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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

________________ 

Form 8-K
________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 24, 2024
__________________

WisdomTree, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________



 

Delaware 001-10932 13-3487784

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

Commission

File Number:

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

250 West 34th Street

3rd Floor

New York, NY 10119

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(212) 801-2080

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 _______________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value   WT   The New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights   WT   The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

 

 

     

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On April 26, 2024, WisdomTree, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. A copy of the press release containing this information is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 8.01. Other Events

On April 24, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share of common stock, payable on May 22, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 8, 2024. A copy of the press release issued in connection with the dividend is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated April 26, 2024
Exhibit 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

     

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

    WisdomTree, Inc.
       
Date: April 26, 2024   By:

/s/ Bryan Edmiston

 
      Bryan Edmiston
      Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-99.1 2 ex99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

-

 

 

 

 

   

WisdomTree Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

 

Record AUM of $107.2 Billion

870bps of Operating Margin Expansion vs. Q1 2023

Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.13 ($0.12, as Adjusted)

 

New York, NY – (Business Wire) – April 26, 2024 – WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2024.

 

$22.1 million of net income ($20.3(1) million of net income, as adjusted), see “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements” for additional information.

 

$107.2 billion of ending AUM, an increase of 7.1% from the prior quarter arising from market appreciation and net inflows.

 

$2.0 billion of net inflows, primarily driven by inflows into our international developed equity and U.S. equity products.

 

0.36% average advisory fee, unchanged from the prior quarter.

 

$96.8 million of operating revenues, an increase of 6.6% from the prior quarter primarily due to higher average AUM.

 

79.4% gross margin(1), a 0.3 point decrease from the prior quarter due to higher fund costs.

 

28.9% operating income margin (29.6%(1) as adjusted), a 0.2 point increase (0.9 point increase, as adjusted(1)) compared to our operating margin of 28.7% in the prior quarter primarily due to higher revenues.

 

$0.03 quarterly dividend declared, payable on May 22, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 8, 2024.

Update from Jonathan Steinberg, WisdomTree CEO

“It has been a great start to the year with record AUM, nearly $2 billion of net inflows, and 820 basis points of margin expansion (as adjusted), driving a 71% increase in our earnings per share as compared to the first quarter of last year.  Importantly, we expect that momentum to continue as we are executing on our key initiatives to drive the next $100 billion of assets under management: traction in our ETP lineup, an expanding models footprint, and leadership in the secular shift toward tokenization of financial assets.

 

We achieved several key milestones in the quarter, including the receipt of a trust charter from the New York State Department of Financial Services – the premier regulator for digital asset businesses in the U.S. – and the launch of our debit card to WisdomTree Prime™ users.  This key combination not only expands our geographic footprint but also allows us to offer value-added services to our customer base.  We continue to believe that tokenized assets and blockchain-enabled finance represent a growth opportunity for WisdomTree, and this quarter’s accomplishments are yet another positive step in unlocking new customers, new markets and new revenue streams.”

 

 

  1  

 

Update from Jarrett Lilien, WisdomTree COO and President

“We are pleased to report that we are delivering strong operating margin expansion and earnings growth, demonstrating our scalable operating model and ability to leverage our AUM growth. We are confident that we have the right strategy, the right products, the right team and the right culture to continue to create value for our clients and stockholders in the long term. We remain extremely bullish about 2024 and beyond as we continue to drive organic growth, expand our margins, and lead the industry's evolution in tokenized assets and blockchain-enabled finance.

 

For a number of years, we have been alone talking about many of the themes driving our growth, including our diversified product suite, models and the potential of tokenization and blockchain-enabled finance – but now we have company. If you want to know what the industry is going to do tomorrow, look at what WisdomTree is doing today.”

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   

Three Months Ended

 
    Mar. 31,
2024
    Dec. 31,
2023
    Sept. 30,
2023
    June 30,
2023
    Mar. 31,
2023
 
Consolidated Operating Highlights ($ in billions):                                        
AUM—end of period   $ 107.2     $ 100.1     $ 93.7     $ 93.7     $ 90.7  
Net inflows/(outflows)   $ 2.0     $ (0.3 )   $ 2.0     $ 2.3     $ 6.3  
Average AUM   $ 102.4     $ 96.6     $ 95.7     $ 91.6     $ 87.5  
Average advisory fee     0.36%       0.36%       0.36%       0.36%       0.36%  
                                         
Consolidated Financial Highlights ($ in millions, except per share amounts):                                        
Operating revenues   $ 96.8     $ 90.8     $ 90.4     $ 85.7     $ 82.0  
Net income   $ 22.1     $ 19.1     $ 13.0     $ 54.3     $ 16.2  
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.16     $ 0.07     $ 0.32     $ 0.10  
Operating income margin     28.9%       28.7%       29.5%       21.2%       20.2%  
                                         
