Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2016 Results


GREENWICH, CT, Aug. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. (NASDAQ:FSAM) ("FSAM" or "we") today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Second Quarter 2016 Highlights

  • GAAP Net Income of $4.4 million, or $0.09 per share on a fully-converted basis;
  • Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income of $10.0 million, or $0.20 per share;
  • Fee-earning Assets Under Management ("AUM") of  $4.3 billion; and
  • Total revenues of $23.2 million, 92.0% of which were represented by management fees.

“As we projected in May, with incremental professional expenses related to litigation and activist investors at our funds rolling off, our June quarter saw a rebound in profitability,” said Leonard M. Tannenbaum, Chief Executive Officer of FSAM, adding, “Coinciding with quarter-end, we are also pleased to announce that we have reached a global settlement of the class action and other related litigation, which is 100% covered by FSAM’s insurance.  Importantly, the Fifth Street origination platform remains well-positioned to continue sourcing compelling investment opportunities, despite the slower middle market environment.  Consistent with our view of where we currently are in the credit cycle, we will continue to focus on investing in quality deals with more favorable placement in the capital structure going forward.”

Results of Operations

Total revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 were $23.2 million, representing a $1.2 million, or 5.1%, decrease from $24.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.  Management fees (which include base management fees and Part I fees) for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 were $21.3 million, representing 92.0% of total revenues.  The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a reduction in the contractual base management fee rate charged to Fifth Street Finance Corp. ("FSC") from 2.00% to 1.75% effective January 1, 2016, as well as lower asset levels at FSC and our other managed funds.

Total expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 were $22.1 million, and include amounts reimbursed by our funds of $1.8 million, IPO-related compensation charges of $1.9 million, lease termination/abandonment charges of $2.9 million and operating expenses attributable to MMKT of $0.4 million.  After adjusting for these items, net expenses were $15.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, which included litigation and other non-recurring legal costs of $5.9 million and severance and other one-time compensation costs of $0.7 million.  Net expenses increased by $5.6 million, or 57.9%, as compared to $9.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, due to the litigation-related and one-time compensation costs in the current period.  Excluding these litigation and compensation costs, net expenses decreased by $1.1 million, or 12.0%, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2015, primarily driven by lower employee-related expenses in the current period.

GAAP Net Income for the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 was $4.4 million, or $0.09 per share on a fully-converted basis, and $9.5 million, or $0.19 per share on a fully-converted basis, respectively.  Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income was $10.0 million, or $0.20 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, which represented a $0.7 million, or 6.8%, increase as compared to $9.3 million, or $0.19 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.  The increase in Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income was primarily due to the revenue and net expense variances described above.

Dividend Declaration

On August 10, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share of our Class A common stock. The declared dividend is payable on October 14, 2016 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2016.

Key Performance Metrics

 
  Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Total revenues $23,152  $24,398  $42,199  $49,357 
Net income (loss) $4,406  $9,542  $(6,693) $20,021 
Net income (loss) per share, fully-converted basis $0.09  $0.19  $(0.13) $0.40 
Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income(1) $9,978  $9,342  $16,126  $18,408 
Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income Per Share $0.20  $0.19  $0.32  $0.37 
         
Management Fees as % of total revenues 92.0% 93.0% 90.9% 92.8%
         
AUM at end of period(2) $5,145,496  $5,554,885  $5,145,496  $5,554,885 
Fee-earning AUM at end of period(3) $4,285,022  $4,343,433  $4,285,022  $4,343,433 
                 

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(1) Please refer to Exhibit A for a reconciliation of net income and income before provision for income taxes to Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income.

(2) AUM refers to assets under management of our funds and material control investments of these funds and represents the sum of the net asset value of such funds and investments, the drawn debt and unfunded debt and equity commitments at the fund or investment level (including amounts subject to restrictions) and uncalled committed debt and equity capital (including commitments to funds that have yet to commence their investment periods).

(3) Fee-earning AUM refers to the AUM on which we directly or indirectly earn management fees and represents the sum of the net asset value of our funds and their material control investments and the drawn debt and unfunded debt and equity commitments at the fund or investment level (including amounts subject to restrictions).

Recent Developments

We have entered into agreements to settle previously disclosed legal proceedings, including separate securities class actions filed on behalf of the shareholders of each of Fifth Street Finance Corp. ("FSC") and FSAM and shareholder derivative actions filed on behalf of FSC. The proposed settlement of the FSC and FSAM securities class actions calls for a payment of $14.1 million and $9.25 million, respectively, to the settlement class, with 100% of FSAM's settlement amount covered by insurance. In addition to certain governance and oversight enhancements and an agreement not to oppose plaintiffs’ request for award of $5.1 million in attorneys’ fees and expenses, the proposed settlement of the FSC shareholder derivative actions provides for Fifth Street Management LLC’s waiver of fees charged to FSC in the amount of $1.0 million for each of ten consecutive quarters starting in January 2018 and maintenance of the previously announced decrease in the base management fee from 2.0% to a maximum of 1.75% for at least four years. Each of the proposed settlements is subject both to the plaintiffs’ completion of additional discovery and to approval by the applicable court.

