EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 883237
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 883237_10-K_2022_0000883237-22-000056.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business.
Organization
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, commenced operations on November 1, 1995 and became an independent publicly traded company on December 31, 2008 as a result of the distribution by Phoenix Life Insurance Company ("Phoenix"), the Company's former parent, of 100% of Virtus common stock to Phoenix stockholders in a spin-off transaction.
Our Business
We provide investment management and related services to individuals and institutions. We use a multi-manager, multi-style approach, offering investment strategies from affiliated managers, each having its own distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, individual brand, as well as from select unaffiliated subadvisers. By offering a broad array of products, we believe we can appeal to a greater number of investors and have offerings across market cycles and through changes in investor preferences. Our earnings are primarily driven by asset-based fees charged for services relating to these various products, including investment management, fund administration, distribution and shareholder services.
We offer investment strategies for individual and institutional investors in different investment products and through multiple distribution channels. Our investment strategies are available in a diverse range of styles and disciplines, managed by differentiated investment managers. We have offerings in various asset classes (equity, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative), geographies (domestic, global, international and emerging), market capitalizations (large, mid and small), styles (growth, core and value) and investment approaches (fundamental, quantitative and specialty). Our retail products include open-end funds and exchange traded funds ("ETFs") as well as closed-end funds and retail separate accounts. Our institutional products are offered through separate accounts and pooled or commingled structures to a variety of institutional clients. We also provide subadvisory services to other investment advisers and serve as the collateral manager for structured products.
Our Investment Managers
We provide investment management services through our affiliated investment managers who are registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Advisers Act"). The investment managers are responsible for portfolio management activities for our retail, institutional and structured products operating under advisory, subadvisory or collateral management agreements. We provide our affiliated managers with distribution, operational and administrative support, thereby allowing each manager to focus primarily on investment management. We also use the investment management services of select unaffiliated managers to sub-advise certain of our open- and closed-end funds, ETFs and retail separate accounts. We monitor our managers' services by assessing their performance, style and consistency and the discipline with which they apply their investment process.
Our affiliated investment managers and their respective assets under management, products and strategies as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Manager Products Strategies Assets
(in billions)
Ceredex Value Advisors Open-end funds, institutional and intermediary-sold managed accounts
Value Equity
large-, mid- and small-cap domestic equities
$ 9.9
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Open- and closed-end funds, ETFs and intermediary-sold managed accounts
Income Focused Equities
global listed infrastructure, domestic, global, real asset and international real estate and energy
$ 12.2
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management Intermediary-sold managed accounts, open-end funds, institutional accounts and private client accounts
Quality-Oriented Equity
small- to large-cap, including domestic, global, long/short, global dividend, international and emerging market strategies
$ 64.9
Newfleet Asset Management Open- and closed-end funds, structured products, institutional accounts, ETFs and intermediary-sold managed accounts
Multi-Sector Fixed Income
multi-sector, enhanced core and dedicated sector strategies such as bank loans and high yield
$ 9.9
NFJ Investment Group Intermediary-sold managed accounts, open- and closed-end funds, and institutional accounts
Global Value Equity
small- to large-cap, including domestic, global, international and emerging market strategies
$ 9.0
Seix Investment Advisors Institutional, open-end funds, structured products, intermediary-sold managed accounts, private client accounts and ETFs
Investment Grade and Leveraged Finance Fixed Income
high yield, bank loans, investment grade taxable, non-taxable and multi-sector strategies
$ 17.6
Silvant Capital Management Institutional accounts, open-end funds and private client accounts
Growth Equity
including large-cap and small-cap
$ 0.9
Sustainable Growth Advisers Institutional accounts, intermediary-sold managed accounts, open-end funds and private client accounts
Global Growth Equity
large-cap growth strategies, including domestic, global, international and emerging markets
$ 26.7
Westchester Capital Management Open-end funds and institutional accounts
Event Driven
merger arbitrage, multi-strategy and credit event
$ 5.1
Our select unaffiliated subadvisers and their respective assets under management, products and strategies as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Unaffiliated Subadviser Products Strategies Assets
(in billions)
Allianz Global Investors Open- and closed-end funds and intermediary-sold managed accounts Various
domestic, global and international equity, fixed income, multi-asset and specialty
$ 23.1
Vontobel Asset Management, Inc. Open-end funds Global Growth Equity
international and global equity
$ 5.2
Zevenbergen Capital Investments (1) Open-end funds High Growth Equity
domestic all-cap equity
$ 1.1
Other Open-end funds and ETFs Various
domestic, international, global and specialty equity
$ 1.6
(1)We hold a minority interest in this subadviser.
Our Investment Products
Our assets under management are in open-end funds, closed-end funds, ETFs, retail separate accounts, institutional accounts and structured products.
Assets Under Management by Product as of
December 31, 2021
Products (in billions)
Open-end funds (1) $ 77.2
Closed-end funds 12.1
Exchange traded funds 1.5
Retail separate accounts 44.5
Institutional accounts 48.1
Structured products 3.7
Total Assets Under Management $ 187.2
(1)Represents assets under management of U.S. funds, global funds and variable insurance funds.
Open-End Funds
Our open-end mutual funds are offered in a variety of asset classes (domestic, global and international equity, taxable and non-taxable fixed income, multi-asset and alternative investments), market capitalizations (large, mid and small), styles (growth, core and value) and investment approaches (fundamental, quantitative and specialty). Our global funds are offered in select investment strategies to non-U.S. investors. Summary information about our open-end funds as of December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Asset Class Number of Funds Total Assets
(in millions)
Advisory Fee
Range % (1)
Domestic Equity 27 $ 29,046 2.15 - 0.45
Fixed Income 29 17,180 1.85 - 0.21
International Equity 13 9,194 1.20 - 0.60
Multi-Asset 4 8,600 0.75 - 0.45
Alternative 12 6,422 1.25 - 0.55
Specialty Equity 6 5,148 0.95 - 0.68
Global Equity 8 1,637 1.85 - 0.65
Total Open-End Funds 99 $ 77,227
(1)Percentage of average daily net assets. The percentages listed represent the range of management advisory fees paid by the funds, from the highest to the lowest. The range indicated includes the impact of breakpoints at which management advisory fees for certain of the funds in each fund type decrease as assets in such funds increase. Subadvisory fees paid on funds managed by unaffiliated subadvisers are not reflected in the percentages listed.
Closed-End Funds
Our closed-end funds are offered in a variety of asset classes such as equity, fixed income and multi-asset and options. We managed the following closed-end funds as of December 31, 2021, each of which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange:
Asset Class Number of Funds Total Assets
(in millions)
Advisory Fee
Range % (1)
Multi-Asset 5 $ 8,171 1.00 - 0.50
Fixed Income 5 2,210 0.95 - 0.50
Equity 1 946 1.25
Alternatives 1 741 1.00
Total Closed-End Funds $ 12,068
(1)Percentage of average weekly or daily net assets. The percentages listed represent the range of management advisory fees paid by the funds, from the highest to the lowest. The range indicated includes the impact of breakpoints at which management advisory fees for certain of the funds in each fund type decrease as assets in such funds increase. Subadvisory fees paid on funds managed by unaffiliated subadvisers are not reflected in the percentages listed.
Exchange Traded Funds
Our ETFs are offered in a range of actively managed and index-based investment capabilities across multiple asset classes. We managed the following ETFs as of December 31, 2021:
Asset Class Number of Funds Total Assets
(in millions)
Advisory Fee
Range % (1)
Fixed Income 5 $ 650 0.57 - 0.14
Alternative 4 596 0.75 - 0.33
Equity 5 204 0.66 - 0.28
Multi-Asset 1 29 0.47
Total ETFs $ 1,479
(1) Percentage of average daily net assets. The percentages listed represent the range of management advisory fees paid by the funds, from the highest to the lowest. Subadvisory fees paid on funds managed by unaffiliated subadvisers are not reflected in the percentages listed.
Retail Separate Accounts
Intermediary-Sold Managed Accounts
Intermediary-sold managed accounts are individual investment accounts that are primarily contracted through intermediaries as part of investment programs offered to retail investors. Summary information about our intermediary-sold managed accounts as of December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Asset Class Total Assets
(in millions)
Equity
Domestic $ 34,373
Global 528
Specialty 131
International 130
Fixed Income
Leveraged finance 1,946
Investment grade 226
Multi-Asset 286
Alternative 1
Total Intermediary-Sold Managed Accounts $ 37,621
Private Client Accounts
Private client accounts are investment accounts offered by certain affiliates directly to individual investors. Services provided include investment and wealth advisory services employing both affiliated and unaffiliated investment managers and select third-party business partners. Summary information about our private client accounts as of December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Asset Class Total Assets
(in millions)
Multi-Asset $ 6,777
Fixed Income
Investment grade 88
Leveraged finance 2
Equity
Domestic 36
Global 14
Total Private Client Accounts $ 6,917
Institutional Accounts
Our institutional clients include corporations, multi-employer retirement funds, public employee retirement systems, foundations and endowments; in addition, we provide subadvisory services to unaffiliated mutual funds. Summary information about our institutional accounts as of December 31, 2021 was as follows:
Asset Class Total Assets
(in millions)
Equity
Domestic $ 24,291
International 1,390
Global 9,479
Fixed Income
Investment grade 5,152
Multi-sector 1,053
Leveraged finance 2,019
Alternative 3,765
Multi-Asset 991
Total Institutional Accounts $ 48,140
Structured Products
We act as collateral manager for structured finance products of 11 collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") with aggregate assets of $3.7 billion having a range of fees (senior plus subordinate) from 0.35% to 0.14%.
Other Fee Earning Assets
Other fee earning assets include assets for which we provide services for an asset-based fee but do not serve as the investment adviser. Other fee earning assets are not included in our assets under management. At December 31, 2021, we had $3.8 billion of other fee earning assets.
Our Investment Management, Administration and Shareholder Services
Our investment management, administration and shareholder service fees earned in each of the last three years were as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2019
Open-end funds $ 393,673 $ 247,519 $ 229,637
Closed-end funds 63,301 36,833 42,199
Retail separate accounts 174,919 104,932 82,999
Institutional accounts 143,487 109,531 96,429
Structured products 4,726 4,012 6,381
Other products 1,479 2,511 3,832
Total investment management fees 781,585 505,338 461,477
Administration fees 73,113 41,582 42,009
Shareholder service fees 29,418 17,881 17,875
Total $ 884,116 $ 564,801 $ 521,361
Investment Management Fees
We provide investment management services through our affiliated investment advisers (each an "Adviser") pursuant to investment management agreements. We earn fees based on each fund's average daily or weekly net assets with most fee schedules providing for rate declines or "breakpoints" as asset levels increase to certain thresholds. For funds managed by subadvisers, the day-to-day investment management of the fund's portfolio is performed by the subadviser, which receives a management fee based on a percentage of the Adviser's management fee. Each fund bears all expenses associated with its
operations. In some cases, to the extent total fund expenses exceed a specified percentage of a fund's average net assets, the Adviser has agreed to reimburse the fund's expenses in excess of that level.
For retail separate accounts and institutional accounts, investment management fees are negotiated and based primarily on portfolio size and complexity, individual client requests and investment strategy capacity, as appropriate. In certain instances, institutional fees may include performance related fees, generally earned if the returns on the portfolios exceed agreed upon periodic or cumulative return targets, primarily benchmark indices. Fees for structured finance products, for which we act as the collateral manager, consist of senior, subordinated and, in certain instances, incentive management fees. Senior and subordinated management fees are calculated at a contractual fee rate applied against the end of the preceding quarter par value of the total collateral being managed with subordinated fees being recognized only after certain portfolio criteria are met. Incentive fees on certain of our structured products are typically a percentage of the excess cash flows available to holders of the subordinated notes, above a threshold level internal rate of return.
Administration Fees
We provide various administrative services to our open-end mutual funds, ETFs and the majority of our closed-end funds. We earn fees based on each fund's average daily or weekly net assets. These services include: record keeping, preparing and filing documents required to comply with securities laws, legal administration and compliance services, customer service, supervision of the activities of the funds' service providers, tax services and treasury services as well as providing office space, equipment and personnel that may be necessary for managing and administering the business affairs of the funds.
