HARTFORD, Conn., April 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS) today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2017.


    Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in millions, except per share data or as noted)


                                                                                                                                                    Three Months Ended                            Three Months
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Ended
                                                                                                                                                                                                     -----

                                                                                                                                                           3/31/2017         3/31/2016  Change                         12/31/2016    Change
                                                                                                                                                           ---------         ---------  ------                      ----------    ------


    U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
    ----------------------------

    Revenues                                                                                                                                                           $79.8               $80.3                (1%)                    $79.9    -%

    Operating expenses                                                                                                                                                 $69.7               $67.5                  3%                    $67.1    4%

    Operating income                                                                                                                                                   $10.0               $12.8               (21%)                    $12.8 (21%)

    Operating margin                                                                                                                                           12.6%             15.9%                                    16.0%

    Net income attributable to common stockholders                                                                                                                     $10.9               $12.4               (11%)                    $12.4 (12%)

    Earnings per share - diluted                                                                                                                                       $1.62               $1.45                 12%                    $1.87 (13%)

    Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted                                                                                                              6.773              8.506     (20%)                          6.627          2%


    Non-GAAP Financial Measures (1)
    ------------------------------

    Revenues, as adjusted                                                                                                                                              $64.7               $62.4                  4%                    $64.0    1%

    Operating expenses, as adjusted                                                                                                                                    $51.2               $47.2                  9%                    $45.9   12%

    Operating income, as adjusted                                                                                                                                      $13.5               $15.2               (11%)                    $18.2 (26%)

    Operating margin, as adjusted                                                                                                                              20.9%             24.4%                                    28.4%

    Net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted                                                                                                         $8.6                $9.5               (10%)                    $11.6 (26%)

    Earnings per share - diluted, as adjusted                                                                                                                          $1.16               $1.12                  4%                    $1.75 (34%)

    Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted, as adjusted A                                                                                               7.447              8.506     (12%)                          6.627         12%


    (1) See the information beginning on page 9 for a reconciliation to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures and other important disclosures.

    A Assumes conversion of preferred shares to common shares

Earnings Summary

The company presents U.S. GAAP earnings information and non-GAAP earnings information in this release. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented most accurately reflect the company's operating results from providing investment management and related services to individuals and institutions and uses these measures to evaluate financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures have material limitations and should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP measures. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures can be found beginning on page 9 of this earnings release.

GAAP Results

Operating income decreased sequentially due to increased operating expenses as higher employment costs more than offset lower other operating expenses. First quarter other operating expenses included acquisition and integration costs of $1.6 million, which consist of professional fees and other expenses. These costs relate to the pending acquisition of RidgeWorth Investments, a multi-manager with $42.3 billion of total assets under management at March 31, 2017 that include $35.7 billion of long-term assets and $6.6 billion of liquidity products. The company currently expects to close the RidgeWorth acquisition by the end of the second quarter.

Earnings per diluted common share of $1.62 decreased from $1.87 in the fourth quarter. First quarter earnings per share included $0.71 of unrealized gains on investments, a ($0.48) impact from equity issuances, ($0.45) of specific employment expenses, and ($0.15) of acquisition and integration costs. Fourth quarter earnings per share included a $0.65 benefit from the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance related to realized capital losses, ($0.49) of unrealized losses on investments, and ($0.31) of acquisition and integration costs.

The effective tax rate of 24 percent included the release of a $2.0 million net valuation allowance related to marketable securities and $0.3 million of excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation.

Non-GAAP Results

Revenues, as adjusted, increased 1 percent sequentially, as higher average assets were offset by the impact of two fewer days in the quarter, and 4 percent over the prior-year quarter. Operating expenses, as adjusted, increased sequentially due to higher employment expenses, as adjusted, which reflect $4.9 million of specific expenses, including $3.4 million of seasonal compensation expenses, primarily payroll taxes, and $1.5 million of incremental incentive compensation primarily related to efforts associated with the RidgeWorth transaction. Other operating expenses, as adjusted, decreased 7 percent sequentially on lower marketing and product-related costs.

Operating income, as adjusted, and the related margin were $13.5 million and 20.9 percent, respectively, compared with $18.2 million and 28.4 percent in the sequential quarter. Excluding the $4.9 million of specific employment expenses, operating income, as adjusted, and the related margin were $18.4 million and 28.4 percent, respectively.

Net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted, of $1.16 per diluted common share included ($0.41) of specific employment expenses and ($0.24) related to the higher share count following the January equity issuances in connection with the pending RidgeWorth acquisition.

The effective tax rate, as adjusted, of 39 percent was relatively unchanged from prior periods.


    Asset Flows and Assets Under Management

    (in billions)


                                                  Three Months Ended                        Three Months
                                                                                              Ended
                                                                                              -----

                                            3/31/2017               3/31/2016 Change          12/31/2016 Change
                                            ---------               --------- ------          ---------- ------

    Ending assets under management                        $48.0                       $45.7                     5%   $45.4    6%

    Average assets under management                       $46.4                       $45.7                     2%   $45.3    2%

    Gross sales                                            $3.3                        $2.8                    15%    $2.6   24%

    Net flows                                              $0.5                      $(2.6)                   N/M  $(0.4)  N/M


    N/M - Not Meaningful

Assets under management of $48.0 billion at March 31, 2017 increased $2.7 billion, or 6 percent, from December 31, 2016, due to market appreciation and positive net flows, and $2.4 billion, or 5 percent, from March 31, 2016 on market appreciation.