On August 9, 2016, MMKT paid $2,833,050 to holders of its convertible notes in connection with its wind down of business operations and related settlement and cancellation of convertible note agreements, of which FSM received $534,460 of net proceeds.  In connection with the settlement and cancellation of the MMKT notes and the wind down of MMKT’s business, if MMKT determines that funds become available for further payment, MMKT has agreed to pay such amounts on a pro rata basis to the holders of the canceled notes.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Metrics

Certain of the terms used in this press release, including AUM, fee-earning AUM, Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. In addition, our definitions of AUM and fee-earning AUM are not based on any definition of AUM or fee-earning AUM that is set forth in the agreements governing the investment funds that we manage and may differ from definitions of AUM set forth in other agreements to which we are a party from time to time. Further, Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income are not performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Adjusted Net Income has been included in this press release to adjust for certain one-time, non-recurring or non-operating items. Pro Forma Net Adjusted Net Income has been included in this press release to reflect certain tax adjustments in connection with our IPO and excludes the financial results of MMKT.  We use Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income as measures of our operating performance, not as measures of liquidity. We believe that Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income provide investors with a meaningful indication of our core operating performance and Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income are evaluated regularly by our management as decision tools for deployment of resources. We believe that reporting Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income is helpful in understanding our business and that investors should review the same supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that our management uses to analyze our performance. Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The use of Adjusted Net Income or Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income without consideration of related GAAP measures is not adequate due to the adjustments described herein. Income before income tax benefit (provision) is the GAAP financial measure most comparable to Adjusted Net Income and net income is the GAAP financial measure most comparable to Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income. Please refer to Exhibit A for a reconciliation of net income and income before income tax benefit (provision) to Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income.

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 to discuss our second quarter 2016 financial results. All interested parties are welcome to participate. Domestic callers can access the conference call by dialing (855) 791-2033. International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1 (631) 485-4910. All callers will need to enter the Conference ID Number 48913032 and reference "Fifth Street Asset Management Inc." after being connected with the operator. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company information can be collected. An archived replay of the call will be available shortly after the end of the conference call through August 24, 2016, to domestic callers by dialing (855) 859-2056 and to international callers by dialing +1 (404) 537-3406. For all replays, please reference Passcode Number 48913032. An archived replay will also be available online in the "Investor Relations" section of FSAM's website under the "News & Events - Calendar of Events" section.

About Fifth Street Asset Management Inc.

Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. (NASDAQ:FSAM) is a nationally recognized credit-focused asset manager.  The firm has over $5 billion of assets under management across two publicly-traded business development companies, Fifth Street Finance Corp. (NASDAQ:FSC) and Fifth Street Senior Floating Rate Corp. (NASDAQ:FSFR), as well as multiple private investment vehicles.  The Fifth Street platform provides innovative and customized financing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses across the capital structure through complementary investment vehicles and co-investment capabilities.  With over an 18-year track record focused on disciplined credit investing across multiple economic cycles, Fifth Street is led by a seasoned management team that has issued billions of dollars in public equity, private capital and public debt securities.  Fifth Street's national origination strategy, proven track record and established platform are supported by over 50 professionals across locations in Greenwich and Chicago.  For more information, please visit  fsam.fifthstreetfinance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain, and certain oral statements made by our representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. Forward-looking statements may include statements as to the fees charged by FSAM to FSC and FSFR, FSAM's future operating results, dividends by FSAM and business prospects of FSAM.  Words such as "believes," "expects," "seeks," "plans," "should," "estimates," "project," and "intend" indicate forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in these forward-looking statements for any reason.  Such factors are identified from time to time in FSAM's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include changes in the economy, the financial markets and future changes in laws or regulations, competitive conditions in the business development company space and conditions in FSAM's operating areas.  FSAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Exhibit A. Calculation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income

