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Marcus & Millichap, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 001-36155

 

 

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   35-2478370

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

23975 Park Sorrento, Suite 400

Calabasas, California

  91302
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(818) 212-2250

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter time period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company       

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the registrant issued and outstanding as of November 1, 2018 was 38,651,360 shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September  30, 2018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2017

     3  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)

     4  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (Unaudited)

     5  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)

     6  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     8  

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

     27  

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     40  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     41  

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     42  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     42  

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

     42  

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

     42  

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     42  

Item 5. Other Information

     43  

Item 6. Exhibits

     43  

SIGNATURES

  

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     September 30,
2018
(Unaudited)
    December 31,
2017
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 181,020     $ 220,786  

Commissions receivable

     5,548       9,586  

Prepaid expenses

     6,516       9,661  

Income tax receivable

     —         1,308  

Marketable securities, available-for-sale

     120,701       73,560  

Other assets, net

     7,572       5,529  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     321,357       320,430  

Prepaid rent

     14,517       15,392  

Property and equipment, net

     18,169       17,153  

Marketable securities, available-for-sale

     85,135       52,099  

Assets held in rabbi trust

     9,115       8,787  

Deferred tax assets, net

     23,635       22,640  

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

     5,639       —    

Other assets

     32,568       23,163  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 510,135     $ 459,664  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and other liabilities

   $ 8,780     $ 9,202  

Notes payable to former stockholders

     1,087       1,035  

Deferred compensation and commissions

     29,839       49,180  

Income tax payable

     5,963       —    

Accrued bonuses and other employee related expenses

     23,103       23,842  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     68,772       83,259  

Deferred compensation and commissions

     45,418       49,361  

Notes payable to former stockholders

     6,564       7,651  

Deferred rent and other liabilities

     6,690       4,505  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     127,444       144,776  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value:

    

Authorized shares – 25,000,000; issued and outstanding shares – none at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value:

    

Authorized shares – 150,000,000; issued and outstanding shares – 38,651,360 and 38,374,011 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

     4       4  

Additional paid-in capital

     97,375       89,877  

Stock notes receivable from employees

     (4     (4

Retained earnings

     285,116       224,071  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     200       940  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     382,691       314,888  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 510,135     $ 459,664  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

Revenues:

      

Real estate brokerage commissions

   $ 191,980     $ 169,357     $ 536,145     $ 472,069  

Financing fees

     15,947       11,368       41,234       34,131  

Other revenues

     2,663       2,616       7,154       10,724  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     210,590       183,341       584,533       516,924  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of services

     132,896       114,803       354,414       314,827  

Selling, general and administrative expense

     48,659       42,480       145,792       129,393  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     1,651       1,375       4,529       3,975  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     183,206       158,658       504,735       448,195  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     27,384       24,683       79,798       68,729  

Other income (expense), net

     2,127       1,172       5,060       3,005  

Interest expense

     (342     (370     (1,054     (1,126
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     29,169       25,485       83,804       70,608  

Provision for income taxes

     8,315       10,010       22,772       27,564  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     20,854       15,475       61,032       43,044  

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

        

Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of tax of $(38), $66, $(259) and $242 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively

     (115     104       (771     325  

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of tax of $0 for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and each of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

     (29     (40     44       (65
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

     (144     64       (727     260  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 20,710     $ 15,539     $ 60,305     $ 43,304  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.53     $ 0.40     $ 1.56     $ 1.10  

Diluted

   $ 0.53     $ 0.39     $ 1.55     $ 1.10  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     39,191       39,033       39,147       38,995  

Diluted

     39,484       39,204       39,359       39,136  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Preferred Stock      Common Stock      Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Stock Notes
Receivable
From
Employees
    Retained
Earnings
     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Total  
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares     Amount  

Balance at December 31, 2017

     —        $ —          38,374,011     $ 4      $ 89,877     $ (4   $ 224,071      $ 940     $ 314,888  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     —          —          —         —          —         —         13        (13     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018, as adjusted

     —          —          38,374,011       4        89,877       (4     224,084        927       314,888  

Net and comprehensive income

     —          —          —         —          —         —         61,032        (727     60,305  

Stock-based award activity

                      

Stock-based compensation

     —          —          —         —          8,919       —         —          —         8,919  

Shares issued pursuant to employee stock purchase plan

     —          —          13,028       —          356       —         —          —         356  

Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units

     —          —          305,975       —          —         —         —          —         —    

Issuance of common stock for unvested restricted stock awards

     —          —          12,852       —          —         —         —          —         —    

Shares withheld related to net share settlement of stock-based awards

     —          —          (54,506     —          (1,777     —         —          —         (1,777
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2018

     —        $ —          38,651,360     $ 4      $ 97,375     $ (4   $ 285,116      $ 200     $ 382,691  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018     2017  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 61,032     $ 43,044  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization expense

     4,529       3,975  

Provision for bad debt expense

     52       33  

Stock-based compensation

     8,919       6,173  

Deferred taxes, net

     (735     1,541  

Net realized (gains) losses on marketable securities, available-for-sale

     (12     (2

Other non-cash items

     (148     (46

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Commissions receivable

     4,183       594  

Prepaid expenses

     3,145       2,266  

Prepaid rent

     875       (1,831

Asset held in rabbi trust

     —         (700

Other assets

     (9,066     (12,780

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     (1,552     (1,359

Income tax receivable/payable

     7,271       2,477  

Accrued bonuses and other employee related expenses

     (558     (1,763

Deferred compensation and commissions

     (23,739     (16,760

Deferred rent and other liabilities

     817       476  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     55,013       25,338  

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Acquisitions, net of cash received

     (6,990     —    

Purchases of marketable securities, available-for-sale

     (168,672     (37,561

Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities, available-for-sale

     88,027       14,950  

Issuances of employee notes receivable

     (126     (432

Payments received on employee notes receivable

     12       9  

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     —         10  

Purchase of property and equipment

     (4,574     (4,987
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (92,323     (28,011

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of stock-based awards

     (1,777     (1,442

Proceeds from issuance of shares pursuant to employee stock purchase plan

     356       392  

Principal payments on notes payable to former stockholders

     (1,035     (986
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (2,456     (2,036
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (39,766     (4,709

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     220,786       187,371  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 181,020     $ 182,662  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

(dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

     

Interest paid during the period

   $ 2,180      $ 1,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes paid, net

   $ 16,237      $ 23,546  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities

     

Reduction of accrued bonuses and other employee related expenses in settlement of employee notes receivable

   $ 192      $ 243  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in property and equipment included in accounts payable and other liabilities

   $ 708      $ (203
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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1.

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (the “Company”, “Marcus & Millichap”, or “MMI”), a Delaware corporation, is a brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. As of September 30, 2018, MMI operates 79 offices in the United States and Canada through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, Inc. (“MMREIS”), which primarily includes the operations of Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation (“MMCC”).

Reorganization and Initial Public Offering

MMI was formed in June 2013 in preparation for Marcus & Millichap Company (“MMC”) to spin-off its majority owned subsidiary, MMREIS (“Spin-Off”). Prior to the initial public offering (“IPO”) of MMI, all of the preferred and common stockholders of MMREIS (including MMC and employees of MMREIS) contributed all of their outstanding shares to MMI, in exchange for new MMI common stock. As a result, MMREIS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MMI. Thereafter, MMC distributed 80.0% of the shares of MMI common stock to MMC’s shareholders and exchanged the remaining portion of its shares of MMI common stock for cancellation of indebtedness of MMC. MMI completed its IPO on October 30, 2013.

Basis of Presentation

The financial information presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, has been prepared in accordance with rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Article 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2018 with the SEC. The results of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018, or for other interim periods or future years.

Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosures at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents, due from independent contractors (included under other assets, net current and other assets non-current), investments in marketable securities, available-for-sale, security deposits (included under other assets, non-current) and commissions receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with high-credit quality financial institutions and invested in high-credit quality money market funds and commercial paper. Concentrations of marketable securities, available-for-sale are limited by the approved investment policy.

To reduce its credit risk, the Company monitors the credit standing of the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents. The Company historically has not experienced any significant losses related to cash and cash equivalents.

The Company derives its revenues from a broad range of real estate investors, owners, and users in the United States and Canada, none of which individually represents a significant concentration of credit risk. The Company requires collateral on a case-by-case basis. The Company maintains allowances, as needed, for estimated credit losses based on management’s assessment of the likelihood of collection. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, no transaction represented 10% or more of total revenues. Further, while one transaction may represent 10% or more of commissions receivable at any reporting date, amounts due are typically collected within 10 days of settlement and, therefore, do not expose the Company to significant credit risk.

 

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During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s Canadian operations represented less than 1% of total revenues.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, no office represented 10% or more of total revenues.

 

2.

Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Policies

The complete list of the Company’s accounting policies is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2018 with the SEC. The following are updated or new accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates real estate brokerage commissions by acting as a broker for real estate owners or investors seeking to buy or sell commercial properties. The Company generates financing fees from securing financing on purchase transactions as well as fees earned from refinancing its clients’ existing mortgage debt and other financing activities, including mortgage servicing. Other revenues include fees generated from consulting and advisory services, as well as referral fees from other real estate brokers. The Company’s contracts contain one performance obligation related to its real estate brokerage, financing and consulting and advisory services offered to buyers and sellers of commercial real estate and provide that it is operating as a principal in all its revenue generating activities. The Company does not have multiple-element arrangements, variable consideration, financing components, significant noncash consideration, licenses, long-term contracts with customers or other items affecting the transaction price. Accordingly, the Company determined that the transaction price is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue in principally all cases at the close of escrow for real estate brokerage, close of loan for financing and when services are provided or upon closing of the transaction for other revenues.

Mortgage Servicing Rights and Fees

Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) are recorded at fair value upon acquisition of a servicing contract. The estimated net cash flows on the contracts are discounted over the estimated life of the underlying loan. The life of the underlying loan is estimated giving consideration to the prepayment provisions in the loan. The Company’s model assumes full prepayment of the loan at or near the point where the prepayment provisions have expired. The MSRs have principally similar risk characteristics.

The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of MSRs are based on internal models and are periodically compared to assumptions used by other market participants. Due to the relatively few transactions in the MSR market, we have experienced little volatility in the assumptions we use during the periods presented. Additionally, we do not expect to see much volatility in the assumptions for the foreseeable future. Management actively monitors the assumptions used and makes adjustments to those assumptions when market conditions change or other factors indicate such adjustments are warranted. We carry MSRs at the lower of the amortized cost or fair value and evaluate the carrying value for impairment quarterly. We engage a third party to assist in determining the estimated fair value of our existing MSRs quarterly.

All MSRs are amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received. MSRs are included in other assets non-current in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 5 – “Selected Balance Sheet Data” for additional information. Amortization related to the MSRs is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

We recognize mortgage servicing revenues upon the acquisition of a servicing contract. The Company records servicing fees when earned provided the loans are current and the debt service payments are made by the borrowers. MSRs and related servicing fees are recorded in financing fees in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

Capitalization of Internal Labor

Certain costs related to the development or purchases of internal-use software are capitalized. Internal computer software costs that are incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Direct consulting costs and certain payroll and related costs that are incurred during the development stage of a project are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over a useful life of five years. Capitalized costs are recorded in property and equipment, net and depreciation is recorded in the depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Depreciation begins for software that has been placed into production and is ready for its intended use. Post-implementation costs such as training, maintenance and support are expensed as incurred. The Company evaluates the carrying value of capitalized software for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.

