MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2012-- Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC) today announced non-GAAP net income of $2.1 million⁽¹⁾, or $0.11⁽¹⁾ per diluted common share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011. On a GAAP basis, the net loss was $116.4 million, or $7.38 per diluted common share. The non-GAAP figures exclude the $118.4 million after-tax goodwill impairment charge that the firm disclosed on Jan. 10. For the fourth quarter of 2010, net income was $9.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted common share. For the third quarter of 2011, results were a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share.

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $99.2 million, compared to a record of $176.4 million in the year-ago period, and $98.2 million for the third quarter of 2011.

“It was a difficult second half to 2011, and our fourth quarter results were similar to the third quarter, with modest profitability⁽¹⁾,” said Andrew S. Duff, chairman and chief executive officer. “Asset management and investment banking revenues improved compared to the third quarter, and M&A revenues, while down, were solid. Institutional brokerage revenues were lower.”

Duff added “We navigated reasonably well against a challenging and volatile operating environment in 2011, achieving positive pre-tax earnings in each quarter during the year, on a non-GAAP basis⁽¹⁾. We remain focused on our key objective to increase the proportion of higher-margin, higher-return businesses—public finance, M&A and asset management— in order to improve our return on equity. We remain committed to our strategy to accomplish this goal and we executed against it in 2011: 1) made solid progress in building a national public finance franchise; 2) selectively added M&A talent and transitioned European investment banking operations to an M&A-only model; and 3) maintained competitive performance in key investment strategies, and grew mutual fund and MLP assets. As we head into 2012, we are well-positioned to serve our clients and compete in the marketplace.”

Fourth Quarter
Consolidated Expenses

For the fourth quarter of 2011, compensation and benefits expenses were $63.9 million, down 40 percent compared to $106.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease was primarily due to lower performance. Compensation and benefits expenses decreased 2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 64.4 percent, compared to 60.3 percent for the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase was primarily due to the impact of fixed components of compensation costs on a reduced revenue base. The compensation ratio declined from 66.5 percent in the third quarter of 2011, mainly due to lower variable compensation.

On a non-GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses were $33.7⁽²⁾ million for the fourth quarter, down 28 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. On a GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses were $154.0 million. The decrease on a non-GAAP basis was attributable to a $9.5 million restructuring charge recorded in the year-ago period and actions implemented during 2011 to reduce costs given the current operating environment. Non-GAAP, non-compensation expenses increased 3 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011.

Fourth Quarter
Business Segment Results

The firm has two reportable business segments: Capital Markets and Asset Management. Consolidated net revenues and expenses are fully allocated to these two segments.

Capital Markets
For the fourth quarter, Capital Markets recorded a non-GAAP, pre-tax operating loss of $3.1 million⁽³⁾, compared to pre-tax operating income of $16.1 million in the year-ago period and a pre-tax operating loss of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2011. On a GAAP basis, this segment generated a pre-tax operating loss of $123.4 million.

Net revenues were $80.4 million, down 47 percent compared to the year-ago period, which was very strong across all products. Revenues declined 5 percent compared to the sequential third quarter, with stronger investment banking results more than offset by lower institutional brokerage performance.

• Equity financing revenues of $17.0 million decreased 60 percent compared to the very strong fourth quarter of 2010. Industry-wide equity market volatility and uncertainty curtailed capital raising, particularly IPOs, in the U.S. and in Hong Kong. Revenues increased 146 percent compared to the low results in the third quarter of 2011, primarily driven by higher revenues in the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, Hong Kong.
• Fixed income financing revenues were $15.2 million, down 24 percent compared to the robust fourth quarter of 2010. Revenues increased 37 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011, driven by an increase in completed public finance transactions with higher average revenue per transaction.
• Advisory services revenues were $19.8 million, down 43 percent compared to the very strong year-ago period, and down 27 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. The declines were due to a smaller transaction size and a lower transaction fee, on average.
• Equity institutional brokerage revenues were $21.9 million, down 21 percent and 7 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, respectively. The declines were primarily due to lower client activity in the U.S. and Hong Kong.
• Fixed income institutional brokerage revenues were $9.7 million, down 57 percent and 33 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, respectively. The declines were mainly due to lower results in taxable and municipal products, and lower strategic trading results.
• Non-GAAP operating expenses for the quarter were $83.4⁽⁴⁾ million, down 38 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, resulting from both significantly lower compensation and non-compensation expenses. On a GAAP basis with the goodwill impairment charge, operating expenses were $203.7 million. Operating expenses on a non-GAAP basis decreased 2 percent compared to the third quarter 2011, due to lower compensation expenses. Non-GAAP segment pre-tax operating margin was a negative 3.8⁽³⁾ percent, compared to 10.6 percent in the year-ago quarter and a negative 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2011.

