NEWMARK GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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 March 31, 2022
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Numbers: 001-38329
NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 81-4467492 | |||||||
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
125 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 372-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value | NMRK | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
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 check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter 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, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition 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 ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | Outstanding at May 6, 2022 | |||||||
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | 163,321,688 shares | |||||||
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | 21,285,533 shares |
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NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||||
ITEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | ||||||||
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | |||||||
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | |||||||
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||||
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | |||||||
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS | |||||||
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS | |||||||
ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES | |||||||
ITEM 4. | ||||||||
ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION | |||||||
ITEM 6. |
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth below:
•macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties resulting from the ongoing coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, including any successive waves or variants of the virus, the complications in the implementation of vaccination programs, effectiveness and public acceptance of vaccines, and governmental and public reactions thereto, and the impact of these factors, the impact on the economy, the commercial real estate services industry and the global financial markets, and consumer and corporate clients and customers, including the effect on demand for commercial real estate including office space, levels of new lease activity and renewals, frequency of loan defaults and forbearance, and fluctuations in the mortgage-backed securities market;
•challenges relating to our repositioning of certain aspects of our business to adapt to and better address the needs of our clients in the future as a result of the acceleration of pre-existing long-term social and economic trends, or emergence of new trends resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and governmental measures taken in response thereto, including changes in the mix of demand for commercial real estate space, including decreased demand for urban office and retail space generally, which may be offset in whole or in part by increased demand for suburban office, data storage, fulfillment, and distribution centers and life sciences facilities, that could materially reduce demand for commercial space and have a material adverse effect on the nature of and demand for our commercial real estate services, including the time and expense related to such repositioning, as well as risks related to our entry into new geographic markets or lines of business;
•the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including any successive waves or variants of the virus, on our operations, as well as the cybersecurity risks of remote working, and our ability to continue providing on-site commercial property management services;
•market conditions, transaction volumes, possible disruptions in transactions, potential deterioration of equity and debt capital markets for commercial real estate and related services, impact of significant changes in interest rates, inflation, the Federal Reserve's responses thereto, supply chain issues and other factors, and our ability to access the capital markets as needed or on reasonable terms and conditions;
•pricing, commissions and fees, and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors;
•the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;
•uncertainties related to integrating certain assets of Knotel, Inc. ("Knotel") and Space Management
(DBA “Deskeo”) as we build out our international flexible office business;
•liquidity, regulatory requirements and the impact of credit market events, including the impact of COVID-19 and actions taken by governments and businesses in responses thereto on the credit markets and interest rates;
•our relationship and transactions with Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. (“Cantor”) and its affiliates, Newmark’s structure, including Newmark Holdings, L.P. (“Newmark Holdings”), which is owned by Newmark, Cantor, Newmark’s employee partners and other partners, and our operating partnership, which is owned jointly by us and Newmark Holdings (which we refer to as “Newmark OpCo” ) any related transactions, conflicts of interest, or litigation, any loans to or from Newmark or Cantor, Newmark Holdings or Newmark OpCo, including the balances and interest rates thereof from time to time and any convertible or equity features of any such loans, competition for and retention of brokers and other managers and key employees;
•the impact on our stock price from the reduction of our dividend and potential future changes in our capital deployment priorities, including repurchases of shares, purchases of limited partnership interests, and our dividend policy, and in Newmark Holdings distributions to partners and the related impact of such reductions, as well as the effect of layoffs, furloughs, salary cuts, and expected lower commissions or bonuses on the repayment of partner loans;
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•market volatility as a result of the effects of COVID-19 or other market conditions, which may not be sustainable or predictable in future periods;
•our ability to grow in other geographic regions and to manage our continued overseas growth and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these regions and transactions;
•our ability to maintain or develop relationships with independently owned offices or affiliated businesses or partners in our business;
•the impact of any restructuring or similar transaction on our business and financial results in current or future periods, including with respect to any assumed liabilities or indemnification obligations with respect to such transactions, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions;
•our ability to effectively deploy the proceeds of our Nasdaq, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) shares to repurchase shares or limited partnership interests, reduce our debt, and invest in growing our business;
•risks related to changes in our relationships with the Government Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”) and Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), including the impact of COVID-19 and related changes in the credit markets, changes in prevailing interest rates and the risk of loss in connection with loan defaults;
•risks related to changes in the future of the GSEs, including changes in the terms of applicable conservatorships and changes in their capabilities;
•economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties, the actions of governments or central banks, including the impact of COVID-19 on the global markets and government responses, and restrictions on business and commercial activity, uncertainty regarding the nature, timing and consequences of the United Kingdom (“U.K.”)’s exit from the European Union (“EU”) following the withdrawal process, including potential reduction in investment in the U.K., and the pursuit of trade, border control or other related policies by the U.S. and/or other countries (including U.S. - China trade relations), political and civil unrest in the U.S., including demonstrations, riots, rising tensions with law enforcement, the impact of elections, response to governmental mandates and other restrictions related to COVID-19 in the U.S. or abroad, political and labor unrest in Hong Kong, China and other jurisdictions, conflict in the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, or other jurisdictions, the impact of U.S. government shutdowns or impasses, the impact of terrorist acts, acts of war or other violence or political unrest, as well as natural disasters or weather-related or similar events, including hurricanes as well as power failures, communication and transportation disruptions, and other interruptions of utilities or other essential services, and the impact of pandemics and other international health incidents;
•risks inherent in doing business in international markets, and any failure to identify and manage those risks, as well as the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and sanctions imposed by governments and related counter-sanctions;
•the effect on our business, clients, the markets in which we operate, and the economy in general of inflationary pressures and the Federal Reserve's response thereto, infrastructure spending, changes in the U.S. and foreign tax and other laws, including changes in tax rates, repatriation rules, and deductibility of interest, potential policy and regulatory changes in Mexico and other countries, sequestrations, uncertainties regarding the debt ceiling and the federal budget, and future changes to tax policy and other potential political policies resulting from elections and changes in governments;
•our dependence upon our key employees, our ability to build out successful succession plans, the impact of absence due to illness or leave of certain key executive officers or employees and our ability to attract, retain, motivate and integrate new employees, as well as the competing demands on the time of certain of our executive officers who also provide services to Cantor, BGC and various other ventures and investments sponsored by Cantor (throughout this document, unless otherwise stated, the term "employees" includes both our employees and those real estate professionals who qualify as statutory non-employees under Section 3408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended);
•the effect on our business of changes in interest rates, changes in benchmarks, including the transition away from LIBOR, the transition to alternative benchmarks such as SOFR, and federal and state legislation relating thereto, the level of worldwide governmental debt issuances, austerity programs, government stimulus packages, including those related to COVID-19, increases or decreases in deficits and the impact of increased government tax rates, and other changes to monetary policy, and potential political impasses or regulatory requirements, including increased capital requirements for banks and other institutions or changes in legislation, regulations and priorities;
•extensive regulation of our business and clients, changes in regulations relating to commercial real estate and other industries, and risks relating to compliance matters, including regulatory examinations, inspections, investigations and enforcement actions, and any resulting costs, increased financial and capital requirements, enhanced oversight, remediation, fines, penalties, sanctions, and changes to or restrictions or limitations on specific activities, operations, compensatory arrangements, and growth opportunities, including acquisitions,
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hiring, and new businesses, products, or services, as well as risks related to our taking actions to ensure that we and Newmark Holdings are not deemed investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
•the impact of illness or governmental actions preventing a significant portion of our workforce or the workforce of our clients or third-party vendors from performing functions that can only be conducted in-person, including on-site tours and inspections of buildings;
•factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions as well as counterparty failure;
•costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property, as well as employment, regulatory, and other litigation, proceedings and their related costs, including related to acquisitions and other matters, including judgments, fines, or settlements paid, reputational risk, and the impact thereof on our financial results and cash flow in any given period;
•our ability to maintain continued access to credit and availability of financing necessary to support our ongoing business needs, including to refinance indebtedness, and the risks associated with the resulting leverage, as well as fluctuations in interest rates;
•certain other financial risks, including the possibility of future losses, indemnification obligations, assumed liabilities, reduced cash flows from operations, increased leverage, reduced availability under our Credit Facility and CF Secured Borrowing Facility, and the need for short or long-term borrowings, including from Cantor, the ability of Newmark to refinance our indebtedness, including in the credit markets, and our ability to satisfy eligibility criteria for government-sponsored loan programs and changes to interest rates and market liquidity or our access to other sources of cash relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or other matters, potential liquidity and other risks relating to our ability to maintain continued access to credit and availability of financing necessary to support ongoing business needs on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and risks associated with the resulting leverage, including potentially causing a reduction in credit ratings and the associated outlooks and increased borrowing costs as well as interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•risks associated with the temporary or longer-term investment of our available cash, including in Newmark OpCo, defaults or impairments on the Company’s investments (including investments in non-marketable securities), joint venture interests, stock loans or cash management vehicles and collectability of loan balances owed to us by partners, employees, Newmark OpCo or others;
•the impact of any reduction in the willingness of commercial property owners to outsource their property management needs;
•our ability to enter new markets or develop new products or services and to induce clients to use these products or services and to secure and maintain market share, and the impact of COVID-19 generally and on the commercial real estate services business in particular;
•our ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances, business combinations, restructuring, rebranding or other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, the anticipated benefits of any such transactions, relationships or growth and the future impact of any such transactions, relationships or growth on other businesses and financial results for current or future periods, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions, the impact of amendments and/or terminations of any strategic arrangements, and the value of any hedging entered into in connection with consideration received or to be received in connection with such dispositions and any transfers thereof;
•our estimates or determinations of potential value with respect to various assets or portions of the Company’s business, including with respect to the accuracy of the assumptions or the valuation models or multiples used;
•the impact of near- or off-shoring on our business, including on our ability to manage turnover and hire and retain personnel, including brokerage professionals, salespeople, managers, and other professionals;
•our ability to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved, including outside of the U.S., while ensuring compliance with all applicable financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements;
•our ability to identify and remediate any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls that could affect our ability to properly maintain books and records, prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner, control policies, practices and procedures, operations and assets, assess and manage the Company’s operational, regulatory and financial risks, and integrate acquired businesses and brokers, salespeople, managers and other professionals;
•the impact of unexpected market moves and similar events;
•information technology risks, including capacity constraints, failures, or disruptions in our systems or those of clients, counterparties, or other parties with which we interact, increased demands on such systems and on the telecommunications infrastructure from remote working during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including
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cyber-security risks and incidents, compliance with regulations requiring data minimization and protection and preservation of records of access and transfers of data, privacy risk and exposure to potential liability and regulatory focus;
•the impact of our reductions to our dividends and distributions and the timing and amounts of any future dividends or distributions and our increased stock and unit repurchase authorization, including our ability to meet expectations with respect to payment of dividends and repurchases of common stock or purchases of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in subsidiaries, including Newmark OpCo, including from Cantor or our executive officers, other employees, partners and others and the effect on the market for and trading price of our Class A common stock as a result of any such transactions;
•the effectiveness of our governance, risks management, and oversight procedures and the impact of any potential transactions or relationships with related parties;
•the impact of our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) or “sustainability” ratings on the decisions by clients, investors, potential clients and other parties with respect to our business, investments in us or the market for and trading price of Newmark Class A common stock or other matters;
•the fact that the prices at which shares of our Class A common stock are or may be sold in offerings or other transactions may vary significantly, and purchasers of shares in such offerings or other transactions, as well as existing stockholders, may suffer significant dilution if the price they paid for their shares is higher than the price paid by other purchasers in such offerings or transactions;
•the effect on the markets for and trading prices of our Class A common stock due to market factors, as well as on various offerings and other transactions, including offerings of Class A common stock and convertible or exchangeable debt or other securities, repurchases of shares of Class A common stock and purchases or redemptions of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in us or its subsidiaries, any exchanges by Cantor of shares of Class A common stock for shares of Class B common stock, any exchanges or redemptions of limited partnership units and issuances of shares of Class A common stock in connection therewith, including in corporate or partnership restructurings, payment of dividends on Class A common stock and distributions on limited partnership interests of Newmark Holdings and Newmark OpCo, convertible arbitrage, hedging, and other transactions engaged in by us or holders of outstanding shares, debt or other securities, share sales and stock pledge, stock loans, and other financing transactions by holders of shares or units (including by Cantor executive officers, partners, employees or others), including of shares acquired pursuant to employee benefit plans, unit exchanges and redemptions, corporate or partnership restructurings, acquisitions, conversions of shares of our Class B common stock and other convertible securities into shares of our Class A common stock, stock pledge, stock loans, or other financing transactions, distributions of our Class A common stock by Cantor to its partners, including deferred distribution rights shares.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth in this Quarterly Report on this Form 10-Q, may cause actual results and events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and future results or events could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Our website address is www.nmrk.com. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, the following documents as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC: our Annual Reports on Form 10-K; our proxy statements for our annual and special stockholder meetings; our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; our Current Reports on Form 8-K; Forms 3, 4 and 5 and Schedules 13D filed on behalf of Cantor., CF Group Management, Inc., our directors and our executive officers; and amendments to those documents. Our website also contains additional information with respect to our industry and business. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 442,791 | $ | 191,332 | |||||||
Restricted cash | 75,168 | 75,168 | |||||||||
Marketable securities | — | 524,569 | |||||||||
Loans held for sale, at fair value | 572,670 | 1,072,479 | |||||||||
Receivables, net | 528,755 | 569,206 | |||||||||
Receivables from related parties | — | 8,262 | |||||||||
Other current assets (see Note 19) | 114,684 | 83,337 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 1,734,068 | 2,524,353 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 656,523 | 657,131 | |||||||||
Mortgage servicing rights, net | 559,595 | 550,302 | |||||||||
Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net | 463,607 | 453,345 | |||||||||
Right-of-use assets | 596,781 | 606,634 | |||||||||
Fixed assets, net | 137,488 | 135,756 | |||||||||
Other intangible assets, net | 73,266 | 76,199 | |||||||||
Other assets (see Note 19) | 219,116 | 212,481 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 4,440,444 | $ | 5,216,201 | |||||||
Liabilities, Redeemable Partnership Interests, and Equity: | |||||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises | $ | 571,705 | $ | 1,050,693 | |||||||
Accrued compensation | 365,129 | 462,533 | |||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (see Note 29) | 494,207 | 528,746 | |||||||||
Repurchase agreements and securities loaned | — | 140,007 | |||||||||
Payables to related parties | 24,246 | 10,762 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,455,287 | 2,192,741 | |||||||||
Long-term debt | 542,478 | 545,239 | |||||||||
Right-of-use liabilities | 596,306 | 586,069 | |||||||||
Other long-term liabilities (see Note 29) | 211,107 | 207,012 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 2,805,178 | 3,531,061 | |||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 31) | |||||||||||
Redeemable partnership interests | 17,404 | 20,947 | |||||||||
Equity: | |||||||||||
Class A common stock, par value of $0.01 per share: 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 196,014,748 and 194,046,885 shares issued at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and 168,557,363 and 168,272,371 shares outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | 1,960 | 1,940 | |||||||||
Class B common stock, par value of $0.01 per share: 500,000,000 shares authorized; 21,285,533 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, convertible into Class A common stock | 212 | 212 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 497,489 | 487,447 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 1,078,130 | 1,079,661 | |||||||||
Contingent Class A common stock | 1,572 | 1,572 | |||||||||
Treasury stock at cost: 27,457,385 and 25,774,514 shares of Class A common stock at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | (316,708) | (290,174) | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (2,975) | (2,731) | |||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,259,680 | 1,277,927 | |||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 358,182 | 386,266 | |||||||||
Total equity | 1,617,862 | 1,664,193 | |||||||||
Total liabilities, redeemable partnership interests, and equity | $ | 4,440,444 | $ | 5,216,201 |
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
Management services, servicing fees and other | $ | 233,120 | $ | 187,751 | |||||||||||||
Leasing and other commissions | 198,952 | 147,433 | |||||||||||||||
Investment sales | 152,113 | 101,545 | |||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage origination, net | 94,062 | 67,251 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 678,247 | 503,980 | |||||||||||||||
Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
Compensation and employee benefits | 382,584 | 289,074 | |||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 16,899 | 14,248 | |||||||||||||||
Total compensation and employee benefits | 399,483 | 303,322 | |||||||||||||||
Operating, administrative and other | 137,871 | 107,175 | |||||||||||||||
Fees to related parties | 6,829 | 6,250 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 35,475 | 21,053 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 579,658 | 437,800 | |||||||||||||||
Other (loss) income, net | (86,001) | (2,210) | |||||||||||||||
Income from operations | 12,588 | 63,970 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (7,870) | (8,813) | |||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 4,718 | 55,157 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 4,004 | 10,579 | |||||||||||||||
Consolidated net income | 714 | 44,578 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 352 | 11,473 | |||||||||||||||
Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 362 | $ | 33,105 | |||||||||||||
Per share data: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||
Net income available to common stockholders (1) | $ | 362 | $ | 31,464 | |||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.17 | |||||||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 188,881 | 183,254 | |||||||||||||||
Fully diluted earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||
Net income for fully diluted shares | $ | 438 | $ | 43,925 | |||||||||||||
Fully diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.16 | |||||||||||||
Fully diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 252,815 | 271,194 |
(1)Includes a reduction for dividends on preferred stock or EPUs in the amount $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
(see Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”).
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Consolidated net income | $ | 714 | $ | 44,578 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (312) | (625) | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive income, net of tax | 402 | 43,953 | ||||||||||||
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | 352 | 11,473 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive income available to common stockholders | $ | 50 | $ | 32,480 |
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Class A Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Contingent Class A Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Noncontrolling Interests | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2022 | $ | 1,940 | $ | 212 | $ | 487,447 | $ | 1,572 | $ | (290,174) | $ | 1,079,661 | $ | (2,731) | $ | 386,266 | $ | 1,664,193 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated net income | — | — | — | — | — | 362 | — | 352 | 714 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | — | — | — | — | — | (244) | (68) | (312) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends to common stockholders | — | — | — | — | — | (1,893) | — | — | (1,893) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings distributions to limited partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (26,045) | (26,045) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grant of exchangeability, redemption and issuance of Class A common stock, 1,967,863 shares | 20 | — | 8,209 | — | — | — | — | 1,718 | 9,947 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions of capital to and from Cantor for equity-based compensation | — | — | (1,586) | — | — | — | — | (244) | (1,830) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase of 1,682,871 shares of Class A Common Stock | — | — | — | — | (26,534) | — | — | (4,359) | (30,893) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock units compensation | — | — | 3,419 | — | — | — | — | 562 | 3,981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 | $ | 1,960 | $ | 212 | $ | 497,489 | $ | 1,572 | $ | (316,708) | $ | 1,078,130 | $ | (2,975) | $ | 358,182 | $ | 1,617,862 |
Class A Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Contingent Class A Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Noncontrolling Interests | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | 1,676 | $ | 212 | $ | 351,450 | $ | 1,572 | $ | (40,531) | $ | 342,764 | $ | (2,094) | $ | 266,098 | $ | 921,147 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated net income | — | — | — | — | — | 33,105 | — | 11,473 | 44,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | — | — | — | — | — | (518) | (107) | (625) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cantor purchase of Cantor units from Newmark Holdings upon redemption/ exchange of FPU's, 1,008,731 units | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4,025 | 4,025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends to common stockholders | — | — | — | — | — | (1,841) | — | — | (1,841) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend on EPUs | — | — | — | — | — | (1,641) | — | 1,641 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings distributions to limited partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (4,013) | (4,013) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grant of exchangeability, redemption and issuance of Class A common stock, 2,817,271 shares | 19 | — | 10,706 | — | — | — | — | 2,964 | 13,689 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase of 879,243 shares of Class A Common Stock | — | — | — | — | (7,690) | — | — | (1,593) | (9,283) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock units compensation | — | — | 2,057 | — | — | — | — | 939 | 2,996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2021 | $ | 1,695 | $ | 212 | $ | 364,213 | $ | 1,572 | $ | (48,221) | $ | 372,387 | $ | (2,612) | $ | 281,427 | $ | 970,673 |
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Dividends declared per share of common stock | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||||
Dividends declared and paid per share of common stock | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.01 |
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
9
NEWMARK GROUP INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
Consolidated net income | $ | 714 | $ | 44,578 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Gain on originated mortgage servicing rights | (36,199) | (48,138) | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 35,475 | 21,053 | |||||||||
Provision/(reversals) for/of credit losses on the financial guarantee liability | 195 | (1,648) | |||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 3,788 | 1,190 | |||||||||
Equity-based compensation and allocation of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 16,899 | 14,296 | |||||||||
Employee loan amortization | 18,861 | 17,322 | |||||||||
Deferred tax (benefit) provision | (94) | — | |||||||||
Non-cash changes in acquisition related earn-outs | — | 414 | |||||||||
Unrealized (gains) on loans held for sale | (965) | (4,035) | |||||||||
Unrealized (gains) on investments | (1,599) | — | |||||||||
Gains from an equity method investment | — | (1,030) | |||||||||
Realized loss (gain) on marketable securities | 7,470 | (1,950) | |||||||||
Unrealized loss (gain) on marketable securities | 80,130 | (399) | |||||||||
Change in valuation of derivative asset | 313 | 5,602 | |||||||||
Loan originations—loans held for sale | (1,671,022) | (2,164,595) | |||||||||
Loan sales—loans held for sale | 2,171,797 | 2,434,241 | |||||||||
Other | 611 | 885 | |||||||||
Consolidated net income, adjusted for non-cash and non-operating items | 626,374 | 317,786 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
Receivables, net | 36,663 | (15,154) | |||||||||
Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners | (29,123) | (7,726) | |||||||||
Right of use asset | 9,854 | 7,459 | |||||||||
Receivable from related parties | 8,262 | — | |||||||||
Other assets | (34,785) | 8,788 | |||||||||
Accrued compensation | (108,570) | (24,230) | |||||||||
Right of use liability | (6,014) | (7,481) | |||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | (13,990) | 6,839 | |||||||||
Payables to related parties | 13,484 | 4,679 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 502,155 | 290,960 | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | — | (38,971) | |||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities | 437,820 | 31,631 | |||||||||
Purchase of non-marketable investments | (2,355) | — | |||||||||
Purchases of fixed assets | (8,669) | (2,443) | |||||||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 426,796 | (9,783) | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
Proceeds from warehouse facilities | 1,671,022 | 2,164,595 | |||||||||
Principal payments on warehouse facilities | (2,150,011) | (2,408,764) | |||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of limited partnership interests | — | 4,025 | |||||||||
Borrowing of debt | — | 30,000 | |||||||||
Repayment of debt | — | (30,000) | |||||||||
Repurchase agreements and securities loaned | (140,007) | (33,278) | |||||||||
Treasury stock repurchases | (30,893) | (9,283) | |||||||||
Earnings distributions to limited partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests | (20,818) | (6,515) | |||||||||
Dividends to stockholders | (1,893) | (1,841) | |||||||||
Payments on acquisition earn-outs | (2,131) | (37,366) | |||||||||
Deferred financing costs | (2,761) | — | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (677,492) | (328,427) | |||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | 251,459 | (47,250) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 266,500 | 258,399 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 517,959 | $ | 211,149 |
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Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | |||||||||||
Interest | $ | — | $ | 892 | |||||||
Taxes | $ | 26,190 | $ | 105 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||
Right-of-use assets and liabilities | $ | 44,703 | $ | 244,742 | |||||||
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
11
NEWMARK GROUP, INC.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(1) Organization and Basis of Presentation
Newmark Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Newmark” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was formed as NRE Delaware, Inc. on November 18, 2016. Newmark changed its name to Newmark Group, Inc. on October 18, 2017. Newmark Holdings, L.P. (“Newmark Holdings”) is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark for which Newmark is the general partner. Newmark and Newmark Holdings jointly own Newmark Partners, L.P. (“Newmark OpCo”), the operating partnership. Newmark is a leading commercial real estate services firm. Newmark offers a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of both real estate investors/owners and occupiers. Newmark’s investor/owner services and products include capital markets, which consists of investment sales, debt and structured finance and loan sales, agency leasing, property management, valuation and advisory, commercial real estate due diligence consulting and advisory services and Government Sponsored Enterprise (“GSE”) lending and loan servicing, mortgage brokerage and equity-raising. Newmark’s occupier services and products include tenant representation, real estate management technology systems, workplace and occupancy strategy, global corporate consulting services, project management, lease administration and facilities management. Newmark's global flexible workspace platform, which operates under the names Knotel and Deskeo, is a product that is offered to owners and investors. Newmark enhances these services and products through innovative real estate technology solutions and data analytics that enable clients to increase their efficiency and profits by optimizing their real estate portfolio. Newmark has relationships with many of the world’s largest commercial property owners, real estate developers and investors, as well as Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies.
Nasdaq Monetization Transactions
On June 28, 2013, BGC Partners, Inc. ("BGC") had sold certain assets of its on-the-run, electronic benchmark U.S. Treasury platform (“eSpeed”) to Nasdaq, Inc. ("Nasdaq"). The total consideration received in the transaction included $750.0 million in cash paid upon closing and an earn-out of up to 14,883,705 shares of Nasdaq shares to be paid ratably over 15 years, provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in consolidated gross revenues each year (the “Nasdaq Earn-out”). The remaining rights under the Nasdaq Earn-out were transferred to Newmark on September 28, 2017. From September of 2017 through March 31, 2022, Newmark received 10.2 million shares of Nasdaq. Over this period, Newmark sold 7.6 million shares of Nasdaq and delivered 2.6 million shares of Nasdaq to RBC, and recognized $1,474.2 million of realized gains and dividend income. Newmark did not hold any Nasdaq shares as of March 31, 2022. See below for further discussion and Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” for additional information.
Exchangeable Preferred Partnership Units and Nasdaq Forward Contracts
On June 18, 2018 and September 26, 2018, Newmark OpCo issued approximately 175.0 million and 150.0 million of exchangeable preferred partnership units (“EPUs”), respectively, in private transactions to the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) (the “Newmark OpCo Preferred Investment”). Newmark received $266.1 million of cash in 2018 with respect to these transactions. The EPUs were issued in four tranches and are separately convertible by either RBC or Newmark into a fixed number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock, subject to a revenue hurdle in each of the fourth quarters of 2019 through 2022 for each of the respective four tranches. The ability to convert the EPUs into Newmark Class A common stock is subject to the special purpose vehicle's (the “SPVs”) option to settle the postpaid forward contracts as described below. As the EPUs represent equity ownership of a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark, they have been included in “Noncontrolling interests” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity. The EPUs are entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend, which is recorded as accretion to the carrying amount of the EPUs through Retained earnings on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity and are reductions to “Net income (loss) available to common stockholders” for the purpose of calculating earnings per share.
Contemporaneously with the issuance of the EPUs, an SPV that is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts with RBC (together, the “Nasdaq Forwards”). The SPV is an indirect subsidiary of Newmark whose sole assets are the Nasdaq Earn-outs for 2019 through 2022. The Nasdaq Forwards provide the SPV the option to settle using up to 992,247 Nasdaq shares, to be received by the SPV pursuant to the Nasdaq Earn-out shares to be received (see Note 7 — “Marketable Securities”), or Newmark Class A common stock, in exchange for either cash or redemption of the EPUs, notice of which must be provided to RBC prior to November 1 of each year from 2019 through 2022.
In September 2020, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the second Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2020 in exchange for the second tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq common shares that Newmark received was
12
$121.9 million. On November 30, 2020, Newmark settled the second Nasdaq Forward 741,505 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 250,742 Nasdaq shares.
In September 2019, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the first Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2019 in exchange for the first tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $98.6 million. On December 2, 2019, Newmark settled the first Nasdaq forward contract with 898,685 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 93,562 Nasdaq shares.
Acceleration of Nasdaq Earn-out
On February 2, 2021, Nasdaq announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. fixed income business to Tradeweb. On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq announced the close of the sale of its U.S. fixed income business, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of Nasdaq shares. Newmark received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $1,093.9 million based on the closing price on June 30, 2021 included in “Other (loss) income, net” for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Newmark has no remaining Nasdaq shares as of March 31, 2022.
On June 25, 2021, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received on June 25, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Newmark settled the third and the fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $166.0 million based on the closing price of June 30, 2021. Newmark had no remaining Nasdaq Forward contracts as of March 31, 2022.
2021 Equity Event and Share Count Reduction
In connection with the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out, on June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee of Newmark’s Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") approved a plan to expedite the tax deductible exchange and redemption of a substantial number of limited partnership units held by partners of the Company (the "2021 Equity Event"). The 2021 Equity Event also accelerated certain compensation expenses resulting in $428.6 million of compensation charges. These charges, along with the use of $101.0 million of net deferred tax assets, are expected to offset a significant percentage of the Company's taxes related to the 2021 Equity Event. These partnership units were settled using a $12.50 share price. In July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved increasing to $13.01 the price to settle certain units.
Some of the key components of the 2021 Equity Event are as follows:
•8.3 million and 8.0 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, L.P. ("BGC Holdings") held by the Company's partners who are employees were redeemed or exchanged.
•23.2 million and 17.4 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings held by the Company's partners who are independent contractors were redeemed or exchanged. The Company also accelerated the payment of related withholding taxes to them with respect to their Newmark units. Independent contractors received one BGC Class A common share for each redeemed non-preferred BGC unit or cash and are responsible for paying any related withholding taxes.
•Partners with nonexchangeable non-preferred compensatory units exchanged or redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event generally received restricted Class A common shares of Newmark and/or BGC to the extent tax deductible. A portion of the BGC Class A common shares received by independent contractors were unrestricted to facilitate their payment of withholding taxes.