Shareholder Service Fees
We provide shareholder services to our open-end mutual funds. We earn fees based on each fund's average daily net assets. Shareholder services include maintaining shareholder accounts, processing shareholder transactions, preparing filings and performing necessary reporting, among other things.
Our Distribution Services
We distribute our open-end funds and ETFs principally through financial intermediaries. We have broad distribution access in the retail market, with distribution partners that include national and regional broker-dealers, independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisers, banks and insurance companies. In many of these firms, we have a number of products that are on preferred "recommended" lists and on fee-based advisory programs. Our sales efforts are supported by regional sales professionals, a national account relationship group and separate teams for ETFs and the retirement and insurance channels.
Our retail separate accounts are distributed through financial intermediaries and directly to private clients by teams at our affiliated investment managers. Our institutional services are marketed through relationships with consultants as well as directly to clients. We target key market segments, including foundations and endowments, corporate, public and private pension plans, and subadvisory relationships.
Our Broker-Dealer Services
We operate a broker-dealer that is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). Our broker-dealer serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of our open-end mutual funds and ETFs under sales agreements with unaffiliated financial intermediaries, provides market advisory services to sponsors of retail separate accounts, and is also a program manager and distributor of a qualified tuition plan under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code ("529 Plan"). Our broker-dealer is subject to the net capital rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which is designed to enforce minimum standards regarding the general financial condition and liquidity of broker-dealers.
Our Competition
We face significant competition from a wide variety of financial institutions, including other investment management companies, as well as from proprietary products offered by our distribution partners such as banks, broker-dealers and financial planning firms. Competition in our businesses is based on several factors, including investment performance, fees charged, access to distribution channels, and service to financial advisors and their clients. Our competitors, many of which are larger than us, often offer similar products and use similar distribution sources, and may also offer less expensive products, have greater access to key distribution channels and have greater resources than we do.
Our Regulatory Matters
We are subject to regulation by the SEC, FINRA and other federal and state agencies and self-regulatory organizations. Each affiliated investment manager and unaffiliated subadviser is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act. Each open-end mutual fund, closed-end fund and ETF is registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). Our global funds are registered with and subject to regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The financial services industry is highly regulated, and failure to comply with related laws and regulations can result in the revocation of registrations, the imposition of censures or fines and the suspension or expulsion of a firm and/or its employees from the industry. Most aspects of our investment management business are subject to various U.S. federal and state laws and regulations.
All of our U.S.-domiciled open-end mutual funds are generally available for sale and are qualified in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our global funds are sold to both retail investors who are not citizens or residents of the United States or are non-U.S. institutional clients.
Our officers, directors and employees may, from time to time, own securities that are also held by one or more of our funds. We have adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act that require the disclosure of personal securities holdings and trading activity by all employees on a quarterly and annual basis. Employees with investment discretion or access to investment decisions are subject to additional restrictions with respect to the pre-clearance of the purchase or sale of securities over which they have investment discretion or beneficial interest. Our Code of Ethics also imposes restrictions with respect to personal transactions in securities that are held, recently sold, or contemplated for purchase by our mutual funds, and certain transactions are restricted so as to avoid the possibility of improper use of information relating to the management of client accounts.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2021, we employed 668 employees and we operate offices in the United States and United Kingdom. We strive to attract and retain talented individuals by creating an environment of excellence and opportunity that serves as a foundation for all employees to reach their potential and make meaningful contributions to the organization. We have competitive salaries and offer a comprehensive suite of benefits, including programs that support wellness, financial security, and professional development.
▪We regularly assess and benchmark our compensation and benefit practices and conduct internal and external pay comparisons to assist us in ensuring that employees are compensated fairly, equitably and competitively.
▪We offer career enhancement opportunities to maximize each employee's potential and develop leaders throughout the organization.
▪We provide an education assistance program with tuition reimbursement for employees who wish to continue their education to secure increased responsibility and growth within their careers.
▪We offer benefits that promote financial and personal security including comprehensive insurance coverage, matching 401(k) employee contributions, an employee stock purchase plan and employee reimbursement of work-related expenses.
▪Our wellness programs include health screenings and wellness earned premium rebates, as well as paid time off for vacation, illness, bereavement, parental and family care leave, and volunteer activities.
We depend upon our key personnel to manage our business, including our senior executives, portfolio managers, securities analysts, investment advisers, sales personnel and other professionals. The retention of our key investment personnel is material to the management of our business. The departure of our key investment personnel could cause us to lose certain client accounts, which could adversely affect our business.
We believe our value as a company derives from the talents and diversity of our employees, and we are committed to creating and maintaining an environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect. The collective sum of our individual differences, backgrounds, unique skills, and life experiences creates an environment where employees and the company can achieve the highest levels of performance. Our programs and practices in: (i) workforce diversity, (ii) inclusive culture (iii) community participation, (iv) employee involvement, and (v) philanthropy, are designed to help us deliver on our commitment to maintaining an organization that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all employees.
▪We collaborate with organizations, institutions, and referral sources to identify diverse talent pools and increase the diversity of potential candidates.
▪We prohibit any form of discrimination and have no tolerance for harassment in any form or any behavior that may contribute to a hostile, intimidating, unwelcoming, and/or inaccessible work environment.
▪We engage with employees across the organization to raise the awareness of and advance our diversity and inclusion efforts.
▪We and our employees have a rich history of community engagement and philanthropic activities that support the diverse needs of the communities in which we have a business presence.
Available Information
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as proxy statements, are available free of charge on our website located at www.virtus.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including our filings, are also available to the public on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
A copy of our Corporate Governance Principles, our Code of Conduct and the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance Committee are posted on our website at http://ir.virtus.com under "Corporate Governance" and are available in print to any person who requests copies by contacting Investor Relations by email to: investor.relations@virtus.com or by mail to Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., c/o Investor Relations, One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103. Information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference or otherwise considered part of this document.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
This section describes some of the potential risks relating to our business. The risks described below are some of the more important factors that could affect our business. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in evaluating the Company and our common stock. If any of the risks described below actually occur, our business, revenues, profitability, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, reputation and stock price could be materially adversely affected.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY, BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
We earn substantially all of our revenues based on assets under management, which fluctuate based on many factors, including market conditions, investment performance and client withdrawals, and any reduction would reduce our revenues and profitability.
The majority of our revenues are generated from asset-based fees from investment management products and services to individuals and institutions. Therefore, if assets under management decline, our fee revenues would decline, reducing profitability as certain of our expenses are fixed or have contractual terms. Assets under management could decline due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the following:
▪General domestic and global economic and political conditions. Capital, equity and credit markets can experience substantial volatility. Changes in interest rates, the availability and cost of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws, trade barriers, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and controls, national and international political circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts, pandemics, civil unrest and security operations) and other conditions may impact the capital, equity and credit markets which may impact our assets under management. Employment rates, economic weakness and budgetary challenges in parts of the world, uncertainty regarding international trade policies, regional turmoil in the Middle East, concern over prospects in China and emerging markets, growing debt for certain countries, and uncertainty about the consequences of governments withdrawing monetary stimulus all indicate that economic and political conditions remain unpredictable.
If the security markets decline or experience volatility, our assets under management and our revenues could be negatively impacted. Changes in currency exchange rates, such as an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to non-U.S. currencies, could result in a decrease in the U.S. dollar value of assets under management that are denominated in non-U.S. currencies. In addition, diminishing investor confidence in the markets and/or adverse market conditions could result in a decrease in investor risk tolerance. Such a decrease could prompt investors to reduce their rate of investment or to fully withdraw from markets, which could reduce our overall assets under management and have an adverse effect on our
revenues, earnings and growth prospects.
The volatility in the markets in the past has highlighted the interconnection of the global markets and demonstrated how the deteriorating financial condition of one institution may materially adversely impact the performance of other institutions. Our assets under management have exposure to many different industries and counterparties and may be exposed to credit, operational or other risk due to the default by a counterparty or client or in the event of a market failure or disruption. In the event of extreme circumstances, including economic, political or business crises, such as a widespread systemic failure in the global financial system or failures of firms that have significant obligations as counterparties, we may suffer significant declines in assets under management and severe liquidity or valuation issues.
▪Price declines in specific securities, market segments or geographic areas where those assets are invested. Funds and portfolios that we manage that are focused on certain geographic markets and industry sectors are particularly vulnerable to political, social and economic events in those markets and sectors. If those markets or industries decline or experience volatility, this could have a negative impact on our assets under management and our revenues. For example, certain non-U.S. markets, particularly emerging markets, are not as developed or as efficient as the U.S. financial markets and, as a result, may be less liquid, less regulated and significantly more volatile than the U.S. financial markets. Liquidity in such markets may be adversely impacted by factors including political or economic events, government policies, expropriation, volume trading limits by foreign investors, social or civil unrest, etc. These factors may negatively impact the market value of a security or our ability to dispose of it.
▪Any real or perceived negative absolute or relative performance. Sales and redemptions of our investment strategies can be affected by investment performance relative to established benchmarks or other competing investment strategies. Our investment management strategies are rated, ranked or assessed by independent third-parties, distribution partners and industry periodicals and services. These assessments often influence the investment decisions of clients. If the performance or assessment of our investment strategies is seen as underperforming relative to peers, it could result in an increase in the withdrawal of assets by existing clients and the inability to attract additional investments from new and existing clients. Certain of our investment strategies have capacity constraints as there is a limit to the number of securities available for the strategy to operate effectively. In those instances, we may choose to limit access to new or existing investors.
▪Changes in interest rates. Increases in interest rates from their historically low levels may adversely affect the net asset values of our assets under management. Conversely, decreases in interest rates could lead to outflows in fixed income assets that we manage as investors seek higher yields.
We may engage in significant transactions that may not achieve the expected benefits or could expose us to additional or increased risks.
We have executed several inorganic transactions over the past years and we regularly review and evaluate potential transactions, including acquisitions, consolidations, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, or similar transactions, some of which could be significant. In recent years, we have completed a number of acquisitions and strategic alliances that have led to a significant increase in our assets under management and expanded our offering of products and services. We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to be successful in negotiation of the required agreements, closing transactions after signing such agreements, or achieving expected financial benefits, including such things as revenue or cost synergies.
Any transaction may also involve a number of other risks, including additional demands on our staff, unanticipated problems regarding integration of operating facilities, technologies and new employees, and the existence of liabilities or contingencies not disclosed to, or otherwise unknown by, us prior to closing a transaction. In addition, any business we acquire may underperform relative to expectations or may lose customers or employees.
Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be negatively affected by the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated global economic disruption and uncertainty.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 resulted in a widespread global public health crisis, which had, and may continue to have, negative impacts on global financial markets, concerns for and restrictions on our personnel (including health concerns, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and restrictions on travel), and increased privacy and cybersecurity risks. Although the markets have generally recovered, the introduction of new, potentially more transmissible or severe variants of COVID-19 may test the efficacy of such vaccines and otherwise have resulted in, and may continue to result in, the implementation of continued restrictions across the world, including mandatory business shut-downs, travel restrictions, reduced business operations and social distancing requirements. In addition, the pandemic continues to disrupt global supply
chains, has caused labor shortages and has contributed to broader inflationary pressures. Accordingly, the broader implications of the pandemic on our results of operations and overall financial performance remain uncertain.
Currently, a large number of our employees are working remotely from home in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus and maintain the health and safety of our employees. While our work from home efforts have been successful to date, operating remotely for an extended period could result in operational challenges, strain our technology resources and/or expose us to an increased number of cybersecurity threats. A decline in the health and safety of our employees, including key employees, or material disruptions to their ability to work remotely, including power or Internet outages or electronic systems failures, could negatively affect our ability to operate our business normally and have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
Additionally, many of the key service providers and vendors upon which we rely also have transitioned to remote work environments pursuant to business continuity plans. Third-party use of a remote working environment will continue to subject both us and our third-party intermediaries, service providers and key vendors to risk of operational issues and interruptions as well as to a heightened risk of cyberattacks or other privacy or data security incidents. While, to date, the effects of the pandemic have not had a material negative impact on the services they provide to us, or, we believe, their business operations or service levels, to the extent that the COVID-19 virus continues to spread and affect the employee base or operations of our service providers, disruptions in or the inability to provide services to us could negatively impact our business operations.
