NEWMARK GROUP, INC. (NMRK)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Real Estate > SIC 6531 Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others)
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1690680. Latest filing source: 0001628280-26-013160.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read NMRK's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read NMRK's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3,294,024,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
| Net income | 126,186,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
| Assets | 5,019,167,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-02 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-30. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001690680.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,349,983,000 | 1,596,450,000 | 2,047,579,000 | 2,218,132,000 | 1,904,998,000 | 2,906,443,000 | 2,705,527,000 | 2,470,368,000 | 2,738,502,000 | 3,294,024,000 |
| Net income | 168,401,000 | 144,492,000 | 106,732,000 | 117,305,000 | 109,277,000 | 978,134,000 | 112,545,000 | 62,375,000 | 85,491,000 | 126,186,000 |
| Operating income | 167,418,000 | 199,788,000 | 332,590,000 | 246,236,000 | 183,998,000 | 1,254,565,000 | 185,569,000 | 125,215,000 | 163,042,000 | 234,002,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 0.85 | 0.64 | 0.58 | 0.39 | 3.80 | 0.45 | 0.24 | 0.34 | 0.68 | |
| Operating cash flow | -644,153,000 | 853,637,000 | -332,367,000 | 986,761,000 | -777,694,000 | -48,709,000 | 1,196,343,000 | -265,961,000 | -9,936,000 | 172,001,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 27,260,000 | 19,069,000 | 21,016,000 | 34,526,000 | 19,626,000 | 19,721,000 | 62,189,000 | 55,361,000 | 31,509,000 | 29,372,000 |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 486,000 | 37,368,000 | 6,364,000 | 290,538,000 | 294,802,000 | 37,428,000 | 212,570,000 | 127,068,000 | |
| Assets | 2,273,007,000 | 3,454,157,000 | 3,201,599,000 | 3,982,450,000 | 5,216,201,000 | 3,940,759,000 | 4,471,575,000 | 4,710,120,000 | 5,019,167,000 | |
| Liabilities | 2,029,593,000 | 2,371,188,000 | 2,239,457,000 | 3,041,258,000 | 3,531,061,000 | 2,399,344,000 | 2,876,649,000 | 3,172,051,000 | 3,267,363,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 260,410,000 | 567,569,000 | 599,664,000 | 655,049,000 | 1,277,927,000 | 1,181,337,000 | 1,252,928,000 | 1,205,525,000 | 1,461,574,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 121,027,000 | 122,475,000 | 163,564,000 | 191,448,000 | 191,332,000 | 233,016,000 | 164,894,000 | 197,691,000 | 229,109,000 | |
| Free cash flow | -671,413,000 | 834,568,000 | -353,383,000 | 952,235,000 | -797,320,000 | -68,430,000 | 1,134,154,000 | -321,322,000 | -41,445,000 | 142,629,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 12.47% | 9.05% | 5.21% | 5.29% | 5.74% | 33.65% | 4.16% | 2.52% | 3.12% | 3.83% |
| Operating margin | 12.40% | 12.51% | 16.24% | 11.10% | 9.66% | 43.16% | 6.86% | 5.07% | 5.95% | 7.10% |
| Return on equity | 55.49% | 18.81% | 19.56% | 16.68% | 76.54% | 9.53% | 4.98% | 7.09% | 8.63% | |
| Return on assets | 6.36% | 3.09% | 3.66% | 2.74% | 18.75% | 2.86% | 1.39% | 1.82% | 2.51% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 7.79 | 4.18 | 3.73 | 4.64 | 2.76 | 2.03 | 2.30 | 2.63 | 2.24 | |
| Current ratio | 1.05 | 1.06 | 1.03 | 1.07 | 1.15 | 0.68 | 1.01 | 1.00 | 1.05 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-013160; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001628280-26-013160; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-013160; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-013160; filed 2026-03-02. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-08. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001690680.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.26 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.15 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | -0.06 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 585,844,000 | 6,429,000 | 0.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 616,283,000 | 9,947,000 | 0.06 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 747,442,000 | 56,348,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 546,499,000 | -16,254,000 | -0.09 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 633,375,000 | 14,280,000 | 0.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 685,912,000 | 17,794,000 | 0.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 872,716,000 | 69,671,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 665,494,000 | -8,766,000 | -0.05 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 759,112,000 | 20,819,000 | 0.11 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 863,460,000 | 46,154,000 | 0.25 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 1,005,958,000 | 67,977,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 846,519,000 | 14,419,000 | 0.08 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-032821; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-032821; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-032821; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-032821.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
Newmark is a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of our clients.
Business Environment
There are several factors that impact results across our three main revenue sources (Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other; Leasing and Other Commissions; and Capital Markets), including both secular and cyclical industry trends as well as macroeconomic dynamics and our investments in growth. These factors are discussed below.
Key Business Drivers. The key drivers of our business include our ability to attract and retain revenue generating headcount across our service lines, the productivity of these employees, and industry volumes in these areas. Volumes are largely a factor of economic and job growth, interest rates, and the demand for commercial real estate as an investment and for debt financing. In addition, demand for our services is influenced by secular trends with respect to outsourcing and other services we provide.
Attracting and Retaining Revenue-Generating Headcount. Over the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, we continued to solidify what we believe is our position as the platform of choice for many top professionals. In countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea, and Singapore, we attracted some of the most prolific and experienced client-facing professionals. We believe that these additions further demonstrate the strength of our global brand, and the value of our substantial investments in data, analytics, and talent. Our revenue-generating headcount across Capital Markets, Leasing and Other Commissions, and V&A in the U.S. was flat or up modestly year-on-year on a net basis over the last several quarters. Therefore, strong gains in revenue per average producer and appraiser were the primary driver of our double-digit year-on-year U.S. commission-based revenue growth. We increased both the number of non-U.S. offices and our international revenue-generating headcount by mid-double-digit percentages year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. As with nearly all newly hired professionals, these recent additions are expected to take at least 6 to 18 months to produce meaningful fees, although we generally record related expenses beginning in their first quarter with the Company. As more of Newmark’s newer team members ramp up, we expect to further improve our productivity and earnings over time, all else equal.
Continued Trends with Respect to Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. Many of our Management Services offerings continue to benefit from increased outsourcing by corporations and other occupiers, owners of real estate, lenders, and investment funds. We expect these outsourcing trends to persist for the foreseeable future, which should benefit our recurring revenue businesses as we continue to invest in areas including property, project, and facilities management, as well across our growing suite of managed services offerings. Between September 2025 and March 2026, our investments in recurring revenue businesses include the Company’s acquisitions of the Altus appraisal platform, Catella, and RealFoundations, as well as the organic launches of our property and facilities management businesses in India and our new fund administration service line. We believe these newest offerings in Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other will help drive stable and predictable revenue and earnings growth over time.
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Additionally, we operate a high margin and growing loan servicing and asset management business focused on GSE/FHA loans, as well as on bank, private credit, and commercial mortgage-backed securities clients. We expect this business to benefit as the overall amount of commercial and multifamily debt outstanding increases, we continue to gain origination market share, and we drive further cross selling between service lines. As of March 31, 2026, our overall loan servicing and asset management portfolio grew by 14.2% year-on-year to a record $222.1 billion (of which 64.8% was limited servicing and asset management, 35.2% was higher margin primary servicing, and 0.7% was special servicing). We expect our overall portfolio to continue providing a steady stream of income and cash flow over the life of the serviced loans.
These factors, combined with our ability to increase revenue synergies between our service lines, enabled us to grow Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other revenues by a double digit CAGR between 2017 and 2026, and to increase these recurring revenues by 21.2% in the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Trends in GDP and Job Growth. Commercial real estate leasing activity has historically been positively correlated with job creation, particularly with respect to office-based employment, and with GDP growth. Unless otherwise noted, all of the following economic statistics are from Bloomberg, including interest rate futures market data and consensus estimates based on their respective April 27, 2026 U.K. and April 27, 2026 U.S. surveys of economists.
According to a preliminary estimate by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. GDP increased 2.0% in the first quarter of 2026, after having expanded 2.1% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2024. According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. GDP growth was once again led by increased capital expenditures on categories closely tied to artificial intelligence, which may have contributed approximately half of all GDP growth in the quarter, and resulted in overall business investment expanding by more than 10% annualized. While U.K. GDP for the quarter has not yet been released, the consensus is for it to grow by 0.6% year-on-year, after having expanded 1.4% in 2025 and 1.1% in 2024.
According to a preliminary estimate by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the seasonally adjusted monthly average of U.S. non-farm payroll employment increased by approximately 63,000 in the first quarter of 2026. In comparison, the monthly average grew by 10,000 and 122,000 in full years 2025 and 2024. The March 2026 U.S. unemployment rate (based on U-3) was unchanged versus a year earlier at 4.3% compared with 4.1% a year earlier. Per the Office for National Statistics, the comparable U.K. unemployment rate as of February 2026 (the most recent data available) was 4.9% versus 4.3% a year earlier.
Interest Rate Environment. Commercial real estate capital markets transactions involving financing generally utilize medium- or long-term debt, and the interest rates for such debt are influenced by movements in benchmark rates with similar tenors, including U.S. Treasuries. Such benchmark rates can often be meaningfully impacted by actual or anticipated movements in key short-term rates, such as the Fed Funds Target rate. In addition, a portion of commercial and multifamily mortgages involve floating interest rates tied to short-term benchmarks. Sudden changes in short term interest rates can therefore have pronounced effects on commercial mortgage origination and investment sales volumes.
The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield increased by approximately 150 basis points quarter-on-quarter and by 111 basis points year-on-year to 4.3% as of March 31, 2026. The ten-year U.K. Gilt yield increased by approximately 439 basis points quarter-on-quarter and by 241 basis points year-on-year to 4.9% over the same timeframe. The increases are mainly due to the sharp rise in prices for oil, natural gas, and other commodities due to the Middle East conflict. For context, ten-year U.S. Treasury and ten-year U.K. Gilt yields still remain below their 50-year average through December 31, 2025 of approximately 5.8% and 7.0%, respectively.
For the month ending March 31, 2026, the most commonly cited U.S. and U.K. inflation measures were up 3.3% and 3.4%, respectively, versus a year earlier. They have both been higher than the 2% targets set by both the FOMC and MPC since June, 2021, and headline inflation in both countries increased month over month due largely to the aforementioned increase in energy prices. The surveyed economists continue to expect inflation to remain above these targets for at least the next two calendar years. Concerns about continued U.S. GDP growth, above-target inflation, and a possibly stagnant job market may present a challenge to the FOMC's dual mandate. This have reduced clarity in terms of how fast the central bank will lower short term rates. The U.K. has experienced many of these same issues, albeit with lower GDP and labor productivity growth and higher inflation. As a result, both economists and the futures markets expect short-term yields in both countries to be higher for the foreseeable future. The futures market is currently pricing in zero short term benchmark rate cuts in the U.S. through the middle of 2027, and expects a slight increase in such rates in the U.K. and Eurozone by the first quarter of next year.
Despite the possibility of flat or rising short term rates, other metrics that are inversely correlated with easier availability of credit for real estate investors remain well below their five year averages in the U.S., and at or below average in the U.K. and Eurozone. We believe this is most positive for commercial real estate capital markets transactions in the U.S., and generally positive for them in the U.K. and Eurozone. These metrics include interest rate volatility as measured by the ICE BofA MOVE Index and credit spreads as indicated by the Bloomberg U.S. Corp BBB/Baa - Treasury 10 Year Spread, as well
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as similar metrics with respect to the U.K. and Eurozone. Given the stable interest rate environment and historically narrow credit spreads in the U.S., we believe current market conditions remain favorable for a continued recovery of U.S. industry capital markets volumes, and to a lesser extent in the U.K. and Continental Europe. Because of Newmark's ongoing investments in talent outside the U.S., and because our recently hired international revenue generating professionals have yet to fully ramp up, we expect to gain further global market share across our commission-based businesses over the near- and medium-term.
Industry Leasing Activity. Unless otherwise stated, all industry leasing data is from Newmark Research and/or CoStar. Office remains the majority of activity for both Newmark and the industry.
U.S. overall office leasing activity (for deals over 10,000 square feet) totaled nearly 60 million square feet in the first quarter of 2026. This represented a 7.5% improvement year-over-year and was the best performance since the fourth quarter of 2023. The continuing recovery was geographically diverse, with New York City, San Francisco, and Dallas/Fort Worth driving much of the first quarter improvement, although San
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the cautionary statements relating to forward-looking statements below.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements
Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth below:
•macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties, including those resulting from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, conflicts in the Middle East and other ongoing or new conflicts in those or other regions, downgrades of U.S. Treasuries, fluctuating global interest rates, current or expected inflation rates and the Federal Reserve’s responses thereto, stagflation, fluctuations in the value of global currencies, including the U.S. dollar, liquidity concerns regarding and changes in capital requirements for banking and financial institutions, changes in the economy, the commercial real estate services industry and the global financial markets, employment levels, global trade relations, volatility in tariffs imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments and other factors driving trade uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, changes in government spending, recession fears, infrastructure spending, and energy costs, including such changes’ effect on demand for commercial real estate and capital markets transaction volumes, office space, levels of new lease activity and renewals, distressed non-GSE commercial mortgages, frequency of loan defaults and forbearance and associated losses, and fluctuations in the mortgage-backed securities markets, as well as potential changes in these factors;
•challenges relating to our repositioning of certain aspects of our business to adapt to and better address the needs of our clients in the future as a result of the acceleration of pre-existing long-term social and economic trends, fluctuating interest rates and market uncertainty, and other legal, cultural and political events and conflicts, and governmental measures taken in response thereto, uncertainty in the timing of stabilization of interest rates and the recovery of transaction volumes, changes in the mix of demand for commercial real estate space, decreased demand for urban office and retail space generally which may not be offset by increased demand for suburban office, data center, fulfillment, and distribution centers and life sciences facilities or otherwise, and which could materially reduce demand for commercial space and have a material adverse effect on the nature of and demand for our commercial real estate services, including the time and expense related to such repositioning, as well as risks related to declines in real estate values, including due to sales of loans previously held by failed financial institutions, increases in commercial real estate lending rates, and the volume of committed investment capital;
•market conditions and volatility, fluctuations in transaction volumes, including changes in leasing and lending activity and debt volumes, the level of worldwide governmental debt issuances, austerity programs, government stimulus packages, increases or decreases in deficits and the impact of changing government tax rates, repatriation rules, changes to U.S. trade or immigration policy and the impact of such policy changes on our and our clients’ businesses, deductibility of interest, and other changes to monetary policy, changing regulatory requirements or changes in legislation, regulations and priorities, possible turmoil across regional banks and certain global investment banks, possible disruptions in transactions, and potential downturns including recessions, and similar effects, which may not be predictable in future periods;
•potential deterioration of equity and debt capital markets for commercial real estate and related services, potential unavailability of traditional sources of financing and a need for alternative sources, and our ability to access the capital markets as needed or on reasonable terms and conditions;
•pricing, commissions and fees, and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors, some of which may have greater financial and operational resources than we do;
•the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;
•uncertainties related to our integration of any businesses, including their systems, technology and employees, that we may acquire and the synergies and revenue growth generated from these and other acquisitions as we build out our international and domestic businesses;
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•liabilities in connection with our business, including appraisal and valuation, sales and leasing and property and facilities management activities, that exceed our insurance coverage;
•liquidity, regulatory requirements and the impact of credit market events, political events and conflicts and actions taken by governments and businesses in response thereto on the credit markets and interest rates;
•our relationship and transactions with Cantor and its affiliates, including CF&Co and CCRE, Newmark’s structure, including Newmark Holdings, which is owned by Newmark, Cantor, Newmark’s employee partners and other partners, and Newmark OpCo, which is owned by Newmark and Newmark Holdings, the timing and impact of any actual or future changes to our organization or structure, any challenges to our interpretation or application of tax laws to our structure, any related party transactions, conflicts of interest, or loans to or from Newmark or Cantor, Newmark Holdings or Newmark OpCo, including the balances and interest rates thereof from time to time and any convertible or equity features of any such loans, repurchase agreements and joint ventures, and CF&Co’s acting as our placement agent in connection with certain capital markets transactions;
•competition for and retention of brokers and other producers, managers and key employees, our ability to integrate newly hired producers, and the duration of the period between when we hire producers and when they achieve full productivity;
•the impact on our stock price from any future reduction of our dividend or future changes in our capital deployment priorities, including repurchases of shares, purchases of limited partnership interests, and our dividend policy, and in Newmark Holdings’ distributions to partners;
•the effect of any layoffs, furloughs, salary cuts, and lower commissions or bonuses on the repayment of partner loans;
•our ability to maintain or develop relationships with independently owned offices or partners in our businesses;
•the effect on our businesses of any extraordinary transactions, mergers, acquisitions, business combinations, dispositions, divestitures, restructurings, or reorganizations, including potential dilution, taxes, costs, and other impacts;
•our ability to effectively deploy our sources of liquidity to repurchase shares or limited partnership interests, pay any excise tax that may be imposed on the repurchase of shares, reduce our debt, and invest in growing our business;
•risks related to changes in our relationships with the GSEs and HUD and related changes in the credit markets;
•risks related to changes in the administration of the GSEs, including changes in the terms of or removal from applicable conservatorships and changes in their capabilities, and in their requirements for participating in their programs and any impact on transaction volume;
•risks related to any reduction or elimination of governmental programs that provide support for mortgage loans;
•risks related to the reduction in staffing at U.S. governmental agencies;
•risks inherent in doing business in and expanding into international markets or with international partners, including economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties, the actions of governments or central banks, the risks of possible nationalization and/or foreign ownership restrictions, compliance with anti-corruption laws, import and export control laws, economic and trade sanctions programs and impacts to cross-border trade and travel, expropriation, price controls, capital controls, foreign currency fluctuations, regulatory and tax requirements, economic and/or political instability, geographic, time zone, language and cultural differences among personnel in different areas of the world, exchange controls and other restrictive government actions, the outbreak of hostilities, the pursuit of trade, border control or other related policies by the U.S. and/or other countries, economic volatility in the U.K. and Europe, political and other tensions between the U.S. and China, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, conflicts in the Middle East and other ongoing or new conflicts or other international tensions, hostilities and instability in those or other regions, as well as potential changes in these factors;
•political and/or civil unrest in the U.S. or abroad, including demonstrations, riots, boycotts, and tensions with law enforcement, the impact of elections, or other social and political developments, labor unrest, the impact of U.S. government shutdowns, including the shutdown that began on October 1, 2025 or political impasses, and uncertainties regarding the debt ceiling, the federal budget, and the deployment of federal funds, including on HUD, as well as potential changes in these factors;
•the impact of terrorist acts, acts of war or other violence, as well as disasters or weather-related or similar events, including hurricanes, and heat waves as well as power failures, communication and transportation disruptions, and other interruptions of utilities or other essential services, and the impact of pandemics and other international health incidents;
•the effect on our businesses, our clients, the markets in which we operate and the economy in general of changes in U.S. and foreign tax and other laws, including but not limited to the OBBBA, changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax law, the impact of potential changes to U.K. tax rates and amendments to the application of National Insurance rules which may impact our subsidiaries organized as limited liability partnerships in the U.K. and their members, repatriation rules, and deductibility of interest, potential policy and regulatory changes in other
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countries, sequestrations, responses to global inflation rates, and other potential changes to tax and other policies resulting from elections and changes in governments;
•the impact of any claims or litigation related to compensation, or other transactions with our current and former executive officers;
•the effect on our business of leadership changes and the resulting transition following the confirmation of Mr. Howard Lutnick, our former Executive Chairman and principal executive officer, as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, our dependence upon our key employees, as well as the competing demands on the time of certain of our key employees who also provide services to Cantor, BGC and various other ventures and investments sponsored by Cantor or otherwise, our ability to build out successful succession plans, the impact of absence due to illness or leave of certain officers or employees and our ability to attract, retain, motivate and integrate new employees, and our ability to enforce post-employment restrictive covenants on awards previously granted to certain of our key employees and future awards or otherwise;
•extensive regulation of our business and clients, changes in regulations relating to commercial real estate and other industries, changes in environmental regulations, including regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, and risks relating to U.S. and foreign tax and compliance matters, including regulatory examinations, inspections, audits, investigations and enforcement actions, unavailability of certain tax credits or reliefs or additional tax liabilities or assessments, and any resulting costs, increased financial and capital requirements, enhanced oversight, remediation, fines, penalties, sanctions, and changes to or restrictions or limitations on specific activities, operations, and compensatory arrangements, and growth opportunities, including acquisitions, hiring, and new businesses, products, or services, as well as risks related to our taking actions to deliver that we and our subsidiaries are not deemed investment companies under the Investment Company Act;
•factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions as well as risks related to potential counterparty failure;
•costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property, utilizing third-party software licensed under “open source” licenses, as well as employment, regulatory and other litigation and proceedings and their related costs, including costs and expenses related to acquisitions and other matters, including judgments, fines, or settlements paid, reputational risk, requirements that we stop selling or redesign affected products or services, rebrand or restrict our products or services or pay damages to satisfy indemnification commitments with our customers, and the impact thereof on our financial results and cash flows in any given period;
•certain other financial risks, including the possibility of future losses, indemnification obligations, assumed liabilities, reduced cash flows from operations, increased leverage, reduced availability under our various credit facilities, and the need for short- or long-term borrowings, including from Cantor, our ability to refinance our indebtedness, including in the credit markets, on acceptable rates, and our ability to satisfy eligibility criteria for government-sponsored loan programs and changes to interest rates and market liquidity or our access to other sources of cash relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or other matters, potential liquidity and other risks relating to our ability to maintain continued access to credit and the availability of financing necessary to support ongoing business needs on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and risks associated with the resulting leverage, including potentially causing a reduction in our credit ratings and associated outlooks and increased borrowing costs;
•risks associated with the temporary or longer-term investment of our available cash, including in Newmark OpCo, defaults or impairments of the Company’s investments (including investments in non-marketable securities), joint venture interests, stock loans or cash management vehicles and collectability of loan balances owed to us by partners, employees, Newmark OpCo or others;
•the impact of any reduction in the willingness of commercial property owners to outsource their property management needs;
•our ability to enter and succeed in new markets or develop new products or services and to induce clients to use these products or services and to secure and maintain market share;
•our ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances or business combinations and attract investors or partners or engage in restructuring, rebranding or other transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, divestitures, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, the anticipated benefits of any such transactions, relationships or growth and the future impact of any such transactions, relationships or growth on other businesses and financial results for current or future periods, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions or divestitures, the impact of amendments and/or terminations of any strategic arrangements, and the value of any hedging entered into in connection with consideration received or to be received in connection with such dispositions and any transfers thereof;
•our estimates or determinations of potential value with respect to various assets or portions of the Company’s business, including with respect to the accuracy of the assumptions or the valuation models or multiples used;
•the impact of near- or off-shoring on our business, including on our ability to manage turnover and hire, train, integrate and retain personnel, including brokerage professionals, salespeople, managers, and other professionals;
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•our ability to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved, including outside of the U.S., while ensuring compliance with all applicable financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements;
•our ability to identify and remediate any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls that could affect our ability to properly maintain books and records, prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner, control policies, practices and procedures, operations and assets, assess and manage the Company’s operational, regulatory and financial risks, and integrate acquired businesses and brokers, salespeople, managers and other professionals;
•information technology risks, including capacity constraints, failures, or disruptions in our systems or those of clients, counterparties, or other parties with which we interact, increased demands on such systems and on the telecommunications infrastructure from remote working, including cyber security risks and incidents, compliance with regulations requiring data minimization and protection and preservation of records of access and transfers of data, privacy risk and exposure to potential liability and regulatory focus;
•the expansion of our cybersecurity processes to include new businesses, or the integration of the cybersecurity processes of acquired businesses, including internationally;
•the impact of AI on the economy, our industry, our business and the businesses of our clients and vendors;
•the effectiveness of our governance, risk management, and oversight procedures and the impact of any potential transactions or relationships with related parties;
•the impact of our Corporate Responsibility or “sustainability” ratings on decisions by clients, investors, potential clients and other parties with respect to our business, investments in us, our borrowing opportunities or the market for and trading price of our Class A common stock or Company debt securities, or other matters, as well as the impact and potential cost to us of any policies, legislation, or initiatives in opposition to our Corporate Responsibility or “sustainability” policies;
•the fact that the prices at which shares of our Class A common stock are or may be sold in offerings or other transactions may vary significantly, and purchasers of shares in such offerings or other transactions, as well as existing stockholders, may suffer significant dilution if the price they paid for their shares is higher than the price paid by other purchasers in such offerings or transactions; and
•the effect on the markets for and trading prices of our Class A common stock due to market factors, as well as of various offerings and other transactions, including offerings of our Class A common stock and convertible or exchangeable debt or other securities, repurchases of shares of our Class A common stock and purchases or redemptions of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, any exchanges by Cantor of shares of our Class A common stock for shares of our Class B common stock, any exchanges or redemptions of limited partnership units and issuances of shares of our Class A common stock in connection therewith, including in corporate or partnership restructurings, payment of dividends on our Class A common stock and distributions on limited partnership interests of Newmark Holdings and Newmark OpCo, convertible arbitrage, hedging, and other transactions engaged in by us or holders of outstanding shares, debt or other securities, share sales and stock pledges, stock loans, and other financing transactions by holders of shares or units (including by Cantor executive officers, partners, employees or others), including of shares acquired pursuant to employee benefit plans, unit exchanges and redemptions, corporate or partnership restructurings, acquisitions, conversions of shares of our Class B common stock and other convertible securities into shares of our Class A common stock, and distributions of our Class A common stock by Cantor to its partners.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed under the headings “Item 1A—Risk Factors,” and “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, may cause actual results and events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
Overview
Newmark is a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of our clients.
Business Environment
There are several factors that impact results across our three main revenue sources (Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other; Leasing and Other Commissions; and Capital Markets), including both secular and cyclical industry trends as well as macroeconomic dynamics and our investments in growth. These factors are discussed below.
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Key Business Drivers
The key drivers of our business include our ability to attract and retain revenue generating headcount across our service lines, the productivity of these employees, and industry volumes in these areas. Volumes are largely a factor of economic and job growth, interest rates, and the demand for commercial real estate as an investment and for debt financing. In addition, demand for our services is influenced by secular trends with respect to outsourcing and other services we provide.
Attracting and Retaining Revenue-Generating Headcount. During 2025, we continued to solidify what we believe is our position as the platform of choice for many top professionals. In countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, India, South Korea, and Singapore, we attracted some of the most prolific and experienced client-facing professionals. We believe that these additions further demonstrate the strength of our global brand, and the value of our substantial investments in data, analytics, and talent. Our revenue-generating headcount across Capital Markets, Leasing and Other Commissions, and V&A in the U.S. was flat or up modestly year-on-year on a net basis at the end of each of the five quarters ended December 31, 2024, through December 31, 2025. Therefore, productivity gains were the primary driver of our strong quarterly and year-to-date U.S. commission-based revenue growth. We increased both the number of non-U.S. offices and our international revenue-generating headcount by double-digit percentages year-on-year in more recent quarters, albeit from smaller bases. As with nearly all newly hired professionals, these international additions are expected to take at least 6 to 18 months to produce meaningful fees, although we generally record related expenses beginning in their first quarter with the Company. As more of Newmark’s recently added team members ramp up, we expect to further improve our productivity and earnings over time, all else equal.
Continued Trends with Respect to Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. Many of our Management Services offerings continue to benefit from increased outsourcing by corporations and other occupiers, owners of real estate, lenders, and investment funds. We expect these outsourcing trends to persist for the foreseeable future, which should benefit our recurring revenue businesses as we continue to invest in areas including property, project, and facilities management, as well across our growing suite of managed services offerings. Our most recent investments in recurring revenue businesses include the Company’s acquisitions of Catella and RealFoundations and the launch of our property and facilities management businesses in India, all in the fourth quarter of 2025, as well as starting our new fund administration business in September 2025. We believe these newest offerings in Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other will help drive stable and predictable revenue and earnings growth over time.
Additionally, we operate a high margin and growing loan servicing and asset management business focused on GSE/FHA loans, as well as on bank, private credit, and commercial mortgage-backed securities clients. We expect this business to benefit as the overall amount of commercial and multifamily debt outstanding increases, we continue to gain origination market share, and we drive further cross selling between service lines. As of December 31, 2025, our loan servicing and asset management portfolio grew by 15.2% year-on-year to a record $211.2 billion (of which 63.6% was limited servicing and asset management, 35.6% was higher margin primary servicing, and 0.8% was special servicing). We expect our overall portfolio to continue providing a steady stream of income and cash flow over the life of the serviced loans.
These factors, combined with our ability to increase revenue synergies between our service lines, enabled us to grow Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other revenues by a double digit CAGR between 2017 and 2025, and to increase these recurring revenues by 12.4% over the twelve months ended December 31, 2025.
Trends in GDP and Job Growth. Commercial real estate leasing activity has historically been positively correlated with job creation, particularly with respect to office-based employment, and with GDP growth. Unless otherwise noted, all of the following economic statistics are from Bloomberg, including consensus estimates based on their respective February 16, 2026 U.K. and February 20, 2026 U.S. surveys of economists.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. GDP increased by 2.2% in 2025 after having expanded by 2.8% in 2024 and 2.9% in 2023. The Bureau stated that: “The increase in real GDP in 2025 primarily reflected increases in consumer spending and investment.” With respect to the latter, investments in artificial intelligence, particularly in data centers, made up 39% of all U.S. GDP growth over the first nine months of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. According to the Office for National Statistics, U.K. GDP increased by 1.4% year-on-year in 2025, after having expanded by 1.1% and 0.3% in 2024 and 2023.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, seasonally adjusted monthly average of U.S. non-farm payroll employment increased by approximately 15,000 in 2025. In comparison, the monthly average grew by 122,000 and 210,000 in full years 2024 and 2023. The December 2025 U.S. unemployment rate (based on U-3) was 4.4% compared with 4.1% a year earlier. Per the Office for National Statistics, the comparable U.K. unemployment rate as of December 2025 was 5.2% versus 4.4% a year earlier.
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Interest Rate Environment. Commercial real estate capital markets transactions involving financing generally utilize medium- or long-term debt, and the interest rates for such debt are influenced by movements in benchmark rates with similar tenors, including U.S. Treasuries. Such benchmark rates can often be meaningfully impacted by actual or anticipated movements in key short-term rates, such as the Fed Funds Target rate. In addition, a portion of commercial and multifamily mortgages involve floating interest rates tied to short-term benchmarks. Sudden changes in short term interest rates can therefore have pronounced effects on commercial mortgage origination and investment sales volumes.
The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield increased by approximately two basis points quarter-on-quarter and decreased by 40 basis points year-on-year to 4.2% as of December 31, 2025. The ten-year U.K. Gilt yield decreased by approximately 20 basis points quarter-on-quarter and by 6 basis points year-on-year to 4.5% over the same timeframe. For context, ten-year U.S. Treasury and ten-year U.K. Gilt yields still remain below their 50-year average through December 31, 2025 of approximately 5.8% and 7.0%, respectively.
For the month ending December 31, 2025, the most commonly cited U.S. and U.K. inflation measures were up 2.7% and 3.6%, respectively, versus a year earlier. They both remained higher than the 2% targets set by both the FOMC and MPC. The surveyed economists expect inflation to remain above these targets for at least the next two calendar years. Concerns about expectations for strong GDP growth, above-target inflation, and a possibly stagnant job market may present a challenge to the FOMC's dual mandate. This have reduced clarity in terms of how fast the central bank will lower short term rates. The U.K. has experienced many of these same issues, albeit with lower GDP and labor productivity growth. As a result, both economists and the futures markets expect short-term yields in both countries to be higher for the foreseeable future compared with the ultra-low interest rate period from the fourth quarter of 2008 through the first quarter of 2022.
In addition, other metrics that are inversely correlated with easier availability of credit for real estate investors remain well below long term averages, which is positive for commercial real estate capital markets transactions. These metrics include interest rate volatility as measured by the ICE BofA MOVE Index and credit spreads as indicated by the Bloomberg U.S. Corp BBB/Baa - Treasury 10 Year Spread, as well as similar metrics with respect to the U.K. and Eurozone. Given the stable interest rate environment and historically narrow credit spreads in the major markets in which Newmark operates, we believe current market conditions remain favorable for a continued recovery of industry capital markets volumes.
Industry Leasing Activity. Unless otherwise stated, all industry leasing data is from Newmark Research and/or CoStar. While industrial and retail have increased as a percentage of leasing revenues since 2019, office remains the majority of activity for both Newmark and the industry.
U.S. new office leasing activity (for deals above 10,000 square feet and excluding lease renewals) improved by approximately 7% and 10%, respectively in the fourth quarter and full year 2025. This recovery was relatively uneven, with New York City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay Area driving much of this national improvement, although San Francisco continues to have one of the highest vacancy rates among major U.S. markets. Class A leasing activity continued to be strongest nationally, although demand edged higher among Class B and Class C buildings in the second half of 2025, indicating demand for space may be broadening. With respect to the U.K., fourth quarter 2025 was among the strongest in the past three years with respect to new office leasing activity, with London leading the demand recovery. U.K. net absorption was up by 4.5 million square feet for full year 2025, after having been negative every period from the first quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2025. With the pipeline of new office construction expected to drop off dramatically beginning this year in Newmark's key markets, the ongoing enhancement of Class B office properties, and the conversion of obsolete space into multifamily and other uses, we expect office fundamentals to continue to improve.
We expect demand for office space to continue to be supported by the reset in values due to near-term debt maturities. We also continue to see increased need for high quality office space in an increasing number of markets, led by new demand driven by companies in technology, including AI, and financial services, as well as ongoing return-to-workplace plans. Placer.ai data for December 2025 indicates that in-person attendance in the U.S. increased to an average of 66.9% of December 2019 pre-pandemic levels versus 60.8% a year earlier. This represented a year-on-year improvement in attendance of 10.0%. While Miami, Dallas, and New York City continue to lead in terms of in-person attendance, the national year-on-year improvement was led by San Francisco, Dallas, and Boston among major markets.
