Form 10-Q for the three-months ended 3/31/06

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

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 number 1-9305

 

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE

43-1273600

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

501 N. Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri

63102-2188

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

314-342-2000

__________________________________________________________________

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.(Check one):Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of April 30, 2006, there were 11,887,865 shares of Stifel Financial Corp. common stock, par value $0.15, outstanding.

Page 1


Stifel Financial Corp.
Form 10-Q Index

March 31, 2006

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

PAGE

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition --
March 31, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005 (Audited)

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) --
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) --
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6 - 15

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

16 -25

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

26

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

26

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

27

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

27

Item 6. Exhibits

28

Signatures

29

Page 2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(In thousands, except par values and share amounts)

March 31, 2006

December 31, 2005

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

ASSETS

   

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 18,420

$ 12,529

Cash segregated under federal and other regulations

6

6

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

60,507

65,599

Receivables from brokers and dealers:

   

Securities failed to deliver

15,731

9,137

Deposits paid for securities borrowed

53,570

56,278

Clearing organizations

5,326

24,553

 

74,627

89,968

Receivables from customers, net of allowance for doubtful
receivables of $310 and $204, respectively

254,857

259,389

Securities owned, at fair value

208,167

105,514

Securities owned and pledged, at fair value

120,108

135,211

 

328,275

240,725

Investments

51,936

46,628

Membership in exchanges

168

275

Office equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost, net of allowances for
depreciation and amortization of $27,001 and $26,026, respectively

11,481

11,422

Goodwill and intangible assets

14,357

13,849

Loans and advances to investment executives and other employees, net of
allowance for doubtful receivables from former employees of $749 and $767, respectively

21,346

21,105

Deferred tax asset

8,774

10,336

Other assets

46,289

70,170

Total Assets

$891,043

$842,001

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

   

Liabilities

   

Short-term borrowings from banks

$ 68,100

$ 141,000

Drafts payable

20,955

29,697

Payables to brokers and dealers:

   

Securities failed to receive

14,915

8,794

Deposits received from securities loaned

106,513

89,039

Clearing organizations

21,617

797

 

143,045

98,630

Payables to customers

107,337

78,456

Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

201,591

146,914

Accrued employee compensation

33,110

35,154

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

23,957

59,875

Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust I

34,500

34,500

Debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II

35,000

35,000

Other

24,598

24,598

692,193

683,824

Liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors

2,575

3,084

Stockholders' Equity

   

Preferred stock -- $1 par value; authorized 3,000,000 shares; none issued

- -

- -

Common stock -- $0.15 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares;
issued 11,859,830 and 10,296,279 shares respectively

1,779

1,161

Additional paid-in capital

115,252

75,225

Retained earnings

80,755

80,279

 

197,786

156,665

Less:

   

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,191 and 4,316 shares, respectively

- -

9

Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares, at cost, 157,261 and 162,683 shares, respectively

1,511

1,563

Total Stockholders' Equity

196,275

155,093

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$891,043

$842,001

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

Page 3


STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

2006

2005

REVENUES

   

Commissions

$ 49,309

$ 24,335

Investment banking

15,729

13,741

Principal transactions

20,509

10,981

Asset management and service fees

13,498

9,451

Interest

7,191

3,440

Other

7,358

(655)

Total revenues

113,594

61,293

Less: Interest expense

4,063

1,105

Net revenues

109,531

60,188

     

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

   

Employee compensation and benefits

86,694

40,689

Occupancy and equipment rental

7,495

5,505

Communications and office supplies

6,413

2,561

Commissions and floor brokerage

1,267

844

Other operating expenses

6,879

3,325

Total non-interest expenses

108,748

52,924

Income before income taxes

783

7,264

Provision for income taxes

307

2,906

Net income

$ 476

$ 4,358

     
     

Earnings per share:

   

Basic

$ 0.04

$ 0.44

Diluted

$ 0.04

$ 0.35

Weighted average common
equivalent shares outstanding:

   

Basic

11,254

9,830

Diluted

13,422

12,415

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

Page 4


STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)(In thousands)

Three Months Ended

 

March 31, 2006

March 31, 2005

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   

Net income

$ 476

$ 4,358

Non-cash items included in net income:

   

Depreciation and amortization

730

1,121

Loans and advances amortization

1,383

1,759

Loss (gains) on investments

(6,759)

1,297

Deferred items

2,166

43

Excess tax benefit associated with stock based awards

(9,448)

- -

Compensation related to the private placement

9,751

- -

Stock based compensation

6,305

2,466

 

4,604

11,044

Decrease (increase) in assets:

   

Operating receivables

19,873

11,035

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

5,092

- -

Securities owned, including those pledged

(87,550)

(31,615)

Loans and advances to investment executives and other employees

(1,624)

(1,017)

Other assets

32,604

(103)

Increase (decrease) in liabilities:

   

Operating payables

55,047

11,373

Securities sold, but not yet purchased

54,677

1,784

Drafts payable, accrued employee compensation, and accounts payable and accrued expenses

(59,155)

(23,115)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

23,568

(20,614)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   

Proceeds from sale or maturity of other investments

14,153

1,026

Payments for:

   

Purchase of office equipment and leasehold improvements

(1,080)

(1,675)

Purchase of investments

(12,595)

(539)

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

478

(1,188)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   

Short-term borrowings, net

(72,900)

35,150

Securities loaned

18,248

23,326

Excess tax benefit associated with stock based awards

9,448

- -

Issuance of stock

748

235

Proceeds from private placement

26,306

- -

Payments for:

   

Purchase of stock for treasury

(5)

(7,132)

