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SEI Investments' (SEIC) Q2 Earnings In Line, AUM Improves

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SEI Investments Co.’s (SEIC - Free Report) second-quarter 2018 earnings of 75 cents per share were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Also, the figure grew 32% from the prior-year quarter.

An increase in total revenues, partly offset by higher operating expenses, aided the company’s results. Assets under management (AUM) witnessed solid growth.

Net income was $121.6 million, increasing 33% from the year-ago period.

Revenues and AUM Improve, Expenses Rise

Total revenues were $404.8 million, increasing 9% year over year. The rise reflected an increase in asset management, administration and distribution fees as well as information processing and software servicing fees. Further, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $403.1 million.

Total expenses during the quarter were $294.5 million, increasing 7% year over year. The rise was mainly due to higher compensation, benefits and other personnel costs, subadvisory, distribution and other asset management costs, consulting, outsourcing and professional fees, data processing and computer-related fees along with facilities, supplies and other costs.

Operating income increased 13% year over year to $110.3 million.

As of Jun 30, 2018, AUM was $331.1 billion, reflecting an increase of 7% from the prior-year quarter. Total client AUM was $545.1 billion, increasing 10% year over year. Note that client AUM does not include $11.6 billion related to Funds of Funds assets that were reported on Jun 30, 2018.

Share Repurchase

In the reported quarter, SEI Investments bought back 1.6 million shares for $104.6 million.

Other Development

During the reported quarter, SEI Investments acquired Huntington Steele, LLC, a registered investment advisor servicing the ultra-high-net-worth market. The deal resulted in a rise in AUM, revenues and expenses during the second quarter. Notably, Huntington Steele was integrated with the company’s Investments in New Businesses segment.

Our Take

SEI Investments’ continuously mounting expenses remain a big concern. It expects expenses to continue rising due to additional investment spending on services. However, the company’s innovative and diverse global investment products and services position it well to grow organically.

SEI Investments Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

SEI Investments Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | SEI Investments Company Quote

Currently, SEI Investments carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Asset Managers

BlackRock’s (BLK - Free Report) second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $6.66 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.60. Results benefited from an improvement in revenues, rise in AUM and steady long-term inflows. However, an increase in operating expenses acted as a headwind.

The Blackstone Group L.P. (BX - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2018 economic net income of 90 cents per share, which handily outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents. The quarter saw a substantial jump in revenues and growth in assets under management, which was mainly driven by inflows. However, rise in expenses was the undermining factor.

Cohen & Steers’ (CNS - Free Report) second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings came in at 59 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents. Results reflected an increase in revenues, partially offset by higher operating expenses.

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