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New U.S. industrial leasing activity continued its momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025, growing by more than 20% year-on-year, led by large modern warehouses and distribution centers. Net absorption was stronger in the second half of 2025 and was 62 million square feet in the fourth quarter, which was the best quarterly performance in two years. Tenants in many metropolitan areas are consolidating and upgrading to newer facilities. The national industrial vacancy rate inched up only two basis points quarter-over-quarter, which was the smallest increase since 2022, signaling the market may be near peak vacancy, with some markets already posting consistent quarterly declines amid robust absorption and slowing deliveries. For full year 2025, U.S. new industrial lease activity improved by 6%. The U.K. industrial vacancy rate improved by approximately 20 basis points year-on-year to 7.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025, while quarterly leasing activity was 15% higher than the 10-year pre-pandemic quarterly average. Annual U.K. industrial leasing activity for 2025 improved by 1% over 2024, supported by falling supply and improving occupier confidence and led by logistics and e-commerce operator requirements along with new overseas entrants and defense-related manufacturers.
Overall U.S. retail leasing activity for centers and properties of at least 20,000 square feet remained muted in 2025, with fourth quarter volumes approximately 33% below the trailing ten year average. Lower activity was largely driven by the lack of availably of prime space in many key markets after years of low construction and conversions of retail into other property types, as well as by the rise of e-commerce allowing for fewer locations in given markets. Centers built in 2000 or later have significantly better occupancy rates versus older properties, and account for most of the absorbed space over the last year. In addition, retailers and retail occupiers are taking less space, with average lease size down 7.4% year on year in 2025 and lower by 2.1% versus 2019. The strongest major markets as measured by annual absorption were Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Phoenix. However, the U.S. retail vacancy rate remained well below the ten year average as of December 31, 2025.
Against this improving market backdrop, Newmark’s revenues from Leasing and Other Commissions increased by 16.9% for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Industry Capital Markets Activity. We believe that we once again gained share in Capital Markets in 2025, even as overall industry volumes continued to improve. For example, based on their analysis of the most recently available data from MSCI and/or the MBA, Newmark Research estimates that U.S. notional investment sales volumes were up by approximately by 20% year-on-year in 2025. Growth was led by the New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles metro regions for the year, while activity improved by double digit percentages nationally across nearly every major property type. Full year U.S. industry sales volumes were 7% below their 2017 to 2019 average. Preliminary MSCI data indicates that European investment sales volumes grew by at least 12% in 2025, although this source often revises such figures upwards at a later date.
Based on their analysis of historical figures from the MBA and MSCI lending data, Newmark Research estimates that U.S. commercial and multifamily originations increased by 43% in 2025. Annual activity improved by double digit percentages for all major property types other than data center lending, which was just over triple the amount in 2024. With respect to lender types, banks and debt funds increased originations faster than the overall market, while CMBS lending was up by 3% versus 2024. Full year U.S. industry origination volumes were 21% above their 2017 to 2019 average, with every major property type other than office being well above this pre-pandemic average.
Against this positive backdrop, Newmark’s full year 2025 Investment Sales and Total Debt volumes were up by approximately 56% and 67% year, respectively.
We have gained considerable Capital Markets share over the past several years. According to data or estimates from MSCI, the MBA, and/or Newmark Research, our U.S. Total Debt volumes were 9.7% of total U.S. commercial and multifamily mortgage originations over the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, up approximately 100 basis points year-on-year and by over six times compared with 1.5% of such originations in 2015. Newmark’s U.S. investment sales volumes were 11.4% of overall U.S. volumes over the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, which was an increase of approximately 260 basis points versus 2024 and more than 3 times our 3.3% share of U.S. volumes in 2015.
Commercial And Multifamily Mortgage Maturities and Other Drivers. We continue to benefit from the ongoing need for our clients to both refinance existing properties owned by them and to finance investments in properties they seek to own. We expect record amounts of medium-term commercial and multifamily mortgage maturities and interest rate stabilization to together lead to continued improvement in industry debt volumes, as well as increased investment sales activity. For example, the MBA expects approximately $2.1 trillion of U.S. commercial and multifamily mortgage maturities between 2026 and 2028 alone, and approximately $5.0 trillion in total.
Given Newmark’s investments in talent, deep relationships with clients, and the strength of our brand, we anticipate further market share gains over time.
Financial Overview
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Revenues
We generally derive revenues from the following three sources:
•Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. We provide commercial services to tenants and landlords. In this business, we provide property and facilities management services along with project management, V&A services, and other consulting and managed services, as well as technology services, to customers who may also utilize our commercial real estate brokerage services, and flexible workspace solutions. Servicing fees are derived from the servicing of loans originated by us as well as loans originated by third parties.
•Leasing and Other Commissions. We offer a diverse range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, including tenant and landlord (or agency) representation, which includes comprehensive lease negotiations, strategic planning, site selection, lease auditing, and other financial and market analysis.
•Capital Markets. This consists of investment sales and commercial mortgage origination, net. Our investment sales business specializes in the arrangement of acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, as well as equity placement and other related services. Our commercial mortgage origination business offers services and products to facilitate debt financing for our clients and customers. Commercial mortgage origination revenue is comprised of commissions generated from mortgage brokerage and debt placement services, as well as the origination fees and premiums derived from the origination of GSE/FHA loans with borrowers. Our commercial mortgage origination revenue also includes the revenue recognized for the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment.
Fees for real estate lease brokerage transactions are generally earned when a lease is signed. In many cases, landlords are responsible for paying the fees. In capital markets, fees are earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer for investment sales and when debt or equity is funded to a vehicle for debt and equity transactions. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized when a derivative asset is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized net of related fees and commissions to affiliates or third-party brokers. For loans we broker, revenues are recognized when the loan is closed.
Servicing fees are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. We typically receive monthly management fees based upon a percentage of monthly rental income generated from the property under management, or in some cases, the greater of such percentage or a minimum agreed upon fee. We are often reimbursed for our administrative and payroll costs, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, directly attributable to properties under management. We follow U.S. GAAP, which provides guidance when accounting for reimbursements from clients and when accounting for certain contingent events for leasing and capital markets transactions. See Note 3 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.
Expenses
(i) Compensation and Employee Benefits
The majority of our operating costs consist of cash and non-cash compensation expenses, which include base salaries, producer commissions based on production, forgivable loans for term contracts, discretionary and other bonuses and all related employee benefits and taxes. Our employees consist of commissioned producers, executives and other administrative support. Our producers are largely compensated based on the revenue they generate for the firm, keeping these costs variable in nature.
As part of our compensation plans, certain employees have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Newmark IPO, BGC Holdings, which generally receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As a result of the Corporate Conversion, there are no longer any limited partnership units in BGC Holdings outstanding. Certain Newmark employees also hold N Units that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. N Units become distribution earning limited partnership units either on a discretionary basis or ratably over a vesting term, if certain revenue thresholds are met at the end of each vesting term. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Newmark has granted certain conversion rights on limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, then-outstanding limited partnership units in BGC Holdings, to Newmark employees to convert the
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limited partnership units to a capital balance within Newmark Holdings or BGC Holdings. Generally, such units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that we record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout amount is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units are granted exchangeability into Newmark Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Newmark Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Certain of our employees have been awarded Preferred Units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, BGC Holdings. Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are or were allocated to such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation, which is deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units in Newmark Holdings. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into our Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly they are not included in our fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are also reflected in compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross number of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
We have also entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans, which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on their limited partnership interests or from the proceeds of the sales of the employees’ shares of our Class A common stock. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the service period.
From time to time, we may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. In addition, we also enter into deferred compensation agreements with employees providing services to us. The costs associated with such plans are generally amortized over the period in which they vest. See Note 27 — “Compensation” and Note 28 — “Commitments and Contingencies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(ii) Other Operating Expenses
We have various other operating expenses. We incur leasing, equipment and maintenance expenses. We also incur selling and promotion expenses, which include entertainment, marketing and travel-related expenses. We incur communication expenses, professional and consulting fees for legal, audit and other special projects, and interest expense related to short-term operational funding needs, and notes payable and collateralized borrowings.
We pay fees to Cantor for performing certain administrative and other support, including charges for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources, legal services and technology infrastructure support. Management believes that these charges are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services rendered. However, the expenses for these services are not necessarily indicative of the expenses that would have been incurred if we had not obtained these services from Cantor. In addition, these charges may not reflect the costs of services we may receive from Cantor in the future.
(iii) Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net is comprised of gains (losses) on equity method investments which represent our pro rata share of the net gains (losses) on investments over which we have significant influence but which we do not control, mark-to-
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market gains or losses on marketable and non-marketable investments, and settlements from litigation unrelated to our operations.
(iv) Provision for Income Taxes
We incur income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of our subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are primarily subject to the UBT in New York City. U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of the UBT, rests with the partners rather than the partnership entity. See Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., we operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes.
Newmark is subject to the tax laws and regulations of the U.S. and various non-U.S. jurisdictions. The OECD Pillar Two Framework provides for a minimum global effective tax rate of 15%. The EU member states formally adopted the EU’s Pillar Two Directive with a subset of rules that became effective January 1, 2024. Other countries are also expected to implement similar legislation. The minimum global effective tax did not have a material impact on our 2024 and 2025 tax rates.
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the OBBBA into law, which, among other things, introduces a broad range of changes to existing tax rules, including significant modifications to certain incentives previously introduced or expanded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, as well as extensions and modifications of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. OBBBA tax provisions did not have a material impact on the Company, including with respect to its future financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Business Mix and Seasonality
Our pre-tax margins are affected by the mix of revenues generated. For example, servicing revenues tend to have higher pre-tax margins than Newmark as a whole, and margins from originating GSE/FHA loans, which are included in “Capital markets” in our consolidated statement of operations, tend to be lower, as we retain rights to service loans over time, and because this item includes non-cash GAAP gains attributable to OMSRs, which represent the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net. Capital markets transactions tend to have higher pre-tax margins than leasing transactions. Pre-tax earnings margins on our property management and parts of our other OS businesses are at the lower end of margins for the Company as a whole because they include some revenues that equal their related expenses. These revenues represent fully reimbursable compensation and non-compensation costs and may be referred to as “pass through revenues.”
Due to the strong desire of many market participants to close real estate transactions prior to the end of a calendar year, our business exhibits certain seasonality, with our revenue tending to be lowest in the first quarter and strongest in the fourth quarter. For the five years from 2020 through 2025, we generated an average of approximately 21% of our revenues in the first quarter and 30% of our revenues in the fourth quarter. Because approximately 30% of our expenses are fixed in a typical year, this seasonality generally leads to higher profitability in the fourth quarter and lower margins in the first quarter, all else equal.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other | $ | 1,244,233 | 37.8 | % | $ | 1,106,699 | 40.4 | % | $ | 970,877 | 39.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Leasing and Other Commissions | 1,002,562 | 30.4 | 857,617 | 31.3 | 839,595 | 34.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Markets | 1,047,229 | 31.8 | 774,186 | 28.3 | 659,896 | 26.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 3,294,024 | 100.0 | 2,738,502 | 100.0 | 2,470,368 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and employee benefits | 1,947,473 | 59.1 | 1,598,400 | 58.4 | 1,489,138 | 60.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (1) | 282,045 | 8.6 | 185,398 | 6.8 | 139,747 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and employee benefits | 2,229,518 | 67.7 | 1,783,798 | 65.1 | 1,628,885 | 65.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating, administrative and other | 658,940 | 20.0 | 597,594 | 21.8 | 536,697 | 21.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees to related parties | 33,310 | 1.0 | 26,446 | 1.0 | 27,204 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 181,303 | 5.5 | 174,299 | 6.4 | 166,221 | 6.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 3,103,071 | 94.2 | 2,582,137 | 94.3 | 2,359,007 | 95.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (loss), net | 43,049 | 1.3 | 6,677 | 0.2 | 13,854 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | 234,002 | 7.1 | 163,042 | 6.0 | 125,215 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (32,482) | (1.0) | (31,768) | (1.2) | (21,737) | (0.9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 201,520 | 6.1 | 131,274 | 4.8 | 103,478 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 46,074 | 1.4 | 45,783 | 1.7 | 41,103 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated net income (loss) | 155,446 | 4.7 | 85,491 | 3.1 | 62,375 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 29,260 | 0.9 | 24,257 | 0.9 | 19,800 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders | $ | 126,186 | 3.8 | % | $ | 61,234 | 2.2 | % | $ | 42,575 | 1.7 | % |
(1)The components of Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs are as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 165,797 | 5.0 | % | $ | 110,973 | 4.1 | % | $ | 85,918 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnership units amortization | 34,308 | 1.0 | 23,203 | 0.8 | 14,267 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSU amortization | 51,084 | 1.6 | 29,568 | 1.1 | 24,620 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity compensation | 251,189 | 7.6 | % | 163,744 | 6.0 | % | 124,805 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 30,857 | 0.9 | 21,654 | 0.8 | 14,942 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 282,046 | 8.5 | % | $ | 185,398 | 6.8 | % | $ | 139,747 | 5.7 | % |
Year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other revenues increased by $137.5 million, or 12.4%, to $1,244.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was led by a 22.9% growth from Valuation and Advisory, solid improvement in revenues from Newmark’s growing suite of other Management Services businesses, continued growth in our servicing and asset management platform, and to a lesser extent, fourth quarter acquisitions.
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Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and Other Commission revenues increased by $144.9 million, or 16.9%, to $1,002.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, which was driven by strong activity across industrial, office, and retail.
Capital Markets
Capital Markets revenues increased by $273.0 million, or 35.3%, to $1,047.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase reflects a 33.9% improvement in investment sales fees and a 42.4% increase in commercial mortgage origination, net, both of which reflected significant volume improvement across office, multifamily (led by senior and student housing), industrial (including data centers), and retail, as well as market share gains.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $349.1 million, or 21.8%, to $1,947.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase reflects higher commission-based revenues, expenses related to global growth initiatives and costs recorded by recently acquired companies.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $96.6 million, or 52.1%, to $282.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was principally due to the approximately 21% year-on-year rise in Newmark’s average closing stock price, as well the previously disclosed $21.1 million of charges related to the exchange and redemption of units held by Newmark’s former Executive Chairman. Additionally, there was a $9.4 million increase in allocations of net income to limited partnership units due to higher pre-tax income.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased by $61.3 million, or 10.3%, to $658.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 due to higher pass through costs and other items related to increased revenues. Additionally, there was a $15.3 million increase in non-cash expense related to CECL, of which $6.2 million related to the Company’s financial guarantee liability related to a 37.6% increase in Fannie Mae origination volumes. The remainder of the non-cash CECL expense relates to the Company’s efforts to improve working capital, which resulted in a 15% improvement in days sales outstanding to 67 days for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties increased by $6.9 million, or 26.0%, to $33.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to a 2024 credit received of approximately $7.5 million.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased by $7.0 million, or 4.0%, to $181.3 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to a $4.3 million increase in expenses related to MSR amortization, and $2.2 million increase in fixed asset impairment related to terminated leases.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net was $43.0 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2025 consisted primarily of $42.3 million received from insurers pursuant to the previously disclosed settlement of Consolidated Shareholder Action (as defined below). See “— Legal Proceedings” below. Other income (loss), net of $6.7 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily consisted of recoveries from forfeited shares of restricted Newmark Class A common stock.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net increased by $0.7 million, or 2.2%, to $32.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes increased by $0.3 million, or 0.6%, to $46.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to the impact of change in the level and geographic mix of pre-tax earnings, lower section 162(m) compensation deduction limitation in 2025 and a tax benefit from revaluation of deferred tax assets due to an increase in ownership of Newmark as compared to Newmark Holdings. In general, our consolidated effective
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tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the level, geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $5.0 million, or 20.6%, to $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily driven by higher pre-tax income.
Year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased by $135.8 million, or 14.0%, to $1,106.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase reflects growth from OS, our servicing and asset management business, as well as V&A fees.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $18.0 million, or 2.1%, to $857.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 which was driven primarily by growth in office leasing.
Capital Markets
Capital markets increased by $114.3 million, or 17.3%, to $774.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase reflects a 30.4% increase in commercial mortgage origination, net, and a 9.5% improvement in investment sales fees, both of which reflected strength across every major property type.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $109.3 million, or 7.3%, to $1,598.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase reflects higher commission-based revenues and other costs related to acquisitions and the hiring of revenue generating professionals.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $45.7 million, or 32.7%, to $185.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to the year-on-year improvement in Newmark’s average stock price as compensation expense related to the grant of exchangeability for limited partnership units is related to the stock price of Newmark Class A common stock.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased by $60.9 million, or 11.3%, to $597.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to higher pass through costs and increased warehouse interest expense, both of which were offset by associated revenues.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties decreased by $0.8 million, or 2.8%, to $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $8.1 million, or 4.9%, to $174.3 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to increased fixed asset depreciation of $0.5 million, intangible asset amortization of $2.8 million, as well as a $4.4 million change in MSR valuation allowance.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net of $6.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted primarily of recoveries from forfeited restricted Newmark Class A common stock.
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Other income (loss), net of $13.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of equity income on the Real Estate LP joint venture described below under “—Certain Related Party Transactions—Investment in CF Real Estate Finance Holdings, L.P.” and proceeds from a legal settlement, partially offset by losses on certain investments.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net increased by $10.0 million, or 46.1%, to $31.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to higher interest expense on our corporate debt.
Provision (benefit) for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes increased by $4.7 million, or 11.4%, to $45.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the level, geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $4.5 million, or 22.5%, to $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily driven by a higher pre-tax income.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The primary sources of liquidity for our business are the cash on our balance sheet, cash flow provided by operations, and the $600.0 million revolving Credit Facility.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, our expansion into other markets, our acquisitions of other companies and hiring of teams of producers, and our results of operations. To the extent that existing cash, cash from operations and credit facilities are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public equity or debt financing. As of December 31, 2025, our debt consisted of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes with a carrying amount of $596.7 million and $75.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility with a carrying amount of $75.0 million, in each case exclusive of our warehouse facilities described under “—Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises.”
Financial Position
Total assets were $5.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 and $4.7 billion as of December 31, 2024.
Total liabilities were $3.3 billion as of December 31, 2025 and $3.2 billion as of December 31, 2024.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $229.1 million. Additionally, we had $525.0 million available under our committed senior unsecured revolving Credit Facility. We expect to generate cash flows from operations to fund our business and use those funds, and our Credit Facility, to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those arising within the next twelve months, and our long-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those beyond the next twelve months.
Debt
The carrying value of our debt, excluding our warehouse facilities, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.500% Senior Notes | $ | 596,746 | $ | 595,673 | ||
| Credit Facility | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||
| Total corporate debt | $ | 671,746 | $ | 670,673 |
Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement
On August 10, 2023, Newmark entered into a Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as such terms are defined in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders committed to provide to the Company a senior unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan in an aggregate principal amount of $420.0 million, which could be increased, subject to certain terms and conditions, to up to $550.0 million. The proceeds of
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the Delayed Draw Term Loan could only be used to repay the 6.125% Senior Notes at their maturity. The Delayed Draw Term Loan had a maturity date of November 14, 2026.
As set forth in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Delayed Draw Term Loan could bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months (as selected by the Company) or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. Upon funding, the applicable margin was 2.625% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 1.625% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. Depending on the Company’s credit ratings, the applicable margin could range, with respect to Term SOFR borrowings, from 2.125% to 3.375% through and including August 10, 2024, and 2.5% to 3.875% thereafter; and base rate borrowings, from 1.125% to 2.375% through and including August 10, 2024, and 1.5% to 2.875% thereafter.
The Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement contained financial covenants with respect to minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratio. The Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement also contained certain other customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The covenants in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement were consistent with those within the Company’s existing $600.0 million Credit Facility, which matures on April 26, 2027 and remains available to the Company.
On November 8, 2023, Newmark provided notice to Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to borrow the $420.0 million available under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement with the funds made available on November 14, 2023. The Company used the $420.0 million of proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan draw to pay a portion of the matured principal and interest of the Company’s $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023. On January 12, 2024, the outstanding balance under the Delayed Draw Term Loan was repaid with the proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes. The Delayed Draw Term Loan was terminated and the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.7 million were expensed.
Credit Facility
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million Credit Facility.
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark amended and restated the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the amended and restated Credit Agreement, the lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the amended and restated Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent (as such term is defined in the amended and restated Credit Agreement), and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin was initially 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above could range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above could range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee.
On November 8, 2023, Newmark provided notice to Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to borrow $130.0 million under the Credit Facility with the funds made available on November 14, 2023. The Company used the proceeds of the Credit Facility draw to pay the remaining maturing principal and interest of the Company’s $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023 that was not paid for with the proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan.
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On December 20, 2023, Newmark drew $130.0 million of Newmark Revolving Loans under the Cantor Credit Agreement to repay the $130.0 million balance then outstanding under the Credit Facility.
On April 26, 2024, Newmark amended and restated the Credit Agreement, which amendment and restatement, among other things, extends the maturity date of the Credit Facility to April 26, 2027. The borrowing rates and financial covenants under the Credit Agreement are substantially consistent with the Credit Agreement prior to such amendment and restatement.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, there were $520.0 million of borrowings and $520.0 million of repayments under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2025, there were $75.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2025, borrowings under the Credit Facility carried an interest rate of 5.33%, with a weighted-average interest rate of 5.84% for the year ended December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, there were no borrowings under the Credit Facility.
7.500% Senior Notes
On January 12, 2024, Newmark closed its offering of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes. The notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. Cantor purchased $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes in the offering, and still holds such notes as of March 2, 2026. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes of approximately $594.7 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses. The notes bear interest at a rate of 7.500% per year, payable in cash on January 12 and July 12 of each year, commencing July 12, 2024. The 7.500% Senior Notes will mature on January 12, 2029. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes to repay all of the $420.0 million outstanding under its Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement. Additional net proceeds were used to repay all $130.0 million of then-outstanding revolving debt, including with respect to borrowings under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
The 7.500% Senior Notes were initially offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Customary registration rights were provided to purchasers of the 7.500% Senior Notes. On May 10, 2024, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 6, 2024. On June 10, 2024, we launched an exchange offer in which holders of the 7.500% Senior Notes which were issued in the January 12, 2024 private placement could exchange such notes for new registered notes with substantially identical terms. The exchange offer expired on July 17, 2024, at which point the tendered 7.500% Senior Notes were exchanged for new registered notes with substantially identical terms.
See Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions — 7.500% Senior Notes” and “— Market-Making Registration Statement for CF&Co” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
Cantor Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to Cantor, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%.
On December 20, 2023, Newmark entered into a first amendment to the Cantor Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the First
Cantor Credit Agreement Amendment, Cantor agreed to make certain loans to Newmark from time to time in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to $150.0 million under the Cantor Credit Agreement. The Newmark Revolving Loans have
substantially the same terms as other loans under the Cantor Credit Agreement, except that until April 15, 2024, the Newmark Revolving Loans would bear interest at a rate equal to 25 basis points less than the interest rate borne by the revolving loans made pursuant to the Credit Facility. Unlike other loans made under the Cantor Credit Agreement, Cantor may demand repayment of the Newmark Revolving Loans prior to the final maturity date of the Cantor Credit Agreement upon three business days’ prior written notice. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
As of December 31, 2025, Newmark had $1.9 billion of committed loan funding, $1.1 billion of uncommitted loan funding available through three commercial banks, and an uncommitted $500.0 million Fannie Mae loan repurchase facility. Consistent with industry practice, these warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. These warehouse facilities are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgage loans originated under various lending programs and third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to our wholly owned subsidiary, Berkeley Point Capital, LLC. As of
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December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 we had $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, outstanding under “Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Leases
Total lease liability as of December 31, 2025 was $538.6 million, of which $304.1 million of lease liability was within our flexible workspace business. In addition, Newmark had contracted future customer revenues and sub-lease income primarily related to its flexible workspace business as of December 31, 2025 amounting to approximately $157.2 million.
Debt Repurchase Authorization
On June 16, 2020, the Board and the Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company in the amount of up to $50.0 million of Company debt securities. Repurchases of Company debt securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption.
Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company debt securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company debt securities through CF&Co (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time upon customary market terms or commissions.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $50.0 million remaining from its debt repurchase authorization.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 172,001 | $ | (9,936) | $ | (265,961) | ||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||
| Net activity from loan originations and sales | 126,226 | 235,722 | 363,937 | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding activity from loan originations and sales (1) | $ | 298,227 | $ | 225,786 | $ | 97,976 |
(1) Includes loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners in the amount of $220.2 million, $211.9 million and $243.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. Excluding these loans, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding loan originations and sales would be $518.4 million, $437.6 million and $341.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2025
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we generated $172.0 million of cash from operating activities. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $298.2 million. Cash provided by operating activities included $220.2 million of loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners primarily for the hiring of revenue generating professionals. Cash used in investing activities was $198.1 million, consisting of $115.4 million of net purchases of short-term investments set aside to secure the Company’s financial guarantee liability in its GSE business, $53.4 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and $29.4 million of cash paid for the purchases of fixed assets. Cash used in financing activities of $44.8 million primarily related to net proceeds from warehouse facilities of $138.1 million. This was offset by payments to shareholders and partners for dividends and distributions (including tax distributions) of $53.3 million and treasury stock repurchases of $127.1 million.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2024
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we used $9.9 million of cash in operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $225.8 million. Cash used in operations included $211.9 million of loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners primarily for the hiring of revenue generating professionals. Cash used in investing activities was $33.4 million, consisting primarily of cash paid for the purchases of fixed assets. Cash provided by financing activities of $89.5 million primarily related to net borrowings of $125.0 million of corporate debt and net proceeds from warehouse facilities of $255.7 million. This was offset by treasury stock repurchases and unit purchases of $224.9 million, payments to shareholders and partners for dividends and distributions of $59.3 million, and payments of deferred financing costs of $7.0 million.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2023
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we used $266.0 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash used from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $98.0 million. Cash used in investing activities was $49.7 million, consisting of cash paid for acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets, offset by proceeds from the redemption of Newmark’s equity method investment in Real Estate LP. Cash provided by financing activities
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of $261.5 million primarily related to net principal borrowings on warehouse facilities of $361.2 million, offset by treasury stock repurchases and payments to shareholders and partners for dividends and distributions.
Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 28 — “Commitments and Contingencies” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information responsive to Item 303(b)(1) of Regulation S-K regarding cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations. This includes contractual obligations relating to operating leases, warehouse facilities, debt, the commitment to fund construction loans and any associated interest.
Acquisitions
See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Credit Ratings
As of December 31, 2025, our public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks are as follows:
| Rating | Outlook | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitch Ratings Inc. | BBB- | Stable | ||
| JCRA | BBB+ | Stable | ||
| Kroll Bond Rating Agency | BBB- | Positive | ||
| S&P Global Ratings | BB+ | Stable |
Credit ratings and associated outlooks are influenced by several factors including, but not limited to: operating environment, earnings and profitability trends, the prudence of funding and liquidity management practices, balance sheet size composition and resulting leverage, cash flow coverage of interest, composition and size of the capital base, available liquidity, outstanding borrowing levels and the firm’s competitive position in the industry. A credit rating and/or the associated outlook can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Any reduction in our credit ratings and/or the associated outlook could adversely affect the availability of debt financing on terms acceptable to us, as well as the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain any such financing. In addition, credit ratings and associated outlooks may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions. The interest rate on our 7.500% Senior Notes may increase by up to 2% in the event of credit ratings downgrades.
Certain Related Party Transactions
The following related party disclosure relates to the period subsequent to December 31, 2025. See Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for related party transactions prior to December 31, 2025.
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
On February 25, 2026, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 59,601 shares of its Class A common stock from Stephen M. Merkel, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Legal Officer. The sale price per share was the closing price per share of a share of the Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on February 25, 2026. The transaction was approved by the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the Company pursuant to the Company’s stock buyback authorization and is exempt pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
As of March 2, 2026, there were 114,135 Founding Partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining which Newmark Holdings had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor had the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor Units following such redemption or exchange. See Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding Cantor’s rights to purchase Cantor Units pursuant to the terms of the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement.
Regulatory Requirements
See Note 8 — “Capital and Liquidity Requirements” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion relating to the impact of Newmark’s capital requirements and requirements to maintain sufficient collateral to meet operational liquidity requirements.
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Regulatory Environment
See “—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1, “Business,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, for information related to our regulatory environment.
Equity
Share Repurchase Program
See Note 6 — “Stock Transactions and Unit Purchases” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On February 18, 2026, Newmark’s Board increased Newmark’s Share Repurchase and Unit Purchase Authorization, which has no expiration date, to $400.0 million.
Fully Diluted Share Count
Our fully diluted weighted-average share counts for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Common stock outstanding(1) | 178,456 | 172,179 | ||
| Partnership units(2) | 69,773 | — | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 4,871 | 5,110 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 350 | 402 | ||
| Total(3) | 253,450 | 177,691 |
(1)Common stock consisted of Newmark Class A common stock and Newmark Class B common stock. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the weighted-average number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock and Newmark Class B common stock that were included in our fully diluted EPS computation was 157.2 million shares and 21.3 million shares, respectively.
(2)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor Units. See Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. In general, these partnership units are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. In addition, the 20.3 million partnership units held by Cantor as of December 31, 2025 were generally exchangeable into up to 18.8 million shares of Newmark Class A common stock and/or Newmark Class B common stock at the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9264. These partnership units also generally receive quarterly allocations of net income, after the deduction of the Preferred Distribution, based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, these partnership units are included in the fully diluted share count calculation shown above.
(3)For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the weighted-average share count included 184.8 thousand and 77.7 million anti-dilutive securities, respectively, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.
Our fully diluted period-end (spot) common stock, limited partnership unit, RSU and Newmark exchange share count as of each of December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Common stock outstanding | 181,942 | 170,792 | ||
| Partnership units | 66,333 | 75,937 | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 5,756 | 5,808 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 372 | 346 | ||
| Total | 254,403 | 252,883 |
Registration Statements
We have an effective registration statement on Form S-4 with respect to the offer and sale of up to 20.0 million shares and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in connection with business combination transactions, including acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. As of December 31, 2025, we have issued 3.1 million shares of our Class A common stock under this registration statement.
Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
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As of December 31, 2025, our contingent cash consideration balance related to acquisitions was $11.1 million. The contingent equity instruments and cash liability is recorded at fair value in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on Newmark’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Legal Proceedings
See the discussion under the heading “Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors — Mr. Howard Lutnick, Former Executive Chairman — Other Related Party Transactions,” in Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding Mr. Howard Lutnick’s December 2021 bonus award.
On August 5, 2022, Robert Garfield filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Robert Garfield v. Howard Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0687) (the “Garfield action”), against the members of the Board and Mr. Lutnick in his capacity as Chairman of the Board and controlling stockholder. This derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a three-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Board breached its fiduciary duty, (ii) neither the award nor the approval process employed by the Compensation Committee were entirely fair to the Company and its stockholders, and (iii) the members of the Compensation Committee did not exercise independent judgment. The complaint alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks rescission of the award and other compensation, as well as damages and other relief.
On October 7, 2022, Cardinal Capital Management, LLC filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Cardinal Capital Management, LLC v. Howard Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0909-SG) (the “Cardinal action”), against Mr. Lutnick, the members of the Compensation Committee in 2021, who were Virginia S. Bauer, Kenneth A. McIntyre and Michael Snow as members of the Compensation Committee, and Barry Gosin, Michael Rispoli and Stephen Merkel, as Newmark’s executive officers. The derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the Company’s June 2021 partnership units exchange for Mr. Lutnick and Officers (as such term is defined in the Cardinal action) and the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a three-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Compensation Committee and Officers breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets; and (ii) Mr. Lutnick and the Officers were unjustly enriched. The complaint also alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder, and wasted corporate assets, by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks recoupment of the partnership units exchange and the bonus award, as well as damages and other relief.
On December 13, 2022, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an order consolidating the Garfield and Cardinal actions into a single, consolidated action (Consolidated C.A. No. 2022-0687, hereinafter the “Consolidated Shareholder Action”) deemed to have commenced on August 5, 2022, when the Garfield action was filed. On January 10, 2023, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint, whose claims, as well as requested relief, mirror the claims and relief sought in the Cardinal action in all material respects. The Company’s position is that the partnership units exchange was appropriate and in the best interests of the Company, and that the bonus award was properly approved by the Compensation Committee comprised of independent directors (which did not include Mr. Howard Lutnick) after careful consideration of his contributions to the Company, including the Company’s superior financial results, and following an extensive process that included advice from independent legal counsel and an independent compensation consultant.
On December 21, 2024, the parties to the Consolidated Shareholder Action agreed to settle the matter for a cash payment of $50 million to Newmark less any fees awarded to the plaintiffs’ counsel by the Court following a hearing, to be paid by Newmark’s directors’ and officers’ insurance carriers, within 15 business days after entry of judgment. The settlement, which required the Court of Chancery’s approval, is intended to fully settle and release, with prejudice, any and all actual or potential claims between the parties to the settlement that arise out of or otherwise relate to the claims asserted in the Consolidated Shareholder Action. The settlement is not evidence of the validity or invalidity of any claims or defenses in this action or any other actions or proceedings, or of any wrongdoing by any of the defendants, or of any damages or injury to Newmark or the plaintiffs. The defendants in this action have denied, and continue to deny, all allegations of wrongdoing, fault, liability or damage with respect to all claims asserted or that could be asserted in the Consolidated Shareholder Action.
The Court of Chancery approved the proposed settlement and dismissed the case after a hearing held on August 13, 2025. The Company received $50.0 million from insurers, net of $7.7 million of plaintiff’s counsel legal fees.
On March 9, 2023, a purported class action complaint was filed against Cantor, BGC Holdings, and Newmark Holdings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-00265). The collective action, which was filed by seven former limited partners on their own behalf and on behalf of other similarly situated limited partners, alleges a claim for breach of contract against all defendants on the basis that the defendants failed to make payments due under the relevant partnership agreements. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions upon which the defendants relied to deny payment are unenforceable under Delaware law. The plaintiffs allege a second claim against Cantor and BGC Holdings for antitrust violations under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, as amended, on the basis
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that the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements constitute unreasonable restraints of trade. In that regard, the plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions of the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements, as well as restrictive covenants included in partner separation agreements, cause anticompetitive effects in the labor market, insulate Cantor and BGC Holdings from competition, and limit innovation. The plaintiffs seek a determination that the case may be maintained as a class action, an injunction prohibiting the allegedly anticompetitive conduct, and monetary damages of at least $5,000,000. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss and in response, on May 31, 2023, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Class Action Complaint alleging similar allegations as a basis for claims for breach of contract and violation of the Sherman Act. The defendants moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint. On February 23, 2024, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, repleading claims for violation of federal antitrust laws and challenging economic forfeiture and non-compete obligations as violative of federal competition law. On December 2, 2024, the District Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. On December 16, 2024, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The appeal was fully briefed in early 2025 and the Third Circuit held oral argument on September 17, 2025. On December 15, 2025, the Third Circuit affirmed the District Court’s judgment dismissing the case.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. These accounting estimates require the use of assumptions about matters, some which are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows could be materially affected. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenues primarily through commissions from brokerage services, commercial mortgage origination, net, revenues from real estate management services, servicing fees and other revenues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers as determined by when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation as evidenced by the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control over the promised good or service.
The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider consideration promised in a contract that includes a variable amount, referred to as variable consideration, and estimate the amount of consideration due to us. Additionally, variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider all information (historical, current and forecast) that is available, including the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties are expected to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence.
We also use third-party service providers in the provision of services to our customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, we perform an analysis to determine whether we are acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that we are acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where we are acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, we perform services for customers and incur out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Our customers agree to reimburse us for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the customer.
MSRs, Net
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We initially recognize and measure the rights to service mortgage loans at fair value and subsequently measure them using the amortization method. We recognize rights to service mortgage loans as separate assets at the time the underlying originated mortgage loan is sold, and the value of those rights is included in the determination of the gains on loans held for sale. Purchased MSRs, including MSRs purchased from CCRE, are initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently measured using the amortization method.
We receive up to a three-basis point servicing fee and/or up to a one-basis point surveillance fee on certain Freddie Mac loans after the loan is securitized in a Freddie Mac pool. The Freddie Mac Strip is also recognized at fair value and subsequently measured using the amortization method, but is recognized as a MSR at the securitization date.
MSRs are assessed for impairment, at least on an annual basis, based upon the fair value of those rights as compared to the amortized cost. Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. In using this valuation method, we incorporate assumptions that management believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value estimates are sensitive to significant assumptions used in the valuation model such as prepayment rates, cost of servicing, escrow earnings rates, discount rates and servicing multiples, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions derived, in part, from historical data. It is reasonably possible that such estimates may change. We amortize the MSRs in proportion to, and over the period of, the projected net servicing income. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, we stratify MSRs based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, primarily by investor type (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA/Ginnie Mae, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other). To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a specific MSR strata, a valuation allowance is established, which is adjusted in the future as the fair value of MSRs increases or decreases. Reversals of valuation allowances cannot exceed the previously recognized impairment up to the amortized cost.
Equity-Based and Other Compensation
Discretionary Bonus: A portion of our compensation and employee benefits expense comprises discretionary bonuses, which may be paid in cash, equity, partnership awards or a combination thereof. We accrue expense in a period based on revenues in that period and on the expected combination of cash, equity and partnership units. Given the assumptions used in estimating discretionary bonuses, actual results may differ.
RSUs: We account for equity-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP guidance. RSUs provided to certain employees are accounted for as equity awards, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the RSUs that is ultimately expected to vest. Further, the Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Because significant assumptions are used in estimating employee turnover and associated forfeiture rates, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The fair value of RSU awards to employees is determined on the date of grant, based on the fair value of our Class A common stock. Generally, RSUs granted by us as employee compensation do not receive dividend equivalents; as such, we adjust the fair value of the RSUs for the present value of expected forgone dividends, which requires us to include an estimate of expected dividends as a valuation input. This grant-date fair value is amortized to expense ratably over the awards’ vesting periods. For RSUs with graded vesting features, we have made an accounting policy election to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis. The amortization is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Stock: Restricted stock provided to certain employees is accounted for as an equity award, and as per U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the restricted stock that is ultimately expected to vest. We have granted restricted stock that is not subject to continued employment or service; however, transferability is subject to compliance with our and our affiliates’ customary non-compete obligations. Such shares of restricted stock are generally saleable by partners in five to 10 years. Because the restricted stock is not subject to continued employment or service, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock is expensed on the date of grant. The expense is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Limited Partnership Units: Limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings are held by Newmark employees and receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As discussed above, Preferred Units in Newmark Holdings are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to a distribution at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation. The quarterly allocations of net income to such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the Corporate Conversion, certain Newmark employees held BGC Holdings limited partnership units with similar entitlements.
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Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that Newmark record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are granted exchangeability into Newmark Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Newmark Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Loans: We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans that may be either wholly or in part repaid from distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests and from proceeds of the sale of the employees’ shares of our Class A common stock or may be forgiven over a period of time. Cash advance distribution loans are documented in formal agreements and are repayable in timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. We intend for these advances to be repaid in full from the future distributions on existing and future awards granted or the proceeds of the sales of the employees’ shares. The allocations of net income to the awards are treated as compensation expense and the proceeds from distributions are used to repay the loan. The forgivable portion of any loan is recognized as compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations over the life of the loan. We review the loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If we determine that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, we recognize a reserve against the loan balances. Actual collectability of loan balances may differ from our estimates. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the aggregate balance of employee loans, net of reserve, was $862.2 million and $769.4 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans was for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, was $127.4 million, $123.9 million and $92.9 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these loans was included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
When reviewing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as follows.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow model and data regarding market comparables. The valuation process requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These assumptions include cash flow projections, estimated cost of capital and the selection of peer companies and relevant multiples. Because significant assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future cash flows, choosing peer companies and selecting relevant multiples, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Credit Losses
The CECL methodology requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date.
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The expected credit loss is modeled based on our historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default, all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of our reserves. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, we estimate expected credit losses using our historical loss rates. We also consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which consequentially may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses and receivables. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, there was an increase of $2.7 million in our reserve balance. Additionally, there was $11.0 million of receivables expensed, totaling $13.7 million of “Operating, administrative and other” expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These reserves were based on macroeconomic forecasts which are critical inputs into our model and material movements in variables such as the U.S. unemployment rate and U.S. GDP growth rate which could significantly affect our estimated expected credit losses. These macroeconomic forecasts, under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates, could result in significantly different changes in reserves for credit losses. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in specific factors might affect the overall reserves for credit losses and current results may not reflect the potential future impact of macroeconomic forecast changes.
Income Taxes
Newmark accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between our accompanying consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are primarily subject to the UBT in New York City. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss except for the UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ tax liability or benefit is not reflected in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The tax-related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in our accompanying consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions.
Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from Newmark’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Newmark recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in “Provision for income taxes” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, Newmark considers all available evidence, including past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent fiscal years, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies.
The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws and involves uncertainties in the application of tax regulations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. Because Newmark’s interpretation of complex tax law may impact the measurement of current and deferred income taxes, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions regarding the application of tax law.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We have loan commitments to extend credit to third parties. The commitments to extend credit are for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments). These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee. We are committed to extend credit to the counterparty as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contracts. Whenever we commit to extend credit, we simultaneously enter into a Forward Sales Contract.
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Both the commitment to extend credit and the forward sale commitment qualify as derivative financial instruments. We recognize all derivatives on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The change in the derivatives fair value is recognized in current period earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-25-009332.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the cautionary statements relating to forward-looking statements below.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services.
Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements
Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth below:
•macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties, including those resulting from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, conflicts in the Middle East and other ongoing or new conflicts in those or other regions, downgrades of U.S. Treasuries, fluctuating global interest rates, inflation and the Federal Reserve’s responses thereto, fluctuations in the value of global currencies, including the U.S. dollar, liquidity concerns regarding and changes in capital requirements for banking and financial institutions, changes in the economy, the commercial real estate services industry and the global financial markets, employment levels, new or increased tariffs imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments and other factors driving trade uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, reductions in government spending, recession fears, new or increased tariffs imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments and other factors driving trade uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, reductions in government spending, recession fears, infrastructure spending, and energy costs, including such changes’ effect on demand for commercial real estate and capital markets transaction volumes, office space, levels of new lease activity and renewals, distressed non-GSE commercial mortgages, frequency of loan defaults and forbearance and associated losses, and fluctuations in the mortgage-backed securities markets, as well as potential changes in these factors as a result of the new U.S. presidential administration;
•challenges relating to our repositioning of certain aspects of our business to adapt to and better address the needs of our clients in the future as a result of the acceleration of pre-existing long-term social and economic trends, fluctuating interest rates and market uncertainty, and other legal, cultural and political events and conflicts, and governmental measures taken in response thereto, uncertainty in the timing of stabilization of interest rates and the recovery of transaction volumes, changes in the mix of demand for commercial real estate space, decreased demand for urban office and retail space generally which may not be offset by increased demand for suburban office, data center, fulfillment, and distribution centers and life sciences facilities or otherwise, and which could materially reduce demand for commercial space and have a material adverse effect on the nature of and demand for our commercial real estate services, including the time and expense related to such repositioning, as well as risks related to declines in real estate values, including due to sales of loans previously held by failed financial institutions, increases in commercial real estate lending rates, and the volume of committed investment capital;
•market conditions and volatility, fluctuations in transaction volumes, including changes in leasing and lending activity and debt volumes, the level of worldwide governmental debt issuances, austerity programs, government stimulus packages, increases or decreases in deficits and the impact of changing government tax rates, repatriation rules, changes to U.S. trade or immigration policy and the impact of such policy changes on our clients’ businesses, deductibility of interest, and other changes to monetary policy, changing regulatory requirements or changes in legislation, regulations and priorities, possible turmoil across regional banks and certain global investment banks, possible disruptions in transactions, and potential downturns including recessions, and similar effects, which may not be predictable in future periods;
•potential deterioration of equity and debt capital markets for commercial real estate and related services, potential unavailability of traditional sources of financing and a need for alternative sources, and our ability to access the capital markets as needed or on reasonable terms and conditions;
•pricing, commissions and fees, and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors, some of which may have greater financial and operational resources than we do;
•the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;
•uncertainties related to our ongoing integration of Gerald Eve or any other businesses that we may acquire and the synergies and revenue growth generated from these and other acquisitions as we build out our international and domestic businesses;
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•liabilities in connection with our business, including appraisal and valuation, sales and leasing and property and facilities management activities, that exceed our insurance coverage;
•liquidity, regulatory requirements and the impact of credit market events, political events and conflicts and actions taken by governments and businesses in response thereto on the credit markets and interest rates;
•our relationship and transactions with Cantor and its affiliates, including CF&Co and CCRE, Newmark’s structure, including Newmark Holdings, which is owned by Newmark, Cantor, Newmark’s employee partners and other partners, and Newmark OpCo, the timing and impact of any actual or future changes to our organization or structure, any challenges to our interpretation or application of tax laws to our structure, any related party transactions, conflicts of interest, or loans to or from Newmark or Cantor, Newmark Holdings or Newmark OpCo, including the balances and interest rates thereof from time to time and any convertible or equity features of any such loans, repurchase agreements and joint ventures, and CF&Co’s acting as our placement agent in connection with certain capital markets transactions;
•competition for and retention of brokers and other producers, managers and key employees, our ability to integrate newly hired producers, and the duration of the period between when we hire producers and when they achieve full productivity;
•the impact on our stock price from any future reduction of our dividend or future changes in our capital deployment priorities, including repurchases of shares, purchases of limited partnership interests, and our dividend policy, and in Newmark Holdings’ distributions to partners;
•the effect of any layoffs, furloughs, salary cuts, and lower commissions or bonuses on the repayment of partner loans;
•our ability to maintain or develop relationships with independently owned offices or partners in our businesses;
•the effect on our businesses of any extraordinary transactions, mergers, acquisitions, business combinations, dispositions, divestitures, restructurings, or reorganizations, including potential dilution, taxes, costs, and other impacts;
•our ability to effectively deploy our sources of liquidity to repurchase shares or limited partnership interests, pay any excise tax that may be imposed on the repurchase of shares, reduce our debt, and invest in growing our business;
•risks related to changes in our relationships with the GSEs and HUD and related changes in the credit markets;
•risks related to changes in the administration of the GSEs, including changes in the terms of or removal from applicable conservatorships and changes in their capabilities, and in their requirements for participating in their programs and any impact on transaction volume;
•risks related to any reduction or elimination of governmental programs that provide support for mortgage loans;
•risks related to the reduction in staffing at U.S. governmental agencies;
•risks inherent in doing business in and expanding into international markets or with international partners, including economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties, the actions of governments or central banks, the risks of possible nationalization and/or foreign ownership restrictions, compliance with anti-corruption laws, import and export control laws, economic and trade sanctions programs, expropriation, price controls, capital controls, foreign currency fluctuations, regulatory and tax requirements, economic and/or political instability, geographic, time zone, language and cultural differences among personnel in different areas of the world, exchange controls and other restrictive government actions, the outbreak of hostilities, the pursuit of trade, border control or other related policies by the U.S. and/or other countries (including U.S.-China trade relations), economic volatility in the U.K. and Europe, rising political and other tensions between the U.S. and China, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, conflicts in the Middle East and other ongoing or new conflicts in those or other regions, as well as potential changes in these factors as a result of the new U.S. presidential administration;
•political and/or civil unrest in the U.S. or abroad, including demonstrations, riots, boycotts, and tensions with law enforcement, the impact of elections, or other social and political developments, labor unrest, the impact of U.S. government shutdowns or political impasses, and uncertainties regarding the debt ceiling, the federal budget, and the deployment of federal funds, including on HUD, as well as potential changes in these factors as a result of the new U.S. presidential administration;
•the impact of terrorist acts, acts of war or other violence, as well as disasters or weather-related or similar events, including hurricanes, and heat waves as well as power failures, communication and transportation disruptions, and other interruptions of utilities or other essential services, and the impact of pandemics and other international health incidents;
•the effect on our business, clients, the markets in which we operate, and the economy in general of fluctuating interest rates, market volatility, and inflationary pressures and the Federal Reserve’s response thereto, infrastructure spending, changes in U.S. and foreign tax and other laws, interpretation of tax law, potential policy and regulatory changes in Mexico and other countries, sequestrations, and future changes to tax and other policies resulting from elections and changes in governments;
•the impact of any claims or litigation related to compensation, or other transactions with our current and former executive officers;
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•the effect on our business of leadership changes and the resulting transition following the confirmation of Howard W. Lutnick, our former Executive Chairman and principal executive officer, as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, our dependence upon our key employees, as well as the competing demands on the time of certain of our key employees who also provide services to Cantor, BGC and various other ventures and investments sponsored by Cantor or otherwise, our ability to build out successful succession plans, the impact of absence due to illness or leave of certain officers or employees and our ability to attract, retain, motivate and integrate new employees, and our ability to enforce post-employment restrictive covenants on awards previously granted to certain of our key employees and future awards or otherwise, and the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on non-compete provisions (which has been set aside pending appeal), which may impact our employment arrangements and awards if such ban ultimately comes into effect;
•the effects on our business of Howard W. Lutnick’s intended divestiture of his interests in us, Cantor and CFGM;
•extensive regulation of our business and clients, changes in regulations relating to commercial real estate and other industries, changes in environmental regulations, including regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, and risks relating to U.S. and foreign tax and compliance matters, including regulatory examinations, inspections, audits, investigations and enforcement actions, unavailability of certain tax credits or reliefs or additional tax liabilities or assessments, unavailability of certain tax credits or reliefs or additional tax liabilities or assessments, and any resulting costs, increased financial and capital requirements, enhanced oversight, remediation, fines, penalties, sanctions, and changes to or restrictions or limitations on specific activities, operations, and compensatory arrangements, and growth opportunities, including acquisitions, hiring, and new businesses, products, or services, as well as risks related to our taking actions to ensure that we and our subsidiaries are not deemed investment companies under the Investment Company Act;
•factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions as well as risks related to potential counterparty failure;
•costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property, utilizing third-party software licensed under “open source” licenses, as well as employment, regulatory and other litigation and proceedings and their related costs, including costs and expenses related to acquisitions and other matters, including judgments, fines, or settlements paid, reputational risk, requirements that we stop selling or redesign affected products or services, rebrand or restrict our products or services or pay damages to satisfy indemnification commitments with our customers, and the impact thereof on our financial results and cash flows in any given period;
•certain other financial risks, including the possibility of future losses, indemnification obligations, assumed liabilities, reduced cash flows from operations, increased leverage, reduced availability under our various credit facilities, and the need for short- or long-term borrowings, including from Cantor, our ability to refinance our indebtedness, including in the credit markets, on acceptable rates, and our ability to satisfy eligibility criteria for government-sponsored loan programs and changes to interest rates and market liquidity or our access to other sources of cash relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or other matters, potential liquidity and other risks relating to our ability to maintain continued access to credit and the availability of financing necessary to support ongoing business needs on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and risks associated with the resulting leverage, including potentially causing a reduction in our credit ratings and associated outlooks and increased borrowing costs;
•risks associated with the temporary or longer-term investment of our available cash, including in Newmark OpCo, defaults or impairments of the Company’s investments (including investments in non-marketable securities), joint venture interests, stock loans or cash management vehicles and collectability of loan balances owed to us by partners, employees, Newmark OpCo or others;
•the impact of any reduction in the willingness of commercial property owners to outsource their property management needs;
•our ability to enter new markets or develop new products or services and to induce clients to use these products or services and to secure and maintain market share;
•our ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances or business combinations and attract investors or partners or engage in restructuring, rebranding or other transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, divestitures, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, the anticipated benefits of any such transactions, relationships or growth and the future impact of any such transactions, relationships or growth on other businesses and financial results for current or future periods, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions or divestitures, the impact of amendments and/or terminations of any strategic arrangements, and the value of any hedging entered into in connection with consideration received or to be received in connection with such dispositions and any transfers thereof;
•our estimates or determinations of potential value with respect to various assets or portions of the Company’s business, including with respect to the accuracy of the assumptions or the valuation models or multiples used;
•the impact of near- or off-shoring on our business, including on our ability to manage turnover and hire, train, integrate and retain personnel, including brokerage professionals, salespeople, managers, and other professionals;
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•our ability to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved, including outside of the U.S., while ensuring compliance with all applicable financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements;
•our ability to identify and remediate any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls that could affect our ability to properly maintain books and records, prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner, control policies, practices and procedures, operations and assets, assess and manage the Company’s operational, regulatory and financial risks, and integrate acquired businesses and brokers, salespeople, managers and other professionals;
•information technology risks, including capacity constraints, failures, or disruptions in our systems or those of clients, counterparties, or other parties with which we interact, increased demands on such systems and on the telecommunications infrastructure from remote working, including cyber security risks and incidents, compliance with regulations requiring data minimization and protection and preservation of records of access and transfers of data, privacy risk and exposure to potential liability and regulatory focus;
•the expansion of our cybersecurity processes to include new businesses, or the integration of the cybersecurity processes of acquired businesses, including internationally;
•the impact of AI on the economy, our industry, our business and the businesses of our clients and vendors;
•the effectiveness of our governance, risk management, and oversight procedures and the impact of any potential transactions or relationships with related parties;
•the impact of our ESG or “sustainability” ratings on decisions by clients, investors, potential clients and other parties with respect to our business, investments in us, our borrowing opportunities or the market for and trading price of our Class A common stock or Company debt securities, or other matters, as well as the impact and potential cost to us of any policies, legislation, or initiatives in opposition to our ESG or “sustainability” policies;
•the fact that the prices at which shares of our Class A common stock are or may be sold in offerings or other transactions may vary significantly, and purchasers of shares in such offerings or other transactions, as well as existing stockholders, may suffer significant dilution if the price they paid for their shares is higher than the price paid by other purchasers in such offerings or transactions; and
•the effect on the markets for and trading prices of our Class A common stock due to market factors, as well as of various offerings and other transactions, including offerings of Class A common stock and convertible or exchangeable debt or other securities, repurchases of shares of Class A common stock and purchases or redemptions of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, any exchanges by Cantor of shares of Class A common stock for shares of Class B common stock, any exchanges or redemptions of limited partnership units and issuances of shares of Class A common stock in connection therewith, including in corporate or partnership restructurings, payment of dividends on Class A common stock and distributions on limited partnership interests of Newmark Holdings and Newmark OpCo, convertible arbitrage, hedging, and other transactions engaged in by us or holders of outstanding shares, debt or other securities, share sales and stock pledges, stock loans, and other financing transactions by holders of shares or units (including by Cantor executive officers, partners, employees or others), including of shares acquired pursuant to employee benefit plans, unit exchanges and redemptions, corporate or partnership restructurings, acquisitions, conversions of shares of our Class B common stock and other convertible securities into shares of our Class A common stock, and distributions of our Class A common stock by Cantor to its partners.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed under the headings “Item 1A—Risk Factors,” and “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, may cause actual results and events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
Overview
Newmark is a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of our clients. Please see “Item 1—Business” for more information.
Business Environment
There are several factors that impact results across our three main revenue sources (management services, servicing fees and other; leasing and other commissions; and capital markets), including both secular and cyclical industry trends as well as macroeconomic dynamics and our investments in growth. These factors are discussed below.
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Key Business Drivers
The key divers of our business include our ability to attract and retain revenue generating headcount across our service lines, the productivity of these employees, and industry volumes in these areas. Volumes are largely a factor of economic growth, interest rates, and the demand for commercial real estate as an investment and debt financing. In addition, demand for our services is influenced by secular trends with respect to outsourcing and other services we provide.
Attracting and Retaining Revenue-generating Headcount. During 2024, we continued to solidify what we believe is our position as the platform of choice for many of the real estate industry’s top professionals. In U.S. and U.K., we hired some of the most prolific and experienced debt and structured finance professionals as well as some of the most innovative and active leasing teams. Newmark also opened a flagship office in France, continental Europe’s second largest transaction market, where we attracted some of the most talented leasing and capital markets professionals. In October of 2024, our European expansion continued with the launch of our capital markets and leasing businesses in Germany. We believe that these additions further demonstrate the strength of our global brand, and that our substantial investments in data, analytics, and talent position Newmark to capitalize on ongoing macroeconomic trends. Furthermore, our revenue-generating headcount was up modestly year-on-year as of the end of the 2024, after having been relatively flat year-on-year at the end of each of the three previous quarters. Therefore, productivity gains drove the large majority of our total revenue growth, as well as our increased fees across Capital Markets, Leasing, and Valuation & Advisory. As more of our recently hired revenue-generating professionals ramp up, we expect further productivity gains over time.
Continued Trends in Outsourcing and with Respect to Our Servicing Portfolio. Our GCS, Property Management and servicing and asset management businesses continue to benefit from increased outsourcing by companies, owners of real estate, and lenders. We expect the outsourcing trend for commercial real estate and lending functions to continue. This trend, combined with our ability to cross sell between our service lines, enabled us grow our management services and servicing businesses by double digit percentages in 2024.
Additionally, we operate a high growth asset management and servicing business focused on bank, fund, and commercial mortgage-backed securities clients, including GSE/FHA lenders. As of December 31, 2024, our loan servicing and asset management portfolio was $183.4 billion (of which 61.8% was limited servicing and asset management, 36.8% was higher margin primary servicing, and 1.5% was special servicing). We expect our overall portfolio to continue providing a steady stream of income and cash flow over the life of the serviced loans.
Trends in GDP and Job Growth Commercial real estate leasing activity has historically been positively correlated with job creation, particularly with respect to office-based employment, and GDP growth.
According to Bloomberg, U.S. and U.K. GDP expanded by 2.8% and 0.9%, respectively, in 2024. In 2023, the respective growth rates were 2.9% and 0.4%. For context, over the ten years prior to the global pandemic (or through December 31, 2019), real U.S. GDP grew at a CAGR of 2.4%, measured in chain linked 2017 dollars, while real U.K. GDP grew at a CAGR of 2.0%, measured in chain linked 2019 pounds.
According to Bloomberg, the seasonally adjusted monthly average of U.S. non-farm payroll employment increased by approximately 377,000, 251,000, and 186,000 in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively. For context, this seasonally adjusted monthly figure averaged approximately 183,000 over the ten years prior to the global pandemic (or through December 31, 2019). The December 2024 U.S. unemployment rate (based on U-3) was 4.1% compared with 3.8% a year earlier. With respect to the U.K., the unemployment rate was 4.1%, and 4.3% in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Interest Rate Environment. Commercial real estate capital markets transactions involving financing generally utilize medium- or long-term debt, and the interest rates for such debt tend to correlate with movements in benchmark rates with similar tenors, including U.S. Treasuries. Such benchmark rates can be meaningfully impacted by movements in key short-term rates, such as the Fed Funds Target rate. Sudden increases in short term interest rates can therefore have pronounced effects on commercial mortgage origination and investment sales volumes.
The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield increased by approximately 79 basis points quarter on quarter and by 69 basis points year-on-year to 4.6% as of December 31, 2024. The ten-year U.K. Gilt yield increased by approximately 57 basis points quarter on quarter and by 103 basis points year-on-year to 4.6% as of December 31, 2024. These increases were due largely to uncertainty with respect to the pace at which inflation in the U.S. and U.K. will subside and at which the FOMC and/or MPC will lower short term rates. For context, ten-year U.S. Treasury and ten-year Gilt yields still remain below their 50-year average through December 31, 2024 of approximately 5.9% and 6.8%, respectively.
While U.S. and U.K. inflation measures have declined since 2022, they remain above the 2% targets set by both the FOMC and MPC. As a result, short-term yields are expected to be higher compared with most of the period from the end of 2008 through early 2022, they are expected to stabilize and gradually fall from more recent levels. For example, the February
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2025 Bloomberg consensus was for Fed Funds Target rate target rate to be 4.1% and 3.7%, respectively, by the ends of 2025 and 2026. The most recent Bloomberg consensus was for the Bank of England’s short-term target rate to be 3.8%, and 3.4%, by the ends of 2025 and 2026. For context, the upper bound of the Fed Funds Target rate averaged 0.64% from December 31, 2008 (near the height of the global financial crises) through February 28, 2022 (when the FOMC began raising this rate), and averaged approximately 4.9% and 3.1% over the 50 years and 25 years ended December 31, 2022, respectively, according to Bloomberg. The Official Bank Rate averaged 0.47% from December 31, 2008 through February 28, 2022, and approximately 2.4% and 6.3% over the 25 and 50 years ended December 31, 2024, according to Bloomberg.
Industry Leasing Activity. While industrial and retail have increased as a percentage of leasing revenues since 2019, office remains the majority of activity for Newmark and the industry. According to data from Newmark Research and CoStar, U.S. office leasing activity, as measured by the percentage of available inventory leased in a given quarter, has improved significantly from the lows seen in the first half of 2021, but remains somewhat below the 2015-2019 average, largely as a result of smaller lease sizes versus pre-pandemic levels. According to Newmark Research, this recovery in office leasing was particularly strong in New York City and other gateway cities and has not yet spread to many of the other regions and cities in the U.S. Based on Newmark Research and CoStar data, demand for Trophy and Class A U.K. office spaces is robust, particularly in central London. They also estimate that fourth quarter 2024 overall U.K. office leasing activity was up by over 20% year-on-year its highest level since the third quarter of 2018, while full year 2024 activity increased by over 10% versus 2023 and was the best year since 2019.
Based on data from Newmark Research and CoStar, the scarcity of available U.S. retail space cannot satisfy strong demand, which has dampened leasing activity for this property type but kept vacancies near all-time lows and rents near their historical highs. According to the same sources, while industrial net absorption remained positive in the U.S., it has turned negative in the U.K. In both countries, vacancy continued to increase in 2024 as a result of an increased supply, as a higher-than-normal pipeline of available space is being constructed. Against this backdrop, our revenues from Leasing and other commissions increased by 2.1% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
We expect demand for office space to be driven by the reset in values due to near-term debt maturities. We also continue to see increased need for office space in certain markets, led by ongoing return-to-work plans, as well as new demand driven by companies in technology including AI as well as financial services. Placer.ai data for December 2024 indicates that in-person attendance in the U.S. increased to 66% of pre-pandemic levels versus 63% a year earlier. Our management services, leasing, origination, and capital markets professionals continue to actively collaborate with clients to repurpose underutilized spaces and assets, including with respect to conversion of obsolete office or retail properties.
Industry Capital Markets Activity. We continued to gain share in Capital Markets, even as overall industry volumes improved due largely to the stabilization of benchmark interest rates. For example, MSCI’s preliminary investment sales figures, which excludes transactions related to the equity portion of loan sales, indicate that volumes across all property types were up by at least 40% and 9%, respectively, in U.S. in the fourth quarter and full year 2024 compared with a year earlier. The same source reports that European investment sales volumes increased by at least 11% and 4% for the same respective periods. Newmark’s fourth and full year 2024 investment sales volumes were up by approximately 71% and 18%, respectively, excluding the impact of the Signature Transactions. We have gained considerable market share over the past several years. For example, our U.S. investment sales volumes were approximately 9% of overall U.S. MSCI volumes over the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, versus 3.3% in 2015.
We have also gained market share in our commercial mortgage origination businesses. According to the MBA, which also excludes loan sales, overall U.S. commercial and multifamily originations increased by 84% and 17% in the fourth quarter and full year 2024, respectively versus a year earlier. In comparison, we increased our Total Debt volumes year-on-year for fourth quarter and full year 2024 by approximately 177% and 79%, respectively, excluding the impact of the Signature Transactions. We believe that we have meaningfully outperformed the industry in originations over the last several years. According to data or estimates from MSCI, the MBA, and/or Newmark Research, our U.S. Total Debt volumes were nearly 9% of U.S. commercial and multifamily mortgage originations over the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared with 1.5% in 2015.
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Commercial And Multifamily Mortgage Maturities and Other Drivers. In 2024, we benefited from the continuing need for our clients to both refinance existing properties owned by them and to finance investments in properties they seek to own. We expect the record amounts of medium-term commercial and multifamily mortgage maturities and interest rate stabilization to together lead to continued improvement in industry debt volumes, as well as increased investment sales activity. For example, the MBA expects a record $957 billion of U.S. mortgage maturities in 2025 alone, and approximately $2.1 trillion between 2025 and 2027.
In addition, we anticipate several positive factors will position the Company for success, including the ongoing strength and expected capital investment in the U.S. economy, the re-shoring of manufacturing and investment in data centers fueled by artificial intelligence. We believe that these factors, along with our leading presence in capital markets, will drive growth across nearly all of Newmark’s service lines.
Financial Overview
Revenues
We generally derive revenues from the following three sources:
•Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. We provide commercial services to tenants and landlords. In this business, we provide property and facilities management services along with project management, V&A services, and other consulting services, as well as technology services, to customers who may also utilize our commercial real estate brokerage services, and flexible workspace solutions. Servicing fees are derived from the servicing of loans originated by us as well as loans originated by third parties.
•Leasing and Other Commissions. We offer a diverse range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, including tenant and landlord (or agency) representation, which includes comprehensive lease negotiations, strategic planning, site selection, lease auditing, and other financial and market analysis.
•Capital Markets. This consists of investment sales and commercial mortgage origination, net. Our investment sales business specializes in the arrangement of acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, as well as equity placement and other related services. Our commercial mortgage origination, net business offers services and products to facilitate debt financing for our clients and customers. Commercial mortgage origination revenue is comprised of commissions generated from mortgage brokerage and debt placement services, as well as the origination fees and premiums derived from the origination of GSE/FHA loans with borrowers. Our commercial mortgage origination revenue also includes the revenue recognized for the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment.
Fees are generally earned when a lease is signed. In many cases, landlords are responsible for paying the fees. In capital markets, fees are earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer for investment sales and when debt or equity is funded to a vehicle for debt and equity transactions. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized when a derivative asset is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized net of related fees and commissions to affiliates or third-party brokers. For loans we broker, revenues are recognized when the loan is closed.
Servicing fees are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. We typically receive monthly management fees based upon a percentage of monthly rental income generated from the property under management, or in some cases, the greater of such percentage or a minimum agreed upon fee. We are often reimbursed for our administrative and payroll costs, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, directly attributable to properties under management. We follow U.S. GAAP, which provides guidance when accounting for reimbursements from clients and when accounting for certain contingent events for leasing and capital markets transactions. See Note 3 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.
Expenses
(i) Compensation and Employee Benefits
The majority of our operating costs consist of cash and non-cash compensation expenses, which include base salaries, producer commissions based on production, forgivable loans for term contracts, discretionary and other bonuses and all related employee benefits and taxes. Our employees consist of commissioned producers, executives and other administrative support. Our producers are largely compensated based on the revenue they generate for the firm, keeping these costs variable in nature.
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As part of our compensation plans, certain employees have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Newmark IPO, BGC Holdings, which generally receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As a result of the Corporate Conversion, there are no longer any limited partnership units in BGC Holdings outstanding. Certain Newmark employees also hold N Units that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. These N Units convert into distribution earnings units over a three- to ten-year period. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Newmark has granted certain conversion rights on limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, then-outstanding limited partnership units in BGC Holdings, to Newmark employees to convert the limited partnership units to a capital balance within Newmark Holdings or BGC Holdings. Generally, such units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that we record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout amount is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Certain of our employees have been awarded Preferred Units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, BGC Holdings. Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are or were allocated to such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation, which is deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units in Newmark Holdings. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into our Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly they are not included in our fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are also reflected in compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross number of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
We have also entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans, which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on their limited partnership interests or from the proceeds of the sales of the employees’ shares of our Class A common stock. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the service period.
From time to time, we may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. In addition, we also enter into deferred compensation agreements with employees providing services to us. The costs associated with such plans are generally amortized over the period in which they vest. (See Note 27 — “Compensation” and Note 28 — “Commitments and Contingencies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
(ii) Other Operating Expenses
We have various other operating expenses. We incur leasing, equipment and maintenance expenses. We also incur selling and promotion expenses, which include entertainment, marketing and travel-related expenses. We incur communication
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expenses, professional and consulting fees for legal, audit and other special projects, and interest expense related to short-term operational funding needs, and notes payable and collateralized borrowings.
We pay fees to Cantor for performing certain administrative and other support, including charges for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources, legal services and technology infrastructure support. Management believes that these charges are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services rendered. However, the expenses for these services are not necessarily indicative of the expenses that would have been incurred if we had not obtained these services from Cantor. In addition, these charges may not reflect the costs of services we may receive from Cantor in the future.
(iii) Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net is comprised of gains (losses) on equity method investments which represent our pro rata share of the net gains (losses) on investments over which we have significant influence but which we do not control, and the mark-to-market gains or losses on marketable and non-marketable investments.
(iv) Provision for Income Taxes
We incur income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of our subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to primarily the UBT in New York City. U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of the UBT, rests with the partners rather than the partnership entity (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., we operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes.
Newmark is subject to the tax laws and regulations of the U.S. and various non-U.S. jurisdictions. The OECD Pillar Two Framework provides for a minimum global effective tax rate of 15%. The EU Member States formally adopted the EU’s Pillar Two Directive with a subset of rules that became effective January 1, 2024. Other countries are also expected to implement similar legislation. The minimum global effective tax did not have a material impact on our 2024 tax rate.
Business Mix and Seasonality
Our pre-tax margins are affected by the mix of revenues generated. For example, servicing revenues tend to have higher pre-tax margins than Newmark as a whole, and margins from originating GSE/FHA loans, which are included in “Capital markets” in our consolidated statement of operations, tend to be lower, as we retain rights to service loans over time, and because this item includes non-cash GAAP gains attributable to OMSRs, which represent the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net. Capital markets transactions tend to have higher pre-tax margins than leasing transactions. Pre-tax earnings margins on our property management and parts of our other GCS businesses are at the lower end of margins for the Company as a whole because they include some revenues that equal their related expenses. These revenues represent fully reimbursable compensation and non-compensation costs and may be referred to as “pass through revenues.”
Due to the strong desire of many market participants to close real estate transactions prior to the end of a calendar year, our business exhibits certain seasonality, with our revenue tending to be lowest in the first quarter and strongest in the fourth quarter. For the five years from 2020 through 2024, we generated an average of approximately 21% of our revenues in the first quarter and 30% of our revenues in the fourth quarter. Because approximately 30% of our expenses are fixed in a typical year, this seasonality generally leads to higher profitability in the fourth quarter and lower margins in the first quarter, all else equal.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management services, servicing fees and other (1) | $ | 1,106,699 | 40.4 | % | $ | 970,877 | 39.3 | % | $ | 909,485 | 33.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Leasing and other commissions | 857,617 | 31.3 | 839,595 | 34.0 | 831,874 | 30.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital markets | 774,186 | 28.3 | 659,896 | 26.7 | 964,168 | 35.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,738,502 | 100.0 | 2,470,368 | 100.0 | 2,705,527 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and employee benefits | 1,598,400 | 58.4 | 1,489,138 | 60.3 | 1,554,784 | 57.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (2) | 185,398 | 6.8 | 139,747 | 5.7 | 138,312 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and employee benefits | 1,783,798 | 65.1 | 1,628,885 | 65.9 | 1,693,096 | 62.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating, administrative and other (1) | 597,594 | 21.8 | 536,697 | 21.7 | 534,843 | 19.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees to related parties | 26,446 | 1.0 | 27,204 | 1.1 | 28,502 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 174,299 | 6.4 | 166,221 | 6.7 | 165,816 | 6.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,582,137 | 94.3 | 2,359,007 | 95.5 | 2,422,257 | 89.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (loss), net | 6,677 | 0.2 | 13,854 | 0.6 | (97,701) | (3.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 163,042 | 6.0 | 125,215 | 5.1 | 185,569 | 6.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (31,768) | (1.2) | (21,737) | (0.9) | (30,970) | (1.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 131,274 | 4.8 | 103,478 | 4.2 | 154,599 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 45,783 | 1.7 | 41,103 | 1.7 | 42,054 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated net income | 85,491 | 3.1 | 62,375 | 2.5 | 112,545 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 24,257 | 0.9 | 19,800 | 0.8 | 29,270 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 61,234 | 2.2 | % | $ | 42,575 | 1.7 | % | $ | 83,275 | 3.1 | % |
(1)Revenues and expenses recorded during the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024 included in this report differ from those included in our earnings release issued February 14, 2025. This reflected a $15.6 million reduction in reported Management services, servicing fees and other revenues, which related to pass through revenues, and an offsetting $15.6 million reduction in the related reported pass through Operating, administrative and other expense. These offsetting items had no impact on the Company’s earnings.
(2)The components of Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs are as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 110,973 | 4.1 | % | $ | 85,918 | 3.5 | % | $ | 92,308 | 3.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnership units amortization | 23,203 | 0.8 | 14,267 | 0.6 | 8,322 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSU amortization | 29,568 | 1.1 | 24,620 | 1.0 | 21,807 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity compensation | 163,744 | 6.0 | 124,805 | 5.1 | % | 122,437 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 21,654 | 0.8 | 14,942 | 0.6 | 15,875 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 185,398 | 6.8 | % | $ | 139,747 | 5.7 | % | $ | 138,312 | 5.1 | % |
Year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased by $135.8 million, or 14.0%, to $1,106.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase reflects growth from GCS, our servicing and asset management business, as well as V&A fees.
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Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $18.0 million, or 2.1%, to $857.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 which was driven primarily by growth in office leasing.
Capital Markets
Capital markets increased by $114.3 million, or 17.3%, to $774.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase reflects a 30.4% increase in commercial mortgage origination, net, and a 9.5% improvement in investment sales fees, both of which reflected strength across every major property type.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $109.3 million, or 7.3%, to $1,598.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase reflects higher commission-based revenues and other costs related to acquisitions and the hiring of revenue generating professionals.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $45.7 million, or 32.7%, to $185.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to the year-on-year improvement in Newmark’s average stock price as compensation expense related to the grant of exchangeability for limited partnership units is related to the stock price of Newmark Class A common stock.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased by $60.9 million, or 11.3%, to $597.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to higher pass through costs and increased warehouse interest expense, both of which were offset by associated revenues.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties decreased by $0.8 million, or 2.8%, to $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $8.1 million, or 4.9%, to $174.3 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to increased fixed asset depreciation of $0.5 million, intangible asset amortization of $2.8 million, as well as a $4.4 million change in MSR valuation allowance.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net of $6.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted primarily of recoveries from forfeited restricted Newmark Class A common stock.
Other income (loss), net of $13.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of equity income on the Real Estate LP joint venture described below under “—Certain Related Party Transactions—Investment in CF Real Estate Finance Holdings, L.P.” and proceeds from a legal settlement, partially offset by losses on certain investments.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net increased by $10.0 million, or 46.1%, to $31.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to higher interest expense on our corporate debt.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes increased by $4.7 million, or 11.4%, to $45.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the level, geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $4.5 million, or 22.5%, to $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily driven by a higher pre-tax income.
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Year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased by $61.4 million, or 6.8%, to $970.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The growth reflected the addition of Gerald Eve, as well as property management and GCS increasing their combined square footage under management by approximately 26% year-on-year. Additionally, Newmark more than doubled the size of its overall servicing and asset management portfolio to $175.9 billion over the same period, which included an approximately 11% expansion of the Company’s high margin primary servicing portfolio. These increases were partially offset by declines in our U.S. V&A business.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commissions revenues increased by $7.7 million, or 0.9%, to $839.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The improvement was driven by growth in industrial and retail.
Capital Markets
Capital markets decreased by $304.3 million, or 31.6%, to $659.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower industry-wide commercial and multifamily origination volumes, which declined by 47% in the U.S. (according to the MBA). The Company’s GSE/FHA origination platform also gained significant market share, as its volumes declined by approximately 9% versus 29% reductions in industry GSE multifamily activity. Investment sales revenue decreased by 37.1%, which primarily compares to industry-wide declines of approximately 50% for U.S. and European investment sales over the same period (according to MSCI).
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense decreased by $65.6 million, or 4.2%, to $1,489.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to lower variable compensation related to commission-based revenues and our cost saving initiatives, partially offset by acquisitions and the addition of new revenue-generating professionals.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $1.4 million, or 1.0%, to $139.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased by $1.9 million, or 0.3%, to $536.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due primarily to operational expenses related to acquisitions, largely offset by cost saving initiatives.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties decreased by $1.3 million, or 4.6%, to $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $0.4 million, or 0.2%, to $166.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net of $13.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of equity income on the Real Estate LP joint venture and proceeds from a legal settlement, partially offset by losses on certain investments.
Other loss of $97.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to $87.5 million realized and unrealized losses from the sale of Nasdaq shares and $12.9 million of mark-to-market losses on non-marketable investments.
Interest Expense, Net
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Interest expense, net decreased by $9.2 million, or 29.8%, to $21.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due to an increase in interest income on employee loans, which was largely offset by increased amortization which is recorded as part of compensation expense.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes decreased by $1.0 million, or 2.3%, to $41.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $9.5 million, or 32.4% to $19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The primary sources of liquidity for our business are the cash on our balance sheet, cash flow provided by operations, and the $600.0 million revolving Credit Facility.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, our expansion into other markets, our acquisitions of other companies and hiring of teams of producers, and our results of operations. To the extent that existing cash, cash from operations and credit facilities are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public equity or debt financing. As of December 31, 2024, our debt consisted of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes with a carrying amount of $595.7 million and $75.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility with a carrying amount of $75.0 million, in each case exclusive of our warehouse facilities described under “—Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises.”
Financial Position
Total assets were $4.7 billion as of December 31, 2024 and $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2023.
Total liabilities were $3.2 billion as of December 31, 2024 and $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2023.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $197.7 million. Additionally, we had $525.0 million available under our committed senior unsecured revolving Credit Facility. We expect to generate cash flows from operations to fund our business and use those funds, and our Credit Facility, to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those arising within the next twelve months, and our long-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those beyond the next twelve months.
Debt
The carrying value of our debt, excluding our warehouse facilities, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.500% Senior Notes | $ | 595,673 | $ | — | ||
| Credit Facility | 75,000 | — | ||||
| Delayed Draw Term Loan | — | 417,260 | ||||
| Cantor Credit Agreement | — | 130,000 | ||||
| Total corporate debt | $ | 670,673 | $ | 547,260 |
Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement
On August 10, 2023, Newmark entered into a Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as such terms are defined in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders committed to provide to the Company a senior unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan in an aggregate principal amount of $420.0 million, which could be increased, subject to certain terms and conditions, to up to $550.0 million. The proceeds of
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the Delayed Draw Term Loan could only be used to repay the 6.125% Senior Notes at their maturity. The Delayed Draw Term Loan had a maturity date of November 14, 2026.
As set forth in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Delayed Draw Term Loan could bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months (as selected by the Company) or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. Upon funding, the applicable margin was 2.625% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 1.625% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. Depending on the Company’s credit ratings, the applicable margin could range, with respect to Term SOFR borrowings, from 2.125% to 3.375% through and including August 10, 2024, and 2.5% to 3.875% thereafter; and base rate borrowings, from 1.125% to 2.375% through and including August 10, 2024, and 1.5% to 2.875% thereafter.
The Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement contained financial covenants with respect to minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratio. The Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement also contained certain other customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The covenants in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement were consistent with those within the Company’s existing $600.0 million Credit Facility, which matures on April 26, 2027 and remains available to the Company.
On November 8, 2023, Newmark provided notice to Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to borrow the $420.0 million available under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement with the funds made available on November 14, 2023. The Company used the $420.0 million of proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan draw to pay a portion of the matured principal and interest of the Company’s $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023. On January 12, 2024, the outstanding balance under the Delayed Draw Term Loan was repaid with the proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes. The Delayed Draw Term Loan was terminated and the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.7 million were expensed.
Credit Facility
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million Credit Facility.
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark amended and restated the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the amended and restated Credit Agreement, the lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the amended and restated Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent (as such term is defined in the amended and restated Credit Agreement), and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin was initially 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above could range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above could range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee.
On November 8, 2023, Newmark provided notice to Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to borrow $130.0 million under the Credit Facility with the funds made available on November 14, 2023. The Company used the proceeds of the Credit Facility draw to pay the remaining maturing principal and interest of the Company’s $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023 that was not paid for with the proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan.
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On December 20, 2023, Newmark drew $130.0 million of Newmark Revolving Loans under the Cantor Credit Agreement to repay the $130.0 million balance then outstanding under the Credit Facility.
On April 26, 2024, Newmark amended and restated the Credit Agreement, which amendment and restatement, among other things, extends the maturity date of the Credit Facility to April 26, 2027. The borrowing rates and financial covenants under the Credit Agreement are substantially consistent with the Credit Agreement prior to such amendment and restatement.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were $245.0 million of borrowings and $170.0 million of repayments under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2024, there were $75.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2024, borrowings under the Credit Facility carried an interest rate of 6.15%, with a weighted-average interest rate of 6.66% for the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, there were no borrowings under the Credit Facility.
7.500% Senior Notes
On January 12, 2024, Newmark closed its offering of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes. The notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. Cantor purchased $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes in the offering, and still holds such notes as of March 3, 2025. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes of approximately $594.7 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses. The notes bear interest at a rate of 7.500% per year, payable in cash on January 12 and July 12 of each year, commencing July 12, 2024. The 7.500% Senior Notes will mature on January 12, 2029. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes to repay all of the $420.0 million outstanding under its Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement. Additional net proceeds were used to repay all $130.0 million of then outstanding revolving debt, including with respect to borrowings under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
The 7.500% Senior Notes were initially offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Customary registration rights were provided to purchasers of the 7.500% Senior Notes. On May 10, 2024, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 6, 2024. On June 10, 2024, we launched an exchange offer in which holders of the 7.500% Senior Notes which were issued in the January 12, 2024 private placement could exchange such notes for new registered notes with substantially identical terms. The exchange offer expired on July 17, 2024, at which point the tendered 7.500% Senior Notes were exchanged for new registered notes with substantially identical terms.
See “—Certain Related Party Transactions —7.500% Senior Notes” below for further discussion.
Cantor Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to Cantor, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%.
On December 20, 2023, Newmark entered into a first amendment to the Cantor Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the First Cantor Credit Agreement Amendment, Cantor agreed to make certain loans to Newmark from time to time in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to $150.0 million under the Cantor Credit Agreement. The Newmark Revolving Loans have substantially the same terms as other loans under the Cantor Credit Agreement, except that until April 15, 2024, the Newmark Revolving Loans would bear interest at a rate equal to 25 basis points less than the interest rate borne by the revolving loans made pursuant to the Credit Facility. Unlike other loans made under the Cantor Credit Agreement, Cantor may demand repayment of the Newmark Revolving Loans prior to the final maturity date of the Cantor Credit Agreement upon three business days’ prior written notice. Also on December 20, 2023, Newmark drew $130.0 million of Newmark Revolving Loans, and used the proceeds to repay the $130.0 million balance then outstanding under the Credit Facility.
On January 12, 2024, the outstanding balance under the Cantor Credit Agreement was repaid with the proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, there was $130.0 million outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
As of December 31, 2024, Newmark had $1.5 billion of committed loan funding, $1.1 billion of uncommitted loan funding available through three commercial banks, and an uncommitted $500.0 million Fannie Mae loan repurchase facility. Consistent with industry practice, these warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. These warehouse facilities are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgage loans originated under various lending programs and
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third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to our wholly owned subsidiary, Berkeley Point Capital, LLC. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 we had $0.8 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively, outstanding under “Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On June 19, 2020, Newmark established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on its Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the CARES Act. The sublimit was included within the Company’s then-existing $450 million warehouse facility. The advance line provided 100% of the principal and interest advance payment at a rate of SOFR plus 1.80% and was collateralized by Fannie Mae’s commitment to repay advances. There were no outstanding draws under this sublimit as of December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023. Newmark did not have any Fannie Mae loans in forbearance as of December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023. On May 7, 2024, the related warehouse line was renewed, removing the $125.0 million sublimit line of credit.
Leases
Total lease liability as of December 31, 2024 was $598.3 million. Of the total amount, $151.1 million of lease liability is within our flexible workspace business whereby the liability is ring-fenced in SPVs with only $22.6 million of guarantees and/or letters of credit with exposure to Newmark. There was an additional $10.2 million of guarantees and/or letters of credit related to lease liabilities not in consolidated SPVs. In addition, Newmark had contracted future customer revenues and sub-lease income as of December 31, 2024 amounting to approximately $158.2 million.
Debt Repurchase Authorization
On June 16, 2020, the Board and the Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company in the amount of up to $50.0 million of Company debt securities. Repurchases of Company debt securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption.
Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company debt securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company debt securities through CF&Co (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time upon customary market terms or commissions.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $50.0 million remaining from its debt repurchase authorization.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (9,936) | $ | (265,961) | $ | 1,196,343 | ||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||
| Net activity from loan originations and sales | 235,722 | 363,937 | (934,845) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding activity from loan originations and sales (1) | $ | 225,786 | $ | 97,976 | $ | 261,498 |
(1) Includes loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net in the amount of $211.9 million, $243.3 million and $131.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Excluding these loans, net cash provided by operating activities excluding loan originations and sales would be $437.6 million, $341.2 million and $393.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2024
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we used $9.9 million of cash in operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $225.8 million. Cash used in operations included $211.9 million of loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners primarily for the hiring of revenue generating professionals. Cash used in investing activities was $33.4 million, consisting primarily of cash paid for the purchases of fixed assets. Cash provided by financing activities of $89.5 million primarily related to net borrowings of $125.0 million of corporate debt and net proceeds from warehouse facilities of $255.7 million. This was offset by treasury stock repurchases and unit purchases of $224.9 million, payments to shareholders and partners for dividends and distributions of $59.3 million, and payments of deferred financing costs of $7.0 million.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2023
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we used $266.0 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash used from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $98.0 million. Cash used in investing activities was $49.7 million, consisting of cash paid for acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets, offset by proceeds from the redemption of Newmark’s equity method investment in Real Estate LP. Cash provided by financing activities
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of $261.5 million primarily related to net principal borrowings on warehouse facilities of $361.2 million, offset by treasury stock repurchases and payments to shareholders and partners for dividends and distributions.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated $1,196.3 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $261.5 million. Cash provided by investing activities was $308.6 million, primarily related to $437.8 million of proceeds from the sale of Nasdaq shares, offset by cash paid for acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets. Cash used in financing activities of $1,458.5 million primarily related to net principal payments on warehouse facilities of $913.3 million, $140.0 million related to the repurchase agreements accounted for as collateralized financing transactions relating to the Nasdaq shares previously held by the Company, and $294.8 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Acquisitions
On March 10, 2023, Newmark completed the acquisition of Gerald Eve, a U.K. based real estate advisory firm.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company acquired the approximately 49% of Spring11 that it did not own, having held a controlling stake since 2017. Spring11 provides asset management and servicing, commercial real estate due diligence, consulting, and advisory services to a variety of clients, including lenders, investment banks and investors, and has been recorded as part of “management services.” Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, the portion of Spring11’s revenues associated with its servicing and asset management portfolio is no longer reported as “management services” but is instead recorded as part of “servicing fees and other.”
See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 28 — “Commitments and Contingencies” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information responsive to Item 303(b)(1) of Regulation S-K regarding cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations. This includes contractual obligations relating to operating leases, warehouse facilities, debt, the commitment to fund construction loans and any associated interest.
Credit Ratings
As of December 31, 2024, our public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks are as follows:
| Rating | Outlook | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitch Ratings Inc. | BBB- | Stable | ||
| JCRA | BBB+ | Stable | ||
| Kroll Bond Rating Agency | BBB- | Stable | ||
| S&P Global Ratings | BB+ | Stable |
Credit ratings and associated outlooks are influenced by several factors including, but not limited to: operating environment, earnings and profitability trends, the prudence of funding and liquidity management practices, balance sheet size composition and resulting leverage, cash flow coverage of interest, composition and size of the capital base, available liquidity, outstanding borrowing levels and the firm’s competitive position in the industry. A credit rating and/or the associated outlook can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Any reduction in our credit ratings and/or the associated outlook could adversely affect the availability of debt financing on terms acceptable to us, as well as the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain any such financing. In addition, credit ratings and associated outlooks may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions. The interest rate on our 7.500% Senior Notes may increase by up to 2% in the event of credit ratings downgrades.
Certain Related Party Transactions
The following related party transactions occurred subsequent to December 31, 2024. See Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for related party transactions prior to December 31, 2024.
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
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Howard W. Lutnick, Executive Chairman
On February 5, 2025, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Lutnick 1,148,970 exchange rights with respect to 1,148,970 previously awarded PSUs that were previously non-exchangeable. Also on February 5, 2025, in connection with and immediately following the grant of the 1,148,970 exchange rights, Mr. Lutnick exercised exchange rights with respect to 2,859,437 PSUs, at the then-current exchange ratio of 0.9279 shares per Holdings Unit, for 2,653,272 shares of Class A common stock, delivered less 1,343,905 shares withheld by Newmark for taxes at $14.14 per share, in the amount of 1,309,367 net shares.
On January 13, 2025, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Lutnick 419,112 shares of Class A common stock under the Equity Plan, delivered less 232,380 shares withheld by Newmark for taxes at $11.93 per share, in the amount of 186,732 net shares.
On January 2, 2025, pursuant to the Standing Policy, and in connection with a grant of exchangeability made to Holdings Units held by Mr. Gosin, the Company granted exchange rights and monetization rights to Mr. Lutnick, and he elected to accept 101,133 exchange rights with respect to 101,133 previously awarded units PSUs that were previously non-exchangeable. As of February 18, 2025, the date that Mr. Lutnick stepped down from his positions with the Company, Mr. Lutnick’s balance under the Standing Policy was zero.
Stephen M. Merkel, Chairman and Chief Legal Officer
Stephen M. Merkel Change of Control Agreement
On February 18, 2025, Mr. Merkel entered into the Merkel CIC Agreement with the Company. Under the Merkel CIC Agreement, if a Change of Control (as defined in the Merkel CIC Agreement) of the Company occurs, Mr. Merkel will receive immediate vesting of his then non-exchangeable PSUs over three years following the Change of Control, provided he continues providing substantial services to the Company or any affiliate during that time, and subject to the other terms of the Merkel CIC Agreement. Additionally, in the event he is terminated without Cause (as defined in the Merkel CIC Agreement) within three years following the Change of Control, he will be paid (i) a lump sum of his then-current annualized salary, plus his annual discretionary bonus with respect to the fiscal year completed immediately before the Change of Control, (ii) two years of medical benefits, and (iii) continued monetization of his PSUs over the foregoing schedule notwithstanding his termination of employment.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
As of February 27, 2025, there were 265,164 Founding Partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor had the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor Units following such redemption or exchange. See Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding Cantor’s rights to purchase Cantor Units pursuant to the terms of the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement.
Employment Matters
On June 28, 2021, Newmark hired Mr. Kyle Lutnick as a full-time employee, providing for salary, bonus, reimbursement of ordinary course expenses and travel, and a potential profit participation consistent with other entrepreneurial arrangements in the event of certain liquidity events related to businesses developed by him. This employment arrangement was approved by the Audit Committee. For 2024, total compensation under the arrangement was approximately $817,000. His compensation for the period he was employed by the Company in 2025 was approximately $26,000. As of February 2025, he was no longer employed by the Company or its subsidiaries. On February 18, 2025, the Board appointed Mr. Kyle Lutnick to serve as a member of the Board, effective February 18, 2025, for a term to expire at the earlier of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
Referral Payment
On January 30, 2025, the Audit Committee authorized one or more subsidiaries of Newmark to receive from CF&Co, or an affiliate thereof, a referral fee payment equal to 0.25% of the notional value of a certain pool of loans previously sold by a third-party Newmark client, to a Cantor subsidiary in connection with Newmark’s referral of such loans to Cantor, resulting in a payment to Newmark of $395,000.
Regulatory Requirements
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See Note 8 — “Capital and Liquidity Requirements” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion relating to the impact of Newmark’s capital requirements and requirements to maintain sufficient collateral to meet operational liquidity requirements.
Regulatory Environment
See “—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1, Business for information related to our regulatory environment.
Equity
Share Repurchase Program
See Note 6 — “Stock Transactions and Unit Purchases” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On November 4, 2024, Newmark’s Board increased Newmark’s share repurchase and unit purchase authorization, which has no expiration date, to $400.0 million.
Fully Diluted Share Count
Our fully diluted weighted-average share counts for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Common stock outstanding(1) | 172,179 | 173,475 | ||
| Partnership units(2) | — | — | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 5,110 | 2,413 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 402 | 494 | ||
| Total(3) | 177,691 | 176,382 |
(1)Common stock consisted of Class A shares and Class B shares. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the weighted-average number of Class A shares was 150.9 million shares and Class B shares was 21.3 million that were included in our fully diluted EPS computation.
(2)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor Units (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information). In general, these partnership units are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. In addition, the partnership units held by Cantor as of December 31, 2024 are generally exchangeable into up to 25.6 million shares of Newmark Class A common stock and/or Newmark Class B common stock. These partnership units also generally receive quarterly allocations of net income, after the deduction of the Preferred Distribution, based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, these partnership units are included in the fully diluted share count calculation shown above.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2024, the weighted-average share count included 77.7 million anti-dilutive securities, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the weighted-average share count included 73.4 million anti-dilutive securities, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.
Our fully diluted period-end (spot) common stock, limited partnership unit, RSU and Newmark exchange share count as of each of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Common stock outstanding | 170,792 | 173,925 | ||
| Partnership units | 75,937 | 72,125 | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 5,808 | 2,182 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 346 | 516 | ||
| Total | 252,883 | 248,748 |
Registration Statements
We have an effective registration statement on Form S-4 with respect to the offer and sale of up to 20.0 million shares and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in connection with business combination transactions, including acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. As of December 31, 2024, we have issued 2.7 million shares of our Class A common stock under this registration statement.
Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
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Newmark completed acquisitions from 2019 through the fourth quarter of 2024 with contingent cash consideration of $9.6 million. The contingent equity instruments and cash liability is recorded at fair value in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on Newmark’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Legal Proceedings
See the discussion under the heading “Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors,” in Note 24 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for information regarding Mr. Lutnick's December 2021 bonus award.
On August 5, 2022, Robert Garfield filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Robert Garfield v. Howard W. Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0687) (the “Garfield action”), against the members of the Board and Mr. Lutnick in his capacity as Chairman of the Board and controlling stockholder. This derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a three-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Board breached its fiduciary duty, (ii) neither the award nor the approval process employed by the Compensation Committee were entirely fair to the Company and its stockholders, and (iii) the members of the Compensation Committee did not exercise independent judgment. The complaint alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks rescission of the award and other compensation, as well as damages and other relief.
On October 7, 2022, Cardinal Capital Management, LLC filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Cardinal Capital Management, LLC v. Howard W. Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0909-SG) (the “Cardinal action”), against Mr. Lutnick, the members of the Compensation Committee in 2021, who were Virginia S. Bauer, Kenneth A. McIntyre and Michael Snow as members of the Compensation Committee, and Barry Gosin, Michael Rispoli and Stephen Merkel, as Newmark’s executive officers. The derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the Company’s June 2021 partnership units exchange for Mr. Lutnick and Officers (as such term is defined in the Cardinal action) and the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a three-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Compensation Committee and Officers breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets; and (ii) Mr. Lutnick and the Officers were unjustly enriched. The complaint also alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder, and wasted corporate assets, by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks recoupment of the partnership units exchange and the bonus award, as well as damages and other relief.
On December 13, 2022, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an order consolidating the Garfield and Cardinal actions into a single, consolidated action (Consolidated C.A. No. 2022-0687, hereinafter the “Consolidated Shareholder Action”) deemed to have commenced on August 5, 2022, when the Garfield action was filed. On January 10, 2023, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint, whose claims, as well as requested relief, mirror the claims and relief sought in the Cardinal action in all material respects. The Company’s position is that the partnership units exchange was appropriate and in the best interests of the Company, and that the bonus award was properly approved by the Compensation Committee comprised of independent directors (which does not include Mr. Lutnick) after careful consideration of his contributions to the Company, including the Company’s superior financial results, and following an extensive process that included advice from independent legal counsel and an independent compensation.
On December 21, 2024, the parties to the Consolidated Shareholder Action agreed to settle the matter for a cash payment of $50 million to Newmark less any fees awarded to plaintiffs’ counsel by the Court following a hearing, to be paid by Newmark’s directors’ and officers’ insurance carriers, within 15 business days after entry of judgment. The proposed settlement, which requires the Court of Chancery’s approval, is intended to fully settle and release, with prejudice, any and all actual or potential claims between the parties to the settlement that arise out of or otherwise relate to the claims asserted in the Consolidated Shareholder Action. The proposed settlement is not evidence of the validity or invalidity of any claims or defenses in this action or any other actions or proceedings, or of any wrongdoing by any of the defendants, or of any damages or injury to Newmark or the plaintiffs. The defendants in this action have denied, and continue to deny, all allegations of wrongdoing, fault, liability or damage with respect to all claims asserted or that could be asserted in the Consolidated Shareholder Action.
The Court of Chancery will consider the proposed settlement and all related matters, including plaintiffs’ fee award applications, at a hearing on May 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. If the Court approves the settlement, the Court will enter judgment, at which time the action will be dismissed with prejudice.
On March 9, 2023, a purported class action complaint was filed against Cantor, BGC Holdings, and Newmark Holdings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-00265). The collective action, which was filed by seven former limited partners on their own behalf and on behalf of other similarly situated limited partners, alleges a claim for breach of contract against all defendants on the basis that the defendants failed to make payments due under the relevant partnership agreements. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions upon which the defendants relied to deny payment are unenforceable under Delaware law. The plaintiffs allege a second claim
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against Cantor and BGC Holdings for antitrust violations under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, as amended, on the basis that the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements constitute unreasonable restraints of trade. In that regard, the plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions of the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements, as well as restrictive covenants included in partner separation agreements, cause anticompetitive effects in the labor market, insulate Cantor and BGC Holdings from competition, and limit innovation. The plaintiffs seek a determination that the case may be maintained as a class action, an injunction prohibiting the allegedly anticompetitive conduct, and monetary damages of at least $5,000,000. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss and in response, on May 31, 2023, plaintiffs filed an Amended Class Action Complaint alleging similar allegations as a basis for claims for breach of contract and violation of the Sherman Act. Defendants moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint. On February 23, 2024, plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, repleading claims for violation of federal antitrust laws and challenging economic forfeiture and non-compete obligations as violative of federal competition law. On December 2, 2024, the District Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. On December 16, 2024, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The parties are in the process of briefing the appeal. The Company continues to believe the lawsuit has no merit and that the District Court’s dismissal of the matter will be affirmed on appeal. However, as with any litigation, the outcome cannot be determined with certainty.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. These accounting estimates require the use of assumptions about matters, some which are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows could be materially affected. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenues primarily through commissions from brokerage services, commercial mortgage origination, net, revenues from real estate management services, servicing fees and other revenues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers as determined by when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation as evidenced by the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control over the promised good or service.
The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider consideration promised in a contract that includes a variable amount, referred to as variable consideration, and estimate the amount of consideration due to us. Additionally, variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider all information (historical, current and forecast) that is available, including the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties are expected to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence.
We also use third-party service providers in the provision of services to our customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, we perform an analysis to determine whether we are acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that we are acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where we are acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, we perform services for customers and incur out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Our customers agree to reimburse us for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the customer.
MSRs, Net
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We initially recognize and measure the rights to service mortgage loans at fair value and subsequently measure them using the amortization method. We recognize rights to service mortgage loans as separate assets at the time the underlying originated mortgage loan is sold, and the value of those rights is included in the determination of the gains on loans held for sale. Purchased MSRs, including MSRs purchased from CCRE, are initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently measured using the amortization method.
We receive up to a three-basis point servicing fee and/or up to a one-basis point surveillance fee on certain Freddie Mac loans after the loan is securitized in a Freddie Mac pool. The Freddie Mac Strip is also recognized at fair value and subsequently measured using the amortization method, but is recognized as a MSR at the securitization date.
MSRs are assessed for impairment, at least on an annual basis, based upon the fair value of those rights as compared to the amortized cost. Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. In using this valuation method, we incorporate assumptions that management believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value estimates are sensitive to significant assumptions used in the valuation model such as prepayment rates, cost of servicing, escrow earnings rates, discount rates and servicing multiples, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions derived, in part, from historical data. It is reasonably possible that such estimates may change. We amortize the MSRs in proportion to, and over the period of, the projected net servicing income. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, we stratify MSRs based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, primarily by investor type (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA/Ginnie Mae, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other). To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a specific MSR strata, a valuation allowance is established, which is adjusted in the future as the fair value of MSRs increases or decreases. Reversals of valuation allowances cannot exceed the previously recognized impairment up to the amortized cost.
Equity-Based and Other Compensation
Discretionary Bonus: A portion of our compensation and employee benefits expense comprises discretionary bonuses, which may be paid in cash, equity, partnership awards or a combination thereof. We accrue expense in a period based on revenues in that period and on the expected combination of cash, equity and partnership units. Given the assumptions used in estimating discretionary bonuses, actual results may differ.
RSUs: We account for equity-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP guidance. RSUs provided to certain employees are accounted for as equity awards, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the RSUs that is ultimately expected to vest. Further, the Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Because significant assumptions are used in estimating employee turnover and associated forfeiture rates, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The fair value of RSU awards to employees is determined on the date of grant, based on the fair value of our Class A common stock. Generally, RSUs granted by us as employee compensation do not receive dividend equivalents; as such, we adjust the fair value of the RSUs for the present value of expected forgone dividends, which requires us to include an estimate of expected dividends as a valuation input. This grant-date fair value is amortized to expense ratably over the awards’ vesting periods. For RSUs with graded vesting features, we have made an accounting policy election to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis. The amortization is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Stock: Restricted stock provided to certain employees is accounted for as an equity award, and as per U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the restricted stock that is ultimately expected to vest. We have granted restricted stock that is not subject to continued employment or service; however, transferability is subject to compliance with our and our affiliates’ customary non-compete obligations. Such shares of restricted stock are generally saleable by partners in five to 10 years. Because the restricted stock is not subject to continued employment or service, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock is expensed on the date of grant. The expense is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Limited Partnership Units: Limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings are held by Newmark employees and receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As discussed above, Preferred Units in Newmark Holdings are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to a distribution at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation. The quarterly allocations of net income to such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the Corporate Conversion, certain Newmark employees held BGC Holdings limited partnership units with similar entitlements.
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Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that Newmark record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Loans: We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans that may be either wholly or in part repaid from distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests and from proceeds of the sale of the employees’ shares of our Class A common stock or may be forgiven over a period of time. Cash advance distribution loans are documented in formal agreements and are repayable in timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. We intend for these advances to be repaid in full from the future distributions on existing and future awards granted or the proceeds of the sales of the employees’ shares. The allocations of net income to the awards are treated as compensation expense and the proceeds from distributions are used to repay the loan. The forgivable portion of any loan is recognized as compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations over the life of the loan. We review the loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If we determine that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, we recognize a reserve against the loan balances. Actual collectability of loan balances may differ from our estimates. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the aggregate balance of employee loans, net of reserve, was $769.4 million and $651.2 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, was $123.9 million, $92.9 million, and $84.1 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these loans was included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
When reviewing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as follows.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow model and data regarding market comparables. The valuation process requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These assumptions include cash flow projections, estimated cost of capital and the selection of peer companies and relevant multiples. Because significant assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future cash flows, choosing peer companies and selecting relevant multiples, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Credit Losses
The CECL methodology requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date.
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The expected credit loss is modeled based on our historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default, all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of our reserves. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, we estimate expected credit losses using our historical loss rates. We also consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which consequentially may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses and receivables. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, there was a decrease of $7.9 million in our reserves, of which $1.1 million reduced “Operating, administrative, and other” expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These reserves were based on macroeconomic forecasts which are critical inputs into our model and material movements in variables such as the U.S. unemployment rate and U.S. GDP growth rate which could significantly affect our estimated expected credit losses. These macroeconomic forecasts, under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates, could result in significantly different changes in reserves for credit losses. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in specific factors might affect the overall reserves for credit losses and current results may not reflect the potential future impact of macroeconomic forecast changes.
Income Taxes
Newmark accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between our accompanying consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to primarily the UBT in New York City. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss except for the UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ tax liability or benefit is not reflected in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The tax-related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in our accompanying consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions.
Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from Newmark’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Newmark recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in “Provision for income taxes” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, Newmark considers all available evidence, including past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent fiscal years, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies.
The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws and involves uncertainties in the application of tax regulations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. Because Newmark’s interpretation of complex tax law may impact the measurement of current and deferred income taxes, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions regarding the application of tax law.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We have loan commitments to extend credit to third parties. The commitments to extend credit are for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments). These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee. We are committed to extend credit to the counterparty as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contracts. Whenever we commit to extend credit, we simultaneously enter into a Forward Sales Contract.
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Both the commitment to extend credit and the forward sale commitment qualify as derivative financial instruments. We recognize all derivatives on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The change in the derivatives fair value is recognized in current period earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001690680-24-000006.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements
Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth below:
•macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties, including those resulting from the wars in Ukraine and Israel and other ongoing or new conflicts in the Middle East or other jurisdictions, downgrades of U.S. Treasuries, fluctuating global interest rates, inflation and the Federal Reserve’s responses thereto, fluctuations in the value of global currencies, including the U.S. dollar, liquidity concerns regarding and changes in capital requirements for banking and financial institutions, changes in the economy, the commercial real estate services industry and the global financial markets, employment levels, increasing energy costs, including such increasing costs’ effect on demand for commercial real estate and capital markets transaction volumes, office space, levels of new lease activity and renewals, distressed non-GSE commercial mortgages, frequency of loan defaults and forbearance and associated losses, and fluctuations in the mortgage-backed securities market, as well as potential changes in these factors as a result of the upcoming U.S. Presidential election;
•challenges relating to our repositioning of certain aspects of our business to adapt to and better address the needs of our clients in the future as a result of the acceleration of pre-existing long-term social and economic trends, fluctuating interest rates and market uncertainty, and other legal, cultural and political events and conflicts, and governmental measures taken in response thereto, including reductions in capital markets transaction volumes due to fluctuating interest rates and market uncertainty, uncertainty in the timing of stabilization of interest rates and the recovery of transaction volumes, changes in the mix of demand for commercial real estate space, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased demand for urban office and retail space generally, which may be offset in whole or in part by increased demand for suburban office, data storage, fulfillment, and distribution centers and life sciences facilities, that could materially reduce demand for commercial space and have a material adverse effect on the nature of and demand for our commercial real estate services, including the time and expense related to such repositioning, as well as risks related to our entry into new geographic markets or lines of business, declines in real estate values, including due to sales of loans previously held by failed financial institutions, increases in commercial real estate lending rates, and risks related to the volume of committed investment capital;
•market conditions and volatility, fluctuations in transaction volumes, including changes in leasing and lending activity and debt volumes, the level of worldwide governmental debt issuances, austerity programs, government stimulus packages, increases and decreases in the federal funds interest rate and other actions to moderate inflation, increases or decreases in deficits and the impact of changing government tax rates, repatriation rules, deductibility of interest, and other changes to monetary policy, potential political impasses, changing regulatory requirements or changes in legislation, regulations and priorities, turmoil across regional banks and certain global investment banks, possible disruptions in transactions, and potential downturns including recessions, and similar effects, which may not be predictable in future periods;
•potential deterioration of equity and debt capital markets for commercial real estate and related services, potential unavailability of traditional sources of financing and need for alternative sources, ongoing supply chain issues and other factors, and our ability to access the capital markets as needed or on reasonable terms and conditions;
•pricing, commissions and fees, and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors, some of which may have greater financial and operational resources than we do;
•the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;
•uncertainties related to integrating Knotel, Deskeo, BH2, McCall & Almy, Open Realty, Spring11 and Gerald Eve and the synergies and revenue growth generated from these and other acquisitions as we build out our international and domestic businesses;
•liabilities in connection with our business, including appraisal and valuation, sales and leasing and property and facilities management activities, that exceed our insurance coverage;
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•liquidity, regulatory requirements and the impact of credit market events, political events and conflicts and actions taken by governments and businesses in response thereto on the credit markets and interest rates;
•our relationship and transactions with Cantor and its affiliates including CF&Co and CCRE, Newmark’s structure, including Newmark Holdings, which is owned by Newmark, Cantor, Newmark’s employee partners and other partners, and Newmark OpCo, any related transactions, conflicts of interest, or litigation, including with respect to executive compensation matters, loans to or from Newmark or Cantor, Newmark Holdings or Newmark OpCo, including the balances and interest rates thereof from time to time and any convertible or equity features of any such loans, repurchase agreements and joint ventures, and CF&Co’s acting as our placement agent in connection with certain capital markets transactions;
•competition for and retention of brokers and other producers, managers and key employees, our ability to integrate newly hired producers, and the duration of the period between when we hire producers and when they achieve full productivity;
•the impact on our stock price from any future reduction of our dividend and potential future changes in our capital deployment priorities, including repurchases of shares, purchases of limited partnership interests, and our dividend policy, and in Newmark Holdings’ distributions to partners;
•the effect of layoffs, furloughs, salary cuts, and expected lower commissions or bonuses on the repayment of partner loans;
•our ability to maintain or develop relationships with independently owned offices or affiliated businesses or partners in our businesses;
•the impact of any acquisitions, restructuring or similar transaction on our business and financial results in current or future periods, including with respect to any assumed liabilities or indemnification obligations with respect to such transactions, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions;
•our ability to effectively deploy our sources of liquidity to repurchase shares or limited partnership interests, pay any excise tax that may be imposed on the repurchase of shares, reduce our debt, and invest in growing our business;
•risks related to changes in our relationships with the GSEs and HUD and related changes in the credit markets;
•risks related to changes in the future of the GSEs, including changes in the terms of applicable conservatorships and changes in their capabilities;
•risks inherent in doing business in and expanding into international markets, including economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties, the actions of governments or central banks, the risks of possible nationalization and/or foreign ownership restrictions, expropriation, price controls, capital controls, foreign currency fluctuations, regulatory and tax requirements, economic and/or political instability, geographic, time zone, language and cultural differences among personnel in different areas of the world, exchange controls and other restrictive government actions, the outbreak of hostilities, the pursuit of trade, border control or other related policies by the U.S. and/or other countries (including U.S.-China trade relations), recent economic volatility in the U.K., rising political and other tensions between the U.S. and China, as well as potential changes in these factors as a result of the upcoming U.S. Presidential election;
•political and civil unrest in the U.S. or abroad, including demonstrations, riots, boycotts, rising tensions with law enforcement, the impact of elections, or other social and political developments, political and labor unrest, the impact of U.S. government shutdowns or impasses, including on HUD, as well as potential changes in these factors as a result of the upcoming U.S. Presidential election;
•the impact of terrorist acts, acts of war or other violence or political unrest, as well as disasters or weather-related or similar events, including hurricanes, and heat waves as well as power failures, communication and transportation disruptions, and other interruptions of utilities or other essential services, and the impact of pandemics and other international health incidents;
•the effect on our business, clients, the markets in which we operate, and the economy in general of fluctuating interest rates, market volatility, and inflationary pressures and the Federal Reserve’s response thereto, infrastructure spending, changes in the U.S. and foreign tax and other laws, potential policy and regulatory changes in Mexico and other countries, sequestrations, uncertainties regarding the debt ceiling and the federal budget, and future changes to tax policy and other potential political policies resulting from elections and changes in governments;
•our dependence upon our key employees, our ability to build out successful succession plans, our ability to enforce post-employment restrictive covenants applicable to certain of our key employees, the impact of absence due to illness or leave of certain key executive officers or employees and our ability to attract, retain, motivate and integrate new employees, as well as the competing demands on the time of certain of our executive officers who also provide services to Cantor, BGC and various other ventures and investments sponsored by Cantor;
•the impact of any claims or litigation related to compensation, or other transactions with our executive officers;
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•extensive regulation of our business and clients, changes in regulations relating to commercial real estate and other industries, changes in environmental regulations, and risks relating to compliance matters, including regulatory examinations, inspections, investigations and enforcement actions, and any resulting costs, increased financial and capital requirements, enhanced oversight, remediation, fines, penalties, sanctions, and changes to or restrictions or limitations on specific activities, operations, and compensatory arrangements, and growth opportunities, including acquisitions, hiring, and new businesses, products, or services, as well as risks related to our taking actions to ensure that we and Newmark Holdings are not deemed investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
•factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions as well as counterparty failure;
•costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property, as well as employment, regulatory and other litigation, proceedings and their related costs, including related to acquisitions and other matters, including judgments, fines, or settlements paid, reputational risk, and the impact thereof on our financial results and cash flows in any given period;
•certain other financial risks, including the possibility of future losses, indemnification obligations, assumed liabilities, reduced cash flows from operations, increased leverage, reduced availability under our various credit facilities, and the need for short or long-term borrowings, including from Cantor, our ability to refinance our indebtedness, including in the credit markets, on acceptable rates, and our ability to satisfy eligibility criteria for government-sponsored loan programs and changes to interest rates and market liquidity or our access to other sources of cash relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or other matters, potential liquidity and other risks relating to our ability to maintain continued access to credit and availability of financing necessary to support ongoing business needs on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and risks associated with the resulting leverage, including potentially causing a reduction in credit ratings and the associated outlooks and increased borrowing costs;
•risks associated with the temporary or longer-term investment of our available cash, including in Newmark OpCo, defaults or impairments on the Company’s investments (including investments in non-marketable securities), joint venture interests, stock loans or cash management vehicles and collectability of loan balances owed to us by partners, employees, Newmark OpCo or others;
•the impact of any reduction in the willingness of commercial property owners to outsource their property management needs;
•our ability to enter new markets or develop new products or services and to induce clients to use these products or services and to secure and maintain market share;
•our ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances, business combinations, attract investors or partners or engage in, restructuring, rebranding or other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, the anticipated benefits of any such transactions, relationships or growth and the future impact of any such transactions, relationships or growth on other businesses and financial results for current or future periods, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions, the impact of amendments and/or terminations of any strategic arrangements, and the value of any hedging entered into in connection with consideration received or to be received in connection with such dispositions and any transfers thereof;
•our estimates or determinations of potential value with respect to various assets or portions of the Company’s business, including with respect to the accuracy of the assumptions or the valuation models or multiples used;
•the impact of near- or off-shoring on our business, including on our ability to manage turnover and hire, train, integrate and retain personnel, including brokerage professionals, salespeople, managers, and other professionals;
•our ability to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved, including outside of the U.S., while ensuring compliance with all applicable financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements;
•our ability to identify and remediate any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls that could affect our ability to properly maintain books and records, prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner, control policies, practices and procedures, operations and assets, assess and manage the Company’s operational, regulatory and financial risks, and integrate acquired businesses and brokers, salespeople, managers and other professionals;
•information technology risks, including capacity constraints, failures, or disruptions in our systems or those of clients, counterparties, or other parties with which we interact, increased demands on such systems and on the telecommunications infrastructure from remote working, including cyber security risks and incidents, compliance with regulations requiring data minimization and protection and preservation of records of access and transfers of data, privacy risk and exposure to potential liability and regulatory focus;
•the expansion of our cybersecurity processes to include new businesses, or the integration of the cybersecurity processes of acquired businesses, including internationally;
•the impact of AI on the economy, our industry, our business and the businesses of our clients and vendors;
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•the effectiveness of our governance, risk management, and oversight procedures and the impact of any potential transactions or relationships with related parties;
•the impact of our ESG or “sustainability” ratings on the decisions by clients, investors, potential clients and other parties with respect to our business, investments in us, our borrowing opportunities or the market for and trading price of our Class A common stock or Company debt securities, or other matters;
•the fact that the prices at which shares of our Class A common stock are or may be sold in offerings or other transactions may vary significantly, and purchasers of shares in such offerings or other transactions, as well as existing stockholders, may suffer significant dilution if the price they paid for their shares is higher than the price paid by other purchasers in such offerings or transactions; and
•the effect on the markets for and trading prices of our Class A common stock due to market factors, as well as of various offerings and other transactions, including offerings of Class A common stock and convertible or exchangeable debt or other securities, repurchases of shares of Class A common stock and purchases or redemptions of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, any exchanges by Cantor of shares of Class A common stock for shares of Class B common stock, any exchanges or redemptions of limited partnership units and issuances of shares of Class A common stock in connection therewith, including in corporate or partnership restructurings, payment of dividends on Class A common stock and distributions on limited partnership interests of Newmark Holdings and Newmark OpCo, convertible arbitrage, hedging, and other transactions engaged in by us or holders of outstanding shares, debt or other securities, share sales and stock pledges, stock loans, and other financing transactions by holders of shares or units (including by Cantor executive officers, partners, employees or others), including of shares acquired pursuant to employee benefit plans, unit exchanges and redemptions, corporate or partnership restructurings, acquisitions, conversions of shares of our Class B common stock and other convertible securities into shares of our Class A common stock, and distributions of our Class A common stock by Cantor to its partners, including deferred distribution rights shares.
Overview
Newmark is a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of our clients.
Our investor/owner services and products include:
•capital markets, which consists of investment sales and commercial mortgage brokerage (including the placement of debt, equity raising, structured finance, and loan sales on behalf of third parties);
•landlord (or agency) leasing;
•valuation and advisory;
•property management;
•our leading commercial real estate technology platform and capabilities;
•business rates for U.K. property owners;
•due diligence consulting and other advisory services;
•GSEs and FHA lending, including multifamily lending and loan servicing;
•limited loan servicing and asset management; and
•flexible workspace solutions for owners.
Our corporate or occupier services and products include:
•tenant representation leasing;
•GCS, which includes real estate, workplace and occupancy strategy, corporate consulting services, project management, lease administration and facilities management;
•business rates for U.K. occupiers; and
•flexible workspace solutions for occupiers.
Our goal is to lead with extraordinary talent, data, and analytics, which together allow us to provide strategic and specialized advice. This combination enables our revenue-generating employees, including brokers, originators, and other customer-facing professionals to be highly productive and to help clients increase their efficiency and profits while optimizing their real estate portfolios. Our goal is also to continue recruiting and retaining the greatest talent in the industry and to be recognized as the leading advisor in commercial real estate services.
With respect to our overall business, our near-term goals include becoming number one in capital markets in the United States and growing significantly larger in key international markets. This is partly because our investment sales and debt businesses have historically had a multiplier effect that drives outsized growth across many of our other service lines. When
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overall capital markets activity rebounds and our recently hired producers reach full productivity, we believe that our market share, revenues, and earnings can outperform the industry across our suite of services. While the macroeconomic environment may be challenging in the short term, we remain excited about our market position and our future. We are also focused on increasing the percentage of our total revenues from our recurring and/or contractual businesses, such as servicing, V&A, GCS, agency leasing, and property management. Our goals also include increasing cross-selling opportunities with and between many of these service lines and our capital markets and overall leasing businesses. We expect this to create a virtuous circle that will continue to bolster our long-term market share gains over time.
Newmark was founded in New York City in 1929, with an emphasis on local investor/owner and occupier services and products and became known for having dedicated, knowledgeable, and client-focused advisors/intermediaries. Our acquisition by Cantor Fitzgerald’s subsidiary BGC in 2011 and its subsequent investments in our business contributed to Newmark’s strong growth. This growth continued following our 2017 IPO. Between 2011 and 2023, we increased our total revenues by a CAGR of 22%. Based on reported results, we believe that this improvement was greater than any of our publicly traded commercial real estate services peers listed in the U.S. that have reported revenues over this period (based on actual results reported by our peers as of February 27, 2024).
We have relationships with many of the world’s largest commercial property owners, real estate developers and investors, as well as Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies. For the year ended December 31, 2023 we generated revenues of approximately $2.5 billion, primarily from commissions on leasing and capital markets transactions, consulting and technology user fees, property and facility management fees, and mortgage origination and loan servicing fees.
Business Environment
As discussed in greater detail in “—Economic Growth and Outlook in the United States and the United Kingdom” and “—Market Statistics,” transaction and investment volumes in the commercial real estate industry declined significantly from 2022 to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to the rise in global interest rates through the summer of 2023. We gained market share in the U.S. in 2023, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, as our corresponding transaction volumes either improved or decreased at rates less than those for the industry as a whole. Now that central banks have stopped interest rate increases and with the upcoming significant amount of commercial and multifamily debt maturities, we expect industry volumes to begin to rebound.
We believe that during stressed or challenging times, our clients value having a strategic advisor like Newmark. We believe our partnership and collaboration with our clients during uncertain times has helped us develop long-lasting relationships and gain market share over time. Despite slower industry transactional activity levels in 2023 versus record levels in 2021 and the first half of 2022, we continue to see strong client dialogue and engagement as owners and occupiers seek our advice with respect to executing on their strategic and real estate-focused objectives.
Institutional investors have accumulated near record amounts of undeployed real estate-focused capital, with Preqin estimating that there was approximately $405 billion of investible funds held by closed-end funds at real estate focused institutions as of December 2023, of which $259 billion was held by North America focused funds and $71 billion by funds focused on Europe. This is in addition to the significant amount of real estate assets held by other types of investors and owners such as publicly traded REITs, non-traded REITs, and open-ended core property funds. According to the most recent data from MSCI, the overall size of the professionally managed global real estate investment market was $13.3 trillion in 2022, while the size of the overall investible market was $19.5 trillion. Furthermore, there is approximately $4.7 trillion in U.S. commercial and multifamily mortgage debt outstanding per the MBA (excluding loans for acquisitions, development, and construction, as well as loans collateralized by owner-occupied commercial properties). Of this amount, approximately $2.6 trillion is expected to mature between 2024 and 2028, with approximately $2.0 trillion of this debt expected to mature between 2024 and 2026. With the sharp increase in interest rates and generally rising capitalization rates, as well as the pullback in commercial real estate lending by banks and other traditional lenders, we believe a large and growing percentage of investors and owners will need to find alternative solutions, including via the growing share of loans we expect to be originated by alternative lenders such as private credit funds. We anticipate a significant portion of debt maturities to be resolved not only through refinancing, which should help our mortgage brokerage and origination businesses, but also through the kinds of more complex and sophisticated restructurings, loan sales, and recapitalizations in which Newmark specializes. Our capital markets clients have sought, and we believe will continue to seek, our counsel with respect to addressing their related investing and financing needs.
For a further discussion of known trends, refer to the heading “Industry and Market Data—Industry Trends and Opportunity” included in Part I, Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We believe factors such as those discussed above will drive strong levels of leasing and capital markets activity over the intermediate and long-term time horizons, even as volumes remain muted in the near-term. We expect our professionals to not only provide our clients with innovative capital markets solutions, but to offer integrated services from our experts across leasing, V&A, property management, and other areas of Newmark. By using a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, we
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can provide our clients with extensive industry and product expertise along regional, national, and increasingly global reach across a wide variety of property types.
Key Business Drivers
We continue to invest in our businesses by adding high profile and talented producers and other revenue-generating professionals. Historically, newly hired commercial real estate producers tend to achieve dramatically higher productivity in their second and third years with our company, although we incur related expenses immediately. As newly hired producers ramp up and increase their productivity, our commission revenues and earnings growth accelerate, all else equal, due to our strong operating leverage.
We operate a leading capital markets business in the United States with a growing international presence. We have access to many of the world’s largest owners of commercial real estate, and we believe this will drive growth throughout the life cycle of each real estate asset by allowing us to provide best-in-class agency leasing and property management during the ownership period. We also supply investment sales and arrange debt and equity financing to assist owners in maximizing the return on investment in each of their real estate assets. Specifically, with respect to multifamily assets, we are a leading GSE/FHA lender by loan origination volume and loan servicing portfolio size. In addition to our traditional servicing business, we acquired the remainder of Spring11, an entity in which we had otherwise held a controlling stake since 2017, in the first quarter of 2023 Spring11 had recently launched an asset management and servicing business with a focus on bank, fund, and commercial mortgage-backed securities clients. The addition of Spring11’s new business, as well as an approximately 11% expansion year-on-year of our higher margin primary servicing portfolio, increased the size of Newmark’s asset management and limited servicing portfolio and overall servicing portfolio. As of December 31, 2023, our overall loan servicing and asset management portfolio more than doubled year-on-year to $175.9 billion (of which 63.1% was limited servicing and asset management, 35.4% was higher margin primary servicing, and 1.5% was special servicing).
We believe that for the industry, commercial and multifamily servicing and asset management companies earn 40 to 50 basis points on their Fannie Mae servicing book, eight to 10 basis points on Freddie Mac loans, approximately 15 basis points for FHA loans, and one to three basis points for limited servicing. The fees for special servicing and asset management can vary depending on a variety of factors. Spring11’s limited servicing portfolio currently earns closer to the low end of the latter range but is targeting higher fees over time as it expands its offerings across special servicing and asset management. Limited servicing, special servicing, and asset management together generally produce higher profit margins than Newmark as a whole, but lower profit margins versus GSE/FHA primary servicing. We expect our overall portfolio to continue providing a steady stream of income and cash flow over the life of the serviced loans.
Economic Growth and Outlook in the United States and the United Kingdom
U.S. GDP expanded by 5.8% and 1.9%, respectively, in 2021 and 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (with all GDP figures inflation adjusted). According to the January 25, 2024 estimates from the same source, U.S. GDP expanded at annualized rates of 2.2%, 2.1%, 4.9%, and 3.3%, respectively, in the first through fourth quarters of 2023. The most recent period’s GDP growth was driven by various factors, including increases in consumer spending, exports, state and local government spending, nonresidential fixed investment, federal government spending, private inventory investment, and residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. Economists generally expect U.S. GDP to grow at levels below pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and 2025. For example, as of January 26, 2024, the Bloomberg consensus of economists was for real U.S. GDP to expand at respective annualized rates of 1.1%, 0.5%, 1.0, and 1.5% in the first through fourth quarters of 2024. The consensus is for real U.S. GDP to grow by 1.5% in 2024 and 1.7% in 2025. For context, over the ten years ended December 31, 2019, real U.S. GDP grew at a CAGR of 2.4% per year, measured in chain linked 2017 dollars. Actual and projected growth was and is expected be lower in the U.K., which is now our second largest market. According to The Office for National Statistics, U.K. GDP increased by 0.1% in 2023. The January 2024 Bloomberg consensus was for it to grow by 0.4% and 1.2% in 2024 and 2025, respectively. In comparison, real U.K. GDP grew at an annual CAGR of 2.0% over the ten years ended December 31, 2019, measured in chain linked 2019 pounds, also per Bloomberg.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the seasonally adjusted monthly average of non-farm payroll employment increased by 604 thousand, net, during 2021, which was the highest such figure since record keeping began. Based the same source, strong job growth continued in 2022, with monthly gains averaging 377 thousand on the same basis. Their current estimate is that 305 thousand, 274 thousand, 213 thousand and 227 thousand jobs, respectively, were created per month in the first through fourth quarters of 2023. For context, this seasonally adjusted monthly figure averaged 183 thousand over the ten years ending December 31, 2019. The December 2023 U.S. unemployment rate (based on U-3) was 3.7%, versus 3.5% a year earlier. In comparison, the last time the U.S. unemployment rate was consistently near these low levels was 1969, when unemployment reached 3.4%. The January 2024 Bloomberg consensus was for U-3 to rise modestly in 2024 and 2025, but to remain at or below 4.2%. According to recent figures from Bloomberg, the U.K. unemployment rate was 3.7% and 4.0% in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and is expected to rise slightly to 4.6% and 4.7% in 2024 and 2025.
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The ten-year U.S. Treasury yield declined by approximately 69 basis points quarter on quarter and was essentially flat year-on-year at 3.9% as of December 31, 2023. Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields still remained below their 50-year average of just under 6.0%, despite the recent increase. On September 22, 2022 and November 2, 2022, the FOMC announced two separate increases to the upper bound of its target range for the federal funds rate of 75 basis points each, in order to curb inflation. The FOMC increased the upper bound by another 50 basis points in December of 2022, and then by 25 basis points each in February 2023, March 2023, May 2023, and July 2023. The FOMC has kept the rate unchanged since the July 2023 increase.
The FOMC said in June of 2023 that it expected to raise the target range twice more in 2023 (including the July increase) in order to return annual inflation to its long-term goal of 2% over time. However, FOMC Chair Jerome Powell suggested in November of 2023 that the Federal Reserve was edging closer to the end of its rate-hiking campaign. He noted that the market had driven various longer-term rates high enough that it could help lower inflation without necessarily requiring further rate hikes from the FOMC. In a February 4, 2024 television interview, Mr. Powell said that the Federal Reserve will proceed carefully with interest rate cuts this year and likely will move at a considerably slower pace than the market expects.
In addition, the FOMC has previously stated that it plans to continue reducing the $7.6 trillion portfolio of securities it holds (as of February 7, 2024), including long-term agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasuries. These securities were purchased as part of the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program designed to hold down long-term interest rates, and the FOMC previously indicated that a maximum of $60 billion in U.S. Treasury purchases and $35 billion in mortgage-backed securities purchases would be allowed to roll off, phased in over three months starting June 1, 2022. As quantitative easing is reversed in this manner through so-called quantitative tightening, long-term rates should rise, all else equal. Although the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet increased in March of 2023 due to its emergency loans to banks as a result of the failures of First Republic Bank, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the balance sheet again decreased from April 2023 onwards. In its annual report issued April of 2023, the New York Federal Reserve Bank predicted that the central bank’s holdings will fall to $6 trillion by the middle of 2025. Holdings are then expected to grow to maintain balance with the growth of the economy and grow back up to $7.2 trillion by 2030. At a December 2023 press conference, Mr. Powell said the plan is to “slow and then stop the decline in the size of the balance sheet when reserve balances are somewhat above the level judged to be consistent with ample reserves.” At a January 31, 2024 press conference, Mr. Powell stated that Federal Reserve officials will discuss “balance sheet issues” at their March 2024 meeting.
Similar to what has happened in the U.S., in England the MPC has both raised short term rates to combat post-pandemic inflation and begun quantitative tightening. With respect to short term rates, the MPC raised the Official Bank Rate several times recently, or from 0.1% in November 2021 to 5.25% in August 2023, where it has remained as of February 9, 2024. The MPC recently stated that it “will keep interest rates high for long enough to get inflation back to the 2% target in a lasting way.” With respect to quantitative tightening, the MPC stopped buying bonds at the end of 2021, stopped reinvesting the proceeds from maturing bonds in February 2022, and began actively selling bonds in November of 2022. As a result, the amount of bonds the Bank of England holds has started to fall. From the end of 2021 through February 7, 2024, their notional value has declined from approximately £895 billion to £737 billion.
U.S. inflation measures have gradually declined since 2022. The consumer-price index for December 2023 rose by 3.4% year-over-year, which was slightly higher than the 3.0% figure from six months earlier and lower than the figure from one year earlier, and a significant improvement versus the recent peak of 9.1% observed in June 2022. As a result, economists generally expect long-term U.S. interest rates to stabilize or decline slightly over the next few quarters, but to remain below the long-term historical averages for the foreseeable future (as discussed above). For example, the January 2024 Bloomberg consensus was for the ten-year U.S. Treasury yield to be approximately 4.0%, 3.9%, 3.8%, and 3.7%, respectively, by the ends of the first through fourth quarters of 2024. The same survey indicated that the yield should be 3.6% as of year-end 2025. In comparison, this rate was approximately 3.9% as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and reached an annual closing high of 5.0% on October 19, 2023, also according to Bloomberg.
Inflation in the U.K. has also gradually fallen, albeit from much higher recent levels. According to Bloomberg, the retail price index was 5.2% for December 2023, versus 10.7% and 13.4% six months and a year earlier, respectively. This inflation measure reached a post-pandemic high of 14.2% for October of 2023. According to Bloomberg, the U.K. has had a higher inflation rate compared with the G-7 average since 2016, and this trend is expected to continue in 2024 and 2025. Conversely, the U.K. had lower than average GDP growth among G-7 nations in 2023, which is also expected to continue through 2025. As a result, the Bank of England has had a more challenging time than certain other central banks with respect to balancing inflation and growth rates. U.K. benchmark long-term rates have therefore been somewhat below those of the U.S. According to Bloomberg, the yield on 10-year U.K. government bonds was approximately 3.5% at the end of December of 2023, compared with 4.4% and 3.7%, respectively, 6 months and a year earlier. The January 2024 Bloomberg consensus was for this yield to be approximately 3.9%, 3.8%, 3.7%, and 3.6%, respectively, by the ends of the first through fourth quarters of 2024. The same survey indicated that the yield should be 3.6% as of year-end 2025.
While short-term yields are expected to be considerably above where they were compared with low levels seen for most of the period from the end of 2008 through early 2022, they are expected to stabilize and gradually fall from more recent levels. For context, the upper bound of the Fed Funds Target rate averaged 0.64% from December 31, 2008 through February
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28, 2022, and was 5.50% as of January 31, 2024. The January 2024 Bloomberg consensus was for this target rate to be 5.50%, 5.15%, 4.75%, and 4.35%, respectively, by the ends of the first through fourth quarters of 2024, and to reach 3.30% by the end of 2025. Following the most recent FOMC meeting and the January U.S. CPI release, the U.S. Treasury futures market indicated that traders expect roughly similar short term U.S. rates over the near-term. As of February 13, 2024, CME Fed Fund Futures implied rates of approximately 5.3% after the March 21, 2023 FOMC meeting, gradually falling to 4.3% by the January 29, 2025 meeting. For additional context, the upper bound of the Fed Funds Target rate was 5.5% as of this same date, and averaged approximately 4.91% and 3.11% over the 50 and 25 years ended December 31, 2022, respectively, according to Bloomberg. Similarly and as of February 13, 2024, the U.K. futures market implies that short term rates (as measured by overnight index swaps) will be approximately 5.2% after the March 21, 2024 MPC meeting, gradually falling to 4.5% by the December 19, 2024 meeting. In comparison, the Official Bank Rate was 5.25% as of this same date and averaged approximately 6.35% and 2.52% over the 50 and 25 years ended December 31, 2022, respectively, according to Bloomberg.
