SEI Investments (SEIC) Beats on Q1 Earnings, AUM Improves

SEI Investments Co.’s SEIC first-quarter 2018 earnings of 86 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents. Also, the figure compared favorably with the prior-year quarter earnings of 55 cents.

An increase in total revenues, partly offset by higher operating expenses, aided the company’s results during the reported quarter. Moreover, growth in assets under management (AUM) remained strong.

Net income for the quarter was $139.8 million, increasing 57.6% from the year-ago period.

Revenues and AUM Improve, Expenses Rise

Total revenues for the quarter were $405.6 million, increasing 12.7% year over year. The rise reflected an increase in asset management, administration and distribution fees as well as information processing and software servicing fees.

Total expenses during the quarter were $289.3 million, increasing 8.6% year over year. The rise was 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 24.4% year over year to $116.3 million.

As of Mar 31, 2018, AUM was $334.71 billion, reflecting an increase of 12.7% from the prior-year quarter. Total client AUM was $530.11 billion, increasing 10.9% year over year. Note that client AUM does not include $9.7 billion related to Funds of Funds assets that were reported on Mar 31, 2018.

Share Repurchase

In the reported quarter, SEI Investments bought back 1.1 million shares for $82.3 million.

Our Take

SEI Investments’ continuously mounting expenses remain a big concern. It expects expenses to continue rising due to additional investment spending on services. Further, its increased exposure to fee-based revenues makes us apprehensive. Yet, 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 #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Asset Managers

Ameriprise Financial Inc.’s AMP first-quarter 2018 adjusted operating earnings per share of $3.70 comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.47. Results benefited from an improvement in revenues. Also, growth in AUM and assets under administration (AUA) supported the earnings. However, rise in expenses remains a concern.

BlackRock, Inc.’s BLK first-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings were $6.70 per share, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.42. Results benefited from an improvement in revenues, rise in AUM and steady long-term inflows. However, increase in operating expenses acted as a headwind.

The Blackstone Group L.P. BX reported first-quarter 2018 economic net income of 65 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents. The quarter saw an improvement in AUM, mainly driven by inflows. However, lower revenues and rise in expenses were the major deterrents.

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