Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Assets under management (AUM) decreased to $159 billion from $169 billion due to net outflows and market performance [6][14] - Total sales were $5.3 billion, down from $6.3 billion in the previous quarter [6][15] - Net outflows totaled $8.1 billion, significantly higher than $3.9 billion in the prior quarter [7][16] - Earnings per share, as adjusted, declined to $6.50 from $6.69 in the third quarter [9][21] - Operating margin decreased to 32.4% from 33% in the previous quarter [9][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Equity net outflows were primarily driven by quality-oriented strategies, with institutional net outflows of $3 billion [7][16] - Fixed income strategies experienced modestly negative net flows of $0.1 billion, while alternative strategies were essentially break-even [7][16] - ETFs generated $0.6 billion of positive net flows, sustaining strong organic growth [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market environment favored momentum-driven stocks, leading to underperformance in quality-oriented equity strategies [3][10] - January sales showed improvement, reaching the highest level since June, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on broadening its product offerings, including the launch of new actively managed ETFs and expansion into private markets [4][5] - The acquisition of Keystone National Group aims to enhance private market offerings and provide differentiated strategies [12][13] - The company is also exploring opportunities for diversification, particularly in non-U.S. markets and growth equity strategies [30][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging environment for quality-oriented equity strategies but expressed confidence in their long-term performance [3][10] - There are encouraging signs of broadening investor sentiment, with hopes for improved flows in the upcoming quarters [8][42] - The company remains committed to balancing capital priorities, including investments in growth and returning capital to shareholders [54] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 60,000 shares for $10 million during the quarter, with a total of $60 million used for share repurchases over the year [11][22] - The effective tax rate was 25.3%, with expectations to decrease to 23%-24% in the second quarter due to the addition of Keystone [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the fee rate compression in the quarter? - The fee rate was impacted by discrete expenses, particularly on the ETF side, but remained relatively stable quarter-over-quarter [25][26] Question: What are the future transaction opportunities for diversification? - The company is considering both private markets and growth equity strategies for future transactions, focusing on broadening distribution channels [29][30] Question: What is the software exposure across AUM? - The company is generally underweight in technology, which has affected the performance of quality-oriented equities [39][40] Question: What drove the acceleration in negative flows in Q4? - The negative flows were primarily due to the underperformance of quality-oriented strategies and seasonal tax loss harvesting [41][42] Question: Can you discuss the growth opportunities from the Keystone transaction? - There is significant potential to leverage Keystone's existing capabilities in wealth management and institutional channels for growth [48][49]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Assets under management (AUM) decreased to $159 billion from $169 billion due to net outflows and market performance [6][14] - Total sales were $5.3 billion, down from $6.3 billion in the previous quarter [6][15] - Net outflows totaled $8.1 billion, significantly higher than $3.9 billion in the prior quarter [7][16] - Earnings per share (EPS) adjusted was $6.50, a decline from $6.69 in the previous quarter [9][21] - Operating margin decreased to 32.4% from 33% in the prior quarter [9][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Equity net outflows were primarily driven by quality-oriented strategies, with institutional net outflows of $3 billion [7][16] - Fixed income net flows were modestly negative at $0.1 billion, but certain strategies saw positive flows [7] - ETFs generated $0.6 billion of positive net flows, continuing strong momentum [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market environment favored momentum-driven stocks, leading to underperformance in quality-oriented equity strategies [3] - January sales showed improvement, reaching the highest level since June, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on broadening product offerings, including the introduction of new actively managed ETFs and expansion into private markets [4][5] - The acquisition of Keystone National Group aims to enhance private market offerings and provide differentiated strategies [12][13] - The company is also exploring opportunities for growth in non-U.S. markets and other distribution channels [29][50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging environment for quality-oriented equity strategies but expressed confidence in their long-term performance [3][10] - There are encouraging signs of broadening investor sentiment, with hopes for a recovery in quality strategies [8][41] - The company remains committed to balancing capital priorities, including investments in the business and returning capital to shareholders [11][54] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 60,000 shares for $10 million in the quarter, totaling $60 million for the year [11][22] - The effective tax rate was 25.3%, expected to decrease to 23%-24% with the addition of Keystone [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the fee rate compression in the quarter? - The fee rate was impacted by discrete expenses, particularly on the ETF side, but remained relatively stable [25][26] Question: What are the future transaction opportunities for diversification? - The company is considering both private markets and growth equity strategies for future transactions [28][29] Question: What is the software exposure across AUM? - The company is generally underweight in technology, which has affected the performance of quality-oriented equities [38][39] Question: What drove the acceleration in negative flows quarter to quarter? - The underperformance of quality-oriented strategies and seasonal tax loss harvesting contributed to increased outflows [40][41] Question: Can you discuss the growth opportunities with the Keystone transaction? - There is significant potential to leverage Keystone's capabilities in wealth management and institutional channels [48][50] Question: How will capital deployment priorities shift with recent transactions? - The company will maintain a balanced approach to capital allocation, emphasizing repurchases and dividends while considering new investments [52][54]

Assets Under Management (AUM) and Flows - AUM reached $169.3 billion, while average AUM increased by 2% to $170.3 billion[12] - Sales increased by 12% to $6.3 billion, driven by institutional clients, including a new CLO, and ETFs[12] - Net outflows amounted to ($3.9) billion due to equity outflows, although fixed income and alternative net flows were positive[12] - ETF AUM increased by 29% to $4.7 billion, marking the highest level of quarterly sales and net flows[12, 15] Financial Performance - Adjusted operating income increased by 9% to $65.0 million due to higher revenues and flat operating expenses[12] - Adjusted operating margin increased by 170 bps to 33.0%[12, 30] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased by 7% to $6.69, including $0.11 of discrete business initiative expenses[12, 32] - Investment management fees, as adjusted, increased 3% primarily due to higher average AUM[22] Capital Activities and Balance Sheet - The quarterly dividend increased by 7% to $2.40 per share, representing the eighth consecutive annual increase[12, 35] - A new $400 million term loan and a $250 million revolving credit facility refinanced the credit agreement[12, 35] - Modest net leverage of 0.1x EBITDA[12, 33] Investment Performance - Total AUM outperforming benchmark is 27% for 1-Year, 37% for 3-Year, 34% for 5-Year, and 69% for 10-Year[37] - Mutual Fund AUM Outperforming Peers is 56% for 1-Year, 57% for 3-Year, 54% for 5-Year, and 75% for 10-Year[38]

Core Insights - Virtus Investment Partners reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $169.3 billion and total client assets of $171.1 billion as of September 30, 2025, reflecting a decrease from previous months due to net outflows in various accounts [1][2]. Summary by Category Assets Under Management - As of September 30, 2025, total AUM was $169.3 billion, down from $170.6 billion in August and $170.7 billion in June 2025 [1][2]. - The breakdown of AUM by product type includes: - Open-End Funds: $55.724 billion - Closed-End Funds: $10.867 billion - Retail Separate Accounts: $46.798 billion - Institutional Accounts: $55.936 billion [2]. - AUM by asset class shows: - Equity: $92.066 billion - Fixed Income: $39.750 billion - Multi-Asset: $22.078 billion - Alternatives: $15.431 billion [2]. Performance Factors - The decrease in AUM from June 30, 2025, was attributed to net outflows in U.S. retail funds, institutional accounts, and retail separate accounts, which were partially offset by market performance and positive net flows in exchange-traded funds [1][2]. Company Overview - Virtus Investment Partners is a partnership of boutique investment managers focused on the long-term success of individual and institutional investors, offering a range of investment products and services [3].

Core Insights - Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (VRTS) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $170.8 billion for July 2025, showing a slight increase from June 30, 2025, primarily driven by positive net flows in exchange-traded funds and institutional accounts, despite net outflows in U.S. retail funds, retail separate accounts, and global funds [1][7] Group 1: AUM Performance - The company’s AUM of $170.8 billion includes $1.8 billion of other fee-earning assets, which were excluded from the AUM balance [2] - The open-end fund balance decreased nearly 1% from the prior month to $55.3 billion, while the closed-end fund balance increased by 1% to $10.6 billion [3] - Institutional accounts balance fell slightly to $57 billion sequentially, and retail separate accounts balance rose by 1.2% to $47.4 billion [3] Group 2: Business Model and Financial Outlook - The integrated multi-boutique business model of the company is expected to support its performance in a rapidly growing industry [4] - A decline in operating expenses is anticipated to bolster Virtus Investment's bottom line in the near term [4] Group 3: Industry Comparison - Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (VCTR) reported AUM of $299.8 billion for July 2025, reflecting a marginal increase from June 30, 2025 [5] - Invesco (IVZ) announced its AUM of $2,024.5 billion as of July 31, 2025, which increased by 1.2% from the previous month, influenced by favorable market returns and impacted by foreign exchange [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets under management (AUM) decreased to $167.5 billion as of March 31, primarily due to market performance and net outflows [9][16][20] - Earnings per share (EPS) as adjusted was $5.73, a decline from the previous quarter but an increase of 6% year-over-year [13][28] - Operating income as adjusted was $54.6 million, down from $74.5 million sequentially, largely due to seasonal employment expenses [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Institutional AUM accounted for 34% of total AUM, with net outflows of $1.2 billion primarily from large cap equity strategies [16][20] - Retail separate accounts experienced net outflows of $700 million, largely due to the soft closing of a specific equity model offering [10][21] - ETFs saw positive net flows of $300 million, with a year-over-year organic growth rate of 73% [12][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for the quarter were $6.2 billion, slightly down from $6.4 billion in the previous quarter, with stable sales across products despite market disruptions [9][19] - Institutional sales remained relatively unchanged at $1.5 billion, while retail separate account sales were also stable at $1.7 billion [19][20] - The average fee rate was 41.7 basis points, consistent with the previous quarter, reflecting a mix of asset classes [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its offerings in ETFs, global funds, and retail separate accounts, with several strategies under development [8][9] - Management emphasized the importance of active management in volatile markets, with over 70% of equity strategies outperforming their benchmarks [7][8] - The company aims to maintain a balanced approach to capital management, investing in growth while returning capital to shareholders [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing market volatility and uncertainty, which they believe provides opportunities for active managers to demonstrate value [6][10] - The company remains cautious about investor behavior in light of market conditions, with trends in retail investments remaining consistent [12][20] - Management expressed confidence in their investment performance, with a strong track record recognized by industry rankings [8][18] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 146,000 shares during the quarter, reducing shares outstanding by 3% on a net basis [14][29] - The first quarter typically represents the highest cash utilization due to annual incentives and revenue participation payments [29][30] - The net present value of the tax asset is approximately $112 million, providing a cash tax benefit not included in adjusted EPS [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fee rate outlook and changes - Management indicated that the fee rate will be influenced by market conditions and the mix of assets, with a target range of 41 to 42 basis points for modeling purposes [32][34] Question: Capital allocation and share repurchases - Management acknowledged an increase in share repurchases compared to previous quarters, emphasizing the importance of stock performance in capital allocation decisions [36][38] Question: SMAs and capacity constraints - Management confirmed that the soft closing of a successful SMA strategy was a response to market challenges, but they have other strategies available to investors [42][44] - There are no current capacity constraints in other areas of the retail channel, with expectations for growth in mid-cap strategies [45] Question: Monetizing deferred tax assets - Management clarified that they are achieving economic benefits from tax attributes and will continue to provide transparency regarding their value [46][47]