The following is a recap of completed deal information for the fourth quarter of 2011:

• 12 equity financings raising a total of $2.8 billion of capital.
• 144 tax-exempt issues with a total par value of $2.2 billion.
• 13 merger and acquisition transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $1.4 billion. (The number of deals and the enterprise value include disclosed and undisclosed transactions.)

Asset Management
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011, asset management generated pre-tax operating income of $4.7 million, down 34 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and up from $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. Net revenues were $18.8 million, down 26 percent compared to the year-ago period, mainly due to lower performance fees. Net revenues rose 37 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011, mainly due to improved management fees from higher assets under management, and improved performance in the firm’s new Municipal Opportunities Fund.

• Operating expenses for the quarter were $14.1 million, including $2.1 million of intangible amortization expense, down 22 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower compensation expenses. Operating expenses increased 8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. Segment pre-tax operating margin was 25.0 percent, compared to 28.1 percent in the year-ago period. The decline was mainly due to essentially the same level of non-compensation expenses over a lower revenue base, partially offset by a lower compensation ratio. The segment pre-tax operating margin was 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2011. The significant improvement compared to the sequential third quarter resulted from higher revenues.
• Assets under management (AUM) were $12.2 billion compared to $12.3 billion in the year-ago period and $11.2 billion in the third quarter of 2011. The improvement compared to the sequential third quarter was mainly due to improved equity market appreciation.

Other Matters
In the fourth quarter of 2011, $6.0 million, or 293,829 shares, of the firm’s common stock was repurchased pursuant to a share repurchase authorization. The average price per share repurchased was $20.40. The firm has $51.4 million remaining on the share repurchase authorization which expires on Sept. 30, 2012.

Full-Year 2011
For the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, non-GAAP net income was $16.4⁽¹⁾ million, or $0.86⁽¹⁾ per diluted common share. On a GAAP basis, results were a net loss of $102.0 million, or $6.51 per diluted common share. For 2010, net income was $24.4 million, or $1.23 per diluted common share. For 2011, net revenues were $458.1 million, down 14 percent compared to the prior year, resulting primarily from lower investment banking and institutional brokerage revenues.

Full-Year 2011
Consolidated Expenses

For 2011, compensation and benefits expenses were $288.1 million, down 9 percent compared to $315.2 million in 2010. The decrease was primarily driven by lower variable compensation due to lower performance. Compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 62.9 percent, compared to 59.5 percent for 2010. The higher compensation ratio was mainly driven by the impact of fixed compensation costs on a reduced revenue base.

For 2011, non-compensation expenses were $139.4⁽²⁾ million on a non-GAAP basis. On a GAAP basis, non-compensation expenses were $259.7 million. This amount compared to $157.6 million in 2010, which included $10.9 million of restructuring charges, mainly due to the re-organization of the firm’s European operations. The additional decrease in expenses was driven by the lower cost of the streamlined European operations and other cost-saving initiatives.

Full-Year 2011
Business Segment Results

Capital Markets
Capital Markets generated non-GAAP, pre-tax operating income of $16.0⁽³⁾ million compared to $41.2 million in 2010. On a GAAP basis, this segment generated a pre-tax operating loss of $104.3 million. Net revenues were $386.9 million, down 16 percent compared to 2010, mainly attributable to macroeconomic issues and volatility, which negatively impacted capital raising — particularly in Asia — and institutional brokerage.

Non-GAAP operating expenses for the year were $370.9⁽⁴⁾ million, down 12 percent compared to 2010. On a GAAP basis with the goodwill impairment charge, operating expenses for the year were $491.2 million. The decline on a non-GAAP basis was driven by both lower compensation and non-compensation expenses. For the year, segment pre-tax operating margin was 4.1⁽³⁾ percent, on a non-GAAP basis, and compared to 8.9 percent in 2010.

