UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[x]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

 

OR

 

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from

 

to

 

 

 

Commission file number: 1-8529

 

LEGG MASON, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MARYLAND

52-1200960

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

 Identification No.)

 

 

100 International Drive - Baltimore, MD

21202

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

 

(410) 539-0000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes

X

No

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

Yes

X

No

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

X

 

 

         Accelerated filer

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes

 

No

X

 

 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

161,337,832 shares of common stock and 1,105,773 exchangeable shares as of the close of business on November 2, 2009. The exchangeable shares, which were issued by a subsidiary of the registrant, are exchangeable at any time into common stock on a one-for-one basis and entitle holders to dividend, voting and other rights equivalent to common stock.  






PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

 Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited) 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

March 31, 2009

ASSETS

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1,548,107

$  1,084,474

Restricted cash

22,656

41,688

Receivables:

 

 

Investment advisory and related fees

332,826

293,084

Other

231,358

306,837

Investment securities

386,597

336,092

Refundable income taxes

29,473

603,668

Deferred income taxes

91,330

94,112

Other

58,982

99,432

Total current assets

2,701,329

2,859,387

Fixed assets, net

384,111

367,043

Intangible assets, net

3,913,704

3,922,801

Goodwill

1,301,012

1,186,747

Deferred income taxes

752,154

759,433

Other

144,342

136,888

Total Assets

$ 9,196,652

$ 9,232,299

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

Accrued compensation

$    258,895

$     374,025

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

389,758

400,761

Short-term borrowings

251,475

250,000

Current portion of long-term debt

7,515

8,188

Fund support

-

20,631

Other

156,987

227,588

Total current liabilities

1,064,630

1,281,193

Deferred compensation

134,193

105,115

Deferred income taxes

262,756

258,944

Other

268,175

225,400

Long-term debt

1,698,821

2,732,002

Total Liabilities

3,428,575

4,602,654

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

37,910

31,020

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

Common stock, par value $.10; authorized 500,000,000 shares;
issued 161,330,022 shares and 141,853,025 shares, respectively

16,133

14,185

Preferred stock, par value $10; authorized 4,000,000 shares;

no shares outstanding

-

-

Shares exchangeable into common stock

2,830

3,069

Additional paid-in capital

4,431,337

3,452,530

Employee stock trust

(33,384)

(35,094)

Deferred compensation employee stock trust

33,384

35,094

Retained earnings

1,218,845

1,131,625

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net

61,022

(2,784)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

5,730,167

4,598,625

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$  9,196,652

$  9,232,299

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




2




LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2009

2008

2009

2008

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

 

 

 

 

Separate accounts

$ 206,972

$ 283,116

$  397,860

$   599,791

Funds

347,371

540,829

675,395

1,110,387

Performance fees

9,566

3,437

15,250

13,582

Distribution and service fees

94,619

135,796

181,320

289,295

Other

1,368

2,959

3,155

7,113

Total operating revenues

659,896

966,137

1,272,980

2,020,168

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

287,559

322,183

556,371

699,851

Distribution and servicing

174,388

278,969

346,852

586,842

Communications and technology

40,538

49,085

81,028

99,371

Occupancy

35,689

33,755

68,273

67,899

Amortization of intangible assets

5,664

9,599

11,292

19,223

Other

38,174

52,333

72,965

97,822

Total operating expenses

582,012

745,924

1,136,781

1,571,008

Operating Income

77,884

220,213

136,199

449,160

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

Interest income

1,737

21,025

3,558

44,293

Interest expense

(28,565)

(45,832)

(71,955)

(90,295)

Fund support

5,613

(324,640)

23,171

(591,514)

Other income (expense)

18,324

(38,646)

64,724

(37,339)

Total other non-operating income (expense)

(2,891)

(388,093)

19,498

(674,855)

Income (Loss) before Income Tax

 

 

 

 

Provision (Benefit)

74,993

(167,880)

155,697

(225,695)

Income tax provision (benefit)

27,671

(58,891)

56,051

(80,625)

Net Income (Loss)

47,322

(108,989)

99,646

(145,070)

Less:  Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

1,548

(254)

3,818

(208)

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to

Legg Mason, Inc.

$   45,774

$  (108,735)

$   95,828

$  (144,862)

    



3




LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(continued)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2009

2008

2009

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. Common Shareholders:

 

 

 

 

Basic

$       0.30

$        (0.77)

$       0.65

$        (1.03)

Diluted

$       0.30

$        (0.77)

$       0.64

$        (1.03)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:

 

 

 

 

Basic

151,267

140,900

146,696

       140,573

Diluted

153,224

140,900

148,708

        140,573

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Declared per Share

$       0.03

$          0.24

$        0.06

$         0.48


























See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


4






LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2009

2008

2009

2008

Net Income (Loss)

$ 47,322

$ (108,989)

$    99,646

$ (145,070)

Other comprehensive income gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

22,469

(46,247)

63,804

(33,709)

       Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:

 

 

 

 

   Unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax provision (benefit) of $18, $6, $2 and $(19), respectively

27

10

3

(36)

   Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included  in net income (loss)

(1)

1

(1)

1

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities

26

11

2

(35)

Unrealized and realized gains on cash flow hedge, net of tax provision of $201 and $569, respectively

-

324

-

783

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

22,495

(45,912)

63,806

(32,961)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

69,817

(154,901)

163,452

(178,031)

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to

noncontrolling interests

1,548

(254)

3,818

(208)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to

Legg Mason, Inc.

$ 68,269

$ (154,647)

$ 159,634

$ (177,823)




















See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



5




LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

Six Months Ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

COMMON STOCK

 

 

Beginning balance

$      14,185

$      13,856

Stock options and other stock-based compensation

9

47

Deferred compensation employee stock trust

10

11

Deferred compensation, net

60

44

Exchangeable shares

9

65

Equity Units exchanged

1,860

Preferred share conversions

37

Ending balance

16,133

14,060

SHARES EXCHANGEABLE INTO COMMON STOCK

 

 

Beginning balance

3,069

4,982

Exchanges

(239)

(1,634)

Ending balance

2,830

3,348

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

 

 

Beginning balance, as reported

3,284,347

3,278,376

Recognition of conversion value of 2.5% senior notes, net of tax,

     pursuant to new accounting requirement

168,183

168,183

Beginning balance, as adjusted

3,452,530

3,446,559

Stock options and other stock-based compensation

10,527

23,802

Deferred compensation employee stock trust

2,325

3,382

Deferred compensation, net

14,831

15,582

Exchangeable shares

230

1,569

Equity Units exchanged (issued)

950,894

(73,430)

Preferred share conversions

(37)

Ending balance

4,431,337

3,417,427

EMPLOYEE STOCK TRUST

 

 

Beginning balance

(35,094)

(29,307)

Shares issued to plans

(2,158)

(2,926)

Distributions and forfeitures

3,868

Ending balance

(33,384)

(32,233)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION EMPLOYEE STOCK TRUST

 

 

Beginning balance

35,094

29,307

Shares issued to plans

2,158

2,926

Distributions and forfeitures

(3,868)

Ending balance

33,384

32,233

RETAINED EARNINGS

 

 

Beginning balance, as reported

1,155,660

3,240,359

Recognition of conversion value of 2.5% senior notes, net of tax,

     pursuant to new accounting requirement

(24,035)

(4,045)

Beginning balance, as adjusted

1,131,625

3,236,314

Net income (loss) attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

95,828

(144,862)

Dividends declared

(8,608)

(68,125)

Ending balance

1,218,845

3,023,327

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET

 

 

Beginning balance

(2,784)

82,930

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, net of tax

                  2

              (35)

Unrealized and realized gains on cash flow hedge, net of tax

783

Foreign currency translation adjustment

63,804

   (33,709)

Ending balance

61,022

49,969

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$ 5,730,167

$ 6,508,131


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




6




LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

Six Months Ended

September 30,

 

2009

2008

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

Net income (loss)

$   99,646

$   (145,070)

Loss on Equity Unit exchange

22,040

-

Non-cash items included in net income (loss):

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

55,013

66,843

Imputed interest for 2.5% convertible senior notes

16,951

15,915

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

13,217

18,420

Accretion and amortization of securities discounts and premiums, net

5,680

3,358

Stock-based compensation

23,232

26,260

Unrealized losses (gains) on investments

(84,051)

47,181

Unrealized losses (gains) on fund support

(22,115)

591,514

Deferred income taxes

16,558

(116,579)

Other

1,127

5,233

Decrease (increase) in assets excluding acquisitions:

 

 

Investment advisory and related fees receivable

(36,235)

63,999

Net sales (purchases) of trading investments

40,761

(311,731)

Refundable income taxes

574,195

(60,907)

Other receivables

88,870

3,951

Other assets

102,304

15,373

Increase (decrease) in liabilities excluding acquisitions:

 

 

Accrued compensation

(119,011)

(234,782)

Deferred compensation

29,078

(12,739)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(11,003)

(25,840)

Other liabilities

(158,791)

(14,746)

Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities

657,466

(64,347)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

Payments for fixed assets

(58,052)

(57,752)

Payments for business acquisition-related costs

  (7,524)

-

Proceeds from sale of assets

-

181,147

Fund Support:

 

 

Restricted cash, net (principally fund support collateral)

18,789

(379,753)

Payments under liquidity fund support arrangements

-

(10,473)

Proceeds from sale of SIV securities

-

87,372

Purchases of SIV securities, net of distributions

-

(608,924)

Net increase in securities purchased under agreements to resell

-

604,642

Purchases of investment securities

(591)

(832)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities

830

1,598

Cash Used for Investing Activities

(46,548)

(182,975)



7




LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

Six Months Ended

September 30,

 

2009

2008

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

Net increase in short term borrowings

1,475

-

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net

-

1,095,465

Third-party distribution financing, net

(1,415)

(1,826)

Repayment of principal on long-term debt

(2,430)

(427,174)

Payment on Equity Unit exchange

(132,450)

-

Issuance of common stock

4,455

16,931

Dividends paid

(38,596)

(67,701)

Net subscriptions received from/(redemptions/distributions paid to) noncontrolling interest holders

3,072

7,452

Excess tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation

-

2,031

Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities

(165,889)

625,178

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

18,604

(4,888)

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

463,633

372,968

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

1,084,474

1,463,554

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$  1,548,107

$ 1,836,522

 

 

 






















See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



8




LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)


1. Interim Basis of Reporting


The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Legg Mason, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Legg Mason”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information.  The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the interim basis of reporting and, as such, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.  Legg Mason has evaluated all subsequent events through the time that we filed these financial statements in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2009.


The nature of our business is such that the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of a full year. The fiscal year-end condensed balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements and, in accordance with interim financial information standards, does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements.  Certain amounts in prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including fund support previously reported as Other income (expense) and Net purchases of trading investments.


The information contained in the interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Unless otherwise noted, all per share amounts include both common shares of Legg Mason and shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Legg Mason Canada Inc., which are exchangeable into common shares of Legg Mason on a one-for-one basis at any time.  The preparation of interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates and the differences could have a material impact on the interim consolidated financial statements.


Terms such as “we,” “us,” “our,” and “company” refer to Legg Mason.


2. Significant Accounting Policies


Retrospective Accounting Policies Adopted

Certain prior year amounts have been retrospectively revised as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance relating to the financial statement presentation of noncontrolling interests and debt with conversion and other options.

