LPL Financial Announces Second Quarter 2017 Results


Key Performance Indicators

  • Earnings per share ("EPS") increased 40% year-over-year to $0.74, up 42% sequentially.
    - Net Income increased 43% year-over-year to $68 million, up 42% sequentially.
  • Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets increased 11% year-over-year to $542 billion, up 2% sequentially.
  • Total Net New Assets were an inflow of $0.4 billion, translating to a 0.3% annualized growth rate.
    - Net new advisory assets were an inflow of $5.9 billion, translating to a 10% annualized growth rate.
    - Net new brokerage assets were an outflow of $5.5 billion, translating to a (7%) annualized rate.
    - Advisor count decreased to 14,256, down 98 sequentially, and up 63 year-over-year.
    - Excluding anticipated departures discussed during the Company's Q1 2017 earnings call, total net new assets were an inflow of $2.1 billion, net new advisory assets were an inflow of $6.1 billion, net new brokerage assets were an outflow of $4.0 billion, and advisor count increased by 2.
  • Gross Profit** increased 13% year-over-year to $389 million, up 3% sequentially.
  • EBITDA** increased 29% year-over-year to $170 million, up 12% sequentially.
    - EBITDA as a percentage of Gross Profit was 44%, up from 38% a year ago, and up from 40% sequentially.
    - Core G&A** increased 5% year-over-year to $176 million, but decreased slightly sequentially.

Key Updates

  • Narrowed 2017 Core G&A** outlook range to $710 to $720 million.
  • Continued share repurchases, buying 910 thousand shares for $36 million at an average price of $39.78.

BOSTON, July 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA) (the “Company”) today announced results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2017, reporting net income of $68 million, or $0.74 per share. This compares with $48 million, or $0.53 per share, in the second quarter of 2016 and $48 million, or $0.52 per share, in the prior quarter.

“We remain focused on our strategic priorities of growing our core business and executing with excellence,” said Dan Arnold, president and CEO. “We continue to enhance the retail investor experience and help advisors grow their business by enriching our advisory solutions and transforming our client statements.  Our growth in advisory assets reflects our advisors using these enhancements to win in the marketplace.”

“Our business continued to deliver strong financial results in Q2,” said Matt Audette, CFO. “We remained focused on driving productivity and efficiency, and we generated operating leverage. We also put more capital to work as we increased the pace of our share repurchases.”

Additional Second Quarter 2017 Financial and Business Highlights

Market Drivers

  • S&P 500 index ended the quarter at 2,423, up 3% sequentially. The S&P 500 index averaged 2,398 during the quarter, up 3% sequentially.

  • Federal Funds Daily Effective Rate averaged 95 bps during the quarter, up 25 bps sequentially.

Advisors

  • Production retention rate was 93.4%. Excluding anticipated client departures discussed during the Company's Q1 2017 earnings call, the production retention rate was 96.5%.

Gross Profit

  • Gross profit increased 3% sequentially, primarily driven by higher advisory fees, cash sweep, and sponsor revenues.

Expenses

  • Core G&A expenses decreased slightly sequentially, primarily driven by lower payroll taxes.

  • Promotional expenses decreased 13% sequentially, primarily driven by lower conference expenses.

Capital Management

  • Returned capital to shareholders totaling $59 million or $0.64 per share.

    - Repurchased 910 thousand shares for $36 million, at an average price of $39.78 per share.

    - Paid dividends of $23 million on May 25, 2017. For the third quarter, the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a $0.25 cent quarterly dividend to be paid on August 24, 2017 to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2017.

  • Capital expenditures were $28 million, primarily driven by technology spend.

  • Cash available for corporate use was $527 million as of quarter-end.

  • Credit Agreement Net Leverage Ratio, which now only applies to the revolving credit facility, was 3.08x, down 0.24x from the prior quarter. After applying $300 million of cash available for corporate use to Credit Agreement Net Debt, this left an additional $227 million of cash, which if applied to the debt, would further reduce the Credit Agreement Net Leverage Ratio to 2.72x.

Conference Call and Additional Information

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its results at 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 27, 2017. The conference call can be accessed by dialing either 877-677-9122 (domestic) or 708-290-1401 (international) and entering passcode 46787812.

The conference call will also be webcast simultaneously on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website (investor.lpl.com), where a replay of the call will also be available following the live webcast. A telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering passcode 46787812. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 3, 2017 and the webcast replay will be available until August 17, 2017.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA), is a leader in the retail financial advice market and served approximately $542 billion in brokerage and advisory assets as of June 30, 2017. LPL is one of the fastest growing RIA custodians and the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine June 1996-2017), and the firm and its financial advisors were ranked No. 1 in net customer loyalty in a 2016 Cogent Reports™ study. The Company provides proprietary technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to more than 14,000 financial advisors and over 700 financial institutions, enabling them to provide a range of financial services including wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and other investment services to help their clients turn life’s aspirations into financial realities. As of June 30, 2017, financial advisors associated with LPL served more than 4 million client accounts across the U.S. as well as an estimated 46,000 retirement plans with an estimated $138 billion in retirement plan assets. Additionally, LPL supports approximately 3,700 financial advisors licensed and affiliated with insurance companies with customized clearing, advisory platforms, and technology solutions. LPL Financial and its affiliates have more than 3,400 employees with primary offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego. For more information, visit www.lpl.com.

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial. A Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.

**Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management believes that presenting certain non-GAAP measures by excluding or including certain items can be helpful to investors and analysts who may wish to use some or all of this information to analyze the Company’s current performance, prospects, and valuation. Management uses this non-GAAP information internally to evaluate operating performance and in formulating the budget for future periods. Management believes that the non-GAAP measures and metrics discussed below are appropriate for evaluating the performance of the Company.

Gross Profit is calculated as net revenues, which were $1,066 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, less commission and advisory expenses and brokerage, clearing, and exchange fees, which were $663 million and $14 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2017. All other expense categories, including depreciation and amortization, are considered general and administrative in nature. Because the Company’s gross profit amounts do not include any depreciation and amortization expense, the Company considers its gross profit amounts to be non-GAAP measures that may not be comparable to those of others in its industry. Management believes that Gross Profit can be useful to investors because it shows the Company’s core operating performance before indirect costs that are general and administrative in nature.

Core G&A consists of total operating expenses, which were $926 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, excluding the following expenses: commission and advisory, regulatory charges (see FN 8), promotional (see FN 9), employee share-based compensation (see FN 10), depreciation and amortization, amortization of intangible assets, and brokerage, clearing, and exchange. Management presents Core G&A because it believes Core G&A reflects the corporate operating expense categories over which management can generally exercise a measure of control, compared with expense items over which management either cannot exercise control, such as commission and advisory expenses, or which management views as promotional expense necessary to support advisor growth and retention including conferences and transition assistance. Core G&A is not a measure of the Company’s total operating expenses as calculated in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of Core G&A against the Company’s total operating expenses, please see footnote 7 on page 18 of this release. The Company does not provide an outlook for its total operating expenses because it contains expense components, such as commission and advisory expenses, that are market-driven and over which the Company cannot exercise control. Accordingly a reconciliation of the Company’s outlook for Core G&A to an outlook for total operating expenses cannot be made available without unreasonable effort. Prior to 2016, the Company calculated Core G&A as consisting of total operating expenses, excluding the items described above, as well as excluding other items that primarily consisted of acquisition and integration costs resulting from various acquisitions and organizational restructuring and conversion costs. Beginning with results reported for Q1 2016, Core G&A was presented as including these items that were historically adjusted out.

EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization. The Company presents EBITDA because management believes that it can be a useful financial metric in understanding the Company’s earnings from operations. EBITDA is not a measure of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of profitability or liquidity. In addition, the Company’s EBITDA can differ significantly from EBITDA calculated by other companies, depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate, and capital investments.

Credit Agreement EBITDA is defined in, and calculated by management in accordance with, the Company's credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) as “Consolidated EBITDA,” which is Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus interest expense, tax expense, depreciation and amortization and further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash charges and other adjustments, including unusual or non-recurring charges and gains. The Company presents Credit Agreement EBITDA because management believes that it can be a useful financial metric in understanding the Company’s debt capacity and covenant compliance under its Credit Agreement. Credit Agreement EBITDA is not a measure of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of profitability or liquidity. In addition, the Company’s Credit Agreement-defined EBITDA can differ significantly from adjusted EBITDA calculated by other companies, depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate, and capital investments.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the Company's future financial and operating results, outlook, growth, prospects, business strategies, future market position, future operating environment, and goals, including forecasts and statements relating to the Company’s future expense growth, capital plans, and future enhancements to the retail investor experience, as well as any other statements that are not related to present facts or current conditions or that are not purely historical, constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's historical performance and its plans, estimates, and expectations as of July 27, 2017. The words “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “plans”, “predicts”, “will”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees that the future results, plans, intentions, or expectations expressed or implied by the Company will be achieved. Matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, legislative, regulatory, competitive, and other factors, which may cause actual financial or operating results, levels of activity, or the timing of events, to be materially different than those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include: changes in general economic and financial market conditions, including retail investor sentiment; fluctuations in the value of advisory and brokerage assets; fluctuations in levels of net new assets and the related impact on revenue; fluctuations in the number of retail investors served by the Company; effects of competition in the financial services industry and the success of the Company in attracting and retaining financial advisors and institutions; changes in the number of the Company's financial advisors and institutions, and their ability to market effectively financial products and services; whether the retail investors served by newly-recruited advisors choose to open brokerage and/or advisory accounts and/or move their respective assets to new accounts at the Company; changes in interest rates and fees payable by banks participating in the Company's cash sweep program, including the Company's success in negotiating agreements with current or additional counterparties; the Company's strategy in managing cash sweep program fees; changes in the growth and profitability of the Company's fee-based business; the effect of current, pending and future legislation, regulation and regulatory actions, including the U.S. Department of Labor's final rule ("DOL Rule") and disciplinary actions imposed by federal and state securities regulators and self-regulatory organizations; the costs of settling and remediating issues related to pending or future regulatory matters or legal proceedings; execution of the Company's capital management plans, including its compliance with the terms of its existing credit agreement and the indenture governing its senior notes; the price, the availability of shares, and trading volumes of the Company's common stock, which will affect the timing and size of future share repurchases by the Company; changes made to the Company’s offerings and services in response to the current, pending and future legislation, regulation and regulatory actions, including the DOL Rule, and the effect that such changes may have on the Company’s gross profit streams and costs; execution of the Company's plans and its success in realizing the expense savings and service improvements and efficiencies expected to result from its initiatives and programs, particularly its expense plans and technological initiatives; the Company's success in negotiating and developing commercial arrangements with third-party services providers; the performance of third-party service providers to which business processes are transitioned from the Company; the Company's ability to control operating risks, information technology systems risks, cybersecurity risks, and sourcing risks; and the other factors set forth in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be amended or updated in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this earnings release, even if its estimates change, and you should not rely on statements contained herein as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.


LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
        
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
  
 2017 2016 %
Change
 2017 2016 %
Change
REVENUES           
Commission$420,706  $445,755  (6%) $841,870  $882,482  (5%)
Advisory346,515  322,955  7% 676,374  642,387  5%
Asset-based173,450  137,797  26% 330,673  274,048  21%
Transaction and fee109,361  101,824  7% 217,523  204,514  6%
Interest income, net of interest expense5,976  5,238  14% 11,769  10,568  11%
Other9,496  5,612  69% 22,722  10,487  117%
Total net revenues1,065,504  1,019,181  5% 2,100,931  2,024,486  4%
EXPENSES           
Commission and advisory663,046  660,680  % 1,308,109  1,296,691  1%
Compensation and benefits110,299  105,773  4% 223,511  219,828  2%
Promotional32,006  34,717  (8%) 68,660  70,401  (2%)
Depreciation and amortization21,190  18,749  13% 41,937  37,711  11%
Amortization of intangible assets9,453  9,509  (1%) 18,944  19,034  %
Occupancy and equipment22,987  21,980  5% 48,186  43,817  10%
Professional services18,757  14,984  25% 34,294  32,139  7%
Brokerage, clearing and exchange expense13,890  13,609  2% 28,076  27,198  3%
Communications and data processing10,645  10,971  (3%) 21,659  21,468  1%
Other24,201  24,656  (2%) 46,764  44,156  6%
Total operating expenses926,474  915,628  1% 1,840,140  1,812,443  2%
Non-operating interest expense26,261  23,804  10% 51,612  47,694  8%
Loss on extinguishment of debt    n/m 21,139    n/m
Income before provision for income taxes112,769  79,749  41% 188,040  164,349  14%
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES44,335  31,900  39% 71,417  66,108  8%
NET INCOME$68,434  $47,849  43% $116,623  $98,241  19%
Earnings per share, basic$0.76  $0.54  41% $1.29  $1.10  17%
Earnings per share, diluted$0.74  $0.53  40% $1.27  $1.10  15%
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 90,251   89,019  1%  90,060   88,992  1%
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted       92,013   89,699  3%  91,996   89,669  3%


LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Trend
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
  
 Quarterly Results
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 Q4 2016
REVENUES     
Commission$420,706  $421,164  $423,267 
Advisory346,515  329,859  325,383 
Asset-based173,450  157,223  144,136 
Transaction and fee109,361  108,162  102,788 
Interest income, net of interest expense5,976  5,793  5,342 
Other9,496  13,226  6,541 
Total net revenues1,065,504  1,035,427  1,007,457 
EXPENSES     
Commission and advisory663,046  645,063  646,501 
Compensation and benefits110,299  113,212  108,741 
Promotional32,006  36,654  35,602 
Depreciation and amortization21,190  20,747  19,783 
Amortization of intangible assets9,453  9,491  9,499 
Occupancy and equipment22,987  25,199  25,609 
Professional services18,757  15,537  17,944 
Brokerage, clearing and exchange expense13,890  14,186  14,213 
Communications and data processing10,645  11,014  12,652 
Other24,201  22,563  27,075 
Total operating expenses926,474  913,666  917,619 
Non-operating interest expense26,261  25,351  24,895 
Loss on extinguishment of debt  21,139   
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                                                112,769  75,271  64,943 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES44,335  27,082  23,207 
NET INCOME$68,434  $48,189  $41,736 
Earnings per share, basic$0.76  $0.54  $0.47 
Earnings per share, diluted$0.74  $0.52  $0.46 
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 90,251   89,868   89,212 
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 92,013   92,004   91,014 



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Dollars in thousands, except par value)
(Unaudited)
 
  June 30,
 2017
 December 31,
2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $945,133  $747,709 
Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations 534,002  768,219 
Restricted cash 42,733  42,680 
Receivables from:    
Clients, net of allowance of $427 at June 30, 2017 and $1,580 at December 31, 2016 295,388  341,199 
Product sponsors, broker-dealers, and clearing organizations 166,687  175,122 
Advisor loans, net of allowance of $5,780 at June 30, 2017 and $1,852 at December 31, 2016 192,485  194,526 
Others, net of allowance of $10,050 at June 30, 2017 and $12,851 at December 31, 2016 212,635  189,632 
Securities owned:    
Trading — at fair value 14,360  11,404 
Held-to-maturity 11,833  8,862 
Securities borrowed 17,619  5,559 
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $394,737 at June 30, 2017 and $355,919 at December 31, 2016 392,300  387,368 
Goodwill 1,365,838  1,365,838 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $399,718 at June 30, 2017 and $380,775 at December 31, 2016 335,052  353,996 
Other assets 264,060  242,812 
Total assets $4,790,125  $4,834,926 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:    
Drafts payable $150,101  $198,839 
Payables to clients 777,220  863,765 
Payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations 52,668  63,032 
Accrued commission and advisory expenses payable 128,804  128,476 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 380,585  385,545 
Income taxes payable 17,936  4,607 
Unearned revenue 80,633  62,785 
Securities sold, but not yet purchased — at fair value 99  183 
Senior secured credit facilities, net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $16,884 at June 30, 2017 and $21,924 at December 31, 2016 2,178,866  2,175,436 
Leasehold financing obligation 104,764  105,649 
Deferred income taxes, net 25,352  25,614 
Total liabilities 3,897,028  4,013,931 
Commitments and contingencies    
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:    
Common stock, $.001 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; 122,052,498 shares issued at June 30, 2017 and 119,917,854 shares
  issued at December 31, 2016
 122  120 
Additional paid-in capital 1,506,632  1,445,256 
Treasury stock, at cost — 32,130,595 shares at June 30, 2017 and 30,621,270 shares at December 31, 2016 (1,254,759) (1,194,645)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   315 
Retained earnings 641,102  569,949 
Total stockholders’ equity 893,097  820,995 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $4,790,125  $4,834,926 