Income before income tax benefit (provision) is the GAAP financial measure most comparable to Adjusted Net Income and net income is the GAAP financial measure most comparable to Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) and income before income tax benefit (provision) to Adjusted Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income (shown in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
  Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Net income (loss) $4,406  $9,542  $(6,693) $20,021 
Provision for income taxes 7,237  1,319  6,972  2,508 
Income before provision for income taxes 11,644  10,862  278  22,529 
Adjustments:        
Compensation-related charges (a)(b)(c) 2,647  1,478  4,265  2,964 
Unrealized gain on MMKT Notes (d)     (2,582)  
Unrealized (gain) loss on beneficial interests in CLOs (e) (480) 567  368  567 
Lease termination/abandonment charges (f) 2,901    2,901  (71)
Adjustment of TRA liability for tax rate change (g)
 (7,526)   (7,526)  
Gain on extinguishment of debt (h) (2,000)   (2,000)  
Litigation and other non-recurring legal costs (i) 5,923    9,152   
Loss on legal settlement (j) 9,250    9,250   
Insurance recoveries (j) (12,247)   (12,247)  
Loss on investor settlement (k)     10,419   
Unrealized loss on derivatives (l) 3,707    8,383   
Realized gain on derivatives (l) (465)   (465)  
Adjusted Net Income (m) 13,354  12,907  20,196  25,989 
         
Net loss attributable to MMKT (n) 452  319  1,845  319 
Pro Forma income tax provision (o) (4,776) (5,045) (8,001) (10,222)
Pro Forma tax receivable agreement benefit (o) 948  1,161  2,086  2,322 
Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income $9,978  $9,342  $16,126  $18,408 
         
Pro Forma weighted average shares outstanding (p) 49,834  49,968  49,816  49,984 
Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income per Class A common share (p) $0.20  $0.19  $0.32  $0.37 
 

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(a) For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, this amount includes $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of amortization expense relating to the conversion and vesting of member interests in connection with the Reorganization. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, this amount includes $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of amortization expense relating to the conversion and vesting of member interests in connection with the Reorganization.

(b) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, this amount includes $1.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of amortization expense relating to stock-based compensation that was awarded to certain of our employees in connection with our IPO. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, this amount includes $1.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of amortization expense relating to stock-based compensation that was awarded to certain of our employees in connection with our IPO.

(c) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, this amount includes $0.7 million of severance payments and retention bonuses. 

(d) Represents the change in fair value of MMKT Notes.

(e) Represents the change in fair value on our beneficial interests in CLOs on which we have elected the fair value option.

(f) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, this amount represents non-recurring charges related to the abandonment of a portion of our office space at our corporate headquarters in Greenwich, CT.  This amount is comprised of a $1.1 million loss representing the present value of the remaining contractual lease payments related to the vacated space (net of estimated sublease income), $2.8 million of accelerated depreciation and amortization, partially offset by a $0.9 million write-off of related deferred rent liabilities.  For the six months ended June 30, 2015, this amount includes non-recurring charges for termination payments and related exit costs accrued at present value relating to our office leases.

(g) Represents the reduction of payables to TRA recipients as a result of certain changes to Connecticut state tax law that were passed in May 2016 (effective January 1, 2016), which resulted in a lower state income tax rate.

(h) Represents the loan forgiveness granted by the DECD as a result of achieving certain job milestones.

(i) Represents the expenses incurred in connection with litigation and other non-recurring legal matters.  This amount is comprised of $5.2 million of litigation-related costs and $0.7 million of other non-recurring costs.

(j) These amounts relate to the FSAM class action lawsuit settlement in the amount of $9.3 million which will be covered by insurance proceeds as well as $3.0 million of insurance recoveries related to professional fees incurred in connection with various legal matters.

(k) Represents the loss recognized by us in connection with the premium paid on our and our principal shareholder's purchase of FSC shares in connection with the RiverNorth settlement.

(l) Represents gains or losses on a warrant and swap agreement issued by us to RiverNorth in connection with the settlement.

(m) Adjusted Net Income is presented on a pre-tax basis.

(n) Represents the net loss attributable to the operations of MMKT, a consolidated subsidiary of FSAM that was formed to develop technology related to the financial services industry.

(o) Based on our estimated statutory tax rate and includes an adjustment for pro forma tax benefits related to basis adjustments due to our IPO.

(p) Presented with the assumption that 100% of the limited partnership interests in Fifth Street Holdings L.P. were converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of our Class A common stock.

