LPL Financial Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

  • Net Income was $289 million, translating to diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $3.83, down 10% from a year ago
  • Adjusted EPS* decreased 6% year-over-year to $4.21
    • Gross profit* increased 5% year-over-year to $1,066 million
    • Core G&A* increased 11% year-over-year to $364 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA* decreased 5% year-over-year to $541 million

Key Business Results

  • Total advisory and brokerage assets increased 23% year-over-year to $1.44 trillion
    • Advisory assets increased 28% year-over-year to $793 billion
    • Advisory assets as a percentage of total assets increased to 55.0%, up from 52.8% a year ago
  • Total organic net new assets were $17 billion, representing 5% annualized growth
    • Organic net new advisory assets were $16 billion, representing 9% annualized growth
  • Recruited assets(1) were $20 billion
    • Recruited assets over the trailing twelve months were $87 billion. Prior to large institutions, recruited assets over the trailing twelve months were $75 billion, up approximately 57% from a year ago.
  • Advisor count(2) was 22,884, up 224 sequentially and 1,363 year-over-year
  • Total client cash balances were $46 billion, a decrease of $2 billion sequentially and $8 billion year-over-year
    • Client cash balances as a percentage of total assets were 3.2%, down from 3.6% in the prior quarter and down from 4.6% a year ago

Key Capital and Liquidity Results

  • Corporate cash(3) was $311 million
  • Leverage ratio(4) was 1.65x
  • Share repurchases were $70.0 million and dividends paid were $22.4 million

*See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section and the endnotes to this release for further details about these non-GAAP financial measures

Key Updates

  • Atria Wealth Solutions, Inc. ("Atria"): Announced a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Atria, a wealth management solutions holding company. Atria supports ~2,400 advisors and ~150 banks and credit unions, managing ~$100 billion of brokerage and advisory assets. The Company expects to close the transaction in the second half of 2024, subject to receipt of regulatory approval and other closing conditions. Conversion is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
  • Wintrust Financial Corporation: Announced an agreement with Wintrust Financial Corporation to transition support of the wealth management business of Wintrust Investments, LLC and certain private client business at Great Lakes Advisors, LLC (collectively, "Wintrust") to LPL's Institution Services platform. Wintrust supports ~85 financial advisors who collectively serve ~$16 billion of brokerage and advisory assets, and is expected to onboard in the first quarter of 2025.
  • Crown Capital Securities, L.P. ("Crown Capital"): In April 2024, completed the acquisition of the wealth management business of Crown Capital, a firm with ~125 advisors who collectively serve ~$5B of brokerage and advisory assets.
  • Liquidity & Succession: Deployed approximately $10 million of capital to close two deals, and signed our first liquidity & succession agreement with an external practice.

SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) (the “Company”) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024, reporting net income of $289 million, or $3.83 per share. This compares with $339 million, or $4.24 per share, in the first quarter of 2023 and $218 million, or $2.85 per share, in the prior quarter.

“We remain steadfast in our mission of taking care of our advisors, so they can take of their clients,” said Dan Arnold, President and CEO. “Our commitment to our advisors is reflected in their continued successes, which contributed to another quarter of solid business results. As we look ahead, we will continue to invest to enhance the appeal of our model and make progress on our vision of becoming the leader across the advisor-centered marketplace.”

"The first quarter of 2024 was marked by continued business and financial strength," said Matt Audette, CFO and Head of Business Operations. "We continued to grow assets organically in both our traditional and new markets, entered into an agreement to acquire Atria Wealth Solutions, continued to build momentum in our Liquidity & Succession solution, and are preparing to onboard the wealth management businesses of Prudential Financial and Wintrust Financial. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing to serve our advisors, invest in our industry-leading value proposition, and create long-term shareholder value."

Dividend Declaration

The Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.30 per share dividend to be paid on June 4, 2024 to all stockholders of record as of May 21, 2024.

Conference Call and Additional Information

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its results at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The conference call will be available for replay at investor.lpl.com/events.

Contacts

Investor Relations
investor.relations@lplfinancial.com

Media Relations
media.relations@lplfinancial.com

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) was founded on the principle that the firm should work for advisors and institutions, and not the other way around. Today, LPL is a leader in the markets we serve(5), serving nearly 23,000 financial advisors, including advisors at approximately 1,100 institutions and at approximately 570 registered investment advisor ("RIA") firms nationwide. We are steadfast in our commitment to the advisor-mediated model and the belief that Americans deserve access to personalized guidance from a financial professional. At LPL, independence means that advisors and institution leaders have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources that allow them to run a thriving business. They have the flexibility to do business their way. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors and institutions, so they can take care of their clients.

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC ("LPL Financial"), a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States.

Throughout this communication, the terms "financial advisors" and "advisors" are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.

We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the "Investor Relations" or "Press Releases" section of our website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements regarding:

  • the amount and timing of the onboarding of acquired, recruited or transitioned brokerage and advisory assets;
  • the Company's future financial and operating results, growth, plans, priorities and business strategies, including forecasts and statements related to the Company's core G&A expenses; and
  • future capabilities, future advisor service experience, future investments and capital deployment, including share repurchase activity and dividends, if any, and long-term shareholder value.