Our investment advisory agreements are subject to renegotiation or termination on short notice, which could negatively impact our business.
Our clients include our sponsored fund investors, that are represented by boards of trustees or directors (the "boards"), managed account program sponsors, private clients and institutional clients. Our investment management agreements with these clients may be terminated on short notice and without penalty. As a result, there would be little impediment for these clients or sponsors to terminate our agreements. Our clients may renegotiate their investment contracts, or reduce the assets we manage for them, due to a number of reasons including, but not limited to: poor investment performance; loss of key investment personnel; a change in the client's or third-party distributors' decision makers; and reputational, regulatory or compliance issues. The boards of our sponsored funds may deem it to be in the best interests of a fund's shareholders to make decisions adverse to us, such as reducing the compensation paid to us, requesting that we subsidize fund expenses over certain thresholds, or imposing restrictions on our management of the fund. Under the Investment Company Act, investment advisory agreements automatically terminate in the event of an assignment, which may occur if, among other events, the Company undergoes a change in control, such as any person acquiring 25% of the voting rights of our common stock. If an assignment were to occur, we cannot be certain that the funds' boards and shareholders would approve a new investment advisory agreement. In addition, investment advisory agreements for separate accounts we manage may not be assigned without the consent of the client. If an assignment occurs, we cannot be certain that the Company will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or client consents. The withdrawal, renegotiation or termination of any investment management contract relating to a material portion of assets under management would have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our business could be harmed by any damage to our reputation and lead to a reduction in our revenues and profitability.
Maintaining a positive reputation with existing and potential clients, the investment community and other constituencies is critical to our success. Our reputation is vulnerable to many threats that can be difficult or impossible to control, and costly or impossible to remediate even if they are without merit or satisfactorily addressed. Our reputation may be impacted by many factors including, but not limited to: poor performance; litigation; conflicts of interests; regulatory inquiries, investigations or findings; operational failures (including cyber breaches); intentional or unintentional misrepresentation of our products or services by us or our third-party service providers; material weaknesses in our internal controls; or employee misconduct or rumors. Any damage to our reputation could impede our ability to attract and retain clients and key personnel, adversely impact relationships with clients, third-party distributors and other business partners, and lead to a reduction in the amount of our assets under management, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our debt agreements contain covenants, required principal repayments and other provisions that could adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.
We incur indebtedness for a variety of business reasons, including in relation to financing acquisitions. The indebtedness we incur can take many forms including, but not limited to, term loans or revolving lines of credit that customarily contain covenants.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had $274.3 million of total debt outstanding under its credit agreement, excluding debt of consolidated investment products ("CIP"), and had no borrowings outstanding under its $175.0 million revolving credit facility. Under our credit agreement, we are required to use a portion of our cash flow to service interest and make required annual principal payments, which will restrict our cash flow available to pursue business growth opportunities. The credit agreement also contains covenants that limit our ability to return capital to shareholders. In addition, our indebtedness may make it more difficult for us to withstand or respond to adverse or changing business, regulatory and economic conditions. We cannot provide assurances that at all times in the future we will satisfy all such covenants or obtain any required waiver or amendment, in which event all indebtedness could become immediately due. Any or all of the above factors could materially adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.
Our business relies on the ability to attract and retain key employees, and the loss of such employees could negatively affect our financial performance.
The success of our business is dependent to a large extent on our ability to attract and retain key employees, such as senior executives, portfolio managers, securities analysts and sales personnel. Competition in the job market for these professionals is generally intense, and compensation levels in the industry are highly competitive. Our industry is also characterized by the movement of investment professionals among different firms.
If we are unable to continue to attract and retain key employees, or if compensation costs required to attract and retain key employees increase, our performance, including our competitive position, could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, we utilize equity awards as part of our compensation plans and as a means for recruiting and retaining key employees. Declines in our stock price would result in deterioration of the value of equity awards granted, thus lessening the effectiveness of using stock-based awards to retain key employees.
In certain circumstances, the departure of key investment personnel could cause higher redemption rates in certain strategies or the loss of certain client accounts. Any inability to retain key employees, attract qualified employees or replace key employees in a timely manner could lead to a reduction in the amount of our assets under management, which would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability. In addition, there could be additional costs to replace, retain or attract new talent that could result in a decrease in our profitability and have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We operate in a highly competitive industry that may require us to reduce our fees, or increase amounts paid to financial intermediaries, which could result in a reduction of our revenues and profitability.
We face significant competition from a wide variety of financial institutions, including other investment management companies, as well as from proprietary products offered by our distribution partners such as banks, broker-dealers and financial planning firms. Competition in our businesses is based on several factors, including investment performance, fees charged, access to distribution channels and service to financial advisors. Our competitors, many of which are larger than we are, often offer similar products, use the same distribution sources, offer less expensive products, maintain greater access to key distribution channels, and have greater resources, geographic footprints and name recognition than we do. Additionally, certain products and asset classes that we do not currently offer, such as passive or index-based products, are popular with investors. Existing clients may withdraw their assets in order to invest in these products, and we may be unable to attract additional investments from existing and new clients, which would lead to a decline in our assets under management and market share.
Our profits are highly dependent on the fees charged for our products and services. In recent years, there has been a trend in certain segments of our markets toward lower fees and lower-fee products, such as passive products. Competition could cause us to reduce the fees that we charge. In order to maintain appropriate fee levels in a competitive environment, we must provide clients with investment products and services they view as appropriate in relation to the fees charged. If our clients, including our fund boards, were to view our fees as being high relative to the market or the returns provided by our investment products, we may choose, or be required, to reduce our fee levels or we may experience significant redemptions in our assets under management, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We utilize unaffiliated firms to provide investment management services, and any matters that adversely impact them, or any change in our relationships with them, could lead to a reduction in assets under management, which would adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
We utilize unaffiliated subadvisers as investment managers for certain of our retail products, and we have licensing arrangements with unaffiliated data providers. Because we typically have no ownership interests in these unaffiliated firms, we do not control their business activities. Problems stemming from the business activities of these unaffiliated firms may negatively impact or disrupt their operations or expose them to disciplinary action or reputational harm. Furthermore, any such
matters at these unaffiliated firms may have an adverse impact on our business or reputation or expose us to regulatory scrutiny, including with respect to our oversight of such firms.
We periodically negotiate provisions and renewals of these relationships, and we cannot provide assurance that such terms will remain acceptable to us or the unaffiliated firms. These relationships can also be terminated upon short notice without penalty. In addition, the departure of key employees at unaffiliated subadviser firms could cause higher redemption rates for certain assets under management and/or the loss of certain client accounts. An interruption or termination of unaffiliated firm relationships could affect our ability to market our products and result in a reduction in assets under management, which would have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We distribute our products through intermediaries and changes in key distribution relationships could reduce our revenues, increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability.
Our primary source of distribution for retail products is through intermediaries that include third-party financial institutions such as: major wire-houses; national, regional and independent broker-dealers and financial advisors; banks and financial planners; and registered investment advisers. Our success is highly dependent on access to these various distribution systems. These distributors are generally not contractually required to distribute our products and typically offer their clients various investment products and services, including proprietary products and services, in addition to, and in competition with, our products and services. While we compensate these intermediaries for selling our products and services pursuant to contractual agreements, we may not be able to retain access to these channels at all or at similar pricing. Increasing competition for these distribution channels could cause our distribution costs to rise, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenues and profitability. To the extent that existing or future intermediaries prefer to do business with our competitors, the sales of our products as well as our market share, revenues and profitability could decline.
We and our third-party service providers rely on numerous technology systems, and any temporary business interruption, security breach or system failure could negatively impact our business and profitability.
Our technology systems, and those of third-party service providers, are critical to our operations. The ability to consistently and reliably obtain accurate securities pricing information, process client portfolio and fund shareholder transactions, and provide reports and other customer service to fund shareholders and clients in accounts managed by us is an essential part of our business. Any delays or inaccuracies in obtaining pricing information, processing such transactions or reports, other breaches and errors, and any inadequacies in other customer service could result in reimbursement obligations or other liabilities or alienate customers and potentially give rise to claims against us. Our business is highly dependent on third-party service providers' information systems, including for our ability to obtain prompt and accurate securities pricing information and to process transactions and reports. Any failure or interruption of those systems, whether resulting from technology or infrastructure breakdowns, defects or external causes such as fire, natural disaster, computer viruses, acts of terrorism or power disruptions, could result in financial loss, negatively impact our reputation and negatively affect our ability to do business. Although we, and our third-party service providers, have disaster recovery plans in place, we may nonetheless experience interruptions if a natural or man-made disaster or prolonged power outage were to occur, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, like many companies, our computer systems are regularly, and expected to continue to be, the target of computer viruses or other malicious codes, unauthorized access, cyber-attacks or other computer-related penetrations. The sophistication of cyber threats continues to increase (including through the use of "ransomware" and phishing attacks), and any controls we put in place and preventative actions we take to reduce the risk of cyber incidents and protect our information systems may be insufficient to detect or prevent unauthorized access, cyber-attacks or other security breaches to our computer systems or those of third parties with whom we do business. Our or our third-party service providers' systems may also be affected by, or fail as a result of, catastrophic events, such as fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. A breach of our technology systems, or of those of third parties with whom we do business, through cyber-attacks or failure to manage and sufficiently secure our technology environment could result in interruptions or malfunctions in the operations of our business, loss of valuable information, liability for stolen assets or information, remediation costs to repair damage caused by a breach or to recover access to our systems, additional costs to mitigate against future incidents, and litigation costs resulting from an incident.
We and certain of our third-party vendors receive and store personal information as well as non-public business information. Although we and our third-party vendors take precautions, we may still be vulnerable to hacking or other unauthorized use. A breach of the systems or hardware could result in unauthorized access to our proprietary business or client data or release of this type of data, which could subject us to legal liability or regulatory action under data protection and privacy laws, which may result in fines or penalties, the termination of existing client contracts, costly mitigation activities and harm to our reputation. The occurrence of any of these risks could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and
financial condition.
We have significant Company assets invested in marketable securities, which exposes us to earnings volatility as the value of these investments fluctuate, as well as risk of capital loss.
We use capital to incubate new investment strategies, introduce new products or to enhance distribution access of existing products. At December 31, 2021, the Company had $144.7 million of such investments, comprising $70.1 million of marketable securities and $74.6 million of net interests in CIP. The Company also had $76.2 million of net investments in CLOs. These investments are in a variety of asset classes, including alternative, fixed income and equity strategies including first loss tranches of CLO equity. Many of these investments employ a long-term investment strategy and entail an optimal investment period spanning several years. Accordingly, during this investment period, the Company's capital utilized in these investments may not be available for other corporate purposes, or if required for alternative corporate purposes without significantly diminishing our invested capital or our investment return. We cannot provide assurance that these investments will perform as expected. Moreover, increases or decreases in the value of these investments will increase the volatility of our earnings, and an other than temporary or permanent decline in the value of these investments would result in the loss of capital and have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We may need to obtain additional capital in the future that may not be available to us in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms, which could have an adverse impact on our business.
