Cowen Announces Record Financial Results for Full Year 2021

  • Reports 4Q21 GAAP Net Income to common stockholders of $63.3 million, or $2.02 per diluted share
  • Economic Operating Income of $86.7 million, or $2.77 per diluted share (Non-GAAP)
  • Record year for Revenues, GAAP net income and after-tax Economic Operating Income
  • Raised quarterly cash dividend to $0.12 per share, record FY21 share repurchases of $159.8 million
  • Earnings call today at 9am ET. Dial-in: 855-760-0961 or 631-485-4850 Passcode: 6494378

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cowen Inc. (NASDAQ: COWN) (“Cowen” or “the Company”) today announced its operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021.

Jeffrey M. Solomon, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Cowen, said, “The strong fourth quarter results capped off our second consecutive record year of revenues and after-tax earnings, demonstrating the sustainability of our business. We are confident that the investments and strategic decisions we have made over the past few years will enable us to outperform for our clients and deliver for our shareholders in 2022 and beyond.”

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Summary

  Operating Results
(GAAP)
  Economic Operating Income
(Non-GAAP)
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
($ in millions, except per share information)   2021     2020   Δ %     2021     2020   Δ %
                       
                       
Revenue/Economic Proceeds (Non-GAAP) $ 494.3   $ 591.7   (16)%   $ 454.0   $ 512.7   (11)%
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/Economic Operating Income (Non-GAAP) $ 63.3   $ 90.5   (30)%   $ 86.7   $ 138.7   (37)%
Earnings (loss) per common share (diluted) $ 2.02   $ 2.98   (32)%   $ 2.77   $ 4.58   (40)%
                       
Note: Throughout this press release the Company presents non-GAAP financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures appears under the section, “Reconciliation of US GAAP (Unaudited) to Non-GAAP Measures.” 4Q21 Economic Operating Income (Loss) is calculated net of associated taxes. The Company utilized all available federal net operating losses not subject to limitation during 2020.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Operating Financial Highlights

  • Record Investment Banking performance:
    • Record year for overall revenues, capital markets advisory and M&A revenues
    • Broad strength: capital markets advisory revenues +126% y/y, M&A +95%, non-healthcare +138%
    • Completed acquisition of Portico Capital Advisors in 4Q21, broadening M&A advisory capabilities
  • Record Markets revenues driven by share gains:
    • Brokerage Economic Proceeds of $2.91 million/trading day in FY’21, up 12% year-over-year, outperforming US equity volume growth of 4% year-over-year
    • Strong growth in cash trading, non-US execution, securities finance, prime services and cross-asset trading
  • Growth in Assets Under Management
    • As of December 31, 2021, the Company had assets under management of $15.8 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion from September 30, 2021 and up $3.3 billion from December 31, 2020, respectively
    • Management fees economic proceeds were $80.5 million in FY’21, up 36% year-over-year and the highest annual level since 2008
  • Invested Capital:
    • As of December 31, 2021, the Company had invested capital in Op Co totaling $734.8 million, up from $677.7 million as of September 30, 2021
    • As of December 31, 2021, the Company had invested capital in Asset Co totaling $121.2 million, up from $120.2 million as of September 30, 2021
    • The largest Asset Co investments are the investment in Italian wireless broadband provider Linkem S.p.A ($78.7 million excluding carried interest) and private equity funds Formation8/Eclipse ($32.8 million)

Capital Optimization Update

During 2021, the Company repurchased a record $159.8 million of its common stock, or 4,371,291 shares, at an average price of $36.56 per share under the Company’s existing share repurchase program. Outside the share repurchase program, during 2021, the Company acquired approximately $40.4 million of stock as a result of net share settlements relating to the vesting of equity awards, or 1,055,620 shares, at an average price of $38.26 per share. As of February 15, 2022, approximately $43.5 million was available for purchase under the share repurchase program.

Quarterly Cash Dividend

The Company increased the quarterly cash dividend payable on its common stock from $0.10 to $0.12 per common share. On February 15, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per common share. The dividend will be payable on March 15, 2022, to stockholders of record on March 1, 2022.

Select Balance Sheet Data

 

 (Amounts in millions, except per share information)      
  December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
 Cowen Inc. stockholders’ equity $1,015.9   $969.5 
 Common equity (CE) $1,015.9   $868.2 
 Tangible common equity (TCE) $737.7   $696.7 
       
 Book value per share (CE/CSO) $36.57   $32.34 
 Tangible book value per share (TCE/CSO) $26.56   $25.95 
       
 Common shares outstanding (CSO)   27.8     26.8 
       
 Note: Common Equity (CE) is calculated as Cowen Inc, stockholders’ equity less our preferred stock issuance.
 Tangible common equity (TCE) is calculated as common equity (CE) less goodwill and net intangible assets.