These and any other statements that are not related to present facts or current conditions, or that are not purely historical, constitute forward-looking statements. They reflect the Company's expectations and objectives as of April 30, 2024 and are not guarantees that expectations or objectives expressed or implied will be achieved. The achievement of such expectations and objectives involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, levels of activity or the timing of events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include:

  • the failure to satisfy the closing conditions applicable to the Company's purchase agreement with Atria, or strategic relationship agreements with Prudential Financial, Inc. ("Prudential") and Wintrust, including regulatory approvals;
  • difficulties and delays in onboarding the assets of acquired, recruited or transitioned advisors, including the receipt and timing of regulatory approvals that may be required;
  • disruptions in the businesses of the Company that could make it more difficult to maintain relationships with advisors and their clients;
  • the choice by clients of acquired or recruited advisors not to open brokerage and/or advisory accounts at the Company;
  • changes in general economic and financial market conditions, including retail investor sentiment;
  • changes in interest rates and fees payable by banks participating in the Company's client cash programs, including the Company's success in negotiating agreements with current or additional counterparties;
  • the Company's strategy and success in managing client cash program fees;
  • fluctuations in the levels of advisory and brokerage assets, including net new assets, and the related impact on revenue;
  • effects of competition in the financial services industry and the success of the Company in attracting and retaining financial advisors and institutions, and their ability to market financial products and services effectively;
  • whether the retail investors served by newly-recruited advisors choose to move their respective assets to new accounts at the Company;
  • changes in the growth and profitability of the Company's fee-based offerings;
  • the effect of current, pending and future legislation, regulation and regulatory actions, including disciplinary actions imposed by federal and state regulators and self-regulatory organizations;
  • the cost of settling and remediating issues related to regulatory matters or legal proceedings, including actual costs of reimbursing customers for losses in excess of our reserves;
  • the negotiation of definitive documentation in connection with the settlement of the industry-wide civil investigation into compliance with records preservation requirements for business-related electronic communications stored on personal devices applicable to broker-dealer firms and investment advisors;
  • changes made to the Company’s services and pricing, including in response to competitive developments and current, pending and future legislation, regulation and regulatory actions, and the effect that such changes may have on the Company’s gross profit streams and costs;
  • execution of the Company's capital management plans, including its compliance with the terms of the Company's amended and restated credit agreement, the committed revolving credit facility and LPL Financial's committed revolving credit facility, and the indentures governing the Company's senior unsecured notes;
  • strategic acquisitions and investments, including pursuant to the Company’s Liquidity & Succession solution, and the effect that such acquisitions and investments may have on the Company’s capital management plans and liquidity;
  • the price, availability and trading volumes of shares of the Company's common stock, which will affect the timing and size of future share repurchases by the Company, if any;
  • the execution of the Company's plans and its success in realizing the synergies, expense savings, service improvements or efficiencies expected to result from its investments, initiatives and acquisitions, expense plans and technology initiatives;
  • whether advisors affiliated with Prudential and Wintrust will transition registration to the Company and whether assets reported as serviced by such financial advisors will translate into assets of the Company;
  • the performance of third-party service providers to which business processes have been transitioned;
  • the Company's ability to control operating risks, information technology systems risks, cybersecurity risks and sourcing risks; and
  • the other factors set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be amended or updated in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Except as required by law, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this earnings release, and you should not rely on statements contained herein as representing the Company's view as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended  
 March 31, December 31,
   March 31,  
  2024   2023  Change
  2023  Change
REVENUE     
Advisory$1,199,811  $1,085,497   11% $954,057   26%
Commission:     
Sales-based 385,235   355,958   8%  286,072   35%
Trailing 361,211   326,454   11%  317,653   14%
Total commission 746,446   682,412   9%  603,725   24%
Asset-based:     
Client cash 352,382   352,661   %  418,275   (16%)
Other asset-based 248,339   228,473   9%  203,473   22%
Total asset-based 600,721   581,134   3%  621,748   (3%)
Service and fee 132,172   130,680   1%  118,987   11%
Transaction 57,258   53,858   6%  48,935   17%
Interest income, net 43,525   43,312   %  37,358   17%
Other 52,660   66,936   (21%)  33,022   59%
Total revenue 2,832,593   2,643,829   7%  2,417,832   17%
EXPENSE     
Advisory and commission 1,733,487   1,607,978   8%  1,370,634   26%
Compensation and benefits 274,369   270,709   1%  233,533   17%
Promotional 126,619   126,800   %  98,223   29%
Depreciation and amortization 67,158   67,936   (1%)  56,054   20%
Occupancy and equipment 66,264   62,103   7%  60,173   10%
Interest expense on borrowings 60,082   54,415   10%  39,184   53%
Brokerage, clearing and exchange 30,532   25,917   18%  26,126   17%
Amortization of other intangibles 29,552   28,618   3%  24,092   23%
Communications and data processing 19,744   17,814   11%  17,675   12%
Professional services 13,279   21,572   (38%)  14,220   (7%)
Other 37,315   66,180   (44%)  33,421   12%
Total expense 2,458,401   2,350,042   5%  1,973,335   25%
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 374,192   293,787   27%  444,497   (16%)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 85,428   76,232   12%  105,613   (19%)
NET INCOME$288,764  $217,555   33% $338,884   (15%)
EARNINGS PER SHARE     
Earnings per share, basic$3.87  $2.89   34% $4.30   (10%)
Earnings per share, diluted$3.83  $2.85   34% $4.24   (10%)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 74,562   75,228   (1%)  78,750   (5%)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 75,463   76,240   (1%)  79,974   (6%)