New accounting guidance relating to the financial statement presentation of noncontrolling interests has both retrospective and prospective provisions and under the retrospective provisions, minority interests have been recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity, if permanent.  Also, net income (loss) is no longer affected by



9




minority interests, but under the new guidance, both net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) are attributed to noncontrolling and parent interests.  Further, the guidance requires temporary equity classification for instruments that are currently redeemable or convertible for cash or other assets at the option of the holder.  For Legg Mason, minority interests of $31,020 related to consolidated sponsored investment funds that are redeemable for cash or other assets have been recharacterized and classified as Redeemable noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009.  During the three and six months ended September 30, 2009, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $1,548 and $3,818, respectively. Redeemable noncontrolling interests as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, were $37,910 and $7,336, with changes during the six months then ended as follows:

 

Six Months Ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

Balance, beginning of period

$  31,020

$       92

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

3,818

(208)

Net subscriptions received from/ (redemptions/distributions paid to)  noncontrolling interest holders

3,072

7,452

Balance, end of period

$  37,910

$  7,336


The prospective provisions of the new guidance do not have a material impact on Legg Mason’s consolidated financial statements.

New accounting guidance relating to debt with conversion and other options requires that issuers of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) should separately account for the liability and equity (conversion feature) components of the instruments. As a result, interest expense should be imputed and recognized based upon the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate at the date of issuance, which results in lower net income. The 2.5% convertible senior notes issued by Legg Mason in January 2008 are subject to the new guidance. Prior to the new guidance, no portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the instrument was attributable to the conversion feature.  Upon retrospective application of the new guidance, the effects on Net loss and Net loss per share for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, and on Long-term debt, Retained earnings, Additional paid-in capital and Deferred income tax assets as of March 31, 2009 were as follows:



10






 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

  September 30, 2008

Net loss, as previously reported

$ (103,751)

$ (135,024)

 Additional interest expense pursuant to the new

 accounting requirement, net of income taxes

(4,984)

(9,838)

Net loss attributable to Legg Mason, Inc., as currently reported

$ (108,735)

$ (144,862)

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. common shareholders:

 

 

Basic, as previously reported

$       (0.74)

$       (0.96)

Additional interest expense pursuant to the new

accounting requirement, net of income taxes

(0.03)

(0.07)

Basic, as currently reported

$       (0.77)

$       (1.03)

Diluted, as previously reported

$       (0.74)

$       (0.96)

Additional interest expense pursuant to the new

accounting requirement, net of income taxes

(0.03)

(0.07)

Diluted, as currently reported

$       (0.77)

$       (1.03)

 

 

 


 

 March 31, 2009

Long-term debt, as previously reported

$ 2,965,204

Impact of the new accounting requirement

(233,202)

Long-term debt, as currently reported

$ 2,732,002

 

 

Retained earnings, as previously reported

$ 1,155,660

Impact of the new accounting requirement

(24,035)

Retained earnings, as currently reported

$ 1,131,625

 

 

Additional paid-in capital, as previously reported

$ 3,284,347

Impact of the new accounting requirement

168,183

Additional paid-in capital, as currently reported

$ 3,452,530

 

 

Deferred income tax assets, as previously reported

$    848,488

Impact of the new accounting requirement

(89,055)

Deferred income tax assets, as currently reported

$    759,433

Additional disclosures required under the new accounting requirement are addressed in Note 6.


Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance for fair value measurement and disclosures defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Under the accounting guidance, a fair value measurement should reflect all of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset, and the risk of nonperformance.  



11





The fair value accounting guidance establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs for valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.


Legg Mason’s financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:


Level 1 - Financial instruments for which prices are quoted in active markets, which for Legg Mason include investments in publicly traded mutual funds with quoted market prices and equities listed in active markets.

Level 2 – Financial instruments for which: prices are quoted for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; prices are quoted for identical or similar assets in inactive markets; or prices are based on observable inputs, other than quoted prices, such as models or other valuation methodologies. For Legg Mason, this category may include repurchase agreements, fixed income securities, and certain proprietary fund products.

Level 3 – Financial instruments for which values are based on unobservable inputs, including those for which there is little or no market activity.  This category includes derivative assets and liabilities related to fund support arrangements, investments in partnerships, limited liability companies, and private equity funds.  Previously, this category included derivative assets related to fund support agreements and certain owned securities issued by structured investment vehicles (“SIVs”).  This category may also include certain proprietary fund products with redemption restrictions.

The valuation of an asset or liability may involve inputs from more than one level of the hierarchy.  The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Any transfers between categories are measured at the beginning of the period.

See Note 3 for additional information regarding fair value measurements.

Recent Accounting Developments

The following relevant accounting pronouncements were recently issued.


In June 2009, the FASB issued amendments relating to the consolidation of variable interest entities, which will be effective for Legg Mason in fiscal 2011.  The amendments include a new approach for determining who should consolidate a variable interest entity (“VIE”), changes to when it is necessary to reassess who should consolidate a VIE and changes in the assessment of which entities are VIEs.  The new approach for determining who should consolidate a VIE requires an analysis of whether a variable interest gives an enterprise a controlling financial interest in a VIE through both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The amendments replace the quantitative approach previously required to determine whether a VIE should be consolidated with a qualitative analysis.  The amendments also require that for kick-out rights to be effective, they must be vested with one party, rather than a simple majority of parties, as under prior guidance.  Legg Mason is continuing to evaluate the impact of the amendments and currently expects that they may require the consolidation of certain sponsored funds, particularly those with performance



12




fees, high related party ownership, or implicit variable interests, such as fund support, that will be material to its balance sheet, revenues and expenses, but have no impact on net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.   


In September 2009, the FASB issued amendments relating to fair value measurements and disclosures of investments in certain entities that calculate net assets per share.  The new guidance permits, as a practical expedient, a reporting entity to measure the fair value of qualifying investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value, such as private equity funds and partnership investments, at net asset value per share as of the reporting date without consideration of certain attributes of the investment, such as restrictions on redemptions.  The amendments also require disclosures by major category of investment about various attributes of these investments.  Legg Mason will adopt these amendments for the reporting period ending December 31, 2009, and does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial position or results of operations.


3.  Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities


The fair values of financial assets and (liabilities) of the Company were determined using the following categories of inputs:


 

Value as of September 30, 2009

 

Quoted prices in active markets

(Level 1)

Significant other observable inputs

(Level 2)

Significant unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

Total

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

Investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans(1)

$  176,625

$           -

$             -

$  176,625

Proprietary fund products and other investments(2)

88,022

64,650

57,300

209,972

Total trading investment securities

264,647

64,650

57,300

386,597

Available-for-sale investment securities

2,600

3,917

12

6,529

Investment in partnerships and LLCs

1,117

-

74,668

75,785

Derivative assets:

 

 

 

 

Currency hedges

2,822

-

-

2,822

Equity securities

-

-

2,061

2,061

 

$  271,186

$  68,567

$  134,041

$  473,794

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Currency hedges

$     (1,604)

$            -

$             -

$     (1,604)

 

 

 

 

 




13





 

Value as of March 31, 2009

 

Quoted prices in active markets

(Level 1)

Significant other observable inputs

(Level 2)

Significant unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

Total

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

Investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans(1)

$  128,785

$               —

$               —

$    128,785

Proprietary fund products and other investments(2)

115,117

51,471

40,719

207,307

Total trading investment securities

243,902

51,471

40,719

336,092

Available-for-sale investment securities

3,105

3,701

12

6,818

Investment in partnerships and LLCs

796

58,719

59,515

Derivative assets:

 

 

 

 

Currency hedges

8,976

8,976

Equity securities

2,340

2,340

 

$  256,779

$    55,172

$    101,790

$  413,741

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Fund support

$           —

$           —

$    (20,631)

$   (20,631)

Currency hedges

(773)

(773)

 

$        (773)

$           —

$    (20,631)

$   (21,404)

(1)

Primarily mutual funds where there is minimal market risk to the Company as any change in value is offset by an adjustment to compensation expense and related deferred compensation liability.

(2)

Primarily mutual funds that are invested approximately 67% and 33% in equity and debt securities as of September 30, 2009, respectively, and were approximately equally invested in equity and debt securities as of March 31, 2009.  Includes approximately $22.5 million and $16.6 million related to noncontrolling interests of consolidated investment funds as of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively.




14




The tables below present a summary of changes in financial assets and (liabilities) measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the periods from April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009 and April 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008:


 

Value as of April 1, 2009

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

Net transfer in (out) of Level 3

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net

Value as of September 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Proprietary fund products and other investments

$   40,719

$     (694)

$ 10,414

$    6,861

$   57,300

Investment in partnerships and LLCs

58,719

14,921

1,028

74,668

Other investments

2,352

(530)

251

2,073

 

$ 101,790

$ 13,697

$ 10,414

$    8,140

$ 134,041

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Fund support

$  (20,631)

$        —

$        —

$  20,631

$          —

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains, net

$  28,771

 

 


 

Value as of April 1, 2008

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

Net transfer in (out) of Level 3

Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net

Value as of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Securities issued by SIVs

$ 141,509

$  521,553

$         —

$   (208,171)

$  454,891

Proprietary fund products and other investments

23,781

(13,781)

10,210

(7,071)

13,139

Investment in partnerships and LLCs

67,022

(9,953)

2,415

59,484

Total return swap

45,706

(9,527)

(19,890)

16,289

Other investments

1,903

(701)

1,202

 

$   279,921

$   488,292

$  10,210

$    (233,418)

545,005

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Fund support

$  (551,654)

$            —

$         —

$    (364,345)

$ (915,999)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized (losses), net

$    (597,763)

 

 


Realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded for Level 3 investments are included in Other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The total net realized and



15




unrealized gains (losses) of $28.8 million and $(597.8) million for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to the assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date.


4.  Fixed Assets


Fixed assets consist of equipment, software and leasehold improvements and capital lease assets.  Equipment consists primarily of communications and technology hardware and furniture and fixtures.  Software includes purchased software and internally developed software. Fixed assets are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.  The following table reflects the components of fixed assets as of:


 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

March 31, 2009

Equipment

$  196,390

$  180,668

Software

205,609

193,109

Leasehold improvements and capital lease assets

342,779

314,963

Total cost

744,778

688,740

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

(360,667)

(321,697)

Fixed assets, net

$  384,111

$  367,043


Depreciation and amortization expense included in operating income was $21,704 and $24,794 for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $43,721 and $47,620 for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 respectively.  The increase in cost of fixed assets primarily reflects expenditures for furniture and leasehold improvements associated with the move to our new corporate headquarters.

5. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The following tables reflect the components of intangible assets as of:


 

September 30, 2009

March 31, 2009

Amortizable asset management contracts

 

 

Cost

$    212,522

$    208,416

Accumulated amortization

(122,250)

(108,376)

Net

90,272

100,040

Indefinite–life intangible assets

 

 

Fund management contracts

3,753,632

3,752,961

Trade names

69,800

69,800

 

3,823,432

3,822,761

Intangible assets, net

$ 3,913,704

$ 3,922,801

 



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As of September 30, 2009, management contracts are being amortized over a weighted-average life of 4.7 years. Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years is as follows:

 

Remaining 2010

$  11,512

2011

22,900

2012

19,831

2013

14,661

2014

12,455

Thereafter

8,913

Total

$  90,272


The increase in the carrying value of goodwill for the six months ended September 30, 2009 is summarized below:

 

Balance, beginning of period

$  1,186,747

Contractual acquisition earnouts

80,000

Impact of excess tax basis amortization

(10,912)

Other, including changes in foreign exchange rates

45,177

Balance, end of period

$  1,301,012


Based on the revenues and earnings of Permal Group Ltd. (“Permal”), during the six months ended September 30, 2009, Legg Mason increased its accrual for contingent consideration, related to a fourth anniversary payment under the purchase contract for the acquisition of Permal, by $80 million, to $161 million, with a corresponding increase in goodwill.


6. Debt and Equity Units


The accreted value of long-term debt consists of the following:


 

September 30, 2009

 

 March 31, 2009

 

Current Accreted Value

Unamortized Discount

Maturity Amount

 

Current Accreted Value

5-year term loan

$    550,000

$          —

$    550,000

 

$    550,000

2.5% convertible senior notes

1,033,749

216,251

1,250,000

 

1,016,798

5.6% senior notes from Equity Units

103,039

103,039

 

1,150,000

Third-party distribution financing

2,653

2,653

 

4,067

Other term loans

16,895

16,895

 

19,325

Subtotal

1,706,336

216,251

1,922,587

 

2,740,190

Less: current portion

7,515

7,515

 

8,188

Total

$ 1,698,821

$ 216,251

$ 1,915,072

 

$ 2,732,002




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As of September 30, 2009, the aggregate maturities by fiscal year of long-term debt based on the contractual terms are as follows:


Remaining 2010

$        5,136

2011

553,515

2012

2,329

2013

843

2014

894

Thereafter

1,359,870

Total

$ 1,922,587


At September 30, 2009, the estimated fair value of long-term debt was approximately $1,703,152.  


Legg Mason is accreting the carrying value of the 2.5% convertible senior notes to the principal amount at maturity using an interest rate of 6.5% (the effective borrowing rate for non-convertible debt at the time of issuance) over its expected life of seven years, resulting in additional interest expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 of approximately $8.6 million and $8.1 million, respectively. The amount by which the notes’ if-converted value exceeds the accreted value as of September 30, 2009 is approximately $38.5 million using a current interest rate of 5.54%, representing a potential loss.

 

During the September 2009 quarter, Legg Mason completed a tender offer and retired 91% of its outstanding Equity Units (20.9 million units) including the extinguishment of $1.05 billion of its outstanding 5.6% Senior notes and termination of the related purchase contracts in exchange for the issuance of 18.6 million shares of Legg Mason common stock and a payment of $130.9 million in cash.  The cash payment was allocated between the liability and equity components of the Equity Units based on relative fair values, resulting in a loss on debt extinguishment of $22.0 million (including a non-cash charge of $6.3 million of accelerated expense of deferred issue costs) and a decrease in additional paid-in capital of $115.2 million.


Legg Mason’s $100 million, one-year revolving credit agreement for general operating purposes expired with no borrowings outstanding in September 2009.


7. Stock-Based Compensation


Compensation expense relating to stock options, the stock purchase plan and deferred compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $3,480 and $4,270, respectively, and for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $9,183 and $11,218, respectively.




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Stock option transactions during the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are summarized below:


 

Six months ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

 

Number
of shares

Weighted-average
exercise price

per share

 

Number
of shares

Weighted-average
exercise price

per share

Options outstanding at March 31

5,200

$  65.19

 

5,464

$  67.20

Granted

1,455

26.81

 

1,147

33.97

Exercised

(24)

26.31

 

(489)

32.05

Canceled/

   forfeited

(729)

49.01

 

(236)

58.32

Options outstanding at September 30

5,902

$  58.14

 

5,886

$  64.00

 

At September 30, 2009, options were exercisable for 2,618 shares with a weighted-average exercise price of $75.61 and a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 3.7 years.  Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested options (3,284 shares) at September 30, 2009 of $52,888 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.  


The weighted average fair value of option grants of $12.09 and $14.23 per share for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:


 

Six months ended

September 30,

 

 

2009

2008

Expected dividend yield

1.45%

0.86%

Risk-free interest rate

2.86%

3.38%

Expected volatility

55.27%

48.22%

Expected lives (in years)

5.17

4.81


Compensation expense relating to restricted stock for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $6,879 and $6,467, respectively, and for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $14,049 and $15,042, respectively.




19




Restricted stock transactions during the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are summarized below:


 

Six months ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

 

Number of shares

Weighted-average grant date value

 

Number of shares

Weighted-average grant date value

Unvested shares  at March 31

1,324

$  50.25

 

642

$  98.30

Granted

626

21.50

 

459

53.00

Vested

(270)

59.34

 

(100)

105.57

Canceled/ forfeited

(51)

31.38

 

(26)

79.89

Unvested shares at September 30

1,629

$  38.55

 

975

$  77.09


Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards at September 30, 2009 of $44,702 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years.


Restricted stock unit transactions during the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are summarized below:


 

Six months ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

 

Number of shares

Weighted-average grant date value

 

Number of shares

Weighted-average grant date value

Unvested shares  at March 31

17

$  37.23

 

Granted

98

22.13

 

16

$  61.85

Vested

(4)

23.11

 

Canceled/ forfeited

 

(1)

61.85

Unvested shares at September 30

111

$  24.53

 

15

$  42.13


Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2009 of $2,088 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.6 years.


During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, non-employee directors were issued 18 restricted stock units and 27 shares of common stock at a fair value of $1,250. As of September 30, 2009 there were 288 stock options and 38 restricted stock units outstanding. During the six months ended September 30, 2009, 27 stock options were exercised and 41 stock options were cancelled or forfeited.  


8. Commitments and Contingencies


Legg Mason leases office facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases and also has multi-year agreements for certain services. These leases and service agreements expire on varying dates through fiscal 2025. Certain leases provide for renewal options and contain



20




escalation clauses providing for increased rentals based upon maintenance, utility and tax increases.


As of September 30, 2009, the minimum annual aggregate rentals under operating leases and servicing agreements are as follows:

 

Remaining 2010

$       79,969

2011

130,582

2012

119,839

2013

106,778

2014

89,089

Thereafter

685,263

Total

$  1,211,520


The minimum rental commitments shown above have not been reduced by $119,016 for minimum sublease rentals to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases, of which approximately 76% is due from one counterparty.  If a sub-tenant defaults on a sublease, Legg Mason may incur operating expense charges to reflect expected future sublease rentals at reduced amounts, as a result of the current commercial real estate market.


The table above also does not include aggregate obligations of $35,198 for property and equipment under capital leases, primarily related to a put/purchase option agreement with the owner of land and a building currently leased by Legg Mason.


As of September 30, 2009, Legg Mason had commitments to invest approximately $23,756 in investment vehicles. These commitments will be funded as required through the end of the respective investment periods through fiscal 2011.


See Note 10, Liquidity Fund Support, for additional information related to Legg Mason commitments.

In the normal course of business, Legg Mason enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. Legg Mason’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against Legg Mason that have not yet occurred.

Legg Mason has been the subject of customer complaints and has also been named as a defendant in various legal actions arising primarily from securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking activities, including certain class actions, which primarily allege violations of securities laws and seek unspecified damages, which could be substantial. Legg Mason is also involved in governmental and self-regulatory agency inquiries, investigations and proceedings.

In accordance with accounting guidance for contingencies, Legg Mason has established provisions for estimated losses from pending complaints, legal actions, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of loss can be made. While the ultimate resolution of these matters cannot be currently determined, in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, Legg Mason does not believe that the resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on Legg Mason’s financial condition. However, the results of operations could be materially affected during any period if



21




liabilities in that period differ from Legg Mason’s prior estimates, and Legg Mason’s cash flows could be materially affected during any period in which these matters are resolved. In addition, the ultimate costs of litigation-related charges can vary significantly from period to period, depending on factors such as market conditions, the size and volume of customer complaints and claims, including class action suits, and recoveries from indemnification, contribution or insurance reimbursement.


Legg Mason and a current and former officer, together with an underwriter in a public offering,  were named as defendants in a consolidated legal action. The action alleged that the defendants violated the Securities Act of 1933 by omitting certain material facts with respect to the acquisition of Citigroup’s worldwide asset management business in a prospectus used in a secondary stock offering in order to artificially inflate the price of Legg Mason common stock. The action sought certification of a class of shareholders who purchased Legg Mason common stock in a secondary public offering on or about March 9, 2006 and sought unspecified damages.  Legg Mason intends to defend the action vigorously. On March 17, 2008, the action was dismissed with prejudice. The plaintiffs appealed the dismissal, and on September 30, 2009, the dismissal was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  The plaintiffs’ only procedural alternative at this time is to request the U.S. Supreme Court to permit the plaintiffs to appeal the Second Circuit’s judgment.  Legg Mason cannot predict whether any possible future action on this case will have a material adverse effect on the Company.


9. Earnings Per Share


Basic earnings per share attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. common shareholders (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income or loss attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The calculation of weighted average shares includes common shares and shares exchangeable into common stock.  Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS, but adjusts for the effect of potentially issuable common shares, except when inclusion is antidilutive.  


For periods where a net loss attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. is reported, the inclusion of potentially issuable common shares will decrease the net loss per share.  Since this would be antidilutive, such shares are excluded from the calculation.  Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 include all vested shares of restricted stock related to Legg Mason’s deferred compensation plans.  Legg Mason issued 18,600 shares of common stock through the Equity Units tender offer and 9,096 and 4,573 shares are included in weighted average shares outstanding for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  




22




The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted EPS:


 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

 

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

151,267

151,267

140,900

140,900

Potential common shares:

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options

-

83

-

-

Unvested shares related to deferred compensation

-

422

-

-

Shares issuable upon payment of contingent consideration

-

1,452

-

-

Total weighted average diluted shares

151,267

153,224

140,900

140,900

Net income (loss) attributable to

 Legg Mason, Inc.

$  45,774

$  45,774

$  (108,735)

$  (108,735)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to

 Legg Mason, Inc. common shareholders

$      0.30

$     0.30

$       (0.77)

$       (0.77)


 

Six Months Ended September 30,

 

2009

2008

 

Basic

Diluted

Basic

Diluted (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

146,696

146,696

140,573

140,573

Potential common shares:

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options

-

25

-

-

Unvested shares related to deferred compensation

-

325

-

-

Shares issuable upon payment of contingent consideration

-

1,662

-

-

Total weighted average diluted shares

146,696

148,708

140,573

140,573

Net income (loss) attributable to

 Legg Mason, Inc.

$  95,828

$  95,828

$  (144,862)

$  (144,862)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to

 Legg Mason, Inc. common shareholders

$      0.65

$     0.64

$       (1.03)

$       (1.03)

(1)   Diluted shares are the same as basic shares for periods with a loss.


The diluted EPS calculation for the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2008 excludes 5,425 and 5,270 potential common shares, respectively, that are antidilutive due to the net loss for the periods.  Also, the diluted EPS calculations for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 exclude any potential common shares issuable under the convertible 2.5% senior notes or the remaining convertible Equity Units because the market price of Legg Mason common stock has not exceeded the price at which conversion under either instrument would be dilutive using the treasury stock method.


In addition, during the current quarter, based on the revenues and earnings of Permal, Legg Mason increased its accrual for contingent consideration by $80 million, to $161 million, with a corresponding increase in goodwill.  Under the acquisition agreement, Legg Mason can settle up to 25% of this contingency with the issuance of its common shares and these potential shares are included in the shares issuable upon payment of contingent consideration.  




23




Options to purchase 5,153 shares for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 5,658 shares for the six months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the presumed proceeds from exercising such options exceed the average price of the common shares for the period and therefore the options are deemed antidilutive. Diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009 period also include unvested shares of restricted stock related to those plans, except for 1,221 and 1,319 shares, respectively, which were deemed antidilutive.


10. Liquidity Fund Support


The par value, support amounts, collateral and income statement impact for the three and six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, for all support provided to certain liquidity funds that remained outstanding as of the end of each period were as follows:


 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

Three Months

Six Months

Description

Par
Value

Support
Amount

Cash
Collateral(1)

Pre Tax
Gain(2)

After Tax
Gain(3)

Pre Tax
Gain(2)

After Tax
Gain(3)

Capital Support Agreements –
Non-asset Backed Securities

n/m

$  5,000

$  5,000

$ (5,613)

$ (4,041)

$ (23,171)

$ (16,565)



 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

Three Months

Six Months

Description

Par

Value

Support Amount

Cash Collateral(1)

Pre Tax Charge(2)

After Tax Charge(3)

Pre Tax Charge(2)

After Tax Charge(3)

Letters of Credit

$   437,000

$    150,000

$           —

$   18,168

$  10,695

$   40,223

$  22,610

Capital Support Agreements –Asset Backed Securities

2,311,000

1,025,000

1,025,000

226,008

133,044

436,807

258,160

Capital Support Agreements –
Non-asset Backed Securities

n/m

20,000

20,000

13,729

8,084

13,729

8,084

Total Return Swap

640,000

640,000

174,030

14,804

8,715

19,890

11,462

Purchase of Non-bank Sponsored SIVs(4)

613,000

596,000

51,789

30,488

80,333

45,945

Purchase of Canadian Conduit Securities

91,000

91,000

142

83

532

294

Total

 

$ 2,522,000

$1,219,030

$ 324,640

$ 191,109

$ 591,514

$ 346,555

1  Included in restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

2   Pre tax (gains) charges include (increases) reductions in the value of underlying securities, in addition to gains (losses), primarily related to foreign exchange forward contracts and interest payments received, of $2,540 and $(911) for  the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  These items are included in Other  income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

3   After tax and after giving effect to related operating expense adjustments, if applicable.

4  Securities issued by SIVs.


In April 2009, due to the stabilization of the net asset value of one of the supported liquidity funds, Legg Mason terminated one capital support agreement (“CSA”) to provide up to $7 million in contributions to the fund.


In July 2009, Legg Mason terminated another CSA to provide up to $7 million in contributions to one fund.



24





In September 2009, a CSA to provide up to $5 million in contributions to a fund expired in accordance with its terms and no amounts were drawn thereunder.


Also in September 2009, a CSA to provide up to $22.5 million in contributions to a fund was amended to reduce the maximum contribution that the Company would make to the fund thereunder to $5 million and extend the expiration of the CSA until March 2010.


11.  Variable Interest Entities


In the normal course of its business, Legg Mason sponsors and is the manager of various types of investment vehicles that are considered VIEs. For its services, Legg Mason is entitled to receive management fees and may be eligible, under certain circumstances, to receive additional subordinate management fees or other incentive fees. Legg Mason did not sell or transfer assets to any of the VIEs except for cash payments under fund support agreements. Legg Mason’s exposure to risk in these entities is generally limited to any equity investment it has made or is required to make and any earned but uncollected management fees. Uncollected management fees from these VIEs were not material at September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009. Legg Mason has not issued any investment performance guarantees to these VIEs or their investors.


During fiscal 2010 and 2009, Legg Mason had variable interests in certain liquidity funds to which it has provided various forms of credit and capital support. After evaluating both the contractual and implied variable interests in these funds, as of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, it has been determined that Legg Mason is not the primary beneficiary of these funds.


As of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, Legg Mason was the primary beneficiary of one sponsored investment fund VIE, due to the level of corporate ownership, which resulted in consolidation. This VIE had total assets and total equity of $61.8 million and $48.2 million as of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively. Legg Mason’s investment in this VIE was $32.3 million and $26.3 million as of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively, which represents the maximum risk of loss. The assets of this VIE are primarily comprised of investment securities.

 

As of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, for VIEs in which Legg Mason holds a significant variable interest or is the sponsor and holds a variable interest, but for which it was not the primary beneficiary, Legg Mason’s carrying value, the related VIEs’ assets and liabilities and maximum risk of loss were as follows:

 

As of September 30, 2009

 

VIE Assets That
the Company
Does Not
Consolidate

VIE Liabilities
That the
Company Does
Not Consolidate

Equity Interests
on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet

Maximum
Risk of Loss*

Liquidity funds subject to capital support

$   1,008,135

$            915

$        —

$   5,000

CDOs/CLOs

3,909,553

3,601,583

938

Other sponsored investment funds

17,681,585

2,408

46,454

65,446

Total

$ 22,599,273

$  3,604,906

$ 46,454

$ 71,384






25







 

As of March 31, 2009

 

VIE Assets That
the Company
Does Not
Consolidate

VIE Liabilities
That the
Company Does
Not Consolidate

Equity Interests
on the
Consolidated
Balance Sheet

Maximum
Risk of Loss*

Liquidity funds subject to capital support

$   7,548,539

$    121,338

$        —

$ 41,500

CDOs/CLOs

5,116,004

4,786,604

1,566

Other sponsored investment funds

18,241,540

3,381

34,458

52,019

Total

$ 30,906,083

$ 4,911,323

$ 34,458

$ 95,085

*

Includes capital support to liquidity funds, equity interests the Company has made or is required to make and any earned but uncollected management fees.

 

The assets of these VIEs are primarily comprised of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and the liabilities are primarily comprised of debt and various expense accruals.


12.  Derivatives and Hedging


During the three and six months ended September 30, 2009, Legg Mason did not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under accounting guidance for derivative and hedging activities.


Legg Mason continues to use currency forwards to economically hedge the risk of movements in exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar, euro, Great Britain pound, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar.  As of September 30, 2009, Legg Mason had open currency forward contracts with aggregate gross fair values of $3,076 and $1,858, classified as Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively.  In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Legg Mason nets the fair value of certain foreign currency forwards executed with the same counterparty where Legg Mason has both the legal right and intent to settle the contracts on a net basis.  For the quarter and six months ended September 30, 2009, Legg Mason recognized losses of $4,195 and $7,753 included in Other expense relating to currency forward contracts intended to offset actual movements in currency exchange rates.


As more fully described in Note 10, Legg Mason has engaged in various forms of liquidity fund support transactions that constitute derivatives.





26




Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Legg Mason, Inc., a holding company, with its subsidiaries (which collectively comprise “Legg Mason”) is a global asset management firm. Acting through our subsidiaries, we provide investment management and related services to institutional and individual clients, company-sponsored mutual funds and other investment vehicles. We offer these products and services directly and through various financial intermediaries. We have operations principally in the United States of America and the United Kingdom and also have offices in Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Poland, Singapore, Spain and Taiwan.


We operate in one reportable business segment, Asset Management, with two divisions or operating segments:  Americas and International, which are primarily based on the geographic location of the advisor or the domicile of the fund families we manage.  The Americas Division consists of our U.S.-domiciled fund families, the separate account business of our U.S.-based investment affiliates and the U.S. distribution organization.  Similarly, the International Division consists of our fund complexes, distribution teams and investment affiliates located outside the U.S.


Our financial position and results of operations are materially affected by the overall trends and conditions of the financial markets, particularly in the United States, but increasingly in the other countries in which we operate. Results of any individual period should not be considered representative of future results. Our profitability is sensitive to a variety of factors, including, among other things, the amount and composition of our assets under management, and the volatility and general level of securities prices and interest rates.  Sustained periods of unfavorable market conditions are likely to affect our profitability adversely. In addition, the diversification of services and products offered, investment performance, access to distribution channels, reputation in the market, attracting and retaining key employees and client relations are significant factors in determining whether we are successful in attracting and retaining clients.  For a further discussion of factors that may affect our results of operations, refer to Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.


Certain prior year amounts have been retrospectively revised as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance relating to financial statement presentation of noncontrolling interests and debt with conversion and other options.  See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the adoption of new accounting guidance.


Terms such as “we,” “us,” “our,” and “company” refer to Legg Mason.





27




Business Environment


The financial environment in the United States continued to show further signs of improvement during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. During the quarter, equity markets rose as a result of slowing growth in unemployment rates, although still at elevated levels, stabilization of the financial sector, and improved consumer confidence and earnings across most industries. As a result, all three major U.S. equity market indices increased sharply during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. In the three months ended September 30, 2009, the NASDAQ Composite Index1 increased 16%, and the S&P 5002 and Dow Jones Industrial Average3 each increased 15%. In the six months ended September 30, 2009, the NASDAQ Composite Index, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 39%, 32%, and 28%, respectively. The Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index4 and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 also increased 6% and 4%, respectively, during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and increased 11% and 6%, respectively, during the six months ended September 30, 2009.   During the quarter, the Federal Funds rate remained at 0.25%. However, despite recent improvements, the financial environment in which we operate continues to be challenging, and we expect the challenges presented by high unemployment and troubles in the real estate and credit markets to persist throughout the rest of the fiscal year. We cannot predict how these uncertainties will impact the Company’s results.


Quarter Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2008


Assets Under Management

The components of the changes in our assets under management (“AUM”) (in billions) for the three months ended September 30 were as follows:

 

2009

2008

Beginning of period

$ 656.9

$ 922.8

Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds

 

 

Sales

9.7

15.4

Redemptions

(8.8)

(21.0)

Separate account flows, net

(11.4)

(17.5)

Liquidity fund flows, net

2.4

         3.1

Net client cash flows

(8.1)

(20.0)

Market performance and other (1)

53.9

(60.9)

End of period

$ 702.7

$ 841.9

(1)

Includes impact of foreign exchange

In the last three months, AUM increased by $45.8 billion or 7.0% from $656.9 billion at June 30, 2009 to $702.7 billion at September 30, 2009. The increase in AUM was attributable to market appreciation of $54 billion, of which approximately 9% resulted from the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuation, which was partially offset by net client outflows of $8 billion. Net client outflows improved 73% compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and improvements were seen in all asset classes. The majority of outflows were from fixed income with $10 billion, or 80% of the outflows, followed by equity outflows of $2 billion. Liquidity

1 NASDAQ is a trademark of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.

2 S&P is a trademark of Standard & Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.

3 Dow Jones Industrial Average is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.

4 Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index are trademarks of Barclays Capital, which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.




28




inflows were $4 billion. The majority of fixed income outflows were in products managed by Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). Equity outflows were primarily experienced at ClearBridge Advisors LLC (“ClearBridge”) and Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (“Batterymarch”). However, equity and fixed income outflows continue to decline and were significantly reduced compared to last quarter, 61% and 57%, respectively.  As of September 30, 2009, our alternative investments are now classified as investment funds for reporting purposes.  Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Permal experienced gross redemptions of approximately $1.2 billion, of which $1.0 billion were anticipated at the end of the June 2009 quarter due to their requirement for 95 days prior written notice of redemptions.  These redemptions were substantially offset by $1.0 billion of subscriptions during the current quarter.  During the quarter, Permal reduced, from 95 days to 35 days, the requirement for prior written notice of redemptions.  It is expected that by January 2010 Permal will return to a redemption notice period of 20 days.


AUM at September 30, 2009 were $702.7 billion, a decrease of $139.2 billion or 16.5% from September 30, 2008. The decrease in AUM was attributable to net client outflows of $159 billion, partially offset by market appreciation of $20 billion, of which approximately 42% resulted from the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuation. There were net client outflows in all asset classes. The majority of outflows were in fixed income with $98 billion, or 62% of the outflows, followed by equity outflows and liquidity outflows of $35 billion and $26 billion, respectively. The majority of fixed income outflows were in products managed by Western Asset that had experienced investment underperformance. Equity outflows were primarily experienced by products managed at ClearBridge, LMCM and Permal.  Due in part to investment underperformance, we have experienced net equity outflows since fiscal 2007.  We generally earn higher fees and profits on equity AUM, and outflows in this asset class will more negatively impact our revenues and net income than would outflows in other asset classes. In addition, we have experienced outflows in our fixed income asset class for the past several quarters. While net outflows in the equity and fixed income areas have continued we have experienced improved net flows in all asset classes over the last four quarters.


AUM by Asset Class


AUM by asset class (in billions) as of September 30 was as follows:

 

 

 

% of

 

% of

%

 

2009

Total

2008

Total

Change

Equity

$  165.6

23.6 %

$  214.8

25.5 %

 (22.9) %

Fixed Income

385.7

54.9

451.8

53.7

(14.6)

Liquidity

151.4

21.5

175.3

20.8

(13.6)

Total

$  702.7

100.0 %

$  841.9

100.0 %

(16.5) %




29




The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were as follows:


 

Equity

Fixed
Income

Liquidity

Total

June 30, 2009

$ 143.6

$ 366.6

$ 146.7

$ 656.9

Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds

 

 

 

 

Sales

4.8

4.9

9.7

Redemptions

(5.5)

(3.3)

(8.8)

Separate account flows, net

(1.8)

(11.3)

1.7

(11.4)

Liquidity fund flows, net

2.4

2.4

Net client cash flows

(2.5)

(9.7)

4.1

(8.1)

Market performance

24.5

28.8

0.6

53.9

September 30, 2009

$ 165.6

$ 385.7

$ 151.4

$ 702.7


Average AUM by asset class (in billions) for the three months ended September 30 was as follows:

 

 

 

% of

 

% of

%

 

2009

Total

2008

Total

Change

Equity

$  155.7

22.8 %

$  239.9

26.7 %

(35.1)  %

Fixed Income

377.5

55.2

476.7

53.1

(20.8)

Liquidity

150.8

22.0

181.8

20.2

(17.1)

Total

$  684.0

100.0 %

$  898.4

100.0 %

(23.9)  %


AUM by Division

AUM by division (in billions) as of September 30 was as follows:


 

 

% of

 

% of

%

 

2009

Total

2008

Total

Change

Americas

$ 484.3

68.9 %

$  591.5

70.3 %

(18.1) %

International

218.4

31.1

250.4

29.7

(12.8)

Total

$ 702.7

100.0 %

$  841.9

100.0 %

(16.5) %


The component changes in our AUM by division (in billions) for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

Americas

International

Total

June 30, 2009

$  457.1

$  199.8

$  656.9

Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds

 

 

 

Sales

5.9

3.8

9.7

Redemptions

(6.0)

(2.8)

(8.8)

Separate account flows, net

(7.2)

(4.2)

(11.4)

Liquidity fund flows, net

(4.5)

6.9

2.4

Net client cash flows

(11.8)

3.7

(8.1)

Market performance and other

39.0

14.9

53.9

September 30, 2009

$ 484.3

$ 218.4

$ 702.7



30







Investment Performance(5)

Investment performance in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 continued to improve relative to respective benchmarks from the previous quarter. Optimism seemed to dominate the markets as improved economic data further supported expectations of a global economic recovery throughout the quarter. Despite this optimism, the prolonged high jobless rate weighed heavily on investors and policy makers.  As of September 30, 2009, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods approximately 77%, 60%, 71%, and 92%, respectively, of our marketed equity composite(6) assets outpaced their benchmarks. As of September 30, 2008, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods approximately 43%, 43%, 44%, and 95%, respectively, of our marketed equity composite assets outpaced their benchmarks.

In the fixed income markets, government yields decreased during the quarter as demand continued to be strong overseas and was supported by the Federal Reserve purchase program. With the return of an appetite for risk and credit conditions improving, many sector spreads narrowed, most notably investment-grade and high-yield credit.

The Treasury yield curve flattened from last quarter with the 30-year yield declining 0.28%. The best performing major fixed income sector was high yield as measured by the Barclays U.S. High Yield returning 14.22% and the worst performing fixed income sector was Government bonds as measured by the Barclays U.S. Government Bond returning 2.03%. As of September 30, 2009, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods approximately 82%, 15%, 23%, and 78%, respectively, of our marketed fixed income composite assets outpaced their benchmarks. As of September 30, 2008, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods approximately 5%, 11%, 18%, and 77%, respectively, of our fixed income marketed composite assets outpaced their benchmarks.

As of September 30, 2009, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods 81%, 65%, 62%, and 81%, respectively, of our U.S. long-term mutual fund(7) assets outpaced their Lipper category average.  As of September 30, 2008, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods 45%, 49%, 56%, and 86%, respectively, of our U.S. long-term mutual fund(7) assets outpaced their Lipper category average.

As of September 30, 2009, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods 81%, 64%, 60%, and 80%, respectively, of our U.S. equity mutual fund(7) assets outpaced their Lipper category average. As of September 30, 2008, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods 50%, 55%, 46%, and 84%, respectively, of our U.S. equity mutual fund(7) assets outpaced their Lipper category average.

As of September 30, 2009, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods 80%, 70%, 68%, and 86%, respectively, of our U.S. fixed income mutual fund(7) assets outpaced their Lipper category average. As of September 30, 2008, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods 36%, 37%, 68%, and 83%, respectively, of our U.S. fixed income mutual fund(7) assets outpaced their Lipper category average.

5   Index performance in this section includes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.

6  A composite is an aggregation of discretionary portfolios (separate accounts and investment funds) into a single group that represents a particular investment objective or strategy. Each of our asset managers has its own specific guidelines for including portfolios in its marketed composites. Assets under management that are not managed in accordance with the guidelines are not included in a composite. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, 86% of our equity assets under management in each period, and 83% and 81%, of our fixed income assets under management, respectively, were in marketed composites.

7  Source: Lipper Inc. includes open-end, closed-end, and variable annuity funds. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, the U.S. long-term mutual fund assets represented in the data accounted for 14% and 13%, respectively, of our total assets under management. The performance of our U.S. long-term mutual fund assets is included in the marketed composites.



31





Revenue by Division

Operating revenues by division (in millions) for the three months ended September 30 were as follows:


 

 

% of

 

% of

%

 

2009

Total

2008

Total

Change

Americas

$ 469.6

71.2%

$  645.5

 66.8%

(27.3)%

International

190.3

28.8

320.6

33.2

(40.6)

Total

$ 659.9

100.0%

$  966.1

100.0%

(31.7)%


The decrease in operating revenues in the Americas division was primarily due to decreased mutual fund advisory fees on assets managed by Western Asset, LMCM, and ClearBridge, decreased separate account advisory fees on assets managed by Western Asset and ClearBridge and decreased distribution and service fee revenues from U.S. retail equity and liquidity funds.  The decrease in operating revenues in the International division was primarily due to decreased fund revenues at Permal.


Results of Operations


Operating Revenues

Total operating revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $659.9 million, down 32% from $966.1 million in the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of a 24% decrease in average AUM, driven by a decline in average equity assets of 35%, fixed income assets of 21%, and liquidity assets of 17%.  The shift in the mix of AUM from higher fee equity assets to a greater percentage of fixed income and liquidity assets also contributed to the revenue decline.  


Investment advisory fees from separate accounts decreased $76.1 million, or 27%, to $207.0 million.  Of this decrease, $38.4 million was the result of lower average equity assets at ClearBridge, Private Capital Management, LP (“PCM”), LMCM, Brandywine, and Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (“Batterymarch”) and $33.8 million was the result of lower average fixed income assets managed at Western Asset.


Investment advisory fees from funds decreased $193.5 million, or 36%, to $347.4 million.  Of this decrease, approximately $136 million was the result of lower average equity assets managed at Permal, LMCM, ClearBridge, and Royce, and approximately $33 million was the result of lower average fixed income and liquidity assets managed at Western Asset.


Performance fees increased $6.1 million to $9.6 million, primarily as a result of higher performance fees earned on assets managed by Western Asset and alternative investment products managed by Permal.


Distribution and service fees decreased $41.2 million, or 30%, to $94.6 million, primarily as a result of a decline in average AUM of the retail share classes of our domestic equity and liquidity funds and our alternative investment products, which resulted in a decrease of $32.4 million and $9.6 million, respectively.  




32




Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the quarter ended September 30, 2009, when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2008, benefited from cost reduction initiatives implemented through June 2009.  The discussion below for each of our operating expenses identifies the amount of variance attributable to these cost-saving initiatives, where the initiatives were a significant driver of the variance.  A portion of our cost saving initiatives were realized in the September 2008 quarter and thus will not be reflected in the year-over-year cost savings-related variance, and certain costs, such as compensation and promotional expenses, have increased as a result of higher levels of revenues.

Compensation and benefits decreased 11% to $287.6 million.  This decrease was primarily driven by a $56 million decrease in revenue share based compensation, primarily resulting from lower revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and the impact of cost savings initiatives such as reductions in headcount, discretionary incentives and other discretionary compensation that lowered compensation by approximately $16 million.  These were offset in part by an increase in deferred compensation obligations of approximately $39 million resulting from market gains on assets invested for deferred compensation plans (which are offset by gains in other non-operating income).  Compensation as a percentage of operating revenues increased to 43.6% from 33.3% in the prior year period primarily as a result of compensation increases related to unrealized market gains on assets invested for deferred compensation plans and a reduction in non-compensation operating expenses at affiliates under revenue-sharing agreements, which results in a corresponding increase in incentive compensation.  In addition, the impact of fixed compensation costs which do not vary with revenues, contributed to the increase.


Distribution and servicing expenses decreased 37% to $174.4 million as a result of a decrease in average AUM in certain products for which we pay fees to third-party distributors.


Communications and technology expense decreased 17% to $40.5 million, as a result of a $3.5 million reduction in printing costs, a $2.3 million reduction in technology depreciation expense, which resulted from the full depreciation of certain assets prior to the current quarter, and cost savings initiatives that contributed to a $1.9 million decrease in technology consulting fees.  


Occupancy expense increased 6% to $35.7 million, primarily due to increased costs associated with the relocation to our new corporate headquarters, including approximately $1.5 million for duplicate facilities during the transition.


Amortization of intangible assets decreased 41% to $5.7 million, primarily as a result of the impact of the asset impairments during fiscal 2009, which reduced amortization expense by $3.7 million.


Other expenses decreased 27% to $38.2 million, primarily as a result of reductions in advertising and travel and entertainment costs of $3.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively, as well as $2.0 million of foreign currency gains.


As discussed above, during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we relocated our corporate headquarters. As a result of changes in facilities utilization plans, including headcount reductions, we are currently pursuing sub-tenants for certain floors under lease.  If we secure a sublease or determine the space will not be used in the future, we expect to recognize a charge, given the current commercial real estate market, of approximately $30 million for the present value of the amount by which our commitment under our lease exceeds the amount due to us



33




under the expected sub-lease terms. However, subsequent to any such charge, occupancy expense will be reduced by the amount of our lease costs attributable to the sublet floors.

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

Interest income decreased 92% to $1.7 million, primarily as a result of a decline in average interest rates earned on investment balances and lower average investment balances, which reduced interest income by $15.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively.


Interest expense decreased 38% to $28.6 million, primarily as a result of a $15.2 million decrease due to the exchange of our Equity Units in the current year quarter, as well as a $3.5 million reduction due to the repayment of $250 million of outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and lower interest rates paid on our term loans.


Fund support losses decreased by $330.3 million to income of $5.6 million, primarily as a result of our elimination of structured investment vehicles (“SIV”) exposure in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Due to continued improvement in financial markets during the three months ended September 30, 2009, and the related impact on the net asset values of supported liquidity funds, we reversed unrealized, non-cash losses recorded in fiscal 2009 of $5.5 million on liquidity fund support arrangements for our offshore funds.  See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


Other income (expense) increased $57.0 million to income of $18.3 million, primarily as a result of an increase of $44.7 million in unrealized market gains on assets held in deferred compensation plans, which are substantially offset by corresponding compensation increases discussed above, and $29.8 million in unrealized market gains on investments in proprietary fund products.  These increases were offset in part by a loss related to the exchange of 91% of our Equity Units in the current period quarter of $22.0 million.


Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

The provision for income taxes was $27.7 million compared to a benefit of $58.9 million in the prior year period, primarily as a result of increased earnings due to the absence of losses related to liquidity fund support. The effective tax rate was 36.9% compared to 35.1% in the prior year period, primarily due to fund support losses in the prior year with lower state tax benefits.


Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

Net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $45.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $108.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, in the prior year period.  Cash income (see Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 totaled $94.0 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, compared to cash loss of $50.9 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.  These increases were due to losses related to liquidity fund support in the prior year quarter, net of income tax benefits, which were offset in part by an overall reduction in our operating revenues due to a 24% decline in average AUM.  The pre-tax profit margin increased to 11.4% from (17.4%) in the prior year period.  The pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted (see Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information), for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 15.4% and (24.4%), respectively.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, gains related to liquidity fund support increased the pre-tax profit margin and pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted, by 0.9 percentage points and 1.2 percentage points, respectively.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, losses related to liquidity fund support reduced the pre-tax profit margin and the pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted, by 32.0 percentage points and 45.1 percentage points, respectively.



34




Six Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Six Months Ended September 30, 2008


Assets Under Management

The components of the changes in our assets under management (“AUM”) (in billions) for the six months ended September 30 were as follows:

 

2009

2008

Beginning of period

$ 632.4

$ 950.1

Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds

 

 

Sales

17.8

28.7

Redemptions

(20.0)

(38.8)

Separate account flows, net

(36.6)

(37.0)

Liquidity fund flows, net

0.4

         8.6

Net client cash flows

(38.4)

(38.5)

Market performance and other (1)

108.7

(69.2)

Acquisitions (dispositions), net

-

(0.5)

End of period

$ 702.7

$ 841.9

(1)

Includes impact of foreign exchange


AUM by Asset Class


Average AUM by asset class (in billions) for the six months ended September 30 was as follows:

 

 

 

% of

 

% of

%

 

2009

Total

2008

Total

Change

Equity

$  147.3

22.1%

$  255.7

27.7 %

(42.4)  %

Fixed Income

370.4

55.5

489.3

53.0

(24.3)

Liquidity

149.2

22.4

178.6

19.3

(16.5)

Total

$  666.9

100.0 %

$  923.6

100.0 %

(27.8)  %


The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the six months ended September 30, 2009 were as follows:


 

Equity

Fixed
Income

Liquidity

Total

March 31, 2009

$ 126.9

$ 357.6

$ 147.9

$ 632.4

Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds

 

 

 

 

Sales

9.0

8.8

17.8

Redemptions

(12.0)

(8.0)

(20.0)

Separate account flows, net

(5.9)

(32.6)

1.9

(36.6)

Liquidity fund flows, net

0.4

0.4

Net client cash flows

(8.9)

(31.8)

2.3

(38.4)

Market performance and other

47.6

59.9

1.2

108.7

September 30, 2009

$ 165.6

$ 385.7

$ 151.4

$ 702.7




35




AUM by Division


The component changes in our AUM by division (in billions) for the six months ended September 30, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

Americas

International

Total

March 31, 2009

$  446.7

$  185.7

$  632.4

Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds

 

 

 

Sales

11.3

6.5

17.8

Redemptions

(12.9)

(7.1)

(20.0)

Separate account flows, net

(27.6)

(9.0)

(36.6)

Liquidity fund flows, net

(9.6)

10.0

0.4

Net client cash flows

(38.8)

0.4

(38.4)

Market performance and other

76.4

32.3

108.7

September 30, 2009

$ 484.3

$  218.4

$  702.7


In the last six months, AUM increased by $70.3 billion or 11% from $632.4 billion at March 31, 2009. The increase in AUM was attributable to market appreciation of $109 billion, of which approximately 11% resulted from the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuation, which was partially offset by net client outflows of $38 billion. The majority of outflows were in fixed income with $32 billion, or 78% of the outflows, followed by equity outflows of $9 billion and partially offset by net liquidity inflows of $2 billion. The majority of fixed income outflows were in products managed by Western Asset and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine”) that had experienced investment underperformance. Equity outflows, which in part were driven by investment underperformance, particularly in prior quarters, were primarily experienced by equity products managed at ClearBridge, LMCM, and Batterymarch.  Permal also had outflows.


Revenue by Division

Operating revenues by division (in millions) for the six months ended September 30 were as follows:


 

 

% of

 

% of

%

 

2009

Total

2008

Total

Change

Americas

$     914.2

71.8%

$  1,359.5

 67.3%

(32.8)%

International

358.8

28.2

660.7

32.7

(45.7)

Total

$  1,273.0

100.0%

$  2,020.2

100.0%

(37.0)%


The decrease in operating revenues in the Americas division was primarily due to decreased mutual fund advisory fees on assets managed by Western Asset, LMCM, ClearBridge and Royce & Associates, LLC (“Royce”), decreased separate account advisory fees on assets managed by Western Asset and ClearBridge and decreased distribution and service fee revenues from U.S. retail equity funds.  The decrease in operating revenues in the International division was primarily due to decreased fund revenues at Permal and decreased separate account advisory fees on assets managed by the international operations of Western Asset.   




36




Results of Operations


Operating Revenues

Total operating revenues in the six months ended September 30, 2009 were $1.27 billion, down 37% from $2.02 billion in the prior year period, primarily as a result of a 28% decrease in average AUM, driven by a decline in average equity assets of 47%, fixed income assets of 24%, and liquidity assets of 10%.  The shift in the mix of AUM from higher fee equity assets to a greater percentage of fixed income and liquidity assets also contributed to the revenue decline.  


Investment advisory fees from separate accounts decreased $201.9 million, or 34%, to $397.9 million.  Of this decrease, $107.1 million was the result of lower average equity assets at ClearBridge, PCM, LMCM, Brandywine, and Batterymarch and $77.2 million was the result of lower average fixed income assets managed at Western Asset.


Investment advisory fees from funds decreased $435.0 million, or 39%, to $675.4 million.  Of this decrease, approximately $315 million was the result of lower average equity assets managed at Permal, LMCM, ClearBridge, and Royce, and approximately $68 million was the result of lower average fixed income and liquidity assets managed at Western Asset.


Performance fees increased $1.7 million, or 12%, to $15.3 million, primarily as a result of fees earned on assets managed at Western Asset.


Distribution and service fees decreased $108.0 million, or 37%, to $181.3 million, primarily as a result of a decline in average AUM of the retail share classes of our domestic equity and liquidity funds and our alternative investment products, which resulted in a decrease of $79.2 million and $17.8 million, respectively.  


Operating Expenses

Compensation and benefits decreased 21% to $556.4 million.  This decrease was primarily driven by a $164 million decrease in revenue share based compensation, primarily resulting from lower revenues in the six months ended September 30, 2009, and the impact of cost savings initiatives such as reductions in headcount, discretionary incentives and other discretionary compensation that lowered compensation by approximately $39 million.  These were offset in part by an increase in deferred compensation obligations of approximately $65 million resulting from market gains on assets invested for deferred compensation plans (which are offset by gains in other non-operating income (expense)).  Compensation as a percentage of operating revenues increased to 43.7% from 34.6% in the prior year period primarily as a result of compensation increases related to unrealized market gains on assets invested for deferred compensation plans, the impact of fixed compensation costs which do not vary with revenues and reduced revenues at affiliates without a proportionate reduction in incentive compensation.

Distribution and servicing expenses decreased 41% to $346.9 million as a result of a decrease in average AUM in certain products for which we pay fees to third-party distributors.


Communications and technology expense decreased 18% to $81.0 million, primarily as a result of cost savings initiatives that led to an $8.7 million decrease in technology consulting fees and telecommunications services.  Reductions in printing costs and lower technology depreciation expense, which resulted from the full depreciation of certain assets prior to or during the six months ended September 30, 2009, of $5.1 million and $3.9 million, respectively, also contributed to the decrease.  




37




Occupancy expense increased 1% to $68.3 million, primarily due to $4.4 million of incremental costs from the relocation of our corporate headquarters, which was partially offset by the impact of the recognition of a $3.4 million loss related to a sublease agreement recorded in the prior year period.


Amortization of intangible assets decreased 41% to $11.3 million, primarily as a result of the impact of the asset impairments during fiscal 2009, which reduced amortization expense by $7.3 million.


Other expenses decreased 25% to $73.0 million, primarily as a result of cost savings initiatives that contributed to reduced travel and entertainment costs of $13.1 million and advertising costs of $5.8 million.


Other Non-Operating Income (Expense)

Interest income decreased 92% to $3.6 million, primarily as a result of a decline in average interest rates and lower average investment balances, which reduced interest income by $29.5 million and $10.7 million, respectively.


Interest expense decreased 20% to $72.0 million, primarily as the result of a $15.0 million decrease due to the repayment of our 6.75% senior notes in July 2008, the repayment of $250 million of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility in March 2009 and lower interest rates paid on our term loans.  The exchange of our Equity Units in the six months ended September 30, 2009 also reduced interest expense by $7.0 million.  These decreases were offset in part by an increase in amortization of debt issuance costs of $2.2 million.


Due to improvement in financial markets during the six months ended September 30, 2009, and the related impact on the net asset values of supported liquidity funds, we reversed unrealized, non-cash losses recorded in fiscal 2009 of $20.6 million related to liquidity fund support arrangements for our offshore funds.  During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded losses of $591.5 million related to liquidity fund support.  See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


Other income (expense) increased $102.1 million to income of $64.7 million, primarily as a result of an increase of $74.0 million in unrealized market gains on assets held in deferred compensation plans, which are substantially offset by corresponding compensation increases discussed above, and $51.6 million in unrealized market gains on investments in proprietary fund products.  These increases were offset in part by the impact of $22.0 million in charges related to the exchange of 91% of our Equity Units in the current quarter.


Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

The provision for income taxes was $56.1 million compared to a benefit of $80.6 million in the prior year period, primarily as a result of increased earnings due to the absence of losses related to liquidity fund support. The effective tax rate was 36.0% compared to 35.7% in the prior year period.


Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

Net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the six months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $95.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared to net loss attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. of $144.9 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the prior year period.  Cash income (see Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information) for the six months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $193.4 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared to cash loss of $39.9 million,



38




or $0.28 per diluted share in the prior year period.  These increases were due to a reduction in losses related to liquidity fund support, net of income tax benefits, and the reduction of our operating expenses as a result of cost-savings initiatives implemented during fiscal 2009, which were offset in part by an overall reduction in our operating revenues due to a 28% decline in average AUM.  The pre-tax profit margin increased to 12.2% from (11.2%) in the prior year period.  The pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted (see Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information), for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 16.8% and (15.7%), respectively.  During the six months ended September 30, 2009, gains related to liquidity fund support increased the pre-tax profit margin and pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted, by 1.8 percentage points and 2.5 percentage points, respectively.  During the six months ended September 30, 2008, losses related to liquidity fund support reduced the pre-tax profit margin and the pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted, by 27.8 percentage points and 39.2 percentage points, respectively.


Quarter Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2009


Results of Operations

Net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 was $45.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to $50.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the quarter ended June 30, 2009.  Operating revenues increased 8%, from $613.1 million in the June 2009 quarter to $659.9 million in the September 2009 quarter, reflecting a 6% increase in average AUM, as well as an increase in the percentage of higher yielding equity assets and higher performance fees.  Operating expenses increased 5%, from $554.8 million in the June 2009 quarter to $582.0 million in the September 2009 quarter.  This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in revenue-share based compensation expense on higher revenues, and $3.5 million in additional occupancy expense related to the move of our corporate headquarters during the September quarter.  Other income (expense) was ($2.9) million, compared to $22.4 million in the June 2009 quarter.  The decrease in other income (expense) was primarily due to an $11.9 million decrease in gains from fund support, a $7.3 million decline in market gains on assets invested for deferred compensation plans and seed investments, which have a corresponding offset in compensation and benefits, and $22.0 million of transaction costs from the exchange of our Equity Units, which was partially offset by a $14.8 million reduction in interest expense from the exchange.  Cash income (see Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information) was $94.0 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the September quarter, compared to $99.3 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the June quarter. The decrease was attributable to the decrease in other income (expense) and increase in operating expenses, which were partially offset by the increase in operating revenues, as described above. The pre-tax profit margin was 11.4% in the September 2009 quarter compared to 13.2% in the prior quarter.  The pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted (see Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information), was 15.4% in the September 2009 quarter compared to 18.3% in the June 2009 quarter.  

         



39




Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information


Cash Income

As supplemental information, we are providing a performance measure that is based on a methodology other than generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) for “cash income” that management uses as a benchmark in evaluating and comparing the period-to-period operating performance of Legg Mason.

We define “cash income” as net income (loss) attributable to Legg Mason, Inc., plus amortization and deferred taxes related to intangible assets and goodwill, and imputed interest and tax benefits on contingent convertible debt less deferred income taxes on goodwill and intangible asset impairment.

We believe that cash income (loss) provides a good representation of our operating performance adjusted for non-cash acquisition related items and other items that facilitate comparison of our results to the results of other asset management firms that have not issued contingent convertible debt or made significant acquisitions, including any related goodwill or intangible asset impairments.

We also believe that cash income (loss) is an important metric in estimating the value of an asset management business.  This measure is provided in addition to net income (loss), but is not a substitute for net income (loss) and may not be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures, including measures of cash earnings or cash income, of other companies. Further, cash income (loss) is not a liquidity measure and should not be used in place of cash flow measures determined under GAAP. We consider cash income to be useful to investors because it is an important metric in measuring the economic performance of asset management companies, as an indicator of value and because it facilitates comparisons of our operating results with the results of other asset management firms that have not issued contingent convertible debt or engaged in significant acquisitions.

In calculating cash income, we add the impact of the amortization of intangible assets from acquisitions, such as management contracts, to net income (loss) to reflect the fact that these non-cash expenses distort comparisons of our operating results with the results of other asset management firms that have not engaged in significant acquisitions. Deferred taxes on indefinite-life intangible assets and goodwill represent actual tax benefits that are not realized under GAAP absent an impairment charge or the disposition of the related business. Because we actually receive these tax benefits on indefinite-life intangible assets and goodwill over time, we add them to net income in the calculation of cash income. Conversely, we subtract the income tax benefits on these impairment charges that have been recognized under GAAP.  We also include imputed interest, which is a non-cash expense, on contingent convertible debt required by new accounting guidance as well as the actual tax benefits on the related contingent convertible debt that are not realized under GAAP.   

Should a disposition or impairment charge for indefinite-life intangibles or goodwill occur, its impact on cash income may distort actual changes in the operating performance or value of our firm. Accordingly, we monitor these items and their related impact, including taxes, on cash income to ensure that appropriate adjustments and explanations accompany disclosures.

Although depreciation and amortization on fixed assets are non-cash expenses, we do not add these charges in calculating cash income (loss) because these charges are related to assets that will ultimately require replacement.



40




A reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. to cash income (loss) (in thousands except per share amounts) is as follows:


 

   Three Months Ended

 

September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

 

2009

2009

2008

Net income (loss) attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

$ 45,774

$  50,054

$  (108,735)

Plus:

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

5,664

5,628

9,599

Deferred income taxes on intangible assets

34,023

35,297

   40,201

Imputed interest on convertible debt

8,587

8,364

8,062

Cash income (loss)

$ 94,048

$  99,343

$    (50,873)

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per diluted share

$     0.30

$      0.35

$        (0.77)

Plus:

 

 

 

 Amortization of intangible assets

0.04

0.04

0.07

 Deferred income taxes on intangible assets

0.22

0.24

0.28

 Imputed interest on convertible debt

0.05

0.06

0.06

Cash income (loss)

$     0.61

$      0.69

$         (0.36)

 

 

 

 


The decrease in cash income from the quarter ended June 30, 2009, was primarily driven by the decrease in other income (expense) and increase in operating expenses, which were partially offset by the increase in operating revenues, as described above.  The increase in cash income from the quarter ended September 30, 2008, was primarily driven by the increases in net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc., as described above.  Deferred income taxes on intangible assets in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 includes the impact of imputed interest on a contingent earnout payment to PCM in that quarter.



41





 

Six Months Ended

 

September 30,

 

2009

2008

Net income (loss) attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

$    95,828

$  (144,862)

Plus:

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

11,292

19,223

Deferred income taxes on intangible assets

69,320

   69,855

Imputed interest on convertible debt

16,951

15,915

Cash income (loss)

$  193,391

$    (39,869)

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per diluted share

$        0.64

$        (1.03)

Plus:

 

 

 Amortization of intangible assets

0.08

0.14

 Deferred income taxes on intangible assets

0.47

0.50

 Imputed interest on convertible debt

0.11

0.11

Cash income (loss)

$        1.30

$        (0.28)

 

 

 


The increase in cash income from the six months ended September 30, 2008, was primarily driven by the increases in net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc., as described above.  The decrease in amortization of intangible assets is due to the impact of impairments recognized during fiscal 2009.


Pre-tax Profit Margin, as adjusted

We calculate “pre-tax margin, as adjusted,” by dividing income (loss) from operations before income tax provision by our operating revenues less distribution and servicing expenses that are passed through to third-party distributors, which we refer to as “adjusted operating revenues”.  We believe that pre-tax profit margin adjusted for distribution and servicing expense is a useful measure of our performance because it indicates what our pre-tax profit margin would have been without the distribution revenues that are passed through to third parties as a direct cost of selling our products, and thus shows the effect of these revenues on our pre-tax profit margin. This measure is provided in addition to the pre-tax profit margin calculated under GAAP, but is not a substitute for calculations of margin under GAAP and may not be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures, including measures of adjusted margins, of other companies.




42




A reconciliation of pre-tax profit margin adjusted for distribution and servicing expense is as follows:


 

Three Months Ended

 

September 30,

 

2009

2008

Operating Revenues, GAAP basis

$  659,896

$   966,137

    Less:

 

 

Distribution and servicing expense

174,388

278,969

Operating Revenues, as adjusted

$  485,508

$   687,168

 

 

 

Income (Loss) before Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

$    74,993

$  (167,880)

 

 

 

Pre-tax profit margin, GAAP basis

11.4%

(17.4%)

Pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted

15.4

(24.4)


 

Six Months Ended

 

September 30,

 

2009

2008

Operating Revenues, GAAP basis

$  1,272,980

$  2,020,168

    Less:

 

 

Distribution and servicing expense

346,852

586,842

Operating Revenues, as adjusted

$     926,128

$  1,433,326

 

 

 

Income (Loss) before Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

$     155,697

$    (225,695)

 

 

 

Pre-tax profit margin, GAAP basis

12.2%

(11.2%)

Pre-tax profit margin, as adjusted

16.8

(15.7)


Liquidity and Capital Resources


The primary objective of our capital structure and funding practices is to appropriately support Legg Mason’s business strategies and to provide needed liquidity, including maintaining required capital in certain subsidiaries. Liquidity and the access to liquidity is important to the success of our ongoing operations. For a further discussion of our principal liquidity and capital resources policies, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.


Our assets consist primarily of intangible assets, goodwill, cash and cash equivalents, investment advisory and related fee receivables and investment securities.  Our assets have been principally funded by equity capital, long-term debt and the results of operations. At September 30, 2009, our cash, total assets, long-term debt and stockholders’ equity were $1.5 billion, $9.2 billion, $1.7 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively.




43




The following table summarizes our consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

 

2009

  

2008

Cash flows from (used for) operating activities

$    657.5

$    (64.3)

Cash flows used for investing activities

(46.6)

(183.0)

Cash flows from (used for) financing activities

(165.9)

625.2

Effect of exchange rate changes

18.6

(4.9)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

463.6

373.0

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

1,084.5

1,463.5

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 1,548.1

$ 1,836.5

Cash flows from operating activities were $657.5 million during the six months ended September 30, 2009, primarily attributable to approximately $580 million in income tax refunds received during the June quarter.

Cash outflows for investing activities during the six months ended September 30, 2009 were $46.6 million, primarily attributable to payments for fixed assets of $58.1 million, principally associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters, partially offset by fund support collateral received of $18.8 million due to the amendment, termination and expiration of certain capital support agreements.

Cash outflows for financing activities during the six months ended September 30, 2009 were $165.9 million primarily due to $132.5 million of cash consideration for the Equity Units conversion and the payment of cash dividends.  On October 27, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.03 per share payable on January 11, 2010.


We expect that over the next 12 months our operating activities will be adequate to support our operating cash needs.  The corporate expense reductions achieved as of June 30, 2009 will help increase this cash flow.  Although certain costs, such as compensation and promotional expenses, will increase with higher levels of revenues, we will continue to closely monitor our cost base.  In addition, we received approximately $580 million in tax refunds during the June quarter, primarily attributable to the tax benefits from the realized losses incurred on the sale of securities issued by SIVs in fiscal 2009.  Also, net operating loss carryforwards and future deductions for purchased goodwill and intangibles aggregating approximately $4.7 billion will reduce future taxable income and related U.S. federal tax payments, thus providing significant future cash flow benefits to the Company.  Currently proposed federal legislation to extend the net operating loss carryback period from two to five years, if enacted in its current form, would enable us to utilize approximately $1.3 billion of net operating loss deductions and realize a federal tax refund during the current fiscal year, which approximates $450 million. 


In addition to our ordinary operating cash needs, as discussed above, we anticipate several other cash needs during the next 12 months. We will make a fourth anniversary payment, in connection with the acquisition of Permal, in November 2009 of approximately $170 million, $161 million of which has been accrued as of September 30, 2009.  We may elect to pay up to 25% of this payment in shares of our common stock.  In addition, during fiscal 2010, we moved into a new corporate headquarters and will incur total capital expenditures for the new building of approximately $93 million, primarily for leasehold improvements, fixtures and furniture, of which approximately $78 million has been paid as of September 30, 2009. We may also elect to



44




utilize our available resources for any number of activities, including seed capital investments in new products, repayment of outstanding debt, or acquisitions.

During the September quarter, we completed an exchange offer for 95% of our Equity Units in the form of Corporate Units in order to increase our equity capital levels and reduce the amount of our outstanding debt and related interest expense. The Company exchanged 91% of its outstanding Corporate Units, for 0.8881 of a share of our common stock and $6.25 in cash per Corporate Unit, equating to 18.6 million shares of Legg Mason common stock and $132.5 million of cash, including cash paid in lieu of fractional shares and transaction costs. The transaction will increase the interest coverage ratio under our bank credit facilities as a result of lower interest expense. In connection with this transaction, we incurred transaction costs of approximately $22 million in the September 2009 quarter, of which $15.7 million was in cash.


As described above, we currently project that our available cash and cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. Accordingly, we do not currently expect to raise additional debt or equity financing over the next 12 months but we may elect to refinance or restructure a portion of our debt over that time period. However, there can be no assurances of these expectations as our projections could prove to be incorrect, unexpected events may occur that require additional liquidity, such as an acquisition opportunity, or market conditions might significantly worsen, affecting our results of operations and generation of available cash. If this were to occur, we would likely seek to manage our available resources by taking actions such as additional cost-cutting, reducing our expected expenditures on investments, selling assets (such as investment securities), repatriating earnings from foreign subsidiaries, or modifying arrangements with our affiliates and/or employees. Should these types of actions prove insufficient, we may seek to raise additional equity or debt.

The agreements entered into as part of our January 2008 issuance of $1.25 billion in 2.5% convertible senior notes prevent us from incurring additional debt, with a few exceptions, if our debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the documents) exceeds 2.5.  The May 2008 issuance of Equity Units resulted in our debt to EBITDA ratio exceeding that limit, although we received a waiver of the covenant to allow us to complete the transaction.  The waiver prevents us from issuing more than $250 million in additional debt at any time when our debt to EBITDA ratio exceeds 2.5.  The sales of SIV securities during fiscal 2009 reduced our EBITDA under the definition, thus further increasing our ratio for purposes of this covenant.  As a result of these two events, we may not, subject to a few limited exceptions, incur more than $250 million in new indebtedness until the effects of the sales of SIV securities is no longer in the trailing 12 month EBITDA calculation and when we have substantially reduced our outstanding indebtedness.