 

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Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, under which the consideration for the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed (both specific and contingent) at their acquisition date fair values as determined by management as of the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are expensed as incurred and not considered in determining the fair value of the acquired assets. The excess of the consideration over the assets acquired net of liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill.

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter. In addition to the annual impairment evaluation, the Company evaluates at least quarterly whether events or circumstances have occurred in the period subsequent to the annual impairment testing which indicate that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has occurred. The Company currently has only one reporting unit; therefore, all goodwill is allocated to that one reporting unit.

Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets primarily include non-compete agreements and customer relationships that resulted from its business combinations. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis using a useful life between one and six years. The Company evaluates its intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company follows the accounting guidance for share-based payments which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees, independent contractors and non-employee directors. Awards are issued under the Amended and Restated 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP Plan”).

After adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”) on January 1, 2017, the Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

For awards made to the Company’s employees and directors, the Company initially values restricted stock units and restricted stock awards based on the grant date closing price of the Company’s common stock. For awards with periodic vesting, the Company recognizes the related expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, subject to periodic adjustments to ensure that the cumulative amount of expense recognized through the end of any reporting period is at least equal to the portion of the grant date value of the award that has vested through that date.

The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-7, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting awards (“ASU 2018-7”) on July 1, 2018. As a result, awards made to independent contractors will be measured based on the grant date closing price of the Company’s common stock consistent with awards made to the Company’s employees and directors. Unvested awards issued to independent contractors as of the adoption date of July 1, 2018 were remeasured at the adoption date stock price. The Company will recognize the remaining unrecognized value of unvested awards over the remaining performance period based on the adoption date stock price, with no further remeasurement through the performance completion date. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2018-7, the Company determined that the fair value of the awards made to independent contractors shall be measured based on the fair value of the equity instrument as it is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the consideration received. The Company used the grant date as the performance commitment date, and the measurement date was the date the services were completed, which was the vesting date. As a result, the Company recorded stock-based compensation for these awards over the vesting period on a straight-line basis with periodic adjustments during the vesting period for changes in the fair value of the awards.

If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested share-based awards, the Company may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unrecognized or previously recorded stock-based compensation expense.

For awards issued under the ESPP Plan, the Company determined that the plan was a compensatory plan and is required to expense the fair value of the awards over each six-month offering period. The Company estimates the fair value of these awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company calculates the expected volatility based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk-free interest rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, both consistent with the term of the offering period. The Company incorporates no forfeiture rate and includes no expected dividend yield as the Company has not, and currently does not intend to pay a regular dividend.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes virtually all of the existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, and requires entities to recognize revenue for the transfer to a customer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contacts with Customers: Principal Versus Agent Considerations, ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The additional ASUs clarified certain provisions of ASU 2014-09 in response to recommendations from the Transition Resources Group established by the FASB and extended the required adoption of ASU 2014-09 which is now effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.

The Company assessed the impact of the standard and determined that its contracts contain one performance obligation related to its real estate brokerage, financing and consulting and advisory services offered to buyers and sellers of commercial real estate and provide that it is operating as a principal in all of its revenue generating activities. The Company does not have multiple-element arrangements, variable consideration, financing components, significant noncash consideration, licenses, long-term contracts with customers or other items affecting the transaction price. The Company determined the transaction price is generally fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue was and will continue to be recognized in principally all cases at the close of escrow for real estate brokerage, close of loan for financing and when services are provided upon closing of the transaction for other revenues. Accordingly, the adoption of ASU 2014-09, as clarified, did not have an effect on the manner or timing of the recognition of the Company’s revenue.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 changed the definition of a business in an effort to assist entities with evaluating whether a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. ASU 2017-01 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The qualitative assessment remains optional and is unchanged. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2017-04 in the second quarter of 2018. There was no impact to the Company as the Company was not required to evaluate goodwill for impairment.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”). ASU 2018-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2018-02 permits companies that elect to make the reclassification adjustment the option to apply the guidance retrospectively or to record the reclassification as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018 and elected to make the reclassification adjustment pertaining to the stranded tax effects resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period, which was in the amount of $13,000.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-7. ASU 2018-7 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted, including in interim periods, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. For the Company, the new standard would have been effective during the first quarter of 2019 with early adoption permitted and will require equity-classified share-based payment awards issued to non-employees to be measured based on the grant date price, instead of the previous requirement to remeasure the awards through the performance completion date. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-7 during the third quarter of 2018. As a result of the adoption, awards issued to non-employees prior to the adoption date of July 1, 2018 were remeasured at the adoption date stock price with no further remeasurement through the performance completion date. Awards issued to nonemployees subsequent to the adoption date are based on the grant date stock price. The Company will recognize the remaining unrecognized value of unvested non-employee awards over the remaining performance period based on the adoption date stock price with no further remeasurement through the performance completion date.

 

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Pending Adoption

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, to increase transparency and comparability by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The Company will be required to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2019, and the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets will be impacted by the recording of a lease liability and right of use asset for virtually all of its current operating leases. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had remaining contractual obligations for operating leases (autos and office) that aggregate approximately $89.6 million. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The amount of which and the potential impact on the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows has yet to be determined.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. For the Company, the new standard will be effective January 1, 2020. Under ASU 2016-13, the Company will be required to use an expected-loss model for its marketable securities, available-for sale, which requires that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as an impairment write-down. Reversals of credit losses (in situations in which the estimate of credit losses declines) is permitted in the reporting period that the change occurs. Current U.S. GAAP prohibits reflecting reversals of credit losses in current period earnings. At September 30, 2018, the Company had $205.8 million in marketable securities, available for sale which would be subject to this new standard. As of September 30, 2018, these marketable securities, available for sale have an average credit rating of AA+ and no impairment write-downs have been recorded. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its investment policy and investments.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. For the Company, the new standard will be effective January 1, 2020. ASU 2018-13 modifies prior disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The modification removes certain disclosure requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, such as removing the requirement to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, modifying existing disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty and adds new disclosure requirements, such as disclosing the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurement. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had contingent consideration liability of $1.8 million measured as Level 3. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard and does not expect ASU 2018-13 to have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3.

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company completed three acquisitions and the results of each of the acquisitions have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements beginning on their respective acquisition date. The acquisitions expand the Company’s network of its real estate sales and financing professionals and loan originators and provides further diversification to its loan origination platform and financing services. Aggregate terms of these acquisitions included: (i) cash paid at closing of approximately $7.0 million, net of cash received and (ii) the fair value of contingent consideration which may be paid over the next five-year period after the related acquisition based on achievement of certain EBITDA targets or service requirements. The Company determined the fair value of the contingent consideration was $1.7 million using a probability-weighted, discounted cash flow estimate based on achieving EBITDA targets. See Note 9 – “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information on contingent consideration.

The acquisitions were accounted for as business combinations. Based on preliminary purchase price allocations, $2.0 million, net, was allocated to mortgage servicing assets ($2.1 million) and liabilities ($0.1 million), $1.6 million was allocated to the fair values of intangible assets, $0.8 million to other assets noncurrent and $0.1 million to acquired working capital, with the remainder of $4.2 million allocated to goodwill.

The goodwill recorded as part of the acquisitions primarily arose from the acquired assembled workforce and commercial sales, lending and servicing platforms. The Company expects all of the goodwill to be tax deductible, with the tax-deductible amount of goodwill related to the contingent consideration to be determined once the cash payments are made to settle the contingent consideration. The goodwill resulting from these acquisitions is allocated to the Company’s one reporting unit.

 

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Goodwill and intangible assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2018      December 31, 2017  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net Book
Value
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net Book
Value
 

Goodwill and intangible assets:

                

Goodwill (1)

   $ 4,186      $ —       $ 4,186      $ —        $ —        $ —    

Intangible assets (1)

     1,571        (118     1,453        —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 5,757      $ (118   $ 5,639      $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(1)

Represents additions from acquisition.

The net change in the carrying value of intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Beginning balance

   $ —        $ —    

Additions from acquisition

     1,571        —    

Amortization

     (118      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,453      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2018
 

Remainder of 2018

   $ 88  

2019

     340  

2020

     327  

2021

     245  

2022

     184  

Thereafter

     269  
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,453  
  

 

 

 

 

4.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Computer software and hardware equipment

   $ 18,311      $ 16,247  

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

     23,527        21,695  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (23,669      (20,789
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 18,169      $ 17,153  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company wrote off approximately $1.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively, of fully depreciated computer software and hardware equipment and furniture, fixtures and equipment.

 

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5.

Selected Balance Sheet Data

Other Assets

Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Current      Non-Current  
     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

MSRs, net of amortization

   $ —        $ —        $ 2,329      $ —    

Due from independent contractors, net (1) (2)

     3,236        3,672        28,032        21,726  

Security deposits

     —          —          1,170        1,158  

Employee notes receivable (3)

     184        366        139        255  

Customer trust accounts and other

     4,152        1,491        898        24  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 7,572      $ 5,529      $ 32,568      $ 23,163  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents amounts advanced, notes receivable and other receivables due from the Company’s investment sales and financing professionals. The notes receivable along with interest, are typically collected from future commissions and are generally due in one to five years.

(2)

Includes allowance for doubtful accounts related to current receivables of $474 and $494 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company recorded a provision for bad debt expense of $81 and $87 and wrote off $17 and $4 of these receivables for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company recorded a provision for bad debt expense of $52 and $33 and wrote off $72 and $14 of these receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Any cash receipts on notes are applied first to unpaid principal balance prior to any income being recognized.

(3)

See Note 8 – “Related-Party Transactions” for additional information.

The net change in the carrying value of MSRs consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Beginning balance

   $ —        $ —    

Additions from acquisition

     2,121        —    

Additions

     373        —    

Amortization

     (165      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,329      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Note 9 – “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information about MSRs.

Deferred Compensation and Commissions

Deferred compensation and commissions consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Current      Non-Current  
     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) liability (1)

   $ 1,735      $ 1,662      $ 19,150      $ 20,217  

Commissions payable to investment sales and financing professionals

     26,843        46,257        18,583        21,924  

Deferred compensation liability (1)

     1,261        1,261        7,685        7,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 29,839      $ 49,180      $ 45,418      $ 49,361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The SARs and deferred compensation liability become subject to payout as a result of a participant no longer being considered as a service provider. As a result of the retirement of certain participants, estimated amounts to be paid to the participants within the next twelve months have been classified as current.

SARs Liability

Prior to the IPO, certain employees of the Company were granted SARs under a stock-based compensation program assumed by MMC. In connection with the IPO, the SARs agreements were revised, the MMC liability of $20.0 million for the SARs was frozen as of March 31, 2013, and was transferred to MMI through a capital distribution. The SARs liability will be settled with each participant in ten annual installments in January of each year upon retirement or termination from service, or in full upon consummation of a change in control of the Company.

