Westwood Holdings ((WHG)) has held its Q4 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. recently conducted their earnings call, which painted a picture of both triumphs and challenges for the company. The sentiment during the call was largely positive, highlighting significant institutional growth, a successful foray into the ETF market, and increased revenues and comprehensive income. However, the company did face obstacles, such as net outflows in assets under management and a year-over-year decrease in economic earnings.
Institutional Growth Achievement
The company’s institutional team demonstrated remarkable success, securing and funding eight mandates totaling over $600 million. This achievement marked a 100% increase over the previous year, underscoring Westwood’s growing influence and capability in the institutional investment sector.
ETF Market Entry Success
Westwood made a successful entry into the ETF market by launching two active ETFs, which amassed $73 million in assets by the end of the year. The company has also expanded its ETF platform with additional products, signaling a strategic push to capture more market share in this growing segment.
Strong Revenue Increase
The fourth quarter saw a significant increase in revenues, rising to $25.6 million from $23.7 million in the third quarter and $23.2 million in the fourth quarter of the previous year. This growth reflects Westwood’s effective strategies in enhancing its revenue streams.
Comprehensive Income Growth
Westwood reported a fourth-quarter comprehensive income of $2.1 million, or $0.24 per share, a noteworthy turnaround from the previous year’s fourth-quarter net loss of $2.6 million. This improvement highlights the company’s strengthened financial performance.
Strategic Growth Initiatives
The company completed the build-out of its managed investment solutions platform, and promising client conversations are underway. These initiatives are expected to drive further growth and enhance client engagement.
Net Outflows in Assets Under Management
Despite positive developments, Westwood faced net outflows of $0.8 billion in firmwide assets under management over the year. This challenge indicates areas where the company needs to bolster its asset retention strategies.
Decreased Economic Earnings for the Year
Economic earnings for 2024 were reported at $7 million, or $0.82 per share, down from $18.3 million, or $2.26 per share, in 2023. This decline underscores the financial challenges Westwood encountered during the year.
Net Outflows in Intermediary Channel
The intermediary channel also experienced net outflows of $229 million, despite some positive aspects. This suggests potential improvements needed in the intermediary segment to reverse this trend.
Forward-Looking Guidance
Looking ahead, Westwood Holdings Group shared optimistic guidance for the future. The company reported total revenues of $25.6 million for the fourth quarter, with fiscal year 2024 revenues reaching $94.7 million, up from $89.8 million in 2023. The successful launch of the ETF platform and a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per share, set to be paid on April 1, 2025, also reflect the company’s forward momentum and strategic planning.
In conclusion, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.’s recent earnings call highlighted a blend of positive growth stories and ongoing challenges. The company’s successful institutional growth and ETF market entry were significant milestones, though they were tempered by net outflows and decreased economic earnings. As Westwood moves forward, its focus on strategic initiatives and revenue growth offers promising prospects for the future.