10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

     For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005

 

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

     For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File No. 1-8529

 


 

LEGG MASON, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Maryland   52-1200960

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

100 Light Street

Baltimore, Maryland

  21202
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 539-0000

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange
on which registered


Common Stock, $.10 par value   New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

As of September 30, 2004, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting stock, consisting of the registrant’s common stock and the exchangeable shares discussed below, held by non-affiliates was $4,970,216,877.

 

As of May 20, 2005, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 107,469,506. In addition, on that date, a subsidiary of the registrant had outstanding 2,562,831 exchangeable shares which are convertible on a one-for-one basis at any time into shares of common stock of the registrant.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 19, 2005 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

     PART I     
Item 1.   

Business

   1
Item 2.   

Properties

   25
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

   26
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   26
Item 4A.   

Executive Officers of the Company

   26
     PART II     
Item 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   28
Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

   33
Item 7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   34
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   55
Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   56
Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   79
Item 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

   79
Item 9B.   

Other Information

   79
     PART III     
Item 10.   

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   80
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

   80
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   80
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   80
Item 14.   

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

   81
     PART IV     
Item 15.   

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   82

 

i


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

 

General

 

We are a holding company that, through our subsidiaries, is principally engaged in providing the following to individuals, institutions, corporations, governments and government agencies:

 

    asset management;

 

    securities brokerage;

 

    investment banking; and

 

    other related financial services.

 

We currently operate through three business segments: Asset Management, Private Client and Capital Markets; however, in reporting our results, we include a fourth segment — Corporate.

 

In our asset management business, we provide investment advisory services to institutional and individual clients and company-sponsored investment funds. We classify our asset management business into three divisions: Mutual Funds, Institutional and Wealth Management.

 

In our Mutual Funds business, we sponsor domestic and international equity, fixed income and money market mutual and closed-end funds and other proprietary funds. We have three asset management subsidiaries, or business groups within subsidiaries, that primarily focus on managing or distributing proprietary investment funds:

 

    Legg Mason Capital Management, Inc., an equity asset manager located in Baltimore, Maryland, that, as of April 1, 2005, combined its business with, and thus acquired substantially all of the mutual funds business of, Legg Mason Funds Management, Inc.;

 

    Royce & Associates, LLC, a primarily small-cap value equity manager located in New York, New York; and

 

    Legg Mason Investments Holdings Limited, which primarily distributes company-sponsored offshore funds and is headquartered in London, England.

 

Our Institutional asset management subsidiaries provide a wide range of asset management services and products to domestic and international institutional clients. Our Institutional asset management subsidiaries, or business groups within subsidiaries, are:

 

    Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited and Legg Mason Asset Management (Asia) Pte Limited, fixed income asset managers located in Pasadena, California; London, England; and Singapore;

 

    Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc., a U.S., international and emerging markets equity manager headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts;

 

    Brandywine Asset Management, LLC, an equity and U.S., international and global fixed income manager headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware;

 

    Legg Mason Capital Management, Inc., an equity asset manager located in Baltimore, Maryland that operates, in addition to its mutual funds business that is part of our Mutual Funds division, an institutional asset management business that is part of this division; and

 

    Legg Mason Canada Inc., a fixed income and equity manager headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

 

1


Table of Contents

Our Wealth Management subsidiaries provide customized discretionary investment management services and products to high net worth individuals and families, endowments and foundations and institutions. Our Wealth Management subsidiaries are:

 

    Private Capital Management, L.P., an equity asset manager located in Naples, Florida;

 

    Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC, an equity, fixed income and balanced portfolio manager that operates out of offices in New York City, Chicago, Cincinnati and Philadelphia and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland;

 

    Bartlett & Co., a balanced, equity and fixed income portfolio manager headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio;

 

    Legg Mason Trust, fsb, a federally chartered unitary thrift institution that manages fixed income and equity assets and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland;

 

    Barrett Associates, Inc., an equity asset manager located in New York, New York;

 

    Berkshire Asset Management, Inc., an equity, balanced and fixed income portfolio manager located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and

 

    Legg Mason Focus Capital, Inc., an equity asset manager headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

 

Our Private Client and Capital Markets business segment activities are primarily conducted through Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated (“Legg Mason Wood Walker”), our principal broker-dealer subsidiary. Legg Mason Wood Walker is a full service broker-dealer, investment advisor and investment banking firm operating primarily in the Eastern and Southern regions of the United States. These activities are also conducted through Howard Weil Incorporated, an institutional broker-dealer focusing on the energy business.

 

Our Corporate business segment consists primarily of unallocated corporate revenues and expenses.

 

See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results by Segment” for the net revenues and pre-tax earnings of each of our business segments. See Note 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for our net revenues and pre-tax earnings generated in each of the four principal geographic areas in which we conduct business.

 

Legg Mason, Inc. was incorporated in Maryland in 1981 to serve as a holding company for Legg Mason Wood Walker and other subsidiaries. The predecessor company to Legg Mason Wood Walker was formed in 1970 under the name Legg Mason & Co., Inc. to combine the operations of Legg & Co., a Maryland-based broker-dealer formed in 1899, and Mason & Company, Inc., a Virginia-based broker-dealer formed in 1962. Our subsequent growth has occurred primarily through internal expansion and the acquisition of asset management and broker-dealer firms.

 

Additional information about Legg Mason is available on our website at http://www.leggmason.com. We make available, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and our proxy statements. Investors can find this information under the “Inside Legg Mason-Investor Relations” section of our website. These reports are available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Legg Mason, Inc. Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Conduct for all employees and directors and charters for the committees of our Board of Directors are also available on our corporate website at http://www.leggmason.com under the “Inside Legg Mason-Investor Relations” section. A copy of any of these materials may also be obtained, free of charge, by sending a written request to Corporate

 

2


Table of Contents

Secretary, Legg Mason, Inc., 100 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Within the time frames required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, we will post on our website any amendments to the Code of Conduct and any waiver of the Code of Conduct applicable to any executive officer, director, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Report.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Report to “we,” “us,” “our” and “Legg Mason” include Legg Mason, Inc. and its predecessors and subsidiaries.

 

Revenues by Source

 

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

     Years Ended March 31,

 
     2005

    2004

    2003(1)

 
     Amount

   Percent

    Amount

   Percent

    Amount

   Percent

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Investment Advisory and Related Fees:

                                       

Separate Accounts

   $ 931,030    38.7 %   $ 678,867    35.0 %   $ 488,614    32.6 %

Mutual Funds:

                                       

Advisory Fees

     460,629    19.1       329,908    17.0       223,540    14.9  

Distribution Fees

     241,218    10.0       190,073    9.8       137,024    9.1  

Related Fees

     23,453    1.0       18,182    0.9       11,152    0.7  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total

     1,656,330    68.8       1,217,030    62.7       860,330    57.3  

Commissions:

                                       

Listed and Over-the-Counter

     221,379    9.2       223,395    11.5       197,339    13.2  

Mutual Funds

     97,850    4.1       79,021    4.1       77,671    5.2  

Insurance and Annuities

     35,251    1.5       35,974    1.8       36,408    2.4  

Options

     3,862    0.1       5,129    0.3       5,301    0.3  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total

     358,342    14.9       343,519    17.7       316,719    21.1  

Principal Transactions:

                                       

U.S. Government and Agency

     59,680    2.5       55,638    2.9       58,500    3.9  

Municipal

     22,483    0.9       27,254    1.4       31,777    2.1  

Corporate Debt

     42,521    1.8       47,547    2.4       35,569    2.4  

Equities

     36,849    1.5       35,042    1.8       32,348    2.1  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total

     161,533    6.7       165,481    8.5       158,194    10.5  

Investment Banking:

                                       

Corporate

     116,917    4.9       135,608    7.0       93,350    6.2  

Municipal

     20,353    0.8       14,489    0.7       15,681    1.1  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total

     137,270    5.7       150,097    7.7       109,031    7.3  

Interest Income

     118,695    4.9       84,314    4.3       106,220    7.1  

Other

     57,382    2.4       43,826    2.3       35,849    2.4  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Total Revenues

     2,489,552    103.4       2,004,267    103.2       1,586,343    105.7  

Interest Expense

     80,844    3.4       63,155    3.2       85,997    5.7  
    

  

 

  

 

  

Net Revenues

   $ 2,408,708    100.0 %   $ 1,941,112    100.0 %   $ 1,500,346    100.0 %
    

  

 

  

 

  


(1) Restated to reflect discontinued mortgage banking and servicing operations, where applicable.

 

3


Table of Contents

Asset Management Business Segment

 

Our Asset Management business segment provides investment advisory services to institutional and individual clients and company-sponsored investment funds. Operating in offices primarily located in the United States, and also located in the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore, our asset management subsidiaries provide a broad array of investment management products and services. Our investment products include proprietary mutual funds ranging from money market and fixed income funds to equity funds managed in a wide variety of investing styles and other domestic and offshore funds offered to both retail and institutional investors. We believe that our asset management business’ diversification across asset classes, investment styles and distribution channels helps to mitigate our exposure to the risks created by changing market environments.

 

In our asset management business, our subsidiaries primarily earn revenues by charging fees for managing the investment assets of clients. Fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the value of assets under management and vary with the type of account managed, the asset manager and the type of client. Accordingly, the fee income of each of our asset management subsidiaries will typically increase or decrease as its average assets under management increases or decreases. Our asset management subsidiaries may also earn performance fees from certain accounts if the investment performance of the assets in the account meets or exceeds a specified benchmark during a measurement period. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, $48.9 million, $41.5 million and $21.6 million, respectively, of our $1.7 billion, $1.2 billion and $860.3 million in investment advisory and related fee revenues (including revenues generated outside our Asset Management business segment) were performance fees. Increases in assets under management generally result from appreciation in the value of client assets and from inflows of additional assets from new and existing clients. Conversely, decreases in assets under management generally result from asset value depreciation and from client redemptions and withdrawals.

 

As of March 31 of each of the last three years, our subsidiaries had the following aggregate assets under management:

 

    

Total Assets
Under
Management

(billions)


  

Total Equity-
Related Assets
Under
Management

(billions)


   % of Total in
Equity Assets


   

Total Fixed
Income-Related
Assets Under
Management

(billions)


   % of Total in
Fixed Income
Assets


 

2005

   $ 372.9    $ 142.9    38.3 %   $ 230.0    61.7 %

2004

     286.4      112.3    39.2       174.1    60.8  

2003

     192.2      60.1    31.3       132.1    68.7  

 

Our asset management business has had steady growth over the last ten years, both in absolute terms and in terms of the percentage of our revenues and profits that it generates. During that period, our assets under management have grown from $24.6 billion to $372.9 billion and our investment advisory and related fee revenues, which include distribution fees that are primarily included in the Private Client business segment, have grown from $123.9 million to $1.7 billion. This growth in our asset management business has occurred through both internal growth and strategic acquisitions of asset management businesses. More recently, we have sought to grow our asset management business internationally, and, as a result, $91.3 billion of our assets under management at March 31, 2005 were managed on behalf of clients domiciled outside the United States. It is our strategy to continue to grow our asset management business, both in absolute terms and as percentages of our total revenues and profits, through both internal growth and selected acquisitions of asset management businesses.

 

We believe that market conditions and the investment performance of our asset management subsidiaries will be critical elements in our attempts to grow our assets under management and asset management business. When securities markets are strong, our assets under management will tend to increase because of market growth, resulting in increased asset management revenues. Similarly, if our asset management subsidiaries can produce strong investment results relative to those of other investment managers, our assets under management will tend to increase as a result of the investment performance. In addition, strong market conditions or strong relative investment performance can result in increased inflows in assets from existing and new clients.

 

4


Table of Contents

Conversely, in periods when securities markets are weak or declining, or when our asset management subsidiaries have produced poor relative performance, it is likely to be more difficult to grow our assets under management and asset management business and, in such periods, our assets under management and asset management business are more likely to decline.

 

Our asset management subsidiaries manage the accounts of their clients pursuant to written investment management contracts between the client and the subsidiary. These contracts generally specify the management fees to be paid by the client and the investment strategy for the account, and are generally terminable by either party on relatively short notice. Investment management contracts may not be assigned (including as a result of transactions, such as a direct or indirect change of control of the asset management subsidiary, that would constitute an assignment under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940) without the prior consent of the client. When the asset management client is a registered mutual fund or closed-end fund (whether or not one of our subsidiaries has sponsored the fund), the fund’s board of directors must annually approve the investment management contract, and any material changes to the contract or assignment of the contract (including as a result of transactions, such as a direct or indirect change of control of the asset management subsidiary, that would constitute an assignment under the Investment Company Act of 1940) must be approved by the investors in the fund.

 

We conduct our asset management business primarily through 17 subsidiaries. Each of these subsidiaries generally focuses on a different portion of the asset management business in terms of the types of assets managed (primarily equity or fixed income), the types of products and services offered, the investment styles utilized, the distribution channels used and the types and geographic locations of its clients. These subsidiaries are generally operated as individual businesses, in many cases with certain administrative functions being provided by the parent company and other affiliates, that market their products and services under their own brand names. Consistent with this approach, we have in place revenue sharing agreements with Legg Mason Capital Management; Royce & Associates; Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited and Legg Mason Asset Management (Asia); Brandywine Asset Management; Batterymarch Financial Management; Private Capital Management; Bartlett & Co.; Barrett Associates; and Berkshire Asset Management and/or certain of their key officers. Pursuant to these revenue sharing agreements, a specified percentage of the subsidiary’s revenues is required to be distributed to us and the balance of the revenues is retained to pay operating expenses, including salaries and bonuses, with specific expense and compensation allocations being determined by the subsidiary’s management, subject to our approval. Although the revenue sharing agreements impede our ability to increase the profit margins of these subsidiaries, we believe the agreements are important because they provide management at the subsidiaries with incentives to (i) grow the subsidiary’s revenues, since management is able to participate in the revenue growth through the portion that is retained; and (ii) control operating expenses, which will increase the portion of the retained revenues that is available for incentive compensation.

 

We classify our asset management business into three divisions: Mutual Funds, Institutional and Wealth Management. Mutual Funds encompasses the subsidiaries that are primarily engaged in providing investment advisory or distribution services to proprietary investment funds and the proprietary funds operations of our other asset managers. Our Institutional managers are subsidiaries that focus on providing asset management services for institutional clients. Our Wealth Managers are subsidiaries that primarily focus on providing asset management services for high net worth individuals and families and endowments. One of our subsidiaries, Legg Mason Capital Management, operates two businesses — a mutual funds management business and an institutional asset management business. Legg Mason Capital Management’s mutual funds business is included in our Mutual Funds division, while its institutional business is included in our Institutional division. There is overlap among the three groups of subsidiaries as many of our Institutional subsidiaries and Wealth Managers also manage investment funds that are part of the Mutual Funds division and each subsidiary may provide asset management services to other types of clients. For example, many of our Wealth Managers provide asset management services to institutional clients as well as individuals, families and endowments. Our asset management divisions are described in more detail below.