Reduction of subordinated debt

- -

(633)

Principal payments under capital lease obligation

- -

(23)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

(18,155)

50,923

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

5,891

29,121

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

12,529

21,145

Cash and Cash Equivalents - end of period

$ 18,420

$ 50,266

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

   

Income tax payments

$ 737

$ 5,305

Interest payments

$ 4,352

$ 1,016

Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

   

Employee stock ownership plan

$ 52

$ 52

Stock units, net of forfeitures

$ 72,209

$ 4,179

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

Page 5


STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE A - REPORTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stifel Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company"). The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management considers its significant estimates, which are most susceptible to change, to be the fair value of investments, the accrual for litigation, the allowance for doubtful receivables from loans and advances to employees, and interim incentive compensation accruals. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Where appropriate, prior periods' financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassification primarily relates to certain fees, which had been recorded in other revenues and are now reflected in commissions.

Comprehensive Income

The Company's comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was equal to the Company's net income.

Page 6


Stock-Based Compensation

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) "Share-Based Payment," ("SFAS No. 123R"), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application. Under this method, SFAS No. 123R will apply to new awards and to awards outstanding on the effective date as well as those that are subsequently modified or cancelled. Compensation expense for outstanding awards for which the requisite service had not been rendered as of the effective date will be recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost calculated for pro forma disclosure purposes under SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"). Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123R.

In the first quarter of 2006, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R resulted in incremental stock-based compensation expense of $162,081, which caused net income to decrease by $80,716 and basic and diluted earnings per share to decrease by $0.01 per share. Additionally, SFAS No. 123R amends SFAS No. 95, "Statement of Cash Flows," to require the excess tax benefits to be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than a reduction of taxes paid, which is included within operating cash flows. Accordingly, cash provided by operating activities decreased and cash provided by financing activities increased by $9,448,227 related to excess tax benefits from stock-based awards.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company applied Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB Opinion No. 25") to account for its stock-based awards. The following table details the effect on net income and earnings per share had compensation expense for the Employee Stock-Based Awards been recorded in the first quarter of 2005 based on the fair value method under SFAS No. 123:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2005

Net Income:

 

As reported

$ 4,358

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax

1,951

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under SFAS 123

(2,070)

Pro forma

$ 4,239

Basic earnings per share:

 

As reported

$0.44

Pro forma

$0.43

Diluted earnings per share:

 

As reported

$0.35

Pro forma

$0.34

For the Company's pro forma computation, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2005: dividend yield of 0.00%; expected volatility of 30.34%; risk-free interest rates of 3.88%; and expected lives of 5.63 years.

Page 7


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations ("FIN 47")". FIN 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143. FIN 47 refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The Company's adoption of FIN 47 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 04-5, "Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights" ("EITF No. 04-5"). EITF No. 04-5 consensus requires a general partner in a limited partnership to consolidate the limited partnership unless the presumption of control is overcome. The general partner may overcome this presumption of control and not consolidate the entity if the limited partners have: (a) the substantive ability to dissolve or liquidate the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without having to show cause; or (b) substantive participating rights in managing the partnership. This consensus is effective for general partners of all new limited partnerships formed and for existing limited partnerships for which the partnership agreements are modified subsequent to the date of the ratification of this consensus (June 29, 2005). The adoption of EITF No. 04-5 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections - a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3," ("SFAS No. 154"). SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE B - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has several stock-based compensation plans. All option plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Stifel Financial Corp., which has the authority to interpret the Plans, determine to whom options may be granted under the Plans, and determine the terms of each option.

Stock Units

A stock unit represents the right to receive a share of common stock from the Company at a designated time in the future without cash payment by the employee and is issued in lieu of cash incentive. A deferred compensation plan is provided to certain revenue producers, officers, and key administrative employees, whereby a certain percentage of their incentive compensation is deferred as defined by the plan into Company stock units with a 25% matching contribution by the Company. Participants may elect to defer up to an additional 15% of their incentive compensation with a 25% matching contribution by the Company. Units generally vest over a three- to five-year period and are distributable upon vesting or at future specified dates. Deferred compensation costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Page 8


During the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company granted 2,004,909 units at an average value of $38.32 per unit and converted 682,984 units into common stock.

On January 2, 2006, the Company granted 1,807,610 restricted stock units to key associates of the Legg Mason Capital Markets business ("LM Capital Markets")(See Note G). The units were granted in accordance with the Company's 2001 incentive stock award plan as amended with a grant date fair value of $37.59 per unit. The units vest ratably over a three year period, and accordingly, the Company incurred compensation expense of $5,520,865 in the first quarter of 2006.

The total compensation cost recognized for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005 was $8,295,727 and $2,631,814, respectively. The total tax benefit for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005 related thereto was $8,506,513 and $1,424,360, respectively.

Stock Option/Incentive Award Plans

The Company has four incentive stock award plans. Under the Company's 1997 and 2001 Incentive Stock Plans, the Company may grant incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, and stock units up to an aggregate of 8,748,659 shares. Options under these plans are generally granted at market value at the date of the grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. The options generally vest ratably over a three- to five-year vesting period. The Company has also granted stock options to external board members under a non-qualified plan and the "Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors." Under the Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors, the Company may grant stock options and stock units up to 200,000 shares. The exercise price of the option is equal to market value at the date of the grant and are exercisable six months to one year from date of grant and expire ten years from date of grant. Under the Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Wealth Accumulation Plan ("SWAP"), a deferred compensation plan for Investment Executives, the Company may grant stock units up to 933,333 shares.

As of March 31, 2006, there was $1,576,789 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested option awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.44 years.

