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Shares of Raymond James RJF jumped 9.7% in response to better-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2022 (ended Dec 31) results in aftermarket trading. Adjusted earnings of $2.12 per share easily outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.77. The bottom line was up 42% from the prior-year quarter.
Results benefited from an impressive performance of the Capital Markets and Asset Management segments, which majorly drove revenues. A rise in assets balance, provision benefit and a strong balance sheet position were the other tailwinds. However, higher operating expenses posed an undermining factor.
Net income (GAAP basis) was $446 million or $2.10 per share, up from $312 million or $1.48 per share in the prior-year quarter.
Revenues & Costs Increase
Net revenues were $2.78 billion, increasing 25% year over year. The rise was driven by improvement in all revenue components, except other revenues. The top line also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.67 billion.
Segment-wise, in the reported quarter, RJ Bank registered a rise of 10% from the prior year in net revenues. Also, Private Client Group and Asset Management recorded 25% and 21% growth, respectively, in revenues. Capital Markets’ top line surged 36% from the year-ago quarter. Others recorded negative revenues of $15 million against revenues of $4 million in the prior-year quarter.
Non-interest expenses increased 22% to $2.22 billion. The rise was mainly due to higher compensation, commissions and benefits, and business development charges and investment sub-advisory fees, which were partly offset by benefit from bank loan provision.
As of Dec 31, 2021, client assets under administration were $1.26 trillion, up 23% from the end of the prior-year quarter. Financial assets under management were $203.2 billion, up 20%.
Strong Balance Sheet & Capital Ratios
As of Dec 31, 2021, Raymond James reported total assets of $68.5 billion, up 11% sequentially. Total equity increased 4% from the fiscal third quarter to $8.6 billion.
Book value per share was $41.45, up from $35.73 as of Dec 31, 2020.
As of Dec 31, 2021, total capital ratio was 26.9% compared with 24.6% as of Dec 31, 2020. Tier 1 capital ratio was 25.8% compared with 23.4% as of December 2020-end.
Return on equity (annualized basis) was 21.2% at the end of the reported quarter compared with 17.2% a year ago.
Our Take
Raymond James’ global diversification efforts, strategic acquisitions and strength in the investment banking business are expected to keep supporting top-line growth. However, continuously mounting operating expenses and lower interest rates remain near-term concerns.