•The issuance of Newmark Class A common stock related to the 2021 Equity Event reflected the June 28, 2021 exchange ratio of 0.9403.
•Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings limited partnership interests with rights to convert into HDUs for cash were also redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event.
See Note 27 — "Related Party Transactions" for the transactions with the Company's executive officers in connection with the 2021 Equity Event.
13
(a) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). For the year ended December 31, 2019, Newmark changed the line item formerly known as “Allocations of net income and grant of exchangeability to limited partnership units and FPUs and issuance of common stock” to “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and statements of cash flow. The change resulted in the reclassification of amortization charges related to equity-based awards, such as REUs and Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), from “Compensation and employee benefits” to “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.”
“Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” reflect the following items related to cash and equity-based compensation:
•Charges with respect to the grant of shares of common stock or limited partnership units, such as HDUs, including in connection with the redemption of non-exchangeable limited partnership units, including PSUs;
•Charges with respect to grants of exchangeability, such as the right of holders of limited partnership units with no capital accounts, such as PSUs, to exchange the units into shares of common stock, or HDUs, as well as the cash paid in the settlement of the related exchangeable preferred units to pay withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange;
•Preferred units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder, rather than issuing the gross amount of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes;
•Charges related to the amortization of RSUs and REUs; and
•Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and founding/working partner units (“FPUs”), including the Preferred Distribution (as hereinafter defined).
Intercompany balances and transactions within Newmark have been eliminated. Transactions between Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. ("Cantor") and Newmark pursuant to service agreements with Cantor (see Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions”), representing valid receivables and liabilities of Newmark which are periodically cash settled, have been included on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as either receivables from or payables to related parties.
Newmark receives administrative services to support its operations, and in return, Cantor allocates certain of its expenses to Newmark. Such expenses represent costs related, but not limited to, treasury, legal, accounting, information technology, payroll administration, human resources, incentive compensation plans and other services. These costs, together with an allocation of Cantor's overhead costs, are included as expenses on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Where it is possible to specifically attribute such expenses to activities of Newmark, these amounts have been expensed directly to Newmark. Allocation of all other such expenses is based on a services agreement between Cantor which reflects the utilization of service provided or benefits received by Newmark during the periods presented on a consistent basis, such as headcount, square footage, revenue, etc. Management believes the assumptions underlying the stand-alone financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocated expenses, reasonably reflect the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by Newmark during the periods presented. However, these shared expenses may not represent the amounts that would have been incurred had Newmark operated independently from Cantor. Actual costs that would have been incurred if Newmark had performed the services itself would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure (see Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” for an additional discussion of expense allocations).
Transfers of cash, both to and from Cantor, as well as amounts due to Newmark from BGC are included in “Receivables from related parties or Payables to related parties” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and as part of the change in payments to and borrowings from related parties in the financing section prior to the Spin-Off and in the operating section after the Spin-Off on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
The income tax provision on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income has been calculated as if Newmark had been operating
14
on a stand-alone basis and filed separate tax returns in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Prior to the Spin-Off, Newmark’s operations had been included in the BGC U.S. federal and state tax returns or separate non-U.S. jurisdictions tax returns. As Newmark operations in many jurisdictions were unincorporated commercial units of BGC and its subsidiaries, stand-alone tax returns have not been filed for the operations in these jurisdictions.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of changes in equity of Newmark for the periods presented.
(b) Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-08, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Codification Improvements-Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer. The ASU simplifies and increases comparability of accounting for nonemployee share-based payments, specifically those made to customers. Under the new guidance, such awards will be accounted for as a reduction of the transaction price in revenue, but should be measured and classified following the stock compensation guidance in ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. Newmark adopted standard on the required effective date beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, and it is expected to reduce cost and complexity related to accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740, Income Taxes related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates, and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. Newmark adopted the standard on the required effective date beginning January 1, 2021 and, with certain exceptions, it was applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815 (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). These amendments improve previous guidance by reducing diversity in practice and increasing comparability of the accounting for the interactions between these codification topics as they pertain to certain equity securities, investments under the equity method of accounting and forward contracts or purchased options to purchase securities that, upon settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting or the fair value option. Newmark adopted the standard on the required effective date beginning January 1, 2021 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-10, Codification Improvements. The standard amends the Codification by moving existing disclosure requirements to (or adding appropriate references in) the relevant disclosure sections. The ASU also clarifies various provisions of the Codification by amending and adding new headings, cross-referencing, and refining or correcting terminology. Newmark adopted the standard on the required effective date beginning January 1, 2021 and was applied using a modified retrospective method of transition. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The standard is expected to reduce complexity and improve comparability of financial reporting associated with accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The ASU also enhances information transparency by making targeted improvements to the related disclosures guidance. Additionally, the amendments affect the diluted EPS calculation for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares and for convertible instruments. Newmark adopted the standard on the required effective date beginning January 1, 2022, and it was applied using a modified retrospective method of transition. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The guidance is designed to provide relief from the accounting analysis and
15
impacts that may otherwise be required for modifications to agreements (e.g., loans, debt securities, derivatives, and borrowings) necessitated by reference rate reform as entities transition away from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. This ASU also provides optional expedients to enable companies to continue to apply hedge accounting to certain hedging relationships impacted by reference rate reform. Application of the guidance is optional and only available in certain situations. The ASU is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope. The amendments in this standard are elective and principally apply to entities that have derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of reference rate reform (referred to as the “discounting transition”). The standard expands the scope of ASC 848, Reference Rate Reform and allows entities to elect optional expedients to derivative contracts impacted by the discounting transition. Similar to ASU No. 2020-04, provisions of this ASU are effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, Newmark elected to apply the practical expedients to modifications of qualifying contracts as continuation of the existing contract rather than as a new contract. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Management will continue to evaluate the impacts of reference rate reform through December 31, 2022.
(c) New Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. The standard improves the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in practice and inconsistency related to the recognition of an acquired contract liability, as well as payment terms and their effect on subsequent revenue recognized by the acquirer. The ASU requires companies to apply guidance in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers acquired in a business combination, and, thus, creates an exception to the general recognition and measurement principle in ASC 805, Business Combinations. The new standard will become effective for Newmark beginning January 1, 2023, can be applied prospectively for business combinations occurring on or after the effective date, and early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The guidance is intended to improve the decision usefulness of information provided to investors about certain loan refinancings, restructurings, and write-offs. The standard eliminates the recognition and measurement guidance on troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) for creditors that have adopted ASC 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses and requires them to make enhanced disclosures about loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The new guidance also requires public business entities to present current-period gross write-offs (on a current year-to-date basis for interim-period disclosures) by year of origination in their vintage disclosures. The new standard will become effective for Newmark beginning January 1, 2023. The guidance for recognition and measurement of TDRs can be applied using either a prospective or modified retrospective transition method, and the amendments related to disclosures can be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted, and an entity may elect to early adopt the amendments related to TDRs separately from the amendments related to vintage disclosures. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
(2) Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings
Newmark is a holding company with no direct operations and conducts substantially all of its operations through its operating subsidiaries. Virtually all of Newmark’s consolidated net assets and net income are those of consolidated variable interest entities. Newmark Holdings is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark for which Newmark is the general partner. Newmark and Newmark Holdings jointly own Newmark OpCo, the operating partnership. In connection with the Separation and BGC Holdings Distribution, holders of BGC Holdings partnership interests received partnership interests in Newmark Holdings, described below (see Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions”). These collectively represent all of the “limited partnership interests” in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings.
As a result of the Separation, the limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings were distributed to the holders of limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings, whereby each holder of BGC Holdings limited partnership interests at that time received a corresponding Newmark Holdings limited partnership interest, determined by the contribution ratio (as hereafter defined), which was equal to a BGC Holdings limited partnership interest multiplied by one divided by 2.2 (the “contribution ratio”), divided by the exchange ratio (which is the ratio by which a Newmark Holdings limited partnership interest can be exchanged for a number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock (the “exchange ratio”)). Initially, the exchange ratio equaled one, so that each Newmark Holdings limited partnership interest was exchangeable for one share of Newmark Class A common stock; however, such exchange ratio is subject to adjustment. For reinvestment, acquisition or other purposes,
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Newmark may determine on a quarterly basis to distribute to its stockholders a smaller percentage of its income than Newmark Holdings distributes to its equity holders (excluding tax distributions from Newmark Holdings) of the cash that it received from Newmark OpCo. In such circumstances, the Separation and Distribution Agreement provides that the exchange ratio will be reduced to reflect the amount of additional cash retained by Newmark as a result of the distribution of such smaller percentage, after the payment of taxes. As of March 31, 2022, the exchange ratio equaled 0.9435.
Redeemable Partnership Interests
Founding/working partners have limited partnership interests (“FPUs”) in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings. Newmark accounts for FPUs outside of permanent capital as “Redeemable partnership interests,” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. This classification is applicable to FPUs because these units are redeemable upon termination of a partner, including a termination of employment, which can be at the option of the partner and not within the control of the issuer.
FPUs are held by limited partners who are primarily employees of BGC and generally receive quarterly allocations of net income. Upon termination of employment or otherwise ceasing to provide substantive services, the FPUs are generally redeemed, and the unit holders are no longer entitled to participate in the quarterly allocations of net income. These quarterly allocations of net income are contingent upon services being provided by the unit holder and are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations to the extent they relate to FPUs held by Newmark employees.
Limited Partnership Units
Certain employees of Newmark hold limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings (e.g., REUs, RPUs, PSUs, PSIs, HDUs, and LPUs, collectively the “limited partnership units”).
Prior to the Separation, certain employees of both BGC and Newmark generally received limited partnership units in BGC Holdings. As a result of the Separation, these employees were distributed limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings equal to a BGC Holdings limited partnership unit multiplied by the contribution ratio. In addition, in the BGC Holdings Distribution, these employees also received additional limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings. Subsequent to the Separation, Newmark employees generally have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings.
Generally, such limited partnership units receive quarterly allocations of net income and generally are contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, prior to the Spin-Off, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units were reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Following the Spin-Off, the quarterly allocations of net income on BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, and the quarterly allocations of net income on Newmark Holdings limited partnership units held by BGC employees are reflected as a component of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. From time to time, Newmark issues limited partnership units as part of the consideration for acquisitions.
Certain of these limited partnership units held by Newmark and BGC employees entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount of the units in equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards and are included on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of "Accrued compensation", and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, Newmark records compensation expense for the awards based on the change in value at each reporting date on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.”
Certain Newmark employees hold preferred partnership units (“Preferred Units”). Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings are allocated to such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation (the “Preferred Distribution”). These allocations are deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holder. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into Newmark’s Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly are not included in Newmark’s fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are reflected in compensation
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expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder, rather than issuing the gross amount of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
Certain Newmark employees hold non-distribution earning units (e.g. NPSUs and NREUs, collectively “N Units”) that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. N Units become distribution earning limited partnership units, ratably over a four-year vesting term, if certain revenue thresholds are met at the end of each vesting term.
Cantor Units
Cantor holds limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings (“Cantor units”). Cantor units are reflected as a component of “Noncontrolling interests” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Cantor receives quarterly allocations of net income (loss) and are reflected as a component of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Exchangeable Preferred Limited Partnership Units
The EPUs were issued in four tranches and are separately convertible by either RBC or Newmark into a fixed number of Newmark’s Class A common stock, subject to a revenue hurdle for Newmark in each of the fourth quarters of 2019 through 2022 for each of the four tranches, respectively. As the EPUs represent equity ownership of a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark, they have been included in “Noncontrolling interests” on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity. The EPUs are entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend, which is recorded as accretion to the carrying amount of the EPUs through retained earnings on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity and are reductions to “Net income available to common stockholders” for the purpose of calculating earnings per share. (See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation” for additional information). As of March 31, 2022, there were no EPUs outstanding.
General
Certain of the limited partnership interests, described above, have been granted exchangeability into BGC and/or Newmark Class A common stock, and additional limited partnership interests may become exchangeable for BGC and/or Newmark Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, certain limited partnership interests have been granted the right to exchange into a Newmark partnership unit with a capital account, such as HDUs. HDUs have a stated capital account which is initially based on the closing trading price of Newmark Class A common stock at the time the HDU is granted and are included in “Accrued Compensation” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. HDUs participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock. Limited partnership interests held by Cantor in Newmark Holdings as of March 31, 2022 are exchangeable for 24.6 million shares of Newmark Class B common stock. Subsequent to the Spin-Off, limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings held by a partner or Cantor may become exchangeable for BGC Class A or Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis, and limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings held by a partner or Cantor may become exchangeable for a number of shares of Newmark Class A or Class B common stock equal to the number of limited partnership interests multiplied by the exchange ratio at that time. As of March 31, 2022, the exchange ratio equaled 0.9435.
Each quarter, net income (loss) is allocated between the limited partnership interests and the common stockholders. In quarterly periods in which Newmark has a net loss, the loss is allocated to Cantor and reflected as a component of “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. In subsequent quarters in which Newmark has net income, the initial allocation of income to the limited partnership interests is allocated to Cantor, and reflected in, “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests,” to recover any losses taken in earlier quarters, with the remaining income allocated to the limited partnership interests. This loss allocation process between limited partners and Cantor has no material impact on the net income (loss) allocated to common stockholders.
(3) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
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For a detailed discussion about Newmark’s significant accounting policies, see Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in Newmark’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of Newmark’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no significant changes made to Newmark’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Revenue Recognition:
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other:
Management services revenues include property management, facilities management, project management and valuation and appraisal. Management fees are recognized at the time the related services have been performed, unless future contingencies exist. In addition, in regard to management and facility service contracts, the owner of the property will typically reimburse Newmark for certain expenses that are incurred on behalf of the owner, which comprise primarily on-site employee salaries and related benefit costs. The amounts which are to be reimbursed per the terms of the services contract are recognized as revenue in the same period as the related expenses are incurred. In certain instances, Newmark subcontracts property management services to independent property managers, in which case Newmark passes a portion of its property management fee on to the subcontractor, and Newmark retains the balance. Accordingly, Newmark records these fees gross of the amounts paid to subcontractors, and the amounts paid to subcontractors are recognized as expenses in the same period.
Newmark also uses third party service providers in the provision of its services to customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, Newmark performs an analysis to determine whether it is acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that Newmark determines that it is acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where Newmark has determined that it is acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, Newmark performs services for customers and incurs out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Newmark’s customers agree to reimburse Newmark for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the
customer.
Servicing fees are earned for servicing mortgage loans and are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. Also included in servicing fees are the fees earned on prepayments, interest and placement fees on borrowers’ escrow accounts and other ancillary fees. Other revenues include interest income on warehouse notes receivable.
Leasing and Other Commissions:
Commissions from real estate lease brokerage transactions are typically recognized at a point in time on the date the lease is signed, if deemed not subject to significant reversal. The date the lease is signed represents the transfer of control and satisfaction of the performance obligation as the tenant has been secured. Commission payments may be due entirely upon lease execution or may be paid in installments upon the resolution of a future contingency (e.g. tenant move-in or payment of first month’s rent).
Investment Sales
Investment sales revenue from real estate sales brokerage transactions are recognized at the time the service has been provided and the commission becomes legally due, except when future contingencies exist. In most cases, close of escrow or transfer of title is a future contingency, and revenue recognition is deferred until all contingencies are satisfied.
Commercial Mortgage Origination, net:
Fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing and loan originations and related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized when a derivative asset or liability is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums, and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. The revenue is recognized net of related fees and commissions to third-party brokers. Mortgage brokerage and debt placement revenue is earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer.
Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL"):
The accounting policy changes described below were updated pursuant to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and related amendments on January 1, 2020. These policy updates have been applied using the modified retrospective approach in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements from January 1, 2020 onward. Financial information for
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the historical comparable periods was not revised and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those historical periods. In accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 326, Newmark presents its financial assets that are measured at amortized cost, net of an allowance for credit losses, which represents the amount expected to be collected over their estimated life. Expected credit losses for newly recognized financial assets carried at amortized cost and credit exposures on off-balance sheet financial guarantees, as well as changes to expected lifetime credit losses during the period, are recognized in earnings. The CECL methodology represents a significant change from prior U.S. GAAP and replaced the prior multiple impairment methods, which generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized. Within the life cycle of a loan or other financial asset in scope, the CECL methodology generally results in the earlier recognition of the provision for credit losses and the related allowance for credit losses than under prior U.S. GAAP. The CECL methodology’s impact on expected credit losses, among other things, reflects Newmark’s view of the current state of the economy, forecasted macroeconomic conditions and Newmark’s portfolios.
Financial guarantee liability:
Newmark's adoption of ASC 326 impacted the expected credit loss reserving methodology for the financial guarantee liability provided to Fannie Mae under the Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) Program and Freddie Mac’s Targeted Affordable Housing Program “TAH”). The expected credit loss is modeled based on Newmark's historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current economic conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default or non-payment, current delinquency status, loan size, terms, amortization types, and the forward-looking view of the primary risk drivers (debt-service coverage ratio and loan-to-value), all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of the reserve. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, Newmark estimates expected credit losses using its historical loss rates. In addition, Newmark reviews the reserves periodically and makes adjustments for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, there was a reduction in the CECL related provision of $0.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, the balance of the financial guarantee liabilities was $26.2 million and $26.0 million, and is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Receivables, net:
Newmark has accrued commissions receivable from real estate brokerage transactions, management services and other receivables from contractual management assignments. Receivables are presented net of the CECL allowance as discussed above and are included in “Receivables, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. For its CECL reserve, Newmark segregated its receivables into certain pools based on similar risk characteristics and further defined a range of potential loss rates for each pool based on aging. Newmark designed its methodology to allow for a range of loss rates in each pool such that changes in forward-looking conditions can be incorporated into the estimate. Each pool is assigned a loss rate that incorporates management’s view of current conditions and forward-looking conditions that inform the level of expected credit losses in each pool. The credit loss estimate includes specifically identified amounts for which payment has become unlikely. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, there was an increase in the CECL related provision of $1.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The balance of the reserve was $18.6 million and $16.7 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and is included in "Receivables, net" on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Loans, Forgivable Loans and Other Receivables from Employees and Partners, net:
Newmark has entered into various agreements with certain of its employees and partners, whereby these individuals receive loans which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on some or all of their limited partnership units or may be forgiven over a period of time. The forgivable portion of these loans is not included in Newmark’s estimate of expected credit losses when employees meet the conditions for forgiveness through their continued employment over the specified time period and is recognized as compensation expense over the life of the loan. The amounts due from terminated employees that Newmark does not expect to collect are included in the allowance for credit losses. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the balance of this reserve was $3.8 million, and is included in “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
From time to time, Newmark may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the time frame outlined in the underlying agreements. Newmark reviews loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If Newmark determines that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, Newmark recognizes a reserve against the loan balances as
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compensation expense.
Reclassifications:
The Company has made reclassifications to prior period balances to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations. Beginning with the period ended March 31, 2022, the Company adjusted the revenue presentation in the unaudited condensed consolidated Statement of Operations. "Gains from mortgage banking activities/origination, net" has been combined with mortgage brokerage and debt placement revenues as "Commercial mortgage origination, net", while "Investment sales" is a stand-alone line-item. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, $19.9 million was reclassified from "Commissions" to "Commercial mortgage origination, net."
Segment:
Newmark has a single operating segment. Newmark is a real estate services firm offering services to commercial real estate tenants, investors, owners, occupiers, developers, leasing and corporate advisory, investment sales and real estate finance, consulting, origination and servicing of commercial mortgage loans, valuation, project and development management and property and facility management. The chief operating decision-maker regardless of geographic location evaluates the operating results of Newmark as total real estate services and allocates resources accordingly. Newmark recognized revenues as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Management services, servicing fees and other | $ | 233,120 | $ | 187,751 | ||||||||||
Leasing and other commissions | 198,952 | 147,433 | ||||||||||||
Investment sales | 152,113 | 101,545 | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage origination, net | 94,062 | 67,251 | ||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 678,247 | $ | 503,980 |
(4) Acquisitions
Newmark acquired the first lien debt of Knotel, Inc. (“Knotel”), a global flexible workspace provider, in December of 2020. Newmark subsequently acquired Knotel's second lien debt in January of 2021. On January 31, 2021, Newmark agreed to provide approximately $19.8 million of debtor-in-possession financing to Knotel and to acquire the business, as part of Knotel's Chapter 11 sales process. On March 18, 2021, Newmark received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to acquire the business of Knotel. On March 24, 2021, Newmark acquired the business of Knotel. The Knotel acquisition has been determined to be a business combination with an acquisition date of March 31, 2021, for accounting purposes. The assets and liabilities of Knotel have been recorded in Newmark’s consolidated balance sheets at fair market value.
On September 6, 2021, Newmark acquired a majority stake in the start-up Space Management (DBA"Deskeo"), France's leader in flexible and serviced workspace for enterprise clients. Based in Paris, France Deskeo added over 50 locations to Newmark's international flexible office portfolio.
In November 2021, Newmark completed the acquisition of a U.S. based real estate property management services firm.
As of March 31, 2022, the following table summarizes the components of the purchase consideration transferred, and the preliminary allocation of the assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, for the acquisition. Newmark expects to finalize its analysis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed within the first year of the acquisition, and therefore adjustments to assets and liabilities may occur (in thousands):
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As of the Acquisition Date | |||||
Purchase Price | |||||
First and second lien debt | $ | 39,584 | |||
Debtor-in-possession financing | 19,788 | ||||
Assumed liability | 6,574 | ||||
Cash and stock issued at closing | 44,492 | ||||
Total | $ | 110,438 | |||
Allocations | |||||
Cash | $ | 21,641 | |||
Goodwill | 97,639 | ||||
Other intangible assets, net | 41,332 | ||||
Receivables, net | 7,478 | ||||
Fixed Assets, net | 40,605 | ||||
Other assets | 62,710 | ||||
Right-of-use Assets | 434,315 | ||||
Right-of-use Liabilities | (434,315) | ||||
Accrued Compensation | (2,076) | ||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | (103,771) | ||||
Unrealized gain on investment | (27,825) | ||||
Initial investment (recorded at cost) | (13,832) | ||||
Non-controlling interest | (13,463) | ||||
Total | $ | 110,438 |
The total consideration for the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $110.4 million in total fair value, comprising of the extinguishment of first and second lien debt of $39.6 million, debtor-in-possession financing of $19.8 million, an assumed liability of $6.5 million, and $41.5 million in cash and $3.0 million of restricted Class A common stock. The excess of the consideration over the fair value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill of $97.6 million, of which approximately $78.3 million is deductible by Newmark for tax purposes.
These acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations of the acquisitions have been included on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements subsequent to the date of acquisition, which in aggregate contributed $32.7 million to Newmark’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Deskeo was previously recorded as an alternative method investment on Newmark’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and amounted to $13.8 million. Pursuant to acquiring a majority interest in Deskeo and valuing its previously held non-controlling interest, Newmark recorded an unrealized gain of $27.8 million on the investment during the year ended December 31, 2021.
(5) Earnings Per Share and Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
U.S. GAAP guidance — Earnings (Loss) Per Share provides guidance on the computation and presentation of earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and contingent shares for which all necessary conditions have been satisfied except for the passage of time. Net income (loss) is allocated to Newmark’s outstanding common stock, FPUs, limited partnership units and Cantor units (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”). In addition, in relation to the Newmark OpCo Preferred Investment, the EPUs issued in June 2018 and September 2018 are entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend which is recorded as accretion to the carrying amount of the EPUs and is a reduction to net income available to common stockholders for the calculation of Newmark’s basic earnings per share and fully diluted earnings per share.
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The following is the calculation of Newmark’s basic EPS (in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||
Net income available to common stockholders (1) | $ | 362 | $ | 31,464 | ||||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 188,881 | 183,254 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.17 |
(1)Includes a reduction for dividends on preferred stock or EPUs in the amount of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (see Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”).
Fully diluted EPS is calculated utilizing net income available to common stockholders plus net income allocations to the limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings as the numerator. The denominator comprises Newmark’s weighted-average number of outstanding shares of Newmark common stock to the extent the related units are dilutive and, if dilutive, the weighted-average number of limited partnership interests and other contracts to issue shares of common stock, stock options and RSUs. The limited partnership interests generally are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock and are entitled to remaining earnings after the deduction for the Preferred Distribution; as a result, they are included in the fully diluted EPS computation to the extent that the effect would be dilutive.
The following is the calculation of Newmark’s fully diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Fully diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||
Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 362 | $ | 31,464 | ||||||||||
Allocations of net income to limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings, net of tax | 76 | 12,461 | ||||||||||||
Net income for fully diluted shares | $ | 438 | $ | 43,925 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average shares: | ||||||||||||||
Common stock outstanding | 188,881 | 183,254 | ||||||||||||
Partnership units (1) | 56,220 | 83,556 | ||||||||||||
RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 5,757 | 3,165 | ||||||||||||
Newmark exchange shares | 1,957 | 1,219 | ||||||||||||
Fully diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 252,815 | 271,194 | ||||||||||||
Fully diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.16 |
(1)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor and BGC units (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings” for more information).
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, $0.1 million and 1.0 million potentially dilutive securities, respectively, were excluded from the computation of fully diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
(6) Stock Transactions and Unit Redemptions
As of March 31, 2022, Newmark has two classes of authorized common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
Class A Common Stock
Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote. Newmark has 1.0 billion authorized shares of Class A common stock at $0.01 par value per share.
Changes in shares of Newmark’s Class A common stock outstanding were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Shares outstanding at beginning of period | 168,272,371 | 161,175,894 | ||||||||||||
Share issuances: | ||||||||||||||
LPU redemption/exchange (1) | 934,868 | 1,851,802 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of Class A common stock for Newmark RSUs | 1,019,474 | 965,469 | ||||||||||||
Other | 13,521 | — | ||||||||||||
Treasury stock repurchases | (1,682,871) | (879,243) | ||||||||||||
Shares outstanding at end of period | 168,557,363 | 163,113,922 |
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(1)Because they were included in the Newmark’s fully diluted share count, if dilutive, any exchange of LPUs into Class A common stock would not impact the fully diluted number of shares and units outstanding.
Class B Common Stock
Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to 10 votes and is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 21.3 million shares of Newmark Class B common stock outstanding.
Share Repurchases
On February 17, 2021, our Board increased its authorized share repurchases of Newmark Class A Common stock and purchases of limited partnership interests in Newmark's subsidiaries to $400.0 million. This authorization includes repurchases of shares or purchase of units from executive officers, other employees and partners, including of BGC and Cantor, as well as other affiliated persons or entities. On February 10, 2022, the Board and Audit Committee reauthorized the $400.0 million Newmark share repurchase and unit redemption authorization, which may include purchases from Cantor, its partners or employees or other affiliated persons or entities.
From time to time, Newmark may actively continue to repurchase shares and/or purchase units. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, Newmark repurchased 1,682,871 shares of Class A common stock, respectively, at an average price of $18.35. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had $397.2 million remaining from its share repurchase and unit purchase authorization.
The following table details Newmark's unit redemptions and share repurchases for cash, under the new program, and does not include unit redemptions and/or cancellations in connection with the grant of shares of Newmark's Class A common stock. The gross unit redemptions and share repurchases of Newmark's Class A common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands except units, shares and per share amounts):
Total Number of Shares Repurchased/Purchased | Average Price Paid per Unit or Share | Approximate Dollar Value of Units and Shares That May Yet Be Repurchased/ Purchased Under the Program | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases | |||||||||||||||||
January 2022 | 1,516,606 | $ | 18.53 | ||||||||||||||
February 2022 | 166,265 | $ | 16.67 | ||||||||||||||
March 2022 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
Total Repurchases | 1,682,871 | $ | 18.35 | $ | 397,227 |
Redeemable Partnership Interests
The changes in the carrying amount of FPUs follow (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Balance at beginning of period: | $ | 20,947 | $ | 20,045 | |||||||
Income allocation | 22 | 4,532 | |||||||||
Distributions of income | (3,238) | (1,215) | |||||||||
Redemptions | — | (2,169) | |||||||||
Issuance and other | (327) | (246) | |||||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 17,404 | $ | 20,947 |
(7) Marketable Securities
On June 28, 2013, BGC sold certain assets of eSpeed, its on-the-run business, to Nasdaq. The total consideration received by BGC in the transaction included the Nasdaq Earn-out of up to 14,883,705 shares of Nasdaq shares to be paid ratably over 15 years, provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in consolidated gross revenues each year. The Nasdaq Earn-out was excluded from the initial gain on the divestiture and is recognized in income as it is realized and earned when these contingent events have occurred, consistent with the accounting guidance for gain contingencies. BGC
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transferred the remaining rights under the Nasdaq Earn-out to Newmark on September 28, 2017. Any Nasdaq shares that were received by BGC prior to September 28, 2017 were not transferred to Newmark.
In connection with the Nasdaq Earn-out, Newmark received 992,247 shares during the years ended December 31, 2017 through 2020. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, Newmark would recognize the remaining Nasdaq Earn-out of up to 6,945,729 shares of Nasdaq shares ratably over approximately the next 7 years, provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in gross revenues each year. On February 2, 2021, Nasdaq announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. fixed income business to Tradeweb. On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq announced the close of the sale of its U.S. fixed income business, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of Nasdaq shares. Newmark received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $1,093.9 million based on the closing price on June 30, 2021 included in “Other (loss) income, net” for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
On June 25, 2021, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received on June 25, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Newmark settled the Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $166.0 million based on the closing price of June 30, 2021, and retained 5,278,011 Nasdaq shares. Newmark had no remaining Nasdaq Forward contracts as of March 31, 2022.
