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



FORM 10-K

þ     Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
OR

o     Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission file number 001-13913

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   51-0261715
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas 66202
913-236-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)



SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value   New York Stock Exchange



SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
(Title of class)

        Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES þ NO o

        Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES o NO þ .

        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 þ No o .

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ No o .

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

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated Filer   þ   Accelerated Filer   o
Non-accelerated Filer   o   Smaller Reporting Company   o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

        The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock equity held by non-affiliates (i.e. persons other than officers, directors and stockholders holding greater than 5% of the registrant's common stock) based on the closing sale price on June 30, 2011 was $2.624 billion.

        Shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock as of February 16, 2012 Class A common stock, $.01 par value: 85,586,796

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        In Part III of this Form 10-K, portions of the definitive proxy statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 18, 2012.

Index of Exhibits (Pages 84 through 89)
Total Number of Pages Included Are 89


Table of Contents


WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

Part I
   
  Page

Item 1.

 

Business

  3

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

  10

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

  16

Item 2.

 

Properties

  16

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

  17

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  17

Part II

       

Item 5.

 

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

  18

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

  21

Item 7.

 

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

  22

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  42

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  43

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  43

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

  43

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

  46

Part III

       

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

  46

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

  46

Item 12.

 

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

  46

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

  46

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

  46

Part IV

       

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

  46

SIGNATURES

 
47

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  48

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

  84

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PART I

ITEM 1.    Business

General

        Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company," "we," "our" or "us") is a corporation, incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1981, that conducts business through its subsidiaries. Founded in 1937, we are one of the oldest mutual fund complexes in the United States, having introduced the Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds (the "Advisors Funds") in 1940. Over time we added additional mutual fund families: Ivy Funds (the "Ivy Funds"), Ivy Funds Variable Insurance Portfolios ("Ivy Funds VIP") and InvestEd Portfolios, our 529 college savings plan ("InvestEd"). As of December 31, 2011, we had $83.2 billion in assets under management.

        We derive our revenues from providing investment management, investment product underwriting and distribution, and shareholder services administration to mutual funds and institutional and separately managed accounts. Investment management fees are based on the amount of average assets under management and are affected by sales levels, financial market conditions, redemptions and the composition of assets. Our underwriting and distribution revenues consist of commissions derived from sales of investment and insurance products, Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution fees, distribution fees on certain variable products, fees earned on fee-based asset allocation products, and related advisory services. The products sold have various commission structures and the revenues received from those sales vary based on the type and amount sold. Shareholder service fees revenue includes transfer agency fees, custodian fees from retirement plan accounts, and portfolio accounting and administration fees, and is earned based on assets under management or number of client accounts.

        We operate our business through three distinct distribution channels. Our retail products are distributed through our sales force of independent financial advisors (the "Advisors channel") or through third-parties such as other broker/dealers, registered investment advisors (including the retirement advisors of the Legend group of subsidiaries ("Legend")) and various retirement platforms, (collectively, the "Wholesale channel"). We also market our investment advisory services to institutional investors, either directly or through consultants (the "Institutional channel").

        In the Advisors channel, our sales force focuses its efforts primarily on financial planning, serving primarily middle class and mass affluent clients. We compete with smaller broker/dealers and independent financial advisors, as well as a span of other financial service providers. Assets under management in this channel were $31.7 billion at December 31, 2011.

        Our Wholesale channel efforts include retail fund distribution through broker/dealers (the largest method of distributing mutual funds for the industry), registered investment advisors (fee-based financial advisors who generally sell mutual funds through financial supermarkets) and retirement and insurance platforms. Assets under management in this channel were $41.0 billion at the end of 2011.

        Through our Institutional channel, we manage assets in a variety of investment styles for a variety of types of institutions. The largest client type is funds that hire us to act as subadvisor; they are typically distributors who lack scale or the track record to manage internally, or choose to market multi-manager styles. Assets under management in the Institutional channel were $10.5 billion at December 31, 2011.

Organization

        We operate our investment advisory business through our subsidiary companies, primarily Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO"), a registered investment adviser, Ivy Investment Management Company ("IICO"), the registered investment adviser for Ivy Funds and Legend Advisory Corporation, the registered investment adviser for Legend.

        Our underwriting and distribution business operates through three broker/dealers: Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("W&R"), Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc. ("IFDI") and Legend Equities Corporation ("LEC").

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W&R is a registered broker/dealer and investment adviser that acts primarily as the national distributor and underwriter for shares of the Advisors Funds, other mutual funds and a distributor of variable annuities and other insurance products issued by our business partners. In addition, W&R is the eighth largest distributor of our Ivy Funds. IFDI, a registered broker/dealer, is the distributor and underwriter for the Ivy Funds. LEC is the registered broker/dealer for Legend, a mutual fund distribution and retirement planning subsidiary based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Through its network of financial advisors, Legend primarily serves employees of school districts and other not-for-profit organizations.

        Waddell & Reed Services Company ("WRSCO") provides transfer agency and accounting services to the Advisors Funds, Ivy Funds, Ivy Funds VIP and InvestEd. W&R, WRIMCO, WRSCO, Legend, IICO and IFDI are hereafter collectively referred to as the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" unless the context requires otherwise.

Investment Management Operations

        Our investment advisory business provides one of our largest sources of revenues and profits. We earn investment management fee revenues by providing investment advisory and management services pursuant to investment management agreements with each fund within the Advisors Funds family, the Ivy Funds family, the Ivy Funds VIP family, and InvestEd (collectively, the "Funds"). While the specific terms of the agreements vary, the basic terms are similar. The agreements provide that we render overall investment management services to each of the Funds, subject to the oversight of each Fund's board of trustees and in accordance with each Fund's investment objectives and policies. The agreements permit us to enter into separate agreements for shareholder services or accounting services with each respective Fund.

        Each Fund's board of trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund or the Company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "ICA") ("disinterested members") and the Fund's shareholders must approve the investment management agreement between the respective Fund and the Company. These agreements may continue in effect from year to year if specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Fund's board, including a majority of the disinterested members, or (ii) the vote of a majority of both the shareholders of the Fund and the disinterested members of each Fund's board, each vote being cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. Each agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined by the ICA or the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Advisers Act"), and may be terminated without penalty by any Fund by giving us 60 days' written notice if the termination has been approved by a majority of the Fund's trustees or the Fund's shareholders. We may terminate an investment management agreement without penalty on 120 days' written notice.

        In addition to performing investment management services for the Funds, we act as an investment adviser for institutional and other private investors and we provide subadvisory services to other investment companies. Our fee for these services is generally based on a percentage of assets under management. Such services are provided pursuant to various written agreements.

        Our investment management team meets every morning in a collaborative setting that fosters idea sharing, yet reinforces individual accountability. Through all market cycles, we remain dedicated to the following investment principles:

    Rigorous fundamental research — an enduring investment culture that dedicates itself to analyzing companies on its own rather than relying exclusively on widely available research produced by others.
    Collaboration and accountability — a balance of collaboration and individual accountability, which ensures the sharing and analysis of investment ideas among investment professionals while empowering portfolio managers to shape their portfolios individually.
    Focus on growing and protecting investors' assets — a sound approach that seeks to capture asset appreciation when market conditions are favorable and strives to manage risk during difficult market periods.

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        These three principles shape our investment philosophy and money management approach. Over seven decades, our investment organization has delivered consistently competitive investment performance. Through bull and bear markets, our investment professionals have not strayed from what works — a time-tested investment process and fundamental research. We believe investors turn to us because they appreciate that our investment approach continues to identify and create opportunities for wealth creation.

        Our investment management team comprises 77 professionals including 30 portfolio managers who average 21 years of industry experience and 15 years of tenure with our firm. We have significant experience in virtually all major asset classes, several specialized asset classes and a range of investment styles. At December 31, 2011, over 80% of the Company's $83.2 billion in assets under management were invested in equities, of which 73% was domestic and 27% was international. In recent years, we have supported growth of international investments by adding investment professionals native to countries that we consider emerging markets. They, along with other members of the investment team, focus on understanding foreign markets and capturing investment opportunities. Our investment management team also includes subadvisors who bring similar investment philosophies and additional expertise in specific asset classes.

Investment Management Products

        Our mutual fund families offer a wide variety of investment options. We are the exclusive underwriter and distributor of 80 registered open-end mutual fund portfolios, which include offerings in the Advisors Funds, Ivy Funds, Ivy Funds VIP and InvestEd. The Advisors Funds, variable products offering the Ivy Funds VIP, and InvestEd are offered primarily through our financial advisors and Legend advisors; in some circumstances, certain of these funds are also offered through the Wholesale channel. The Ivy Funds are offered through both our Advisors channel and Wholesale channel. The Funds' assets under management are included in either our Advisors channel or our Wholesale channel depending on which channel marketed the client account or is the broker of record.

Other Products

        In our Advisors channel, we distribute various business partners' variable annuity products, which offer the Ivy Funds VIP as an investment vehicle. We also offer our Advisors channel customers retirement and life insurance products underwritten by our business partners. Through our insurance agency subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed financial advisors also sell life insurance and disability products underwritten by various carriers.

        In addition, we offer our Advisors channel customers fee-based asset allocation investment advisory products, including Managed Allocation Portfolio ("MAP"), MAPPlus and Strategic Portfolio Allocation ("SPA"), which utilize our Funds. As of December 31, 2011, clients have $6.0 billion invested in our MAP, MAPPlus and SPA products. These assets are included in our mutual fund assets under management.

Distribution Channels

        We distribute our investment products through the Advisors, Wholesale and Institutional channels.

Advisors Channel

        Assets under management in the Advisors channel were $31.7 billion at December 31, 2011. Historically, our advisors have sold investment products primarily to middle income and mass affluent individuals, families and businesses across the country in geographic markets of all sizes. We assist clients on a wide range of financial issues with a significant focus on helping them plan, generally, for long-term investments such as retirement and education and offer one-on-one consultations that emphasize long-term relationships through continued service. As a result of this approach, this channel has developed a loyal customer base with clients maintaining their accounts significantly longer than the industry average. Over the past several years, we have expanded our Choice brokerage platform technology and offerings that should allow us to competitively recruit experienced advisors.

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        As of December 31, 2011, our sales force consisted of 1,816 financial advisors who operate out of 163 offices located throughout the United States and 256 individual advisor offices. We believe, based on industry data, that our financial advisors are currently one of the largest sales forces in the United States selling primarily mutual funds, and that W&R, our broker/dealer subsidiary, ranks among the largest independent broker/dealers. As of December 31, 2011, our Advisors channel had approximately 502 thousand mutual fund customers.

        Over the past several years, we have instituted more stringent production requirements for our sales force, which has resulted in a steady decline in our number of advisors. However, gross sales have not declined over this period and this channel produced 5% more in 2011 with 13% fewer advisors, on average, compared to 2010. We utilize gross revenue per advisor to measure advisor productivity. For purposes of this measure, gross revenue consists of front-end load sales and distribution fee revenues, as would be received from an underwriter, from sales of both our Funds and other mutual funds. It also includes fee revenues from our asset allocation products and financial plans, and commission revenues earned on insurance products. Gross revenue per advisor was $156 thousand, $119 thousand and $93 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Wholesale Channel

        Our Wholesale channel generates sales through various third-party distribution outlets and Legend advisors. Our assets under management in the Wholesale channel were $41.0 billion at December 31, 2011, including $4.1 billion in assets at December 31, 2011 that are subadvised by other managers.

        Our wholesaling efforts focus principally on distributing the Ivy Funds through three segments: broker/dealers (the largest method of distributing mutual funds for the industry and for us), retirement platforms (401(k) platforms using multiple managers) and registered investment advisors (fee-based financial advisors who generally sell mutual funds through financial supermarkets). We continued to expand our team of external wholesalers in 2011, reaching a total of 51 wholesalers by year-end. In 2010, we restructured our wholesaler territories into smaller, more manageable areas that enabled our wholesalers to focus on additional distribution partners in their territories.

        During 2011, our Ivy Asset Strategy fund continued to play a lead role in the Wholesale channel's results, comprising 47% of the channel's sales and 30% of total assets under management as of December 31, 2011. While we recognize the past success of this fund, we are also aware of the concentration risks to our revenue streams created by the size of this fund, despite its flexible mandate. Our compensation program for wholesalers encourages the sales of other products with track records of strong performance. Over the past two years, we saw wholesalers successfully market additional products to their financial advisor clients, which resulted in Wholesale channel sales for the Ivy Asset Strategy fund decreasing from 60% in 2010 to 47% in 2011. We plan to continue to stress diversification of sales as we enter 2012.

Institutional Channel

        Through this channel, we manage assets in a variety of investment styles for a variety of institutions. The largest client type is funds that hire us to act as subadvisor; they are typically distributors who lack scale or the track record to manage internally, or choose to market multi-manager styles. Our diverse client list also includes corporations, foundations, endowments, Taft-Hartley plans and public funds, including defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. Over time, the Institutional channel has been successful in developing subadvisory relationships. As of December 31, 2011, this type of business comprised more than 60% of the Institutional channel's assets, which management views as a positive development as it believes this type of business has better growth potential than the defined benefit business. Assets under management in the Institutional channel were $10.5 billion at December 31, 2011.

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Service Agreements

        We earn service fee revenues by providing various services to the Funds and their shareholders. Pursuant to the shareholder servicing agreements, we perform shareholder servicing functions for which the Funds pay us a monthly fee, including: maintaining shareholder accounts; issuing, transferring and redeeming shares; distributing dividends and paying redemptions; furnishing information related to the Funds; and handling shareholder inquiries. Pursuant to the accounting service agreements, we provide the Funds with bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance for which the Funds pay us a monthly fee, including: maintaining the Funds' records; pricing Fund shares; and preparing prospectuses for existing shareholders, proxy statements and certain other shareholder reports.

        Agreements with the Funds may be adopted or amended with the approval of the disinterested members of each Fund's board of trustees and have annually renewable terms of one year.

Competition

        The financial services industry is a highly competitive global industry. According to the ICI, at the end of 2011 there were more than 8,600 open-end investment companies of varying sizes, investment policies and objectives whose shares are being offered to the public in the United States alone. Factors affecting our business include brand recognition, business reputation, investment performance, quality of service and the continuity of both client relationships and assets under management. A majority of mutual fund sales go to funds that are highly rated by a small number of well-known ranking services that focus on investment performance. Competition is based on distribution methods, the type and quality of shareholder services, the success of marketing efforts and the ability to develop investment products for certain market segments to meet the changing needs of investors, and to achieve competitive investment management performance.

        We compete with hundreds of other mutual fund management, distribution and service companies that distribute their fund shares through a variety of methods, including affiliated and unaffiliated sales forces, broker/dealers and direct sales to the public of shares offered at a low or no sales charge. Many larger mutual fund complexes have significant advertising budgets and established relationships with brokerage houses with large distribution networks, which enable these fund complexes to reach broad client bases. Many investment management firms offer services and products similar to ours, as well as other independent financial advisors. We also compete with brokerage and investment banking firms, insurance companies, commercial banks and other financial institutions and businesses offering other financial products in all aspects of their businesses. Although no single company or group of companies consistently dominates the mutual fund management and services industry, many are larger than us, have greater resources and offer a wider array of financial services and products. We believe that competition in the mutual fund industry will increase as a result of increased flexibility afforded to banks and other financial institutions to sponsor mutual funds and distribute mutual fund shares. Additionally, barriers to entry into the investment management business are relatively few, and thus, we face a potentially growing number of competitors, especially during periods of strong financial and economic markets.

        The distribution of mutual funds and other investment products has undergone significant developments in recent years, which has intensified the competitive environment in which we operate. These developments include the introduction of new products, increasingly complex distribution systems with multiple classes of shares, the development of Internet websites providing investors with the ability to invest on-line, the introduction of sophisticated technological platforms used by financial advisors to sell and service mutual funds for their clients, the introduction of separately managed accounts — previously available only to institutional investors — to individuals, and growth in the number of mutual funds offered.

        We believe we effectively compete across multiple dimensions of the asset management and broker/dealer businesses. First, our proprietary broker/dealer consists of a sales force of independent contractors affiliated with our company who primarily utilize our financial products. We believe our business model

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targets customers seeking personal assistance from financial advisors or planners where the primary competition is companies distributing products through financial advisors. Our financial advisors compete primarily with large and small broker/dealers, independent financial advisors, registered investment advisors and insurance representatives. The market for financial planning and advice is extremely broad and fragmented. Second, we market our products, primarily the Ivy Funds family, to unaffiliated broker/dealers and advisors and compete against other asset managers offering mutual fund products. This second distribution method allows us to move beyond proprietary distribution and increases our potential pool of clients. Competition is based on sales techniques, personal relationships and skills, and the quality of financial planning products and services offered. We compete against asset managers which are both larger and smaller than our firm, but we believe that the breadth and depth of our products position us to compete in this environment. Finally, we compete in the institutional marketplace, working with consultants who select asset managers for various opportunities, as well as working directly with plan sponsors, foundations, endowments and other asset managers who hire subadvisors. In this marketplace, we compete with a broad range of asset managers.

        We also face competition in attracting and retaining qualified financial advisors and employees. The ability to continue to compete effectively in our business depends in part on our ability to compete effectively in the labor market. In order to maximize this ability, we offer competitive compensation, a wide range of benefits and have several stock-based compensation incentive programs.

Regulation

        The securities industry is subject to extensive regulation and virtually all aspects of our business are subject to various federal and state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investment advisory clients and shareholders of registered investment companies. Under such laws and regulations, agencies and organizations that regulate investment advisers, broker/dealers, and transfer agents like us have broad administrative powers, including the power to limit, restrict or prohibit an investment adviser, broker/dealer or transfer agent from carrying on its business in the event that it fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations. In such event, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include, but are not limited to, the suspension of individual employees or agents, limitations on engaging in certain lines of business for specified periods of time, censures, fines and the revocation of investment adviser and other registrations.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") is the federal agency responsible for the administration of federal securities laws. Certain of our subsidiaries are registered with the SEC as investment advisers under the Advisers Act, which imposes numerous obligations on registered investment advisers including, among other things, fiduciary duties, record-keeping and reporting requirements, operational requirements and disclosure obligations, as well as general anti-fraud prohibitions. Investment advisers are subject to periodic examination by the SEC, and the SEC is authorized to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations of the Advisers Act, ranging from censure to termination of an investment adviser's registration.

        Our Funds are registered as investment companies with the SEC under the ICA, and various filings are made with states under applicable state rules and regulations. The ICA regulates the relationship between a mutual fund and its investment adviser and prohibits or severely restricts principal transactions and joint transactions. Various regulations cover certain investment strategies that may be used by the Funds for hedging and/or speculative purposes. To the extent the Funds purchase futures contracts, options on futures contracts and foreign currency contracts, they are subject to the commodities and futures regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

        We derive a large portion of our revenues from investment management agreements. Under the Advisers Act, our investment management agreements terminate automatically if assigned without the client's consent. Under the ICA, investment advisory agreements with registered investment companies, such as the Funds, terminate automatically upon assignment. The term "assignment" is broadly defined

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and includes direct assignments, as well as assignments that may be deemed to occur, under certain circumstances, upon the transfer, directly or indirectly, of a controlling interest in the Company.

        The Company is also subject to federal and state laws affecting corporate governance, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("S-OX"), as well as rules adopted by the SEC. In 2004, we implemented compliance with Section 404 of S-OX. Our related report on internal controls over financial reporting for 2011 is included in Part I, Item 9A.

        As a publicly traded company, we are also subject to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), the exchange on which our stock is listed, including the corporate governance listing standards approved by the SEC.

        Three of our subsidiaries, W&R, LEC and IFDI, are registered as broker/dealers with the SEC and the states. Much of the broker/dealer regulation has been delegated by the SEC to self-regulatory organizations, principally the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), which is the primary regulator of our broker/dealer activities. These self-regulatory organizations adopt rules (subject to approval by the SEC) that govern the industry and conduct periodic examinations of our operations over which they have jurisdiction. Securities firms are also subject to regulation by state securities administrators in those states in which they conduct business. Broker/dealers are subject to regulations that cover all aspects of the securities business, including sales practices, market making and trading among broker/dealers, the use and safekeeping of clients' funds and securities, capital structure, record-keeping, and the conduct of directors, officers and employees. Violation of applicable regulations can result in the revocation of broker/dealer licenses, the imposition of censures or fines, and the suspension or expulsion of a firm, its officers or employees.

        W&R, LEC and IFDI are each subject to certain net capital requirements pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 of the Exchange Act (the "Net Capital Rule") specifies the minimum level of net capital a registered broker/dealer must maintain and also requires that part of its assets be kept in a relatively liquid form. The Net Capital Rule is designed to ensure the financial soundness and liquidity of broker/dealers. Any failure to maintain the required minimum net capital may subject us to suspension or revocation of our registration or other limitations on our activity by the SEC, and suspension or expulsion by FINRA or other regulatory bodies, and ultimately could require the broker/dealer's liquidation. The maintenance of minimum net capital requirements may also limit our ability to pay dividends. As of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, net capital for W&R, LEC and IFDI exceeded all minimum requirements.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, W&R and LEC are members of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (the "SIPC"). IFDI is not a member of the SIPC. The SIPC provides protection against lost, stolen or missing securities (but not loss in value due to a rise or fall in market prices) for clients in the event of the failure of a broker/dealer. Accounts are protected up to $500,000 per client with a limit of $100,000 for cash balances. However, since the Funds, and not our broker/dealer subsidiaries, maintain customer accounts, SIPC protection would not cover mutual fund shareholders whose accounts are maintained directly with the Funds.

        Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act, the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001, imposes significant anti-money laundering requirements on all financial institutions, including domestic banks and domestic operations of foreign banks, broker/dealers, futures commission merchants and investment companies.

        Our businesses may be materially affected not only by regulations applicable to us as an investment adviser, broker/dealer or transfer agent, but also by law and regulations of general application. For example, the volume of our principal investment advisory business in a given time period could be affected by, among other things, existing and proposed tax legislation and other governmental regulations and policies (including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board), and changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules that affect the business and financial communities.

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Intellectual Property

        We regard our names as material to our business, and have registered certain service marks associated with our business with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Employees

        At December 31, 2011 we had 1,616 full-time employees, consisting of 1,235 home office and Legend employees and 381 employees responsible for advisor field supervision and administration.

Available Information

        We file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC, copies of which can be obtained from the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330.

        Reports we file electronically with the SEC via the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR") may be accessed through the Internet. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, at www.sec.gov . The Company makes available free of charge our proxy statements, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports under the "Reports & SEC Filings" menu on the "Investor Relations" section of our internet website at www.waddell.com as soon as it is reasonably practical after such filing has been made with the SEC.

        Also available on the "Corporate Governance" page in the "Our Firm" dropdown menu is information on corporate governance. Stockholders can view our Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code of Ethics"), which applies to directors, officers and all employees of the Company, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the charters of key committees (including the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees). Printed copies of these documents are available to any stockholder upon request by calling the investor relations department at 1-800-532-2757. Any future amendments to or waivers of the Code of Ethics will be posted to our website, as required.

ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors

        Our Financial Advisors Are Classified As Independent Contractors, And Changes To Their Classification May Increase Our Operating Expenses.     From time to time, various legislative or regulatory proposals are introduced at the federal or state levels to change the status of independent contractors' classification to employees for either employment tax purposes (withholding, social security, Medicare and unemployment taxes) or other benefits available to employees. Currently, most individuals are classified as employees or independent contractors for employment tax purposes based on 20 "common law" factors, rather than any definition found in the Internal Revenue Code or Treasury regulations. We classify the majority of our financial advisors as independent contractors for all purposes, including employment tax and employee benefit purposes. There can be no assurance that legislative, judicial or regulatory (including tax) authorities will not introduce proposals or assert interpretations of existing rules and regulations that would change the independent contractor/employee classification of those financial advisors currently doing business with us. The costs associated with potential changes, if any, with respect to these independent contractor classifications could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including our results of operations and financial condition. See Part I, Item 3. "Legal Proceedings."

        Our Business Is Subject To Substantial Risk From Litigation, Regulatory Investigations And Potential Securities Laws Liability.     Many aspects of our business involve substantial risks of litigation, regulatory investigations and/or arbitration, and from time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings in the course of operating our business. The Company is exposed to liability under federal and state securities

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laws, other federal and state laws and court decisions, as well as rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, FINRA and other regulatory bodies. We, our subsidiaries, and/or certain of our past and present officers, have been named as parties in legal actions, regulatory investigations and proceedings, and securities arbitrations in the past and have been subject to claims alleging violation of such laws, rules and regulations, which have resulted in the payment of fines and settlements. An adverse resolution of any lawsuit, legal or regulatory proceeding or claim against us could result in substantial costs or reputational harm to the Company, and have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations, which, in turn, may negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends. In addition to these financial costs and risks, the defense of litigation or arbitration may divert resources and management's attention from operations. See Part I, Item 3. "Legal Proceedings."

        An Increasing Percentage Of Our Assets Under Management Are Distributed Through Our Wholesale Channel, Which Has Higher Redemption Rates Than Our Traditional Advisors Channel.     In recent years, we have focused on expanding distribution efforts relating to our Wholesale channel. The percentage of our assets under management in the Wholesale channel has increased from 10% at December 31, 2003 to 49% at December 31, 2011, and the percentage of our total sales represented by the Wholesale channel has increased from 17% for the year ended December 31, 2003 to 70% for the year ended December 31, 2011. The success of sales in our Wholesale channel depends upon our maintaining strong relationships with institutional accounts, certain strategic partners and our third party distributors. Many of those distribution sources also offer investors competing funds that are internally or externally managed, which could limit the distribution of our products. The loss of any of these distribution channels and the inability to continue to access new distribution channels could decrease our assets under management and adversely affect our results of operations and growth. There are no assurances that these channels and their client bases will continue to be accessible to us. The loss or diminution of the level of business we do with those providers could have a material adverse effect on our business, especially with the high concentration of assets in certain funds in this channel, namely the Ivy Asset Strategy fund. Compared to the industry average redemption rate of 27.0% and 26.3% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, the Wholesale channel had redemption rates of 29.5% and 29.3% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Redemption rates were 10.0% and 9.3% for our Advisors channel in the same periods, reflecting the higher rate of transferability of investment assets in the Wholesale channel.

        There May Be An Adverse Effect On Our Revenues And Earnings If Our Investors Redeem The Assets We Manage On Short Notice.     Mutual fund investors may redeem their investments in our mutual funds at any time without any prior notice. Additionally, our investment management agreements with institutions and other non-mutual fund accounts are generally terminable upon relatively short notice. Investors can terminate their relationship with us, reduce their aggregate amount of assets under management, or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures for any number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates and financial market performance. The ability of our investors to accomplish this on short notice has increased materially due to the growth of assets in our Wholesale channel, and with the high concentration of assets in certain funds in this channel, including the Ivy Asset Strategy fund. The decrease in revenues that could result from any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business and earnings.

        There Is No Assurance That New Information Systems Will be Implemented Successfully.     A number of the Company's key information technology systems were developed solely to handle the Company's particular information technology infrastructure. The Company is in the process of evaluating and implementing new information technology and systems that it believes could facilitate and improve our core businesses and our productivity. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in implementing the new information technology and systems or that their implementation will be completed in a timely or cost effective manner. Failure to implement or maintain adequate information technology infrastructure could impede our ability to support business growth.

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        Regulatory Risk Is Substantial In Our Business And Non-Compliance With Regulations, Or Changes In Regulations, Could Have A Significant Impact On The Conduct Of Our Business And Our Prospects, Revenues And Earnings.     Our investment advisory and broker/dealer businesses are heavily regulated, primarily at the federal level. Non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations could result in sanctions being levied against us, including fines and censures, suspension or expulsion from a certain jurisdiction or market, or the revocation of licenses. Non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations could also adversely affect our reputation, prospects, revenues and earnings. In addition, changes in current legal, regulatory, accounting, tax or compliance requirements or in governmental policies could adversely affect our operations, revenues and earnings by, among other things, increasing expenses and reducing investor interest in certain products we offer. Distribution fees paid to mutual fund distributors in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("Rule 12b-1") are an important element of the distribution of the mutual funds we manage. The SEC has proposed replacing Rule 12b-1 with a new regulation that would significantly change current fund distribution practices in the industry. If this proposed regulation is adopted, it may have a material impact on the compensation we pay to distributors for distributing the mutual funds we manage and/or our ability to recover expenses related to the distribution of our funds, and thus could materially impact our revenue and net income. Additionally, our profitability could be affected by rules and regulations that impact the business and financial communities generally, including changes to the laws governing state and federal taxation.