Our ability to meet our future cash needs is dependent upon our ability to generate or have short-term access to cash. Although we have generated sufficient cash in the past, we may not do so in the future. The Company had unused capacity under its revolving credit facility of $175.0 million as of December 31, 2021. Our ability to access capital markets efficiently depends on a number of factors, including the state of credit and equity markets, interest rates and credit spreads. At December 31, 2021, we had $274.3 million in debt outstanding, excluding the notes payable of our CIP for which risk of loss to the Company is limited to our $76.2 million investment in such products. See Note 20 of our consolidated financial statements for additional information on the notes payable of the CIP. We may need to raise capital to fund new business initiatives in the future, and financing may not be available to us in sufficient amounts, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to access sufficient capital on acceptable terms, our business could be adversely impacted.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS
We are subject to an extensive and complex regulatory environment, and changes in regulations or failure to comply with them could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
The investment management industry in which we operate is subject to extensive and frequently changing regulation. We are regulated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, and we are subject to regulation by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission under the Commodities Exchange Act. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates our global funds (UCITS) and has approved the Company entities that advise these funds. We are also regulated by FINRA, the Department of Labor under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), as well as other federal and state laws and regulations. Further, new regulations or interpretations of existing laws may result in enhanced disclosure obligations, including with respect to climate change or other environmental, social and governance (commonly referred to as ESG) matters, which could negatively affect us or materially increase our regulatory burden. Increased regulations generally increase our costs, and we could continue to experience higher costs if new laws require us to spend more time, hire additional personnel, or purchase new technology to comply effectively.
Although we spend extensive time and resources to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, if we fail to properly modify and update our compliance procedures in a timely manner in this changing and highly complex regulatory environment, we may be subject to various legal proceedings, including civil litigation, governmental investigations and enforcement actions that could result in fines, penalties, suspensions of individual employees, or limitations on particular business activities, any of which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We manage assets under agreements that have investment guidelines or other contractual requirements and failure to comply could result in claims, losses or regulatory sanctions, which could negatively impact our revenues and profitability.
The agreements under which we manage client assets often have established investment guidelines or other contractual requirements with which we are required to comply in providing our investment management services. Although we maintain various compliance procedures and other controls to prevent, detect and correct such errors, any failure or allegation of a failure to comply with these guidelines or other requirement could result in client claims, reputational damage, withdrawal of assets and potential regulatory sanctions, any of which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial
condition.
We could be subject to civil litigation and government investigations or proceedings, which could adversely affect our business.
Many aspects of our business involve substantial risks of liability, and there have been substantial incidences of litigation and regulatory investigations in the financial services industry in recent years, including customer claims as well as class action suits seeking substantial damages. From time to time, we and/or our funds may be named as defendants or co-defendants in lawsuits or be involved in disputes that involve the threat of lawsuits seeking substantial damages. We and/or our funds are also involved from time to time in governmental and self-regulatory organization investigations and proceedings. See Item 3. "Legal Proceedings" for further information.
Any lawsuits, investigations or proceedings could result in reputational damage, loss of clients and assets, settlements, awards, injunctions, fines, penalties, increased costs and expenses in resolving a claim, diversion of employee resources and resultant financial losses. Predicting the outcome of such matters is inherently difficult, particularly where claims are brought on behalf of various classes of claimants or by a large number of claimants, when claimants seek substantial or unspecified damages, or when investigations or legal proceedings are at an early stage. A substantial judgment, settlement, fine or penalty could be material to our operating results or cash flows for a particular period, depending on our results for that period, or could cause us significant reputational harm, which could harm our business prospects.
We depend to a large extent on our business relationships and our reputation to attract and retain clients. As a result, allegations of improper conduct by private litigants, including investors in our funds, or regulators, whether the ultimate outcome is favorable or unfavorable to us, as well as negative publicity and press speculation about us, our investment activities or the asset management industry in general, whether or not valid, may harm our reputation, which may be more damaging to our business than to other types of businesses. We may incur substantial legal expenses in defending against proceedings commenced by a client, regulatory authority or other private litigant. Substantial legal liability levied on us could cause significant reputational harm and have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to multiple tax jurisdictions and any changes in tax laws or unanticipated tax obligations could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
We are subject to income taxes as well as non-income-based taxes, and are subject to ongoing tax audits, in various jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax authorities may disagree with certain positions we have taken which may result in the assessment of additional taxes. We regularly assess the appropriateness of our tax positions and reporting. We cannot provide assurance, however, that we will accurately predict the outcomes of audits, and the actual outcomes of these audits could be unfavorable. Any changes to tax laws could impact our estimated effective tax rate and overall tax expense and could result in adjustments to our treatment of deferred taxes, including the realization or value thereof, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes available to us will be dependent on our ability to generate taxable income.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
We have a large amount of our common stock concentrated with a small number of shareholders, which could increase the volatility in our stock trading and affect our share price.
A large percentage of our common stock is held by a limited number of shareholders. If our larger shareholders decide to liquidate their positions, it could cause significant fluctuation in the share price of our common stock. Public companies with a relatively concentrated level of institutional shareholders, such as we have, often have difficulty generating trading volume in their stock, which may increase the volatility in the price of our common stock.
We may not pay quarterly dividends as intended or at all.
The declaration, payment and determination of the amount of our quarterly dividends may change at any time. In making decisions regarding our quarterly dividends, we consider general economic and business conditions as well as our strategic plans and prospects, business and investment opportunities, financial condition and operating results, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs, contractual and regulatory restrictions (including under the terms of our credit agreement) and other obligations, that may have implications on the payment of distributions by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and such other factors as we may deem relevant. Our ability to pay dividends in excess of our current quarterly dividends is subject to restrictions under the terms of our credit agreement. We cannot make any assurances that any dividends, whether quarterly or otherwise, will continue to be paid in the future.
We have corporate governance provisions that may make an acquisition of us more difficult.
Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. These provisions also could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock, thereby depressing the market price of our common stock. Stockholders who wish to participate in these transactions may not have the opportunity to do so. In addition, the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also restrict certain business combinations with interested stockholders.
GENERAL RISK FACTORS
Our insurance policies may not cover all losses and costs to which we may be exposed.
We carry insurance in amounts and under terms that we believe are appropriate. Our insurance may not cover all liabilities and losses to which we may be exposed. Certain insurance coverage may not be available or may be prohibitively expensive in future periods. As our insurance policies come up for renewal, we may need to assume higher deductibles or pay higher premiums, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We have goodwill and intangible assets on our balance sheet that could become impaired.
Our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to annual impairment reviews. We also have definite-lived intangible assets that are subject to impairment testing if indicators of impairment are identified. A variety of factors could cause the carrying values to become impaired, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements that are, or may be considered to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are "forward-looking statements." These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as "expect," "estimate," "intent," "plan," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "will," "should," "could," "continue," "project," "opportunity," "predict," "would," "potential," "future," "forecast," "guarantee," "assume," "likely," "target" or similar statements or variations of such terms.
Our forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions and projections about the Company and the markets in which we operate, are not guarantees of future results or performance, and involve substantial risks and uncertainty, including assumptions and projections concerning our assets under management, net asset inflows and outflows, operating cash flows, business plans and ability to borrow, for all future periods. All forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K only.
We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially. We do not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. If there are any future public statements or disclosures by us that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this Annual Report on Form 10-K, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our business and our forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, resulting from: (i) any reduction in our assets under management; (ii) general domestic and global economic, political, and pandemic conditions; (iii) inability to achieve the expected benefits of our strategic transactions; (iv) the effects of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and associated global economic disruptions; (v) withdrawal, renegotiation or termination of investment advisory agreements; (vi) damage to our reputation; (vii) inability to satisfy financial covenants and payments related to our indebtedness; (viii) inability to attract and retain key personnel; (ix) challenges from the competition we face in our business; (x) adverse developments related to unaffiliated subadvisers; (xi) negative changes in key distribution relationships; (xii) interruptions in or failure to provide critical technological service by us or third parties; (xiii) loss on our investments; (xiv) lack of sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; (xv) adverse regulatory and legal developments; (xvi) failure to comply with investment guidelines or other contractual requirements; (xvii) adverse civil
litigation and government investigations or proceedings; (xviii) unfavorable changes in tax laws or limitations; (xix) volatility associated with our common stock; (xx) inability to make quarterly common stock dividends; (xxi) certain corporate governance provisions in our charter and bylaws; (xxii) losses or costs not covered by insurance; and (xxiii) impairment of goodwill or intangible assets; and other risks and uncertainties. Any occurrence of, or any material adverse change in, one or more risk factors or risks and uncertainties referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other periodic reports filed with the SEC could materially and adversely affect our operations, financial results, cash flows, prospects and liquidity.
Certain other factors that may impact our continuing operations, prospects, financial results and liquidity, or that may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements, are discussed or included in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC and are available on our website at www.virtus.com under "Investor Relations." You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
We lease our principal offices, which are located at One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103. In addition, we lease office space in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth in response to Item 103 of Regulation S-K under "Legal Proceedings" is incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," Note 12 "Commitments and Contingencies" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol "VRTS." As of February 11, 2022, we had 7,506,151 shares of common stock outstanding that were held by approximately 42,800 holders of record.
In making decisions regarding our quarterly dividend, we consider general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans and prospects, our businesses and investment opportunities, our financial condition and operating results, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs, contractual restrictions and obligations, legal, tax, regulatory and other restrictions that may have implications on the payment of distributions by us to our common shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and such other factors as we may deem relevant. We cannot provide any assurances that any distributions, whether quarterly or otherwise, will continue to be paid in the future.
On February 23, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.50 per common share to be paid on May 13, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 29, 2022.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
An aggregate of 4,930,045 shares of our common stock had been authorized to be repurchased under the share repurchase program originally approved by our Board of Directors in 2010, and as of December 31, 2021, 529,449 shares remained available for repurchase. Under the terms of the program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at our discretion through open market repurchases, privately negotiated transactions and/or other mechanisms, depending on price and prevailing market and business conditions. The program, which has no specified term, may be suspended or terminated at any time.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we repurchased a total of 193,193 common shares for $57.5 million. The following table sets forth information regarding our share repurchases in each month during the quarter ended December 31, 2021:
Period Total number of shares purchased Average price paid per share (1) Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (2) Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (2)
October 1-31, 2021 1,050 $ 317.51 1,050 610,265
November 1-30, 2021 34,371 $ 320.75 34,371 575,894
December 1-31, 2021 46,445 $ 293.67 46,445 529,449
Total 81,866 81,866
(1)Average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commissions.
(2)The share repurchases above were completed pursuant to a program announced in the fourth quarter of 2010 and most recently increased in May 2020. This repurchase program is not subject to an expiration date.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Shares of our common stock purchased by participants in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan were delivered to participant accounts via open market purchases at fair value by the third-party administrator under the plan. We do not reserve shares for this plan or discount the purchase price of the shares.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Reserved

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Overview
Our Business
We provide investment management and related services to individuals and institutions. We use a multi-manager, multi-style approach, offering investment strategies from affiliated managers, each having its own distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, individual brand, as well as from select unaffiliated subadvisers. By offering a broad array of products, we believe we can appeal to a greater number of investors and have offerings across market cycles and through changes in investor preferences. Our earnings are primarily driven by asset-based fees charged for services relating to these various products, including investment management, fund administration, distribution and shareholder services.
We offer investment strategies for individual and institutional investors in different investment products and through multiple distribution channels. Our investment strategies are available in a diverse range of styles and disciplines, managed by differentiated investment managers. We have offerings in various asset classes (equity, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative), geographies (domestic, global, international and emerging), market capitalizations (large, mid and small), styles (growth, core and value) and investment approaches (fundamental, quantitative and specialty). Our retail products include open-end funds and exchange traded funds ("ETFs") as well as closed-end funds and retail separate accounts. Our institutional products are offered through separate accounts and pooled or commingled structures to a variety of institutional clients. We also provide subadvisory services to other investment advisers and serve as the collateral manager for structured products.
We distribute our open-end funds and ETFs principally through financial intermediaries. We have broad distribution access in the retail market, with distribution partners that include national and regional broker-dealers, independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisers, banks and insurance companies. In many of these firms, we have a number of products that are on preferred "recommended" lists and on fee-based advisory programs. Our sales efforts are supported by regional sales professionals, a national account relationship group, and separate teams for ETFs and the retirement and insurance channels. We leverage third-party distributors for global products and in certain international jurisdictions. Our retail separate accounts are distributed through financial intermediaries and directly to private clients by teams at an affiliated manager.
Our institutional services are marketed through relationships with consultants as well as directly to clients. We target key market segments, including foundations and endowments, corporate, public and private pension plans, and subadvisory relationships.
