Basic:

           

Continuing operations

   $ 0.16    $ 0.15    $ 0.58    $ 0.48

Cumulative effect of an accounting change

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Net income

   $ 0.16    $ 0.15    $ 0.58    $ 0.48
                           

Diluted:

           

Continuing operations

   $ 0.16    $ 0.15    $ 0.56    $ 0.48

Cumulative effect of an accounting change

     —        —        0.01      —  
                           

Net income

   $ 0.16    $ 0.15    $ 0.57    $ 0.48
                           

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

Westwood Holdings
Group, Inc.

Common Stock, Par

  

Addi-

tional

Paid-In

Capital

   

Unamort-

ized

Stock

Compen-

sation

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Total

 
     Shares    Amount         

BALANCE, January 1, 2006

   5,986,647    $ 60    $ 21,459     $ (6,572 )   $ 6,612     $ 21,559  

Net income

               3,203       3,203  

Issuance of restricted stock

   620,784      6      (6 )         —    

Reversal of unamortized stock compensation due to FAS 123 (R) implementation

           (6,572 )     6,572         —    

Dividends declared ($1.18 per share)

               (7,744 )     (7,744 )

Restricted stock amortization

           3,152           3,152  

Stock options vested

           122           122  

Tax benefit related to equity compensation

           380           380  

Stock options exercised

   22,625      —        293           293  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

           (60 )         (60 )
                                            

BALANCE, September 30, 2006

   6,630,056    $ 66    $ 18,768     $ —       $ 2,071     $ 20,905  
                                            

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     For the nine months
ended September 30,
 
     2006     2005  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 3,203     $ 2,626  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     202       203  

Unrealized losses (gains) on investments

     13       (132 )

Stock option expense

     122       188  

Restricted stock amortization

     3,152       1,457  

Deferred income taxes

     (296 )     (53 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (39 )     —    

Net purchases of investments – trading securities

     (788 )     (469 )

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (52 )     (420 )

Other current assets

     (129 )     (19 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (63 )     92  

Compensation and benefits payable

     (1,084 )     (719 )

Income taxes payable

     (286 )     358  

Other liabilities

     8       105  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     3,963       3,217  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of money market funds – available for sale

     (5,536 )     (3,574 )

Sales of money market funds – available for sale

     8,846       6,718  

Purchase of property and equipment

     (57 )     (57 )
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     3,253       3,087  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation

     19       —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     293       261  

Cash dividends

     (1,653 )     (1,381 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,341 )     (1,120 )
                

NET INCREASE IN CASH

     5,875       5,184  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     1,897       720  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 7,772     $ 5,904  
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ 2,622     $ 1,448  

Issuance of restricted stock

     11,507       3,866  

Tax benefit allocated directly to equity

     380       150  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 12, 2001, as a subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. (“SWS”). On June 28, 2002, SWS completed the spin-off of Westwood by effecting a dividend distribution of all of the Westwood common stock held by SWS to all of its stockholders on a pro rata basis.

Westwood manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Management”) and Westwood Trust (“Trust”). Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, the WHG Funds, a family of institutional, no-load mutual funds, other mutual funds and clients of Trust. Trust provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. Revenue is largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under management (“AUM”). Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and in the composition of AUM impact revenue and results of operations.

Management is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Trust is chartered and regulated by the Texas Department of Banking.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared without an audit and reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2006, and results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All such adjustments are normal and recurring in nature. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented using the accrual basis of accounting and have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for the presentation of interim financial information as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, therefore, do not purport to contain all necessary financial disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America that might otherwise be necessary in the circumstances, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Refer to the accounting policies described in the notes to the Company’s annual financial statements, which were consistently followed in preparing this interim financial information. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2006 or any future period.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and trust fees are recognized as services are provided. These fees are determined in accordance with contracts between the Company’s subsidiaries and their clients and are generally based on a percentage of AUM. Most advisory and trust fees are payable in advance or in arrears on a calendar quarterly basis. Advance payments are deferred and recognized over the periods services are performed. Since most of our

 

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Table of Contents

WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, the revenue related to those clients is fully recognized within the quarter; consequently, there is not a significant amount of deferred revenue contained in these financial statements. Deferred revenue is shown on the balance sheet under the heading of “Other current liabilities”. Other revenues generally consist of interest and investment income and consulting fees. These revenues are recognized as earned or as the services are performed.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less.

Investments

Money market securities are classified as available for sale securities and have no significant fluctuating values. All other marketable securities are classified as trading securities. All securities are carried at quoted market value on the accompanying balance sheet. Net unrealized holding gains or losses on investments classified as trading securities are reflected as a component of other revenues. The Company measures realized gains and losses on investments using the specific identification method.