        Our Revenues, Earnings And Prospects Could Be Adversely Affected If The Securities Markets Decline.     Our results of operations are affected by certain economic factors, including the level of the securities markets. The on-going existence of adverse market conditions, which is particularly material to us due to our high concentration of assets under management in the United States domestic stock market, and lack of investor confidence could result in investors further withdrawing from the markets or decreasing their rate of investment, either of which could adversely affect our revenues, earnings and growth prospects to a greater extent. Because our revenues are, to a large extent, investment management fees that are based on the value of assets under management, a decline in the value of these assets adversely affects our revenues and earnings. Our growth is dependent to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain mutual fund assets, and, in an adverse economic environment, this may prove more difficult. Our growth rate has varied from year to year and there can be no assurance that the average growth rates sustained in recent years will continue. Declines in the securities markets could significantly reduce future revenues and earnings. In addition, a decline in the market value of these assets could cause our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments they perceive as offering greater opportunity or lower risk, which could also negatively impact our revenues and earnings. The combination of adverse markets reducing sales and investment management fees could compound on each other and materially affect earnings.

        There May Be Adverse Effects On Our Revenues And Earnings If Our Funds' Performance Declines.     Success in the investment management and mutual fund businesses is dependent on the investment performance of client accounts relative to market conditions and the performance of competing funds. Good relative performance stimulates sales of the Funds' shares and tends to keep redemptions low. Sales of the Funds' shares in turn generate higher management fees and distribution revenues. Good relative performance also attracts institutional and separate accounts. Conversely, poor relative performance results in decreased sales, increased redemptions of the Funds' shares and the loss of institutional and separate accounts, resulting in decreases in revenues. Failure of our Funds to perform well could, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our revenues and earnings.

        Our Ability To Hire And Retain Senior Executive Management And Other Key Personnel Is Significant To Our Success And Growth.     Our continued success depends to a substantial degree on our ability to attract and retain qualified senior executive management and other key personnel to conduct our broker/dealer, fund management and investment advisory businesses. The market for qualified fund managers, investment analysts, financial advisors and wholesalers is extremely competitive. Additionally, we are dependent on our financial advisors and select wholesale distributors to sell our mutual funds and other investment

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products. Our growth prospects will be directly affected by the quality, quantity and productivity of financial advisors and wholesalers we are able to successfully recruit and retain. There can be no assurances that we will be successful in our efforts to recruit and retain the required personnel.

        We Have Substantial Intangibles On Our Balance Sheet, And Any Impairment Of Our Intangibles Could Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations And Financial Position.     At December 31, 2011, our total assets were approximately $1.1 billion, of which approximately $221.2 million, or 20%, consisted of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. We complete an ongoing review of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or a change in circumstances warrant. Important factors in determining whether an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets might exist include significant continued underperformance compared to peers, the likelihood of termination or non-renewal of a mutual fund advisory or subadvisory contract or substantial changes in revenues earned from such contracts, significant changes in our business and products, material and ongoing negative industry or economic trends, or other factors specific to each asset or subsidiary being tested. Because of the significance of goodwill and other intangibles to our consolidated balance sheets, the annual impairment analysis is critical. Any changes in key assumptions about our business and our prospects, or changes in market conditions or other externalities, could result in an impairment charge. Any such charge could have a material effect on our results of operations and financial position.

        There May Be Adverse Effects On Our Business And Earnings Upon The Termination Of, Or Failure To Renew, Certain Agreements.     A majority of our revenues are derived from investment management agreements with the Funds that, as required by law, are terminable on 60 days' notice. Each investment management agreement must be approved and renewed annually by the disinterested members of each Fund's board of trustees or its shareholders, as required by law. Additionally, our investment management agreements provide for automatic termination in the event of assignment, which includes a change of control, without the consent of our clients and, in the case of the Funds, approval of the Funds' board of directors/trustees and shareholders to continue the agreements. There can be no assurances that our clients will consent to any assignment of our investment management agreements, or that those and other contracts will not be terminated or will be renewed on favorable terms, if at all, at their expiration and new agreements may not be available. See "Business — Distribution Channels — Wholesale Channel, Institutional Channel." The decrease in revenues that could result from any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business and earnings.

        A Failure In Or Breach Of Our Operational Or Security Systems Or Our Technology Infrastructure, Or Those Of Third Parties, Could Result In A Material Adverse Effect On Our Business, Reputation, Cash Flows and Results Of Operations.     We are highly dependent upon the use of various proprietary and third-party software applications and other technology systems to operate our business. As part of our normal operations, we process a large number of transactions on a daily basis and maintain and transmit confidential client and employee information, the safety and security of which is dependent upon the effectiveness of our information security policies, procedures and capabilities to protect such systems and the data that reside on or are transmitted through them.

        Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify these protective measures as circumstances warrant, technology is subject to rapid change and the nature of the threats continue to evolve. As a result, our operating and technology systems, software and networks may fail to operate properly or become disabled, or may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, inadvertent disclosure, loss or destruction of data (including confidential client information), computer viruses or other malicious code, cyber attacks and other events that could materially damage our operations, have an adverse security impact, or cause the disclosure or modification of sensitive or confidential information. Most of the software applications that we use in our business are licensed from, and supported, upgraded and maintained by, third-party vendors. A suspension or termination of certain of these licenses or the related support, upgrades and maintenance could cause temporary system delays or interruption. We also take

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precautions to password protect and/or encrypt our laptops and other mobile electronic hardware. If such hardware is stolen, misplaced or left unattended, it may become vulnerable to hacking or other unauthorized use, creating a possible security risk and resulting in potentially costly actions by us. Further, while we have in place a disaster recovery plan to address catastrophic and unpredictable events, there is no guarantee that this plan will be sufficient in responding to or ameliorating the effects of all disaster scenarios, and we may experience system delays and interruptions as a result of natural disasters, power failures, acts of war, and third-party failures.

        The breach of our operational or technology systems, software and networks, or those of third parties, due to one or more of these events could cause interruptions, malfunctions or failures in our operations and/or the loss or inadvertent disclosure of confidential client information could result in substantial financial loss or costs, liability for stolen assets or information, breach of client contracts, client dissatisfaction and/or loss, regulatory actions, remediation costs to repair damage caused by the breach, additional security costs to mitigate against future incidents and litigation costs resulting from the incident. These events, and those discussed above, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, financial position, cash flow, revenues and income.

        Regulations Restricting The Use Of "Soft Dollars" Could Result In An Increase In Our Expenses.     On behalf of our mutual fund and investment advisory clients, we make decisions to buy and sell securities for each portfolio, select broker/dealers to execute trades, and negotiate brokerage commission rates. In connection with these transactions, we may receive "soft dollar credits" from broker/dealers that we can use to defray certain of our expenses. If regulations are adopted eliminating the ability of asset managers to use "soft dollars," our operating expenses could increase.

        Fee Pressures Could Reduce Our Revenues And Profitability.     There is a trend toward lower fees in some segments of the investment management business. In addition, the SEC has adopted rules that are designed to improve mutual fund corporate governance, which could result in further downward pressure on investment advisory fees in the mutual fund industry. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our current fee structure. Fee reductions on existing or future new business could have an adverse impact on our revenues and profitability.

        We Could Experience Adverse Effects On Our Revenues, Profits And Market Share Due To Strong Competition From Numerous And Sometimes Larger Companies.     We compete with stock brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, investment banking firms, insurance companies, banks, Internet investment sites, and other financial institutions and individual registered investment advisers. Many of these companies not only offer mutual fund investments and services, but also offer an ever-increasing number of other financial products and services. Many of our competitors have more products and product lines, services and brand recognition and may also have substantially greater assets under management. Many larger mutual fund complexes have developed more extensive relationships with brokerage houses with large distribution networks, which may enable those fund complexes to reach broader client bases. In recent years, there has been a trend of consolidation in the mutual fund industry resulting in stronger competitors with greater financial resources than us. There has also been a trend toward online Internet financial services. If existing or potential customers decide to invest with our competitors instead of with us, our market share, revenues and income could decline.

        The Terms Of Our Credit Facility And Senior Unsecured Notes Impose Restrictions On Our Operations That May Adversely Impact Our Prospects And The Operations Of Our Business.     There are no assurances that we will be able to raise additional capital if needed, which could negatively impact our liquidity, prospects and operations. We have entered into a 3-year revolving credit facility with various lenders providing for total loans of $125.0 million. Under this facility, the lenders may, at their option upon our request, expand the facility to $200.0 million. At February 16, 2012, there was no balance outstanding under the revolving credit facility. We also entered into a note purchase agreement with various purchasers for the sale and issuance of $190.0 million of unsecured senior notes comprised of $95 million of 5.0% senior notes,

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series A, due 2018 and $95 million of 5.75% senior notes, series B, due 2021, all of which were issued on January 13, 2011. The terms and conditions of our revolving credit facility and note purchase agreement impose restrictions that affect, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, merge, sell assets, pay dividends and create or incur liens. Our ability to comply with the financial covenants set forth in our credit facility and note purchase agreement could be affected by events beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will achieve operating results that will comply with such terms and conditions, a breach of which could result in a default under our credit facility and note purchase agreement. In the event of a default under the credit facility and/or note purchase agreement, the banks could elect to declare the outstanding principal amount of our credit facility, all interest thereon, and all other amounts payable under our credit facility to be immediately due and payable, and the Company's obligations under the senior unsecured notes could be accelerated and become due and payable, including any make-whole amount, respectively.

        Our ability to meet our cash needs and satisfy our debt obligations will depend upon our future operating performance, asset values, the perception of our creditworthiness and, indirectly, the market value of our stock. These factors will be affected by prevailing economic, financial and business conditions and other circumstances, some of which are beyond our control. We anticipate that any funds generated by the issuance of our senior unsecured notes and any borrowings from our existing credit facility and/or cash provided by operating activities will provide sufficient funds to finance our business plans, meet our operating expenses and service our debt obligations as they become due. However, in the event that we require additional capital, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise such capital when needed or on satisfactory terms, if at all, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to renew or refinance our credit facility or senior unsecured notes upon their maturity or on favorable terms. If we are unable to raise capital or obtain financing, we may be forced to incur unanticipated costs or revise our business plan.

         Potential Misuse Of Funds And Information In The Possession Of Our Employees And/Or Advisors Could Result In Liability To Our Clients, Subject Us To Regulatory Sanctions Or Otherwise Adversely Affect Our Revenues and Profitability. Our business is based on the trust and confidence of our clients, for whom our financial advisors handle a significant amount of funds, as well as financial and personal information. Although we have implemented a system of internal controls to minimize the risk of fraudulent taking or misuse of funds and information, there can be no assurance that our controls will be adequate or that a taking or misuse by our employees or financial advisors can be prevented. We could be liable in the event of a taking or misuse by our employees or financial advisors and we could also be subject to regulatory sanctions. Although we believe that we have adequately insured against these risks, there can be no assurance that our insurance will be maintained or that it will be adequate to meet any liability. Any damage to the trust and confidence placed in us by our clients may cause assets under management to decline, which could adversely affect our revenues, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

        Our Stockholders Rights Plan Could Deter Takeover Attempts, Which Some Of Our Stockholders May Believe To Be In Their Best Interest.     Under certain conditions, the rights under our stockholders rights plan entitle the holders of such rights to receive shares of our common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. The rights are attached to each share of our outstanding common stock and generally are exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15% or more of the voting power represented by our common stock. Our stockholders rights plan could impede the completion of a merger, tender offer, or other takeover attempt even though some or a majority of our stockholders might believe that a merger, tender offer or takeover is in their best interests, and even if such a transaction could result in our stockholders receiving a premium for their shares of our stock over the then current market price of our stock.

        Provisions Of Our Organizational Documents Could Deter Takeover Attempts, Which Some Of Our Stockholders May Believe To Be In Their Best Interest.     Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Board of Directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to fix certain terms and issue shares of our Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share. Actions of our Board of Directors pursuant to this

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authority may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of the Company. Other provisions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and in our Amended and Restated Bylaws impose procedural and other requirements that could be deemed to have anti-takeover effects, including replacing incumbent directors. Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each of which is to serve for a staggered three-year term after the initial classification and election, and incumbent directors may not be removed without cause, all of which may make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of our Board of Directors. In addition, as a Delaware corporation we are subject to section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. With certain exceptions, section 203 imposes restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our voting stock.

        Our Holding Company Structure Results In Structural Subordination And May Affect Our Ability To Fund Our Operations And Make Payments On Our Debt.     We are a holding company and, accordingly, substantially all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including $190.0 million of our senior notes, are dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts due on our debt or provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of dividends, distributions, loans or advances to us by our subsidiaries could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Payments to us by our subsidiaries will also be contingent upon our subsidiaries' earnings and business considerations. Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of our debt to participate in those assets, would be effectively subordinated to the claims of those subsidiaries' creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be effectively subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.

        There Are No Assurances That We Will Pay Future Dividends, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Stock Price.     The Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") currently intends to continue to declare quarterly dividends on our Class A common stock (our "common stock"); however, the declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. Any determination as to the payment of dividends, as well as the level of such dividends, will depend on, among other things, general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans, our financial results and condition, and contractual, legal, and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by us or our subsidiaries. We are a holding company and, as such, our ability to pay dividends is subject to the ability of our subsidiaries to provide us with cash. There can be no assurance that the current quarterly dividend level will be maintained or that we will pay any dividends in any future period(s). Any change in the level of our dividends or the suspension of the payment thereof could adversely affect our stock price.

ITEM 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

        None.

ITEM 2.    Properties

        In 2011, we purchased two buildings: a 50,000 square foot building located in Overland Park, KS and a 45,000 square foot building located in Mission, KS. These buildings are in the vicinity of buildings currently leased by our home offices. Existing home office lease agreements cover approximately 391,000 square feet for Waddell & Reed and Legend located in Overland Park, Kansas and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, respectively. This figure does not include office space of 41,000 square feet in Boca Raton, Florida, which has been sublet. In addition, we lease office space for sales management, which is available to our financial advisors for use, in various locations throughout the United States totaling approximately 652,000 square feet. In the opinion of management, the office space owned and leased by the Company is adequate for existing operating needs.

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ITEM 3.    Legal Proceedings

        The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings, regulatory investigations and claims incident to the normal conduct of business, which may include proceedings that are specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices within the industries in which we operate. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and on the results of operations in a particular quarter or year.

         Michael E. Taylor, Kenneth B. Young, individuals, on behalf of themselves individually and on behalf of others similarly situated v. Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Delaware Corporation; and DOES 1 through 10 inclusive; Case No. 09-CV-2909 DMS WVG; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

        In this action filed December 28, 2009, the Company was sued in an individual action, class action and Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") nationwide collective action by two former advisors asserting misclassification of financial advisors as independent contractors instead of employees. Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and a purported class of Waddell & Reed, Inc. financial advisors, assert claims under the FLSA for minimum wages and overtime wages, and under California Labor Code Statutes for timely payment of wages, minimum wages, overtime compensation, meal periods, reimbursement of losses and business expenses and itemized wage statements and a claim for Unfair Business Practices under §17200 of the California Business & Professions Code. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief and monetary damages.

        Plaintiffs moved for conditional collective action certification under the FLSA. The Company opposed this motion and additionally moved for summary judgment on Plaintiffs' individual FLSA claims. The Court issued an order on January 3, 2012 granting the Company's summary judgment motions, holding that Plaintiffs' individual FLSA claims fail as a matter of law, and denying Plaintiffs' motion for conditional collective action certification under the FLSA as moot. This ruling effectively removes all nationwide FLSA claims from the case.

        Plaintiffs intend to continue to pursue the California claims and may seek to amend their complaint to attempt to revive certain FLSA claims. An adverse determination in this matter could have a material adverse impact on the financial position and results of operations of the Company. The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend plaintiffs' claims.

        At this stage in this litigation, based upon the information currently available to the Company, the Company is not able to determine that an unfavorable outcome is remote, reasonably possible, or probable, and the Company has determined that it cannot reasonably estimate either the amount or the range of possible losses that would result if plaintiffs were to prevail, therefore, the Company has not made any accruals with respect to this matter in its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report, no matter was submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

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PART II

ITEM 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

        Our Class A common stock ("common stock") is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "WDR." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices of our common stock, as reported by the NYSE, as well as the cash dividends declared for these time periods:


Market Price

 
  2011   2010  
Quarter
  High
  Low
  Dividends Per Share
  High
  Low
  Dividends Per Share
 
                       
  1   $ 42.20   $ 34.54   $ 0.20   $ 36.80   $ 29.68   $ 0.19  
  2     42.49     34.45     0.20     39.24     21.80     0.19  
  3     40.04     24.78     0.20     28.55     21.52     0.19  
  4     29.78     22.85     0.25     36.47     26.89     0.20  

        Year-end closing prices of our common stock were $24.77 and $35.29 for 2011 and 2010, respectively. The closing price of our common stock on February 16, 2012 was $31.20.

        According to the records of our transfer agent, we had 3,185 holders of record of common stock as of February 16, 2012. We believe that a substantially larger number of beneficial stockholders hold such shares in depository or nominee form.

Dividends

        The declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. We intend, from time to time, to pay cash dividends on our common stock as our Board of Directors deems appropriate, after consideration of our operating results, financial condition, cash and capital requirements, compliance with covenants in our revolving credit facility, note purchase agreement and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. To the extent assets are used to meet minimum net capital requirements under the Net Capital Rule, they are not available for distribution to stockholders as dividends. See Part I, Item 1. "Business—Regulation." We anticipate that quarterly dividends will continue to be paid.

Common Stock Repurchases

        Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and/or private purchases. The acquired shares may be used for corporate purposes, including shares issued to employees in our stock-based compensation programs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased 1,951,331 shares in the open market and privately at an aggregate cost, including commissions, of $65.5 million, including 494,207 shares from related parties to cover their tax withholdings from the vesting of shares. The aggregate cost of shares obtained from related parties during 2011 was $17.9 million. The purchase price paid by us for private repurchases of our common stock from related parties is the closing market price on the purchase date.

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        The following table sets forth certain information about the shares of common stock we repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Period
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(1)
  Average
Price Paid
per Share
  Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
  Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased Under The
Program
 

October 1 - October 31

  109,100   $ 24.10     109,100     n/a  (1)

November 1 - November 30

  83,619     24.39     83,619     n/a  (1)

December 1 - December 31

  149,061     24.77     149,061     n/a  (1)
                     

Total

  341,780   $ 24.46     341,780        
                     

(1)
On August 31, 1998, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase shares of our common stock on the open market. Under the repurchase program, we are authorized to repurchase, in any seven-day period, the greater of (i) 3% of our outstanding common stock or (ii) $50 million of our common stock. We may repurchase our common stock through the NYSE, other national or regional market systems, electronic communication networks or alternative trading systems such as POSIT, during regular or after-hours trading sessions. POSIT is an alternative trading system that uses passive pricing to anonymously match buy and sell orders. To date, we have not used electronic communication networks or alternative trading systems to repurchase any of our common stock and do not intend to use such networks or systems in the foreseeable future. Our stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date or an aggregate maximum number or dollar value of shares that may be repurchased. Our Board of Directors reviewed and ratified the stock repurchase program in July 2004. During the fourth quarter of 2011, all stock repurchases were made pursuant to the repurchase program, including 152,680 shares, reflected in the table above, that were purchased in connection with funding employee minimum income tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of nonvested shares.

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Total Return Performance

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return (1)


GRAPHIC


        The above graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Class A common stock from December 31, 2006 through December 31, 2011, with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the SNL Asset Manager Index. The SNL Asset Manager Index is a composite of 33 publicly traded asset management companies (including, among others, the companies in the peer group reviewed by the Compensation Committee for executive compensation purposes) prepared by SNL Financial, Charlottesville, Virginia. The graph assumes the investment of $100 in the Company's Class A common stock and in each of the two indices on December 31, 2006 with all dividends being reinvested. The closing price of the Company's Class A common stock on December 31, 2006 (the last trading day of the year) was $27.36 per share. The stock price performance on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

 
 
  Period Ending    
Index
  12/31/06
  12/31/07
  12/31/08
  12/31/09
  12/31/10
  12/31/11
   
     

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 

    100.00     135.27     60.14     122.57     145.34     104.88    

SNL Asset Manager

    100.00     113.83     54.10     87.76     101.02     87.38    

S&P 500

    100.00     105.49     66.46     84.05     96.71     98.76    

 
    (1)
    Cumulative Total Return assumes an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2006, with the reinvestment of all dividends through December 31, 2011.

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ITEM 6.    Selected Financial Data

        The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial and other data at the dates and for the periods indicated. Selected financial data should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

 
  For the Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009 (1)   2008 (2)   2007  
 
  (in thousands, except per share data and number of financial advisors)
 

Revenues from:

                               

Investment management fees

  $ 530,599     457,538     354,593     399,863     372,345  

Underwriting and distribution fees

    532,693     468,057     378,678     416,762     371,085  

Shareholder service fees

    131,885     119,290     105,818     102,495     94,124  
                       

Total revenues

    1,195,177     1,044,885     839,089     919,120     837,554  

Net income

   
175,459
   
156,959
   
105,505
   
96,163
   
125,497
 

Net income per share (basic)

    2.05     1.83     1.23     1.12     1.49  

Net income per share (diluted)

    2.05     1.83     1.23     1.12     1.48  

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.85     0.77     0.76     0.76     0.68  

Advisor channel data:

                               

Sales (net of commissions)

  $ 3,799,077     3,615,654     3,201,867     3,724,165     3,552,434  

Gross revenue per advisor

    155.7     118.9     92.8     103.0     108.7  

Number of financial advisors (end of period)

    1,816     1,847     2,393     2,366     2,293  

Average number of financial advisors

    1,757     2,019     2,336     2,297     2,190  

Wholesale channel data:

                               

Sales (net of commissions)

  $ 16,594,256     14,505,402     14,745,230     15,598,998     9,469,932  

Number of external wholesalers

    51     46     34     35     34  

Institutional channel sales

 
$

3,413,748
   
3,588,260
   
1,703,470
   
2,358,104
   
1,882,908
 

 


 

As of December 31,

 
 
  2011   2010   2009   2008   2007  
 
  (in millions)
 

Assets under management

  $ 83,157     83,673     69,783     47,484     64,868  

Balance sheet data:

                               

Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets

    221.2     221.2     221.2     221.2     228.4  

Total assets

    1,082.2     976.9     983.4     775.4     893.8  

Long-term debt

    190.0     190.0     200.0     200.0     200.0  

Total liabilities

    558.6     519.8     614.3     455.3     512.1  

Stockholders' equity

    523.6     457.1     369.1     320.1     381.7  
(1)
Includes a pre-tax charge of $3.7 million ($2.3 million net of tax) to reflect the "other than temporary" decline in value of certain of the Company's investments in affiliated mutual funds as the fair value of these investments had been below cost for an extended period; a pre-tax charge of $1.1 million ($800 thousand net of tax) for severance and other transaction costs in connection with the divestiture of our investment in Austin Calvert & Flavin, Inc. ("ACF"); and tax benefits of $1.6 million related to carrying back a portion of the capital loss generated by the divestiture of our investment in ACF to fully offset capital gains generated during the three year carryback period.

(2)
Includes a pre-tax charge of $16.5 million ($10.5 million net of tax) for restructuring charges consisting primarily of severance costs associated with our voluntary separation program as well as costs associated with terminating various projects under development; a charge of $7.2 million (not deductible for income tax purposes) to recognize the impairment of goodwill associated with ACF; additional amortization of our deferred sales commission asset of $6.5 million ($4.1 million net of tax) due to significant asset redemption activity and our review of the recoverability of our deferred sales commission asset; and a pre-tax charge of $2.1 million ($1.4 million net of tax) related to the settlement of miscellaneous litigation and other matters.

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ITEM 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

         This Item contains "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, which reflect the current views and assumptions of management with respect to future events regarding our business and the industry in general. These forward-looking statements include all statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, including statements with respect to revenues and earnings, the amount and composition of assets under management, distribution sources, expense levels, redemption rates and the financial markets and other conditions. These statements are generally identified by the use of words such as "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "forecast," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "outlook," "will," "potential" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of the Company is not a guarantee of future performance. Certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in the "Risk Factors" section of this Form 10-K, which include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in securities markets or in the relative investment performance of our products, our inability to pay future dividends, the loss of existing distribution channels or the inability to access new ones, a reduction of the assets we manage on short notice, and adverse results of litigation and/or arbitration. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we undertake no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

        The following should be read in conjunction with the "Selected Financial Data" and our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

Executive Overview

        We are one of the oldest mutual fund and asset management firms in the country, with expertise in a broad range of investment styles and across a variety of market environments. Our earnings and cash flows are heavily dependent on financial market conditions. Significant increases or decreases in the various securities markets can have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Revenue Sources

        We derive our revenues from providing investment management, investment product underwriting and distribution, and shareholder services administration to mutual funds and institutional and separately managed accounts. Investment management fees are based on the amount of average assets under management and are affected by sales levels, financial market conditions, redemptions and the composition of assets. Our underwriting and distribution revenues consist of commissions derived from sales of investment and insurance products, Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution fees, distribution fees on certain variable products, fees earned on fee-based asset allocation products, and related advisory services. The products sold have various commission structures and the revenues received from those sales vary based on the type and amount sold. Shareholder service fee revenue includes transfer agency fees, custodian fees from retirement plan accounts, portfolio accounting and administration fees, and is earned based on assets under management or number of client accounts.

Expense Drivers

        Our major expenses are underwriting and distribution-related commissions, employee compensation, amortization of deferred sales commissions, subadvisory fee expenses and information technology expense.

Our Distribution Channels

        One of our distinctive qualities is that we are a significant distributor of investment products. Our retail products are distributed through our Advisors channel sales force of independent financial advisors or through our Wholesale channel, which includes third-parties such as other broker/dealers, registered

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investment advisors (including the retirement advisors of Legend) and various retirement platforms. We also market our investment advisory services to institutional investors, either directly or through consultants, in our Institutional channel.

        Our Advisors channel sales force consists of 1,816 independent financial advisors spread throughout the United States, who carry out our mission of providing financial planning for retirement, education funding, estate planning and other financial needs for our clients. A distinguishing aspect of this channel is its industry low redemption rate, which can be attributed to the personal nature in which our advisors provide service to their clients.

        During the past two years, we experienced a decline in our number of financial advisors; however, the decline was not unexpected as we continue to push for higher production from our advisors by increasing minimum production requirements for them to stay licensed with us. Our gross revenue production per advisor increased to $156 thousand, or 31%, and gross sales in the channel increased to $3.8 billion, or 5%, during 2011 compared to 2010 despite the decrease in advisor headcount. The recruiting and training of our advisors is a significant effort, so we continue to focus our recruiting efforts on bringing in experienced advisors.

        Our Wholesale Channel efforts are led by the solid performance record of the Ivy Funds family. We distribute retail mutual funds through broker/dealers and registered investment advisors, including Legend, and various retirement platforms, through a team of external, internal and hybrid wholesalers as well as a team dedicated to national accounts. This is our fastest growing distribution channel with sales growth averaging 36% per year since 2007 while assets under management have grown from $10.8 billion to $41.0 billion during the same period.

        The Ivy Funds maintain strong positions on many of the leading third-party distribution platforms, and we continue efforts to diversify our sales by offering other solid performing funds besides our flagship Ivy Asset Strategy fund to our partners. During 2011, we had 10 funds exceed gross sales of $250 million compared to eight in 2010 and six in 2009. Sales of products other than our Ivy Asset Strategy fund accounted for 53% of total sales during 2011 compared to 40% during 2010 and 37% for 2009. We expect the Wholesale Channel to be critical to driving our organic growth rate in the coming years.

        Through our Institutional channel we manage assets in a variety of investment styles for a variety of types of institutions. The largest percentage of our clients hire us to act as subadvisor for their branded products; they are typically distributors who lack scale or the track record to manage internally, or choose to market multi-manager styles. This is the smallest of our three distribution channels but has recently experienced positive gross sales and net flow trends due to our growing subadvisory relationships. Our subadvisory relationships currently account for more than 60% of the channel's $10.5 billion in assets at the end of 2011.

Market Developments

        During the past fiscal year, we operated in a period of high volatility in the financial markets. Investors moved away from portfolio risk and into cash, and were willing to accept minimal returns rather than expose themselves to the highly unpredictable equity market. Through this volatile year, the Company increased gross sales by 10%, generated net flows of $5.0 billion and maintained stable redemption rates compared to industry averages. Market depreciation during 2011 offset net flows achieved during the year and as a result, assets under management at December 31, 2011 decreased $0.5 billion compared to December 31, 2010.

Operating Results

        The company ended the year with $1.2 billion in revenues. Revenue increases relative to fiscal 2010 were reflective of an increase in our average managed assets and positive net flows. Average assets under management were $87.1 billion in 2011 compared to $74.0 billion in 2010.

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        Net income increased 12% compared to 2010 while our operating margin improved slightly above the 24% achieved during 2010. We plan to continue our focus on cost controls during 2012.

        Our balance sheet remains strong, as we ended the year with cash and investments of $462.6 million. We also entered into an agreement in 2010 to complete a $190.0 million private placement of Senior Notes, which contained a delayed funding provision and allowed us to draw down the proceeds on January 13, 2011 when the existing senior notes matured. The proceeds were used to refinance the senior unsecured notes that expired in January 2011.

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Assets Under Management

        Assets under management of $83.2 billion on December 31, 2011 decreased slightly compared to the $83.7 billion reported a year ago. Net sales of $4.3 billion, generated primarily by the Wholesale and Institutional channels, were offset by market depreciation of $5.5 billion.

Change in Assets Under Management  (1)

 
  Advisors
Channel
  Wholesale
Channel
  Institutional
Channel
  Total
 
  (in millions)

December 31, 2011

               

Beginning Assets

  $33,181   40,883   9,609   83,673

Sales (net of commissions)

 
3,800
 
16,594
 
3,413
 
23,807

Redemptions

  (4,047)   (12,995)   (2,479)   (19,521)
                 

Net Sales

  (247)   3,599   934   4,286

Net Exchanges

 
(262)
 
261
 
-
 
(1)

Reinvested Dividends and Capital Gains

  353   279   112   744
                 

Net Flows

  (156)   4,139   1,046   5,029

Market Depreciation

 
(1,316)
 
(4,068)
 
(161)
 
(5,545)
                 

Ending Assets

  $31,709   40,954   10,494   83,157
                 

December 31, 2010

               

Beginning Assets

  $29,474   32,818   7,491   69,783

Sales (net of commissions)

 
3,616
 
14,505
 
3,588
 
21,709

Redemptions

  (3,526)   (10,560)   (2,874)   (16,960)
                 

Net Sales

  90   3,945   714   4,749

Net Exchanges

 
(308)
 
190
 
116
 
(2)

Reinvested Dividends and Capital Gains

  338   237   114   689
                 

Net Flows

  120   4,372   944   5,436

Market Appreciation

 
3,587
 
3,693
 
1,174
 
8,454
                 

Ending Assets

  $33,181   40,883   9,609   83,673
                 

December 31, 2009

               

Beginning Assets

  $23,472   17,489   6,523   47,484

Disposition of Assets

 
-
 
-
 
(488)
 
(488)

Sales (net of commissions)

 
3,202
 
14,745
 
1,703
 
19,650

Redemptions

  (3,052)   (5,951)   (1,942)   (10,945)
                 

Net Sales

  150   8,794   (239)   8,705

Net Exchanges

 
(197)
 
150
 
41
 
(6)

Reinvested Dividends and Capital Gains

  329   124   113   566
                 

Net Flows

  282   9,068   (85)   9,265

Market Appreciation

 
5,720
 
6,261
 
1,541
 
13,522
                 

Ending Assets

  $29,474   32,818   7,491   69,783
                 

(1)
Includes all activity of the Funds and institutional and separate accounts, including money market funds and transactions at net asset value, accounts for which we receive no commissions.

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        Average assets under management, which are generally more indicative of trends in revenue for providing investment management services than the year over year change in ending assets under management, increased by 18% compared to 2010.

Average Assets Under Management

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  Average   Percentage
of Total
  Average   Percentage
of Total
  Average   Percentage
of Total
 
 
  (in millions, except percentage data)
 

Distribution Channel:

                                     

Advisors Channel

                                     

Equity

  $ 24,477     73%     22,430     74%     18,916     74%  

Fixed income

    7,629     23%     6,614     22%     5,211     20%  

Money market

    1,203     4%     1,288     4%     1,600     6%  
                           

Total

  $ 33,309     100%     30,332     100%     25,727     100%  
                           

Wholesale Channel

                                     

Equity

  $ 39,387     91%     32,805     92%     22,556     94%  

Fixed income

    3,684     8%     2,385     7%     1,147     5%  

Money market

    320     1%     284     1%     301     1%  
                           

Total

  $ 43,391     100%     35,474     100%     24,004     100%  
                           

Institutional Channel

                                     

Equity

  $ 9,627     93%     7,467     91%     6,208     90%  

Fixed income

    780     7%     732     9%     658     10%  

Money market

    -     -     -     -     -     -  
                           

Total

  $ 10,407     100%     8,199     100%     6,866     100%  
                           

Total by Asset Class:

                                     

Equity

  $ 73,491     84%     62,702     85%     47,680     85%  

Fixed income

    12,093     14%     9,731     13%     7,016     12%  

Money market

    1,523     2%     1,572     2%     1,901     3%  
                           

Total

  $ 87,107     100%     74,005     100%     56,597     100%  
                           

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        The following table summarizes our five largest mutual funds as of December 31, 2011 by ending assets under management and investment management fees for the last three years. The assets under management and management fees of our five largest mutual funds are presented as a percentage of our total assets under management and total management fees.

Five Largest Mutual Funds by Ending Assets Under Management and Investment Management Fees

 
  2011   2010   2009  
 
  Ending   Percentage
of Total
  Ending   Percentage
of Total
  Ending   Percentage
of Total
 
 
  (in millions, except percentage data)
 

By Assets Under Management:

                                     

Ivy Asset Strategy

  $ 23,642     28%     25,106     30%     20,029     29%  

Ivy Global Natural Resources

    4,332     5%     6,252     7%     5,736     8%  

Ivy High Income

    3,197     4%     1,694     2%     1,097     2%  

Advisors Asset Strategy

    2,772     3%     3,328     4%     3,235     5%  

Advisors Core Investment

    2,724     3%     2,888     3%     2,657     4%  
                           

Total

  $ 36,667     43%     39,268     46%     32,754     48%  
                           

 


 

(in thousands, except percentage data)

 

By Management Fees:

                                     

Ivy Asset Strategy

  $ 146,649     28%     123,638     27%     82,313     23%  

Ivy Global Natural Resources (1)

    46,324     9%     43,839     10%     34,353     10%  

Advisors Asset Strategy

    20,465     4%     20,402     4%     18,139     5%  

Advisors Science & Technology

    19,208     3%     18,379     4%     15,953     4%  

Advisors Core Investment

    18,297     3%     16,976     4%     15,118     4%  
                           

Total

  $ 250,943     47%     223,234     49%     165,876     46%  
                           

(1)
For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we paid subadvisory fees of $23.4 million, $22.1 million and $17.3 million, respectively.

Results of Operations

Net Income

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  Variance  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009
 
 
  (in thousands, except percentage data)
 

Net Income

  $ 175,459     156,959     105,505     12%     49%  

Earnings per share:

                               

Basic

  $ 2.05     1.83     1.23     12%     49%  

Diluted

  $ 2.05     1.83     1.23     12%     49%  

Operating Margin

    24%     24%     20%     0%     4%  

        We reported net income of $175.5 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, in 2011 compared to $157.0 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, in 2010 and $105.5 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, in 2009.

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Special Items Included in 2009 Results of Operations

        As previously disclosed, on July 15, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, ACF, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated June 26, 2009. Prior to the closing date, ACF had 10 employees and assets under management of $488.0 million. The agreement included an earnout provision based on a percentage of revenues on existing accounts over the three-year period subsequent to the closing date. The earnout provision was fully settled with a payment received during 2010. For tax purposes, this sale resulted in a capital loss of $28.4 million, a portion of which was utilized to offset capital gains in that and prior periods.

        Operating results for 2009 include charges for severance and other transaction costs of $1.1 million in connection with the divestiture of our investment in ACF and are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income. We also recorded a charge of $3.7 million in investment and other income in the consolidated statement of income to reflect the "other than temporary" decline in value of certain of the Company's investments in affiliated mutual funds as the fair value of these investments had been below cost for an extended period.

Total Revenues

        Total revenues increased 14% in 2011 compared to 2010, attributable to an increase in average assets under management of 18% and an increase in gross sales of 10%, while total revenues increased 25% in 2010 compared to 2009, attributable to an increase in average assets under management of 31% and an increase in gross sales of 10%.

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  Variance  
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009
 
 
  (in thousands, except percentage data)
 

Investment management fees

  $ 530,599     457,538     354,593     16%     29%  

Underwriting and distribution fees

    532,693     468,057     378,678     14%     24%  

Shareholder service fees

    131,885     119,290     105,818     11%     13%  
                           

Total revenues

  $ 1,195,177     1,044,885     839,089     14%     25%  
                           

Investment Management Fee Revenues

        Investment management fee revenues are earned for providing investment advisory services to the Funds and to institutional and separate accounts. Investment management fee revenues increased $73.1 million, or 16%, in 2011 and increased $102.9 million, or 29%, in 2010.

        Revenues from investment management services provided to our retail mutual funds, which are distributed through the Advisors, Wholesale and Institutional channels, were $490.0 million in 2011 and increased $65.9 million, or 16%, compared to 2010, while the related retail average assets increased 17%. Investment management fee revenues increased less than the related retail average assets due to the effect of recording management fee waivers as an offset to investment management fees beginning in the third quarter of 2010. Of the total management fee waivers recorded in 2011 of $8.4 million, $5.7 million related to money market accounts. Revenues from investment management services provided to our retail mutual funds were $424.1 million in 2010 and increased $97.8 million, or 30%, compared to 2009, while the related retail average assets increased 32%. Retail sales were $20.4 billion, $18.1 billion and $17.9 billion in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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        Prior to the sale of ACF effective July 15, 2009, ACF had assets under management of $488.0 million, which along with related investment management fee revenues, were previously included in the Institutional channel.

        Institutional and separate account revenues were $40.6 million, $33.4 million and $28.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in revenues in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily attributable to a 27% increase in average assets while the increase in revenues in 2010 compared to 2009 was a result of a 19% increase in average assets.

        Long-term redemption rates (which exclude money market fund redemptions) in the Advisors channel were 10.0% in 2011 compared to 9.3% and 8.4% in 2010 and 2009, respectively. In the Wholesale channel, long-term redemption rates were 29.5% in 2011, compared to 29.3% in 2010 and 24.0% in 2009. We expect the Advisors channel long-term redemption rate to remain lower than that of the Wholesale channel due to the personal and customized nature in which our financial advisors provide service to our clients.

        The long-term redemption rate for our Institutional channel was 23.8% in 2011 compared to 35.1% in 2010 and 28.3% in 2009. Subadvisory and defined contribution pension business comprise more than 60% of the Institutional channel's assets as of December 31, 2011 and unlike defined benefit pension accounts, the active daily flows in or out of these accounts can result in an increase in contributions and withdrawals and impact the channel's redemption rate.

Underwriting and Distribution

        We earn underwriting and distribution fee revenues primarily by distributing the Funds pursuant to an underwriting agreement with each Fund (except the Ivy Funds VIP as explained below) and, to a lesser extent, by distributing mutual funds offered by other unaffiliated companies. Pursuant to each agreement, we offer and sell the Funds' shares on a continuous basis (open-end funds) and pay certain costs associated with underwriting and distributing the Funds, including the costs of developing and producing sales literature and printing of prospectuses, which may be either partially or fully reimbursed by the Funds. The Funds are sold in various classes that are structured in ways that conform to industry standards ( i.e ., "front-end load," "back-end load," "level-load" and institutional).

        When a client purchases Class A shares (front-end load), the client pays an initial sales charge of up to 5.75% of the amount invested. The sales charge for Class A shares typically declines as the investment amount increases. In addition, investors may combine their purchases of all fund shares to qualify for a reduced sales charge. Class A shares purchased at net asset value are assessed a 1% contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") if the shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. When a client invests in an asset allocation product, Class A shares are purchased at net asset value. We do not charge an initial sales charge, but investors are assessed a CDSC upon early redemption of shares, up to 3% of the amount originally invested and declining to zero for investments held more than three years. When a client purchases Class B shares (back-end load), we do not charge an initial sales charge, but we do charge a CDSC upon early redemption of shares, up to 5% of the lesser of the current market net asset value or the purchase cost of the redeemed shares in the first year and declining to zero for shares held for more than six years. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after seven years. When a client purchases Class C shares (level-load), we do not charge an initial sales charge, but we do charge investors who redeem their Class C shares in the first year a CDSC of 1% of the current market net asset value or the purchase cost of the shares redeemed, whichever is less.

        Under a Rule 12b-1 service plan, the Funds may charge a maximum fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets under management for expenses paid to broker/dealers and other sales professionals in connection with providing ongoing services to the Funds' shareholders and/or maintaining the Funds' shareholder accounts, with the exception of the Funds' Class R shares, for which the maximum fee is 0.50%. The Funds' Class B and Class C shares may charge a maximum of 0.75% of the average daily net

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assets under management under a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan to broker/dealers and other sales professionals for their services in connection with distributing shares of that class. The Rule 12b-1 plans are subject to annual approval by the Funds' board of trustees, including a majority of the disinterested members, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. All Funds may terminate the service plan at any time with approval of fund trustees or portfolio shareholders (a majority of either) without penalty.

        We distribute variable products offering the Ivy Funds VIP as investment vehicles pursuant to general agency arrangements with our business partners and receive commissions, marketing allowances and other compensation as stipulated by such agreements. In connection with these arrangements, the Ivy Funds VIP are offered and sold on a continuous basis.

        In addition to distributing variable products, we distribute a number of other insurance products through our insurance agency subsidiaries, including individual term life, group term life, whole life, accident and health, long-term care, Medicare supplement and disability insurance. We receive commissions and compensation from various underwriters for distributing these products. We are not an underwriter for any insurance policies.

        We also offer asset allocation investment advisory products that utilize our Funds. These products offer clients a selection of traditional asset allocation models, as well as features such as systematic rebalancing and client and advisor participation in determining asset allocation across asset classes. We earn asset-based fees on our asset allocation investment advisory products.

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Underwriting and Distribution Fee Revenues and Expenses

        The following tables illustrate our underwriting and distribution fee revenues and expenses segregated by distribution channel for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 
  Total    
   
 
  2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009
 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands, except percentage data)

Revenue

  $ 532,693     468,057     378,678     14%     24%

Expenses:

                             

Direct

    470,050     409,912     325,836     15%     26%

Indirect

    145,981     133,692     124,089     9%     8%
                         

Total Expenses

    616,031     543,604     449,925     13%     21%
                         

Net Underwriting & Distribution

  $ (83,338)     (75,547)     (71,247)     -10%     -6%
                         

 

 
  Advisors Channel    
   
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009

Revenue

  $ 290,077     252,107     213,258     15%     18%

Expenses:

                             

Direct

    204,358     177,158     147,469     15%     20%

Indirect

    97,414     87,731     83,917     11%     5%
                         

Total Expenses

    301,772     264,889     231,386     14%     14%
                         

Net Underwriting & Distribution

  $ (11,695)     (12,782)     (18,128)     9%     29%
                         

 

 
  Wholesale Channel    
   
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009

Revenue

  $ 242,616     215,950     165,420     12%     31%

Expenses:

                             

Direct

    265,692     232,754     178,367     14%     30%

Indirect

    48,567     45,961     40,172     6%     14%
                         

Total Expenses

    314,259     278,715     218,539     13%     28%
                         

Net Underwriting & Distribution

  $ (71,643)     (62,765)     (53,119)     -14%     -18%
                         

        A portion of underwriting and distribution fee revenues in our Advisors channel are derived from sales commissions charged on front-end load products sold by our financial advisors, including mutual fund Class A shares (those sponsored by the Company and those underwritten by other non-proprietary mutual fund companies), variable annuities and financial planning fees. A significant amount of Wholesale mutual fund sales are load-waived. The remainder of underwriting and distribution revenues are received from Rule 12b-1 asset-based distribution and service fees earned on both load and load-waived and deferred-load products sold by our financial advisors and third party intermediaries, asset-based fees earned on our asset allocation products, and commissions earned on the sale of other insurance products.

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        We divide the costs of underwriting and distribution into two components — direct costs and indirect costs. Direct selling costs fluctuate with sales volume, such as advisor commissions and commission overrides paid to field management, advisor incentive compensation, commissions paid to third parties and to our own wholesalers, and related overrides in our Wholesale channel. Direct selling costs also fluctuate with assets under management, such as Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees paid to the same parties. Indirect selling costs are fixed costs that do not necessarily fluctuate with sales levels. Indirect costs include expenses incurred by our home office and field offices such as wholesaler salaries, marketing costs, promotion and distribution of our products through the Advisors and Wholesale channels; support and management of our financial advisors such as field office overhead, sales programs and technology infrastructure; and costs of managing and supporting our wholesale efforts through technology infrastructure and personnel. While the Institutional channel does have marketing expenses, those expenses are accounted for in compensation and related costs and general and administrative expense instead of underwriting and distribution because of the channel's integration with our investment management division, its relatively small size and the fact that there are no Rule 12b-1 fees, loads, CDSCs, or any other charges to separate account clients except investment management fees.

        We recover certain of our underwriting and distribution costs through Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees, which are paid by the Funds. All Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fee revenue received from the Funds is recorded on a gross basis.

        Underwriting and distribution revenues earned in 2011 increased by $64.6 million, or 14%, compared to 2010. Revenues from fee-based asset allocation products increased $33.4 million compared to the prior year as assets grew from $4.5 billion to $6.0 billion year over year. Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution fees increased $29.2 million compared to 2010 as a result of an increase in average mutual fund assets under management. Higher advisory fees and point of sale commissions earned by Legend increased revenue by $3.7 million compared to the prior year. Revenues from front-load product sales sold in the Advisors channel decreased by $4.5 million, however this overall decrease included an increase in variable annuity revenues of $7.5 million. Insurance-related revenues decreased $1.0 million compared to the prior year.

        Underwriting and distribution revenues earned in 2010 increased by $89.4 million, or 24%, compared to 2009. A majority of the increase in revenues was due to higher Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution fees of $56.7 million as a result of an increase in average mutual fund assets under management. Revenues from fee-based asset allocation products increased $20.5 million compared to the prior year. Higher advisory fees and point of sale commissions earned by Legend increased revenue by $7.9 million compared to the prior year. Revenues from front-load product sales sold in the Advisors channel increased by $5.1 million, which included an increase in variable annuity revenues of $2.3 million year over year. Offsetting these increases, insurance-related revenues decreased $2.7 million.

        Underwriting and distribution expenses in 2011 increased by $72.4 million, or 13%, compared with the prior year. A significant part of this increase was attributable to higher direct expenses in the Wholesale channel of $32.9 million as a result of an increase in average wholesale assets under management year over year. We incurred higher dealer compensation paid to third party distributors, increased Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution expenses and higher wholesaler commissions, partially offset by lower amortization expense of deferred sales commissions. Direct expenses in the Advisors channel increased $27.2 million, or 15%, compared to 2010 due to higher fee-based asset allocation expenses of $23.8 million, higher Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution commissions of $6.4 million and higher amortization expense of deferred sales commissions of $0.9 million, partially offset by lower point of sale commissions on front-load product sales of $2.6 million and insurance expenses of $0.7 million. The increase in indirect expenses in the Advisors channel of $9.7 million was due to increased employee compensation and benefits expenses, higher convention costs, increased field office expenses and higher expenses incurred beginning mid-year 2011 related to our electronic books and records conversion project. Expenses related to this conversion project are expected to run $1.0 million per quarter until mid-year 2012. The indirect expenses

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increase of $2.6 million in the Wholesale channel was mostly due to higher employee compensation and benefits expense.

        Underwriting and distribution expenses in 2010 increased by $93.7 million, or 21%, compared to 2009. A significant part of this increase was attributable to higher direct expenses in the Wholesale channel of $54.4 million as a result of an increase in average wholesale assets under management, minimally offset by lower sales volume year over year. We incurred higher dealer compensation paid to third party distributors, increased Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution expenses and higher amortization expense of deferred sales commissions, partially offset by lower wholesaler commissions. Direct expenses in the Advisors channel increased $29.7 million, or 20%, compared to 2009 due to increased commissions related to the sale of fee-based asset allocation products of $13.8 million, higher Rule 12b-1 asset-based service and distribution commissions of $12.3 million, higher point of sale commissions on front-load product sales of $4.6 million, partially offset by lower commissions on insurance products of $1.7 million. Indirect expenses increased a total of $9.6 million compared to 2009. The increase in indirect expenses in the Advisors channel of $3.8 million was due to increased employee compensation and benefits expenses and information technology costs. The indirect expenses increase of $5.8 million in the Wholesale channel was due to increased employee compensation and benefits expenses, higher marketing costs and higher business meeting and travel expenses.

Shareholder Service Fees Revenue

        Shareholder service fees revenue primarily includes transfer agency fees, custodian fees from retirement plan accounts, and portfolio accounting and administration fees. Portfolio accounting and administration fees are asset-based revenues or account-based revenues, while transfer agency fees and custodian fees from retirement plan accounts are based on the number of client accounts.

        During 2011, shareholder service fees revenue increased $12.6 million, or 11%, over 2010, due to higher asset-based fees of $8.6 million year over year in certain share classes and $4.0 million attributable to account-based revenues, due to a 2% increase in the average number of client accounts.

        During 2010, shareholder service fees revenue increased $13.5 million, or 13%, over 2009. Of this increase, $8.3 million was due to higher asset-based fees year over year in certain share classes and $5.2 million was attributable to account-based revenues, due to a 7% increase in the average number of client accounts.

Total Operating Expenses

        Operating expenses increased $108.7 million, or 14%, in 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to increased underwriting and distribution expenses, compensation and related costs, and general and administrative expenses. Underwriting and distribution expenses are discussed above.

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        Operating expenses increased $125.1 million, or 19%, in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to increased underwriting and distribution expenses and compensation and related costs.

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  Variance
 
  2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009
 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands, except percentage data)

Underwriting and distribution

  $ 616,031     543,604     449,925     13%     21%

Compensation and related costs

    161,401     142,255     124,463     13%     14%

General and administrative

    80,533     66,703     58,034     21%     15%

Subadvisory fees

    29,885     27,823     23,202     7%     20%

Depreciation

    15,235     14,030     13,653     9%     3%
                         

Total operating expenses

  $ 903,085     794,415     669,277     14%     19%
                         

Compensation and Related Costs

        Compensation and related costs in 2011 increased $19.1 million, or 13%, compared to 2010. Base salaries and payroll taxes contributed $7.3 million to the increase, due to an increase in average headcount of 12% and annual merit increases during 2011. Share-based compensation increased $6.1 million compared to 2010 primarily due to higher amortization expense associated with our April 2011, December 2010 and April 2010 grants of nonvested stock compared to grants that became fully vested in 2011. We had a decrease in capitalized software development activities of $2.7 million, higher commission expense on managed and institutional accounts of $1.5 million and experienced higher incentive compensation expense of $0.8 million and group insurance costs of $0.4 million.

        Compensation and related costs in 2010 increased $17.8 million, or 14%, compared to 2009. Share-based compensation accounted for $9.8 million of the increase primarily due to higher amortization expense associated with our April 2010, December 2009 and April 2009 grants of nonvested stock compared to grants that became fully vested in 2010. Base salaries and payroll taxes contributed $5.8 million to the increase, due to an increase in average headcount of 6.1% and annual merit increases during 2010. We also experienced higher incentive compensation expense of $2.8 million and higher savings plan costs of $1.4 million. These expense increases were offset by increased capitalized software development activities of $1.5 million, primarily due to technology and compliance initiatives, and lower group insurance costs of $0.8 million compared to 2009 based on favorable claims experience.

General and Administrative Expenses

        General and administrative expenses are operating costs other than those related to compensation and to distribution efforts, including, but not limited to, computer services and software costs, telecommunications, facilities costs of our home offices, costs of professional services including legal and accounting, and insurance.

        General and administrative expenses increased $13.8 million in 2011 compared to 2010. Included in 2011 is a $1.8 million charge related to the write-off of software capitalization costs due to the discontinuation of use of certain software licenses. The remaining variance is due to increased dealer services costs of $4.1 million, costs incurred for our national branding campaign launched in the first quarter of 2011, higher computer services and software costs of $2.8 million and increased legal expenses of $2.4 million, partially offset by lower fund expenses of $0.7 million. Fee waivers were recorded as part of fund expenses prior to the third quarter of 2010. Fee waivers are now netted against management fee revenues.

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        General and administrative expenses increased $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 2009. Higher costs for third party subaccounting and networking fees for certain share classes and computer services were primarily responsible for the increase.

Subadvisory Fees

        Subadvisory fees represent fees paid to other asset managers for providing advisory services for certain mutual fund portfolios. These expenses reduce our operating margin since we pay out approximately half of our management fee revenue received from subadvised products. Gross management fee revenues for products subadvised by others were $59.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $55.3 million and $46.0 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively, due to an 8% increase in average assets from 2010 to 2011 and a 22% increase in average assets from 2009 to 2010. Subadvisory expenses followed the same pattern for the past three years.

        Subadvised assets under management at December 31, 2011 were $5.8 billion compared to the annual average of $7.3 billion for 2011. Since subadvisory expenses are a function of sales, redemptions and market action for subadvised assets, the lower asset base will likely result in a decrease to both gross management fee revenues and subadvisory expenses for the coming year.

Other Income and Expenses

Investment and Other Income

        Investment and other income decreased $6.7 million in 2011 compared to 2010. The current year included mark-to-market losses on mutual fund holdings in our trading portfolio of $1.1 million compared to gains in 2010 of $5.1 million. Offsetting these declines were higher dividend income on available for sale mutual fund holdings of $1.0 million in 2011 compared to the prior year. In 2011 and 2010 we recorded write-downs of our investment in a limited partnership of $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. We recorded realized gains on the sale of available for sale mutual funds of $2.2 million during 2011 compared to $2.9 million in 2010.

        Investment and other income for 2010 increased by $3.7 million compared to 2009. Included in 2009 was a non-cash charge of $3.7 million to reflect the "other than temporary" impairment of certain of the Company's investments in available for sale affiliated mutual funds as the fair value of those investments was below cost for an extended period. Excluding the impairment in 2009, investment and other income was unchanged from 2009 to 2010. We recorded realized gains on the sale of available for sale mutual funds of $2.9 million during 2010 compared to $2.6 million in 2009. Additional gains on our trading portfolio of $500 thousand compared to 2009 and the collection on a note receivable from a partnership interest that was written off in previous years also contributed to the year over year change. Offsetting these gains was a $1.5 million write-down of our investment in a limited partnership during 2010.

Interest Expense

        Interest expense was $11.4 million in 2011 and $12.7 million in both 2010 and 2009. In January 2011 we completed the refinancing of our senior notes with more favorable terms, which resulted in lower interest expense in 2011 compared to 2010 and 2009. We also experienced lower costs associated with our $125.0 million credit facility, which was entered into in August 2010.

Income Taxes

        Our effective income tax rate was 37.9%, 36.3%, and 34.9% in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During 2009, the Company sold a subsidiary, which generated a capital loss available for offsetting potential future and prior period capital gains. Due to the character of the loss and the limited carryforward period permitted by law, a valuation allowance was recorded on a portion of this capital loss. The higher effective tax rate in 2011 was primarily a result of less utilization of the capital loss in 2011 as compared to 2010. During 2011, realized capital gains allowed for a release of the valuation allowance of

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$0.4 million, which was recorded as a benefit to tax expense and, as a result, decreased our effective tax rate. In 2010, realized capital gains and an increase in the fair value of our investment portfolios allowed for the release of $2.7 million of the valuation allowance, which was recorded as a benefit to tax expense and, as a result, decreased our effective tax rate. The higher effective tax rate in 2010 over 2009 was primarily the result of less utilization of the capital losses in 2010 as compared to 2009.

        Our 2011 and 2010 effective tax rates, removing the effects of the valuation allowance, would have been 38.1% and 37.4%, respectively. Our 2009 effective tax rate, removing the effects of the loss on the sale of our subsidiary and the establishment of a corresponding valuation allowance, would have been 36.8%. The effective income tax rate, exclusive of the valuation allowance, increased in 2011 over that of 2010 due to changes in state legislation in jurisdictions in which the Company operates as well as a charge to tax expense in 2011 on tax positions for which the outcome is uncertain in tax years in which the statute of limitations remains open. The effective tax rate, exclusive of the subsidiary loss and valuation allowance, increased in 2010 over that of 2009 due to fewer state tax incentives related to capital expenditures made by the Company in 2010 as compared to 2009 and changes in state legislation in jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The following table summarizes certain key financial data relating to our liquidity and capital resources:

 
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
  Variance
 
  2011 vs.
2010
  2010 vs.
2009
 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands, except percentage data)

Balance Sheet Data:

                             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 327,083     195,315     244,359     67%     -20%

Cash and cash equivalents - restricted

    50,569     81,197     72,941     -38%     11%

Investment securities

    135,497     192,611  (1)   70,524     -30%     173%

Long-term debt

   
190,000
   
189,999
   
199,984
   
0%
   
-5%

Cash Flow Data:

                             

Cash flows from operating activities

    283,139  (1)   140,643     155,179     101%     -9%

Cash flows from investing activities

    (30,242)     (67,806)     (29,488)     -55%     130%

Cash flows from financing activities

    (121,129)     (121,881)     (91,660)     1%     -33%

(1)
At December 31, 2010, investment securities included U.S. treasury bills of $117.9 million and commercial paper of $5.0 million with maturities of less than 180 days at the date of purchase. Maturities of the U.S. treasury bills and commercial paper during 2011 of $66.0 million is included in cash flows from operating activities.

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        Our operations provide much of the cash necessary to fund our priorities, as follows:

    Finance internal growth

    Pay dividends

    Repurchase our stock

Finance Internal Growth

        We use cash to fund growth in our distribution channels. Our Wholesale channel, which has a higher cost to gather assets, requires cash outlays for wholesaler commissions and commissions to third parties on deferred load product sales. We continue to invest in our Advisors channel by providing additional support to our advisors through wholesaling efforts and enhanced technology tools.

Pay Dividends

        The Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend on our common stock from $0.20 per share to $0.25 per share beginning with our fourth quarter 2011 dividend, paid on February 1, 2012. Dividends on our common stock resulted in financing cash outflows of $68.8 million, $65.2 million and $65.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Repurchase Our Stock

        In both 2011 and 2010, we repurchased 2.0 million of our shares, compared to 1.9 million shares in 2009. These share repurchase amounts included 494,207 shares, 426,665 shares and 327,301 shares from employees who elected to tender shares to cover their minimum tax withholdings with respect to vesting of stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        In the future, we plan to repurchase shares, at a minimum, to offset dilution from shares issued for employee share plans. During 2012, we estimate that we will repurchase approximately 575 thousand shares from employees who elect to tender shares to cover their minimum tax withholdings arising from the vesting of nonvested shares.

Operating Cash Flows

        Excluding the cash flows from operating activities generated from the maturity of U.S. treasuries and commercial paper in 2011 of $66.0 million, the remaining increase is due to higher net income and non-cash share-based compensation expense in 2011.

        The payable to investment companies for securities account can fluctuate significantly based on trading activity at the end of a reporting period. On December 31, 2009, the Company changed the trustee of its 401(k) plan. Approximately $100 million of the payable to investment companies for securities balance was due to the transfer of assets between trustees. As a result, on the statement of cash flows, there were corresponding increases and decreases to cash from operations. There is no impact to the Company's liquidity and operations for the variations in these accounts.

        We pay our financial advisors and third parties upfront commissions on the sale of Class B and C shares and certain fee-based asset allocation products. Funding of such commissions during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 totaled $57.9 million, $59.0 million and $54.7 million, respectively. The drivers of commission funding in 2011 were fee-based asset allocation products, for which $26.5 million was funded, and Class C shares, for which $23.0 million was funded. The drivers of commission funding in 2010 were Class C shares, for which $25.9 million was funded, and fee-based asset allocation products, for which $24.8 million was funded. The primary driver of commission funding in 2009 was Class C shares, for which $29.8 million of commissions were funded. Management expects future cash requirements for sales commissions may exceed the level experienced in previous years due to increased sales in our fee-based asset allocation products.

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        Contributions to our pension plan are not expected to exceed $20 million for 2012. A contribution of $10 million was made to the plan in January 2012.

Investing Cash Flows

        Investing activities consist primarily of the purchase and sale of available for sale investment securities, as well as capital expenditures. We expect our 2012 capital expenditures to be in the range of $15.0 to $20.0 million.

Financing Cash Flows

        As noted previously, dividends and stock repurchases accounted for a majority of our financing cash outflows in 2011.

        Additionally, during 2010 we repurchased $10.0 million of our $200.0 million aggregate principal amount 5.6% senior notes due January 2011 (the "Notes"). On August 31, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to complete a $190.0 million private placement of Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes"). The agreement contained a delayed funding provision that allowed the Company to draw down the proceeds in January 2011 when the existing Notes matured. The Company used the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Senior Notes to repay in full the Notes expiring in January 2011. The Senior Notes are unsecured and were issued in two tranches: $95.0 million bearing interest at 5% and maturing January 13, 2018 (the "Series A Notes") and $95.0 million bearing interest of 5.75% and maturing January 13, 2021 (the "Series B Notes") (collectively, the "Senior Notes"). Interest will be payable semi-annually in January and July of each year.

        Simultaneous with the refinancing of our senior notes, the Company entered into a three year revolving credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") with various lenders, effective August 31, 2010, which initially provides for initial borrowings of up to $125.0 million and replaced the Company's previous revolving credit facility. Lenders could, at their option upon the Company's request, expand the facility to $200.0 million. At December 31, 2011, there were no borrowings outstanding under the New Credit Facility. Both the New Credit Facility and Senior Notes contain financial covenants with respect to leverage and interest coverage, both of which we were in compliance with throughout fiscal 2011.

Short Term Liquidity and Capital Requirements

        Management believes its available cash, marketable securities and expected cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund its short-term operating and capital requirements during 2012. Expected short-term uses of cash include dividend payments, interest payments on outstanding debt, income tax payments, seed money for new products, share repurchases, payment of deferred commissions to our financial advisors and third parties, capital expenditures and home office leasehold improvements, and could include strategic acquisitions.

Long Term Liquidity and Capital Requirements

        Expected long-term capital requirements include indebtedness, operating leases and purchase obligations, and potential recognition of tax liabilities, summarized in the following table as of December 31, 2011. Purchase obligations include amounts that will be due for the purchase of goods and

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services to be used in our operations under long-term commitments or contracts. The majority of our purchase obligations are reimbursable to us by the Funds.

 
  Total   2012   2013-
2014
  2015-
2016
  Thereafter/
Indeterminate
 
 
  (in thousands)
 

Long-term debt obligations, including interest

  $ 272,769     10,213     20,425     20,425     221,706  

Non-cancelable operating lease commitments

    93,813     20,662     30,018     15,590     27,543  

Purchase obligations

    143,612     41,239     68,395     33,740     238  

Unrecognized tax benefits

    9,759     -     -     -     9,759  
                       

  $ 519,953     72,114     118,838     69,755     259,246  
                       

        Other possible long-term discretionary uses of cash could include capital expenditures for enhancement of technology infrastructure and home office expansion, strategic acquisitions, payment of dividends, income tax payments, seed money for new products, payment of upfront fund commissions for Class B shares, Class C shares and certain fee-based asset allocation products, pension funding and repurchases of our common stock.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        Other than operating leases, which are included in the table above, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing. The Company has not created, and is not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating its business.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

        Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect its significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        As of December 31, 2011, our total goodwill and intangible assets were $221.2 million, or 20%, of our total assets. Two significant considerations arise with respect to these assets that require management estimates and judgment: (i) the valuation in connection with the initial purchase price allocation, and (ii) the ongoing evaluation of impairment.

        In connection with all of our acquisitions, an evaluation is completed to determine reasonable purchase price allocations. The purchase price allocation process requires management estimates and judgments as to expectations for the various products, distribution channels, and business strategies. For example, certain growth rates and operating margins were assumed for different products and distribution channels. If actual growth rates or operating margins, among other assumptions, differ from the estimates and judgments used in the purchase price allocation, the amounts recorded in the financial statements for identifiable intangible assets and goodwill could be subject to charges for impairment in the future.

        We complete an ongoing review of the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets using a fair-value based approach on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily acquired mutual fund advisory contracts, are also tested for impairment annually by comparing their fair value to the carrying amount of the asset. We consider mutual fund advisory contracts indefinite lived intangible assets as they are expected to be renewed without significant cost or modification of terms. Factors that are considered important in determining whether an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets might exist include significant continued underperformance

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compared to peers, the likelihood of termination or non-renewal of a mutual fund advisory or subadvisory contract or substantial changes in revenues earned from such contracts, significant changes in our business and products, material and ongoing negative industry or economic trends, or other factors specific to each asset or subsidiary being evaluated. Because of the significance of goodwill and other intangibles to our consolidated balance sheets, the annual impairment analysis is critical. Any changes in key assumptions about our business and our prospects, or changes in market conditions or other externalities, could result in an impairment charge.

Accounting for Income Taxes

        In the ordinary course of business, many transactions occur for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, respective tax authorities periodically audit our income tax returns. These audits examine our significant tax filing positions, including the timing and amounts of deductions and the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. We adjust our income tax provision in the period in which we determine that the actual outcomes will likely be different from our estimates. The recognition or derecognition of income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions is determined under the guidance as prescribed by Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") "Income Taxes Topic," ASC 740. During 2011, the Company did not settle any open tax years undergoing audits by state jurisdictions in which the Company operates. During 2010 and 2009, the Company settled nine open tax years and three open tax years, respectively, that were undergoing audit by state jurisdictions in which the Company operates. These audits were settled in all material respects with no significant adjustments. The Company is currently undergoing audits in various other state jurisdictions which have not yet been settled.

        We recognize an asset or liability for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, including the determination of any valuation allowance that might be required for deferred tax assets. These temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of assets are recovered or liabilities are settled. In 2009, the Company sold a subsidiary that generated a capital loss available to offset potential future capital gains. Due to the character of the loss and the limited carryforward period permitted by law, the Company may not realize the full tax benefit of the capital loss. The capital loss carryforward, if not utilized, will expire in 2014. Management believes it is not more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient future capital gains to realize the full benefit of this capital loss. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded on a portion of this capital loss as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Also as of December 31, 2011, three of the Company's subsidiaries have state net operating loss carryforwards in certain states in which those companies file on a separate company basis. These entities have recognized a deferred tax asset for such carryforwards. The carryforwards, if not utilized, will expire between 2012 and 2031. Management believes it is not more likely than not that the subsidiaries will generate sufficient future taxable income in these states to realize the benefit of these state net operating loss carryforwards and, accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. We have not recorded a valuation allowance on any other deferred tax assets as of the current reporting period based on our belief that operating income will, more likely than not, be sufficient to realize the benefit of these assets over time. In the event that actual results differ from estimates or if our historical trend of positive operating income changes, we may be required to record a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which could have a significant effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Finally, income taxes are recorded at the rates in effect in the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax law and rate changes are reflected in the income tax provision in the period in which such changes are enacted.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

        Accounting for our pension and postretirement benefit plans requires us to estimate the cost of benefits to be provided well into the future and the current value of our benefit obligations. Three critical assumptions affecting these estimates are the discount rate, the expected return on assets, and the

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expected health care cost trend rate. In 2011, the discount rate assumption was based on the Aon Hewitt AA Only Above Median Yield Curve. This discount rate was determined separately for each plan by plotting the expected benefit payments from each plan against a yield curve of high quality, zero coupon bonds and calculating the single rate that would produce the same present value of liabilities as the yield curve. Prior to 2011, the discount rate assumption was based on the Mercer Bond Model, which calculated the yield on a theoretical portfolio of high-grade corporate bonds with cash flows that generally matched our expected benefit payments. The expected return on plan assets and health care cost trend rates are based upon an evaluation of our historical trends and experience, taking into account current and expected future market conditions. Other assumptions include rates of future compensation increases, participant withdrawals and mortality rates, and participant retirement ages. These estimates and assumptions impact the amount of net pension expense or income recognized each year and the measurement of our reported benefit obligation under the plans.

        In 2011, we decreased the discount rate for our pension plan to 4.99% from 6.00% used in 2010 and 6.25% used in 2009, and decreased the discount rate for our postretirement plan to 5.00% from 6.00% used in 2010 and 6.25% used in 2009, to reflect market interest rates. We continue to assume long-term asset returns of 7.75% on the assets in our pension plan, the same as our assumption in 2010 and 2009. Our pension plan assets at December 31, 2011 were 100% invested in the Asset Strategy style and we have targeted this same investment strategy going forward.

        The effect of hypothetical changes to selected assumptions on the Company's retirement benefit plans would be as follows:

 
   
  December 31,
2011
  December 31,
2012
Assumptions
  Change
  Increase
(Decrease)
PBO/APBO (1)

  Increase
(Decrease)
Expense (2)

         
 
   
  (in thousands)

Pension

               

Discount rate

  +/-50 bps   $ (8,827)/9,748   $ (1,037)/1,136

Expected return on assets

  +/-100 bps     N/A     (1,098)/1,098

Salary scale

  +/-100 bps     7,737/(7,201)     1,823/(1,651)

OPEB

               

Discount rate

  +/-50 bps     (481)/528     (54)/76

Health care cost trend rate

  +/-100 bps     1,018/(866)     238/(161)

(1)
Projected benefit obligation ("PBO") for pension plans and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation ("APBO") for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension Plans.

(2)
Pre-tax impact on expense.

Deferred Sales Commissions

        We pay upfront sales commissions to our financial advisors and third party intermediary broker/dealers in connection with the sale of certain classes of mutual fund shares sold without a front-end sales charge. These costs are capitalized and amortized over the period during which the shareholder is subject to a CDSC, not to exceed five years. We recover these costs through Rule 12b-1 and other distribution plan fees, which are paid by the applicable share classes of the Advisors Funds, Ivy Funds and InvestEd Portfolios, along with CDSCs paid by shareholders who redeem their shares prior to completion of the

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required holding periods. Should we lose our ability to recover such sales commissions through distribution plan payments and CDSCs, the value of these assets would immediately decline, as would future cash flows. We periodically review the recoverability of deferred sales commission assets as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of deferred sales commission assets may not be recoverable and adjust the deferred assets accordingly.

Valuation of Investments

        We record substantially all investments in our financial statements at fair value. Where available, we use prices from independent sources such as listed market prices or broker/dealer price quotations. We evaluate our investments for other than temporary declines in value on a periodic basis. This may exist when the fair value of an investment security has been below the current value for an extended period of time. As most of our investments are carried at fair value, if an other than temporary decline in value is determined to exist, the unrealized investment loss recorded net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive income is realized as a charge to net income, in the period in which the other than temporary decline in value is determined. While we believe that we have accurately estimated the amount of the other than temporary decline in the value of our portfolio, different assumptions could result in changes to the recorded amounts in our financial statements.

Loss Contingencies

        The likelihood that a loss contingency exists is evaluated using the criteria of "Contingencies Topic," ASC 450 through consultation with legal counsel. A loss contingency is recorded if the contingency is considered probable and reasonably estimable as of the date of the financial statements.

Seasonality and Inflation

        We do not believe our operations are subject to significant seasonal fluctuation. We have historically experienced increased sales activity in the first and fourth quarters of the year due to funding of retirement accounts by our clients. The Company has not suffered material adverse effects from inflation in the past. However, a substantial increase in the inflation rate in the future may adversely affect customers' purchasing decisions, may increase the costs of borrowing, or may have an impact on the Company's margins and overall cost structure.

ITEM 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        We use various financial instruments with certain inherent market risks, primarily related to interest rates and securities prices. The principal risks of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices to which we are exposed relate to interest rates on debt and marketable securities. Generally, these instruments have not been entered into for trading purposes. Management actively monitors these risk exposures; however, fluctuations could impact our results of operations and financial position. As a matter of policy, we only execute derivative transactions to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for speculative or trading purposes. The following information, together with information included in other parts of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which are incorporated herein by reference, describe the key aspects of certain financial instruments that have market risk to us.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

        Our interest sensitive liabilities include our long-term fixed rate senior notes and obligations for any balances outstanding under our credit facility or other short-term borrowings. Increases in market interest rates would generally cause a decrease in the fair value of the senior notes and an increase in interest expense associated with short-term borrowings and borrowings under the credit facility. Decreases in market interest rates would generally cause an increase in the fair value of the senior notes and a decrease in interest expense associated with short-term borrowings and borrowings under the credit facility. We had no short-term borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2011.

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Available for Sale Investments Sensitivity

        We maintain an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. Our portfolio is diversified and consists primarily of investment grade debt securities and equity mutual funds. A portion of investments are classified as available for sale investments. At any time, a sharp increase in interest rates or a sharp decline in the United States stock market could have a significant negative impact on the fair value of our investment portfolio. If a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary by management, the cost basis of the individual security or mutual fund is written down to fair value. We do not currently hedge these exposures. Conversely, declines in interest rates or a sizeable rise in the United States stock market could have a significant positive impact on our investment portfolio. However, unrealized gains are not recognized in operations on available for sale securities until they are sold.

Securities Price Sensitivity

        Our revenues are dependent on the underlying assets under management in the Funds to which investment advisory services are provided. The Funds include portfolios of investments comprised of various combinations of equity, fixed income and other types of securities and commodities. Fluctuations in the value of these securities are common and are generated by numerous factors, including, without limitation, market volatility, the overall economy, inflation, changes in investor strategies, availability of alternative investment vehicles, government regulations and others. Accordingly, declines in any one or a combination of these factors, or other factors not separately identified, may reduce the value of investment securities and, in turn, the underlying assets under management on which our revenues are earned. These declines have an impact in our investment sales and our trading portfolio, thereby compounding the impact on our earnings.

ITEM 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

        Reference is made to the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to in the Index on page 48 setting forth our consolidated financial statements, together with the report of KPMG LLP dated February 28, 2012 on page 49.

ITEM 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

        None.

ITEM 9A.    Controls and Procedures

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.     The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be timely disclosed, is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely fashion. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.

(b)
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.     Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the

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    participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in "Internal Control-Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

    Based on our evaluation under the framework in "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," management concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, also audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, as stated in their attestation report which follows.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.:

We have audited Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.'s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated February 28, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
February 28, 2012

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(c)
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.     The Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    Other Information.

        None.


PART III

ITEM 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

        Information required by this Item 10. is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 11.    Executive Compensation

        Information required by this Item 11. is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

        Information required by this Item 12. is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

        Information required by this Item 13. is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services

        Information required by this Item 14. is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.


PART IV

ITEM 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)

  Financial Statements.
    Reference is made to the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 48 for a list of all financial statements filed as part of this Report.

(a)(2)

 

Financial Statement Schedules.

    None.

(b)

 

Exhibits.

    Reference is made to the Index to Exhibits beginning on page 84 for a list of all exhibits filed as part of this Report.

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SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Overland Park, State of Kansas, on February 29, 2012.

    WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ HENRY J. HERRMANN

Henry J. Herrmann
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

  Name  
 
  Title  
 
  Date  

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ HENRY J. HERRMANN


Henry J. Herrmann
 

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  February 29, 2012


/s/ DANIEL P. CONNEALY


Daniel P. Connealy

 


Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ BRENT K. BLOSS


Brent K. Bloss

 


Senior Vice President – Finance and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ SHARILYN S. GASAWAY


Sharilyn S. Gasaway

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ THOMAS C. GODLASKY


Thomas C. Godlasky

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ ALAN W. KOSLOFF


Alan W. Kosloff

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ DENNIS E. LOGUE


Dennis E. Logue

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ MICHAEL F. MORRISSEY


Michael F. Morrissey

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ JAMES M. RAINES


James M. Raines

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ RONALD C. REIMER


Ronald C. Reimer

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012


/s/ JERRY W. WALTON


Jerry W. Walton

 


Director


 


February 29, 2012

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
  Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  49

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010

  50

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011

  51

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011

  52

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011

  53

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011

  54

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  55

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 28, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
February 28, 2012

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 
  2011   2010
 
  (in thousands)

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 327,083     195,315

Cash and cash equivalents—restricted

    50,569     81,197

Investment securities

    135,497     192,611

Receivables:

           

Funds and separate accounts

    31,842     27,234

Customers and other

    116,996     84,736

Deferred income taxes

    11,848     10,622

Income taxes receivable

    15,067     4,336

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    10,709     8,999
         

Total current assets

    699,611     605,050

Property and equipment, net

    74,028     71,248

Deferred sales commissions, net

    68,788     64,710

Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets

    221,210     221,210

Deferred income taxes

    4,878     -

Other non-current assets

    13,681     14,713
         

Total assets

  $ 1,082,196     976,931
         

Liabilities:

           

Accounts payable

  $ 52,134     40,844

Payable to investment companies for securities

    104,304     117,596

Accrued compensation

    35,117     37,696

Payable to third party brokers

    41,125     38,909

Other current liabilities

    56,218     46,897
         

Total current liabilities

    288,898     281,942

Long-term debt

    190,000     189,999

Accrued pension and postretirement costs

    56,548     22,492

Deferred income taxes

    -     4,729

Other non-current liabilities

    23,107     20,608
         

Total liabilities

    558,553     519,770
         

Commitments and contingencies

           

Stockholders' equity:

           

Preferred stock—$1.00 par value: 5,000 shares authorized; none issued

    -     -

Class A Common stock—$0.01 par value: 250,000 shares authorized; 99,701 shares issued; 85,564 shares outstanding (85,751 at December 31, 2010)

    997     997

Additional paid-in capital

    216,426     201,442

Retained earnings

    721,281     618,813

Cost of 14,137 common shares in treasury (13,950 at December 31, 2010)

    (366,954)     (346,064)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (48,107)     (18,027)
         

Total stockholders' equity

    523,643     457,161
         

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 1,082,196     976,931
         

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)

Revenues:

                 

Investment management fees

  $ 530,599     457,538     354,593

Underwriting and distribution fees

    532,693     468,057     378,678

Shareholder service fees

    131,885     119,290     105,818
             

Total

    1,195,177     1,044,885     839,089

Operating expenses:

                 

Underwriting and distribution

    616,031     543,604     449,925

Compensation and related costs (including share-based compensation of $46,473, $40,338 and $30,573, respectively)

    161,401     142,255     124,463

General and administrative

    80,533     66,703     58,034

Subadvisory fees

    29,885     27,823     23,202

Depreciation

    15,235     14,030     13,653
             

Total

    903,085     794,415     669,277
             

Operating income

    292,092     250,470     169,812

Investment and other income

    2,049     8,737     5,039

Interest expense

    (11,413)     (12,723)     (12,695)
             

Income before provision for income taxes

    282,728     246,484     162,156

Provision for income taxes

    107,269     89,525     56,651
             

Net income

  $ 175,459     156,959     105,505
             

Net income per share:

                 

Basic

  $ 2.05   $ 1.83     1.23
             

Diluted

  $ 2.05   $ 1.83     1.23
             

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                 

Basic

    85,783     85,618     85,484

Diluted

    85,793     85,647     85,544

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)

Net income

  $ 175,459     156,959     105,505

Other comprehensive income:

                 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities during the year, net of income taxes of $(2,120), $2,028 and $2,950, respectively

   
(3,635)
   
3,493
   
4,974

Valuation allowance on investment securities' deferred tax asset during the year

   
(2,955)
   
963
   
-

Pension and postretirement benefits, net of income taxes of $(13,232), $628 and $(821), respectively

   
(22,062)
   
1,061
   
(949)

Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in net income, net of income taxes of $(830), $(1,139) and $159, respectively

   
(1,428)
   
(1,980)
   
264
             

Comprehensive income

 
$

145,379
   
160,496
   
109,794
             

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

(in thousands)

 
  Common Stock    
   
   
   
   
 
  Additional Paid-in Capital   Retained Earnings    
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   Total Stockholders' Equity
 
  Shares   Amount   Treasury Stock

Balance at December 31, 2008

    99,701   $ 997     207,886     487,558     (350,463)     (25,853)     320,125

Net income

    -     -     -     105,505     -     -     105,505

Recognition of equity compensation

    -     -     30,565     8     -     -     30,573

Recognition of equity compensation related to divestiture of ACF

    -     -     400           -     -     400

Issuance of nonvested shares and other

    -     -     (46,345)     -     46,345     -     -

Dividends accrued, $.76 per share

    -     -     -     (65,195)     -     -     (65,195)

Exercise of stock options

    -     -     (5,393)     -     19,529     -     14,136

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

    -     -     2,787     -     -     -     2,787

Repurchase of common stock

    -     -     -     -     (43,565)     -     (43,565)

Unrealized appreciation on available for sale investment securities

    -     -     -     -     -     4,974     4,974

Pension and postretirement benefits

    -     -     -     -     -     (949)     (949)

Reclassification for amounts included in net income

    -     -     -     -     -     264     264
                             

Balance at December 31, 2009

    99,701     997     189,900     527,876     (328,154)     (21,564)     369,055

Net income

    -     -     -     156,959     -     -     156,959

Recognition of equity compensation

    -     -     40,319     19     -     -     40,338

Issuance of nonvested shares and other

    -     -     (37,631)     -     37,631     -     -

Dividends accrued, $.77 per share

    -     -     -     (66,041)     -     -     (66,041)

Exercise of stock options

    -     -     2,726     -     10,331     -     13,057

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

    -     -     6,128     -     -     -     6,128

Repurchase of common stock

    -     -     -     -     (65,872)     -     (65,872)

Unrealized appreciation on available for sale investment securities

    -     -     -     -     -     3,493     3,493

Valuation allowance on investment securities' deferred tax asset

    -     -     -     -     -     963     963

Pension and postretirement benefits

    -     -     -     -     -     1,061     1,061

Reclassification for amounts included in net income

    -     -     -     -     -     (1,980)     (1,980)
                             

Balance at December 31, 2010

    99,701     997     201,442     618,813     (346,064)     (18,027)     457,161

Net income

    -     -     -     175,459     -     -     175,459

Recognition of equity compensation

    -     -     46,457     16     -     -     46,473

Issuance of nonvested shares

    -     -     (40,442)     -     40,442     -     -

Dividends accrued, $.85 per share

    -     -     -     (73,007)     -     -     (73,007)

Exercise of stock options

    -     -     949     -     4,131     -     5,080

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

    -     -     8,020     -     -     -     8,020

Repurchase of common stock

    -     -     -     -     (65,463)     -     (65,463)

Unrealized depreciation on available for sale investment securities

    -     -     -     -     -     (3,635)     (3,635)

Valuation allowance on investment securities' deferred tax asset

    -     -     -     -     -     (2,955)     (2,955)

Pension and postretirement benefits

    -     -     -     -     -     (22,062)     (22,062)

Reclassification for amounts included in net income

    -     -     -     -     -     (1,428)     (1,428)
                             

Balance at December 31, 2011

    99,701   $ 997     216,426     721,281     (366,954)     (48,107)     523,643
                             

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

                 

Net income

  $ 175,459     156,959     105,505

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                 

Depreciation and amortization

    16,332     13,834     13,476

Other than temporary impairment of investments in affiliated mutual funds

    -     -     3,686

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

    53,855     58,381     42,771

Share-based compensation

    46,473     40,338     30,973

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

    (8,020)     (6,128)     (2,787)

Gain on sale of available for sale investment securities

    (2,258)     (2,893)     (2,623)

Net purchases and sales or maturities of trading securities

    59,034     (60,623)     7,864

Unrealized (gain) loss on trading securities

    1,231     (5,101)     (4,779)

Loss on sale and retirement of property and equipment

    2,059     201     1,009

Capital gains and dividends reinvested

    -     (365)     (1,141)

Deferred income taxes

    2,395     (5,200)     4,093

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents - restricted

    30,628     (8,256)     (24,228)

Receivables from funds and separate accounts

    (4,608)     7,714     (1,409)

Other receivables

    (32,260)     94,678     (117,820)

Other assets

    (512)     (4,245)     (1,480)

Deferred sales commissions

    (57,933)     (58,968)     (54,711)

Accounts payable and payable to investment companies

    (2,002)     (88,946)     139,528

Other liabilities

    3,266     9,263     17,252
             

Net cash provided by operating activities

    283,139     140,643     155,179
             

Cash flows from investing activities:

                 

Purchases of available for sale investment securities

    (102,451)     (76,961)     (21,364)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available for sale investment securities

    92,282     26,463     15,052

Additions to property and equipment

    (20,078)     (17,313)     (30,861)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

    5     5     7,685
             

Net cash used in investing activities

    (30,242)     (67,806)     (29,488)
             

Cash flows from financing activities:

                 

Debt repayment

    -     (10,000)     -

Dividends paid

    (68,766)     (65,194)     (65,018)

Repurchase of common stock

    (65,463)     (65,872)     (43,565)

Exercise of stock options

    5,080     13,057     14,136

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

    8,020     6,128     2,787
             

Net cash used in financing activities

    (121,129)     (121,881)     (91,660)
             

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    131,768     (49,044)     34,031

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    195,315     244,359     210,328
             

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  $ 327,083     195,315     244,359
             

Cash paid for:

                 

Income taxes (net)

  $ 105,080     92,038     50,369

Interest

  $ 10,426     10,920     12,266

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

    

1.     Description of Business

        Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as the "Company," "we," "our" and "us") derive revenues from investment management, investment product underwriting and distribution, and shareholder services administration provided to the Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds (the "Advisors Funds"), Ivy Funds (the "Ivy Funds"), Ivy Funds Variable Insurance Portfolios (the "Ivy Funds VIP") and InvestEd Portfolios ("InvestEd") (collectively, the Advisors Funds, Ivy Funds, Ivy Funds VIP and InvestEd are referred to as the "Funds"), and institutional and separately managed accounts. The Funds and the institutional and separately managed accounts operate under various rules and regulations set forth by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Services to the Funds are provided under investment management agreements, underwriting agreements and shareholder servicing and accounting service agreements that set forth the fees to be charged for these services. The majority of these agreements are subject to annual review and approval by each Fund's board of trustees and shareholders. Our revenues are largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under management. Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and composition of assets under management can significantly impact revenues and results of operations.

2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts in the accompanying financial statements and notes are rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated. Certain amounts in the prior years' financial statements have been reclassified for consistent presentation.

Use of Estimates

        GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies. Estimates are used for, but are not limited to, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, valuation of assets, pension and postretirement obligations, and contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and short-term investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities upon acquisition of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents — restricted represents cash held for the benefit of customers segregated in compliance with federal and other regulations.

