In This Article:
Release Date: May 01, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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Cohen & Co Inc (COHN) reported a net income of $300,000 for the quarter, a significant improvement from a net loss of $2 million in the prior quarter.
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The company's full-service boutique investment banking operation, Cohen Company Capital Markets (CCM), generated $20.1 million in net revenue, reflecting strong performance.
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New issue and advisory revenue increased to $33.2 million in the first quarter, up by $23.2 million from the prior quarter.
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The company launched a new SPAC-focused equity trading desk, expanding its platform and creating synergistic opportunities.
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Cohen & Co Inc (COHN) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
Negative Points
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The company faced $13.1 million in negative principal transactions revenue due to markdowns of financial instruments received as consideration for advisory services.
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Total first-quarter principal transactions and other revenue were negative $15.7 million, primarily due to losses related to previously received consideration by CCM.
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Net trading revenue decreased by $600,000 compared to the first quarter of the previous year.
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Asset management revenue was down slightly from the prior quarter and decreased by $700,000 from the prior year quarter.
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Equity value of post-business combination SPACs continued to decline, negatively impacting both principal transactions and income from equity method affiliates.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you provide an overview of Cohen & Co Inc's financial performance for the first quarter of 2025? A: Joe Pooler, CFO: The net income attributable to Cohen & Co Inc shareholders was $300,000, or $0.19 per fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2 million in the prior quarter. Adjusted pre-tax income was $1.3 million, a significant improvement from a $7.7 million adjusted pre-tax loss in the previous quarter.
Q: What were the main contributors to the company's revenue in the first quarter? A: Joe Pooler, CFO: New issue and advisory revenue was $33.2 million, primarily driven by our CCM business, which saw substantial contributions from SPAC, M&A, and SPAC IPO transactions. However, this was offset by $13.1 million in negative principal transactions revenue.
Q: How did the company's principal transactions and other revenue perform? A: Joe Pooler, CFO: Total principal transactions and other revenue were negative $15.7 million, mainly due to losses related to financial instruments received as consideration for advisory services, which were marked down during the quarter.