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 March 31, 2024
 December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents$1,102,270  $465,671 
Cash and equivalents segregated under federal or other regulations 1,610,996   2,007,312 
Restricted cash 114,006   108,180 
Receivables from clients, net 591,503   588,585 
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 103,236   50,069 
Advisor loans, net 1,573,774   1,479,690 
Other receivables, net 863,119   743,317 
Investment securities ($43,428 and $76,088 at fair value at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 57,451   91,311 
Property and equipment, net 987,308   933,091 
Goodwill 1,840,972   1,856,648 
Other intangibles, net 690,767   671,585 
Other assets 1,482,137   1,390,021 
Total assets$11,017,539  $10,385,480 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:  
Client payables$2,486,605  $2,266,176 
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 190,419   163,337 
Accrued advisory and commission expenses payable 232,084   216,541 
Corporate debt and other borrowings, net 3,853,794   3,734,111 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 369,244   485,963 
Total liabilities 1,615,512   1,440,373 
  8,747,658   8,306,501 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:  
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; 130,704,541 shares and 130,233,328 shares issued at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 131   130 
Additional paid-in capital 2,016,666   1,987,684 
Treasury stock, at cost — 55,998,999 shares and 55,576,970 shares at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (4,101,055)  (3,993,949)
Retained earnings 4,354,139   4,085,114 
Total stockholders’ equity 2,269,881   2,078,849 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$11,017,539  $10,385,350 



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Management's Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Certain information in this release is presented as reviewed by the Company’s management and includes information derived from the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, non-GAAP financial measures and operational and performance metrics. For information on non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section titled"Non-GAAP Financial Measures"in this release.
 
 Quarterly Results
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Change Q1 2023
 Change
Gross Profit(6)     
Advisory$1,199,811  $1,085,497   11% $954,057   26%
Trailing commissions 361,211   326,454   11%  317,653   14%
Sales-based commissions 385,235   355,958   8%  286,072   35%
Advisory fees and commissions 1,946,257   1,767,909   10%  1,557,782   25%
Production-based payout(7) (1,686,332)  (1,548,540)  9%  (1,342,668)  26%
Advisory fees and commissions, net of payout 259,925   219,369   18%  215,114   21%
Client cash(8) 373,408   373,979   %  438,612   (15%)
Other asset-based(9) 248,339   228,473   9%  203,473   22%
Service and fee 132,172   130,680   1%  118,987   11%
Transaction 57,258   53,858   6%  48,935   17%
Interest income, net(10) 22,482   21,975   2%  17,015   32%
Other revenue(11) 3,382   4,636   (27%)  3,945   (14%)
Total net advisory fees and commissions and attachment revenue 1,096,966   1,032,970   6%  1,046,081   5%
Brokerage, clearing and exchange expense (30,532)  (25,917)  18%  (26,126)  17%
Gross Profit(6) 1,066,434   1,007,053   6%  1,019,955   5%
                  
G&A Expense     
Core G&A(12) 363,513   364,469   %  326,177   11%
Regulatory charges 7,469   8,905   (16%)  7,732   (3%)
Promotional (ongoing)(13)(14) 132,311   138,457   (4%)  101,163   31%
Acquisition costs(14) 9,524   34,931   (73%)  3,092  n/m
Employee share-based compensation 22,633   15,535   46%  17,964   26%
Total G&A 535,450   562,297   (5%)  456,128   17%
EBITDA(15) 530,984   444,756   19%  563,827   (6%)
Depreciation and amortization 67,158   67,936   (1%)  56,054   20%
Amortization of other intangibles 29,552   28,618   3%  24,092   23%
Interest expense on borrowings 60,082   54,415   10%  39,184   53%
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 374,192   293,787   27%  444,497   (16%)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 85,428   76,232   12%  105,613   (19%)
NET INCOME$288,764  $217,555   33% $338,884   (15%)
Earnings per share, diluted$3.83  $2.85   34% $4.24   (10%)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 75,463   76,240   (1%)  79,974   (6%)
Adjusted EBITDA(15)$540,508  $479,687   13% $566,919   (5%)
Adjusted EPS(16)$4.21  $3.51   20% $4.49   (6%)



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Operating Metrics
(Dollars in billions, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Change Q1 2023
 Change
Market Drivers     
S&P 500 Index (end of period) 5,254   4,770   10%  4,109   28%
Russell 2000 Index (end of period) 2,125   2,027   5%  1,802   18%
Fed Funds daily effective rate (average bps) 533   533  —bps  452  81bps
      
Advisory and Brokerage Assets(17)     
Advisory assets$793.0  $735.8   8% $620.9   28%
Brokerage assets 647.9   618.2   5%  554.3   17%
Total Advisory and Brokerage Assets$1,440.9  $1,354.1   6% $1,175.2   23%
Advisory as a % of Total Advisory and Brokerage Assets 55.0%  54.3% 70bps  52.8% 220bps
      
Assets by Platform     
Corporate advisory assets(18)$537.6  $496.5   8% $415.3   29%
Independent RIA advisory assets(18) 255.4   239.3   7%  205.6   24%
Brokerage assets 647.9   618.2   5%  554.3   17%
Total Advisory and Brokerage Assets$1,440.9  $1,354.1   6% $1,175.2   23%
      
