NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: NHLD) (“National” or the “Company”), a leading full service independent brokerage, investment banking, trading and asset management firm providing diverse services including tax preparation, today announced its financial results for the fiscal first quarter of 2019.

Financial Highlights:

  • Revenue of $58.1 million, versus $50.1 million for the fiscal 2018 first quarter.
  • Quarterly adjusted EBITDA of $4.2 million, up from $1.7 million in the prior year quarter.
  • Income before other expense and income taxes of $1.3 million versus a loss of ($.2) million in the first quarter of 2018.
  • Investment banking produced record extraordinary results, generating $27.1 million of revenue, versus $14.5 million in the prior year, an 86% increase.
  • Investment advisory fees increased 10% in the current quarter, to $5.9 million.
  • Cash and cash equivalents of $35.3 million and no debt as of December 31, 2018 versus $33.6 million as of the fiscal year-end 2018.
  • Equity of $49.0 million as of December 31, 2018 versus $46.9 million as of September 30, 2018.

Management Commentary

Michael Mullen, Chief Executive Officer of National stated, “Fiscal 2018 ended with record revenue and operating profitability figures and a truly transformed National. The momentum carried right into the beginning of fiscal 2019 with our first fiscal quarter results. The results are even more impressive given the backdrop of the significant market volatility we all experienced at the end of the calendar year. I am proud of the hard work from our team and all of our advisors. The value of the advisor-client relationship is never more important than in volatile times.”   

Mr. Mullen continued, “It is also important to note Fortress Biotech completed their divestiture of National shares to B. Riley Financial. With this transaction now complete, our full attention will be on the continued success and future growth of our company.” Fiscal 1Q 2019 Financial Results

National reported fiscal first quarter 2019 revenue of $58.1 million, up $8.0 million or 16% over the fiscal first quarter of 2018. Investment banking revenues were responsible for a large majority of the increase. Investment advisory continued its quarter to quarter growth, increasing to $5.9 million, up 10% from the prior year first quarter. Commission revenue declined $4.6 million from the comparative quarter due to the reallocation of revenue to private share offerings and to a lesser extent global trade and market correction concerns.

Total expenses increased $6.5 million or 13% to $56.8 million. National continues its investment in technology, risk, and operating management to position itself for growth going forward. Revenue

As noted above, investment banking continued its impressive performance in bringing to market diversified issuances with high demand across multiple sectors. This revenue segment also achieved significant positive revenue recognition in our private shares business and was largely responsible for the significant results achieved this quarter.

  • Commissions and related revenue decreased 17% from the first quarter 2018 to $23.2 million. Volatile markets driven by increasing rate concerns, market valuation on recession concerns, and global trade tensions tend to drive investors to the sidelines; on the positive side, the firm’s strategy of bringing quality issuance and private share offerings to our client base did reallocate revenue generation to investment banking from commissions.
  • Investment banking produced a record quarter at $27.1 million, an 86% increase from the fiscal 2018 first quarter on the high number of quality offerings brought during the quarter, as noted above.
  • Revenue from investment advisory, a continuing area of strategic importance, increased $0.5 million, to $5.9 million, up 10%. We continue to add new accounts and experience growing reallocation on client portfolio diversification from traditional brokerage accounts to our diverse advisory platform. 
  • Tax preparation and accounting revenue increased to $0.8 million in the quarter, traditionally our slowest quarter of the fiscal year.
  • Net dealer inventory gains produced a loss of ($0.5) million from $0.9 million of revenue in the first fiscal quarter of 2018.  Two items contributed to this performance.
    1. The firm’s decision to focus on client and deal facilitation versus a broad platform of market-making across the product spectrum. While this has resulted in lower revenue, it has increased overall revenue sector profitability.
    2. The unrealized gains and losses from the firm’s warrant portfolio are recorded in this revenue category. When eliminating the fiscal 1Q 2019 and 2018 unrealized losses, comparative adjusted revenue was $0.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

Expenses

Total expenses increased to $56.8 million in the current fiscal year quarter, up $6.5 million (13%) over the comparative year quarter. Compensation and other variable expenses directly associated with revenue generation were responsible for $4.7 million of this increase, with investment banking driving the majority of it.

The remaining increase of $1.8 million is due to a number of factors including the firm’s continuing investment in its infrastructure, and various legal expenses associated with external legal advice concerning the sale of the majority ownership in National from Fortress Biotech to B. Riley during our fiscal first quarter of 2019. 

Salaries and benefits expense increased due to the hiring of executive, enterprise risk management and technology professionals, and variable compensation increases associated with improved performance was responsible for a significant portion of this increase. Additionally, technology spending on new systems added to the increase.

While we continue to invest to increase scalability and improve our operating controls to best in class, we are placing significant focus on spend efficiency. We note either reductions or immaterial increases in many of our operating expense categories.

Earnings

Income before other income and income taxes totaled $1.3 million versus a ($0.2) million loss in the fiscal 2018 first quarter. Overall, improved gross margins on our product lines quarter to quarter was the driver for our profit improvement.

Net earnings per share, both basic and fully diluted, were $0.08 in the fiscal first quarter of 2019, versus a net loss per share, basic and fully diluted, of ($.65) in the fiscal first quarter of 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $4.2 million in the current year quarter, from $1.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  Balance Sheet  

As of December 31, 2018, National had $35.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, versus $33.6 million as of September 30, 2018. The Company's balance sheet remains debt free.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Non-GAAP measures shown in this release exclude various items detailed further below.