 

 

 

Cowen Inc.
US GAAP Preliminary Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)
               
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  December 31   December 31
    2021       2020     2021       2020  
Revenue              
Investment banking $ 263,815     $ 266,135   $ 1,067,162     $ 769,486  
Brokerage   140,994       132,971     585,162       524,361  
Investment income (loss)              
Securities principal transactions, net   10,282       48,570     122,110       124,667  
Portfolio fund principal transactions, net   (2,062 )     11,593     338       20,434  
Carried interest allocations   4,291       37,051     5,059       59,250  
Total investment income (loss)   12,511       97,214     127,507       204,351  
Management fees   16,216       12,304     72,287       47,515  
Incentive income   299       465     2,732       592  
Interest and dividends   51,753       59,912     219,292       187,459  
Insurance and reinsurance premiums   8,435       11,204     39,631       30,147  
Other revenues, net   2,599       5,245     5,211       10,503  
Consolidated Funds revenues   (2,342 )     6,273     (6,185 )     (18,488 )
Total revenue   494,280       591,723     2,112,799       1,755,926  
Interest and dividends expense   47,638       61,875     211,387       187,725  
Total net revenue   446,642       529,848     1,901,412       1,568,201  
Expenses              
Employee compensation and benefits   237,303       277,394     1,046,371       860,531  
Insurance and reinsurance claims, commissions and amortization of deferred acquisition costs   9,095       12,189     33,938       33,905  
Operating, general, administrative and other expenses   121,540       104,890     430,250       369,840  
Depreciation and amortization expense   5,289       5,353     19,004       22,677  
Consolidated Funds expenses   111       616     630       5,409  
Total expenses   373,338       400,442     1,530,193       1,292,362  
Other income (loss)              
Net (losses) gains on other investments   11,853       8,370     35,494       18,879  
Bargain purchase gain, net of tax             3,855        
Gain/(loss) on debt extinguishment         2,719     (4,538 )     2,719  
Total other income (loss)   11,853       11,089     34,811       21,598  
Income (loss) before income taxes   85,157       140,495     406,030       297,437  
Income tax expense/(benefit)   25,175       37,784     102,039       90,373  
Net income (loss)   59,982       102,711     303,991       207,064  
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries and funds   (4,999 )     10,544     8,380       (9,299 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Inc.   64,981       92,167     295,611       216,363  
Less: Preferred stock dividends   1,698       1,698     6,792       6,792  
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Inc. common stockholders $ 63,283     $ 90,469   $ 288,819     $ 209,571  
               
Earnings (loss) per share:              
Basic $ 2.28     $ 3.36   $ 10.42     $ 7.54  
Diluted $ 2.02     $ 2.98   $ 8.85     $ 7.10  
               
Weighted average shares used in per share data:              
Basic   27,731       26,934     27,721       27,790  
Diluted   31,355       30,316     32,628       29,519  


U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

During the first quarter of 2021, the Company changed the presentation of certain income streams on its U.S. GAAP preliminary Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations by moving the income streams from Other income – net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments to Revenues. Additionally, the Company moved proprietary trading gains and losses generated by the Company’s broker dealer entities from Brokerage revenue to Investment income (loss) – securities principal transactions, net. The Company believes that these presentation changes provide a better representation of the Company’s operating results as it is used by management to monitor the Company’s financial performance and is consistent with industry practice. The changes in presentation have no impact on net income and prior period amounts have been recast to reflect such changes in presentation.

Fourth quarter 2021 revenue was $494.3 million versus $591.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Full-year 2021 revenue was $2.1 billion, up from $1.8 billion in full-year 2020. The year-over-year increase was due primarily to increased investment banking and brokerage activity partially offset by reduced investment income.

Fourth quarter 2021 investment banking revenues decreased $2.3 million to $263.8 million. Full-year 2021 investment banking revenues increased $297.7 million to $1.07 billion. During full-year 2021 the Company completed 190 underwriting transactions, 159 strategic advisory transactions and 20 debt capital markets transactions.

Fourth quarter 2021 brokerage revenues increased $8.0 million to $141.0 million. Full-year 2021 brokerage revenues increased $60.8 million to $585.2 million. The increase was attributable to an increase in cash trading, non-dollar commission revenue, prime services revenue and securities finance activities.

Fourth quarter 2021 investment income decreased $84.7 million to $12.5 million. Full-year 2021 investment income decreased from $204.4 million to $127.5 million. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to decreases in portfolio fund investment income, including decreases the value in our merchant banking investments, and lower carried interest allocations..

Fourth quarter 2021 employee compensation and benefits expenses were $237.3 million, a decrease of $40.1 million from the prior-year period. Full-year compensation and benefits expenses increased $185.8 million to $1.05 billion. The full-year increase is primarily due to $356.9 million higher total revenues, resulting in a higher compensation and benefits accrual.

Fourth quarter 2021 total expenses totaled $373.3 million, a decrease of $27.1 million from the prior-year period. Full-year 2021 expenses rose to $1.53 billion from $1.29 billion, primarily due to higher compensation expenses associated with higher revenues as well as higher operating, general and administrating and other expenses, including an increase in marketing and business development expenses.

Fourth quarter 2021 income tax expense was $25.2 million compared to $37.8 million income tax expense in the prior-year quarter. Full-year 2021 income tax expense increased $11.7 million to $102.0 million, primarily due to the increase in the Company’s income before income taxes for the respective periods.

Fourth quarter 2021 net income attributable to common stockholders was $63.3 million compared to $90.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Full-year 2021 net income rose from $209.6 million to $288.8 million. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to higher investment banking and brokerage revenues.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

Throughout this press release, the Company presents supplemental financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with US GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include (i) Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss), (ii) Economic Income (Loss), (iii) Economic Operating Income (Loss), (iv) Economic Proceeds and related components, (v) Net Economic Proceeds and related components, (vi) Economic Expenses and related components and (vii) related per share measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the Company’s reported US GAAP results, provide useful information to investors and analysts regarding its performance and overall results of operations as it presents investors and analysts with a supplemental operating view of the Company’s financials to help better inform their analysis of the Company’s performance.

These Non-GAAP financial measures are an integral part of the Company’s internal reporting to measure the performance of its business segments, allocate capital and other strategic decisions as well as assess the overall effectiveness of senior management. The Company believes that presenting these non-GAAP measures may provide expanded transparency into the Company’s business operations, growth opportunities and expense allocation decisions.

The Company’s primary non-GAAP financial measures of profit or loss are Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss), Economic Income (Loss) and Economic Operating Income (Loss). Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure which (i) includes management reclassifications which the Company believes provides additional insight on the performance of the Company’s core businesses and divisions; (ii) eliminates the impact of consolidation for Consolidated Funds; and excludes (iii) goodwill and intangible impairment, (iv) certain other transaction-related adjustments and/or reorganization expenses, as well as (v) certain costs associated with debt. Economic Income (Loss) is a similar measure, but after tax, which includes the Company’s income tax expense or benefit calculated on Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) once all currently available net operating losses have been utilized (this occurred during tax year 2020) and is presented after preferred stock dividends. Economic Operating Income (Loss) is a similar measure to Economic Income (Loss), but before depreciation and amortization expenses. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide analysts and investors transparency into the measures of profit and loss management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the segments including determining appropriate compensation levels. Additionally, the measures provide investors and analysts with additional insight into the activities of the Company’s core businesses, taking into account, among other things, the impact of minority investment stakes, securities borrowing and lending activities and expenses from investment banking activities on US GAAP reported results. The Company presents Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) in addition to Economic Income (Loss) and Economic Operating Income (Loss) to provide insight to investors and analysts on how the Company manages its tax position over time.

In addition to Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss), Economic Income (Loss) and Economic Operating Income (Loss), the Company also presents Economic Proceeds, Net Economic Proceeds, Economic Expenses, as well as their related components. These measures include management reclassifications and the elimination of the impact of the consolidation for Consolidated funds as described above. These adjustments are meant to provide comparability to our peers as well as to provide investors and analysts with transparency into how the Company manages its operating businesses and how analysts and investors review and analyze the Company’s and its peers’ similar lines of businesses. For example, among others, within the Company’s Op Co business segment, investors and analysts typically review and analyze the performance of investment banking revenues net of underwriting expenses and excluding the impact of reimbursable expenses. Additionally, the performance of the Company’s Markets business is typically analyzed as a unit incorporating commissions, interest from securities financing transactions and gains and losses from proprietary and facilitation trading. The Company’s investment management business performance is analyzed and reviewed by investors and analysts through investment income, incentive income and management fees. The presentation of Economic Proceeds, Net Economic Proceeds, Economic Expenses as well as their related components align with these and other examples of how the Company’s business activities and performance are reviewed by analysts and investors in addition to providing simplification related to legacy businesses and investments for which the Company maintains long-term monetization strategies. Additionally, the Company manages its operating businesses to an Economic Compensation-to-Proceeds ratio. Presentation of Economic Compensation Expense and Economic Proceeds provides transparency in addition to the Company’s US GAAP Compensation Expense.

Reconciliations to comparable US GAAP measures are presented along with the Company’s Non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP measures presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other public companies and are not identical to corresponding measures used in our various agreements or public filings.

These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for revenue, expenses, income (loss) before income taxes, net income, operating cash flows, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with US GAAP. As a result of the adjustments made to arrive at these Non-GAAP measures described below, these Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not take into account certain items included or excluded under US GAAP, including its consolidated funds.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Non-GAAP Financial Review

Economic Proceeds

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
(Dollar amounts in thousands) Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total
Economic Proceeds                                              
Investment banking $ 255,155     $     $ 255,155     $ 254,402   $   $ 254,402   $ 1,025,688   $     $ 1,025,688   $ 729,180   $     $ 729,180
Brokerage   170,347             170,347       185,824         185,824     728,525           728,525     652,647           652,647
Management fees   19,807       289       20,096       16,430     312     16,742     79,255     1,200       80,455     58,154     946       59,100
Incentive income   13,508       (6 )     13,502       42,606     1,769     44,375     34,579     (1,153 )     33,426     83,435     1,927       85,362
Investment income (loss)   (8,553 )     2,650       (5,903 )     5,220     5,108     10,328     8,542     6,014       14,556     37,786     (8,564 )     29,222
Other economic proceeds   792       (1 )     791       1,073     1     1,074     7,942     (2 )     7,940     775     5       780
Total: Economic Proceeds   451,056       2,932       453,988       505,555     7,190     512,745     1,884,531     6,059       1,890,590     1,561,977     (5,686 )     1,556,291
Economic Interest Expense   4,879       698       5,577       6,048     1,109     7,157     23,914     3,779       27,693     24,519     5,123       29,642
Net Economic Proceeds $ 446,177     $ 2,234     $ 448,411     $ 499,507   $ 6,081   $ 505,588   $ 1,860,617   $ 2,280     $ 1,862,897   $ 1,537,458   $ (10,809 )   $ 1,526,649

Economic Proceeds were $454.0 million versus $512.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 11%. Full-year 2021 economic proceeds rose 21%.

Investment Banking Economic Proceeds were $255.2 million, up 0.3% versus the prior-year period. Full-year 2021 banking proceeds rose 41%. The increase was due to higher capital markets advisory and M&A revenues.

Brokerage Economic Proceeds of $170.3 million were 8% lower versus the prior-year period, due in part to management’s decision in 2020 to significantly reduce certain client clearing activities in order to reduce capital usage. Full-year 2021 brokerage proceeds rose 12%. The increase was driven by growth in cash trading, non-US execution, securities finance, prime services and cross-asset trading.

Management Fees Economic Proceeds rose 20% year-over-year to $20.1 million in the fourth quarter. Full-year 2021 management fees rose 36%, driven primarily by higher AUM in the sustainability, activist and healthcare strategies.

Incentive Income Economic Proceeds were $13.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, down from $44.4 million in the prior-year period. Full-year 2021 incentive income was $33.4 million, a decrease of 61%. The decline was primarily due to a decrease in performance fees in our healthcare investments strategy.

Investment Income Economic Proceeds were a loss of $5.9 million, versus proceeds of $10.3 million in the prior-year period. Full-year investment income proceeds were $14.6 million, a decrease of 50%. The decrease is due primarily to a decrease in value of investments in the healthcare strategy and the merchant banking portfolio.

Economic Expenses

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
(Dollar amounts in thousands) Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total
Economic Expenses                                              
Compensation & Benefits $ 246,170   $ (7,266 )   $ 238,904   $ 278,273   $ 1,674     $ 279,947   $ 1,046,730   $ 3,871   $ 1,050,601   $ 860,753   $ 3,767   $ 864,520
Non-Compensation Expenses   93,994     174       94,168     83,976     (46 )     83,930     359,577     187     359,764     312,173     350     312,523
Depreciation & Amortization   5,282     7       5,289     5,900     5       5,905     18,982     22     19,004     22,655     22     22,677
Non-Controlling Interest   1,142           1,142     1,308           1,308     5,314         5,314     6,892         6,892
Total: Economic Expenses $ 346,588   $ (7,085 )   $ 339,503   $ 369,457   $ 1,633     $ 371,090   $ 1,430,603   $ 4,080   $ 1,434,683   $ 1,202,473   $ 4,139   $ 1,206,612

Economic Compensation Expenses were $238.9 million compared to $279.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The fourth quarter 2021 economic compensation-to-proceeds ratio was 52.6%, down from 56.5% in 3Q21 and down from 54.6% in 4Q’20. Full-year 2021 compensation-to-proceeds ratio was 55.6%, unchanged from full-year 2020 and below the annual guidance range of 56% to 57%.

Economic Fixed Non-Compensation Expenses Fourth quarter 2021 fixed non-compensation expenses were up $4.9 million from the prior-year period at $43.9 million. Full-year fixed non-compensation expenses increased $18.2 million to $160.2 million. The year-over-year increase is primarily related to an increase in professional and advisory fees and communication costs.

Economic Variable Non-Compensation Expenses were $50.3 million, up from $45.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Full-year 2021 variable non-compensation expenses increased $29.0 million to $199.5 million. The increase is related to increased brokerage and trade execution costs and increased variable professional and advisory fees, including employment agency fees and legal fees directly related to revenues. The fixed non-compensation-to-economic-proceeds ratio declined from 9.1% in FY’20 to 8.5%% in FY’21 and the variable non-compensation-to-proceeds ratio declined from 11.0% in FY’20 to 10.6% in FY’21.

Economic Depreciation and Amortization Expenses were $5.3 million compared to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Full year 2021 depreciation and amortization decreased from $22.7 million to $19.0 million. The year-over-year decrease is due to certain intangibles which were fully amortized in the first quarter of 2021.

Economic Income and Economic Operating Income

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
(Dollar amounts in thousands) Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total   Op Co   Asset Co   Total
Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) $ 99,589   $ 9,319   $ 108,908   $ 130,050   $ 4,448   $ 134,498   $ 430,014   $ (1,800 )   $ 428,214   $ 334,985   $ (14,948 )   $ 320,037
Economic income tax expense *   22,090     2,489     24,579                 109,654     (460 )     109,194              
Preferred stock dividends   1,477     221     1,698     1,443     255     1,698     5,841     951       6,792     5,604     1,188       6,792
Economic Income (Loss) * $ 76,022   $ 6,609   $ 82,631   $ 128,607   $ 4,193   $ 132,800     314,519     (2,291 )     312,228     329,381     (16,136 )     313,245
Add back: Depreciation and amortization expense, net of taxes   4,072     5     4,077     5,900     5     5,905     14,142     16       14,158     22,655     22       22,677
Economic Operating Income (Loss) $ 80,094   $ 6,614   $ 86,708   $ 134,507   $ 4,198   $ 138,705   $ 328,661   $ (2,275 )   $ 326,386   $ 352,036   $ (16,114 )   $ 335,922
                                               
Economic Income per common share $ 2.42   $ 0.21   $ 2.64   $ 4.24   $ 0.14   $ 4.38   $ 9.64   $ (0.07 )   $ 9.57   $ 11.16   $ (0.55 )   $ 10.61
Economic Operating Income per common share $ 2.55   $ 0.21   $ 2.77   $ 4.44   $ 0.14   $ 4.58   $ 10.07   $ (0.07 )   $ 10.00   $ 11.93   $ (0.55 )   $ 11.39

* Economic Income (Loss) is presented net of associated taxes starting in the first quarter of 2021. The Company has utilized all available federal net operating losses not subject to limitation during 2020.