                                                                                             LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Management's Statements of Operations (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The information presented on pages 9-17 of this release is presented as reviewed by the Company’s management and includes information derived from the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, non-GAAP measures, and operational and performance metrics. For information on non-GAAP measures, please see the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" that begins on page 3 of this release. 


 Quarterly Results
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 %  Change Q2 2016 %  Change
Gross Profit         
Sales-based commissions$181,843  $186,577  (3%) $218,266  (17%)
Trailing commissions238,863  234,587  2% 227,489  5%
Advisory346,515  329,859  5% 322,955  7%
Commission and advisory fees(2)767,221  751,023  2% 768,710  %
Commission and advisory expense(663,046) (645,063) 3% (660,680) %
Commission and advisory fees, net of payout104,175  105,960  (2%) 108,030  (4%)
Cash sweep(3)71,848  59,651  20% 40,857  76%
Other asset-based(4)101,602  97,572  4% 96,940  5%
Transaction and fee109,361  108,162  1% 101,824  7%
Interest income and other(5)15,472  19,019  (19%) 10,850  43%
Total net commission and advisory fees and attachment revenue      402,458  390,364  3% 358,501  12%
Brokerage, clearing, and exchange expense(13,890) (14,186) (2%) (13,609) 2%
Gross profit(6)388,568  376,178  3% 344,892  13%
          
G&A Expense         
Core G&A(7)176,428  177,026  % 168,076  5%
Regulatory charges(8)5,428  5,270  n/m 5,567  n/m
Promotional(9)32,006  36,654  (13%) 34,717  (8%)
Employee share-based compensation(10)5,033  5,229  (4%) 4,721  7%
Total G&A218,895  224,179  (2%) 213,081  3%
EBITDA169,673  151,999  12% 131,811  29%
Depreciation and amortization21,190  20,747  2% 18,749  13%
Amortization of intangible assets9,453  9,491  % 9,509  (1%)
Non-operating interest expense26,261  25,351  4% 23,804  10%
Loss on extinguishment of debt  21,139  n/m   n/m
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES112,769  75,271  50% 79,749  41%
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES44,335  27,082  64% 31,900  39%
NET INCOME$68,434  $48,189  42% $47,849  43%
Earnings per share, diluted$0.74  $0.52  42% $0.53  40%
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 92,013  92,004  %  89,699  3%


                                                                                           LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Management's Statements of Operations Trend (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The information presented on pages 9-17 of this release is presented as reviewed by the Company’s management and includes information derived from the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, non-GAAP measures, and operational and performance metrics. For information on non-GAAP measures, please see the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" that begins on page 3 of this release. 


 Quarterly Results
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 Q4 2016
Gross Profit     
Sales-based commissions$181,843  $186,577  $188,943 
Trailing commissions238,863  234,587  234,324 
Advisory346,515  329,859  325,383 
Commission and advisory fees (2)767,221  751,023  748,650 
Commission and advisory expense(663,046) (645,063) (646,501)
Commission and advisory fees, net of payout104,175  105,960  102,149 
Cash sweep(3)71,848  59,651  48,756 
Other asset-based(4)101,602  97,572  95,380 
Transaction and fee109,361  108,162  102,788 
Interest income and other(5)15,472  19,019  11,883 
Total net commission and advisory fees and attachment revenue                                      402,458  390,364  360,956 
Brokerage, clearing, and exchange expense(13,890) (14,186) (14,213)
Gross profit(6)388,568  376,178  346,743 
      
G&A Expense     
Core G&A(7)176,428  177,026  180,974 
Regulatory charges(8)5,428  5,270  6,275 
Promotional(9)32,006  36,654  35,602 
Employee share-based compensation(10)5,033  5,229  4,772 
Total G&A218,895  224,179  227,623 
EBITDA169,673  151,999  119,120 
Depreciation and amortization21,190  20,747  19,783 
Amortization of intangible assets9,453  9,491  9,499 
Non-operating interest expense26,261  25,351  24,895 
Loss on extinguishment of debt  21,139   
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES112,769  75,271  64,943 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES44,335  27,082  23,207 
NET INCOME$68,434  $48,189  $41,736 
Earnings per share, diluted$0.74  $0.52  $0.46 
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 92,013   92,004   91,014 



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Operating Measures (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 %
Change
 Q2 2016 %
Change
Market Drivers         
S&P 500 Index (end of period)2,423  2,363  3% 2,099  15%
Fed Funds Daily Effective Rate (FFER) (average bps)95  70  25bps 37  58bps
          
Assets (dollars in billions)         
Brokerage Assets(11)$305.2  $304.6  % $291.9  5%
Advisory Assets(12)236.8  225.7  5% 196.1  21%
Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets(13)$542.0  $530.3  2% $488.0  11%
Advisory % of Total Assets43.7% 42.6% 110bps 40.2% 350bps
          
Net New Advisory Assets(14)$5.9  $6.0  n/m $2.8  n/m
Net New Brokerage Assets(15)(5.5) (3.4) n/m (1.5) n/m
Total Net New Assets(16)$0.4  $2.6  n/m $1.3  n/m
          
Net Brokerage to Advisory Conversions (17)$2.0  $2.3  n/m $1.4  n/m
Advisory NNA Annualized Growth(18)10% 11% n/m 6% n/m
Total NNA Annualized Growth(19)0.3% 2% n/m 1% n/m
          
Non-Hybrid RIA Brokerage Assets(20)$237.9  $239.1  (1%) $234.1  2%
Corporate Platform Advisory Assets(20)137.7  133.6  3% 121.6  13%
Total Corporate Assets(20)375.6  372.7  1% 355.7  6%
Brokerage Assets Associated with Hybrid RIAs(21)67.3  65.5  3% 57.8  16%
Hybrid Platform Advisory Assets(21)99.1  92.1  8% 74.5  33%
Total Hybrid Platform Assets(21)166.4  157.6  6% 132.3  26%
Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets(13)$542.0  $530.3  2% $488.0  11%
Hybrid % of Total Assets30.7% 29.7% 100bps 27.1% 360bps
          
Brokerage Retirement Assets(22)$149.9  $148.4  1% $144.0  4%
Advisory Retirement Assets(22)131.5  124.5  6% 106.3  24%
Total Brokerage and Advisory Retirement Assets(22)                    $281.4  $272.9  3% $250.3  12%
Retirement % of Total Assets51.9% 51.5% 40bps 51.3% 60bps
          
Insured Cash Account Balances(23)$20.8  $22.0  (5%) $21.0  (1%)
Deposit Cash Account Balances(24)3.7  4.2  (12%)   n/m
Money Market Account Cash Balances(25)3.3  3.8  (13%) 8.2  (60%)
Total Cash Sweep Balances(26)$27.8  $30.0  (7%) $29.2  (5%)
Cash Sweep % of Total Assets5.1% 5.7% (60bps) 6.0% (90bps)
          
Insured Cash Account Fee - bps(27)108  88  20  63  45 
Deposit Cash Account Fee - bps(27)85  62  23    n/m
Money Market Account Fee - bps(27)69  53  16  37  32 
Total Cash Sweep Fee - bps(27)100  80  20  56  44 



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Monthly Metrics (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
     (End of Period $ in billions, unless noted) June 2017 May 2017 May to Jun
% Change
 April 2017 March
2017
Assets Served          
Brokerage Assets(11) $305.2  $306.0  (0.3%) $305.9  $304.6 
Advisory Assets(12) 236.8  233.5  1.4% 228.9  225.7 
Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets(13)           $542.0  $539.5  0.5% $534.8  $530.3 
           
Net New Advisory Assets(14) $2.0  $2.5  n/m $1.4  $2.3 
Net New Brokerage Assets(15) $(2.1) $(2.1) n/m $(1.3) $(1.1)
Total Net New Assets(16) $(0.1) $0.4  n/m $0.1  $1.2 
           
Net Brokerage to Advisory Conversions(17) $0.6  $0.8  n/m $0.6  $0.7 
           
Insured Cash Account Balances(23) $20.8  $20.9  (0.5%) $21.4  $22.0 
Deposit Cash Account Balances(24) 3.7  3.8  (2.6%) 3.9  4.2 
Money Market Account Cash Balances(25) 3.3  3.6  (8.3%) 3.7  3.8 
Total Client Cash Sweep Balances(26) $27.8  $28.3  (1.8%) $29.0  $30.0 
           
Market Indices          
S&P 500 Index (end of period) 2,423  2,412  0.5% 2,384  2,363 
Fed Funds Effective Rate (average bps) 104  91  13bps 91  79 



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Financial Measures (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 %
Change
 Q2 2016 %
Change
Commission Revenue by Product         
Variable annuities$167,454  $166,796  % $173,421  (3%)
Mutual funds134,510  131,474  2% 135,770  (1%)
Alternative investments6,719  7,171  (6%) 9,098  (26%)
Fixed annuities39,560  36,912  7% 53,623  (26%)
Equities18,799  21,974  (14%) 20,706  (9%)
Fixed income26,256  27,495  (5%) 21,279  23%
Insurance16,294  17,722  (8%) 19,980  (18%)
Group annuities11,000  11,479  (4%) 11,686  (6%)
Other114  141  (19%) 192  (41%)
Total commission revenue$420,706  $421,164  % $445,755  (6%)
          
Commission Revenue by Sales-based and Trailing Commission      
Sales-based commissions         
Variable annuities$53,032  $50,925  4% $64,987  (18%)
Mutual funds34,909  36,461  (4%) 38,223  (9%)
Alternative investments3,645  5,154  (29%) 7,002  (48%)
Fixed annuities34,931  32,094  9% 50,970  (31%)
Equities18,799  21,974  (14%) 20,706  (9%)
Fixed income20,501  21,902  (6%) 16,288  26%
Insurance14,861  16,146  (8%) 18,595  (20%)
Group annuities1,051  1,780  (41%) 1,303  (19%)
Other114  141  (19%) 192  (41%)
Total sales-based commissions$181,843  $186,577  (3%) $218,266  (17%)
Trailing commissions         
Variable annuities$114,422  $115,871  (1%) $108,434  6%
Mutual funds99,601  95,013  5% 97,547  2%
Alternative investments3,074  2,017  52% 2,096  47%
Fixed annuities4,629  4,818  (4%) 2,653  74%
Fixed income5,755  5,593  3% 4,991  15%
Insurance1,433  1,576  (9%) 1,385  3%
Group annuities9,949  9,699  3% 10,383  (4%)
Total trailing commissions$238,863  $234,587  2% $227,489  5%
Total commission revenue$420,706  $421,164  % $445,755  (6%)


LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Financial Measures (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 %
Change
 Q2 2016 %
Change
Payout Rate         
Base Payout Rate(28)82.94% 82.99% (5bps) 83.20% (26bps)
Production Based Bonuses2.56% 1.72% 84bps 2.44% 12bps
GDC Sensitive Payout85.50% 84.71% 79bps 85.64% (14bps)
Non-GDC Sensitive Payout (29)0.92% 1.18% (26bps) 0.31% 61bps
Total Payout Ratio86.42% 85.89% 53bps 85.95% 47bps
Production Based Bonuses Ratio (Trailing Twelve Months)2.7% 2.7% —bps 2.7% —bps



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Capital Management Measures (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017
Credit Agreement EBITDA(30)   
Net income$68,434  $48,189 
Non-operating interest expense26,261  25,351 
Provision for income taxes44,335  27,082 
Loss on extinguishment of debt  21,139 
Depreciation and amortization21,190  20,747 
Amortization of intangible assets9,453  9,491 
EBITDA169,673  151,999 
Credit Agreement Adjustments:   
Employee share-based compensation expense(10)5,033  5,229 
Advisor share-based compensation expense(31)1,821  1,742 
Other(32)7,631  5,596 
Credit Agreement EBITDA$184,158  $164,566 
    
Cash Available for Corporate Use(33)   
Cash at Parent(34)$408,381  $413,431 
Excess Cash at Broker-Dealer subsidiary per Credit Agreement                          109,714  130,885 
Other Available Cash8,555  6,966 
Total Cash Available for Corporate Use$526,650  $551,282 
    
Credit Agreement Net Leverage   
Total Debt$2,195,750  $2,200,000 
Cash Available (up to $300 million)300,000  300,000 
Credit Agreement Net Debt$1,895,750  $1,900,000 
Credit Agreement EBITDA (trailing twelve months)(35)$614,627  $573,091 
Credit Agreement Net Leverage Ratio(36)3.08x 3.32x



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Debt Schedule (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
Total Debt Outstanding Applicable
Margin
 Interest Rate
(end of period)
 Maturity
Revolving Credit Facility Loans(a)                     $  LIBOR+200bps(b) % 3/10/2022
Senior Secured Term Loan B 1,695,750  LIBOR+250 bps(b) 3.82% 3/10/2024
Senior Unsecured Notes 500,000  Fixed Rate 5.75% 9/15/2025
Total / Weighted-Average $2,195,750    4.26%  
            
  1. The Revolving Credit Facility has a borrowing capacity of $500 million.
  2. The LIBOR rate option is one-, two-, three- or six-month LIBOR rate and subject to an interest rate floor of 0 basis points.


 LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Key Business and Financial Metrics (1)
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 % Change Q2 2016 % Change
Advisors         
Advisors14,256  14,354  (1%) 14,193  %
Net New Advisors(98) (23) n/m 100  n/m
Custom Clearing Service Subscribers(37)3,703  3,935  (6%) 4,203  (12%)
Annualized commission and advisory fees per Advisor(38)$215  $209  3% $217  (1%)
Average Total Assets per Advisor ($ in millions)(39)$38.0  $36.9  3% $34.4  10%
Transition assistance loan amortization ($ in millions)(40)$14.0  $13.6  3% $11.5  22%
Total client accounts (in millions)4.6  4.6  % 4.6  %
          
Employees - period end3,419  3,306  3% 3,283  4%
          
Productivity Metrics         
Advisory Revenue as a percentage of Advisory Assets, excluding Hybrid RIA assets(41)      1.04% 1.04% bps 1.08% (4bps)
Gross Profit ROA(42)28.7bps 28.4bps 0.3bps 28.3bps 0.4bps
OPEX ROA(43)18.4bps 19.2bps (0.8bps) 19.8bps (1.4bps)
EBIT ROA (44)10.3bps 9.2bps 1.1bps 8.5bps 1.8bps
Production Retention Rate (YTD Annualized)(45)93.4% 95.4% (200bps) 96.8% (340bps)
Recurring Revenue Rate(46)77.3% 76.0% 130bps 73.8% 350bps
EBITDA as a percentage of Gross Profit43.7% 40.4% 330bps 38.2% 550bps
          
Capital Allocation per Share(47)
(in millions, except per share data)
         
Share Repurchases$36.2  $22.5  61% $  n/m
Dividends22.6  22.6  % 22.3  1%
Total Capital Allocated$58.8  $45.1  30% $22.3  164%
Weighted-average Share Count, Diluted92.0  92.0  % 89.7  3%
Total Capital Allocated per Share$0.64  $0.49  31% $0.25  156%


Endnote Disclosures

  1. The information presented on pages 9-17 includes non-GAAP financial measures and operational and performance metrics. For more information on non-GAAP measures, please see the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3.
  2. In the prior quarters, commission and advisory fees was referred to as Gross dealer concessions (GDC).
  3. Cash sweep revenues consist of fees from the Company’s cash sweep program, specifically a money market sweep vehicle involving money market fund providers and two insured bank deposit sweep vehicles (see FNs 23, 24, and 25). Cash sweep revenues are a component of asset-based revenues and are derived from the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
  4. Other asset-based revenues consist of revenues from the Company’s sponsorship programs with financial product manufacturers and omnibus processing and networking services, but not including fees from cash sweep programs. Other asset-based revenues are a component of asset-based revenues and are derived from the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
  5. Interest income and other consists of interest income, net of interest expense as well as other revenues, as presented on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
  6. Gross Profit is a non-GAAP measure. Please see a description of Gross Profit under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3 of this release for additional information.
  7. Core G&A is a non-GAAP measure. Please see a description of Core G&A under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3 of this release for additional information. Below is a reconciliation of Core G&A against the Company’s total operating expenses for the periods presented:
 
 Q2 2017 Q1 2017 Q2 2016
Operating Expense Reconciliation     
Core G&A$176,428  $177,026  $168,076 
Regulatory charges5,428  5,270  5,567 
Promotional32,006  36,654  34,717 
Employee share-based compensation                                            5,033  5,229  4,721 
Total G&A218,895  224,179  213,081 
Commissions and advisory663,046  645,063  660,680 
Depreciation & amortization21,190  20,747  18,749 
Amortization of intangible assets9,453  9,491  9,509 
Brokerage, clearing and exchange13,890  14,186  13,609 
Total operating expense$926,474  $913,666  $915,628 
 
  1. Regulatory charges consist of items that the Company’s management relates to the resolution of regulatory issues (including remediation, restitution, and fines).
  2. Promotional expenses include costs related to hosting of advisor conferences, business development costs related to recruiting, such as transition assistance, and amortization related to forgivable loans issued to advisors.
  3. Employee share-based compensation expense represents share-based compensation for equity awards granted to employees, officers, and directors. Such awards are measured based on the grant date fair value and recognized over the requisite service period of the individual awards, which generally equals the vesting period.
  4. Brokerage Assets is a component of Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13) and consists of assets serviced by advisors licensed with the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”) that are custodied, networked, and non-networked, and reflect market movement in addition to new assets, inclusive of new business development and net of attrition.
  5. Advisory Assets is a component of Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13) and consists of advisory assets under management on LPL Financial’s corporate advisory platform (see FN 20) and Hybrid RIA assets in advisory accounts custodied at LPL Financial (see FN 21).
  6. End of period Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets are comprised of assets that are custodied, networked, and non-networked, and reflect market movement in addition to new assets, inclusive of new business development and net of attrition. End of period Insured Cash Account, Deposit Cash Account and Money Market Account Balances are also included in Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets.
  7. Net New Advisory Assets consists of total client deposits into advisory accounts less total client withdrawals from advisory accounts. The Company considers conversions from and to brokerage accounts as deposits and withdrawals respectively.
  8. Net New Brokerage Assets consists of total client deposits into brokerage accounts less total client withdrawals from brokerage accounts. The Company considers conversions from and to advisory accounts as deposits and withdrawals respectively.
  9. Total Net New Assets is equal to the sum of Net New Advisory Assets and Net New Brokerage Assets.
  10. Net Brokerage to Advisory Conversions consists of existing custodied assets that converted from brokerage to advisory, less existing custodied assets that converted from advisory to brokerage. Conversions to/from brokerage and advisory are undertaken when appropriate for investors.
  11. Advisory NNA Annualized Growth is calculated as the Net New Advisory Assets as of the end of a period divided by Advisory Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding period and multiplying by four.
  12. Total NNA Annualized Growth is calculated as the Total Net New Assets as of an end of the period divided by Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding period and multiplying by four.
  13. Total Corporate Assets represents the sum of total brokerage assets serviced by advisors who are licensed with LPL Financial but not associated with Hybrid RIAs (see FN 21); and total advisory assets managed on LPL Financial's corporate advisory platform by advisors who are registered investment advisory representatives of LPL Financial. Total Corporate Assets are custodied, networked, and non-networked with the Company, and reflect market movement in addition to new assets, inclusive of new business development and net of attrition.
  14. The Company serves independent RIAs that conduct their advisory business through separate entities (“Hybrid RIAs”) operating pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or through their respective states' investment advisory licensing rules, rather than through LPL Financial. Advisors associated with Hybrid RIAs pay fees to access LPL Financial’s Hybrid RIA platform for an integrated offering of technology, clearing, compliance, and custody services to Hybrid RIAs. Most financial advisors associated with Hybrid RIAs carry their brokerage license with LPL Financial, although some financial advisors associated with Hybrid RIAs do not carry a brokerage license through LPL Financial. Total Hybrid Platform Assets consist of assets managed or serviced by advisors associated with a Hybrid RIA firm that are custodied, networked, and non-networked with LPL Financial, and reflect market movement in addition to new assets, inclusive of new business development and net of attrition. This measure does not include assets managed by Hybrid RIAs that are custodied with a third-party custodian.
  15. Total Brokerage and Advisory Retirement Assets are a component of Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13), and consist of retirement plan assets held in advisory and brokerage accounts that are custodied, networked, and non-networked with LPL Financial, and reflect market movement in addition to new assets, inclusive of new business development and net of attrition. This measure does not include additional retirement plan assets serviced by advisors through either LPL Financial or Hybrid RIAs, which the Company currently estimates at $138 billion.
  16. Insured Cash Account Balances represents advisors’ clients’ account balances in one of LPL Financial’s two insured bank deposit sweep vehicles at the end of the reporting period. These accounts are available to individuals, trusts (where beneficiaries are natural persons), and sole proprietorships, and these assets are included in Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13).
  17. Deposit Cash Account Balances represents advisors’ clients’ account balances in one of LPL Financial’s two insured bank deposit sweep vehicles at the end of the reporting period. These accounts are available only to advisory individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and these assets are included in Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13).
  18. Money Market Account Cash Balances represents advisors’ clients’ account balances in money market fund providers at the end of the reporting period. These assets are included in Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13).
  19. Represents the sum of Insured Cash Account Balances, Deposit Cash Account Balances, and Money Market Account Cash Balances, which together comprise end of period assets in the Company’s cash sweep program. These assets are included in Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13).
  20. With respect to the applicable cash sweep vehicle (Insured Cash Account, Deposit Cash Account and/or Money Market Account), reflects the average fee yield over the period, as calculated by dividing total fee revenue received from such vehicle by the average end of day balance level during the quarter in such vehicle.
  21. The Company's base payout rate, a statistical or operating measure, is calculated as commission and advisory expenses, divided by commission and advisory fees, which were referred to in the prior quarters as GDC (see FN 2).
  22. Non-GDC Sensitive Payout, a statistical or operating measure, includes share-based compensation expense from equity awards granted to advisors and financial institutions (see FN 31) and mark-to-market gains or losses on amounts designated by advisors as deferred. See FN 2 for additional information about GDC.
  23. Credit Agreement EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Please see a description of Credit Agreement EBITDA under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3 of this release for additional information.
  24. Advisor share-based compensation expense represents share-based compensation expense for equity awards granted to advisors and financial institutions based on the fair value of the awards at each reporting period.
  25. Other represents items that are adjustable in accordance with the Credit Agreement to calculate Credit Agreement EBITDA, including employee severance costs, employee signing costs, employee retention or completion bonuses, and other non-recurring costs.
  26. Consists of cash unrestricted by the Credit Agreement and other regulations available for operating, investing, and financing uses.
  27. Parent refers to LPL Holdings, Inc., a direct subsidiary of the Company, which is the Borrower under the Credit Agreement.
  28. Under the Credit Agreement, management calculates Credit Agreement EBITDA for a four-quarter period at the end of each fiscal quarter, and in so doing may make further adjustments to prior quarters.
  29. Credit Agreement Net Leverage Ratio is calculated in accordance with the Credit Agreement, which includes a maximum of $300 million of cash available for corporate use.
  30. Custom Clearing Service Subscribers are financial advisors who are affiliated and licensed with insurance companies that receive customized clearing services, advisory platforms, and technology solutions from the Company.
  31. A simple average advisor count is used to calculate "per advisor" metrics by taking the average advisor count from the current period and sequential period. The calculation uses the average advisor count at the beginning and the end of period, and excludes Custom Clearing Service Subscribers (see FN 37).
  32. Based on end of period Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13) divided by end of period Advisor count.
  33. Transition assistance consists of payments to newly recruited advisors and financial institutions to assist in the transition process. Smaller advisor practices receive payments that are charged to earnings in the current period, whereas larger advisor practices and financial institutions typically receive transition assistance in the form of forgivable loans or recoverable advances that are generally amortized into earnings over a period of three to five years. Transition assistance loan amortization represents the amortizable amount of forgivable loans or recoverable advances that are charged to earnings in the period presented.
  34. Based on annualized advisory revenues divided by corporate advisory assets at the prior quarter's end (corporate advisory assets is defined as total Advisory Assets (see FN 12) less Hybrid Platform Advisory Assets (see FN 21)).
  35. Represents annualized Gross Profit (see FN 6) for the period, divided by Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13) for the period.
  36. Represents annualized operating expenses for the period, excluding production-related expense, divided by Total Brokerage and Advisory Assets (see FN 13) for the period. Production-related expense includes commissions and advisory expense and brokerage, clearing and exchange expense.  For purposes of this metric, operating expenses includes include Core G&A (see FN 7), Regulatory (see FN 8), Promotional (see FN 9), Employee Share Based Compensation (see FN 10), Depreciation & Amortization, and Amortization of Intangible Assets.
  37. EBIT ROA is calculated as Gross Profit ROA less OPEX ROA.
  38. Reflects retention of commission and advisory revenues, calculated by deducting the prior year production of the annualized year-to-date attrition rate, over the prior year total production.
  39. Recurring Revenue Rate refers to the percentage of total net revenue that was recurring revenue for the quarter. The Company tracks recurring revenue, a characterization of net revenue and a statistical measure, which management defines to include revenues from asset-based fees, advisory fees, trailing commissions, cash sweep programs, and certain other fees that are based upon accounts and advisors. Because certain recurring revenues are associated with asset balances, they will fluctuate depending on the market values and current interest rates. Accordingly, recurring revenue can be negatively impacted by adverse external market conditions. However, management believes that recurring revenue is meaningful despite these fluctuations because it is not dependent upon transaction volumes or other activity-based revenues, which are more difficult to predict, particularly in declining or volatile markets. 
  40. Capital Allocation per Share equals the amount of capital allocated for share repurchases and cash dividends divided by the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.

            

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