 

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Under the revised agreements, MMI is required to accrue interest on the outstanding balance beginning on January 1, 2014 at a rate based on the 10-year treasury note plus 2%. The rate resets annually. The rates at January 1, 2018 and 2017 were 4.409% and 4.446%, respectively. MMI recorded interest expense related to this liability of $220,000 and $233,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $669,000 and $699,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Estimated payouts within the next twelve months for participants that have separated from service have been classified as current. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company made total payments (consisting of accumulated interest) of $1.7 million classified as an operating cash flow in the deferred compensation and commissions caption in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Commissions Payable

Certain investment sales professionals have the ability to earn additional commissions after meeting certain annual revenue thresholds. These commissions are recognized as cost of services in the period in which they are earned as they relate to specific transactions closed. The Company has the ability to defer payment of certain commissions, at its election, for up to three years. Commissions payable that are not expected to be paid within twelve months are classified as long-term.

Deferred Compensation Liability

A select group of management is eligible to participate in the Marcus & Millichap Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). The plan is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and permits participants to defer compensation up to limits as determined by the plan. Amounts are paid out generally when the participant is no longer a service provider; however, an in-service payout election is available to participants. Participants may elect to receive payouts as a lump sum or quarterly over a two to fifteen-year period. The Company elected to fund the Deferred Compensation Plan through company owned variable life insurance policies. The Deferred Compensation Plan is managed by a third-party institutional fund manager, and the deferred compensation and investment earnings are held as a Company asset in a rabbi trust, which is recorded in assets held in rabbi trust in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The assets in the trust are restricted unless the Company becomes insolvent, in which case the trust assets are subject to the claims of MMI’s creditors. The Company may also, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to withdraw at any time a portion of the trust assets by an amount by which the fair market value of the trust assets exceeds 110% of the aggregate deferred compensation liability represented by the participants’ accounts. Estimated payouts within the next twelve months for participants that have separated from service have been classified as current. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company made total payments to participants of $946,000.

The net change in the carrying value of the assets held in the rabbi trust and the net change in the carrying value of the deferred compensation liability, each exclusive of additional contributions, distributions and trust expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017      2018      2017  

Increase in the carrying value of the assets held in the rabbi trust (1)

   $ 266      $ 202      $ 456      $ 571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase in the net carrying value of the deferred compensation obligation (2)

   $ 267      $ 219      $ 455      $ 618  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Recorded in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

(2)

Recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

 

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6.

Investments in Marketable Securities

Amortized cost and fair value of marketable securities, available-for-sale, by type of security consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2018      December 31, 2017  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

Short-term investments:

                     

U.S. treasuries

   $ 106,291      $ —        $ (150   $ 106,141      $ 57,712      $ —        $ (88   $ 57,624  

U.S. government sponsored entities

     3,502        —          (17     3,485        7,016        —          (8     7,008  

Corporate debt securities

     10,988        —          (13     10,975        8,931        —          (3     8,928  

Asset-backed securities and other

     100        —          —         100        —          —                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 120,881      $ —        $ (180   $ 120,701      $ 73,659      $ —        $ (99   $ 73,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term investments:

                     

U.S. treasuries

   $ 52,865      $ —        $ (343   $ 52,522      $ 18,111      $ 7      $ (164   $ 17,954  

U.S. government sponsored entities

     1,603        —          (83     1,520        5,306        —          (62     5,244  

Corporate debt securities

     25,374        4        (471     24,907        22,505        268        (54     22,719  

Asset-backed securities and other

     6,252        1        (67     6,186        6,180        17        (15     6,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 86,094      $ 5      $ (964   $ 85,135      $ 52,102      $ 292      $ (295   $ 52,099  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2018      December 31, 2017  
     Unrealized
Loss
     Fair Value      Unrealized
Loss
     Fair Value  

Less than 12 months

   $ (730    $ 187,177      $ (158    $ 63,229  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

12 months or longer

   $ (414    $ 17,099      $ (236    $ 44,961  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross realized gains and gross realized losses from the sales of the Company’s available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017      2018      2017  

Gross realized gains (1)

   $ —        $ 1      $ 12      $ 2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross realized losses (1)

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Recorded in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income. The cost basis of securities sold were determined based on the specific identification method.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company considers the declines in market value of its marketable securities, available-for-sale to be temporary in nature and does not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company typically invests in highly-rated securities, and its investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy generally requires investments to be investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss and matching long-term liabilities. When evaluating an investment for other-than-temporary impairment the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below its cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and any changes thereto, changes in market interest rates and the Company’s intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investment’s cost basis. The Company has no current intent to sell, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at maturity. The Company may sell certain of its marketable securities, available-for-sale prior to their stated maturities for strategic reasons including, but not limited to, anticipated liquidity and capital requirements, anticipated credit deterioration, duration management or when a security no longer meets the criteria of the Company’s investment policy.

 

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Table of Contents

Amortized cost and fair value of marketable securities, available-for-sale, by contractual maturity consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2018      December 31, 2017  
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value  

Due in one year or less

   $ 120,881      $ 120,701      $ 73,659      $ 73,560  

Due after one year through five years

     63,511        63,236        30,644        30,517  

Due after five years through ten years

     16,451        15,955        15,090        15,200  

Due after ten years

     6,132        5,944        6,368        6,382  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 206,975      $ 205,836      $ 125,761      $ 125,659  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average contractual maturity

     2.0 years           2.6 years     

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to prepay certain obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

 

7.

Notes Payable to Former Stockholders

In conjunction with the Spin-Off and IPO, notes payable to certain former stockholders of MMREIS were issued in settlement of restricted stock and SARs awards that were redeemed by MMREIS upon the termination of employment by the former stockholders (“the Notes”). Such Notes had been previously assumed by MMC, and were transferred to the Company. The Notes are unsecured and bear interest at 5% with annual principal and interest installments with a final principal payment due during the second quarter of 2020. During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company made total payments on the Notes of $1.5 million, including principal and interest.

Accrued interest included in accounts payable and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets pertaining to the Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Accrued interest

   $ 175      $ 305  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense pertaining to the Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017      2018      2017  

Interest expense

   $ 96      $ 110      $ 307      $ 345  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8.

Related-Party Transactions

Shared and Transition Services

Prior to October 2013, the Company operated under a shared services arrangement with MMC whereby the Company was charged for actual costs specifically incurred on behalf of the Company or allocated to the Company on a pro rata basis. Beginning in October 2013, certain services are provided to the Company under a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) between MMC and the Company, which replaced the pre-IPO shared services arrangement. The TSA is intended to provide certain services until the Company acquires the services separately. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred net costs of $20,000 and $43,000 under the TSA, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred net costs of $147,000 and $168,000 under the TSA, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

 

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Brokerage and Financing Services with the Subsidiaries of MMC

MMC has wholly or majority owned subsidiaries that buy and sell commercial real estate properties. The Company performs certain brokerage and financing services related to transactions of the subsidiaries of MMC. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company earned real estate brokerage commissions and financing fees of $1.8 million and $309,000, respectively, from transactions with subsidiaries of MMC related to these services. The Company incurred cost of services of $1.1 million and $181,000, respectively, related to these revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company earned real estate brokerage commissions and financing fees of $4.9 million and $632,000, respectively, from subsidiaries of MMC related to these services. The Company incurred cost of services of $2.9 million and $368,000, respectively, related to these revenues.

Operating Lease with MMC

The Company has an operating lease with MMC for a single-story office building located in Palo Alto, California, which expires on May 31, 2022. Rent expense for this lease aggregated $257,000 and $253,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively. Rent expense for this lease aggregated $765,000 and 759,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively. Rent expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities with MMC

For each of the periods ended September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, accounts payable and other liabilities with MMC totaling $91,000 remain unpaid and are included in accounts payable and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Other

The Company makes advances to non-executive employees from time-to-time. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the aggregate principal amount for employee notes receivable was $323,000 and $621,000, respectively, which is included in other assets (current and non-current), in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 5 – “Selected Balance Sheet Data” for additional information.

As of September 30, 2018, George M. Marcus, the Company’s founder and Co-Chairman, beneficially owned approximately 42% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, including shares owned by Phoenix Investments Holdings, LLC and the Marcus Family Foundation II.

 

9.

Fair Value Measurements

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company is responsible for the determination of the value of the investment carried at fair value and the supporting methodologies and assumptions. The Company uses various pricing sources and third parties to validate the values utilized.

The degree of judgment used in measuring the fair value of financial instruments is generally inversely correlated with the level of observable valuation inputs. Financial instruments with quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and less judgment is used in measuring fair value. Financial instruments for which no quoted prices are available have less observability and are measured at fair value using valuation models or other pricing techniques that require more judgment.

Assets recorded at fair value are measured and classified in accordance with a fair value hierarchy consisting of the three “levels” based on the observability of inputs available in the marketplace used to measure the fair values as discussed below:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or

Level 3: Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.

 

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Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company values its investments including assets held in rabbi trust, commercial paper, money market funds, investments in marketable securities, available-for-sale and contingent consideration at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values for assets held in rabbi trust were determined based on the underlying investments in the trust. For marketable securities, available-for-sale fair values were determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio and all these securities are measured as Levels 1 or 2 as appropriate. Contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions is carried at fair value based on a probability weighted discounted cash flow based on achieving EBITDA and other service requirements and is measured as Level 3.

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are categorized into one of the three categories described above and consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2018      December 31, 2017  
     Fair Value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Fair Value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

                       

Assets held in rabbi trust

   $ 9,115      $ —        $ 9,115      $ —        $ 8,787      $ —        $ 8,787      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash equivalents (1):

                       

Commercial paper

   $ 8,496      $ —        $ 8,496      $ —        $ 11,441      $ —        $ 11,441      $ —    

Money market funds

     110,231        110,231        —          —          157,788        157,788        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 118,727      $ 110,231      $ 8,496      $ —        $ 169,229      $ 157,788      $ 11,441      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketable securities, available-for-sale:

                       

Short-term investments:

                       

U.S. treasuries

   $ 106,141      $ 106,141      $ —        $ —        $ 57,624      $ 57,624      $ —        $ —    

U.S. government sponsored entities

     3,485        —          3,485        —          7,008        —          7,008        —    

Corporate debt securities

     10,975        —          10,975        —          8,928        —          8,928        —    

Asset-backed securities and other

     100        —          100        —          —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 120,701      $ 106,141      $ 14,560      $ —        $ 73,560      $ 57,624      $ 15,936      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term investments:

                       

U.S. treasuries

   $ 52,522      $ 52,522      $ —        $ —        $ 17,954      $ 17,954      $ —        $ —    

U.S. government sponsored entities

     1,520        —          1,520        —          5,244        —          5,244        —    

Corporate debt securities

     24,907        —          24,907        —          22,719        —          22,719        —    

Asset-backed securities and other

     6,186        —          6,186        —          6,182        —          6,182        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 85,135      $ 52,522      $ 32,613      $ —        $ 52,099      $ 17,954      $ 34,145      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

                       

Contingent consideration

   $ 1,806      $ —        $ —        $ 1,806      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Included in cash and cash equivalents on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

At September 30, 2018, the fair value of the contingent consideration was $1.8 million. Assuming the achievement of the applicable performance criteria, the Company anticipates these earn-out payments will be made over the next five-year period. Adjustments to earn-out liabilities in periods subsequent to the completion of acquisitions are reflected in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income.

A reconciliation of contingent consideration measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Beginning balance

   $ —        $ —    

Contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions

     1,720        —    

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

     86        —    

Payments of contingent consideration

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,806      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, from time to time, the Company measures certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets include MSRs. MSRs are initially recorded at fair value based on internal models using contractual information and assumptions of a market participant and are measured as Level 3. The Company’s MSRs do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. The Company has elected the amortization method for the subsequent measurement of MSRs. The estimated fair value of the Company’s MSRs were developed using discounted cash flow models that calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The model considers contractually specified servicing fees, prepayment assumptions, delinquency rates, late charges, other ancillary revenue, costs to service, and other economic factors. The Company periodically reassesses and adjusts, when necessary, the underlying inputs and assumptions used in the model to reflect observable market conditions and assumptions that a market participant would consider in valuing an MSR asset. MSRs are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The fair value of the MSRs approximated the carrying value at September 30, 2018.

 

10.

Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were 38,651,360 and 38,374,011 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, issued and outstanding, which includes unvested restricted stock awards issued to non-employee directors, respectively. See Note 13 – “Earnings per Share” for additional information.

Preferred Stock

The Company has 25,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock with a par value $0.0001 per share. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were no preferred shares issued or outstanding.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2018, by component, net of income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Unrealized
gains and
(losses) of
available-for-
sale securities
     Foreign
currency
translation (3)
     Total  

Beginning balance, December 31, 2017

   $ (62    $ 1,002      $ 940  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (1)

     (13      —          (13
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018, as adjusted

     (75      1,002        927  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

     (779      44        (735

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (2)

     8        —          8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income

     (771      44        (727
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (846    $ 1,046      $ 200  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Relates to reclassification of stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of adoption of ASU 2018-02. See Note 2 – “Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information.

(2)

Included as a component of other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income. The reclassifications were determined on a specific identification basis.

(3)

The Company has not provided for U.S. taxes on unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiary as it is operating at a loss and has no earnings and profits to remit. As a result, deferred taxes were not provided related to the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

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11.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

The board of directors adopted the 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), which became effective upon the Company’s IPO. In February 2017, the board of directors amended and restated the 2013 Plan, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders in May 2017. Grants are made from time to time by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors at its discretion subject to certain restrictions as to the number and value of shares that may be granted to any individual. Upon adoption of the 2013 Plan, 5,500,000 shares of common stock were initially reserved for the issuance of awards. Pursuant to the automatic increases previously provided for in the 2013 Plan, the board of directors approved share reserve increases aggregating 3,300,000. Pursuant to the amendment and restatement of the 2013 Plan referenced above, the automatic share increase provision was removed. As of September 30, 2018, there were 5,401,371 shares available for future grants under the 2013 Plan.

Awards Granted and Settled

Under the 2013 Plan, the Company has issued restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) to non-employee directors and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees and independent contractors. RSAs vest in equal annual installments over a one-year or three-year period from the date of grant. All RSUs vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period from the date of grant. Any unvested awards are canceled upon termination as a service provider. Awards accelerate upon death subject to approval by the compensation committee. As of September 30, 2018, there were no issued or outstanding options, SARs, performance units or performance shares awards under the 2013 Plan.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, 305,975 shares of RSUs vested and were delivered and 54,506 shares of common stock were withheld to pay applicable required employee statutory withholding taxes based on the market value of the shares on the vesting date. The shares withheld for taxes were returned to the share reserve and are available for future issuance in accordance with provisions of the 2013 Plan.

Outstanding Awards

Activity under the 2013 Plan consisted of the following (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

 

     RSA Grants to
Non-employee
Directors
    RSU Grants to
Employees
    RSU Grants to
Independent
Contractors
    Total     Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Per Share
 

Nonvested shares at December 31, 2017

     30,732       500,859       450,264       981,855     $ 23.90  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Granted

          

February 2018

     —         106,419       20,293       126,712    

March 2018

     —         15,000       —         15,000    

May 2018

     12,852       4,854       14,280       31,986    

August 2018

     —         10,407       63,651       74,058    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Granted

     12,852       136,680       98,224       247,756       34.92  

Vested

     (16,488     (142,433     (163,542     (322,463     22.06  

Transferred

     —         (7,356     7,356       —         26.52  

Forfeited/canceled

     —         (1,960     (5,744     (7,704     28.76  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonvested shares at September 30, 2018 (1)

     27,096       485,790       386,558       899,444     $ 27.56  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of September 30, 2018 (2)

   $ 526     $ 10,884     $ 10,621     $ 22,031    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted average remaining vesting period (years) as of September 30, 2018

     0.95       3.27       3.27       3.22    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1)

Nonvested RSUs will be settled through the issuance of new shares of common stock.

(2)

The total unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.22 years.

 

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As of September 30, 2018, 578,618 fully vested deferred stock units (“DSUs”) remained outstanding. See “Amendments to Restricted Stock and SARs” section below and Note 13 – “Earnings per Share” for additional information. Future share settlements of DSUs by year consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,
2018
 

2018

     237,052  

2019

     —    

2020

     —    

2021

     60,373  

2022

     281,193  
  

 

 

 
     578,618  
  

 

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In 2013, the Company adopted the ESPP Plan. The ESPP Plan qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and provides for consecutive, non-overlapping 6-month offering periods. The offering periods generally start on the first trading day on or after May 15 and November 15 of each year. Qualifying employees may purchase shares of the Company stock at a 10% discount based on the lower of the market price at the beginning or end of the offering period, subject to IRS limitations. The Company determined that the ESPP Plan was a compensatory plan and is required to expense the fair value of the awards over each 6-month offering period.

The ESPP Plan initially had 366,667 shares of common stock reserved and 233,867 and 246,895 shares of common stock remain available for issuance for each of the periods at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The ESPP Plan provides for annual increases in the number of shares available for issuance under the ESPP, equal to the least of (i) 366,667 shares, (ii) 1% of the outstanding shares on such date, or (iii) an amount determined by the compensation committee of the board of directors. Pursuant to the provisions of the ESPP Plan, the board of directors has determined to not provide for any annual increases to date. As of September 30, 2018, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the ESPP Plan was $18,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.12 years.

Amendments to Restricted Stock and SARs

Restricted Stock

In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into sales restriction agreements with certain of its executive officers. The sale restriction agreements provided for vesting acceleration as to all outstanding shares of restricted shares held by the executive officers and termination of certain existing Buy-Sell Agreements entered into between the Company and such executive officers prior to the IPO in exchange for the executive officers’ agreement to limit their ability to sell, transfer, hypothecate, encumber, or in any way alienate any of their shares. Such sales restrictions lapse at a rate of 20% per year for five years if the participant remains employed by the Company. In the event of death or termination of employment after reaching the age of 67, 100% of the shares of stock will be released from the resale restriction. Further, 100% of the shares of stock will be released from the resale restriction upon the consummation of a change of control of the Company. Of the original 3,689,326 shares subject to resale restriction, 732,020 shares remained subject to sales restriction at September 30, 2018 and will be fully released during the fourth quarter of 2018.

SARs and DSUs

Prior to the IPO, certain employees were granted SARs. As of March 31, 2013, the outstanding SARs were frozen at the liability amount, and will be paid out to each participant in installments upon retirement or departure under the terms of the revised SARs agreements. To replace beneficial ownership in the SARs, the difference between the book value liability and the fair value of the awards was granted to plan participants in the form of DSUs, which were fully vested upon receipt and will be settled in actual stock at a rate of 20% per year if the participant remains employed by the Company during that period (otherwise all unsettled shares of stock upon termination from service will be settled five years from the termination date, unless otherwise agreed to by the Company). In the event of death or termination of service after reaching the age of 67, 100% of the DSUs will be settled.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation

The Company adopted ASU 2018-7 on July 1, 2018. As a result of the adoption, awards issued to its independent contractors prior to the adoption date of July 1, 2018 were remeasured at the adoption date stock price. The Company will recognize the remaining unrecognized value of unvested awards over the remaining performance period with no further remeasurement through the performance completion date. For all new awards after the date of adoption, the Company will measure its awards made to independent contractors based on the grant date closing price of its common stock consistent with awards made to the Company’s employees and non-employee directors. Components of stock-based compensation are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017      2018      2017  

Employee stock purchase plan

   $ 37      $ 31      $ 100      $ 106  

RSAs – non-employee directors

     182        105        458        284  

RSUs – employees

     1,112        975        3,161        2,841  

RSUs – independent contractors (1)

     1,816        1,081        5,200        2,942  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,147      $ 2,192      $ 8,919      $ 6,173  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Company grants RSUs to independent contractors (i.e. investment sales and financing professionals), who are considered non-employees. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2018-7, such awards were required to be measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement. Stock-based compensation expense was therefore impacted by the changes in the Company’s common stock price during each reporting period prior to the adoption of July 1, 2018.

 

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Table of Contents
12.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 28.5% and 27.2%, respectively, compared to 39.3% and 39.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company provides for the effects of income taxes in interim financial statements based on the Company’s estimate of its annual effective tax rate for the full year, which is based on forecasted income by jurisdiction where the Company operates, adjusted for the tax effects of items that relate discretely to the period, if any.

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate to income before provision for income taxes and consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2018     2017  
     Amount      Rate     Amount      Rate  

Income tax expense at the federal statutory rate

   $ 6,125        21.0   $ 8,920        35.0

State income tax expense, net of federal benefit

     1,462        5.0     993        3.9

Effect of foreign operations

     (28      (0.1 )%      16        0.1

Windfall tax benefits, net related to stock-based compensation

     (17      (0.1 )%      32        0.1

Change in valuation allowance

     162        0.6     38        0.2

Permanent items and other (1)

     611        2.1     11        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,315        28.5   $ 10,010        39.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

2018 includes the impact of the changes in tax laws under the Act, primarily relating to changes to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the tax rules regarding the deductibility of entertainment expenses and recording of uncertain tax positions.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2018     2017  
     Amount      Rate     Amount      Rate  

Income tax expense at the federal statutory rate

   $ 17,599        21.0   $ 24,713        35.0

State income tax expense, net of federal benefit

     3,974        4.7     2,734        3.9

Effect of foreign operations

     (48      —         63        0.1

Windfall tax benefits, net related to stock-based compensation

     (261      (0.3 )%      (124      (0.2 )% 

Change in valuation allowance

     284        0.3     154        0.2

Permanent items and other (1)

     1,224        1.5     24        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 22,772        27.2   $ 27,564        39.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

2018 includes the impact of the changes in tax laws under the Act, primarily relating to changes to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the tax rules regarding the deductibility of entertainment expenses and recording of uncertain tax positions.

On December 22, 2017, the Act was enacted, which significantly changed the U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other items, reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35% starting in 2018, eliminating certain exceptions to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and expanding the employees, companies and types of compensation covered by Section 162(m), and creating a territorial tax system with a one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred foreign earnings of U.S. subsidiaries. As a result of the Act, the Company revalued its deferred taxes, net due to the changes in the U.S. corporate statutory federal income tax rate and recorded a net charge of $11.6 million in the provision for income taxes during the fourth quarter of 2017. Although the Company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act is incomplete, it was determined that the $11.6 million charge is a reasonable estimate of those effects. As of September 30, 2018, this amount continues to be our best estimate of the impact of the Act in accordance with our understanding of the Act and the related guidance available. When the IRS issues additional guidance and regulations enabling the Company to finalize certain tax positions, the Company will be able to conclude whether any further adjustments are required to be made to its deferred tax assets, net balance as of December 31, 2017. Any adjustments to this provisional amount will be reported no later than the fourth quarter of 2018, as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which any such adjustments are determined.

 

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13.

Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively consisted of the following (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017      2018     2017  

Numerator (Basic and Diluted):

          

Net income

   $  20,854      $  15,475      $  61,032     $  43,044  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

          

Basic

          

Weighted average common shares issued and outstanding

     38,641        38,132        38,598       38,094  

Deduct: Unvested RSAs (1)

     (29      (29      (30     (29

Add: Fully vested DSUs (2)

     579        930        579       930  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

     39,191        39,033        39,147       38,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.53      $ 0.40      $ 1.56     $ 1.10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

          

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding from above

     39,191        39,033        39,147       38,995  

Add: Dilutive effect of RSUs, RSAs & ESPP

     293        171        212       141  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

     39,484        39,204        39,359       39,136  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.53      $ 0.39      $ 1.55     $ 1.10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Antidilutive shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share (3)

     76        205        250       381  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

RSAs were issued and outstanding to the non-employee directors and have a one-year or three-year vesting term subject to service requirements. See Note 11 – “Stock-Based Compensation Plans” for additional information.

(2)

Shares are included in weighted average common shares outstanding as the shares are fully vested but have not yet been delivered. See Note 11 – “Stock-Based Compensation Plans” for additional information.

(3)

Primarily pertaining to RSU grants to the Company’s employees and independent contractors.

 

14.

Commitments and Contingencies

Credit Agreement

On June 18, 2014, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Bank”), dated as of June 1, 2014 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a $60.0 million principal amount senior secured revolving credit facility that is guaranteed by all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries (the “Credit Facility”), which, as amended, matures on June 1, 2020. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are available for general corporate purposes and working capital. The Credit Facility includes a $10.0 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit of which $533,000 was utilized at September 30, 2018. Borrowings under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either the (i) Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the Bank’s prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.5%), or (ii) at a variable rate between 0.875% and 1.125% above LIBOR, based upon the total funded debt to EBITDA ratio. In connection with executing the Credit Agreement, as amended, the Company paid bank fees and other expenses, which are being amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. The Company pays a commitment fee of up to 0.1% per annum, payable quarterly, based on the amount of unutilized commitments under the Credit Facility. The amortization and commitment fee is included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of net and comprehensive income and was $26,000 and $28,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $78,000 and $83,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

 

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The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial and other covenant reporting requirements and events of default. Financial covenants require the Company, on a combined basis with its guarantors, to maintain (i) an EBITDAR Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 1.25:1.0 as of each quarter end and (ii) total funded debt to EBITDA not greater than 2.0:1.0 as of each quarter end both on a rolling 4-quarter basis. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company, including pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each subsidiary except for the capital stock of a controlled foreign corporation (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code). As of September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants.

Litigation

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve claims for damages that are substantial in amount. Most of these litigation matters are covered by insurance, which contain deductibles, exclusions, claim limits and aggregate policy limits. While the ultimate liability for these legal proceeding cannot be determined, the Company reviews the need for its accrual for loss contingencies quarterly and records an accrual for litigation related losses where the likelihood of loss is both probable and estimable. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. The Company accrues legal fees for litigation as the legal services are provided.

Other

In connection with certain agreements with current and prospective investment sales and financing professionals, the Company has committed to advance amounts to these investment sales and financing professionals, subject to certain conditions and/or reaching performance goals. Such commitments aggregated $11.3 million, including amounts committed to through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

 

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

Unless the context requires otherwise, the words “Marcus & Millichap,” “we,” the “Company,” “us” and “our” refer to Marcus & Millichap, Inc., Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, Inc. and its other consolidated subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2018, or for any other future period. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018, including the “Risk Factors” section and the consolidated financial statements and notes included therein.

Overview

We are a leading national brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. We have been the top commercial real estate investment broker in the United States based on the number of investment transactions over the last 10 years.

As of September 30, 2018, we had 1,870 investment sales and financing professionals that are primarily exclusive independent contractors operating in 79 offices who provide real estate brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. We also offer market research, consulting and advisory services to our clients. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we closed 2,427 and 6,869 investment sales, financing and other transactions with total volume of approximately $12.0 billion and $33.1 billion, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we closed 8,979 sales, financing and other transactions with total volume of approximately $42.2 billion.

We generate revenues by collecting real estate brokerage commissions upon the sale, and fees upon the financing, of commercial properties and by providing consulting and advisory services. Real estate brokerage commissions are typically based upon the value of the property, and financing fees are typically based upon the size of the loan. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, approximately 91% of our revenues were generated from real estate brokerage commissions, 8% from financing fees and 1% from other revenues, including consulting and advisory services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately 92% of our revenues were generated from real estate brokerage commissions, 7% from financing fees and 1% from other revenues, including consulting and advisory services. During the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately 90% of our revenues were generated from real estate brokerage commissions, 7% from financing fees and 3% from other revenues, including consulting and advisory services.

We divide commercial real estate into four major market segments, characterized by price:

 

   

Properties priced less than $1 million;

 

   

Private client market: properties priced from $1 million up to $10 million;

 

   

Middle market: properties priced from $10 million up to $20 million; and

 

   

Larger transaction market: properties priced from $20 million and above.

 

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Our strength is in serving private clients in the $1-$10 million private client market segment, which contributed approximately 66% and 68% of our real estate brokerage commissions during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and approximately 65% and 69% of our real estate brokerage commissions during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following tables set forth the number of transactions, sales volume and revenues by commercial real estate market segment for real estate brokerage:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,         
     2018      2017      Change  
Real Estate Brokerage    Number      Volume      Revenues      Number      Volume      Revenues      Number      Volume      Revenues  
            (in millions)      (in thousands)             (in millions)      (in thousands)             (in millions)      (in thousands)  

<$1 million

     268      $ 166      $ 7,224        259      $ 166      $ 7,032        9      $ —        $ 192  

Private client market ($1 - $10 million)

     1,352        4,382        125,898        1,282        3,906        115,959        70        476        9,939  

Middle market (³$10 - $20 million)

     119        1,581        31,158        94        1,284        24,505        25        297        6,653  

Larger transaction market (³$20 million)

     70        3,169        27,700        62        2,644        21,861        8        525        5,839  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,809      $ 9,298      $ 191,980        1,697      $ 8,000      $ 169,357        112      $ 1,298      $ 22,623  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,         
     2018      2017      Change  
Real Estate Brokerage    Number      Volume      Revenues      Number      Volume      Revenues      Number      Volume      Revenues  
            (in millions)      (in thousands)             (in millions)      (in thousands)             (in millions)      (in thousands)  

<$1 million

     764      $ 489      $ 20,819        762      $ 472      $ 20,110        2      $ 17      $ 709  

Private client market ($1 - $10 million)

     3,819        12,038        350,062        3,628        11,184        328,177        191        854        21,885  

Middle market (³$10 - $20 million)

     350        4,789        85,984        258        3,501        64,047        92        1,288        21,937  

Larger transaction market (³$20 million)

     213        8,846        79,280        162        6,607        59,735        51        2,239        19,545  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,146      $ 26,162      $ 536,145        4,810      $ 21,764      $ 472,069        336      $ 4,398      $ 64,076  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We continue to increase our presence in the United States and Canada through execution of our growth strategies by targeting markets based on population, employment, level of commercial real estate sales, inventory and competitive opportunities where we believe the markets will benefit from our business model. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we completed acquisitions that expanded our presence in the financing market in the Midwest and in the real estate brokerage market in Canada. We also added commercial mortgage servicing to the financing services.

The following charts set forth the percentage of transactions by region for real estate brokerage.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

LOGO

  LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

 

(1)

Includes our Canadian operations, which represented less than 1% of our total revenues in each period presented.

 

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Factors Affecting Our Business

Our business and our operating results, financial condition and liquidity are significantly affected by the number and size of commercial real estate investment sales and financing transactions we close in any period. The number and size of these transactions are affected by our ability to recruit and retain investment sales and financing professionals, identify and contract properties for sale and identify those that need financing and refinancing. We principally monitor the commercial real estate market through four factors, which generally drive our business. The factors are the economy, commercial real estate supply and demand, capital markets and investment sentiment and investment activity.

The Economy

Our business is dependent on economic conditions within the markets in which we operate. Changes in the economy on a global, national, regional or local basis can have a positive or a negative impact on our business. Economic indicators and projections related to job growth, unemployment, interest rates, retail spending and confidence trends can have a positive or a negative impact on our business. Overall market conditions can have an effect on investor sentiment and, ultimately, the demand for our services from investors in real estate. Economic momentum accelerated in the third quarter, supported by the stimulus of tax reform and elevated confidence levels. Strong job creation and accelerating wage growth reinforced consumption, lifting retail sales and contributing to broad-based economic growth. Considering the strength of the employment market, which attained an all-time record number of job openings and the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years, prospects for housing and commercial real estate space demand remain robust. However, the positive employment climate is converging with new tariffs and rising energy costs to spark inflationary pressure, inspiring the Federal Reserve to maintain a conservative stance and raise interest rates. Rising interest rates have the potential to impact commercial real estate transactions, particularly if long-term interest rates increase quickly. Despite these risks, we remain optimistic the economic expansion will carry into 2019, and this momentum will benefit the commercial real estate sector.

Commercial Real Estate Supply and Demand

Our business is dependent on the willingness of investors to invest in or sell commercial real estate, which is affected by factors beyond our control. These factors include the supply of commercial real estate coupled with user demand for these properties and the performance of real estate assets when compared with other investment alternatives, such as stocks and bonds. The strong pace of economic growth this year has reinforced demand for all types of commercial real estate space, sustaining positive real estate fundamentals. We believe these trends should remain in-place into 2019 as elevated hiring, wage growth, consumption and household formation all positively influence the sector. Although construction remains elevated for apartments, self-storage facilities, hotels and industrial properties, demand has kept pace on a macro level. National apartment and industrial vacancy rates reached their tightest level in over 15 years while hotels have sustained record-high occupancy rates. There are, however, some pockets of oversupply risk in select major metropolitan areas. The strong performance trends and positive economic outlook continue to bolster seller’s valuation perceptions resulting in a widening expectation gap as prospective buyers closely monitor interest rates and the rising cost of capital.