Reconciliation of US GAAP (Unaudited) to Non-GAAP Measures

The following tables reconcile total US GAAP Revenues and Other Income (Loss) to total Economic Proceeds for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

For the three months ended December 31, 2021
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
  Investment Banking   Brokerage   Investment Income   Management Fees   Incentive Income   Interest and Dividends   Reinsurance Premiums   Other Revenues, net   Consolidated
Funds Revenues
  Other Income (Loss)   Total
Total US GAAP Revenues and Other Income (Loss)   $ 263,815     $ 140,994     $ 12,511     $ 16,216     $ 299     $ 51,753     $ 8,435     $ 2,599     $ (2,342 )   $ 11,853     $ 506,133  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                                            
Underwriting expenses a   (4,703 )                                                           (4,703 )
Reimbursable client expenses b   (3,957 )                                         (234 )                 (4,191 )
Securities financing interest expense c         (1,126 )                       (32,855 )                             (33,981 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d                     (341 )                       (719 )                 (1,060 )
Certain equity method investments e                     4,168       9,212                               (10,962 )     2,418  
Carried interest f               (4,291 )           4,396                                     105  
Proprietary trading, interest and dividends g         9,371       (13,028 )           (285 )     (7,217 )           (195 )           12,767       1,413  
Insurance related activities expenses h                                       (8,435 )     (660 )                 (9,095 )
Facilitation trading gains and losses i         21,108       20                   (11,681 )                       (13,658 )     (4,211 )
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     (8,660 )     29,353       (17,299 )     3,827       13,323       (51,753 )     (8,435 )     (1,808 )           (11,853 )     (53,305 )
Fund Consolidated Reclassifications l               (1,115 )     53       (120 )                       2,342             1,160  
Total Economic Proceeds   $ 255,155     $ 170,347     $ (5,903 )   $ 20,096     $ 13,502     $     $     $ 791     $     $     $ 453,988  

For the three months ended December 31, 2020
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
  Investment Banking   Brokerage   Investment Income   Management Fees   Incentive Income   Interest and Dividends   Reinsurance Premiums   Other Revenues, net   Consolidated
Funds Revenues
  Other Income (Loss)   Total
Total US GAAP Revenues and Other Income (Loss)   $ 266,135     $ 132,971     $ 97,214     $ 12,304     $ 465     $ 59,912     $ 11,204     $ 5,245     $ 6,273     $ 11,089     $ 602,812  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                                            
Underwriting expenses a   (6,041 )                                                           (6,041 )
Reimbursable client expenses b   (5,692 )                                         (271 )                 (5,963 )
Securities financing interest expense c         959                         (46,912 )                             (45,953 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d         (293 )           (540 )                       (1,773 )                 (2,606 )
Certain equity method investments e                     3,439       6,879                               (7,362 )     2,956  
Carried interest f               (38,450 )           37,983                                     (467 )
Proprietary trading, interest and dividends g         26,317       (32,480 )           (952 )     (4,786 )           (1,124 )           (1,008 )     (14,033 )
Insurance related activities expenses h                                       (11,204 )     (985 )                 (12,189 )
Facilitation trading gains and losses i         25,870       (19,616 )                 (8,214 )                             (1,960 )
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     (11,733 )     52,853       (90,546 )     2,899       43,910       (59,912 )     (11,204 )     (4,153 )           (8,370 )     (86,256 )
Fund Consolidated Reclassifications l               3,660       1,539                         (18 )     (6,273 )           (1,092 )
Income Statement Adjustments:                                            
Debt extinguishment p                                                         (2,719 )     (2,719 )
Total Economic Proceeds   $ 254,402     $ 185,824     $ 10,328     $ 16,742     $ 44,375     $     $     $ 1,074     $     $     $ 512,745  

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
  Investment Banking   Brokerage   Investment Income   Management Fees   Incentive Income   Interest and Dividends   Reinsurance Premiums   Other Revenues, net   Consolidated Funds
Revenues
  Other Income (Loss)   Total
Total US GAAP Revenues and Other Income (Loss)   $ 1,067,162     $ 585,162     $ 127,507     $ 72,287     $ 2,732     $ 219,292     $ 39,631     $ 5,211     $ (6,185 )   $ 34,811     $ 2,147,610  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                                            
Underwriting expenses a   (24,978 )                                                           (24,978 )
Reimbursable client expenses b   (16,496 )                                         (1,206 )                 (17,702 )
Securities financing interest expense c         8,006                         (153,928 )                             (145,922 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d         (361 )           (9,190 )                       (2,633 )                 (12,184 )
Certain equity method investments e                     15,142       25,802                               (32,261 )     8,683  
Carried interest f               (5,059 )           5,486                                     427  
Proprietary trading gains and losses g         44,241       (92,900 )           (494 )     (19,233 )           875             46,918       (20,593 )
Insurance related activities expenses h                                       (39,631 )     5,693                   (33,938 )
Facilitation trading gains and losses i         91,477       (11,034 )                 (46,131 )                       (50,151 )     (15,839 )
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     (41,474 )     143,363       (108,993 )     5,952       30,794       (219,292 )     (39,631 )     2,729             (35,494 )     (262,046 )
Fund Consolidated Reclassifications l               (3,958 )     2,216       (100 )                       6,185             4,343  
Income Statement Adjustments                                            
Bargain purchase gain n                                                         (3,855 )     (3,855 )
Debt extinguishment p                                                         4,538       4,538  
Total Income Statement Adjustments:                                                           683     $ 683  
Total Economic Proceeds   $ 1,025,688     $ 728,525     $ 14,556     $ 80,455     $ 33,426     $     $     $ 7,940     $     $     $ 1,890,590  