Goodwill

During the third quarter of 2006, the Company completed its annual impairment assessment as required by SFAS 142. No impairment loss was required. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of July 1.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications of prior period amounts in the statement of cash flows have been made to conform to the current period presentation of net purchases of investments-trading securities.

Federal Income Taxes

The Company files a Federal income tax return as a consolidated group for the Company and its subsidiaries.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured at enacted income tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is generally the result of changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available information. The fair value amounts discussed in Note 3 are not necessarily indicative of either the amounts the Company would realize upon disposition of these instruments or the Company’s intent or ability to dispose of these assets. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, as well as accounts receivable and payable, approximates their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amount of investments designated as “trading” securities, primarily U.S. Government and Government agency obligations as well as mutual funds and common trust fund shares, equals their fair value, which is equal to prices quoted in active markets and, with respect to funds, the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. The carrying amount of investments designated as “available for sale” securities, primarily money market accounts, equals their fair value, which is equal to the net asset value of the shares held as reported by the fund. The market values of the Company’s money market holdings generally do not fluctuate.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for these periods is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the effect of the dilutive impact of stock options and shares of restricted stock granted to employees and non-employee directors. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted shares (in thousands, except share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Net income

   $ 921    $ 814    $ 3,203    $ 2,626

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

     5,662,064      5,505,060      5,566,779      5,447,660

Dilutive potential shares from stock options

     42,522      39,054      45,737      41,156

Dilutive potential shares from restricted shares

     112,744      28,901      —        —  
                           

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     5,817,330      5,573,015      5,612,516      5,488,816
                           

Stock Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock based compensation in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Revised (“SFAS No. 123R”). Under SFAS No. 123R, stock based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock based awards measured at grant date, is recognized over the relevant service period, and is adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. We have elected to use the modified prospective transition method as permitted by SFAS No. 123R and therefore have not restated our financial results for prior periods. Under this transition method, we will apply the provisions of SFAS No. 123R to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after January 1, 2006. Additionally, we will recognize compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered that are outstanding as of January 1, 2006, as the remaining service is rendered. The compensation cost we record for these awards will be based on their grant-date fair value as required by SFAS No. 123R. SFAS No. 123R also requires us to report the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow. The Company has issued restricted stock and stock options in accordance with its Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. We value stock options issued based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognize this value as an expense over the periods in which the options vest. Implementation of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires us to make certain assumptions, including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options. We utilized assumptions that we believed to be most appropriate at the time of the valuation. Had we used different assumptions in the pricing model the expense recognized for stock options may have been different than the expense recognized in our financial statements. We must also apply judgment in developing an expectation of awards of restricted stock and stock options that may be forfeited. If actual experience differs significantly from these estimates, stock based compensation expense and the Company’s results of operations could be materially affected.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

3. INVESTMENTS:

Investments held as trading securities and investments held as available for sale securities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  

Estimated

Market

Value

September 30, 2006:

           

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

   $ 1,831    $ —      $ —      $ 1,831

Funds:

           

Money market

     9,807      —        —        9,807

Equity and fixed income

     3,529      176      —        3,705
                           

Marketable securities

   $ 15,167    $ 176    $ —      $ 15,343
                           

December 31, 2005:

           

U.S. Government and Government agency obligations

   $ 1,686    $ —      $ —      $ 1,686

Funds:

           

Money market

     13,206      —        —        13,206

Equity and fixed income

     2,797      189      —        2,986
                           

Marketable securities

   $ 17,689    $ 189    $ —      $ 17,878
                           

All of these investments are carried at market value. The money market funds are available for sale securities. The other investments are trading securities.

4. EQUITY:

On July 27, 2006, the Company declared a special cash dividend of $0.85 per share as well as a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share payable on October 2, 2006 to stockholders of record on September 15, 2006.

On July 27, 2006, under the Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, the Company granted an aggregate of 228,600 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company. These shares are subject to vesting conditions as described in “Note 5. Stock Based Compensation”.

On May 25, 2006, under the Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, the Company granted an aggregate of 400,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to its Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer, which are subject to vesting conditions as described in “Note 5. Stock Based Compensation”.

On April 27, 2006, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share on common stock payable on July 3, 2006 to stockholders of record on June 15, 2006.

On February 7, 2006, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share on common stock payable on April 3, 2006 to stockholders of record on March 15, 2006.

The Company eliminated its unamortized stock compensation balance against additional paid in capital as required by SFAS 123R.

5. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recorded certain adjustments to comply with SFAS 123R. Since the Company accounted for forfeitures of equity based awards as they occurred instead of estimating the effect of forfeitures when applying the original Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, on January 1, 2006 the Company recorded a cumulative

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

effect of a change in accounting principle totaling $39,000, net of tax, in order to reverse compensation expense recorded for unvested securities as of December 31, 2005 that was in excess of what the Company estimates will vest. The amount of stock based compensation expense recorded in continuing operations in the first nine months of 2006 using estimated forfeitures was approximately $56,000 less than it would have been had the Company not estimated forfeitures.

The Third Amended and Restated Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) reserves shares of Westwood common stock for issuance to eligible employees and directors of Westwood or its subsidiaries in the form of restricted stock and stock options. The total number of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including the predecessor plans to the Plan) may not exceed 1,948,100 shares. In the event of a change in control of the Company, the Plan contains provisions providing for the acceleration of the vesting of restricted stock and stock options. At September 30, 2006 approximately 580,000 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan. The Company recognized total compensation cost related to stock based compensation of approximately $3,274,000 and $1,644,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized for stock based compensation arrangements was $883,000 and $470,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Restricted Stock

Under the Plan, the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has granted restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors and performance-based restricted stock to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. The employees’ shares vest over four years, the directors’ shares vest over one year and the performance-based shares will vest annually over the next four years for shares granted to the Chief Executive Officer and over the next six years for shares granted to the Chief Investment Officer, provided annual performance goals, established by the compensation committee, are met. For the first vesting year, 2006, the officer will become vested in the applicable percentage of his or her restricted shares if Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income for 2006 is at least 10% greater than Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income for the 2005 year. In each subsequent year during the applicable vesting period, the compensation committee will establish a specific goal for that year’s vesting of the restricted shares, which will be based in all cases upon Westwood’s adjusted pre-tax income. If, in any year during the vesting period, the performance goal is not met, the compensation committee may establish a goal for a subsequent vesting period, which, if achieved or exceeded, may result in full or partial vesting of the shares that did not otherwise become vested in a prior year. In no event, however, will the maximum number of shares which may become vested over the vesting period exceed 100,000 shares, in the case of our Chief Executive Officer, and 300,000 shares, in the case of our Chief Investment Officer. If a portion of the performance-based restricted shares do not vest, no compensation expense is recognized for that portion and any previously recognized compensation expense related to the shares that do not vest would be reversed. Until restricted shares vest they are restricted from sale, transfer or assignment in accordance with the terms of the agreements under which they were issued. The Company calculates compensation cost for restricted stock grants by using the fair market value of its common stock at the date of grant, the number of shares issued and an estimate of shares that will not vest due to forfeitures. This compensation cost is amortized over the applicable vesting period. The following table details the status and changes in its restricted stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

     Shares    

Weighted Average

Grant Date Fair Value

Non-vested restricted shares, January 1, 2006

   472,000     $ 18.41

Granted

   628,600       18.53

Vested

   (130,621 )     18.51

Forfeited

   (7,816 )     18.37
        

Non-vested restricted shares, September 30, 2006

   962,163       18.48
        

The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $2.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2006, there was approximately $14.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted shares. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Stock Options

Options granted under the Plan have a maximum ten-year term and vest over a period of four years. The following table sets forth the summary of option activity under our stock option program for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

     Options    

Weighted

Average

Exercise
Price

  

Weighted
Average

Remaining

Contractual
Term (years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

Options outstanding, January 1, 2006

   155,625     $ 12.93      

Granted

   —         —        

Exercised

   (22,625 )     12.96      

Forfeited/expired

   —         —        
              

Options outstanding, September 30, 2006

   133,000       12.92    5.76    $ 728,000
              

Options exercisable, September 30, 2006

   132,625       12.92    5.76    $ 726,000
              

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $140,600 and $89,800, respectively. Options exercised represent newly issued shares. As of September 30, 2006, there was approximately $3,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, which we expect to recognize completely in 2006.

6. SEGMENT REPORTING:

The Company operates two segments: the Management segment and the Trust segment. Such segments are managed separately based on types of products and services offered and their related client bases. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based primarily on income before income taxes.

Management

The Management segment provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, the WHG Funds, a family of institutional, no-load mutual funds, other mutual funds and clients of Trust.

Trust

The Trust segment provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that Trust sponsors.

All segment accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment balances that eliminate in consolidation have been applied to the appropriate segment.