Market Statistics
Wolfe Research recently estimated that U.S. leasing volumes and U.S. office leasing volumes for full year 2023 were down by approximately 12% and 14%, respectively, versus 2022. CoStar data suggests that overall U.K. leasing volumes and U.K. office leasing volumes were down by as much as 19% and 9% year-on-year, respectively, versus 2022. These figures are preliminary, as CoStar leasing data is often revised upwards at later dates. In comparison, for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023, we increased revenues from Leasing and other commissions by 17.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Our increase in revenues year-on-year in the fourth quarter exceeded a more than 10% decline in industry-wide leasing activity, driven by strong double-digit organic growth in industrial and retail. This was the fourth consecutive quarter in which the Company’s leasing business gained meaningful market share.
While the overall office market remains challenging, we continued to see increased demand in certain markets, led by ongoing return-to-work plans, as well as new demand driven by companies investing in AI and law firms, and the expected reset in values driven by near-term debt maturities. The Kastle Barometer, which measures daily occupancy in ten large U.S. cities versus pre-pandemic levels, increased to 51% as of December 13, 2023 versus 48% a year earlier. Other measures with different methodologies also show in-person attendance increasing. According to the Freespace Index, the proportion of those attending in person rose to 75% of 2019 levels in the Americas in mid-December 2023 compared with 61% a year earlier. The Freespace Index also reports that attendance increased to 71% of 2019 levels from 59% over the same timeframe across locations they track in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and to 77% from 58% percent in the Asia-Pacific region. Our management services, leasing, origination, and capital markets professionals are actively collaborating with clients to repurpose underutilized spaces and assets, including with respect to conversion of obsolete office or retail properties.
Commercial real estate capital markets transactions involving financing generally utilize medium- or long-term debt, and the interest rates for such debt tend to correlate with movements in benchmark rates with similar tenors, including U.S. Treasuries. Such benchmark rates can be meaningfully impacted by movements in key short-term rates, such as the Fed Funds Target rate. Sudden increases in short term interest rates can therefore have pronounced effects on the commercial mortgage origination and investment sales volumes. In 2022, global benchmark interest rates rose at the fastest pace since at least the early 1990s, according to Fitch, and they continued their rapid rise through July of 2023. This has led to challenging market conditions across commercial real estate capital markets for Newmark and the industry. Real estate capital market transactions were also lower due to the pullback in commercial and multifamily real estate lending activity as a response to recent bank failures and higher interest rates, as well as the gap between buyer and seller expectations.
According to estimates from Green Street, prices for U.S. commercial real estate declined by approximately 10% over the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and were down 22% from their March 2022 peak. With respect to specific property types differing the most from the mean, industrial and mall prices were close to flat year-on-year, while multifamily and office prices declined by more than average over the same period. Since industry notional volumes are based on price and transaction count, lower prices have contributed to industry-wide capital markets volumes declines. MSCI’s preliminary U.S. and European investment sales figures (which exclude all activity related to loan sales) indicate that industry volumes declined by 41% and 43%, respectively year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2023. In comparison, Newmark’s fourth quarter investment sales volumes were up by 168%, which includes the equity portion of the Signature transactions. The Company’s investment sales volumes would have been down by 16% without these transactions. For the full year 2023, MSCI’s U.S. and European investment sales volumes declined by 51% and 50%, while ours were down 19% (or 50% excluding the Signature transactions). We have gained considerable market share over time. Our investment sales volumes were up by nearly 200% over the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 versus 2015 (or 87% excluding the Signature transactions), while MSCI U.S. volumes decreased by 35% over the same timeframe. Given our continued investment in hiring talented professionals, we expect to continue gaining market share over time.
We have also gained market share in our commercial mortgage origination businesses, particularly in the second half of 2023. The Company’s fourth quarter total debt volumes increased by 185% year-on-year, which includes the debt portion of the Signature transactions and would have declined by 24% excluding it. According to the MBA (which excludes all activity related to loan sales), U.S. commercial and multifamily originations declined by 25% over the same timeframe. Our full year
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2023 total debt volumes decreased by 7%, which includes the debt portion of the Signature transactions and would have declined by 46% excluding it. According to the MBA, U.S. commercial and multifamily originations declined by 47% in 2023. Newmark’s GSE/FHA loan origination volumes, which are a subset of our total debt figures, are driven more by the GSE multifamily financing volumes than the activity level of the overall commercial mortgage market. Overall industry GSE multifamily origination volume decreased by approximately 42% and 29%, respectively, in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared with a year earlier, per the GSEs. In comparison, Newmark’s GSE/FHA origination volumes were down by 11% and 9% over the same respective periods. Certain GSE multifamily volume statistics for the industry are based on when loans are sold and/or securitized, and typically lag those reported by the MBA or by Newmark and its competitors by 30 to 45 days. We believe that we have meaningfully outperformed the industry in total debt over the last several years. According to data or estimates from MSCI, the MBA, and Newmark Research, U.S. debt originations have declined by 32% between 2015 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Over the same timeframe, Newmark grew its total debt volumes (which are almost entirely generated in the U.S.) by over 391%.
Over 98% and 99% of Newmark’s 2023 and 2022 investment sales volumes, and essentially all of its total debt volumes were generated in the U.S. Given our recent hires and acquisitions, we anticipate non-U.S. transactions to make up a greater percentage of Newmark’s capital markets revenues and volumes over time.
Given the increase in interest rates and pullback in lending by banks discussed above, we anticipate overall U.S. investment sales and mortgage brokerage volumes to remain muted through at least the first half of 2024. When benchmark interest rates stabilize, we expect volumes to begin to rebound, and when this happens, we expect our higher margin capital markets platform to drive Newmark’s strong revenue and earnings growth. We also think that the current market conditions have created an opportunity for us to solidify our position as the platform of choice for many of the real estate industry’s top professionals.
In addition, there are various trends that we expect to continue benefiting our various service lines with respect to industrial real estate. According to Newmark Research, several factors, including disruptions in global supply chains, tensions between the U.S. and China, and U.S. government spending on infrastructure and subsidies for industries associated with electrification, green energy, and strategically important technologies—notably the federal spending provided by the CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act—could increase the size of the U.S. manufacturing base by more than 10% over the next 10 years. The impact of reshoring manufacturing would likely have far-reaching effects in terms of industrial real estate, local and national tax revenues, increases in jobs, and growth in regional and national economies. Most of the new manufacturing construction will be build-to-suit or owner-built, but demand will also exist for speculative manufacturing space.
The expansion of domestic manufacturing is also expected to generate demand for logistics space and other types of commercial real estate in the communities surrounding new plants. The amount of additional demand generated by this construction will vary depending on a project’s sector, existing supply chains, and local market dynamics. Several of the trends driving onshoring in the U.S. are also contributing to nearshoring of manufacturing to Mexico and Canada, with Mexico attracting the most nearshoring investment. This investment is generating demand for logistics and complementary manufacturing facilities along the U.S. border with Mexico, pushing down vacancy rates and spurring new construction near key border crossings such as Laredo, Texas. New construction is expected to expand the footprint of U.S. manufacturing space by 6-13% over the next 10 years.
Financial Overview
Revenues
We generally derive revenues from the following four sources:
•Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. We provide commercial services to tenants and landlords. In this business, we provide property and facilities management services along with project management, V&A services, and other consulting services, as well as technology services, to customers who may also utilize our commercial real estate brokerage services, and flexible workspace solutions. Servicing fees are derived from the servicing of loans originated by us as well as loans originated by third parties.
•Leasing and Other Commissions. We offer a diverse range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, including tenant and landlord (or agency) representation, which includes comprehensive lease negotiations, strategic planning, site selection, lease auditing, and other financial and market analysis.
•Investment Sales. Our investment sales business specializes in the arrangement of acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, as well as providing other related services.
•Commercial Mortgage Origination, net. We offer services and products to facilitate debt financing for our clients and customers. Commercial mortgage origination revenue is comprised of commissions generated from mortgage brokerage and debt and equity placement services, as well as the origination fees and premiums derived from the
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origination of GSE/FHA loans with borrowers and the sale of those loans to investors. Our commercial mortgage origination revenue also includes the revenue recognized for the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment.
Fees are generally earned when a lease is signed. In many cases, landlords are responsible for paying the fees. In capital markets, fees are earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer for investment sales and when debt or equity is funded to a vehicle for debt and equity transactions. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized when a derivative asset is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized net of related fees and commissions to affiliates or third-party brokers. For loans we broker, revenues are recognized when the loan is closed.
Servicing fees are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. We typically receive monthly management fees based upon a percentage of monthly rental income generated from the property under management, or in some cases, the greater of such percentage or a minimum agreed upon fee. We are often reimbursed for our administrative and payroll costs, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, directly attributable to properties under management. We follow U.S. GAAP, which provides guidance when accounting for reimbursements from clients and when accounting for certain contingent events for leasing and capital markets transactions. See Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.
Expenses
(i) Compensation and Employee Benefits
The majority of our operating costs consist of cash and non-cash compensation expenses, which include base salaries, producer commissions based on production, forgivable loans for term contracts, discretionary and other bonuses and all related employee benefits and taxes. Our employees consist of commissioned producers, executives and other administrative support. Our producers are largely compensated based on the revenue they generate for the firm, keeping these costs variable in nature.
As part of our compensation plans, certain employees have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Newmark IPO, BGC Holdings, which generally receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As a result of the Corporate Conversion, there are no longer any limited partnership units in BGC Holdings outstanding. Certain Newmark employees also hold N Units that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. These N Units vest into distribution earnings units over a four-year period. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Newmark has granted certain conversion rights on limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, then-outstanding limited partnership units in BGC Holdings, to Newmark employees to convert the limited partnership units to a capital balance within Newmark Holdings or BGC Holdings. Generally, such units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that we record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout amount is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Certain of our employees have been awarded Preferred Units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to the Corporate Conversion, BGC Holdings. Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are or were allocated to
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such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation, which is deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units in Newmark Holdings. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into our Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly they are not included in our fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are also reflected in compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross number of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
We have also entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans, which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on their limited partnership interests or from the proceeds of the sales of the employees’ shares of our Class A common stock. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the service period.
From time to time, we may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. In addition, we also enter into deferred compensation agreements with employees providing services to us. The costs associated with such plans are generally amortized over the period in which they vest. (See Note 27 — “Compensation” and Note 28 — “Commitments and Contingencies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
(ii) Other Operating Expenses
We have various other operating expenses. We incur leasing, equipment and maintenance expenses. We also incur selling and promotion expenses, which include entertainment, marketing and travel-related expenses. We incur communication expenses, professional and consulting fees for legal, audit and other special projects, and interest expense related to short-term operational funding needs, and notes payable and collateralized borrowings.
We pay fees to Cantor for performing certain administrative and other support, including charges for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources, legal services and technology infrastructure support. Management believes that these charges are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services rendered. However, the expenses for these services are not necessarily indicative of the expenses that would have been incurred if we had not obtained these services from Cantor. In addition, these charges may not reflect the costs of services we may receive from Cantor in the future.
(iii) Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net is comprised of gains (losses) on equity method investments which represent our pro rata share of the net gains (losses) on investments over which we have significant influence but which we do not control, and the mark-to-market gains or losses on the non-marketable investments. For the year ended December 31, 2023, other income (loss) also included proceeds from the settlement of a litigation matter. Additionally, the gains associated with the Nasdaq shares related to the Nasdaq Monetization Transactions and the movements related to the impact of any realized and unrealized cash and non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses related to the Nasdaq shares held, and the Nasdaq Forwards.
(iv) Provision for Income Taxes
We incur income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of our subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the UBT in New York City. U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of UBT, rests with the partners (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) rather than the partnership entity. Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., we operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes.
Newmark is subject to the tax laws and regulations of the U.S. and various non-U.S. jurisdictions. The OECD Pillar Two Framework provides for a minimum global effective tax rate of 15%. The EU Member States formally adopted the EU’s Pillar Two Directive with a subset of rules that become effective January 1, 2024. Other countries are also expected to implement similar legislation. We do not believe this will have a material impact on our tax rate.
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Business Mix and Seasonality
Our pre-tax margins are affected by the mix of revenues generated. For example, servicing revenues tend to have higher pre-tax margins than Newmark as a whole, and margins from originating GSE/FHA loans, which are included in “Commercial mortgage origination, net” in our consolidated statement of operations, tend to be lower, as we retain rights to service loans over time, and because this item includes non-cash GAAP gains attributable to OMSRs, which represent the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net. Investment sales and mortgage brokerage transactions tend to have higher pre-tax margins than leasing transactions. Pre-tax earnings margins on our property management and parts of our other GCS businesses are at the lower end of margins for the Company as a whole because they include some revenues that equal their related expenses. These revenues represent fully reimbursable compensation and non-compensation costs and may be referred to as “pass through revenues.”
Due to the strong desire of many market participants to close real estate transactions prior to the end of a calendar year, our business exhibits certain seasonality, with our revenue tending to be lowest in the first quarter and strongest in the fourth quarter. For the five years from 2019 through 2023, we generated an average of approximately 22% of our revenues in the first quarter and 29% of our revenues in the fourth quarter. Because approximately 30% of our expenses are fixed in a typical year, this seasonality generally leads to higher profitability in the fourth quarter and lower margins in the first quarter, all else equal.
Independent Business Partners
In certain smaller U.S. and international markets where we do not maintain Newmark-owned offices, we have agreements in place to operate on a collaborative and cross-referral basis with select independently owned offices in return for contractual and referral fees paid to us and/or certain mutually beneficial co-branding and other business arrangements. These independent offices are referred to as “business partners.” These business partners may use some variation of our branding in their names and marketing materials. These agreements typically take the form of multi-year contracts, and provide for mutual referrals in their respective markets, generating additional contract and brokerage fees. While we do not derive a significant portion of our revenue from these relationships, they do enable us to seamlessly provide service to our mutual clients. These business partners give our clients access to local brokerage professionals, research, and commercial real estate services in locations where the Company does not have a physical presence. The discussion of our financial results and other metrics reflects only the business owned by us and does not include the results for business partners.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management services, servicing fees and other | $ | 970,877 | 39.3 | % | $ | 909,485 | 33.6 | % | $ | 915,715 | 31.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Leasing and other commissions | 839,595 | 34.0 | 831,874 | 30.7 | 826,942 | 28.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment sales | 381,276 | 15.4 | 606,416 | 22.4 | 757,744 | 26.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage origination, net | 278,620 | 11.3 | 357,752 | 13.2 | 406,042 | 14.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,470,368 | 100.0 | 2,705,527 | 100.0 | 2,906,443 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and employee benefits | 1,489,138 | 60.3 | 1,554,784 | 57.5 | 1,828,887 | 62.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (1) | 139,747 | 5.7 | 138,312 | 5.1 | 356,345 | 12.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and employee benefits | 1,628,885 | 65.9 | 1,693,096 | 62.6 | 2,185,232 | 75.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating, administrative and other | 536,697 | 21.7 | 534,843 | 19.8 | 553,623 | 19.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees to related parties | 27,204 | 1.1 | 28,502 | 1.1 | 23,789 | 0.8 |
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| Depreciation and amortization | 166,221 | 6.7 | 165,816 | 6.1 | 121,729 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total operating expenses | 2,359,007 | 95.5 | 2,422,257 | 89.5 | 2,884,373 | 99.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income/(loss), net | 13,854 | 0.6 | (97,701) | (3.6) | 1,232,495 | 42.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) from operations | 125,215 | 5.1 | 185,569 | 6.9 | 1,254,565 | 43.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (21,737) | (0.9) | (30,970) | (1.1) | (33,473) | (1.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income/(loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 103,478 | 4.2 | 154,599 | 5.7 | 1,221,092 | 42.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 41,103 | 1.7 | 42,054 | 1.6 | 242,958 | 8.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated net income/(loss) | 62,375 | 2.5 | 112,545 | 4.2 | 978,134 | 33.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 19,800 | 0.8 | 29,270 | 1.1 | 227,406 | 7.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders | $ | 42,575 | 1.7 | % | $ | 83,275 | 3.1 | % | $ | 750,728 | 25.8 | % |
(1)The components of Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs are as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 85,918 | 3.5 | % | $ | 92,308 | 3.4 | % | $ | 312,718 | 10.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnership units amortization | 14,267 | 0.6 | 8,322 | 0.3 | (28,351) | (1.0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSU amortization | 24,620 | 1.0 | 21,807 | 0.8 | 16,795 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity compensation | 124,805 | 5.1 | 122,437 | 4.5 | 301,162 | 10.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 14,942 | 0.6 | 15,875 | 0.6 | 55,183 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 139,747 | 5.7 | % | $ | 138,312 | 5.1 | % | $ | 657,507 | 12.3 | % |
Year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased by $61.4 million, or 6.8%, to $970.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The growth reflected the addition of Gerald Eve, as well as property management and GCS increasing their combined square footage under management by approximately 26% year-on-year. Additionally, Newmark more than doubled the size of its overall servicing and asset management portfolio to $175.9 billion over the same period, which included an approximately 11% expansion of the Company’s high margin primary servicing portfolio. These increases were partially offset by declines in our U.S. V&A business.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commissions revenues increased by $7.7 million, or 0.9%, to $839.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The improvement was driven by growth in industrial and retail.
Investment Sales
Investment sales revenue decreased by $225.1 million, or 37.1%, to $381.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This primarily compares to industry-wide declines of approximately 50% for U.S. and European investment sales over the same period (according to MSCI).
Commercial Mortgage Origination, Net
Commercial mortgage origination activities, net decreased by $79.1 million, or 22.1%, to $278.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower industry-wide commercial and multifamily origination volumes, which declined by 47% in the U.S. (according to the MBA). The Company’s GSE/FHA origination platform also gained significant market share, as its volumes declined by approximately 9% for the year ended December 31, 2022 versus 29% reductions in industry GSE multifamily activity.
Expenses
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Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense decreased by $65.6 million, or 4.2%, to $1,489.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to lower variable compensation related to commission-based revenues and our cost saving initiatives, partially offset by acquisitions and the addition of new revenue-generating professionals.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $1.4 million, or 1.0%, to $139.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased by $1.9 million, or 0.3%, to $536.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due primarily to operational expenses related to acquisitions, largely offset by cost saving initiatives.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties decreased by $1.3 million, or 4.6%, to $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $0.4 million, or 0.2%, to $166.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net of $13.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of equity income on the Real Estate LP joint venture and proceeds from a legal settlement, partially offset by losses on certain investments.
Other loss of $97.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to $87.5 million realized and unrealized losses from the sale of Nasdaq shares and $12.9 million of mark-to-market losses on non-marketable investments.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net decreased by $9.2 million, or 29.8%, to $21.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due to an increase in interest income on employee loans, which is largely offset by increased amortization which is recorded as part of compensation expense.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes decreased by $1.0 million, or 2.3%, to $41.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $9.5 million, to $19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings.
Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue decreased by $6.2 million, or 0.7%, to $909.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Excluding pass through revenues, management services, servicing fee and other increased by $97.8 million, or 18.3%, to $633.0 million, for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The year-on-year change was driven by improvements from servicing and related other revenues, GCS, and property management, offset mainly by lower pass through revenues primarily related to the completion of certain project management assignments.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $4.9 million, or 0.6%, to $831.9 million for the year ended
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December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Our leasing volumes in industrial and retail were above 2019 levels in 2022, but office volumes had not similarly rebounded for Newmark or (according to CoStar) the industry.
Investment Sales
Investment sales revenue decreased by $151.3 million, or 20.0%, to $606.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. This primarily reflected a 15.1% year-over-year decrease in U.S. industry-wide investment sales volumes for the year (according to MSCI). The industry wide decline can be attributed to a historic rise in interest rates that began in March of 2022. According to Bloomberg, this rise accelerated to the fastest pace in over thirty years in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Commercial Mortgage Origination, Net
Commercial mortgage origination activities, net decreased by $48.3 million, or 11.9%, to $357.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower industry-wide commercial and multifamily origination volumes (according to the MBA), which was driven by the sharp increase in interest rates.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense decreased by $274.1 million, or 15.0%, to $1,554.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in the year was due to the compensation expense of $203.8 million in the prior period related to the 2021 Equity Event and a decline in commission based revenue due to lower business activity.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs decreased by $218.0 million, or 61.2%, to $138.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of $246.6 million of equity-based compensation expense related to the 2021 Equity Event.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses decreased by $18.8 million, or 3.4%, to $534.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 due to decreased pass through expenses, partially offset by higher support and operational expenses related to the resumption of normalized business activity on the part of us and our clients, as well as from our acquisitions.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties increased by $4.7 million, or 19.8%, to $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $44.1 million, or 36.2%, to $165.8 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 due to changes in the MSR valuation allowance and fixed asset depreciation and impairments and intangible asset amortization.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other loss of $97.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to $87.5 million realized and unrealized losses from the sale of Nasdaq shares and $12.9 million of mark-to-market losses on non-marketable investments.
Other income (loss), net in the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to $1,203.1 million of gains from the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out and realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities. Additionally, the Company recorded $27.8 million of non-cash gains related to acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by a realized loss on the Nasdaq Forward of $12.4 million.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net decreased by $2.5 million, or 7.5%, to $31.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes decreased by $200.9 million, or 82.7%, to $42.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings. Pre-tax
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earnings in 2021 included earnings from Nasdaq, net of expenses related to the 2021 Equity Event. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $198.1 million, to $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The primary sources of liquidity for our business are the cash on our balance sheet, cash flow provided by operations, and the $600.0 million revolving Credit Facility.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, our expansion into other markets, our acquisitions of other companies and hiring of teams of producers, and our results of operations. To the extent that existing cash, cash from operations and credit facilities are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public equity or debt financing. As of December 31, 2023, our debt consisted of $420.0 million outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Loan, and $130.0 million outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement, with carrying amounts of $417.3 million and $130.0 million, respectively. As of February 26, 2024, our debt consisted of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes with a carrying amount of $596.3 million, in each case exclusive of our warehouse facilities described under “—Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises.”
Financial Position
Total assets were $4.5 billion at December 31, 2023 and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2022.
Total liabilities were $2.9 billion at December 31, 2023 and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2022.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $164.9 million. Additionally, we had $600.0 million available under our committed senior unsecured revolving Credit Facility. On February 26, 2024, we had $600.0 million available under our committed senior unsecured revolving Credit Facility. We expect to generate cash flows from operations to fund our business and use those funds, and our Credit Facility to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those arising within the next twelve months, and our long-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those beyond the next twelve months.
Debt
Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.125% Senior Notes | $ | — | $ | 547,784 | ||
| Short term debt | $ | — | $ | 547,784 | ||
| Delayed Draw Term Loan | $ | 417,260 | $ | — | ||
| Cantor Credit Agreement | $ | 130,000 | $ | — | ||
| Long-term debt | $ | 547,260 | $ | — | ||
| Total corporate debt | $ | 547,260 | $ | 547,784 |
6.125% Senior Notes
On November 2, 2018, Newmark announced the pricing of an offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023, which closed on November 6, 2018. The 6.125% Senior Notes were offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The 6.125% Senior Notes were general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. These 6.125% Senior Notes were priced at 98.94% to yield 6.375%. The 6.125% Senior Notes bore an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act. The 6.125% Senior Notes matured on November 15, 2023, and were repaid with proceeds from the Delayed Draw Term Loan and the Credit Facility, as described below.
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Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement
On August 10, 2023, Newmark entered into a Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as such terms are defined in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders committed to provide to the Company a senior unsecured Delayed Draw Term Loan in an aggregate principal amount of $420.0 million, which may be increased, subject to certain terms and conditions, to up to $550.0 million. The proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan could only be used to repay the 6.125% Senior Notes at their maturity. The Delayed Draw Term Loan will mature on November 14, 2026.
As set forth in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Delayed Draw Term Loan bears interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months (as selected by the Company) or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. Upon funding, the applicable margin was 2.625% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 1.625% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. Depending on the Company’s credit ratings, the applicable margin could range, with respect to Term SOFR borrowings, from 2.125% to 3.375% through and including August 10, 2024, and 2.5% to 3.875% thereafter; and base rate borrowings, from 1.125% to 2.375% through and including August 10, 2024, and 1.5% to 2.875% thereafter.
The Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement contains financial covenants with respect to minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratio. The Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement also contains certain other customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The covenants in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement are consistent with those within the Company’s existing $600.0 million Credit Facility, which matures on March 10, 2025 and remains available to the Company. As of December 31, 2023, there was an outstanding balance of $420.0 million on the Delayed Draw Term Loan, with a carrying amount of $417.3 million.
On November 8, 2023, Newmark provided notice to Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to borrow the $420.0 million available under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement with the funds made available on November 14, 2023. The Company used the $420.0 million of proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan draw to pay a portion of the matured principal and interest of the Company’s $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, there was an outstanding balance of $420.0 million on the Delayed Draw Term Loan. On January 12, 2024, the outstanding balance under the Delayed Draw Term Loan was repaid with the proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes, described below.
Credit Facility
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million Credit Facility.
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark amended and restated the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the amended and restated Credit Agreement, the lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the amended and restated Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent (as such term is defined in the amended and restated Credit Agreement), and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin was initially 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above could range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with
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respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above could range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee.
On November 8, 2023, Newmark provided notice to Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to borrow $130.0 million under the Credit Facility with the funds made available on November 14, 2023. The Company used the proceeds of the Credit Facility draw to pay the remaining maturing principal and interest of the Company’s $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023 that was not paid for with the proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were an aggregate of $380.0 million of borrowings and an aggregate of $380.0 million of repayments under the Credit Facility. The repayments of $380.0 million include the use of $130.0 million of proceeds drawn from the Cantor Credit Agreement on December 20, 2023, which were used to repay the outstanding $130.0 million of borrowings under the Credit Facility.
7.500% Senior Notes
On January 12, 2024, Newmark closed its offering of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes. The notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. The 7.500% Senior Notes were offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Cantor purchased $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes in the offering. Customary registration rights were provided to purchasers of the 7.500% Senior Notes. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes of approximately $594.7 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses. The notes bear interest at a rate of 7.500% per year, payable in cash on January 12 and July 12 of each year, commencing July 12, 2024. The 7.500% Senior Notes will mature on January 12, 2029. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes to repay all of the $420.0 million outstanding under its Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement. Additional net proceeds were used to repay $130.0 million of outstanding revolving debt, including with respect to borrowings under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
Cantor Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to Cantor, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%.
On December 20, 2023, Newmark entered into a first amendment to the Cantor Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the First Cantor Credit Agreement Amendment, Cantor agreed to make certain loans to Newmark from time to time in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to $150.0 million under the Cantor Credit Agreement. The Newmark Revolving Loans have substantially the same terms as other loans under the Cantor Credit Agreement, except that until April 15, 2024, the Newmark Revolving Loans will bear interest at a rate equal to 25 basis points less than the interest rate borne by the revolving loans made pursuant to the Credit Facility. Unlike other loans made under the Cantor Credit Agreement, Cantor may demand repayment of the Newmark Revolving Loans prior to the final maturity date of the Cantor Credit Agreement upon three business days’ prior written notice. Also on December 20, 2023, Newmark drew $130.0 million of Newmark Revolving Loans, and used the proceeds to repay the $130.0 million balance then outstanding under the Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2023, there were $130.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2022, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement. On January 12, 2024, the outstanding balance under the Cantor Credit Agreement was repaid with the proceeds of the offering of the 7.500% Senior Notes.
Master Repurchase Agreement
On August 2, 2021, Newmark OpCo entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement with CF Secured, pursuant to which Newmark may seek, from time to time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. The Company, under this agreement, may seek to sell securities owned by the Company, to CF Secured, and to repurchase those securities on a date certain at a repurchase price generally equal to the original purchase price plus interest. Pursuant to this agreement, as of December 31, 2021 the Company had 866,791 Nasdaq shares pledged in the amount of $182.0 million, against which Newmark received $140.0 million. The $140.0 million amount repaid to CF Secured is included in “Repurchase agreements and securities loaned” on the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022. There were no repurchase agreements and securities loaned in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
As of December 31, 2023, Newmark had $1.5 billion of committed loan funding, $1.1 billion of uncommitted loan funding available through three commercial banks, and an uncommitted $400.0 million Fannie Mae loan repurchase facility. Consistent with industry practice, these warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. These warehouse facilities are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgage loans originated under various lending programs and third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to our wholly owned subsidiary, Berkeley Point Capital, LLC. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 we had $0.5 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively, outstanding under “Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On June 19, 2020, Newmark established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on its Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the CARES Act. The sublimit is now included within the Company’s existing $450 million warehouse facility due June 12, 2024. The advance line provides 100% of the principal and interest advance payment at a rate of SOFR plus 1.80% and will be collateralized by Fannie Mae’s commitment to repay advances. There were no outstanding draws under this sublimit as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Newmark did not have any Fannie Mae loans in forbearance as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Leases
Total lease liability as of December 31, 2023 was $705.1 million. Of the total amount, $172.7 million of lease liability is within our flexible workspace business whereby the liability is ring-fenced in SPVs with only $36.6 million of guarantees and/or letters of credit with exposure to Newmark. In addition, Newmark had contracted future customer revenues and sub-lease income as of December 31, 2023 amounting to approximately $179.3 million.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (265,961) | $ | 1,196,343 | $ | (48,709) | ||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||
| Net activity from loan originations and sales | 363,937 | (934,845) | (14,326) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding activity from loan originations and sales (1) | $ | 97,976 | $ | 261,498 | $ | (63,035) |
(1) Includes loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners in the amount of $243.3 million, $131.6 million and $78.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Also, reflects $484.4 million of cash used, in 2021, with respect to the 2021 Equity Event. Excluding these loans and cash used for the 2021 Equity Event, net cash provided (used in) by operating activities excluding loan originations and sales would be $341.2 million, $393.1 million and $499.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2023
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we used $266.0 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash used from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $98.0 million. Cash used in investing activities was $49.7 million, consisting of cash paid for acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets, offset by proceeds from the redemption of Newmark’s equity method investment in Real Estate LP. Cash provided by financing activities of $261.5 million primarily related to net principal borrowings on warehouse facilities of $361.2 million, offset by treasury stock repurchases and payments to shareholders and partners for dividends and distributions.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated $1,196.3 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $261.5 million. Cash provided by investing activities was $308.6 million, primarily related to $437.8 million of proceeds from the sale of Nasdaq shares, offset by cash paid for acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets. Cash used in financing activities of $1,458.5 million primarily related to net principal payments on warehouse facilities of $913.3 million, $140.0 million related to the repurchase agreements accounted for as collateralized financing transactions relating to the Nasdaq shares previously held by the Company, and $294.8 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2021
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we used $48.7 million of cash from operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales cash used from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $63.0 million. The $63.0 million reflects $484.4 million of cash used with respect to the 2021 Equity Event to reduce our fully diluted share count and for amounts paid on behalf of or to partners for withholding taxes related to unit exchanges and/or redemptions, cash paid for redemption of HDUs, and other items. But for these uses of cash, net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 would have been $421.4 million. Cash provided by investing activities was $453.1 million, primarily related to $551.1 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by $69.8 million of payments for
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acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Cash used in financing activities of $396.3 million primarily related to $290.5 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Nasdaq Monetization Transactions
On June 28, 2013, BGC sold certain assets of its on-the-run, electronic benchmark U.S. Treasury platform, eSpeed, to Nasdaq. The total consideration received in the transaction included $750.0 million in cash paid upon closing and the Nasdaq Earn-out of up to 14,883,705 Nasdaq shares to be paid ratably over 15 years (subject to acceleration and present value discount as discussed below), provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in consolidated gross revenues each year. The remaining rights under the Nasdaq Earn-out were transferred to Newmark on September 28, 2017. During the third and fourth quarters of 2021, Newmark sold 2,780,180 Nasdaq shares for gross proceeds of $516.5 million. During the first quarter of 2022, Newmark sold all of its remaining 2,497,831 Nasdaq shares for gross proceeds of $437.8 million. In the aggregate from September 2017 through March 31, 2022, Newmark received 10.2 million Nasdaq shares of which Newmark sold 7.6 million shares and delivered 2.6 million shares to RBC.
On June 18, 2018, Newmark’s principal operating subsidiary, Newmark OpCo, issued $175.0 million of EPUs in a private transaction to RBC. Newmark received $152.9 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
On September 26, 2018, Newmark entered into a second agreement to issue $150.0 million of additional EPUs to RBC, similar to the June 18, 2018 transaction. Newmark received $113.2 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
The EPUs were issued in four tranches and were separately convertible by either RBC or Newmark into a fixed number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock, subject to a revenue hurdle in each of the fourth quarters of 2019 through 2022 for each of the respective four tranches. The ability to convert the EPUs into Newmark Class A common stock was subject to the SPV’s option to settle the postpaid forward contracts as described below. As the EPUs represented equity ownership of a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark, they were included in “Noncontrolling interests” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of changes in equity. The EPUs were entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend, which was recorded as accretion to the carrying amount of the EPUs through “Retained earnings” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and reductions to “Net income (loss) available to common stockholders” for the purpose of calculating EPS.
Contemporaneously with the issuance of the EPUs, an SPV that is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark entered into four variable postpaid forward contracts with RBC. The SPV was an indirect subsidiary of Newmark whose sole assets were the Nasdaq shares for 2019 through 2022. Each of the Nasdaq Forwards provided the SPV the option to settle using up to 992,247 Nasdaq shares, to be received by the SPV pursuant to the Nasdaq Earn-out, or Newmark Class A common stock, in exchange for either cash or redemption of the EPUs.
In September 2019, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the first Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2019 in exchange for the first tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $98.6 million. On December 2, 2019, Newmark settled the first Nasdaq Forward with 898,685 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million, and Newmark retained 93,562 Nasdaq shares.
In September 2020, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the second Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2020 in exchange for the second tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $121.9 million. On November 30, 2020, Newmark settled the second Nasdaq Forward with 741,505 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million, and Newmark retained 250,742 Nasdaq shares.