 

5


Table of Contents

Our assets under management by division (in billions) as of March 31 of each of the three years indicated below were as follows:

 

     2005

   2004

   2003

Mutual Funds

   $ 78.4    $ 64.3    $ 35.9

Institutional

     246.5      187.0      136.8

Wealth Management

     48.0      35.1      19.5
    

  

  

Total

   $ 372.9    $ 286.4    $ 192.2
    

  

  

 

Mutual Funds includes all assets in our proprietary investment funds, all non-proprietary mutual funds advised or sub-advised by Legg Mason Capital Management and all separate accounts managed by Royce & Associates. Institutional includes all non-proprietary investment fund assets managed by our Institutional managers. Wealth Management includes all non-proprietary investment fund assets managed by our Wealth Managers. In addition, assets managed by other subsidiaries that are not part of our Asset Management business segment are included in Institutional or Wealth Management as appropriate. Effective April 1, 2004, Legg Mason Investments moved from the Institutional to the Mutual Funds division. At March 31, 2005, Legg Mason Investments had $75 million in managed assets.

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, our Asset Management segment produced aggregate net revenues of $1.4 billion, $969.3 million and $648.1 million, respectively. Our net revenues by division (in millions) within our Asset Management segment for each of those fiscal years was as follows:

 

     2005

   2004

   2003

Mutual Funds

   $ 489.4    $ 311.0    $ 202.9

Institutional

     563.2      458.0      325.2

Wealth Management

     302.9      200.3      120.0
    

  

  

Total

   $ 1,355.5    $ 969.3    $ 648.1
    

  

  

 

We report our net revenues by Asset Management division in a different manner from the way we report our assets under management by Asset Management division. In reporting our net revenues by Asset Management division, we include in each division all revenues of the subsidiaries within the division, including revenues earned for providing investment advisory services to proprietary funds, rather than crediting revenues from proprietary funds to the Mutual Funds division. Revenues from Legg Mason Capital Management, which operates two businesses, are divided so that the revenues from its mutual funds business are credited to the Mutual Funds division and the revenues from its institutional business are credited to the Institutional division. Revenues for the Mutual Funds division also include revenues for certain administrative, marketing, sales and distribution services (excluding those distribution and service fee revenues that are included in our Private Client business segment) provided to proprietary mutual funds. The transfer of Legg Mason Investments from the Institutional to the Mutual Funds division had the effect of moving $54.7 million in fiscal year 2005 revenues, including revenues for certain administrative, marketing, sales and distribution services provided to proprietary offshore funds, from the Institutional to the Mutual Funds division.

 

Mutual Funds

 

In our Mutual Funds division, we sponsor domestic and international equity, fixed income and money market mutual funds, closed-end funds and other proprietary funds. As of March 31, 2005 and 2004 our Mutual Funds division managed assets with a value of $78.4 billion and $64.3 billion, respectively. Approximately 77% of the growth in assets managed by this division during the fiscal year resulted from positive net client cash flows, and almost all of the remainder of the growth resulted from asset appreciation. Our retail mutual funds business primarily consists of two families of proprietary mutual and closed-end funds, the Legg Mason Funds

 

6


Table of Contents

and The Royce Funds. The Legg Mason Funds invest in a wide range of domestic and international equity and fixed income securities utilizing a number of different investment styles. The Royce Funds invest primarily in small-cap domestic company stocks using a value investment approach. Of our $78.4 billion in Mutual Funds assets as of March 31, 2005, $50.9 billion were in these two proprietary fund families.

 

The Legg Mason Funds consist of 22 separate mutual funds, all of which are managed by our subsidiaries. Of these funds, three are money market funds, eight invest primarily in taxable or tax-free fixed income securities, nine invest primarily in domestic equity securities and two invest primarily in international equity securities. Investment objectives for the Legg Mason Funds range from capital appreciation to current income. Equity investment strategies may emphasize large-cap, mid-cap or small-cap investing. The largest of the Legg Mason Funds is Legg Mason Value Trust, Inc., which had $16.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2005 and has received recognition for its investment performance over the last 14 calendar years.

 

Legg Mason Capital Management, Inc., as part of its mutual funds business, is the primary equity investment advisor to the Legg Mason Funds. Legg Mason Capital Management had been managed as a single business with another subsidiary, Legg Mason Funds Management, Inc. As of April 1, 2005, substantially all of the mutual funds business of Legg Mason Funds Management, Inc. was transferred to Legg Mason Capital Management as part of the process of creating a single business unit. Legg Mason Capital Management serves as investment advisor to four of the equity funds in the Legg Mason Funds family, including Legg Mason Value Trust, Inc. Legg Mason Capital Management also sub-advises the mutual fund managed by the joint venture described below and investment products sponsored by Legg Mason Canada and Legg Mason Investments. Legg Mason Capital Management’s investment process uses a variety of techniques to develop an estimate of the worth of a business over the long term. The objective is to identify companies where the intrinsic value of the business is significantly higher than the current market value.

 

We and one of our employees each own 50% of a consolidated joint venture subsidiary that serves as investment manager of one equity fund, Legg Mason Opportunity Trust, within the Legg Mason Funds family. All of the assets managed by this joint venture, $4.1 billion at March 31, 2005, are included in our assets under management.

 

In addition to Legg Mason Capital Management and the joint venture, a number of our other subsidiaries manage Legg Mason Funds. Western Asset Management Company serves as investment advisor to five taxable fixed income funds and two taxable money market funds; Legg Mason Trust, fsb serves as investment advisor to three tax-exempt fixed income funds and one tax-exempt money market fund; Batterymarch Financial Management serves as investment advisor to two international equity funds; Brandywine Asset Management serves as investment advisor to two equity funds; and Bartlett & Co. and Barrett Associates serve as investment advisor to one equity fund each.

 

The Royce Funds consist of 18 mutual funds and 3 closed-end funds that invest primarily in small-cap domestic company stocks. Each of these funds seeks long-term appreciation of capital using a value approach. The funds differ in their approaches to investing in small or micro-cap companies and the universe of securities from which they can select.

 

Royce & Associates, LLC is investment advisor to all of The Royce Funds. In addition, Royce & Associates also manages other accounts that invest primarily in small-cap domestic company stocks, using a value approach. Royce & Associates’ stock selection process seeks to identify companies with strong balance sheets and the ability to generate free cash flow. Royce & Associates pursues securities that are priced below their estimate of current worth.

 

Our proprietary mutual funds are distributed through a number of channels. Legg Mason Wood Walker is the principal underwriter for the Legg Mason Funds, which are primarily distributed to retail investors through our Private Client financial advisors and through our funds marketing departments. The Royce Funds are

 

7


Table of Contents

primarily distributed through non-affiliated funds supermarkets, non-affiliated wrap programs, direct distribution and our Private Client financial advisors. In addition, two of the portfolios in the Royce Funds are distributed only through insurance companies. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, we earned, from our proprietary mutual funds and offshore investment funds, approximately $241.2 million, $190.1 million and $137.0 million, respectively, in asset-based distribution and service fees, of which $179.1 million, $147.9 million and $112.7 million, respectively, are included in the Private Client business segment.

 

Our Mutual Funds division also includes the Western Asset Funds, a proprietary family of mutual funds that are marketed primarily to institutional investors. Western Asset Management Company sponsors these funds and manages them using a team approach under the supervision of Western Asset’s investment committee. The funds primarily invest in fixed income securities. Western Asset also manages four closed-end funds. The Western Asset Funds, and the institutional and financial intermediary classes of the Legg Mason Funds, are marketed to institutional investors primarily through our institutional funds marketing department.

 

Our Mutual Funds division also includes 8 groups of proprietary funds that are sponsored and managed by our Institutional managers, our Mutual Funds managers and Private Capital Management and are offered and sold only outside of the United States to non-U.S. persons. These 8 proprietary funds groups include a total of 61 funds and have an aggregate of $9.6 billion in assets under management. Of these 8 offshore fund groups, four are principally distributed by Legg Mason Investments, one is principally distributed by Western Asset, one is principally distributed by Legg Mason Asset Management (Asia), one is principally distributed by Legg Mason Wood Walker and one is principally distributed by Legg Mason Canada. We utilize these funds as a means to distribute our asset management services outside the United States.

 

Legg Mason Investments Holdings Limited became part of our Mutual Funds division as of April 1, 2004. Located in the United Kingdom, Legg Mason Investments, acting through its subsidiaries, primarily distributes our proprietary offshore funds. Legg Mason Investments used to focus on managing assets itself and it continues to manage $75 million in assets as it winds down this business. Legg Mason Investments has entered into sub-advisory agreements with certain of our other asset management subsidiaries to provide portfolio management services with respect to certain of its previously managed assets.

 

Institutional

 

Our Institutional managers provide a wide range of asset management services and products to domestic and international institutional clients. These subsidiaries manage a range of domestic, international and global equity, balanced, fixed income and cash management portfolios for their institutional clients. Our domestic and international institutional clients include pension and other retirement funds, corporations, insurance companies, endowments and foundations and governments. Our seven primary Institutional asset management subsidiaries, including the institutional business of Legg Mason Capital Management, are described below.

 

As of March 31, 2005 and 2004, our Institutional asset management subsidiaries managed assets with a value of $245.8 billion and $186.3 billion, respectively (excluding assets with a value of $22.3 billion and $18.7 billion, respectively, in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries). These amounts also exclude, on each date, $0.7 billion of institutional assets managed by subsidiaries, primarily Legg Mason Real Estate Services, outside of our Asset Management business segment. Almost 80% of the assets managed by our Institutional managers (excluding assets in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries) are in fixed income accounts managed by Western Asset, Western Asset Limited and Legg Mason Asset Management (Asia). Similarly, over 80% of the growth in assets managed by our Institutional managers during the fiscal year (excluding assets in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries) resulted from growth in fixed income assets managed by Western Asset, Western Asset Limited and Legg Mason Asset Management (Asia), supplemented by growth in assets managed by Brandywine, Batterymarch and Legg Mason Capital Management. Approximately 82% of the growth in assets managed by the subsidiaries in this division during the fiscal year (excluding assets in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries) resulted from positive net client cash flows, and almost all of the remainder of the growth resulted from asset appreciation.

 

8


Table of Contents

Western Asset Management Company is a leading fixed income asset manager for institutional clients. Among the services Western Asset provides are management of separate accounts and management of mutual funds, closed-end funds and other structured investment products. Based in Pasadena, California, Western Asset offers over 15 fixed income asset management products, including its “core” and “core plus” products. Western Asset operates its Singapore business through a separate subsidiary, Legg Mason Asset Management (Asia) Pte Limited. Western Asset targets four key areas in managing fixed income portfolios — sector allocation, issue selection, duration exposure and term structure weighting. A fifth key area — country/currency allocation — is targeted for global portfolios.

 

Western Asset Management Company Limited contains the United Kingdom operations of Western Asset Management Company. Based in London, Western Asset Limited manages non-U.S. dollar currency and fixed income assets for many of the international clients of Western Asset.

 

Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. manages U.S., international and emerging markets equity portfolios for institutional clients. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Batterymarch primarily uses a quantitative approach to asset management. The firm’s investment process for U.S. and international portfolios, other than emerging market portfolios, is designed to enhance the fundamental investment disciplines by using quantitative tools to process fundamental data.

 

Brandywine Asset Management, LLC manages equity and fixed income, including global and international fixed income, portfolios for institutional and, through wrap accounts, high net worth individual clients. Brandywine, based in Wilmington, Delaware, pursues a value investing approach in its management of both equity and fixed income assets.

 

Legg Mason Capital Management, Inc.’s institutional business manages equity portfolios primarily for institutional accounts. Legg Mason Capital Management generally uses the same management style and approaches in managing institutional accounts that it uses in managing mutual funds. Effective April 1, 2005, the business of Legg Mason Capital Management and substantially all of the business of Legg Mason Funds Management, which had generally been operated as a single business, were combined under Legg Mason Capital Management.

 

Legg Mason Canada is an institutional investment manager located and operating in Toronto, Canada. The types of clients for whom Legg Mason Canada provides investment management services include: pension plans for public and private sector entities, managed on both a separate account and pooled basis; government sponsored funds; insurance companies; trusts and foundations; and individual investors, whose portfolios are managed separately or on a pooled basis. Legg Mason Canada offers Canadian products managed in a number of different fixed income and equity investment styles, and, through sub-advisory or other arrangements with other asset management subsidiaries, management of non-Canadian assets.

 

Wealth Management

 

Our Wealth Managers provide customized discretionary investment management services and products to high net worth individuals and families, endowments and foundations and institutions. Our Wealth Managers seek to provide portfolio management, client service and other financial services in a manner that is tailored to meet our clients’ particular needs and objectives. This division includes six asset management subsidiaries, our trust company subsidiary and a joint venture, all of which are described in more detail below.

 

As of March 31, 2005 and 2004, our Wealth Management subsidiaries managed assets with a value of $43.9 billion and $31.7 billion, respectively (excluding assets with a value of $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries). These amounts also exclude $4.1 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively, of wealth management assets managed by subsidiaries outside of our Asset Management business segment, principally Legg Mason Wood Walker. Over 65% of the assets managed by our Wealth Managers

 

9


Table of Contents

(excluding assets in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries) are managed by Private Capital Management. Similarly, over 50% of the growth in assets managed by our Wealth Managers during the fiscal year (excluding assets in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries) resulted from growth in assets managed by Private Capital Management. Approximately 37% of the growth in assets managed by the subsidiaries in this division during the fiscal year (excluding assets in proprietary funds managed by these subsidiaries) resulted from positive net client cash flows, approximately 42% resulted from the acquisition of four wealth management offices by Legg Mason Investment Counsel and the remainder of the growth resulted from asset appreciation.

 

Private Capital Management, L.P. manages equity assets for high net worth individuals and families, institutions, endowments and foundations in separate accounts and through limited partnerships. Based in Naples, Florida, Private Capital Management’s value-focused investment philosophy is based on an analysis of a company’s free cash flow. In executing this philosophy, Private Capital Management seeks to build an all-cap portfolio consisting primarily of securities of mid-cap companies that possess several basic elements, including significant free cash flow, a substantial resource base and a management team with the ability to correct problems that Private Capital Management believes have been excessively or inappropriately discounted by the public markets.

 

Legg Mason Investment Counsel, LLC manages equity, fixed income and balanced portfolios for high net worth individual and institutional clients. Legg Mason Investment Counsel operates out of offices in New York City, Chicago, Cincinnati and Philadelphia and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. We acquired the four operating offices of Legg Mason Investment Counsel on December 31, 2004.