As of September 30, 2009, our financial covenants under our bank agreements include: maximum net debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.0 and minimum EBITDA to interest expense ratio of 4.0.  Debt is defined to include all obligations for borrowed money, excluding the debt incurred in the equity units offering and non-recourse debt, and under capital leases. Under these net debt covenants, our debt is reduced by the amount of our unrestricted cash in excess of $500 million in working capital.  EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus/minus tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, amortization of intangibles, any extraordinary expenses or losses, any non-cash charges and up to $3.0 billion in realized losses resulting from liquidity fund support. As of September 30, 2009, Legg Mason’s net debt to EBITDA ratio was 1.7 and EBITDA to interest expense ratio was 4.9. As a result of the completion of our Equity Units tender offer, and related reduction in interest expense, our proforma EBITDA (trailing 12 months) to interest expense ratio was 8.7 as of September 30, 2009.  The use of cash in the offer



45




slightly increased our net debt to EBITDA ratio.  If our net income significantly declines, or if we spend our available cash, it may impact our ability to maintain compliance with these covenants.  If we determine that our compliance with these covenants may be under pressure, we may elect to take a number of actions, including reducing our expenses in order to increase our EBITDA, use available cash to repay all or a portion of our $800 million outstanding debt subject to these covenants or seek to negotiate with our lenders to modify the terms or to restructure our debt.  We anticipate that we will have available cash to repay all or a portion of our bank debt, should it be necessary. Using available cash to repay indebtedness would make the cash unavailable for other uses and might affect the liquidity discussions and conclusions above. Entering into any modification or restructuring of our debt would likely result in additional fees or interest payments.  

In July 2009, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”) downgraded Legg Mason's debt rating to BBB+ from A- and to Baa1 from A3, respectively.  Both rating agencies removed us from ratings watch negative and assigned a stable outlook.  The downgrade by Moody’s will result in an annual increase in interest expense of approximately $2.1 million.


Liquidity Fund Support

As of September 30 and March 31, 2009, the amounts of our remaining liquidity fund support and related cash collateral (in thousands) were as follows:

 

 

         Earliest

September 30, 2009

 March 31, 2009

Description

Transaction

 Date

Support Amount

Cash Collateral (1)

Support Amount

Cash Collateral(1)

Capital Support Agreements(2)

September 2008

$5,000

$5,000

$ 34,500

$ 34,500

Capital Support Agreements(3)

October 2008

7,000

7,000

Total

 

$5,000

$5,000

$ 41,500

$ 41,500

(1)

Included in restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

(2)

Pertains to Western Asset Institutional Money Market Fund, Western (formerly Citi) Institutional Liquidity Fund P.L.C. (Euro Fund) and Western (formerly Citi) Institutional Liquidity Fund P.L.C. (Sterling Fund) as of March 31, 2009.  The capital support agreements (“CSAs”) with the Western Asset Institutional Money Market Fund and Western (formerly Citi) Institutional Liquidity Fund P.L.C. (Sterling Fund) were terminated in April 2009 and September 2009, respectively, and $7 million and $5 million, respectively, of collateral was returned.  Additionally, in September 2009, the CSA with the Western (formerly Citi) Institutional Liquidity Fund P.L.C. (Euro Fund) was amended to reduce the maximum contributions we will make under the CSA from $22,500 to $5,000, and extend the expiration of the CSA to March 2010.

(3)

Pertains to Western (formerly Citi) Institutional Liquidity Fund P.L.C. (USD Fund).  During July 2009, this CSA was terminated and collateral was returned.

 

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Payments

We have contractual obligations to make future payments in connection with our short and long-term debt, non-cancelable lease agreements and service agreements. In addition, we may be required to make contingent payments under business purchase agreements if certain future events occur.




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The following table sets forth these contractual and contingent obligations (in millions) by fiscal year as of September 30, 2009, unless otherwise noted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Thereafter

Total

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings(1)

$  251.5

$       —

$       —

$       —

$       —

$          —

$     251.5

Long-term borrowings by contract maturity(2)

5.1

553.5

2.3

0.9

0.9

1,359.9

1,922.6

Interest on short-term and long-term borrowings(2)(3)

30.7

47.7

39.0

38.9

38.9

84.2

279.4

Minimum rental and service commitments

80.0

130.6

119.8

106.8

89.1

685.2

1,211.5

Minimum commitments under capital leases(4)

30.5

2.8

1.9

35.2

Total Contractual Obligations

397.8

734.6

163.0

146.6

128.9

2,129.3

3,700.2

Contingent Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent payments related to business acquisitions(5)

170.0

150.0

320.0

Capital support(6)

5.0

5.0

Total Contractual and Contingent Obligations(7,8)

$  569.8

$  734.6

$  316.0

$  146.6

$  128.9

$  2,129.3

$  4,025.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents borrowing under our revolving line of credit which does not expire until October 2010.  However, we may elect to repay this debt sooner if we have sufficient available cash.

(2) Reflects reductions in long-term borrowings and interest on long-term borrowings as a result of the exchange of our Equity Units in August 2009.

(3)

Interest on floating rate long-term debt is based on rates at September 30, 2009.

(4)

The amount of commitments reflected for any year represents the maximum amount that could be payable at the earliest possible date under the terms of the agreements.

(5)

The amount of contingent payments reflected for any year represents the maximum amount that could be payable at the earliest possible date under the terms of business purchase agreements.

(6) The amount of contingent obligations under capital support agreements represents the maximum amount that could be payable at any time up through the contracts’ termination dates.  In July 2009, a CSA to provide up to $7.0 million of support was terminated and in September 2009 the termination of a CSA to provide up to $5.0 million of support and the amendment of an existing agreement of $22.5 million, reduced our maximum obligation to $5.0 million.

(7)

The table above does not include approximately $23.8 million in capital commitments to investment partnerships in which Legg Mason is a limited partner. These obligations will be funded, as required, through the end of the commitment periods through 2011.

(8)

The table above does not include amounts for uncertain tax positions of $36.6 million (net of the federal benefit for state tax liabilities) because the timing of any related cash outflows cannot be reliably estimated.


Recent Accounting Developments


See discussion of Recent Accounting Developments in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Forward-Looking Statements


We have made in this report, and from time to time may otherwise make in our public filings, press releases and statements by our management, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including information relating to anticipated growth in revenues or earnings per share, anticipated changes in our businesses or in the amount of our client AUM, anticipated future performance of our business, anticipated future investment performance of our subsidiaries, our expected future net client cash flows, anticipated expense levels, changes in expenses, the expected effects of acquisitions and expectations regarding financial market conditions. The words or phrases “can be,” “may be,” “expects,” “may affect,” “may depend,” “believes,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate” and



47




similar words and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and we caution readers that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of Legg Mason is not a guarantee of future performance.


Actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to those discussed elsewhere herein, under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009 and in our other public filings, press releases and statements by our management. Due to such risks, uncertainties and other factors, we caution each person receiving such forward-looking information not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and we undertake no obligations to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.



Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


During the six months ended September 30, 2009, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part II, Item 7A of Legg Mason’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.


Item 4.    Controls and Procedures  


As of September 30, 2009, Legg Mason’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Legg Mason’s disclosure controls and procedures. In evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, Legg Mason’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, concluded that Legg Mason’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective on a reasonable assurances basis.  There have been no changes in Legg Mason’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Legg Mason’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.  

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Legg Mason and a current and former officer, together with an underwriter in a public offering,  were named as defendants in a consolidated legal action. The action alleged that the defendants violated the Securities Act of 1933 by omitting certain material facts with respect to the acquisition of Citigroup’s worldwide asset management business in a prospectus used in a secondary stock offering in order to artificially inflate the price of Legg Mason common stock. The action sought certification of a class of shareholders who purchased Legg Mason common stock in a secondary public offering on or about March 9, 2006 and sought unspecified damages.  Legg Mason intends to defend the action vigorously. On March 17, 2008, the action was dismissed with prejudice. The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal, and on September 30, 2009,



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the dismissal was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  The plaintiffs’ only procedural alternative at this time is to request the U.S. Supreme Court to permit the plaintiffs to appeal the Second Circuit’s judgment.  Legg Mason cannot predict whether any possible future action on this case will have a material adverse effect on the Company.


Item 1A.  Risk Factors


During the six months ended September 30, 2009, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part I, Item 1A of Legg Mason’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.




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Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  


The following table sets out information regarding our purchases of Legg Mason common stock in each month during the quarter ended September 30, 2009:


Period

Total number of shares purchased

Average price paid per share

Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (1)

Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (1)

July 1, 2009 through

     July 31, 2009

$       —

3,900,000

August 1, 2009 through

     August 31, 2009

3,900,000

September 1, 2009 through

     September 30, 2009

3,900,000

Total

$       —

3,900,000


 (1)   On July 19, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized Legg Mason to purchase 5.0 million shares of Legg Mason common stock in open-market purchases.  There was no expiration date attached to this authorization.


Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


Our annual meeting of stockholders was held on July 28, 2009. In the election of directors, the five director nominees were elected with the following votes:


 

Votes Cast

For

Withhold

Robert E. Angelica

122,048,345

120,648,864

1,399,481

Barry W. Huff

122,048,345

118,144,792

3,903,553

John E. Koerner III

122,048,345

73,611,611

48,436,734

Cheryl Gordon Krongard

122,048,345

74,123,702

47,924,643

Scott C. Nuttall

122,048,345

71,435,448

50,612,897


The stockholders voted in favor of the Amendment of the Legg Mason, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan and approval to issue additional 1,000,000 shares currently covered by the Plan as follows:


Votes Cast

102,754,987

For

78,615,209

Against

23,954,616

Abstain

185,162

Non-Vote

19,293,358




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The stockholders voted in favor of the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 as follows:


Votes Cast

122,048,321

For

121,153,249

Against

825,022

Abstain

70,050

Non-Vote

24


The stockholders voted against the shareholder proposal regarding the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan as follows:


Votes Cast

102,754,987

For

31,914,827

Against

70,498,108

Abstain

342,052

Non-Vote

19,293,358


The stockholders voted in favor of the shareholder proposal regarding majority voting as follows:


Votes Cast

102,755,987

For

 70,010,204

Against

32,360,529

Abstain

385,254

Non-Vote

19,292,358





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Item 6.    Exhibits

 

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of Legg Mason (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006)

 

 

3.2

By-laws of Legg Mason as amended and restated January 23, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K for the event on January 23, 2007)

10.1

Legg Mason, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive proxy statement for Legg Mason's 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders)

10.2

Agreement dated October 25, 2009 among Legg Mason, Inc. and Trian Fund Management L.P., funds managed by it and certain of its affiliates (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 25, 2009)

12

Computation of consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges

 

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

 

 

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

 

 

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

101

Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Legg Mason, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, filed on November 6, 2009, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text



52





SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



 

LEGG MASON, INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE:   November 6, 2009

/s/ Mark R. Fetting

 

Mark R. Fetting

 

President and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE:   November 6, 2009

/s/ Charles J. Daley, Jr.

 

Charles J. Daley, Jr.

 

Executive Vice President,

 

Chief Financial Officer  

and Treasurer




53





INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of Legg Mason (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006)

 

 

3.2

By-laws of Legg Mason as amended and restated January 23, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K for the event on January 23, 2007)

10.1

Legg Mason, Inc. 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive proxy statement for Legg Mason's 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders)

10.2

Agreement dated October 25, 2009 among Legg Mason, Inc. and Trian Fund Management L.P., funds managed by it and certain of its affiliates (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason’s Current Report on Form 8-K for the event on October 25, 2009)

12

Computation of consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges

 

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

 

 

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

 

 

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

101

Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Legg Mason, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, filed on November 6, 2009, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text




54