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP(1)):                                        
Gross margin     79.4%       79.7%       80.1%       79.3%       79.1%  
Net income, as adjusted   $ 20.3     $ 18.6     $ 18.0     $ 14.9     $ 11.2  
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted   $ 0.12     $ 0.11     $ 0.10     $ 0.09     $ 0.07  
Operating income margin, as adjusted     29.6%       28.7%       29.5%       26.9%       21.4%  
                                         

 

  2  

 

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Company News

·      In February 2024, we launched the WisdomTree Prime™ Visa Debit Card, a digital and physical card enabling users to spend outside the WisdomTree Prime app.

·      In March 2024, we were named ‘Best Leveraged & Inverse ETF Issuer ($1bn+)’ at the ETF Express European ETF Awards and ‘Best ETF Provider’ at the Diaman Quant Awards in Italy; we were granted a charter from the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) to operate as a limited purpose trust company under the New York Banking Law; and the Board of Directors extended our existing limited duration stockholder rights plan, as amended.

Product News

·      In February 2024, we cross-listed the WisdomTree Megatrends UCITS ETF (WMGT) on the SIX; and the WisdomTree Cybersecurity UCITS ETF (WCBR) was named ‘Best Thematic and Sector ETF’ at the Le Revenu Awards 2024 in France.

·      In March 2024, we launched the WisdomTree 1-3 Year Laddered Treasury Fund (USSH) and the 7-10 Year Laddered Treasury Fund (USIN) on the Nasdaq; we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR); the European cryptocurrency ETP range surpassed $800 million in AUM; the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Small Cap Dividend UCITS ETF (DGSE) was named ‘Best Emerging Markets Equity ETF’ at the Mountain View Fund Awards 2024 in Germany; and the WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence UCITS ETF (WTAI) was named ‘Best Equity ETF’ at the Money Mate Awards in Italy.

·      In April 2024, we launched the WisdomTree Energy Transition and Rare Earths Miners UCITS ETF (RARE) on the London Stock Exchange, Börse Xetra and Borsa Italiana; we launched the WisdomTree US Quality Growth UCITS ETF (QGRW) on the London Stock Exchange, Börse Xetra and Borsa Italiana; and we cross-listed a distributing class of the WisdomTree Global Quality Dividend Growth UCITS (GGRW) on the Borsa Italiana.

 

  3  

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended
    Mar. 31,
2024
  Dec. 31,
2023
  Sept. 30,
2023
  June 30,
2023
  Mar. 31,
2023
Operating Revenues:                                        
Advisory fees   $ 92,501     $ 86,988     $ 86,598     $ 82,004     $ 77,637  
Other income     4,337       3,856       3,825       3,720       4,407  
Total revenues     96,838       90,844       90,423       85,724       82,044  
Operating Expenses:                                        
Compensation and benefits     31,054       27,860       27,955       26,319       27,398  
Fund management and administration     19,962       18,445       18,023       17,727       17,153  
Marketing and advertising     4,408       4,951       3,833       4,465       4,007  
Sales and business development     3,611       3,881       3,383       3,326       2,994  
Contractual gold payments                       1,583       4,486  
Professional fees     3,630       3,201       3,719       8,334       3,715  
Occupancy, communications and equipment     1,210       1,208       1,203       1,172       1,101  
Depreciation and amortization     383       335       307       121       109  
Third-party distribution fees     2,307       2,549       2,694       1,881       2,253  
Other     2,323       2,379       2,601       2,615       2,257  
Total operating expenses     68,888       64,809       63,718       67,543       65,473  
Operating income     27,950       26,035       26,705       18,181       16,571  
Other Income/(Expenses):                                        
Interest expense     (4,128 )     (3,758 )     (3,461 )     (4,021 )     (4,002 )
Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred consideration—gold payments                       41,361       20,592  
Interest income     1,398       1,225       791       1,000       1,083  
Impairments           (339 )     (2,703 )           (4,900 )
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes                             (9,721 )
Other gains and losses, net     2,592       1,602       (2,512 )     1,286       (2,007 )
Income before income taxes     27,812       24,765       18,820       57,807       17,616  
Income tax expense     5,701       5,688       5,836       3,555       1,383  
Net income   $ 22,111     $ 19,077     $ 12,984     $ 54,252     $ 16,233  
Earnings per share—basic   $ 0.14(2)   $ 0.16(2)   $ 0.07(2)   $ 0.32(2)   $ 0.10(2)
Earnings per share—diluted   $ 0.13     $ 0.16(2)   $ 0.07     $ 0.32     $ 0.10  
Weighted average common shares—basic     146,464       145,310       145,284       144,351       143,862  
Weighted average common shares—diluted     165,268       171,703       177,140       170,672       159,887  
                                         