 

Bartlett & Co. manages balanced, equity and fixed income portfolios for high net worth individual and institutional clients and follows a value investment philosophy. Bartlett operates out of offices in Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. Bartlett’s research and stock selection criteria emphasize a variety of fundamental factors, and they seek to invest in companies that generally possess some combination of the following characteristics: financial strength, potential for growth of earnings and dividends, attractive profitability characteristics, sustainable competitive advantage and shareholder-oriented management.

 

Legg Mason Trust, fsb is a federally chartered unitary thrift institution with authority to exercise trust powers. Operating out of Baltimore, Maryland, Legg Mason Trust provides services as a trustee for trusts established by our individual and employee benefit plan clients and manages fixed income and equity assets. Through various other subsidiaries, we provide brokerage and asset management services for a significant portion of the assets held in Legg Mason Trust’s accounts.

 

Barrett Associates, Inc., including its Seifert Group division, is an equity asset manager for high net worth individuals and families, endowments and foundations. Based in New York, New York, Barrett Associates’ focus is to build wealth for its clients through the selection of stocks of high quality companies. Barrett delivers services through separately managed portfolios for individuals and institutions as well as through a proprietary mutual fund, the Barrett Growth Fund. Effective April 1, 2005, Barrett Associates became a subsidiary of Legg Mason Trust, fsb.

 

Berkshire Asset Management, Inc. provides equity, balanced and intermediate duration high quality fixed income asset management services to individuals and institutions through separate accounts and limited partnerships. Based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Berkshire seeks to invest in high quality businesses that are selling at prices below Berkshire’s estimate of intrinsic value.

 

Legg Mason Focus Capital, Inc. primarily serves equity investors and features three products: Focus Global Equity, Whole Market Equity and Core Equity Income Plus. Operating out of offices in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania, Focus Capital employs an investment strategy which generally assumes that the market reflects all available public information and active management adds value to an index over time by distinguishing information which is reflected accurately from that which is distorted.

 

10


Table of Contents

Bingham Legg Advisers LLC is a joint venture that is equally owned by Legg Mason and Bingham McCutchen LLP, a Boston-based law firm. Because Bingham Legg is a joint venture in which we own 50%, we include 50% of the assets it manages within our assets under management. Bingham Legg focuses on clients with a minimum of $1 million to invest.

 

Each Wealth Management subsidiary retains its own investment style and regional operations, seeking to generate ongoing growth in its core business through direct new business efforts in its market. In addition to these core efforts, we offer a wealth management program, directAdvantage,SM which is a fee-based program designed to provide our Private Client financial advisors with the ability to deliver the full range of our wealth management investment advisory services to our brokerage clients.

 

Private Client Business Segment

 

Our Private Client business segment distributes a wide range of financial products through its branch distribution network, including equity and fixed income securities, proprietary and non-affiliated mutual funds and annuities. This business segment is conducted primarily through Legg Mason Wood Walker. Legg Mason Wood Walker is a self-clearing broker-dealer engaged in most aspects of securities distribution, trading and investment banking.

 

Private Client Securities Business

 

Our Private Client business provides securities transaction and related financial services to clients through its branch distribution network. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, our revenues derived from securities transactions for individual investors (excluding interest on margin accounts) in our Private Client business constituted approximately 60%, 62% and 61%, respectively, of our total revenues from securities transactions and 15%, 19% and 21%, respectively, of our net revenues. While there has been a significant decline in the percentage of our revenues contributed by our Private Client securities business over time, this percentage has decreased primarily as a result of increases in revenues from our Asset Management business. We charge retail commissions on both exchange and over-the-counter (“OTC”) transactions in accordance with an internal schedule. We grant discounts from the schedule in certain cases. When we execute OTC transactions with an individual client, we allocate commissions to Private Client which are included in the Revenues by Source table as Principal Transactions. We also offer account arrangements under which a single fee is charged based on a percentage of the assets held in a customer’s account and no charge is imposed on a transaction-by-transaction basis. This single fee covers all execution and advisory services, including advisory services provided by our asset management subsidiaries and selected independent advisory firms. In addition, we provide asset allocation and advisor performance and selection consultation services. We have entered into dealer-sales agreements with a number of major distributors that offer mutual fund shares through broker-dealers. In addition, we sell shares of our proprietary mutual funds though our retail sales network. See “Asset Management Business Segment — Mutual Funds.” The total client assets held by our Private Client Group accounts as of March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $92.6 billion, $85.9 billion and $65.3 billion, respectively, including assets invested in proprietary mutual funds and other asset management accounts that are included in our assets under management.

 

One of the strategic goals in our Private Client business has been to emphasize the percentage of Private Client revenues that are fee-based rather than transaction-based. We believe that fee-based revenues tend to be less volatile, particularly in times of weak equity markets, than transaction-based revenues. Fee-based brokerage relationships also may avoid some conflicts that arise out of commission-based relationships. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, the percentage of Private Client revenues that was fee-based was approximately 53%. In calculating the fee-based percentage of Private Client revenues, we include in fee-based revenues distribution fees from proprietary and non-proprietary mutual funds and asset-based account management fees.

 

11


Table of Contents

Brokerage Offices

 

This table shows, as of March 31, 2005, information with respect to our retail securities brokerage offices.

 

Location


   Number of
Financial
Advisors


   Number of
Offices


Maryland

   315    18

Pennsylvania

   197    18

Virginia

   147    15

North Carolina

   85    10

Florida

   75    12

Louisiana

   75    7

Ohio

   56    7

New Jersey

   52    4

Texas

   44    4

Massachusetts

   42    4

New York

   41    4

District of Columbia

   38    1

South Carolina

   35    3

Mississippi

   32    3

Alabama

   24    4

Tennessee

   23    4

Maine

   16    1

West Virginia

   15    2

Georgia

   15    1

Connecticut

   10    2

Delaware

   8    1

Rhode Island

   7    1

New Hampshire

   2    1
    
  

Total

   1,354    127
    
  

 

Margin Accounts, Interest Income and Free Credit Balances

 

We effect customers’ securities transactions on either a cash or margin basis. In a cash transaction, the customer pays the price for the securities in cash. In a margin transaction, the customer pays less than the full price for the securities purchased and borrows the balance of the purchase price from us. The loan is secured by the securities purchased or other securities owned by the customer. The amount of the loan is subject to the margin regulations (Regulation T) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) margin requirements and our internal policies. In some instances, our internal policies are more stringent than Regulation T or NYSE requirements. In permitting a customer to purchase securities on margin, we are subject to the risks that a market decline could reduce the value of our collateral below the amount of the customer’s indebtedness and that the customer might be otherwise unable to repay the indebtedness.

 

We charge interest on amounts borrowed by customers (debit balances) to finance their margin transactions. The rate of interest we charge is the prime rate plus or minus an additional amount that varies depending upon the amount of the customer’s average debit balance. Interest revenue derived from these sources constituted approximately 2% of our net revenues for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. We also earn interest on securities we own and on operating and segregated cash balances.

 

We finance customers’ margin account borrowings primarily through free credit balances (excess funds held by customers in their brokerage accounts). We pay interest on free credit balances in Legg Mason Wood Walker customers’ accounts when the funds will be used for reinvestment at a future date. In fiscal year 2005, we paid interest on approximately 94% of Legg Mason Wood Walker’s retail customer free credit balances.

 

12


Table of Contents

Insurance Brokerage and Financial Planning

 

Substantially all of our financial advisors are licensed to sell insurance. Our subsidiary, Legg Mason Financial Services, Inc., acts as general agent for several life insurance companies and sells fixed and variable annuities and insurance. We also offer, through Legg Mason Wood Walker, financial planning services to individuals. See “Revenues by Source” for information regarding revenues generated by insurance brokerage activities.

 

Other Services

 

At March 31, 2005, Legg Mason Wood Walker served as a non-bank custodian for approximately 387,000 individual retirement accounts, 29,000 Simplified Employee Pension Plans and 24,000 Qualified Plans.

 

Registrations and Exchange Memberships

 

Legg Mason Wood Walker is registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), is a member of the NYSE, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), the American Stock Exchange, the Securities Investors Protection Corporation (“SIPC”), the National Futures Association and the New York Mercantile Exchange and is registered as a futures commission merchant with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In addition, Legg Mason Wood Walker is a member of the Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago stock exchanges.

 

Capital Markets Business Segment

 

Our Capital Markets business segment is conducted primarily through Legg Mason Wood Walker; however, also includes the operations of another subsidiary, Howard Weil Incorporated. This segment consists of our:

 

    equity and fixed income institutional sales and trading;

 

    investment banking;

 

    syndicate;

 

    structured products; and

 

    research.

 

Institutional Sales

 

In our institutional sales business, we execute equity and fixed income securities transactions for institutional investors such as banks, mutual funds, hedge funds, insurance companies and pension and profit-sharing plans. These investors typically purchase and sell securities in large quantities that require special marketing and trading expertise. We believe that we receive a significant portion of our institutional brokerage commissions as a consequence of providing research opinions and services regarding specific corporations and industries and other matters affecting the securities markets. See “Research.”

 

We execute transactions for institutional investors as a broker or as a principal. We generally offer discounts from our commission schedule to our institutional customers. The size of these discounts varies with the size of particular transactions and other factors. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the revenues we derived from securities transactions for institutional investors in our Capital Markets business constituted approximately 36%, 35% and 36%, respectively, of our total revenues from securities transactions and 9%, 11% and 13%, respectively, of our net revenues.

 

Trading

 

We are a market maker in certain equity securities that are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market. As of March 31, 2005, we made markets in equity securities of approximately 518 corporations, including corporations for which we have acted as a managing or co-managing underwriter of securities offerings. We are also an active

 

13


Table of Contents

market maker and distributor of municipal bonds, particularly bonds issued by municipalities located in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions.

 

A portion of our trading activities is also conducted with other dealers and institutional and individual customers of our branch office system. We designate an amount from trading activities representing a commission to the Private Client business segment when the transaction involves a retail client. In trading equity and debt securities, we maintain positions in the securities to service our customers and accordingly expose our capital to the risk of fluctuations in market value. We realize profits and losses from market fluctuations in these securities, although we generally seek to avoid substantial market risk, and may engage in hedging transactions to reduce risk. Trading profits (or losses) depend upon the skills of the employees engaged in trading activities, the amount of capital allocated to positions in securities, the interest rate environment and the general level of activity and trend of prices in the securities markets.

 

Among our traders, 47 are involved in trading corporate equity and debt securities, 17 are involved in trading municipal securities, eight are involved in trading mortgage-backed securities and seven are involved in trading government securities.

 

Investment Banking

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the revenues we derived from investment banking activities constituted approximately 6%, 8% and 7%, respectively, of our net revenues. At March 31, 2005, we had 115 professionals engaged in investment banking activities, including 75 in corporate finance and 40 in municipal finance. Within our corporate finance investment banking group, our professionals are generally engaged in covering the following industries/practice areas: real estate, life sciences, telecommunications, information technology, financial institutions, education, transportation, strategic advisory and private placements.

 

Our investment banking activities include public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities and the provision of financial advisory services principally in connection with debt and equity private placements and with respect to merger and acquisition transactions. Within our corporate investment banking business, the Structured Finance Group provides investment banking services to arrange and finance net lease financing transactions, other lease financings and other securitizations or similar financing transactions. Our investment banking clients include private and public companies, municipalities and other non-profit organizations.

 

We participate as an underwriter in public offerings of corporate debt and equity issues and municipal securities. We also manage or co-manage some of these offerings.

 

The following tables show for each of the last three fiscal years (i) the total number and dollar amount of corporate stock and bond and municipal bond offerings we managed or co-managed, and (ii) the total number and dollar amount of our underwriting participations in both those offerings and offerings managed by others.

 

     Managed or Co-Managed Offerings

     Number of Issues

   Amount of Offerings

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,


   Corporate

   Municipal

   Corporate

   Municipal

2005

   95    261    $ 31,030,186,000    $ 6,680,929,000

2004

   112    325      47,778,472,000      6,476,916,000

2003

   81    297      23,299,850,000      11,111,485,000
     Underwriting Participations

     Number of Issues

   Amount of Participation

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,


   Corporate

   Municipal

   Corporate

   Municipal

2005

   148    285    $ 3,754,912,000    $ 3,143,612,000

2004

   201    383      3,228,090,000      3,320,378,000

2003

   210    311      3,208,279,000      3,121,886,000

 

14


Table of Contents

Underwriting involves both economic and litigation risks. An underwriter may incur losses if it is unable to resell the securities it is committed to purchase, or if it is forced to liquidate its commitments at less than the agreed purchase price. In addition, an underwriter is subject to substantial potential liability for material misstatements or omissions in prospectuses and other communications with respect to underwritten offerings. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” Furthermore, because underwriting commitments require a charge against net capital, we could find it necessary to limit our underwriting participations to remain in compliance with regulatory net capital requirements. See “Net Capital Requirements.”

 

Syndicate

 

Our corporate syndicate departments perform underwriting and marketing for initial public offerings of debt and equity (common and preferred), public offerings of companies whose securities are already traded and public offerings of closed-end funds.

 

Structured Products

 

We include two distinct businesses under this group within our Capital Markets segment. Legg Mason Real Estate Investors is in the business of sponsoring and managing funds that make and invest in real estate loans and other real estate backed securities. Legg Mason Real Estate Services, Inc. engages in the discretionary and non-discretionary management of commercial real estate-related assets primarily for institutional clients.

 

Research

 

Our Capital Markets business includes 51 equity analysts who develop investment recommendations and market information with respect to companies and industries. Our equity research has focused primarily on the identification of securities of financially sound, well-managed companies that appear to be undervalued in relation to their long-term earning power or the value of their underlying assets. Our equity research also focuses on companies in certain business sectors, including:

 

    real estate investment trust;

 

    industrial;

 

    biotechnology;

 

    consumer services;

 

    financial services, including commercial banking;

 

    technology; and

 

    telecommunications.

 

These research services are supplemented by research services purchased from outside firms.

 

Our clients do not pay for research services directly; however, we believe that our research activities are important in attracting and retaining brokerage clients.

 

Corporate Segment

 

Our Corporate segment consists primarily of unallocated corporate revenues and expenses.

 

Securities Brokerage Operations

 

Our securities brokerage operations personnel are responsible for the processing of securities transactions; receipt, identification and delivery of funds and securities; internal financial controls; office services; custody of customers’ securities; and the handling of margin accounts. At March 31, 2005, we had 281 full-time employees performing these functions.

