Evercore : Reports Record Full Year 2017 Results; Quarterly Dividend Of $0.40 Per Share

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Evercore Inc. (NYSE: EVR) today announced its results for the full year ended December 31, 2017.

LEADERSHIP COMMENTARY

Ralph Schlosstein, President and Chief Executive Officer

"Evercore's fourth quarter and full year 2017 results reflect continued strong performance in our Investment Banking business globally. We delivered our ninth consecutive year of growth in Adjusted revenues, Adjusted  earnings and Adjusted EPS, reporting consistently competitive year over year operating margins despite making significant investments in the business through the addition of meaningful senior talent in both the Advisory and the Equities businesses.  Strategic Advisory services drove our performance, supporting clients in M&A, restructuring, activism and defense and other strategic initiatives and Capital Advisory services, including underwriting, continued to grow rapidly. Our strong results enabled us to deliver significant value to our shareholders, returning more than $361 million of capital in 2017, through increased dividends and significant share repurchases," said Ralph Schlosstein, President and Chief Executive Officer.

John S. Weinberg, Executive Chairman

"Our Advisory business continues to grow in reach and breadth. We finished the year ranked first in the global and U.S. league tables for announced transactions among independent advisors, fifth in the U.S. among all firms and seventh globally among all firms. Our teams are advising on the two largest M&A transactions for the year, three of the five largest public activist campaigns of 2017 and our restructuring business continues to be active in distressed industries globally," said John S. Weinberg, Executive Chairman. "Fundamentals for a healthy M&A market remain in place globally and our clients continue to evaluate strategic actions to drive growth, to adapt to changing technologies and U.S. tax reform and to position for the synchronous improvement in the economic environment globally."

Roger C. Altman, Founder and Senior Chairman

"Our consistent investment in talent over many years is clearly contributing to the strong results in our Advisory business. We are pleased with our early results in the Industrials sector, which added three SMDs last year, and expect to make significant investments in senior talent again in 2018," said Roger C. Altman, Founder and Senior Chairman. "We are particularly pleased with the class of six Advisory Senior Managing Directors promoted in January; our largest ever class of internal promotions. Talent developed at the Firm now represents approximately 30% of our Advisory Senior Managing Director group. Overall the Firm has never been more capable."

Ralph Schlosstein, President and Chief Executive Officer

"We are excited by the opportunities ahead as we seek to serve clients in all important industry sectors, grow our capital advisory services, adapt research services to the changing market dynamics and selectively add to our wealth management capabilities," said Ralph Schlosstein, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act delivers a significant future reduction in our tax obligations in the U.S. We plan to invest a portion of this savings in the expansion of our capabilities to serve future client needs and to use the remainder of the savings to support our strategic and financial objectives, including returning capital to our shareholders."

Selected Financial Data - U.S. GAAP Results:

The following is a discussion of Evercore's results on a U.S. GAAP basis.

Net Revenues

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Net Revenues of $540.0 million increased 21% versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Investment Banking revenues, primarily due to an increase in Advisory fees. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Net Revenues of $1.704 billion increased 18% versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Investment Banking revenues, primarily due to an increase in Advisory fees. See the Business Line Reporting - Discussion of U.S. GAAP Results below for further information.

On December 31, 2017, the Company exchanged all of its outstanding equity interests in G5 for debentures of G5. Other Revenue, net, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 includes a loss of $16.3 million related to the release of cumulative foreign exchange losses resulting from the restructuring of our equity method investment in G5. Other Revenue, net, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 also includes a gain of $7.8 million related to the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC and an estimated gain of $77.5 million related to a reduction in the liability for amounts due pursuant to our tax receivable agreement, which was re-measured following the decrease in future income tax rates in the U.S., as discussed below in Effective Tax Rate.

Compensation Ratio

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the compensation ratio was 50.6% versus 60.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by higher revenues in our Investment Banking business and the adjustment of amounts due pursuant to our tax receivable agreement, as well as lower costs associated with acquisition-related LP Units/Interests during 2017. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the compensation ratio was 56.5% versus 62.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by higher revenues in our Investment Banking business and the adjustment of amounts due pursuant to our tax receivable agreement, as well as lower costs associated with acquisition-related LP Units/Interests during 2017. See the Business Line Reporting - Discussion of U.S. GAAP Results below for further information.

Operating Income

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Operating Income of $184.1 million increased 89% versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Net Revenues, partially offset by increased compensation and non-compensation costs in the Investment Banking business. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Operating Income of $428.8 million increased 64% versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Net Revenues, partially offset by increased compensation and non-compensation costs in the Investment Banking business. See the Business Line Reporting - Discussion of U.S. GAAP Results below for further information.

Effective Tax Rate

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the effective tax rate was 100.7% versus 40.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2016. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the effective tax rate was 59.1% versus 44.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. 

In conjunction with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, which reduced income tax rates in the U.S. in future years, our tax provision for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 includes a charge of $143.3 million primarily resulting from the estimated re-measurement of net deferred tax assets, which relates principally to temporary differences from the step-up in basis associated with the exchange of partnership units, deferred compensation, accumulated other comprehensive income and depreciation of fixed assets and leasehold improvements. This charge, as well as the reduction in the liability for amounts due pursuant to our tax receivable agreement described above, resulted in an increase in the effective tax rate of 59.3 and 27.1 percentage points for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.

The provision for income taxes for 2017 also includes a benefit of $0.3 million and $24.0 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, following the application of a new accounting standard, effective January 1, 2017, related to share-based compensation, which requires that the tax deduction associated with the appreciation in the Firm's share price upon vesting of employee share-based awards above the original grant price be reflected in income tax expense. This benefit resulted in a decrease in the effective tax rate of 0.2 and 5.5 percentage points for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.

The effective tax rate is also impacted by the non-deductible treatment of compensation associated with Evercore LP Units/Interests.

Net Income (Loss) and Earnings (Loss) Per Share

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Evercore Inc. and Earnings (Loss) Per Share of ($19.4) million and ($0.50), respectively, decreased 145% and 151%, respectively, versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, principally driven by an increase in the effective tax rate.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. and Earnings Per Share of $125.5 million and $2.80, respectively, increased 17% and 15%, respectively, versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, principally driven by an increase in Net Revenues in the Investment Banking business, partially offset by an increase in the effective tax rate.

Selected Financial Data - Adjusted Results:

The following is a discussion of Evercore's results on an Adjusted basis. See pages 7 to 8 and A-2 to A-14 for further information and reconciliations of these non-GAAP metrics to our U.S. GAAP results.

Adjusted Net Revenues

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted Net Revenues of $465.5 million increased 5% versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Investment Banking revenues, primarily due to an increase in Advisory fees. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted Net Revenues of $1.626 billion increased 14% versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Investment Banking Revenues, primarily due to an increase in Advisory fees. See the Business Line Reporting - Discussion of Adjusted Results below for further information.

Adjusted Compensation Ratio

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Adjusted compensation ratio was 57.3%, versus 57.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by increased compensation costs in the Investment Banking business, principally due to costs associated with new senior hires. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Adjusted compensation ratio was 58.5% versus 57.3% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by increased compensation costs in the Investment Banking business, principally due to costs associated with new senior hires. The Adjusted compensation ratio reflects the cost associated with compensation awarded to employees based on their performance consistent with market rates, and the cost associated with the addition of senior professionals. These new hire costs reflect both the number and seniority of the personnel we recruit and have the potential to change the compensation ratio in any period. See the Business Line Reporting - Discussion of Adjusted Results below for further information.

Adjusted Operating Income

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted Operating Income of $134.2 million increased 6% versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Net Revenues, partially offset by increased compensation and non-compensation costs in the Investment Banking business. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted Operating Income of $426.5 million increased 13% versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Net Revenues, partially offset by increased compensation and non-compensation costs in the Investment Banking business. See the Business Line Reporting - Discussion of Adjusted Results below for further information.

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Adjusted effective tax rate was 37.0% versus 38.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2016. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Adjusted effective tax rate was 31.3% versus 38.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The Adjusted effective tax rate includes a benefit of $0.5 million and $26.6 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, following the application of a new accounting standard, effective January 1, 2017, related to share-based compensation, which requires that the tax deduction associated with the appreciation in the Firm's share price upon vesting of employee share-based awards above the original grant price be reflected in income tax expense. This benefit resulted in a decrease in the adjusted effective tax rate of 0.4 and 6.4 percentage points for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively. Changes in the Adjusted effective tax rate are also driven by the level of earnings in businesses with minority owners.

The Adjusted effective tax rate excludes adjustments related to the impact of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, as described above in Selected Financial Data - U.S. GAAP Results.

Adjusted Net Income and Earnings Per Share

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. and Adjusted Earnings Per Share of $78.0 million and $1.55, respectively, increased 5% and 8%, respectively, versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven by an increase in Net Revenues in the Investment Banking business, partially offset by increased compensation and non-compensation costs.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. and Adjusted Earnings Per Share of $276.4 million and $5.45, respectively, increased 24% and 26%, respectively, versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, principally driven by an increase in Net Revenues in the Investment Banking business and a decrease in the effective tax rate.

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. and Adjusted Earnings Per Share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was $249.8 million and $4.95, respectively, excluding the effects of the change in accounting for income taxes related to share-based payments, up 12% and 15%, respectively, versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

Evercore's quarterly results may fluctuate significantly due to the timing and amount of transaction fees earned, as well as other factors. Accordingly, financial results in any particular quarter may not be representative of future results over a longer period of time.

Non-GAAP Measures:

Throughout this release certain information is presented on an Adjusted basis, which is a non-GAAP measure. Adjusted results begin with information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), and then those results are adjusted to exclude certain items and reflect the conversion of vested and certain unvested Evercore LP Units and Interests into Class A shares. Evercore believes that the disclosed Adjusted measures and any adjustments thereto, when presented in conjunction with comparable U.S. GAAP measures, are useful to investors to compare Evercore's results across several periods and facilitate an understanding of Evercore's operating results. Evercore uses these measures to evaluate its operating performance, as well as the performance of individual employees. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Evercore's Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Inc. for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was higher than U.S. GAAP as a result of the exclusion of expenses associated with awards granted in conjunction with certain of the Company's acquisitions, and certain other business acquisition-related charges and Special Charges.

Acquisition-related compensation charges for 2017 include expenses and the reversal of expenses associated with performance-based awards granted in conjunction with the Company's acquisition of ISI. The amount of expense or the reversal of expense for the Class G and H LP Interests is based on the determination if it is probable that Evercore ISI will achieve certain earnings and margin targets in future periods. Acquisition-related charges for 2017 also include professional fees incurred and amortization of intangible assets.

Special Charges for 2017 relate to expenses for the impairment of goodwill in the Institutional Asset Management reporting unit and the impairment of our investment in G5 during the second quarter and the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of Evercore Trust Company ("ETC") during the fourth quarter.

Gains resulting from the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC and from the reduction of amounts due pursuant to the tax receivable agreement in the fourth quarter of 2017 have also been excluded from Revenues.

The release of cumulative foreign exchange losses resulting from the restructuring of our equity method investment in G5 in the fourth quarter of 2017 has been excluded from Revenues.

In addition, for Adjusted purposes, client related expenses have been presented as a reduction from Revenues and Non-compensation costs.

Evercore's Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017  excludes adjustments related to the impact of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, which resulted in a reduction in income tax rates in the U.S. in future years. Our adjusted tax provision for 2017 excludes a charge of $143.3 million primarily resulting from the estimated re-measurement of net deferred tax assets, which relates principally to temporary differences from the step-up in basis associated with the exchange of partnership units, deferred compensation, accumulated other comprehensive income and depreciation of fixed assets and leasehold improvements.

Evercore's Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were higher than U.S. GAAP as a result of the inclusion of Evercore LP Units, as well as the assumed vesting of certain Evercore LP Units/Interests and unvested restricted stock units granted to ISI employees.

This release also presents changes in Adjusted Investment Management Operating Income and Adjusted Investment Management Operating Margin from the prior-year periods assuming that the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates occurred on December 31, 2015. This includes the transfer of ownership of the Mexican Private Equity Business that occurred on September 30, 2016 and the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC that occurred on October 18, 2017. Evercore believes this is useful additional information for investors because it improves the comparability of period-over-period results and aligns with management's view of business performance.

Further details of these adjustments, as well as an explanation of similar amounts for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 are included in Annex I, pages A-2 to A-14. 

Business Line Reporting - Discussion of U.S. GAAP Results

The following is a discussion of Evercore's segment results on a U.S. GAAP basis.

Investment Banking

Revenues

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, Advisory Fees increased 9% versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven primarily by the composition of fees in excess of $1 million, taking into account the size and type of transaction and the nature of services provided. Commissions and Related Fees for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased 10% from the fourth quarter of last year as institutional clients are adjusting the level and composition of trading volumes as well as payments for research services under a broad movement to passive investing strategies and lower levels of volatility. Underwriting Fees of $15.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased 33% versus the fourth quarter of last year, as we participated in 18 underwriting transactions (vs. 14 in Q4 2016); 13 as a bookrunner (vs. 9 in Q4 2016).

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Advisory Fees increased 21% versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven primarily by the number and composition of fees in excess of $1 million, taking into account the size and type of transaction and the nature of services provided. Commissions and Related Fees for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 decreased 11% from last year as institutional clients are adjusting the level and composition of trading volumes as well as payments for research services under a broad movement to passive investing strategies and lower levels of volatility. Underwriting Fees of $45.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increased 26% from last year, as we participated in 58 underwriting transactions (vs. 44 in 2016); 33 as a bookrunner (vs. 21 in 2016).

On December 31, 2017, the Company exchanged all of its outstanding equity interests in G5 for debentures of G5. Other Revenue, net, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 includes a loss of $16.3 million related to the release of cumulative foreign exchange losses resulting from the restructuring of our equity method investment in G5. Other Revenue, net, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 also includes an estimated gain of $77.5 million related to a reduction in the liability for amounts due pursuant to our tax receivable agreement, which was re-measured following the decrease in future income tax rates in the U.S. upon the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017.

Expenses

Compensation costs of $266.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were up 2% compared to the fourth quarter of last year, driven by higher compensation costs as a result of increased headcount in the business, including new senior hires, as well as higher levels of revenue earned. Compensation costs of $926.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were up 8% compared to last year, driven by higher compensation costs as a result of increased headcount in the business, including new senior hires, as well as higher levels of revenue earned. The compensation ratio was 51.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 61.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 56.7% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, compared to 63.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in the compensation ratio was driven by higher revenues and the adjustment of amounts due pursuant to our tax receivable agreement, as well as lower costs associated with acquisition-related LP Units/Interests during 2017. Compensation costs include $2.7 million and $18.0 million of expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, related to the Class E LP Units and ($12.9) million of expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 related to the Class G and H LP Interests issued in conjunction with the acquisition of ISI. The Company incurred an expense reversal in the first quarter of 2017 following a review of the outlook for the Evercore ISI business where the Company concluded that it would be appropriate to lower the level of earnings and margins that it considers probable of achievement for future periods. Compensation costs included $14.4 million and $80.4 million of expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively, related to the Class E, G and H LP Units/Interests issued in conjunction with the acquisition of ISI based on the probability assumptions in place at that time.

As discussed in "Capital Transactions" below, in July 2017, the Board of Directors approved the exchange of all of the outstanding Class H LP Interests into 1.9 million Class J LP Units, which will continue to vest based on the completion of service through February 15, 2020. This modification did not result in any further expense and the remaining expense as of the modification date will be recorded ratably from the date of modification to the final vesting date. Compensation costs include $3.7 million and $6.0 million of expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, related to the Class J LP Units.

Non-compensation costs for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $74.2 million, up 10% compared to the fourth quarter of last year. The increase in non-compensation costs versus last year reflects the addition of personnel within most parts of the business. The ratio of non-compensation costs to net revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was 14.3%, compared to 15.8% for the fourth quarter of last year. Non-compensation costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $270.8 million, up 8% from last year. The increase in non-compensation costs versus last year reflects the addition of personnel within most parts of the business. The ratio of non-compensation costs to net revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was 16.6%, compared to 18.4% last year, driven by increased net revenues.

Special Charges for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 reflect an impairment charge of $14.4 million incurred in the second quarter of 2017 related to the Company's equity method investment in G5, resulting from the sustained negative economic and political climate in Brazil.

Investment Management

Revenues

• On October 18, 2017, the Company completed the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC.
• On December 31, 2017, the Company exchanged all of its outstanding equity interests in G5 for debentures of G5.
• On September 30, 2016, the Company completed the transfer of ownership and control of the Mexican Private Equity Business to a newly formed entity, Glisco Partners Inc., which is controlled by the principals of the business.

Management Fees and Related Income of $12.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased 11% compared to the fourth quarter of last year, driven primarily by higher fees in Wealth Management.

Private Equity Investments of $0.07 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased relative to the fourth quarter of last year, driven principally by lower realized and unrealized gains in Private Equity.

Management Fees and Related Income of $46.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increased 5% compared to last year, driven primarily by higher fees in Wealth Management in 2017.

Private Equity Investments of ($0.9) million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 decreased relative to last year, driven by losses related to the wind-down of a Private Equity fund in Mexico in 2017 and higher performance fees in 2016.

Other Revenue, net, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 includes $7.8 million related to a gain on the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC.

Expenses

Investment Management's expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $15.4 million, a decrease of 20% compared to the fourth quarter of last year principally as a result of a reduction in Special Charges. Investment Management expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $63.8 million, down 4% from last year due to a reduction in compensation and non-compensation costs.

Special Charges for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 reflect an impairment charge of $7.1 million incurred in the second quarter of 2017 related to goodwill in the Company's Institutional Asset Management reporting unit where the fair value has been reduced relative to the remaining goodwill as a result of the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC. Special Charges for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 also reflect charges related to the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC during the fourth quarter.

Business Line Reporting - Discussion of Adjusted Results

The following is a discussion of Evercore's segment results on an Adjusted basis. See pages 7 to 8 and A-2 to A-14 for further information and reconciliations of these metrics to our U.S. GAAP results.

Investment Banking

Adjusted Revenues

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, Advisory Fees increased 8% versus the three months ended December 31, 2016, driven primarily by the composition of fees in excess of $1 million, taking into account the size and type of transaction and the nature of services provided. Commissions and Related Fees for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased 10% from the fourth quarter of last year as institutional clients are adjusting the level and composition of trading volumes as well as payments for research services under a broad movement to passive investing strategies and lower levels of volatility. Underwriting Fees of $14.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased 24% versus the fourth quarter of last year, as we participated in 18 underwriting transactions (vs. 14 in Q4 2016); 13 as a bookrunner (vs. 9 in Q4 2016).

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Advisory fees increased 21% versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven primarily by the number and composition of fees in excess of $1 million, taking into account the size and type of transaction and the nature of services provided. Commissions and Related Fees for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 decreased 11% from last year as institutional clients are adjusting the level and composition of trading volumes as well as payments for research services under a broad movement to passive investing strategies and lower levels of volatility. Underwriting Fees of $44.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increased 23% from last year, as we participated in 58 underwriting transactions (vs. 44 in 2016); 33 as a bookrunner (vs. 21 in 2016).

Adjusted Expenses

Adjusted compensation costs were $259.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 5% from the fourth quarter of last year. Evercore's Investment Banking Adjusted compensation ratio was 57.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, down versus the Adjusted compensation ratio reported for the fourth quarter of last year of 58.3%, driven by higher revenues. Adjusted compensation costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $915.1 million, an increase of 17% from last year, and the Adjusted compensation ratio was 58.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 compared to an Adjusted compensation ratio of 57.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by higher compensation costs as a result of increased headcount in the business, including new senior hires, as well as higher levels of revenue earned.

Adjusted non-compensation costs for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $60.3 million, up 4% from the fourth quarter of last year. The increase in Adjusted non-compensation costs versus last year reflects the addition of personnel within most parts of the business. The ratio of Adjusted non-compensation costs to Adjusted net revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was 13.4%, compared to 13.6% for the fourth quarter of last year. Adjusted non-compensation costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $232.8 million, up 8% from last year due to the addition of personnel within most parts of the business. The ratio of Adjusted non-compensation costs to net revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was 15.0%, compared to 16.0% last year, driven by increased net revenues.

Investment Management

Adjusted Revenues

• On October 18, 2017, the Company completed the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of ETC.
• On December 31, 2017, the Company exchanged all of its outstanding equity interests in G5 for debentures of G5.
• On September 30, 2016, the Company completed the transfer of ownership and control of the Mexican Private Equity Business to a newly formed entity, Glisco Partners Inc., which is controlled by the principals of the business.

Adjusted Management Fees and Related Income of $12.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased 11% compared to the fourth quarter of last year, driven primarily by higher fees in Wealth Management.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates of $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased relative to the fourth quarter of last year, driven principally by higher income earned in the fourth quarter of 2017 by ABS, including an increase in performance fees.

Adjusted Private Equity Investments of $0.07 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased relative to the fourth quarter of last year, driven principally by lower realized and unrealized gains in Private Equity.

Adjusted Management Fees and Related Income of $46.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increased 5% compared to last year, driven primarily by higher fees in Wealth Management in 2017.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates of $8.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increased over 60% relative to last year, driven principally by higher income earned in 2017 by ABS, including an increase in performance fees.

Adjusted Private Equity Investments of ($0.9) million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 decreased relative to last year, driven by losses related to the wind-down of a Private Equity fund in Mexico in 2017 and higher performance fees in 2016.

Adjusted Expenses

Investment Management's Adjusted expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $11.2 million, up 4% compared to the fourth quarter of last year principally due to an increase in compensation costs. Adjusted Investment Management expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $51.4 million, down 9% from last year due to a decrease in compensation and non-compensation costs.

Assuming the restructuring of our Investment Management affiliates noted above had occurred on December 31, 2015, Investment Management's Adjusted Operating Income would have decreased 5% when compared to the fourth quarter of last year and decreased 16% when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, and Investment Management's Adjusted Operating Margin would have been 35.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to 42.8% for the fourth quarter of last year and 27.6% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 compared to 30.9% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

Balance Sheet

The Company continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, holding cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and certificates of deposit of $738.1 million at December 31, 2017. Current assets exceed current liabilities by $536.2 million at December 31, 2017. Amounts due related to the Long-Term Notes Payable and Subordinated Borrowings were $175.1 million at December 31, 2017.

On October 18, 2017, the Company completed the sale of the Institutional Trust and Independent Fiduciary business of Evercore Trust Company for a purchase price of $34.8 million. This transaction resulted in a decrease in Goodwill of $28.4 million.

Capital Transactions

On January 29, 2018, the Board of Directors of Evercore declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share to be paid on March 9, 2018 to common stockholders of record on February 23, 2018.

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 27,000 shares at an average price per share of $80.16. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased a total of 3.9 million shares/units at an average price per share/unit of $75.02.

During the first quarter of 2017, after consideration of the market environment in which our equities business operates and the intermediate term cost structure of that business, we reduced the shares we expect to deliver, included in our Adjusted share base, for the 2014 acquisition of ISI from approximately 7.0 million shares to 5.4 million shares. Further, in July 2017, the Board of Directors approved the exchange of all of the outstanding Class H LP Interests into 1.9 million Class J LP Units, reducing the aggregate number of units to 5.3 million. The new units contain the same service vesting terms as the Class H LP Interests and are not entitled to distributions. The Class J LP Units do not have performance thresholds and the holders will be issued one share each of Class B common stock of Evercore Inc., which will entitle them to one vote on all matters submitted generally to holders of Class A and Class B common stock for each Class E LP Unit and Class J LP Unit held.

The total shares available to be granted in the future under the Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan was approximately 7.2 million as of December 31, 2017.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expected to deliver a significant reduction in our tax obligations in the U.S. in future years. We plan to invest a portion of this savings in the expansion of our capabilities to serve future client needs and to use the remainder of the savings to support our strategic and financial objectives, including returning capital to our shareholders.

Conference Call

Evercore will host a related conference call beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, accessible via telephone and the internet. Investors and analysts may participate in the live conference call by dialing (877) 359-9508 (toll-free domestic) or (224) 357-2393 (international); passcode: 9999798. Please register at least 10 minutes before the conference call begins. A replay of the call will be available for one week via telephone starting approximately one hour after the call ends. The replay can be accessed at (855) 859-2056 (toll-free domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international); passcode: 9999798. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Evercore's website at www.evercore.com. The webcast will be archived on Evercore's website for 30 days after the call.

About Evercore

Evercore (NYSE: EVR) is a premier global independent investment banking advisory firm. We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve superior results through trusted independent and innovative advice on matters of strategic significance to boards of directors, management teams and shareholders, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic shareholder advisory, restructurings, and capital structure. Evercore also assists clients in raising public and private capital and delivers equity research and equity sales and agency trading execution, in addition to providing wealth and investment management services to high net worth and institutional investors. Founded in 1995, the Firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices and affiliate offices in major financial centers in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. For more information, please visit www.evercore.com.

Basis of Alternative Financial Statement Presentation

Our Adjusted results are a non-GAAP measure. As discussed further under "Non-GAAP Measures", Evercore believes that the disclosed Adjusted measures and any adjustments thereto, when presented in conjunction with comparable U.S. GAAP measures, are useful to investors to compare Evercore's results across several periods and better reflect management's view of operating results. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of our U.S. GAAP results to Adjusted results is presented in the tables included in Annex I.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, Evercore's operations and financial performance. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "backlog," "believes," "expects," "potential," "probable," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this presentation are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in Evercore's business. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Evercore believes these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under "Risk Factors" discussed in Evercore's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and Registration Statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Evercore to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can Evercore assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and Evercore does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Evercore undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

With respect to any securities offered by any private equity fund referenced herein, such securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

ANNEX I