Centrally Managed Assets     
Centrally managed assets(19)$121.7  $112.1   9% $94.6   29%
Centrally Managed as a % of Total Advisory Assets 15.3%  15.2% 10bps  15.2% 10bps



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Operating Metrics
(Dollars in billions, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Change
 Q1 2023 Change
Net New Assets (NNA)(20)                   
Net new advisory assets$16.2  $20.5   n/m  $14.6   n/m 
Net new brokerage assets 0.5   4.2   n/m   9.9   n/m 
Total Net New Assets$16.7  $24.7   n/m  $24.5   n/m 
             
Organic Net New Assets            
Organic net new advisory assets$16.2  $20.5   n/m  $13.7   n/m 
Organic net new brokerage assets 0.5   4.2   n/m   7.1   n/m 
Total Organic Net New Assets$16.7  $24.7   n/m  $20.8   n/m 
             
Net brokerage to advisory conversions(21)$3.6  $2.6   n/m  $2.1   n/m 
Organic advisory NNA annualized growth(22) 8.8%  12.4%  n/m   9.4%  n/m 
Total organic NNA annualized growth(22) 4.9%  8.0%  n/m   7.5%  n/m 
             
Net New Advisory Assets(20)            
Corporate RIA net new advisory assets$13.9  $15.9   n/m  $10.4   n/m 
Independent RIA net new advisory assets 2.3   4.6   n/m   4.2   n/m 
Total Net New Advisory Assets$16.2  $20.5   n/m  $14.6   n/m 
Centrally managed net new advisory assets(20)$3.6  $3.0   n/m  $1.7   n/m 
             
Net buy (sell) activity(23)$37.8  $32.8   n/m  $36.9   n/m 



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Client Cash Data
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Change Q1 2023
 Change
Client Cash Balances (in billions)(24)     
Insured cash account sweep$32.6  $34.5   (6%) $39.7   (18%)
Deposit cash account sweep 9.2   9.3   (1%)  10.2   (10%)
Total Bank Sweep 41.8   43.8   (5%)  49.9   (16%)
Money market sweep 2.4   2.4   %  2.6   (8%)
Total Client Cash Sweep Held by Third Parties 44.2   46.2   (4%)  52.5   (16%)
Client cash account(25) 2.1   2.0   5%  1.6   31%
Total Client Cash Balances$46.3  $48.2   (4%) $54.0   (14%)
Client Cash Balances as a % of Total Assets 3.2%  3.6% (40bps)  4.6% (140bps)

Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding.



 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2024December 31, 2023March 31, 2023
Interest-Earnings AssetsAverage Balance
(in billions)
Revenue Net Yield (bps)(26)Average Balance
(in billions)
Revenue Net Yield (bps)(26)Average Balance
(in billions)
Revenue Net Yield (bps)(26)
Insured cash account sweep$33.2 $266,792  323$33.3 $266,058  317$42.3 $333,218  320
Deposit cash account sweep 8.9  83,978  378 8.9  84,901  379 10.6  82,981  318
Total Bank Sweep 42.1  350,770  335 42.2  350,959  330 52.8  416,199  319
Money market sweep 2.3  1,612  28 2.4  1,702  28 2.8  2,076  30
Total Client Cash Held By
Third Parties
 44.4  352,382  319 44.6  352,661  314 55.6  418,275  305
Client cash account(25) 1.8  21,026  467 1.8  21,318  475 2.1  20,337  400
Total Client Cash 46.2  373,408  325 46.4  373,979  320 57.7  438,612  308
Margin receivables 0.5  10,249  890 0.5  10,874  878 0.5  9,413  802
Other interest revenue 0.9  12,233  535 0.9  11,101  507 0.9  7,602  343
Total Client Cash and
Interest Income, Net
$47.6  395,890  334$47.7  395,954  329$59.1  455,627  313

Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding.



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Monthly Metrics
(Dollars in billions, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 March 2024 February 2024
 Change January 2024
 December 2023
Advisory and Brokerage Assets(17)     
Advisory assets$793.0  $768.4   3% $740.7  $735.8 
Brokerage assets 647.9   634.9   2%  621.1   618.2 
Total Advisory and Brokerage Assets$1,440.9  $1,403.3   3% $1,361.8  $1,354.1 
                
Net New Assets (NNA)(20)     
Net new advisory assets$7.5  $6.4  n/m $2.4  $8.1 
Net new brokerage assets 0.4   0.4  n/m  (0.4)  1.1 
Total Net New Assets$7.9  $6.8  n/m $2.0  $9.2 
Net brokerage to advisory conversions(21)$1.3  $1.3  n/m $1.0  $1.0 
      
Organic Net New Assets (NNA)     
Net new advisory assets$7.5  $6.4  n/m $2.4  $8.1 
Net new brokerage assets 0.4   0.4  n/m  (0.4)  1.1 
Total Organic Net New Assets$7.9  $6.8  n/m $2.0  $9.2 
              
Client Cash Balances(24)     
Insured cash account sweep$32.6  $33.2   (2%) $33.7  $34.5 
Deposit cash account sweep 9.2   9.0   2%  8.9   9.3 
Total Bank Sweep 41.8   42.2   (1%)  42.6   43.8 
Money market sweep 2.4   2.3   4%  2.4   2.4 
Total Client Cash Sweep Held by Third Parties 44.2   44.5   (1%)  45.0   46.2 
Client cash account(25) 2.1   1.5   40%  1.9   2.0 
Total Client Cash Balances$46.3  $46.0   1% $46.9  $48.2 
      
Net buy (sell) activity(23)$12.9  $13.0  n/m $12.0  $10.8 
      
Market Drivers     
S&P 500 Index (end of period) 5,254   5,096   3%  4,846   4,770 
Russell 2000 Index (end of period) 2,125   2,055   3%  1,947   2,027 
Fed Funds effective rate (average bps) 533   533  —bps  533   533 

Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding.



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Financial Measures
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Change Q1 2023
 Change
Commission Revenue by Product     
Annuities$436,473  $408,480   7% $344,061   27%
Mutual funds 186,540   167,392   11%  165,038   13%
Fixed income 48,641   40,441   20%  35,267   38%
Equities 35,451   29,920   18%  25,890   37%
Other 39,341   36,179   9%  33,469   18%
Total commission revenue$746,446  $682,412   9% $603,725   24%
      
Commission Revenue by Sales-based and Trailing   
Sales-based commissions     
Annuities$229,077  $221,070   4% $162,176   41%
Mutual funds 43,496   37,016   18%  37,477   16%
Fixed income 48,641   40,441   20%  35,267   38%
Equities 35,451   29,920   18%  25,890   37%
Other 28,570   27,511   4%  25,262   13%
Total sales-based commissions$385,235  $355,958   8% $286,072   35%
Trailing commissions     
Annuities$207,396  $187,410   11% $181,885   14%
Mutual funds 143,044   130,376   10%  127,561   12%
Other 10,771   8,668   24%  8,207   31%
Total trailing commissions$361,211  $326,454   11% $317,653   14%
Total commission revenue$746,446  $682,412   9% $603,725   24%
                
Payout Rate(7) 86.64%  87.59% (95bps)  86.19% 45bps



LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Capital Management Measures
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
Cash and equivalents$1,102,270  $465,671 
Cash at regulated subsidiaries (1,038,241)  (410,313)
Excess cash at regulated subsidiaries per the Credit Agreement 247,033   128,327 
Corporate Cash(3)$311,062  $183,685 
   
Corporate Cash(3)  
Cash at the Parent$30,781  $26,587 
Excess cash at regulated subsidiaries per the Credit Agreement 247,033   128,327 
Cash at non-regulated subsidiaries 33,248   28,771 
Corporate Cash$311,062  $183,685 
   
Leverage Ratio  
Total debt$3,875,525  $3,757,200 
Total corporate cash 311,062   183,685 
Credit Agreement Net Debt$3,564,463  $3,573,515 
Credit Agreement EBITDA (trailing twelve months)(27)$2,160,464  $2,194,807 
Leverage Ratio1.65x1.63x



 March 31, 2024 
Total DebtBalanceCurrent Applicable
Margin
Interest RateMaturity
Revolving Credit Facility(a)$401,000 ABR+37.5 bps / SOFR+147.5 bps6.852%3/15/2026
Broker-Dealer Revolving Credit Facility  SOFR+135 bps6.690%7/16/2024
Senior Secured Term Loan B 1,024,525 SOFR+185 bps(b)7.176%11/12/2026
Senior Unsecured Notes 400,000 4.625% Fixed4.625%11/15/2027
Senior Unsecured Notes 750,000 6.750% Fixed6.750%11/17/2028
Senior Unsecured Notes 900,000 4.000% Fixed4.000%3/15/2029
Senior Unsecured Notes 400,000 4.375% Fixed4.375%5/15/2031
Total / Weighted Average$3,875,525  5.770% 
        

(a)  Secured borrowing capacity of $2.0 billion at LPL Holdings, Inc. (the "Parent"). The Parent’s outstanding balance at March 31, 2024 was comprised of an ABR-based balance of $10.0 million with the applicable margin of ABR + 37.5 bps (8.875%) and a SOFR-based balance of $391.0 million with the applicable margin of SOFR + 147.5 bps (6.800%).
(b)  The SOFR rate option is a one-month SOFR rate and subject to an interest rate floor of 0 bps.


LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
Key Business and Financial Metrics
(Dollars in thousands, except where noted)
(Unaudited)
 
 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Change Q1 2023
 Change
Advisors     
Advisors 22,884   22,660   1%  21,521   6%
Net new advisors 224   256   (13%)  246   (9%)
Annualized advisory fees and commissions per advisor(28)$342  $314   9% $291   18%
Average total assets per advisor ($ in millions)(29)$63.0  $59.8   5% $54.6   15%
Transition assistance loan amortization ($ in millions)(30)$58.3  $55.1   6% $46.7   25%
Total client accounts (in millions) 8.4   8.3   1%  8.0   5%
      
Employees 7,413   7,372   1%  6,648   12%
      
Services Group     
Services Group subscriptions(31)     
Professional Services 1,824   1,895   (4%)  1,753   4%
Business Optimizers 3,487   3,363   4%  2,955   18%
Planning and Advice 624   548   14%  236   164%
Total Services Group subscriptions 5,935   5,806   2%  4,944   20%
Services Group advisor count 4,035   3,850   5%  3,324   21%
      
AUM retention rate (quarterly annualized)(32) 97.4%  98.4% (100bps)  98.7% (130bps)
      
Capital Management     
Capital expenditures ($ in millions)(33)$121.0  $105.9   14% $101.3   19%
Acquisitions, net ($ in millions)(34)$10.2  $92.9   (89%) $251.3   (96%)
      
Share repurchases ($ in millions)$70.0  $225.0   (69%) $275.0   (75%)
Dividends ($ in millions) 22.4   22.7   (1%)  23.6   (5%)
Total Capital Returned ($ in millions)$92.4  $247.7   (63%) $298.6   (69%)


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management believes that presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures by excluding or including certain items can be helpful to investors and analysts who may wish to use this information to analyze the Company’s current performance, prospects and valuation. Management uses this non-GAAP information internally to evaluate operating performance and in formulating the budget for future periods. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures and metrics discussed below are appropriate for evaluating the performance of the Company.