 

15


Table of Contents

There is considerable fluctuation during any year and from year to year in the volume of transactions we must process. We record transactions and post our books on a daily basis. Our operations personnel monitor day-to-day operations to determine compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Any failure to keep current and accurate books and records can subject Legg Mason Wood Walker to disciplinary action by governmental and self-regulatory authorities, as well as to claims by its clients.

 

Legg Mason Wood Walker executes and clears securities transactions as a member of the NYSE and various regional exchanges, and is a participant in both The Depository Trust Company and National Securities Clearing Corporation. Legg Mason Wood Walker also provides clearing services to affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealers.

 

We believe that our internal controls and safeguards are adequate, although fraud and misconduct by customers and employees and the possibility of theft of securities are risks inherent in the financial services industry. As required by the NYSE and certain other authorities, we carry a fidelity bond covering loss, theft, embezzlement or misplacement of securities and forgery of checks and drafts.

 

Employees

 

At March 31, 2005, we had approximately 5,580 employees. None of our employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory. However, competition for experienced financial services personnel is intense and from time to time we may experience a loss of valuable personnel.

 

We recognize the importance to all of our businesses of hiring, training and retaining skilled professionals. In our Private Client Group, we train new financial advisors who are required to take examinations recognized by the NYSE, the NASD and various states in order to be registered and qualified, and maintain ongoing training for financial advisors.

 

Competition

 

We are engaged in an extremely competitive business. Our competition includes, with respect to one or more aspects of our business, numerous international, national, regional and local asset management firms, broker-dealers and investment banking firms, commercial banks and thrift institutions and other financial institutions. Many of these organizations offer products and services that are similar to, or compete with, those offered by our subsidiaries, have substantially more personnel and greater financial resources than we have and have proprietary access to greater distribution than we have. Discount brokerage firms oriented to the individual investor market, including firms affiliated with banks and mutual fund organizations and on-line brokerage firms, have devoted substantial funds to advertising and direct solicitation of customers in order to increase their share of commission dollars and other securities-related income. In many instances, we are competing directly with these organizations. We also compete for investment funds with banks, insurance companies and investment companies. The principal competitive factors relating to our business are the quality of advice and services provided to investors, the performance records of that advice and services, the reputation of the company providing the services, and the price of the services.

 

Competition in our business periodically has been affected by significant developments in the financial services industry. See “Factors Affecting the Company and the Financial Services Industry — Industry Changes and Competitive Factors.”

 

Regulation

 

The financial services industry in the United States is subject to extensive regulation under both federal and state laws. The SEC is the federal agency charged with administration of the federal securities laws. Financial

 

16


Table of Contents

services firms are also subject to regulation by securities exchanges, other self-regulatory authorities and state securities commissions in those states in which they conduct business. In addition, financial services firms are subject to regulation by various foreign governments, securities exchanges, central banks and regulatory bodies, particularly in those countries where they have established offices. Due to the extensive laws and regulations to which we are subject, we must devote substantial time and effort to legal and regulatory compliance issues.

 

Our asset managers and proprietary mutual funds are subject to extensive regulation. Our U.S. asset managers are registered as investment advisors with the SEC and are also required to make notice filings in certain states. Virtually all aspects of the asset management business are subject to various federal and state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to benefit the asset management clients and generally grant supervisory agencies and bodies broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict an investment advisor from conducting its asset management business in the event that it fails to comply with such laws and regulations. Possible sanctions that may be imposed include the suspension of individual employees, limitations on the asset managers engaging in the asset management business for specified periods of time, the revocation of registrations, censures and fines. A regulatory proceeding, regardless of whether it results in a sanction, can require substantial expenditures and can have an adverse effect on the reputation or business of an asset manager.

 

During the past years, abuses by certain participants in the mutual fund industry, including activities relating to market timing, late trading and selective disclosure of portfolio holdings, prompted legislative and regulatory scrutiny of a wide range of fund-related activities. This scrutiny has resulted in the adoption or proposal of a number of new regulatory rules and legislative initiatives to increase regulatory oversight of the mutual fund and asset management industries. In particular, the SEC has proposed rules designed to strengthen existing prohibitions relating to late trading and adopted or proposed numerous rules to enhance required disclosure of mutual fund policies on a number of subjects, including frequent trading, portfolio holdings dissemination, valuation, portfolio managers, contract renewals and compensation of broker-dealers. In addition, the SEC has also adopted and proposed additional rules addressing changes to mutual funds, corporate governance, the adoption of compliance policies, the designation of a chief compliance officer by funds and investment advisors and the adoption of redemption fees by funds. It is expected that these actions and any additional legislative and regulatory actions taken to address abuses will affect the manner in which funds and their service providers conduct business and could increase fund expenses, or lower management fees, and therefore adversely affect the revenues or profitability of mutual fund businesses.

 

Our asset management subsidiaries are also subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and related regulations, insofar as they act as a “fiduciary” under ERISA with respect to benefit plan clients. ERISA and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code impose duties on persons who are fiduciaries under ERISA, and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of ERISA plan clients and certain transactions by the fiduciaries (and several other related parties) to the plans. In addition, our trust company subsidiary, Legg Mason Trust, is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision, U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

Broker-dealers are subject to regulations that cover all aspects of the securities business, including:

 

    sales methods;

 

    trading practices among broker-dealers;

 

    uses and safekeeping of customers’ funds and securities;

 

    capital structure and financial soundness of securities firms;

 

    recordkeeping; and

 

    the conduct of directors, officers and employees.

 

Additional legislation, changes in rules promulgated by the SEC and self-regulatory authorities, or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules, may directly affect the mode of operation and

 

17


Table of Contents

profitability of broker-dealers. Much of the regulation of broker-dealers has been delegated to self-regulatory authorities, principally the NASD and the securities exchanges. These self-regulatory organizations conduct periodic examinations of member broker-dealers in accordance with rules they have adopted and amended from time to time, subject to approval by the SEC. The SEC, self-regulatory authorities and state securities commissions may conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fine, suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer, its officers or employees. These administrative proceedings, whether or not resulting in adverse findings, can require substantial expenditures and can have an adverse impact on the reputation or business of a broker-dealer. The principal purpose of regulation and discipline of broker-dealers is the protection of customers and the securities markets, rather than protection of creditors and stockholders of the regulated entity.

 

Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are required by Federal law to belong to the SIPC. When the SIPC fund falls below a certain amount, members are required to pay annual assessments of up to 1% of adjusted gross revenues, as defined. As a result of adequate fund levels, each of our broker-dealer subsidiaries was required to pay only the minimum annual assessment of $150 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. The SIPC fund provides protection for securities held in customer accounts up to $500,000 per customer, with a limitation of $100,000 on claims for cash balances. We also purchase, from a captive insurance company that we joined with other major U.S. securities brokerage firms to create in December 2003, a bond that provides additional protection for securities held in customer accounts of the net equity in the account in excess of $500,000.

 

Our international subsidiaries are also subject to the laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions and non-U.S. regulatory bodies, and our offshore proprietary funds are subject to the laws and regulatory bodies of the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled and, for funds listed on exchanges, to the rules of the applicable exchange. Our United Kingdom subsidiaries are subject to the regulatory supervision and requirements of the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom, Legg Mason Canada is registered with, and subject to the regulatory supervision of, the Ontario Securities Commission and our Singapore subsidiaries are subject to the regulatory supervision and requirements of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. These regulatory agencies generally have broad supervisory and disciplinary powers, including, among others, the power to set minimum capital requirements, to temporarily or permanently revoke the authorization to carry on regulated business, to suspend registered employees, and to invoke censures and fines for both the regulated business and its registered employees.

 

Net Capital Requirements

 

Every registered broker-dealer is subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule (“Rule 15c3-1”) promulgated by the SEC. Rule 15c3-1, which is designed to measure the financial soundness and liquidity of broker-dealers, specifies minimum net capital requirements. Since Legg Mason, Inc. is not itself a registered broker-dealer, it is not directly subject to Rule 15c3-1. However, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to Rule 15c3-1, and a provision of Rule 15c3-1 requires that a broker-dealer notify the SEC prior to the withdrawal of equity capital by a parent company if the withdrawal would exceed the greater of $500,000 or 30% of the broker-dealer’s excess net capital.

 

Rule 15c3-1 provides that a broker-dealer doing business with the public shall not permit its aggregate indebtedness to exceed 15 times its net capital or, alternatively, that it not permit its net capital to be less than 2% of its aggregate debit items (primarily receivables from customers and broker-dealers) computed in accordance with Rule 15c3-3. As of March 31, 2005, our broker-dealer subsidiaries had aggregate net capital of $388.9 million, which exceeded the minimum net capital requirements by $364.6 million.

 

Under NYSE Rule 326, Legg Mason Wood Walker, as a member organization that carries customer accounts, would be required to reduce its business activities if its net capital, as defined, was less than 4% of aggregate debit items, as defined, and would be precluded from expanding its business if its net capital was less than 5% of aggregate debit items. As of March 31, 2005, Legg Mason Wood Walker’s net capital was 32.6% of its aggregate debit items.

 

18


Table of Contents

Compliance with applicable net capital rules could limit the operations of our broker-dealer subsidiaries, particularly operations such as underwriting and trading activities that require use of significant amounts of capital. A significant operating loss or an extraordinary charge against net capital could adversely affect the ability of our broker-dealers to expand or even maintain their present levels of business. See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.

 

Certain of our subsidiaries that operate outside the United States are subject to net capital requirements in the jurisdictions in which they operate. For example, our United Kingdom-based subsidiaries and our Singapore-based subsidiaries are subject to the net capital requirements of the Financial Services Authority and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, respectively.

 

Factors Affecting the Company and the Financial Services Industry

 

The financial services industry is characterized by frequent changes, the effects of which have been, and will continue to be, difficult to predict. In addition to an evolving regulatory environment, the industry has been subject to radical changes in pricing structure, alternating periods of contraction and expansion and intense competition from within and outside the industry.

 

Importance of Investment Performance

 

We believe that investment performance is one of the most important factors for the growth of our assets under management. Poor investment performance could impair our revenues and growth because:

 

    existing clients might withdraw funds in favor of better performing products, which would result in lower investment advisory fees; or

 

    our ability to attract funds from existing and new clients might diminish.

 

If our revenues decline without a commensurate reduction in our expenses, our net income will be reduced.

 

An important component of investment performance is the availability of suitable investment opportunities for new client funds. If an asset management firm is not able to invest new assets in a timely manner, the firm’s investment performance could be adversely affected. Alternatively, an asset management firm that does not have sufficient investment opportunities for new funds may elect to limit its growth, and reduce the rate at which it receives new funds, in order to protect its investment performance. Depending on, among other factors, prevailing market conditions, an asset management firm’s investment style, and the market sectors and types of opportunities in which an asset management firm typically invests (such as less capitalized companies in which relatively smaller investments are typically made), the risks of not having sufficient investment opportunities may increase when an asset management firm increases its assets under management very quickly. A number of our asset management subsidiaries, including Royce & Associates and Private Capital Management, have had large increases in their assets under management in recent years. Two of The Royce Funds are currently closed to new investors. Royce & Associates primarily invests in small-cap and micro-cap companies. Private Capital Management is an all-cap manager that focuses to a significant degree on companies with market capitalizations between $500 million and $20 billion. Consistent with its investment style, the pace of Private Capital Management’s investment of new client assets may be significantly impacted by its view of the current market conditions. If our asset management subsidiaries are not able to identify sufficient investment opportunities for new client funds, their investment performance or ability to continue to grow may be reduced.

 

Assets Under Management May Be Withdrawn

 

Our investment advisory and administrative contracts are generally terminable at will or upon relatively short notice, and mutual fund investors may redeem their investments in the funds at any time without prior notice. Institutional and individual clients can terminate their relationships with us, reduce the aggregate amount of assets under management, or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures for any

 

19


Table of Contents

number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates, changes in investment preferences of clients, changes in our reputation in the marketplace, changes in management or control of clients or third party distributors with whom we have relationships, loss of key investment management personnel and financial market performance. In a declining stock market, the pace of mutual fund redemptions and withdrawal of assets from other accounts could accelerate. Poor performance relative to other investment management firms tends to result in decreased purchases of fund shares, increased redemptions of fund shares, and the loss of institutional or individual accounts. The decrease in revenues that could result from any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Fluctuating Securities Volume and Prices

 

A large portion of our revenues is derived from investment advisory contracts with clients. Under these contracts, the investment advisory fees we receive are typically based on the market value of assets under management. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities generally may cause our revenues and income to decline by:

 

    causing the value of our assets under management to decrease, which would result in lower investment advisory and distribution fees;

 

    causing our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments they perceive offer greater opportunity or lower risk, which would also result in lower investment advisory fees; or

 

    decreasing the performance fees earned by our asset management subsidiaries.

 

If our revenues decline without a commensurate reduction in our expenses, our net income will be reduced.

 

There are substantial fluctuations in volume and price levels of securities transactions in the financial services industry. These fluctuations can occur on a daily basis and over longer periods as a result of national and international economic and political events, broad trends in business and finance, and interest rate movements. Reduced volume and prices generally result in lower brokerage and investment banking revenues, trading losses as both principal and underwriter, and loss or reduction in incentive and performance fees. Periods of reduced volume will adversely affect profitability because fixed costs remain relatively unchanged. To the extent that purchases of securities are permitted to be made on margin, securities firms also are subject to risks inherent in extending credit. These risks are particularly high during periods of rapidly declining markets because a market decline could reduce collateral value below the amount of a customer’s indebtedness. The business cycles of our different operations and subsidiaries may occur contemporaneously. Consequently, the effect of an economic downturn may have a magnified negative effect on our business. In a period of reduced margin usage by clients, our interest profit may be adversely affected. In the past, heavy trading volume has caused clearance and processing problems for securities firms, and this could occur in the future. In addition, securities firms face risk of loss from errors that can occur in the execution and settlement process. See “Securities Brokerage Operations.”

 

Industry Changes and Competitive Factors

 

The financial services businesses in which we are engaged are extremely competitive. Competition includes numerous international, national, regional and local asset management firms, broker-dealers and investment banking firms, commercial bank and thrift institutions, and other financial institutions. Many of these organizations offer products and services that are similar to, or compete with, those offered by our subsidiaries, have substantially more personnel and greater financial resources than we do and have proprietary access to more distribution than we have. We also compete for investment funds with banks, insurance companies and investment companies. Our ability to compete may be adversely affected if our subsidiaries lose key employees or underperform in comparison to relevant benchmarks or peer groups.

