Hennessy Advisors(HNNA) - 2023 Q4 - Annual Report

Financial Performance - Average assets under management for fiscal year 2023 were $3.0 billion, with total assets under management also at $3.0 billion[14]. - Assets under management increased to $3,032,042,000 in 2023 from $2,895,717,000 in 2022, reflecting a growth of 4.7%[48]. - Organic inflows for 2023 were $598,119,000, compared to $656,491,000 in 2022, indicating a decrease of 8.9%[48]. - Redemptions in 2023 totaled $915,397,000, down from $1,147,888,000 in 2022, showing a reduction of 20.2%[48]. - The ending assets under management in 2023 were significantly lower than the $4,065,922,000 reported in 2021, indicating a decline of 25.5%[48]. - Total revenue for fiscal year 2023 decreased by 19.0% to $24.0 million, with investment advisory fees down 19.6% to $22.1 million and shareholder service fees down 12.2% to $1.9 million[169]. - Revenue, net of sub-advisory fees, was $20,261,000 in 2023, down from $23,940,000 in 2022, representing a decrease of 15.2%[49]. - Net income decreased by 22.9%, from $6.2 million to $4.8 million, primarily due to decreased average assets under management[185]. - The company reported a total of $24,020,000 in subtotal revenues for 2023, down from $29,667,000 in 2022, a decrease of 19.1%[49]. Investment Advisory Services - The company’s revenue is primarily derived from investment advisory services, calculated as a percentage of the average daily net asset values of the Hennessy Funds[12]. - The investment advisory fees vary by fund, while shareholder service fees remain consistent across all Hennessy Mutual Funds[12]. - As of the end of fiscal year 2023, the investment advisory fees for Hennessy Funds range from 0.40% to 1.25% of fund assets, with the Hennessy Energy Transition Fund having the highest fee at 1.25%[54]. - The investment advisory fees and shareholder service fees are calculated as a percentage of the average daily net asset value of the Hennessy Funds, making revenues sensitive to market fluctuations[97]. - The company’s investment advisory fees are calculated as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Hennessy Fund, affecting revenue fluctuations[158]. Fund Performance - Hennessy Cornerstone Large Growth Fund achieved a one-year return of 29.28% for Institutional Class shares, outperforming the Russell 1000® Index which returned 21.19%[35]. - Hennessy Total Return Fund's Investor Class shares returned 11.86% over the past year, compared to 15.66% for the blended DJIA/Treasury Index[35]. - Hennessy Cornerstone Value Fund's Institutional Class shares returned 16.57% over the past year, outperforming the Russell 1000® Value Index which returned 14.44%[35]. - For the one-year period ended September 30, 2023, 14 of the 17 Hennessy Funds posted positive returns, with 13 funds showing positive returns over three and five years[162]. Asset Management Strategy - The company has a business strategy focused on organic growth through marketing and sales efforts, as well as growth through strategic purchases of management-related assets[14]. - The firm manages a total of 16 mutual funds and one ETF, categorized into Domestic Equity, Multi-Asset, and Sector and Specialty products[24]. - The company aims to expand its product offerings by identifying investor needs and reviewing asset allocation tables[45]. - The company aims to expand its base of financial advisors and investment professionals to increase assets under management, which will enhance revenues[79]. - The company’s business strategy focuses on future acquisitions and organic growth through retention of fund assets and generation of inflows[156]. Market and Competitive Landscape - The competitive landscape includes numerous global and U.S. investment managers, which may pose challenges for the company[85]. - The company faces intense competition in the investment advisory industry, which could impact its ability to attract and retain investors[126]. - Industry trends favoring lower-fee, passive products may negatively impact the company's profitability and market share[128]. Regulatory and Compliance - The company has a compliance program that includes ongoing reviews of service providers and monitoring of fund expense accruals and payments[52]. - The Hennessy Funds' Board of Trustees comprises five disinterested trustees, ensuring compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940[53]. - Increased regulatory scrutiny and compliance costs could adversely affect the company's financial condition and operational results[137]. Risks and Challenges - The outbreak of contagious diseases, such as COVID-19, has negatively impacted the company's revenues and operations[101]. - Adverse ratings or assessments from third parties could lead to increased redemptions and decreased new investments in the Hennessy Funds[99]. - Key personnel are critical to the company's success, and their loss could materially affect operations and financial condition[108]. - The company has significant debt, which may increase financial risk and affect its ability to obtain additional financing[111]. - Cybersecurity risks pose significant threats to the company's operations, potentially leading to financial losses and reputational damage[132]. Shareholder Information - As of the end of fiscal year 2023, there were 2,104 shareholders, including 127 holders of record and 1,977 individual shareholders through brokerage accounts[151]. - The company has consistently paid dividends since 2005, but the declaration and amount are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors[145]. - Dividend payments totaled $4.2 million in fiscal year 2023, consistent with the previous year[191]. Financial Position and Capital Management - The company may need to raise additional capital to fund new business initiatives, which could adversely impact operations if financing is not available on acceptable terms[141]. - The company plans to raise additional capital if liquid resources are insufficient to meet long-term capital requirements[186]. - The principal liability on the balance sheet related to the 2026 Notes is $39.2 million, net of issuance costs[168]. - Interest income rose significantly from $0.2 million to $2.5 million, attributed to rising interest rates[183].