  • National defines non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA as GAAP net income (loss) excluding: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, change in fair value of warrant liability, forgivable loan amortization and unrealized gain/loss on the firm’s warrant portfolio.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included with the financial information included in this press release. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP results, when shown in conjunction with corresponding GAAP measures, provides useful information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends related to the company's operating results.

About National Holdings Corporation

National Holdings Corporation (NHLD) is a full-service investment banking and asset management firm that, through its affiliates, provides a range of services, including independent retail brokerage and advisory services, investment banking, institutional sales and trading, equity research, financial planning, market making, tax preparation, insurance, to corporations, institutions, high net-worth and retail investors. With approximately 1,000 advisors, registered reps, traders, sales associates and corporate staff, National Holdings operates through various subsidiaries including National Securities Corporation, National Asset Management, Inc., National Insurance Corporation, National Tax and Financial Services Inc. (formerly Gilman Ciocia, Inc.) and GC Capital Corporation. Formed as a holding company in 1996, National Holdings’ largest subsidiary National Securities Corporation has been in business since 1947. National Holdings is headquartered in New York and Florida. For more information, visit www.yournational.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions about the Company, its current and prospective portfolio investments, and its industry. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Actual developments and results are likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in National’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and National undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations: Email:  ir@ yournational.com Telephone: +1 212 554 4351

NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

  December 31,  2018 (Unaudited)   September 30,  2018
ASSETS      
Cash $ 30,813,000     $ 27,920,000  
Restricted cash 1,354,000     1,353,000  
Cash deposits with clearing organizations 336,000     336,000  
Securities owned, at fair value 7,208,000     7,786,000  
Receivables from broker-dealers and clearing organizations 2,751,000     3,967,000  
Forgivable loans receivable 1,531,000     1,567,000  
Other receivables, net 5,595,000     4,265,000  
Prepaid expenses 4,501,000     4,065,000  
Fixed assets, net 2,652,000     2,671,000  
Intangible assets, net 4,502,000     4,730,000  
Goodwill 5,153,000     5,153,000  
Deferred tax asset, net 4,105,000     4,192,000  
Other assets, principally refundable deposits 767,000     444,000  
Total Assets $ 71,268,000     $ 68,449,000  
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
       
Liabilities      
Accrued commissions and payroll payable $ 13,040,000     $ 12,862,000  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,107,000     8,019,000  
Deferred clearing and marketing credits 524,000     576,000  
  Other 620,000     57,000  
Total Liabilities 22,291,000     21,514,000  
       
Commitments and Contingencies      
       
Stockholders’ Equity      
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding —     —  
Common stock $0.02 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018; 12,610,545 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 12,541,890 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 252,000     250,000  
Additional paid-in-capital 87,729,000     86,510,000  
Accumulated deficit (39,004,000 )   (39,825,000 )
Total Stockholders’ Equity 48,977,000     46,935,000  
       
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 71,268,000     $ 68,449,000  

NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

  Three Month Period Ended December 31,
  2018   2017
Revenues      
Commissions $ 21,012,000     $ 25,618,000  
Net dealer inventory (losses) gains (503,000 )   905,000  
Investment banking 27,071,000     14,547,000  
Investment advisory 5,858,000     5,333,000  
Interest and dividends 1,584,000     631,000  
Transaction fees and clearing services 2,149,000     2,297,000  
Tax preparation and accounting 774,000     523,000  
Other 162,000     226,000  
Total Revenues 58,107,000     50,080,000  
       
Operating Expenses      
Commissions, compensation and fees 49,410,000     43,561,000  
Clearing fees 759,000     743,000  
Communications 822,000     760,000  
Occupancy 925,000     955,000  
License and registration 579,000     637,000  
Professional fees 1,985,000     1,393,000  
Interest 8,000     2,000  
Depreciation and amortization 398,000     379,000  
Other administrative expenses 1,904,000     1,826,000  
Total Operating Expenses 56,790,000     50,256,000  
Income (Loss) before Other Income (Expense) and Income Taxes 1,317,000     (176,000 )
       
Other Income (Expense)      
Change in fair value of warrant liability —     (5,597,000 )
Other income 6,000     6,000  
Total Other Income (Expense) 6,000     (5,591,000 )
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes 1,323,000     (5,767,000 )
       
Income tax expense 367,000     2,273,000  
Net Income (Loss) $ 956,000     $ (8,040,000 )
       
Net income (loss) per share - Basic $ 0.08     $ (0.65 )
Net income (loss) per share - Diluted $ 0.08     $ (0.65 )
       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic 12,545,286     12,437,916  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted 12,716,195     12,437,916  

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NON-GAAP* ADJUSTED EBITDA

  Three Months Ended December 31,
  2018   2017
Net income (loss), as reported $ 956,000     $ (8,040,000 )
Interest expense 8,000     2,000  
Income taxes 367,000     2,273,000  
Depreciation 170,000     169,000  
Amortization 228,000     210,000  
EBITDA 1,729,000     (5,386,000 )
Non-cash compensation expense 1,322,000     258,000  
Change in fair value of warrant liability —     5,597,000  
Forgivable loan amortization 171,000     160,000  
Unrealized loss on the firm's warrant portfolio   1,020,000       1,108,000  
EBITDA, as adjusted $ 4,242,000     $ 1,737,000  

* National defines non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA as GAAP net income (loss) excluding: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, change in fair value of warrant liability, forgivable loan amortization and unrealized gain/loss on the firm’s warrant portfolio.