Total sales of $3.3 billion increased 24 percent sequentially and 15 percent from the prior-year quarter. The sequential-quarter increase reflects higher sales in open-end funds, separately managed accounts (SMAs), and exchange traded funds (ETFs), while the year-over-year change includes higher sales in SMAs, ETFs, and institutional. The $0.4 billion sequential-quarter increase in mutual fund sales is primarily attributable to higher sales in the Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund, managed by Newfleet Asset Management, and the Small-Cap Sustainable Growth Fund, managed by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management.(1)

Net flows were positive $0.5 billion, an improvement from ($0.4) billion in the fourth quarter and ($2.6) billion in the prior-year quarter reflecting improved net flows in all product categories. Mutual fund net flows in the first quarter were ($0.1) billion compared with ($0.7) billion in the fourth quarter and ($2.6) billion in the prior-year quarter. The sequential-quarter change reflects higher sales and lower redemptions while the year-over-year improvement is due primarily to lower redemptions in emerging markets and domestic equity strategies.


    Balance Sheet Highlights (Unaudited)

    (in millions)


                                                                                                                                            As of                                                              As of


                                                                                                                               3/31/2017                3/31/2016                    Change                  12/31/2016                   Change
                                                                                                                               ---------                ---------                    ------                  ----------                   ------

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                $235.9                                                  $50.4                                      36%                                   $64.6                                     265%

    Seed investments (1)                                                                                                           174.8                                   280.9                                    (38%)                     180.1                                     (3%)

    Investments - other (2)                                                                                                         30.7                                    51.2                                    (40%)                      29.1                                       5%
                                                                                                                                    ----                                    ----                                                               ----

         Total - cash and investments                                                                                                        $441.4                                                 $382.5                                      15%                                  $273.8                                      61%


    Deferred taxes, net                                                                                                                       $45.7                                                  $49.1                                     (7%)                                   $47.5                                     (4%)

    Dividends payable                                                                                                                          $6.0                                                   $4.2                                      43%                                    $3.5                                      71%

    Debt                                                                                                                               $          -                                          $          -                                      -%                                  $30.0                                      N/M

    Total equity attributable to stockholders                                                                                                $552.4                                                 $505.6                                       9%                                  $321.7                                      72%


    Working capital (3)                                                                                                                      $224.8                                                  $59.1                                     280%                                   $27.7                                      N/M


    Ending common shares outstanding                                                                                               6.989                                   8.260                                    (15%)                     5.889                                      19%

    Ending preferred shares outstanding, as converted (4)                                                                          1.045                                       -                                     N/M                         -                                     N/M


    Ending common shares outstanding, as adjusted (4)                                                                              8.035                                   8.260                                     (3%)                     5.889                                      36%


    (1) Represents the company's investments in sponsored investment products including consolidated sponsored investment products (CSIPs), net of noncontrolling interests. For the periods ending March 31, 2017, March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2016, net assets of CSIPs represent $155.6 million, $272.5 million, and
     $150.0 million of total assets, $2.8 million, $20.2 million, and $4.1 million of total liabilities, and $45.0 million, $40.4 million, and $37.3 million of redeemable noncontrolling interests, respectively.

    (2) Represents investments that are not related to the company's seed investments, including sponsored [mutual funds] and an investment in a company-managed CLO, which is a consolidated investment product (CIP). For the periods ended March 31, 2017, March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2016, the CIP consisted of $373.7
     million, $202.7 million, and $367.0 million of total assets and $346.6 million, $162.0 million, and $341.3 million of total liabilities, respectively.

    (3) Defined as cash and investments plus accounts receivable, net, less seed capital investments, a company-managed CLO, accrued compensation and benefits, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and dividends payable

    (4) Assumes conversion of preferred shares to common shares at period end

    N/M - Not Meaningful

During the quarter, the company finalized the financing for the pending RidgeWorth acquisition by issuing 1.0 million shares of common stock and 1.2 million shares of mandatory convertible preferred stock for net proceeds of $221.4 million. The preferred shares, which carry a 7.25 percent dividend, automatically convert into common shares on February 1, 2020, at a price between $110.00 per share and $132.00 per share.

In March, the company priced a $260.0 million seven-year term loan, with a variable rate of interest, that will be drawn at the closing of the RidgeWorth acquisition. In addition to the term loan, the company established a $100.0 million five-year revolving credit facility.

Conference Call

Virtus Investment Partners management will host an investor conference call on Friday, April 28, at 10 a.m. Eastern to discuss these financial results and related matters. The webcast of the call can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of www.virtus.com or by telephone at 877-930-7765 if calling from within the U.S. or 253-336-7413 if calling from outside the U.S. (Conference ID: 12975698). The presentation that will be reviewed as part of the conference call will be available prior to the call in the Investor Relations section of www.virtus.com. A replay of the call will be available through May 5, 2017 by telephone at 855-859-2056 if calling from within the U.S. or 404-537-3406 if calling from outside the U.S. (Conference ID: 12975698).

About Virtus Investment Partners

Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. Virtus offers access to a variety of investment styles across multiple disciplines to meet a wide array of investor needs, and provides products and services through affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, and individual brand. Its affiliates include Duff & Phelps Investment Management, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, Newfleet Asset Management, Rampart Investment Management, and Virtus ETF Solutions. Additional information can be found at www.virtus.com.


    U.S. GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations

    (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                                                       Three Months Ended                                     Three Months
                                                                                                                                                Ended
                                                                                                                                                -----

                                                                                3/31/2017                 3/31/2016        Change               12/31/2016   Change
                                                                                ---------                 ---------        ------               ----------   ------

    Revenues

    Investment management fees                                                                $59,271                                 $57,644                         3%      $58,996     -%

    Distribution and service fees                                                  10,783                           12,478                             (14%)      11,489          (6%)

    Administration and transfer agent fees                                          8,981                            9,998                             (10%)       9,176          (2%)

    Other income and fees                                                             741                              175                              323%         189          292%
                                                                                      ---                              ---                                           ---

         Total revenues                                                            79,776                           80,295                              (1%)      79,850            -%
                                                                                   ------                           ------                                        ------

    Operating Expenses

    Employment expenses                                                            39,641                           35,977                               10%      33,457           18%

    Distribution and other asset-based expenses                                    15,323                           18,101                             (15%)      16,136          (5%)

    Other operating expenses                                                       13,226                           10,765                               23%      15,660         (16%)

    Other operating expenses of consolidated sponsored investment products            577                            1,133                             (49%)         488           18%

    Other operating expenses of consolidated investment product                        65                               56                               16%          23          183%

    Depreciation and other amortization                                               664                              862                             (23%)         700          (5%)

    Amortization expense                                                              233                              651                             (64%)         603         (61%)
                                                                                      ---                              ---                                           ---

         Total operating expenses                                                  69,729                           67,545                                3%      67,067            4%
                                                                                   ------                           ------                                        ------

    Operating Income                                                               10,047                           12,750                             (21%)      12,783         (21%)
                                                                                   ------                           ------                                        ------

    Other Income (Expense)

    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net                           297                            (658)                              N/M       1,398         (79%)

    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments of consolidated              3,726                              295                               N/M     (3,110)          N/M
    sponsored investment products, net

    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) of consolidated investment product, net       718                            2,235                             (68%)     (4,030)          N/M

    Other income, net                                                                 646                              228                              183%         626            3%
                                                                                      ---                              ---                                           ---

         Total other income (expense), net                                          5,387                            2,100                              157%     (5,116)          N/M
                                                                                    -----                            -----                                        ------

    Interest Income (Expense)

    Interest expense                                                                (243)                           (132)                            (84%)       (290)          16%

    Interest and dividend income                                                      188                              273                             (31%)         630         (70%)

    Interest and dividend income of investments of consolidated sponsored           1,495                            2,961                             (50%)       1,488            -%
    investment products

    Interest income of consolidated investment product                              4,161                            2,206                               89%       4,058            3%

    Interest expense of consolidated investment product                           (2,857)                           (732)                           (290%)     (1,104)       (159%)

         Total interest income, net                                                 2,744                            4,576                             (40%)       4,782         (43%)
                                                                                    -----                            -----                                         -----

    Income Before Income Taxes                                                     18,178                           19,426                              (6%)      12,449           46%

    Income tax expense                                                              4,433                            7,556                             (41%)         532           N/M

    Net Income                                                                     13,745                           11,870                               16%      11,917           15%

    Noncontrolling interests                                                        (718)                             493                               N/M         509           N/M

    Net Income Attributable to Stockholders                                        13,027                           12,363                                5%      12,426            5%

    Preferred stockholder dividends                                               (2,084)                               -                              N/M           -          N/M

    Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders                                            $10,943                                 $12,363                      (11%)      $12,426  (12%)
                                                                                              =======                                 =======                                 =======

    Earnings Per Share - Basic                                                                  $1.67                                   $1.48                        13%        $1.94  (14%)
                                                                                                =====                                   =====                                   =====

    Earnings Per Share - Diluted                                                                $1.62                                   $1.45                        12%        $1.87  (13%)
                                                                                                =====                                   =====                                   =====

    Cash Dividends Declared Per Preferred Share                                                 $1.81                               $       -                       N/M    $       -   N/M
                                                                                                =====                             ===     ===                            ===     ===

    Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share                                                    $0.45                                   $0.45                         -%       $0.45     -%
                                                                                                =====                                   =====                                   =====

    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic                                     6,542                            8,344                             (22%)       6,413            2%
                                                                                    =====                            =====                                         =====

    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted                                   6,773                            8,506                             (20%)       6,627            2%
                                                                                    =====                            =====                                         =====


    N/M - Not Meaningful


    Assets Under Management - Product and Asset Class

    (in millions)


                                                                                            Three Months Ended

                                                      Mar 31, 2016           Jun 30, 2016                  Sep 30, 2016           Dec 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2017
                                                      ------------           ------------                  ------------           ------------ ------------

    By product (period end):

    Open-End Funds (1)                                             $26,536.0                                   $24,813.8                            $25,266.4           $23,432.8 $24,716.8

    Closed-End Funds                                       6,543.6                    6,959.6                             6,887.3                      6,757.4  6,814.3

    Exchange Traded Funds                                    353.6                      399.4                               460.6                        596.8    863.3

    Separately Managed Accounts (2)                        7,021.1                    7,407.2                             7,924.8                      8,473.5  9,312.1

    Institutional Accounts (2)                             5,196.9                    5,589.7                             6,000.4                      6,105.8  6,313.3

    Total                                                          $45,651.2                                   $45,169.7                            $46,539.5           $45,366.3 $48,019.8
                                                                   =========                                   =========                            =========           ========= =========


    By product (average) (3)

    Open-End Funds (1)                                             $27,295.9                                   $25,537.7                            $25,149.9           $24,223.1 $24,157.6

    Closed-End Funds                                       6,152.3                    6,659.9                             6,853.4                      6,668.9  6,786.1

    Exchange Traded Funds                                    337.1                      371.9                               426.0                        490.1    759.2

    Separately Managed Accounts (2)                        6,768.4                    7,015.0                             7,413.6                      7,898.6  8,463.6

    Institutional Accounts (2)                             5,112.4                    5,223.9                             5,687.6                      6,015.0  6,206.5
                                                           -------

    Total                                                          $45,666.1                                   $44,808.4                            $45,530.5           $45,295.7 $46,373.0
                                                                   =========                                   =========                            =========           ========= =========


    By asset class (period end):

    Equity                                                         $27,061.4                                   $26,206.9                            $26,669.5           $25,822.3 $27,990.5

    Fixed Income                                          14,994.2                   15,450.6                            15,756.8                     15,523.6 15,908.7

    Alternatives (4)                                       3,091.0                    3,056.8                             3,691.6                      3,548.3  3,622.4

    Other (5)                                                504.6                      455.4                               421.6                        472.1    498.2
                                                             -----                      -----                               -----                        -----    -----

    Total                                                          $45,651.2                                   $45,169.7                            $46,539.5           $45,366.3 $48,019.8
                                                                   =========                                   =========                            =========           ========= =========


    Assets Under Management - Average Net Management Fees Earned (6)

    (In basis points)

                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                   Mar 31, 2016                 Jun 30, 2016               Sep 30, 2016 Dec 31, 2016   Mar 31, 2017
                                                                                   ------------                 ------------               ------------ ------------   ------------

    Open-End Funds (1)                                                                     47.3                                      49.4                         50.1              50.5 50.5

    Closed-End Funds                                                                       65.4                                      65.4                         65.9              66.5 66.2

    Exchange Traded Funds                                                                  34.6                                      36.2                         32.4              24.6 31.7

    Separately Managed Accounts (2)                                                        56.1                                      55.2                         53.2              52.8 53.9

    Institutional Accounts (2)                                                             36.7                                      36.2                         41.5              37.2 36.8

    All Products                                                                           49.7                                      51.1                         51.8              51.2 51.3


    (1) Includes assets under management of retail and variable insurance funds

    (2) Includes assets under management related to option strategies

    (3) Averages are calculated as follows:

          - Funds - average daily or weekly balances

          - Separately Managed Accounts - prior quarter ending balance or average of month-end balances in quarter

          - Institutional Accounts - average of month-end balances in quarter

    (4) Consists of real estate securities, master-limited partnerships and other

    (5) Consists of option strategies

    (6) Represents net investment management fees divided by average assets. Net investment management fees are investment
         management fees, as adjusted, less fees paid to third party service providers for investment management related services,
         which impacted the fee rate in the three months ended March 31, 2017 for Open-End Funds and All Products by 1.1 and 0.7
         basis points, respectively.



    Assets Under Management - Asset Flows by Product

    (In millions)


                                                                                                                                           Three Months Ended                                                                     Three Months Ended

                                                                                           3/31/2016                6/30/2016                9/30/2016                12/31/2016                3/31/2017               3/31/2016        3/31/2017
                                                                                           ---------                ---------                ---------                ----------                ---------               ---------        ---------

    Open-End Funds (1)

    Beginning balance                                                                                   $28,882.1                                          $26,536.0                                          $24,813.8                                $25,266.4               $23,432.8               $28,882.1 $23,432.8

    Inflows                                                                                  2,193.4                               1,351.9                                 1,882.5                               1,642.3                       2,032.7                 2,193.4                 2,032.7

    Outflows                                                                               (4,794.3)                            (3,799.8)                               (2,139.4)                            (2,384.2)                    (2,134.7)              (4,794.3)               (2,134.7)
                                                                                            --------                              --------                                --------                              --------                      --------                --------                --------

    Net Flows                                                                              (2,600.9)                            (2,447.9)                                 (256.9)                              (741.9)                      (102.0)              (2,600.9)                 (102.0)

    Market performance                                                                         295.9                                 887.5                                   736.5                             (1,021.2)                      1,444.5                   295.9                 1,444.5

    Other (2)                                                                                 (41.1)                              (161.8)                                 (27.0)                               (70.5)                       (58.5)                 (41.1)                 (58.5)

    Ending balance                                                                                      $26,536.0                                          $24,813.8                                          $25,266.4                                $23,432.8               $24,716.8               $26,536.0 $24,716.8
                                                                                                        =========                                          =========                                          =========                                =========               =========               ========= =========


    Closed-End Funds

    Beginning balance                                                                                    $6,222.3                                           $6,543.6                                           $6,959.6                                 $6,887.3                $6,757.4                $6,222.3  $6,757.4

    Inflows                                                                                        -                                    -                                      -                                    -                            -                      -                      -

    Outflows                                                                                       -                              (103.3)                                      -                                    -                       (81.6)                      -                 (81.6)
                                                                                                 ---                               ------                                     ---                                  ---                        -----                     ---                  -----

    Net Flows                                                                                      -                              (103.3)                                      -                                    -                       (81.6)                      -                 (81.6)

    Market performance                                                                         421.3                                 481.7                                  (63.3)                               (44.8)                        280.8                   421.3                   280.8

    Other (2)                                                                                (100.0)                                 37.6                                   (9.0)                               (85.1)                      (142.3)                (100.0)                (142.3)

    Ending balance                                                                                       $6,543.6                                           $6,959.6                                           $6,887.3                                 $6,757.4                $6,814.3                $6,543.6  $6,814.3
                                                                                                         ========                                           ========                                           ========                                 ========                ========                ========  ========


    Exchange Traded Funds

    Beginning balance                                                                                      $340.8                                             $353.6                                             $399.4                                   $460.6                  $596.8                  $340.8    $596.8

    Inflows                                                                                     62.3                                  52.8                                    66.9                                 200.8                         265.7                    62.3                   265.7

    Outflows                                                                                  (33.8)                               (20.8)                                 (19.6)                               (50.6)                       (23.0)                 (33.8)                 (23.0)
                                                                                               -----                                 -----                                   -----                                 -----                         -----                   -----                   -----

    Net Flows                                                                                   28.5                                  32.0                                    47.3                                 150.2                         242.7                    28.5                   242.7

    Market performance                                                                        (13.6)                                 17.4                                    19.4                                 (2.9)                         34.6                  (13.6)                   34.6

    Other (2)                                                                                  (2.1)                                (3.6)                                  (5.5)                               (11.1)                       (10.8)                  (2.1)                 (10.8)

    Ending balance                                                                                         $353.6                                             $399.4                                             $460.6                                   $596.8                  $863.3                  $353.6    $863.3
                                                                                                           ======                                             ======                                             ======                                   ======                  ======                  ======    ======


    Separately Managed Accounts (3)

    Beginning balance                                                                                    $6,784.4                                           $7,021.1                                           $7,407.2                                 $7,924.8                $8,473.5                $6,784.4  $8,473.5

    Inflows                                                                                    399.2                                 444.2                                   516.1                                 466.0                         689.2                   399.2                   689.2

    Outflows                                                                                 (364.3)                              (314.6)                                (182.0)                              (296.0)                      (297.9)                (364.3)                (297.9)
                                                                                              ------                                ------                                  ------                                ------                        ------                  ------                  ------

    Net Flows                                                                                   34.9                                 129.6                                   334.1                                 170.0                         391.3                    34.9                   391.3

    Market performance                                                                         210.8                                 246.5                                   189.9                                 376.3                         453.8                   210.8                   453.8

    Other (2)                                                                                  (9.0)                                 10.0                                   (6.4)                                  2.4                         (6.5)                  (9.0)                  (6.5)

    Ending balance                                                                                       $7,021.1                                           $7,407.2                                           $7,924.8                                 $8,473.5                $9,312.1                $7,021.1  $9,312.1
                                                                                                         ========                                           ========                                           ========                                 ========                ========                ========  ========


    Institutional Accounts (3)(4)

    Beginning balance                                                                                    $5,155.7                                           $5,196.9                                           $5,589.7                                 $6,000.4                $6,105.8                $5,155.7  $6,105.8

    Inflows                                                                                    186.2                                 541.2                                   612.5                                 321.7                         277.7                   186.2                   277.7

    Outflows                                                                                 (276.6)                              (305.5)                                (252.4)                              (275.1)                      (208.6)                (276.6)                (208.6)
                                                                                              ------                                ------                                  ------                                ------                        ------                  ------                  ------

    Net Flows                                                                                 (90.4)                                235.7                                   360.1                                  46.6                          69.1                  (90.4)                   69.1

    Market performance                                                                         148.4                                 153.6                                    60.3                                  70.4                         148.6                   148.4                   148.6

    Other (2)                                                                                 (16.8)                                  3.5                                   (9.7)                               (11.6)                       (10.2)                 (16.8)                 (10.2)

    Ending balance                                                                                       $5,196.9                                           $5,589.7                                           $6,000.4                                 $6,105.8                $6,313.3                $5,196.9  $6,313.3
                                                                                                         ========                                           ========                                           ========                                 ========                ========                ========  ========


    Total

    Beginning balance                                                                                   $47,385.3                                          $45,651.2                                          $45,169.7                                $46,539.5               $45,366.3               $47,385.3 $45,366.3

    Inflows                                                                                  2,841.1                               2,390.1                                 3,078.0                               2,630.8                       3,265.3                 2,841.1                 3,265.3

    Outflows                                                                               (5,469.0)                            (4,544.0)                               (2,593.4)                            (3,005.9)                    (2,745.8)              (5,469.0)               (2,745.8)
                                                                                            --------                              --------                                --------                              --------                      --------                --------                --------

    Net Flows                                                                              (2,627.9)                            (2,153.9)                                   484.6                               (375.1)                        519.5               (2,627.9)                   519.5

    Market performance                                                                       1,062.8                               1,786.7                                   942.8                               (622.2)                      2,362.3                 1,062.8                 2,362.3

    Other (2)                                                                                (169.0)                              (114.3)                                 (57.6)                              (175.9)                      (228.3)                (169.0)                (228.3)

    Ending balance                                                                                      $45,651.2                                          $45,169.7                                          $46,539.5                                $45,366.3               $48,019.8               $45,651.2 $48,019.8
                                                                                                        =========                                          =========                                          =========                                =========               =========               ========= =========


    (1) Includes assets under management of retail and variable insurance funds

    (2) Represents open-end and closed-end mutual fund distributions, net of reinvestments, net flows of cash management strategies, net flows from non-sales related activities such as asset acquisitions/
         (dispositions), marketable securities investments/(withdrawals), and the impact on assets from the use of leverage

    (3) Includes assets under management related to option strategies

    (4) Includes assets under management related to structured products


    Non-GAAP Information and Reconciliations

    (In thousands except per share data)


    The following are reconciliations and related notes of the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure to each non-GAAP measure.


    The non-GAAP financial measures included in this release differ from financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a result of the reclassification of certain income statement items, as well as the exclusion of certain expenses and other items that are not reflective of
     the earnings generated from providing investment management and related services. Non-GAAP financial measures have material limitations and should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP measures.


    Reconciliation of Total Revenues, GAAP to Total Revenues, as Adjusted:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Total revenues, GAAP                                                                                                                                             $79,776                                                 $80,295                                                 $79,850

    Distribution and other asset-based expenses (1)                                                                                                     (15,323)                                (18,101)                                 (16,136)

    Consolidated products revenues (2)                                                                                                                       286                                      209                                       329

    Total revenues, as adjusted                                                                                                                                      $64,739                                                 $62,403                                                 $64,043
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======



    Reconciliation of Total Operating Expenses, GAAP to Operating Expenses, as Adjusted:
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Total operating expenses, GAAP                                                                                                                                   $69,729                                                 $67,545                                                 $67,067

    Distribution and other asset-based expenses (1)                                                                                                     (15,323)                                (18,101)                                 (16,136)

    Consolidated products expenses (2)                                                                                                                     (642)                                 (1,189)                                    (511)

    Amortization of intangible assets (3)                                                                                                                  (233)                                   (651)                                    (603)

    Restructuring and severance (4)                                                                                                                            -                                       -                                        -

    Acquisition and integration expenses (6)                                                                                                             (1,629)                                       -                                  (3,347)

    Other (7)                                                                                                                                              (669)                                   (414)                                    (611)

    Total operating expenses, as adjusted                                                                                                                            $51,233                                                 $47,190                                                 $45,859
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======



    Reconciliation of Operating Income, GAAP to Operating Income, as Adjusted:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Operating income, GAAP                                                                                                                                           $10,047                                                 $12,750                                                 $12,783

    Consolidated products earnings (2)                                                                                                                       928                                    1,398                                       840

    Amortization of intangible assets (3)                                                                                                                    233                                      651                                       603

    Restructuring and severance (4)                                                                                                                            -                                       -                                        -

    Acquisition and integration expenses (6)                                                                                                               1,629                                        -                                    3,347

    Other (7)                                                                                                                                                669                                      414                                       611

    Operating income, as adjusted                                                                                                                                    $13,506                                                 $15,213                                                 $18,184
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======


    Operating margin, GAAP                                                                                                                                 12.6%                                   15.9%                                    16.0%

    Operating margin, as adjusted                                                                                                                          20.9%                                   24.4%                                    28.4%



    Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders, GAAP to Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders, as Adjusted:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Net income attributable to common stockholders, GAAP                                                                                                             $10,943                                                 $12,363                                                 $12,426

    Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax (3)                                                                                                        143                                      401                                       376

    Restructuring and severance, net of tax (4)                                                                                                                -                                       -                                        -

    Seed capital and CLO investments earnings/(losses), net of tax (5)                                                                                   (5,679)                                 (3,497)                                  (3,670)

    Acquisition and integration expenses, net of tax (6)                                                                                                   1,001                                        -                                    2,087

    Other, net of tax (7)                                                                                                                                  2,209                                      255                                       381

    Net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted                                                                                                       $8,617                                                  $9,522                                                 $11,600
                                                                                                                                                                      ======                                                  ======                                                 =======


    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic                                                                                                            6,542                                    8,344                                     6,413

    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted                                                                                                          6,773                                    8,506                                     6,627

    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic, as adjustedA                                                                                              7,217                                    8,344                                     6,413

    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted, as adjusted A                                                                                           7,447                                    8,506                                     6,627