The following is a recap of completed deal information for 2011:

• 64 equity financings raising a total of $13.0 billion of capital.
• 520 tax-exempt issues with a total par value of $6.9 billion.
• 43 merger and acquisition transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of $5.6 billion. (The number of deals and the enterprise value include disclosed and undisclosed transactions.)

Asset Management
For 2011, asset management generated pre-tax operating income of $14.6 million, down 10 percent compared to 2010. Net revenues were $71.2 million, up 6 percent compared to 2010. Management fees increased 16 percent, partially offset by lower performance fees.

Operating expenses for the year were $56.6 million, up 11 percent compared to 2010, attributable to both higher compensation and non-compensation expenses. For the year, segment pre-tax operating margin was 20.5 percent compared to 24.0 percent in 2010. The lower margin was mainly driven by lower performance fees for the year.

Other Matters
For the full year, $26.5 million, or 803,500 shares, of the firm’s common stock was acquired, 509,671 of which was related to employee tax obligations on vesting of equity awards.

Additional Shareholder Information

Conference Call
Andrew S. Duff, chairman and chief executive officer, and Debbra L. Schoneman, chief financial officer, will hold a conference call to review the financial results Wed., Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. ET (8 a.m. CT). To view a copy of the earnings release on or after Jan. 25, please visit www.piperjaffray.com. The call can be accessed via live audio webcast available through the firm's Web site at www.piperjaffray.com or by dialing (888)810-0209 (domestic) or (706)902-1361 (international). The reservation number is 96211034. Callers should dial in at least 15 minutes early to receive instructions. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 11 a.m. ET Jan. 25 at the same Web address or by calling (855) 859-2056 and referencing reservation number 96211034.

About Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray is an investment bank and asset management firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. Proven advisory teams combine deep industry, product and sector expertise with ready access to global capital. Founded in 1895, the firm is headquartered in Minneapolis and has offices across the United States and in London, Hong Kong and Zurich. www.piperjaffray.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and the conference call to discuss the contents of this press release contain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These forward-looking statements cover, among other things, statements made about general economic and market conditions, our strategic priorities (including growth in public finance, asset management, and corporate advisory), the amount and timing of cost reduction measures and our quarterly run-rate for non-compensation expenses, anticipated financial results generally (including expectations regarding revenue levels, operating margins, earnings per share, and return on equity), the environment and prospects for capital markets transactions (including for our Asia-based business), current deal pipelines (or backlogs) or other similar matters. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or discussed in the forward-looking statements, including (1) market and economic conditions or developments may be unfavorable, including in specific sectors in which we operate, and these conditions or developments, such as market fluctuations or volatility, may adversely affect our business, revenue levels and profitability, (2) the volume of anticipated investment banking transactions as reflected in our deal pipelines (and the net revenues we earn from such transactions) may differ from expected results if any transactions are delayed or not completed at all or if the terms of any transactions are modified, (3) we may not be able to compete successfully with other companies in the financial services industry, which may impact our ability to achieve our growth priorities and objectives, (4) our ability to manage expenses may be limited by the fixed nature of certain expenses as well as the impact from unanticipated expenses, (5) our stock price may fluctuate as a result of several factors, including but not limited to, changes in our revenues and operating results, (6) the business operations that we conduct outside of the United States, including in Asia, subject us to unique risks, (7) hiring of additional senior talent may not yield the benefits we anticipate or yield them within expected timeframes, and (8) the other factors described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and updated in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC (available at our Web site at www.piperjaffray.com and at the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. We undertake no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

© 2011 Piper Jaffray Companies, 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

(1) Net income applicable to Piper Jaffray Companies is the total net income earned by the Company. Piper Jaffray Companies calculates earnings per common share using the two-class method, which requires the allocation of consolidated net income between common shareholders and participating security holders, which in the case of Piper Jaffray Companies, represents unvested restricted stock with dividend rights.

(2) Earnings per diluted common share is calculated using the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for periods in which a loss is incurred.

N/M - Not meaningful

Source: Piper Jaffray Companies

Piper Jaffray Companies
Jennifer A. Olson-Goude, 612-303-6277
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications