Mar 31, 2020

Equitable Holdings Q1 2020 Earnings Report

Equitable Holdings reported first quarter results with net income of $5.4 billion and non-GAAP operating earnings of $515 million.

Key Takeaways

Equitable Holdings reported a strong first quarter in 2020, marked by a net income of $5.4 billion and non-GAAP operating earnings of $515 million. The company's balance sheet and business model demonstrated resilience amidst an uncertain economic outlook, with a robust RBC ratio. AUM was $646 billion, down 3% year-over-year.

Net income attributable to Holdings was $5.4 billion, or $11.65 per common share.

Non-GAAP operating earnings were $515 million, or $1.08 per common share.

The company returned $274 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

RBC ratio was between 450-475%, exceeding the minimum target.

Total Revenue
$12.6B
Previous year: $1.71B
+634.7%
EPS
$1.08
Previous year: $0.98
+10.2%
Assets Under Management
$646B
RBC Ratio
450%
Gross Profit
$11.6B
Previous year: $795M
+1362.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$1B
Previous year: $5.13B
-80.5%
Total Assets
$241B
Previous year: $233B
+3.4%

Equitable Holdings

Equitable Holdings

Equitable Holdings Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Equitable Holdings expects to continue delivering on its 50-60% target payout ratio.

Positive Outlook

  • Individual Retirement first year premiums improved year-over-year driven by 11% growth in Structured Capital Strategies (“SCS”) sales.
  • Group Retirement generated net flows of $128 million, an increase of 20% year-over-year driven by 10% growth in gross premiums.
  • Investment Management and Research (AllianceBernstein or “AB”) reported retail gross sales of $24.2 billion, the highest in its history.
  • Protection Solutions continues to drive momentum in its Employee Benefits business with strong year-over-year growth in gross premiums.
  • Achieved net savings run-rate of $57 million, and we remain on track to deliver $75 million pre-tax productivity gains, net of reinvestment, by year-end.

Challenges Ahead

  • Account value decreased 9% driven primarily by equity market declines over the prior three months.
  • Net outflows of $320 million increased compared to the first quarter of 2019 as anticipated outflows from the fixed rate living benefits block of $935 million were partially offset by $615 million of net inflows from our current product offering of less capital-intensive products.
  • Account value decreased 5% driven primarily by equity market declines over the prior three months.
  • AUM decreased by 2% as net inflows over the prior twelve months were offset by market depreciation.
  • First quarter net outflows of $5.6 billion were driven by outflows in retail fixed income, partially offset by active equity and institutional inflows.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income