Equitable(EQH) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-GAAP operating earnings for Q1 2025 were $421 million or $1.30 per share, down 7% year over year on a per share basis [5][19] - Adjusted for notable items, non-GAAP operating EPS was $1.35, a decrease of 3% compared to the prior year [5][19] - GAAP net income was $63 million, lower than non-GAAP operating earnings due to non-economic hedging impacts [20] - Reported book value per share excluding AOCI was $27.62, while adjusted book value per share including ownership in AB at market value was $39.96 [20][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Protection Solutions segment reported a loss of $17 million due to high mortality claims, which were approximately $80 million above expectations [6][22] - Retirement businesses produced $1.6 billion of net inflows, driven by the RILEH franchise and institutional offerings [6][25] - Wealth management business had $2 billion of advisory net inflows, with advisor productivity up 8% and a 12% organic growth rate [6][25] - AllianceBernstein (AB) reported positive net flows across all distribution channels, with total active net inflows of $2.7 billion [7][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong net flows in individual retirement, with $1.4 billion in net flows and an 8% organic growth rate over the last twelve months [55] - Group Retirement had positive net inflows of $192 million, while Wealth Management advisory net flows were $2 billion [25][26] - AB's institutional pipeline increased materially by several billion dollars in Q1, indicating confidence in future flows despite market volatility [60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to close a reinsurance transaction with RGA, which will free up over $2 billion of capital and enhance focus on retirement, asset management, and wealth management [9][34] - The strategy includes increasing ownership in AllianceBernstein to 69%, capturing more economic benefits and synergies between the two firms [9][35] - The company emphasizes the importance of providing retirement and investment advice, especially during periods of market volatility, to meet the growing demand for secure income solutions [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macro volatility due to a strong balance sheet and predictable cash flows [10][37] - The company highlighted favorable demographic trends, with 4 million Americans turning 65 each year, increasing the demand for retirement solutions [12] - Management noted that periods of market volatility enhance the need for the advice and solutions offered, positioning the company well for future growth [11][37] Other Important Information - The company returned $335 million to shareholders in Q1, representing an 80% payout ratio, and plans to increase the quarterly cash dividend by 13% [8][28] - The company has $2.2 billion of cash and liquid assets at holdings, up from $1.8 billion at the end of the previous quarter [28] - The company expects to close the life reinsurance transaction in mid-2025, which will provide significant financial flexibility [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Size of extraordinary dividend from $2 billion proceeds - Management expects to take an extraordinary dividend of about $1 billion later in the year after the reinsurance transaction [40][41] Question: Demand for products amid market volatility - Management reported robust sales in April, driven by demographic trends and heightened market volatility [44][46] Question: Impact of elevated expenses and lower fee days on earnings - Elevated expenses had a pretax impact of about $10 million on individual retirement earnings, but growth in net investment margin is expected [48][49] Question: Leverage ratio management - Management indicated that any incremental buybacks would likely be accompanied by debt repayment to maintain leverage ratios [50][51] Question: Outlook for cash flow guidance - Management remains confident in the $1.6 billion to $1.7 billion cash flow guidance despite current market conditions [90][91] Question: Changes in ownership thoughts for AllianceBernstein - Management has no immediate plans to increase ownership beyond 69% but is pleased with the current synergies [92][93]