Federated Investors, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2017 Earnings

PITTSBURGH, April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Investors, Inc. (NYSE: FII), one of the nation's largest investment managers, today reported earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.49 for Q1 2017, compared to $0.44 for the same quarter last year on net income of $49.6 million for Q1 2017, compared to $45.4 million for Q1 2016.

Federated's total managed assets were $361.7 billion at March 31, 2017.  Total managed assets were down $8.0 billion or 2 percent from $369.7 billion at March 31, 2016 and down $4.2 billion or 1 percent from $365.9 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.  Lower money market assets were partially offset by higher equity and fixed-income assets at the end of Q1 2017 compared to both the end of Q1 2016 and Q4 2016.  Average managed assets for Q1 2017 were $363.2 billion, down $0.7 billion from $363.9 billion reported for Q1 2016 and up $4.9 billion or 1 percent from $358.3 billion reported for Q4 2016.

"As investors sought income products in the first quarter, Federated's roster of bond funds offered a range of options, from our high-yield products to the Federated Floating Rate Strategic Income Fund, which is well-suited to a rising-rate environment," said J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer. "Additionally, the Federated Total Return Bond Fund, a core multisector bond strategy, experienced positive net sales."

Federated's board of directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share.  The dividend is payable on May 15, 2017 to shareholders of record as of May 8, 2017.  During Q1 2017, Federated purchased 513,065 shares of Federated class B common stock for $13.6 million.

Federated's equity assets were a record $64.8 billion at March 31, 2017, up $8.3 billion or 15 percent from $56.5 billion at March 31, 2016 and up $2.4 billion or 4 percent from $62.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.  Assets in Federated's domestic and international Strategic Value Dividend strategies were a record $38.9 billion at March 31, 2017, up $9.0 billion or 30 percent from $29.9 billion at March 31, 2016 and up $1.4 billion or 4 percent from $37.5 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.  Top-selling equity funds during Q1 2017 on a net basis included Federated MDT Small Cap Core Fund, Federated Clover Small Value Fund, Federated MDT Small Cap Growth Fund, Federated Prudent Bear Fund and Federated Muni and Stock Advantage Fund.

Federated's fixed-income assets were $51.8 billion at March 31, 2017, up $0.6 billion or 1 percent from $51.2 billion at March 31, 2016 and up $0.5 billion or 1 percent from $51.3 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.  Top-selling fixed-income funds during Q1 2017 on a net basis were Federated Institutional High Yield Bond Fund, Federated Floating Rate Strategic Income Fund, Federated Total Return Bond Fund and various short-duration strategies.

Money market assets were $245.2 billion at March 31, 2017, down $16.8 billion or 6 percent from $262.0 billion at March 31, 2016 and down $7.0 billion or 3 percent from $252.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.  Money market fund assets were $175.2 billion at March 31, 2017, down $49.5 billion or 22 percent from $224.7 billion at March 31, 2016 and down $31.2 billion or 15 percent from $206.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.  Since March 31, 2016 approximately $25 billion in money market assets has transitioned from Federated funds to Federated separate accounts, including $21 billion that transitioned in Q1 2017 primarily due to a change in a customer relationship.  Federated's money market separate account assets were a record $70.0 billion at March 31, 2017, up $32.7 billion or 88 percent from $37.3 billion at March 31, 2016 and up $24.2 billion or 53 percent from $45.8 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.

Financial Summary

Q1 2017 vs. Q1 2016

Revenue increased by $1.4 million or 1 percent primarily due to a decrease in voluntary fee waivers related to certain money market funds in order for those funds to maintain positive or zero net yields (voluntary yield-related fee waivers) and an increase in revenue from higher average equity assets.  The increase in revenue was partially offset by a decrease in revenue from lower average money market fund assets and a decrease in revenue resulting from a change in a customer relationship.  See additional information about voluntary yield-related fee waivers in the table at the end of this financial summary.

During Q1 2017, Federated derived 58 percent of its revenue from equity and fixed-income assets (41 percent from equity assets and 17 percent from fixed-income assets) and 42 percent from money market assets.

Operating expenses decreased by $1.8 million or 1 percent primarily due to a decrease in compensation and related expenses resulting from lower incentive compensation.  The decrease was partially offset by an increase in distribution expenses related to a decrease in voluntary yield-related fee waivers and higher average equity and fixed-income fund assets.  These increases in distribution expenses were partially offset by lower average money market fund assets and a decrease related to a change in a customer relationship.

Q1 2017 vs. Q4 2016

Revenue decreased by $16.4 million or 6 percent primarily due to a decrease in revenue resulting from a change in a customer relationship, having two fewer days in Q1 2017 vs. Q4 2016 and a decrease in revenue from lower average money market fund assets.  The decrease in revenue was partially offset by a decrease in voluntary yield-related fee waivers and an increase in revenue from higher average equity assets.

Operating expenses decreased by $9.4 million or 5 percent primarily due to a decrease in distribution expenses as a result of a change in a customer relationship, lower average money market fund assets and having two fewer days in Q1 2017 vs. Q4 2016, partially offset by a decrease in voluntary yield-related fee waivers.

Federated's level of business activity and financial results are dependent upon many factors including market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior.  These factors and others, including asset levels and mix, product sales and redemptions, market appreciation or depreciation, revenues, fee waivers, expenses and regulatory changes, can significantly impact Federated's business activity levels and financial results.  Risk factors and uncertainties that can influence Federated's financial results are discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Voluntary yield-related fee waivers and their resulting negative impact could vary significantly in the future as they are contingent on a number of variables as described in Federated's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC.

Federated will host an earnings conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern on April 28, 2017.  Investors are invited to listen to Federated's earnings teleconference by calling 877-407-0782 (domestic) or 201-689-8567 (international) prior to the 9 a.m. start time.  The call may also be accessed in real time on the Internet via the About Federated section of FederatedInvestors.com.  A replay will be available from approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern on April 28, 2017 through May 5, 2017 by calling 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international) and entering access code 10319.

Federated Investors, Inc. is one of the largest investment managers in the United States, managing $361.7 billion in assets as of March 31, 2017.  With 123 funds and a variety of separately managed account options, Federated provides comprehensive investment management to more than 8,400 institutions and intermediaries including corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers.  Federated ranks in the top 5 percent of equity fund managers in the industry, the top 7 percent of money market fund managers and the top 10 percent of fixed-income fund managers¹.  For more information, visit FederatedInvestors.com.

1) Strategic Insight, March 31, 2017.  Based on assets under management in open-end funds.
Federated Securities Corp. is distributor of the Federated funds.
Separately managed accounts are made available through Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling and Federated MDTA LLC, each a registered investment adviser.

Certain statements in this press release, such as those related to the level of fee waivers and expenses incurred by the company, investor interest and preferences, product preparedness, performance and demand, asset flows and mix, fee arrangements with customers, expenses, regulatory changes and market conditions constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Other risks and uncertainties include the ability of the company to predict the level of fee waivers and expenses in future quarters, which could vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, and include the ability of the company to sustain product demand and asset flows and mix, which could vary significantly depending on market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior.  Other risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC.  As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements in the future.

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SOURCE Federated Investors, Inc.