Market Developments
The financial markets have a significant impact on the value of our assets under management and on the level of our sales and net flows. The capital and financial markets could experience fluctuation, volatility and declines as they have in the past, which could impact investment returns and asset flows of our investment products as well as in investor choices and preferences among investment products. The changes in our assets under management may also be affected by the factors discussed in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The U.S. and global equity markets increased in value in 2021, as evidenced by increases in major indices as noted in the following table:
December 31, As of Change
Index 2021 2020 %
MSCI World Index 3,232 2,690 20.1 %
Standard & Poor's 500 Index 4,766 3,756 26.9 %
Russell 2000 Index 2,245 1,975 13.7 %
Standard & Poor's / LSTA Leveraged Loan Index 2,420 2,338 3.5 %
Financial Highlights
▪Net income per diluted share was $26.01 in 2021, an increase of $15.99, or 159.6%, as compared to net income per diluted share of $10.02 in 2020.
▪Total sales were $36.5 billion in 2021, an increase of $3.1 billion, or 9.2%, from $33.4 billion in 2020. Net flows were $3.1 billion in 2021 compared to $5.4 billion in 2020.
▪Assets under management were $187.2 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $55.0 billion, or 41.6%, from $132.2 billion at December 31, 2020.
AllianzGI Strategic Partnership
On February 1, 2021, the Company finalized a strategic partnership with Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC ("AllianzGI"), pursuant to which NFJ Investment Group ("NFJ") was established as a new affiliated investment manager and the Company became the investment adviser, distributor and/or administrator for $29.5 billion of AllianzGI's open-end, closed-end, institutional and retail separate account assets (the "AGI relationship").
Westchester Capital Management
On October 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Westchester Capital Management, LLC ("Westchester"), a recognized leader in global event-driven strategies with $5.1 billion of assets under management.
Stone Harbor Investment Partners
On January 1, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Stone Harbor Investment Partners LLC ("Stone Harbor"), a premier manager of emerging markets debt, multi-asset credit, global corporate, and other strategies with $14.7 billion of assets under management at December 31, 2021.
Assets Under Management
At December 31, 2021, total assets under management were $187.2 billion, representing an increase of $55.0 billion, or 41.6%, from December 31, 2020. The change in total assets under management from December 31, 2020 included $19.4 billion of positive market performance, $29.5 billion from the AGI relationship, $5.1 billion from the Westchester acquisition and $3.1 billion of positive net flows.
Investment Performance - Open-End Funds
The following table presents our open-end funds' and their assets, as well as the three-year average annual return, corresponding benchmark index average annual return and ranking within its Morningstar Peer Group for each fund as of December 31, 2021.
Three Year
Fund Type/Name Assets
(in millions)
Average
Return % (1) Benchmark Index
Return % (2) Peer Group Percentile
Ranking % (3)
U.S. Retail Funds:
Domestic Equity
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund $ 6,362 27.99 21.17 32
Virtus Ceredex Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 3,701 19.26 19.62 49
Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund 3,261 33.81 27.46 8
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Core Fund 1,976 26.48 20.02 57
Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Core Fund 1,578 27.41 23.29 45
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Value Fund 1,507 24.11 17.99 57
Virtus KAR Small-Mid Cap Core Fund 1,459 30.33 21.91 26
Virtus NFJ Mid-Cap Value Fund 1,449 17.92 19.62 64
Virtus AllianzGI Focused Growth Fund 1,446 34.26 34.08 13
Virtus Ceredex Large-Cap Value Equity Fund 1,259 19.46 17.64 28
Virtus NFJ Dividend Value Fund 910 16.04 17.64 75
Virtus KAR Capital Growth Fund 813 32.59 34.08 23
Virtus NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund 536 13.78 17.99 91
Virtus AllianzGI Mid-Cap Growth Fund 483 36.09 27.46 5
Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund 467 14.71 17.99 93
Virtus NFJ Large-Cap Value Fund 344 17.03 17.64 62
Virtus AllianzGI Small-Cap Fund 185 19.75 20.02 55
Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund 145 19.73 13.82 90
Virtus Silvant Large-Cap Growth Stock Fund 139 31.09 34.08 36
Three Year
Fund Type/Name Assets
(in millions)
Average
Return % (1) Benchmark Index
Return % (2) Peer Group Percentile
Ranking % (3)
Fixed Income
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund 6,485 3.81 3.24 12
Virtus AllianzGI Convertible Fund 2,943 27.52 24.18 3
Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund 2,408 4.12 5.43 67
Virtus Seix U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund 881 1.15 1.11 74
Virtus AllianzGI Short Duration High Income Fund 855 6.24 5.77 80
Virtus Newfleet Low Duration Core Plus Bond Fund 804 3.19 2.92 37
Virtus Seix High Yield Fund 467 8.84 8.56 19
Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund 378 5.54 4.79 46
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Intermediate Bond Fund 311 6.42 4.79 37
Virtus Seix Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 257 4.22 3.98 50
Virtus Seix High Income Fund 208 8.12 8.83 41
Virtus Newfleet Senior Floating Rate Fund 200 4.71 5.43 40
Virtus Seix Core Bond Fund 107 5.03 4.79 38
Virtus Newfleet Core Plus Bond Fund 103 6.08 4.79 25
Virtus Newfleet Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 100 4.16 4.27 53
Virtus AllianzGI High Yield Bond Fund 69 7.69 8.57 52
Virtus AllianzGI Core Plus Bond Fund 65 7.01 4.79 6
Virtus Seix Corporate Bond Fund 62 9.28 7.59 6
Virtus Seix High Grade Municipal Bond Fund 58 5.06 4.73 54
Virtus Newfleet High Yield Fund 57 8.79 8.81 20
International Equity
Virtus Vontobel Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund 3,740 8.61 10.94 85
Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund 3,101 18.82 14.72 64
Virtus Vontobel Foreign Opportunities Fund 1,075 18.31 13.18 66
Virtus KAR Emerging Markets Small-Cap Fund 390 17.34 16.46 12
Virtus AllianzGI Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund 287 12.33 10.94 39
Virtus NFJ Emerging Markets Value Fund 148 15.29 10.94 22
Virtus NFJ International Value Fund 146 13.46 13.18 9
Virtus AllianzGI International Small-Cap Fund 74 15.33 16.27 90
Multi Asset
Virtus AllianzGI Income & Growth Fund 7,496 18.00 26.07 2
Virtus Tactical Allocation Fund 941 21.66 19.32 1
Virtus AllianzGI Global Dynamic Allocation Fund 59 15.80 14.31 21
Alternative
The Merger Fund® 4,269 3.82 0.99 68
Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund 617 22.56 18.41 13
Virtus Duff & Phelps International Real Estate Securities Fund 538 10.88 6.71 72
Virtus Westchester Event-Driven Fund 334 6.41 0.99 35
Virtus KAR Long/Short Equity Fund 168 27.31 25.79 2
Virtus FORT Trend Fund 153 2.98 0.99 N/A
Virtus Duff & Phelps Global Infrastructure Fund 93 13.34 11.46 34
Three Year
Fund Type/Name Assets
(in millions)
Average
Return % (1) Benchmark Index
Return % (2) Peer Group Percentile
Ranking % (3)
Specialty Equity
Virtus AllianzGI Technology Fund 2,364 35.42 37.82 45
Virtus AllianzGI Water Fund 1,130 25.14 20.38 14
Virtus Zevenbergen Innovative Growth Stock Fund 1,120 39.44 33.21 3
Virtus AllianzGI Health Sciences Fund 205 21.75 18.79 18
Virtus AllianzGI Global Allocation Fund 195 14.56 14.31 14
Virtus AllianzGI Global Sustainability Fund 136 24.49 20.38 3
Global Equity
Virtus Vontobel Global Opportunities Fund 400 19.96 20.38 89
Virtus SGA Global Growth Fund 172 23.56 20.38 63
Virtus AllianzGI Global Small-Cap Fund 90 20.84 19.20 54
Global Funds:
Virtus GF SGA Global Growth Fund 921 21.99 20.38 58
Virtus GF U.S. Small Cap Focus Fund 351 20.03 20.02 60
Virtus GF Multi-Sector Short Duration Bond Fund 81 3.83 3.60 7
Variable Insurance Funds:
Virtus KAR Capital Growth Series 317 33.07 34.08 20
Virtus SGA International Growth Series 163 16.65 13.18 83
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Series 128 27.75 21.17 34
Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Series 120 22.47 18.41 19
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Intermediate Bond Series 113 5.96 4.79 3
Virtus KAR Equity Income Series 103 20.18 13.82 89
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Value Series 92 24.60 17.99 87
Virtus Strategic Allocation Series 87 22.01 19.32 5
The Merger Fund® VL 54 4.84 0.99 53
Other Funds 418
$ 77,227
(1)Represents the average annual total return performance of the largest share class as measured by net assets for which performance data is available. Performance shown does not include the effect of applicable sales charges, if any. Had any applicable sales charges been reflected, performance would be lower than shown above.
(2)Represents the average annual total return of the benchmark index. Benchmark indices are unmanaged, their returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges, and they are not available for direct investment. The benchmark index for each fund can be found in the respective fund's fact sheet on our website at https://www.virtus.com/our-products/individual-investors/mutual-funds.
(3)Represents the peer ranking of the fund's average annual total return according to Morningstar. The Morningstar Peer Group for each fund can be found in the respective fund's fact sheet on our website at https://www.virtus.com/our-products/individual-investors/mutual-funds. Fund returns are reported net of fees.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Operating Results
In 2021, total revenues increased $375.3 million, or 62.2%, to $979.2 million from $603.9 million in 2020 primarily as a result of higher average assets under management in open-end funds due to the AGI relationship, positive market performance and positive net flows. Operating income increased by $182.3 million, or 127.4%, to $325.5 million in 2021 from $143.2 million in 2020 due to increased revenues.
Assets Under Management by Product
The following table summarizes our assets under management by product:
As of December 31, As of Change
(in millions) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Open-End Funds (1) (2) $ 77,227 $ 50,771 $ 26,456 52.1 %
Closed-End Funds 12,068 5,914 6,154 104.1 %
Exchange Traded Funds 1,479 837 642 76.7 %
Retail Separate Accounts 44,538 29,751 14,787 49.7 %
Institutional Accounts (2) 48,140 40,861 7,279 17.8 %
Structured Products 3,734 4,060 (326) (8.0) %
Total Assets Under Management $ 187,186 $ 132,194 $ 54,992 41.6 %
Average Assets Under Management (3) $ 172,841 $ 109,512 $ 63,329 57.8 %
(1)Represents assets under management of U.S. retail funds, global funds and variable insurance funds.
(2)Includes ultra-short strategies previously included in a separate liquidity strategy. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
(3)Averages are calculated as follows:
-Funds - average daily or weekly balances
-Retail Separate Accounts - average of quarterly beginning balances
-Institutional Accounts and Structured Products - average of month-end balances
The following table summarizes asset flows by product:
Asset Flows by Product
Years Ended December 31,
(in millions) 2021 2020
Open-End Funds (1) (2)
Beginning balance $ 50,771 $ 43,824
Inflows 18,366 17,055
Outflows (21,218) (16,890)
Net flows (2,852) 165
Market performance 6,095 7,222
Other (3) 23,213 (440)
Ending balance $ 77,227 $ 50,771
Closed-End Funds
Beginning balance $ 5,914 $ 6,748
Inflows 22 25
Outflows - -
Net flows 22 25
Market performance 1,223 (387)
Other (3) 4,909 (472)
Ending balance $ 12,068 $ 5,914
Exchange Traded Funds
Beginning balance $ 837 $ 1,156
Inflows 792 438
Outflows (307) (448)
Net flows 485 (10)
Market performance 213 (254)
Other (3) (56) (55)
Ending balance $ 1,479 $ 837
Asset Flows by Product
Years Ended December 31,
(in millions) 2021 2020
Retail Separate Accounts
Beginning balance $ 29,751 $ 20,414
Inflows 9,215 6,452
Outflows (4,085) (2,960)
Net flows 5,130 3,492
Market performance 6,124 5,868
Other (3) 3,533 (23)
Ending balance $ 44,538 $ 29,751
Institutional Accounts (2)
Beginning balance $ 40,861 $ 32,859
Inflows 8,093 8,967
Outflows (7,404) (7,512)
Net flows 689 1,455
Market performance 5,564 6,684
Other (3) 1,026 (137)
Ending balance $ 48,140 $ 40,861
Structured Products
Beginning balance $ 4,060 $ 3,903
Inflows 8 491
Outflows (350) (265)
Net flows (342) 226
Market performance 133 91
Other (3) (117) (160)
Ending balance $ 3,734 $ 4,060
Total
Beginning balance $ 132,194 $ 108,904
Inflows 36,496 33,428
Outflows (33,364) (28,075)
Net flows 3,132 5,353
Market performance 19,352 19,224
Other (3) 32,508 (1,287)
Ending balance $ 187,186 $ 132,194
(1)Represents assets under management of U.S. retail funds, global funds and variable insurance funds.