 

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WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     Management    Trust    Other     Eliminations     Consolidated
     (in thousands)

Three months ended September 30, 2006

            

Net revenues from external sources

   $ 4,769    $ 2,126    $ —       $ —       $ 6,895

Net intersegment revenues

     782      1      —         (783 )     —  

Income before income taxes

     2,464      487      (1,387 )     —         1,564

Segment assets

     18,475      4,571      7,834       —         30,880

Segment goodwill

     1,790      512      —         —         2,302

Three months ended September 30, 2005

            

Net revenues from external sources

   $ 3,758    $ 1,796    $ —       $ —       $ 5,554

Net intersegment revenues

     708      1      —         (709 )     —  

Income before income taxes

     1,802      350      (719 )     —         1,433

Segment assets

     18,862      4,483      5,815       —         29,160

Segment goodwill

     1,790      512      —         —         2,302
     Management    Trust    Other     Eliminations     Consolidated
     (in thousands)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006

            

Net revenues from external sources

   $ 13,911    $ 6,134    $ —       $ —       $ 20,045

Net intersegment revenues

     2,247      4      —         (2,251 )     —  

Income before income taxes

     7,146      1,352      (3,274 )     —         5,224

Segment assets

     18,475      4,571      7,834       —         30,880

Segment goodwill

     1,790      512      —         —         2,302

Nine months ended September 30, 2005

            

Net revenues from external sources

   $ 10,687    $ 5,202    $ —       $ —       $ 15,889

Net intersegment revenues

     2,054      4      —         (2,058 )     —  

Income before income taxes

     5,018      1,006      (1,644 )     —         4,380

Segment assets

     18,862      4,483      5,815       —         29,160

Segment goodwill

     1,790      512      —         —         2,302

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report, including statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” concerning our financial position and liquidity, results of operations, prospects for future growth, and other matters are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause our results to differ materially from the results discussed in, or contemplated by, such forward-looking statements include the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks include, without limitation, risks related to poor investment performance of the assets managed by us; risks related to our inability to capitalize on the costs we have recently incurred and are continuing to incur to develop some new asset classes and otherwise broaden Westwood’s capabilities; risks related to some members of our management being critical to our success and our inability to attract and retain key employees, which could compromise our future success; risks related to some of our executive officers having substantial influence over our investment policies; risks related to the negative performance of the securities markets; risks related to our business being dependent on investment advisory, subadvisory and trust agreements that are subject to termination or non-renewal and the related risk of losing any of our clients on very short notice; risks related to having a small number of clients account for a substantial portion of our business; risks related to any event that negatively affects the asset management industry; risk related to the substantial cost and time required to introduce new asset classes in our industry; risks related to our inability to successfully and timely expand our asset classes; risks related to our business being subject to pervasive regulation with attendant costs of compliance and serious consequences for violations; risks related to potential misuse of assets and information in the possession of our investment professionals and employees; risks related to acquisitions, which may be part of our long-term business strategy and involve inherent risks that could compromise the success of the combined business and dilute the holdings of our stockholders; risks related to various factors hindering our ability to declare and pay dividends; risks related to our business being vulnerable to systems failures; risks related to our potential inability to fund our capital requirements; risks related to the indemnification obligations contained in the tax separation agreement that we entered into with SWS and that neither party may be able to satisfy; and risks related to certain provisions in our charter documents discouraging a third party from acquiring control of us.

Overview

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through its two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. (“Management”) and Westwood Trust (“Trust”). Management provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, the WHG Funds, a family of institutional, no-load mutual funds, other mutual funds and clients of Trust. Trust provides to institutions and high net worth individuals trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. We have been providing investment advisory services since 1983 and, according to recognized industry sources, including Morningstar, Inc., when measured over multi-year periods ten years and longer, our principal asset classes have consistently ranked above the median in performance within their peer groups.

Revenues

We derive our revenues from investment advisory fees, trust fees, and other revenues. Our advisory fees are generated by Westwood Management, which manages its clients’ accounts under investment advisory and subadvisory agreements. Advisory fees are calculated based on a percentage of assets under management, and are paid in accordance with the terms of the agreements. Westwood Management’s advisory fees are paid quarterly in advance based on the assets under management on the last day of the preceding quarter, quarterly in arrears based on the assets under management on the last day of the quarter just ended, or are based on a daily or monthly analysis of assets under management for the stated period. Westwood Management recognizes revenues as services are rendered. Since most of our advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, the revenue related to those clients is fully recognized within the quarter; consequently, there is not a significant amount of deferred revenue contained in our financial statements.

 

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Our trust fees are generated by Westwood Trust pursuant to trust or custodial agreements. Trust fees are separately negotiated with each client and are generally based on a percentage of assets under management, which in turn is influenced by the complexity of the operations of the trust and the services provided. Westwood Trust also provides trust services to a small number of clients on a fixed fee basis. Most trust fees are paid quarterly in advance and are recognized as services are rendered. Since the majority of Westwood Trusts’ advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which payment relates, the revenue related to those clients is fully recognized within the quarter; consequently, there is not a significant amount of deferred revenue contained in our financial statements.