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        Fair value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables, payables and long-term debt approximates carrying value. Fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. Otherwise, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

Investment Securities and Investments in Affiliated Mutual Funds

        Our investments are comprised of United States, state and government obligations, corporate debt securities and investments in affiliated mutual funds. Investments are classified as available for sale or trading. Unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of related tax effects, are excluded from earnings until realized and are reported as a separate component of comprehensive income. For trading securities, unrealized holding gains and losses are included in earnings. Realized gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method for investment securities, other than mutual funds. For mutual funds, realized gains and losses are computed using the average cost method.

        Our available for sale investments are reviewed each quarter and adjusted for other than temporary declines in value. We consider factors affecting the issuer and the industry the issuer operates in, general market trends including interest rates, and our ability and intent to hold an investment until it has recovered. Consideration is given to the length of time an investment's market value has been below carrying value and prospects for recovery to carrying value. When a decline in the fair value of equity securities is determined to be other than temporary, the unrealized loss recorded net of tax in other comprehensive income is realized as a charge to net income and a new cost basis is established for financial reporting purposes. When a decline in the fair value of debt securities is determined to be other than temporary, the amount of the impairment recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. If so, the other than temporary impairment recognized in earnings is equal to the entire difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If not, the portion of the impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings while the portion of the impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment are carried at cost. The costs of improvements that extend the life of a fixed asset are capitalized, while the costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are calculated and recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset (or lease term if shorter), generally three to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and computer software; five to 10 years for data processing equipment; 10 to 30 years for buildings; three to 26 years for equipment; and up to 15 years for leasehold improvements, which is the lesser of the lease term or expected life.

Software Developed for Internal Use

        Certain internal costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with "Intangibles — Goodwill and Other Topic," ASC 350. Internal costs capitalized are included in property and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheets, and were $12.4 million and $14.0 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization begins when the software project is complete and ready for its intended use and continues over the estimated useful life, generally five to 10 years.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

        Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the Company's investment in the net assets of acquired companies over the fair value of the underlying identifiable net assets at the dates of acquisition. Goodwill

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

is not amortized, but is reviewed annually for impairment in the second quarter of each year and when events or circumstances occur that indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Factors that the Company considers important in determining whether an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets might exist include significant continued underperformance compared to peers, the likelihood of termination or non-renewal of a mutual fund advisory or subadvisory contract or substantial changes in revenues earned from such contracts, significant changes in our business and products, material and ongoing negative industry or economic trends, or other factors specific to each asset being evaluated.

        The Company has two reporting units for goodwill: (i) investment management and related services and (ii) our Legend group of subsidiaries ("Legend"). The investment management and related services reporting unit's goodwill was recorded as part of the spin-off of the Company from its former parent, and to a lesser extent, was recorded as part of subsequent business combinations that were merged into the existing investment management operations. Legend, our second reporting unit for goodwill, is currently a stand-alone investment management subsidiary and goodwill associated with this acquisition can be assessed apart from other investment management operations.

        To determine fair values of the reporting units, our review process uses the market and income approaches. In performing the analyses, the Company uses the best information available under the circumstances, including reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections.

        The market approach employs market multiples for comparable companies in the financial services industry. Estimates of fair values of the reporting units are established using multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"). The Company believes that fair values calculated based on multiples of EBITDA are an accurate estimation of fair value.

        If the fair value coverage margin calculated under the market approach is not considered significant, the Company utilizes a second approach, the income approach, to estimate fair values and averages the results under both methodologies. The income approach employs a discounted free cash flow approach that takes into account current actual results, projected future results, and the Company's estimated weighted average cost of capital.

        The Company compares the fair values of the reporting units to their carrying amounts, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.

        Indefinite-life intangible assets represent advisory and subadvisory management contracts for managed assets obtained in acquisitions. The Company considers these contracts to be indefinite-life intangible assets as they are expected to be renewed without significant cost or modification of terms. The Company also tests these assets for impairment annually by comparing their fair values to the carrying amount of the assets.

Deferred Sales Commissions

        We defer certain costs, principally sales commissions and related compensation, which are paid to financial advisors and broker/dealers in connection with the sale of certain mutual fund shares sold without a front-end load sales charge. The costs incurred at the time of the sale of Class B shares are amortized on a straight-line basis over five years, which approximates the expected life of the shareholders' investments. The costs incurred at the time of the sale of Class C shares are amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 months. In addition, the costs incurred at the time of the sale of shares for certain asset allocation

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

products are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis, not to exceed three years. We recover these deferred costs through Rule 12b-1 and other distribution fees, which are paid on the Class B and Class C shares of the Advisors Funds and Ivy Funds, along with contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") paid by shareholders who redeem their shares prior to completion of the required holding period (three years for shares of certain asset allocation products, six years for a Class B share and 12 months for a Class C share), as well as through client fees paid on the asset allocation products. Should we lose our ability to recover such sales commissions through distribution fees or CDSCs, the value of these assets would immediately decline, as would future cash flows. We periodically review the recoverability of the deferred sales commission assets as events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable and adjust them accordingly.

Revenue Recognition

        We recognize investment management fees as earned over the period in which services are rendered. We charge the Funds daily based upon average daily net assets under management in accordance with investment management agreements between the Funds and the Company. In general, the majority of investment management fees earned from institutional and separate accounts are charged either monthly or quarterly based upon an average of net assets under management in accordance with such investment management agreements.

        Shareholder service fees are recognized monthly and are calculated based on the number of accounts or assets under management as applicable. Other administrative service fee revenues are recognized when contractual obligations are fulfilled or as services are provided.

        Underwriting and distribution commission revenues resulting from the sale of investment products are recognized on the trade date.

        Fee-based asset allocation revenues are charged quarterly based upon average daily net assets under management.

        We also recognize distribution revenues monthly for certain types of investment products, primarily variable annuity products that are generally calculated based upon average daily net assets under management.

Advertising and Promotion

        We expense all advertising and promotion costs as incurred. Advertising expense was $10.2 million, $5.6 million and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and is classified in both underwriting and distribution expense and general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Share-Based Compensation

        We account for share-based compensation expense using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, share-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of share-based awards measured at grant date, is recognized over the service period, and is adjusted each period for anticipated forfeitures. The Company also issues share-based awards to our financial advisors (our sales force) who are independent contractors. Changes in the Company's share price result in variable compensation expense over the vesting period. The fair value of options granted are calculated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

model. The Black-Scholes model incorporates assumptions as to dividend yield, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility and expected life of the option.

Accounting for Income Taxes

        Income tax expense is based on pre-tax financial accounting income, including adjustments made for the recognition or derecognition related to uncertain tax positions. The recognition or derecognition of income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions is determined under the guidance as prescribed by "Income Taxes Topic, " ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. A valuation allowance is recognized for deferred tax assets if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the asset will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

        Derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The Company periodically uses interest rate swaps to manage risks associated with interest rate volatility. All derivative instruments have been designated as hedges, in accordance with GAAP. If the underlying hedged transaction ceases to exist, all changes in fair value of the related derivatives that have not been settled are recognized in current earnings or amortized over the term of the hedged transaction. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to market with changes recognized in current earnings. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes and is not a party to leveraged derivatives.

3.     Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

        In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-04, " Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs" ("ASU 2011-04"). This ASU was issued concurrently with International Financial Reporting Standard ("IFRS") 13, " Fair Value Measurements" ("IFRS 13"), to provide largely identical guidance about fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The new standards do not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provide guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under IFRS or U.S. GAAP. For U.S. GAAP, most of the changes are clarifications of existing guidance or wording changes to align with IFRS 13. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is required to be applied prospectively. In the period of adoption, a reporting entity will be required to disclose a change, if any, in valuation technique and related inputs that result from applying the ASU and to quantify the total effect, if practicable. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 in 2012 will not impact the Company's consolidated financial results but may result in changes to fair value footnote disclosures.

        In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, " Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income" ("ASU 2011-05"). Under this ASU, an entity has the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The ASU eliminates the option in U.S. GAAP to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. With the issuance of ASU 2011-12, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 22):

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05" ("ASU 2011-12"), in December 2011, the FASB deferred the effective date of changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and are required to be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently in compliance with these standards.

        In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, "Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment" ("ASU 2011-08"). This ASU permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity concludes it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, it need not perform the two-step impairment test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company will comply with this standard upon adoption in 2012.

4.     Investment Securities

        Investment securities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

2011
  Amortized
cost
  Unrealized
gains
  Unrealized
losses
  Fair value
 
  (in thousands)

Available for sale securities:

                       

Mortgage-backed securities

  $ 9     2     -     11

Municipal bonds

    2,549     -     (13)     2,536

Corporate bonds

    45,893     170     (89)     45,974

Affiliated mutual funds

    51,456     2,738     (5,379)     48,815
                 

  $ 99,907     2,910     (5,481)     97,336
                 

Trading securities:

                       

Mortgage-backed securities

                      63

Municipal bonds

                      500

Corporate bonds

                      17,319

Common stock

                      37

Affiliated mutual funds

                      20,242
                       

                      38,161
                       

Total investment securities

                      135,497
                       

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 

2010
  Amortized
cost
  Unrealized
gains
  Unrealized
losses
  Fair value
 
  (in thousands)

Available for sale securities:

                       

U.S. treasury bills(1)

  $ 56,961                 56,961

Mortgage-backed securities

    10     2     -     12

Municipal bonds

    2,729     -     (185)     2,544

Affiliated mutual funds

    28,633     5,662     (37)     34,258
                 

  $ 88,333     5,664     (222)     93,775
                 

Trading securities:

                       

Commercial paper

                      4,997

U.S. treasury bills(1)

                      60,958

Mortgage-backed securities

                      73

Municipal bonds

                      487

Corporate bonds

                      50

Common stock

                      201

Affiliated mutual funds

                      32,070
                       

                      98,836
                       

Total investment securities

                      192,611
                       

(1)
U.S. treasury bills at December 31, 2010 had maturities of less than 180 days at the date of purchase.

        A summary of available for sale debt securities and affiliated mutual funds with fair values below carrying values at December 31, 2011 is as follows:

 
  Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total
 
  Fair value   Unrealized
losses
  Fair value   Unrealized
losses
  Fair value   Unrealized
losses
 
  (in thousands)

Municipal bonds

  $ -     -     2,536     (13)     2,536     (13)

Corporate bonds

    16,769     (89)     -     -     16,769     (89)

Affiliated mutual funds

    36,801     (5,362)     209     (17)     37,010     (5,379)
                         

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 53,570     (5,451)     2,745     (30)     56,315     (5,481)
                         

        Based upon our assessment of these municipal bonds, corporate bonds and affiliated mutual funds, the time frame investments have been in a loss position, our intent to hold affiliated mutual funds until they have recovered and our history of holding bonds until maturity, we determined that a write-down was not necessary at December 31, 2011.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        During the first quarter of 2009, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.7 million to reflect the "other than temporary" decline in value of certain of the Company's investments in affiliated mutual funds as the fair value of these investments had been below cost for an extended period. This charge is recorded in investment and other income in the consolidated statement of income for 2009.

        Mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds and corporate bonds accounted for as available for sale and held as of December 31, 2011 mature as follows:

 
  Amortized
cost
  Fair value
 
  (in thousands)

Within one year

  $ 14,680     14,619

After one year but within 10 years

    32,770     32,913

After 10 years

    1,001     989
         

  $ 48,451     48,521
         

        Mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds and corporate bonds accounted for as trading and held as of December 31, 2011 mature as follows:

 
  Fair value    
 
  (in thousands)
   

Within one year

  $ 5,081      

After one year but within 10 years

    12,738      

After 10 years

    63      
           

  $ 17,882      
           

        Investment securities with fair values of $55.7 million, $45.1 million and $24.7 million were sold during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During 2011, net realized gains of $2.3 million and $1.4 million were recognized from the sale of $22.1 million in available for sale securities and the sale of $33.6 million in trading securities, respectively. During 2010, net realized gains of $2.9 million and $2.9 million were recognized from the sale of $24.2 million in available for sale securities and the sale of $20.9 million in trading securities, respectively. During 2009, net gains of $2.6 million and $126 thousand were recognized from the sale of $14.7 million in available for sale securities and the sale of $10.0 million in trading securities, respectively.

        The aggregate carrying amount of our equity method investments, classified in other assets, was $5.6 million and $6.9 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2011, our investments consist of limited partnership interests in venture capital funds.

        Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the asset. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset. An individual investment's fair value measurement is assigned a level based upon the

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows:

        Assets classified as Level 2 can have a variety of observable inputs, including, but not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker quotes, benchmark securities and bid/offer quotations. These observable inputs are collected and utilized, primarily by an independent pricing service, in different evaluated pricing approaches depending upon the specific asset to determine a value. Securities' values classified as Level 3 are primarily determined through the use of a single quote (or multiple quotes) from dealers in the securities using proprietary valuation models. These quotes involve significant unobservable inputs, and thus the related securities are classified as Level 3 securities.

        The following tables summarize our investment securities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 that are recognized in our consolidated balance sheets using fair value measurements based on the differing levels of inputs:

2011
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
  (in thousands)

Mortgage-backed securities

  $ -     74     -     74

Municipal bonds

    -     3,036     -     3,036

Corporate bonds

    -     63,293     -     63,293

Common stock

    37     -     -     37

Affiliated mutual funds

    69,057     -     -     69,057
                 

Total

  $ 69,094   $ 66,403   $ -   $ 135,497
                 

 

2010
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
  (in thousands)

Commercial paper

  $ 4,997     -     -     4,997

U.S. treasury bills

    117,919     -     -     117,919

Mortgage-backed securities

    -     85           85

Municipal bonds

    -     3,031     -     3,031

Corporate bonds

    -     50     -     50

Common stock

    201     -     -     201

Affiliated mutual funds

    66,328     -     -     66,328
                 

Total

  $ 189,445   $ 3,166   $ -   $ 192,611
                 

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

5.     Property and Equipment

        A summary of property and equipment at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 
  2011   2010   Estimated
useful lives
 
  (in thousands)
   

Leasehold improvements

  $ 19,678     19,827     1 - 15 years

Furniture and fixtures

    31,840     30,137     3 - 10 years

Equipment

    18,864     17,366     3 - 26 years

Computer software

    72,799     67,830     3 - 10 years

Data processing equipment

    21,178     22,190     5 - 10 years

Building

    3,765     -     10 - 30 years

Land

    1,940     -      
               

Property and equipment, at cost

    170,064     157,350      

Accumulated depreciation

    (96,036)     (86,102)      
               

Property and equipment, net

  $ 74,028     71,248      
               

        Depreciation expense was $15.2 million, $14.0 million and $13.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had property and equipment under capital leases with a cost of $1.8 million and accumulated depreciation of $1.0 million.

6.     Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

        Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets of an acquired business. Our goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (all considered indefinite lived) at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 
  2011   2010
 
  (in thousands)

Goodwill

  $ 202,518     202,518

Accumulated amortization

    (36,307)     (36,307)
         

Total goodwill

    166,211     166,211

Mutual fund management advisory contracts

   
38,699
   
38,699

Mutual fund management subadvisory contracts

    16,300     16,300
         

Total indentifiable intangible assets

    54,999     54,999
         

Total

  $ 221,210     221,210
         

        In 2011, the Company's annual impairment test indicated that goodwill and identifiable intangible assets were not impaired. Related to goodwill, the fair value of the investment management and related services reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by more than 100% and the fair value of the Legend

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by more than 65%. The fair value of our indefinite-life intangible assets exceeded their respective carrying values by more than 90%.

        The Company has recognized total goodwill impairment charges of $27.2 million, all related to a subsidiary sold in 2009, Austin Calvert & Flavin, Inc. ("ACF"), since the adoption of "Intangibles — Goodwill and Other Topic," ASC 350 in 2002.

7.     Sale of Austin, Calvert & Flavin, Inc.

        On July 15, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, ACF, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated June 26, 2009. Prior to the closing date, ACF had 10 employees and assets under management of $488.0 million. The agreement included an earnout provision based on a percentage of revenues on existing accounts over the three-year period subsequent to the closing date. The earnout provision was fully settled with a payment received during 2010.

        We recorded charges for severance and other transaction costs of $1.1 million in connection with the divestiture of our investment in ACF in 2009, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the 2009 consolidated statement of income.

        For tax purposes, this sale resulted in a capital loss of $28.4 million, a portion of which was utilized against capital gains in the current period and prior periods. See Note 9 for information related to the capital loss.

8.     Indebtedness

        On January 13, 2006, the Company issued $200.0 million in principal amount 5.60% senior notes due 2011 (the "Notes") resulting in net proceeds of approximately $198.2 million (net of discounts, commissions and estimated expenses). Interest was payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 at a fixed rate of 5.60% per annum. Upon issuance of these Notes, the Company terminated two forward interest rate swap agreements entered into in 2005. In connection with the termination, we received a net cash settlement of $1.1 million. The Company's gain was amortized into earnings as a reduction to interest expense over the five year term of the Notes and was fully amortized as of December 31, 2010. During the first quarter of 2010, we repurchased $10.0 million of the Notes.

        On August 31, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to complete a $190.0 million private placement of senior unsecured notes that were issued and sold in two tranches: $95.0 million bearing interest at 5.0% and maturing January 13, 2018 (the "Series A Notes") and $95.0 million bearing interest of 5.75% and maturing January 13, 2021 (the "Series B Notes") (collectively, the "Senior Notes"). The agreement contained a delayed funding provision that allowed the Company to draw down the proceeds in January 2011 when the Notes matured. The Company used the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Senior Notes to repay in full the Notes. Interest is payable semi-annually in January and July of each year. The most restrictive provisions of the agreement require the Company to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio not to exceed 3.0 to 1.0 for four consecutive quarters and a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.0 to 1.0 for four consecutive quarters. The Company was in compliance with these covenants and similar covenants in prior facilities for all periods presented.

        The Company entered into a 364-day revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with various lenders, effective October 5, 2009, which provided for initial borrowings of up to $125.0 million and replaced the Company's previous revolving credit facility.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        The Company entered into a three year revolving credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") with various lenders, effective August 31, 2010, which provides for initial borrowings of up to $125.0 million and replaced the Credit Facility. Lenders could, at their option upon the Company's request, expand the New Credit Facility to $200.0 million. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding under the facility. Borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest at various rates including adjusted LIBOR or an alternative base rate plus, in each case, an incremental margin based on the Company's credit rating. The New Credit Facility also provides for a facility fee on the aggregate amount of commitments under the revolving facility (whether or not utilized). The facility fee is also based on the Company's credit rating level. The New Credit Facility's covenants match those outlined above for the Senior Notes.

        Debt is reported at its carrying amount in the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the Company's outstanding indebtedness is approximately $191.6 million at December 31, 2011 compared to the carrying value of $190.0 million. The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
  2011   2010
 
  (in thousands)

Principal amount unsecured 5.0% senior notes due in 2018

  $ 95,000     -

Principal amount unsecured 5.75% senior notes due in 2021

    95,000     -

Principal amount unsecured 5.60% senior notes due in 2011

    -     190,000

Discount on unsecured 5.60% senior notes due in 2011

    -     (1)
         

Total

  $ 190,000     189,999
         

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

9.     Income Taxes

        The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 consists of the following:

 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)

Currently payable:

                 

Federal

  $ 95,224     87,350     48,249

State

    9,651     7,381     4,312
             

    104,875     94,731     52,561

Deferred taxes

    2,394     (5,206)     4,090
             

Provision for income taxes

  $ 107,269     89,525     56,651
             

        The following table reconciles the statutory federal income tax rate with our effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 
  2011   2010   2009

Statutory federal income tax rate

    35.0%     35.0%     35.0%

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits

    2.5     2.1     1.9

State tax incentives

    (0.2)     (0.2)     (0.7)

Sale of ACF

    -     -     (6.0)

Valuation allowance on losses capital in nature

    (0.1)     (1.1)     4.1

Other items

    0.7     0.5     0.6
             

Effective income tax rate

    37.9%     36.3%     34.9%
             

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 
  2011   2010
 
  (in thousands)

Deferred tax liabilities:

           

Deferred sales commissions

  $ (7,861)     (7,880)

Property and equipment

    (13,240)     (10,489)

Benefit plans

    (9,617)     (5,651)

Identifiable intangible assets

    (8,523)     (8,449)

Unrealized gains on investment securities

    -     (2,002)

Purchase of fund assets

    (6,631)     (5,793)

Prepaid expenses

    (2,596)     (1,600)

Other

    -     (22)
         

Total gross deferred liabilities

    (48,468)     (41,886)
         

Deferred tax assets:

           

Acquisition lease liability

    1,135     1,308

Additional pension and postretirement liability

    26,403     13,171

Accrued expenses

    13,438     12,120

Unrealized losses on investment securities

    2,329     1,375

Capital loss carryforwards

    3,022     3,631

Nonvested stock

    19,051     14,974

Unused state tax credits

    1,123     1,131

State net operating loss carryforwards

    6,055     5,464

Other

    4,012     2,838
         

Total gross deferred assets

    76,568     56,012

Valuation allowance

    (11,374)     (8,233)
         

Net deferred tax asset

  $ 16,726     5,893
         

        In 2009, the Company sold ACF, which generated a capital loss available to offset potential future capital gains. Due to the character of the loss and the limited carryforward period permitted by law, the Company may not realize the full tax benefit of the capital loss. The capital loss carryforward, if not utilized, will expire in 2014. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had a deferred tax asset, net of federal tax effect, for a capital loss carryforward of $3.0 million and other net deferred tax assets that were capital in nature of $2.6 million. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had a deferred tax asset, net of federal tax effect, for a capital loss carryforward of $3.6 million and other net deferred tax liabilities which were capital in nature of approximately $0.6 million. Management believes it is not more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient future capital gains to realize the full benefit of these capital losses and accordingly, a valuation allowance in the amount of $5.6 million and $3.0 million has been recorded at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During 2011, declines in the Company's investment portfolios resulted in an increase of $2.6 million in the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets that are capital in nature. The decline in the investment portfolios was partially offset by realized capital gains in 2011, which allowed for the release of $0.4 million of the valuation allowance as a reduction to tax expense. The remaining $3.0 million increase in the valuation allowance was recorded as an increase to accumulated

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

other comprehensive loss. Certain subsidiaries of the Company have net operating loss carryforwards in certain states in which these companies file on a separate company basis. The deferred tax asset, net of federal tax effect, relating to the carryforwards as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is approximately $6.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The carryforwards, if not utilized, will expire between 2012 and 2031. Management believes it is not more likely than not that these subsidiaries will generate sufficient future taxable income in these states to realize the benefit of the net operating loss carryforwards and, accordingly, a valuation allowance in the amount of $5.8 million and $5.2 million has been recorded at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company has state tax credit carryforwards of $1.1 million as of both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Of these state tax credit carryforwards, $0.8 million will expire between 2019 and 2021 if not utilized and $0.3 million will expire in 2027 if not utilized. The Company anticipates these credits will be fully utilized prior to their expiration date.

        As of January 1, 2011, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest, of $6.6 million ($4.6 million net of federal benefit) that, if recognized, would impact the Company's effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest, of $9.8 million ($6.9 million net of federal benefit) that, if recognized, would impact the Company's effective tax rate. The unrecognized tax benefits that are not expected to be settled within the next 12 months are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets; unrecognized tax benefits that are expected to be settled within the next 12 months are included in income taxes payable.

        The Company's accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties is to classify these amounts as income taxes. As of January 1, 2011, the total amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions recognized in the consolidated balance sheet was $1.9 million ($1.5 million net of federal benefit). The total amount of penalties and interest, net of federal benefit, related to tax uncertainties recognized in the statement of income for the period ended December 31, 2011 was $0.3 million. The total amount of accrued penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2011 of $2.3 million ($1.8 million net of federal benefit) is included in the total unrecognized tax benefits described above.

        The following table summarizes the Company's reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding penalties and interest, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)

Balance at January 1

  $ 4,759     4,857     3,332

Increases during the year:

                 

Gross increases - tax positions in prior period

    1,684     189     1,071

Gross increases - current-period tax positions

    1,844     981     636

Decreases during the year:

                 

Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period

    (183)     (490)     (7)

Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities

    -     (629)     (1)

Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations

    (637)     (149)     (174)
             

Balance at December 31

  $ 7,467     4,759     4,857
             

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        In the ordinary course of business, many transactions occur for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, respective tax authorities periodically audit our income tax returns. These audits examine our significant tax filing positions, including the timing and amounts of deductions and the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. During 2011, the Company received notification of a favorable outcome on a tax position that the Company had previously considered partially uncertain, and therefore, had not previously recognized the full tax benefit. The Company did not settle any open tax years undergoing audits by state jurisdictions in which the Company operates. During 2010, the Company settled nine open tax years that were undergoing audits by state jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company also received notification of a favorable outcome on a tax position that the Company had previously considered partially uncertain, and therefore, had not previously recognized the full tax benefit. During 2009, the Company settled three open tax years that were undergoing audit by a state jurisdiction in which the Company operates. The 2008, 2009 and 2010 federal income tax returns are open tax years that remain subject to potential future audit. The 2005, 2006 and 2007 federal tax years also remain open to a limited extent due to capital loss carryback claims. State income tax returns for all years after 2007 and, in certain states, income tax returns prior to 2008, are subject to potential future audit by tax authorities in the Company's major state tax jurisdictions.

        The Company is currently being audited in various state jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that the Company will settle the audits in these jurisdictions within the next 12-month period. It is estimated that the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including penalties and interest, could decrease by approximately $0.5 million to $2.8 million ($0.3 million to $1.9 million net of federal benefit) upon settlement of these audits. Such settlements are not anticipated to have a significant impact on the results of operations.

10.   Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension

        We provide a non-contributory retirement plan that covers substantially all employees and certain vested employees of our former parent company (the "Pension Plan"). Benefits payable under the Pension Plan are based on employees' years of service and compensation during the final ten years of employment. We also sponsor an unfunded defined benefit postretirement medical plan that covers substantially all employees, including Waddell & Reed and Legend advisors. The medical plan is contributory with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The medical plan does not provide for post age 65 benefits with the exception of a small group of employees that were grandfathered when such plan was established.

        A reconciliation of the funded status of these plans and the assumptions related to the obligations at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 follows:

 
  Pension Benefits   Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)
Change in projected benefit obligation:                                    

Net benefit obligation at beginning of year

  $ 118,860     110,962     98,594     6,850     5,945     5,205

Service cost

    7,101     6,140     5,276     558     443     371

Interest cost

    7,195     6,596     6,386     402     364     343

Benefits paid

    (6,522)     (6,589)     (11,692)     (554)     (528)     (493)

Actuarial loss

    21,778     1,751     12,398     530     389     362

Retiree contributions

    -     -     -     359     237     157
                         

Net benefit obligation at end of year

  $ 148,412     118,860     110,962     8,145     6,850     5,945
                         

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plan was $124.7 million and $102.7 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
  Pension Benefits   Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)
Change in plan assets:                                    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $ 106,568     91,551     78,020     -     -     -

Actual return on plan assets

    (6,642)     9,106     15,223     -     -     -

Employer contributions

    10,000     12,500     10,000     195     291     336

Retiree contributions

    -     -     -     359     237     157

Benefits paid

    (6,522)     (6,589)     (11,692)     (554)     (528)     (493)
                         

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  $ 103,404     106,568     91,551     -     -     -
                         
Funded status at end of year   $ (45,008)     (12,292)     (19,411)     (8,145)     (6,850)     (5,945)
                         

 

 
  Pension Benefits   Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands, except percentage data)
Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position:                                    

Current liabilities

  $ -     -     -     (289)     (303)     (250)

Noncurrent liabilities

    (45,008)     (12,292)     (19,411)     (7,856)     (6,547)     (5,695)
                         

Net amount recognized at end of year

  $ (45,008)     (12,292)     (19,411)     (8,145)     (6,850)     (5,945)
                         
Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income:                                    

Transition obligation

  $ (37)     (42)     (47)     -     -     -

Prior service cost

    (2,932)     (3,486)     (4,041)     (183)     (238)     (284)

Accumulated loss

    (66,747)     (31,369)     (32,842)     (999)     (469)     (79)
                         

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    (69,716)     (34,897)     (36,930)     (1,182)     (707)     (363)

Cumulative employer contributions in

                                   

excess of net periodic benefit cost

    24,708     22,605     17,519     (6,963)     (6,143)     (5,582)
                         

Net amount recognized at end of year

  $ (45,008)     (12,292)     (19,411)     (8,145)     (6,850)     (5,945)
                         
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31:                                    
Discount rate     4.99%     6.00%     6.25%     5.00%     6.00%     6.25%
Rate of compensation increase     4.04%     3.86%     3.86%     Not applicable

        In 2011, the discount rate assumption used to determine the pension and other postretirement benefits obligations was based on the Aon Hewitt AA Only Above Median Yield Curve. This discount rate was determined separately for each plan by plotting the expected benefit payments from each plan against a yield curve of high quality, zero coupon bonds and calculating the single rate that would produce the same present value of liabilities as the yield curve. Prior to 2011, the discount rate assumption was based on the Mercer Bond Model, which calculated the yield on a theoretical portfolio of high-grade corporate bonds with cash flows that generally matched our expected benefit payments. To the extent scheduled bond

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December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

proceeds exceeded the estimated benefit payments in a given period, the yield calculation assumed those excess proceeds were reinvested at the one-year forward rates implied by the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve.