The summary of the status of the Company's fixed stock option plans as of March 31, 2006 and changes during the three-month period is presented below:

   

2006

   

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Fixed Options

Shares

Outstanding at beginning of year

1,665,363

$ 9.95

Granted

8,000

$38.25

Exercised

(84,169)

$ 8.88

Cancelled

- -

- -

Outstanding at end of period

1,589,194

$ 10.15

Options exercisable

1,250,267

$ 8.78

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period

$10.51

 

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005 was $2,401,107 and $537,647, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 was $244,786.

Page 9


The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options outstanding at March 31, 2006:

 

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Price

Number Outstanding

Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life

Weighted-Average Exercise Price

Number Exercisable

Weighted-Average Exercise Price

$4.70 - $7.41

229,046

2.90

$ 7.01

229,046

$ 7.02

7.41 - 7.80

271,776

5.09

7.74

237,921

7.73

7.83 - 8.12

263,620

3.43

7.94

250,565

7.95

8.16 - 8.69

334,979

5.85

8.48

257,016

8.45

8.70 - 11.48

248,911

4.30

9.64

189,628

9.67

13.89 - 22.23

197,654

8.31

17.47

86,091

17.83

22.24 - 38.25

43,208

9.75

37.71

-

0.00

$4.70 - $38.25

1,589,194

5.06

$ 10.15

1,250,267

$ 8.78

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table:

Risk-free interest rate

4.55

%

Expected option life

5.35

Years

Expected stock price volatility

32.6

%

Dividend yield

0

%

The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. The expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option's expected life.

The total compensation cost recognized for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005 was $162,081 and $0, respectively. The total tax benefit related thereto was $941,714 and $209,979, respectively. The Company received $747,743 and $357,810 cash from the exercise of stock options during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005, respectively.

Page 10


NOTE C - NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENT

The Company's principal subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated ("SN & Co.") is subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule, Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act (the "Rule"), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital, as defined. SN & Co. has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the Rule that requires maintenance of minimum net capital equal to the greater of $250,000 or 2% of aggregate debit items arising from customer transactions, as defined. The Rule also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than 5% of aggregate debit items. Another subsidiary, Century Securities Associates, Inc. ("CSA"), is also subject to minimum capital requirements that may restrict the payment of cash dividends and advances to the Company. CSA has consistently operated in excess of their capital adequacy requirements. The only restriction with regard to the payment of cash dividends by the Company is its ability to obtain cash through dividends and advances from its subsidiaries, if needed.

At March 31, 2006, SN & Co. had net capital of $88,301,989, which was 28.71% of its aggregate debit items, and $82,151,698 in excess of the minimum required net capital. CSA had net capital of $2,431,807 which was $2,182,956 in excess of minimum required net capital.

The Company's international subsidiary, Stifel Nicolaus Limited, is subject to the regulatory supervision and requirements of the Financial Services Authority ("FSA") in the United Kingdom. The FSA also has the power to set minimum capital requirements, which Stifel Nicolaus Limited has met.

NOTE D - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is named in and subject to various proceedings and claims incidental to its securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims and regulatory matters. While the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based upon information currently known, management believes that resolution of all such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial condition of the Company but could be material to its operating results in one or more future periods. It is reasonably possible that certain of these lawsuits, arbitrations, claims and regulatory matters could be resolved in the next year and management does not believe such resolutions will result in losses materially in excess of the amounts previously provided.

NOTE E - SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company's reportable segments include the Private Client Group, Equity Capital Markets, Fixed Income Capital Markets, and Other. The Private Client Group segment includes branch offices and independent contractor offices of the Company's broker-dealer subsidiaries located throughout the U.S., primarily in the Midwest. These branches provide securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance, to their private clients. The Equity Capital Markets segment includes corporate finance management and participation in underwritings (exclusive of sales credits, which are included in the Private Client Group segment), mergers and acquisitions, institutional sales, trading, research, and market making. The Fixed Income Capital Markets segment includes public finance, institutional sales and competitive underwriting, and trading. The "Other" segment includes clearing revenue, interest income from stock borrow activities, unallocated interest expense, interest income and gains and losses from investments held, and all unallocated overhead cost associated with the execution of orders; processing of securities transactions; custody of client securities; receipt, identification, and delivery of funds and securities; compliance with regulatory and legal requirements; internal financial accounting and controls; acquisition charges related to the LM Capital Markets acquisition; and general administration.

Page 11


Intersegment net revenues and charges are eliminated between segments. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on various factors, including prospects for growth, return on investment, and return on revenues.

Information concerning operations in these segments of business is as follows:

(in thousands)

Three Months Ended
March 31,

Net Revenues

2006

2005

Private Client Group

$ 55,684

$ 47,158

Equity Capital Markets

33,798

8,614

Fixed Income Capital Markets

11,875

4,095

Other

8,174

321

Total Net Revenues

$ 109,531

$ 60,188

Operating Contribution

   

Private Client Group

$ 12,914

$ 11,188

Equity Capital Markets

7,100

2,730

Fixed Income Capital Markets

1,675

542

Other/ Unallocated Overhead

(20,906)

(7,196)

Income before income taxes

$ 783

$ 7,264

NOTE F - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS")

The Company has an ongoing authorization, as amended, from the Board of Directors to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions in order to meet obligations under the Company's employee benefit plans and for general corporate purposes. In May 2005, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 2,000,000 shares, for a total authorization to repurchase up to 3,000,000 shares. During the first three months of 2006, the Company repurchased 134 shares of its common stock, at an average price of $37.76 per share. The Company reissued 3,259 shares of common stock and issued 1,563,551 new shares for its employee benefit plans in the first three months of 2006.