Our other revenues generally consist of interest income, investment income and consulting fees. We invest most of our cash in money market funds, although we do invest smaller amounts in bonds and equity instruments.

Assets Under Management

Assets under management increased $1.1 billion, or 24.7%, to $5.7 billion at September 30, 2006, compared with $4.6 billion at September 30, 2005. Average assets under management for the third quarter of 2006 were $5.5 billion compared to $4.4 billion for the third quarter of 2005, an increase of 25.6%. The increase in period ending assets under management was principally attributable to asset inflows from new clients and market appreciation of assets under management, partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. The following table sets forth Management’s and Trust’s assets under management as of September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005:

 

     As of September 30,
(1) (in millions)
   % Change  
     2006    2005   

September 30, 2006
vs.

September 30, 2005

 

Westwood Management Corp.

        

Separate Accounts

   $ 2,563    $ 2,045    25.3 %

Subadvisory

     912      702    29.9  

WHG Funds

     93      —      —    

Westwood Funds

     373      369    1.1  

Managed Accounts

     292      220    32.6  
                    

Total

     4,233      3,336    26.9  

Westwood Trust

        

Commingled Funds

     1,119      1,005    11.3  

Private Accounts

     210      169    24.3  

Agency/Custody Accounts

     120      45    166.7  
                    

Total

     1,449      1,219    18.9  

Total Assets Under Management

   $ 5,682    $ 4,555    24.7 %
                    

(1) The above table excludes the SWS cash reserve funds for which Westwood Management serves as investment advisor and Westwood Trust serves as custodian. The SWS cash reserve funds were $182 million and $164 million as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. These accounts are noted separately due to their unique nature within our business and because they can experience significant fluctuations on a weekly basis.

Management. In the preceding table, “Separate Accounts” represent corporate pension and profit sharing plans, public employee retirement accounts, Taft Hartley plans, endowments, foundations and individuals. “Subadvisory” represents relationships where Management provides investment management services for funds offered by other financial institutions. “WHG Funds” represent the family of institutional mutual funds for which Management serves as advisor. “Westwood Funds” represent the family of mutual funds for which Management serves as subadvisor. “Managed Accounts” represent relationships with brokerage firms and other registered investment advisors who offer Management’s products to their customers.

 

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Trust. In the preceding table, “Commingled Funds” represent funds that have been established to facilitate investment of fiduciary funds of multiple clients by combining assets into a single trust for taxable and tax-exempt entities. “Private Accounts” represent discretionary accounts where Trust acts as trustee or agent and has full investment discretion. “Agency/Custody Accounts” represent non-discretionary accounts in which Trust provides agent or custodial services, but does not act in an advisory capacity. For certain assets in this category Trust provides limited custody services for a minimal or zero fee currently, but views these assets as potentially converting to fee-generating managed assets in the future. As an example, some assets in this category consist of low-basis stock that is being held in custody for clients currently, but will likely transfer to fee-generating managed assets during an intergenerational transfer of wealth at some point in the future.

Results of Operations

The following table (dollars in thousands) and discussion of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 is based upon data derived from the consolidated statements of income contained in our consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with these statements, which are included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

 

          % Change  
     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
  

Three months ended
September 30, 2006
vs.

September 30, 2005

   

Nine months ended
September 30, 2006
vs.

September 30, 2005

 
     2006    2005    2006    2005     

Revenues

                

Advisory fees

   $ 4,391    $ 3,466    $ 12,881    $ 9,966    26.7 %   29.2 %

Trust fees

     2,086      1,773      6,026      5,144    17.7     17.1  

Other revenues

     418      315      1,138      779    32.7     46.1  
                                        

Total revenues

     6,895      5,554      20,045      15,889    24.1     26.2  
                                        

Expenses

                

Employee compensation and benefits

     4,058      3,049      10,979      8,328    33.1     31.8  

Sales and marketing

     148      110      431      337    34.5     27.9  

WHG mutual funds

     80      —        167      —      N/A     N/A  

Information technology

     225      199      682      576    13.1     18.4  

Professional services

     312      315      1,040      908    (1.0 )   14.5  

General and administrative

     508      448      1,522      1,360    13.4     11.9  
                                        

Total expenses

     5,331      4,121      14,821      11,509    29.4     28.8  
                                        

Income before income taxes

     1,564      1,433      5,224      4,380    9.1     19.3  

Provision for income taxes

     643      619      2,060      1,754    3.9     17.4  
                                        

Income from continuing operations

     921      814      3,164      2,626    13.1     20.5  

Cumulative effect of change

in accounting principle, net of tax

     —        —        39      —      N/A     N/A  
                                        

Net income

   $ 921    $ 814    $ 3,203    $ 2,626    13.1 %   22.0 %
                                        

Three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to three months ended September 30, 2005

Total Revenues. Our total revenues increased by 24.1% to $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Advisory fees increased by 26.7% to $4.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result of increased average assets under management by Westwood Management due to inflows from new clients and market appreciation of assets. These increases were partially offset by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Trust fees increased by 17.7% to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result of increased average assets under management by Westwood Trust due to inflows from new and existing clients and market appreciation of assets, offset in part by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Other revenues, which generally consist of interest and investment income and consulting fees, increased by 32.7% to $418,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $315,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Other revenues increased primarily as a result of increased realized gains from the Company’s investments, increased interest and dividends from the Company’s investments and an increase in consulting revenue. A decrease in mark to market value recorded on the Company’s investments partially offset these increases.

 

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Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits costs generally consist of salaries, incentive compensation, equity based compensation expense and benefits. Employee compensation and benefits increased by 33.1% to $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The largest component of this increase was an increase of approximately $730,000 in restricted stock expense due to additional restricted stock grants in July 2006 and grants of performance-based restricted stock to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer in May 2006. In the second quarter of 2006, we concluded that it is probable that we will meet the performance goal required in order for the applicable percentage of these performance-based shares to vest for 2006. As a result, we recognized expense of approximately $470,000 in each of the second and third quarters of 2006 related to the expected vesting of these shares. We expect to recognize a similar amount in the fourth quarter of 2006 related to these performance-based restricted stock grants. Other components of the increase in employee compensation and benefits costs were increased salary expense due to salary increases for certain employees and increased headcount, increased incentive compensation expense, increased 401(k) match expense and increased payroll tax expense. A decrease in compensation expense related to stock options partially offset these increases. We had 48 full-time employees as of September 30, 2006 compared to 47 full-time employees as of September 30, 2005.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing costs generally consist of costs associated with our marketing efforts, including travel and entertainment, direct and consultant marketing and advertising costs. Sales and marketing costs increased by 34.5% to $148,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $110,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily the result of increased entertainment and travel expenses.

WHG Mutual Funds. WHG Mutual Funds expenses generally consist of costs associated with our marketing, distributing and administration efforts related to the WHG Mutual Funds. WHG Mutual Funds expenses were $80,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with zero for the three months ended September 30, 2005 as the first of the funds was not launched until the fourth quarter of 2005. Currently, the largest component of these costs is fund expense reimbursements reflecting our partial subsidy of mutual fund expenses as we have capped the expense ratios for the funds in order to competitively position them in the defined contribution marketplace.

Information Technology. Information technology expenses are generally costs associated with proprietary investment research tools, maintenance and support, computing hardware, software licenses, telecommunications and other related costs. Information technology costs increased by 13.1% to $225,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $199,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily due to the costs related to a new performance measurement service for Trust clients, increased software maintenance costs and increased expense for system maintenance. Decreases in equipment related expense and website related expenses partially offset the increases.

Professional Services. Professional services expenses generally consist of costs associated with subadvisory fees, audit, legal and other professional services. Professional services expenses decreased by 1.0% to $312,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $315,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in audit expense due to reduced external audit and Sarbanes-Oxley costs resulting from our change in external auditors for the fiscal year 2006 and decreased legal expense. These decreases were partially offset by higher advisory fees paid to external subadvisors due to increased assets under management in international equity and growth common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses generally consist of costs associated with the lease of our office space, investor relations, licenses and fees, depreciation, insurance, office supplies and other miscellaneous expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 13.4% to $508,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $448,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the fees paid to the Company’s independent directors, increased charitable contributions, increased state and local taxes, an increase in employee training costs and an increase in occupancy costs. These increases were partially offset by decreases in office supply expense and other expenses.

Provision for Income Tax Expense. Provision for income tax expense increased by 3.9% to $643,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $619,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The effective tax rate was 41.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 43.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

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Nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2005

Total Revenues. Our total revenues increased by 26.2% to $20.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $15.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Advisory fees increased by 29.2% to $12.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result of increased average assets under management by Westwood Management due to inflows from new clients and market appreciation of assets. These increases were offset somewhat by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Trust fees increased by 17.1% to $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $5.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result of increased average assets under management by Westwood Trust due to inflows from new and existing clients and market appreciation of assets, offset in part by the withdrawal of assets by certain clients. Other revenues increased by 46.1% to $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $779,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Other revenues increased primarily as a result of increased interest and dividends from the Company’s investments, increased realized gains from the Company’s investments and an increase in consulting revenue. A decrease in mark to market value recorded on the Company’s investments partially offset these increases.

