Ben Updates

DALLAS, Nov. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled financial services holding company that provides liquidity and related trust and custody services to holders of alternative assets, today reported its financial results for second quarter fiscal 2024.

“We are excited by the progress we have made in our second quarter since the Company’s successful public listing. These positive efforts and results are a testament to our unique business model, innovative product offerings and execution by our team to deliver liquidity solutions to customers,” stated Brad K. Heppner, Ben’s Chief Executive Officer & Chairman. “We remain committed and laser focused on innovation and expanding our product offerings to provide end-to-end regulated transactions that are swift, secure, and price-certain. We continue to execute on our long-term strategic priorities to drive long-term shareholder value and growth.”

Business Segments: Second Quarter Fiscal 2024

Ben Liquidity

  • New liquidity transactions closed during the period totaled a net asset value of $44.4 million, which represents 9.1% in growth compared to the net asset value existing as of the end of the prior quarter.
  • Revenues of $13.0 million, up 19.5% from the prior year period, driven primarily by an increase in interest earned on new liquidity transactions originating during the period.
  • Operating loss for the period was $(272.1) million, compared to operating income of $24.2 million in the prior year period. The change was primarily due to non-cash goodwill impairment and negative credit loss adjustments, principally related to securities of our former parent company in the current period.
  • Adjusted operating loss(1) for the period was $4.7 million, compared to a loss of $1.4 million in the prior year period. The change was primarily due to additional interest expense.

Ben Custody

  • Total new assets held in custody during the period grew by $44.4 million, which represents 9.1% in growth compared to the net asset value existing as of the end of the prior quarter. The growth was driven by the new liquidity transactions of Ben Liquidity.
  • Net asset value of alternative assets and other securities held in custody during the period was $457.5 million, compared to $491.9 million as of March 31, 2023. The change was driven by unrealized losses on existing assets, principally related to interests in a wind down trust for a bankrupt entity related to our former parent company, and distributions offset by the new liquidity transactions during the period.
  • Revenues of $6.5 million for the period, compared to $7.8 million in the prior year period. The change was as a result of lower net asset values held in custody.
  • Operating loss for the period was $(80.8) million, compared to operating income of $6.3 million in the prior year period. The change was primarily due to non-cash goodwill impairment in the current period.
  • Adjusted operating income(1) for the period was $5.6 million, compared to $6.3 million in the prior year period. The change was primarily due to a change in revenue due to lower net asset values held in custody.

Capital and Liquidity

  • At September 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.4 million and total debt of $150.8 million.
  • Distributions received from alternative assets and other securities held in custody totaled $26.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $27.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2022.

(1) Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. For reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and for the reasons we believe the non-GAAP measures provide useful information, see Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

Consolidated Fiscal Second Quarter Results

Table 1 below presents a summary of selected unaudited consolidated operating financial information.

Consolidated Fiscal Second Quarter Results
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Fiscal 2Q24
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 2Q23
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
Change %
GAAP Revenues $         (42,761 ) $         (37,945 ) (12.7)%
Adjusted GAAP Revenues (1)         (801 )         (10,186 ) 92.1%
GAAP Operating Loss         (381,764 )         (73,000 ) NM
Adjusted GAAP Operating Loss (1)         (21,170 )         (33,949 ) 37.6%
Diluted Class A EPS $         (1.45 ) $         (0.03 ) NM
Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders (2)         18,629         14,196 31.2%
Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders (1)(2)         19,066         19,821 (3.8)%
Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders         (378,172 )         736 NM
Adjusted Segment Operating Loss attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders (1)(2) $         (11,960 ) $         (7,951 ) (50.4)%

NM – Not meaningful.

  1. Adjusted GAAP Revenues, Adjusted GAAP Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders and Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders are non-GAAP financial measures. For reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and for the reasons we believe the non-GAAP measures provide useful information, see Non-GAAP Reconciliations.
  2. Segment financial information attributable to Ben’s equity holders is presented to provide users of our financial information an understanding and visual aide of the segment information (revenues, operating income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss)) that impacts Ben’s Equity Holders. Ben’s Equity Holders refers to the holders of Beneficient Class A and Class B common stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock as well as holders of interests in BCH which represent noncontrolling interests. For a description of noncontrolling interests, see Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended September 30, 2023, and Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Holders. Such information is computed as the sum of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody and Corp/Other segments since it is the operating results of those segments that determines the net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders. See further information in table 5 and Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

Table 2 below presents a summary of selected unaudited consolidated balance sheet information.

Consolidated Fiscal Second Quarter Results
($ in thousands)
Fiscal 2Q24
As of
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 4Q23
As of
March 31, 2023
Change %
Investments, at Fair Value $         457,771 $         497,221 (7.9)%
Other Assets 31,197 42,448 (26.5)%
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net 968,037 2,371,026 (59.2)%
Total Assets $         1,457,005 $         2,910,695 (49.9)%


Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders
(1)

Table 3 below presents unaudited segment revenues and segment operating income (loss) for business segments attributable to Ben’s equity holders.

Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)
($ in thousands)
Fiscal 2Q24
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 2Q23
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
Change %
Ben Liquidity $         13,022 $         10,894 19.5%
Ben Custody 6,490 7,775 (16.5)%
Corporate & Other (883 ) (4,473 ) 80.3%
Total Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1) $         18,629 $         14,196 31.2%
Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)
($ in thousands)
Fiscal 2Q24
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 2Q23
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
Change %
Ben Liquidity $         (272,091 ) $         24,211 NM
Ben Custody (80,847 ) 6,274 NM
Corporate & Other (25,234 ) (29,749 ) 15.2%
Total Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1) $         (378,172 ) $         736 NM

NM – Not meaningful.

  1. Segment financial information attributable to Ben’s equity holders is presented to provide users of our financial information an understanding and visual aide of the segment information (revenues, operating income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss)) that impacts Ben’s Equity Holders. Ben’s Equity Holders refers to the holders of Beneficient Class A and Class B common stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock as well as holders of interests in BCH which represent noncontrolling interests. For a description of noncontrolling interests, see Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended September 30, 2023, and Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Holders. Such information is computed as the sum of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody and Corp/Other segments since it is the operating results of those segments that determines the net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders. See further information in table 5 and Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

Adjusted Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(2)

Table 4 below presents unaudited adjusted segment revenue and adjusted segment operating income (loss) for business segments attributable to Ben’s equity holders.

Adjusted Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2)
($ in thousands)
Fiscal 2Q24
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 2Q23
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
Change %
Ben Liquidity $         13,022 $         10,894 19.5%
Ben Custody         6,490         7,775 (16.5)%
Corporate & Other         (446 )         1,152 NM
Total Adjusted Segment Revenues Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2) $         19,066 $         19,821 (3.8)%
Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2)
($ in thousands)
Fiscal 2Q24
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 2Q23
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
Change %
Ben Liquidity $         (4,738 ) $         (1,393 ) NM
Ben Custody 5,625 6,274 (10.3)%
Corporate & Other (12,847 ) (12,832 ) (0.1)%
Total Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders(1)(2) $         (11,960 ) $         (7,951 ) (50.4)%

NM – Not meaningful.

  1. Adjusted GAAP Revenues, Adjusted GAAP Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted Segment Revenues attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders and Adjusted Segment Operating Income (Loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders are non-GAAP financial measures. For reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and for the reasons we believe the non-GAAP measures provide useful information, see Non-GAAP Reconciliations.
  2. Segment financial information attributable to Ben’s equity holders is presented to provide users of our financial information an understanding and visual aide of the segment information (revenues, operating income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss)) that impacts Ben’s Equity Holders. Ben’s Equity Holders refers to the holders of Beneficient Class A and Class B common stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock as well as holders of interests in BCH which represent noncontrolling interests. For a description of noncontrolling interests, see Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended September 30, 2023, and Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Holders. Such information is computed as the sum of the Ben Liquidity, Ben Custody and Corp/Other segments since it is the operating results of those segments that determines the net income (loss) attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders. See further information in table 5 and Non-GAAP Reconciliations.

Reconciliation of Business Segment Information Attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to Net Income Attributable to Ben Common Shareholders

Table 5 below presents reconciliation of operating income (loss) by business segment attributable to Ben’s Equity Holders to net income (loss) attributable to Ben common shareholders.

Reconciliation of Business Segments to Net Income (Loss) to Ben Common Shareholders
($ in thousands)
Fiscal 2Q24
September 30, 2023
Fiscal 2Q23
September 30, 2022
Ben Liquidity $         (272,091 ) $         24,211
Ben Custody (80,847 ) 6,274
Corporate & Other (25,234 ) (29,749 )
Less: Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 0 887
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests – Ben 10,604 (192 )
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – CT 0 (893 )
Less: Noncontrolling interest guaranteed payment (4,167 ) (3,926 )
Net loss attributable to Ben’s common shareholders $         (371,735 ) $         (5,162 )


Earnings Webcast

Beneficient will host a webcast and conference call to review its second-quarter financial results today, November 13, 2023, at 5:00 pm eastern time. The webcast will be available via live webcast from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://shareholders.trustben.com under Events.

Replay

The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website in the investor relations section for replay.

About Beneficient
Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds − with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.

Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

For more information, visit www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Beneficient

Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals and small-to-midsized institutions − with early liquidity exit solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential liquidity exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to digitize their alternative assets in order to explore early exit opportunities, receive proposals for liquidity in a secure online environment, engage custodial services for the digital alternative assets and receive data analytics to better inform investment decision making.

Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

For more information, visit www.trustben.com or follow on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Investors: 

investors@beneficient.com

Media:

Longacre Square Partners

Greg Marose / Dan Zacchei

beneficient@longacresquare.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this document and are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, assumptions, beliefs and information. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to consummate liquidity transactions on terms desirable for the Company, or at all, and the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this document and in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.