Newmark sold 2,780,180 shares of Nasdaq during the third and fourth quarter of 2021, and during the three months ended March 31, 2022, Newmark sold all of its remaining 2,497,831 shares of Nasdaq. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, Newmark sold 223,608 of the Nasdaq shares. The gross proceeds of the Nasdaq shares sold were $437.8 million and $31.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Newmark recorded realized gains (loss) on the mark-to-market of these securities of $(7.5) million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Newmark recorded unrealized gains (loss) on the mark-to-market of these securities of $(80.1) million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Realized and unrealized gains on the mark-to-market of these shares are included in “Other income, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had no marketable securities on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2021, Newmark had $524.6 million, included in “Marketable securities” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 20 — “Collateralized Transactions”).
On August 2, 2021, a subsidiary of Newmark, Newmark OpCo, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with CF Secured, LLC (“CF Secured”), an affiliate of Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark could seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. The Company, under the Repurchase Agreement, could seek to sell securities, in this case common shares of Nasdaq, owned by the Company, to CF Secured, under the Repurchase Agreement, and agreed to repurchase those securities on a date certain at a repurchase price generally equal to the original purchase price plus interest. Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, as of December 31, 2021 the Company had 866,791 Nasdaq shares pledged in the amount of $182.0 million, against which Newmark received $140.0 million. The $140.0 million amount received from CF Secured is included in "Repurchase agreements and securities loaned" on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 20 — "Repurchase Agreements and Securities Loaned" and Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions”). As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had no shares pledged.
(8) Investments
Newmark has a 27% ownership in Real Estate LP, a joint venture with Cantor in which Newmark has the ability to exert significant influence over the operating and financial policies. Accordingly, Newmark accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. Newmark recognized equity (loss) income of $0.0 million and $1.0 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Equity (loss) income are included in "Other income, net" on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Newmark did not receive any distributions for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The carrying value of these investments were $88.3 million and $88.3 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, included in “Other assets” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Investments Carried Under Measurement Alternatives
Newmark has acquired investments in entities for which it does not have the ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies (see Note 4 — “Acquisitions”).
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Newmark recorded realized gains related to these investments of $1.6 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Newmark did not record any gains or losses related to these investments. The changes in value are included as a part of “Other income (loss), net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The carrying value of these investments were $24.0 million and $20.0 million as of
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March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(9) Capital and Liquidity Requirements
Newmark is subject to various capital requirements in connection with seller/servicer agreements that Newmark has entered into with the various GSEs. Failure to maintain minimum capital requirements could result in Newmark’s inability to originate and service loans for the respective GSEs and could have a direct material adverse effect on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Management believes that, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark had met all capital requirements. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the most restrictive capital requirement was the net worth requirement of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”). Newmark exceeded the minimum requirement by $459.1 million and $400.5 million, respectively.
Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Fannie Mae allow Newmark to originate and service loans under Fannie Mae’s DUS Program. These agreements require Newmark to maintain sufficient collateral to meet Fannie Mae’s restricted and operational liquidity requirements based on a pre-established formula. Certain of Newmark’s agreements with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) allow Newmark to service loans under TAH. These agreements require Newmark to pledge sufficient collateral to meet Freddie Mac’s liquidity requirement of 8% of the outstanding principal of TAH loans serviced by Newmark. Management believes that, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark had met all liquidity requirements.
In addition, as a servicer for Fannie Mae, the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and Federal Housing Administration, Newmark is required to advance to investors any uncollected principal and interest due from borrowers. Outstanding borrower advances were $1.1 million and $0.9 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(10) Loans Held for Sale, at Fair Value
Loans held for sale, at fair value represent originated loans that are typically financed by short-term warehouse facilities (see Note 21 — “Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises”) and sold within 45 days from the date the mortgage loan is funded. Newmark initially and subsequently measures all loans held for sale at fair value on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value measurement falls within the definition of a Level 2 measurement (significant other observable inputs) within the fair value hierarchy. Electing to use fair value allows a better offset of the change in the fair value of the loans and the change in fair value of the derivative instruments used as economic hedges. Loans held for sale had a cost basis and fair value as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Cost Basis | $ | 571,705 | $ | 1,051,220 | |||||||
Fair Value | 572,670 | 1,072,479 |
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, all of the loans held for sale were either under commitment to be purchased by Freddie Mac or had confirmed forward trade commitments for the issuance and purchase of Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities that will be secured by the underlying loans. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no loans held for sale that were 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status.
Newmark records interest income on loans held for sale, in accordance with the terms of the individual loans, during the period prior to sale. Interest income on loans held for sale is included in “Management services, servicing fees and other” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Gains (losses) for fair value adjustments on loans held for sale is included in “Commercial mortgage origination, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest income and gains (losses) for fair value adjustments on loans held for sale were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Interest income on loans held for sale | $ | 4,944 | $ | 4,981 | ||||||||||
Gains (loss) recognized on change in fair value on loans held for sale | 965 | 4,035 |
(11) Derivatives
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Newmark accounts for its derivatives at fair value and recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. In its normal course of business, Newmark enters into commitments to extend credit for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments) and commitments to deliver these loans to third-party investors at a fixed price (forward sale contracts). In addition, Newmark has entered into the Nasdaq Forwards (see Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”) that are accounted for as derivatives.
The fair value of derivative contracts, computed in accordance with Newmark’s netting policy, is set forth below (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative contract | Assets | Liabilities | Notional Amounts(1) | Assets | Liabilities | Notional Amounts(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | $ | 9,049 | $ | 13,364 | $ | 347,425 | $ | 3,957 | $ | 2,836 | $ | 174,787 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | 21,883 | 367 | 919,129 | 4,544 | 2,180 | 1,226,007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 30,932 | $ | 13,731 | $ | 1,266,554 | $ | 8,501 | $ | 5,016 | $ | 1,400,794 |
(1)Notional amounts represent the sum of gross long and short derivative contracts, an indication of the volume of Newmark’s derivative activity, and do not represent anticipated losses.
The change in fair value of rate lock commitments and forward sale contracts related to mortgage loans are reported as part of “Commercial mortgage origination, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The change in fair value of rate lock commitments are disclosed net of $1.3 million and $1.1 million of expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The changes in fair value of rate lock commitments are reported as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Gains and losses on derivative contracts, which are included on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands):
Location of gain (loss) recognized in income for derivatives | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designed as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Nasdaq Forwards | Other income (loss), net | $ | — | $ | (5,602) | ||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | Commercial mortgage origination, net | (2,969) | 4,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | Compensation and employee benefits | (1,347) | (1,117) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | Commercial mortgage origination, net | 21,516 | 2,757 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 17,200 | $ | 732 |
Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are included in “Other current assets”, “Other assets” and the “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities”, on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(12) Credit Enhancement Receivable, Credit Enhancement Deposit and Contingent Liability
Newmark was a party to a Credit Enhancement Agreement (“CEA”), dated March 9, 2012, with German American Capital Corporation and Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corporation (together, the “DB Entities”). On October 20, 2016, the DB Entities assigned the CEA to Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Island Branch, a Cayman Island Branch of Deutsche Bank AG (“DB Cayman”). Under the terms of these agreements, DB Cayman provided Newmark with varying levels of ongoing credit protection, subject to certain limits, for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans subject to loss-sharing (see Note 23 — “Financial Guarantee Liability”) in Newmark’s servicing portfolio as of March 9, 2012. DB Cayman also reimbursed Newmark for any losses incurred due to violation of underwriting and servicing agreements that occurred prior to March 9, 2012. In accordance within the terms of the CEA, Newmark paid all amounts due to the DB Entities on March 23, 2021 fulfilling the Company's obligations under the agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no reimbursements under the CEA.
Newmark's servicing portfolio consisted of the following loss-sharing components (in thousands):
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March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Total credit risk loan portfolio | $ | 26,051,278 | $ | 25,764,721 | |||||||
Maximum pre-credit enhancement loss exposure | $ | 7,879,237 | $ | 7,785,850 | |||||||
Maximum DB Cayman credit protection | — | — | |||||||||
Maximum loss exposure without any form of credit protection | $ | 7,879,237 | $ | 7,785,850 |
Credit enhancement receivable
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no credit enhancement receivables.
Credit enhancement deposit
The CEA required the DB Entities to deposit $25.0 million into Newmark’s Fannie Mae restricted liquidity account (see Note 9 — “Capital and Liquidity Requirements”). On March 23, 2021, Newmark returned the credit enhancement deposit of $25.0 million to the DB Entities.
Contingent liability
Under the CEA, Newmark was required to pay DB Cayman, on March 9, 2021, an amount equal to 50% of the positive difference, if any, between (a) $25.0 million, and (b) Newmark’s unreimbursed loss-sharing payments from March 9, 2012 through March 9, 2021 on Newmark’s servicing portfolio as of March 9, 2012. On March 23, 2021, Newmark paid DB Cayman the entire outstanding amount. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there was no contingent liability.
(13) Revenues from Contracts with Customers
The following table presents Newmark’s total revenues separately for its revenues from contracts with customers and other sources of revenues (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Revenues from contracts with customers: | ||||||||||||||
Leasing and other commissions | $ | 198,952 | $ | 147,433 | ||||||||||
Investment sales | 152,113 | 101,545 | ||||||||||||
Mortgage brokerage and debt placement | 46,290 | 19,858 | ||||||||||||
Management services | 185,061 | 146,567 | ||||||||||||
Total | 582,416 | 415,403 | ||||||||||||
Other sources of revenue(1): | ||||||||||||||
Fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net | 29,472 | 28,716 | ||||||||||||
Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net | 18,300 | 18,677 | ||||||||||||
Servicing fees and other | 48,059 | 41,184 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 678,247 | $ | 503,980 |
(1)Although these items have customers under contract, they were recorded as other sources of revenue as they were excluded from the scope of ASU No. 2014-9.
Disaggregation of revenues
Newmark’s chief operating decision-maker, regardless of geographic location, evaluates the operating results, including revenues, of Newmark as total real estate services (see Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further discussion).
Contract balances
The timing of Newmark’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. Newmark records a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and Newmark has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, Newmark records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.
Newmark’s deferred revenue primarily relates to customers paying in advance or billed in advance where the performance obligation has not yet been satisfied. Deferred revenue is recorded as a contract liability. Deferred revenue at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $4.7 million and $3.7 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, Newmark recognized revenue of $0.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively, that was recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the period.
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For Knotel and Deskeo, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the Company’s remaining performance obligations that represent contracted customer revenues that have not yet been recognized as revenue as of March 31, 2022, that will be recognized as revenue in future periods over the life of the customer contracts, in accordance with ASC 606, is approximately $196.8 million. Over half of the remaining performance obligation as of March 31, 2022 is scheduled to be recognized as revenue within the next twelve months, with the remaining to be recognized over the remaining life of the customer contracts, which extends through 2030.
Approximate future cash flows to be received over the next five years at March 31, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):
2022 | $ | 85,852 | |||
2023 | 68,940 | ||||
2024 | 27,278 | ||||
2025 | 8,647 | ||||
2026 | 3,891 | ||||
Thereafter | 2,190 | ||||
Total | $ | 196,798 |
(14) Commercial Mortgage Origination, Net
Commercial mortgage origination, net consists of the following activity (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net | $ | 29,472 | $ | 28,716 | ||||||||||
Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net | 18,300 | 18,677 | ||||||||||||
Mortgage brokerage and debt placement | 46,290 | 19,858 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 94,062 | $ | 67,251 |
(15) Mortgage Servicing Rights, Net
The changes in the carrying amount of MSRs were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
Mortgage Servicing Rights | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | 563,488 | $ | 528,983 | ||||||||||
Additions | 36,200 | 48,138 | ||||||||||||
Amortization | (28,107) | (26,870) | ||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | 571,581 | $ | 550,251 | ||||||||||
Valuation Allowance | ||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | (13,186) | $ | (34,254) | ||||||||||
Decrease (increase) | 1,200 | 11,248 | ||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | (11,986) | $ | (23,006) | ||||||||||
Net Balance | $ | 559,595 | $ | 527,245 |
Servicing fees are included in “Management services, servicing fees and other” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Servicing fees | $ | 35,945 | $ | 32,676 | ||||||||||
Escrow interest and placement fees | 1,017 | 971 | ||||||||||||
Ancillary fees | 5,674 | 2,687 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 42,636 | $ | 36,334 |
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Newmark’s primary servicing portfolio at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $69.0 billion and $68.4 billion, respectively. Also, Newmark is the named special servicer for a number of commercial mortgage-backed securitizations. Upon certain specified events (such as, but not limited to, loan defaults and loans assumptions), the administration of the loan is transferred to Newmark. Newmark’s special servicing portfolio was $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
The estimated fair value of the MSRs at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $637.6 million and $608.0 million, respectively.
Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. The cash flows assumptions used are based on assumptions Newmark believes market participants would use to value the portfolio. Significant assumptions include estimates of the cost of servicing per loan, discount rate, earnings rate on escrow deposits and prepayment speeds.
The discount rates used in measuring fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021 were between 6.1% and 13.5% and varied based on investor type. An increase in discount rate of 100 basis points or 200 basis points would result in a decrease in fair value by $18.5 million and $36.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2022 and by $18.0 million and $35.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2021.
(16) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | 560,332 | |||
Acquisitions | 97,168 | ||||
Measurement period adjustments | (369) | ||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | 657,131 | ||||
Measurement period adjustments | (608) | ||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 | $ | 656,523 |
Goodwill is not amortized and is reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance on Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Newmark completed its annual goodwill impairment testing for the year ended December 31, 2021, which did not result in a goodwill impairment (see Note 4 — “Acquisitions” for more information).
Other intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands, except weighted-average life):
March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Weighted- Average Remaining Life (Years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Indefinite life: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademark and trade names | $ | 11,350 | $ | — | $ | 11,350 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
License agreements (GSE) | 5,390 | — | 5,390 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
Definite life: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademark and trade names | 12,684 | (6,560) | 6,124 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-contractual customers | 30,131 | (13,381) | 16,750 | 9.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
License agreements | 4,981 | (4,981) | — | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-compete agreements | 6,558 | (4,142) | 2,416 | 3.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Contractual customers | 33,371 | (4,830) | 28,541 | 6.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | 4,552 | (1,857) | 2,695 | 5.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 109,017 | $ | (35,751) | $ | 73,266 | 6.7 |
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December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Weighted- Average Remaining Life (Years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Indefinite life: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademark and trade names | $ | 11,350 | $ | — | $ | 11,350 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
License agreements (GSE) | 5,390 | — | 5,390 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
Definite life: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Trademark and trade names | 12,765 | (6,021) | 6,744 | 3.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-contractual customers | 30,131 | (12,815) | 17,316 | 9.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
License agreements | 4,981 | (4,981) | — | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-compete agreements | 6,558 | (3,898) | 2,660 | 3.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Contractual customers | 33,731 | (3,822) | 29,909 | 7.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | 4,552 | (1,722) | 2,830 | 5.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 109,458 | $ | (33,259) | $ | 76,199 | 7.1 |
Intangible amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $2.6 million, and $1.7 million, respectively. Intangible amortization is included as a part of “Depreciation and amortization” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Impairment charges are included in intangible amortization expense.
The estimated future amortization of definite life intangible assets as of March 31, 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
2022 | $ | 7,550 | |||
2023 | 9,781 | ||||
2024 | 9,227 | ||||
2025 | 7,880 | ||||
2026 | 6,785 | ||||
Thereafter | 15,303 | ||||
Total | $ | 56,526 |
(17) Fixed Assets, Net
Fixed assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, and other fixed assets | $ | 189,643 | $ | 184,704 | |||||||
Software, including software development costs | 34,271 | 32,851 | |||||||||
Computer and communications equipment | 28,188 | 27,382 | |||||||||
Total, cost | 252,102 | 244,937 | |||||||||
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (114,614) | (109,181) | |||||||||
Total, net | $ | 137,488 | $ | 135,756 |
Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $6.7 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Newmark did not record impairment for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Capitalized software development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Amortization of software development costs totaled $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization of software development costs is included as part of “Depreciation and amortization” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(18) Leases
Newmark has operating leases for real estate and equipment. These leases have remaining lease terms ranging from 1 to 16 years, some of which include options to extend the leases in 5 to 10 years increments for up to 10 years. Renewal periods
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are included in the lease term only when renewal is reasonably certain, which is a high threshold and requires management to apply the judgment to determine the appropriate lease term. Certain leases also include periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if Newmark is reasonably certain not to exercise the termination option. The Company measures its lease payments by including fixed rental payments and, where relevant, variable rental payments tied to an index, such as the Consumer Price Index. Payments for leases in place before the date of adoption of ASC 842, Leases were determined based on previous leases guidance. The Company recognizes lease expense for its operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease expense not included in the lease payment measurement is recognized as incurred. All leases were classified as operating leases as of March 31, 2022.
Pursuant to the accounting policy election, leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recognized on the balance sheet. The short-term lease expense over the period reasonably reflects the Company’s short-term lease commitments.
ASC 842, Leases requires the Company to make certain assumptions and judgments in applying the guidance, including determining whether an arrangement includes a lease, determining the term of a lease when the contract has renewal or cancellation provisions, and determining the discount rate.
The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease or includes a lease at the contract inception by evaluating whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. If the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from, and can direct the use of, the identified asset for a period of time, the Company accounts for the identified asset as a lease. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all leases other than real estate leases. The primary non-lease component that is combined with a lease component represents operating expenses such as utilities, maintenance or management fees.
As the rate implicit in the lease is not usually available, the Company used an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date of the new Leases standard in determining the present value of lease payments for existing leases. The Company has elected to use a portfolio approach for the incremental borrowing rate, applying corporate bond rates to the leases. The Company calculated the appropriate rates with reference to the lease term and lease currency. The Company uses information available at the lease commencement date to determine the discount rate for any new leases.
Operating lease costs were $28.8 million and $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are included in “Operating, administrative and other” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Operating cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, included payments of $27.7 million and $11.8 million for operating lease liabilities, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark did not have any leases that have not yet commenced but that create significant rights and obligations. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, Newmark had short-term lease expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, Newmark had sublease income of $0.01 million and $0.4 million.
The weighted-average discount rate as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was 3.87% and 3.95% and the remaining weighted-average lease term was 7.4 years and 7.4 years, respectively.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark had operating lease Right-of-use assets of $596.8 million and $606.6 million, respectively, and operating lease Right-of-use liabilities of $65.7 million and $82.0 million, respectively, recorded in “ ” and $596.3 million and $586.1 million, respectively, recorded in “Right-of-use liabilities”, on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Rent expense, including the operating lease costs above, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, were $36.7 million and $12.0 million, respectively. Rent expense is included in “Operating, administrative and other” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Newmark is obligated for minimum rental payments under various non-cancelable operating leases, principally for office space, expiring at various dates through 2032. Certain of these leases contain escalation clauses that require payment of additional rent to the extent of increases in certain operating or other costs.
Minimum lease payments under these arrangements were as follows (in thousands):
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March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
2022 | $ | 97,393 | $ | 113,822 | |||||||
2023 | 115,855 | 112,840 | |||||||||
2024 | 108,572 | 106,038 | |||||||||
2025 | 103,584 | 101,211 | |||||||||
2026 | 97,875 | 96,493 | |||||||||
Thereafter | 284,364 | 274,764 | |||||||||
Total lease payments | 807,643 | 805,168 | |||||||||
Less: Interest | 145,630 | 137,141 | |||||||||
Present value of lease liability | $ | 662,013 | $ | 668,027 |
(19) Other Current Assets and Other Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Derivative assets | $ | 30,932 | $ | 8,501 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses | 42,679 | 36,422 | |||||||||
Other taxes | 19,460 | 17,383 | |||||||||
Rent and other deposits | 19,887 | 20,471 | |||||||||
Other | 1,726 | 560 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 114,684 | $ | 83,337 |
Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Deferred tax assets | $ | 70,285 | $ | 70,191 | |||||||
Equity method investment | 88,308 | 88,308 | |||||||||
Non-marketable investments | 23,970 | 20,017 | |||||||||
Other | 36,553 | 33,965 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 219,116 | $ | 212,481 |
(20) Repurchase Agreements and Securities Loaned
Securities sold under Repurchase Agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at the contractual amount for which the securities will be repurchase, including accrued interest. As of December 31, 2021, Newmark had securities loaned with Cantor of $140.0 million. The market value of the securities loaned was $182.0 million as of December 31, 2021. The cash collateral received from Cantor bore an interest rate of 0.95% as of December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2022, there were no repurchase agreements and securities loaned on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(21) Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
Newmark uses its warehouse facilities and repurchase agreements to fund mortgage loans originated under its various lending programs. Outstanding borrowings against these lines are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgages and third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to Berkeley Point Capital, LLC.
Newmark had the following lines available and borrowings outstanding (in thousands):
Committed Lines | Uncommitted Lines | Balance at March 31, 2022 | Balance at December 31, 2021 | Stated Spread to One-Month LIBOR/SOFR(2) | Rate Type | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warehouse facility due October 7, 2022 | $ | 600,000 | $ | — | $ | 306,457 | $ | 384,571 | 130 bps | Variable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warehouse facility due June 15, 2022(1) | 450,000 | — | 133,153 | 243,659 | 130 bps | Variable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warehouse facility due June 15, 2022 | — | 300,000 | — | 135,601 | 130 bps | Variable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warehouse facility due September 25, 2022 | 400,000 | — | 132,095 | 193,091 | 130 bps | Variable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fannie Mae repurchase agreement, open maturity | — | 400,000 | — | 93,771 | 115 bps | Variable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,450,000 | $ | 700,000 | $ | 571,705 | $ | 1,050,693 |
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(1)The warehouse line established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on the Company's Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the CARES Act. Advances will have an interest rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 180 bps. There were no outstanding draws under this sublimit as of March 31, 2022.
(2)The spread for the Fannie Mae repurchase agreement is to SOFR. The warehouse facilities are to LIBOR.
Pursuant to the terms of the warehouse facilities, Newmark is required to meet several financial covenants. Newmark was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
The borrowing rates on the warehouse facilities are based on short-term LIBOR or SOFR plus applicable margins. Due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.
(22) Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
6.125% Senior Notes | $ | 545,868 | $ | 545,239 | |||||||
Credit Facility (1) | (3,390) | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 542,478 | $ | 545,239 |
(1) Represents debt issuance costs that will be amortized over the life of the credit facility.
6.125% Senior Notes
On November 6, 2018, Newmark closed its offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “6.125% Senior Notes”). The 6.125% Senior Notes were priced on November 1, 2018 at 98.94% to yield 6.375%. The 6.125% Senior Notes were offered and sold by Newmark in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act. The 6.125% Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019, and will mature on November 15, 2023.
The carrying amount of the 6.125% Senior Notes was determined as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Principal balance | $ | 550,000 | $ | 550,000 | |||||||
Less: debt issue cost | 2,083 | 2,404 | |||||||||
Less: debt discount | 2,049 | 2,357 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 545,868 | $ | 545,239 |
Newmark uses the effective interest rate method to amortize debt discounts and uses the straight-line method to amortize debt issue costs over the life of the notes. Interest expense, amortization of debt issue costs and amortization of the debt discount of the 6.125% Senior Notes, included in “Interest (expense) income, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 8,422 | $ | 8,711 | |||||||||||||
Debt issue cost amortization | 321 | 321 | |||||||||||||||
Debt discount amortization | 308 | 289 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 9,051 | $ | 9,321 |
Debt Repurchase Program
On June 16, 2020, the Newmark Board of Directors and its Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by Newmark of up to $50.0 million of Newmark’s 6.125% Senior Notes and any future debt securities issued by the Company.
As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had $50.0 million remaining under its debt repurchase authorization.
Credit Facility
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On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into a credit agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million three-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Facility bore an annual interest rate equal to, at Newmark’s option, either (a) LIBOR for specified periods, or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the administrative agent, and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is 2.0% with respect to LIBOR borrowings and can range from 1.25% to 2.25% in (a) above and was 1.00% with respect to base rate borrowings and can range from 0.25% to 1.25% in (b) above, depending upon Newmark’s credit rating. The Credit Facility also provides for an unused facility fee.
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million (the “Amended Credit Facility”) and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The annual interest rate on the Amended Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75%, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Amended Credit Facility to $465.0 million (the "Second Amended Credit Facility"). The annual interest rate on the Second Amended Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 1.75%, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. In July 2021, Newmark paid the $140.0 million outstanding on the Credit Facility.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark entered into the A&R Credit Agreement, which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the A&R Credit Agreement) borrowings.
As of March 31, 2021, borrowings under the Credit Facility carried an interest rate of 1.86% with a weighted-average interest rate of 1.88%. As of March 31, 2022, there were no borrowings under the Credit Facility. Newmark uses the straight-line method to amortize debt issue costs over the life of the notes. Interest expense and amortization of debt issue costs of the Credit Facility, included in “Interest (expense) income, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | — | $ | 582 | ||||||||||||||||
Debt issue cost amortization | — | 275 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unused facility fee | 290 | 213 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 290 | $ | 1,070 |
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “Cantor Credit Agreement”) with Cantor (see Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” for a more detailed discussion).
(23) Financial Guarantee Liability
Newmark shares risk of loss for loans originated under the Fannie Mae DUS and Freddie TAH programs and could incur losses in the event of defaults under or foreclosure of these loans. Under the loss-share guarantee, Newmark’s maximum liability to the extent of actual losses incurred is approximately 33% of the outstanding principal balance on Fannie Mae DUS or Freddie TAH loans. Risk-sharing percentages are established on a loan-by-loan basis when originated, with most loans at 33% and “modified” loans at lower percentages. Under certain circumstances, risk-sharing percentages can be revised subsequent to origination or Newmark could be required to repurchase the loan. In the event of a loss resulting from a catastrophic event that is not required to be covered by borrowers’ insurance policies, Newmark can recover the loss under its mortgage impairment insurance policy. Any potential recovery is subject to the policy’s deductibles and limits.
At March 31, 2022, the credit risk loans being serviced by Newmark on behalf of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had outstanding principal balances of $26.1 billion with a maximum potential loss of $7.9 billion. At December 31, 2021, the credit risk loans being serviced by Newmark on behalf of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had outstanding principal balances of approximately $25.8 billion with a maximum potential loss of approximately $7.8 billion. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no loans covered by the Credit Enhancement Agreement.
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Newmark’s current estimate of expected credit losses considers various factors, including, without being limited to, historical default and losses, current delinquency status, loan size, terms, amortization types, the forward-looking view of the primary risk drivers (debt-service coverage ratio and loan-to-value) based on forecasts in economic conditions and local market performance. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, there was an increase to the reserve by $0.2 million and a decrease to the reserve by $1.6 million, respectively. A loan is considered to be delinquent once it is 60 days past due. As of March 31, 2022, there was one loan in the credit risk portfolio with an outstanding principal balance of $10.7 million, with a maximum loss exposure of $3.6 million, that was in default. If the loan in default resulted in a loss event, proceeds from the liquidation of the assets are estimated to be approximately $10.6 million based on current estimates of fair value. Newmark’s share of the loss would approximate $0.1 million. As of March 31, 2022, there was one loan in foreclosure that had an outstanding principal balance of $22.8 million, with a maximum loss exposure of $7.6 million (both numbers as of foreclosure date). Proceeds from the liquidation of the asset is estimated to be approximately $19.9 million based on current estimate of fair value. BPC’s share of the loss would approximate $1.1 million. As of December 31, 2021, there were two loans in the credit risk portfolio with outstanding principal balances of $33.6 million, with a maximum loss exposure of $11.2 million, that were delinquent. If all two delinquent loans resulted in a loss event, proceeds from the liquidation of the assets are estimated to be approximately $28.4 million based on estimates of fair value at December 31, 2021. Newmark's share of the loss would approximate $2.3 million. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no actual losses were incurred.
The provisions for risk-sharing were included in “Operating, administrative and other” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):
Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | 29,581 | |||
Provision for expected credit losses | (3,592) | ||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | 25,989 | ||||
Provision for expected credit losses | 195 | ||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 | $ | 26,184 |
(24) Concentrations of Credit Risk
The lending activities of Newmark create credit risk in the event that counterparties do not fulfill their contractual payment obligations. In particular, Newmark is exposed to credit risk related to the Fannie Mae DUS and Freddie Mac TAH loans (see Note 23 — “Financial Guarantee Liability”). As of March 31, 2022, 21% and 13% of $7.9 billion of the maximum loss was for properties located in California and Texas, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, 20% and 13% of $7.8 billion of the maximum loss was for properties located in California and Texas, respectively.
(25) Escrow and Custodial Funds
In conjunction with the servicing of multifamily and commercial loans, Newmark holds escrow and other custodial funds. Escrow funds are held at unaffiliated financial institutions generally in the form of cash and cash equivalents. These funds amounted to $1.0 billion and $2.3 billion, as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. These funds are held for the benefit of Newmark’s borrowers and are segregated in custodial bank accounts. These amounts are excluded from the assets and liabilities of Newmark.
(26) Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
U.S. GAAP guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
•Level 1 measurements—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
•Level 2 measurements—Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
•Level 3 measurements—Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
As required by U.S. GAAP guidance, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value under U.S. GAAP guidance (in thousands):
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As of March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans held for sale, at fair value | — | 572,670 | — | 572,670 | |||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | — | — | 9,049 | 9,049 | |||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | — | — | 21,883 | 21,883 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | — | $ | 572,670 | $ | 30,932 | $ | 603,602 | |||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | — | — | 10,207 | 10,207 | |||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | — | — | 13,364 | 13,364 | |||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | — | — | 367 | 367 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 23,938 | $ | 23,938 |
As of December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketable securities | $ | 524,569 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 524,569 | |||||||||||||||
Loans held for sale, at fair value | — | 1,072,479 | — | 1,072,479 | |||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | — | — | 3,957 | 3,957 | |||||||||||||||||||
Nasdaq Forwards | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | — | — | 4,544 | 4,544 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 524,569 | $ | 1,072,479 | $ | 8,501 | $ | 1,605,549 | |||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,338 | $ | 12,338 | |||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | — | — | 2,836 | 2,836 | |||||||||||||||||||
Forwards sale contracts | — | — | 2,180 | 2,180 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 17,354 | $ | 17,354 |
There were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities: Changes in Level 3 Nasdaq Forwards, rate lock commitments, forward sale contracts and contingent consideration measured at fair value on recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):
As of March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening Balance | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income | Issuances | Settlements | Closing Balance | Unrealized gains (losses) outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | $ | 3,957 | $ | 9,049 | $ | — | $ | (3,957) | $ | 9,049 | $ | 9,049 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | 4,544 | 21,883 | — | (4,544) | 21,883 | 21,883 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nasdaq Forwards | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 8,501 | $ | 30,932 | $ | — | $ | (8,501) | $ | 30,932 | $ | 30,932 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening Balance | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income | Issuances | Settlements | Closing Balance | Unrealized gains (losses) outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | $ | 12,338 | $ | 313 | $ | — | $ | (2,444) | $ | 10,207 | $ | 10,207 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | 2,836 | 13,365 | — | (2,837) | 13,364 | 13,365 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | 2,180 | 367 | — | (2,180) | 367 | 367 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 17,354 | $ | 14,045 | $ | — | $ | (7,461) | $ | 23,938 | $ | 23,939 |
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As of December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening Balance | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income | Issuances | Settlements | Closing Balance | Unrealized gains (losses) outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | $ | 21,034 | $ | 3,957 | $ | — | $ | (21,034) | $ | 3,957 | $ | 3,957 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | 7,632 | 4,544 | — | (7,632) | 4,544 | 4,544 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nasdaq Forwards | 12,822 | (12,822) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 41,488 | $ | (4,321) | $ | — | $ | (28,666) | $ | 8,501 | $ | 8,501 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening Balance | Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income | Issuances | Settlements | Closing Balance | Unrealized gains (losses) outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | $ | 31,481 | $ | (1,351) | $ | — | $ | (17,792) | $ | 12,338 | $ | 12,338 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | 2,977 | 2,836 | — | (2,977) | 2,836 | 2,836 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | 14,971 | 2,180 | — | (14,971) | 2,180 | 2,180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 49,429 | $ | 3,665 | $ | — | $ | (35,740) | $ | 17,354 | $ | 17,354 |
Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by Newmark in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 assets and liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | Significant Unobservable Inputs | Range | Weighted Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | $ | — | $ | 10,207 | Discount rate | 4.0% - 10.2% | (1) | 8.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Probability of meeting earnout and contingencies | 75.0%- 99.0% | (1) | 91.6% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nasdaq Forwards | $ | — | $ | — | Implied volatility | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | $ | 21,883 | $ | 367 | Counterparty credit risk | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | $ | 9,049 | $ | 13,364 | Counterparty credit risk | N/A | N/A |
December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 assets and liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | Significant Unobservable Inputs | Range | Weighted Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration | $ | — | $ | 12,338 | Discount rate | 4.0% - 10.2% | (1) | 8.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Probability of meeting earnout and contingencies | 75.0% - 99.0% | (1) | 91.6% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nasdaq Forwards | $ | — | $ | — | Implied volatility | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forward sale contracts | $ | 4,544 | $ | 2,180 | Counterparty credit risk | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rate lock commitments | $ | 3,957 | $ | 2,836 | Counterparty credit risk | N/A | N/A |
(1)Newmark’s estimate of contingent consideration as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was based on the acquired business’ projected future financial performance, including revenues.
Valuation Processes - Level 3 Measurements
Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to investors are derivatives and, accordingly, are marked to fair value on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of Newmark’s rate lock commitments to borrowers and loans held for sale and the related input levels includes, as applicable:
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•The assumed gain loss of the expected loan sale to the investor, net of employee benefits;
•The expected net future cash flows associated with servicing the loan;
•The effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and the balance sheet date; and
•The nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and Newmark.
The fair value of Newmark’s forward sales contracts to investors considers effects of interest rate movements between the trade date and the balance sheet date. The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.
The fair value of Newmark’s rate lock commitments and forward sale contracts is adjusted to reflect the risk that the agreement will not be fulfilled. Newmark’s exposure to nonperformance in rate lock and forward sale contracts is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Given the credit quality of Newmark’s counterparties, the short duration of rate lock commitments and forward sales contracts, and Newmark’s historical experience with the agreements, management does not believe the risk of nonperformance by Newmark’s counterparties to be significant.
The Nasdaq Forwards are derivatives and, accordingly, are marked to fair value on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Nasdaq Forwards are determined utilizing the following inputs, as applicable:
•The underlying number of shares and the related strike price;
•The maturity date; and
•The implied volatility of Nasdaq’s stock price.
The fair value of Newmark’s Nasdaq Forwards considers the effects of Nasdaq’s stock price volatility between the balance sheet date and the maturity date. The fair value is determined by the use of a Black-Scholes put option valuation model.
Information About Uncertainty of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of Newmark’s contingent consideration are the discount rate and forecasted financial information. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate would have resulted in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the forecasted financial information would have resulted in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the present value of expected payments related to Newmark’s contingent consideration was $10.2 million and $12.3 million, respectively (see Note 31 — “Commitments and Contingencies”). As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the undiscounted value of the payments, assuming that all contingencies are met, would be $10.8 million and $13.2 million, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis
Equity investments carried under the measurement alternative are remeasured at fair value on a non-recurring basis to reflect observable transactions which occurred during the period. Newmark applied the measurement alternative to equity securities with the fair value of $24.0 million and $20.0 million, which was included in “Other assets” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. These investments are classified within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, because their estimated fair value is based on valuation methods using the observable transaction price at the transaction date.
(27) Related Party Transactions
(a)Service Agreements
Newmark receives administrative services, including but not limited to, treasury, legal, accounting, information technology, payroll administration, human resources, incentive compensation plans and other support, provided by Cantor. Allocated expenses were $6.8 million and $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These expenses are included as part of “Fees to related parties” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(b)Loans, Forgivable Loans and Other Receivables from Employees and Partners
Newmark has entered into various agreements with certain employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution of earnings that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests or may be forgiven over a period of time. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the life of the loans. From time to time, Newmark may also enter into agreements
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with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the aggregate balance of employee loans was $463.6 million and $453.3 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $18.9 million, and $17.3 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these employee loans is included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Transfer of Employees to Newmark and Other Related Party Transactions
In connection with the expansion of the mortgage brokerage and lending activities, Newmark has entered into an agreement with Cantor pursuant to which five former employees of Cantor's affiliate, Cantor Commercial Real Estate ("CCRE"), transferred to Newmark, effective as of May 1, 2018. In connection with this transfer of employees, Cantor paid $6.9 million to Newmark in October 2018, and Newmark Holdings issued $6.7 million of limited partnership units and $0.2 million of cash in the form of a cash distribution agreement to the employees. In addition, Newmark Holdings issued $2.2 million of Newmark Holdings partnership units with a capital account and $0.5 million of limited partnership units in exchange for the cash payment from Cantor to Newmark of $2.2 million. Newmark recorded $6.9 million and $2.2 million as “Stockholders’ equity” and “Redeemable partnership interests”, respectively, on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
In consideration for the Cantor payment, Newmark agreed to return up to a maximum of $3.3 million to Cantor based on the employees’ production during their first two years of employment with Newmark. In July 2020, Newmark paid $3.3 million to Cantor based on the employees’ production, satisfying this liability. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark did not have an outstanding balance to Cantor related to this transaction. Newmark has agreed to allow certain of these employees to continue to provide consulting services to Cantor in exchange for a forgivable loan which was directly paid by Cantor to these employees.
In February 2019, Newmark's Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to originate and service GSE loans for Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) and service loans originated by Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) on prices, rates and terms no less favorable to Newmark and its subsidiaries than those charged by third parties. The authorization is subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to: (i) a maximum amount up to $100.0 million per loan, (ii) a $250.0 million limit on loans that have not yet been acquired or sold to a GSE at any given time, and (iii) a separate $250.0 million limit on originated Fannie Mae Loans outstanding to Cantor at any given time.
On November 30, 2020, we entered into an arrangement to assist View, Inc. (“View”) in the sale of its products and services to real estate clients in exchange for commissions. View, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based producer of high-efficiency dynamic glass that controls light, heat, and glare, providing unobstructed views and privacy using a low voltage control system. In connection with the arrangement, View also agreed to engage us as its exclusive provider of real estate services for a period of at least five years. While View is not under common control with us, it was, at the time that the agreement was executed, the target of a merger with CF Finance Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor.
(c)Transactions with CCRE
Newmark has a revenue-share agreement with CCRE, in which Newmark pays CCRE for referrals for leasing or other services. Newmark did not make any payments under this agreement to CCRE three months ended March 31, 2022. Newmark recognized $0.5 million for three months ended March 31, 2021, in connection with this revenue-share agreement.
In addition, Newmark has a loan referral agreement in place with CCRE, in which either party can refer a loan to the other. Newmark did not have any revenues from these referrals for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Such revenues are recognized in “Commercial mortgage origination, net” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. These referral fees are net of the broker fees and commissions paid to CCRE.
Newmark did not purchase any primary servicing rights during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Newmark also services loans for CCRE on a “fee for service” basis, generally prior to a loan’s sale or securitization, and for which no MSR is recognized. Newmark recognized servicing revenues (excluding interest and placement fees) from servicing rights purchased from CCRE on a “fee for service” basis of $0.9 million, $0.9 million for three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively, which was included as part of “Management services, servicing fee and other” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
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On July 22, 2019, Cantor Commercial Real Estate Lending, L.P. (“CCRE Lending”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Real Estate LP, made a $146.6 million commercial real estate loan (the “Loan”) to a single-purpose company (the “Borrower”) in which Barry Gosin, Newmark’s Chief Executive Officer, owns a 19% interest. The Loan is secured by the Borrower’s interest in property in Pennsylvania that is subject to a ground lease. While CCRE Lending initially provided the full loan amount, on August 16, 2019, a third-party bank purchased approximately 80% of the Loan value from CCRE Lending, with CCRE Lending retaining approximately 20%. The Loan matures on August 6, 2029, and is payable monthly at a fixed interest rate of 4.38% per annum. Newmark provided certain commercial loan brokerage services to the Borrower in the ordinary course of its business, and the Borrower paid Newmark a fee, as the broker of the Loan, of $0.7 million. The Newmark Audit Committee approved the commercial loan brokerage services and the related fee amount received.
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
Executive Compensation
On December 21, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved: (i) the redemption of all of Mr. Gosin’s remaining 838,996 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for $8,339,980 in cash and (ii) compensation of approximately $7,357,329 by way of the Company causing 478,328 of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 446,711 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock, based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and an exchange ratio of 0.9339. The estimated pre-tax value of this transaction is $15,697,309, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 53.13% tax rate for Mr. Gosin.
On December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick elected to redeem all of his 193,530 currently exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,465,873. In addition, upon the Compensation Committee’s approval of the monetization of Mr. Gosin’s remaining non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs and a number of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable PSUs on December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick (i) elected to redeem 188,883 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,954,728, and 127,799 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,284,376, both for which he previously waived, but now accepted under the Company’s standing policy for Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) received the right to monetize, and accepted the monetization of, his remaining 122,201 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,228,124, under such standing policy.
In connection with the foregoing, Mr. Lutnick accepted the right to monetize approximately $4,406,915 by way of the Company causing 286,511 of Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 267,572 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and a 0.9339 exchange ratio, under the Company’s standing policy applying to Mr. Lutnick, with such acceptance of rights granted in reference to Mr. Gosin’s December 2021 transactions to the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing (and otherwise Mr. Lutnick waived all remaining rights, which shall be cumulative). The aggregate estimated pre-tax value of these transactions is $10,340,015, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 57.38% tax rate for Mr. Lutnick.
On June 28, 2021, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, the Compensation Committee approved the specific transactions with respect to the Company’s executive officers set forth below. All of the transactions included in the 2021 Equity Event, with respect to Messrs. Lutnick, Gosin and Rispoli, were based on (i) the price for Newmark Class A common stock of $12.50 per share, as approved by the Compensation Committee; (ii) the price of BGC Partners Class A common stock of $5.86; and (iii) the price of Nasdaq common stock of $177.11.
On April 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an additional monetization opportunity for Mr. Merkel: (i) 73,387 of Mr. Merkel’s 145,384 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero, (ii) 19,426 of Mr. Merkel’s 86,649 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $0.2 million, and (iii) 68,727 shares of Newmark Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Merkel. On the same day, the 68,727 shares of Newmark Class A common stock were repurchased from Mr. Merkel at $10.67 per share, the closing price of Newmark Class A common stock on that date, under the Company's stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.8 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
On March 16, 2021, the Company redeemed 30,926 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Merkel for zero and in connection therewith issued 28,962 shares of Newmark Class A common stock. On the same day, the Company repurchased these shares from Mr. Merkel at the closing price of Newmark Class A common stock of $11.09 per share under the Company's stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.3 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings. The Compensation Committee approved these transactions.
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On March 16, 2021, pursuant to the Newmark standing policy for Mr. Lutnick, the Compensation Committee granted exchange rights and/or monetization rights with respect to rights available to Mr. Lutnick. Mr. Lutnick elected to waive such rights one-time with such future opportunities to be cumulative. The aggregate number of Mr. Lutnick’s units for which he waived exchange rights or other monetization rights was 4,423,457 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs/NPSUs, inclusive of the PSUs receiving an HDU conversion right and 1,770,016 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with an aggregate determination amount of $21.6 million at that time, inclusive of the PPSUs receiving an HDU conversion right.
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Gosin exchange rights into shares of Newmark Class A common stock with respect to 526,828 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 30,871 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs held by Mr. Gosin (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $5.8 million in the aggregate). In addition, on March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved removing the sale restrictions on Mr. Gosin’s remaining 178,232 restricted shares of Class A common stock in BGC (which were originally issued in 2013) and associated 82,680 remaining restricted shares of Newmark Class A common stock (issued as a result of the Company spin-off in November 2018).
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Rispoli (i) exchange rights into shares of Newmark Class A common stock with respect to 6,043 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $0.1 million); and (ii) exchange rights into cash with respect to 4,907 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which had an average determination price of $15.57 per unit, for a total of $0.1 million in the aggregate to be paid for taxes when (i) is exchanged).
Howard W. Lutnick, Chairman
On December 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a one-time bonus award to Mr. Lutnick (the “Award”), which was evidenced by the execution and delivery of a Retention Bonus Agreement dated December 28, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and described below (the “Award Agreement”), in consideration of his success in managing certain aspects of the Company’s performance as its principal executive officer and Chairman. The Award rewarded Mr. Lutnick for his efforts in delivering superior financial results for the Company and its stockholders, including in particular his success in creating substantial value for the Company and its stockholders in connection with creating, structuring, hedging and monetizing the forward share contract to receive over time shares of common stock of Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Nasdaq Derivative”) held by the Company (together, the “Nasdaq Shares”) and the strong balance sheet and significant amount of income created from the Nasdaq Derivative. A principal reason for structuring the Award with a substantial portion to be paid out over three years was also to further incentivize Mr. Lutnick to continue to serve as both the Company’s principal executive officer and its Chairman for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders.
The Award Agreement provides for an aggregate cash payment of $50 million, payable as follows: $20 million within three days of the Effective Date (which payment was made on December 31, 2021), and $10 million within thirty days following vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Effective Date. Any entitlement to future amounts not vested will be forfeited immediately if, prior to the applicable anniversary date, Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer, unless Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve in either such capacity occurs pursuant to a “Vesting Termination,” as that term is defined in the Award Agreement. Mr. Lutnick has purchased Newmark Class A Common Stock with the after-tax proceeds of the initial tranche of the Award. The Award Agreement describes a “Vesting Termination” as (i) a termination of Mr. Lutnick’s employment by the Company without “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Award Agreement) or (ii) an involuntary removal of the Executive from the position of Chairman of the Board on or after the occurrence of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in the Change of Control Agreement dated as of December 13, 2017 by and between Mr. Lutnick and the Company (the “Control Agreement”). In the event that Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer pursuant to a Vesting Termination, any amounts not vested will immediately become fully vested. The Award Agreement provides that Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve as the Company’s Chairman and principal executive officer pursuant to his death or disability does not constitute a Vesting Termination. The provisions of the Control Agreement do not apply to the Award. A copy of the Award Agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2021 and is described in detail under the heading “2021 Lutnick Award” in Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on From 10-K/A.
On June 28, 2021, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, the Newmark Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Lutnick: (i) the exchange of 279,725 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 263,025 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then applicable Exchange Ratio of 0.9403; and $1,465,874 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable 193,530 Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with the right to exchange PSUs into HDUs (“H-Rights”) into 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and redemption of such HDUs for their Capital Account of
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$7,017,000, paid in the form of Nasdaq Shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with -H were redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 520,380 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 520,380 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners, and $1,525,705 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the redemption of 88,636 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, and the issuance of 88,636 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; (v) the conversion of 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s BGC Holdings PPSUs with H- Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes in connection with the exercise of the exercise of the BGC Holdings HDUs; and (vi) the issuance of 29,059 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark. In accordance with Mr. Lutnick’s right under his existing standing policy, and in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, upon the approval of the Newmark Compensation Committee: (i) 2,909,819 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs, pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, were redeemed and 2,736,103 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark, based upon the then applicable exchange ratio of 0.9403, were granted to Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) $8,798,546 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy was redeemed and used for tax purposes. See Item 11 — “Executive Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for additional information and definitions.
Barry M. Gosin, Chief Executive Officer
On September 20, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a monetization opportunity for Mr. Gosin: all of Mr. Gosin’s 2,114,546 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero and 2,114,456 shares of BGC Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Gosin.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Gosin, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer: (i) the exchange of 1,531,061.84 exchangeable Newmark Holdings units (comprised of 1,438,597.37 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 92,464.47 exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs) into 1,439,658 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based upon the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and $834,508 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs, and redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $5,362,452, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $5,362,452 in connection with Mr. Gosin’s Newmark Holdings PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 3,348,706 exchangeable BGC Holdings units (comprised of 3,147,085 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs and 201,621 exchangeable BGC Holdings APSUs) into 3,348,706 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; and $298,273 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the conversion of 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs, and $1,129,499 associated with Mr. Gosin non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 12,500 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
Michael J. Rispoli, Chief Financial Officer
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Michael Rispoli, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer: (i) the exchange of 23,124 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 21,744 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403 and $208,407 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) 6,000 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed and an aggregate of 5,642 restricted shares of Newmark were issued to Mr. Rispoli based upon the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403, and $52,309 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the conversion of 5,846.07 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 5,846 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and the redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $60,750, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $60,750 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the exchange of 36,985 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 36,985 shares of Class A common stock of BGC, and $134,573 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 383 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
Stephen M. Merkel, Chief Legal Officer
On June 28, 2021 the Compensation Committee also approved the following for Stephen M. Merkel, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer: (i) the redemption of 51,124.28 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and issuance of 48,072 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and (ii) the redemption of 46,349.87 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.5 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of the shares above.
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Retirement Fund Purchase
On April 27, 2021, a Keogh retirement account held by Mr. Lutnick purchased 5,154 shares of our Class A common stock from us at the closing price of Newmark Class A common stock on that date of $10.67 per share. The transaction was approved by our Audit Committee.
On November 4, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors authorized entities in which executive officers have a non-controlling interest to engage Newmark to provide ordinary course real estate services to them as long as Newmark’s fees are consistent with the fees that Newmark ordinarily charges for these services.
CF Real Estate Finance Holdings, LP.
Contemporaneously with the acquisition of Berkeley Point, on September 8, 2017, Newmark invested $100.0 million in a newly formed commercial real estate-related financial and investment business, Real Estate LP, which is controlled and managed by Cantor. Real Estate LP may conduct activities in any real estate related business or asset backed securities related business or any extensions thereof and ancillary activities thereto. As of March 31, 2022 and 2021, Newmark’s investment was accounted for under the equity method (see Note 8 — “Investments”).
Transactions with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., a wholly owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Cantor ("CF&Co")
On June 18, 2018 and September 26, 2018, Newmark entered into transactions related to the monetization of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark was scheduled to receive in 2019 through 2022 (see Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”). Newmark paid $4.0 million in fees for services provided by CF&Co related to these monetization transactions. These fees were recorded as a deduction from the carrying amount of the EPUs.
On March 28, 2019, Newmark filed a registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to which CF&Co may make offers and sales of Newmark's 6.125% Senior Notes in connection with ongoing market-making transactions which may occur from time to time. Such market-making transactions in these securities may occur in the open market or may be privately negotiated at prevailing market prices at a time of resale or at related or negotiated prices. Neither CF&Co, nor any of our affiliates, has any obligation to make a market in Newmark's securities, and CF&Co or any such other affiliate may discontinue market-making activities at any time without notice. Newmark does not receive any proceeds from market-making activities in these securities by CF&Co (or any of its affiliates). This registration statement expired in March 2022. On March 25, 2022, Newmark filed a new Registration Statement on Form S-3 to replace the one that was expiring.
(d)Other Related Party Transactions
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor (the “Cantor Credit Agreement”). The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party at the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to Cantor, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor’s or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1%. No amounts were outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, Newmark recognized a $8.3 million receivable from BGC, which is included as part of "Receivables from related parties, in the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. The receivable was a result of tax refunds due to Newmark on it's share of taxable income which were included as part of BGC's consolidated tax return in the periods prior to the spin-off. This receivable was collected during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Payables to related parties were $24.2 million and $10.8 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
For a detailed discussion about Newmark’s Payables to related parties, see Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”, Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark and BGC Holdings” and Note 22 — “Long-Term Debt” in Newmark’s consolidated financial statements, included in Part II, Item 8 of Newmark’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
On May, 15 2020, BGC U.S. OpCo ("BGC") entered into an arrangement to sublease excess space from RKF Retail Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Newmark, which was approved by the Newmark Audit Committee. The deal was a one-year sublease of approximately 21,000 rentable square feet in New York City. Under the terms of the sublease, BGC paid a fixed rent amount of $1.1 million in addition to all operating and tax expenses attributable to the lease. In May 2021, the sublease was amended to provide for a rate of $15,000 per month based on the size of utilized space, in addition to terms extending on a
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month-to-month basis. The lease with BGC ended in December 2021. In connection with the sublease, Newmark received $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
In January 2022, Cantor entered into an arrangement to sublease excess space from RKF Retail Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Newmark. The deal was a six-month sublease of approximately 21,000 rentable square feet in New York City. Under the terms of the sublease, Cantor paid all operating and tax expenses attributable to the lease. In the sublease was amended to provide for a rate of $81,600 per month based on the size of utilized space, in addition to terms extending on a month-to-month basis. Newmark received $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
As part of the Knotel acquisition, Newmark assigned the rights to acquire certain Knotel assets to a subsidiary of Cantor, on the terms that if the subsidiary monetized the sale of these assets, Newmark would receive 10% of the proceeds of the sale after the subsidiary recoups its investment in the assets.
On June 28, 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark to hire a son of its Chairman as a full-time employee of its Knotel business with an annual base salary of $125,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 30%. The arrangement includes a potential profit participation consistent with other entrepreneurial arrangements in the event of certain liquidity events related to businesses developed by him.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
Cantor has a right to purchase from Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event that any Newmark Holdings founding partner interests that have not become exchangeable are redeemed by Newmark Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of a founding partner or upon mutual consent of the general partner of Newmark Holdings and Cantor. Cantor has the right to purchase such Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests at a price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount that Newmark Holdings would be required to pay to redeem and purchase such Newmark Holdings founding partner interests and (2) the amount equal to (a) the number of units underlying such founding partner interests, multiplied by (b) the exchange ratio as of the date of such purchase, multiplied by (c) the then-current market price of our Class A common stock. Cantor may pay such price using cash, publicly traded shares or other property, or a combination of the foregoing. If Cantor (or the other member of the Cantor group acquiring such limited partnership interests, as the case may be) so purchases such limited partnership interests at a price equal to clause (2) above, neither Cantor nor any member of the Cantor group nor Newmark Holdings nor any other person is obligated to pay Newmark Holdings or the holder of such founding partner interests any amount in excess of the amount set forth in clause (2) above.
In addition, the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement provides that (1) where either current, terminating or terminated partners are permitted by us to exchange any portion of their founding partner units and Cantor consents to such exchangeability, we will offer to Cantor the opportunity for Cantor to purchase the same number of new exchangeable limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings at the price that Cantor would have paid for exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event we had redeemed the founding partner units; and (2) the exchangeable limited partnership interests to be offered to Cantor pursuant to clause (1) above would be subject to, and granted in accordance with, applicable laws, rules and regulations then in effect.
If Cantor acquires any units as a result of the purchase or redemption by Newmark Holdings of any founding partner interests, Cantor will be entitled to the benefits (including distributions) of the units it acquires from the date of termination or bankruptcy of the applicable founding partner. In addition, any such units will be exchangeable by Cantor for a number of shares of our Class B common stock or, at Cantor’s election, shares of our Class A common stock, in each case, equal to the then-current exchange ratio, on the same basis as the limited partnership interests held by Cantor, and will be designated as Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests when acquired by Cantor. The exchange ratio was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and was 0.9435 as of March 31, 2022. This may permit Cantor to receive a larger share of income generated by our business at a less expensive price than through purchasing shares of our Class A common stock, which is a result of the price payable by Cantor to Newmark.
.
On March 31, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 273,088 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,105,598 as a result of the redemption of 273,088 founding partner interests, and (ii) 735,625 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $2,918,919 as a result of the exchange of 735,625 founding partner interests. Following such purchases, as of March 31, 2022 there were zero founding partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor will have the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor units following such redemption or exchange.
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On October 28, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 299,910 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $975,064 as a result of the redemption of 299,910 founding partner interests, and (ii) 523,284 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,898,363 as a result of the exchange of 523,284 founding partner interests. As of March 31, 2022, there were no founding partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor will have the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor units following such redemption or exchange.
Special Purpose Acquisition Company
As previously reported, in April 2021, Newmark OpCo and Cantor entered into various arrangements pursuant to which they agreed to co-sponsor a special purpose acquisition company, named Newmark Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”), in which certain of the Company's executive officers are executive officers and are expected to be directors. Pursuant to a purchase agreement, Newmark OpCo purchased from Cantor a 75% equity interest in an entity now known as Newmark Acquisition Holdings, LLC, the sponsor of the SPAC (the “Sponsor”), for $18.8 thousand, with Cantor retaining the remaining 25% equity interest in the Sponsor. Pursuant to an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the Sponsor, Newmark OpCo is the managing member of the Sponsor, and Newmark OpCo and Cantor have agreed to make additional equity contributions to the Sponsor in order to fund the obligations of the Sponsor with respect to the SPAC in proportion to their equity ownership in the Sponsor. Also, in April 2021, the Sponsor agreed to lend to the SPAC up to $0.3 million without interest in order to cover expenses related to any initial public offering of the SPAC; the maturity date of the loans is the earlier of the consummation of the initial public offering of the SPAC or December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, there was no outstanding balance on this Pre-IPO loan.
Master Repurchase Agreement with Cantor
On August 2, 2021, a subsidiary of Newmark, Newmark OpCo, entered into the Repurchase Agreement with CF Secured, an affiliate of Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark could seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. Repurchase agreements effect equity financing. The Company, under the Repurchase Agreement, could seek to sell securities, in this case common shares of Nasdaq, owned by the Company, to CF Secured, under the Repurchase Agreement, and agreed to repurchase those securities on a date certain at a repurchase price generally equal to the original purchase price plus interest.
Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, the Company and CF Secured agreed to enter into a repurchase transaction, wherein CF Secured could deliver the cash of such repurchase transaction to the Company on an overnight basis at an initial rate of 0.95% per annum (approximately 1.00% less expensive than Newmark’s revolving credit facility), and the Company would deliver to CF Secured the number of shares of Nasdaq as collateral so that the market value of such shares equaled 130% of such cash proceeds. The Nasdaq shares would be marked to market daily, and the minimum maintenance margin requirement, should the share price decline, would be 120% of such cash proceeds. The Company would be required to transfer additional collateral (securities and/or cash) in the event of a margin percentage decline below 120%.
As of December 31, 2021, the amount of shares pledged was 0.8 million and the amount outstanding under this borrowing facility was $140.0 million and is included in "Repurchase agreements and securities loaned" on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2022, there was no outstanding balance. (see Note 7 — "Marketable Securities" and Note 20 — “Collateralized Transactions”).
Referral Fees to Cantor
In September 2021, the Audit Committee approved the payment of a referral fee from Newmark to Cantor Realty Capital Advisors, L.P. (“CRCA”), a subsidiary of Cantor, in relation to CRCA’s referral to Newmark of a sale and lease back transaction for a portfolio of medical office properties. Newmark paid CRCA approximately $0.3 million for the referral of the portfolio sale. Newmark management negotiated the referral arrangement with CRCA in the ordinary course of business and the arrangement is reasonable and consistent with referral arrangements of its type between unrelated parties.
Additionally, in September 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to pay referral fees to Cantor and its subsidiaries (other than Newmark and its subsidiaries) in respect of referred business, pursuant to ordinary course arrangements in circumstances where Newmark would customarily pay referral fees to unrelated third parties and where Newmark is paying a referral fee to Cantor in an amount that is no more than the applicable percentage rate set forth in Newmark’s intra-company referral policies, as then in effect, with such fees to be at referral rates no less favorable to Newmark than would be paid to unrelated third parties.
(28) Income Taxes
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The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of its U.S. results of operations, as well as taxes payable to jurisdictions outside the U.S. In addition, certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) in New York City. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, except for UBT, rests with the partners (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests”, for discussion of partnership interests), rather than the partnership entity. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance for Income Taxes.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized.
Pursuant to U.S. GAAP guidance on Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark did not have any unrecognized tax benefits which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Newmark recognized interest and penalties related to income tax matters in “Provision for income taxes” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark has not accrued any tax-related interest and penalties.
(29) Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
The accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 222,130 | $ | 223,158 | |||||||
Outside broker payable | 74,268 | 73,397 | |||||||||
Payroll taxes payable | 81,163 | 80,249 | |||||||||
Corporate taxes payable | 30,636 | 56,265 | |||||||||
Derivative liability | 13,731 | 5,016 | |||||||||
Right-of-use liabilities | 65,707 | 81,958 | |||||||||
Contingent consideration | 6,572 | 8,703 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 494,207 | $ | 528,746 |
Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Accrued compensation | $ | 99,102 | $ | 96,839 | |||||||
Payroll and other taxes payable | 70,753 | 70,677 | |||||||||
Financial guarantee liability | 26,184 | 25,989 | |||||||||
Deferred rent | 11,433 | 9,872 | |||||||||
Contingent consideration | 3,635 | 3,635 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 211,107 | $ | 207,012 |
(30) Compensation
Newmark’s Compensation Committee may grant various equity-based awards to employees of Newmark, including RSUs, restricted stock, limited partnership units and shares of Newmark Class A common stock upon exchange or redemption of Newmark limited partnership units (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”). On December 13, 2017, as part of the Separation, the Newmark Group, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan (the
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“Newmark Equity Plan”) was approved by Newmark’s then sole stockholder, BGC, for Newmark to issue up to 400.0 million shares of Newmark Class A common stock, of which 115.0 million are registered, that may be delivered or cash-settled pursuant to awards granted during the life of the Newmark Equity Plan. As of March 31, 2022, awards with respect to 68.4 million shares have been granted and 331.6 million shares are available for future awards. Upon vesting of RSUs, issuance of restricted stock and exchange or redemption of limited partnership units, Newmark generally issues new shares of its Class A common stock.
Prior to the Separation, BGC’s Compensation Committee granted various equity-based awards to employees of Newmark, including RSUs, restricted stock, limited partnership units and exchange rights for shares of BGC Class A common stock upon exchange of BGC Holdings limited partnership units (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”).
As a result of the Separation, limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings were distributed to the holders of limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings. Each holder of BGC Holdings limited partnership interests at that time held a BGC Holdings limited partnership interest and 0.4545 of a corresponding Newmark Holdings limited partnership interest.
The exchange ratio is the number of shares of Newmark common stock that a holder will receive upon exchange of one Newmark Holdings exchangeable unit (the exchange ratio was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and was 0.9435 as of March 31, 2022).
Newmark incurred compensation expense related to Class A common stock, limited partnership units and RSUs held by Newmark employees as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 8,983 | $ | 1,218 | |||||||||||||
Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (1) | 147 | 10,633 | |||||||||||||||
Limited partnership units amortization | 3,274 | (600) | |||||||||||||||
RSU amortization | 4,495 | 2,997 | |||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 16,899 | $ | 14,248 |
(1)Certain limited partnership units receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders, including the Preferred Distribution.
(a) Limited Partnership Units
A summary of the activity associated with limited partnership units held by Newmark employees is as follows:
Newmark Units | BGC Units | ||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2021 | 66,626,185 | (1) | 54,422,002 | ||||||||
Issued | 10,143,799 | 159,057 | |||||||||
Redeemed/exchanged units | (58,099,726) | (45,024,619) | |||||||||
Forfeited units/other | (250,645) | (892,510) | |||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | 18,419,613 | 8,663,930 | |||||||||
Issued | 4,105,538 | — | |||||||||
Redeemed/exchanged units | (304,996) | (612,877) | |||||||||
Forfeited units/other | (1,986) | — | |||||||||
March 31, 2022 | 22,218,169 | 8,051,053 | |||||||||
Total exchangeable units outstanding(2): | |||||||||||
December 31, 2021 | 2,468,443 | 3,456,479 | |||||||||
March 31, 2022 | 2,704,582 | 3,167,467 |
(1)Includes the pre-IPO Newmark employees share-equivalent limited partnership units in BGC Holdings.
(2)The Limited Partnership table above also includes partnership units issued for consideration for acquisitions. As of March 31, 2022, there were 4.0 million partnership units in Newmark Holdings outstanding, of which 1.3 million units were exchangeable, and 6.2 million partnership units in BGC Holdings outstanding, of which 2.8 million were exchangeable. As of December 31, 2021, there were 4.2 million partnership units in Newmark Holdings outstanding, of which 1.3 million units were exchangeable, and 6.8 million partnership units in BGC Holdings outstanding, of which 3.1 million were exchangeable.
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The Limited Partnership Units table above includes both regular and Preferred Units. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings” for further information on Preferred Units). Subsequent to the Spin-Off, there are remaining partners who hold limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings who are BGC employees, and there are remaining partners who hold limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings who are Newmark employees. These limited partnership interests represent interests that were held prior to the Newmark IPO or were distributed in connection with the Separation. Following the Newmark IPO, employees of Newmark and BGC received limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, respectively. As a result of the Spin-Off, as the existing limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings held by BGC employees and the existing limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings held by Newmark employees are exchanged/redeemed, the related capital can be contributed to and from Cantor, respectively. The compensation expenses under GAAP related to the limited partnership interests are based on the company where the partner is employed. Therefore, compensation expenses related to the limited partnership interests of both Newmark and BGC but held by a Newmark employee are recognized by Newmark. However, the Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by BGC employees are included in the Newmark share count and the BGC Holdings limited partnership interests held by Newmark employees are included in the BGC share count.
A summary of the BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings limited partnership units held by Newmark employees is as follows:
Newmark Units | BGC Units | ||||||||||
Regular units | 21,297,951 | 7,972,184 | |||||||||
Preferred Units | 920,218 | 78,869 | |||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 | 22,218,169 | 8,051,053 |
A summary of units held by Newmark employees redeemed in connection with the issuance of Newmark or BGC Class A common stock (at the current exchange ratio) or granted exchangeability for Newmark or BGC Class A common stock is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
BGC Units | 34,557 | 46,605 | |||||||||||||||
Newmark Units | 532,598 | 639,939 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 567,155 | 686,544 |
Compensation expense related to the issuance of Newmark or BGC Class A common stock and grants of exchangeability on Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings limited partnership units to Newmark employees is as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 8,983 | $ | 6,611 |
Limited partnership units with a post-termination payout held by Newmark employees are as follows (dollars in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Notional Value(1) | $ | 132,502 | $ | 116,717 | |||||||
Estimated fair value of the post-termination payout(2) | $ | 41,606 | $ | 38,516 | |||||||
Outstanding limited partnership units in BGC Holdings | 110,382 | 105,302 | |||||||||
Outstanding limited partnership units in BGC Holdings - unvested | — | — | |||||||||
Outstanding limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings | 12,627,232 | 11,691,406 | |||||||||
Outstanding limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings - unvested | 6,197,832 | 5,980,996 |
(1)Beginning January 1, 2018, Newmark began granting stand-alone limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings to Newmark employees.
(2)Included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Liability balance also includes $6.8 million of post-termination units issued as consideration for acquisition.
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Compensation expense related to limited partnership units held by Newmark employees with a post-termination pay-out amount is recognized over the stated service period. These units generally vest between and seven years from the date of grant. Newmark recognized compensation expense related to these limited partnership units that were not redeemed as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Limited partnership units amortization | $ | 3,274 | $ | (600) |
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, Newmark did not grant any conversion rights to Newmark employees on outstanding limited partnership units in BGC Holdings or Newmark Holdings. Granting conversion rights gives the employee the option to convert the limited units to HDUs with a capital balance within BGC Holdings or Newmark Holdings. Generally, HDUs are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count. The grant of conversion rights to Newmark employees are as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
Notional Value | $ | 12,836 | $ | 12,836 | |||||||
Estimated fair value of limited partnership units (1) | $ | 12,558 | $ | 12,558 |
(1)Included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Compensation expense related to these limited partnership units held by Newmark employees was as follows (in thousands:):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | — | $ | (5,394) |
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, Newmark employees were granted 0.9 million N Units, that are excluded from the table above, since these units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not included in the fully diluted share count. The N Units do not receive quarterly allocations of net income and remain unvested. Upon vesting, which occurs if the certain thresholds are met, the N Units are converted to equivalent limited partnership units that receive quarterly certain income distributions and can be granted exchange rights or redeemed at a later date, at which time these N Units would be reflected as a share-equivalent grant in the tables above. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, 2.4 million N Units vested and were converted into distribution earning limited partnership units and were therefore included in the fully diluted share count.
(b) Restricted Stock Units
A summary of the activity associated with Newmark and BGC RSUs held by Newmark employees is as follows (fair value amount in thousands):
Newmark RSUs(1) | BGC RSUs(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock Units | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | Fair Value Amount | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | Restricted Stock Units | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | Fair Value Amount | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2021 | 10,646,797 | $ | 7.75 | $ | 82,494 | 5.69 | 8,013 | $ | 3.80 | $ | 31 | 2.17 | |||||||||||||||||
Granted | 2,913,572 | 9.71 | 28,290 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Settled units (delivered shares) | (2,196,903) | 7.64 | (16,792) | (2,638) | 3.69 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Forfeited units | (642,009) | 7.74 | (4,967) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | 10,721,457 | $ | 8.30 | $ | 89,025 | 4.96 | 5,375 | $ | 3.85 | $ | 21 | 1.16 | |||||||||||||||||
Granted | 421,813 | 16.38 | 6,908 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Settled units (delivered shares) | (1,276,593) | 8.34 | (10,647) | (2,638) | 3.69 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Forfeited units | (94,057) | 8.43 | (793) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 | 9,772,620 | 8.65 | $ | 84,493 | 5.09 | 2,737 | 3.39 | $ | 11 | 0.96 |
(1)Beginning January 1, 2018, Newmark began granting stand-alone Newmark RSUs to Newmark employees with the awards vesting ratably over a - to eight-year vesting period into shares of Newmark Class A common stock.
(2) RSUs granted to these individuals generally vest over a to four year period.
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The fair value of Newmark and BGC RSUs held by Newmark employees is determined on the date of grant based on the market value (adjusted if appropriate based upon the award’s eligibility to receive dividends), and is recognized, net of the effect of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period. Newmark uses historical data, including historical forfeitures and turnover rates, to estimate expected forfeiture rates for RSUs. Each RSU is settled for one share of BGC or Newmark Class A common stock, as applicable, upon completion of the vesting period.
Compensation expense related to Newmark and BGC RSUs are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
RSU amortization | $ | 4,495 | $ | 2,997 |
As of March 31, 2022, there was $87.5 million total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested Newmark RSUs.
See Note 27 — "Related Party Transactions" for compensation related matters for the transfer of CCRE employees to Newmark.
(31) Commitments and Contingencies
(a)Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark was committed to fund approximately $0.5 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, which is the total remaining draws on construction loans originated by Newmark under the HUD 221(d) 4, 220 and 232 programs, rate locked loans that have not been funded, forward commitments, as well as the funding for Fannie Mae structured transactions. Newmark also has corresponding commitments to sell these loans to various investors as they are funded.
(b) Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
Newmark completed acquisitions from 2015 through 2020 with contingent cash consideration of $10.2 million. The contingent equity instruments and cash liability is recorded at fair value in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on Newmark’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(c) Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, various legal actions are brought and are pending against Newmark and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and internationally. In some of these actions, substantial amounts are claimed. Newmark is also involved, from time to time, in reviews, examinations, investigations and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory agencies (both formal and informal) regarding Newmark’s businesses, which may result in regulatory, civil and criminal judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. The following generally does not include matters that Newmark has pending against other parties which, if successful, would result in awards in favor of Newmark or its subsidiaries.
Employment, Competitor-Related and Other Litigation
From time to time, Newmark and its subsidiaries are involved in litigation, claims and arbitration in the U.S. and internationally, relating to various employment matters, including with respect to termination of employment, hiring of employees currently or previously employed by competitors, terms and conditions of employment and other matters. In light of the competitive nature of the real estate services industry, litigation, claims and arbitration between competitors regarding employee hiring are not uncommon.
Legal reserves are established in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance on Accounting for Contingencies, when a material legal liability is both probable and reasonably estimable. Once established, reserves are adjusted when there is more information available or when an event occurs requiring a change. The outcome of such items cannot be determined with certainty. Newmark is unable to estimate a possible loss or range of loss in connection with specific matters beyond its current accrual and any other amounts disclosed. Management believes that, based on currently available information, the final
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outcome of these current pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on Newmark’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures taken as a whole.
Risks and Uncertainties
Newmark generates revenues by providing financial intermediary and brokerage activities and commercial real estate services to institutional customers. Revenues for these services are transaction-based. As a result, revenues could vary based on the transaction volume of global financial and real estate markets. Additionally, financing is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, which could have an impact on Newmark’s overall profitability.
(32) Subsequent Events
On April 28, 2022, Newmark declared a qualified quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share payable on May 31, 2022 to Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of May 16, 2022. The ex-dividend date will be May 13, 2022.
On April 1, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisitions of two companies; BH2, a London-based real estate advisory firm, and McCall & Almy, a multi-market tenant representation and real estate advisory firm.
On May 3, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisition of Open Realty Advisors and Open Realty Properties, which together operate as “Open Realty”, a retail real estate advisory firm.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the caution “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), included in Newmark's Annual report on Form 10-K and in this report. When used herein, the terms “Newmark,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Newmark Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
Overview
Newmark is a leading full-service commercial real estate services business. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of both real estate investors/owners and occupiers. Our investor/owner services and products include capital markets, which consists of investment sales, debt and structured finance and loan sales, agency leasing, property management, valuation and advisory, commercial real estate due diligence consulting and advisory services and government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”) lending and loan servicing, mortgage broking and equity-raising. Our occupier services and products include tenant representation, real estate management technology systems, workplace and occupancy strategy, global corporate consulting services, project management, lease administration and facilities management. Newmark's global flexible workspace platform, which operates under the names Knotel and Deskeo, is a product that is offered to owners and investors. We enhance these services and products through innovative real estate technology solutions and data analytics that enable our clients to increase their efficiency and profits by optimizing their real estate portfolio. We have relationships with many of the world’s largest commercial property owners, real estate developers and investors, as well as Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies.
We generate revenues from commissions on leasing and capital markets transactions, consulting and technology user fees, property and facility management fees, and mortgage origination and loan servicing fees.
Our growth has historically been focused in North America. During 2021, we ended our affiliation with Knight Frank and have accelerated our global growth plans by acquiring Space Management (DBA "Deskeo") and Knotel Inc. ("Knotel"), both of which are European leaders in flexible and serviced workspace, and announced the addition of industry-leading international professionals in Global Corporate Services,Capital Markets, and Valuation and Advisory. As of March 31, 2022, we had approximately 6,020 employees, including approximately 1,759 revenue-generating producers (across leasing, capital markets, and origination) in over 148 offices in more that 120 cities. In addition, Newmark has licensed its name to 8 commercial real estate providers that operate out of 12 offices in certain locations where Newmark does not have its own offices.
The discussion of our financial results reflects only the business owned by us and does not include the results for independently owned offices that use some variation of the Newmark name in their branding or marketing.
We are a leading capital markets business in the United States. We have access to many of the world’s largest owners of commercial real estate, and this will drive growth throughout the life cycle of each real estate asset by allowing us to provide best-in-class agency leasing and property management during the ownership period. We also provide investment sales and arrange debt and equity financing to assist owners in maximizing the return on investment in each of their real estate assets. Specifically, with respect to multifamily assets, we are a leading GSE lender by loan origination volume and servicer with a servicing portfolio of approximately $70.9 billion as of March 31, 2022 (of which 2.7% relates to special servicing). This servicing portfolio provides a steady stream of income over the life of the serviced loans.
We continue to invest in the business by adding high profile and talented producers and other revenue-generating professionals. Historically, newly hired commercial real estate producers tend to achieve dramatically higher productivity in their second and third years with our company, although we incur related expenses immediately. As newly hired producers increase their production, our commission revenue and earnings growth accelerate, thus reflecting our operating leverage.
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Our pre-tax margins are impacted by the mix of revenues generated. For example, servicing revenues tend to have higher pre-tax margins than Newmark as a whole, and margins from originating GSE/FHA “Commercial mortgage origination, net” tend to be lower as we retain rights to service loans over time. Investment sales and mortgage brokerage transactions tend to have higher pre-tax margins than leasing advisory transactions. Pre-tax earnings margins on our property and facilities management, along with certain of our other Global Corporate Services (“GCS”) products, are at the lower end of margins for our business as a whole.
Business Environment
During the first quarter of 2022, activity in the U.S. economy rebounded compared with the Covid-19 downturn in 2020. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the "CDC") as of April 13, 2022, approximately 45.3% of the American population have been fully vaccinated and received a booster, 65.8% of the American population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 77.3% has received at least one dose, although there is persistent vaccine reluctance in the currently unvaccinated population. Mask mandates are also being revised in many areas. Many companies are requiring employees to come back to the office as business and the government continues to reopen both in the US and around the world.
Although there continues to be some uncertainty around COVID-19, the measures taken by the federal and state governments and the speed and voracity of a recovery in industry activity appear to be positive. Our capital markets have shown significant growth, as our investments in the business have coincided with record investment sales and debt volumes. For example, according to preliminary estimates from Real Capital Analytics (“RCA”), investment sales volumes in the US were $913.3 billion for trailing twelve months ending March 31, 2022. This is 7.2% and 52.2% higher than in 2021 and 2019, respectively, which were the two best-ever calendar years. COVID-19 has created new opportunities in our management services businesses, which continued to perform well into 2022 as our clients turned to Newmark for advice on their real estate portfolios, including new environmental safety requirements, managing costs associated with implementing these new standards as well as assessing facility and employee readiness as companies plan their return to offices in the wake of the pandemic. In addition, consulting fee revenues from tenant restructuring and portfolio optimization are expected to continue in the near-term. In early 2021, we hired a head of global corporate services to expand these critical offerings for occupiers as they formulate their post pandemic real estate plans, and since then have made a number of new hires globally across management services.
Impact of COVID-19 on Employees
Newmark has taken steps to help its employees during this global pandemic and subsequent recovery. These policies and practices protect the health, safety and welfare of the Company’s workforce while enabling employees to maintain a high level of performance. Certain of these items are summarized below.
•Effective June 1, 2021, we welcomed our employees back to our offices subject to CDC guidelines and state and local guidelines and regulations in each location;
•We are focused on maximizing productivity regardless of where our employees work. In all cases, the Company has enacted appropriate health and safety measures including encouraging vaccinations;
•The Company has developed standardized procedures for reopening its offices safely in accordance with state and local regulatory requirements;
•The Company’s medical plans have waived applicable member cost sharing for all medically necessary diagnostic testing related to COVID-19;
•The Company also introduced zero co-pay telemedicine for COVID-related visits for participants in the U.S. medical plans and their dependents. Newmark has encouraged the use of telemedicine during the pandemic;
•The Company has reminded employees about its Employee Assistance Program and the ways it can assist them during this challenging time, including implementing preventative mental health solutions;
•Newmark provides paid leave in accordance with its policies and applicable COVID-19 related laws and regulations.
Acquisitions
On April 1, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisitions two businesses; BH2, a London-based real estate advisory firm, and McCall & Almy, a multi-market tenant representation and real estate advisory firm.
On May 3, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisition of Open Realty Advisors and Open Realty Properties, which together operate as “Open Realty”, a retail real estate advisory firm.
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On March 24, 2021, Newmark acquired the business of Knotel, a global flexible workspace provider. Newmark agreed to provide approximately $19.8 million of debtor-in-possession financing as part of a $70 million credit bid to acquire the business through Knotel’s Chapter 11 sales process, subject to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. On March 18, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court approved the transaction under Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
On September 6, 2021, Newmark acquired Deskeo, France's leader in flexible and serviced workspace for enterprise clients. Based in Paris, France Deskeo adds over 50 locations to Newmark's international flexible workspace portfolio. See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
Debt Credit Agreements
On November 6, 2018, Newmark closed its offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023 (“6.125% Senior Notes”). The 6.125% Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. The 6.125% Senior Notes, which were priced on November 1, 2018 at 98.94% to yield 6.375%, were offered and sold by Newmark in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Newmark received net proceeds of $537.6 million, net of debt issue costs and debt discount. The 6.125% Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019 and will mature on November 15, 2023. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of the 6.125% Senior Notes was $545.9 million and $545.2 million, respectively.
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent (the "Credit Agreement").. The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million three year unsecured senior revolving Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility")..
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Second Amended Credit Agreement"), increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the amended Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark entered into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "A&R Credit Agreement"), which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the A&R Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin will initially be 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above will range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above will range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The A&R Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee.
On June 16, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors and its Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company in the amount of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s 6.125% Senior Notes and any future debt securities issued by the Company hereafter (collectively, “Company debt securities”). Repurchases of Company debt
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securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption.
Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company debt securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company debt securities through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. ("Cantor") (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time upon customary market terms or commissions.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $50.0 million remaining from its debt repurchase authorization.
On June 19, 2020, Newmark established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on its Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). The sublimit is now included within the Company’s existing $450 million warehouse facility due June 15, 2022. The advance line will provide 100% of the principal and interest advance payment at a rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 1.80% and will be collateralized by Fannie Mae's commitment to repay advances. There were no outstanding draws under this sublimit as of March 31, 2022. Newmark has one Fannie Mae loan that was in default, with $10.7 million outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “Cantor Credit Agreement”) with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to CFLP, other than BGC Partners, Inc. ("BGC") and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor’s or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company did not have any outstanding balances under this facility.
Credit Ratings
Newmark has a stand-alone BBB+ Stable credit rating from JCRA, BBB- Stable credit ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc. and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, and a BB+ Positive credit rating from Standard & Poor’s.
Nasdaq Monetization Transactions
On June 28, 2013, BGC sold certain assets of its on-the-run, electronic benchmark U.S. Treasury platform (“eSpeed”) to Nasdaq, Inc ("Nasdaq"). The total consideration received in the transaction included $750.0 million in cash paid upon closing and an Earn-out of up to 14,883,705 shares of Nasdaq shares to be paid ratably over 15 years (subject to acceleration and present value discount as discussed below), provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in consolidated gross revenues each year. The remaining rights under the Nasdaq Earn-out were transferred to Newmark on September 28, 2017. During the third and fourth quarters of 2021, Newmark sold 2,780,180 shares of Nasdaq for gross proceeds of $516.5 million. During the first quarter of 2022, Newmark sold all of its remaining 2,497,831 Nasdaq shares for gross proceeds of $437.8 million. In the aggregate from September 2017 through March 31, 2022, Newmark received 10.2 million shares of Nasdaq, of which Newmark sold 7.6 million shares of Nasdaq and delivered 2.6 million shares of Nasdaq to RBC. For further information regarding sales of Nasdaq shares and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on such shares, see Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Exchangeable Preferred Partnership Units and Forward Contracts
On June 18, 2018, Newmark’s principal operating subsidiary, Newmark OpCo, issued $175.0 million of exchangeable preferred partnership units (“EPUs”) in a private transaction to the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”). Newmark received $152.9 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
On September 26, 2018, Newmark entered into a second agreement to issue $150.0 million of additional EPUs to RBC, similar to the June 18, 2018 transaction (together the “Newmark OpCo Preferred Investment”). Newmark received $113.2 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
The EPUs were issued in four tranches and are separately convertible by either RBC or Newmark into a fixed number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock, subject to a revenue hurdle in each of the fourth quarters of 2020 through 2022 for each of the respective four tranches. The ability to convert the EPUs into Newmark Class A common stock is subject to the special purpose vehicle (the “SPV”) SPV’s option to settle the postpaid forward contracts as described below. As the EPUs represent equity ownership of a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark, they have been included in “Noncontrolling interests” on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity. The EPUs were entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend, which is recorded as accretion to the
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carrying amount of the EPUs through “Retained earnings” on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity and are reductions to “Net income (loss) available to common stockholders” for the purpose of calculating earnings per share.
Contemporaneously with the issuance of the EPUs, the SPV that is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts with RBC (together, the “Nasdaq Forwards”). The SPV was an indirect subsidiary of Newmark whose sole assets were the Nasdaq Earn-outs for 2019 through 2022. The Nasdaq Forwards provided the SPV the option to settle using up to 992,247 Nasdaq shares, to be received by the SPV pursuant to the Nasdaq Earn-out (see Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ), or Newmark Class A common stock, in exchange for either cash or redemption of the EPUs, notice of which must be provided to RBC prior to November 1 of each year from 2019 through 2022 (subject to acceleration due to Nasdaq's transaction with Tradeweb Markets, Inc ("Tradeweb")).
In September 2020, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the second Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2020 in exchange for the second tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $121.9 million. On November 30, 2020, Newmark settled the second Nasdaq Forward with 741,505 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 250,742 Nasdaq shares.
In September 2019, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the first Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2019 in exchange for the first tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $98.6 million. On December 2, 2019, Newmark settled the first Nasdaq Forward with 898,685 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 93,562 Nasdaq shares.
Acceleration of Nasdaq Earn-out
On February 2, 2021, Nasdaq announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. fixed income business to Tradeweb. On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq announced the close of the sale of its U.S. fixed income business, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of Nasdaq shares. Newmark received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $1,093.9 million based on the closing price on June 30, 2021, included in “Other (loss) income, net” for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
On June 25, 2021, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received on June 25, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Newmark settled the third and the fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $166.0 million based on the closing price of June 30, 2021.
Master Repurchase Agreement with Cantor
On August 2, 2021, our subsidiary, Newmark OpCo, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with CF Secured, LLC (“CF Secured”), an affiliate of Newmark’s majority stockholder, Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark could seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. Repurchase agreements effect equity financing. The Company, under the Repurchase Agreement, could seek to sell securities, in this case common shares of Nasdaq, owned by the Company, to CF Secured, under the Repurchase Agreement, and agreed to repurchase those securities on a date certain at a repurchase price generally equal to the original purchase price plus interest.
Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, the Company and CF Secured agreed to enter into a repurchase transaction, wherein CF Secured would deliver the cash of such repurchase transaction to the Company on an overnight basis at an initial rate of 0.95% per annum (approximately 1.00% less expensive than Newmark’s revolving credit facility), and the Company would deliver to CF Secured the number of shares of Nasdaq as collateral so that the market value of such shares equaled 130% of such cash proceeds. The Nasdaq shares would be marked to market daily, and the minimum maintenance margin requirement, should the share price decline, would be 120% of such cash proceeds. The Company would be required to transfer additional collateral (securities and/or cash) in the event of a margin percentage decline below 120%.
The initial repurchase or financing transaction was executed on August 2, 2021 and consisted of Newmark receiving $260 million in cash and Newmark delivering 1,818,000 Nasdaq shares as collateral. The repurchase transaction could be rolled over daily (or for a term greater than one day at a time), subject to terms mutually acceptable to the Company and CF Secured, including the rate and minimum margin requirement, both of which could fluctuate based upon general funding rates and other factors in the repurchase funding market.
The Repurchase Agreement was subject to ongoing compliance with various covenants and contains customary events of default. If an event of default would have occured, the repurchase date for each transaction under the Repurchase Agreement
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would have been accelerated to the date of default. For events of default relating to insolvency and receivership, the repurchase date for each transaction under the Repurchase Agreement would have been automatically accelerated to the date of default.
The Company utilized the cash proceeds from the repurchase transaction to lower its debt costs. The Company repaid the cash proceeds under the repurchase transaction with proceeds of periodic sales of Nasdaq shares and from its operating cash.
The Repurchase Agreement and related initial repurchase transaction were on market terms and rates and were approved by Newmark’s Audit Committee. There were no amounts outstanding under the Repurchase Agreement as of March 31, 2022, and $140.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2021. See Note 7 — "Marketable Securities" and Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
2021 Equity Event and Share Count Reduction
In connection with the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out, on June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee of Newmark’s Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") approved a plan to expedite the tax deductible exchange and redemption of a substantial number of limited partnership units held by partners of the Company (the "2021 Equity Event"). The 2021 Equity Event also accelerated certain compensation expenses resulting in $428.6 million of compensation charges in the second quarter of 2021. These partnership units were settled using a $12.50 share price. In July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved increasing to $13.01 the price to settle certain units at an incremental cost of $15.9 million, which was recorded as compensation charges in the third quarter of 2021.
Some of the key components of the approved plan were as follows:
•8.3 million and 8.0 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings, L.P. ("Newmark Holdings") and BGC Holdings, L.P. ("BGC Holdings") held by our partners who are employees were redeemed or exchanged .
•23.2 million and 17.4 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings held by our partners who are independent contractors were redeemed or exchanged. We also accelerated the payment of related withholding taxes to them with respect to their Newmark units. Independent contractors received one BGC Class A common share for each redeemed non-preferred BGC unit or cash and are responsible for paying any related withholding taxes.
•Partners with nonexchangeable non-preferred compensatory units exchanged or redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event generally received restricted Class A common shares of Newmark and/or BGC to the extent tax deductible. A portion of the BGC Class A common shares received by independent contractors were unrestricted to facilitate their payment of withholding taxes.
•The issuance of Newmark Class A common stock related to the 2021 Equity Event reflected the June 28, 2021 exchange ratio of 0.9403.
•Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings limited partnership interests with rights to convert into HDUs for cash were also redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event.
Refer to the section ‘Certain Other Related Party Transactions’ for the specific transactions with respect to our executive officers which are included in the above summary.
Certain Other Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
On December 21, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved: (i) the redemption of all of Mr. Gosin’s remaining 838,996 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for $8,339,980 in cash and (ii) compensation of approximately $7,357,329 by way of the Company causing 478,328 of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 446,711 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock, based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and an exchange ratio of 0.9339. The estimated pre-tax value of this transaction is $15,697,309, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 53.13% tax rate for Mr. Gosin.
On December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick elected to redeem all of his 193,530 currently exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,465,873. In addition, upon the Compensation Committee’s approval of the monetization of Mr. Gosin’s remaining non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs and a number of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable PSUs on December 21, 2021,
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Mr. Lutnick (i) elected to redeem 188,883 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,954,728, and 127,799 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,284,376, both for which he previously waived, but now accepted under the Company’s standing policy for Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) received the right to monetize, and accepted the monetization of, his remaining 122,201 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,228,124, under such standing policy.
In connection with the foregoing, Mr. Lutnick accepted the right to monetize approximately $4,406,915 by way of the Company causing 286,511 of Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 267,572 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and a 0.9339 exchange ratio, under the Company’s standing policy applying to Mr. Lutnick, with such acceptance of rights granted in reference to Mr. Gosin’s December 2021 transactions to the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing (and otherwise Mr. Lutnick waived all remaining rights, which shall be cumulative). The aggregate estimated pre-tax value of these transactions is $10,340,015, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 57.38% tax rate for Mr. Lutnick.
On April 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an additional monetization opportunity for Mr. Merkel: (i) 73,387 of Mr. Merkel’s 145,384 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero, (ii) 19,426 of Mr. Merkel’s 86,649 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $173,863, and (iii) 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Merkel. On the same day, the 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were repurchased from Mr. Merkel at $10.67 per share, the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date, under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.8 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
On March 16, 2021, pursuant to the Newmark standing policy for Mr. Lutnick, the Compensation Committee granted exchange rights and/or monetization rights with respect to rights available to Mr. Lutnick. Mr. Lutnick elected to waive such rights one-time with such future opportunities to be cumulative. The aggregate number of Mr. Lutnick’s units for which he waived exchange rights or other monetization rights is 4,423,457 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs/NPSUs, inclusive of the PSUs receiving an HDU conversion right and 1,770,016 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with an aggregate determination amount of $21.6 million at that time, inclusive of the PPSUs receiving an HDU conversion right.
On March 16, 2021, the Company redeemed 30,926 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Merkel for zero and in connection therewith issued 28,962 shares of our Class A common stock. On the same day, the Company repurchased these shares from Mr. Merkel at the closing price of our Class A common stock of $11.09 per share under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.3 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings. The Compensation Committee approved these transactions.
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Gosin exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 526,828 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 30,871 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs held by Mr. Gosin (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $5.8 million in the aggregate). In addition, on March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved removing the sale restrictions on Mr. Gosin’s remaining 178,232 restricted shares of Class A common stock in BGC (which were originally issued in 2013) and associated 82,680 remaining restricted shares of Newmark Class A common stock (issued as a result of the Company spin-off in November 2018).
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Rispoli (i) exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 6,043 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $0.1 million); and (ii) exchange rights into cash with respect to 4,907 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which had an average determination price of $15.57 per unit, for a total of $76,407 in the aggregate to be paid for taxes when (i) is exchanged).
The specific transactions approved by the Compensation Committee, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, with respect to our executive officers are set forth below. All of the transactions included in the 2021 Equity Event with respect to Messrs. Lutnick, Gosin and Rispoli, are based on (i) the price for Newmark Class A common stock of $12.50 per share, as approved by the Compensation Committee; (ii) the price of BGC Partners Class A common stock of $5.86; and (iii) the price of Nasdaq common stock of $177.11.
Howard W. Lutnick, Chairman
On December 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a one-time bonus award to Mr. Lutnick (the “Award”), which was evidenced by the execution and delivery of a Retention Bonus Agreement dated December 28, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and described below (the “Award Agreement”), in consideration of his success in managing certain aspects of
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the Company’s performance as its principal executive officer and Chairman. The Award rewarded Mr. Lutnick for his efforts in delivering superior financial results for the Company and its stockholders, including in particular his success in creating substantial value for the Company and its stockholders in connection with creating, structuring, hedging and monetizing the forward share contract to receive over time shares of common stock of Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Nasdaq Derivative”) held by the Company (together, the “Nasdaq Shares”) and the strong balance sheet and significant amount of income created from the Nasdaq Derivative. A principal reason for structuring the Award with a substantial portion to be paid out over three years was also to further incentivize Mr. Lutnick to continue to serve as both the Company’s principal executive officer and its Chairman for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders.
The Award Agreement provides for an aggregate cash payment of $50 million, payable as follows: $20 million within three days of the Effective Date (which payment was made on December 31, 2021), and $10 million within thirty days following vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Effective Date. Any entitlement to future amounts not vested will be forfeited immediately if, prior to the applicable anniversary date, Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer, unless Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve in either such capacity occurs pursuant to a “Vesting Termination,” as that term is defined in the Award Agreement. Mr. Lutnick has purchased Newmark Class A Common Stock with the after-tax proceeds of the initial tranche of the Award. The Award Agreement describes a “Vesting Termination” as (i) a termination of Mr. Lutnick’s employment by the Company without “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Award Agreement) or (ii) an involuntary removal of the Executive from the position of Chairman of the Board on or after the occurrence of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in the Change of Control Agreement dated as of December 13, 2017 by and between Mr. Lutnick and the Company (the “Control Agreement”). In the event that Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer pursuant to a Vesting Termination, any amounts not vested will immediately become fully vested. The Award Agreement provides that Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve as the Company’s Chairman and principal executive officer pursuant to his death or disability does not constitute a Vesting Termination. The provisions of the Control Agreement do not apply to the Award. A copy of the Award Agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2021 and is described in detail under the heading “2021 Lutnick Award” in Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on From 10-K/A.
On June 28, 2021, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, the Newmark Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Lutnick: (i) the exchange of 279,725 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 263,025 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then applicable Exchange Ratio of 0.9403; and $1,465,874 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable 193,530 Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with the right to exchange PSUs into HDUs (“H-Rights”) into 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and redemption of such HDUs for their Capital Account of $7,017,000, paid in the form of Nasdaq Shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with -H were redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 520,380 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 520,380 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners, and $1,525,705 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the redemption of 88,636 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, and the issuance of 88,636 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; (v) the conversion of 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s BGC Holdings PPSUs with H- Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes in connection with the exercise of the exercise of the BGC Holdings HDUs; and (vi) the issuance of 29,059 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark. In accordance with Mr. Lutnick’s right under his existing standing policy, and in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, upon the approval of the Newmark Compensation Committee: (i) 2,909,819 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs, pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, were redeemed and 2,736,103 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark, based upon the then applicable exchange ratio of 0.9403, were granted to Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) $8,798,546 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy was redeemed and used for tax purposes. See Item 11 — “Executive Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for additional information and definitions.
Barry M. Gosin, Chief Executive Officer
On September 20, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a monetization opportunity for Mr. Gosin: all of Mr. Gosin’s 2,114,546 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero and 2,114,456 shares of BGC Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Gosin.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Barry M. Gosin, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer: (i) the exchange of 1,531,061.84 exchangeable Newmark Holdings units (comprised of 1,438,597.37 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 92,464.47 exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs) into 1,439,658 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based upon the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and $834,508 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs, and
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redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $5,362,452, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $5,362,452 in connection with Mr. Gosin’s Newmark Holdings PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 3,348,706 exchangeable BGC Holdings units (comprised of 3,147,085 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs and 201,621 exchangeable BGC Holdings APSUs) into 3,348,706 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; and $298,273 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the conversion of 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs, and $1,129,499 associated with Mr. Gosin non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 12,500 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
Michael J. Rispoli, Chief Financial Officer
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Michael Rispoli, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer: (i) the exchange of 23,124 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 21,744 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403 and $208,407 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) 6,000 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed and an aggregate of 5,642 restricted shares of Newmark were issued to Mr. Rispoli based upon the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403, and $52,309 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the conversion of 5,846.07 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 5,846 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and the redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $60,750, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $60,750 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the exchange of 36,985 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 36,985 shares of Class A common stock of BGC, and $134,573 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 383 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
Stephen M. Merkel, Chief Legal Officer
On June 28, 2021 the Compensation Committee also approved the following for Stephen M. Merkel, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer: (i) the redemption of 51,124.28 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and issuance of 48,072 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and (ii) the redemption of 46,349.87 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.5 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of the shares above.
Retirement Fund Purchase
On April 27, 2021, a Keogh retirement account held by Mr. Lutnick purchased 5,154 shares of our Class A common stock from us at the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date of $10.67 per share. The transaction was approved by our Audit Committee.
Pre-IPO intercompany agreements
In December 2017, prior to our Separation and IPO, all intercompany arrangements and agreements that were previously approved by the Audit Committee of BGC Partners with respect to BGC Partners and its subsidiaries and Cantor and its subsidiaries were also approved by our Board of Directors with respect to the relationships between us and our subsidiaries and Cantor and its subsidiaries following our IPO on the terms and conditions approved by the BGC Audit Committee during such time that our business was owned by BGC Partners. These arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) an authorization to provide Cantor real estate and related services, including real estate advice, brokerage, property or facilities management, valuation and advisory and other services; (ii) an authorization to enter into brokerage and similar agreements with respect to the provision of ordinary course brokerage services in circumstances in which such entities customarily provide brokerage services to third-party customers; (iii) an authorization to enter into agreements with Cantor and/or its affiliates, to provide services, including finding and reviewing suitable acquisition or partner candidates, structuring transactions and negotiating and due diligence services in connection with acquisitions and other business strategies in commercial real estate and other businesses from time to time; and (iv) an arrangement to jointly manage exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates. Please see the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” in the Company's Amendment No.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed on April 28, 2020 for a description of these and other approved arrangements.
Transfer of Employees to Newmark
In connection with the expansion of the mortgage brokerage and lending activities, Newmark has entered into an agreement with Cantor pursuant to which five former employees of Cantor's affiliate, Cantor Commercial Real Estate ("CCRE"), transferred to Newmark, effective as of May 1, 2018. In connection with this transfer of employees, Cantor paid $6.9 million to Newmark in October 2018, and Newmark Holdings issued $6.7 million of limited partnership units and $0.2
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million of cash in the form of a cash distribution agreement to the employees. In addition, Newmark Holdings issued $2.2 million of Newmark Holdings partnership units with a capital account and $0.5 million of limited partnership units in exchange for the cash payment from Cantor to Newmark of $2.2 million. Newmark recorded $6.9 million and $2.2 million as “Stockholders’ equity” and “Redeemable partnership interests”, respectively, on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
In consideration for the Cantor payment, Newmark agreed to return up to a maximum of $3.3 million to Cantor based on the employees’ production during their first two years of employment with Newmark. In July 2020, Newmark paid $3.3 million to Cantor based on the employees’ production, satisfying this liability. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark did not have an outstanding balance to Cantor related to this transaction. Newmark has agreed to allow certain of these employees to continue to provide consulting services to Cantor in exchange for a forgivable loan which was directly paid by Cantor to these employees.
Services Agreement with CFE Dubai
As the Company does not yet have a presence in Dubai, in May 2020, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc. (“Newmark & Co.”), a subsidiary of Newmark, to enter into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) (“CFE Dubai”) pursuant to which CFE Dubai will employ and support an individual who is a resident of Dubai in order to enhance Newmark’s capital markets platform, in exchange for a fee. CFE Dubai and Newmark & Co. negotiated a Services Agreement memorializing the arrangement between the parties (the “Services Agreement”). The Services Agreement provides that Newmark & Co. will reimburse CFE Dubai for the individual’s fully allocated costs, plus a mark-up of seven percent (7%). In addition, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into similar arrangements in respect of any jurisdiction, in the future, with Cantor and its subsidiaries, provided that the applicable agreements contain customary terms for arrangements of this type and that the mark-up charged by the party employing one or more individuals for the benefit of the other is between 3% and 7.5%, depending on the level of support required for the employed individual(s).
Sublease to BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.
On May 15 2020, BGC U.S. OpCo ("BGC") entered into an arrangement to sublease excess space from RKF Retail Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Newmark, which was approved by the Newmark Audit Committee. The deal was a one-year sublease of approximately 21,000 rentable square feet in New York City. Under the terms of the sublease, BGC U.S. OpCo paid a fixed rent amount of $1.1 million in addition to all operating and tax expenses attributable to the lease. In May 2021, the sublease was amended to provide for a rate of $15 thousand per month based on the size of utilized space, in addition to terms extending on a month-to-month basis. The lease with BGC ended in December 2021. In connection with the sublease, Newmark received $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
In January 2022, Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. entered into an agreement to sublease this space for a period of six months until June 30, 2022 at a rate of $0.1 million per month.
GSE loans and related party limits
In February 2019, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to originate and service GSE loans to Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) and service loans originated by Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) on prices, rates and terms no less favorable to Newmark and its subsidiaries than those charged by third parties. The authorization is subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to: (i) a maximum amount up to $100.0 million per loan, (ii) a $250.0 million limit on loans that have not yet been acquired or sold to a GSE at any given time, and (iii) a separate $250.0 million limit on originated Fannie Mae loans outstanding to Cantor at any given time.
Transaction with CCRE Lending
On July 22, 2019, Cantor Commercial Real Estate Lending, L.P. (“CCRE Lending”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Real Estate LP, made a $146.6 million commercial real estate loan (the “Loan”) to a single-purpose company (the “Borrower”) in which Barry Gosin, Newmark’s Chief Executive Officer, owns a 19% interest. The Loan is secured by the Borrower’s interest in property in Pennsylvania that is subject to a ground lease. While CCRE Lending initially provided the full loan amount, on August 16, 2019, a third-party bank purchased approximately 80% of the Loan value from CCRE Lending, with CCRE Lending retaining approximately 20%. The Loan matures on August 6, 2029, and is payable monthly at a fixed interest rate of 4.38% per annum. Newmark provided certain commercial loan brokerage services to the Borrower in the ordinary course of its business, and the Borrower paid Newmark a fee, as the broker of the Loan, of $0.7 million. The Newmark Audit Committee approved the commercial loan brokerage services and the related fee amount received.
Transactions related to ordinary course real estate services
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On November 4, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors authorized entities in which executive officers have a non-controlling interest to engage Newmark to provide ordinary course real estate services to them as long as Newmark’s fees are consistent with the fees that Newmark ordinarily charges for these services.
Arrangement with View, Inc.
On November 30, 2020, we entered into an arrangement to assist View, Inc. (“View”) in the sale of its products and services to real estate clients in exchange for commissions. View, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based producer of high-efficiency dynamic glass that controls light, heat, and glare, providing unobstructed views and privacy using a low voltage control system. In connection with the arrangement, View also agreed to engage us as its exclusive provider of real estate services for a period of at least five years. While View is not under common control with us, it was, at the time that the agreement was executed, the target of a merger with CF Finance Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
Cantor has a right to purchase from Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event that any Newmark Holdings founding partner interests that have not become exchangeable are redeemed by Newmark Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of a founding partner or upon mutual consent of the general partner of Newmark Holdings and Cantor. Cantor has the right to purchase such Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests at a price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount that Newmark Holdings would be required to pay to redeem and purchase such Newmark Holdings founding partner interests and (2) the amount equal to (a) the number of units underlying such founding partner interests, multiplied by (b) the exchange ratio as of the date of such purchase, multiplied by (c) the then-current market price of our Class A common stock. Cantor may pay such price using cash, publicly traded shares or other property, or a combination of the foregoing. If Cantor (or the other member of the Cantor group acquiring such limited partnership interests, as the case may be) so purchases such limited partnership interests at a price equal to clause (2) above, neither Cantor nor any member of the Cantor group nor Newmark Holdings nor any other person is obligated to pay Newmark Holdings or the holder of such founding partner interests any amount in excess of the amount set forth in clause (2) above.
In addition, the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement provides that (1) where either current, terminating or terminated partners are permitted by us to exchange any portion of their founding partner units and Cantor consents to such exchangeability, we will offer to Cantor the opportunity for Cantor to purchase the same number of new exchangeable limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings at the price that Cantor would have paid for exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event we had redeemed the founding partner units; and (2) the exchangeable limited partnership interests to be offered to Cantor pursuant to clause (1) above would be subject to, and granted in accordance with, applicable laws, rules and regulations then in effect.
If Cantor acquires any units as a result of the purchase or redemption by Newmark Holdings of any founding partner interests, Cantor will be entitled to the benefits (including distributions) of the units it acquires from the date of termination or bankruptcy of the applicable founding partner. In addition, any such units will be exchangeable by Cantor for a number of shares of our Class B common stock or, at Cantor’s election, shares of our Class A common stock, in each case, equal to the then-current exchange ratio, on the same basis as the limited partnership interests held by Cantor, and will be designated as Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests when acquired by Cantor. The exchange ratio was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and was 0.9435 as of March 31, 2022. This may permit Cantor to receive a larger share of income generated by our business at a less expensive price than through purchasing shares of our Class A common stock, which is a result of the price payable by Cantor to Newmark.
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On March 31, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 273,088 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,105,598 as a result of the redemption of 273,088 founding partner interests, and (ii) 735,625 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $2,918,919 as a result of the exchange of 735,625 founding partner interests.
On October 28, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 299,910 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $975,064 as a result of the redemption of 299,910 founding partner interests, and (ii) 523,284 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,898,363 as a result of the exchange of 523,284 founding partner interests. As of March 31, 2022 there were no founding partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor will have the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor units following such redemption or exchange.
Special Purpose Acquisition Company
As previously reported, in April 2021, Newmark OpCo and Cantor entered into various arrangements pursuant to which they agreed to co-sponsor a special purpose acquisition company, named Newmark Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”), in
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which certain of our executive officers are executive officers and are expected to be directors. Pursuant to a purchase agreement, Newmark OpCo purchased from Cantor a 75% equity interest in an entity now known as Newmark Acquisition Holdings, LLC, the sponsor of the SPAC (the “Sponsor”), for $18.8 thousand, with Cantor retaining the remaining 25% equity interest in the Sponsor. Pursuant to an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the Sponsor, Newmark OpCo is the managing member of the Sponsor, and Newmark OpCo and Cantor have agreed to make additional equity contributions to the Sponsor in order to fund the obligations of the Sponsor with respect to the SPAC in proportion to their equity ownership in the Sponsor. Also, in April 2021, the Sponsor agreed to lend to the SPAC up to $0.3 million without interest in order to cover expenses related to any initial public offering of the SPAC; the maturity date of the loans is the earlier of the consummation of the initial public offering of the SPAC and December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022 there was no outstanding balance on this Pre-IPO loan.
Knotel Assets
As part of the Knotel acquisition, Newmark assigned the rights to acquire certain Knotel assets to a subsidiary of Cantor, on the terms that if the subsidiary monetized the sale of these assets, Newmark would receive 10% of the proceeds of the sale after the subsidiary recoups its investment in the assets.
Employment Matter
On June 28, 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark to hire a son of its Chairman as a full-time employee of its Knotel business with an annual base salary of $125,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 30%. The arrangement includes a potential profit participation consistent with other entrepreneurial arrangements in the event of certain liquidity events related to businesses developed by him.
Referral Fees to Cantor
In September 2021, the Audit Committee approved the payment of a referral fee from Newmark to Cantor Realty Capital Advisors, L.P. (“CRCA”), a subsidiary of Cantor, in relation to CRCA’s referral to Newmark of a sale and lease back transaction for a portfolio of medical office properties. Newmark paid CRCA approximately $0.3 million for the referral of the portfolio sale. Newmark management negotiated the referral arrangement with CRCA in the ordinary course of business and the arrangement is reasonable and consistent with referral arrangements of its type between unrelated parties.
Additionally, in September 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to pay referral fees to Cantor and its subsidiaries (other than Newmark and its subsidiaries) in respect of referred business, pursuant to ordinary course arrangements in circumstances where Newmark would customarily pay referral fees to unrelated third parties and where Newmark is paying a referral fee to Cantor in an amount that is no more than the applicable percentage rate set forth in Newmark’s intra-company referral policies, as then in effect, with such fees to be at referral rates no less favorable to Newmark than would be paid to unrelated third parties.
Key Business Drivers
Key drivers for U.S. commercial real estate services companies include the overall health of the U.S. economy, institutional ownership of commercial real estate as an investible asset class, and the ability to attract and retain talent. In our investment sales and mortgage brokerage businesses, the availability of credit and certainty of valuations to investors are key drivers. In our multifamily business, demographic and economic factors are driving increased demand for new apartments. For example, In 2021, the National Association of Realtors said the U.S. has not constructed enough housing to keep up with population growth for many years, and that the country has a deficit of 1.1 million units in buildings with two to four units and of 2.4 million units in buildings of at least five units according to "U.S. Housing Market Needs 5.5 Million More Units, Says New Report" from the Wall Street Journal. This strong demand for new housing should continue to drive growth across our investment sales, GSE/FHA multifamily origination, mortgage brokerage, and servicing business over time.
Our GSE/FHA origination business is also impacted by the lending caps imposed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”). On November 17, 2020, the FHFA announced that the 2022 multifamily loan purchase caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were $70 billion for each GSE. The cap structure allowed the GSEs to offer a combined total of no more than $140 billion in lending support to the multifamily market in 2021, as compared to the $159 billion delivered in 2020. On October 13, 2021, the FHFA announced that the 2022 multifamily loan purchase caps will be $78 billion for each GSE, for a combined total of $156 billion. The 2022 caps are based on FHFA's projections of the overall growth of the multifamily originations market. The 2021 and 2022 caps require at least 50% of the Enterprises' multifamily business to be mission-driven, affordable housing. FHFA will also require at least 25% of the GSE's 2022 multifamily business be affordable to residents at or below 60% of area median income (AMI), up from 20% in 2021. Newmark's combined GSE/FHA and mortgage brokerage volumes in multifamily improved by 105.9% to $7.4 billion, as we continued our market leading growth, even as GSE multifamily volumes declined by 13% industry-wide. Given the 11% year-on-year increase in full year lending caps, the Company anticipates strong improvements in industry-wide GSE multifamily activity over the remainder of 2022.
Economic Outlook in the United States
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COVID-19 adversely affected the economic outlook beginning in March of 2020. Following a 3.5% contraction in 2020, U.S. gross domestic product expanded by 5.7% in 2021, in contrast to a decrease of 3.4% in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to a preliminary estimate from the same source, U.S. GDP contracted at an annual rate of 1.4% in the first quarter of 2021. According to many economists, this was driven by declines in fixed investment, defense spending, and various supply-chain related issues. The consensus is that this is a temporary setback. For example, according to the May 4, 2022 Bloomberg consensus of economists, U.S. GDP should expand by 3.2% in 2022 and 2.1% in 2023.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the monthly average of nonfarm payroll employment increased by approximately 550,000 on a net basis during 2022, which was the highest such annual figure since record keeping began. Based on a preliminary report from the same source, strong job growth continued in the first quarter of 2022, with an average monthly gains of approximately 431,000. The unemployment rate declined to 3.6% in March 2022, compared with 3.9% in December 2021 and a high of 14.8 % in April of 2020, but still 10 basis points higher than in February 2020. In comparison, the last time the U.S. unemployment rate was near these low levels was 1969, when unemployment reached 3.4%.
The ten-year Treasury yield increased by 60 basis points to 2.34% as of March 31, 2022 versus the year-earlier date. As of that date, ten-year Treasury yields remained well below their 50-year average of 6.05%. On March 15 and 16, 2022 , the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) decided to increase the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points versus the prior range of 0.0% to 0.25%, and indicated that it will likely begin to further raise the rate at future meetings by as much as 50 basis points at a time in order to curb inflation, which itself is due in part to tight labor market conditions. The FOMC also stated that it plans to reduce the nearly $9 trillion portfolio of securities it holds, including long-term agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasuries. These securities were purchased as part of the Fed's quantitative easing program designed hold down long-term interest rates, and the FOMC indicated that a maximum of $60 billion in Treasury purchases and $35 billion in mortgage-backed securities purchases would be allowed to roll off, phased in over three months and likely starting in May of 2022.
On May 4, 2022, the FOMC announced that it had voted unanimously to raise the federal funds rate by a further 50 basis points to a range of 75 to 100 basis points. The committee also announced that it intends to begin reducing the amount of long-term securities held on its balance sheet beginning June 1, 2022, up to the aforementioned limits. Economists generally expect U.S. interest rates to increase versus where they were in 2021 and 2022, but to remain relatively low by historical standards for the foreseeable future. For example, as May 4, 2022, the Bloomberg consensus was for the ten-year Treasury yield to be 2.76% and 2.88% by the end of 2022 and 2023, respectively. Following the announcement, the treasury futures market indicates that traders expect similar forward yields.
Market Statistics
According to preliminary estimates from CoStar, value-weighted prices for U.S. commercial real estate were up by 16.5% in the year ended March 31, 2022 and were now 26.2% higher than in February 2020, before the onset of the global pandemic. These price increases were across all major property types, particularly multifamily and industrial. RCA currently estimates that 2022 U.S. investment sales grew by approximately 56% year-on-year. In comparison, our quarterly investment sales volumes were up by 62.3% year-on-year.
Newmark quarterly volumes from mortgage brokerage and GSE/FHA originations (together, "total debt") were up by 85.5% year-on-year.
Newmark’s loan origination volumes are driven more by the GSE multifamily financing volumes than the activity level of the overall commercial mortgage market. Overall industry GSE multifamily origination volumes decreased by approximately 13% in the first quarter of 2022 compared with a year earlier, per data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In comparison, Newmark's origination volumes declined by 12.8% over the same timeframe. However, its total debt volumes in multifamily were up by 105.9%. Certain GSE multifamily volume statistics for the industry are based on when loans are sold and/or securitized, and typically lag those reported by Newmark and its competitors by 30 to 45 days.
Regulatory Environment
See “Business—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our regulatory environment.
Liquidity
See “—Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources” herein for information related to our liquidity and capital resources.
Financial Overview
Revenues
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We derive revenues from the following general four sources:
•Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. We provide commercial services to tenants and landlords. In this business, we provide property and facilities management services along with project management, valuation and advisory services and other consulting services, as well as technology, to customers who may also utilize our commercial real estate brokerage services, and flexible workspace solutions. Servicing fees are derived from the servicing of loans originated by us as well as loans originated by third parties.
•Leasing and Other Commissions. We offer a diverse range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, including tenant and agency representation, which includes comprehensive lease negotiations, strategic planning, site selection, lease auditing, and other financial and market analysis.
•Investment Sales. Our real estate capital markets business specializes in the arrangement of acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, as well as providing other financial services, including the arrangement of debt and equity financing, and loan sale advisory.
•Commercial Mortgage Origination, net. We offer services and products to facilitate debt financing for our clients and customers. Commercial mortgage origination revenue is comprised of commissions generated from mortgage brokerage and debt placement services, as well as the origination fees and premiums derived from the origination of GSE/FHA loans with borrowers and the sale of those loans to investors. Our commercial mortgage origination revenue also includes the revenue recognized for the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment.
Fees are generally earned when a lease is signed. In many cases, landlords are responsible for paying the fees. In capital markets, fees are earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer for investment sales and when debt or equity is funded to a vehicle for debt and equity transactions. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net are recognized when a derivative asset is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net are recognized net of related fees and commissions to affiliates or third-party brokers. For loans we broker, revenues are recognized when the loan is closed. Servicing fees are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. We typically receive monthly management fees based upon a percentage of monthly rental income generated from the property under management, or in some cases, the greater of such percentage or a minimum agreed upon fee. We are often reimbursed for our administrative and payroll costs, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, directly attributable to properties under management. We follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or “U.S. GAAP”, which provides guidance when accounting for reimbursements from clients and when accounting for certain contingent events for Leasing and Capital Markets transactions. See Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
The majority of our operating costs consist of cash and non-cash compensation expenses, which include base salaries, producer commissions based on production, forgivable loans for term contracts, discretionary and other bonuses and all related employee benefits and taxes. Our employees consist of commissioned producers, executives and other administrative support. Our producers are largely compensated based on the revenue they generate for the firm, keeping these costs variable in nature.
As part of our compensation plans, certain employees have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, which generally receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. Certain Newmark employees also hold non-distribution earnings units (e.g. NPSUs and NREUs, collectively “N Units”) that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. These N Units vest into distribution earnings units over a 4-year period. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During 2019, Newmark simplified its compensation structure when hiring new personnel by issuing restricted stock units in lieu of limited partnership units. Newmark continues to monitor its compensation policy and make changes where necessary to attract industry leading producers to Newmark.
Newmark granted conversion rights on outstanding limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings to Newmark employees to convert the limited partnership units to a capital balance within Newmark Holdings or BGC
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Holdings. Generally, such units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that we record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs”. The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout amount is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Our employees have been awarded preferred partnership units (“Preferred Units”) in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings. Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are allocated to such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation (the “Preferred Distribution”), which is deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, respectively. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into our Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly they are not included in our fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are also reflected in compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross amount of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans, which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on their limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the life of the loan.
From time to time, we may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. In addition, we also enter into deferred compensation agreements with employees providing services to us. The costs associated with such plans are generally amortized over the period in which they vest. (See Note 30 — “Compensation” and Note 31 — “Commitment and Contingencies”, to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
Other Operating Expenses
We have various other operating expenses. We incur leasing, equipment and maintenance expenses. We also incur selling and promotion expenses, which include entertainment, marketing and travel-related expenses. We incur communication expenses, professional and consulting fees for legal, audit and other special projects, and interest expense related to short-term operational funding needs, and notes payable and collateralized borrowings.
We pay fees to Cantor for performing certain administrative and other support, including charges for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources, legal services and technology infrastructure support. Management believes that these charges are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services rendered. However, the expenses for these services are not necessarily indicative of the expenses that would have been incurred if we had not obtained these services from Cantor. In addition, these charges may not reflect the costs of services we may receive from Cantor in the future.
Other Income (loss), Net
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Other income (loss), net is comprised of the gains associated with the Earn-out shares related to the Nasdaq Transaction and the movements related to the impact of any realized and unrealized cash and non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses related to the Nasdaq common shares held, and the Nasdaq Forwards. Additionally, other income includes gains (losses) on cost and equity method investments which represent our pro rata share of the net gains (losses) on investments over which we have significant influence but which we do not control, and the mark-to-market gains or losses on the non-marketable investments.
Provision for Income Taxes
We incur income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of our subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax (which we refer to as “UBT”) in New York City. U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of UBT, rests with the partners (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”, to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) rather than the partnership entity. Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., we operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Management services, servicing fees and other | $ | 233,120 | 34.4 | $ | 187,751 | 37.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leasing and other commissions | 198,952 | 29.3 | 147,433 | 29.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment sales | 152,113 | 22.4 | 101,545 | 20.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage origination, net | 94,062 | 13.9 | 67,251 | 13.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 678,247 | 100.0 | 503,980 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation and employee benefits | 382,584 | 56.4 | 289,074 | 57.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (1) | 16,899 | 2.5 | 14,248 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total compensation and employee benefits | 399,483 | 58.9 | 303,322 | 60.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating, administrative and other | 137,871 | 20.3 | 107,175 | 21.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fees to related parties | 6,829 | 1.0 | 6,250 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 35,475 | 5.2 | 21,053 | 4.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 579,658 | 85.5 | 437,800 | 86.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income/(loss), net | (86,001) | (12.7) | (2,210) | (0.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from operations | 12,588 | 1.9 | 63,970 | 12.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest (expense) income, net | (7,870) | (1.2) | (8,813) | (1.7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 4,718 | 0.7 | 55,157 | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 4,004 | 0.6 | 10,579 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated net income | 714 | 0.1 | 44,578 | 8.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 352 | 0.1 | 11,473 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 362 | 0.1 | % | $ | 33,105 | 6.6 | % |
(1)The components of Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs are as follows (in thousands):
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Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 8,983 | 1.3 | % | $ | 1,218 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 147 | — | 10,633 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Limited partnership units amortization | 3,274 | 0.5 | (600) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
RSU amortization | 4,495 | 0.7 | 2,997 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 16,899 | 2.5 | % | $ | 14,248 | 2.8 | % |
Three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased $45.4 million, or 24.2%, to $233.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. The growth was led by improvements in Valuation & Advisory, servicing and related other revenue, consulting and outsourcing, as well as the addition of flexible workspace, as the Company continued to invest in these recurring and predictable businesses.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $51.5 million, or 34.9%, to $199.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, due to increased demand across most major property types.
Investment sales
Investment sales revenue increased by $50.6 million, or 49.8%, to $152.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. Newmark's investment sales volumes increased by 62.3% to $19.0 billion.
Commercial Mortgage Origination, net
Commercial mortgage origination, net activities, increased by $26.8 million, or 39.9%, to $94.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. This growth was driven by total debt volumes of $12.0 billion, an increase of 85.5% year over year.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $93.5 million, or 32.3%, to $382.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase primarily resulted from variable compensation, amounting to $75.7 million related to the increase in commission based revenues, and due to higher business activity and acquisitions.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $2.7 million, or 18.6%, to $16.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased $30.7 million, or 28.6%, to $137.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to the expenses of new businesses acquired late in the first quarter of 2021 amounting to $32.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
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Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties increased by $0.6 million, or 9.3%, to $6.8 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $14.4 million, or 68.5%, to $35.5 million as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 due primarily to changes in MSR valuation allowance.
Because Newmark recognizes OMSR gains equal to the fair value of servicing rights retained on mortgage loans originated and sold, it also amortizes MSRs in proportion to the net servicing revenue expected to be earned. Subsequent to the initial recording, MSRs are amortized and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The MSR valuation allowance decreased by $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to an $11.2 million decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 our expenses included $28.1 million and $26.9 million, respectively, of MSR scheduled amortization.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net in the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily related to $87.6 million of realized and unrealized losses from the sale of NASDAQ shares.
Other income (loss), net of ($2.2) million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily related to mark-to-market loss related to the Nasdaq Forwards of $5.6 million, $2.3 million of gains from the sale of Nasdaq shares, and $1.0 million of equity income from Real Estate LP.
Interest (Expense) Income, Net
Interest expense, net decreased by $0.9 million, or 10.7%, to $7.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to lower outstanding debt balances.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes decreased by $6.6 million, to $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $11.1 million, to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to lower earnings.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The primary source of liquidity for our business is the cash on our balance sheet and the cash flow provided by our operations.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, our expansion into other markets and our results of operations. To the extent that existing cash, cash from operations and credit facilities are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public equity or debt financing. As of March 31, 2022, our long-term debt consists of our 6.125% Senior Notes with a carrying amount of $545.9 million.
Financial Position
Total assets were $4.4 billion at March 31, 2022 and $5.2 billion at December 31, 2021.
Total liabilities were $2.8 billion at March 31, 2022 and $3.5 billion at December 31, 2021.
Liquidity
At March 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $442.8 million and $99.7 million of net debt. Additionally, we have a $600.0 million undrawn revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2021. We expect to generate cash flows from operations to fund our business and to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, which we define as the next twelve months.
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Long-term debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
6.125% Senior Notes | $ | 545,868 | $ | 545,239 | |||||||
Credit Facility (1) | (3,390) | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 542,478 | $ | 545,239 |
(1) Represents debt issuance costs that will be amortized over the life of the credit facility.
6.125% Senior Notes
On November 2, 2018, Newmark announced the pricing of an offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023, which closed on November 6, 2018. The 6.125% Senior Notes were offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The 6.125% Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. These 6.125% Senior Notes were priced at 98.94% to yield 6.375%. The 6.125% Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019 and will mature on November 15, 2023. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act.
Credit Facility
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million Credit Facility.
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into the Amended Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into the Second Amended Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the amended Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark entered into the A&R Credit Agreement, which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the A&R Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin will initially be 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above will range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above will range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The A&R Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee.
Cantor Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to CFLP, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of CFLP’s or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%. As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021 there were no borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
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Master Repurchase Agreement
On August 2, 2021, a subsidiary of Newmark, Newmark OpCo, entered into the Repurchase Agreement with CF Secured, an affiliate of Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark could seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. For additional information regarding this agreement, see Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had $1.5 billion of committed loan funding available through three commercial banks and an uncommitted $700.0 million Fannie Mae loan repurchase facility. Consistent with industry practice, these warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. These warehouse facilities are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgage loans originated under its various lending programs and third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkeley Point Capital, LLC. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, we had $0.6 billion and $1.1 billion outstanding under “Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 502,155 | $ | 290,960 | ||||||||||
Add back: | ||||||||||||||
Loan originations - loans held for sale | 1,671,022 | 2,164,595 | ||||||||||||
Loan sales - loans held for sale | (2,171,797) | (2,434,241) | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on loans held for sale | 965 | 4,035 | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding activity from loan originations and sales (1) | $ | 2,345 | $ | 25,349 |
(1) Includes payments for corporate taxes in the amount of $26.2 million, and $0.1 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we generated $502.2 million of cash from operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $2.3 million. The $2.3 million can be primarily attributed to consolidated net income plus realized and unrealized losses related to the Nasdaq shares, less normal use of working capital in the first quarter. Cash provided by investing activities was $426.8 million, primarily related to $437.8 million of proceeds from the sale of Nasdaq shares. Cash used in financing activities of $677.5 million primarily related to net principal payments on warehouse facilities of $479.0 million, $140.0 million related to repurchase agreements and securities loaned, and $30.9 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we generated $291.0 million of cash from operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net cash generated from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $25.3 million. We had consolidated net income of $44.6 million, $7.6 million of positive adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities (excluding activity from loan originations and sales) and $26.8 million of negative changes in operating assets and liabilities. The negative change in operating assets and liabilities included $7.7 million of increases in loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees, a $15.2 million increases in receivables, net, a decrease in other assets of $8.8 million, a $6.8 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, a $24.2 million decrease in accrued compensation and an increase in payable to related parties of $4.7 million. Cash used in investing activities was $9.8 million, primarily related to $39.0 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, partially offset by $31.6 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities. Cash used in financing activities of $328.4 million primarily related to $244.2 million of net repayments on the warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises, $37.4 million of payments to Deutsche Bank related to Berkeley Point, $33.3 million for repayment of securities loaned, $6.5 million in earning distributions to limited partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests, and $1.8 million in dividends to stockholders.
Credit Ratings
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As of March 31, 2022, our public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks are as follows:
Rating | Outlook | |||||||||||||
Fitch Ratings Inc. | BBB- | Stable | ||||||||||||
JCRA | BBB+ | Stable | ||||||||||||
Kroll Bond Rating Agency | BBB- | Stable | ||||||||||||
Standard & Poor's | BB+ | Positive |
Credit ratings and associated outlooks are influenced by several factors, including but not limited to: operating environment, earnings and profitability trends, the prudence of funding and liquidity management practices, balance sheet size/composition and resulting leverage, cash flow coverage of interest, composition and size of the capital base, available liquidity, outstanding borrowing levels and the firm’s competitive position in the industry. A credit rating and/or the associated outlook can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Any reduction in our credit ratings and/or the associated outlook could adversely affect the availability of debt financing on terms acceptable to us, as well as the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain any such financing. In addition, credit ratings and associated outlooks may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions. In connection with certain agreements, interest rates on our notes may incur increases of up to 2% in the event of a credit ratings downgrade.
Regulatory Requirements
Newmark is subject to various capital requirements in connection with seller/servicer agreements that Newmark has entered into with the various GSEs. Failure to maintain minimum capital requirements could result in Newmark’s inability to originate and service loans for the respective GSEs and could have a direct material adverse effect on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark has met all capital requirements. As of March 31, 2022, the most restrictive capital requirement was Fannie Mae’s net worth requirement. Newmark exceeded the minimum requirement by $459.1 million.
Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Fannie Mae allow Newmark to originate and service loans under Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) Program. These agreements require Newmark to maintain sufficient collateral to meet Fannie Mae’s restricted and operational liquidity requirements based on a pre-established formula. Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Freddie Mac allow Newmark to service loans under Freddie Mac’s Targeted Affordable Housing (“TAH”) Program. These agreements require Newmark to pledge sufficient collateral to meet Freddie Mac’s liquidity requirement of 8% of the outstanding principal of TAH loans serviced by Newmark. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark has met all liquidity requirements.
In addition, as a servicer for Fannie Mae, the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and FHA, Newmark is required to advance to investors any uncollected principal and interest due from borrowers. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, outstanding borrower advances were $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
On September 9, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Housing Reform Plan (the “Plan”) in response to a March 27, 2019 Presidential Memorandum soliciting reforms in the housing financing system designed to minimize taxpayer exposure to future bailouts. The primary recommendations of the Plan are: (i) that existing government support for the secondary markets should be explicitly defined, tailored and paid for; (ii) that the GSEs’ conservatorship should come to an end; (iii) the implementation of reforms necessary to ensure that the GSEs, and any successors, are appropriately capitalized to withstand a severe economic downturn and that shareholders and unsecured creditors, rather than U.S. taxpayers, bear the losses; (iv) that the GSEs should continue to support affordable housing at a reasonable economic return that may be less than the return earned on other activities; (v) that the FHFA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development should clearly define the appropriate roles and overlap between the GSEs and the Federal Housing Administration so as to avoid duplication and (vi) that measures should be implemented to “level the playing field” between the GSEs and private sector competitors. Additionally, in September 2019, FHFA announced a cap of $200 billion as the maximum volume for combined Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily volume through the end of 2020, of which 37.5% must meet certain affordability requirements. The foregoing proposals may have the effect of impacting the volume of business that we may do with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, the potential increase in our proportion of affordable business and the potential implementation of a fee to be charged in connection with the government’s offer of a guarantee may alter the economics of the business and, accordingly, may impact our financial results.
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See “Business—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information related to our regulatory environment.
Equity
Repurchase Program
On February 10, 2022, our Board increased its authorized share repurchases of Newmark Class A Common stock and purchases of limited partnership interests in Newmark's subsidiaries to $400.0 million. This authorization includes repurchases of shares or purchase of units from executive officers, other employees and partners, including of BGC and Cantor, as well as other affiliated persons or entities. From time to time, Newmark may actively continue to repurchase shares and/or purchase units. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, Newmark repurchased 1,682,871 shares of Class A common stock, at an average price of $18.35. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had $397.2 million remaining from its share repurchase and unit purchase authorization.
The following table details Newmark's unit redemptions and share repurchases for cash, under the new program, and does not include unit redemptions and/or cancellations in connection with the grant of shares Newmark's Class A common stock. The gross unit redemptions and share repurchases of Newmark's Class A common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands except units, shares and per share amounts):
Total Number of Shares Repurchased/Purchased | Average Price Paid per Unit or Share | Approximate Dollar Value of Units and Shares That May Yet Be Repurchased/ Purchased Under the Program | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases | |||||||||||||||||
January 2022 | 1,516,606 | $ | 18.53 | ||||||||||||||
February 2022 | 166,265 | $ | 16.67 | ||||||||||||||
March 2022 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
Total Repurchases | 1,682,871 | $ | 18.35 | $ | 397,227 |
Subsequent to March 31, 2022, through April 28, Newmark repurchased an additional 5,669,634 shares at an average price of $14.01 per share. For the period January 1, 2022 through April 28, 2022, 7,352,505 shares repurchased at an average price of $15.01 per share. As of April 28, 2022, Newmark had $317.8 million remaining under its $400.0 million share repurchase and unit redemption authorization.
Fully Diluted Share Count
Our fully diluted weighted-average share count follows (in thousands):
March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Common stock outstanding(1) | 188,881 | 183,254 | |||||||||
Partnership units(2) | 56,220 | 83,556 | |||||||||
RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 5,757 | 3,165 | |||||||||
Newmark exchange shares | 1,957 | 1,219 | |||||||||
Total(3) | 252,815 | 271,194 |
(1)Common stock consisted of Class A shares and Class B shares. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the weighted-average number of Class A shares was 167.6 million shares and Class B shares was 21.3 million that were included in our fully diluted EPS computation because the conditions for issuance had been met by the end of the period.
(2)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor units, (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”, to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information). In general, these partnership units are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. In addition, partnership units held by Cantor are generally exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock and/or for up to 24.6 million shares of Newmark Class B common stock. These partnership units also generally receive quarterly allocations of net income, after the deduction of the Preferred Distribution, based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, these partnership units are included in the fully diluted share count calculation shown above.
(3)For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the weighted-average share count did not include any potentially anti-dilutive securities, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.
Our fully diluted period-end (spot) share count were as follows (in thousands):
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March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Common stock outstanding | 189,843 | 184,400 | |||||||||
Partnership units | 55,556 | 80,051 | |||||||||
Newmark RSUs | 5,757 | — | |||||||||
Newmark exchange shares | 1,955 | 1,170 | |||||||||
Other | 378 | — | |||||||||
Total | 253,489 | 265,621 |
Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
Newmark completed acquisitions for which there is contingent cash consideration of $10.2 million. The contingent cash liability is recorded at fair value as deferred consideration on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Equity Method Investments
Newmark has an investment in Real Estate LP, a joint venture with Cantor in which Newmark has a less than majority ownership and has the ability to exert significant influence over the operating and financial policies. As of March 31, 2022, Newmark had $88.3 million in this equity method investment, which represents a 27% ownership in Real Estate LP.
Registration Statements
On March 28, 2019, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to which CF&Co may make offers and sales of our 6.125% Senior Notes in connection with ongoing market-making transactions which may occur from time to time. Such market-making transactions in these securities may occur in the open market or may be privately negotiated at prevailing market prices at a time of resale or at related or negotiated prices. Neither CF&Co, nor any of our affiliates, has any obligation to make a market in our securities, and CF&Co or any such other affiliate may discontinue market-making activities at any time without notice. Newmark does not receive any proceeds from market-making activities in these securities by CF&Co (or any of its affiliates). This registration statement expired in March 2022. On March 25, 2022, we filed a new market making Registration Statement on Form S-3 to replace the one that was expiring.
We have an effective registration statement on Form S-4, with respect to the offer and sale of up to 20.0 million shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in connection with business combination transactions, including acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. As of March 31, 2022, we have issued 1.6 million shares of our Class A common stock under this registration statement.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark was committed to fund approximately $0.5 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, which is the total remaining draws on construction loans originated by Newmark under the Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) 221(d)4, 220 and 232 programs, rate locked loans that have not been funded, and forward commitments, as well as the funding for Fannie Mae structured transactions. Newmark also has corresponding commitments to sell these loans to various purchasers as they are funded.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. These accounting estimates require the use of assumptions about matters, some which are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows could be materially affected. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenues primarily through commissions from brokerage services, commercial mortgage origination, net, revenues from real estate management services, servicing fees and other revenues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers as determined by when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation as evidenced by the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains
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control over the promised good or service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider consideration promised in a contract that includes a variable amount, referred to as variable consideration, and estimate the amount of consideration due to us. Additionally, variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider all information (historical, current and forecast) that is available, including the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence.
We also use third-party service providers in the provision of its services to customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, we perform an analysis to determine whether we are acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that we are acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where we are acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, we perform services for customers and incur out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Our customers agree to reimburse us for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the customer.
MSRs, Net
We initially recognize and measure the rights to service mortgage loans at fair value and subsequently measure them using the amortization method. We recognize rights to service mortgage loans as separate assets at the time the underlying originated mortgage loan is sold, and the value of those rights is included in the determination of the gains on loans held for sale. Purchased MSRs, including MSRs purchased from CCRE, are initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently measured using the amortization method.
We receive up to a 3-basis point servicing fee and/or up to a 1-basis point surveillance fee on certain Freddie Mac loans after the loan is securitized in a Freddie Mac pool (“Freddie Mac Strip”). The Freddie Mac Strip is also recognized at fair value and subsequently measured using the amortization method, but is recognized as a MSR at the securitization date.
MSRs are assessed for impairment, at least on an annual basis, based upon the fair value of those rights as compared to the amortized cost. Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. In using this valuation method, we incorporate assumptions that management believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value estimates are sensitive to significant assumptions used in the valuation model such as prepayment rates, cost of servicing, escrow earnings rates, discount rates and servicing multiples, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions derived, in part, from historical data. It is reasonably possible that such estimates may change. We amortize the MSRs in proportion to, and over the period of, the projected net servicing income. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, we stratify MSRs based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, primarily by investor type (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA/GNMA, CMBS and other). To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a specific MSR strata, a valuation allowance is established, which is adjusted in the future as the fair value of MSRs increases or decreases. Reversals of valuation allowances cannot exceed the previously recognized impairment up to the amortized cost.
Equity-Based and Other Compensation
Discretionary Bonus: A portion of our compensation and employee benefits expense comprises discretionary bonuses, which may be paid in cash, equity, partnership awards or a combination thereof. We accrue expense in a period based on revenues in that period and on the expected combination of cash, equity and partnership units. Given the assumptions used in estimating discretionary bonuses, actual results may differ.
Restricted Stock Units: We account for equity-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP guidance. Restricted stock units (which we refer to as “RSUs”) provided to certain employees are accounted for as equity awards, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the RSUs that is ultimately expected to vest. Further, U.S. GAAP guidance requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Because significant assumptions are used in estimating employee turnover and associated forfeiture rates, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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The fair value of RSU awards to employees is determined on the date of grant, based on the fair value of our Class A common stock. Generally, RSUs granted by us as employee compensation do not receive dividend equivalents; as such, we adjust the fair value of the RSUs for the present value of expected forgone dividends, which requires us to include an estimate of expected dividends as a valuation input. This grant-date fair value is amortized to expense ratably over the awards’ vesting periods. For RSUs with graded vesting features, we have made an accounting policy election to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis. The amortization is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Stock: Restricted stock provided to certain employees is accounted for as an equity award, and as per U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the restricted stock that is ultimately expected to vest. We have granted restricted stock that is not subject to continued employment or service; however, transferability is subject to compliance with our and our affiliates’ customary non-compete obligations. Such shares of restricted stock are generally saleable by partners in 5 to 10 years. Because the restricted stock is not subject to continued employment or service, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock is expensed on the date of grant. The expense is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Limited Partnership Units: Limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are held by Newmark employees and receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As discussed above, preferred units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to a distribution at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation. The quarterly allocations of net income to such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that Newmark record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Loans: We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans that may be either wholly or in part repaid from distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests or may be forgiven over a period of time. Cash advance distribution loans are documented in formal agreements and are repayable in timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. We intend for these advances to be repaid in full from the future distributions on existing and future awards granted. The allocations of net income to the awards are treated as compensation expense and the proceeds from distributions are used to repay the loan. The forgivable portion of any loans is recognized as compensation expense in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations over the life of the loan. We review the loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If we determine that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, we recognize a reserve against the loan balances. Actual collectability of loan balances may differ from our estimates. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the aggregate balance of employee loans, net of reserve, was $463.6 million and $453.3 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, were $18.9 million, and $17.3 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these loans was included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
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Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
When reviewing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as follows.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow model and data regarding market comparables. The valuation process requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These assumptions include cash flow projections, estimated cost of capital and the selection of peer companies and relevant multiples. Because significant assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future cash flows, choosing peer companies and selecting relevant multiples, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Credit Losses
The CECL methodology, which became effective on January 1, 2020, requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date. The adoption of CECL resulted in the recognition of reserves relating to our loss sharing guarantee provided to Fannie Mae under the DUS Program which was previously accounted for under the incurred loss model, which generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized. Additional reserves were recognized for our receivables from customers including certain employee receivables carried at amortized cost.
The expected credit loss is modeled based on our historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default, all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of our reserves. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, we estimate expected credit losses using our historical loss rates. We also consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which consequentially may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses and receivables. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, there was a increase of $2.0 million in our reserves. These reserves were based on macroeconomic forecasts are critical inputs into our model and material movements in variables such as, the U.S. unemployment rate and U.S. GDP growth rate could significantly affect our estimated expected credit losses. These macroeconomic forecasts, under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates could result in significantly different changes in reserves for credit losses. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in specific factors might affect the overall reserves for credit losses and current results may not reflect the potential future impact of macroeconomic forecast changes.
Income Taxes
Newmark accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to UBT in New York City. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss except for UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ tax liability or benefit is not reflected in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The tax-related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions.
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Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from Newmark’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Newmark recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in “Provision for income taxes” in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, Newmark considers all available evidence, including past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent fiscal years, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies.
The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws and involves uncertainties in the application of tax regulations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. Because Newmark’s interpretation of complex tax law may impact the measurement of current and deferred income taxes, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions regarding the application of tax law.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We have loan commitments to extend credit to third parties. The commitments to extend credit are for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments). These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee. We are committed to extend credit to the counterparty as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contracts.
We simultaneously enter into an agreement to deliver such mortgages to third-party investors at a fixed price (“forward sale contracts”).
Both the commitment to extend credit and the forward sale commitment qualify as derivative financial instruments. We recognize all derivatives on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The change in the derivatives fair value is recognized in current period earnings.
Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts as a result of the Nasdaq Forwards. These contracts qualify as derivative financial instruments. The Nasdaq Forwards provide Newmark with the ability to redeem the EPUs for Nasdaq stock, and as these instruments are not legally detachable, they represent single financial instruments. The financial instruments’ EPU redemption feature for Nasdaq shares is not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of Newmark’s EPU equity host instruments, and, therefore, it represents an embedded derivative that is required to be bifurcated and recorded at fair value on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, with all changes in fair value recorded as a component of “Other income (loss), net” on our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. See Note 11 — “Derivatives”, to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”, to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
Capital Deployment Priorities, Dividend Policy and Repurchase and Redemption Program
Our near-term capital allocation priorities are to return capital to stockholders through share and unit repurchases and to invest in growth and margin expansion at attractive returns.
Traditionally, our dividend policy provided that we expect to pay a quarterly cash dividend to our common stockholders based on our post-tax Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share. Please see below for a detailed definition of post-tax Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share. Beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and for all of the quarterly periods in 2020 and 2021, the Board reduced the quarterly dividend to $0.01 per share out of an abundance of caution in order to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet as the real estate markets faced difficult and unprecedented macroeconomic conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, beginning with the first quarter 2020, Newmark Holdings reduced its distributions to or on behalf of its partners. In the first quarter of 2022, the Board increased the quarterly dividend to $0.03 per share. In addition,
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Newmark expects to increase the after-tax distributions to its partners to $0.06 per unit. The exchange ratio will be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement due to any difference in our dividend policy and the distribution policy of Newmark Holdings. See Note 6 “Stock Transactions and Unit Redemptions” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information.
As Newmark’s financial condition has improved substantially year-over-year, and as the economy has rebounded from the lows it reached during the pandemic, the Company has repurchased and/or redeemed a meaningful number of shares/units in 2021 and thus far in 2022 as part of its overall capital return policy. Subsequent to March 31, 2022, through April 27, Newmark repurchased an additional 5,669,634 shares at an average price of $14.01 per share.
Any dividends, if and when declared by our Board, will be paid on a quarterly basis. The dividend to our common stockholders is expected to be calculated based on post-tax Adjusted Earnings allocated to us and generated over the fiscal quarter ending prior to the record date for the dividend. No assurance can be made, however, that a dividend will be paid each quarter. The declaration, payment, timing, and amount of any future dividends payable by us will be at the sole discretion of our Board. With respect to any distributions which are declared, amounts paid to or on behalf of partners will at least cover their related tax payments. Whether any given post-tax amount is equivalent to the amount received by a stockholder also on an after-tax basis depends upon stockholders’ and partners’ domiciles and tax status.
We received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares worth $1,093.9 million as of June 30, 2021. On July 2, 2021, we settled the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares worth $166.0 million and retained 5,278,011 Nasdaq shares. In connection with the 2021 Equity Event, we used $484.4 million, of which $203.5 million was to reduce our fully diluted share count by 16.3 million. From July 2021 through March 2022, we sold all of the Nasdaq shares.
We are a holding company, with no direct operations, and therefore we are able to pay dividends only from our available cash on hand and funds received from distributions from Newmark OpCo. Our ability to pay dividends may also be limited by regulatory considerations as well as by covenants contained in financing or other agreements. In addition, under Delaware law, dividends may be payable only out of surplus, which is our net assets minus our capital (as defined under Delaware law), or, if we have no surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Accordingly, any unanticipated accounting, tax, regulatory or other charges against net income may adversely affect our ability to declare and pay dividends. While we intend to declare and pay dividends quarterly, there can be no assurance that our Board will declare dividends at all or on a regular basis or that the amount of our dividends will not change.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Newmark uses non-GAAP financial measures that differ from the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company include "Adjusted Earnings before noncontrolling interests and taxes", which is used interchangeably with "pre-tax Adjusted Earnings" "Post-tax Adjusted Earnings to fully diluted shareholders", which is used interchangeably with "post-tax Adjusted Earnings" "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Liquidity". The definitions of these terms are below.
Adjusted Earnings Defined
Newmark uses non-GAAP financial measures, including “Adjusted Earnings before noncontrolling interests and taxes” and “Post-tax Adjusted Earnings to fully diluted shareholders” which are supplemental measures of operating results used by management to evaluate the financial performance of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Newmark believes that Adjusted Earnings best reflect the operating earnings generated by the Company on a consolidated basis and are the earnings which management considers when managing its business.
As compared with “Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests” and “Net income (loss) for fully diluted shares” both prepared in accordance with GAAP, Adjusted Earnings calculations primarily exclude certain non-cash items and other expenses that generally do not involve the receipt or outlay of cash by the Company and/or which do not dilute existing stockholders. In addition, Adjusted Earnings calculations exclude certain gains and charges that management believes do not best reflect the ordinary results of Newmark. Adjusted Earnings is calculated by taking the most comparable GAAP measures and making adjustments for certain items with respect to compensation expenses, non-compensation expenses, and other income, as discussed below.
Calculations of Compensation Adjustments for Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA
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Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation under Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA
The Company’s Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA measures exclude all GAAP charges included in the line item “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” (or “equity-based compensation” for purposes of defining the Company’s non-GAAP results) as recorded on the Company’s GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations and GAAP Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. These GAAP equity-based compensation charges reflect the following items:
•Charges with respect to grants of exchangeability, which reflect the right of holders of limited partnership units with no capital accounts, such as LPUs and PSUs, to exchange these units into shares of common stock, as well as cash paid with respect to taxes withheld or expected to be owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. The withholding taxes related to the exchange of certain non-exchangeable units without a capital account into either common shares or units with a capital account may be funded by the redemption of preferred units such as PPSUs.
•Charges with respect to preferred units. Any preferred units would not be included in the Company’s fully diluted share count because they cannot be made exchangeable into shares of common stock and are entitled only to a fixed distribution. Preferred units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units that may be granted exchangeability or redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of common stock at ratios designed to cover any withholding taxes expected to be paid. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross amount of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares, to pay applicable withholding taxes.
•GAAP equity-based compensation charges with respect to the grant of an offsetting amount of common stock or partnership units with capital accounts in connection with the redemption of non-exchangeable units, including PSUs and LPUs.
•Charges related to amortization of RSUs and limited partnership units.
•Charges related to grants of equity awards, including common stock or partnership units with capital accounts.
•Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs. Such allocations represent the pro-rata portion of post-tax GAAP earnings available to such unit holders.
The amount of certain quarterly equity-based compensation charges is based upon the Company’s estimate of such expected charges during the annual period, as described further below under “Methodology for Calculating Adjusted Earnings Taxes”.
Virtually all of Newmark’s key executives and producers have equity or partnership stakes in the Company and its subsidiaries and generally receive deferred equity or limited partnership units as part of their compensation. A significant percentage of Newmark’s fully diluted shares are owned by its executives, partners, and employees. The Company issues limited partnership units as well as other forms of equity-based compensation, including grants of exchangeability into shares of common stock, to provide liquidity to its employees, to align the interests of its employees and management with those of common stockholders, to help motivate and retain key employees, and to encourage a collaborative culture that drives cross-selling and growth.
All share equivalents that are part of the Company’s equity-based compensation program, including REUs, PSUs, LPUs, and other units that may be made exchangeable into common stock, as well as RSUs (which are recorded using the treasury stock method), are included in the fully diluted share count when issued or at the beginning of the subsequent quarter after the date of grant. Generally, limited partnership units other than preferred units are expected to be paid a pro-rata distribution based on Newmark’s calculation of Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share.
Certain Other Compensation-Related Items under Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA
Newmark also excludes various other GAAP items that management views as not reflective of the Company’s underlying performance for the given period from its calculation of Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA. These may include compensation-related items with respect to cost-saving initiatives, such as severance charges incurred in connection with headcount reductions as part of broad restructuring and/or cost savings plans.
The Company also excludes compensation charges related to non-cash GAAP gains attributable to originated mortgage servicing rights (which Newmark refers to as “OMSRs”) because these gains are also excluded from Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA.
Excluded Compensation-Related Items with Respect to the 2021 Equity Event under Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA (Beginning in Third Quarter 2021, as Updated)
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Newmark does not view the GAAP compensation charges related to 2021 Equity Event that were not equity-based compensation as being reflective of its ongoing operations (the "Impact of the 2021 Equity Event"). These consisted of charges relating to cash paid to independent contractors for their withholding taxes and the cash redemption of HDUs. These were recorded as expenses based on Newmark's previous non-GAAP results, but were excluded in the recast non-GAAP results beginning in the third quarter of 2021 for the following reasons:
•But for the 2021 Equity Event, the items comprising such charges would have otherwise been settled in shares and been recorded as equity-based compensation in future periods, as is the Company's normal practice. Had this occurred, such amounts would have been excluded from Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA, and would also have resulted in higher fully diluted share counts, all else equal.
•Newmark views the fully diluted share count reduction related to the 2021 Equity Event to be economically similar to the common practice among public companies of issuing the net amount of common shares to employees for their vested stock-based compensation, selling a portion of the gross shares pay applicable withholding taxes, and separately making open market repurchases of common shares.
•There was nothing comparable to the 2021 Equity Event in 2020 and nothing similar is currently contemplated after 2021. Accordingly, the only prior period recast with respect to the 2021 Equity Event was the second quarter of 2021.
Calculation of Non-Compensation Expense Adjustments for Adjusted Earnings
Newmark’s calculation of pre-tax Adjusted Earnings excludes non-cash GAAP charges related to the following:
•Amortization of intangibles with respect to acquisitions.
•Amortization of mortgage servicing rights (which Newmark refers to as “MSRs”). Under GAAP, the Company recognizes OMSRs equal to the fair value of servicing rights retained on mortgage loans originated and sold. Subsequent to the initial recognition at fair value, MSRs are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and amortized in proportion to the net servicing revenue expected to be earned. However, it is expected that any cash received with respect to these servicing rights, net of associated expenses, will increase Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA in future periods.
•Various other GAAP items that management views as not reflective of the Company’s underlying performance for the given period, including non-compensation-related charges incurred as part of broad restructuring and/or cost savings plans. Such GAAP items may include charges for exiting leases and/or other long-term contracts as part of cost-saving initiatives, as well as non-cash impairment charges related to assets, goodwill and/or intangibles created from acquisitions.
Non-Cash Adjustment for Originated Mortgage Servicing Rights Revenue for Adjusted Earnings
Newmark's calculation of pre-tax Adjusted Earnings excludes non-cash GAAP gains attributable to OMSRs. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, OMSRs are no longer included in non-compensation adjustments for Adjusted Earnings but instead shown as a separate line item in the Company's “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income Available to Common Stockholders to Adjusted Earnings Before Noncontrolling Interests and Taxes and GAAP Fully Diluted EPS to Post-Tax Adjusted EPS”. This presentation has no impact on previously reported Adjusted Earnings.
Calculation of Other (income) losses for Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted Earnings calculations also exclude certain other non-cash, non-dilutive, and/or non-economic items, which may, in some periods, include:
•Unusual, one-time, non-ordinary or non-recurring gains or losses.
•Non-cash GAAP asset impairment charges.
•The impact of any unrealized non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses on “Other income (loss)” related to the variable share forward agreements with respect to Newmark’s receipt of the Nasdaq payments in 2021 and 2022 and the 2020 Nasdaq payment (the “Nasdaq Forwards”).
•Mark-to-market adjustments for non-marketable investments.
•Certain other non-cash, non-dilutive, and/or non-economic items.
Due to the sale of Nasdaq’s U.S. fixed income business in the second quarter of 2021, the Nasdaq Earn-out and related Forward settlements were accelerated, less certain previously disclosed adjustments. Because these shares were originally expected to be received over a 15 year period ending in 2027, the Earn-out had been included in calculations of Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA under Newmark's previous non-GAAP methodology. Due to the acceleration of the Earn-out and the Nasdaq Forwards, the Company now views results excluding certain items related to the Earn-out to be a better reflection of the underlying performance of Newmark’s ongoing operations. Therefore, beginning with the third quarter of
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2021, other (income) losses for Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA also excludes the impact of the below items. These items may collectively be referred to as the “Impact of Nasdaq”.
•Realized gains related to the accelerated receipt on June 25, 2021 of Nasdaq shares.
•Realized gains or losses and unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses with respect to Nasdaq shares received prior to the Earn-out acceleration.
•Dividend income on Nasdaq shares.
•The impact of any unrealized non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses on “Other income (loss)” related to the variable share forward agreements with respect to Newmark’s receipt of the Nasdaq payments in 2021 and 2022 and the 2020 Nasdaq payment (the “Nasdaq Forwards”). This item was historically excluded under the previous non-GAAP definitions.
•Other items related to the Earn-out
Upon further consideration, Newmark's calculations of non-GAAP “Other income (loss)” will continue to include dividend income on Nasdaq shares, as these dividends contribute to cash flow and are generally correlated to Newmark's interest expense on short term borrowing against such shares. All other things being equal, as Newmark sells Nasdaq shares, both its interest expense and dividend income will decline.
Methodology for Calculating Adjusted Earnings Taxes
Although Adjusted Earnings are calculated on a pre-tax basis, Newmark also reports post-tax Adjusted Earnings to fully diluted shareholders. The Company defines post-tax Adjusted Earnings to fully diluted shareholders as pre-tax Adjusted Earnings reduced by the non-GAAP tax provision described below and net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest for Adjusted Earnings.
The Company calculates its tax provision for post-tax Adjusted Earnings using an annual estimate similar to how it accounts for its income tax provision under GAAP. To calculate the quarterly tax provision under GAAP, Newmark estimates its full fiscal year GAAP income before noncontrolling interests and taxes and the expected inclusions and deductions for income tax purposes, including expected equity-based compensation during the annual period. The resulting annualized tax rate is applied to Newmark’s quarterly GAAP income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests. At the end of the annual period, the Company updates its estimate to reflect the actual tax amounts owed for the period.
To determine the non-GAAP tax provision, Newmark first adjusts pre-tax Adjusted Earnings by recognizing any, and only, amounts for which a tax deduction applies under applicable law. The amounts include charges with respect to equity-based compensation; certain charges related to employee loan forgiveness; certain net operating loss carryforwards when taken for statutory purposes; and certain charges related to tax goodwill amortization. These adjustments may also reflect timing and measurement differences, including treatment of employee loans; changes in the value of units between the dates of grants of exchangeability and the date of actual unit exchange; variations in the value of certain deferred tax assets; and liabilities and the different timing of permitted deductions for tax under GAAP and statutory tax requirements.
After application of these adjustments, the result is the Company’s taxable income for its pre-tax Adjusted Earnings, to which Newmark then applies the statutory tax rates to determine its non-GAAP tax provision. Newmark views the effective tax rate on pre-tax Adjusted Earnings as equal to the amount of its non-GAAP tax provision divided by the amount of pre-tax Adjusted Earnings.
Generally, the most significant factor affecting this non-GAAP tax provision is the amount of charges relating to equity-based compensation. Because the charges relating to equity-based compensation are deductible in accordance with applicable tax laws, increases in such charges have the effect of lowering the Company’s non-GAAP effective tax rate and thereby increasing its post-tax Adjusted Earnings.
Newmark incurs income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of its subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) in New York City. Any U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of UBT, rests with the unit holders rather than with the partnership entity. The Company’s consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes on the Company’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., Newmark is expected to operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes. For these reasons, taxes for Adjusted Earnings are expected to be presented to show the tax provision the consolidated Company would expect to pay if 100% of earnings were taxed at global corporate rates.
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Calculations of Pre- and Post-Tax Adjusted Earnings per Share
Newmark’s pre- and post-tax Adjusted Earnings per share calculations assume either that:
•The fully diluted share count includes the shares related to any dilutive instruments, but excludes the associated expense, net of tax, when the impact would be dilutive; or
•The fully diluted share count excludes the shares related to these instruments, but includes the associated expense, net of tax.
The share count for Adjusted Earnings excludes certain shares and share equivalents expected to be issued in future periods but not yet eligible to receive dividends and/or distributions. Each quarter, the dividend payable to Newmark’s stockholders, if any, is expected to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors with reference to a number of factors, including post-tax Adjusted Earnings per share. Newmark may also pay a pro-rata distribution of net income to limited partnership units, as well as to Cantor for its noncontrolling interest. The amount of this net income, and therefore of these payments per unit, would be determined using the above definition of Adjusted Earnings per share on a pre-tax basis.
The declaration, payment, timing, and amount of any future dividends payable by the Company will be at the discretion of its Board of Directors using the fully diluted share count. In addition, the non-cash preferred dividends are excluded from Adjusted Earnings per share as Newmark expected to redeem the related exchangeable preferred limited partnership units (“EPUs”) with Nasdaq shares.
Management Rationale for Using Adjusted Earnings
Newmark’s calculation of Adjusted Earnings excludes the items discussed above because they are either non-cash in nature, because the anticipated benefits from the expenditures are not expected to be fully realized until future periods, or because the Company views results excluding these items as a better reflection of the underlying performance of Newmark’s ongoing operations. Management uses Adjusted Earnings in part to help it evaluate, among other things, the overall performance of the Company’s business, to make decisions with respect to the Company’s operations, and to determine the amount of dividends payable to common stockholders and distributions payable to holders of limited partnership units. Dividends payable to common stockholders and distributions payable to holders of limited partnership units are included within “Distributions to stockholders” and “Earnings distributions to limited partnership interests and noncontrolling interests,” respectively, in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
The term “Adjusted Earnings” should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to GAAP net income (loss). The Company views Adjusted Earnings as a metric that is not indicative of liquidity, or the cash available to fund its operations, but rather as a performance measure. Pre- and post-tax Adjusted Earnings, as well as related measures, are not intended to replace the Company’s presentation of its GAAP financial results. However, management believes that these measures help provide investors with a clearer understanding of Newmark’s financial performance and offer useful information to both management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends related to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Management believes that the GAAP and Adjusted Earnings measures of financial performance should be considered together.
For more information regarding Adjusted Earnings, see the sections of the Company’s most recent financial results press release titled “Reconciliation of GAAP Income to Adjusted Earnings and GAAP Fully Diluted EPS to Post-tax Adjusted EPS”, including the related footnotes, for details about how Newmark’s non-GAAP results are reconciled to those under GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA Defined
Newmark also provides an additional non-GAAP financial performance measure, “Adjusted EBITDA” which it defines as GAAP “Net income (loss) available to common stockholders” adjusted for the following items:
•Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.
•Provision (benefit) for income taxes.
•OMSR revenue.
•MSR amortization.
•Compensation charges related to OMSRs.
•Other depreciation and amortization.
•Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.
•Various other GAAP items that management views as not reflective of the Company’s underlying
performance for the given period. These may include compensation-related items with respect to cost-saving
initiatives, such as severance charges incurred in connection with headcount reductions as part of broad
restructuring and/or cost savings plans; charges for exiting leases and/or other long-term contracts as part of
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cost-saving initiatives; and non-cash impairment charges related to assets, goodwill and/or intangibles created
from acquisitions.
•Other non-cash, non-dilutive, and/or non-economic items, which may, in certain periods, include the impact of any unrealized non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses on “other income (loss)” related to the variable share forward agreements with respect to Newmark’s receipt of the Nasdaq payments in 2021 and 2022 and the 2020 Nasdaq payment (the “Nasdaq Forwards”), as well as mark-to-market adjustments for non-marketable investments.
•Interest expense.
Beginning with the third quarter of 2021, calculation of Adjusted EBITDA will also exclude the “Impact of Nasdaq” and the “Impact of the 2021 Equity Event”, which are defined above.
Newmark’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain items discussed above because they are either non-cash in nature, because the anticipated benefits from the expenditures are not expected to be fully realized until future periods, or because the Company views excluding these items as a better reflection of the underlying performance Newmark’s ongoing operations. The Company’s management believes that its Adjusted EBITDA measure is useful in evaluating Newmark’s operating performance, because the calculation of this measure generally eliminates the effects of financing and income taxes and the accounting effects of capital spending and acquisitions, which would include impairment charges of goodwill and intangibles created from acquisitions. Such items may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. As a result, the Company’s management uses this measure to evaluate operating performance and for other discretionary purposes. Newmark believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors to assist them in getting a more complete picture of the Company’s financial results and operations.
Since Newmark’s Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP, investors should use this measure in addition to GAAP measures of net income when analyzing Newmark’s operating performance. Because not all companies use identical EBITDA calculations, the Company’s presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow or GAAP cash flow from operations because the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA does not consider certain cash requirements, such as tax and debt service payments.
For more information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, see the section of the Company’s most recent financial results press release titled “Reconciliation of GAAP Income to Adjusted EBITDA” including the related footnotes, for details about how Newmark’s non-GAAP results are reconciled to those under GAAP EPS.
Timing of Outlook for Certain GAAP and Non-GAAP Items
Newmark anticipates providing forward-looking guidance for GAAP revenues and for certain non-GAAP measures from time to time. However, the Company does not anticipate providing an outlook for other GAAP results. This is because certain GAAP items, which are excluded from Adjusted Earnings and/or Adjusted EBITDA, are difficult to forecast with precision before the end of each period. The Company therefore believes that it is not possible for it to have the required information necessary to forecast GAAP results or to quantitatively reconcile GAAP forecasts to non-GAAP forecasts with sufficient precision without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. The relevant items that are difficult to predict on a quarterly and/or annual basis with precision and may materially impact the Company’s GAAP results include, but are not limited to the following:
•Certain equity-based compensation charges that may be determined at the discretion of management throughout and up to the period-end;
•Unusual, one-time, non-ordinary, or non-recurring items;
•The impact of gains or losses on certain marketable securities, as well as any gains or losses related to associated mark-to- market movements and/or hedging. These items are calculated using period-end closing prices;
•Non-cash asset impairment charges, which are calculated and analyzed based on the period-end values of the underlying assets. These amounts may not be known until after period-end;
•Acquisitions, dispositions and/or resolutions of litigation, which are fluid and unpredictable in nature.
Liquidity Defined
Newmark may also use a non-GAAP measure called “liquidity.” The Company considers liquidity to be comprised of the sum of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and reverse repurchase agreements (if any), less securities lent out in securities loaned transactions and repurchase agreements. The Company considers liquidity to be an important metric for determining the amount of cash that is available or that could be readily available to the Company on short notice.
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For more information regarding liquidity, see the section of the Company’s most recent financial results press release titled “Liquidity Analysis,” including any related footnotes, for details about how Newmark’s non-GAAP results are reconciled to those under GAAP.
OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Current Organizational Structure
As of March 31, 2022, there were 196,014,748 shares of Newmark Class A common stock issued and 168,557,363 outstanding. Cantor and CFGM held no shares of Newmark Class A common stock. Each share of Newmark Class A common stock is generally entitled to one vote on matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. As of March 31, 2022, Cantor and CFGM held 21,285,533 shares of Newmark Class B common stock representing all of the outstanding shares of Newmark Class B common stock. The shares of Newmark Class B common stock held by Cantor and CFGM, as of March 31, 2022, represented approximately 55.8% of our total voting power. Each share of Newmark Class B common stock is generally entitled to the same rights as a share of Newmark Class A common stock, except that, on matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, each share of Newmark Class B common stock is entitled to 10 votes. The Newmark Class B common stock generally votes together with the Newmark Class A common stock on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. We expect to retain our dual class structure, and there are no circumstances under which the holders of Newmark Class B common stock would be required to convert their shares of Newmark Class B common stock into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation referred to herein as our certificate of incorporation does not provide for automatic conversion of shares of Newmark Class B common stock into shares of Newmark Class A common stock upon the occurrence of any event.
We hold the Newmark Holdings general partnership interest and the Newmark Holdings special voting limited partnership interest, which entitle us to remove and appoint the general partner of Newmark Holdings and serve as the general partner of Newmark Holdings, which entitles us to control Newmark Holdings. Newmark Holdings, in turn, holds the Newmark OpCo general partnership interest and the Newmark OpCo special voting limited partnership interest, which entitle Newmark Holdings to remove and appoint the general partner of Newmark OpCo, and serve as the general partner of Newmark OpCo, which entitles Newmark Holdings (and thereby us) to control Newmark OpCo. In addition, as of March 31, 2022, we directly held Newmark OpCo limited partnership interests consisting of approximately 56,257,312 units representing approximately 22.1% of the outstanding Newmark OpCo limited partnership interests (not including EPUs). We are a holding company that holds these interests, serves as the general partner of Newmark Holdings and, through Newmark Holdings, acts as the general partner of Newmark OpCo. As a result of our ownership of the general partnership interest in Newmark Holdings and Newmark Holdings’ general partnership interest in Newmark OpCo, we consolidate Newmark OpCo’s results for financial reporting purposes.
Cantor, founding partners, working partners and limited partnership unit holders directly hold Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests. Newmark Holdings, in turn, holds Newmark OpCo limited partnership interests and, as a result, Cantor, founding partners, working partners and limited partnership unit holders indirectly have interests in Newmark OpCo limited partnership interests.
The Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by Cantor and CFGM are designated as Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests. The Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by the founding partners are designated as Newmark Holdings founding partner interests. The Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by the working partners are designated as Newmark Holdings working partner interests. The Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by the limited partnership unit holders are designated as limited partnership units.
Each unit of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by Cantor and CFGM is generally exchangeable with us for a number of shares of Class B common stock (or, at Cantor’s option or if there are no additional authorized but unissued shares of Class B common stock, a number of shares of Class A common stock) equal to the exchange ratio.
As of March 31, 2022, 3,463,976 founding/working partner interests were outstanding. These founding/working partners were issued in the Separation to holders of BGC Holdings founding/working partner interests, who received such founding/working partner interests in connection with BGC Partners’ acquisition of the BGC Partners business from Cantor in 2008. The Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests held by founding/working partners are not exchangeable with us unless (1) Cantor acquires Cantor units from Newmark Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of the founding/working partners or redemption of their units by Newmark Holdings (which it has the right to do under certain circumstances), in which case such interests will be exchangeable with us for shares of Newmark Class A common stock or Newmark Class B common stock as described above, or (2) Cantor determines that such interests can be exchanged by such founding/working partners with us for Newmark Class A common stock, with each Newmark Holdings unit exchangeable for a number of shares of
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Newmark Class A common stock equal to the exchange ratio (which was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement), on terms and conditions to be determined by Cantor (which exchange of certain interests Cantor expects to permit from time to time). Cantor has provided that certain founding/working partner interests are exchangeable with us for Class A common stock, with each Newmark Holdings unit exchangeable for a number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock equal to the exchange ratio (which was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement), in accordance with the terms of the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement. Once a Newmark Holdings founding/working partner interest becomes exchangeable, such founding/working partner interest is automatically exchanged upon a termination or bankruptcy with us for Newmark Class A common stock.
Further, we provide exchangeability for partnership units under other circumstances in connection with (1) our partnership redemption, compensation and restructuring programs, (2) other incentive compensation arrangements and (3) business combination transactions.
As of March 31, 2022, 26,710,165 limited partnership units were outstanding (including founding/working partner interests and working partner interests, and units held by Cantor). Limited partnership units will be only exchangeable with us in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant of such units, which terms and conditions are determined in our sole discretion, as the Newmark Holdings general partner, with the consent of the Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interest majority in interest, in accordance with the terms of the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement.
The exchange ratio between Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests and our common stock was initially one. However, this exchange ratio will be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement if our dividend policy and the distribution policy of Newmark Holdings are different. As of March 31, 2022, the exchange ratio was 0.9435.
With each exchange, our direct and indirect interest in Newmark OpCo will proportionately increase because, immediately following an exchange, Newmark Holdings will redeem the Newmark Holdings unit so acquired for the Newmark OpCo limited partnership interest underlying such Newmark Holdings unit.
The profit and loss of Newmark OpCo and Newmark Holdings, as the case may be, are allocated based on the total number of Newmark OpCo units (not including EPUs) and Newmark Holdings units, as the case may be, outstanding.
The following diagram illustrates the ownership structure of Newmark as of March 31, 2022. The diagram does not reflect the various subsidiaries of Newmark, Newmark OpCo or Cantor (including certain operating subsidiaries that are organized as corporations whose equity is either wholly-owned by Newmark or whose equity is majority-owned by Newmark with the remainder owned by Newmark OpCo) or the results of any exchange of Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests or, to the extent applicable, Newmark Holdings founding partner interests, Newmark Holdings working partner interests or Newmark Holdings limited partnership units. In addition, the diagram does not reflect the Newmark OpCo exchangeable preferred limited partnership units, or EPUs, since they are not allocated any gains or losses of Newmark OpCo for tax purposes and are not entitled to regular distributions from Newmark OpCo.
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STRUCTURE OF NEWMARK AS OF March 31, 2022
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Shares of Newmark Class B common stock are convertible into shares of Newmark Class A common stock at any time in the discretion of the holder on a one-for-one basis. Accordingly, if Cantor and CFGM converted all of their shares of Newmark Class B common stock into shares of Newmark Class A common stock, Cantor and CFGM would hold 11.2% of the voting power in Newmark and the stockholders of Newmark other than Cantor and CFGM would hold 88.8% of the voting power in Newmark (and the indirect economic interests in Newmark OpCo would remain unchanged). In addition, if Cantor and CFGM continued to hold shares of Newmark Class B common stock and if Cantor exchanged all of the exchangeable limited partnership units held by Cantor for shares of Newmark Class B common stock, Cantor and CFGM would hold 73.8% of the voting power in Newmark, and the stockholders of Newmark other than Cantor and CFGM would hold 26.2% of the voting power in Newmark.
The diagram reflects Newmark Class A common stock and Newmark Holdings partnership unit activity from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 as follows: (a) an aggregate of 3,559,724 limited partnership units granted by Newmark Holdings; (b) 1,682,871 shares of Newmark Class A common stock repurchased by us; (c) no shares of Newmark Class A common stock forfeited; (d) 1,019,474 shares of Newmark Class A common stock issued for vested restricted stock units; (e) 166,701 shares of Class A common stock issued by us under our acquisition shelf Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-231616), but not the 18,411,842 of such shares remaining available for issuance by us under such Registration Statement; and (h) 327,973 terminated limited partnership units.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Credit Risk
Our multifamily origination business, under the Fannie Mae DUS program, originates and services multifamily loans for Fannie Mae without having to obtain Fannie Mae’s prior approval for certain loans, as long as the loans meet the underwriting guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae. In return for the delegated authority to make loans and the commitment to purchase loans by Fannie Mae, we must maintain minimum collateral and generally are required to share risk of loss on loans sold through Fannie Mae. With respect to most loans, we are generally required to absorb approximately one-third of any losses on the unpaid principal balance of a loan at the time of loss settlement. Some of the loans that we originate under the Fannie Mae DUS program are subject to reduced levels or no risk-sharing. However, we generally receive lower servicing fees with respect to such loans. Although our Berkeley Point business’s average annual losses from such risk-sharing programs have been a minimal percentage of the aggregate principal amount of such loans, if loan defaults increase, actual risk-sharing obligation payments under the Fannie Mae DUS program could increase, and such defaults could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, a material failure to pay its share of losses under the Fannie Mae DUS program could result in the revocation of Berkeley Point’s license from Fannie Mae and the exercise of various remedies available to Fannie Mae under the Fannie Mae DUS program.
Interest Rate Risk
Newmark had $545.9 million of fixed rate 6.125% Senior Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2022. These debt obligations are not currently subject to fluctuations in interest rates, although in the event of refinancing or issuance of new debt, such debt could be subject to changes in interest rates. Newmark had no amounts outstanding under its Credit Facility as of March 31, 2022. The interest rate on the Credit Facility is currently based upon LIBOR.
Berkeley Point is an intermediary that originates loans which are generally pre-sold prior to loan closing. Therefore, for loans held for sale to the GSEs and HUD, we are not currently exposed to unhedged interest rate risk. Prior to closing on loans with borrowers, we enter into agreements to sell the loans to investors, and originated loans are typically sold within 45 days of funding. The coupon rate for each loan is set concurrently with the establishment of the interest rate with the investor.
Some of our assets and liabilities are subject to changes in interest rates. Earnings from escrows are generally based on LIBOR or SOFR. 30-day LIBOR as of March 31, 2022 and 2021 was 45 basis points and 11 basis points, respectively. A 100-basis point increase in the 30-day LIBOR would increase our annual earnings by $9.8 million based on our escrow balance as of March 31, 2022 compared to $11.8 million based on our escrow balance as of March 31, 2021. A decrease in 30-day LIBOR to zero would decrease our annual earnings by $4.5 million based on the escrow balances as of March 31, 2022 and by $1.3 million based on our escrow balances as of March 31, 2021.
We use warehouse facilities and a repurchase agreement to fund loans we originate under our various lending programs. The borrowing costs of our warehouse facilities and the repurchase agreement is based on LIBOR. A 100-basis point increase in 30-day LIBOR would decrease our annual earnings by $5.7 million based on our outstanding balances as of March 31, 2022 compared to $8.2 million based on our outstanding balances as of March 31, 2021. A decrease in 30-day LIBOR to zero would increase our annual earnings by approximately $2.6 million based on our outstanding warehouse balance as of March 31, 2022 and by $0.9 million as of March 31, 2021.
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Foreign Currency Risk
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in foreign exchange rates. Changes in foreign exchange rates create volatility in the U.S. Dollar equivalent of our revenues and expenses. While our international results of operations, as measured in U.S. Dollars, are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations, we do not consider the related risk to be material to our results of operations. While our exposure to foreign exchange risk is not currently material to us, we expect to grow our international revenues in the future, and any future potential exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations may present a material risk to our business.
Disaster Recovery
Our processes address disaster recovery concerns. We operate most of our technology from dual-primary data centers at our two different London locations. Either site alone is capable of running all of our essential systems. In addition, we maintain technology operations from data centers in New Jersey and Connecticut. Replicated instances of this technology are maintained in our London data centers. All data centers are built and equipped to best-practice standards of physical security with appropriate environmental monitoring and safeguards. Failover for the majority of our systems is automated.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Newmark Group, Inc. maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Newmark Group, Inc. is recorded, processed, accumulated, summarized and communicated to its management, including its Chairman and its Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer have performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Newmark Group, Inc.’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2022. Based on that evaluation, the Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that Newmark Group, Inc’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2022.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 31 — “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of our legal proceedings which is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed under Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The information required by this Item is set forth in Note 6 — “Stock Transactions and Unit Redemptions” and Note 30 — “Compensation” to our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 2, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The Exhibit Index set forth below is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 6.
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Title | |||||||
10.1 | ||||||||
31.1 | ||||||||
31.2 | ||||||||
32.1 | ||||||||
101 | The following materials from Newmark Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022 are formatted in inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vii) Schedule I, Parent Company Only Financial Statements. The XBRL Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the iXBRL document. | |||||||
104 | The cover page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Newmark Group, Inc. | |||||
/s/ Howard W. Lutnick | |||||
Name: | Howard W. Lutnick | ||||
Title: | Chairman | ||||
/s/ Michael J. Rispoli | |||||
Name: | Michael J. Rispoli | ||||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
Date: May 9, 2022
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