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefits increased by 31.8% to $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. This increase resulted primarily from an increase of approximately $1.7 million in restricted stock expense due to additional restricted stock grants in July 2006, May 2006 and July 2005, increased salary expense due to increased headcount and salary increases for certain employees, increased incentive compensation expense, increased payroll taxes related to the increases in salary and incentive compensation expense, increased employee health insurance expense and increased 401(k) and profit sharing contributions. A decrease in compensation expense related to stock options partially offset these increases. We had 48 full-time employees as of September 30, 2006 compared to 47 full-time employees as of September 30, 2005.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing costs increased by 27.9% to $431,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $337,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily the result of increased direct marketing expenses, increased travel expense and increased entertainment costs.

WHG Mutual Funds. WHG Mutual Funds expense of $167,000 was primarily related to expense reimbursements to the funds reflecting our partial subsidy of mutual fund expenses as we have capped the expense ratios for the funds in order to competitively position them in the defined contribution marketplace. There was no expense in the prior year period as the first funds were not launched until the fourth quarter of 2005.

Information Technology. Information technology costs increased by 18.4% to $682,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $576,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily due to increased software costs related to the upgrade of a critical application, costs related to a new performance measurement service for Trust clients and other application enhancements, software maintenance cost increases and increased system maintenance costs.

Professional Services. Professional services expenses increased by 14.5% to $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $908,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily the result of higher advisory fees paid to external subadvisors due to increased assets under management in international equity and growth common trust funds sponsored by Westwood Trust and an increase in legal expense. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in audit expense due to reduced external audit and Sarbanes-Oxley costs resulting from our change in external auditors for the fiscal year 2006.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by 11.9% to $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the fees paid to the Company’s independent directors, an increase in charitable contributions, an increase in occupancy costs, an increase in employee training costs, current period costs related to an investor and analyst conference and an increase in state taxes.

 

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Table of Contents

Provision for Income Tax Expense. Provision for income tax expense increased by 17.4% to $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The effective tax rate was 39.4% and 40.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005, respectively.

Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle, Net of Tax. In December 2004, the FASB revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123 (R)”), requiring public companies to recognize the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions in their financial statements. The Company has applied the fair value provisions of the original SFAS No. 123 for all options and restricted shares it has issued and accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. Under SFAS No. 123 (R) we are required to estimate the effect of forfeitures. As a result, on January 1, 2006 the Company recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle totaling $39,000, net of tax, in order to reverse compensation expense recorded for unvested securities as of December 31, 2005 that is in excess of what the Company estimates will vest.

Supplemental Financial Information

As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAP performance measures that we refer to as cash earnings and cash expenses. We provide these measures in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income and total expenses, which are reported on a GAAP basis. Management and our Board of Directors review cash earnings and cash expenses to evaluate the Company’s ongoing performance, allocate resources and review dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income and total expenses, are useful for both management and investors to evaluate the Company’s underlying operating and financial performance and its available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider these non-GAAP measures without considering financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

In calculating cash earnings, we add to net income the non-cash expense associated with equity-based compensation awards of restricted stock and stock options. In calculating cash earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we also eliminate the non-cash cumulative effect of change in accounting principle associated with our implementation of SFAS 123R. We define cash expenses as total expenses less non-cash equity-based compensation expense. Although depreciation on fixed assets is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating cash earnings or deduct it when calculating cash expenses because depreciation charges represent a decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement.

Our cash earnings increased by 50.5% to $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to a 24.1% increase in total revenues and a smaller 16.0% increase in cash expenses compared to the 2005 third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, cash earnings increased by 50.8% to $6.4 million compared with $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to a 26.2% increase in total revenues and a smaller 17.1% increase in total expenses compared to the prior year period.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to cash earnings and total expenses to cash expenses:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2006

   

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2005

    %
Change
 

Net Income

   $ 921,000     $ 814,000     13.1 %

Restricted stock expense

     1,387,000       657,000     111.1  

Stock option expense

     500       63,000     (99.2 )
                      

Cash earnings

   $ 2,308,500     $ 1,534,000     50.5  
                      

Total expenses

   $ 5,331,000     $ 4,121,000     29.4  

Less: Restricted stock expense

     (1,387,000 )     (657,000 )   111.1  

Less: Stock option expense

     (500 )     (63,000 )   (99.2 )
                      

Cash expenses

   $ 3,943,500     $ 3,401,000     16.0  
                      

 

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Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2006

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2005

    %
Change
 

Net Income

   $ 3,203,000     $ 2,626,000     22.0 %

Restricted stock expense

     3,152,000       1,457,000     116.3  

Stock option expense

     122,000       187,000     (34.8 )