        Our Pension Plan asset allocation at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

Plan assets by category
  Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31, 2011
  Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

    7%     5%

Equity securities:

           

Domestic

    43%     34%

International

    38%     47%

Gold bullion

    12%     14%
         

Total

    100%     100%
         

        The primary investment objective is to maximize growth of the Pension Plan assets to meet the projected obligations to the beneficiaries over a long period of time, and to do so in a manner that is consistent with the Company's earnings strength and risk tolerance. Asset allocation is the most important decision in managing the assets and it is reviewed regularly. The asset allocation policy considers the Company's financial strength and long-term asset class risk/return expectations since the obligations are long-term in nature. As of December 31, 2011, our Pension Plan assets were invested in our Asset Strategy style, and are managed by our in-house investment professionals.

        Asset Strategy invests in the domestic or foreign market that is believed to offer the greatest probability of return or, alternatively, that provides the highest degree of safety in uncertain times. This style may allocate its assets among stocks, bonds and short-term investments and since the allocation is dynamically managed and able to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented by the market, there is not a predetermined asset allocation. Dependent on the outlook for the U.S. and global economies, our investment managers make top-down allocations among stocks, bonds, cash, precious metals and currency markets around the globe. After determining allocations, we seek the best opportunities within each market. Derivative instruments play an important role in this style's investment process, to manage risk and maximize stability of the assets in the portfolio.

        At December 31, 2011, the Pension Plan had multiple investment concentrations that are not typical of a classic pension plan, including a significant weighting of plan assets invested in equity securities, including 38% international equities, of which a third was invested in Chinese equities. The Pension Plan also had 12% of plan assets invested in gold bullion.

        Risk management is primarily the responsibility of the investment portfolio manager, who incorporates it with their day-to-day research and management. Although investment flexibility is essential to this style's investment process, the Pension Plan does not invest in a number of asset classes that are commonly referred to as alternative investments, namely venture capital, private equity funds, direct real estate properties, timber, or oil, gas or other mineral explorations or development programs or leases. The Pension Plan also has a number of specific guidelines that serve to manage investment risk by placing limits on net securities exposure and concentration of assets within specific companies or industries.

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December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        We determine the fair value of our Pension Plan assets using broad levels of inputs as defined by related accounting standards and categorized as Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3, as previously defined in Note 4. The following tables summarize our Pension Plan assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:

2011
  Level 1
  Level 2
  Level 3
  Total
             
 
  (in thousands)

Equity securities:

                       

Domestic

  $ 44,818     -     -     44,818

International

    38,942     -     -     38,942

Fixed income securities:

                       

Mortgage-backed security

    -     98     -     98

Gold bullion

    12,857     -     -     12,857
     

Total investment securities

    96,617     98     -     96,715

Cash and other

                      6,689
                       

Total

                    $ 103,404
                       

 

2010
  Level 1
  Level 2
  Level 3
  Total
             
 
  (in thousands)

Equity securities:

                       

Domestic

  $ 36,488     -     -     36,488

International

    49,864     -     -     49,864

Fixed income securities:

                       

Foreign bonds

    -     73     -     73

Mortgage-backed security

    -     130     -     130

Gold bullion

    14,382     -     -     14,382
     

Total investment securities

    100,734     203     -     100,937

Cash and other

                      5,631
                       

Total

                    $ 106,568
                       

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        The table that follows summarizes the activity of plan assets categorized as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2009. There was no Level 3 activity during the years ended December 31, 2011 or 2010.

   
  Options
   
  (in thousands)
 

Balance at December 31, 2008

  $ (11)
 

Purchases, issuances and settlements

   
262
 

Actual return on plan assets, sold during the period

    (123)
 

Proceeds from sales

    (128)
       
 

Balance at December 31, 2009

  $ -
       

        The 7.75% expected long-term rate of return on Pension Plan assets reflects management's expectations of long-term average rates of return on funds invested to provide for benefits included in the projected benefit obligations. The plan expects a relatively high return because of the types of investment the portfolio incorporates, the success the portfolio managers have had with generating returns in excess of passive management in those types of investments, and the past history of returns. The ability to use a high concentration of equities, especially international equities, within the plan's investment policy presents portfolio managers the opportunity to earn higher returns than other investment strategies that are restricted to owning lower returning asset classes. The expected return is based on the outlook for inflation, fixed income returns and equity returns, while also considering historical returns, asset allocation and investment strategy.

        The components of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs and the assumptions related to those costs consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 
  Pension Benefits   Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands)

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

                                   

Service cost

  $ 7,101     6,140     5,276     558     443     371

Interest cost

    7,195     6,596     6,387     402     364     343

Expected return on plan assets

    (8,764)     (7,499)     (6,428)            

Actuarial loss amortization

    1,805     1,617     1,595            

Prior service cost amortization

    555     555     555     55     45     39

Transition obligation amortization

    5     5     5            
                         

Net periodic benefit cost

  $ 7,897     7,414     7,390     1,015     852     753
                         

        The estimated net loss, prior service cost and transition obligation for the Pension Plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2012 are $4.1 million, $555 thousand and $5 thousand, respectively. The estimated net loss and prior service cost for

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December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

the postretirement medical plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2012 are $12 thousand and $55, thousand respectively.

 
  Pension Benefits   Postretirement Benefits
 
  2011   2010   2009   2011   2010   2009
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:                                    

Discount rate

    6.00%     6.25%     6.75%     6.00%     6.25%     6.75%

Expected return on plan assets

    7.75%     7.75%     7.75%     Not applicable

Rate of compensation increase

    3.86%     3.86%     (1)     Not applicable

(1)
Rate of compensation increase was 0% for 2009, 2.5% for 2010 and 3.86% for 2011 and after.

        We expect the following benefit payments to be paid, which reflect future service as appropriate:

 
  Pension Benefits   Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
  (in thousands)

2012

  $ 6,408     289

2013

    7,823     364

2014

    8,572     407

2015

    8,034     424

2016

    10,096     450

2017 through 2021

    56,878     2,952
         

  $ 97,811     4,886
         

        Our policy with respect to funding the Pension Plan is to fund at least the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and not more than the maximum amount deductible for tax purposes. All contributions made to the Pension Plan for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were voluntary. Contributions are not expected to exceed $20 million for 2012. A contribution of $10 million was made to the Pension Plan in January 2012.

        All Company contributions to other postretirement medical benefits are voluntary, as the postretirement medical plan is not funded and is not subject to any minimum regulatory funding requirements. The contributions for each year represent claims paid for medical expenses, and we anticipate making the 2012 expected contribution with cash generated from operations. Contributions by participants to the postretirement plan were $359 thousand, $237 thousand and $157 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        For measurement purposes, the initial health care cost trend rate was 9.51% for 2011, 10% for 2010 and 9% for 2009. The health care cost trend rate reflects anticipated increases in health care costs. The initial assumed growth rate of 9.51% for 2011 is assumed to gradually decline over the next 16 years to a rate of 4.5%. The effect of a 1% annual increase in assumed cost trend rates would increase the December 31, 2011 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $1.0 million, and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2011 by approximately $137 thousand. The effect of a 1% annual decrease in assumed cost trend rates would decrease the December 31, 2011 accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by approximately $866 thousand, and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2011 by approximately $115 thousand.

        We also sponsor the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated (the "SERP"), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan covering eligible employees. The SERP provides certain benefits for Company officers that the Pension Plan is prevented from providing because of compensation and benefit limits in the Internal Revenue Code.

        The SERP was adopted to supplement the annual pension paid to certain senior executive officers. Each calendar year, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") credits participants' SERP accounts with (i) an amount equal to 4% of the executive's base salary, less the amount of the maximum employer matching contribution available under our 401(k) plan, and (ii) a non-formula award, if any, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. There were no discretionary awards made to participants during 2011, 2010 or 2009. Additionally, each calendar year, participants' accounts are credited (or charged) with an amount equal to the performance of certain hypothetical or investment vehicles since the last preceding year. Upon a participant's separation, or at such other time based on a pre-existing election by a participant, benefits accumulated under the SERP are payable in installments or in a lump sum. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the aggregate liability to participants was $3.7 million.

        At December 31, 2011, the accrued pension and postretirement liability recorded in the consolidated balance sheet was comprised of accrued pension costs of $45.0 million, a liability for postretirement benefits in the amount of $7.8 million and an accrued liability for SERP benefits of $3.7 million. The current portion of postretirement liability of $0.3 million is included in other current liabilities on the balance sheet. At December 31, 2010, the accrued pension and postretirement liability recorded on the balance sheet was comprised of accrued pension costs of $12.3 million, a liability for postretirement benefits in the amount of $6.5 million and an accrued liability for SERP benefits of $3.7 million. The current portion of postretirement liability of $0.3 million is included in other current liabilities on the balance sheet.

11.   Employee Savings Plan

        We sponsor a defined contribution plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide retirement benefits to substantially all of our employees following the completion of an eligibility period. As allowed under Section 401(k), the plan provides tax-deferred salary deductions for eligible employees. Our matching contributions to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $4.7 million, $4.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

12.   Stockholders' Equity

Earnings per Share

        For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, earnings per share were computed as follows:

 
  2011   2010   2009
 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 175,459     156,959     105,505
             

Weighted average shares outstanding — basic

    85,783     85,618     85,484

Dilutive potential shares from stock options

    10     29     60
             

Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted

    85,793     85,647     85,544
             

Earnings per share:

                 

Basic

  $ 2.05     1.83     1.23

Diluted

  $ 2.05     1.83     1.23

Anti-dilutive Securities

        Options to purchase 16 thousand shares, 203 thousand shares and 777 thousand shares of Class A common stock ("common stock") were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

Dividends

        We declared dividends on our common stock of $0.85 per share, $0.77 per share and $0.76 per share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, other current liabilities included $21.4 million and $17.1 million, respectively, for dividends payable to stockholders.

        The Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend on our common stock from $0.20 per share to $0.25 per share beginning with our fourth quarter 2011 dividend, paid on February 1, 2012.

Common Stock Repurchases

        The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and/or private purchases. The acquired shares may be used for corporate purposes, including shares issued to employees in our stock-based compensation programs. There were 1,951,331 shares, 2,043,545 shares and 1,870,034 shares repurchased in the open market or privately during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which includes 494,207 shares, 426,665 shares and 327,301 shares repurchased from employees who elected to tender shares to cover their minimum tax withholdings with respect to vesting of stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

13.   Share-Based Compensation

        The Company has three stock-based compensation plans: the Company 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "SI Plan"), the Company 1998 Executive Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated (the "ESA Plan") and the Company 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated (the "NED Plan") (collectively, the "Stock Plans").

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December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        The SI Plan allows us to grant equity compensation awards, including, among other awards, non-qualified stock options and nonvested stock as part of our overall compensation program to attract and retain key personnel and encourage a greater personal financial investment in the Company. All of the Stock Plans also allow us to grant non-qualified stock options and/or nonvested stock to promote the long-term growth of the Company. A maximum of 30.0 million shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the SI Plan. A maximum of 3.75 million and 1.2 million shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the ESA Plan and NED Plan, respectively. In total, 9,873,142 shares of common stock are available for issuance as of December 31, 2011 under these plans. In addition, we make incentive payments under the Company 2003 Executive Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "EIP") in the form of cash, stock options, nonvested stock or a combination thereof. Incentive awards paid under the EIP in the form of stock options or nonvested stock, or granted following the conversion of cash bonus amounts into stock options and/or nonvested stock, are issued out of shares reserved for issuance under the SI and ESA Plans. Generally, shares of common stock covered by terminated, surrendered or cancelled options, by forfeited nonvested stock, or by the forfeiture of other awards that do not result in issuance of shares of common stock are again available for awards under the plan from which they were terminated, surrendered, cancelled or forfeited.

        Under our Stock Plans, the exercise price of a stock option is equal to the closing market price of Company common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of non-qualified options granted under the SI Plan is ten years and two days and the options generally vest in 33 1 / 3 % increments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. The maximum term of non-qualified options granted under the ESA Plan and NED Plan is 11 years and the options generally vest 10% each year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Our Stock Plans include a Stock Option Restoration Program feature (the "SORP") that allows, on the first trading day of August, a holder to pay the exercise price on vested in-the-money options by surrendering common stock of the Company that has been owned for at least six months. This feature also permits a holder exercising an option to be granted new options in an amount equal to the number of common shares used to satisfy both the exercise price and withholding taxes due upon exercise. New options are granted with an expiration date equal to that of the original option and vest six months after the grant date. The SORP results in a net issuance of shares of common stock and fewer stock options outstanding. We receive a current income tax benefit for stock option exercises.

        Nonvested stock awards are valued on the date of grant, have no purchase price and generally vest over four years in 33 1 / 3 % increments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. The Company also issues nonvested stock awards to our financial advisors (our sales force) who are independent contractors. These awards have the same terms as awards issued to employees; however, changes in the Company's share price result in variable compensation expense over the vesting period. Under the Stock Plans, nonvested shares are forfeited upon the termination of employment with or service to the Company, as applicable, or service on the Board of Directors, dependent upon the circumstances of termination. Except for restrictions placed on the transferability of nonvested stock, holders of nonvested stock have full stockholders' rights during the term of restriction, including voting rights and the rights to receive cash dividends.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

(a)
Stock Options

        A summary of stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2011 is presented in the table below. All options outstanding expire prior to December 31, 2013.

 
  Options   Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Weighted
average
remaining
contractual term
(in years)

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    298,295   $ 29.98     0.69

Granted

             

Exercised

    (165,721)     30.65      

Terminated/Canceled

    (104,979)     29.26      
               

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

    27,595   $ 28.64     0.62
               

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

    27,595   $ 28.64     0.62
               

        The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options and exercisable options as of December 31, 2011 was $42 thousand. The total intrinsic value (on date of exercise) of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1.4 million, $2.0 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The related income tax benefit recognized was $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        SORP options with vesting periods of six months were the only options granted during 2009. There were no options granted in 2010 or 2011. Compensation expense related to options issued under the SORP of $9 thousand and $90 thousand was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2009 was $8.68. The grant date fair value of options granted was calculated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions as follows:

Dividend yield

    2.71%

Risk-free interest rate

    0.88%

Expected volatility

    64.90%

Expected life (in years)

    1.79

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

(b)
Nonvested Stock

        A summary of nonvested share activity and related fair value for the year ended December 31, 2011 follows:

 
  Nonvested
Stock Shares
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at December 31, 2010

    4,697,209   $ 27.86

Granted

    1,632,699     36.19

Vested

    (1,427,409)     24.83

Forfeited

    (34,482)     30.42
           

Nonvested at December 31, 2011

    4,868,017   $ 31.52
           

        For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, compensation expense related to nonvested stock totaled $46.5 million, $40.3 million and $30.5 million, respectively. In 2009, we also recognized compensation expense of $400 thousand related to nonvested stock that was immediately vested for employees in connection with the divestiture of our investment in ACF. These costs are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income.

The related income tax benefit was $17.1 million, $14.9 million and $11.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which may be recognized upon vesting. As of December 31, 2011, the remaining unamortized expense of $101.9 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

        The total fair value of shares vested (at vest date) during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $52.5 million, $46.5 million and $23.3 million, respectively. The Company permits employees the right to tender a portion of their vested shares to the Company to satisfy the minimum tax withholding obligations of the Company with respect to vesting of the shares. During 2012, we expect to repurchase approximately 575 thousand shares from employees who elect to tender shares to cover their minimum tax withholdings.

14.   Uniform Net Capital Rule Requirements

        Three of our subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("W&R"), Legend Equities Corporation ("LEC"), and Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc. ("IFDI") are registered broker/dealers and members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Broker/dealers are subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15.0 to 1.0. The primary difference between net capital and stockholders' equity is the non-allowable assets that are excluded from net capital.

        A broker/dealer may elect not to be subject to the Aggregate Indebtedness Standard of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of Rule 15c3-1, in which case net capital must exceed the greater of $250 thousand or 2% of aggregate debit items computed in accordance with the Formula for Determination of Reserve Requirements for broker/dealers. W&R made this election and thus is not subject to the aggregate indebtedness ratio as of December 31, 2011 or 2010.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

        Net capital and aggregated indebtedness information for our broker/dealer subsidiaries is presented in the following table as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
  (in thousands)
 
  2011   2010
 
  W&R   LEC   IFDI   W&R   LEC   IFDI

Net capital

  $ 34,524     1,654     45,579     39,563     2,547     38,663

Required capital

    250     251     2,353     250     185     2,425
                         

Excess of required capital

  $ 34,274     1,403     43,226     39,313     2,362     36,238
                         

Ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital

    Not applicable     2.28 to 1.0     0.77 to 1.0     Not applicable     1.09 to 1.0     0.94 to 1.0

15.   Rental Expense and Lease Commitments

        We lease our home office buildings, certain sales and other office space and equipment under long-term operating leases. Rent expense was $22.6 million, $23.0 million and $22.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

       Year     
  Commitments
 
  (in thousands)

2012

  $ 20,662

2013

    17,097

2014

    12,921

2015

    9,274

2016

    6,316

Thereafter

    27,543
     

  $ 93,813
     

        New leases are expected to be executed as existing leases expire. Thus, future minimum lease commitments are not expected to be materially different than those in 2011.

16.   Related Party Transactions

        We earn investment management fee revenues from the Funds for which we also act as an investment adviser, pursuant to an investment management agreement with each Fund. In addition, we have agreements with the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, pursuant to which distribution and service fees are collected from the Funds for distribution of mutual fund shares, for costs such as advertising and commissions paid to broker/dealers, and for providing ongoing services to shareholders of the Funds and/or maintaining shareholder accounts. We also earn service fee revenues by providing various services to the Funds and their shareholders pursuant to a shareholder servicing agreement with each Fund (except the Ivy Funds VIP) and an accounting service

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

agreement with each Fund. Certain of our officers and directors are also officers and/or trustees for the various Funds for which we act as an investment adviser. These agreements are approved or renewed on an annual basis by each Fund's board of trustees, including a majority of the disinterested members. Funds and separate accounts receivable includes amounts due from the Funds for aforementioned services.

17.   Contingencies

        The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings, regulatory investigations and claims incident to the normal conduct of business, which may include proceedings that are specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices within the industries in which we operate. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and on the results of operations in a particular quarter or year.

         Michael E. Taylor, Kenneth B. Young, individuals, on behalf of themselves individually and on behalf of others similarly situated v. Waddell & Reed, Inc., a Delaware Corporation; and DOES 1 through 10 inclusive; Case No. 09-CV-2909 DMS WVG; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

        In this action filed December 28, 2009, the Company was sued in an individual action, class action and Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") nationwide collective action by two former advisors asserting misclassification of financial advisors as independent contractors instead of employees. Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and a purported class of Waddell & Reed, Inc. financial advisors, assert claims under the FLSA for minimum wages and overtime wages, and under California Labor Code Statutes for timely payment of wages, minimum wages, overtime compensation, meal periods, reimbursement of losses and business expenses and itemized wage statements and a claim for Unfair Business Practices under §17200 of the California Business & Professions Code. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief and monetary damages.

        Plaintiffs moved for conditional collective action certification under the FLSA. The Company opposed this motion and additionally moved for summary judgment on Plaintiffs' individual FLSA claims. The Court issued an order on January 3, 2012 granting the Company's summary judgment motions, holding that Plaintiffs' individual FLSA claims fail as a matter of law, and denying Plaintiffs' motion for conditional collective action certification under the FLSA as moot. This ruling effectively removes all nationwide FLSA claims from the case.

        Plaintiffs intend to continue to pursue the California claims and may seek to amend their complaint to attempt to revive certain FLSA claims. An adverse determination in this matter could have a material adverse impact on the financial position and results of operations of the Company. The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend plaintiffs' claims.

        At this stage in this litigation, based upon the information currently available to the Company, the Company is not able to determine that an unfavorable outcome is remote, reasonably possible, or probable, and the Company has determined that it cannot reasonably estimate either the amount or the range of possible losses that would result if plaintiffs were to prevail, therefore, the Company has not made any accruals with respect to this matter in its consolidated financial statements.

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

18.   Selected Quarterly Information (Unaudited)

 
  Quarter  
 
  First   Second   Third   Fourth  
 
  (in thousands)
 

2011

                         

Total revenues

  $ 296,574     309,945     297,749     290,909  

Net income

    45,633     49,970     39,834     40,022  

Earnings per share:

                         

Basic

  $ 0.53     0.58     0.46     0.47  

Diluted

  $ 0.53     0.58     0.46     0.47  

 

 
  Quarter  
 
  First   Second   Third   Fourth  
 
  (in thousands)
 

2010

                         

Total revenues

  $ 251,614     257,219     254,807     281,245  

Net income

    35,909     34,152     40,533     46,365  

Earnings per share:

                         

Basic

  $ 0.42     0.40     0.47     0.54  

Diluted

  $ 0.42     0.40     0.47     0.54  

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WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
Index to Exhibits

Exhibit
No.
  Exhibit Description
  3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, filed February 25, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.1

 

Specimen of Class A Common Stock Certificate, par value $0.01 per share. Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, File No. 333-43687, on February 27, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.2

 

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., as filed on April 9, 2009 with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on April 10, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.3

 

Rights Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2009, by and between Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which includes the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, as filed on April 9, 2009 with the Secretary of State of Delaware, as Exhibit A and the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B. Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on April 10, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.4

 

Indenture, dated as of January 18, 2001, by and between Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. Filed as Exhibit 4.1(a) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on February 5, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.5

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 18, 2001 by and between Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, including the form of the 7.50% notes due January 2006 as Exhibit A. Filed as Exhibits 4.1(b) and 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on February 5, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.6

 

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 13, 2006, between Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to JP Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, and the form of the Global Note for the Company's 5.60% Notes due 2011 as Exhibit A. Filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on January 13, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4.7

 

Form of Indenture to be used in connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities. Filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Form S-3/A, File No. 333-43682, on September 7, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.

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Exhibit
No.
  Exhibit Description
  4.8   Form of Indenture to be used in connection with the Senior Debt Securities. Filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Form S-3ASR, File No. 333-179111, on January 20, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.1

 

General Agent Contract, dated as of October 20, 2000, by and among Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company and Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its affiliated insurance companies. Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.2

 

Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2008, by and among Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company and Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its affiliated insurance companies. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.3

 

Fund Participation Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2000, by and among Nationwide Life Insurance Company and/or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Waddell & Reed Services Company and Waddell & Reed, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.4

 

Fund Participation Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2003, by and among Minnesota Life Insurance Company, Waddell & Reed, Inc. and Ivy Funds VIP. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.5

 

Variable Products Distribution Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2003, by and among Minnesota Life Insurance Company, Securian Financial Services, Inc. and Waddell & Reed, Inc. and its affiliated insurance companies. Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.6

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.7

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.*

 

10.8

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Executive Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.9

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.10

 

Credit Agreement, dated August 31, 2010, by and among Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, Bank of America Securities LLC as Lead Arranger and Book Manager, UMB Bank, N.A. and The Bank of Nova Scotia as Co-Syndication Agents, and Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on September 7, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.

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Exhibit
No.
  Exhibit Description
  10.11   Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 31, 2010, by and among Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and the purchasers party thereto. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on September 7, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.12

 

Fixed Rate Promissory Note for Multiple Loans, dated as of August 15, 2000, by and between Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and Chase Manhattan Bank. Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.13

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.14

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 2003 Executive Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on April 11, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.15

 

Investment Management Agreement, dated January 30, 2009, by and between the Advisors Funds and Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.16

 

Investment Management Agreement, dated April 10, 2009, by and between Ivy Funds VIP and Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.17

 

Investment Management Agreement, dated April 10, 2009, by and between Ivy Funds VIP and Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company. Filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.18

 

Investment Management Agreement, dated November 13, 2008, by and between Ivy Funds and Ivy Investment Management Company.

 

10.19

 

Administrative Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2001, by and among W&R Insurance Agency, Inc., Waddell & Reed, Inc., BISYS Insurance Services, Inc. and Underwriters Equity Corp. Filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.20

 

Consulting Agreement, dated May 25, 2005, by and between Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and Keith A. Tucker. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on May 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.21

 

Form of Change in Control Employment Agreement, dated December 14, 2001, by and between Henry J. Herrmann and Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.*

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Exhibit
No.
  Exhibit Description
  10.22   First Amendment to Change in Control Employment Agreement, dated December 17, 2008, by and between Henry J. Herrmann and Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.23

 

Second Amendment to Change in Control Employment Agreement, dated December 17, 2009, by and between Henry J. Herrmann and Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Filed as Exhibit 10.52 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference *

 

10.24

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.25

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.26

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 333-43687, for the year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference *

 

10.27

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 001-13913, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.28

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.*

 

10.29

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.30

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards to Non-Employee Directors pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.31

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Executive Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 001-13913, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.32

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.*

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Exhibit
No.
  Exhibit Description
  10.33   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for awards pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 333-43687, for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.34

 

Portfolio Managers Revenue Sharing Plan for Flow Accounts. Filed as Exhibit 10.64 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.35

 

Portfolio Managers Revenue Sharing Schedule. Filed as Exhibit 10.65 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-13913, for the year ended December 31, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.36

 

Portfolio Managers Revenue Sharing Schedule — Large Cap Growth.*

 

10.37

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on November 16, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.38

 

2011 Performance Goals established pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 2003 Executive Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on February 25, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.39

 

2012 Performance Goals established pursuant to the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 2003 Executive Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 001-13913, on February 16, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.*

 

10.40

 

Offer of Settlement. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on July 24, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.41

 

Assurance of Discontinuance. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on July 24, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10.42

 

Stipulation for Consent Order. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 333-43687, on July 24, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

11

 

Statement regarding computation of per share earnings.

 

12

 

Statement re computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

 

21

 

Subsidiaries of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.

 

23

 

Consent of KPMG LLP.

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

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Exhibit
No.
  Exhibit Description
  101   Materials from the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.

*
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

89




Exhibit 10.7

 

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
As Amended and Restated

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., previously established the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated, as amended effective December 12, 2002 and as further amended effective on each of January 16, 2003 (which January 16, 2003 amendment was submitted to and approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), January 1, 2004, October 14, 2004, October 15, 2005, April 11, 2007 (which April 11, 2007 amendment was submitted to and approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders), September 12, 2008 (as amended and restated, the “Original Plan”) and February 16, 2012.  Pursuant to the powers reserved in Section 11 of the Original Plan, the Original Plan is amended effective January 1, 2012 as follows (the Original Plan as amended and restated hereby, the “Plan”).

 

SECTION 1.                          Purposes of the Plan; Definitions.

 

The purposes of the Plan are to enable the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to attract and retain employees, directors and consultants who contribute to the Company’s success by their ability, ingenuity and industry, and to enable such employees, directors and consultants to participate in the long-term success and growth of the Company through an equity interest in the Company.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

“Affiliate” means (a) any corporation (other than a Subsidiary), partnership, joint venture or any other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 10% beneficial ownership interest, and (b) the Company’s parent company, if any.

 

“Annual SORP Exercise Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5(m) .

 

“Award Agreement” means a written agreement by and between the Company and an awardee evidencing an award of Stock Options, Director Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Director Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock, as applicable, under the Plan.

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Business Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are then traded is open for business.

 

“Cause” means a participant’s willful misconduct or dishonesty, either of which is directly and materially harmful to the business or reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; provided, however, that in the case where there is an employment or consulting agreement between a participant and the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate at the time of

 



 

grant which defines “cause” (or words of like import), it shall have the meaning ascribed to such term (or words of like import) under such agreement.

 

“Change of Control” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11(b) .

 

“Change of Control Price” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11(d) .

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto.

 

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Company” means Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.

 

“Covered Employee” means (a) the chief executive officer of the Company, and (b) a person designated by the Committee, at the time of grant of Performance Awards, whom the Committee believes is likely to be a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) with respect to the fiscal year during which the Performance Award is granted or in the foreseeable future.

 

“Deferral Period” means the period of time during which the receipt of Shares underlying a Deferred Stock award is deferred.

 

“Deferred Stock” means an award of the right to receive Shares at the end of a specified Deferral Period granted pursuant to Section 9 .

 

“Director Restricted Stock” means any Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section 6 to an Outside Director.

 

“Director Stock Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 6 to an Outside Director.

 

“Disability” means total and permanent disability as determined under the Company’s long-term disability program, whether or not the participant is covered under such program.  If no such program is in effect, the Disability of a director shall be determined in good faith by the Board (excluding such director).

 

“Early Retirement” means retirement from active employment with the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate pursuant to the early retirement provisions of the applicable tax-qualified Company pension plan.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto.

 

2



 

“Fair Market Value” means, unless otherwise determined in good faith by the Committee or required by applicable law, as of any given date, the closing sale price of a Share on such date on the New York Stock Exchange or other principal national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are then traded or, if there is no sale on that day, then on the last previous Business Day on which a sale was reported.