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP(1))                                        
Total operating expenses   $ 68,193     $ 64,809     $ 63,718     $ 62,630     $ 64,506  
Operating income   $ 28,645     $ 26,035     $ 26,705     $ 23,094     $ 17,538  
Income before income taxes   $ 26,987     $ 23,908     $ 23,902     $ 19,752     $ 14,485  
Income tax expense   $ 6,731     $ 5,342     $ 5,854     $ 4,833     $ 3,287  
Net income   $ 20,256     $ 18,566     $ 18,048     $ 14,919     $ 11,198  
Earnings per share—diluted   $ 0.12     $ 0.11     $ 0.10     $ 0.09     $ 0.07  
Weighted average common shares—diluted     165,268       171,703       177,140       170,672       159,887  

 

  4  

 

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Revenues

· Operating revenues increased 6.6% and 18.0% from the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively, primarily due to higher average AUM.
· Our average advisory fee was 0.36% during each of the first quarter of 2024, the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2023.

Operating Expenses

· Operating expenses increased 6.3% from the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher compensation arising from payroll taxes, benefits and other items in connection with the payment of year-end bonuses, as well as higher fund management and administration costs and professional fees. These increases were partly offset by lower marketing expenses, sales and business development expenses and third-party distribution fees.
· Operating expenses increased 5.2% from the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher incentive and stock-based compensation expense and increased headcount, as well as higher fund management and administration costs. These increases were partly offset by the termination of the deferred consideration—gold payments obligation on May 10, 2023.

Other Income/(Expenses)

· Interest expense increased 9.8% from the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to the recognition of a full quarter of imputed interest on our obligation payable to Gold Bullion Holdings (Jersey) Limited (“GBH”), a subsidiary of the World Gold Council, in connection with our repurchase in November 2023 of our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock. Interest expense increased 3.1% from the first quarter of 2023 due to the recognition of imputed interest on our obligation payable to GBH, partly offset by a lower level of debt outstanding.
· Interest income increased 14.1% and 29.1% from the fourth quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2023, respectively, due to a higher level of interest-earning assets.
· Other gains and losses, net was a gain of $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2024. This quarter includes gains of $2.1 million and $0.1 million on our financial instruments and our investments, respectively. Gains and losses also generally arise from the sale of gold earned from management fees paid by our physically-backed gold exchange-traded products (“ETPs”), foreign exchange fluctuations and other miscellaneous items.

Income Taxes

· Our effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 20.5%, resulting in income tax expense of $5.7 million. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to the decrease in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance on losses recognized on the Company’s financial instruments owned, tax windfalls associated with the vesting of stock-based compensation awards and a lower tax rate on foreign earnings. These items were partly offset by state and local income taxes.
· Our adjusted effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 24.9%(1).

CONFERENCE CALL DIAL-IN AND WEBCAST DETAILS

WisdomTree will discuss its results and operational highlights during a live webcast on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET, which can be accessed using the following link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=fQD4Npsv.

Participants also can dial in using the following numbers: (877) 407-9210 or (201) 689-8049. Click here to access the participant international toll-free access numbers. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to log in or dial into the conference call 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. All earnings materials and the webcast can be accessed through WisdomTree’s investor relations website at https://ir.wisdomtree.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available shortly after the call.

About WisdomTree

WisdomTree is a global financial innovator, offering a well-diversified suite of exchange-traded products (ETPs), models, solutions and products leveraging blockchain technology. We empower investors and consumers to shape their future and support financial professionals to better serve their clients and grow their businesses. WisdomTree is leveraging the latest financial infrastructure to create products that provide access, transparency and an enhanced user experience. Building on our heritage of innovation, we are also developing and have launched next-generation digital products, services and structures, including digital or blockchain-enabled mutual funds and tokenized assets, as well as our blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime™.*

* The WisdomTree Prime digital wallet and digital asset services are made available through WisdomTree Digital Movement, Inc. (NMLS ID: 2372500) in select U.S. jurisdictions and may be limited where prohibited by law. Visit https://www.wisdomtreeprime.com or the WisdomTree Prime mobile app for more information.

WisdomTree currently has approximately $106.0 billion in assets under management globally.

For more information about WisdomTree and WisdomTree Prime™, visit: https://www.wisdomtree.com.

Please visit us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @WisdomTreeNews.