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted net income

Adjusted EPS is defined as adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure defined as net income plus the after-tax impact of amortization of other intangibles and acquisition costs, divided by the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding for the applicable period. The Company presents adjusted net income and adjusted EPS because management believes that these metrics can provide investors with useful insight into the Company’s core operating performance by excluding non-cash items and acquisition costs that management does not believe impact the Company’s ongoing operations. Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not measures of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, earnings per diluted share or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of net income and earnings per diluted share to adjusted net income and adjusted EPS, please see the endnote disclosures in this release.

Gross profit

Gross profit is calculated as total revenue less advisory and commission expense; brokerage, clearing and exchange expense; and market fluctuations on employee deferred compensation. All other expense categories, including depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and amortization of other intangibles, are considered general and administrative in nature. Because the Company’s gross profit amounts do not include any depreciation and amortization expense, the Company considers gross profit to be a non-GAAP financial measure that may not be comparable to similar measures used by others in its industry. Management believes that gross profit can provide investors with useful insight into the Company’s core operating performance before indirect costs that are general and administrative in nature. For a calculation of gross profit, please see the endnote disclosures in this release.

Core G&A

Core G&A consists of total expense less the following expenses: advisory and commission; depreciation and amortization; interest expense on borrowings; brokerage, clearing and exchange; amortization of other intangibles; market fluctuations on employee deferred compensation; promotional (ongoing); employee share-based compensation; regulatory charges; and acquisition costs. Management presents core G&A because it believes core G&A reflects the corporate expense categories over which management can generally exercise a measure of control, compared with expense items over which management either cannot exercise control, such as advisory and commission, or which management views as promotional expense necessary to support advisor growth and retention, including conferences and transition assistance. Core G&A is not a measure of the Company’s total expense as calculated in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of the Company's total expense to core G&A, please see the endnote disclosures in this release. The Company does not provide an outlook for its total expense because it contains expense components, such as advisory and commission, that are market-driven and over which the Company cannot exercise control. Accordingly, a reconciliation of the Company’s outlook for total expense to an outlook for core G&A cannot be made available without unreasonable effort.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense on borrowings, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization and amortization of other intangibles. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, plus acquisition costs. The Company presents EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA because management believes that they can be useful financial metrics in understanding the Company’s earnings from operations. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not measures of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, please see the endnote disclosures in this release.

Credit Agreement EBITDA

Credit Agreement EBITDA is defined in, and calculated by management in accordance with, the Company's amended and restated credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) as “Consolidated EBITDA,” which is Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus interest expense on borrowings, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and amortization of other intangibles, and is further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash charges and other adjustments, and to include future expected cost savings, operating expense reductions or other synergies from certain transactions. The Company presents Credit Agreement EBITDA because management believes that it can be a useful financial metric in understanding the Company’s debt capacity and covenant compliance under its Credit Agreement. Credit Agreement EBITDA is not a measure of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of net income to Credit Agreement EBITDA, please see the endnote disclosures in this release.

Endnote Disclosures

(1)  Represents the estimated total advisory and brokerage assets expected to transition to the Company's primary broker-dealer subsidiary, LPL Financial, in connection with advisors who transferred their licenses to LPL Financial during the period. The estimate is based on prior business reported by the advisors, which has not been independently and fully verified by LPL Financial. The actual transition of assets to LPL Financial generally occurs over several quarters and the actual amount transitioned may vary from the estimate.

(2)  The terms “Financial Advisors” and “Advisors” refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment advisor.

(3)  Corporate cash, a component of cash and equivalents, is the sum of cash and equivalents from the following: (1) cash and equivalents held at LPL Holdings, Inc., (2) cash and equivalents held at regulated subsidiaries as defined by the Company's Credit Agreement, which include LPL Financial and The Private Trust Company, N.A., in excess of the capital requirements of the Company's Credit Agreement (which, in the case of LPL Financial is net capital in excess of 10% of its aggregate debits, or five times the net capital required in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1) and (3) cash and equivalents held at non-regulated subsidiaries.

(4)  Compliance with the Leverage Ratio is only required under the Company's revolving credit facility.

(5)  The Company was named Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2023 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report); No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S. (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine 1996-2022); and, among third-party providers of brokerage services to banks and credit unions, No. 1 in AUM Growth from Financial Institutions; No. 1 in Market Share of AUM from Financial Institutions; No. 1 in Market Share of Revenue from Financial Institutions; No. 1 on Financial Institution Market Share; No. 1 on Share of Advisors (2021-2022 Kehrer Bielan Research and Consulting Annual TPM Report). Fortune 500 as of June 2021.

(6)  Gross profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see a description of gross profit under the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this release for additional information. Below is a calculation of gross profit for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Q1 2023
Total revenue$2,832,593  $2,643,829  $2,417,832 
Advisory and commission expense 1,733,487   1,607,978   1,370,634 
Brokerage, clearing and exchange expense 30,532   25,917   26,126 
Employee deferred compensation 2,140   2,881   1,117 
Gross profit$1,066,434  $1,007,053  $1,019,955 
 

(7)  Production-based payout is a financial measure calculated as advisory and commission expense plus (less) advisor deferred compensation. The payout rate is calculated by dividing the production-based payout by total advisory and commission revenue. Below is a reconciliation of the Company’s advisory and commission expense to the production-based payout and a calculation of the payout rate for the periods presented (in thousands, except payout rate):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Q1 2023
Advisory and commission expense$1,733,487  $1,607,978  $1,370,634 
(Less) Plus: Advisor deferred compensation (47,155)  (59,438)  (27,966)
Production-based payout$1,686,332  $1,548,540  $1,342,668 
    
Advisory and commission revenue$1,946,257  $1,767,909  $1,557,782 
    
Payout rate 86.64%  87.59%  86.19%
            

(8)  Below is a reconciliation of client cash revenue per Management's Statements of Operations to client cash revenue, a component of asset-based revenue, on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Q1 2023
Client cash on Management's Statement of Operations$373,408  $373,979  $438,612 
Interest income on CCA balances segregated under federal or other regulations(10) (21,026)  (21,318)  (20,337)
Client cash on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income$352,382  $352,661  $418,275 
 

(9)  Consists of revenue from the Company's sponsorship programs with financial product manufacturers, omnibus processing and networking services but does not include fees from client cash programs.

(10) During the first quarter of 2024, the Company disaggregated the activity previously reported in the interest income and other, net line item into its interest income, net and other revenue components. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Below is a reconciliation of interest income, net per Management's Statements of Operations to interest income, net on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024  Q4 2023  Q1 2023
Interest income, net on Management's Statement of Operations$22,482  $21,975  $17,015 
Interest income on CCA balances segregated under federal or other regulations 21,026   21,318   20,337 
Interest income on deferred compensation 17   19   6 
Interest income, net on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income$43,525  $43,312  $37,358 
 

(11)  During the first quarter of 2024, the Company disaggregated the activity previously reported in the interest income and other, net line item into its interest income, net and other revenue components. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Below is a reconciliation of other revenue per Management's Statements of Operations to other revenue on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024  Q4 2023  Q1 2023
Other revenue on Management's Statement of Operations$3,382  $4,636  $3,945 
Interest income on deferred compensation (17)  (19)  (6)
Deferred compensation 49,295   62,319   29,083 
Other revenue on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income$52,660  $66,936  $33,022 
 

(12)  Core G&A is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see a description of core G&A under the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for additional information. Below is a reconciliation of the Company's total expense to core G&A for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Q1 2023
Core G&A Reconciliation   
Total expense$2,458,401  $2,350,042  $1,973,335 
Advisory and commission (1,733,487)  (1,607,978)  (1,370,634)
Depreciation and amortization (67,158)  (67,936)  (56,054)
Interest expense on borrowings (60,082)  (54,415)  (39,184)
Brokerage, clearing and exchange (30,532)  (25,917)  (26,126)
Amortization of other intangibles (29,552)  (28,618)  (24,092)
Employee deferred compensation (2,140)  (2,881)  (1,117)
Total G&A 535,450   562,297   456,128 
Promotional (ongoing)(13)(14) (132,311)  (138,457)  (101,163)
Employee share-based compensation (22,633)  (15,535)  (17,964)
Acquisition costs(14) (9,524)  (34,931)  (3,092)
Regulatory charges (7,469)  (8,905)  (7,732)
Core G&A$363,513  $364,469  $326,177 
 

(13)  Promotional (ongoing) includes $8.0 million, $12.5 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, of support costs related to full-time employees that are classified within Compensation and benefits expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income and excludes costs that have been incurred as part of acquisitions that have been classified within acquisition costs for the same periods.

(14)  Acquisition costs include the costs to setup, onboard and integrate acquired entities and other costs that were incurred as a result of the acquisitions. The below table summarizes the primary components of acquisition costs for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Q1 2023
Acquisition costs   
Compensation and benefits$3,850  $2,829  $875 
Professional services 3,246   3,664   1,606 
Promotional(13) 2,268   863   210 
Fair value mark on contingent consideration(35)    26,712    
Other 160   863   401 
Acquisition costs$9,524  $34,931  $3,092 
 

(15)  EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see a description of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA under the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this release for additional information. Below is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in thousands):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
 Q1 2023
EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation   
Net income$288,764  $217,555  $338,884 
Interest expense on borrowings 60,082   54,415   39,184 
Provision for income taxes 85,428   76,232   105,613 
Depreciation and amortization 67,158   67,936   56,054 
Amortization of other intangibles 29,552   28,618   24,092 
EBITDA$530,984  $444,756  $563,827 
Acquisition costs(14) 9,524   34,931   3,092 
Adjusted EBITDA$540,508  $479,687  $566,919 
 

(16)  Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see a description of adjusted net income and adjusted EPS under the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for additional information. Below is a reconciliation of net income and earnings per diluted share to adjusted net income and adjusted EPS for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share data):

 Q1 2024Q4 2023Q1 2023
 Amount Per Share
 Amount
 Per Share Amount
 Per Share
Net income / earnings per diluted share$288,764  $3.83  $217,555  $2.85  $338,884  $4.24 
Amortization of other intangibles 29,552   0.39   28,618   0.38   24,092   0.30 
Acquisition costs(14) 9,524   0.13   34,931   0.46   3,092   0.04 
Tax benefit (10,340)  (0.14)  (13,789)  (0.18)  (7,152)  (0.09)
Adjusted net income / adjusted EPS$317,500  $4.21  $267,315  $3.51  $358,916  $4.49 
Diluted share count 75,463    76,240     79,974   
Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding.      
       