(2)Includes ultra-short strategies previously included in a separate liquidity strategy.
(3)Represents open-end and closed-end fund distributions net of reinvestments, the net change in assets from cash management strategies, and the effect on net flows from non-sales related activities such as asset acquisitions/(dispositions), seed capital investments/(withdrawals), structured products reset transactions, and the use of leverage.
The following table summarizes our assets under management by asset class:
December 31, Change
(in millions) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Asset Class
Equity $ 116,546 $ 86,268 $ 30,278 35.1 %
Fixed Income (1) 34,261 28,965 5,296 18.3 %
Multi-Asset (2) 24,853 12,201 12,652 103.7 %
Alternatives (3) 11,526 4,760 6,766 142.1 %
Total $ 187,186 $ 132,194 $ 54,992 41.6 %
(1)Includes ultra-short strategies previously included in a separate liquidity strategy.
(2)Includes strategies with substantial holdings in at least two of the following asset classes: equity, fixed income and alternatives.
(3)Consists of event-driven, real estate securities, infrastructure, long/short, and other strategies.
Average Assets Under Management and Average Fees Earned
The following table summarizes the average management fees earned in basis points and average assets under management:
Years Ended December 31,
Average Fee Earned
(expressed in basis points)
Average Assets Under Management
(in millions) (2)
2021 2020 2021 2020
Products
Open-End Funds (1) 47.5 50.1 $ 73,591 $ 42,891
Closed-End Funds 55.8 62.2 11,352 5,920
Exchange Traded Funds 9.4 6.5 1,183 687
Retail Separate Accounts 44.6 47.5 37,867 21,214
Institutional Accounts 31.8 31.7 45,000 34,628
Structured Products 37.3 31.5 3,849 4,173
All Products 42.9 43.5 $ 172,841 $ 109,512
(1)Represents assets under management of U.S. retail funds, global funds and variable insurance funds.
(2)Averages are calculated as follows:
-Funds - average daily or weekly balances
-Retail Separate Accounts - prior-quarter ending balances
-Institutional Accounts and Structured Products - average of month-end balances
Average fees earned represent investment management fees, net of revenue-related adjustments, divided by average net assets, excluding the impact of consolidation of investment products ("CIP"). Revenue-related adjustments are based on specific agreements and reflect the portion of investment management fees passed-through to third-party client intermediaries for services to investors in sponsored investment products. Fund fees are calculated based on average daily or weekly net assets. Retail separate account fees are calculated based on the end of the preceding or current quarter’s asset values or on an average of month-end balances. Institutional account fees are calculated based on an average of month-end balances or current quarter’s asset values. Structured product fees are calculated based on a combination of the underlying cash flows and the principal value of the product. Average fees earned will vary based on several factors, including the asset mix and expense reimbursements to the funds.
The average fee rate earned on all products for 2021 decreased by 0.6 basis points compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower fee rates earned on the assets under management acquired from the AGI relationship.
Results of Operations
Summary Financial Data
Years Ended December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Investment management fees $ 781,585 $ 505,338 $ 276,247 54.7 %
Other revenue 197,649 98,558 99,091 100.5 %
Total revenues 979,234 603,896 375,338 62.2 %
Total operating expenses 653,746 460,732 193,014 41.9 %
Operating income (loss) 325,488 143,164 182,324 127.4 %
Other income (expense), net 6,376 7,050 (674) (9.6) %
Interest income (expense), net 21,806 13,684 8,122 59.4 %
Income (loss) before income taxes 353,670 163,898 189,772 115.8 %
Income tax expense (benefit) 90,835 43,935 46,900 106.7 %
Net income (loss) 262,835 119,963 142,872 119.1 %
Noncontrolling interests (54,704) (40,006) (14,698) 36.7 %
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. $ 208,131 $ 79,957 $ 128,174 160.3 %
Earnings (loss) per share-diluted $ 26.01 $ 10.02 $ 15.99 159.6 %
Revenues
Revenues by source were as follows:
Years Ended December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Investment management fees
Open-end funds $ 393,673 $ 247,519 $ 146,154 59.0 %
Closed-end funds 63,301 36,833 26,468 71.9 %
Retail separate accounts 174,919 104,932 69,987 66.7 %
Institutional accounts 143,487 109,531 33,956 31.0 %
Structured products 4,726 4,012 714 17.8 %
Other products 1,479 2,511 (1,032) (41.1) %
Total investment management fees 781,585 505,338 276,247 54.7 %
Distribution and service fees 90,555 38,425 52,130 135.7 %
Administration and shareholder service fees 102,531 59,463 43,068 72.4 %
Other income and fees 4,563 670 3,893 581.0 %
Total revenues $ 979,234 $ 603,896 $ 375,338 62.2 %
A discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 may be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which specific discussion is incorporated herein by reference.
Investment Management Fees
Investment management fees are earned based on a percentage of assets under management and are paid pursuant to the terms of the respective investment management contracts, which generally require monthly or quarterly payments. Investment management fees increased by $276.2 million, or 54.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, due to an increase in average assets under management of $63.3 billion, or 57.8%, primarily as a result of the AGI relationship and market performance.
Distribution and Service Fees
Distribution and service fees are sales- and asset-based fees earned from open-end funds for marketing and distribution
services. Distribution and service fees increased by $52.1 million, or 135.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to higher average assets for open-end funds primarily as a result of market performance and the AGI relationship.
Administration and Shareholder Service Fees
Administration and shareholder service fees represent fees earned for fund administration and shareholder services from our open-end mutual funds, ETFs and certain of our closed-end funds. Fund administration and shareholder service fees increased by $43.1 million, or 72.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the increase in average assets under management for our open-end and closed-end funds during the period, predominantly as a result of market performance and the AGI relationship.
Other Income and Fees
Other income and fees primarily represent fees related to other fee earning assets and contingent sales charges earned from investor redemptions of certain shares sold without a front-end sales charge. Other income and fees increased by $3.9 million, or 581.0%, during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020, due to revenue from other fee earning assets primarily as a result of the AGI relationship.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses by category were as follows:
Years Ended December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Operating expenses
Employment expenses $ 358,230 $ 267,299 $ 90,931 34.0 %
Distribution and other asset-based expenses 141,039 77,010 64,029 83.1 %
Other operating expenses 90,134 69,896 20,238 29.0 %
Other operating expenses of CIP 3,562 10,585 (7,023) (66.3) %
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 12,400 - 12,400 N/M
Restructuring and severance - 1,155 (1,155) (100.0) %
Depreciation expense 3,900 4,660 (760) (16.3) %
Amortization expense 44,481 30,127 14,354 47.6 %
Total operating expenses $ 653,746 $ 460,732 $ 193,014 41.9 %
Employment Expenses
Employment expenses consist of fixed and variable compensation and related employee benefit costs. Employment expenses of $358.2 million increased $90.9 million, or 34.0%, from the prior year primarily due to increased profit-based compensation in the current year.
Distribution and Other Asset-Based Expenses
Distribution and other asset-based expenses consist primarily of payments to third-party client intermediaries for providing services to investors in sponsored investment products. These payments are primarily based on assets under management or on a percentage of sales. Distribution and other asset-based expenses also include the amortization of deferred sales commissions related to up-front commissions on shares sold without a front-end sales charge to shareholders. The deferred sales commissions are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period commissions are recovered from distribution fee revenues and contingent sales charges received upon redemption of shares. Distribution and other asset-based expenses increased $64.0 million, or 83.1%, from the prior year primarily due to increased sales and assets under management in share classes that have distribution and other asset-based expenses predominantly as a result of the AGI relationship.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses primarily consist of investment research and technology costs, professional fees, travel and distribution related costs, rent and occupancy expenses, and other business costs. Other operating expenses increased $20.2 million, or 29.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year primarily due to acquisition related professional fees and the addition of new affiliates.
Other Operating Expenses of CIP
Other operating expenses of CIP decreased $7.0 million, or 66.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the prior year primarily due to the costs associated with the issuance of a new CLO in the prior year that did not recur.
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration
The Company's contingent consideration related to its NFJ and Westchester transactions are recorded at fair value each reporting date taking into consideration changes in various estimates, including probability of success, discount rates and amount of time until the conditions of the contingent payments are achieved. The change in fair value is recorded in the current period as a gain or loss. The change in value of contingent consideration of $12.4 million in 2021 was primarily attributable to higher future revenue projections and the time value of money.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense consists primarily of the straight-line depreciation of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements. Depreciation expense decreased $0.8 million, or 16.3%, during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the prior year, primarily due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated.
Amortization Expense
Amortization expense consists of the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense increased $14.4 million, or 47.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the prior year due to the additional amortization associated with the Westchester and AGI transactions.
Other Income (Expense), net
Other Income (Expense), net by category were as follows:
Years Ended December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Other Income (Expense)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net $ 3,907 $ 7,139 $ (3,232) (45.3) %
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) of CIP, net (1,761) (1,965) 204 (10.4) %
Other income (expense), net 4,230 1,876 2,354 125.5 %
Total Other Income (Expense), net $ 6,376 $ 7,050 $ (674) (9.6) %
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, net
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net changed during the year ended December 31, 2021 by $(3.2) million, as compared to the prior year. The realized and unrealized gains and losses during the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected changes in overall market conditions experienced during the year.
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) of CIP, net
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) of CIP, net changed $0.2 million compared to the prior year. The change for the current year consisted primarily of net realized and unrealized gains of $73.4 million due to changes in market values of leveraged loans, partially offset by unrealized losses of $73.2 million related to the value of the notes payable.
Other Income (Expense), net
Other income (expense), net increased by $2.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the prior year primarily due to increased earnings from equity method investments during the current year.
Interest Income (Expense), net
Interest Income (Expense), net by category were as follows:
Years Ended December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Interest Income (Expense)
Interest expense $ (9,240) $ (11,894) $ 2,654 (22.3) %
Interest and dividend income 1,364 1,367 (3) (0.2) %
Interest and dividend income of investments of CIP 90,080 109,648 (19,568) (17.8) %
Interest expense of CIP (60,398) (85,437) 25,039 (29.3) %
Total Interest Income (Expense), net $ 21,806 $ 13,684 $ 8,122 59.4 %
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $2.7 million, or 22.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the prior year primarily due to a lower effective interest rate as well as lower average debt outstanding compared to the prior year.
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income is earned on cash equivalents and our marketable securities. Interest and dividend income remained consistent in 2021 compared to the prior year.
Interest and Dividend Income of Investments of CIP
Interest and dividend income of investments of CIP decreased $19.6 million, or 17.8%, compared to the prior year primarily due to a decrease in interest rates.
Interest Expense of CIP
Interest expense of CIP represents interest expense on the notes payable of CIP. Interest expense of CIP decreased by $25.0 million, or 29.3%, compared to the prior year primarily due to both lower variable interest rates and average debt balances of CIP during the current year.
Income Tax Expense
The provision for income taxes reflected U.S. federal, state and local taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 25.7% and 26.8% for 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in the estimated effective tax rate for the current year compared to the prior year was primarily due to excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation.
Effects of Inflation
Inflationary pressures can result in increases to our costs, especially to the extent that large expense components such as compensation are impacted. To the degree that these expense increases are not recoverable or cannot be counterbalanced through pricing increases due to the competitive environment, our profitability could be negatively impacted. In addition, the value of the assets that we manage may be negatively impacted if inflationary expectations result in a rising interest rate environment. Declines in the values of these assets under management could lead to reduced revenues as management fees are generally earned as a percent of assets under management.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Certain Financial Data
The following tables summarize certain financial data relating to our liquidity and capital resources:
December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents $ 378,921 $ 246,511 $ 132,410 53.7 %
Investments 108,890 64,944 43,946 67.7 %
Contingent consideration 162,564 - 162,564 N/M
Debt 266,346 201,212 65,134 32.4 %
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 138,965 115,513 23,452 20.3 %
Total equity 836,627 720,940 115,687 16.0 %
Years Ended December 31, Change
(in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 vs.
2020 %
Cash Flow Data
Provided by (used in)
Operating activities $ 665,729 $ (226,103) $ 891,832 (394.4) %
Investing activities (175,033) 8,681 (183,714) (2,116.3) %
Financing activities (244,400) 235,332 (479,732) (203.9) %
Overview
At December 31, 2021, we had $378.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $108.9 million of investments, which included $80.3 million of investment securities, compared to $246.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $64.9 million of investments, which included $40.0 million of investment securities, at December 31, 2020.
Uses of Capital
Our main uses of capital related to operating activities comprise employee compensation and related benefit costs, which includes annual incentive compensation; other operating expenses, which primarily consist of investment research; technology costs; professional fees; distribution and occupancy costs; interest on our indebtedness; and income taxes. Annual incentive compensation, which is one of the largest annual operating cash expenditures, is typically paid in the first quarter of the year. In the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, we paid approximately $96.9 million and $84.7 million, respectively, in incentive compensation earned during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
In addition to operating activities, other uses of cash could include: (i) investments in organic growth, including seeding or launching new products and expanding distribution; (ii) debt principal payments through scheduled amortization, excess cash flow payment requirements or additional paydowns; (iii) dividend payments to common stockholders; (iv) repurchases of our common stock, or withholding obligations for the net settlement of employee share transactions; (v) investments in our infrastructure; (vi) investments in inorganic growth opportunities that may require upfront and/or future payments; (vii) integration costs, including restructuring and severance, related to acquisitions, if any; (viii) purchases of affiliate noncontrolling interests and (ix) payment of contingent consideration related to completed acquisitions.
Capital and Reserve Requirements
We operate an SEC registered broker-dealer subsidiary that is subject to certain rules regarding minimum net capital. The broker-dealer is required to maintain a ratio of "aggregate indebtedness" to "net capital," as defined, which may not exceed 15 to 1 and must also maintain a minimum amount of net capital. Failure to meet these requirements could result in adverse consequences to us, including additional reporting requirements, a lower required ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital or interruption of our business. At December 31, 2021, the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital of our broker-dealer was below the maximum allowed, and net capital was significantly greater than the required minimum.
Balance Sheet
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and money market fund investments. Investments consist primarily of investments in our sponsored funds. CIP represent investment products for which we provide investment management services and where we have either a controlling financial interest or we are considered the primary beneficiary of an investment product that is considered a variable interest entity.
Operating Cash Flow
Cash flows provided by operating activities of $665.7 million for 2021 changed by $891.8 million from cash flows used in operating activities of $226.1 million in 2020 primarily due to an increase in net sales of investments by CIP of $698.5 million compared to the prior year.
Investing Cash Flow
Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures and other investing activities related to our business operations. Net cash used in investing activities of $175.0 million for 2021 changed by $183.7 million from net cash provided by investing activities of $8.7 million in 2020. The primary investing activities during 2021 related to cash paid for the Westchester transaction. The primary investing activities during 2020 were related to the increase in cash of $9.7 million from the consolidation of investment products partially offset by capital expenditures and other asset purchases of $1.0 million.
Financing Cash Flow
Cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of the issuance of common stock, return of capital through repurchases of common shares, dividends, withholding obligations for the net share settlement of employee share transactions, issuance and repayment of debt and changes to noncontrolling interests. Net cash related to financing activities changed by $479.7 million to net cash outflows of $244.4 million in 2021 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $235.3 million in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease of $579.9 million in net borrowings of CIP during 2021 compared to the prior year, partially offset by an increase of net cash inflows of $147.7 million primarily as a result of the refinancing of our credit agreement more fully discussed below.
Credit Agreement Refinancing
On September 28, 2021, we completed a refinancing through the execution of an amended and restated credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for (i) a $275.0 million term loan with a seven-year term (the "Term Loan") and (ii) a $175.0 million revolving credit facility with a five-year term. A portion of the proceeds from the refinancing was used to pay off $194.0 million outstanding on a previous term loan. At December 31, 2021, $274.3 million was outstanding under the Term Loan, and there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 835, Interest, the amounts outstanding under the Term Loan are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet net of related debt issuance costs, which were $8.0 million as of December 31, 2021.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
For a discussion of accounting standards, see Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires the use of estimates. Actual results may vary from these estimates. Management believes the following critical accounting policies are important to understanding our results of operations and financial position.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries and investment products that are consolidated. Voting interest entities ("VOEs") are consolidated when we are considered to have a controlling financial interest, which is typically present when we own a majority of the voting interest in an entity or otherwise have the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity.
We evaluate any variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which we have a variable interest for consolidation. A VIE is an entity in which either (i) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (ii) where as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not possess (x) the power
through voting or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; (y) the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity; or (z) proportionate voting and economic interests and where substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately fewer voting rights. If an entity has any of these characteristics, it is considered a VIE and is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
CIP includes both VOEs, made up primarily of open-end funds in which we hold a controlling financial interest, and VIEs, which primarily consist of CLOs of which we are considered the primary beneficiary. The consolidation and deconsolidation of these investment products have no impact on net income (loss) attributable to stockholders. Our risk with respect to these investment products is limited to our beneficial interests in these products. We have no right to the benefits from, and do not bear the risks associated with, these investment products beyond our investments in, and fees generated from, these products.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests - CIP
Noncontrolling interests - CIP represent third-party investments in our CIP and are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests on our Consolidated Balance Sheets because investors in those products are able to request withdrawal at any time.
Noncontrolling interests - affiliate
Noncontrolling interests - affiliate represent minority interests held in a consolidated affiliate. Minority interests held in an affiliate are subject to holder put rights and our call rights at established multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and, as such, are considered redeemable at other than fair value. These rights are exercisable at pre-established intervals (between four and seven years from their issuance) or upon certain conditions such as retirement. The put and call rights are not legally detachable or separately exercisable and are deemed to be embedded in the related noncontrolling interests. We, in purchasing affiliate equity, have the option to settle in cash or shares of common stock and are entitled to the cash flow associated with any purchased equity. Minority interests held in an affiliate are generally recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at estimated redemption value within redeemable noncontrolling interests, and changes in estimated redemption value of these interests are recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations within noncontrolling interests.
Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820"), establishes a framework for measuring fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability. Classification within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy contains three levels as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 assets and liabilities may include debt securities and equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs may include observable market data such as closing market prices provided by independent pricing services after considering factors such as the yields or prices of comparable investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. In addition, pricing services may determine the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets when it has been determined that there has been a significant trend in the U.S. equity markets or in index futures trading. Level 2 assets and liabilities may include debt and equity securities, purchased loans and over-the-counter derivative contracts whose fair value is determined using a pricing model without significant unobservable market data inputs.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable in active exchange markets.
The following is a discussion of the valuation methodologies used for our assets measured at fair value:
Cash equivalents represent investments in money market funds. Cash investments in money market funds are valued using published net asset values and are classified as Level 1.
Sponsored funds represent investments in open-end funds, closed-end funds and ETFs for which we act as the investment manager. The fair value of open-end funds is determined based on their published net asset values and are categorized as Level 1. The fair value of closed-end funds and ETFs are determined based on the official closing price on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
Equity securities include securities traded on active markets and are valued at the official closing price (typically last sale or bid) on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded and are categorized as Level 1.
Debt securities represent investments in senior secured bank loans and, are based on evaluated quotations received from independent pricing services and are categorized as Level 2.
Nonqualified retirement plan assets represent mutual funds within a nonqualified retirement plan whose fair value is determined based on their published net asset value and are categorized as Level 1.
Investments of CIP represent the underlying debt, equity and other securities held in CIP. Equity investments are valued at the official closing price on the exchange on which the securities are traded and are generally categorized within Level 1. Level 2 investments represent most debt securities, including bank loans and certain equity securities (including non-U.S. securities), for which closing prices are not readily available or are deemed to not reflect readily available market prices, and are valued using an independent pricing service. Debt investments are valued based on quotations received from independent pricing services or from dealers who make markets in such securities. Bank loan investments, which are included as debt investments, are generally priced at the average mid-point of bid and ask quotations obtained from a third-party pricing service. Fair value may also be based upon valuations obtained from independent third-party brokers or dealers utilizing matrix pricing models that consider information regarding securities with similar characteristics. In certain instances, fair value has been determined utilizing discounted cash flow analyses or single broker non-binding quotes. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these assets are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy. Level 3 investments include debt and equity securities that are not widely traded, are illiquid or are priced by dealers based on pricing models used by market makers in the security.
Derivative assets and liabilities of CIP represent futures contracts, swaps contracts, option contracts and forward contracts held in CIP. These assets and liabilities are recorded within other assets of CIP and other liabilities of CIP on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these derivative assets and liabilities are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy.
Notes payable of CIP represent notes issued by CIP CLOs we consolidate and are measured using the measurement alternative in Accounting Standards Update 2014-13, Consolidation (Topic 810). Accordingly, the fair value of CLO liabilities was measured as the fair value of CLO assets less the sum of (i) the fair value of the beneficial interests held by the Company and (ii) the carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services. The fair value of the beneficial interests held by the Company is based on third-party pricing information without adjustment.
Short sales of CIP are transactions in which a security is sold that is not owned or is owned but there is no intention to deliver, in anticipation that the price of the security will decline and are classified as Level 1 based on the underlying equity security. These liabilities are recorded within other liabilities of CIP on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, securities purchased payable of CIP, and accrued liabilities equal or approximate fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments.
Goodwill
As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of goodwill was $338.4 million. Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets and liabilities acquired. We have one reporting unit for purposes of assessing the carrying value of goodwill. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If we determine that the carrying value of the reporting unit is less than the fair value, a second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. We completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment as of October 31, 2021, and no
impairment was identified. For purposes of this assessment, we considered various qualitative factors including, but not limited to, certain indicators of fair value (i.e., market capitalization and market multiplies for asset managers), and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit was greater than its carrying value. Only a significant decline in the fair value of our reporting unit would indicate that an impairment may exist.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets was $42.3 million. Indefinite-lived intangible assets comprise certain fund investment advisory contracts and trade names. We perform indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests annually, or more frequently, should circumstances change, which could reduce the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets below their carrying value. We completed our annual impairment assessment of these assets as of October 31, 2021, and no impairments were identified. For purposes of this assessment, we considered various qualitative factors for the investment advisory contract intangible assets including, but not limited to, changes in (i) assets under management, (ii) operating margins, and (iii) net cash flows generated, and we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets was greater than their carrying value. Only a significant decline in the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets would indicate that an impairment may exist.
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets was $458.3 million. Definite-lived intangible assets comprise certain fund investment advisory contracts, trade names and non-competition agreements. We monitor the useful lives of definite-lived intangible assets and revise the useful lives, if necessary, based on the circumstances. Significant judgment is required in estimating the period that these assets will contribute to our cash flows and the pattern over which these assets will be consumed. A change in the remaining useful life of any of these assets could have a significant impact on amortization expense. All amortization expense is calculated on a straight-line basis. Impairment testing is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If we were to determine that the carrying value of the definite-lived intangible assets was less than the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the asset, we would quantify the impairment using a discounted cash flow model.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied, which occurs when control of the services is transferred to customers. Investment management fees, distribution and service fees, and administration and shareholder service fees are calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the investment portfolios managed. The net asset values from which these fees are calculated are variable in nature and subject to factors outside of our control such as additional investments, withdrawals and market performance. Because of this, these fees are considered constrained until the end of the contractual measurement period (monthly or quarterly) which is when asset values are generally determinable.