 

  5  

 

WisdomTree® is the marketing name for WisdomTree, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA WISDOMTREE PRIME:

NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT SIPC PROTECTED | NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY

The products and services available through the WisdomTree Prime app are not endorsed, indemnified or guaranteed by any regulatory agency.
________________

(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measurements.”
(2) Earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as it results in a lower EPS amount as compared to the treasury stock method. In addition, the three months ended December 31, 2023 includes a gain of $7,966 recognized upon the repurchase of our Series C non-voting preferred shares convertible into 13.1 million shares of common stock from GBH, which is excluded from net income, but required to be added to net income to arrive at income available to common stockholders in the calculation of EPS. This gain is excluded from our EPS when computed on a non-GAAP basis.

 

 

Contact Information:

 

Investor Relations Corporate Communications
Jeremy Campbell Jessica Zaloom
+1.917.267.3859 +1.917.267.3735
jeremy.campbell@wisdomtree.com  jzaloom@wisdomtree.com

 

  6  

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

KEY OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended
   

Mar. 31,

2024

   

Dec. 31,

2023

   

Sept. 30,

2023

   

June 30,

2023

   

Mar. 31,

2023

 
GLOBAL ETPs ($ in millions)                              
                               
Beginning of period assets   $ 100,124     $ 93,735     $ 93,666     $ 90,740     $ 81,993  
Inflows/(outflows)     1,990       (255 )     1,983       2,327       6,341  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     5,116       6,644       (1,914 )     599       2,406  
End of period assets   $ 107,230     $ 100,124     $ 93,735     $ 93,666     $ 90,740  
Average assets during the period   $ 102,435     $ 96,547     $ 95,743     $ 91,578     $ 87,508  
Average advisory fee during the period     0.36%       0.36%       0.36%       0.36%       0.36%  
Revenue days     91       92       92       91       90  
Number of ETFs—end of the period     338       337       344       344       341  
                                         
U.S. LISTED ETFs ($ in millions)                                        
                                         
Beginning of period assets   $ 72,486     $ 68,018     $ 65,903     $ 61,283     $ 55,973  
Inflows/(outflows)     1,983       (67 )     3,601       3,249       4,012  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     3,618       4,535       (1,486 )     1,371       1,298  
End of period assets   $ 78,087     $ 72,486     $ 68,018     $ 65,903     $ 61,283  
Average assets during the period   $ 74,805     $ 69,707     $ 68,008     $ 62,712     $ 59,430  
Number of ETFs—end of the period     77       76       80       80       80  
                                         
EUROPEAN LISTED ETPs ($ in millions)                                        
                                         
Beginning of period assets   $ 27,638     $ 25,717     $ 27,763     $ 29,457     $ 26,020  
Inflows/(outflows)     7       (188 )     (1,618 )     (922 )     2,329  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     1,498       2,109       (428 )     (772 )     1,108  
End of period assets   $ 29,143     $ 27,638     $ 25,717     $ 27,763     $ 29,457  
Average assets during the period   $ 27,630     $ 26,840     $ 27,735     $ 28,866     $ 28,078  
Number of ETPs—end of the period     261       261       264       264       261  
                                         
PRODUCT CATEGORIES ($ in millions)                                        
                                         
U.S. Equity                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 29,156     $ 25,643     $ 26,001     $ 24,534     $ 24,112  
Inflows/(outflows)     536       487       864       414       (149 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     1,978       3,026       (1,222 )     1,053       571  
End of period assets   $ 31,670     $ 29,156     $ 25,643     $ 26,001     $ 24,534  
Average assets during the period   $ 30,130     $ 26,835     $ 26,501     $ 24,732     $ 24,725  
                                         
Commodity & Currency                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 21,336     $ 20,466     $ 22,384     $ 24,924     $ 22,097  
(Outflows)/inflows     (460 )     (449 )     (1,814 )     (1,513 )     2,003  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     1,068       1,319       (104 )     (1,027 )     824  
End of period assets   $ 21,944     $ 21,336     $ 20,466     $ 22,384     $ 24,924  
Average assets during the period   $ 20,838     $ 21,254     $ 22,278     $ 24,033     $ 23,807  
                                         
Fixed Income                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 21,197     $ 21,797     $ 20,215     $ 18,708     $ 15,273  
(Outflows)/inflows     (14 )     (715 )     1,670       1,471       3,513  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     35       115       (88 )     36       (78 )
End of period assets   $ 21,218     $ 21,197     $ 21,797     $ 20,215     $ 18,708  
Average assets during the period   $ 21,082     $ 21,889     $ 20,965     $ 19,185     $ 17,176  

 

  7  

 

    Three Months Ended
   

Mar. 31,

2024

   

Dec. 31,

2023

   

Sept. 30,

2023

   

June 30,

2023

   

