NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pzena Investment Management, Inc. (NYSE: PZN) reported the following U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basic and diluted net income and earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

GAAP diluted net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share were $12.4 million and $0.16, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and $13.8 million and $0.19, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2019. GAAP diluted net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share were $4.9 million and $0.28, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and $39.8 million and $0.54, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

In evaluating the results of operations, management also reviews adjusted measures of earnings, which are adjusted to exclude accounting items that add a measure of non-operational complexity which obscures the underlying performance of the business. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, no adjustments were made to GAAP earnings.

Net income for diluted earnings per share generally assumes all operating company membership units are converted into Company stock at the beginning of the reporting period, and the resulting change to Company net income associated with its increased interest in the operating company is taxed at the Company's effective tax rate, exclusive of the adjustments noted above and other adjustments. When this conversion results in an increase in earnings per share or a decrease in loss per share, diluted net income and diluted earnings per share are assumed to be equal to basic net income and basic earnings per share for the reporting period.

There were no performance fees recognized in the third or second quarters of 2020, compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2019.

Average assets under management for the third quarter of 2020 were $33.1 billion, increasing 11.1% from $29.8 billion for the second quarter of 2020, and decreasing 8.1% from $36.0 billion for the third quarter of 2019. The increase from the second quarter of 2020, reflects net inflows and market appreciation. The decrease from third quarter of 2019 primarily reflects market depreciation during the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by net inflows.

The weighted average fee rate was 0.410% for the third quarter of 2020, increasing from 0.404% for the second quarter of 2020, and decreasing from 0.412% for the third quarter of 2019.

The weighted average fee rate for separately managed accounts was 0.549% for the third quarter of 2020, decreasing slightly from 0.552% for the second quarter of 2020 and increasing from 0.543% for the third quarter of 2019. The increase from the third quarter of 2019 primarily reflects the addition of assets to certain strategies that typically carry higher fee rates.

The weighted average fee rate for sub-advised accounts was 0.270% for the third quarter of 2020, increasing from 0.260% for the second quarter of 2020 and decreasing from 0.292% for the third quarter of 2019. The increase from the second quarter of 2020 reflects a shift in assets to strategies that typically carry higher fee rates. Certain accounts related to one retail client relationship have fulcrum fee arrangements. These fee arrangements require a reduction in the base fee or allow for a performance fee if the relevant investment strategy underperforms or outperforms, respectively, the agreed-upon benchmark over the contract's measurement period, which extends to three years. During the third quarter of 2020, second quarter of 2020, and third quarter of 2019 we recognized a $1.0 million, $1.0 million, and $0.5 million reduction in base fees, respectively, related to this client relationship. To the extent the three-year performance record of this account fluctuates relative to its relevant benchmark, the amount of base fees recognized may vary. The impact of these fulcrum fee arrangements as well as the decrease in performance fees recognized is reflected in the decrease of the weighted average fee rate from the third quarter of 2019.

The weighted average fee rate for Pzena funds was 0.687% for the third quarter of 2020, increasing from 0.659% for the second quarter of 2020, and from 0.680% for the third quarter of 2019. The increase from the second quarter of 2020 reflects a decrease in fund expense cap reimbursements associated with the closure of one Pzena mutual fund during the third quarter. The increase from the third quarter of 2019 reflects a shift in asset mix toward products in strategies that typically carry higher fee rates.

Total operating expenses were $19.0 million for the third quarter of 2020, decreasing from $19.2 million for the second quarter of 2020 and from $19.9 million for the third quarter of 2019. The decrease from the second quarter of 2020 and third quarter of 2019 reflects a decrease in general and administrative expenses, primarily driven by a decrease in travel and entertainment expense and professional fees.

The operating margin was 44.1% for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 36.4% for the second quarter of 2020, and 46.3% for the third quarter of 2019. The increase in operating margin from the second quarter of 2020 is primarily driven by the increase in revenue.

Other income/ (expense) was income of approximately $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2020, income of $3.2 million for the second quarter of 2020, and income of less than $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2019.

Other income/ (expense) primarily reflects the fluctuations in the gains/ losses and other investment income recognized by the Company on its direct equity investments, the majority of which are held to satisfy obligations under its deferred compensation plan. Other income/ (expense) also includes a portion of gains/ (losses) and other investment income recognized by external investors on their investments in investment partnerships that the Company consolidates, which are offset in net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2020, and income tax expenses of $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2020 and $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2019. The third quarter of 2020 income tax benefit reflects a $1.6 million benefit associated with the reversal of uncertain tax position liabilities and interest related to unincorporated and other business tax expenses due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. The third quarter of 2019 income tax expense reflects $1.6 million of such benefit.

About Pzena Investment Management

Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the firm's operating company, is a value-oriented investment management firm. Founded in 1995, Pzena Investment Management has built a diverse, global client base. More firm and stock information is posted at www.pzena.com.