CEO.CA Chairman's Briefing

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights

• Full Year Financial Summary
  • Record U.S. GAAP Net Revenues of $1.440 billion, up 18% compared to 2015
  • Record U.S. GAAP Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. of $107.5 million, up 151% compared to 2015, or $2.43 per share, up 148% compared to 2015
  • Record Adjusted Net Revenues of $1.431 billion, up 18% compared to 2015; 20% after adjusting for the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates
  • Record Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. of $223.0 million, up 30% compared to 2015, or $4.32 per share, up 34% compared to 2015
• Fourth Quarter Financial Summary
  • Record U.S. GAAP Net Revenues of $445.4 million, up 9% compared to Q4 2015
  • Record U.S. GAAP Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. of $43.4 million, up 111% compared to Q4 2015, or $0.98 per share, up 118% compared to Q4 2015
  • Record Adjusted Net Revenues of $442.2 million, up 9% compared to Q4 2015; 11% after adjusting for the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates
  • Record Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. of $74.4 million, up 15% compared to Q4 2015, or $1.43 per share, up 17% compared to Q4 2015
• Announced John S. Weinberg joined as Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman of Evercore
• Investment Banking
  • Advising clients on significant transactions globally:
    • The largest technology transaction in 2016: Qualcomm on its pending $47 billion acquisition of NXP Semiconductors NV
    • The largest telecom transaction in 2016: CenturyLink on its pending $34 billion acquisition of Level 3 Communications, Inc.
    • The two largest healthcare transactions announced in 2016: Abbott Laboratories on its $31 billion acquisition of St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Medivation on its $14 billion sale to Pfizer Inc.
    • The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. on HNA Group's $6.5 billion acquisition of a 25% equity interest in Hilton from Blackstone
    • The largest ever cross-border South Korean M&A transaction: Samsung Electronics on its pending $9 billion acquisition of Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    • The largest German commercial real estate transaction since 2008: The shareholders of IVG on OfficeFirst‎ Immobilien AG's pending €3.3 billion sale to Blackstone
    • Bookrunner on the two largest U.S. IPOs in 2016 and independent advisor on the largest U.K. IPO in 2016
• Announced the strengthening of our strategic alliance with Luminis Partners in Australia, acquiring an ~20% interest in the business
• Announced the addition of five Senior Managing Directors in 2016 and four newly promoted Senior Managing Directors in our Advisory business in 2017. In addition, we have already announced the addition of two Advisory Senior Managing Directors in 2017
• Returned $225.8 million of capital to shareholders during the year through dividends and repurchases, including repurchases of 3.5 million shares/units at an average price of $48.03.  Quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share

Evercore Partners Inc. (NYSE: EVR) today announced its results for the full year ended December 31, 2016.

U.S. GAAP Results:

The following is a discussion of Evercore's results on a U.S. GAAP basis.

Net Revenues were $1.440 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 18% compared to $1.223 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Net Revenues were $445.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 9% compared to $408.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $107.5 million, up 151% compared to $42.9 million for the same period last year. Earnings Per Share was $2.43 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, up 148% in comparison to the prior year period. Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 was $43.4 million, up 111% compared to $20.6 million a year ago. Earnings Per Share was $0.98 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, up 118% in comparison to the prior year period.

The trailing twelve-month compensation ratio of 62.5% compares to 64.4% for the same period in 2015. The compensation ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 was 60.1%, compared to 62.3% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Evercore's effective tax rate was 40.0% and 44.5%, respectively, compared to 60.9% and 57.2%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The effective tax rate is impacted by the non-deductible treatment of compensation associated with Evercore LP Units/Interests.

Adjusted Results:

The following is a discussion of Evercore's results on an Adjusted basis. See pages 4 and 5 and A-2 to A-13 for further information and reconciliations of these metrics to our U.S. GAAP results.

Net Revenues were $1.431 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 18% compared to $1.216 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Assuming the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates had occurred on December 31, 2014, Net Revenues would have increased 20% compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Net Revenues were $442.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 9% compared to $404.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. Assuming the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates had occurred on December 31, 2014, Net Revenues would have increased 11% compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2015. Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. was $223.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, up 30% compared to $171.3 million for the same period last year. Earnings Per Share was $4.32 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, up 34% in comparison to the prior year period. Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. was $74.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, up 15% compared to $64.7 million a year ago. Earnings Per Share was $1.43 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, up 17% in comparison to the prior year period.

The compensation ratio for the trailing twelve months was 57.3%, compared to 57.8% for the same period in 2015. The compensation ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 was 57.2%, compared to 58.6% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Evercore's effective tax rate was 38.0%, compared to 37.5% and 37.3%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by a higher percentage of earnings in the U.S. in 2016. Changes in the effective tax rate are also driven by the level of earnings in businesses with minority owners.

Evercore's quarterly results may fluctuate significantly due to the timing and amount of transaction fees earned, as well as other factors. Accordingly, financial results in any particular quarter may not be representative of future results over a longer period of time.

"Evercore's fourth quarter and full year 2016 results reflect strong performance in our Investment Banking business globally. We delivered our eighth consecutive year of growth in both revenues and earnings, and operating margins of 26.5%, and at the same time, meaningfully increased our market share of advisory revenues, both among all public firms and among all public independent firms. The Evercore ISI team reaffirmed its position as the leading independent equity research firm in the U.S., maintaining revenues and profitability in a challenging environment," said Ralph Schlosstein, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These results enabled us to deliver significant value to our shareholders, returning more than $225 million of capital in 2016, through dividends and share repurchases."

"This past year saw record results again and an important expansion of our reach. John Weinberg joined us as Executive Chairman, which represents a giant step forward for Evercore," said Roger C. Altman, Founder and Senior Chairman. "And, already in 2017, we have added six new Senior Managing Directors to our global advisory franchise. Masuo Fukuda has joined us in Tokyo and will work with our long standing partner there, Mizuho. And, Ira Wolfson, who has worked with industrial companies, joined us in New York. Furthermore, we promoted four new Advisory SMDs internally, both in New York and London. Overall, the firm has never been more capable."

"Our Advisory business performed strongly in key industry sectors, particularly in Healthcare, TMT, Energy and Financial Services. We received significant contributions from our teams focused on restructuring and equity, debt and private capital advisory services, and our activist and defense team was involved in 5 of the 7 public activist situations in the U.S. over $10 billion. We consider it a privilege to continue to assist and advise our clients and see great opportunities ahead," said John S. Weinberg, Executive Chairman.

Non-GAAP Measures:

Throughout this release certain information is presented on an Adjusted basis, which is a non-GAAP measure. Adjusted results begin with information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), and then those results are adjusted to exclude certain items and reflect the conversion of vested and certain unvested Evercore LP Units and Interests into Class A shares. Evercore believes that the disclosed Adjusted measures and any adjustments thereto, when presented in conjunction with comparable U.S. GAAP measures, are useful to investors to compare Evercore's results across several periods and facilitate an understanding of Evercore's operating results. Evercore uses these measures to evaluate its operating performance, as well as the performance of individual employees. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Evercore's Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Evercore Partners Inc. for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was higher than U.S. GAAP as a result of the exclusion of expenses associated with awards granted in conjunction with certain of the Company's acquisitions, and certain other business acquisition-related charges, special charges and professional fees.

Acquisition-related compensation charges for 2016 include expenses associated with performance-based awards granted in conjunction with the Company's acquisition of ISI. The amount of expense is based on the determination that it is probable that Evercore ISI will achieve certain earnings and margin targets in future periods. Acquisition and Transition charges for 2016 include professional fees incurred, as well as the reversal of a provision for certain settlements. Acquisition-related charges for 2016 also include adjustments for contingent consideration related to certain acquisitions. Special Charges for 2016 relate to a charge for the impairment of our investment in Atalanta Sosnoff during the fourth quarter.

In addition, for Adjusted purposes, client related expenses have been presented as a reduction from Revenues and Non-compensation costs. The gain resulting from the transfer of ownership of the Mexican Private Equity business in the third quarter of 2016 has also been presented as a reduction from Revenues.

Evercore's Adjusted Diluted Shares Outstanding for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were higher than U.S. GAAP as a result of the inclusion of Evercore LP partnership units, as well as the assumed vesting of LP Units/Interests and unvested restricted stock units granted to ISI employees.

This release also presents changes in Adjusted Net Revenues, Adjusted Investment Management Net Revenues and Adjusted Investment Management Expenses from the prior-year periods assuming that the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates occurred on December 31, 2014. This includes the restructuring of Atalanta Sosnoff that occurred on December 31, 2015 and the transfer of ownership of the Mexican Private Equity Business that occurred on September 30, 2016. Evercore believes this is useful additional information for investors because it improves the comparability of period-over-period results and aligns with management's view of business performance.

Further details of these adjustments, as well as an explanation of similar amounts for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and the three months ended September 30, 2016, are included in Annex I, pages A-2 to A-13. 

Business Line Reporting - Discussion of U.S. GAAP Results

The following is a discussion of Evercore's segment results on a U.S. GAAP basis.

Investment Banking

For the fourth quarter, Evercore's Investment Banking segment reported Net Revenues of $427.4 million, which represents an increase of 11% year-over-year.  Operating Income of $98.6 million increased 27% from the fourth quarter of last year. The Operating Margin was 23.1%, in comparison to 20.1% for the fourth quarter of last year. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Investment Banking reported Net Revenues of $1.364 billion, an increase of 21% from last year. Year-to-date Operating Income of $251.4 million increased 64% compared to $152.9 million last year. The year-to-date Operating Margin was 18.4% compared to 13.5% last year. 

Revenues

During the quarter, Investment Banking earned advisory fees from 256 client transactions (vs. 222 in Q4 2015) and fees in excess of $1 million from 82 client transactions (vs. 68 in Q4 2015). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Investment Banking earned advisory fees from 568 client transactions (vs. 484 in 2015) and fees in excess of $1 million from 246 client transactions (vs. 180 in 2015).

During the fourth quarter of 2016, Commissions and Related Fees of $63.1 million decreased 1% from last year on lower trading volume. Underwriting Fees of $11.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased 37% versus the prior year. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Commissions and Related Fees of $231.0 million increased 1% from last year on higher trading volume. Underwriting Fees of $36.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 decreased 10% versus 2015.

Expenses

Compensation costs were $261.1 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of 8% year-over-year. The trailing twelve-month compensation ratio was 63.1%, down from 64.9% a year ago. Evercore's Investment Banking compensation ratio was 61.1% for the fourth quarter, down versus the compensation ratio reported for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of 62.9%. Year to-date compensation costs were $861.1 million, an increase of 17% from the prior year.

Compensation costs include $14.4 million and $80.4 million of expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, respectively, and $17.4 million and $82.5 million of expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015, respectively, related to the Class E, G and H LP Units/Interests issued in conjunction with the acquisition of ISI. The amount of expense related to the Class G and H LP Interests is based on the determination that it is probable that Evercore ISI will achieve certain earnings and margin targets in future periods.

Assuming the maximum thresholds for the Class G and H LP Interests were considered probable of achievement at December 31, 2016, an additional $35.0 million of expense would have been incurred in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016 and the remaining expense to be accrued over the future vesting period extending from January 1, 2017 to February 15, 2020 would be $110.5 million. In that circumstance, the total number of Class G and H LP Interests that would vest and become exchangeable to Class E LP Units would be 4.9 million.

Non-compensation costs for the current quarter were $67.7 million, up 4% from the same period last year. The ratio of non-compensation costs to net revenue for the current quarter was 15.8%, compared to 17.0% in the same quarter last year. Year-to-date non-compensation costs were $251.4 million, up 4% from the prior year. The ratio of non-compensation costs to net revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was 18.4%, compared to 21.4% last year.

Investment Management

For the fourth quarter, Evercore's Investment Management segment reported Net Revenues of $18.0 million and an Operating Loss of ($1.2) million. The Operating Margin was (6.6%) for the quarter. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Investment Management reported Net Revenues of $76.2 million and Operating Income of $9.8 million. The year-to-date Operating Margin was 12.9%, compared to (26.2%) last year.

As of December 31, 2016, Investment Management reported $8.0 billion of AUM, a decrease of 4% from September 30, 2016.

Revenues

On December 31, 2015, the Company restructured its investment in Atalanta Sosnoff such that, following the restructuring, its results are reflected on the equity method of accounting.

On September 30, 2016, the Company completed the transfer of ownership and control of the Mexican Private Equity Business to a newly formed entity, Glisco Partners Inc., which is controlled by the principals of the business.

Investment Advisory and Management Fees of $16.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 decreased 28% compared to the same period a year ago, driven primarily by lower fees in Institutional Asset Management related to our deconsolidation of Atalanta Sosnoff, partially offset by higher fees in Wealth Management.

Realized and Unrealized Gains of $1.9 million in the quarter decreased relative to the prior year, with the change relative to the prior period driven principally by lower gains in Private Equity.

Expenses

Investment Management's fourth quarter expenses were $19.2 million, down 29% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Year-to-date Investment Management expenses were $66.4 million, down 43% from a year ago.

Special Charges reflect an impairment charge of $8.1 million incurred in the fourth quarter of 2016 related to the Company's equity method investment in Atalanta Sosnoff.

Business Line Reporting - Discussion of Adjusted Results

The following is a discussion of Evercore's segment results on an Adjusted basis. See pages 4 and 5 and A-2 to A-13 for further information and reconciliations of these metrics to our U.S. GAAP results.

Investment Banking

For the fourth quarter, Evercore's Investment Banking segment reported Net Revenues of $423.4 million, which represents an increase of 12% year-over-year. Operating Income of $119.0 million increased 16% from the fourth quarter of last year. The Operating Margin was 28.1%, in comparison to 27.2% for the fourth quarter of last year. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Investment Banking reported Net Revenues of $1.350 billion, an increase of 21% from last year. Year-to-date Operating Income of $354.5 million increased 32% compared to $268.7 million last year. The year-to-date Operating Margin was 26.3% compared to 24.1% last year.

Revenues

During the quarter, Investment Banking earned advisory fees from 256 client transactions (vs. 222 in Q4 2015) and fees in excess of $1 million from 82 client transactions (vs. 68 in Q4 2015).  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Investment Banking earned advisory fees from 568 client transactions (vs. 484 in 2015) and fees in excess of $1 million from 246 client transactions (vs. 180 in 2015).

During the fourth quarter of 2016, Commissions and Related Fees of $63.1 million decreased 1% from last year on lower trading volume. Underwriting Fees of $11.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased 37% versus the prior year. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Commissions and Related Fees of $231.0 million increased 1% from last year on higher trading volume. Underwriting Fees of $36.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 decreased 10% versus the prior year.

Within the above results, Evercore ISI, our U.S. equities business, reported Net Revenues of $246.2 million, including allocated U.S. underwriting revenues of $15.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and Operating Margins of 21.8%, compared to 19.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Operating margins as contemplated for the performance targets of the Class G and H LP Interests, giving effect to just Commissions and Related Fees, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were consistent with those assumed at the time of the closing of the transactions.

Expenses

Compensation costs were $246.6 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of 10% year-over-year. The trailing twelve-month compensation ratio was 57.8%, down from 58.2% a year ago. Evercore's Investment Banking compensation ratio was 58.3% for the fourth quarter, down versus the compensation ratio reported for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of 59.2%. Year-to-date compensation costs were $780.3 million, an increase of 20% from the prior year.

Non-compensation costs for the current quarter were $57.8 million, up 13% from the same period last year. The increase in non-compensation costs versus the same period in the prior year reflects the addition of personnel within most parts of the business. The ratio of non-compensation costs to net revenue for the current quarter was 13.6%, flat compared to the same quarter last year. Year-to-date non-compensation costs were $215.5 million, up 9% from the prior year. The ratio of non-compensation costs to net revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was 16.0%, compared to 17.7% last year.

Investment Management

For the fourth quarter, Evercore's Investment Management segment reported Net Revenues of $18.8 million and Operating Income of $8.0 million. The Operating Margin was 42.7% for the quarter. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, Investment Management reported Net Revenues of $80.8 million and Operating Income $24.3 million. The year-to-date Operating Margin was 30.1%, compared to 23.6% last year.

As of December 31, 2016, Investment Management reported $8.0 billion of AUM, a decrease of 4% from September 30, 2016.

Revenues

Investment Advisory and Management Fees of $15.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 decreased 29% compared to the same period a year ago, driven primarily by lower fees in Institutional Asset Management related to our deconsolidation of Atalanta Sosnoff, partially offset by higher fees in Wealth Management.

On December 31, 2015, the Company restructured its investment in Atalanta Sosnoff such that, following the restructuring, its results are reflected on the equity method of accounting. On September 30, 2016, the Company completed the transfer of ownership and control of the Mexican Private Equity Business to a newly formed entity, Glisco Partners Inc., which is controlled by the principals of the business. Assuming the restructuring of these Investment Management affiliates had occurred on December 31, 2014, Investment Management Revenues would have decreased 7% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

Realized and Unrealized Gains of $1.9 million in the quarter decreased relative to the prior year, with the change relative to the prior period driven principally by lower gains in Private Equity.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates of $1.0 million in the quarter decreased relative to the prior year principally as a result of lower income earned in the fourth quarter of 2016 by ABS.

Expenses

Investment Management's fourth quarter expenses were $10.8 million, down 44% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Assuming the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates had occurred on December 31, 2014, Investment Management expenses would have decreased 21% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Year-to-date Investment Management expenses were $56.5 million, down 27% from a year ago. Assuming the restructuring of certain Investment Management affiliates had occurred on December 31, 2014, Investment Management expenses would have increased 2% when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.

Balance Sheet

The Company continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, holding cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $625.0 million at December 31, 2016. Current assets exceed current liabilities by $462.8 million at December 31, 2016. Amounts due related to the Long-Term Notes Payable and Subordinated Borrowings were $184.6 million at December 31, 2016.

Capital Transactions

On January 30, 2017, the Board of Directors of Evercore declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share to be paid on March 10, 2017 to common stockholders of record on February 24, 2017.

During the three months ended December 31, 2016 the Company repurchased approximately 94,000 shares/units at an average price per share/unit of $64.54. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of approximately 3.5 million shares/units at an average price per share/unit of $48.03.

Conference Call

Evercore will host a related conference call beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday, February 1, 2017, accessible via telephone and the internet. Investors and analysts may participate in the live conference call by dialing (877) 359-9508 (toll-free domestic) or (224) 357-2393 (international); passcode: 57095087. Please register at least 10 minutes before the conference call begins. A replay of the call will be available for one week via telephone starting approximately one hour after the call ends. The replay can be accessed at (855) 859-2056 (toll-free domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international); passcode: 57095087. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Evercore's website at www.evercore.com. The webcast will be archived on Evercore's website for 30 days after the call.

About Evercore

Established in 1995, Evercore is a leading global independent investment banking advisory firm. Evercore advises a diverse set of investment banking clients on a wide range of transactions and issues and provides institutional investors with high quality equity research, sales and trading execution that is free of the conflicts created by proprietary activities. The Firm also offers investment management services to high net worth and institutional investors. With 27 offices and affiliate offices in North America, Europe, South America and Asia, Evercore has the scale and strength to serve clients globally through a focused and tailored approach designed to meet their unique needs. More information about Evercore can be found on the Company's website at www.evercore.com.

Investor Contact:     
Robert B. Walsh
Chief Financial Officer, Evercore
212-857-3100

Media Contact:         
Dana Gorman
The Abernathy MacGregor Group, for Evercore
212-371-5999

Basis of Alternative Financial Statement Presentation

Our Adjusted results are a non-GAAP measure. As discussed further under "Non-GAAP Measures" above, Evercore believes that the disclosed Adjusted measures and any adjustments thereto, when presented in conjunction with comparable U.S. GAAP measures, are useful to investors to compare Evercore's results across several periods and better reflect management's view of operating results. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of our U.S. GAAP results to Adjusted results is presented in the tables included in Annex I.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, Evercore's operations and financial performance. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "probable," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this presentation are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in Evercore's business. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Evercore believes these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under "Risk Factors" discussed in Evercore's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and Registration Statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Evercore to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can Evercore assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and Evercore does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Evercore undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

With respect to any securities offered by any private equity fund referenced herein, such securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.