Company: LAZ
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-007441
Chunk: 124

Company: Lazard, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 124
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. Because it may take several years before attractive alternative investment opportunities are identified, some or all of the capital committed by us to these funds is likely to be invested in government securities, other short-term, highly-rated debt securities and money market funds that traditionally have offered investors relatively lower returns. In addition, these investments are adjusted for accounting purposes to fair value at the end of each quarter, and any related gains or losses would affect our results of operations and could increase the volatility of our earnings, even though such fair value fluctuations may have no cash impact. It takes a substantial period of time to identify attractive alternative investment opportunities, to raise all the funds needed to make an investment and then to realize the cash value of an investment through resale. Even if an alternative investment proves to be profitable, it may be several years or longer before any profits can be realized in cash or other proceeds.

Our revenue from our private equity business is derived in part from management fees, which are calculated as a percentage of committed capital or invested capital depending on the stage of each respective fund. Transaction and advisory fees are also earned. Incentive fees are earned if investments are profitable over a specified threshold. Our ability to form new alternative investment funds is subject to a number of uncertainties, including past performance of our funds, market or economic conditions, competition from other fund managers and the ability to negotiate terms with major investors.

22

We may pursue new business lines, acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, joint ventures, cooperation agreements or other strategic alternatives that may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our business and could present unforeseen obstacles or costs.

We routinely assess our strategic position and may in the future pursue new business lines, seek acquisitions, or evaluate other strategic alternatives to further enhance our competitive position. We have in the past pursued joint ventures and other transactions aimed at expanding the geography and scope of our operations. We expect to continue to explore new business lines, acquisitions, growth strategies and partnership or strategic alliance opportunities that we believe to be attractive. We may also evaluate strategic alternatives to restructure our business, including dispositions and reorganizations that we believe enhance shareholder value.

Any of these strategic actions involve a number of risks and present financial, managerial and operational challenges. These risks and challenges include potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management, difficulty integrating personnel and financial and other systems, difficulty hiring additional management and other critical personnel and other challenges arising from the changes in scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations.

To the extent that we pursue business opportunities outside of the U.S