 

The financial services industry has had considerable consolidation as numerous financial services firms have either been acquired by other financial services firms or ceased operations. In many cases, this has resulted

 

20


Table of Contents

in firms with greater financial resources than ours. In addition, a number of heavily capitalized companies that were not previously engaged in the financial services business have made investments in and acquired financial services firms. Increasing competitive pressures in the financial services industry require firms of our size to offer to their customers many of the services that are provided by much larger firms that have substantially greater resources than we do. A sizable number of new asset management firms and mutual funds have been established in the last ten years, increasing competition in that area of our activities. In addition, access to mutual funds distribution channels has become increasingly competitive. To the extent that we are forced to compete on the basis of price in any of our businesses, we may not be able to maintain our current fee structure in that business, which could adversely affect our revenues and earnings.

 

Certain institutions, notably commercial banks and thrift institutions, have become a competitive factor in the financial services industry by offering investment banking and corporate and individual financial services traditionally provided only by securities firms. Commercial banks, generally, are expanding their securities activities and their activities relating to the provision of financial services, and are deriving more revenue from these activities, particularly since the November 1999 adoption of legislation that allows commercial banks, securities firms and insurance firms to affiliate. This trend and the legislation may lead to additional consolidation and increasing competition in markets traditionally dominated by investment banks and brokerage firms. Continued expansion of the type and extent of competitive services that banks and other institutions offer or further repeal or modification of administrative or legislative barriers may adversely affect firms such as us that are heavily oriented to individual investors.

 

We compete with a number of firms that offer discount brokerage services to individual investors, including on-line brokerage firms and affiliates of banks and mutual fund organizations. These firms generally effect transactions at substantially lower commission rates on an “execution only” basis, including through the Internet, without offering other services, like investment and financial advice and research, that are provided by “full-service” brokerage firms such as us. Increases in the number of discount brokerage firms or services provided by these firms may adversely affect us. In addition, some full-service brokerage firms provide customers discount services, including on-line trading over the Internet. Our Private Client business may be adversely affected by the demand for and availability of on-line securities trading.

 

In the investment banking business, competitors have increasingly been utilizing their capital in order to secure business from potential clients. For example, competitors will make loans to potential clients or agree to make principal investments in investment banking transactions or in situations that are expected to lead to investment banking transactions. Our ability to maintain and grow our investment banking business could be harmed by this trend. To the extent we utilize our capital to compete for investment banking business, we are subject to typical investment risks, including that we fail to receive any return from the investment or that we lose all or a portion of the capital invested.

 

Ability to Continue Growth and Maintain Fee Levels

 

Our net revenues increased 24% and 29% in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, while over the same periods our diluted earnings per share increased 33% and 49%. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to grow our business, or that our subsidiaries will be able to maintain their performance, at historical levels or at currently anticipated levels.

 

Our profit margins and earnings are dependent in part on our ability to maintain current fee levels for the products and services that our subsidiaries offer. Competition within the financial services industry could lead to our subsidiaries reducing the fees that they charge their clients for products and services. See “Competition.” In addition, our subsidiaries may be required to reduce their fee levels, or restructure the fees they charge, as a result of regulatory initiatives or proceedings that are either industry-wide, or specifically targeted. For example, several firms in the mutual fund business have agreed to reduce the management fees that they charge registered mutual funds as part of regulatory settlements. A reduction or other change in the fees that our subsidiaries charge for their products and services could reduce our revenues and earnings. See “Regulation.”

 

21


Table of Contents

In the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, we earned $241.2 million and $190.1 million, respectively, in revenues from asset-based investment fund distribution and service fees. A substantial majority of these revenues were distribution fees paid to Legg Mason Wood Walker by the Legg Mason Funds in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Rule 12b-1”). We believe that these distribution fees are a critical element in the distribution of the Legg Mason Funds. There have been suggestions from regulatory agencies and other industry participants that Rule 12b-1 distribution fees in the mutual fund industry should be reconsidered and, potentially, reduced or eliminated. We believe that distribution related fees paid to financial advisors will remain a key element in the mutual fund industry. However, an industry-wide reduction or restructuring of Rule 12b-1 distribution fees could have a material adverse effect on our ability to distribute Legg Mason sponsored mutual funds and on our revenues and earnings.

 

Strategic Transactions

 

As part of our business strategy, we regularly review, and from time to time have discussions with respect to potential strategic transactions, including potential acquisitions, dispositions, consolidations, joint ventures or similar transactions, some of which may be material. There can be no assurance that we will find suitable candidates for strategic transactions at acceptable prices, have sufficient capital resources to accomplish our strategy, or be successful in entering into agreements for desired transactions. In addition, these transactions typically involve a number of risks and present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including:

 

    adverse effects on our reported earnings per share in the event acquired intangible assets or goodwill become impaired;

 

    existence of unknown liabilities or contingencies that arise after closing; and

 

    potential disputes with counterparties.

 

Acquisitions also pose the risk that any business we acquire may lose customers or employees or could under-perform relative to expectations. We could also experience financial or other setbacks if transactions encounter unanticipated problems, including problems related to execution or integration. Strategic transactions typically are announced when they remain subject to numerous closing conditions, contingencies and approvals and there is no assurance that any announced transaction will actually be consummated. The failure to consummate an announced transaction could have an adverse effect on us. Future transactions may also further increase our leverage or, if we issue equity securities to pay for acquisitions, dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders.

 

Regulatory Matters/Conflicts of Interest

 

Our business is subject to regulation by various regulatory authorities that are charged with protecting the interests of broker-dealers’ and investment advisors’ customers. See “Regulation.” We could be subject to civil liability, criminal liability, or sanction, including revocation of our subsidiaries’ registrations as investment advisers or broker-dealers, revocation of the licenses of our employees, censures, fines, or temporary suspension or permanent bar from conducting business, if we violate such laws or regulations. Any such liability or sanction could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and business prospects. In addition, the regulatory environment in which we operate frequently changes and has seen significant increased regulation in recent years. We may be adversely affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations or by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Our business and results of operations can also be adversely affected by Federal, state and foreign regulatory issues and proceedings.

 

Starting in September 2003, we have responded to inquiries from the office of the New York Attorney General and the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to their industry-wide mutual fund probes. Legg Mason Wood Walker has been cooperating with two separate investigations undertaken by the Securities and Exchange Commission staff (the “Staff”) that arose out of those inquiries. One investigation is ongoing, and we are not currently able to predict the outcome of that investigation, or to predict what effect, if any, that investigation will have on our business or results of operations. With respect to the Staff’s other investigation,

 

22


Table of Contents

Legg Mason Wood Walker is in negotiations with the Staff to resolve all aspects of that investigation and recorded a $1.2 million charge in the September 2004 quarter. While no settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission has been reached and no assurance can be given that this matter will be settled consistent with the amount reserved, we do not expect that a settlement of that investigation will be material to our business and results of operations.

 

Our reputation is one of our most important assets. As we have expanded the scope of our businesses and our client base, we increasingly have to address conflicts of interest. In addition, the SEC and other regulators have increased their scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest. We have procedures and controls that are designed to address these issues. However, appropriately dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and difficult and if we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with conflicts of interest, we could face reputational damage, litigation or regulatory proceedings or penalties, any of which may adversely affect our revenues or earnings.

 

Financial scandals have led to insecurity and uncertainty in the financial markets. In response to these scandals, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 effected significant changes to corporate governance, accounting requirements and corporate reporting. This law generally applies to all companies, including us, with equity or debt securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have taken numerous actions, and incurred substantial expenses, over the last two and a half years to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, related regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Effect of Net Capital Requirements

 

The SEC and the NYSE have stringent rules with respect to the net capital requirements of securities firms. A significant operating loss or extraordinary charge against net capital may adversely affect the ability of our broker-dealer subsidiaries to expand or even maintain their present levels of business. See “Net Capital Requirements.”

 

Litigation/Insurance Availability

 

Many aspects of our business involve substantial risks of liability. In the normal course of business, our subsidiaries have been named as defendants or co-defendants in lawsuits seeking substantial damages. We are also involved from time to time in governmental and self-regulatory agency investigations and proceedings. There has been an increased incidence of litigation and regulatory investigations in the financial services industry in recent years, including customer claims as well as class action suits seeking substantial damages. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”

 

Our businesses entail the inherent risk of liability related to litigation from clients or third party vendors and actions taken by regulatory agencies. To help protect against these potential liabilities, we purchase insurance in amounts, and against risks, that we consider appropriate. There can be no assurance, however, that a claim or claims will be covered by insurance or, if covered, will not exceed the limits of available insurance coverage, that any insurer will remain solvent and will meet its obligations to provide us with coverage or that insurance coverage will continue to be available with sufficient limits at a reasonable cost. Over the last several years, insurance expenses have increased and we expect further increases to be significant going forward. In addition, certain insurance coverage may not be available or may only be available at prohibitive costs. Renewals of insurance policies may expose us to additional costs through higher premiums or the assumption of higher deductibles or co-insurance liability.

 

Importance of Key Personnel

 

We are dependent on the continued services of our management team, including our Chief Executive Officer, and a number of our key asset management and securities personnel. The loss of any of such personnel without adequate replacement could have a material adverse effect on us. Moreover, since certain of our asset

 

23


Table of Contents

management subsidiaries contribute significantly to our revenues and earnings, the loss of even a small number of key personnel at these subsidiaries could have a disproportionate impact on our business. Additionally, we need qualified managers and skilled employees with financial services experience in order to operate our business successfully. The market for experienced asset management and securities professionals is extremely competitive and is increasingly characterized by the frequent movement of employees among different firms. In addition, since many of the individual employees at our asset management and securities subsidiaries often maintain a strong, personal relationship with their clients that is based on the clients’ trust in the employee, the departure of one or more of these employees could cause the subsidiary to lose client accounts, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified individuals or our costs to do so increase significantly, our operations and financial results would be materially adversely affected.

 

Operational Risks

 

In our securities business, there is considerable fluctuation during any year and from year-to-year in the volume of transactions we must process. We record transactions and post our books on a daily basis. Operations personnel monitor day-to-day operations to determine compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. In our asset management business, we must be able to consistently and reliably obtain securities pricing information, process client and investor transactions and provide reports and other customer service to our clients and investors. Any failure to keep current and accurate books and records can render us liable to disciplinary action by governmental and self-regulatory authorities, as well as to claims by our clients. If any of our financial, accounting or other data processing systems do not operate properly or are disabled or if there are other shortcomings or failures in our internal processes, people or systems, we could suffer an impairment to our liquidity, a financial loss, a disruption of our businesses, liability to clients, regulatory problems or damage to our reputation. These systems may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, including a disruption of electrical or communications services or our inability to occupy one or more of our buildings.

 

Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant, our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code, and other events that have a security impact. If one or more of such events occur, it potentially could jeopardize our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our, our clients’, our counterparties’ or third parties’ operations. We may be required to spend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against fully or not fully covered through any insurance that we maintain.

 

We depend on our headquarters and operations center for the continued operation of our business. A disaster or a disruption in the infrastructure that supports our businesses, including a disruption involving electrical communications, transportation or other services used by us or third parties with whom we conduct business, directly affecting our headquarters or operations center may have a material adverse impact on our ability to continue to operate our business without interruption. Although we have disaster recovery programs in place, there can be no assurance that these will be sufficient to mitigate the harm that may result from such a disaster or disruption. In addition, insurance and other safeguards might only partially reimburse us for our losses.

 

Potential Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

At March 31, 2005, we had intangible assets of $456.1 million and goodwill of $993.4 million. Determining goodwill and intangible assets, and evaluating them for impairment, requires significant management estimates and judgment, including estimating value and assessing life in connection with the allocation of purchase price in

 

24


Table of Contents

the acquisition creating them. Any impairment of goodwill or intangibles could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Intangible Assets and Goodwill.”

 

Performance-based Fee Arrangements

 

A portion of our investment advisory and related fee revenues is derived from performance fees. Our asset management subsidiaries earn performance fees under some of their client agreements if the investment performance in the portfolio meets or exceeds a specified benchmark. If the investment performance does not meet or exceed the investment return benchmark for a particular period, the subsidiary will not generate a performance fee for that period and, if the benchmark is based on cumulative returns, the subsidiary’s ability to earn performance fees in future periods may be impaired. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, $48.9 million, $41.5 million and $21.6 million, respectively, of our $1.7 billion, $1.2 billion and $860.3 million in investment advisory and related fee revenues were performance fees. Performance fees may become more common in our industry. An increase in performance-based fee arrangements with our clients could create greater fluctuations in our revenues.

 

International Operations

 

A number of our subsidiaries operate in Canada, the United Kingdom and Singapore on behalf of international clients. We also have offices in Spain and Switzerland and a number of proprietary funds that are domiciled outside the U.S. Our international operations require us to comply with the legal requirements of foreign jurisdictions, expose us to the political consequences of operating in foreign jurisdictions and subject us to expropriation risks, expatriation controls and potential adverse tax consequences which, among other things, make it more difficult to manage the cash that we generate outside the U.S. Our foreign business operations are also subject to the following risks:

 

    difficulty in managing, operating and marketing our international operations;

 

    fluctuations in currency exchange rates which may result in substantial negative effects on assets under management, revenues or net income; and

 

    significant adverse changes in foreign legal and regulatory environments.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

 

We lease all of our office space. Our headquarters, Baltimore sales office and certain other functions are located in an office building in which we are the major tenant. In that building, we currently occupy approximately 385,000 square feet with annual base rent of approximately $8.0 million. The initial term of the lease will expire in September 2009, with two renewal options of eight years each.

 

Our brokerage operations and technology functions are housed in a separate office building in which we are the sole tenant, currently occupying approximately 120,000 square feet with annual base rent of approximately $2.1 million. The initial term of the lease will expire in April 2011, and it contains two renewal options of five years each.

 

Western Asset Management is housed in an office building in Pasadena, California in which Western Asset Management currently occupies approximately 173,000 square feet with annual base rent of approximately $4.4 million. The initial term of the lease expires in April 2014, with two renewal options of five years each.

 

Information concerning the location of our retail sales offices is contained in Item 1 of this Report. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for a discussion of our lease obligations.

 

25


Table of Contents

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

Our subsidiaries are the subject of customer complaints, have been named as defendants or codefendants in various lawsuits alleging substantial damages and have been involved in certain governmental and self-regulatory agency investigations and proceedings. These proceedings arise primarily from securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking activities. Some of these proceedings relate to public offerings of securities in which one or more of our subsidiaries participated as a member of the underwriting syndicate. We are also aware of litigation against certain underwriters of offerings in which one or more of our subsidiaries was a participant, but where the subsidiary is not now a defendant. In these latter cases, it is possible that a subsidiary may be called upon to contribute to settlements or judgments. While the ultimate resolution of threatened and pending litigation and other matters cannot be currently determined, in the opinion of our management, after consultation with legal counsel, the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position. However, our results of operations could be materially affected during any period if liabilities in that period differ from our prior estimates, and our cash flows could be materially impacted during any period in which these matters are resolved. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY.