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
  Investment Banking   Brokerage   Investment Income   Management Fees   Incentive Income   Interest and Dividends   Reinsurance Premiums   Other Revenues, net   Consolidated
Funds Revenues
  Other Income (Loss)   Total
Total US GAAP Revenues and Other Income (Loss)   $ 769,486     $ 524,361     $ 204,351     $ 47,515     $ 592   $ 187,459     $ 30,147     $ 10,503     $ (18,488 )   $ 21,598     $ 1,777,524  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                                            
Underwriting expenses a   (22,565 )                                                         (22,565 )
Reimbursable client expenses b   (17,741 )                                       (1,099 )                 (18,840 )
Securities financing interest expense c         14,499                       (142,997 )                             (128,498 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d         (293 )           (3,970 )                     (2,529 )                 (6,792 )
Certain equity method investments e                     12,540       24,121                             (28,347 )     8,314  
Carried interest f               (61,367 )           60,649                                   (718 )
Proprietary trading gains and losses g         79,955       (102,381 )               (17,443 )           (2,346 )           9,468       (32,747 )
Insurance related activities expenses h                                     (30,147 )     (3,759 )                 (33,906 )
Facilitation trading gains and losses i         34,125       (13,342 )               (27,019 )                             (6,236 )
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     (40,306 )     128,286       (177,090 )     8,570       84,770     (187,459 )     (30,147 )     (9,733 )           (18,879 )     (241,988 )
Fund Consolidated Reclassifications l               1,961       3,015                       10       18,488             23,474  
Income Statement Adjustments                                            
Debt extinguishment                                                         (2,719 )     (2,719 )
Total Economic Proceeds   $ 729,180     $ 652,647     $ 29,222     $ 59,100     $ 85,362   $     $     $ 780     $     $     $ 1,556,291  

The following table reconciles total US GAAP interest and dividends expense to total Economic Interest Expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

    Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   2021       2020       2021       2020  
Total US GAAP Interest & Dividend Expense   $ 47,638     $ 61,875     $ 211,387     $ 187,725  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                
Securities financing interest expense c   (33,981 )     (45,953 )     (145,922 )     (128,498 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d               (2,257 )      
Proprietary trading gains and losses g   (3,837 )     (5,700 )     (12,515 )     (18,850 )
Facilitation trading gains and losses i   (4,211 )     (1,960 )     (15,839 )     (6,236 )
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     (42,029 )     (53,613 )     (176,533 )     (153,584 )
Income Statement Adjustments:              
Accelerated debt costs p               (5,557 )      
Amortization of discount/(premium) on debt m   (32 )     (1,105 )     (1,604 )     (4,499 )
Total Income Statement Adjustments:     (32 )     (1,105 )     (7,161 )     (4,499 )
Total Economic Interest Expense $ 5,577     $ 7,157     $ 27,693     $ 29,642  

The following tables reconcile total US GAAP Expenses and non-controlling interests to total Economic Expenses for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

                                 
    Three Months Ended December 31, 2021   Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
(Dollar amounts in thousands)    Employee
Compensation
and Benefits
  Non-compensation
US GAAP
Expenses (including
Depreciation and Amortization)
  Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated
subsidiaries and
investment funds
  Total   Employee Compensation
and Benefits
  Non-compensation
US GAAP
Expenses (including
Depreciation and Amortization)
  Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated
subsidiaries and
investment funds
  Total
Total US GAAP   $ 237,303     $ 136,035     $ (4,999 )   $ 368,339     $ 277,394     $ 123,048     $ 10,544     $ 410,986  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                                  
Underwriting expenses a         (4,703 )           (4,703 )           (6,041 )           (6,041 )
Reimbursable client expenses b         (4,191 )           (4,191 )           (5,963 )           (5,963 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d         (1,060 )           (1,060 )           (2,606 )           (2,606 )
Certain equity method investments e         2,418             2,418             2,956             2,956  
Carried interest f         105             105             (467 )           (467 )
Proprietary trading gains and losses g         1,522       3,728       5,250             1,735       (10,068 )     (8,333 )
Insurance related activities expenses h         (9,095 )           (9,095 )           (12,189 )           (12,189 )
Associated partner/banker compensation j   1,949       (1,949 )                 2,908       (2,908 )            
Management company non-Controlling interest k   (348 )     (794 )     1,142             (355 )     (953 )     1,308        
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     1,601       (17,747 )     4,870       (11,276 )     2,553       (26,436 )     (8,760 )     (32,643 )
Fund Consolidated Reclassifications l         (111 )     1,271       1,160             (616 )     (476 )     (1,092 )
Income Statement Adjustments:                                
Acquisition related adjustments n         (5,271 )           (5,271 )           (571 )           (571 )
Contingent liability adjustments n         (12,440 )           (12,440 )           (3,711 )           (3,711 )
Goodwill and/or other impairment r         (1,009 )           (1,009 )           (1,879 )           (1,879 )
Total Income Statement Adjustments:           (18,720 )           (18,720 )           (6,161 )           (6,161 )
Total Economic Expenses   $ 238,904     $ 99,457     $ 1,142     $   339,503     $ 279,947     $ 89,835     $ 1,308     $         371,090  
 
    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020  
(Dollar amounts in thousands)   Employee
Compensation
and Benefits
  Non-compensation
US GAAP
Expenses (including Depreciation and Amortization)
  Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated
subsidiaries and
investment funds
  Total   Employee
Compensation
and Benefits
  Non-compensation
US GAAP
Expenses (including Depreciation and Amortization)
  Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated
subsidiaries and
investment funds
  Total  
Total US GAAP   $ 1,046,371     $ 483,822     $ 8,380     $ 1,538,573     $ 860,531   $ 431,831     $ (9,299 )   $ 1,283,063  
Management Presentation Reclassifications:                                  
Underwriting expenses a         (24,978 )           (24,978 )         (22,565 )           (22,565 )
Reimbursable client expenses b         (17,702 )           (17,702 )         (18,840 )           (18,840 )
Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees d         (9,927 )           (9,927 )         (6,792 )           (6,792 )
Certain equity method investments e         8,683             8,683           8,314             8,314  
Carried interest f         427             427           (718 )           (718 )
Proprietary trading gains and losses g         5,275       (13,353 )     (8,078 )         5,687       (19,584 )     (13,897 )
Insurance related activities expenses h         (33,938 )           (33,938 )         (33,906 )           (33,906 )
Associated partner/banker compensation j   5,621       (5,621 )                 5,377     (5,377 )            
Management company non-Controlling interest k   (1,391 )     (3,923 )     5,314             (1,388 )   (5,504 )     6,892        
Total Management Presentation Reclassifications:     4,230       (81,704 )     (8,039 )     (85,513 )     3,989     (79,701 )     (12,692 )     (88,404 )
Fund Consolidated Reclassifications l         (630 )     4,973       4,343           (5,409 )     28,883       23,474  
Income Statement Adjustments:                                  
Acquisition related amounts n         (6,593 )           (6,593 )         (606 )           (606 )
Contingent liability adjustments n         (15,118 )           (15,118 )         (8,492 )           (8,492 )
Goodwill and/or other impairment r         (1,009 )           (1,009 )         (2,423 )           (2,423 )
Total Income Statement Adjustments:           (22,720 )                     (22,720 )         (11,521 )                     (11,521 )
Total Economic Expenses   $ 1,050,601     $ 378,768     $ 5,314     $      1,434,683     $ 864,520   $ 335,200     $ 6,892     $ 1,206,612
 

 

The following table reconciles US GAAP Net Income (loss) Attributable to Cowen Inc. Common Stockholders to Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss), Economic Income (loss) and Economic Operating Income (loss):

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(Dollar amounts in thousands)     2021       2020       2021       2020  
                   
US GAAP Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Inc. common stockholders   $ 63,283     $ 90,469     $ 288,819     $ 209,571  
  Income Statement Adjustments:                
  US GAAP Income tax expense (benefit) o   25,175       37,784       102,039       90,373  
  Amortization of discount (premium) on debt m   32       1,105       1,604       4,499  
  Goodwill and/or other impairment r   1,009       1,879       1,009       2,423  
  Debt extinguishment gain (loss) and/or accelerated debt costs p         (2,719 )     10,095       (2,719 )
  Bargain purchase gain n               (3,855 )      
  Contingent liability adjustments n   12,440       3,711       15,118       8,492  
  Acquisition related amounts n   5,271       571       6,593       606  
  Preferred stock dividends q   1,698       1,698       6,792       6,792  
  Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss)     108,908       134,498       428,214       320,037  
  Economic income tax expense     (24,579 )           (109,194 )      
  Preferred stock dividends     (1,698 )     (1,698 )     (6,792 )     (6,792 )
  Economic Income (Loss)     82,631       132,800       312,228       313,245  
  Add back: Depreciation and amortization expense, net of taxes     4,077       5,905       14,158       22,677  
  Economic Operating Income (Loss)   $ 86,708     $ 138,705     $ 326,386     $ 335,922  

The following table reconciles US GAAP Net Income (loss) Attributable to Cowen Inc. Common Stockholders Earnings Per Common Share (Diluted) to Pre-tax Economic Income (loss) Per Common Share (Diluted), Economic Income (loss) Per Common Share (Diluted) and Economic Operating Income (loss) Per Common Share (Diluted):

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars per share)     2021       2020       2021       2020  
                   
US GAAP Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Inc. common stockholders   $ 2.02     $ 2.98     $ 8.85     $ 7.10  
  Income Statement Adjustments:                
  US GAAP Income tax expense (benefit) o   0.80       1.25       3.13       3.06  
  Amortization of discount (premium) on debt m         0.04       0.05       0.15  
  Goodwill and/or other impairment r   0.03       0.06       0.03       0.08  
  Debt extinguishment gain (loss) and accelerated debt costs p         (0.09 )     0.31       (0.09 )
  Bargain purchase gain n               (0.12 )      
  Contingent liability adjustments n   0.40       0.12       0.46       0.29  
  Acquisition related amounts n   0.17       0.03       0.20       0.01  
  Preferred stock dividends q   0.05       0.06       0.21       0.23  
  Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) per common share (diluted)     3.47       4.45       13.12       10.83  
  Economic income tax expense     (0.78 )           (3.35 )      
  Preferred stock dividends     (0.05 )     (0.06 )     (0.21 )     (0.23 )
  Economic income (Loss) per common share (diluted)     2.64       4.39       9.57       10.60  
  Add back: Depreciation and amortization expense, net of taxes     0.13       0.19       0.44       0.77  
  Economic Operating Income (Loss) per common share (diluted)   $ 2.77     $ 4.58     $ 10.01     $ 11.37  

Note: Amounts may not add due to rounding.

