BOSTON, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE:EV) reported earnings per diluted share of $0.39 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.26 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and $0.28 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Fourth quarter fiscal 2009 earnings were increased approximately $0.05 per diluted share by tax adjustments primarily related to stock-based compensation. Third quarter fiscal 2009 earnings were reduced approximately $0.02 per diluted share by expenses associated with the $275.0 million initial public offering of Eaton Vance National Municipal Opportunities Trust in May. Fourth quarter fiscal 2008 earnings were reduced approximately $0.13 per diluted share by net realized and unrealized investment losses, including impairment losses. Net inflows of $5.5 billion into long-term funds and separate accounts in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compare to net inflows of $3.9 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and $0.3 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Net inflows reflect a $0.1 billion increase in fund leverage in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, a $0.2 billion increase in fund leverage in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and a $1.3 billion decrease in fund leverage in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company's annualized internal growth rate for the quarter was 15 percent. Assets under management on October 31, 2009 were $154.9 billion, an increase of $11.2 billion, or 8 percent, over the $143.7 billion of managed assets as of July 31, 2009. "Eaton Vance showed both strong internal growth and sharply rising profits in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009," said Thomas E. Faust Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Favorable trends in managed assets and ongoing expense control should support further earnings progress in fiscal 2010. We continue to believe that the Company is well positioned for future success." Comparison to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2009 Long-term fund net inflows of $0.5 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compare to $1.7 billion of net inflows in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and reflect $6.5 billion of fund sales and other inflows and $6.0 billion of fund redemptions. Institutional and high-net-worth separate account net inflows in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 were $4.4 billion, consisting of gross inflows of $5.7 billion offset by $1.3 billion of outflows. The strong results in institutional and high-net-worth separate accounts in the quarter primarily reflect the funding of new institutional mandates at Parametric Portfolio Associates and Eaton Vance Management. In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, inflows of $2.3 billion in institutional and high net worth separate accounts were offset by outflows of $1.1 billion. Retail managed account net inflows were $0.7 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to $1.0 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily reflecting strong net sales of Eaton Vance Management's large cap value and tax-advantaged income strategies offset by outflows at Atlanta Capital Management. Retail managed accounts gross inflows of $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 were in line with the $2.2 billion of inflows in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, while outflows of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 increased from outflows of $1.2 billion in the prior quarter. Tables 1-4 on page 7 summarize the Company's assets under management and asset flows by investment category. Revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 increased $25.7 million, or 11 percent, to $254.1 million from revenue of $228.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Investment advisory and administration fees increased 11 percent to $195.0 million, reflecting an 11 percent increase in average assets under management. Distribution and underwriter fees increased 9 percent due to an increase in average fund assets that pay these fees. Service fee revenue increased 11 percent due to an increase in average fund assets subject to service fees. Other revenue, which increased by $0.6 million over the prior quarter, included $1.2 million of net realized and unrealized gains on investments of consolidated funds recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to $0.4 million of net realized and unrealized gains on investments of consolidated funds in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Operating expenses increased $8.2 million, or 5 percent, to $177.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 from $169.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Compensation expense increased 2 percent, reflecting increases in adjusted operating income-based (defined below) bonus accruals offset by decreases in stock-based compensation and sales-based incentives. Distribution expense increased 7 percent from the prior fiscal quarter, reflecting an increase in revenue sharing payments and an increase in Class C distribution fees offset by a decrease in closed-end fund structuring fees. Service fee expense increased 9 percent, in line with the increase in assets subject to service fees. Amortization of deferred sales commissions decreased 6 percent consistent with an overall declining trend in Class B and Class C fund share sales and assets. Fund expenses increased 49 percent, primarily reflecting an increase in subadvisory expenses due to additional accruals in connection with the termination by the Company of certain sub-advisory agreements. Other expenses increased 2 percent due to increases in information technology and consulting expenses offset by decreases in facilities and travel expenses. Operating income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $76.9 million, an increase of 30 percent from operating income of $59.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The Company's operating margin improved to 30.2 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 from 25.9 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. In evaluating operating performance, the Company considers operating income and net income, which are calculated on a basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), as well as adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP performance measure. Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income excluding the results of consolidated funds and adding back closed-end fund structuring fees, stock-based compensation, write-offs of intangible assets and other items that we consider non-operating in nature. The Company believes that adjusted operating income is a key indicator of the Company's ongoing profitability and therefore uses this measure as the basis for calculating performance-based management incentives. Adjusted operating income is not, and should not be construed to be, a substitute for operating income computed in accordance with GAAP. However, in assessing the performance of the business, management and the Board of Directors look at adjusted operating income as a measure of underlying performance, since operating results of consolidated funds and amounts resulting from one-time events do not necessarily represent normal results of operations. In addition, when assessing performance, management and the Board look at performance both with and without stock-based compensation, a non-cash operating expense. Adjusted operating income of $85.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was 19 percent higher than the $72.1 million of adjusted operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and 7 percent below the $92.6 million of adjusted operating income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company's adjusted operating margin improved to 33.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 from 31.6 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The following table provides a reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income for the periods presented: Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income ---------------------------------------------------------- For the Three Months Ended -------------------------- October July October % Change 31, 31, 31, Q4 2009 to Q4 2009 to 2009 2009 2008 Q3 2009 Q4 2008 (in thousands) ---- ---- ---- -------------------- Operating income $76,865 $59,233 $76,355 30% 1% Closed- end fund structuring fees - 2,677 - NM NM Operating loss/ (income)of consolidated funds (1,363) (620) 7,151 120% NM Stock- based compensation 10,196 10,796 9,045 (6%) 13% Adjusted operating income $85,698 $72,086 $92,551 19% (7%) Interest income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased 8 percent from the third quarter of fiscal 2009 due to lower effective interest rates earned on cash balances. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recognized $2.2 million of net realized and unrealized gains on separate account investments and $0.2 million of impairment losses on investments in collateralized debt obligation entities. In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recognized $3.1 million of net realized and unrealized gains on separate account investments and $0.4 million of impairment losses on investments in collateralized debt obligation entities. The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before non-controlling interest and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates, was 29.8 percent and 39.5 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and the third quarter of fiscal 2009, respectively. The decrease in the Company's fourth quarter effective tax rate was due primarily to a tax adjustment related to stock-based compensation in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 that resulted in a $5.2 million net reduction in the Company's income tax expense. Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $48.4 million compared to net income of $31.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Comparison to Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2008 Revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 increased $4.3 million, or 2 percent, to $254.1 million from revenue of $249.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Investment advisory and administration fees increased 2 percent to $195.0 million, reflecting a 4 percent increase in average assets under management, offset by a modest decline in the Company's average effective investment advisory fee rate. Distribution and underwriter fees decreased 16 percent due to a decrease in average fund assets that pay these fees. Service fee revenue decreased 7 percent due to a decrease in average fund assets subject to service fees. Other revenue, which increased by $8.4 million on a year-over-year quarterly basis, included $1.2 million of net realized and unrealized gains on investments of consolidated funds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to $7.7 million of net realized and unrealized losses on investments in consolidated funds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 increased $3.9 million, or 2 percent, to $177.3 million compared to operating expenses of $173.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Compensation expense increased 19 percent, as increases in bonus accruals and stock-based compensation were partly offset by lower sales-based incentives and benefit costs. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company reduced the rate of its adjusted operating income-based bonus accruals to reflect deteriorating market conditions. Distribution expense decreased 7 percent from the prior fiscal year's fourth quarter due primarily to decreases in revenue sharing payments, Class C distribution fees, payments made under certain closed-end fund compensation agreements and commissions paid on certain sales of Class A shares. Service fee expense decreased 13 percent, in line with the decrease in assets subject to service fees. Amortization of deferred sales commissions decreased 28 percent consistent with an overall declining trend in Class B and Class C fund share sales and assets. Fund expenses increased 36 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, primarily reflecting an increase in subadvisory expenses due to additional accruals in connection with the termination by the Company of certain sub-advisory agreements. Other expenses decreased 7 percent, primarily due to a decrease in facilities, travel and consulting expenses offset by an increase in information technology expenses and an increase in the amortization of intangible assets associated with the December 2008 acquisition of the Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies ("TABS") business of M.D. Sass. Operating income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $76.9 million, an increase of 1 percent from operating income of $76.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Interest income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased 51 percent from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 due to lower effective interest rates earned on cash balances. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recognized $2.2 million of net realized and unrealized gains on separate account investments and $0.2 million of impairment losses on investments in collateralized debt obligation entities compared to $4.2 million of net realized and unrealized losses on investments and $13.2 million of impairment losses on investments in collateralized debt obligation entities in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company's effective tax rate, calculated as a percentage of income before non-controlling interest and equity in net income (loss) of affiliates, was 29.8 percent and 37.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. The decrease in the Company's effective tax rate was due primarily to a tax adjustment related to stock-based compensation in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 that resulted in a $5.2 million net reduction in the Company's income tax expense. Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $48.4 million compared to net income of $35.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $360.5 million as of October 31, 2009 compared to $366.9 million on October 31, 2008. In fiscal 2009, the Company used $30.0 million to fund the initial cost of the TABS acquisition, $41.1 million to fund share repurchases and paid $72.4 million of common share dividends. This was the 29th consecutive year the Company increased its dividends. There were no outstanding borrowings against the Company's $200.0 million credit facility on October 31, 2009. In conjunction with the TABS acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded $44.8 million of amortizable intangible assets representing client relationships acquired, which is being amortized over a ten year period. The Company also recorded a short-term liability of $13.9 million representing a contingent purchase price liability associated with the TABS acquisition. During fiscal 2009, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 1.5 million shares of its Non-Voting Common Stock. Approximately 1.2 million shares remain of the current 8.0 million share repurchase authorization. Eaton Vance Corp. is one of the oldest investment management firms in the United States, with a history dating back to 1924. Eaton Vance and its affiliates offer individuals and institutions a broad array of investment products and wealth management solutions. The Company's long record of providing exemplary service and attractive returns through a variety of market conditions has made Eaton Vance the investment manager of choice for many of today's most discerning investors. For more information about Eaton Vance, visit http://www.eatonvance.com/. This news release contains statements that are not historical facts, referred to as "forward-looking statements." The Company's actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward-looking statements, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, client sales and redemption activity, the continuation of investment advisory, administration, distribution and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Eaton Vance Corp. Summary of Results of Operations (in thousands, except per share figures) (unaudited) Three Months Ended % Change % Change Q4 Q4 2009 2009 October 31, July 31, October 31, to to 2009 2009 2008 Q3 2009 Q4 2008 Revenue: Investment advisory and administration fees $194,983 $175,167 $191,971 11% 2% Distribution and underwriter fees 23,713 21,719 28,099 9 (16) Service fees 33,228 29,862 35,883 11 (7) Other revenue 2,214 1,625 (6,187) 36 NM Total revenue 254,138 228,373 249,766 11 2 Expenses: Compensation of officers and employees 78,883 77,316 66,013 2 19 Distribution expense 27,095 25,386 29,001 7 (7) Service fee expense 26,441 24,151 30,466 9 (13) Amortization of deferred sales commissions 7,779 8,319 10,802 (6) (28) Fund expenses 7,786 5,230 5,737 49 36 Other expenses 29,289 28,738 31,392 2 (7) Total expenses 177,273 169,140 173,411 5 2 Operating Income 76,865 59,233 76,355 30 1 Other Income/(Expense): Interest income 789 857 1,597 (8) (51) Interest expense (8,413) (8,446) (8,386) (0) 0 Realized gains (losses) on investments 1,846 (375) (585) NM NM Unrealized gains (losses) on investments 341 3,499 (3,627) (90) NM Foreign currency gains (losses) 36 93 (86) (61) NM Impairment losses on investments (226) (369) (13,206) (39) (98) Income Before Income Taxes, Non-controlling Interest and Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates 71,238 54,492 52,062 31 37 Income Taxes (21,211) (21,507) (19,602) (1) 8 Non-controlling Interest (2,003) (1,599) (304) 25 NM Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates, Net of Tax 410 (163) 2,796 NM (85) Net Income $48,434 $31,223 $34,952 55 39 Earnings Per Share: Basic $0.42 $0.27 $0.30 56 40 Diluted $0.39 $0.26 $0.28 50 39 Dividends Declared, Per Share $0.160 $0.155 $0.155 3 3 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 116,478 116,410 115,809 0 1 Diluted 122,942 122,016 122,979 1 (0) Twelve Months Ended October 31, October 31, 2009 2008 % Change Revenue: Investment advisory and administration fees $683,820 $815,706 (16)% Distribution and underwriter fees 85,234 128,940 (34) Service fees 116,331 155,091 (25) Other revenue 4,986 (3,937) NM Total revenue 890,371 1,095,800 (19) Expenses: Compensation of officers and employees 293,062 302,679 (3) Distribution expense 95,988 122,930 (22) Service fee expense 94,468 129,287 (27) Amortization of deferred sales commissions 35,178 47,811 (26) Fund expenses 22,432 24,684 (9) Other expenses 116,023 104,657 11 Total expenses 657,151 732,048 (10) Operating Income 233,220 363,752 (36) Other Income/(Expense): Interest income 3,745 11,098 (66) Interest expense (33,682) (33,616) 0 Realized gains (losses) on investments (915) (682) 34 Unrealized gains (losses) on investments 6,993 (4,323) NM Foreign currency gains (losses) 165 (176) NM Impairment losses on investments (1,863) (13,206) (86) Income Before Income Taxes, Non-controlling Interest and Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates 207,663 322,847 (36) Income Taxes (71,044) (125,154) (43) Non-controlling Interest (5,418) (7,153) (24) Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Affiliates, Net of Tax (1,094) 5,123 NM Net Income $130,107 $195,663 (34) Earnings Per Share: Basic $1.12 $1.69 (34) Diluted $1.08 $1.57 (31) Dividends Declared, Per Share $0.625 $0.605 3 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 116,175 115,810 0 Diluted 120,728 124,483 (3) Eaton Vance Corp. Balance Sheet (in thousands, except per share figures) (unaudited) October 31, October 31, 2009 2008 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $310,586 $196,923 Short-term investments 49,924 169,943 Investment advisory fees and other receivables 107,975 108,644 Other current assets 19,677 9,291 Total current assets 488,162 484,801 Other Assets: Deferred sales commissions 51,966 73,116 Goodwill 135,786 122,234 Other intangible assets, net 80,834 39,810 Long-term investments 133,536 116,191 Deferred income taxes 97,044 66,357 Equipment and leasehold improvements, net 75,201 51,115 Note receivable from affiliate 8,000 10,000 Other assets 4,538 4,731 Total other assets 586,905 483,554 Total assets $1,075,067 $968,355 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accrued compensation $85,273 $93,134 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 51,881 55,322 Dividend payable 18,812 17,948 Taxes payable - 848 Deferred income taxes 15,580 20,862 Contingent purchase price liability 13,876 - Other current liabilities 2,901 3,317 Total current liabilities 188,323 191,431 Long-Term Liabilities: Long-term debt 500,000 500,000 Other long-term liabilities 35,812 26,269 Total long-term liabilities 535,812 526,269 Total liabilities 724,135 717,700 Non-controlling interests 3,824 10,528 Commitments and contingencies - - Shareholders' Equity: Voting common stock, par value $0.00390625 per share: Authorized, 1,280,000 shares Issued, 431,790 and 390,009 shares, respectively 2 2 Non-voting common stock, par value $0.00390625 per share: Authorized, 190,720,000 shares Issued, 117,087,810 and 115,421,762 shares, respectively 457 451 Notes receivable from stock option exercises (3,078) (4,704) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,394) (5,135) Additional paid-in capital 44,786 - Retained earnings 306,335 249,513 Total shareholders' equity 347,108 240,127 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,075,067 $968,355 Table 1 Asset Flows (in millions) Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2009 (unaudited) Assets 10/31/2008 - beginning of period $123,087 Long-term fund sales and inflows 25,372 Long-term fund redemptions and outflows (21,944) Long-term fund net exchanges 32 Institutional/HNW account inflows 13,015 Institutional/HNW account outflows (5,103) Institutional/HNW assets acquired 1 4,818 Retail managed account inflows 8,379 Retail managed account outflows (6,261) Retail managed account assets acquired 1 2,035 Market value change 11,160 Change in cash management funds 306 Net change 31,809 Assets 10/31/2009 - end of period $154,896 Table 2 Assets Under Management By Investment Category (in millions) (unaudited) October 31, October 31, % 2009 2008 Change Equity Funds $54,779 $51,956 5% Fixed Income Funds 24,970 20,382 23% Bank Loan Funds 16,452 13,806 19% Cash Management Funds 1,417 1,111 28% Separate Accounts 57,278 35,832 60% Total $154,896 $123,087 26% Table 3 Asset Flows by Investment Category (in millions) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31, July 31, October 31, October 31, October 31, 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008 Equity fund assets - beginning of period $52,873 $47,137 $67,164 $51,956 $72,928 Sales/ inflows 2,919 2,887 4,776 14,108 18,528 Redemptions/ outflows (3,053) (2,587) (4,126) (12,667) (10,818) Exchanges (17) 27 (112) (77) (196) Market value change 2,057 5,409 (15,746) 1,459 (28,486) Net change 1,906 5,736 (15,208) 2,823 (20,972) Equity assets - end of period $54,779 $52,873 $51,956 $54,779 $51,956 Fixed income fund assets - beginning of period 23,078 21,251 23,855 20,382 24,617 Sales/inflows 2,305 1,903 1,290 6,994 5,888 Redemptions/ outflows (1,691) (893) (1,529) (5,026) (5,316) Exchanges 6 14 23 106 184 Market value change 1,272 803 (3,257) 2,514 (4,991) Net change 1,892 1,827 (3,473) 4,588 (4,235) Fixed income assets - end of period $24,970 $23,078 $20,382 $24,970 $20,382 Bank loan fund assets - beginning of period 15,847 13,786 18,021 13,806 20,381 Sales/inflows 1,257 1,267 596 4,270 3,691 Redemptions/ outflows (1,284) (844) (1,424) (4,251) (5,301) Exchanges (3) 14 (53) 3 (347) Market value change 635 1,624 (3,334) 2,624 (4,618) Net change 605 2,061 (4,215) 2,646 (6,575) Bank loan assets - end of period $16,452 $15,847 $13,806 $16,452 $13,806 Long-term fund assets - beginning of period 91,798 82,174 109,040 86,144 117,926 Sales/ inflows 6,481 6,057 6,662 25,372 28,107 Redemptions/ outflows (6,028) (4,324) (7,079) (21,944) (21,435) Exchanges (14) 55 (142) 32 (359) Market value change 3,964 7,836 (22,337) 6,597 (38,095) Net change 4,403 9,624 (22,896) 10,057 (31,782) Total long-term fund assets - end of period $96,201 $91,798 $86,144 $96,201 $86,144 Separate accounts - beginning of period 50,452 44,282 45,041 35,832 42,160 Institutional /HNW account inflows 5,674 2,331 1,513 13,015 7,813 Institutional /HNW account outflows (1,261) (1,167) (1,852) (5,103) (5,363) Institutional /HNW assets acquired 1 - - - 4,818 - Retail managed account inflows 2,153 2,167 2,474 8,379 9,754 Retail managed account outflows (1,482) (1,201) (1,371) (6,261) (4,173) Retail managed accounts acquired 1 - - - 2,035 - Separate accounts market value change 1,742 4,040 (9,973) 4,563 (14,359) Net change 6,826 6,170 (9,209) 21,446 (6,328) Separate accounts - end of period $57,278 $50,452 $35,832 $57,278 $35,832 Cash management fund assets - end of period 1,417 1,462 1,111 1,417 1,111 Total assets under management - end of period $154,896 $143,712 $123,087 $154,896 $123,087 Table 4 Long-Term Fund and Separate Account Net Flows (in millions) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31, July 31, October 31, October 31, October 31, 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008 Long-term funds: Open-end and other funds $1,094 $1,825 $1,165 $7,398 $8,426 Closed-end funds 107 458 (735) (9) (613) Private funds (748) (550) (847) (3,961) (1,141) Institutional/ HNW accounts 4,413 1,164 (339) 7,912 2,450 Retail managed accounts 671 966 1,103 2,118 5,581 Total net flows $5,537 $3,863 $347 $13,458 $14,703 (1) Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies acquired by Eaton Vance subsidiary, Eaton Vance Management, in December 2008. DATASOURCE: Eaton Vance Corp. CONTACT: Robert Whelan, Eaton Vance Corp., +1-617-482-8260, Web Site: http://www.eatonvance.com/

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