Mar. 31,

2023

 
International Developed Market Equity                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 15,103     $ 13,902     $ 13,423     $ 11,433     $ 10,195  
Inflows     1,599       9       798       1,593       450  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     1,401       1,192       (319 )     397       788  
End of period assets   $ 18,103     $ 15,103     $ 13,902     $ 13,423     $ 11,433  
Average assets during the period   $ 16,688     $ 14,266     $ 13,873     $ 12,276     $ 10,879  
                                         
Emerging Market Equity                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 10,726     $ 9,569     $ 9,191     $ 8,811     $ 8,116  
Inflows     217       412       451       329       486  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     246       745       (73 )     51       209  
End of period assets   $ 11,189     $ 10,726     $ 9,569     $ 9,191     $ 8,811  
Average assets during the period   $ 10,900     $ 9,833     $ 9,652     $ 8,998     $ 8,666  
                                         
Leveraged & Inverse                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 1,815     $ 1,781     $ 1,864     $ 1,785     $ 1,754  
(Outflows)/inflows     (50 )     (59 )     (1 )     12       43  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     63       93       (82 )     67       (12 )
End of period assets   $ 1,828     $ 1,815     $ 1,781     $ 1,864     $ 1,785  
Average assets during the period   $ 1,792     $ 1,803     $ 1,894     $ 1,798     $ 1,757  
                                         
Cryptocurrency                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 414     $ 243     $ 248     $ 239     $ 136  
Inflows/(outflows)     158       28       10       (1 )     13  
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     302       143       (15 )     10       90  
End of period assets   $ 874     $ 414     $ 243     $ 248     $ 239  
Average assets during the period   $ 614     $ 325     $ 238     $ 236     $ 190  
                                         
Alternatives                                        
Beginning of period assets   $ 377     $ 334     $ 340     $ 306     $ 310  
Inflows/(outflows)     4       32       5       22       (18 )
Market appreciation/(depreciation)     23       11       (11 )     12       14  
End of period assets   $ 404     $ 377     $ 334     $ 340     $ 306  
Average assets during the period   $ 391     $ 342     $ 342     $ 320     $ 308  
                                         
Headcount     300       303       299       291       279  

 

Note: Previously issued statistics may be restated due to fund closures and trade adjustments

Source: WisdomTree

 

  8  

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    Mar. 31,
2024
    Dec. 31,
2023
 
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ 116,926     $ 129,305  
Financial instruments owned, at fair value     58,301       58,722  
Accounts receivable     40,020       35,473  
Prepaid expenses     6,491       5,258  
Other current assets     1,284       1,036  
Total current assets     223,022       229,794  
Fixed assets, net     436       427  
Securities held-to-maturity     224       230  
Deferred tax assets, net     5,477       11,057  
Investments     9,606       9,684  
Right of use assets—operating leases     243       563  
Goodwill     86,841       86,841  
Intangible assets, net     605,347       605,082  
Other noncurrent assets     456       459  
Total assets   $ 931,652     $ 944,137  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
LIABILITIES                
Current liabilities:                
Fund management and administration payable   $ 32,665     $ 30,085  
Compensation and benefits payable     9,624       38,111  
Payable to Gold Bullion Holdings (Jersey) Limited (“GBH”)     14,804       14,804  
Income taxes payable     1,140       3,866  
Operating lease liabilities     251       578  
Accounts payable and other liabilities     17,105       15,772  
Total current liabilities     75,589       103,216  
Convertible notes—long term     275,263       274,888  
Payable to GBH     24,994       24,328  
Total liabilities     375,846       402,432  
Preferred stock:                
Series A Non-Voting Convertible, par value $0.01; 14.750 shares authorized, issued and outstanding     132,569       132,569  
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Common stock, par value $0.01; 400,000 shares authorized:                
Issued and outstanding: 151,819 and 150,330 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively     1,518       1,503  
Additional paid-in capital     309,768       312,440  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (907 )     (548 )
Retained earnings     112,858       95,741  
Total stockholders’ equity     423,237       409,136  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 931,652     $ 944,137  

 

  9  

 

WISDOMTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
    2024     2023  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income   $ 22,111     $ 16,233  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                
Advisory and license fees paid in gold, other precious metals and cryptocurrency     (11,727 )     (12,760 )
Deferred income taxes     5,640       4,783  
Stock-based compensation     5,163       4,536  
Gains on financial instruments owned, at fair value     (2,063 )     (1,954 )
Imputed interest on payable to GBH     666        
Depreciation and amortization     383       109  
Amortization of issuance costs—convertible notes     375       579  
Amortization of right of use asset     324       319  
Gains on investments     (123 )     3,919  
Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred consideration—gold payments           (20,592 )
Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes           9,721  
Impairments           4,900  
Contractual gold payments           4,486  
Other           (452 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     (4,243 )     (4,791 )
Prepaid expenses     (1,247 )     (1,161 )
Gold and other precious metals     11,561       8,332  
Other assets     (79 )     167  
Fund management and administration payable     2,659       3,638  
Compensation and benefits payable     (28,386 )     (27,271 )
Income taxes payable     (2,723 )     (3,418 )
Operating lease liabilities     (332 )     (326 )
Accounts payable and other liabilities     1,003       5,606  
Net cash used in operating activities     (1,038 )     (5,397 )
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchase of financial instruments owned, at fair value     (2,500 )     (20,278 )
Cash paid—software development     (592 )      
Purchase of fixed assets     (66 )     (26 )
Proceeds from the sale of financial instruments owned, at fair value     5,180       18,290  
Proceeds from held-to-maturity securities maturing or called prior to maturity     6       6  
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities     2,028       (2,008 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Dividends paid     (4,997 )     (4,821 )
Shares repurchased     (7,820 )     (3,384 )
Repurchase of convertible notes           (124,317 )
Issuance costs—convertible notes           (3,548 )
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes           130,000  
Net cash used in financing activities     (12,817 )     (6,070 )
(Decrease)/increase in cash flow due to changes in foreign exchange rate     (552 )     473  
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (12,379 )     (13,002 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of year     129,305       132,101  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period   $ 116,926     $ 119,099  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Cash paid for income taxes   $ 2,769     $ 1,422  
Cash paid for interest   $ 3,738     $ 801  

 

  10  

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS

In an effort to provide additional information regarding our results as determined by GAAP, we also disclose certain non-GAAP information which we believe provides useful and meaningful information. Our management reviews these non-GAAP financial measurements when evaluating our financial performance and results of operations; therefore, we believe it is useful to provide information with respect to these non-GAAP measurements so as to share this perspective of management. Non-GAAP measurements do not have any standardized meaning, do not replace nor are superior to GAAP financial measurements and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measurements should be considered in the context with our GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measurements contained in this press release include:

Adjusted Operating Income, Operating Expenses, Income Before Income Taxes, Income Tax Expense, Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

We disclose adjusted operating income, operating expenses, income before income taxes, income tax expense, net income and diluted earnings per share as non-GAAP financial measurements in order to report our results exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business. We believe presenting these non-GAAP financial measurements provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance. These non-GAAP financial measurements exclude the following:

Gains or losses on financial instruments owned: We account for our financial instruments owned as trading securities, which requires these instruments to be measured at fair value with gains and losses reported in net income. We exclude these items when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as the gains and losses introduce volatility in earnings and are not core to our operating business.

Tax windfalls and shortfalls upon vesting of stock-based compensation awards: GAAP requires the recognition of tax windfalls and shortfalls within income tax expense. These items arise upon the vesting of stock-based compensation awards and the magnitude is directly correlated to the number of awards vesting/exercised as well as the difference between the price of our stock on the date the award was granted and the date the award vested or was exercised. We exclude these items when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as they introduce volatility in earnings and are not core to our operating business.

Imputed interest on our payable to the Gold Bullion Holdings (Jersey) Limited (“GBH”): During the fourth quarter of 2023, we repurchased our Series C Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, which was convertible into 13.1 million shares of WisdomTree common stock, from GBH, a subsidiary of the World Gold Council, for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $84.4 million. Under the terms of the transaction, we paid GBH $40.0 million on the closing date, with the remainder of the purchase price payable in equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date, with no requirement to pay interest. Under US GAAP, the obligation is recorded at its present value utilizing a market rate of interest on the closing date of 7.0% and the corresponding discount is amortized as interest expense pursuant to the effective interest method of accounting over the life of the obligation. We exclude this item when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements as recognition of interest expense is non-cash and contrary to the stated terms of our obligation.

Other items: Unrealized gains and losses recognized on our investments, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowance, expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign, unrealized gains or losses on the revaluation/termination of deferred consideration – gold payments which we terminated in the second quarter of 2023, loss on extinguishment of convertible notes, impairments, remeasurement of contingent consideration payable to us from the sale of our former Canadian ETF business and litigation expenses associated with certain provisions of our Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of March 17, 2023, as amended, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, are excluded when calculating our non-GAAP financial measurements.

Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate

We disclose our adjusted effective income tax rate as a non-GAAP financial measurement in order to report our effective income tax rate exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business. We believe reporting our adjusted effective income tax rate provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our income taxes. Our adjusted effective income tax rate is calculated by dividing adjusted income tax expense by adjusted income before income taxes. See above for information regarding the items that are excluded.

Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percentage

We disclose our gross margin and gross margin percentage as non-GAAP financial measurements because we believe they provide investors with a consistent way to analyze the amount we retain after paying third-party service providers to operate our ETPs. These measures also assist us in analyzing the profitability of our products. We define gross margin as total operating revenues less fund management and administration expenses. Gross margin percentage is calculated as gross margin divided by total operating revenues.

 

  11  

 

GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (CONSOLIDATED)

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended

 

Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share:

 

Mar. 31,

2024

 

Dec. 31,

2023

 

Sept. 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

Mar. 31,

2023

                               
Net income, as reported   $ 22,111     $ 19,077     $ 12,984     $ 54,252     $ 16,233  
(Deduct)/add back: (Gains)/losses on financial instruments owned, net of income taxes     (1,562 )     (370 )     1,479       762       (1,479 )
(Deduct)/add back: Tax (windfalls)/shortfalls upon vesting of stock-based compensation awards     (699 )     (6 )     (18 )     33       (185 )
(Deduct)/add back: (Decrease)/increase in deferred tax asset valuation allowance on financial instruments owned and investments     (531 )     (280 )     1,234       (508 )     1,667  
Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign, net of income taxes     526                   3,720       732  
Add back: Imputed interest on payable to GBH, net of income taxes     504       224                    
(Deduct)/add back: (Gains)/losses recognized on investments, net of income taxes     (93 )     (336 )     323       (2,346 )     2,966  
Add back: Litigation expenses associated with certain provisions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement, net of income taxes                       367        
Add back: Impairments, net of income taxes           257       2,046             3,710  
Deduct: Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred consideration—gold payments                       (41,361 )     (20,592 )
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes, net of income taxes                             9,623  
Deduct: Remeasurement of contingent consideration—sale of former Canadian ETF business                             (1,477 )
Adjusted net income   $ 20,256     $ 18,566     $ 18,048     $ 14,919     $ 11,198  
Weighted average common shares—diluted     165,268       171,703       177,140       170,672       159,887  
Adjusted earnings per share—diluted   $ 0.12     $ 0.11     $ 0.10     $ 0.09     $ 0.07  

 

    Three Months Ended

 

Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percentage:

 

Mar. 31,

2024

 

Dec. 31,

2023

 

Sept. 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

Mar. 31,

2023

                               
Operating revenues   $ 96,838     $ 90,844     $ 90,423     $ 85,724     $ 82,044  
Less: Fund management and administration     (19,962 )     (18,445 )     (18,023 )     (17,727 )     (17,153 )
Gross margin   $ 76,876     $ 72,399     $ 72,400     $ 67,997     $ 64,891  
Gross margin percentage     79.4%       79.7%       80.1%       79.3%       79.1%  

 

    Three Months Ended

Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating

Income Margin:

 

Mar. 31,

2024

 

Dec. 31,

2023

 

Sept. 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

Mar. 31,

2023

                     
Operating revenues   $ 96,838     $ 90,844     $ 90,423     $ 85,724     $ 82,044  
Operating income   $ 27,950     $ 26,035     $ 26,705     $ 18,181     $ 16,571  
Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign     695                   4,913       967  
Adjusted operating income   $ 28,645     $ 26,035     $ 26,705     $ 23,094     $ 17,538  
Adjusted operating income margin     29.6%       28.7%       29.5%       26.9%       21.4%  

 

  12  

 

    Three Months Ended

 

Adjusted Total Operating Expenses:

 

Mar. 31,

2024

 

Dec. 31,

2023

 

Sept. 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

Mar. 31,

2023

                     
Total operating expenses   $ 68,888     $ 64,809     $ 63,718     $ 67,543     $ 65,473  
Deduct: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign     (695 )                 (4,913 )     (967 )
Adjusted total operating expenses   $ 68,193     $ 64,809     $ 63,718     $ 62,630     $ 64,506  

 

    Three Months Ended

 

Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes:

 

Mar. 31,

2024

 

Dec. 31,

2023

 

Sept. 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

Mar. 31,

2023

                     
Income before income taxes   $ 27,812     $ 24,765     $ 18,820     $ 57,807     $ 17,616  
(Deduct)/add back: (Gains)/losses on financial instruments owned     (2,063 )     (489 )     1,953       1,007       (1,954 )
Add back: Expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign     695                   4,913       967  
Add back: Imputed interest on payable to GBH     666       296                    
(Deduct)/add back: (Gains)/losses recognized on investments     (123 )     (1,003 )     426       (3,099 )     3,918  
Add back: Litigation expenses associated with certain provisions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement                       485        
Add back: Impairments           339       2,703             4,900  
Deduct: Gain on revaluation/termination of deferred consideration—gold payments                       (41,361 )     (20,592 )
Add back: Loss on extinguishment of convertible notes                             9,721  
Deduct: Remeasurement of contingent consideration—sale of former Canadian ETF business                             (1,477 )
Add back: Loss recognized upon reduction of a tax-related indemnification asset                             1,386  
Adjusted income before income taxes   $ 26,987     $ 23,908     $ 23,902     $ 19,752     $ 14,485  

 

    Three Months Ended
Adjusted Income Tax Expense and Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate:  

Mar. 31,

2024

 

Dec. 31,

2023

 

Sept. 30,

2023

 

June 30,

2023

 

Mar. 31,

2023

                     
Adjusted income before income taxes (above)   $ 26,987     $ 23,908     $ 23,902     $ 19,752     $ 14,485  
Income tax expense   $ 5,701     $ 5,688     $ 5,836     $ 3,555     $ 1,383  
Add back/(deduct): Tax windfalls/(shortfalls) upon vesting of stock-based compensation awards     699       6       18       (33 )     185  
Add back/(deduct): Decrease/(increase) in deferred tax asset valuation allowance on financial instruments owned and investments     531       280       (1,234 )     508       (1,667 )
(Deduct)/add back: Tax (expense)/benefit arising from (gains)/losses on financial instruments owned     (501 )     (119 )     474       245       (475 )
Add back: Tax benefit arising from expenses incurred in response to an activist campaign     169                   1,193       235  
Add back: Tax benefit on imputed interest     162       72                    
(Deduct)/add back: Tax (expense)/benefit on gains and losses on investments     (30 )     (667 )     103       (753 )     952  
Add back: Tax benefit arising from litigation expenses associated with certain provisions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement                       118        
Add back: Tax benefit arising from impairments           82       657             1,190  
Add back: Tax benefit arising from extinguishment of convertible notes                             98  
Add back: Tax benefit arising from reduction of a tax-related indemnification asset                             1,386  
Adjusted income tax expense   $ 6,731     $ 5,342     $ 5,854     $ 4,833     $ 3,287  
Adjusted effective income tax rate     24.9%       22.3%       24.5%       24.5%       22.7%  

 

  13  

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the risks described below. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. You should read this press release completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release may include statements about:

· anticipated trends, conditions and investor sentiment in the global markets and ETPs;
· anticipated levels of inflows into and outflows out of our ETPs;
· our ability to deliver favorable rates of return to investors;
· competition in our business;
· whether we will experience future growth;
· our ability to develop new products and services and their potential for success;
· our ability to maintain current vendors or find new vendors to provide services to us at favorable costs;
· our ability to successfully implement our strategy relating to digital assets and blockchain-enabled financial services, including WisdomTree Prime™, and achieve its objectives;
· our ability to successfully operate and expand our business in non-U.S. markets;
· the effect of laws and regulations that apply to our business; and
· actions of activist stockholders.

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including without limitation:

· declining prices of securities, gold and other precious metals and other commodities and changes in interest rates and general market conditions can adversely affect our business by reducing the market value of the assets we manage or causing WisdomTree ETP investors to sell their fund shares and trigger redemptions;
· fluctuations in the amount and mix of our AUM, whether caused by disruptions in the financial markets or otherwise, including but not limited to events such as a pandemic or war, geopolitical conflicts, political events, acts of terrorism and other matters beyond our control, may negatively impact revenues and operating margins, and may impede our ability to refinance our debt upon maturity or increase the cost of borrowing upon a refinancing;
· competitive pressures could reduce revenues and profit margins;
· we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of products, and, as a result, our operating results are particularly exposed to investor sentiment toward investing in the products’ strategies and our ability to maintain the AUM of these products, as well as the performance of these products and market-specific and political and economic risk;
· a significant portion of our AUM is held in products with exposure to U.S. and international developed markets, and we therefore have exposure to domestic and foreign market conditions and are subject to currency exchange rate risks;
· withdrawals or broad changes in investments in our ETPs by investors with significant positions may negatively impact revenues and operating margins;
· we face increased operational, regulatory, financial and other risks as a result of conducting our business internationally, and as we expand our digital assets product offerings and services beyond our existing ETP business;
· many of our ETPs have a limited track record, and poor investment performance could cause our revenues to decline;
· we depend on third parties to provide many critical services to operate our business and our ETPs. The failure of key vendors to adequately provide such services could materially affect our operating business and harm WisdomTree ETP investors; and
· actions of activist stockholders against us, which have been costly and may be disruptive and cause uncertainty about the strategic direction of our business.

Other factors, such as general economic conditions, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, also may have an effect on the results of our operations. For a more complete description of the risks noted above and other risks that could cause our actual results to differ from our current expectations, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. Therefore, these forward-looking statements do not represent our views as of any date other than the date of this press release.

 

Category: Business Update

 

 

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