(17)  Consists of total advisory and brokerage assets under custody at the Company's primary broker-dealer subsidiary, LPL Financial.

(18)  Assets on the Company's corporate advisory platform are serviced by investment advisor representatives of LPL Financial. Assets on the Company's independent RIA advisory platform are serviced by investment advisor representatives of separate registered investment advisor firms rather than representatives of LPL Financial.

(19)  Consists of advisory assets in LPL Financial’s Model Wealth Portfolios, Optimum Market Portfolios, Personal Wealth Portfolios and Guided Wealth Portfolios platforms.

(20)  Consists of total client deposits into advisory or brokerage accounts less total client withdrawals from advisory or brokerage accounts, plus dividends, plus interest, minus advisory fees. The Company considers conversions from and to brokerage or advisory accounts as deposits and withdrawals, respectively.

(21)  Consists of existing custodied assets that converted from brokerage to advisory, less existing custodied assets that converted from advisory to brokerage.

(22)  Calculated as annualized current period organic net new assets divided by preceding period assets in their respective categories of advisory assets or total advisory and brokerage assets.

(23)  Represents the amount of securities purchased less the amount of securities sold in client accounts custodied with LPL Financial.

(24)  Client cash balances include CCA and exclude purchased money market funds. CCA balances include cash that clients have deposited with LPL Financial that is included in Client payables in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents purchased money market funds for the periods presented (in billions):

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q1 2023
Purchased money market funds$32.6  $29.5  $15.0 
            

(25)  During the first quarter of 2024, the Company updated its definition of client cash account balances to exclude other client payables. Prior period disclosures have been updated to reflect this change as applicable.

(26)  Calculated by dividing revenue for the period by the average balance during the period.

(27)  EBITDA and Credit Agreement EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see a description of EBITDA and Credit Agreement EBITDA under the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for additional information. Under the Credit Agreement, management calculates Credit Agreement EBITDA for a trailing twelve month period at the end of each fiscal quarter and in doing so may make further adjustments to prior quarters. Below are reconciliations of trailing twelve month net income to trailing twelve month EBITDA and Credit Agreement EBITDA for the periods presented (in thousands): 

 Q1 2024 Q4 2023
EBITDA and Credit Agreement EBITDA Reconciliations  
Net income$1,016,130  $1,066,250 
Interest expense on borrowings 207,702   186,804 
Provision for income taxes 358,340   378,525 
Depreciation and amortization 258,098   246,994 
Amortization of other intangibles 112,671   107,211 
EBITDA$1,952,941  $1,985,784 
Credit Agreement Adjustments:  
Acquisition costs and other(14)(36)$117,246  $110,170 
Employee share-based compensation 70,693   66,024 
M&A accretion(37) 17,024   30,268 
Advisor share-based compensation 2,560   2,561 
Credit Agreement EBITDA$2,160,464  $2,194,807 
 

(28)  Calculated based on the average advisor count from the current period and prior periods.

(29)  Calculated based on the end of period total advisory and brokerage assets divided by end of period advisor count.

(30)  Represents amortization expense on forgivable loans for transition assistance to advisors and institutions.

(31)  Refers to active subscriptions related to professional services offerings (CFO Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Admin Solutions, Advisor Institute, Bookkeeping, Partial Book Sales and CFO Essentials) and business optimizer offerings (M&A Solutions, Digital Office, Resilience Plans and Assurance Plans), as well as planning and advice services (Paraplanning, Tax Planning, and High Net Worth Services) for which subscriptions are the number of advisors using the service.

(32)  Reflects retention of total advisory and brokerage assets, calculated by deducting quarterly annualized attrition from total advisory and brokerage assets, divided by the prior quarter total advisory and brokerage assets.

(33)  Capital expenditures represent cash payments for property and equipment during the period.

(34)  Acquisitions, net represent cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired during the period.

(35)  Represents a fair value adjustment to our contingent consideration liabilities that is reflected in other expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

(36)  In 2023, the SEC proposed a potential settlement with the Company to resolve its civil investigation of the Company's compliance with records preservation requirements for business-related electronic communications stored on personal devices or messaging platforms that have not been approved by the Company. Under the SEC's proposed resolution, the Company would pay a $50.0 million civil monetary penalty. As a result, the Company recorded $40.0 million in regulatory charges during the three months ended September 30, 2023 to reflect the amount of the penalty that is not covered by the Company's captive insurance subsidiary. On March 22, 2024, the Company reached a settlement in principle with the staff of the SEC to resolve its civil investigation. The Company expects to pay the civil monetary penalty of $50 million during the second quarter of 2024. The settlement in principle remains subject to the negotiation of definitive documentation and approval by the SEC.

(37)  M&A accretion is an adjustment to reflect the annualized expected run rate EBITDA of an acquisition as permitted by the Credit Agreement for up to eight fiscal quarters following the close of the transaction.


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