On January 23, 2006, the Company completed its private placement of 1,052,220 shares of its common stock at $25.00 per share. The shares were purchased by key associates of the LM Capital Markets business. The Company is required to charge to compensation the difference of $25.00 per share and the grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, of $34.27 per share. As a result, the Company incurred a compensation charge of $9,750,818 in January 2006.

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but adjusts for the effect of potential common shares.

Page 12


 

The components of the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

2006

2005

Income Available to Common Stockholders

   

Net Income

$ 476

$ 4,358

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

   

Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

11,254

9,830

Effect of dilutive securities from employee benefit plans

2,168

2,585

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

13,422

12,415

Basic Earnings per share

$ 0.04

$ 0.44

Diluted Earnings per share

$ 0.04

$ 0.35

 

NOTE G - ACQUISITION

On December 1, 2005, the Company closed on the acquisition of the LM Capital Markets, from Citigroup Inc. The LM Capital Markets business was part of Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. ("LMWW"), which Citigroup Inc. acquired from Legg Mason, Inc. in a substantially simultaneous closing. The LM Capital Markets business acquired by the Company includes the Investment Banking, Equity and Fixed Income Research, Equity Sales and Trading, and Taxable Fixed Income Sales and Trading Departments of LMWW and employed 429 professional and support staff who became employees of the Company on December 1, 2005. The acquisition was made to grow the Company's business and in particular the Company's Capital Markets business leveraging the skill set of the Legg Mason Capital Markets associates. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Citigroup Inc. an amount equal to the net book value of assets being acquired of $12,178,198 plus a premium of $7,000,000 paid in cash at closing with the balance of up to an additional $30,000,000 in potential earn-out payment by the Company to Citigroup Inc., based on the performance of the combined capital markets business of both the Company's pre-closing Fixed Income and Equity Capital Markets business and Legg Mason Capital Markets for calendar years 2006, 2007, and 2008. Such payments, if any, will be accounted for as additional purchase price.

The following is unaudited pro forma financial data for the combined operations, assuming the transaction had taken place on January 1, 2005.

Quarter Ended

March 31, 2005

Total revenues

$129,831,884

Net income

$ 6,892,955

Diluted earnings per share

$0.63

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

13,618,449

The above pro forma data excludes reductions of certain administrative allocations by Legg Mason which as a result of synergies of the combined operations, management believes, will be significantly reduced. In addition, the Company included compensation expense of $5,520,865 and $9,750,818 associated with the issuance of restricted stock units and the discounted offering price on its private placement respectively to key associates of the LM Capital Markets. These results do not purport to be indicative of the results which actually would have occurred.

Page 13


A summary of the fair values of the net assets acquired as of December 1, 2005, based upon the current valuation estimate, is as follows:

Cash

$324,930

Investments

12,275,536

Furniture & fixtures

1,542,267

Accounts receivables

35,122,667

Prepaid expenses

623,326

Goodwill

7,625,325

Intangible assets

2,255,000

Total assets acquired

59,769,051

Accounts payables

2,642,748

Accrued expenses

35,025,441

Total liabilities assumed

37,668,189

Net assets acquired

$22,100,862

The goodwill and intangible assets of $9,880,325 were assigned to the Equity Capital Markets and Fixed Income Capital Markets in the amounts of $7,904,260 and $1,976,065, respectively. The total amount of goodwill and intangible assets of $9,880,325 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

NOTE H - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets attributable to each of the Company's reportable segments is presented in the following table:

 

Private
Client
Group

Equity
Capital Markets

Fixed Income Capital Markets



Total

Goodwill

       

Balance at December 31, 2005

$454,508

$1,675,899

$1,179,834

$3,310,241

Additions

- -

- -

- -

- -

Transfers

- -

6,100,260

1,525,065

7,625,325

Impairment losses

- -

- -

- -

- -

Balance at March 31, 2006

454,508

7,776,159

2,704,899

10,935,566

Intangible Assets

       

Balance at December 31, 2005

566,384

8,085,384

1,887,383

10,539,151

Additions

149,000

474,054

89,349

712,403

Transfers

- -

(6,100,260)

(1,525,065)

(7,625,325)

Amortization of intangible assets

(45,029)

(149,911)

(10,000)

(204,940)

Impairment losses

- -

- -

- -

- -

Balance at March 31, 2006

670,355

2,309,267

441,667

3,421,289

         

Total Goodwill and intangible assets

$1,124,863

$10,085,426

$3,146,566

$14,356,855

Page 14


 

NOTE I - IMPACT OF THE NYSE/ARCHIPELAGO MERGER

On March 7, 2006, the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and Archipelago Holdings Inc. ("Archipelago") completed the combination of their businesses through a series of mergers into a new holding company, NYSE Group, Inc. ("NYSE Group"). Shares of NYSE Group common stock were listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "NYX" and commenced trading on March 8, 2006. As a result of the merger, the Company received $370,640 in cash, and 80,177 shares of NYSE Group common stock for its NYSE seat membership. The shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions that expire ratably over a three-year period, unless the NYSE Group board of directors elects to remove or reduce the restrictions. As a result of the closing, the Company recorded a gain of $5,071,000 which is included in Other revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The gain was impacted by a valuation adjustment for the transfer restrictions on the shares received. Subsequent gains and losses will be recorded as the share price of NYSE Group stock fluctuates and the transfer restrictions lapse.

In May 2006, the Company is selling 45,094 shares of NYSE Group through a secondary public offering. The Company expects to receive cash proceeds of $2,717,815 or $60.27 per share which represents the fixed offering price.

******

Page 15


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

The Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "expects" and similar expressions or words are intended to identify forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company. Actual results are subject to risks and uncertainties, including both those specific to the Company, and in particular any potential benefit to Stifel from acquiring the Legg Mason Capital Markets ("LM Capital Markets") business, including its ability to capitalize on the relationships that benefited the LM Capital Markets business, as well as statements relating to Stifel's ability to integrate the personnel and operations, and those specific to the industry, which could cause results to differ materially from those contemplated. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, actions of competitors, regulatory actions, changes in legislation and technology changes and other risks and uncertainties set forth in reports and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") from time to time. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For a description of critical accounting policies and estimates, including those that involve varying degrees of judgment, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. In addition, see Note A of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 for a more comprehensive listing of significant accounting policies.

In addition to those estimates referred to above, the Company's employee compensation and benefit expense for interim periods is impacted by estimates and assumptions. A substantial portion of the Company's employee compensation and benefits expense represents discretionary bonuses, generally determined and paid at year-end. The Company estimates the interim periods' discretionary bonus expenses based upon individual departmental profitability and total Company pre-tax profits and accrues accordingly.

Business & Economic Environment

Investor confidence in the equity markets continues to be constrained by inflation, increasing energy costs and rising interest rates. The Federal Reserve Board increased the federal funds rate by 50 basis points since December 31, 2005, and 200 basis points since March 31, 2005 to 4.75%.

The key indicators of the markets' performances, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"), the Standard and Poor's 500 Index ("S&P 500") and the NASDAQ composite improved in the first quarter of this year. At March 31, 2006, the DJIA, the NASDAQ and the S&P 500 increased 4%, 6%, and 4% respectively, from their December 31, 2005 closing prices, and closed up 6%, 17% and 10% respectively over their March 31, 2005 closing prices. While the indices have improved during the first quarter of 2006, uncertainty of the magnitude of the aforementioned threats remain. Consequently, the recent results of the first quarter may not be indicative of future results.

Page 16


Results of Operations for the Company

Three months ended March 2006 as compared to three months ended March 2005

March-06

March-05

(In thousands)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

% Incr. / (Decr.)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Commissions and principal transactions

$ 69,818

63.7%

98%

$ 35,316

58.7%

Investment banking

15,729

14.4%

14%

13,741

22.8%

Asset management and service fees

13,498

12.3%

43%

9,451

15.7%

Interest

7,191

6.6%

109%

3,440

5.7%

Other

7,358,

6.7%

n/a

(655)

-1.1%

Total Revenues

113,594

103.7%

85%

61,293

101.8%

Less: Interest expense

4,063

3.7%

268%

1,105

1.8%

Net Revenues

109,531

100.0%

82%

60,188

100.0%

Non-interest expenses:

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

86,694

79.2%

113%

40,689

67.6%

Occupancy and equipment rental

7,495

6.8%

36%

5,505

9.1%

Communications and office supplies

6,413

5.9%

150%

2,561

4.3%

Commissions and floor brokerage

1,267

1.2%

50%

844

1.4%

Other operating expenses

6,879

6.2%

107%

3,325

5.5%

Total Non-interest expenses

108,748

99.3%

105%

52,924

87.9%

Income before income taxes

783

0.7%

-89%

7,264

12.1%

Provision for Income Taxes

307

0.3%

-89%

2,906

4.8%

Net Income

$ 476

0.4%

-89%

$ 4,358

7.3%

Quarter to quarter comparisons were impacted by the LM Capital Markets acquisition on December 1, 2005. As a result of the acquisition of the LM Capital Markets business, the Company added 429 employees and 22 offices. Except as noted in the following discussion of variances for the total Company and the ensuing segment results, the underlying reasons for the increase in revenue and expense categories can be attributed principally to the acquisition.

The Company recorded net income of $476,000, or $0.04 per diluted share on net revenues of $109.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to net income of $4.4 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, on net revenues of $60.2 million for the same period one year earlier. Net income for the current quarter was impacted by acquisition related costs, primarily stock based compensation, of $17.8 million or $0.79 per diluted share, associated with the acquisition of the LM Capital Markets business from Citigroup Inc. As a result of the acquisition, the Company will begin reporting Core Earnings; a non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principle ("non-GAAP") financial measure. Core Earnings represents GAAP net income before acquisition related charges, principally compensation expense recorded for stock based awards offered to key associates of LM Capital Markets and accounted for under Statement of Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) "Share-Based Payment"("SFAS No. 123R"). Management believes the supplemental disclosure of Core Earnings helps investors, rating agencies, and financial analysts better understand the performance of their business and enhances the comparison of their performance from period to period. Management uses Core Earnings to evaluate the performance of their business. Core Earnings should not be considered an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under GAAP (such as net income), nor should this data be considered an indicator of our overall financial performance or liquidity. Also, the calculation of Core Earnings used by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Page 17


A reconciliation of Core Earnings to Net Income, and Core Earnings per Basic and Diluted Share to Net Income per Basic and Diluted Share, the most directly comparable measures under GAAP, is included in the table below.

 

Three Months Ended

 

03/31/2006

03/31/2005

GAAP Net Income

$ 476

$ 4,358

Acquisition related charges, net of tax

   

Private placement compensation

5,824

- -

Acquisition related compensation

4,597

- -

Other non-compensation charges

207

- -

Core Earnings

$ 11,104

$ 4,358

Earnings per Share:

   

GAAP Earnings Per Basic Share

$ 0.04

$ 0.44

Acquisition related charges

0.95

- -

Core Earnings Per Basic Share

$ 0.99

$ 0.44

GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share

$ 0.04

$ 0.35

Acquisition related charges

0.79

- -

Core Earnings Per Diluted Share

$ 0.83

$ 0.35

     

Core Earnings for the quarter were $11.1 million or $0.83 per diluted share. Included in Core Earnings is $0.16 per diluted share for the gain on the Company's New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") membership seat.

Investment banking revenues increased 14% to $15.7 million due principally to an increase in the amount of financial advisory fees earned resulting from the LM Capital Markets acquisition, offset by a decrease in underwriting fee revenue (See Results of Operations for Equity Capital Markets).

Asset management and service fees increased 43% to $13.5 million primarily as a result of the increase in value of assets under management and increased number of accounts (See Results of Operations for Private Client Group).

Other revenues increased $8.0 million principally as a result of an increase in net gains on investments, primarily from the gain recorded on the NYSE seat membership (See Note I of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Interest revenue increased 109% to $7.2 million as a result of increased revenue on fixed income inventory held for sale to clients, increased revenue from stock borrow activities and increased revenue on customer margin accounts which resulted from a 33% increase in the weighted average rates charged to those customers offset by lower average margin borrowings. Interest expense increased 268% as a result of increased costs to carry higher levels of firm inventory, interest on Stifel Financial Capital Trust II issued in August 2005, and increased rates charged for bank borrowings and stock loans to finance customer borrowings. Weighted average effective external rates increased 87% to 4.63% from 2.48% in the prior year.

Employee compensation and benefits, which represent 79% of the Company's net revenues, increased 113% to $86.7 million. Employee compensation and benefits was impacted by acquisition related charges of $17.4 million, principally stock based compensation, for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The remaining increase was attributed to the increase in variable compensation commensurate with the increase in revenues.

Page 18


Segments Analysis

The Company's reportable segments include the Private Client Group, Equity Capital Markets, Fixed Income Capital Markets, and Other. Prior years' financial information has been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. The Private Client Group segment includes branch offices and independent contractor offices of the Company's broker-dealer subsidiaries located throughout the U.S., primarily in the Midwest. These branches provide securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance, to their private clients. The Equity Capital Markets segment includes corporate finance management and participation in underwritings (exclusive of sales credits, which are included in the Private Client Group segment), mergers and acquisitions, institutional sales, trading, research, and market making. The Fixed Income Capital Markets segment includes public finance, institutional sales and competitive underwriting, and trading. The "Other" segment includes clearing revenue, interest income from stock borrow activities, unallocated interest expense, interest income and gains and losses from investments held, and all unallocated overhead cost associated with the execution of orders; processing of securities transactions; custody of client securities; receipt, identification, and delivery of funds and securities; compliance with regulatory and legal requirements; internal financial accounting and controls; acquisition charges related to the LM Capital Markets business acquisition; and general administration.

Page 19


Results of Operations for Private Client Group - Three Months

The following table presents consolidated information for the Private Client Group segment for the respective periods indicated.

March-06

March-05

(In thousands)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

% Incr. / (Decr.)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Commissions and principal transactions

$ 38,812

69.7%

18%

$ 32,997

70.0%

Investment banking

1,257

2.3%

-60%

3,139

6.7%

Asset management and service fees

13,485

24.2%

43%

9,444

20.0%

Interest

4,405

7.9%

57%

2,801

5.9%

Other

417

0.7%

n/a

3

0.0%

Total Revenues

58,376

104.8%

21%

48,384

102.6%

Less: Interest expense

2,692

4.8%

119%

1,226

2.6%

Net Revenues

55,684

100.0%

18%

47,158

100.0%

Non-interest expenses:

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

34,539

62.0%

19%

29,001

61.5%

Occupancy and equipment rental

3,154

5.7%

-1%

3,176

6.7%

Communications and office supplies

1,728

3.1%

15%

1,506

3.2%

Commissions and floor brokerage

673

1.2%

13%

597

1.3%

Other operating expenses

2,676

4.8%

58%

1,691

3.6%

Total Non-interest expenses

42,770

76.8%

19%

35,971

76.3%

Income before income taxes

$ 12,914

23.2%

15%

$ 11,188

23.7%

 

March 31, 2006

March 31, 2005

Branch Offices

91

86

Investment Executives

473

438

Independent Contractors

185

177

The Private Client Group net revenues increased 18% to $55.7 million, principally due to increased commissions and principal transactions and increased asset management and service fees. Commissions and principal transactions increased due to the increase in the number of branch offices and investment executives. Investment banking decreased due to decreased selling concession for lead or co-managed transactions (See Results of Operations for Equity Capital Markets). Asset management and service fees increased principally due to increased wrap fees, resulting from of an increase in the number and value of managed accounts.

Assets Under Management

March 31, 2006

March 31, 2005

Value

$2,903,579,000

$1,584,550,000

Number of accounts

10,664

7,907

Interest revenues for the Private Client Group increased as a result of increased rates charged to customers for margin borrowings to finance trading activity. Interest expense increased as a result of increased rates from banks to finance those customer borrowings. (See net interest discussion in Results of Operations for the Company)

Page 20


Non-interest expenses increased 19% to $42.8 million. Employee compensation and benefits increased 19% as a result of increased variable compensation which increased in conjunction with increased revenue production and increased fixed compensation which increased due to the firm's continued expansion of the Private Client Group. Employee compensation and benefits includes transition pay of $2.5 million and $2.1 million from 2006 and 2005, respectively, principally upfront notes and accelerated payouts in connection with the Company's expansion efforts.

Occupancy and equipment rental remained relatively unchanged principally as a result of increased occupancy cost due to an increase in the number of branch offices offset by a decrease in depreciation expense.

Communication and office supplies increased 15% due to the increase in the number of branch offices.

Commission and floor brokerage increased 13% due to increased transactions and commission revenue.

Other operating expenses increased 58% to $2.7 million principally as a result of increased advertising and travel and promotion costs associated with the increase in branch offices.

As a result of the 18% increase in net revenues, income before income taxes for the Private Client Group increased 15% to $12.9 million.

Results of Operations for Equity Capital Markets - Three Months

The following table presents consolidated information for the Equity Capital Markets segment for the respective periods indicated.

March-06

March-05

(In thousands)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

% Incr. / (Decr.)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Commissions and principal transactions

$ 22,193

65.7%

1,071%

$ 1,896

22.0%

Investment banking

11,427

33.8%

68%

6,801

79.0%

Other

233

0.7%

323%

72

0.8%

Total Revenues

33,853

100.2%

286%

8,769

101.8%

Less: Interest expense

55

0.2%

-64%

155

1.8%

Net Revenues

33,798

100.0%

292%

8,614

100.0%

Non-interest expenses:

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

19,899

58.9%

340%

4,520

52.5%

Occupancy and equipment rental

1,141

3.4%

336%

262

3.0%

Communications and office supplies

2,784

8.2%

570%

415

4.8%

Commissions and floor brokerage

515

1.5%

136%

218

2.5%

Other operating expenses

2,359

7.0%

403%

469

5.5%

Total Non-interest expenses

26,698

79.0%

354%

5,884

68.3%

Income before income taxes

$ 7,100

21.0%

160%

$ 2,730

31.7%

Page 21


Investment banking revenue increased due to increased financial advisory and merger and acquisition fee revenue principally due to the acquisition of the LM Capital Markets business offset by a decrease in underwriting fee revenue. During the first three months of 2006, the Equity Capital Markets group led or co-managed 13 equity, debt, closed end funds or trust preferred offerings compared to 19 in the 2005 first three months.

As a result of the 292% increase in net revenues and the leverage in increased production, income before income taxes increased 160% to $7.1 million.

Results of Operations for Fixed Income Capital Markets - Three Months

The following table presents consolidated information for the Fixed Income Capital Markets segment for the respective periods indicated.

March-06

March-05

(In thousands)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

% Incr. / (Decr.)

$ Amount

% of Net Revenues

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Commissions and principal transactions

$ 9,945

83.7%

436%

$ 1,854

45.3%

Investment banking

1,865

15.7%

-19%

2,301

56.2%

Interest

2,493

21.0%

1,396%

167

4.1%

Other

9

0.1%

80%

5

0.1%

Total Revenues

14,312

120.5%

231%

4,327

105.7%

Less: Interest expense

2,437

20.5%

952%

232

5.7%

Net Revenues

11,875

100.0%

190%

4,095

100.0%

Non-interest expenses:

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

7,499

63.2%

187%

2,617

63.9%

Occupancy and equipment rental

696

5.9%

231%

210

5.1%

Communications and office supplies

931

7.8%

426%

177

4.3%

Commissions and floor brokerage

78

0.7%

166%

30

0.8%

Other operating expenses

996

8.3%

92%

519

12.7%

Total Non-interest expenses

10,200

85.9%

187%

3,553

86.8%

Income before income taxes

$ 1,675

14.1%

209%

$ 542

13.2%

Net revenues for the first three months of 2006 increased 190% to $11.9 million from the same time period last year. The number of senior or co-managed offerings remained unchanged from the previous year's first quarter. Despite the same number of offerings, the amount of underwriting fee revenue earned on those offerings diminished and as a result investment banking revenue declined.

Interest revenue increased $2.3 million principally as a result of increased interest received on increased levels of fixed income inventory held for sale to clients, attributed to the LM Capital markets acquisition. Interest expense increased $2.2 million as a result of increased interest expense incurred on firm inventory.

As a result of the 190% increase in net revenue and the leverage in increased production, income before income taxes increased 209% to $1.7 million.

Page 22


Results of Operations for Other Segment -Three Months

The following table presents consolidated information for the Other segment for the respective periods indicated.

March-06

March-05

(In thousands)

$ Amount

% Incr. / (Decr.)

$ Amount

Net Revenues

$ 8,174

2,448%

$ 321

Non-interest expenses:

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

24,757

444%

4,550

Other operating expenses

4,323

46%

2,966

Total Non-interest expenses

29,080

287%

7,516

Losses before income tax

$ (20,906)

n/a

$ (7,195)

Net revenues for the Other segment increased to $8.2 million principally as a result of an increase in gains on investments, primarily from the previously discussed $5.1 million gain on the NYSE membership seat. (See Note I of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Total Non-interest expenses increased due to the previously discussed acquisition charges, primarily stock-based compensation, of $17.8 million related to the acquisition charges of the LM Capital Markets business. (See Note G of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's assets are principally highly liquid, consisting mainly of cash or assets readily convertible into cash. These assets are financed primarily by the Company's equity capital, debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust I, debenture to Stifel Financial Capital Trust II, short-term bank loans, proceeds from securities lending, and other payables. Changes in securities market volumes, related customer borrowing demands, underwriting activity, and levels of securities inventory affect the amount of the Company's financing requirements.

On January 2, 2006, the Company granted 1,807,610 restricted stock units to key associates of the LM Capital Markets. The units were granted in accordance with the Company's 2001 incentive stock award plan as amended with a grant date fair value of $37.59 per unit. The units vest ratably over a three year period, and accordingly, the Company incurred compensation expense of $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2006.

On January 23, 2006, the Company completed its private placement of 1,052,220 shares of its common stock at $25.00 per share. The shares were purchased by key associates of the LM Capital Markets business. The Company is required to charge to compensation the difference of $25.00 per share and the grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, of $34.27 per share. As a result, the Company incurred a compensation charge of $9.8 million in January 2006.

In the first three months of 2006, the Company purchased $1.1 million in fixed assets, consisting primarily of information technology equipment, leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures.

Page 23


The Company has an ongoing authorization, as amended, from the Board of Directors to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions in order to meet obligations under the Company's employee benefit plans and for general corporate purposes. In May 2005, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 2,000,000 shares, for a total authorization to repurchase up to 3,000,000 shares. During the first three months of 2006, the Company repurchased 134 shares of its common stock, at an average price of $37.76 per share. The Company reissued 3,259 shares of common stock and issued 1,563,551 new shares for its employee benefit plans in the first three months of 2006.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated ("SN & Co."), the Company's principal broker-dealer subsidiary, and Century Securities Associates, Inc. ("CSA") are subject to certain requirements of the SEC with regard to liquidity and capital requirements. At March 31, 2006, SN & Co. had net capital of $88.3 million, which was 28.71% of its aggregate debit items, and $82.2 million in excess of the minimum required net capital and CSA had net capital of $2.4 million, which was $2.2 million in excess of minimum required net capital. SN & Co. and CSA may not be able to pay cash dividends from its equity capital without prior regulatory approval if doing so would jeopardize their ability to satisfy minimum net capital requirements.

The Company's international subsidiary, Stifel Nicolaus Limited, is subject to the regulatory supervision and requirements of the Financial Services Authority ("FSA") in the United Kingdom. The FSA also has the power to set minimum capital requirements, which Stifel Nicolaus Limited has met.

The Company receives a tax benefit for the conversion of stock based awards utilized to reduce the Company's income tax liability. The benefit is derived from the difference in the market value on the date the awards are converted and the share value on the date the awards were granted. For the first quarter of 2006, the Company recorded $9.4 million in income tax benefits.

Management believes the funds from operations, available informal short-term credit arrangements, and its ability to raise additional capital will provide sufficient resources to meet the present and anticipated financing needs.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations ("FIN 47")". FIN 47 clarifies the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143. FIN 47 refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The Company's adoption of FIN 47 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment," ("SFAS No. 123R") which requires companies to expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, effective January 1, 2006, using a modified prospective application. Under the modified prospective application, SFAS No. 123R, which provides certain changes to the method for valuing stock-based compensation among other changes, will apply to new awards and to awards that are outstanding on the effective date and are subsequently modified or cancelled. Compensation expense for outstanding awards for which the requisite service had not been rendered as of the effective date will be recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost calculated for pro forma disclosure purposes under SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"). The adoption of SFAS No. 123R by the Company had a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements beginning January 1, 2006 (See Notes A & B of Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

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In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 04-5, "Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights" ("EITF No. 04-5"). EITF No. 04-5 consensus requires a general partner in a limited partnership to consolidate the limited partnership unless the presumption of control is overcome. The general partner may overcome this presumption of control and not consolidate the entity if the limited partners have: (a) the substantive ability to dissolve or liquidate the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without having to show cause; or (b) substantive participating rights in managing the partnership. This consensus is effective for general partners of all new limited partnerships formed and for existing limited partnerships for which the partnership agreements are modified subsequent to the date of the ratification of this consensus (June 29, 2005). The adoption of EITF No. 04-5 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections - a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3," ("SFAS No. 154"). SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Contractual Obligations

The Company's contractual obligations are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-end December 31, 2005. As of March 31, 2006, the Company's contractual obligations have not materially changed from December 31, 2005.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

There have been no material changes from the information provided under "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As specified in the SEC's rules and forms, the Company's management, including Mr. Ronald J. Kruszewski as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. James M. Zemlyak as Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Under rules promulgated by the SEC, disclosure controls and procedures are defined as those "controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms." Based on the evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2006.

Further, as required by the SEC's rules and forms, the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company's internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there have been no such changes during the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is named in and subject to various proceedings and claims incidental to its securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims and regulatory matters. While the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, claims and regulatory matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based upon information currently known, management believes that resolution of all such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial condition of the Company but could be material to its operating results in one or more future periods. It is reasonably possible that certain of these lawsuits, arbitrations, claims and regulatory matters could be resolved in the next year and management does not believe such resolutions will result in losses materially in excess of the amounts previously provided.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes the Company's repurchase activity of its common stock during the third quarter ended March 31, 2006:

 

                   

(Periods)

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans

 

Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans

January 1, 2006 - January 31, 2006

134

$

37.76

134

2,078,977

February 1, 2006 - February 28, 2006

- -

$

- -

- -

2,078,977

March 1, 2006 - March 31, 2006

- -

$

- -

- -

2,078,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

134

$

37.76

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has an ongoing authorization, as amended, from the Board of Directors to repurchase its common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. In May 2005, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 2,000,000 shares, for a total authorization to repurchase up to 3,000,000 shares.

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a)

Exhibits:

 
 

11

Statement re computation of per share earnings (set forth in "Note F - Stockholders Equity and Earnings Per Share ("EPS")" of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited))

 

31.1

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This exhibit is furnished to the SEC.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP.
(Registrant)

Date: May 10, 2006

By: /s/ Ronald J. Kruszewski

Ronald J. Kruszewski
(President and Chief Executive Officer)

Date: May 10, 2006

By: /s/ James M. Zemlyak

James M. Zemlyak
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Page 29


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

 

Description

31.1

 

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

 

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
This exhibit is furnished to the SEC.

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