Cohen & Steers, Inc. (NYSE:CNS) is a global investment manager specializing in real assets and alternative income strategies. The company has a strong track record of delivering exceptional investment performance across its diverse product lineup, which includes listed and private real estate, preferred securities, infrastructure, resource equities, and multi-strategy solutions.
Business Overview
Founded in 1986 and headquartered in New York City, Cohen & Steers has established a global presence with offices in London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore. The firm's investment strategies cater to a wide range of client segments, including institutional investors, wealth management channels, and open-end and closed-end funds.
Cohen & Steers' investment approach is driven by fundamental, research-based analysis and a focus on specialized asset classes that offer attractive risk-adjusted returns. The company's strategies seek to provide investors with exposure to real assets, alternative income, and diversification, which have become increasingly important in the current market environment.
Financial Performance
For the full year 2023, Cohen & Steers reported annual revenue of $483.6 million and net income of $129.0 million. The company's annual operating cash flow was $191.2 million, and its annual free cash flow was $134.2 million. These strong financial results demonstrate the firm's ability to generate consistent and profitable growth.
In the latest quarter (Q2 2024), Cohen & Steers reported revenue of $122.0 million, a slight increase from the prior-year quarter's $120.3 million. Net income for the quarter was $34.0 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to $35.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the same period last year. The company's operating margin for the quarter was 34.9%, down from 35.5% in the previous quarter.
The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher average assets under management, which declined by 1% to $80.7 billion as of June 30, 2024, from $81.2 billion as of March 31, 2024. The decline was driven by net outflows of $345 million and distributions of $673 million, partially offset by market appreciation of $492 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cohen & Steers maintains a strong balance sheet, with $325.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, corporate investments in U.S. Treasuries, and liquid seed investments as of June 30, 2024. The company has not drawn on its $100 million revolving credit facility, providing additional financial flexibility.
In April 2024, the company raised $68.5 million through a registered stock offering, further strengthening its balance sheet. Management has indicated that the company may use a portion of this capital to seed new investment vehicles, potentially including active ETFs, to support its growth initiatives.
Investment Performance and Competitive Positioning
Cohen & Steers' investment performance has been exceptional, with 96% of its total assets under management outperforming their respective benchmarks in the second quarter of 2024. On a one-year basis, 98% of the firm's AUM outperformed their benchmarks, while the three-, five-, and ten-year outperformance stands at 96%, 97%, and 99%, respectively.
The company's competitive positioning is further bolstered by the fact that 94% of its open-end fund AUM is rated four or five stars by Morningstar, up from 93% in the previous quarter. This strong investment performance has enabled Cohen & Steers to maintain its effective fee rate at 58 basis points, even as many of its peers have experienced fee rate compression.
Growth Initiatives and Outlook
Cohen & Steers is actively pursuing several growth initiatives to capitalize on the evolving market landscape and investor preferences. These include:
1. Expansion in the Wealth Management Channel:
The company is focusing on increasing its presence in the registered investment adviser (RIA) and multi-family office segments, leveraging its strong investment performance and product lineup, including its non-traded REIT and the upcoming launch of active ETFs.2. Scaling the Non-Traded REIT:
The company's Cohen & Steers Income Opportunities REIT (CNSREIT) has gained momentum, with its first real property acquisition in January 2024. Management is optimistic about the REIT's prospects, as it is not burdened by the performance headwinds of legacy real estate assets and can take advantage of the current market environment to assemble an attractive portfolio.3. Launching Active ETFs:
Cohen & Steers plans to launch active ETFs, leveraging its investment expertise and strong performance track record to meet growing investor demand for actively managed strategies in an ETF wrapper.4. Capitalizing on the "Japan Renaissance":
The company is focused on increasing its presence in the Japanese market, where it has a 20-year track record. Management believes the recent positive investing trends in Japan, including reflation, improved corporate governance, and global allocator interest, present a significant opportunity for Cohen & Steers to grow its business.5. Expanding the "Future of Energy" Strategy:
The company launched the Future of Energy Fund in March 2024, which is designed to capitalize on the expected rise in global energy consumption through both traditional and alternative energy sources. This strategy aligns with the firm's view that energy transition will not be enough to offset growing energy demands.Looking ahead, Cohen & Steers remains cautiously optimistic about the market environment, particularly as the Federal Reserve is expected to begin cutting interest rates later this year. The company believes this shift, combined with its strong investment performance, could lead to a reversal in its recent flow patterns, potentially transitioning from outflows to organic growth.
Risks and Challenges
While Cohen & Steers' growth prospects appear promising, the company faces several risks and challenges, including:
1. Sensitivity to Interest Rate Movements:
As a manager of real asset and alternative income strategies, the company's performance and flows can be influenced by changes in interest rates and the broader macroeconomic environment.2. Competition in Specialized Asset Classes:
Cohen & Steers operates in highly competitive markets, where it must continually differentiate its investment strategies and client service to maintain its competitive edge.3. Regulatory and Compliance Risks:
As a global investment manager, the company is subject to a complex regulatory landscape, which requires ongoing monitoring and adaptation to ensure compliance.4. Reliance on Key Investment Professionals:
The firm's investment performance and growth are heavily dependent on the expertise and continuity of its portfolio management teams.Conclusion
Cohen & Steers is a well-positioned global asset manager with a proven track record of delivering exceptional investment performance across its diverse product lineup. The company's focus on real assets and alternative income strategies, combined with its strong balance sheet and growth initiatives, positions it well to capitalize on the evolving market landscape and investor preferences. While the company faces some risks and challenges, its diversified business model, specialized expertise, and commitment to innovation suggest that Cohen & Steers is poised for continued growth and success.