 

Information (not included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders) regarding certain of our executive officers is as follows:

 

Peter L. Bain, age 46, was elected Senior Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2004 and currently has primary responsibility for our administrative functions. Mr. Bain became Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2001 and was head of our wealth management investment advisory group from June 2000 through July 2003. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Bain was a Managing Director of Berkshire Capital Corporation, a privately held investment bank, and from 1997 to 2000 he was a member of the Management Committee of that company.

 

F. Barry Bilson, age 52, was elected Senior Vice President of Legg Mason in October 1998. Mr. Bilson was Vice President-Finance of Legg Mason from June 1984 through October 1998. Mr. Bilson has served in various financial management capacities since joining us in 1981 and presently has responsibility for business development projects. Mr. Bilson is a certified public accountant.

 

Deepak Chowdhury, age 46, was elected Senior Vice President of Legg Mason in October 2003 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker in August 2003. Mr. Chowdhury has served in a number of capacities in our asset management business since joining us in 1997. He is presently the Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason Investments and is responsible for the Wealth Management division of our asset management business.

 

Charles J. Daley, Jr., age 43, was elected Senior Vice President, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of Legg Mason in January 2002 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker in December 2001. He had been Vice President of Legg Mason since July 1999 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker since January 1999. Mr. Daley served as Controller of Legg Mason from July 2001 to July 2002 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker from January 1999 through December 2001. Mr. Daley is a certified public accountant.

 

Mark R. Fetting, age 50, was elected Senior Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2004. Mr. Fetting had been Executive Vice President of Legg Mason since July 2001 and, from June 2000 until July 2001, he served as a Senior Advisor to Legg Mason. From 1991 to 2000, Mr. Fetting was Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc., a financial services company. Mr. Fetting functions as

 

26


Table of Contents

President of our Asset Management business segment and is a director of 22 funds within the Legg Mason mutual funds complex, Batterymarch U.S. Small Capitalization Equity Portfolio and 21 funds within the Royce & Associates mutual funds complex.

 

Richard J. Himelfarb, age 63, has served as a director of Legg Mason since November 1983 and Legg Mason Wood Walker since January 2005. Mr. Himelfarb was elected Executive Vice President of Legg Mason and Legg Mason Wood Walker in July 1995. He is responsible for supervising our corporate and real estate finance activities.

 

Thomas P. Mulroy, age 44, was elected Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2002 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker in November 2000. Mr. Mulroy became a Senior Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2000 and Legg Mason Wood Walker in August 1998. From 1986 through 1998, Mr. Mulroy held various positions in Legg Mason Wood Walker’s equity capital markets operations. Mr. Mulroy has responsibility for Legg Mason Wood Walker’s equity institutional sales, trading and research.

 

Robert G. Sabelhaus, age 57, was elected Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2001 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker in August 1993. Mr. Sabelhaus is an executive officer responsible for the private client brokerage division of Legg Mason Wood Walker.

 

Timothy C. Scheve, age 47, was elected Senior Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2000, President of Legg Mason Wood Walker in August 2003 and Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason Wood Walker in February 2004. He had been Executive Vice President of Legg Mason and of Legg Mason Wood Walker since January 1998. Mr. Scheve has served in various financial and administrative capacities since joining us in 1984 and presently has primary responsibility for our securities brokerage business.

 

Elisabeth N. Spector, age 57, was elected Senior Vice President of Legg Mason in January 1994. She has general responsibilities in business strategy.

 

Joseph A. Sullivan, age 47, was elected Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 2003 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker in August 2003. Mr. Sullivan had been Senior Vice President of Legg Mason since July 2000 and of Legg Mason Wood Walker since August 1994. Mr. Sullivan manages Legg Mason Wood Walker’s fixed income group and has responsibility for the general oversight of the municipal and taxable fixed income banking, research, institutional sales, trading and underwriting functions of Legg Mason Wood Walker.

 

Edward A. Taber, III, age 61, was elected Executive Vice President of Legg Mason in July 1995. He is responsible for the Institutional division of our asset management business. Mr. Taber is a director of the Western Asset Funds, Inc., a mutual fund consisting of 12 portfolios.

 

27


Table of Contents

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

Shares of Legg Mason, Inc. common stock are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol LM). As of March 31, 2005, there were 2,456 holders of record of Legg Mason’s common stock. Information with respect to our dividends and stock prices is as follows:

 

     Quarter ended*

     Mar. 31

   Dec. 31

   Sept. 30

   June 30

Fiscal 2005

                           

Cash dividend declared per share

   $ 0.15    $ 0.15    $ 0.15    $ 0.10

Stock price range:

                           

High

     85.07      73.70      60.84      66.40

Low

     68.10      52.48      48.95      55.67

Fiscal 2004

                           

Cash dividend declared per share

   $ 0.10    $ 0.10    $ 0.10    $ 0.07

Stock price range:

                           

High

     63.61      56.77      51.47      44.67

Low

     51.77      48.25      43.18      32.47

* Adjusted to reflect a 3-for-2 stock split paid in September 2004.

 

We expect to continue paying cash dividends. However, the declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. In determining whether to declare dividends, or how much to declare in dividends, our Board will consider factors it deems relevant, which may include our results of operations and financial condition, our financial requirements, general business conditions and the availability of funds from our subsidiaries, including all restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to provide funds to us.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table provides information about our equity compensation plans as of March 31, 2005.

 

     (a)

    (b)

    (c)

 

Plan category


   Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights


    Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights


    Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))


 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

   14,383,120 (1)   $ 29.90 (2)   10,159,545 (3)(4)

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

   1,488,251 (5)     —   (6)   —   (7)
    

 


 

Total

   15,871,371 (1)(5)   $ 29.90 (2)(6)   10,159,545 (3)(4)(7)
    

 


 


(1) Includes 3,420,151 shares of Legg Mason Common Stock (“Common Stock”) that are held in a trust pending distribution of phantom stock units. The phantom stock units, which are converted into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis upon distribution, were granted to plan participants upon their deferral of compensation or dividends paid on phantom stock units. When amounts are deferred, participants receive a number of phantom stock units equal to the deferred amount divided by 90% to 95% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock.

 

28


Table of Contents
(2) Does not include phantom stock units that will be converted into Common Stock on a one-for-one basis upon distribution at no additional cost, but were acquired as described in footnote (1).
(3) In addition, an unlimited number of shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Deferred Compensation/Phantom Stock Plan upon the distribution of phantom stock units that may be acquired in the future as described in footnote (1).
(4) 5,799,243 of these shares may be issued under our omnibus equity plan as stock options, restricted or unrestricted stock grants or any other form of equity compensation. 627,618 of these shares may be issued under the Legg Mason, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors as stock options. 3,732,684 of these shares may be purchased under our employee stock purchase plan, which acquires the shares that are purchased thereunder in the open market.
(5) Includes 1,439,800 shares of Common Stock that are held in a trust pending distribution of phantom stock units. The phantom stock units, which are converted into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis upon distribution, were granted to plan participants upon their deferral of compensation or dividends paid on phantom stock units or receipt of the right to receive deferred bonuses. When amounts were deferred, participants received a number of phantom stock units equal to the deferred amount divided by the fair market value, or 95% of the fair market value, of a share of Common Stock. Also includes 48,451 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Howard Weil Plan (as defined below).
(6) Phantom stock units are converted into Common Stock on a one-for-one basis upon distribution at no additional cost, but were acquired as described in footnote (5). The Howard Weil Plan provides for the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain events at no additional cost to the recipient. However, these rights were acquired upon the recipients’ deferral of compensation or dividends on rights held with a value equal to the market value of the shares acquirable under the plan.
(7) During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, we adopted programs under our stockholder-approved omnibus equity plan to replace our active phantom stock and retention plans that have not been approved by our stockholders, and we ceased issuing additional phantom stock units under these plans. As a result, the only shares of Common Stock that will be distributed under these plans in the future are the shares currently held in the trust pending distribution of phantom stock units. Under the Howard Weil Plan, 48,451 shares of Common Stock are currently held in a trust to be issued under the plan. However, dividends on these shares are reinvested in the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock, which are purchased in the market to fulfill this obligation.

 

We have six equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our stockholders. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, we stopped granting additional deferred bonuses or other awards, deferring employee income, or granting additional shares to reflect dividends under all of these plans that were active. These plans (other than the Howard Weil Plan) have been replaced for purposes of future awards (including awards to reflect dividends paid on shares of phantom stock previously granted) with programs under our stockholder-approved omnibus equity plan. As a result, these plans (other than the Howard Weil Plan) will apply in the future only to the distribution of phantom stock units and interest accounts that were previously granted. For all of these plans, we have issued to a trust shares of our Common Stock that are available for distributions under the plans. Our equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our stockholders are:

 

    Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Private Client Group Deferred Compensation Plan;

 

    Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Financial Advisor Retention Plan;

 

    Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Key Employee Phantom Stock Agreements;

 

    Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Professional Branch Manager Phantom Stock Agreements;

 

    Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Producing Branch Manager Retention Plan; and

 

    Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Howard Weil Plan”).

 

29


Table of Contents

Set forth below is a brief description of these plans.

 

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Private Client Group Deferred Compensation Plan (“PCG Plan”) and Financial Advisor Retention Plan (“FA Plan”)

 

Under the PCG Plan, financial advisors in our Private Client Group were eligible to earn deferred bonuses in each calendar year based upon several performance measures. In calendar year 2002, the PCG Plan was replaced with the FA Plan. Under the FA Plan, financial advisors in our Private Client Group were eligible to earn in each calendar year the right to receive future retention bonuses based upon several performance measures. Deferred bonuses under the PCG Plan and future retention bonuses under the FA Plan were deemed invested in either an interest account or a “phantom stock” account. Amounts deemed invested in phantom stock accounts were credited as a number of phantom stock units based on a unit price equal to the market price for a share of Legg Mason Common Stock. The number of phantom stock units credited to an account will be adjusted until the bonuses are payable to account for any stock dividends, stock splits and similar events. Dividends paid on Common Stock were credited to phantom stock accounts by adding a number of phantom stock units based on a unit price equal to 95% of the market price for a share of Common Stock. Amounts deemed invested in interest accounts are credited annually with interest. Deferred bonuses under the PCG Plan vest at the end of the sixth calendar year after they are credited. Retention bonuses under the FA Plan are payable at the end of the sixth calendar year after the rights to receive them are granted. Deferred bonuses under the PCG Plan and retention bonuses under the FA Plan are subject to forfeiture if the recipient’s employment with us terminates prior to the vesting or payment date, other than a termination as a result of death, disability or retirement. Vested deferred bonuses under the PCG Plan are distributed to the recipient, at the election of the recipient, upon either (i) the date they vest or (ii) the date the recipient’s employment with us terminates. Upon a distribution under the PCG Plan, the participant receives (in a lump sum or in periodic installments, at the participant’s election) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of phantom stock units that are to be distributed, or cash in the amount of the balance of the interest account to be distributed. When retention bonuses are paid under the FA Plan, the recipient receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of phantom stock units that are to be distributed, or cash in the amount of the balance of the interest account to be distributed.

 

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Key Employee Phantom Stock Agreements (the “Key Employee Agreements”)

 

Under the Key Employee Agreements, certain employees, as part of their recruitment by our Private Client Group, were offered deferred compensation bonuses credited within the first year of their employment. Deferral amounts under the Key Employee Agreements were deemed invested in “phantom stock” units based on a unit price equal to the market price for a share of Legg Mason Common Stock. The number of phantom stock units credited to an account will be adjusted until the bonuses are payable to account for any stock dividends, stock splits and similar events. Dividends paid on Common Stock were credited to phantom stock accounts by adding a number of phantom stock units based on a unit price equal to 95% of the market price for a share of Common Stock. A portion of the deferred amounts under the Key Employee Agreements vests each year over a period of five years, and deferred amounts are subject to forfeiture if the recipient’s employment with us terminates prior to the vesting date, other than a termination as a result of death or disability. Vested deferred amounts are distributed to the recipient, at the election of the recipient, upon one of (i) the date they vest, (ii) the date the entire deferred amount vests, or (iii) the date the recipient’s employment with us terminates. Upon a distribution, the participant receives (in a lump sum or in periodic installments, at the participant’s election) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of phantom stock units that are to be distributed.

 

30


Table of Contents

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Professional Branch Manager Phantom Stock Agreements (the “Branch Manager Agreements”)

 

Under the Branch Manager Agreements, certain of the branch managers in our Private Client Group were able to elect to defer up to $12,000 of compensation in any calendar year. We would “match” dollar-for-dollar all amounts deferred under the Branch Manager Agreements. Deferred and match amounts under the Branch Manager Agreements were deemed invested in “phantom stock” units based on a unit price equal to the market price for a share of Common Stock. The number of phantom stock units credited to an account will be adjusted over the deferral period to account for any stock dividends, stock splits and similar events. Dividends paid on Common Stock were credited to phantom stock accounts by adding a number of phantom stock units based on a unit price equal to 95% of the market price for a share of Common Stock. Phantom stock units resulting from the Legg Mason “match” vest six full years after they are credited, and are subject to forfeiture if the recipient’s employment with us terminates prior to the vesting date, other than a termination as a result of death, disability or retirement. Vested deferred amounts are distributed to the recipient, at the election of the recipient, upon either (i) the date they vest or (ii) the date the recipient’s employment with us terminates. In a distribution, the participant receives (in a lump sum or in periodic installments, at the participant’s election) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of phantom stock units that are to be distributed.

 

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated Producing Branch Manager Retention Plan (the “Branch Manager Plan”)

 

Under the Branch Manager Plan, certain branch managers in our Private Client Group were eligible to earn the right to receive deferred bonuses and retention bonuses. Rights to receive deferred and retention bonuses were awarded in tandem under the Branch Manager Plan following each fiscal year based on the income earned by eligible branch managers during the fiscal year. When the right to receive a deferred bonus and retention bonus was awarded, the bonuses were deemed invested in either an interest account or a “phantom stock” account. Amounts deemed invested in phantom stock accounts were credited as a number of phantom stock units based on a unit price equal to the market price for a share of Legg Mason Common Stock. The number of phantom stock units credited to an account will be adjusted until the bonuses are payable to account for any stock dividends, stock splits and similar events. Dividends paid on Common Stock were credited to phantom stock accounts by adding a number of phantom stock units based on a unit price equal to 95% of the market price for a share of Common Stock. Amounts deemed invested in interest accounts are annually credited with interest. Deferred bonuses under the Branch Manager Plan are payable on the earlier of (i) the end of the sixth fiscal year after the rights to receive them are granted and (ii) the date the applicable recipient’s employment with us terminates. Retention bonuses under the Branch Manager Plan are payable at the end of the sixth fiscal year after the rights to receive them are granted, and rights to receive retention bonuses are subject to forfeiture if the applicable recipient’s employment with us terminates prior to the end of that sixth year, other than a termination as a result of death, disability or retirement. When bonuses are paid under the Branch Manager Plan, the recipient receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of phantom stock units that are to be distributed, or cash in the amount of the balance of the interest account to be distributed.