    Earnings Per Share - Basic, GAAP                                                                                                                                   $1.67                                                   $1.48                                                   $1.94

    Earnings Per Share - Diluted, GAAP                                                                                                                                 $1.62                                                   $1.45                                                   $1.87


    Earnings Per Share - Basic, as adjusted                                                                                                                            $1.19                                                   $1.14                                                   $1.81

    Earnings Per Share - Diluted, as adjusted                                                                                                                          $1.16                                                   $1.12                                                   $1.75

    AAssumes conversion of preferred shares to common shares



    Reconciliation of Income Before Taxes, GAAP to Income Before Taxes, as Adjusted:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Income before taxes, GAAP                                                                                                                                        $18,178                                                 $19,426                                                 $12,449

    Consolidated products (earnings)/losses(2)                                                                                                             (718)                                     493                                       509

    Amortization of intangible assets (3)                                                                                                                    233                                      651                                       603

    Restructuring and severance (4)                                                                                                                            -                                       -                                        -

    Seed capital and CLO investments (earnings)/losses (5)                                                                                               (5,967)                                 (5,542)                                    1,084

    Acquisition and integration expenses (6)                                                                                                               1,629                                        -                                    3,347

    Other (7)                                                                                                                                                669                                      414                                       611

    Income before taxes, as adjusted                                                                                                                                 $14,024                                                 $15,442                                                 $18,603
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======



    Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense, GAAP to Income Tax Expense, as Adjusted:
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Income tax expense, GAAP                                                                                                                                          $4,433                                                  $7,556                                                    $532

    Tax impact of:

    Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                         90                                      250                                       227

    Restructuring and severance                                                                                                                                -                                       -                                        -

    Seed capital and CLO investments earnings/(losses)                                                                                                     (288)                                 (2,045)                                    4,754

    Acquisition and integration expenses                                                                                                                     628                                        -                                    1,260

    Other                                                                                                                                                    544                                      159                                       230

    Income tax expense, as adjusted                                                                                                                                   $5,407                                                  $5,920                                                  $7,003
                                                                                                                                                                      ======                                                  ======                                                  ======


    Effective tax rate, GAAPA                                                                                                                              24.4%                                   38.9%                                     4.3%

    Effective tax rate, as adjustedB                                                                                                                       38.6%                                   38.3%                                    37.6%


    A Reflects Income tax expense, GAAP, divided by Income before taxes, GAAP

    B Reflects Income tax expense, as adjusted, divided by Income before taxes, as adjusted



    Reconciliation of Investment Management Fees, GAAP to Investment Management Fees, as Adjusted:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Investment management fees, GAAP                                                                                                                                 $59,271                                                 $57,644                                                 $58,996

    Consolidated products fees (2)                                                                                                                           242                                       91                                       283

    Investment management fees, as adjusted                                                                                                                          $59,513                                                 $57,735                                                 $59,279
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======



    Reconciliation of Administration and Transfer Agent Fees, GAAP to Administration and Transfer Agent Fees, as Adjusted:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Administration and transfer agent fees, GAAP                                                                                                                      $8,981                                                  $9,998                                                  $9,176

    Consolidated products fees (2)                                                                                                                            34                                       94                                        35

    Administration and transfer agent fees, as adjusted                                                                                                               $9,015                                                 $10,092                                                  $9,211
                                                                                                                                                                      ======                                                 =======                                                  ======



    Reconciliation of Employment Expenses, GAAP to Employment Expenses, as Adjusted:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Employment expenses, GAAP                                                                                                                                        $39,641                                                 $35,977                                                 $33,457

    Employment expenses, as adjusted                                                                                                                                 $39,641                                                 $35,977                                                 $33,457
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======



    Reconciliation of Other Operating Expenses, GAAP to Other Operating Expenses, as Adjusted:
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                       3/31/2017                 3/31/2016                   12/31/2016
                                                                                                                                                       ---------                 ---------                   ----------

    Other operating expenses, GAAP                                                                                                                                   $13,226                                                 $10,765                                                 $15,660

    Acquisition and integration expenses (6)                                                                                                             (1,629)                                       -                                  (3,347)

    Other (7)                                                                                                                                              (669)                                   (414)                                    (611)

    Other operating expenses, as adjusted                                                                                                                            $10,928                                                 $10,351                                                 $11,702
                                                                                                                                                                     =======                                                 =======                                                 =======

Notes to Reconciliations:


    1. Distribution and other asset-based expenses - Primarily payments to
       third-party distribution partners for providing services to investors in
       our sponsored funds and payments to third-party service providers for
       investment management-related services. Management believes that making
       this adjustment aids in comparing the company's operating results with
       other asset management firms that do not utilize intermediary
       distribution partners or third-party service providers.
    2. Consolidated investment products - Revenues and expenses generated by
       operating activities of majority owned seed capital related mutual funds
       and CLOs. Management believes that excluding these operating activities
       to reflect revenues and expenses of the company prior to the
       consolidation of these products is consistent with the approach of
       reflecting its operating results from managing client assets.
    3. Amortization of intangible assets - Non-cash amortization expense or
       impairment expense, if any, attributable to acquisition-related
       intangible assets. Management believes that making this adjustment aids
       in comparing the company's operating results with other asset management
       firms that have not engaged in acquisitions.
    4. Restructuring and severance - Certain expenses associated with
       restructuring the business, including lease abandonment-related expenses,
       and severance costs associated with staff reductions, that are not
       reflective of the ongoing earnings generation of the business. Management
       believes that making this adjustment aids in comparing the company's
       operating results with prior periods.
    5. Seed capital and CLO investments earnings/(losses) - Gains and losses
       (realized and unrealized), dividends and interest income generated by
       seed capital and CLO investments. Earnings or losses generated by
       investments in seed capital and CLO investments can vary significantly
       from period to period and do not reflect the company's operating results
       from providing investment management and related services. Management
       believes that making this adjustment aids in comparing the company's
       operating results with prior periods and with other asset management
       firms that do not have meaningful seed capital and CLO investments.
    6. Acquisition and integration expenses - Expenses that are directly related
       to acquisition and integration activities. Acquisition expenses include
       transaction closing costs, professional fees and financing fees.
       Integration expenses include costs incurred that are directly
       attributable to combining the businesses, including compensation,
       restructuring and severance charges, professional fees, consulting fees
       and other expenses. Management believes that making these adjustments
       aids in comparing the company's operating results with other asset
       management firms that have not engaged in acquisitions.
    7. Other - Certain expenses that are not reflective of the ongoing earnings
       generation of the business. In addition, it includes income tax
       expense/(benefit) items, such as adjustments for uncertain tax positions,
       valuation allowances and other unusual or infrequent items not related to
       current operating results to reflect a normalized effective rate.
       Management believes that making these adjustments aids in comparing the
       company's operating results with prior periods.


    Components of Other for the respective periods are shown in the table below:


                                                           Three Months Ended

    Other (in
     thousands)                          3/31/2017             3/31/2016              12/31/2016
                                         ---------             ---------              ----------

    System transition
     expenses                                           $669                                     $414        $611

    Tax impact of
     system
     transition
     expenses                                (258)                             (159)                  (230)

    Discrete tax
     adjustments                             (286)                                 -                      -

    Preferred
     stockholder
     dividends                               2,084                                  -                      -
                                             -----                                ---                    ---

    Total Other                                       $2,209                                     $255        $381
                                                      ======                                     ====        ====

Definitions:

Revenues, as adjusted, comprise the fee revenues paid by clients for investment management and related services. Revenues, as adjusted, for purposes of calculating net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted, differ from U.S. GAAP revenues in that they are reduced by distribution and other asset-based expenses that are generally passed through to external parties, and exclude the impact of consolidated sponsored investment products.

Operating expenses, as adjusted, is calculated to reflect expenses from ongoing continuing operations attributable to stockholders. Operating expenses, as adjusted, for purposes of calculating net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted, differ from U.S. GAAP expenses in that they exclude amortization or impairment, if any, of intangible assets, restructuring and severance, the impact of consolidated sponsored investment products, acquisition and integration-related expenses and certain other expenses that do not reflect the ongoing earnings generation of the business.

Operating margin, as adjusted, is a metric used to evaluate efficiency represented by operating income, as adjusted, divided by revenues, as adjusted.

Earnings per share, as adjusted, represent net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted, divided by weighted average shares outstanding, on either a basic or diluted basis.

(1)Please carefully consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information about any Virtus mutual fund, call 1-800-243-4361, or visit Virtus.com for a prospectus or summary prospectus. Read it carefully before investing.

Virtus Mutual Funds are distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member, FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements that are, or may be considered to be, forward-looking statements. All statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as "expect," "estimate," "plan," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "will," "should," "could," "continue," "project," or similar statements or variations of such terms.

Our forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions and projections about our company, are not guarantees of future results or performance, and involve substantial risks and uncertainty, including assumptions and projections concerning our assets under management, cash inflows and outflows, operating cash flows, our ability to expand distribution and product offerings, and future credit facilities, for all forward periods. All of our forward-looking statements are as of the date of this release only. The company can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially.

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 our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as the following risks and uncertainties: (a) any reduction in our assets under management; (b) the withdrawal, renegotiation or termination of investment advisory agreements; (c) damage to our reputation; (d) failure to comply with investment guidelines or other contractual requirements; (e) the inability to attract and retain key personnel; (f) challenges from the competition we face in our business; (g) adverse regulatory and legal developments; (h) unfavorable changes in tax laws or limitations; (i) adverse developments related to unaffiliated subadvisers; (j) negative implications of changes in key distribution relationships; (k) interruptions in or failure to provide service by third parties; (l) volatility associated with our common stock; (m) adverse civil litigation and government investigations or proceedings; (n) the risk of loss on our investments; (o) the inability to make quarterly distributions; (p) the lack of sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; (q) liabilities and losses not covered by insurance; (r) the inability to satisfy financial covenants; (s) the failure to complete the acquisition of RidgeWorth; (t) the inability to achieve expected acquisition-related financial benefits and synergies; and other risks and uncertainties described in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Certain other factors which may impact our continuing operations, prospects, financial results and liquidity, or which 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.

The company does 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 release, 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 which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this release, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this release.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virtus-investment-partners-announces-financial-results-for-the-first-quarter-2017-300447942.html

SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.