Adjustments made to US GAAP Net Income (Loss) to arrive at Economic Operating Income (Loss)

Management Reclassifications
  Management reclassification adjustments and fund consolidation reclassification adjustments have no effect on Economic Operating Income (Loss). These adjustments are reclassifications to change the location of certain line items.
a Underwriting expenses: Economic Proceeds presents investment banking revenues net of underwriting expenses.
b Reimbursable client expenses: Economic Proceeds presents expenses reimbursed from clients and affiliates within their respective expense category but is included as a part of revenues under US GAAP.
c Securities financing interest expense: Brokerage within Economic Proceeds included net securities borrowed and securities loaned activities which are shown gross in interest income and interest expense for US GAAP.
d Fund start-up costs, distribution and other fees: Economic Proceeds and Economic Interest Expense are net of fund start-up costs and distribution fees paid to agents and other debt service costs.
e Certain equity method investments: Economic Proceeds and Economic Expenses recognize the Company’s proportionate share of management and incentive fees and associated share of expenses on a gross basis for equity method investments within the activist business, real estate operating entities and the healthcare royalty business. The Company applies the equity method of accounting to these entities and accordingly the results from these businesses are recorded within Other Income (Loss) for US GAAP.
f Carried interest: The Company applies an equity ownership model to carried interest which is recorded in Investment income – Carried interest allocation for US GAAP. The Company presents carried interest as Incentive Income Economic Proceeds.
g Proprietary trading, interest and dividends: Economic Proceeds presents interest and dividends from the Company’s proprietary trading in investment income.
h Insurance related activities expenses: Economic Proceeds presents underwriting income from the Company’s insurance and reinsurance related activities, net of expenses, within other revenue. The costs are recorded within expenses for US GAAP reporting.
i Facilitation trading gains and losses: Economic Brokerage Proceeds presents gains and losses on investments held as part of the Company’s facilitation and trading business within brokerage revenues as these investments are directly related to the markets business activities while these are presented in Investment income – Securities principal transactions, net for US GAAP reporting.
j Associated partner/banker compensation reclassification: Economic Compensation Expense presents certain payments to associated banking partners as compensation rather than non-compensation expenses.
k Management company non-controlling interest: Economic Expenses non-controlling interest represents only operating entities that are not wholly owned by the Company. The Company also presents non-controlling interests within total expenses for Economic Income (Loss).
Fund Consolidation Reclassifications
l The impacts of consolidation and the related elimination entries of the Consolidated Funds are not included in Economic Income (Loss). Adjustments to reconcile to US GAAP Net Income (Loss) included elimination of incentive income and management fees earned from the Consolidated Funds and addition of investment fund expenses excluding management fees paid, investment fund revenues and investment income (loss).
Income Statement Adjustments
m Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) excludes the amortization of discount (premium) on debt.
n Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) excludes acquisition related adjustments (including bargain purchase gain and contingent liability adjustments).
o Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) excludes US GAAP income taxes.
p Pre-tax Economic Income (Loss) excludes gain/(loss) on debt extinguishment and accelerated debt costs.
q Pre-tax Economic income (Loss) excludes preferred stock dividends.
r Economic Income (Loss) excludes goodwill and other impairments.

Earnings Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call today, February 16, 2022, at 9:00 am ET to discuss these results and provide an update on business conditions.

Chair and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey M. Solomon and Chief Financial Officer Stephen A. Lasota will host the presentation, followed by a question and answer period.

U.S. dial in: (855) 760-0961
International dial-in: (631) 485-4850
Passcode: 6494378

Please call the conference telephone number at least 15 minutes prior to the start time.

The call can also be accessed through live audio webcast via this direct link: http://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/routwm76

A replay of the call will be available for one week beginning at 12:00 pm ET on February 16, 2022 on the Company’s website at investor.cowen.com/investor-calls or via the following numbers:

U.S. replay dial-in: (855) 859-2056
International replay dial-in: (404) 537-3406
Replay ID: 6494378

About Cowen Inc. 
Cowen Inc. (“Cowen” or the “Company”) is a diversified financial services firm offering investment banking services, research, sales and trading, prime brokerage, global clearing, commission management services and investment management. Cowen focuses on delivering value-added capabilities to our clients in order to help them outperform. Founded in 1918, the Company is headquartered in New York and has offices worldwide. Learn more at Cowen.com        

Investor Relations Contact:
JT Farley
(646) 562-1056
james.farley@cowen.com
Source: Cowen Inc.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts.   Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. As a result of the spread of COVID-19, economic uncertainties have arisen that have the potential in future periods to negatively impact the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows, strategies and prospects. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and impact on our clients, employees, vendors and the markets in which we operate our businesses, all of which are uncertain and cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are available at our website at www.cowen.com and at the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov. Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release.


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Source: Cowen Inc.

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