 

Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan

 

Under the Howard Weil Plan, certain employees of Howard, Weil, Labouisse, Friedrichs, Inc. (“Howard Weil”) were entitled to defer their receipt of compensation. The deferred amounts were deemed invested in Voting Stock of Howard Weil. When we acquired Howard Weil in 1987, the deferred amounts were funded by placing Howard Weil stock into a trust, and the stock in the trust was converted into Legg Mason Common Stock. Since the acquisition, no additional amounts have been deferred under the Howard Weil Plan. However, the Howard Weil Plan governs the distribution of shares from the trust to participants. In addition, dividends paid on the shares held in the trust are used to purchase additional shares of Legg Mason Common Stock in the open market, which are then credited to the accounts of participants.

 

31


Table of Contents

Purchases of our Common Stock

 

The following table sets out information regarding our purchases of Legg Mason Common Stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2005:

 

Period


 

(a)

Total number
of shares
purchased (1)


  (b)
Average price
paid per share


 

(c)

Total number of

shares purchased
as part of
publicly announced

plans or programs (2)


 

(d)
Maximum number

of shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans
or programs (2)


January 1, 2005 Through January 31, 2005

  11,585   $ 73.04       —   1,048,800

February 1, 2005 Through February 28, 2005

  20,927     79.77     1,048,800

March 1, 2005 Through March 31, 2005

  3,661     83.13     1,048,800
   
 

 
 

Total

  36,173   $ 77.95     1,048,800
   
 

 
 

(1) All shares were acquired through the surrender of shares by option holders to pay the exercise price of stock options.
(2) On October 23, 2001, we announced via press release that our board of directors had authorized Legg Mason, Inc. to purchase up to 4.5 million shares of Legg Mason Common Stock in open-market purchases. There was no expiration date attached to the authorization.

 

32


Table of Contents

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts or unless otherwise noted)                    
     Years Ended March 31,
     2005    2004    2003    2002    2001

Operating Results (1)

                                  

Total revenues

   $ 2,489,552    $ 2,004,267    $ 1,586,343    $ 1,548,893    $ 1,505,952

Interest expense

     80,844      63,155      85,997      125,342      173,359

Net revenues

     2,408,708      1,941,112      1,500,346      1,423,551      1,332,593

Non-interest expenses

     1,750,001      1,468,803      1,193,490      1,172,408      1,071,324

Earnings from continuing operations
before income tax provision

     658,707      472,309      306,856      251,143      261,269

Income tax provision

     250,276      181,701      117,424      99,476      107,818

Earnings from continuing operations

     408,431      290,608      189,432      151,667      153,451

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        675      1,477      1,269      2,779

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        6,481      —        —        —  

Net earnings

   $ 408,431    $ 297,764    $ 190,909    $ 152,936    $ 156,230

Per Common Share (2)

                                  

Earnings per share:

                                  

Basic

   $ 3.95    $ 2.97    $ 1.93    $ 1.56    $ 1.63

Diluted

     3.53      2.65      1.78      1.45      1.53

Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):

                                  

Basic

     103,428      100,292      99,002      97,816      95,690

Diluted

     117,074      114,049      109,697      107,858      101,874

Dividends declared

   $ .550    $ .373    $ .287    $ .260    $ .233

Book value

     20.97      15.18      12.39      10.80      9.43

Financial Condition

                                  

Total assets

   $ 8,219,472    $ 7,282,483    $ 6,067,450    $ 5,939,614    $ 4,687,626

Long-term debt

     811,164      794,238      786,753      779,463      99,770

Notes payable of finance subsidiaries(3)

     —        —        —        97,659      119,200

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,293,146      1,559,610      1,247,957      1,084,548      927,720

(1) Restated to reflect discontinued mortgage banking and servicing operations, where applicable.
(2) Adjusted to reflect September 2004 stock split. Diluted earnings per share and weighted average diluted shares outstanding have been restated as required by EITF 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Instruments on Diluted Earnings per Share,” where applicable.
(3) Non-recourse, secured fixed-rate notes of Legg Mason Investments’ finance subsidiaries, the proceeds of which were invested in financial instruments with similar maturities.

 

33


Table of Contents
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

Executive Overview

Legg Mason, Inc. (the “Parent”), a holding company, and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent, “Legg Mason”) are principally engaged in providing asset management, securities brokerage, investment banking and related financial services to individuals, institutions, corporations and municipalities. We have operations principally in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada and also have offices in Spain, Switzerland and Singapore. Terms such as “we,” “us,” “our” and “company” refer to Legg Mason.

We currently operate in the following business segments: Asset Management, Private Client and Capital Markets. The corporate revenues and expenses that are not allocated to the business segments are reported separately as Corporate. Business segment classifications are based upon factors such as the services provided and distribution channels utilized. Certain services that we offer are provided to clients through more than one of our business segments. We allocate certain common income and expense items among our business segments based upon various methodologies and factors. These methodologies are by their nature subjective and are reviewed periodically by management. Business segment results may reflect reallocations of revenues and expenses that result from changes in methodologies, but any reallocations will have no effect on our consolidated results of operations. There were no material changes in methodologies during fiscal 2005.

Asset Management provides investment advisory services to institutional and individual clients and to company-sponsored investment funds. The primary sources of revenue in Asset Management are investment advisory, distribution and administrative fees, which typically are calculated as a percentage of the assets in the account and vary based upon factors such as the type of underlying investment product, the amount of assets under management and the type of services that are provided. In addition, performance fees may be earned on certain investment advisory contracts for exceeding performance benchmarks. Distribution fees earned on company-sponsored investment funds are reported in Asset Management when the fund is sold through its marketing channels and in the Private Client segment when the fund is sold through its branch distribution network. Revenues from Asset Management tend to be more stable than those from Private Client and Capital Markets because they are less affected by changes in securities market conditions.

Private Client distributes a wide range of financial products through its branch distribution network, including equity and fixed income securities, proprietary and non-affiliated mutual funds and annuities. The primary sources of net revenues for Private Client are commissions and principal credits earned on equity and fixed income transactions in customer brokerage accounts, distribution fees earned from mutual funds, fee-based account fees and net interest from customers’ margin loan and credit account balances. Sales credits associated with underwritten offerings initiated in the Capital Markets segment are reported in Private Client when sold through its branch distribution network.

Capital Markets consists of our equity and fixed income institutional sales and trading and corporate and public finance investment banking. The primary sources of revenue for equity and fixed income institutional sales and trading include commissions and principal credits on transactions in both corporate and municipal products. We maintain proprietary fixed income and equity securities inventory primarily to facilitate customer transactions and as a result recognize trading profits and losses from our proprietary trading activities. Investment banking revenues include underwriting fees and advisory fees from private placements and mergers and acquisitions. Sales credits associated with underwritten offerings are reported in Capital Markets when sold through institutional distribution channels. The results of this business segment also include realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments acquired in connection with merchant and investment banking activities.

In September 2003, we sold the mortgage banking and servicing operation of Legg Mason Real Estate Services, Inc. (“LMRES”), which had been previously reported in Other. Other also included certain unallocated corporate revenues and expenses. Consolidated results for fiscal 2003 have been restated to reflect the historical results of the sold business as discontinued operations and the remaining operations of LMRES in Capital Markets. The corporate revenues and expenses that are not allocated to the business segments are now reported separately as Corporate.

The most significant component of our cost structure is employee compensation and benefits, of which a majority is variable in nature and includes sales commissions that are based upon certain revenues and incentive bonuses that are primarily based upon production levels and/or profitability. Certain other operating costs are fixed in nature, such as occupancy, depreciation and amortization, equipment leasing and fixed contract commitments for market data, communication and technology services, and may not decline with reduced levels of business activity or, conversely, may not rise proportionately with increased business activity.

 

34


Table of Contents

Our financial position and results of operations are materially affected by the overall trends and conditions of the financial markets, particularly in the United States. Results of any individual period should not be considered representative of future results. Our profitability is sensitive to a variety of factors, including the amount and composition of our assets under management, the volume of trading in securities, the volatility and general level of securities prices and interest rates, the level of customer margin and credit account balances and the demand for investment banking services, among other things. Sustained periods of unfavorable market conditions are likely to affect our profitability adversely. In addition, the diversification of services and products offered, investment performance, access to distribution channels, reputation in the market, attracting and retaining key employees and client relations are significant factors in determining whether we are successful in attracting and retaining clients. In the past decade, we have experienced substantial expansion due to internal growth and the strategic acquisition of asset management firms that provided, among other things, a broader range of investment expertise, additional product diversification and increased assets under management.

The financial services businesses in which we are engaged are extremely competitive. Our competition includes numerous national, regional and local asset management firms and broker-dealers and commercial banks. The industry has been affected by the consolidation of financial services firms through mergers or acquisitions. The increasing competitive pressures may require us to offer our customers many of the services provided by much larger firms. The industry in which we operate is also subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws and by securities exchanges and other self-regulatory authorities. Like most firms, we have been impacted by the regulatory and legislative changes in the post-Enron era. In addition, the financial services industry has been the subject of a number of regulatory proceedings and requirements over the last three years, including changes in the relationships of research analysts and investment banking and proceedings regarding a number of mutual funds sales practices. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has required us to implement new policies or review existing policies with respect to corporate governance, auditor independence and internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, various regulatory organizations adopted changes to their rules and policies in response to certain abuses and corporate scandals. Responding to these changes has required us to add employees and incur costs that have impacted our profitability.

All references to fiscal 2005, 2004 or 2003 refer to our fiscal year ended March 31 of that year.

 

Business Environment

Fiscal 2005 began with uncertainty, as the U.S. presidential and first Iraqi elections approached and the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated plans to increase the federal funds rate at a measured pace. During fiscal 2005, the U.S. Federal Reserve implemented seven 0.25% increases to bring the federal funds rate to 2.75%, up from fiscal 2004’s 1.0%, the lowest level in 45 years. The major equity markets exhibited volatility throughout fiscal 2005. The Dow Jones Industrial Average,1 the Nasdaq2 Composite Index and the S&P 5003 were up 4%, 9% and 8%, respectively, through December 31, 2004 but ended our fiscal year up 1%, unchanged and up 5%, respectively. The market environment for fixed income investments remained extremely challenging. Interest rates, overall, have remained volatile, though with an upside bias. Fixed income investors generally remain cautious, and overall flows and activity in the bond markets have slowed significantly. Thus, the equity and fixed income markets continue to be uncertain and we are unable to predict the impact this will have on our future results.

The financial services industry continues to be impacted by legislative and regulatory changes. Participants in the industry have responded and reacted to numerous regulatory investigations and inquiries, proposals and adoptions of new regulations and revised and enhanced interpretations of existing laws and regulations. Regulatory investigations into mutual fund trading practices within the financial services industry have uncovered instances of conflicts of interest and insufficient internal controls related to mutual funds and have resulted in a negative public perception of the mutual fund industry, numerous regulatory proposals, a strict regulatory environment and significant fines and penalties against, and fee reductions by, a number of financial services companies.

 

1 Dow Jones Industrial Average is a trademark of Dow Jones & Company, which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.
2 Nasdaq is a trademark of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.
3 S&P 500 is a trademark of Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., which is not affiliated with Legg Mason.

 

35


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, items in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a percentage of net revenues and the increase (decrease) by item as a percentage of the amount for the previous period:

 

     Percentage of Net Revenues

       Period to Period Change*

 
     Years Ended
March 31,


      

2005
Compared

to 2004


    

2004
Compared

to 2003


 
     2005        2004        2003          

Revenues

                                        

Investment advisory and related fees

   68.8 %      62.7 %      57.3 %      36.1 %    41.5 %

Commissions

   14.9        17.7        21.1        4.3      8.5  

Principal transactions

   6.7        8.5        10.5        (2.4 )    4.6  

Investment banking

   5.7        7.7        7.3        (8.5 )    37.7  

Interest

   4.9        4.3        7.1        40.8      (20.6 )

Other

   2.4        2.3        2.4        30.9      22.3  
    

    

    

               

Total revenues

   103.4        103.2        105.7        24.2      26.3  

Interest expense

   3.4        3.2        5.7        28.0      (26.6 )
    

    

    

               

Net revenues

   100.0        100.0        100.0        24.1      29.4  
    

    

    

               

Non-Interest Expenses

                                        

Compensation and benefits

   54.6        56.0        58.7        21.0      23.6  

Communications and technology

   4.7        5.0        6.2        18.0      3.0  

Occupancy

   2.9        3.4        4.2        4.1      6.1  

Distribution and service fees

   3.1        2.5        1.6        57.5      94.4  

Amortization of intangible assets

   1.0        1.1        1.5        3.6      (6.5 )

Litigation award charge

          1.0               n/m      n/m  

Other

   6.4        6.7        7.3        18.1      19.0  
    

    

    

               

Total non-interest expenses

   72.7        75.7        79.5        19.1      23.1  
    

    

    

               

Earnings from Continuing Operations
before Income Tax Provision

   27.3        24.3        20.5        39.5      53.9  

Income tax provision

   10.3        9.3        7.9        37.7      54.7  
    

    

    

               

Earnings from Continuing Operations

   17.0        15.0        12.6        40.5      53.4  

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

                 0.1        n/m      n/m  

Gain on sale of discontinued
operations, net of taxes

          0.3               n/m      n/m  
    

    

    

               

Net Earnings

   17.0 %      15.3 %      12.7 %      37.2      56.0  
    

    

    

               

 

n/m—not meaningful

 

* Calculated based on the change in actual amounts between fiscal years as a percentage of the prior year amount.

 

36


Table of Contents

FISCAL 2005 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2004

Financial Overview

Legg Mason reported record net revenues, net earnings and diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2005. Net revenues increased 24% to $2.4 billion, primarily due to increased revenues from higher assets under management. Assets under management increased 30% to $372.9 billion, primarily as a result of positive net client cash flows. Net earnings increased 37% to $408.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $3.53, an increase of 33%. The pre-tax profit margin increased to 27.3% from 24.3%. Our earnings per share in fiscal 2005 included the weighted impact of 4.6 million shares that were issued in an underwritten offering of our common stock in December 2004, for net proceeds of approximately $311 million. All share and earnings per share numbers have been restated, where appropriate, for a 3 for 2 stock split effective September 24, 2004. Included in fiscal 2004 is a single litigation award charge of $19.0 million resulting from a jury verdict and subsequent judgment in a civil copyright infringement lawsuit.