Exhibit B. Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

 
  As of
  June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $8,616,558  $17,185,204 
Management fees receivable (includes Part I Fees of $9,084,207 and $(555,663)
  at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)
 21,102,279  4,879,785 
Performance fees receivable 86,175  224,618 
Insurance recovery receivable 9,725,000   
Prepaid expenses (includes $677,089 and $676,789 related to income taxes at June 30,
  2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)
 3,206,646  1,284,759 
Investments in equity method investees 531,720  6,427,272 
Investments in available-for-sale securities at fair value (cost June 30, 2016: $48,706,293; cost December 31, 2015: $26,389,015) 41,969,307  26,771,258 
Beneficial interests in CLOs at fair value: (cost June, 2016: $24,415,383; cost
  December 31, 2015: $24,617,568)
 22,967,217  23,537,629 
Due from affiliates 2,679,629  3,943,384 
Fixed assets, net 5,849,559  9,893,521 
Deferred tax assets 44,473,292  51,180,237 
Deferred financing costs 1,677,768  1,929,433 
Other assets 3,401,343  3,976,420 
Total assets $166,286,493  $151,233,520 
Liabilities and Equity    
Liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $8,080,704  $5,324,842 
Accrued compensation and benefits 5,621,592  10,448,260 
Income taxes payable 28,559  28,559 
Loans payable (including $2,247,740 and $4,738,026 at June 30, 2016 and December 31,
  2015, respectively, of MMKT Notes at fair value)
 17,220,305  21,710,640 
Legal settlement payable 9,250,000   
Credit facility payable 87,000,000  65,000,000 
Dividends payable 1,705,143  1,748,062 
Derivative liabilities at fair value 8,383,213   
Due to affiliates 26,605  24,257 
Deferred rent liability 2,141,090  3,146,210 
Payable to related parties pursuant to tax receivable agreements 37,960,213  45,486,114 
Total liabilities 177,417,424  152,916,944 
Commitments and contingencies    
Equity (deficit)    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015    
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value 500,000,000 shares authorized; 
  5,842,315 and 5,822,672 shares issued and 5,842,315 and 5,798,614 shares outstanding
  as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
 58,423  58,227 
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value 50,000,000 shares authorized; 
   42,856,854 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and
  December 31, 2015
 428,569  428,569 
Additional paid-in capital 2,109,607  2,661,253 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (519,882) 27,276 
Accumulated deficit (627,144)  
  1,449,573  3,175,325 
Less: Treasury stock, at cost: 24,058 shares as of December 31, 2015   (180,064)
Total stockholders' equity, Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. 1,449,573  2,995,261 
Non-controlling interests (12,580,504) (4,678,685)
Total deficit (11,130,931) (1,683,424)
Total liabilities and deficit $166,286,493  $151,233,520 
 

Exhibit C. Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

 
  For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
 For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2016 2015 2016 2015
Revenues        
Management fees (includes Part I Fees of $9,084,207 and $8,555,515
  and $14,022,275 and $16,576,649 for the three months and six 
  months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)
 $21,291,423  $22,685,241  $38,378,968  $45,784,519 
Performance fees 60,411  (12,747) 86,175  76,855 
Other fees 1,799,676  1,725,832  3,734,098  3,495,567 
Total revenues 23,151,510  24,398,326  42,199,241  49,356,941 
Expenses        
Compensation and benefits 8,878,001  9,225,279  17,646,626  18,532,965 
General, administrative and other expenses 10,080,123  3,099,405  17,381,615  6,372,225 
Depreciation and amortization 3,158,322  417,692  3,576,044  820,398 
Total expenses 22,116,446  12,742,376  38,604,285  25,725,588 
Other income (expense)        
Interest income 356,139  171,032  695,741  183,140 
Interest expense (1,080,448) (458,999) (2,195,447) (830,180)
Unrealized gain on MMKT Notes     2,582,405   
Unrealized gain (loss) on beneficial interests in CLOs 480,037  (567,398) (368,227) (567,398)
Gain on extinguishment of debt 2,000,000    2,000,000   
Adjustment of TRA liability for tax rate change 7,525,901    7,525,901   
Loss on legal settlement (9,250,000)   (9,250,000)  
Insurance recoveries 12,246,731    12,246,731   
Unrealized loss on derivatives (3,707,194)   (8,383,213)  
Realized gain on derivatives 465,425    465,425   
Loss on investor settlement     (10,419,274)  
Other income (expense), net 1,571,903  61,000  1,783,490  112,048 
Total other income (expense), net 10,608,494  (794,365) (3,316,468) (1,102,390)
Income before provision for income taxes 11,643,558  10,861,585  278,488  22,528,963 
Provision for income taxes 7,237,303  1,319,173  6,971,891  2,508,004 
Net income (loss) 4,406,255  9,542,412  (6,693,403) 20,020,959 
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests (3,629,933) (8,435,230) 6,230,340  (17,617,175)
Net income (loss) attributable to Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. $776,322  $1,107,182  $(463,063) $2,403,784 
         
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. Class A common stock - Basic $0.13  $0.19  $(0.08) $0.40 
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. Class A common stock - Diluted $0.07  $0.19  $(0.10) $0.40 
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - Basic 5,833,575  5,968,353  5,815,998  5,984,193 
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - Diluted 48,790,784  5,976,746  48,740,139  5,992,657 
 

            

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