Capital Markets

Credit and liquidity issues in the financial markets have a direct impact on the flow of capital to the commercial real estate market. Real estate purchases are often financed with debt and, as a result, credit and liquidity impact transaction activity and prices. Changes in interest rates, as well as steady and protracted movements of interest rates in one direction, whether increases or decreases, could adversely or positively affect the operations and income potential of commercial real estate properties. These changes also influence the demand of investors for commercial real estate investments. We believe that indications from the U.S. Federal Reserve of future interest rate increases and a reduction of the Federal Reserve balance sheet could place additional upward pressure on interest rates. This, together with uncertainty created by trade tensions, stock market volatility and questions regarding international monetary policy remain a short-term headwind for real estate transactions. These risks could intensify if short-term interest rates rise above long-term interest rates, creating an inverted yield curve, an event commonly perceived to precede a recession, as negative media coverage could potentially erode the current economic strength. However, lenders continue to make capital available for most areas and property types. Lenders have tightened capital availability for new development and are less willing to lend based on speculative value-add opportunities. These disciplined underwriting standards offer the investment market strong liquidity and balanced lending resources while curbing more speculative investment outlays and oversupply risk.

 

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Investor Sentiment and Investment Activity

We rely on investors to buy and sell properties in order to generate commissions. Investors’ desires to engage in real estate transactions are dependent on many factors that are beyond our control. The economy, supply and demand for properly positioned properties, available credit and market events impact investor sentiment and, therefore, transaction velocity. In addition, our private clients are often motivated to buy, sell and/or refinance properties due to personal circumstances such as death, divorce, partnership breakups and estate planning. Investor sentiment remains positive by historical standards, though it is still below the peak set in 2016. The combination of economic strength and generally positive fundamentals across most property types has raised seller expectations, causing them to price assets aggressively in many cases. Buyers, however, are using more cautious underwriting to value assets as the prospect of rising interest rates and the possibility of a softening late cycle outlook weigh on acquisition strategies. The resulting gap in expectations has moderated sales to a degree, extending the marketing and closing timelines, but overall velocity has nudged higher from last-year’s levels. We believe that the maturing cycle, combined with volatility in financial markets, inflation trends and rising interest rates will balance with the positive economic and employment trends as well as the strength of commercial real estate fundamentals to deliver generally stable sales activity.

Operating Segments

We follow the guidance for segment reporting, which requires reporting information on operating segments in interim and annual financial statements. Substantially all of our operations involve the delivery of commercial real estate services to our customers including real estate investment sales, financing and consulting and advisory services. Management makes operating decisions, assesses performance and allocates resources based on an ongoing review of these integrated operations, which constitute only one operating segment for financial reporting purposes.

Key Financial Measures and Indicators

Revenues

Our revenues are primarily generated from our real estate investment sales business. In addition to real estate brokerage commissions, we generate revenues from financing fees and from other revenues, which are primarily comprised of consulting and advisory fees.

Our business is transaction oriented and, as such, we rely on investment sales and financing professionals to continually develop leads, identify properties to sell, market those properties and close the sale timely to generate a consistent flow of revenue. While our sales volume is impacted by seasonality factors, the timing of closings is also dependent on many market and personal factors unique to a particular client or transaction, particularly clients transacting in the $1-$10 million private client market segment. These factors can cause transactions to be accelerated or delayed beyond our control. Further, commission rates earned are generally inversely related to the value of the property sold. As a result of our expansion into the middle and larger transaction market segments, we have seen our overall commission rates fluctuate from period-to-period as a result of changes in the relative mix of the number and volume of transactions closed in the middle and larger transaction market segments as compared to the $1-$10 million private client market segment. These factors may result in period-to-period variations in our revenues that differ from historical patterns.

A small percentage of our transactions include retainer fees and/or breakage fees. Retainer fees are credited against a success-based fee paid upon the closing of a transaction or a breakage fee. Transactions that are terminated before completion will sometimes generate breakage fees, which are usually calculated as a set amount or a percentage of the fee we would have received had the transaction closed.

Real estate brokerage commissions

We earn real estate brokerage commissions by acting as a broker for commercial real estate owners seeking to sell or investors seeking to buy properties. Revenues from real estate brokerage commissions are typically recognized at the close of escrow.

Financing fees

We earn financing fees by securing financing on purchase transactions or by securing refinancing of our clients’ existing mortgage debt. We recognize financing fee revenues at the time the loan closes and we have no remaining significant obligations for performance in connection with the transaction. To a lesser extent, we also earn mortgage servicing revenue, mortgage servicing fees and ancillary fees associated with financing activities. We recognize mortgage servicing revenues upon the acquisition of a servicing obligation. We generate mortgage servicing fees through the provision of collection, remittance, recordkeeping, reporting and other related mortgage servicing functions, activities and services.

 

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Other revenues

Other revenues include fees generated from consulting and advisory services performed by our investment sales professionals, as well as referral fees from other real estate brokers. Revenues from these services are recognized as they are performed and completed.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses consist of cost of services, selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization. The significant components of our expenses are further described below.

Cost of services

The majority of our cost of services expense is variable commissions paid to our investment sales professionals and compensation-related costs related to our financing activities. Commission expenses are directly attributable to providing services to our clients for investment sales and financing services. Most of our investment sales and financing professionals are independent contractors and are paid commissions; however, there are some who are initially paid a salary and certain of our financing professionals are employees and, as such, costs of services also include employee-related compensation, employer taxes and benefits for those employees. The commission rates we pay to our investment sales and financing professionals vary based on individual contracts negotiated and are generally higher for the more experienced professionals. Some of our most senior investment sales and financing professionals also have the ability to earn additional commissions after meeting certain annual revenue thresholds. These additional commissions are recognized as cost of services in the period in which they are earned. Payment of a portion of these additional commissions are generally deferred for a period of three years, at the Company’s election, and paid at the beginning of the fourth calendar year. Cost of services also includes referral fees paid to other real estate brokers where the Company is the principal service provider. Cost of services, therefore, can vary based on the commission structure of the independent contractors that closed transactions in any particular period.

Selling, general & administrative expenses

The largest expense component within selling, general and administrative expenses is personnel expenses for our management team and sales and support staff. In addition, these costs include facilities costs (excluding depreciation and amortization), staff related expenses, sales, marketing, legal, telecommunication, network, data sources, transaction costs related to acquisitions, changes in fair value for contingent consideration and other administrative expenses. Also included in selling, general and administrative are expenses for stock-based compensation to non-employee directors, employees and independent contractors (i.e. investment sales and financing professionals) under the Amended and Restated 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (“2013 Plan”) and the 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP Plan”).

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation expense consists of depreciation recorded on our computer software and hardware and furniture, fixture and equipment. Depreciation are provided over estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years for owned assets or over the lesser of the asset estimated useful lives or the related lease term for leasehold improvements. Amortization expense consists of (i) amortization recorded on our mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received and (ii) amortization recorded on intangible assets amortized on a straight-line basis using a useful life between one and six years.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net primarily consists of interest income, net gains or losses on our deferred compensation plan assets, realized gains and losses on our marketable securities, available-for-sale, foreign currency gains and losses and other non-operating gains and losses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily consists of interest expense associated with the stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) liability, notes payable to former stockholders and our credit agreement.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

We are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal taxes and individual state and local taxes based on the income generated in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our effective tax rate fluctuates as a result of the change in the mix of our activities in the jurisdictions we operate due to differing tax rates in those jurisdictions. Our provision for income taxes includes the windfall tax benefits, net from shares issued in connection with our 2013 Plan and ESPP Plan.

We record deferred taxes, net based on the tax rate expected to be in effect at the time those items are expected to be recognized for tax purposes. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted, which reduced the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018.

Operating Metrics

We regularly review a number of key metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we closed more than 2,400 and 2,200 investment sales, financing and other transactions with total volume of approximately $12.0 billion and $10.1 billion, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we closed more than 6,800 and 6,500 investment sales, financing and other transactions with total volume of approximately $33.1 billion and $29.9 billion, respectively. Such key metrics for real estate brokerage and financing activities are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

Real Estate Brokerage

        

Average Number of Investment Sales Professionals

     1,738       1,658       1,701       1,638  

Average Number of Transactions per Investment Sales Professional

     1.04       1.02       3.03       2.94  

Average Commission per Transaction

   $ 106,125     $ 99,798     $ 104,187     $ 98,143  

Average Commission Rate

     2.06     2.12     2.05     2.17

Average Transaction Size (in thousands)

   $ 5,140     $ 4,714     $ 5,084     $ 4,525  

Total Number of Transactions

     1,809       1,697       5,146       4,810  

Total Sales Volume (in millions)

   $ 9,298     $ 8,000     $ 26,162     $  21,764  
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

Financing (1)

        

Average Number of Financing Professionals

     104       92       97       95  

Average Number of Transactions per Financing Professional

     4.17       4.45       12.28       12.72  

Average Fee per Transaction

   $ 34,733     $ 27,795     $ 33,326     $ 28,254  

Average Fee Rate

     0.84     0.85     0.90     0.88

Average Transaction Size (in thousands)

   $ 4,112     $ 3,274     $ 3,717     $ 3,224  

Total Number of Transactions

     434       409       1,191       1,208  

Total Financing Volume (in millions)

   $ 1,785     $ 1,339     $ 4,427     $ 3,895  

 

(1)

Operating metrics calculated excluding certain financing fees not directly associated to transactions.

 

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Results of Operations

Following is a discussion of our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The tables included in the period comparisons below provide summaries of our results of operations. The period-to-period comparisons of financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

Below are key operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 (dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2018
    Percentage
of
Revenue
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2017
    Percentage
of
Revenue
    Change  
 
    Dollar     Percentage  

Revenues:

            

Real estate brokerage commissions

   $ 191,980       91.2   $ 169,357       92.4   $ 22,623       13.4

Financing fees

     15,947       7.6       11,368       6.2       4,579       40.3  

Other revenues

     2,663       1.2       2,616       1.4       47       1.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     210,590       100.0       183,341       100.0       27,249       14.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

            

Cost of services

     132,896       63.1       114,803       62.6       18,093       15.8  

Selling, general, and administrative expense

     48,659       23.1       42,480       23.2       6,179       14.5  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     1,651       0.8       1,375       0.7       276       20.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     183,206       87.0       158,658       86.5       24,548       15.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     27,384       13.0       24,683       13.5       2,701       10.9  

Other income (expense), net

     2,127       1.0       1,172       0.6       955       81.5  

Interest expense

     (342     (0.2     (370     (0.2     28       (7.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     29,169       13.8       25,485       13.9       3,684       14.5  

Provision for income taxes

     8,315       3.9       10,010       5.5       (1,695     (16.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 20,854       9.9   $ 15,475       8.4   $ 5,379       34.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 32,155       15.3   $ 28,499       15.5   $ 3,656       12.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

            

Basic

   $ 0.53       $ 0.40        

Diluted

   $ 0.53       $ 0.39        

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

            

Basic

     39,191         39,033        

Diluted

     39,484         39,204        

 

(1) 

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

Revenues

Our total revenues were $210.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $183.3 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $27.2 million, or 14.9%. Total revenues increased primarily as a result of increases in real estate brokerage commissions and financing fees.

Real estate brokerage commissions. Revenues from real estate brokerage commissions increased to $192.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $169.4 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $22.6 million, or 13.4%. The increase was primarily driven by the increase in the number of investment sales transactions (6.6%) and an increase in average transaction size (9.0%). These factors combined generated the increase in sales volume of 16.2%. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in average commission rates (6 basis points) due to a larger proportion of our transactions that closed in the Middle and Larger transaction market segments, which generate lower commission rates.

 

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Financing fees. Revenues from financing fees increased to $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $11.4 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $4.6 million, or 40.3%, in part spurred by recent hiring and growth from acquisitions during 2018. The increase was primarily driven by the increase in the number of financing transactions (6.1%) and increase in average transaction size (25.6%). These factors combined generated the increase in sales volume of 33.3%. This increase was partially offset by a 1 basis point decrease in average commission rate.

Other revenues. Other revenues increased to $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $2.6 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $0.1 million, or 1.8%.

Total operating expenses

Our total operating expenses were $183.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $158.7 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $24.5 million, or 15.5%. The increase was primarily due to increases in cost of services, which are variable commissions paid to our investment sales professionals and compensation related costs in connection with our financing activities, selling, general and administrative costs and to a lesser extent depreciation and amortization, as described below.

Cost of services. Cost of services increased to $132.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $114.8 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $18.1 million, or 15.8%. The increase was primarily due to increased commission expenses driven by the related increased revenues noted above. Cost of services as a percent of total revenues increased to 63.1% compared to 62.6% for the same period in 2017 primarily due to an increase in the proportion of transactions closed by our more senior investment sales professionals who are compensated generally at higher commission rates.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and administrative expense increased to $48.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $42.5 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $6.2 million, or 14.5%. Increases in our selling, general and administrative expense have been driven by our growth plans and investments in technology, sales and marketing tools and marketing and expansion of our services supporting our investment sales and financing professionals. These initiatives have primarily driven (i) a $2.7 million increase in compensation related costs, including salaries and related benefits and management performance compensation; (ii) a $0.9 million increase in sales operations support and promotional marketing expenses to support sales activity; (iii) a $0.8 million increase in other expense categories, net, primarily driven by an increase in professional fees and (iv) a $0.5 million increase in facilities expenses due to expansion of existing offices. In addition, selling, general and administrative expense increased due to (i) a $1.0 million increase in stock-based compensation driven by fluctuations in our stock price and incremental stock-based awards since the third quarter of 2017 and (ii) a $0.3 million increase in legal costs and accruals.

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $1.4 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $0.3 million, or 20.1%. The increase was primarily driven by our expansion and growth.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net increased to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $1.2 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in interest income on our investments in marketable securities, available-for-sale.

Interest expense

There were no significant changes in interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes was $8.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $10.0 million in the same period in 2017, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 16.9%. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 28.5% compared to 39.3% for the same period in 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the decrease in the federal statutory rate from 35% to 21%, partially offset by an increase in permanent items and other. Permanent items and other increased in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to changes in tax laws under the Act, primarily relating to changes to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the tax rules regarding the deductibility of entertainment expenses. As a result of our periodic review of uncertain tax positions, we recorded a provision of approximately $1.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

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We calculate our provision for income taxes using an annual effective tax rate based on projected taxable income for the year adjusted for the effects of permanent and discrete items. Deferred taxes are adjusted for significant changes in temporary items in the period in which they occur. The future effective tax rate may vary from this estimated annual effective rate due to several factors, including but not limited to, the level of state and foreign jurisdiction activity, future changes in tax laws, the amount of future book versus income tax items that are permanent in nature and changes, if any, in a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets.

The provisions for income taxes includes the difference in book and tax deductions associated with the settlement of shares under the Company’s 2013 Plan and certain disqualifying dispositions of shares issued under our ESPP Plan.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

Below are key operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2018
    Percentage
of
Revenue
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2017
    Percentage
of
Revenue
    Change  
 
    Dollar     Percentage  

Revenues:

            

Real estate brokerage commissions

   $ 536,145       91.7   $ 472,069       91.3   $ 64,076       13.6

Financing fees

     41,234       7.1       34,131       6.6       7,103       20.8  

Other revenues

     7,154       1.2       10,724       2.1       (3,570     (33.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     584,533       100.0       516,924       100.0       67,609       13.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

            

Cost of services

     354,414       60.6       314,827       60.9       39,587       12.6  

Selling, general, and administrative expense

     145,792       24.9       129,393       25.0       16,399       12.7  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     4,529       0.8       3,975       0.8       554       13.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     504,735       86.3       448,195       86.7       56,540       12.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     79,798       13.7       68,729       13.3       11,069       16.1  

Other income (expense), net

     5,060       0.8       3,005       0.6       2,055       68.4  

Interest expense

     (1,054     (0.2     (1,126     (0.2     72       (6.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     83,804       14.3       70,608       13.7       13,196       18.7  

Provision for income taxes

     22,772       3.9       27,564       5.4       (4,792     (17.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     61,032       10.4   $ 43,044       8.3   $ 17,988       41.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 93,309       16.0   $ 79,589       15.4   $ 13,720       17.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

            

Basic

   $ 1.56       $ 1.10        

Diluted

   $ 1.55       $ 1.10        

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

            

Basic

     39,147         38,995        

Diluted

     39,359         39,136        

 

(1) 

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measure.”

Revenues

Our total revenues were $584.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $516.9 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $67.6 million, or 13.1%. Total revenues increased primarily as a result of increases in real estate brokerage commissions and financing fees, partially offset by a decrease in other revenues.

Real estate brokerage commissions. Revenues from real estate brokerage commissions increased to $536.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $472.1 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $64.1 million, or 13.6%. The increase was primarily driven by the increase in the number of investment sales transactions (7.0%) and an increase in average transaction size (12.4%). These factors combined generated the increase in sales volume of 20.2%. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in average commission rates (12 basis points) due to a larger proportion of our transactions that closed in the Middle and Larger transaction market segments, which generate lower commission rates.

 

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Financing fees. Revenues from financing fees increased to $41.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $34.1 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $7.1 million, or 20.8%, in part spurred by recent hiring and growth from acquisitions during 2018. The increase was primarily driven by growth in sales volume (13.7%), which was generated by an increase in average transaction size (15.3%), partially offset by a decrease in the number of financing transactions (1.4%).

Other revenues. Other revenues decreased to $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $10.7 million for the same period in 2017, a decrease of $3.6 million, or 33.3%. The decrease was primarily driven by a large consulting and advisory fee earned in 2017 with no comparable fee in 2018.

Total operating expenses

Our total operating expenses were $504.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $448.2 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $56.5 million, or 12.6%. The increase was primarily due to increases in cost of services, which are variable commissions paid to our investment sales professionals and compensation related costs in connection with our financing activities, selling, general and administrative costs and to a lesser extent depreciation and amortization, as described below.

Cost of services. Cost of services for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased approximately $39.6 million, or 12.6% to $354.4 million from $314.8 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased commission expenses driven by the related increased revenues noted above. Cost of services as a percent of total revenues decreased to 60.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 60.9% for the same period in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in referral fees, partially offset by an increase in the proportion of transactions closed by our more senior investment sales professionals who are compensated generally at higher commission rates.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased $16.4 million, or 12.7%, to $145.8 million from $129.4 million for the same period in 2017. Increases in our selling, general and administrative expense have been driven by our growth plans and investments in technology, sales and marketing tools and marketing and expansion of our services supporting our investment sales and financing professionals. These initiatives have primarily driven (i) a $5.2 million increase in compensation related costs, including salaries and related benefits and management performance compensation; (ii) a $4.5 million increase in sales and promotional marketing expenses to support increased sales activity; (iii) a $2.2 million increase in other expense categories, net, primarily driven by our expansion and growth and (iv) a $1.7 million increase in facilities expenses due to expansion of existing offices. In addition, selling, general and administrative expense increased due to (i) a $2.7 million increase in stock-based compensation expense due to fluctuations in our stock price and incremental stock-based awards since third quarter of 2017 and (ii) a $0.1 million increase in legal costs and accruals.

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $4.0 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of $0.6 million, or 13.9%. The increase is primarily driven by our expansion and growth.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net increased to $5.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $3.0 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in interest income on our investments in marketable securities, available-for-sale.

Interest expense

There were no significant changes in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes was $22.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $27.6 million in the same period in 2017, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 17.4%. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 27.2% compared to 39.0% for the same period in 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the decrease in the federal statutory rate from 35% to 21%, partially offset by an increase in permanent items and other. Permanent items and other increased in 2018 compared to the same period prior in 2017 due to changes in tax laws under the Act, primarily relating to changes to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the tax rules regarding the deductibility of entertainment expenses. As a result of our periodic review of uncertain tax positions, we recorded a provision of approximately $1.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

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We calculate our provision for income taxes using an annual effective tax rate based on projected taxable income for the year adjusted for the effects of permanent and discrete items. Deferred taxes are adjusted for significant changes in temporary items in the period in which they occur. The future effective tax rate may vary from this estimated annual effective rate due to several factors, including but not limited to, the level of state and foreign jurisdiction activity, future changes in tax laws, the amount of future book versus income tax items that are permanent in nature and changes, if any, in a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets.

The provisions for income taxes includes the difference in book and tax deductions associated with the settlement of shares under our 2013 Plan and certain disqualifying dispositions of shares issued under our ESPP Plan.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we include a non-GAAP financial measure, adjusted earnings before interest income/expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, or Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (i) interest income and other, including net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities, available-for-sale and cash and cash equivalents, (ii) interest expense, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) stock-based compensation expense and (vi) non-cash MSR activity. We use Adjusted EBITDA in our business operations to evaluate the performance of our business, develop budgets and measure our performance against those budgets, among other things. We also believe that analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate our overall operating performance. However, Adjusted EBITDA has material limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). We find Adjusted EBITDA as a useful tool to assist in evaluating performance because Adjusted EBITDA eliminates items related to capital structure, taxes and non-cash stock-based compensation charges. In light of the foregoing limitations, we do not rely solely on Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure and also consider our U.S. GAAP results. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

A reconciliation of the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, net income, to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017      2018      2017  

Net income

   $ 20,854      $ 15,475      $ 61,032      $ 43,044  

Adjustments:

           

Interest income and other (1)

     (1,824      (923      (4,626      (2,293

Interest expense

     342        370        1,054        1,126  

Provision for income taxes (2)

     8,315        10,010        22,772        27,564  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,651        1,375        4,529        3,975  

Stock-based compensation

     3,147        2,192        8,919        6,173  

Non-cash mortgage servicing rights activity (3)

     (330      —          (371      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 32,155      $ 28,499      $ 93,309      $ 79,589  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Other for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 includes net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities, available-for-sale.

(2)

Provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was calculated using a 21% U.S. federal corporate tax rate due to the enactment of the Act, which reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.

(3)

Non-cash mortgage servicing rights activity includes the assumption of servicing obligations following the completion of our business acquisition in 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, marketable securities, available-for-sale and, if necessary, borrowings under our credit agreement. In order to enhance yield to us, we have invested a portion of our cash in money market funds and in fixed and variable income debt securities, in accordance with our investment policy approved by the board of directors. Certain of our investments in money market funds may not maintain a stable net asset value and may impose fees on redemptions and/or gate fees. Although we have historically funded our operations through operating cash flows, there can be no assurance that we can continue to meet our cash requirements entirely through our operations, cash and cash equivalents, proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, available-for-sale or availability under our credit agreement.

Cash held in our Canadian operations aggregated $333,000 and $421,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Cash Flows

Our total cash and cash equivalents balance decreased by $39.8 million to $181.0 million at September 30, 2018 compared to $220.8 million at December 31, 2017. The following table sets forth our summary cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018      2017  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 55,013      $ 25,338  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (92,323      (28,011

Net cash used in financing activities

     (2,456      (2,036
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (39,766      (4,709
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   $ 220,786      $ 187,371  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 181,020      $ 182,662  

Operating Activities

Cash flows provided in operating activities were $55.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $25.3 million for the same period in 2017. Net cash provided by operating activities is driven by our net income adjusted for non-cash items and changes in operating assets and liabilities. The $29.7 million improvement in operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to increases in our sales volume of real estate brokerage and financing activities, the reduction in our effective income tax rate, differences in timing of payments and receipts, a decrease in advances to our investment sales and financing professionals and a change in bonus accruals. These improvements in operating cash flows were partially offset by a decrease in the deferral of certain discretionary and other commissions.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities were $92.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $28.0 million for the same period in 2017. The change in investing cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to $80.6 million in net purchases of marketable securities, available-for-sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $22.6 million for the same period in 2017. The nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $7.0 million use of cash for business acquisitions in 2018 with no comparable costs for the same period in 2017. See Note 3 – “Acquisitions, Goodwill and Intangible Assets” of our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Financing Activities

Cash flows used in financing activities were $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2017. The change in cash flows used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily impacted by taxes paid related to net share settlement of stock-based awards. See Note 11 – “Stock-Based Compensation Plans” of our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Liquidity

We believe that our existing balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows expected to be generated from our operations, proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, available-for-sale and borrowings available under the credit agreement will be sufficient to satisfy our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months. If we need to raise additional capital through public or private debt or equity financings, strategic relationships or other arrangements, this capital might not be available to us in a timely manner, on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise sufficient capital when needed could prevent us from, among other factors, to fund acquisitions or to otherwise finance our growth or operations. In addition, our notes payable to former stockholders and SARs liability have provisions, which could accelerate repayment of outstanding principal and accrued interest and adversely impact our liquidity.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

There have been no material changes in our commitments under contractual obligations, as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 through the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued other than commitments to advance $11.3 million to current and prospective investment sales and financing professionals, subject to certain conditions and/or reaching performance goals.

 

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Table of Contents

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

Inflation

Our commissions and other variable costs related to revenue are primarily affected by real estate market supply and demand, which may be affected by general economic conditions including inflation. However, to date, we do not believe that general inflation has had a material impact upon our operations.

Critical Accounting Policies; Use of Estimates

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In applying many of these accounting principles, we make assumptions, estimates and/or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions, estimates and/or judgments, however, are often subjective and our actual results may change based on changing circumstances or changes in our analyses. If actual amounts are ultimately different from our estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known. There were no material changes in our critical accounting policies, as disclosed in in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 except for the following:

Revenue Recognition

We generate real estate brokerage commissions by acting as a broker for real estate owners or investors seeking to buy or sell commercial properties. We generate financing fees from securing financing on purchase transactions as well as fees earned from refinancing our clients’ existing mortgage debt and other financing activities. Other revenues include fees generated from consulting and advisory services, as well as referral fees from other real estate brokers. Our contracts contain one performance obligation related to our real estate brokerage, financing and consulting and advisory services offered to buyers and sellers of commercial real estate and provide that we are operating as a principal in all its revenue generating activities. We do not have multiple-element arrangements, variable consideration, financing components, significant noncash consideration, licenses, long-term contracts with customers or other items affecting the transaction price. Accordingly, we determined that the transaction price is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue in principally all cases at the close of escrow for real estate brokerage, close of loan for financing and when services are provided upon closing of the transaction for other revenues.

Stock-Based Compensation

We follow the accounting guidance for share-based payments which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees, independent contractors and non-employee directors. Awards are issued under the Amended and Restated 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) and 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP Plan”).

After adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”) on January 1, 2017, we account for forfeitures as they occur.

For awards made to our employees and directors, we initially value restricted stock units and restricted stock awards based on the grant date closing price of our common stock. For awards with periodic vesting, we recognize the related expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, subject to periodic adjustments to ensure that the cumulative amount of expense recognized through the end of any reporting period is at least equal to the portion of the grant date value of the award that has vested through that date.

We adopted ASU No. 2018-7, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting awards (“ASU 2018-7”) on July 1, 2018. As a result, awards made to independent contractors, will be measured based on the grant date closing price of our common stock consistent with awards made to our employees and directors. Unvested awards issued to independent contractors as of the adoption date of July 1, 2018 were remeasured at the adoption date stock price. We will recognize the remaining unrecognized value of unvested awards over the remaining performance period with no further remeasurement through the performance completion date. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2018-7, we determined that the fair value of the award made to independent contractors shall be measured based on the fair value of the equity instrument as it is more reliably measurable than the fair value of the consideration received. We used the grant date as the performance commitment date, and the measurement date was the date the services were completed, which was the vesting date. As a result, we recorded stock-based compensation for these awards over the vesting period on a straight-line basis with periodic adjustments during the vesting period for changes in the fair value of the awards.

 

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If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested share-based awards, we may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unrecognized or previously recorded stock-based compensation expense.

For awards issued under the ESPP Plan, we determined that the plan was a compensatory plan and are required to expense the fair value of the awards over each six-month offering period. We estimate the fair value of these awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. We calculate the expected volatility based on the historical volatility of our common stock and the risk-free interest rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, both consistent with the term of the offering period. We incorporate no forfeiture rate and include no expected dividend yield as we have not, and currently do not intend to pay a regular dividend.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 – “Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements” of our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We maintain a portfolio of investments in a variety of fixed and variable debt rate securities, including U.S. government and federal agency securities, corporate debt securities, asset backed securities and other. As of September 30, 2018, the fair value of investments in marketable securities, available-for-sale was $205.8 million. The primary objective of our investment activity is to maintain the safety of principal, provide for future liquidity requirements while maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. While some investments may be securities of companies in foreign countries, all investments are denominated and payable in U.S. Dollars. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. While our intent is not to sell these investment securities prior to their stated maturities, we may choose to sell any of the securities for strategic reasons including, but not limited to, anticipated capital requirements, anticipation of credit deterioration, duration management and when a security no longer meets the criteria of the Company’s investment policy. We do not use derivatives or similar instruments to manage our interest rate risk. We seek to invest in high quality investments. The weighted average rating (exclusive of cash and cash equivalents) was AA+ as of September 30, 2018. Maturities are maintained consistent with our short-, medium- and long-term liquidity objectives.

Currently, our portfolio of investments predominantly consists of fixed interest rate debt securities; however, a portion of our investment portfolio may consist of variable interest rate debt securities. Our investments in fixed interest rate debt securities are subject to market risk. Changes in prevailing interest rates may adversely or positively impact their fair market value should interest rates generally rise or fall. Accordingly, we also may have interest rate risk with the variable rate debt securities as the income produced may decrease if interest rates fall. The following table sets forth the impact on the fair value of our investments as of September 30, 2018 from changes in interest rates based on the weighted average duration of the securities in our portfolio (dollars in thousands):

 

Change in Interest Rates

   Approximate Change in
Fair Value of Investments
Increase (Decrease)
 

2% Decrease

   $ 5,983  

1% Decrease

   $ 2,991  

1% Increase

   $ (2,990

2% Increase

   $ (5,980

Due to the nature of our business and the manner in which we conduct our operations, we believe we do not face any material interest rate risk with respect to other assets and liabilities, equity price risk or other market risks. The functional currency of our Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk for the settlement of transactions of the Canadian operations as well as unrealized translation adjustments. To date, realized foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses have not been material.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2018, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such material information is accumulated by and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The design of any system of control is based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated objectives under all future events, no matter how remote, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may not deteriorate. Because of its inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business, some of which involve claims for damages that are substantial in amount. Most of these litigation matters are covered by insurance which contain deductibles, exclusions, claim limits and aggregate policy limits. Such litigation and other proceedings may include, but are not limited to, actions relating to commercial relationships, standard brokerage disputes like the alleged failure to disclose physical or environmental defects or property expenses or contracts, the alleged inadequate disclosure of matters relating to the transaction like the relationships among the parties to the transaction, potential claims or losses pertaining to the asset, vicarious liability based upon conduct of individuals or entities outside of our control, general fraud claims, conflicts of interest claims, employment law claims, including claims challenging the classification of our sales professionals as independent contractors, claims alleging violations of state consumer fraud statutes and intellectual property. While the ultimate liability for these legal proceeding cannot be determined, we review the need for our accrual for loss contingencies quarterly and record an accrual for litigation related losses where the likelihood of loss is both probable and estimable. We do not believe, based on information currently available to us, that the final outcome of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

For information on our legal proceedings, see Note 14 – “Commitments and Contingencies” of our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 other than the new risk factors below. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we made certain acquisitions that resulted in the recording of goodwill and intangible assets.

If we acquire businesses in the future, we may experience high transaction and integration costs, the integration process may be disruptive to our business and the acquired businesses may not perform as we expect.

From time to time, we pursue strategic acquisitions to add and enhance our real estate brokerage and financing service offerings. The companies we acquire have generally been regional or specialty firms that expand our network of investing and financing professionals and/or provide further diversification to our brokerage and financing services. Our acquisition structures may include deferred and/or contingent consideration payments in future periods that are subject to the passage of time or achievement of certain performance metrics and other conditions. Contingent consideration is included in accounts payable and other liabilities and deferred rent and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Acquisitions also frequently involve significant costs related to integrating culture, information technology, accounting, reporting and management services and rationalizing personnel levels. If we are unable to fully integrate the culture, accounting, reporting and other systems of the businesses we acquire, we may not be able to effectively manage them, and our financial results may be materially affected.

In addition, the acquisitions of businesses involve risks that the businesses acquired will not perform in accordance with expectations, that the expected synergies associated with acquisitions will not be achieved and that business judgments concerning the value, strengths and weaknesses of the businesses acquired will prove incorrect, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our existing goodwill and other intangible assets could become impaired, which may require us to take non-cash charges.

Under current accounting guidelines, we evaluate our goodwill and other intangible assets for potential impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. We perform the required annual goodwill impairment evaluation in the fourth quarter of each year. Any impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets would result in a non-cash charge against earnings, and such charge could materially adversely affect our reported results of operations and the market price of our common stock in future periods.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  31.1*

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  31.2*

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  32.1**

   Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section  1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS*

   XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document

101.LAB*

   XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

   XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*

Filed herewith.

**

Furnished, not filed.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

   

Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

Date: November 9, 2018     By:  

  /s/ Hessam Nadji

     

Hessam Nadji

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 9, 2018     By:  

  /s/ Martin E. Louie

     

Martin E. Louie

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)