 

“Immediate Family” means the children, grandchildren or spouse of any optionee.

 

“Normal Retirement” means retirement from active employment with the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate pursuant to the normal retirement provisions specified in the applicable tax-qualified Company pension plan.

 

“Outside Director” means any director of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate.

 

“Performance Award” means any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock award to a Covered Employee that the Committee intends to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

“Plan” means the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated, as set forth herein and as may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Repricing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10 .

 

“Restricted Stock” means Shares that are subject to certain restrictions and/or a risk of forfeiture granted pursuant to Section 8 .

 

“SAR/Option Performance Award” means any Performance Award that is a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

“Shares” means the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $.01.

 

“SORP” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5(m) .

 

“SORP Option” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5(m) .

 

“Stock Appreciation Right” means a right to surrender to the Company all or a portion of a Stock Option in exchange for an amount in cash or Shares as determined in the manner prescribed in Section 7(b)(ii) , granted pursuant to Section 7 .

 

“Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 5 that is not intended to be, nor designated as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

“Stock Performance Award” means any Performance Award other than a SAR/Option Performance Award.

 

3



 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations (other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

 

SECTION 2.                          Administration.

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee which shall at all times comply with any applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. All members of the Committee shall also be “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.  If at any time no Committee shall be in office, then the functions of the Committee specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Board.

 

The Board shall have the power and authority to determine all terms, conditions and provisions of Director Stock Option and Director Restricted Stock awards pursuant to Section 6 .

 

The Committee shall have the power and authority to grant to eligible persons, pursuant to the terms of the Plan: (i) Stock Options; (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights; (iii) Restricted Stock and/or (iv) Deferred Stock.  In particular, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

(a)           to select the consultants, officers and other key employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and its Affiliates to whom Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock, or a combination of the foregoing, from time to time will be granted hereunder;

 

(b)           to determine whether and to what extent Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock, or a combination of the foregoing, are to be granted hereunder;

 

(c)           to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each such award granted hereunder; and

 

(d)           to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, any restriction on any award and/or the Shares relating thereto based on performance and/or such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, and any vesting acceleration features based on performance and/or such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.

 

The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan, any award issued thereunder, and any Award Agreements relating thereto; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

 

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Each award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by, and subject to terms of, an Award Agreement, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve, which shall be executed by an authorized officer of the Company and the awardee.  Director Stock Options and Director Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve, in conformity with the terms and conditions the Board has specified with respect to such awards and the terms of Section 6 and the Plan.  The Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares subject to the award, (ii) the exercise price per Share, if any, of the award and the means of payment therefor, (iii) the term of the award, and (iv) such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Committee.  A prospective awardee shall not have any rights with respect to any such award, unless and until such awardee has executed an Award Agreement evidencing the award, has delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, and has otherwise complied with the then applicable terms and conditions.

 

SECTION 3.                          Shares Subject to Plan.

 

Subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 3 , the total number of Shares reserved and available for issuance in connection with awards under the Plan shall not exceed 30,000,000 Shares.

 

If any Shares subject to any award granted pursuant to the Plan are forfeited or such award otherwise terminates, such Shares shall again be available for distribution in connection with future awards under the Plan.

 

In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares, an equitable substitution or adjustment shall be made in (i) the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, (ii) the number and exercise price of Shares subject to outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan, (iii) the number of Shares subject to Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock awards granted under the Plan, (iv) the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance to any participant pursuant to Section 4A(a) , and (v) the number and exercise price, if any, of Shares subject to Director Stock Option and Director Restricted Stock awards to be granted each year pursuant to Section 6 , as may be determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion, provided that the number of Shares subject to any award shall always be a whole number. Such adjusted number and exercise price of Shares shall also be used to determine the amount payable by the Company upon the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right associated with any Stock Option.

 

SECTION 4.                          Eligibility.

 

(a)           Consultants and Employees .  Consultants, officers and other key employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates who are responsible for or contribute to the management, growth and/or profitability of the business of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or its Affiliates are eligible to be granted Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock.  Except as provided in Section 6 , Plan participants shall be selected from time to time by the Committee, in its

 

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sole discretion, from among those eligible, and the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion and subject to Section 4A(a) , the number of Shares covered by each award.

 

(b)                                  Outside Directors .  Each Outside Director is eligible to receive Director Stock Option and/or Director Restricted Stock awards pursuant to Section 6 .

 

SECTION 4A.                      Performance Awards and Award Limit .

 

(a)                                  Award Limitations .  The Committee may grant awards to a Covered Employee that are either Performance Awards or not Performance Awards.  In any calendar year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, a participant (whether or not a Covered Employee) may not be granted awards under the Plan (Performance Awards or otherwise) that have, in the aggregate, more than 3,750,000 “points,” with each Stock Appreciation Right and Stock Option having one “point” for each Share granted with respect thereto, and each Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock award having three “points” with respect to each Share granted with respect thereto.  For illustrative purposes, a grant of a Stock Option for 10 Shares has 10 “points,” and a grant of 10 Shares of Restricted Stock has 30 “points.”  If an award is canceled, such award continues to be counted against the maximum number of Shares for which awards may be granted to the participant under the Plan, as set forth in this Section 4A(a) .

 

(b)                                  Performance Goals for Performance Awards .  Each Performance Award shall be structured so as to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, as described below.

 

(i)            SAR/Option Performance Awards .  The exercise price (in the case of a Stock Option) or the base price (in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right) of a SAR/Option Performance Award shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant of such SAR/Option Performance Award.

 

(ii)           Stock Performance Awards .  The grant, vesting and/or settlement of a Stock Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 4A(b)(ii) .

 

(A)          Performance Goals Generally .  The performance goals for such Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section 4A(b)(ii) .  Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of such performance goals being “substantially uncertain.”  The Committee may condition the grant, vesting, exercise and/or settlement of any Performance Award upon achievement of any one or more performance goals.  Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one awardee or to different awardees.

 

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(B)          Business Criteria .  One or more of the following business criteria (including or excluding extraordinary and/or non-recurring items to be determined by the Committee in advance) for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or for specified Subsidiaries or business or geographical units of the Company (except with respect to the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used by the Committee in establishing performance goals for Performance Awards:  (1) earnings per share; (2) increase in revenues; (3) increase in cash flow; (4) increase in cash flow return; (5) return on net assets; (6) return on assets; (7) return on investment; (8) return on capital; (9) return on equity; (10) economic value added; (11) operating margin; (12) contribution margin; (13) net income; (14) pre-tax earnings; (15) pre-tax earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization; (16) pre-tax operating earnings after interest expense and before incentives, service fees, and extraordinary or special items; (17) operating income; (18) total stockholder return; (19) debt reduction; and (20) any of the above goals determined on an absolute or relative basis, or as adjusted in any manner which may be determined in the discretion of the Committee, or as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of competitor companies, including the group selected by the Company for purposes of the stock performance graph contained in the proxy statement for the Company’s most recent annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(C)          Performance Period; Timing for Establishing Performance Goals .  Achievement of performance goals shall be measured over a performance period of up to ten years, as specified by the Committee.  Performance goals shall be established not later than 90 days (or, for performance periods of less than 1 year, the passage of 25% of the performance period) after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Award, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(D)          Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms .  After the end of each performance period, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of such Performance Award payable to a Covered Employee.  Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, Shares, or other awards or property, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.  The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of any Performance Award to be settled upon achievement of the associated performance goal or goals, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable to a Covered Employee with respect to such Performance Award.

 

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(c)           General .  The Committee shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of a Performance Award that is not mandatory under the Plan; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee shall not have any discretion to accelerate, waive or modify any term or condition of an award that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code if such discretion would cause such Performance Award not to so qualify.

 

(d)           Written Determinations .  The Committee may not delegate any responsibility relating to Performance Awards.  All determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any potential individual Performance Award, and the achievement of performance goals relating to Stock Performance Awards shall be made in writing in the case of any award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.  The determination as to whether any performance goal, with respect to any Performance Award, has been satisfied shall be made prior to the payment of any compensation relating to a Performance Award.

 

(e)           Performance Awards under Section 162(m) of the Code .   It is the intent of the Company that Performance Awards granted to persons who are or likely will become “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code shall constitute “performance-based compensation” within such Section of the Code.  Accordingly, the terms of this Section 4A , including the definitions of “Covered Employee” and other terms used herein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.  If any provision of the Plan as in effect on the date of adoption thereof or as of the date of any Award Agreements relating to Performance Awards intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of such Section of the Code, then such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

(f)            Conflicts Among Plan Provisions .  To the extent this Section 4A conflicts with any other provision of the Plan, this Section 4A shall control.

 

SECTION 5.         Stock Options for Consultants and Employees.

 

Stock Options may be granted either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan. Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, and the provisions thereof need not be the same with respect to each optionee.

 

The Committee shall have the authority to grant any consultant, officer or key employee Stock Options (with or without Stock Appreciation Rights).  Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

 

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(a)           Exercise Price .  The exercise price per Share of any Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant, and shall be indicated in the Award Agreement.

 

(b)           Option Term .  The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee.

 

(c)           Exercisability .  Stock Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that except as provided in Sections 5(f) , 5(g) , 5(h)  or 11 , no Stock Option shall be exercisable prior to six months from the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in the preceding sentence, the Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any Stock Option, at any time in whole or in part, based on performance and/or such other factors as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

 

(d)           Exercise of Stock Options .  A Stock Option, or portion thereof, may be exercised in whole or in part only with respect to whole Shares.  Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the exercise period by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price, in cash, by check or such other instrument as may be acceptable to the Committee (including instruments providing for “cashless exercise”).  To the extent provided by the Committee, payment in full or in part may also be made in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the optionee (based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Stock Option is exercised).  An optionee shall have rights to dividends and other stockholder rights with respect to Shares subject to a Stock Option only after the optionee has given written notice of exercise and has paid in full for such Shares.

 

(e)           Transferability of Options .  A Stock Option Award Agreement may permit an optionee to transfer such Stock Option to members of his or her Immediate Family, to one or more trusts for the benefit of such Immediate Family members, or to one or more partnerships where such Immediate Family members are the only partners if (i) the Award Agreement setting forth such Stock Option expressly provides for the transfer thereof with the express written consent of the Committee, and (ii) the optionee does not receive any consideration in any form whatsoever for such transfer.  Any Stock Option so transferred shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions in the hands of the transferee as were applicable to such Stock Option immediately prior to the transfer thereof.  Any Stock Option (A) not granted pursuant to an Award Agreement expressly allowing the transfer of such Stock Option, or (B) that the Award Agreement for which has not been amended expressly to permit its transfer shall not be transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(f)            Termination by Death .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if an optionee’s employment with the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate terminates by reason of death, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall become immediately exercisable, and thereupon (or if an optionee dies following termination of employment

 

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by reason of Disability or Early or Normal Retirement), such Stock Option may thereafter be exercised by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the optionee under the will of the optionee during the period ending on the first anniversary of the optionee’s death.

 

(g)           Termination by Reason of Disability .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if an optionee’s employment with the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate terminates by reason of Disability, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall be immediately exercisable and may thereafter be exercised during the period ending on the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option.

 

(h)           Termination by Reason of Retirement .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if an optionee’s employment with the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate terminates by reason of (i) Normal Retirement, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall become immediately exercisable and shall expire at the end of the stated term of such Stock Option, or (ii) Early Retirement, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall terminate three years from the date of such Early Retirement or upon the expiration of the stated term of the Stock Option, whichever is earlier.  In the event of Early Retirement, there shall be no acceleration of vesting of the Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, and such Stock Option may only be exercised to the extent it is or has become exercisable prior to termination of the Stock Option.

 

(i)            Termination for Cause .   If the optionee’s employment with the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate is terminated for Cause, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall immediately be terminated upon the giving of notice of termination of employment.

 

(j)            Other Termination .   Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if the optionee’s employment with the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate is (i) involuntarily terminated by the optionee’s employer without Cause, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall terminate three months from the date of termination of employment or upon the expiration of the stated term of the Stock Option, whichever is earlier, or (ii) voluntarily terminated for any reason, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall terminate one month from the date of termination of employment or upon the expiration of the stated term of the Stock Option, whichever is earlier.  In either event, there shall be no acceleration of vesting of the Stock Option unless otherwise determined by the Committee and such Stock Option may only be exercised to the extent it is or has become exercisable prior to termination of the Stock Option.

 

(k)           Termination upon Change of Control .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(j) , but subject to Section 11 , if the optionee’s employment with the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate is involuntarily terminated by the optionee’s employer without Cause by reason of, or within three months after, a Change of Control, any Stock Option held by such optionee shall terminate six months and one day after such Change of Control.

 

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(l)            For purposes of the Plan, all references to termination of employment shall be construed to mean termination of all service relationships with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, including employees, independent contractors or consultants; provided, however, that nothing in the Plan shall be construed to create or continue a common law employment relationship with any individual characterized by the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor or consultant.  For purposes of clarity, if a common law employee ceases to perform services for the Company, its Subsidiaries or their Affiliates as a common law employee but continues to perform services for the Company, its Subsidiaries or their Affiliates as a consultant or independent contractor, then the transition from employee to consultant or independent contractor will not be deemed to be a termination of employment of the individual for purposes of the Plan; provided, however, that nothing in the Plan shall be construed to create or continue a common law employment relationship with any individual characterized by the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor or consultant.

 

(m)          The Committee, in its discretion, may include in any Stock Option Award Agreement, a “stock option restoration program” (“SORP”) provision. Such provision shall provide, without limitation, that, if payment on exercise of a Stock Option is made in the form of Shares, and the exercise occurs on the Annual SORP Exercise Date, an additional Stock Option to purchase Shares (a “SORP Option”) will automatically be granted to the optionee effective as of the Annual SORP Exercise Date.  A SORP Option shall (i) have an exercise price equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Annual SORP Exercise Date, (ii) have a term equal to that of the originally exercised Stock Option giving rise to the SORP Option, not to exceed a maximum term of 10 years and two days from the issuance date of the SORP Option (subject to any forfeiture provision or shorter limitation on exercise required under the Plan), (iii) have an initial vesting date no earlier than six months after the date of its issuance, and (iv) cover a number of Shares equal to the number of Shares used to pay the exercise price of the originally exercised Stock Option, plus the number of Shares (if any) withheld or sold to cover income and employment taxes (plus any selling commissions) with respect to such original exercise.  “Annual SORP Exercise Date” shall mean August 1, or if August 1 is not a Business Day, “Annual SORP Exercise Date” shall mean the next succeeding Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may delay the Annual SORP Exercise Date to the extent it determines necessary to comply with regulatory or administrative requirements.

 

SECTION 6.         Director Stock Options and Director Restricted Stock.

 

(a)           Awards .  For each calendar year, either (i) Director Stock Options, or (ii) an award of Shares of Director Restricted Stock shall be automatically granted to each Outside Director on the first Business Day of each calendar year, such number of Director Stock Options or Shares as the Board in its sole discretion determines.  The determination as to whether an award is made pursuant to clause (i)  or (ii)  of this Section 6(a)  shall be made in the sole discretion of the Board.  The exercise price per Share of any Director Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 6(a)  shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.  Subject to Sections 6(d)  and 11 ,

 

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(A) Director Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 6(a)  shall become exercisable six months from the date of grant for a term of ten years and two days from the date of grant, and (B) the price, if any, to be paid, and the time or times within which Director Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture, or may be nontransferable, will be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.  Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Section 6 and Section 11 , all terms and conditions of Director Stock Option and Director Restricted Stock awards shall be established by the Board in its sole discretion including, without limitation, the nontransferability thereof and the time or times within which such Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture.  Director Restricted Stock shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 8(b)  and 8(c) .

 

(b)           Exercise of Director Stock Options .  Any Director Stock Option, or portion thereof, granted pursuant to the Plan may be exercised in whole or in part only with respect to whole Shares.  Director Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the exercise period by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price, in cash, by check or such other instrument as may be acceptable to the Committee (including instruments providing for “cashless exercise”).  As determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, payment in full or in part may also be made in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the optionee (based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Director Stock Option is exercised).  An optionee shall have rights to dividends and other stockholder rights with respect to Shares subject to a Director Stock Option only after the optionee has given written notice of exercise and has paid in full for such Shares.

 

(c)           Transferability .  No Director Stock Option shall be transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Director Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee’s lifetime, only by the optionee; provided, however, that the Committee may (but need not) permit other transfers where the Committee concludes, in its sole discretion, that such transferability (i) does not result in accelerated taxation, and (ii) is otherwise appropriate and desirable, taking into account any factors considered relevant by the Committee, including, without limitation, any state or Federal securities laws applicable to transferable options.

 

(d)           Termination of Service .  Upon an optionee’s termination of status as an Outside Director for any reason, any Director Stock Options held by such optionee shall become immediately exercisable and may thereafter be exercised during the period ending on the expiration of the stated term of such Director Stock Option or, upon such optionee’s death, during the period ending on the first anniversary thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, but subject to Section 11 , if the optionee’s status as an Outside Director terminates by reason of or within three months after a Change of Control, each Director Stock Option held by such optionee shall terminate upon the latest of (i) six months and one day after the Change in Control, or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of such Director Stock Option.  Upon the termination of an awardee’s status as an Outside Director by reason of death or Disability, all restrictions, including restrictions regarding forfeiture and nontransferability, placed upon any Director Restricted Stock held by such awardee shall immediately lapse and such shares shall be

 

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deemed fully vested and nonforfeitable.  Upon the termination of an awardee’s status as an Outside Director for any reason other than death or Disability, all Shares of Director Restricted Stock granted pursuant to this Section 6 still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by such Outside Director, and the Outside Director shall only receive the amount, if any, paid by the Outside Director for such forfeited Director Restricted Stock.

 

SECTION 7.         Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)            Grant and Exercise .  Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option granted under the Plan either at or after the time of the grant of such Stock Option.

 

A Stock Appreciation Right, or applicable portion thereof, granted with respect to a given Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be  exercisable  upon the termination or exercise of the related Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, a Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less than the full number of Shares covered by a related Stock Option shall only be reduced if and to the extent that the number of Shares covered by the exercise or termination of the related Stock Option exceeds the number of Shares not covered by the Stock Appreciation Right.

 

A Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by an optionee in accordance with Section 7(b) , by surrendering the applicable portion of the related Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the optionee shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in Section 7(b) .  Stock Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the related Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised.

 

(b)            Terms and Conditions .   Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, including the following:

 

(i)            Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the related Stock Options shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and this Section 7 ; provided, however, that any Stock Appreciation Right granted subsequent to the grant of the related Stock Option shall not be exercisable during the first six months of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, except that this additional limitation shall not apply in the event of death or Disability of the optionee prior to the expiration of the six-month period.

 

(ii)           Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, an optionee shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, an amount in cash or Shares equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share over the exercise price per Share specified in the related Stock Option Award Agreement multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall

 

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have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

 

(iii)          Stock Appreciation Rights shall be transferable only when and to the extent that the underlying Stock Option would be transferable under Section 5(e)  of the Plan.

 

(iv)          Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the related Stock Option or part thereof shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation set forth in Section 3 on the number of Shares to be issued under the Plan.

 

(v)           In its sole discretion, the Committee may provide, at the time of grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, that such Stock Appreciation Right can be exercised only in the event of a Change of Control and that upon such event, the amount to be paid upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be based on the Change of Control Price.

 

SECTION 8.         Restricted Stock.

 

(a)           Administration .   Shares of Restricted Stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan.  Any Restricted Stock award granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, and the provisions thereof need not be the same with respect to each awardee.  The Committee shall determine the consultants, officers, and key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to whom, and the time or times at which, Restricted Stock will be awarded; the number of Shares of Restricted Stock to be awarded to any awardee; the price, if any, to be paid by the awardee; the time or times within which such awards may be subject to forfeiture and nontransferability; and all other terms and conditions of the awards (subject to this Section 8 and Section 11 ). The Committee may also condition the grant and/or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of one or more specified performance goals, or such other criteria as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.

 

(b)            Restrictions and Conditions .   Shares of Restricted Stock awarded shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

 

(i)            Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during such period as may be set by the Committee commencing on the grant date, Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part, before or after the awardee’s termination of employment, based on performance and/or such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.

 

(ii)           Except as provided in clause (i)  above, the awardee shall have, with respect to the Shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of

 

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the Company, including the right to receive any dividends. Dividends paid in stock of the Company or stock received in connection with a stock split with respect to Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same restrictions as on such Restricted Stock.  Certificates, if issued, for unrestricted Shares, shall be delivered to the awardee promptly after, and only after, the period of forfeiture shall expire without forfeiture with respect to such Shares of Restricted Stock.

 

(c)            Book-Entry Accounts; Certificates for Restricted Stock .   An account for each awardee shall be opened with the Company’s transfer agent or such other administrator designated by the Committee for the deposit of the Shares of Restricted Stock subject to the award, or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, each awardee may be issued a stock certificate registered in the name of the awardee evidencing such Shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee shall specify that any such certificate bear a legend, as provided in  clause (i)   below, and/or be held in custody by the Company, as provided in  clause (ii)   below.

 

(i)            Any certificate evidencing Restricted Stock shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, substantially in the following form:

 

“The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated (the “Plan”) and a Restricted Stock Award Agreement entered into between the registered owner and Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the “Agreement”).  Copies of the Plan and Agreement are on file in the offices of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202.”

 

(ii)           The Committee shall require that stock certificates evidencing such Restricted Stock be held in custody by the Company or the transfer agent or such other administrator designated by the Committee until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any Restricted Stock award, the awardee shall have delivered to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such award.

 

(d)            Termination .  Subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and this Section 8 , upon termination of employment by reason of death or Disability, the restrictions upon any Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section 8(a)  held by the awardee shall immediately lapse and such shares shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable.  Upon termination of employment for any reason other than death or Disability, all Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to Section 8(a)  still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the awardee, and the awardee shall only receive the amount, if any, paid by the awardee for such forfeited Restricted Stock.

 

15



 

SECTION 9.         Deferred Stock Awards.

 

(a)           Administration .   Deferred Stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan.  Any Deferred Stock granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, and the provisions thereof need not be the same with respect to each awardee.  The Committee shall determine the consultants, officers and key employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to whom, and the time or times at which, Deferred Stock shall be awarded; the number of Shares of Deferred Stock to be awarded to any awardee; the Deferral Period during which, and the conditions under which, receipt of the Shares will be deferred; and all other terms and conditions of the award (subject to this Section 9 and Section 11 ).  The Committee may also condition the grant and/or vesting of Deferred Stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals, or such other criteria as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

 

(b)            Terms and Conditions .   Shares of Deferred Stock awarded pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)            Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during the Deferral Period, Deferred Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered.  At the expiration of the Deferral Period, stock certificates shall be delivered to the awardee, or his legal representative, in a number equal to the Shares covered by the Deferred Stock award.

 

(ii)           At the time of the award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that amounts equal to any dividends declared during the Deferral Period with respect to the number of Shares covered by a Deferred Stock award will be paid to the awardee currently, deferred and deemed to be reinvested, or that such awardee has no rights with respect thereto.

 

(iii)          Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and this Section 9 , upon termination of employment for any reason during the Deferral Period, the Deferred Stock held by such awardee shall be forfeited by the awardee.

 

(iv)          Based on performance and/or such other criteria as the Committee may determine, the Committee may, at or after grant (including after the awardee’s termination of employment), accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Deferred Stock award and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of such award.

 

SECTION 10.                       Amendments and Termination.

 

The Board may amend, alter, or discontinue the Plan, but no such amendment, alteration, or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the right of an optionee or awardee under a Stock Option, Director Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Director

 

16



 

Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock award granted prior thereto, without the optionee’s or awardee’s consent.

 

Amendments may be made without stockholder approval except as required to satisfy Sections 162(m) of the Code, stock exchange listing requirements, or other applicable law or regulatory requirements.

 

The Committee may amend the terms of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock award granted, and the Board may amend the terms of any Director Stock Option or Director Restricted Stock award, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment shall be made which would impair the rights of an optionee or awardee without the optionee’s or awardee’s consent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Repricing (as defined below) is prohibited without prior stockholder approval.  For purposes of the Plan, “Repricing” means any of the following or any other action that has the same purpose and effect: (a) lowering the exercise price of an outstanding Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Director Stock Option after it is granted or (b) canceling an outstanding Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Director Stock Option at a time when its exercise or purchase price exceeds the then Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying such outstanding award, in exchange for another award or a cash payment, unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with a merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of substantially all the Company’s assets, acquisition, spin-off or other similar corporate transaction.

 

SECTION 11.                       Change of Control.

 

The following acceleration and valuation provisions shall apply in the event of a Change of Control:

 

(a)            In the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in writing at or after grant, but prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control:

 

(i)            any Stock Appreciation Rights, Stock Options and Director Stock Options awarded under the Plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested;

 

(ii)           the restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock, Director Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock awards under the Plan shall lapse and such Shares and awards shall be deemed fully vested and nonforfeitable; and

 

(iii)          the value of all outstanding Stock Option, Director Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock , Director Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock awards, shall, to the extent determined by the Committee at or after grant, be settled on the basis of the Change of Control Price as of the date the Change of Control occurs, or such other date as the Committee may determine prior to the Change of Control. In the sole discretion of the Committee, such settlements may be made in cash, stock or other property, or any combination

 

17



 

thereof; provided, however, to the extent any such settlement is made in Shares, such Shares will be deemed to have been distributed under the Plan.

 

(b)           A “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i)            when any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or any Company employee benefit plan), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

(ii)           the effective date of any transaction or event relating to the Company required to be described pursuant to the requirements of Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of the Exchange Act;

 

(iii)          when, during any period of two consecutive years during the existence of the Plan, the individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board cease, for any reason other than death, to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless each director who was not a director at the beginning of such period was elected by, or on the recommendation of, at least two-thirds of the directors at the beginning of such period; or

 

(iv)          the effective date of a transaction requiring stockholder approval for the acquisition of the Company by an entity other than the Company or a Subsidiary through purchase of assets, or by merger, or otherwise.

 

(c)           “Change of Control Price” means the highest price per Share paid in any transaction reported on the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are then traded, or paid or offered in any transaction related to a Change of Control at any time during the preceding 60-day period as determined by the Committee, except that in the case of Director Stock Options and Director Restricted Stock, the 60-day period shall be the period immediately prior to a Change of Control.

 

SECTION 12.                       General Provisions.

 

(a)            All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable Federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference thereto.

 

(b)           Nothing set forth in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required.  The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any employee or director of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate, any right to continued

 

18



 

employment (or, in the case of a director, continued retention as a director) with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate to terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.

 

(c)           Each participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an award first becomes includible in the gross income of the participant for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee, in its sole discretion, regarding payment of, any Federal, FICA, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such award.  The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements.  The Committee may permit participants to elect to satisfy their Federal, and where applicable, FICA, state and local tax withholding obligations with respect to all awards, other than Stock Options which have related Stock Appreciation Rights, by the reduction, in an amount necessary to pay all such withholding tax obligations, of the number of Shares or amount of cash otherwise issuable or payable to such participants with respect to an award. The Company and, where applicable, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes owed hereunder by a participant from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such participant.

 

(d)           At the time of grant or purchase, the Committee may provide, in connection with any grant or purchase made under the Plan, that the Shares received as a result of such grant or purchase shall be subject to a right of first refusal, pursuant to which the participant shall be required to offer to the Company any Shares that the participant wishes to sell, with the price being the then Fair Market Value of the Shares, subject to the provisions of Section 11 and to such other terms and conditions as the Committee may specify at the time of grant.

 

(e)           No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action, determination or interpretation.

 

(f)            The Plan is not intended to be a “non-qualified deferred compensation plan” under Section 409A of the Code and shall not be construed or administered accordingly.  If any term or provision contained herein would otherwise cause the Plan to be characterized as a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” under Section 409A of the Code, then, without further action by the Company, such term or provision shall automatically be modified to the extent necessary to avoid such characterization.

 

SECTION 13.                                                                   Effective Date of Plan.

 

The Plan became effective on March 3, 1998, the date it was originally approved by a majority vote of the Company’s stockholders.

 

19




Exhibit 10.18

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT, made as of November 13, 2008, is entered into by and between IVY FUNDS (hereinafter called “Trust”), and IVY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY (hereinafter called “IICO”), with respect to each series of the Trust listed in Appendix A (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

 

I.                 In General

 

IICO agrees to act as investment adviser to each Fund with respect to the investment of its assets and in general to supervise the investments of each Fund, subject at all times to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, all as more fully set forth herein.

 

II.            Duties of IICO with respect to investment of assets of the Trust

 

A.  IICO shall regularly provide investment advice for each Fund and shall, subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, continuously supervise the investment and reinvestment of cash, securities or other property comprising the assets of the investment portfolios of each Fund; and in furtherance thereof, IICO shall as to each Fund:

 

1.  obtain and evaluate pertinent information about significant developments and economic, statistical and financial data, domestic, foreign or otherwise, whether affecting the economy generally or one or more of the portfolios of the Fund, and whether concerning the individual companies whose securities or other financial instruments are included in the Funds’ portfolios or the industries in which they engage, or with respect to securities or other financial instruments which IICO considers desirable for inclusion in the Funds’ portfolio;

 

2.  furnish continuously an investment program for the Fund;

 

3.  determine what securities or other financial instruments shall be purchased or sold by the Fund; and

 



 

4.  take, on behalf of the Fund, all actions which appear to IICO necessary to carry into effect such investment programs and supervisory functions as aforesaid, including the placing of purchase and sale orders.

 

B.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and any rules or regulations in force thereunder), IICO is authorized to appoint one or more qualified investment sub-advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser”) to provide the Funds with certain services required by this Agreement.  Each Sub-Adviser shall have such investment discretion and shall make all determinations with respect to the investment of the Funds’ assets as shall be assigned to that Sub-Adviser by IICO and the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and other financial instruments with respect to those assets.

 

Subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, IICO shall:

 

1.  have overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Funds’ assets;

 

2.  determine the allocation and reallocation of assets among the Sub-Advisers, if any; and

 

3.  have full investment discretion to make all determinations with respect to the investment of Funds’ assets not otherwise assigned to a Sub-Adviser.

 

IICO shall research and evaluate each Sub-Adviser, if any, including: performing initial due diligence on prospective Sub-Advisers and monitoring each Sub-Adviser’s ongoing performance; communicating performance expectations and evaluations to each Sub-Adviser; and recommending to the Board of Trustees of the Trust whether a Sub-Adviser’s contract should be renewed, modified or terminated.  When appropriate, IICO shall also recommend to the Board of Trustees of the Trust changes or additions to the Sub-Advisers.

 

C.  IICO shall make appropriate and regular reports to the Board of Trustees of the Trust on the actions it takes pursuant to Section II.A. or B. above.  Any investment programs furnished by IICO under this section, or any supervisory function taken hereunder by IICO, shall at all times conform to and be in accordance with any requirements imposed by:

 

1.  the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any rules or regulations in force thereunder;

 

2.  any other applicable provision of law;

 

3.  the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust as amended from time to time;

 

2



 

4.  the provisions of the Bylaws of the Trust, as amended from time to time; and

 

5.  the terms of the registration statement of the Trust, as applicable to the Funds, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

D.  Any investment programs furnished by IICO under this section or any supervisory functions taken hereunder by IICO shall at all times be subject to any directions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, its Executive Committee, or any committee or officer of the Trust acting pursuant to authority given by the Board of Trustees.

 

III.          Allocation of Expenses

 

The expenses of the Funds and the expenses of IICO in performing its functions under this Agreement shall be divided into two classes, to wit:  (i) those expenses which will be paid in full by IICO as set forth in subparagraph “A” hereof, and (ii) those expenses which will be paid in full by the Funds, as set forth in subparagraph “B” hereof.

 

A.  With respect to the duties of IICO under Section II above, it shall pay in full, except as to the brokerage and research services acquired through the allocation of commissions as provided in Section IV hereinafter, for (a) the salaries and employment benefits of all employees of IICO who are engaged in providing these advisory services; (b) adequate office space and suitable office equipment for such employees; and (c) all telephone and communications costs relating to such functions.  IICO shall compensate each of the Funds’ Sub-Advisers, if any.  In addition, IICO shall pay the fees and expenses of all trustees of the Trust who are employees of IICO or an affiliated corporation and the salaries and employment benefits of all officers of the Trust who are affiliated persons of IICO.

 

B. The Funds shall pay in full for all of their expenses which are not listed above (other than those assumed by IICO or one of its affiliates in its capacity as principal underwriter of the shares of the Funds, as Shareholder Servicing Agent or as Accounting Services Agent for the Funds), including (a) the costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and reports to shareholders of the Funds, including mailing costs; (b) the costs of printing all proxy statements and all other costs and expenses of meetings of shareholders of the Funds (unless the Trust and IICO shall otherwise agree); (c) interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and premiums on fidelity and other insurance; (d) audit fees and expenses of independent accountants and legal fees and expenses of attorneys, but not of attorneys who are employees of IICO or an affiliated company; (e) fees and expenses of its trustees not affiliated with Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc.; (f) custodian fees and expenses; (g) fees payable by the Funds under the Securities Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the securities or “Blue-Sky” laws of any jurisdiction; (h) fees and assessments of the Investment Company Institute or any successor organization; (i) such nonrecurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting the Funds, and any indemnification by the Trust of its officers, trustees, employees and agents with respect

 

3



 

thereto; (j) the costs and expenses provided for in any Shareholder Servicing Agreement or Accounting Services Agreement, including amendments thereto, contemplated by subsection C of this Section III.  In the event that any of the foregoing shall, in the first instance, be paid by IICO, the Funds shall pay the same to IICO on presentation of a statement with respect thereto.

 

C.  IICO, or an affiliate of IICO, may also act as (i) transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent of the Funds and/or as (ii) accounting services agent of the Funds if at the time in question there is a separate agreement, “Shareholder Servicing Agreement” and/or “Accounting Services Agreement,” covering such functions between the Funds and IICO, or such affiliate.

 

IV.          Brokerage

 

(a)  IICO may select brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of the Funds on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain, for reasonable and competitive commissions, the best execution of particular and related portfolio transactions.  For this purpose, “best execution” means prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable price obtainable.  Such brokers may be selected on the basis of all relevant factors including the execution capabilities required by the transaction or transactions, the importance of speed, efficiency, or confidentiality, and the willingness of the broker to provide useful or desirable investment research and/or special execution services.  IICO shall have no duty to seek advance competitive commission bids and may select brokers based solely on its current knowledge of prevailing commission rates.

 

(b)  Subject to the foregoing, IICO shall have discretion, in the interest of the Funds, to direct the execution of its portfolio transactions to brokers who provide brokerage and/or research services (as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the Funds and/or other accounts for which IICO exercises “investment discretion” (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and in connection with such transactions, to pay commissions in excess of the amount another adequately qualified broker would have charged if IICO determines, in good faith, that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of IICO with respect to the accounts for which it exercises investment discretion.  In reaching such determination, IICO will not be required to attempt to place a specified dollar amount on the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker; provided that IICO shall be prepared to demonstrate that such determinations were made in good faith, and that all commissions paid by the Funds over a representative period selected by its Board of Trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Funds.

 

V.            Compensation of IICO

 

As compensation in full for services rendered and for the facilities and personnel furnished under sections I, II, and IV of this Agreement, the Funds will pay to IICO for each day the fees specified in Appendix B hereto.

 

4



 

The amounts payable to IICO shall be determined as of the close of business each day; shall, except as set forth below, be based upon the value of net assets computed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust; and shall be paid in arrears whenever requested by IICO.  In computing the value of the net assets of each Fund, there shall be excluded the amount owed to the Fund with respect to shares which have been sold but not yet paid to the Fund by Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the laws, regulations or policies of any state in which shares of the Funds are qualified for sale limit the operation and management expenses of the Funds, IICO will refund to the Funds the amount by which such expenses exceed the lowest of such state limitations.

 

VI.          Undertakings of IICO; Liabilities

 

IICO shall give to the Trust the benefit of its best judgment, efforts and facilities in rendering advisory services hereunder.

 

IICO shall at all times be guided by and be subject to each Fund’s investment policies, the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and Bylaws of the Trust as each shall from time to time be amended, and to the decision and determination of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

 

This Agreement shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent that the subject matter of this Agreement is within the purview of such Acts.  Insofar as applicable to IICO, as an investment adviser and affiliated person of the Trust, IICO shall comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the respective rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of IICO, it shall not be subject to liability to the Trust, the Funds or any stockholder of the Funds for any act or omission in the course of or connected with rendering services thereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or financial instrument.

 

VII.         Duration of this Agreement

 

This Agreement shall become effective at the start of business on the date hereof and shall continue in effect as to a Fund, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, for a period of one year and from year-to-year thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees, including the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the

 

5



 

purpose of voting on such approval, or by the vote of the holders of a majority (as so defined) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

 

VIII.       Termination

 

This Agreement may be terminated by IICO at any time without penalty upon giving the Trust one hundred twenty (120) days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Trust) and may be terminated as to a Fund by the Trust at any time without penalty upon giving IICO sixty (60) days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by IICO), provided that such termination by the Trust shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust in office at the time or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, the term “assignment” for this purpose having the meaning defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their corporate seal to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

(Seal)

 

 

 

 

 

IVY FUNDS

 

 

on behalf of the Funds listed in Appendix A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mara Herrington

 

 

 

Mara Herrington

 

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Megan E. Bray

 

 

 

Megan E. Bray, Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Seal)

 

IVY INVESTMENT

 

 

MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Henry J. Herrmann

 

 

 

Henry J. Herrmann

 

 

 

President

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Wendy J. Hills

 

 

 

Wendy J. Hills, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6


 

 

APPENDIX A

TO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

Ivy Asset Strategy Fund

Ivy Asset Strategy New Opportunities Fund

Ivy Balanced Fund

Ivy Bond Fund

Ivy Core Equity Fund

Ivy Cundill Global Value Fund

Ivy Dividend Opportunities Fund

Ivy Energy Fund

Ivy European Opportunities Fund

Ivy Global Bond Fund

Ivy Global Natural Resources Fund

Ivy High Income Fund

Ivy International Balanced Fund

Ivy International Core Equity Fund

Ivy International Growth Bund

Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund

Ivy Limited-Term Bond Fund

Ivy Managed European/Pacific Fund

Ivy Managed International Opportunities Fund

Ivy Micro Cap Growth Fund

Ivy Mid Cap Growth Fund

Ivy Money Market Fund

Ivy Municipal Bond Fund

Ivy Municipal High Income Fund

Ivy Pacific Opportunities Fund

Ivy Real Estate Securities Fund

Ivy Science and Technology Fund

Ivy Small Cap Growth Fund

Ivy Small Cap Value Fund

Ivy Tax-Managed Equity Fund

Ivy Value Fund

 

Amended and Effective May 18, 2009 with respect to addition of  Ivy Municipal High Income Fund and Ivy Tax-Managed Equity Fund; Amended and Effective February 11, 2010 with respect to addition of  Ivy Asset Strategy New Opportunities Fund ; Amended and Effective January 24, 2011 with merger of Ivy Mortgage Securities Fund into Ivy Bond Fund; Amended and Effective June 13, 2011 with respect to merger of Ivy Capital Appreciation Fund into Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund.

 

Dated as of June 13, 2011

 

7



 

IVY FUNDS

 

APPENDIX B TO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

FEE SCHEDULE

 

A cash fee computed each day on the net asset value for each Fund at the annual rate listed below:

 

Ivy Asset Strategy Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

 

Ivy Asset Strategy New Opportunities Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

1.00% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Effective February 11, 2010

 

Ivy Balanced Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

 

Ivy Bond Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

0.525% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion

 

0.45% of net assets

Over $1.5 billion

 

0.40% of net assets

 

8



 

Ivy Core Equity Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion and up to $5 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

Over $5 billion and up to $6 billion

 

0.525% of net assets

Over $6 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

 

Ivy Cundill Global Value Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

1.00% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy Dividend Opportunities Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

 

Ivy Energy Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy European Opportunities Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $250 million

 

0.90% of net assets

Over $250 million and up to $500 million

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $500 million

 

0.75% of net assets

 

Ivy Global Bond Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

0.625% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

Over $1.5 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

 

9



 

Ivy Global Natural Resources Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

1.00% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy High Income Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

0.625% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

Over $1.5 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

 

Ivy International Balanced Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

 

Ivy International Core Equity Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

 

Ivy International Growth Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

 

Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

 

10



 

Ivy Limited-Term Bond Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

0.50% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.45% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion

 

0.40% of net assets

Over $1.5 billion

 

0.35% of net assets

 

Ivy Managed European/Pacific Fund

 

A cash fee computed each day on the net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.05% of net assets.

 

Ivy Managed International Opportunities Fund

 

A cash fee computed each day on the net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.05% of net assets.

 

Ivy Micro Cap Growth Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.95% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.93% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.90% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.86% of net assets

 

Ivy Mid Cap Growth Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy Money Market Fund

 

A cash fee computed each day on net asset value for the Fund at the annual rate of 0.40% of net assets.

 

Ivy Municipal Bond Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

0.525% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion

 

0.45% of net assets

Over $1.5 billion

 

0.40% of net assets

 

Ivy Municipal High Income Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

0.525% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

 

11



 

Over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion

 

0.45% of net assets

Over $1.5 billion

 

0.40% of net assets

 

Effective May 18, 2009

 

Ivy Pacific Opportunities Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $500 million

 

1.00% of net assets

Over $500 million and up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy Real Estate Securities Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.90% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.87% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.84% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

 

Ivy Science & Technology Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy Small Cap Value Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.85% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.83% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.80% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.76% of net assets

 

Ivy Tax-Managed Equity Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

 

12



 

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.50% of net assets

 

Effective May 18, 2009

 

Ivy Value Fund

 

Net Assets

 

Fee

Up to $1 billion

 

0.70% of net assets

Over $1 billion and up to $2 billion

 

0.65% of net assets

Over $2 billion and up to $3 billion

 

0.60% of net assets

Over $3 billion

 

0.55% of net assets

 

Amended and Effective May 18, 2009 with respect to addition of  Ivy Municipal High Income Fund and Ivy Tax-Managed Equity Fund; Amended and Effective February 11, 2010 with respect to addition of  Ivy Asset Strategy New Opportunities Fund ; Amended and Effective January 24, 2011 with merger of Ivy Mortgage Securities Fund into Ivy Bond Fund; Amended and Effective June 13, 2011 with respect to merger of Ivy Capital Appreciation Fund into Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund.

 

Dated as of June 13, 2011

 

13




Exhibit 10.28

 

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

 

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware (or any successor corporation) (the “Company”), does hereby grant and give unto [                          ] (the “Awardee”), an award of restricted shares of Company Class A common stock (the “Restricted Stock”) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth (the “Award”).

 

AUTHORITY FOR GRANT

 

1.                                       Stock Incentive Plan .  The Restricted Stock is granted under the provisions of the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”), and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) and not inconsistent with the Plan.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Plan, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

TERMS OF AWARD

 

2.                                       Number of Shares .  In consideration of future services to the Company, the Awardee is hereby granted [                    ] shares of Restricted Stock (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $.01 (the “Stock”) on [                          ], 20[      ] (the “Grant Date”), subject to repurchase of a portion thereof by the Company pursuant to Section 12 below.

 

3.                                       Restrictions; Forfeiture .  The Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until its restrictions are removed or expire.  The Restricted Stock may be forfeited to the Company pursuant to Sections 5(b) and 7, at which time the Company shall have the right to instruct the Company’s transfer agent to transfer the Restricted Stock to the Company to be held by the Company in treasury or by any designee of the Company.

 

4.                                       Expiration of Restrictions and Risk of Forfeiture .  The restrictions and risk of forfeiture for the Restricted Stock will expire as set forth in this Section 4, as of the vesting dates set forth in this Section 4, provided that (a) Awardee is an employee of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate continuously from the Grant Date through the applicable vesting date, and (b) the restrictions and risk of forfeiture have not previously expired pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Percentage of Shares Vesting

 

Vest Date

 

 

 

 

 

33 1 / 3 %

 

[                      , 20      ]

 

33 1 / 3 %

 

[                      , 20      ]

 

33 1 / 3 %

 

[                      , 20      ]

 

 



 

TERMINATION OF AWARD

 

For purposes of the following Sections, all references to termination of employment shall be construed to mean termination of all service relationships with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, including employees, independent contractors and consultants; however, nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to create or continue a common law employment relationship with any individual characterized by the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor or consultant.

 

5.                                       Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Termination of Employment Due to Death or Disability .   If an Awardee’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates terminates by reason of death or Disability, the restrictions and risk of forfeiture with respect to the Restricted Stock which have not expired shall immediately lapse and all shares of the Restricted Stock shall be deemed fully vested and nonforfeitable.

 

(b)                                  Termination of Employment Other Than Due to Death or Disability .   If an Awardee’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates terminates for a reason other than death or Disability, the shares of Restricted Stock for which the restrictions and risk of forfeiture have not expired as of the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited without further action by the Company; provided, however, that the portion, if any, of those shares of Restricted Stock for which the restrictions and risk of forfeiture have expired as of the date of such termination shall not be forfeited.

 

6.                                       Change in Control or Potential Change in Control of the Company .  In the event of a Change in Control, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in writing at or after the Grant Date, but prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, the restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock shall lapse and such shares shall be deemed fully vested and nonforfeitable.

 

7.                                       Section 83(b) Election .  The Awardee acknowledges that this Award is conditioned upon Awardee’s agreement that Awardee will forgo any rights Awardee has to make an election under section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to the Restricted Stock (an “83(b) Election”).  In the event that Awardee makes a timely 83(b) Election with respect to the Restricted Stock all shares of Restricted Stock subject to this Agreement shall be immediately forfeited as of the Grant Date without further action of the Company.

 

2



 

GENERAL TERMS AND PROVISIONS

 

8.                                       Administration of Award .  The Restricted Stock shall be maintained in a book-entry account (the “Account”) by and at the Company’s transfer agent until the restrictions associated with such Restricted Stock expire pursuant to Sections 4, 5, 6 or 7.  The Awardee shall execute and deliver to the transfer agent one or more stock powers in blank for the Restricted Stock.  The Awardee hereby agrees that the transfer agent shall maintain such Account and the related stock power(s) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement until such restrictions expire pursuant to Sections 4, 5, 6 or 7.

 

9.                                       Ownership of Restricted Stock .  From and after the time that the Account representing the Restricted Stock has been activated and prior to forfeiture, the Awardee will be entitled to all the rights of absolute ownership of the Restricted Stock, including the right to vote those shares and to receive dividends thereon if, as, and when declared by the Board, subject, however, to the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement.  Dividends paid in stock of the Company or stock received in connection with a Stock split with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same restrictions as on such Restricted Stock.  The shares of Restricted Stock subject to this Award are not eligible to be enrolled in any dividend re-investment program until the restrictions thereon expire.

 

10.                                Adjustment of Shares for Recapitalization, Etc.   In the event there is any change in the outstanding Stock of the Company by reason of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or otherwise, there shall be substituted for or added to each share of Stock theretofore appropriated or thereafter subject, or which may become subject, to this Award, the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which each outstanding share of Stock shall be so changed or for which each such share shall be exchanged, or to which each such share shall be entitled, as the case may be.  Adjustment under the preceding provisions of this Section 10 will occur automatically upon any such change in the outstanding Stock of the Company.  No fractional interest will be issued under the Plan on account of any such adjustment.

 

11.                                Conditions to Delivery of Stock and Registration .  Nothing herein shall require the Company to issue or the transfer agent to deliver any shares with respect to the Award if (a) that issuance would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, constitute a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar or superseding statute or statutes, any other applicable statute or regulation, or the rules of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect; or (b) the withholding obligation as provided in Section 12 of this Agreement has not been satisfied.  From time to time, the Board and appropriate officers of the Company are authorized to and shall take whatever actions are necessary to file required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges, and other appropriate persons to make shares of Stock available for issuance.

 

12.                                Payment of Taxes .  The delivery of shares of Stock pursuant to this Award is conditioned upon satisfaction of any withholding obligation described in this Section 12.  The Awardee may be required, from time to time, in the Company’s discretion, to pay to the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate as applicable), the amount that the Company deems necessary to satisfy the Company’s or its Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s current or future obligation to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred by the Awardee as a result of the

 

3



 

Award.  With respect to any required tax withholding obligation, the Company will withhold from the gross number of shares of Stock to be issued upon vesting a number of shares equal in value to the amount of such obligation, based on the shares’ Fair Market Value at the time such obligation is incurred or, upon timely request by the Awardee, the Company may, in its sole discretion, allow the Awardee to deliver to the Company (a) sufficient shares of Stock to satisfy any required tax withholding obligation, based on the shares’ Fair Market Value at the time such obligation is incurred or (b) sufficient cash to satisfy such obligation in lieu of such withholding by the Company.  In the event that the Company subsequently determines that the aggregate Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld by the Company or submitted by the Awardee as payment of any tax withholding obligation is insufficient to discharge that tax withholding obligation, then the Awardee shall pay to the Company, immediately upon the Company’s request, the amount of that deficiency in cash.

 

13.                                Company Records .  Records of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates regarding any period(s) of employment, termination of employment and the reason therefor, leaves of absence, re-employment, and other matters shall be conclusive for all purposes hereunder, unless determined by the Company to be incorrect.

 

14.                                Right of the Company and Subsidiaries to Terminate Employment .  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer upon the Awardee the right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate the Awardee’s employment at any time.

 

15.                                No Liability for Good Faith Determinations .  The members of the Board and the Committee shall not be liable for any act, omission, interpretation or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to this Agreement or the Restricted Stock granted hereunder and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action, determination or interpretation.

 

16.                                Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

17.                                Successors .  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Awardee, their legal representatives, heirs, legatees and distributees, and upon the Company, its successors and assigns.

 

18.                                Notices .  Any notices required by or permitted to be given to the Company under this Agreement shall be made in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the Company in care of the Company’s Legal Department, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202.  Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given when received by the Company.

 

19.                                Headings .  The titles and headings herein are included for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

4



 

20.                                Rules of Construction .  This Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Company in Kansas and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of said State, other than any choice of law rules calling for the application of laws of another jurisdiction.  Should there be any inconsistency or discrepancy between the provisions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Plan under which this Award is granted, the provisions in the Plan shall govern and prevail.

 

21.                                Amendment .  This Agreement may be amended by the Committee; provided, however, that no amendment may decrease rights inherent in this Award prior to such amendment without the express written consent of the parties hereto.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 21, this Agreement may be amended by the Committee to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws and regulations and to conform the provisions of this Agreement to any changes thereto.

 

22.                                Effective Date .  This Agreement is effective as of [                                  , 20      ].

 

 

 

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Daniel P. Connealy, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

“Company”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Awardee]

 

 

 

 

 

“Awardee”

 

5



 

STOCK POWER

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, «Name» does hereby assign and transfer unto Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (51-0261715) [                    ] shares of Class A common stock of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation, granted on [                          , 20      ], as evidenced by the Restricted Stock Award Agreement of even date therewith and standing in the name of the undersigned on the books of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.  The undersigned does hereby appoint Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as attorney-in-fact to transfer the said stock on the books of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated as of this [        ] day of [                        , 20      ].

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Awardee]

 




Exhibit 10.36

 

WRIMCO\IICO INSTITUTIONAL REVENUE SHARING SCHEDULE

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS — LARGE CAP GROWTH TEAM

Arrangements effective as of 07/01/2004

 

Portfolio Managers have the opportunity to earn revenue sharing above and beyond their salary.  To be eligible for revenue sharing, certain conditions and contingencies must be satisfied. Among other things, an individual must be employed by WRIMCO or IICO on the date of the revenue sharing payment, have performed all job responsibilities to the satisfaction of WRIMCO or IICO and have acted at all times in accordance with every company policy, agreement, regulatory authority and legal requirement.

 

As is the case with all revenue sharing, the schedule and methodology of calculation are subject to change.  Additionally, consideration will be given to macro events that are out of the control of the investment management division.

 

The company makes no representations, promises or predictions as to the amount of any revenue sharing or the likelihood of personnel to receive revenue sharing.

 

Note:   The revenue sharing terms listed below are an exception to the standard portfolio manager revenue sharing schedule.

 

A.  For all institutional managed Large Cap Growth assets gained above the $2 billion threshold (but not prior to 07/01/04)(1)

 

Revenue Sharing Terms for New Managed Accounts :

Explanation: Applies to new accounts

1 st  Year :

20% of revenues

2 nd  Year :

15% of revenues

Trailer :

5% of revenues

 

Revenue Sharing Terms for Significant Contributions into Managed Accounts :

Explanation: Applies to account contributions of at least 20% of market value or 10% of market value for accounts with frequent contribution/withdrawal activity (flow accounts).  See separate document for information on revenue sharing for flow accounts.

1 st  Year :

20% of revenues

2 nd  Year :

15% of revenues

Note :                                      After paying revenue sharing for two years on the contribution, the 5% trailer would be applied to the total revenues of the account.

 


(1)  If total Large Cap assets under management fall below $1.5 billion for two consecutive calendar quarter-ends, the company reserves the right to renegotiate.

 



 

B.  For all new institutional managed Large Cap Growth assets when aggregate assets are less than $2 billion threshold (or before 07/01/04)

 

Revenue Sharing Terms for New Managed Accounts:

Explanation: Applies to new accounts

1 st  Year :

10% of revenues

2 nd  Year :

5% of revenues

Trailer :

5% of revenues

 

Revenue Sharing Terms for Significant Contributions into Managed Accounts :

Explanation: Applies to account contributions of at least 20% of market value or 10% of market value for accounts with frequent contribution/withdrawal activity (flow accounts).  See separate document for information on revenue sharing for flow accounts.

1 st  Year :

10% of revenues

2 nd  Year :

5% of revenues

Note :                                      After paying revenue sharing for two years on the contribution, the 5% trailer would be applied to the total revenues of the account.

 

Affiliated Accounts :

No revenue sharing paid

 

See separate document for allocation of above revenue sharing terms between members of the Large Cap Growth Team.

 

 

Approved by:

/s/ John E. Sundeen, Jr.

 

Date:

February 18, 2011

 

****CONFIDENTIAL**** CONFIDENTIAL**** CONFIDENTIAL**** CONFIDENTIAL****

 

2




Exhibit 11

 

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(in thousands except for per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

175,459

 

$

156,959

 

$

105,505

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

85,783

 

85,618

 

85,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

85,793

 

85,647

 

85,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

 

$

2.05

 

$

1.83

 

$

1.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

 

$

2.05

 

$

1.83

 

$

1.23

 

 




Exhibit 12

 

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

 

$

282,728

 

$

246,484

 

$

162,156

 

$

156,420

 

$

199,160

 

Fixed charges

 

18,866

 

20,298

 

20,008

 

18,824

 

18,158

 

Total earnings

 

$

301,594

 

$

266,782

 

$

182,164

 

$

175,244

 

$

217,318

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

11,413

 

$

12,723

 

$

12,695

 

$

12,087

 

$

11,924

 

Portion of rentals representative of interest factor

 

7,453

 

7,575

 

7,313

 

6,737

 

6,234

 

Total fixed charges

 

$

18,866

 

$

20,298

 

$

20,008

 

$

18,824

 

$

18,158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

15.99

 

13.14

 

9.10

 

9.31

 

11.97

 

 




Exhibit 21

 

Subsidiaries of the Company

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Formation

Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc.

 

Missouri

Waddell & Reed, Inc.

 

Delaware

Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company

 

Kansas

Waddell & Reed Services Company

 

Missouri

Ivy Investment Management Company

 

Delaware

Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc.

 

Florida

W & R Capital Management Group, Inc.

 

Delaware

W & R Corporate LLC

 

Delaware

W & R Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

Missouri

W & R Insurance Agency of Montana, Inc.

 

Montana

Unicon Agency, Inc.

 

New York

Fiduciary Trust Company of New Hampshire

 

New Hampshire

Legend Group Holdings, LLC

 

Delaware

Legend Advisory Corporation

 

New York

Legend Equities Corporation

 

Delaware

Advisory Services Corporation

 

Nevada

The Legend Group, Inc.

 

Delaware

LEC Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

Texas

 




Exhibit 23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.:

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements No. 333-65827, 333-47567, and 333-44528 on Forms S-8 and No. 333-43862 and 333-179111 on Forms S-3 of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. of our reports dated February 28, 2012, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, which reports appear in the December 31, 2011 annual report on Form 10-K of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

 

 

 

Kansas City, Missouri

 

February 28, 2012

 

 




Exhibit 31.1

 

I, Henry J. Herrmann, certify that:

 

1.               I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.;

 

2.               Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.               Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.               The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                              Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                              Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)                               Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)                              Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.               The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 



 

a)                                All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                                Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  February 28, 2012

 

 

/s/ Henry J. Herrmann

 

Henry J. Herrmann

 

Chief Executive Officer

 




Exhibit 31.2

 

I, Daniel P. Connealy, certify that:

 

1.               I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.;

 

2.               Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.               Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.               The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                              Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                              Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c)                               Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d)                              Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.               The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 



 

a)                                All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                                Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  February 28, 2012

 

 

/s/ Daniel P. Connealy

 

Daniel P. Connealy

 

Senior Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 




Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Henry J. Herrmann, Chief Executive Officer of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (the “Act”), that:

 

1.                                       The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “Report”) dated February 29, 2012 and filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2.                                       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated:  February 28, 2012

 

 

/s/ Henry J. Herrmann

 

Henry J. Herrmann

 

Chief Executive Officer

 




Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, Daniel P. Connealy, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (the “Act”), that:

 

1.                                       The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “Report”) dated February 29, 2012 and filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2.                                       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated:  February 28, 2012

 

 

/s/ Daniel P. Connealy

 

Daniel P. Connealy

 

Senior Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer