OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC - Quarter Report: 2002 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[ x ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2002

or

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the transition period from ___to___

Commission File Number: 1-12043

FAHNESTOCK VINER HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ontario, Canada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

98-0080034
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

P.O. Box 2015, Suite 1110
20 Eglinton Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R 1K8
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

416-322-1515
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether 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 [x] No [ ]

The number of shares of the Company's Class A non-voting shares and Class B voting shares (being the only classes of common stock of the Company), outstanding on April 30, 2002 was 12,489,752 and 99,680 shares, respectively.

FAHNESTOCK VINER HOLDINGS INC.

INDEX

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2002 and 2001

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three month period ended March 31, 2002 and 2001

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three month period ended March 31, 2002 and 2001

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

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders

Item 5. Other Information

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

SIGNATURES

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FAHNESTOCK VINER HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Fahnestock Viner Holdings Inc. ("FVH") and its subsidiaries (together, the "Company"). The principal subsidiaries of FVH are Fahnestock & Co. Inc. ("Fahnestock") and Freedom Investments, Inc., registered broker-dealers in securities. The Company engages in a broad range of activities in the securities industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (both corporate and public finance), underwritings, research, market-making, and investment advisory and asset management services. The Company provides its services from 88 offices in 19 states located throughout the United States. Fahnestock also conducts business in Toronto, Canada and in South America through local broker-dealers. The Company employs approximately 1,775 people, of whom 1,108 are financial consultants.

All material intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with respect to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 including the summary of significant accounting policies utilized by the Company.

The financial statements include all adjustments which in the opinion of management, are normal and recurring and necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The nature of the Company’s business is such that the results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

These condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements No. 141, "Business Combinations" and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". The new standards require a write-off of unamortized "negative goodwill". Negative goodwill represents the excess value of net assets acquired above the cost of acquisition. Unamortized negative goodwill of $1,774,000 ($0.14 per share), which arose on the acquisitions of Hopper Soliday Corporation and subsidiaries, Reich & Co., Inc. and Propp & Company Inc., has been written off in the current period, as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.

Remaining unamortized goodwill of $11,058,000, which arose on the acquisitions of Fahnestock & Co. Inc., Fahnestock International Inc., First of Michigan Capital Corporation, Josephthal Group, Inc. and Grand Charter Group Incorporated, will no longer be amortized but will be tested for impairment at least annually. The Company would have recorded approximately $194,000 ($.02 per share) of goodwill amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2002 had FAS 142 not been adopted.

3. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net profit by the weighted average number of Class A non-voting and Class B shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average Class A non-voting and Class B shares outstanding and the effects of Class A non-voting share options using the treasury stock method.

Earnings per share has been calculated as follows:

4. Differences between U.S. and Canadian GAAP

The Company has prepared consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 for distribution to its shareholders in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which conform in all material respects with U.S. GAAP except as follows:

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants also issued new standards with respect to Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which the Company has adopted effective January 1, 2002. Under U.S. GAAP, the write-off of negative goodwill is recorded as the effect of a change in accounting principle and is reflected in the statement of operations resulting in net profit for the three months ended March 31, 2002 of $3,406,000 ($0.27 and $0.26 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively). Under Canadian GAAP the write-off of negative goodwill is recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings resulting in net profit for the three months ended March 31, 2002 of $1,632,000 ($0.13 basic and diluted earnings per share). The book value per share under both U.S. and Canadian GAAP is $19.62 at March 31, 2002.

5. Net Capital Requirements

The Company's principal broker-dealer subsidiary, Fahnestock, is subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule (the "Rule") of the SEC and the net capital rule of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"). Fahnestock has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the Rule, which requires that it maintain minimum net capital equal to 2% of aggregate debit items arising from customer transactions, as defined. The NYSE may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying dividends if resulting net capital would be less than 5% of aggregate debit items.

At March 31, 2002, the net capital of Fahnestock as calculated under the Rule was $167,782,000 or 32% of Fahnestock's aggregate debit items. This was $157,278,000 in excess of the minimum required net capital.

6. Segment Information

The table below presents information about the reported operating income of the Company for the periods noted, in accordance with the method described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. The Company’s business is conducted primarily in the U.S. Asset information by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information for internal use.

7. Acquisitions

On March 12, 2002, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Freedom Investments, Inc., the Company acquired the business operated by BUYandHOLD Securities Corporation and affiliates for cash consideration of $2,297,000. BUYandHOLD is an online brokerage business headquartered in Edison, NJ, which provides its customers with a dollar-based investing platform. BUYandHOLD operates as a division of Freedom Investments, Inc. and its results since the date of acquisition have been included in these consolidated financial statements. The combination of the Freedom and BUYandHOLD technology platforms provides clients with one of the most comprehensive and diversified suites of financial services offered online today. The acquisition furthers the Company’s growth and expansion and adds significantly to its client base, as well as providing additional managerial expertise. The acquisition was accounted for by the purchase method. The acquisition was accounted for by the purchase method. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired.

Presented below are unaudited proforma consolidated results of operation. Amounts presented for 2002 and 2001 give effect to the acquisition of the business of BUYandHOLD Securities Corporation and affiliates as if the transaction was consummated at the beginning of each of the periods presented. The proforma information is for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative either of the actual results that would have occurred if the acquisition had been consummated at

the beginning of the period presented, or of future operations of the combined companies. The Company anticipates significant cost savings as a result of the consolidation of the operations of BUYandHOLD with the Company’s business, which is not reflected in this proforma presentation.

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

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required under U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 including the summary of significant accounting policies utilized by the Company.

Business Environment

The securities industry is directly affected by general economic and market conditions, including fluctuations in volume and price levels of securities and changes in interest rates, all of which have an impact on commissions and firm trading and investment income as well as on liquidity. Substantial fluctuations can occur in revenues and net profit due to these and other factors.

Results of Operations

Net profit for the first quarter of 2002 was $3,406,000 or $0.27 per share, which included the effect of a change in accounting principle (described in the notes to the accompanying financial statements) of $1,774,000 ($0.14 per share). Operating net profit for the first quarter of 2002 was $1,632,000 ($0.13 per share), a decrease of 82% in operating net profit when compared to $9,117,000 or $0.74 per share in the first quarter of 2001. Revenue for the first quarter of 2002 was $70,517,000, a decline of 4% compared to revenue of $73,495,000 in the first quarter of 2001. At March 31, 2002, book value per share was $19.62 compared to book value per share of $18.90 at March 31, 2001, an increase of 4%.

The results for the first quarter of 2002 reflected the continued weak business conditions, in contrast to more robust markets in the first quarter of 2001. The average retail investor shied away from market participation amid continuing news of accounting scandals, questionable disclosure practices and generally poor corporate earnings. Commission income and to a large extent, income from principal transactions, depend on market volume levels. Commission revenue increased by 16% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 as a result of the acquisition of the businesses of Josephthal & Co. Inc. in September 2001 and Prime Charter, Ltd. in November 2001, which more than offset generally lower commission levels from weaker markets in 2002 compared to 2001. Net revenue from principal transactions decreased by 25% compared to the first quarter of 2001 due to significantly reduced activity in the NASDAQ markets. Due to high market volatility, the Company reduced the number of securities in which it makes markets. It may increase or decrease this number from time to time as market conditions warrant. Investment banking revenues increased by 62% compared with the first quarter of 2001, as there was increased activity in the private placement business in 2002. Advisory fees increased by 32% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to 2001 primarily as a result of the acquisition of the business of BUYandHOLD Securities in March 2002. BUYandHOLD provides a fee-based approach to the retail investor. Interest revenue decreased by 52% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the comparable period in 2001 due to lower interest rates and the discontinuation of a matched book repurchase business in the spring of 2001. Net interest revenue (interest revenue less interest expense) decreased by 29% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 as a result of lower interest rates and the discontinuation in 2001 of the matched book repurchase business. Expenses increased by 17% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001. The increase in expenses can be attributed to the acquisitions of Josephthal and Prime Charter in the latter part of 2001. These acquisitions have increased the Company’s private client base, bringing the number of financial consultants to 1,108 at March 31, 2002, an increase of 51% compared to March 31, 2001. Continued post-acquisition integration costs, severance payments and costs associated with streamlining the organization substantially impacted the first quarter of 2002. Compensation expense has volume-related components and, therefore, increased with the increased level of commission business conducted in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 and includes post-acquisition severance and other employee-related costs. The cost of communications and technology increased 37% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 due to the costs associated with connecting 51% more financial consultants in 2002 compared to 2001. Occupancy costs increased by 108% in the first quarter of 2002 compared to the first quarter of 2001 due to the costs of additional branch locations in 2002 compared to 2001. The acquisitions of Josephthal and Prime Charter in the fall of 2001 added 25 branch locations to the Company, although by March 31, 2002, with branch consolidations, the branch count is 13 more than at March 31, 2001. Interest expense declined by 72% due to lower rates and the discontinuation of a matched book repurchase business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Total assets at March 31, 2002 of $724,253,000 increased by approximately 2% from $710,275,000 at December 31, 2001 due to higher customer balances. Liquid assets accounted for 96% of total assets, consistent with year-end levels. The Company satisfies its need for funds from its own cash resources, internally generated funds, subordinated borrowings, collateralized borrowings consisting primarily of bank loans, and uncommitted lines of credit. The amount of Fahnestock's bank borrowings fluctuates in response to changes in the level of the Company's securities inventories and customer margin debt as well as changes in stock loan balances. Fahnestock has arrangements with banks for borrowings on a fully collateralized basis. At March 31, 2002, $49,281,000 of such borrowings were outstanding, an increase of 275% compared to outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2001. The increased bank borrowings offset reduced customer credit balances. At March 31, 2002 the Company had available collateralized and uncollateralized letters of credit of $34,500,000.

Management believes that funds from operations, combined with Fahnestock's capital base and available credit facilities, are sufficient for the Company's liquidity needs in the foreseeable future.

On February 22, 2002, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.09 per Class A non-voting and Class B share totaling $1,129,000 from available cash on hand. On April 19, 2002, the board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per Class A non-voting and Class B share payable on May 17, 2002 to shareholders of record on May 3, 2002.

The book value of the Company’s Class A non-voting and Class B shares is $19.62 at March 31, 2002 compared to $18.90 at March 31, 2001, based on total outstanding shares of 12,578,947 and 12,354,965, respectively.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards

Please see the notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of newly issued accounting standards.

Factors Affecting "Forward-Looking Statements"

This report contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, business prospects and anticipated market performance of the Company. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company cautions readers that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, include, but are not limited to: (i) transaction volume in the securities markets, (ii) the volatility of the securities markets, (iii) fluctuations in interest rates, (iv) changes in regulatory requirements which could affect the cost and manner of doing business, (v) fluctuations in currency rates, (vi) general economic conditions, both domestic and international, (vii) changes in the rate of inflation and the related impact on the securities markets, (viii) competition from existing financial institutions and other new participants in the securities markets, (ix) legal developments affecting the litigation experience of the securities industry, (x) changes in federal and state tax laws which could affect the popularity of products sold by the Company and (xi) the effectiveness of efforts to reduce costs and eliminate overlap. There can be no assurance that the Company has correctly or completely identified and assessed all of the factors affecting the Company’s business. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Risk Management

The Company’s principal business activities by their nature involve significant market and credit risks. The Company’s effectiveness in managing these risks is critical to its success and stability.

As part of its normal business operations, the Company engages in the trading of both fixed income and equity securities in both a proprietary and market-making capacity. The Company makes markets in over-the-counter equities in order to facilitate order flow and accommodate its institutional and retail customers. The Company also makes markets in municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, government bonds and high yield bonds.

Market risk generally means the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates and in equity and commodity prices. Market risk is inherent in all types of financial instruments, including both derivatives and non-derivatives. The Company’s exposure to market risk arises from its role as a financial intermediary for its customers’ transactions and from its proprietary trading and arbitrage activities.

In addition, the Company’s activities expose it to operational risk, legal risk and funding risk. Operational risk generally means the risk of loss resulting from improper processing of transactions or deficiencies in the Company’s operating systems or internal controls. With respect to its trading activities, the Company has procedures designed to ensure that all transactions are accurately recorded and properly reflected on the Company’s books on a timely basis. With respect to client activities, the Company operates a system of internal controls designed to ensure that transactions and other account activity (new account solicitation, transaction authorization, transaction processing, billing and collection) are properly approved, processed, recorded and reconciled. Legal risk generally includes the risk of non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the risk that a counterparty’s obligations are unenforceable. The Company is subject to extensive regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it conducts its business. Through its legal advisors and its compliance department, the Company has established routines to ensure compliance with regulatory capital requirements, sales and trading practices, new products, use and safekeeping of customer securities and funds, granting of credit, collection activities, and record keeping. The Company has procedures designed to assess and monitor counterparty credit risk.

Value-at-Risk

Value-at-risk is a statistical measure of the potential loss in the fair value of a portfolio due to adverse movements in underlying risk factors. In response to the SEC’s market risk disclosure requirements, the Company has performed a value-at-risk analysis of its trading financial instruments and derivatives. The value -at-risk calculation uses standard statistical techniques to measure the potential loss in fair value based upon a one-day holding period and a 95% confidence level. The calculation is based upon a variance-covariance methodology, which assumes a normal distribution of changes in portfolio value. The forecasts of variances and co-variances used to construct the model for the market factors relevant to the portfolio were generated from historical data. Although value-at-risk models are sophisticated tools, their use can be limited as historical data is not always an accurate predictor of future conditions. The Company attempts to manage its market exposure using other methods, including trading authorization and concentration limits.

At March 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company’s value-at-risk for each component of market risk was as follows:

The potential future loss presented by the total value-at-risk generally falls within predetermined levels of loss that should not be material to the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The changes in the value-at-risk amounts reported as at March 31, 2002 compared to those reported as at March 31, 2001 reflect reductions in the size and changes in the composition of the Company’s trading portfolio. The weighting of the portfolio at March 31, 2002 shifted towards debt and away from equities compared to the relative portfolio composition for the comparable period in 2001. From time to time the Company modifies its risk exposure with hedging positions and this affects the diversification benefit in the value-at-risk calculation.

The value-at-risk estimate has limitations that should be considered in evaluating the Company’s potential future losses based on the period-end portfolio positions. Recent market conditions, including increased volatility, may result in statistical relationships that result in higher value-at-risk than would be estimated from the same portfolio under different market conditions, or the converse may be true. Critical risk management strategy involves the active management of portfolio levels to reduce market risk. The Company’s market risk exposure is continuously monitored as the portfolio risks and market conditions change.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company's subsidiaries are parties to legal proceedings incidental to their respective businesses. In management's opinion, there are no legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries are parties or to which any of their respective properties are subject which are material to the Company's financial position. The potential significance of legal matters on the Company's future operating results depends on the level of future results of operations as well as the timing and ultimate outcome ofsuch legal matters.

ITEM 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders

None

ITEM 5. Other Information

None

ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits - None

(b) Reports on Form 8-K - None

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized, in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada on the 3rd day of May, 2002.

FAHNESTOCK VINER HOLDINGS INC.

By: "A.G. Lowenthal"
A.G.Lowenthal, Chairman
(Principal Financial Officer)

By: "E.K. Roberts"
E.K.Roberts, President
(Duly Authorized Officer)