 

Net Revenues

Investment advisory and related fees, including distribution fees from company-sponsored mutual and offshore funds, increased 36% to $1.7 billion, primarily as a result of the combined growth from assets managed by Private Capital Management, L.P. (“PCM”), Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”), Royce & Associates, LLC (“Royce”) and Legg Mason Capital Management (“LMCM,” which includes the combined operations of Legg Mason Capital Management and Legg Mason Funds Management). Distribution fees from proprietary investment funds increased $51.1 million to $241.2 million. Investment advisory and related fees represented 69% of consolidated net revenues, up from 63% in the prior year.

 

Investment Advisory Revenues and Assets Under Management

 

LOGO

 

Assets under management at March 31, 2005 were $372.9 billion, up $86.5 billion or 30% from March 31, 2004. Net client cash flows were responsible for just under 75% of the increase, with market performance, including currency translation, accounting for 20% and the December 31, 2004 acquisition of four offices of Scudder Private Investment Counsel responsible for the remainder. The strong increase in assets under management at Western Asset, our principal fixed income manager, was the primary driver in our equity assets’ declining as a percentage of our total managed assets, from 39% a year ago to 38% at March 31, 2005. Our Institutional asset management division was responsible for 66% of total managed assets at yearend, our Mutual Funds division was responsible for 21% and our Wealth Management division was responsible for 13%.

Assets under management as of March 31, 2005 and 2004 by type are as follows:

 

     2005*    % of
Total
   2004*    % of
Total
   %
Change
 

Equity

   $ 142.9    38.3    $ 112.3    39.2    27.3 %

Fixed Income

     230.0    61.7      174.1    60.8    32.1 %

Total

   $ 372.9    100.0    $ 286.4    100.0    30.2 %

*  In billions

 

Assets Under Management by Division (In billions)**

 

LOGO

 

** Legg Mason Investments Holdings Limited was moved from the Institutional division to the Mutual Funds division for fiscal 2005 to reflect the change in focus of their business from managing assets to distributing investment funds. This change had no material impact on assets under management presented above.

 

37


Table of Contents

Securities brokerage revenues, including both commissions and principal transactions, increased 2% to $519.9 million, primarily as a result of increases in distribution fees from non-proprietary mutual funds, partially offset by decreases in institutional fixed income trading volume. Commission revenues in fiscal 2004 were reduced by $7.4 million for reimbursements to certain clients for our failure to provide breakpoint discounts in connection with client purchases of non-proprietary front-end load mutual fund shares. Investment banking revenues were $137.3 million, a decrease of 9% over the prior year, primarily as a result of a 44% decrease in retail selling concessions, partially offset by increases in municipal banking and corporate advisory fees. Other revenues increased 31% to $57.4 million, primarily as a result of increased values of firm investments, revenue sharing payments from non-proprietary mutual funds and customer account service fees.

Net interest profit of $37.9 million increased 79% from $21.2 million in the prior year. Interest revenue increased 41% to $118.7 million as a result of substantially higher interest rates earned on customer margin account balances and firm investments. Interest expense increased 28% to $80.8 million as a result of significantly higher interest rates paid on customer credit balances. The net interest profit margin in the current period increased to 31.9% from 25.1% in the prior year, and net interest profit accounted for 5.7% of earnings before income tax provision, up from 4.5% in the prior year.

 

Non-Interest Expenses

Compensation and benefits increased 21% to $1.3 billion, as a result of increases in profitability-based incentive costs, primarily asset management related, and fixed salaries and benefits primarily as a result of an increased number of full-time employees. However, compensation as a percentage of net revenues declined to 54.6% from 56.0% in the prior year, primarily as a result of a significant increase in revenues from the Asset Management segment that has an overall lower compensation ratio and the impact of fixed compensation costs on significantly higher revenues.

Communications and technology expense increased 18% to $113.6 million from the prior year, primarily as a result of higher technology equipment depreciation, consulting costs and quote service. The relocation of Western Asset to a new office facility was a significant contributor to the increases in technology equipment depreciation and consulting costs.

Occupancy expense rose 4% to $69.2 million in the current year, primarily as a result of increased rent and operating expenses related to Western Asset’s relocation.

Amortization of intangible assets increased 4% to $22.5 million, primarily attributable to the acquisition of four wealth management offices of Scudder Private Investment Counsel by Legg Mason Investment Counsel in December 2004.

In the prior fiscal year, we recorded a litigation award charge of $19.0 million as a result of a jury verdict and subsequent judgment in a copyright infringement lawsuit (see Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Distribution and service fees increased 57% to $75.2 million, primarily as a result of an increase in distribution fees paid to third-party distributors on increased sales and subsequent growth of offshore and Royce funds.

Other expenses increased 18% to $153.7 million in the current fiscal year, primarily as a result of higher promotional costs, increases in management fees related to our international equity sales offices and an increase in professional fees, principally audit and consulting fees as a result of increased legislative and regulatory requirements. The prior year included a $2.3 million fine levied by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) as a result of our failure to provide certain clients the benefit of breakpoint discounts in connection with their purchases of non-proprietary front-end load mutual fund shares.

The provision for income taxes increased 38% to $250.3 million, primarily as a result of the increase in pre-tax earnings. The effective tax rate declined to 38.0% from 38.5% in the prior year’s period due to a lower provision for income tax uncertainties in the current year and the impact of non-deductible breakpoint fines in the prior year.

 

FISCAL 2004 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2003

Financial Overview

Legg Mason achieved then record net revenues, net earnings and diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2004. Net revenues increased 29% to $1.9 billion, primarily due to increased revenues from higher assets under management. Assets under management increased 49% to $286.4 billion as a result of approximately equal increases in net client cash flows and market appreciation. Net earnings increased 56% to $297.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $2.65, an increase of 49%. The pre-tax profit margin increased to 24.3% from 20.5%. Included in fiscal 2004 is a single litigation award charge of $19.0 million. Our fiscal 2004 earnings were also affected by the impact of the sale of the mortgage servicing operations of LMRES, which increased net earnings by $6.5 million.

Diluted earnings per share and weighted average diluted shares outstanding have been restated as required by EITF 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Instruments on Diluted Earnings per Share.” Therefore, our diluted earnings per share for both fiscal years now include the impact of 6.6 million shares that are issuable upon conversion of our zero-coupon contingent convertible senior notes. Previously, the senior notes were not included until the notes became convertible in January 2004.

 

38


Table of Contents

Net Revenues

Investment advisory and related fees, including distribution fees from company-sponsored mutual and offshore funds, increased 42% to $1.2 billion, primarily as a result of the combined growth from assets managed by PCM, Western Asset, Royce and LMCM. Distribution fees from proprietary investment funds increased $53.0 million to $190.1 million. Investment advisory and related fees represented 63% of consolidated net revenues, up from 57% in fiscal 2003.

Assets under management at March 31, 2004 were $286.4 billion, up 49% from March 31, 2003. Changes in the business environment during fiscal 2004, which gave rise to improvements in the equity markets, resulted in dramatic growth in our equity assets under management. Over $50 billion of the $94 billion increase in assets was in equity assets. Because we earn higher fees on our equity products, pre-tax earnings rose 77% in our Asset Management segment.

Securities brokerage revenues increased 7% to $509.0 million, primarily as a result of increases in retail client transaction volume, particularly listed and over-the-counter equities and non-affiliated mutual funds. Commission revenues in fiscal 2004 were reduced by $7.4 million for reimbursements to certain clients for our failure to provide breakpoint discounts in connection with client purchases of non-proprietary front-end load mutual fund shares and $5.6 million as a result of the impact of the sale of our bank brokerage network in fiscal 2003. Investment banking revenues were $150.1 million, an increase of 38% over the prior year, primarily as a result of increases in retail and institutional selling concessions and corporate banking management fees from new issues. Other revenues increased 22% to $43.8 million, primarily as a result of net gains on firm investments.

Net interest profit of $21.2 million increased 5% from $20.2 million in fiscal 2003. Interest revenue declined 21% to $84.3 million as a result of significantly lower interest rates earned on higher average customer and firm investment balances. Interest expense declined 27% to $63.2 million as a result of significantly lower interest rates paid on customer credit account balances and lower amortized issue costs relating to our zero-coupon contingent convertible senior notes, which were fully amortized in the quarter ended June 30, 2003. The net interest profit margin in fiscal 2004 increased to 25.1% from 19.0% in the prior year, and accounted for 4.5% of earnings before income tax provision, down from 6.6% in the prior year.

 

Non-Interest Expenses

Compensation and benefits increased 24% to $1.1 billion, as a result of increases in profitability-based incentive costs, primarily asset management related, and increased retail financial advisor sales compensation. However, compensation as a percentage of net revenues declined to 56.0% from 58.7% in the prior year, as a result of the impact of fixed compensation costs on increased revenues, a lower percentage of pre-tax profits accrued for corporate executive incentive compensation and lower effective compensation rates.

Communications and technology expense of $96.3 million increased 3% from $93.4 million in fiscal 2003, as increased investments in technology were partially offset by the impact of lower depreciation as a result of assets that became fully depreciated in a prior year.

Occupancy expense rose 6% to $66.5 million in fiscal 2004, primarily as a result of increased rent, equipment depreciation and relocation costs of $1.7 million related to Western Asset’s move to a new office location. We also incurred $1.0 million of additional costs to consolidate two investment advisory subsidiary office locations in New York City.

Amortization of intangible assets declined 6% to $21.8 million, primarily as a result of asset management contracts that were fully amortized during fiscal 2004.

During fiscal 2004, we recorded a litigation award charge of $19.0 million as a result of a jury verdict and subsequent judgment in a copyright infringement lawsuit (see Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Distribution and service fees increased 94% to $47.8 million, primarily as a result of an increase in distribution fees paid to third-party distributors on sales of offshore and Royce funds.

Other expenses increased 19% to $130.1 million in fiscal 2004, primarily due to: an increase of $8.0 million in audit and consulting fees as a result of increased legislative and regulatory requirements and legal fees for litigation; a $2.3 million fine related to our failure to provide certain clients the benefit of breakpoint discounts; stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million for stock option grants to our non-employee directors; and an increase of $2.0 million in contributions to the Legg Mason charitable foundation. These increases were partially offset by lower expenses related to advances to financial advisors and impairment charges taken on intangible assets in fiscal 2003.

The income tax provision increased 55% to $181.7 million, primarily as a result of the increase in pre-tax earnings. The effective tax rate was 38.5% in fiscal 2004 and 38.3% in fiscal 2003. Fiscal 2004 reflects a lower average effective foreign tax rate, while the prior year benefited from $2.6 million in state income tax refunds.

 

39


Table of Contents

Results By Segment

 

Asset Management

 

           Period to Period Change  
     Years Ended
March 31,
    2005
Compared
to 2004
    2004
Compared
to 2003
 
(In millions)    2005     2004     2003      
Revenues                                     

Investment advisory and related fees

   $ 1,356.4     $ 975.1     $ 668.4     39.1 %   45.9 %

Commissions

     20.0       17.8       12.6     12.4     41.3  

Interest

     12.3       9.0       15.1     36.7     (40.4 )

Other

     9.5       9.1       1.9     n/m     n/m  
    


 


 


           

Total revenues

     1,398.2       1,011.0       698.0     38.3     44.8  

Interest expense

     42.7       41.7       49.9     2.4     (16.4 )
    


 


 


           

Net revenues

     1,355.5       969.3       648.1     39.8     49.6  
    


 


 


           
Non-Interest Expenses                                     

Compensation and benefits

     638.6       455.9       318.2     40.1     43.3  

Other expenses

     252.0       197.1       151.2     27.9     30.4  
    


 


 


           

Total non-interest expenses

     890.6       653.0       469.4     36.4     39.1  
    


 


 


           

Earnings from Continuing Operations
before Income Tax Provision

   $ 464.9     $ 316.3     $ 178.7     47.0     77.0  
    


 


 


           

Profit margin

     34.3 %     32.6 %     27.6 %            

 

n/m—not meaningful

 

40


Table of Contents

Fiscal 2005 Compared with Fiscal 2004

Net revenues in Asset Management increased 40% to $1.4 billion and pre-tax earnings increased 47% to $464.9 million, principally as a result of higher revenues from significantly increased levels of assets under management. Investment advisory and related revenues, including performance fees, increased $381.3 million, with PCM, Western, Royce and LMCM, combined, accounting for $299.3 million (or 78%) of the increase. Performance fees rose $7.4 million to $48.9 million during fiscal 2005. Compensation and benefits expense increased 40%, as a result of increased incentives at subsidiaries operating under revenue sharing arrangements. Compensation as a percentage of net revenues was 47.1% for fiscal 2005, relatively unchanged from 47.0% for fiscal 2004. Other expenses increased $54.9 million, which included a $23.6 million increase in distribution and service fees, primarily paid to third-party distributors on increased sales and subsequent growth of our offshore and Royce funds. In addition, other expenses included an increase of $13.6 million in communication and technology and occupancy expenses, primarily related to Western Asset’s relocation to new office space, and an increase in allocated overhead costs. The pre-tax profit margin increased to 34.3% from 32.6% in the prior year. Asset Management represented 56.3% of consolidated net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2005, an increase from 49.9% in the prior year, and 70.6% of pre-tax earnings, up from 67.0%.

 

Fiscal 2004 Compared with Fiscal 2003

Net revenues in Asset Management increased 50% to $969.3 million and pre-tax earnings increased 77% to $316.3 million, principally as a result of higher revenues from increased levels of assets under management. Investment advisory and related revenues at PCM, Western Asset, Royce and LMCM, combined, accounted for $238.4 million (or 74%) of the increase, including performance fees. Performance fees rose $20.0 million to $41.5 million. Compensation and benefits expense increased $137.7 million or 43%, as a result of increased incentives at subsidiaries operating under revenue sharing arrangements. Compensation as a percentage of net revenues was 47.0% for fiscal 2004 and 49.1% for fiscal 2003. Other expenses increased $45.9 million, which included a $23.7 million increase in distribution and service fees, primarily paid to third-party distributors on increased sales and subsequent growth of our offshore and Royce funds. The pre-tax profit margin increased to 32.6% from 27.6% in fiscal 2003. Asset Management represented 49.9% of consolidated net revenues for fiscal 2004, an increase from 43.2% in fiscal 2003.

 

Net Revenues by Division within Asset Management (In millions)*

 

LOGO

  

*    Effective fiscal 2005, Legg Mason Investments Holdings Limited was moved from the Institutional division to the Mutual Funds division to reflect the change in focus of their business from managing assets to distributing investment funds. This change resulted in $54.7 million in net revenues being included in the Mutual Funds division rather than in the Institutional division.

 

 

41


Table of Contents

Private Client