Investment Management Fees
We provide investment management services pursuant to investment management agreements through our affiliated investment advisers (each an "Adviser"). Investment management services represent a series of distinct daily services that are performed over time. Fees earned on funds are based on each fund's average daily or weekly net assets and are generally calculated and received on a monthly basis. We record investment management fees net of the fees paid to unaffiliated subadvisers since we are deemed to be an agent of the fund as it relates to the day-to-day investment management services performed by unaffiliated subadvisers, with our performance obligation being to arrange for the provision of that service and not control the specified service before it is performed. Amounts paid to unaffiliated subadvisers for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $115.5 million, $38.6 million and $40.5 million, respectively. The increase in 2021 compared to prior years was due to the new subadvisory relationship with AllianzGI.
Retail separate account fees are generally earned based on the end of the preceding or current quarter's asset values. Institutional account fees are generally earned based on an average of month-end balances. In certain instances, institutional fees may include performance related fees that are based on relative investment returns. Fees for structured finance products, for which we act as the collateral manager, consist of senior, subordinated and, in certain instances, incentive management fees. Senior and subordinated management fees are earned at a contractual fee rate applied against the end of the preceding quarter par value of the total collateral being managed with subordinated fees being earned only after certain portfolio criteria are met. Incentive fees on certain of our CLOs are typically a percentage of the excess cash flows available to holders of the subordinated notes, above a threshold level internal rate of return.
We rely on data provided to us by service providers for the pricing of the underlying investment securities for the asset values that drive our investment management fees and our assets under management. Our service providers have formal
valuation policies and procedures over the valuation of investments. As of December 31, 2021, our total assets under management by fair value hierarchy level, as defined by ASC 820, were approximately 78.1% Level 1, 20.6% Level 2 and 1.3% Level 3.
Distribution and Service Fees
Distribution and service fees are asset-based fees earned from certain share classes within our open-end funds and on a portion of other fee earning assets for distribution services. These fees primarily consist of an asset-based fee that is paid by the fund over a period of years to cover allowable sales and marketing expenses for the fund or front-end sales charges that are based on a percentage of the offering price. Asset-based distribution and service fees are primarily based on percentages of the average daily net asset value and are paid monthly pursuant to the terms of the respective distribution and service fee contracts.
Distribution and service fees represent two performance obligations comprised of distribution and related shareholder servicing activities. Distribution services are generally satisfied upon the sale of a fund share. Shareholder servicing activities are generally services satisfied over time.
We distribute our open-end funds through third-party financial intermediaries that comprise national, regional and independent broker-dealers. These third-party financial intermediaries provide distribution and shareholder service activities on our behalf. We pay related distribution and service fees to these third-party financial intermediaries for these services as we consider ourselves the principal in these arrangements since we have control of the services prior to the services being transferred to the customer. These payments are classified within distribution and other asset-based expenses.
Administration & Shareholder Service Fees
We provide administrative fund services to our open-end mutual funds, ETFs and the majority of our closed-end funds and shareholder services to our open-end funds. Administration and shareholder services are performed over time. We earn fees for these services, that are calculated and paid monthly, based on each fund's average daily or weekly net assets. Administrative fund services include: record keeping, preparing and filing documents required to comply with securities laws, legal administration and compliance services, customer service, supervision of the activities of the funds' service providers, tax services and treasury services. We also provide office space, equipment and personnel that may be necessary for managing and administering the business affairs of the funds. Shareholder services include maintaining shareholder accounts, processing shareholder transactions, preparing filings and performing necessary reporting.
Other income and fees primarily represent fees related to other fee earning assets and contingent sales charges earned from investor redemptions of certain shares sold without a front-end sales charge.
Accounting for Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires recognition of the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year, as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We record interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense.
Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and, in particular, any valuation allowance that is recorded against our deferred tax assets. The methodology for determining the realizability of deferred tax assets includes consideration of taxable income in prior carryback year(s), if carryback is permitted under the tax law, as well as consideration of the reversal of deferred tax liabilities that are in the same period and jurisdiction and are of the same character as the temporary differences that gave rise to the deferred tax assets. Our methodology also includes estimates of future taxable income from operations, as well as the expiration dates and amounts of carryforwards related to net operating losses and capital losses. These estimates are projected through the life of the related deferred tax assets based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable and consistent with demonstrated operating results. Changes in future operating results not currently forecasted may have a significant impact on the realization of deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances are provided when it is determined that it is more likely than not that the benefit of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Contingent Consideration
We periodically enter into contingent payment arrangements in connection with our business combinations or asset purchases. In contingent payment arrangements, we agree to pay additional transaction consideration to the seller based on future performance. We estimate the value of future payments of these potential future obligations at the time a business combination or asset purchase is consummated. Liabilities under contingent payment arrangements are recorded within contingent consideration on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contingent payment obligations related to business combinations are remeasured at fair value each reporting date using a simulation model with the assistance of an independent valuation firm and approved by management (level 3 fair value measurement). The change in fair value is recorded in the current period as a gain or loss. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of contingent payment obligations are reflected within change in fair value of contingent consideration on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Contingent payment obligations related to our asset purchases, if estimable and probable of payment, are initially recorded at their estimated value and reviewed every reporting period for changes. Any changes to the estimated value are recorded as an update of the initial acquisition cost of the asset with a corresponding change to the estimated contingent payment obligation on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Loss Contingencies
The likelihood that a loss contingency exists is evaluated using the criteria of ASC 450, Contingencies, and an accrued liability is recorded if the likelihood of a loss is considered both probable and reasonably estimable at the date of the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that we have considered relevant circumstances that we may be currently subject to, and the consolidated financial statements accurately reflect our reasonable estimate of the results of our operations, financial condition and cash flows for the years presented.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market Risk
Substantially all of our revenues are derived from investment management, distribution and service, and administration and shareholder service fees, which are based on the market value of assets under management. Accordingly, a decline in the market value of assets under management would cause our revenues and income to decline.
We are also subject to market risk due to a decline in the market value of our investments, which consist of marketable securities and our net interests in CIP. The following table summarizes the impact of a 10% increase or decrease in the fair values of these financial instruments:
December 31, 2021
(in thousands) Fair Value 10% Change
Investment securities - fair value (1) $ 80,335 $ 8,034
Our net interest in CIP (2) 152,221 15,222
Total Investments subject to Market Risk $ 232,556 $ 23,256
(1)If a 10% increase or decrease in fair values were to occur, it would result in a corresponding increase or decrease in our pre-tax earnings.
(2)These represent our direct investments in investment products that are consolidated. Upon consolidation, these direct investments are eliminated, and the assets and liabilities of CIP are consolidated on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, together with a noncontrolling interest balance representing the portion of the CIP owned by third parties. If a 10% increase or decrease in the fair values of our direct investments in CIP were to occur, it would result in a corresponding increase or decrease in our pre-tax earnings.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2021, we were exposed to interest rate risk as a result of approximately
$156.3 million of investments in fixed and floating rate income products, which include our net interests in CIP. We considered a hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates and determined that the fair value of our fixed income investments could change by an estimated $2.9 million.
At December 31, 2021, we had $274.3 million outstanding under our Term Loan. The applicable margin on amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement is 2.25%, in the case of LIBOR-based loans, and 1.25%, in the case of an alternate base rate loan. Given our borrowings are floating rate, we considered a hypothetical 100 basis point change in the base rate of our outstanding borrowings and determined that annual interest expense would change by an estimated $2.7 million, either an increase or decrease, depending on the direction of the change in the base rate.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The audited consolidated financial statements, including the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the required supplementary quarterly information, required by this item are presented under Item 15 "Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules" beginning on page.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2021, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policy or procedures may deteriorate. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 based upon the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 15 "Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2021 with respect to compensation plans under which shares of our common stock may be issued:
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
(a) (b) (c)
Plan Category Number of
securities to be
issued
upon exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights (1) Number of
securities remaining
available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected
in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (2) 430,730 $ - 807,671
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total 430,730 $ - 807,671
(1)The weighted-average exercise price set forth in this column is calculated excluding outstanding restricted stock unit awards ("RSUs") since recipients of such awards are not required to pay an exercise price to receive the shares subject to these awards.
(2)Represents shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSUs outstanding under the Company's Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan (the "Omnibus Plan"). Of the 3,370,000 maximum number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Omnibus Plan, 119,634 shares of common stock have been issued on a cumulative basis in the form of direct grants to directors.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) Financial Statements: The following Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Consolidated Financial Statements of Virtus are included in this Annual Report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules:
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information is either presented on the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto or is not applicable or required.
(a)(3) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference:
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description
(2) Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization, Arrangement, Liquidation or Succession
2.1 Separation Agreement, Plan of Reorganization and Distribution by and between The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and the Registrant, dated as of December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to Form 10, filed December 19, 2008).
2.2 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 16, 2016 among the Registrant, 100 Pearl Street 2, LLC, Lightyear Fund III, AIV-2, L.P., and RidgeWorth Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 22, 2016).
2.3 Securities Purchase Agreement among the Registrant, Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP ("SGA"), SGIA, LLC, Estancia Capital Partners, L.P. and each of the management partners of SGA named therein, dated as of February 1, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 27, 2018).
2.4 Membership Interest Purchase Agreement by and among the Registrant, Westchester Capital Management, LLC, Westchester Capital Partners, LLC, LPC Westchester, LP, MTSWCM Holdings, LLC, RDBWCM Holdings, LLC, and the Individual Equityholders (as defined therein), dated February 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 26, 2021).
(3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to Form 10, filed December 19, 2008).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended on February 14, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 16, 2018).
3.3 Certificate of Designations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Voting Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant, dated October 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 2 to Form 10, filed November 14, 2008).
3.4 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Designations of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Voting Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 13, 2009).
3.5 Certificate of Designations of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant, dated December 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 2, 2009).
3.6 Certificate of Designations of 7.25% Series D Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2017).
(4) Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders including Indentures
4.1 Description of the Registrant's Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 27, 2020).
(10) Material Contracts
10.1 Transition Services Agreement by and between The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and the Registrant, dated as of December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to Form 10, filed December 19, 2008).
10.2 Tax Separation Agreement by and between The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and the Registrant, dated December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to Form 10, filed December 19, 2008).
10.3 Amendment to Tax Separation Agreement, dated April 8, 2009, by and between The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and the Registrant, dated as of December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 10, 2009).
10.4 Employee Matters Agreement by and between The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and the Registrant, dated December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to Form 10, filed December 19, 2008).
10.5* Change in Control Agreement between George R. Aylward and the Registrant, effective as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to Form 10, filed December 19, 2008).
10.6* Amended and Restated Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed May 17, 2021).
10.7* Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Non-Qualified Excess Investment Plan, effective as of November 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's Amendment No. 2 to Form 10, filed November 14, 2008).
10.8* First Amendment to the Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Non-Qualified Excess Investment Plan, effective as of February 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 4, 2010).
10.9* Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Amended and Restated Executive Severance Allowance Plan, effective as of February 2, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 4, 2009).
10.10* Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 13, 2009).
10.11* Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement under the Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 13, 2009).
10.12* Form of Performance Share Units Agreement under the Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Omnibus Incentive and Equity Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 5, 2011).
10.13* Form of Indemnity Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed November 4, 2009).
10.14* Offer Letter from the Registrant to Barry M. Mandinach dated April 4, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 7, 2014).
10.15* Offer Letter from the Registrant to Wendy J. Hills dated July 26, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 26, 2021).
10.16* Offer Letter from the Registrant to Richard W. Smirl dated April 7, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2021).
10.17 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2021, by and among Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. as borrower, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as administrative agent, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 4, 2021).
(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant
21.1 Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Subsidiaries List.
(23) Consents of Experts and Counsel
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1
Certifications of Registrant's Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certifications of Registrant's Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certifications of Registrant's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101 The following information is formatted in iXBRL (Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104 Cover page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101)
* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by the Company in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs at the date they were made or at any other time.