Less: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (39,000 )     —      
                      

Cash earnings

   $ 6,438,000     $ 4,270,000     50.8  
                      

Total expenses

   $ 14,821,000     $ 11,509,000     28.8  

Less: Restricted stock expense

     (3,152,000 )     (1,457,000 )   116.3  

Less: Stock option expense

     (122,000 )     (187,000 )   (34.8 )
                      

Cash expenses

   $ 11,547,000     $ 9,865,000     17.1  
                      

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We fund our operations and cash requirements with cash generated from operating activities. As of September 30, 2006, we had no long-term debt. The changes in net cash provided by operating activities generally reflect the changes in earnings plus the effect of non-cash items and changes in working capital. Changes in working capital, especially accounts receivable and accounts payable, are generally the result of timing differences between collection of fees billed and payment of operating expenses.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, cash flow provided by operating activities, principally our investment advisory business, was $4.0 million. At September 30, 2006, we had working capital of $16.9 million. Cash flow provided by investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 of $3.3 million was primarily related to net sales of investments. Cash flow used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 of $1.3 million was primarily due to cash dividends paid and was partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to the exercise of stock options.

We had cash and investments, net of dividends payable, of $16.5 million at September 30, 2006, compared to $19.2 million at December 31, 2005. Dividends payable were $6.6 million and $539,000 as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. We had no liabilities for borrowed money at September 30, 2006.

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors. We believe that current cash and short-term investment balances and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the operating and capital requirements of our ordinary business operations through at least the next twelve months. However, there can be no assurance that we will not require additional financing within this time frame. Our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary. The failure to raise needed capital on attractive terms, if at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s contractual obligations since December 31, 2005.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We have evaluated the positions in the tax returns we have filed and the amounts comprising our deferred tax assets and do not believe that FIN 48 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

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The FASB has issued FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157), which addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under generally accepted accounting principles. The provisions of FAS 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of FAS 157.

The State of Texas recently passed House Bill 3 (HB 3), which revises the existing franchise tax system to create a new tax on virtually all Texas businesses. Starting in the fiscal year 2007, HB 3 changes the franchise tax base, lowers the tax rate and extends coverage to active businesses receiving state law liability protection. The Company has historically been subject to Texas franchise taxes and expects HB 3 to lower its Texas income-based taxes and has reflected this lower rate in the current provision for deferred income taxes.

In September 2006, the Security Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108). SAB 108 was issued to provide consistency between how registrants quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 established an approach that requires dual quantification of financial statement misstatements based on the effects of the misstatement on the income statement, balance sheet and other disclosures. It is referred to as the “dual” approach as it combines two widely used approaches, which focused on either the income statement or the balance sheet. SAB 108 removes the singular focus on either of those financial statements and the lingering errors that could potentially result. SAB 108 allows registrants to initially apply the dual approach either by (1) retroactively adjusting prior financial statements as if the dual approach had always been used or by (2) recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the dual approach as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company is not aware of any misstatements in the accompanying financial statements and disclosures and does not anticipate booking a cumulative adjustment on January 1, 2006.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates since December 31, 2005.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Westwood utilizes various financial instruments, which entail certain inherent market risks. We do not currently participate in any hedging activities, nor do we currently utilize any derivative financial instruments. The following information describes the key aspects of certain financial instruments that have market risks.

Interest Rates and Securities Markets

Our cash equivalents and other investment instruments are exposed to financial market risk due to fluctuation in interest rates, which may affect our interest income. These instruments are not entered into for speculative trading purposes. We do not expect our interest income to be significantly affected by a sudden change in market interest rates.

 

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The value of our assets under management is affected by changes in interest rates and fluctuations in securities markets. Since we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from investment advisory and trust fees based on the value of assets under management, our revenues may be adversely affected by changing interest rates or a decline in the prices of securities generally.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Westwood’s management evaluated, with the participation of Westwood’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of Westwood’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Westwood’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There has been no change in Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Westwood’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject from time to time to certain claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe the outcome of these proceedings will have a material impact on our financial position, operations or cash flow.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We face a number of significant risks and uncertainties in our business, which are detailed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and summarized in this report under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” These risks and uncertainties may affect our current position and future prospects, and should be considered carefully in evaluating us and an investment in our common stock.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14

 

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31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14
32.1*    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

* Pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of SEC Regulation S-K, these exhibits are furnished rather than filed with this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: October 26, 2006   WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Brian O. Casey

    Brian O. Casey
    Chief Executive Officer
  By:  

/s/ William R. Hardcastle, Jr.

    William R. Hardcastle, Jr.
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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