On February 2, 2021, Nasdaq announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. fixed income business to Tradeweb. On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq announced the closing of that sale, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of Nasdaq shares. Newmark received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $1,093.9 million based on the closing price on June 30, 2021, included in “Other (loss) income, net” for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
On June 25, 2021, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received on June 25, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Newmark settled the third and the fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $166.0 million based on the closing price of June 30, 2021.
2021 Equity Event and Share Count Reduction
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In connection with the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out, on June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a plan to expedite the tax-deductible exchange and redemption of a substantial number of limited partnership units held by partners of the Company in the 2021 Equity Event. The 2021 Equity Event also accelerated certain compensation expenses resulting in $428.6 million of compensation charges in the second quarter of 2021. These partnership units were settled using a $12.50 share price. In July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved increasing to $13.01 the price to settle certain units at an incremental cost of $15.9 million, which was recorded as compensation charges in the third quarter of 2021.
Some of the key components of the approved plan were as follows:
•8.3 million and 8.0 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings held by our partners who were employees were redeemed or exchanged.
•23.2 million and 17.4 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings held by our partners who were independent contractors were redeemed or exchanged. We also accelerated the payment of related withholding taxes to them with respect to their Newmark Holdings units. Independent contractors received one share of BGC Class A common stock for each redeemed non-preferred BGC unit or cash and are responsible for paying any related withholding taxes.
•Partners with nonexchangeable non-preferred compensatory units exchanged or redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event generally received restricted Class A common shares of Newmark and/or BGC to the extent tax deductible. A portion of the shares of BGC Class A common stock received by independent contractors were unrestricted to facilitate their payment of withholding taxes.
•The issuance of Newmark Class A common stock related to the 2021 Equity Event reflected the June 28, 2021 Exchange Ratio of 0.9403.
•Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings limited partnership interests with rights to convert into HDUs for cash were also redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event.
Acquisitions
On March 10, 2023, Newmark completed the acquisition of Gerald Eve, a U.K. based real estate advisory firm.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company acquired the approximately 49% of Spring11 that it did not own, having held a controlling stake since 2017. Spring11 provides asset management and servicing, commercial real estate due diligence, consulting, and advisory services to a variety of clients, including lenders, investment banks and investors, and has been recorded as part of “management services.” Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, the portion of Spring11’s revenues associated with its servicing and asset management portfolio will no longer be reported as “management services” but will instead be recorded as part of “servicing and other revenues.”
On April 1, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisitions of two businesses: BH2, a London-based real estate advisory firm, and McCall & Almy, a multi-market tenant representation and real estate advisory firm.
On May 3, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisition of Open Realty, a retail real estate advisory firm.
On September 6, 2021, Newmark acquired Deskeo, France’s leader in flexible and serviced workspace for enterprise clients. Based in Paris, France, Deskeo added over 50 locations to Newmark’s international flexible workspace portfolio.
On March 24, 2021, Newmark acquired the business of Knotel, a global flexible workspace provider. Newmark agreed to provide approximately $19.8 million of debtor-in-possession financing as part of a $70 million credit bid to acquire the business through Knotel’s Chapter 11 sales process, subject to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. On March 18, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court approved the transaction under Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Debt Repurchase Authorization
On June 16, 2020, the Board and the Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company in the amount of up to $50.0 million of Company debt securities. Repurchases of Company debt securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption.
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Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company debt securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company debt securities through CF&Co (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time upon customary market terms or commissions.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $50.0 million remaining from its debt repurchase authorization.
Commitments and Contingencies
The following table summarizes certain of Newmark’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 840,201 | $ | 136,958 | $ | 267,694 | $ | 227,764 | $ | 207,785 | ||||||||||||
| Warehouse facilities(2) | 498,631 | 498,631 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt(3) | 550,000 | — | 550,000 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on debt(4) | 1,305 | — | 1,305 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on warehouse facilities(5) | 1,740 | 1,740 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,891,877 | $ | 637,329 | $ | 818,999 | $ | 227,764 | $ | 207,785 |
(1)Operating leases are related to rental payments under various non-cancelable leases principally for office space.
(2)Warehouse facilities are collateralized by $528.9 million of loans held for sale, at fair value (see Note 18 – “Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) which loans were either under commitment to be purchased by Freddie Mac or had confirmed forward trade commitments for the issuance of and purchase of Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities.
(3)Debt reflects long-term borrowings of $550.0 million which include $420.0 million outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and $130.0 million outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement. The carrying amount of long-term debt was approximately $547.3 million in the aggregate, which includes $417.3 million under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and $130.0 million under the Cantor Credit Agreement. (See Note 19 – “Debt” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
(4)Reflects interest on the $550.0 million of long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2023, which includes $420.0 million outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and $130.0 million outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement, from December 31, 2023 through the refinancing of those amounts on January 12, 2024 with the proceeds of the 7.500% Senior Notes.
(5)Interest on the warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises was projected by using the one-month SOFR rate plus their respective additional basis points, primarily 130 basis points above SOFR and 115 basis points above SOFR, applied to their respective outstanding balances as of December 31, 2023, through their respective maturity dates. Their respective maturity dates range from June 2024 to October 2024, while one line has an open maturity date. The notional amount of these committed and uncommitted warehouse facilities was $3.0 billion at December 31, 2023. See Note 18 – “Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Credit Ratings
As of December 31, 2023, our public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks are as follows:
| Rating | Outlook | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitch Ratings Inc. | BBB- | Stable | ||
| JCRA | BBB+ | Stable | ||
| Kroll Bond Rating Agency | BBB- | Stable | ||
| S&P Global Ratings | BB+ | Positive |
Credit ratings and associated outlooks are influenced by several factors including, but not limited to: operating environment, earnings and profitability trends, the prudence of funding and liquidity management practices, balance sheet size composition and resulting leverage, cash flow coverage of interest, composition and size of the capital base, available liquidity, outstanding borrowing levels and the firm’s competitive position in the industry. A credit rating and/or the associated outlook can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Any reduction in our credit ratings and/or the associated outlook could adversely affect the availability of debt financing on terms acceptable to us, as well as the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain any such financing. In addition, credit ratings and associated outlooks may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions. The interest rate on our 7.500% Senior Notes may increase by up to 2% in the event of credit ratings downgrades.
Certain Other Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
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Howard W. Lutnick, Executive Chairman
On January 2, 2024, pursuant to the Newmark Standing Policy for Mr. Lutnick, and in connection with grants of exchangeability made to Mr. Gosin pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement that Mr. Gosin executed on February 10, 2023, the Company granted exchange rights and/or monetization rights with respect to rights available to Mr. Lutnick, and Mr. Lutnick (i) elected to accept 617,262 exchange rights with respect to 617,262 previously awarded PSUs that were previously non-exchangeable; and (ii) received the right to monetize, and accepted such monetization right of 81,275 previously awarded nonexchangeable PPSUs for a future cash payment of $1,250,000. Mr. Lutnick waived all remaining rights, which shall be cumulative. The aggregate number of Mr. Lutnick’s units for which he waived exchange rights or other monetization rights is 617,262 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs/NPSUs and 81,274 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with an aggregate determination amount of $1,250,000 at that time.
In connection with the Corporate Conversion, on May 18, 2023, Mr. Lutnick’s 1,474,930 BGC Holdings HDUs were redeemed for a cash capital account payment of $9.1 million, $7.0 million of which was paid by Newmark, with the remainder paid by BGC. The $7.0 million HDU liability was included in “Accrued Compensation” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022, and related to services provided by Mr. Lutnick to Newmark prior to the Spin-Off. Newmark recorded the related compensation expense and took the compensation tax deductions in prior years.
On December 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a one-time bonus award to Mr. Lutnick, which was evidenced by the execution and delivery of a Retention Bonus Agreement, dated December 28, 2021, and described below, in consideration of his success in managing certain aspects of the Company’s performance as its principal executive officer and Chairman. The bonus award rewarded Mr. Lutnick for his efforts in delivering superior financial results for the Company and its stockholders, including in particular his success in creating substantial value for the Company and its stockholders in connection with creating, structuring, hedging and monetizing the forward share contract to receive over time shares of common stock of Nasdaq held by the Company and the strong balance sheet and significant amount of income created from this. A principal reason for structuring the bonus award with a substantial portion to be paid out over three years was also to further incentivize Mr. Lutnick to continue to serve as both the Company’s principal executive officer and its Chairman for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders. The bonus award is the subject of legal challenge. See the heading “Legal Proceedings” below.
The Retention Bonus Agreement provides for an aggregate cash payment of $50 million, payable as follows: $20 million within three days of the date of the Retention Bonus Agreement (which payment was made on December 31, 2021), and $10 million within thirty days following vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the Retention Bonus Agreement. Any entitlement to future amounts not vested will be forfeited immediately if, prior to the applicable anniversary date, Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer, unless Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve in either such capacity occurs pursuant to a “Vesting Termination,” as that term is defined in the Retention Bonus Agreement. Mr. Lutnick has purchased Newmark Class A common stock with the after-tax proceeds of the initial tranche of the bonus award. The Retention Bonus Agreement describes a “Vesting Termination” as (i) a termination of Mr. Lutnick’s employment by the Company without “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Retention Bonus Agreement) or (ii) an involuntary removal of Mr. Lutnick from the position of Chairman of the Board on or after the occurrence of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in the Change of Control Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2017, by and between Mr. Lutnick and the Company). In the event that Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer pursuant to a Vesting Termination, any amounts not vested will immediately become fully vested. The Retention Bonus Agreement provides that Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve as the Company’s Chairman and principal executive officer pursuant to his death or disability does not constitute a Vesting Termination. The provisions of Mr. Lutnick’s Change of Control Agreement do not apply to the bonus award. A copy of the Retention Bonus Agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 29, 2021 and is described in detail under the heading “2021 Lutnick Award” in our proxy statement filed with the SEC on August 16, 2023.
On December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick elected to redeem all of his 193,530 currently exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,465,873. In addition, upon the Compensation Committee’s approval of the monetization of Mr. Gosin’s remaining non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs and a number of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable PSUs on December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick (i) elected to redeem 188,883 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,954,728, and 127,799 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,284,376, both for which he previously waived, but now accepted under the Company’s Standing Policy for Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) received the right to monetize, and accepted the monetization of, his remaining 122,201 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,228,124, under such Standing Policy.
In connection with the foregoing, Mr. Lutnick accepted the right to monetize approximately $4,406,915 by way of the Company causing 286,511 of Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 267,572 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and a 0.9339 Exchange Ratio, under the Company’s Standing Policy applying to Mr. Lutnick, with such acceptance of rights granted in reference to Mr. Gosin’s December 2021 transactions to the extent necessary to effectuate the
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foregoing (and otherwise Mr. Lutnick waived all remaining rights, which shall be cumulative). The aggregate estimated pre-tax value of these transactions is $10,340,015, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 57.38% tax rate for Mr. Lutnick.
On March 16, 2021, pursuant to the Newmark Standing Policy for Mr. Lutnick, the Compensation Committee granted exchange rights and/or monetization rights with respect to rights available to Mr. Lutnick. Mr. Lutnick elected to waive such rights one-time with such future opportunities to be cumulative.
Barry M. Gosin, Chief Executive Officer
On February 10, 2023, Barry M. Gosin, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Newmark OpCo and Newmark Holdings. In connection with the employment agreement, the Compensation Committee approved (i) for a term through at least 2024, with the term running through 2025, an annual cash bonus of $1,500,000; (ii) an upfront advance award of four tranches of 1,145,475 Newmark NPSUs each (calculated by dividing $10,000,000 by the Company’s stock price of $8.73 on February 10, 2023) attributable to each year of the term and (iii) the continued ability to receive discretionary bonuses, if any, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee. In accordance with his employment agreement, Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable NPSUs award has the following features: (i) 25% of such non-exchangeable NPSUs shall convert into non-exchangeable PSUs, with the first 25% installment effective as of April 1, 2023 and the remaining three 25% installments effective as of December 31 of 2023 through 2025, as adjusted upwards by dividing such number of NPSUs by the then-current exchange ratio upon the applicable December 31, provided that, as of each applicable December 31: (x) Newmark, inclusive of its affiliates, earns, in the aggregate, at least $10,000,000 in gross revenues in the calendar quarter in which the applicable award of PSUs is to be granted and (y) Mr. Gosin is still performing substantial services exclusively for Newmark or an affiliate, has not given notice of termination of his services except for circumstances set forth in Mr. Gosin’s employment agreement, and has not breached his obligations under the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement; and (ii) such PSUs as converted from NPSUs shall become exchangeable in ratable portions beginning December 31, 2023 and ending December 31, 2029, in accordance with the terms and conditions as set forth in Mr. Gosin’s employment agreement. A copy of the employment agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023 and is described in detail therein.
On December 21, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved: (i) the redemption of all of Mr. Gosin’s remaining 838,996 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for $8,339,980 in cash and (ii) compensation of approximately $7,357,329 by way of the Company causing 478,328 of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 446,711 shares of Newmark Class A common stock, based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and an Exchange Ratio of 0.9339. The estimated pre-tax value of this transaction is $15,697,309, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 53.13% tax rate for Mr. Gosin.
On September 20, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a monetization opportunity for Mr. Gosin: all of Mr. Gosin’s 2,114,546 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs were redeemed for 0 and 2,114,456 shares of BGC Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Gosin. Effective as of April 14, 2022, Mr. Gosin’s 905,371 BGC Holdings HDUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $3,521,893 based upon a price of $3.89 per unit, which was the closing price of BGC Partners Class A common stock on April 14, 2022.
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Gosin exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 526,828 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 30,871 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs held by Mr. Gosin (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the Exchange Ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $5.8 million in the aggregate). In addition, on March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved removing the sale restrictions on Mr. Gosin’s remaining 178,232 restricted shares of Class A common stock in BGC (which were originally issued in 2013) and associated 82,680 remaining restricted shares of Newmark Class A common stock (issued as a result of the Spin-Off in November 2018).
Michael J. Rispoli, Chief Financial Officer
On September 29, 2022, Mr. Rispoli entered into an employment agreement with Newmark OpCo and Newmark Holdings. In connection with the employment agreement, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Rispoli: (i) an award of 500,000 Newmark RSUs, divided into tranches of 100,000 RSUs each that vest on a seven-year schedule; and (ii) an award of 250,000 Newmark RSUs, divided into tranches of 50,000 RSUs each that vest on a seven-year schedule. A copy of the employment agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 3, 2022 and is described in detail therein.
In connection with signing the employment agreement on September 29, 2022, Mr. Rispoli received immediate exchangeability on 25% of his then currently held 88,079 non-exchangeable PSUs and 87,049 non-exchangeable PPSUs (such 25% totaled 23,560 PPSUs with a value of $283,527 and 20,221 PSUs), and will receive monetization rights on another 25% of such units held as of September 29, 2022, split pro rata into one-fifth (1/5) increments, on or as soon as practicable after
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October 1 of each of 2023-2027, to the extent such units had not previously been given monetization rights, with each monetization contingent upon Mr. Rispoli performing substantial services exclusively for the Company or any affiliate, remaining a partner in Newmark Holdings, and complying with the terms of his employment agreement and any of his obligations to Newmark Holdings, us or any affiliate through such dates.
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Rispoli (i) exchange rights into shares of Newmark Class A common stock with respect to 6,043 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the Exchange Ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $0.1 million); and (ii) exchange rights into cash with respect to 4,907 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which had an average determination price of $15.57 per unit, for a total of $76,407 in the aggregate to be paid for taxes when (i) is exchanged).
Stephen M. Merkel, Chief Legal Officer
On January 2, 2024, Mr. Merkel sold 35,006 shares of Class A common stock to the Company in an exempt transaction made pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The sale price per share of $10.85 was the closing price of a share of Class A common stock on January 2, 2024. The transaction was approved by the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board and was made pursuant to the Company’s stock buyback authorization.
On April 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an additional monetization opportunity for Mr. Merkel: (i) 73,387 of Mr. Merkel’s 145,384 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero, (ii) 19,426 of Mr. Merkel’s 86,649 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $173,863, and (iii) 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Merkel. On the same day, the 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were repurchased from Mr. Merkel at $10.67 per share, the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date, under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.8 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
On March 16, 2021, the Company redeemed 30,926 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Merkel for zero and in connection therewith issued 28,962 shares of our Class A common stock. On the same day, the Company repurchased these shares from Mr. Merkel at the closing price of our Class A common stock of $11.09 per share under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.3 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings. The Compensation Committee approved these transactions.
2021 Equity Event
The specific transactions approved by the Compensation Committee, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, with respect to our executive officers are set forth below. All of the transactions included in the 2021 Equity Event with respect to Messrs. Lutnick, Gosin and Rispoli, are based on (i) the price for Newmark Class A common stock of $12.50 per share, as approved by the Compensation Committee; (ii) the price of BGC Partners Class A common stock of $5.86; and (iii) the price of Nasdaq common stock of $177.11.
On June 28, 2021, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, the Newmark Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Lutnick: (i) the exchange of 279,725 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 263,025 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9403; and $1,465,874 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable 193,530 Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and redemption of such HDUs for their capital account of $7,017,000, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the Nasdaq closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with H-Rights were redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 520,380 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 520,380 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners, and $1,525,705 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the redemption of 88,636 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing Standing Policy, and the issuance of 88,636 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; (v) the conversion of 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s BGC Holdings PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes in connection with the exercise of the BGC Holdings HDUs; and (vi) the issuance of 29,059 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark. In accordance with Mr. Lutnick’s right under his existing Standing Policy, and in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, upon the approval of the Newmark Compensation Committee: (i) 2,909,819 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs, pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing Standing Policy, were redeemed and 2,736,103 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark, based upon the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9403, were granted to Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) $8,798,546 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing Standing Policy was redeemed and used for tax purposes. See “Executive Compensation” in our proxy statement filed August 16, 2023 for additional information and definitions.
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On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Gosin: (i) the exchange of 1,531,061.84 exchangeable Newmark Holdings units (comprised of 1,438,597.37 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 92,464.47 exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs) into 1,439,658 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based upon the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9403; and $834,508 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs, and redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $5,362,452, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the Nasdaq closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $5,362,452 in connection with Mr. Gosin’s Newmark Holdings PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 3,348,706 exchangeable BGC Holdings units (comprised of 3,147,085 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs and 201,621 exchangeable BGC Holdings APSUs) into 3,348,706 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; and $298,273 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the conversion of 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs, and $1,129,499 associated with Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 12,500 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Michael Rispoli, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer: (i) the exchange of 23,124 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 21,744 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9403 and $208,407 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) 6,000 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed and an aggregate of 5,642 restricted shares of Newmark were issued to Mr. Rispoli based upon the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9403, and $52,309 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the conversion of 5,846.07 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 5,846 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and the redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $60,750, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the Nasdaq closing price as of June 28, 2021), and $60,750 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the exchange of 36,985 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 36,985 shares of Class A common stock of BGC, and $134,573 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 383 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee also approved the following for Stephen M. Merkel, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer: (i) the redemption of 51,124.28 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and issuance of 48,072 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the then-current Exchange Ratio of 0.9403; and (ii) the redemption of 46,349.87 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.3 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of the shares above.
Investment in CF Real Estate Finance Holdings, L.P.
Contemporaneously with the acquisition of Berkeley Point, on September 8, 2017, Newmark invested $100.0 million in a newly formed commercial real estate-related financial and investment business, Real Estate LP, which is controlled and managed by Cantor. Real Estate LP may conduct activities in any real estate related business or asset backed securities related business or any extensions thereof and ancillary activities thereto. As of December 31, 2022, Newmark’s investment was accounted for under the equity method (see Note 7 — “Investments” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Pursuant to the terms of this investment, Newmark held a redemption option through which Real Estate LP would redeem in full Newmark’s investment in Real Estate LP in exchange for Newmark’s capital account balance in Real Estate LP as of such redemption time. On July 20, 2022, this redemption option was exercised.
In December 2022, the Audit Committee authorized a subsidiary of Newmark to rescind its July 20, 2022 written notice exercising the optional redemption of its 27.2% ownership interest in Real Estate LP and amend the joint venture agreement between Newmark and Real Estate LP to provide for a redemption option for this investment after July 1, 2023, with proceeds to be received within 20 days of the redemption notice. A payment of a $44.0 thousand administrative fee was made to Newmark in connection with such amendment. On July 1, 2023, Newmark exercised its redemption option and received payment of $105.5 million from Cantor during the year ended December 31, 2023, terminating Newmark’s interest in Real Estate LP.
Pre-IPO Intercompany Agreements
In December 2017, prior to the Separation and Newmark IPO, all intercompany arrangements and agreements that were previously approved by the Audit Committee of BGC Partners with respect to BGC Partners and its subsidiaries and Cantor and its subsidiaries were also approved by our Board with respect to the relationships between us and our subsidiaries and Cantor and its subsidiaries following our IPO on the terms and conditions approved by the Audit Committee of BGC
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Partners during such time that our business was owned by BGC Partners. These arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) an authorization to provide Cantor real estate and related services, including real estate advice, brokerage, property or facilities management, valuation and advisory and other services; (ii) an authorization to enter into brokerage and similar agreements with respect to the provision of ordinary course brokerage services in circumstances in which such entities customarily provide brokerage services to third-party customers; (iii) an authorization to enter into agreements with Cantor and/or its affiliates, to provide services, including finding and reviewing suitable acquisition or partner candidates, structuring transactions and negotiating and due diligence services in connection with acquisitions and other business strategies in commercial real estate and other businesses from time to time; and (iv) an arrangement to jointly manage exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates.
Services Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch)
In May 2020, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark & Co., a subsidiary of Newmark, to enter into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) pursuant to which Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) will employ and support an individual who is a resident of Dubai in order to enhance Newmark’s capital markets platform, in exchange for a fee. Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) and Newmark & Co. negotiated a services agreement memorializing the arrangement between the parties. The services agreement provides that Newmark & Co. will reimburse Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) for the individual’s fully allocated costs, plus a mark-up of 7%. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into similar arrangements in respect of any jurisdiction, in the future, with Cantor and its subsidiaries, provided that the applicable agreements contain customary terms for arrangements of this type and that the mark-up charged by the party employing one or more individuals for the benefit of the other is between 3% and 7.5%, depending on the level of support required for the employed individual(s).
Sublease to Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.
In January 2022, Cantor entered into an agreement to sublease excess space from RKF Retail Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Newmark, for a period of six months until June 30, 2022 at a rate of $0.1 million per month. In July 2022, the sublease was extended one year to June 30, 2023. In June 2023, the sublease was extended three months to September 30, 2023. As of December 31, 2023 the sublease has been terminated. Newmark received $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
GSE Loans and Related Party Limits
In February 2019, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to originate and service GSE loans to Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) and service loans originated by Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) on prices, rates and terms no less favorable to Newmark and its subsidiaries than those charged by third parties. The authorization is subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to: (i) a maximum amount up to $100.0 million per loan, (ii) a $250.0 million limit on loans that have not yet been acquired or sold to a GSE at any given time, and (iii) a separate $250.0 million limit on originated Fannie Mae loans outstanding to Cantor at any given time.
Transaction with CCRE Lending
On July 22, 2019, CCRE Lending made a $146.6 million commercial real estate loan to a single-purpose company in which Barry Gosin, Newmark’s Chief Executive Officer, owns a 19% interest. This loan is secured by the single-purpose company’s interest in property in Pennsylvania that is subject to a ground lease. While CCRE Lending initially provided the full loan amount, on August 16, 2019, a third-party bank purchased approximately 80% of the loan value from CCRE Lending, with CCRE Lending retaining approximately 20%. This loan matures on August 6, 2029, and is payable monthly at a fixed interest rate of 4.38% per annum.
Transactions Related to Ordinary Course Real Estate Services
On November 4, 2020, the Audit Committee authorized entities in which executive officers have a non-controlling interest to engage Newmark to provide ordinary course real estate services to them as long as Newmark’s fees are consistent with the fees that Newmark ordinarily charges for these services.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
Cantor has a right to purchase from Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event that any Newmark Holdings Founding Partner interests that have not become exchangeable are redeemed by Newmark Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of a Founding Partner or upon mutual consent of the general partner of Newmark Holdings and Cantor. Cantor has the right to purchase such Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests at a price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount that Newmark Holdings would be required to pay to redeem and purchase such Newmark Holdings Founding Partner interests and (2) the amount equal to (a) the number of units underlying such Founding Partner interests, multiplied by (b) the Exchange Ratio as of the date of such purchase, multiplied by (c) the then-current market price of our Class A common stock. Cantor may pay such price using cash, publicly traded shares or other property, or a combination of the foregoing. If Cantor (or the other member of the Cantor group acquiring such limited partnership interests, as the case may be) so purchases such limited partnership interests at a price equal to clause (2) above, neither Cantor nor any member of the Cantor
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group nor Newmark Holdings nor any other person is obligated to pay Newmark Holdings or the holder of such Founding Partner interests any amount in excess of the amount set forth in clause (2) above.
In addition, the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement provides that (1) where either current, terminating or terminated partners are permitted by us to exchange any portion of their Founding Partner units and Cantor consents to such exchangeability, we will offer to Cantor the opportunity for Cantor to purchase the same number of new exchangeable limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings at the price that Cantor would have paid for exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event we had redeemed the Founding Partner units; and (2) the exchangeable limited partnership interests to be offered to Cantor pursuant to clause (1) above would be subject to, and granted in accordance with, applicable laws, rules and regulations then in effect.
If Cantor acquires any units as a result of the purchase or redemption by Newmark Holdings of any Founding Partner interests, Cantor will be entitled to the benefits (including distributions) of the units it acquires from the date of termination or bankruptcy of the applicable Founding Partner. In addition, any such units will be exchangeable by Cantor for a number of shares of our Class B common stock or, at Cantor’s election, shares of our Class A common stock, in each case, equal to the then-current Exchange Ratio, on the same basis as the limited partnership interests held by Cantor, and will be designated as Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests when acquired by Cantor. The Exchange Ratio was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and was 0.9231 as of December 31, 2023. This may permit Cantor to receive a larger share of income generated by our business at a less expensive price than through purchasing shares of our Class A common stock, which is a result of the price payable by Cantor to Newmark.
On May 17, 2022, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 184,714 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $763,064 as a result of the redemption of 184,714 Founding Partner interests, and (ii) 23,562 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $100,079 as a result of the exchange of 23,562 Founding Partner interests.
On October 25, 2022, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 104,701 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $446,647 as a result of the redemption of 104,701 Founding Partner interests, and (ii) 102,454 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $272,100 as a result of the exchange of 102,454 Founding Partner interests.
On April 16, 2023, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 309,631 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,282,265 as a result of the redemption of 309,631 Founding Partner interests, and (ii) 38,989 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $166,364 as a result of the exchange of 38,989 Founding Partner interests.
On June 30, 2023, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of 74,026 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $310,976 as a result of the redemption of 74,026 Founding Partner interests.
Following such purchases, as of December 31, 2023, there were 53,168 Founding Partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor had the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor Units following such redemption or exchange.
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Newmark Holdings
On March 10, 2023, Newmark Holdings entered into the LPA Amendment to the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement. The LPA Amendment revises certain restrictive covenants pertaining to the “Partner Obligations” and “Competitive Activity” provisions in the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement. Specifically, the LPA Amendment (i) reduces the length of the post-termination period during which a partner must refrain from soliciting or doing business with customers, soliciting employees, engaging in a “Competing Business” (as defined therein), or otherwise refraining from harming the partnership; and (ii) revises the scope of the non-compete provisions under the “Partner Obligations” and “Competitive Activity” provisions in the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement to cover “Competing Businesses” for which a partner performs the same or similar services as provided to a “Protected Affiliate” (as defined therein) and (a) involving a product, product line or type, or service of a “Protected Affiliate” within a specific geographic area, (b) involving a “Client” or a “Client Representative” (each as defined therein) of a Protected Affiliate, or (c) for which the disclosure of confidential information is likely to be inevitable. The LPA Amendment was approved by the Board of Directors and Audit and Compensation Committees.
Knotel Assets
As part of the Knotel acquisition, Newmark assigned the rights to acquire certain Knotel assets to a subsidiary of Cantor, on the terms that if the subsidiary monetized the sale of these assets, Newmark would receive 10% of the proceeds of the sale after the subsidiary recoups its investment in the assets.
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Employment Matters
On June 28, 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark to hire a son of its Executive Chairman as a full-time employee of its Knotel business with an annual base salary of $125,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 30% of base salary. The arrangement includes a potential profit participation consistent with other entrepreneurial arrangements in the event of certain liquidity events related to businesses developed by him. In June 2022, the Audit Committee approved ordinary course compensation adjustments and expense, travel and housing reimbursement for him in accordance with standard Company policies up to $250,000 in total compensation without further Committee review.
Referral Fees to Cantor
In September 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to pay referral fees to Cantor and its subsidiaries (other than Newmark and its subsidiaries) in respect of referred business, pursuant to ordinary course arrangements in circumstances where Newmark would customarily pay referral fees to unrelated third parties and where Newmark is paying a referral fee to Cantor in an amount that is no more than the applicable percentage rate set forth in Newmark’s intra-company referral policies, as then in effect, with such fees to be at referral rates no less favorable to Newmark than would be paid to unrelated third parties.
Acquisition of Spring11 Ownership Interest from Cantor
In February 2023, Newmark’s subsidiary, Newmark S11 entered into an equity purchase agreement with CFS11, a subsidiary of Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark acquired CFS11’s 33.78% ownership interest in Newmark S11 LP, LLC, the joint venture that owns a controlling interest in Spring11, for a total purchase price of $11,530,598. CFS11’s 33.78% ownership in Newmark S11 LP, LLC was 25.62% of Spring11’s economic interest. The transaction, which also included Newmark S11 buying the remaining minority interests from other third-party owners on substantially the same terms, resulted in Newmark S11 owning 100% of Spring11. The CFS11 transaction was approved by our Audit Committee.
Placement Agent Authorization with CF&Co
On August 8, 2023, our Audit Committee authorized us to engage CF&Co as a non-exclusive placement agent on behalf of us or our subsidiaries in connection with certain capital markets transactions (with the ability to also mandate certain third-party banks as additional advisors and co-placement agents alongside CF&Co), pursuant to customary terms and conditions, including percentage of proceeds, and provided the terms are no less favorable to us than terms that an unaffiliated third-party investment bank would provide to us in similar transactions.
7.500% Senior Notes
On January 12, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of $600.0 million principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes due 2029. In connection with this issuance of 7.500% Senior Notes, the Company recorded approximately $0.5 million in underwriting fees payable to CF&Co. These fees were recorded as a deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, which is amortized as interest expense over the term of the notes. Cantor purchased $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of such senior notes.
Master Repurchase Agreement
As discussed in more detail above under “—Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Master Repurchase Agreement,” Newmark OpCo is party to a Master Repurchase Agreement with CF Secured. CF Secured is wholly owned by CF Secured Holdings, LLC, which is controlled by its managing member, Cantor CF Secured Investor, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cantor.
Services Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Europe for the Provision of Real Estate Investment Banking Services
On February 21, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized NHL, a subsidiary of Newmark, to enter into an agreement with CFE pursuant to which CFE will employ and support an individual to enhance Newmark’s capital markets platform by providing real estate investment banking services for the benefit of Newmark’s client. Under this agreement, NHL will reimburse CFE for the individual’s fully allocated costs, plus a mark-up of seven percent (7%) and CFE will be entitled to ten percent (10%) of revenues generated by such individual on behalf of Newmark. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized NHL to include additional individuals to perform such services on substantially the same terms; provided that, in any case, the mark-up charged for such additional individuals is between 3.0% and 7.5%, depending on the level of support required for such individuals.
Regulatory Requirements
Newmark is subject to various capital requirements in connection with seller/servicer agreements that Newmark has entered into with the various GSEs. Failure to maintain minimum capital requirements could result in Newmark’s inability to originate and service loans for the respective GSEs and could have a direct material adverse effect on our accompanying
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consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2023, Newmark had met all capital requirements. As of December 31, 2023, the most restrictive capital requirement was Fannie Mae’s net worth requirement. Newmark exceeded the minimum requirement by $409.2 million.
Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Fannie Mae allow Newmark to originate and service loans under the Fannie Mae DUS program. These agreements require Newmark to maintain sufficient collateral to meet Fannie Mae’s restricted and operational liquidity requirements based on a pre-established formula. Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Freddie Mac allow Newmark to service loans under the Freddie Mac TAH. These agreements require Newmark to pledge sufficient collateral to meet Freddie Mac’s liquidity requirement of 8% of the outstanding principal of Freddie Mac TAH loans serviced by Newmark. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Newmark had met all liquidity requirements.
In addition, as a servicer for Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and FHA, Newmark is required to advance to investors any uncollected principal and interest due from borrowers. As of both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, outstanding borrower advances were $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Regulatory Environment
See “—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our regulatory environment.
Equity
Repurchase Program
See Note 6 — “Stock Transactions and Unit Redemptions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
Fully Diluted Share Count
Our fully diluted weighted-average share counts for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Common stock outstanding(1) | 173,475 | 180,337 | ||
| Partnership units(2) | — | 59,944 | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 2,413 | 3,255 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 494 | 1,641 | ||
| Total(3) | 176,382 | 245,177 |
(1)Common stock consisted of Class A shares and Class B shares. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the weighted-average number of Class A shares was 152.2 million shares and Class B shares was 21.3 million that were included in our fully diluted EPS computation.
(2)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor Units (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings,” to our consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information). In general, these partnership units are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. In addition, partnership units held by Cantor are generally exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock and/or for up to 24.9 million shares of Newmark Class B common stock. These partnership units also generally receive quarterly allocations of net income, after the deduction of the Preferred Distribution, based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, these partnership units are included in the fully diluted share count calculation shown above.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2023, the weighted-average share count included 73.4 million anti-dilutive securities, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.
As of each of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our fully diluted period-end (spot) share count was 248.7 million and 235.9 million, respectively.
Equity Method Investments
Newmark had an investment in Real Estate LP, a joint venture with Cantor in which Newmark had the ability to exert significant influence over its operating and financial policies. Accordingly, Newmark accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting. Newmark held a redemption option in which Real Estate LP would redeem in full Newmark’s investment in Real Estate LP in exchange for Newmark’s capital account balance in Real Estate LP as of such time. On July 20, 2022, Newmark exercised its redemption option. In December 2022, the Audit Committee authorized a subsidiary of Newmark
to rescind its July 20, 2022 written notice exercising the optional redemption of its 27.2% ownership interest in Real Estate LP and amend the joint venture agreement between Newmark and Real Estate LP to provide for a redemption option for this investment after July 1, 2023, with proceeds to be received within 20 days of the redemption notice. A payment of a $44.0
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thousand administrative fee was made to Newmark in connection with such amendment. On July 1, 2023, Newmark exercised its redemption option and received payment of $105.5 million from Cantor during the year ended December 31, 2023, terminating Newmark’s interest in Real Estate LP (see Note 7 — “Investments” for more information).
Registration Statements
On March 25, 2022, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to which CF&Co could make offers and sales of our 6.125% Senior Notes in connection with ongoing market-making transactions which may occur from time to time. Such market-making transactions prior to the maturity of those notes on November 15, 2023.
We have an effective registration statement on Form S-4, with respect to the offer and sale of up to 20.0 million shares and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in connection with business combination transactions, including acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. As of December 31, 2023, we have issued 2.2 million shares of our Class A common stock under this registration statement.
Construction Loans
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Newmark was committed to fund approximately $0.4 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, which is the total remaining draws on construction loans originated by Newmark under the HUD 221(d)4, 220 and 232 programs, rate locked loans that have not been funded, and forward commitments, as well as the funding for Fannie Mae structured transactions. Newmark also has corresponding commitments to sell these loans to various purchasers as they are funded.
Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
Newmark completed acquisitions from 2019 through the second quarter of 2023 with contingent cash consideration of $25.7 million. The contingent equity instruments and cash liability is recorded at fair value in “Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities” on Newmark’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Legal Proceedings
On August 5, 2022, Robert Garfield filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Robert Garfield v. Howard W. Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0687) (the “Garfield action”), against the members of the Board and Mr. Lutnick in his capacity as Chairman of the Board and controlling stockholder. This derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a 3-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Board breached its fiduciary duty, (ii) neither the award nor the approval process employed by the Compensation Committee were entirely fair to the Company and its stockholders, and (iii) the members of the Compensation Committee did not exercise independent judgment. The complaint alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks rescission of the award and other compensation, as well as damages and other relief.
On October 7, 2022, Cardinal Capital Management, LLC filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Cardinal Capital Management, LLC v. Howard W. Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0909-SG) (the “Cardinal action”), against Mr. Lutnick, the members of the Compensation Committee in 2021, who were Virginia S. Bauer, Kenneth A. McIntyre and Michael Snow as members of the Compensation Committee, and Barry Gosin, Michael Rispoli and Stephen Merkel, as Newmark’s executive officers. The derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the Company’s June 2021 partnership units exchange for Mr. Lutnick and Officers (as such term is defined in the Cardinal action) and the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a 3-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Compensation Committee and Officers breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets; and (ii) Mr. Lutnick and the Officers were unjustly enriched. The complaint also alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder, and wasted corporate assets, by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks recoupment of the partnership units exchange and the bonus award, as well as damages and other relief.
On December 13, 2022, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an order consolidating the Garfield and Cardinal actions into a single, consolidated action (Consolidated C.A. No. 2022-0687) deemed to have commenced on August 5, 2022, when the Garfield action was filed. On January 10, 2023, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint, whose claims, as well as requested relief, mirror the claims and relief sought in the Cardinal action in all material respects. The Company’s position is that the partnership units exchange was appropriate and in the best interests of the Company, and that the bonus award was properly approved by the Compensation Committee comprised of independent directors (which does not include Mr. Lutnick) after careful consideration of his contributions to the Company, including the Company’s superior financial results, and following an extensive process that included advice from independent legal counsel and an independent compensation. The Company believes the lawsuit has no merit. However, as with any litigation, the outcome cannot be determined with certainty. The case is in the discovery phase. Trial is scheduled for July 2025.
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On March 9, 2023, a purported class action complaint was filed against Cantor, BGC Holdings, and Newmark Holdings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-00265). The collective action, which was filed by seven former limited partners on their own behalf and on behalf of other similarly situated limited partners, alleges a claim for breach of contract against all defendants on the basis that the defendants failed to make payments due under the relevant partnership agreements. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions upon which the defendants relied to deny payment are unenforceable under Delaware law. The plaintiffs allege a second claim against Cantor and BGC Holdings for antitrust violations under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, as amended, on the basis that the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements constitute unreasonable restraints of trade. In that regard, the plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions of the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements, as well as restrictive covenants included in partner separation agreements, cause anticompetitive effects in the labor market, insulate Cantor and BGC Holdings from competition, and limit innovation. The plaintiffs seek a determination that the case may be maintained as a class action, an injunction prohibiting the allegedly anticompetitive conduct, and monetary damages of at least $5,000,000. The Company believes the lawsuit has no merit. However, as with any litigation, the outcome cannot be determined with certainty. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss and in response, on May 31, 2023, plaintiffs filed an Amended Class Action Complaint alleging similar allegations as a basis for claims for breach of contract and violation of the Sherman Act. Defendants moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint. On February 23, 2024, plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, repleading claims for violation of federal antitrust laws and challenging economic forfeiture and non-compete obligations as violative of federal competition law.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. These accounting estimates require the use of assumptions about matters, some which are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows could be materially affected. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenues primarily through commissions from brokerage services, commercial mortgage origination, net, revenues from real estate management services, servicing fees and other revenues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers as determined by when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation as evidenced by the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control over the promised good or service.
The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider consideration promised in a contract that includes a variable amount, referred to as variable consideration, and estimate the amount of consideration due to us. Additionally, variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider all information (historical, current and forecast) that is available, including the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties are expected to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence.
We also use third-party service providers in the provision of services to our customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, we perform an analysis to determine whether we are acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that we are acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where we are acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, we perform services for customers and incur out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Our customers agree to reimburse us for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the customer.
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MSRs, Net
We initially recognize and measure the rights to service mortgage loans at fair value and subsequently measure them using the amortization method. We recognize rights to service mortgage loans as separate assets at the time the underlying originated mortgage loan is sold, and the value of those rights is included in the determination of the gains on loans held for sale. Purchased MSRs, including MSRs purchased from CCRE, are initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently measured using the amortization method.
We receive up to a three-basis point servicing fee and/or up to a one-basis point surveillance fee on certain Freddie Mac loans after the loan is securitized in a Freddie Mac pool. The Freddie Mac Strip is also recognized at fair value and subsequently measured using the amortization method, but is recognized as a MSR at the securitization date.
MSRs are assessed for impairment, at least on an annual basis, based upon the fair value of those rights as compared to the amortized cost. Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. In using this valuation method, we incorporate assumptions that management believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value estimates are sensitive to significant assumptions used in the valuation model such as prepayment rates, cost of servicing, escrow earnings rates, discount rates and servicing multiples, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions derived, in part, from historical data. It is reasonably possible that such estimates may change. We amortize the MSRs in proportion to, and over the period of, the projected net servicing income. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, we stratify MSRs based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, primarily by investor type (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA/Ginnie Mae, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other). To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a specific MSR strata, a valuation allowance is established, which is adjusted in the future as the fair value of MSRs increases or decreases. Reversals of valuation allowances cannot exceed the previously recognized impairment up to the amortized cost.
Equity-Based and Other Compensation
Discretionary Bonus: A portion of our compensation and employee benefits expense comprises discretionary bonuses, which may be paid in cash, equity, partnership awards or a combination thereof. We accrue expense in a period based on revenues in that period and on the expected combination of cash, equity and partnership units. Given the assumptions used in estimating discretionary bonuses, actual results may differ.
RSUs: We account for equity-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP guidance. RSUs provided to certain employees are accounted for as equity awards, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the RSUs that is ultimately expected to vest. Further, U.S. GAAP guidance requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Because significant assumptions are used in estimating employee turnover and associated forfeiture rates, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The fair value of RSU awards to employees is determined on the date of grant, based on the fair value of our Class A common stock. Generally, RSUs granted by us as employee compensation do not receive dividend equivalents; as such, we adjust the fair value of the RSUs for the present value of expected forgone dividends, which requires us to include an estimate of expected dividends as a valuation input. This grant-date fair value is amortized to expense ratably over the awards’ vesting periods. For RSUs with graded vesting features, we have made an accounting policy election to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis. The amortization is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Stock: Restricted stock provided to certain employees is accounted for as an equity award, and as per U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the restricted stock that is ultimately expected to vest. We have granted restricted stock that is not subject to continued employment or service; however, transferability is subject to compliance with our and our affiliates’ customary non-compete obligations. Such shares of restricted stock are generally saleable by partners in five to 10 years. Because the restricted stock is not subject to continued employment or service, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock is expensed on the date of grant. The expense is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Limited Partnership Units: Limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings are held by Newmark employees and receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As discussed above, Preferred Units in Newmark Holdings are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to a distribution at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation. The quarterly allocations of net income to such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs”
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in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Prior to the Corporate Conversion, certain Newmark employees held BGC Holdings limited partnership units with similar entitlements.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that Newmark record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Loans: We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans that may be either wholly or in part repaid from distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests and from proceeds of the sale of the employees’ shares of our Class A common stock or may be forgiven over a period of time. Cash advance distribution loans are documented in formal agreements and are repayable in timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. We intend for these advances to be repaid in full from the future distributions on existing and future awards granted or the proceeds of the sales of the employees’ shares. The allocations of net income to the awards are treated as compensation expense and the proceeds from distributions are used to repay the loan. The forgivable portion of any loans is recognized as compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations over the life of the loan. We review the loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If we determine that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, we recognize a reserve against the loan balances. Actual collectability of loan balances may differ from our estimates. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate balance of employee loans, net of reserve, was $651.2 million and $500.8 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $92.9 million, $84.1 million and $79.4 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these loans was included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
When reviewing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as follows.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow model and data regarding market comparables. The valuation process requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These assumptions include cash flow projections, estimated cost of capital and the selection of peer companies and relevant multiples. Because significant assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future cash flows, choosing peer companies and selecting relevant multiples, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Credit Losses
The CECL methodology, which became effective on January 1, 2020, requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date. The adoption of CECL resulted in the recognition of reserves relating to our loss sharing guarantee provided to Fannie Mae under the Fannie Mae DUS program and to Freddie Mac under the Freddie Mac
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TAH program which was previously accounted for under the incurred loss model. The incurred loss model generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized. Additional reserves were recognized for our receivables from customers including certain employee receivables carried at amortized cost.
The expected credit loss is modeled based on our historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default, all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of our reserves. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, we estimate expected credit losses using our historical loss rates. We also consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which consequentially may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses and receivables. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, there was a decrease of $0.6 million in our reserves. These reserves were based on macroeconomic forecasts which are critical inputs into our model and material movements in variables such as the U.S. unemployment rate and U.S. GDP growth rate which could significantly affect our estimated expected credit losses. These macroeconomic forecasts, under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates, could result in significantly different changes in reserves for credit losses. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in specific factors might affect the overall reserves for credit losses and current results may not reflect the potential future impact of macroeconomic forecast changes.
Income Taxes
Newmark accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between our accompanying consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to UBT in New York City. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss except for UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ tax liability or benefit is not reflected in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The tax-related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in our accompanying consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions.
Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from Newmark’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Newmark recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in “Provision for income taxes” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, Newmark considers all available evidence, including past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent fiscal years, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies.
The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws and involves uncertainties in the application of tax regulations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. Because Newmark’s interpretation of complex tax law may impact the measurement of current and deferred income taxes, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions regarding the application of tax law.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We have loan commitments to extend credit to third parties. The commitments to extend credit are for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments). These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee. We are committed to extend credit to the counterparty as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contracts. Whenever we commit to extend credit, we simultaneously enter into a Forward Sales Contract.
Both the commitment to extend credit and the forward sale commitment qualify as derivative financial instruments. We recognize all derivatives on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The change in the derivatives fair value is recognized in current period earnings.
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Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts as a result of the Nasdaq Forwards. These contracts qualified as derivative financial instruments. The Nasdaq Forwards provided Newmark with the ability to redeem the EPUs for Nasdaq shares, and as these instruments were not legally detachable, they represented single financial instruments. The financial instruments’ EPU redemption feature for Nasdaq shares was not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of Newmark’s EPU equity host instruments, and, therefore, it represented an embedded derivative that is required to be bifurcated and recorded at fair value on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with all changes in fair value recorded as a component of “Other income (loss), net” on our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 10 — “Derivatives,” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation,” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001690680-23-000018.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), included elsewhere in this report. When used herein, the terms “Newmark,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Newmark Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
As described in our Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25 filed on March 2, 2023, the Company required additional time to address a question relating to certain non-cash compensation for restricted partnership units with post-termination amounts. As of December 31, 2022, the accrued liability related to future equity-based post-termination compensation payments was $42.7 million, an increase of $2.8 million from the previously expected amount of $39.9 million (see Note 30 — “Compensation”). This resulted in slight changes to certain related line items as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows compared with what was shown in our financial results press release dated February 16, 2023.
Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements
Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth below:
•macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic ("COVID-19"), the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, rising global interest rates, inflation and the Federal Reserve's responses thereto, the strengthening U.S. dollar, liquidity concerns regarding banking and financial institutions, changes in the economy, the commercial real estate services industry and the global financial markets, employment levels, and increasing energy costs, and including the effect on demand for commercial real estate and capital markets transaction volumes, office space, levels of new lease activity and renewals, frequency of loan defaults and forbearance, and fluctuations in the mortgage-backed securities market;
•challenges relating to our repositioning of certain aspects of our business to adapt to and better address the needs of our clients in the future as a result of the acceleration of pre-existing long-term social and economic trends, rising interest rates and market uncertainty, and other legal, cultural and political events and conflicts, and governmental measures taken in response thereto, including reductions in capital markets transaction volumes due to rising interest rates and market uncertainty, timing of stabilization of interest rates and the recovery of transaction volumes, changes in the mix of demand for commercial real estate space, including decreased demand for urban office and retail space generally, which may be offset in whole or in part by increased demand for suburban office, data storage, fulfillment, and distribution centers and life sciences facilities, that could materially reduce demand for commercial space and have a material adverse effect on the nature of and demand for our commercial real estate services, including the time and expense related to such repositioning, as well as risks related to our entry into new geographic markets or lines of business, declines in real estate values, increases in commercial real estate lending rates, and risks related to the volume of committed investment capital;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any successive waves or variants of the virus, the emergence of new viruses, the continued distribution of effective vaccines and governmental and public reactions thereto, the combined impact of the flu and other seasonal illnesses, and the impact of a return to office for our employees and the employees of our clients, as well as the impacts of the extent and speed of return to office generally on our business and operations, as well as the cybersecurity risks of remote working, and our ability to continue providing on-site commercial property management services;
•market conditions, transaction volumes, possible disruptions in transactions, potential deterioration of equity and debt capital markets for commercial real estate and related services, ongoing supply chain issues and other factors, and our ability to access the capital markets as needed or on reasonable terms and conditions;
•pricing, commissions and fees, and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors some of which may have greater financial and operational resources than we do;
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•the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;
•uncertainties related to integrating certain assets of Knotel, Inc. ("Knotel"), Space Management
(DBA “Deskeo”), BH2, McCall & Almy, Inc., and Open Realty Advisors and Open Realty Properties as we build out our international and domestic businesses;
•we may have liabilities in connection with our business, including appraisal and valuation, sales and leasing and property and facilities management activities that exceed our insurance coverage;
•liquidity, regulatory requirements and the impact of credit market events, including the impact of COVID-19 and political events and conflicts and actions taken by governments and businesses in responses thereto on the credit markets and interest rates;
•our relationship and transactions with Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. (“Cantor”) and its affiliates including CF&Co and CCRE, Newmark’s structure, including Newmark Holdings, L.P. (“Newmark Holdings”), which is owned by Newmark, Cantor, Newmark’s employee partners and other partners, and our operating partnership, which is owned jointly by us and Newmark Holdings (which we refer to as “Newmark OpCo” ), any related transactions, conflicts of interest, or litigation, including with respect to executive compensation matters, any loans to or from Newmark or Cantor, Newmark Holdings or Newmark OpCo, including the balances and interest rates thereof from time to time and any convertible or equity features of any such loans, repurchase agreements, joint ventures, and competition for and retention of brokers and other managers and key employees;
•the impact on our stock price from the reduction of our dividend and potential future changes in our capital deployment priorities, including repurchases of shares, purchases of limited partnership interests, and our dividend policy, and in Newmark Holdings distributions to partners and the related impact of such reductions, as well as the effect of layoffs, furloughs, salary cuts, and expected lower commissions or bonuses on the repayment of partner loans;
•market volatility as a result of the effects of COVID-19, global inflation rates, potential downturns including recessions, and similar effects, or other market conditions, which may not be predictable in future periods;
•our ability to grow in other geographic regions and to manage our continued overseas growth and the impact of interest rates, market conditions, political development, armed conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic on these regions and transactions;
•our ability to maintain or develop relationships with independently owned offices or affiliated businesses or partners in our businesses;
•the impact of any acquisitions, restructuring or similar transaction on our business and financial results in current or future periods, including with respect to any assumed liabilities or indemnification obligations with respect to such transactions, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions;
•our ability to effectively deploy our sources of liquidity to repurchase shares or limited partnership interests, pay any excise tax that may be imposed on the repurchase of shares, reduce our debt, and invest in growing our business;
•risks related to changes in our relationships with the Government Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”) and Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), including the impact of COVID-19 and related changes in the credit markets, changes in prevailing interest rates and the risk of loss in connection with loan defaults;
•risks related to changes in the future of the GSEs, including changes in the terms of applicable conservatorships and changes in their capabilities;
•economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties, the actions of governments or central banks, including the impact of COVID-19 on the global markets and government responses, and restrictions on business and commercial activity, uncertainty regarding the consequences of the United Kingdom (“U.K.”)’s exit from the European Union (“EU”) following the withdrawal process, including potential reduction in investment in the U.K., and the pursuit of trade, border control or other related policies by the U.S. and/or other countries (including U.S. - China trade relations), recent economic and political volatility in the U.K., rising political and other tensions between the U.S. and China, political and civil unrest in the U.S., including demonstrations, riots, boycotts, rising tensions with law enforcement, the impact of elections, or other social and political responses to governmental mandates and other restrictions related to COVID-19 in the U.S. or abroad, political and labor unrest in Hong Kong, China and other jurisdictions, conflict in the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, or other jurisdictions, the impact of U.S. government shutdowns or impasses, the impact of terrorist acts, acts of war or other violence or political unrest, as well as natural disasters or weather-related or similar events, including hurricanes, such as the recent Hurricane Ian and its impact on commercial real estate in Florida, and heat waves as well as power failures, communication and transportation disruptions, and other interruptions of utilities or other essential services, and the impact of pandemics and other international health incidents;
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•risks inherent in doing business in international markets, and any failure to identify and manage those risks, as well as the impact of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and additional sanctions and regulations imposed by governments and related counter-sanctions;
•the effect on our business, clients, the markets in which we operate, and the economy in general of rising interest rates, market volatility, and inflationary pressures and the Federal Reserve's response thereto, infrastructure spending, changes in the U.S. and foreign tax and other laws, including changes in tax rates, repatriation rules, and deductibility of interest, potential policy and regulatory changes in Mexico and other countries, sequestrations, uncertainties regarding the debt ceiling and the federal budget, and future changes to tax policy and other potential political policies resulting from elections and changes in governments;
•our dependence upon our key employees, our ability to build out successful succession plans, the impact of absence due to illness or leave of certain key executive officers or employees and our ability to attract, retain, motivate and integrate new employees, as well as the competing demands on the time of certain of our executive officers who also provide services to Cantor, BGC and various other ventures and investments sponsored by Cantor (throughout this document, unless otherwise stated, the term "employees" includes both our employees and those real estate professionals who qualify as statutory non-employees under Section 3408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended);
•the impact of any claims or litigation related to compensation, or other transactions with our executive officers;
•the effect on our business of changes in interest rates, changes in benchmarks, including the transition away from the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), the effect on our businesses and revenues of the strengthening U.S. Dollar, the transition to alternative benchmarks such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), and federal and state legislation relating thereto, the level of worldwide governmental debt issuances, austerity programs, government stimulus packages, including those related to COVID-19, increases and decreases in the federal funds interest rate and other actions to moderate inflation, increases or decreases in deficits and the impact of increased government tax rates, and other changes to monetary policy, and potential political impasses or regulatory requirements, including increased capital requirements for banks and other institutions or changes in legislation, regulations and priorities;
•extensive regulation of our business and clients, changes in regulations relating to commercial real estate and other industries, and risks relating to compliance matters, including regulatory examinations, inspections, investigations and enforcement actions, and any resulting costs, increased financial and capital requirements, enhanced oversight, remediation, fines, penalties, sanctions, and changes to or restrictions or limitations on specific activities, operations, compensatory arrangements, and growth opportunities, including acquisitions, hiring, and new businesses, products, or services, as well as risks related to our taking actions to ensure that we and Newmark Holdings are not deemed investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
•factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions as well as counterparty failure;
•costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property, as well as employment, regulatory, and other litigation, proceedings and their related costs, including related to acquisitions and other matters, including judgments, fines, or settlements paid, reputational risk, and the impact thereof on our financial results and cash flow in any given period;
•certain other financial risks, including the possibility of future losses, indemnification obligations, assumed liabilities, reduced cash flows from operations, increased leverage, reduced availability under our various credit facilities, and the need for short or long-term borrowings, including from Cantor, our ability to refinance our indebtedness, including in the credit markets, and our ability to satisfy eligibility criteria for government-sponsored loan programs and changes to interest rates and market liquidity or our access to other sources of cash relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or other matters, potential liquidity and other risks relating to our ability to maintain continued access to credit and availability of financing necessary to support ongoing business needs on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and risks associated with the resulting leverage, including potentially causing a reduction in credit ratings and the associated outlooks and increased borrowing costs as well as interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•risks associated with the temporary or longer-term investment of our available cash, including in Newmark OpCo, defaults or impairments on the Company’s investments (including investments in non-marketable securities), joint venture interests, stock loans or cash management vehicles and collectability of loan balances owed to us by partners, employees, Newmark OpCo or others;
•the impact of any reduction in the willingness of commercial property owners to outsource their property management needs;
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•our ability to enter new markets or develop new products or services and to induce clients to use these products or services and to secure and maintain market share, and the impact of COVID-19 generally and on the commercial real estate services business in particular;
•our ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances, business combinations, attract investors or partners or engage in, restructuring, rebranding or other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, the anticipated benefits of any such transactions, relationships or growth and the future impact of any such transactions, relationships or growth on other businesses and financial results for current or future periods, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions, the impact of amendments and/or terminations of any strategic arrangements, and the value of any hedging entered into in connection with consideration received or to be received in connection with such dispositions and any transfers thereof;
•our estimates or determinations of potential value with respect to various assets or portions of the Company’s business, including with respect to the accuracy of the assumptions or the valuation models or multiples used;
•the impact of near- or off-shoring on our business, including on our ability to manage turnover and hire, train, integrate and retain personnel, including brokerage professionals, salespeople, managers, and other professionals;
•our ability to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved, including outside of the U.S., while ensuring compliance with all applicable financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements;
•our ability to identify and remediate any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls that could affect our ability to properly maintain books and records, prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner, control policies, practices and procedures, operations and assets, assess and manage the Company’s operational, regulatory and financial risks, and integrate acquired businesses and brokers, salespeople, managers and other professionals;
•the impact of unexpected market moves and similar events;
•information technology risks, including capacity constraints, failures, or disruptions in our systems or those of clients, counterparties, or other parties with which we interact, increased demands on such systems and on the telecommunications infrastructure from remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, including cyber-security risks and incidents, compliance with regulations requiring data minimization and protection and preservation of records of access and transfers of data, privacy risk and exposure to potential liability and regulatory focus;
•the impact of our reductions to our dividends and distributions and the timing and amounts of any future dividends or distributions and our increased stock and unit repurchase authorization, including our ability to meet expectations with respect to payment of dividends and repurchases of common stock or purchases of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in subsidiaries, including Newmark OpCo, including from Cantor or our executive officers, other employees, partners and others and the effect on the market for and trading price of our Class A common stock as a result of any such transactions;
•the effectiveness of our governance, risk management, and oversight procedures and the impact of any potential transactions or relationships with related parties;
•the impact of our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) or “sustainability” ratings on the decisions by clients, investors, potential clients and other parties with respect to our business, investments in us, our borrowing opportunities or the market for and trading price of Newmark Class A common stock, or our senior notes, or other matters;
•we are a holding company, and accordingly we are dependent upon distributions from Newmark OpCo to pay dividends, taxes and indebtedness and other expenses and to make repurchases;
•the fact that the prices at which shares of our Class A common stock are or may be sold in offerings or other transactions may vary significantly, and purchasers of shares in such offerings or other transactions, as well as existing stockholders, may suffer significant dilution if the price they paid for their shares is higher than the price paid by other purchasers in such offerings or transactions; and
•the effect on the markets for and trading prices of our Class A common stock due to market factors, as well as on various offerings and other transactions, including offerings of Class A common stock and convertible or exchangeable debt or other securities, repurchases of shares of Class A common stock and purchases or redemptions of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in us or its subsidiaries, any exchanges by Cantor of shares of Class A common stock for shares of Class B common stock, any exchanges or redemptions of limited partnership units and issuances of shares of Class A common stock in connection therewith, including in corporate or partnership restructurings, payment of dividends on Class A common stock and distributions on limited partnership interests of Newmark Holdings and Newmark OpCo, convertible arbitrage, hedging, and other transactions engaged in by us or holders of outstanding shares, debt or other
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securities, share sales and stock pledges, stock loans, and other financing transactions by holders of shares or units (including by Cantor executive officers, partners, employees or others), including of shares acquired pursuant to employee benefit plans, unit exchanges and redemptions, corporate or partnership restructurings, acquisitions, conversions of shares of our Class B common stock and other convertible securities into shares of our Class A common stock, and distributions of our Class A common stock by Cantor to its partners, including deferred distribution rights shares.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed under the headings "Item 1A-Risk Factors," and "Item 7A-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, may cause actual results and events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and future results or events could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Overview
Newmark is a leading full-service commercial real estate services business. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of both real estate investors/owners and occupiers. Our investor/owner services and products include capital markets, which consists of investment sales and commercial mortgage brokerage (including the placement of debt, equity and structured finance and loan sales on behalf of third parties), agency leasing, property management, valuation and advisory, commercial real estate due diligence consulting and advisory services, government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”) and Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") multifamily lending and loan servicing, and flexible workspace solutions for owners. Our occupier services and products include tenant representation, Global Corporate Services (or “GCS”) which includes real estate, workplace and occupancy strategy, corporate consulting services, project management, lease administration and facilities management), and flexible workspace solutions for occupiers. We enhance these services and products through innovative real estate technology solutions and data analytics, enabling our clients to increase their efficiency and profits by optimizing their real estate portfolio. For the past decade, we have aimed to become the company with the greatest talent in the industry. We believe that we have made great progress towards achieving this goal, having assembled an incredible combination of the top strategists and advisors together with extraordinary local expertise. This has led to over a decade of strong revenue growth for Newmark, and our becoming a top commercial real estate services platform in the U.S. We have relationships with many of the world’s largest commercial property owners, real estate developers and investors, as well as Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies.
We generate revenues primarily from commissions on leasing and capital markets transactions, consulting and technology user fees, property and facility management fees, and mortgage origination and loan servicing fees.
Our growth has historically been focused in North America. During 2021, we ended our affiliation with Knight Frank and have since accelerated our global growth plans by acquiring Space Management (DBA "Deskeo") and Knotel Inc. ("Knotel"), both of which are European leaders in flexible and serviced workspace, and announced the addition of industry-leading international professionals in GCS, Leasing, Capital Markets, and Valuation & Advisory. During 2022, we acquired BH2, a London-based real estate advisory firm. As of December 31, 2022, we have over 6,300 employees in over 150 offices in more than 110 cities. Approximately 1,100 of those employees are fully reimbursed by clients, mainly in our property management and GCS businesses. In addition, as of December 31, 2022, Newmark has licensed its name to 13 commercial real estate providers that operate out of 27 offices in certain locations where Newmark does not have its own offices. The discussion of our financial results reflects only the business owned by us and does not include the results for independently owned offices that use some variation of the Newmark name in their branding or marketing.
We are a leading capital markets business in the United States. We have access to many of the world’s largest owners of commercial real estate, and we believe this will drive growth throughout the life cycle of each real estate asset by allowing us to provide best-in-class agency leasing and property management during the ownership period. We also provide investment sales and arrange debt and equity financing to assist owners in maximizing the return on investment in each of their real estate assets. Specifically, with respect to multifamily assets, we are a leading GSE lender by loan origination volume and servicer with a servicing portfolio of $70.7 billion as of December 31, 2022 (of which 79.5% is higher margin primary servicing, 18.1% is limited servicing, and 2.4% is special servicing). This servicing portfolio provides a steady stream of income over the life of the serviced loans.
We continue to invest in the business by adding high profile and talented producers and other revenue-generating professionals. Historically, newly hired commercial real estate producers tend to achieve dramatically higher productivity in their second and third years with our company, although we incur related expenses immediately. As newly hired producers increase their production, our commission revenue and earnings growth accelerate, thus reflecting our operating leverage.
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Our pre-tax margins are impacted by the mix of revenues generated. For example, servicing revenues tend to have higher pre-tax margins than Newmark as a whole, and margins from originating GSE/FHA loans, which are included in “Commercial mortgage origination, net” in our consolidated statement of operations, tend to be lower, as we retain rights to service loans over time, and because this item includes non-cash GAAP gains attributable to originated mortgage servicing rights (“OMSRs”). OMSRs represent the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net. Investment sales and mortgage brokerage transactions tend to have higher pre-tax margins than leasing transactions. Pre-tax earnings margins on our property management and parts of our other GCS businesses are at the lower end of margins for the Company as a whole, because they include some revenues that equal their related expenses. These revenues represent fully reimbursable compensation and non-compensation costs, and may be referred to as "pass through revenues".
On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq, Inc. ("Nasdaq") closed the sale of its U.S. fixed income business, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of 5,278,011 Nasdaq shares, which were worth $927.9 million as of June 30, 2021. The receipt of shares from Nasdaq may also be referred to as the “Earn-out”. In addition, Newmark received 944,329 shares of Nasdaq, which it used to settle the 2021 and 2022 Nasdaq Forwards. This settlement, which occurred on July 2, 2021, resulted in $166.0 million of the Company's liabilities being extinguished. Newmark's "Other income (loss), net" includes gains and losses related to these shares. See “Nasdaq Monetization Transactions”, “Exchangeable Preferred Partnership Units and Forward Contracts”, and “Acceleration of Nasdaq Earn-out” for more information on the Earn-out and a description of the Nasdaq Forwards.
Contemporaneously with the Earn-out acceleration, the Compensation Committee of Newmark's Board approved a plan to expedite the tax deductible exchange and redemption of a substantial number of compensatory limited partnership units held by partners of the Company (the "2021 Equity Event"). These charges, along with the use of certain net deferred tax assets offset a significant percentage of the Company's taxes related to the accelerated Earn-out. Inclusive of subsequent mark-to-market gains, Newmark recorded cumulative proceeds of $1,203.1 million in 2021 with respect to the Earn-out and $444.6 million of tax deductible GAAP compensation charges related to the 2021 Equity Event. The Company's GAAP pre-tax income declined by 87.1% in 2022 compared to 2021. But for the impact of GAAP "other income" and the 2021 Equity Event, the Company's GAAP pre-tax income would have declined by 41.1% in 2022. Between June 30, 2021, and March 31, 2022, the Company sold 100% of the Nasdaq shares, which contributed to gains in the second through fourth quarters of 2021 and a loss of $87.6 million in the first quarter of 2022. In aggregate, Newmark sold 100% of its Nasdaq stock over this timeframe, resulting in cumulative proceeds of $1,124.1 million and an additional net gain of $30.2 million compared with the amount recorded on June 30, 2021.
Business Environment
Management services, servicing fees, and other declined by 0.7% in 2022, due to lower pass through revenues primarily related to the completion of certain project management assignments. Excluding the impact of pass through revenues, management services, servicing fees, and other increased by 18.3% in 2022. We expects these recurring businesses to increase in both absolute terms and as a percentage of revenues over time as we continue to invest in them and benefit from the long-term secular trend towards outsourcing of real estate services to companies like Newmark.
During the fourth quarter, U.S. short-term interest rates rose at the fastest pace in over thirty years, which materially impacted capital markets volumes for Newmark and the industry. Once the markets and the Fed are aligned, we expect pent up demand to drive significantly higher industry investment sales and debt volumes. In leasing, industrial and retail were bright spots, as our volumes for these property types surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2022. However, office remains challenging for us and the industry. For example, CoStar estimates that U.S. office leasing activity was down by between 10% and 15% compared with 2019.
Preqin estimated that there was approximately $436 billion of investible dry powder held by global closed-end funds at real estate focused institutions as of December 31, 2022. This is in addition to the significant amount of real estate assets held by other types of investors and owners. Trepp estimates that there is over $2.5 trillion of commercial and multifamily debt maturing over the next five years. Between the significant amount of institutional dry powder and debt maturities, we expect industry volumes to bounce back relatively quickly once interest rates are no longer rising and have stabilized.
Our cash and cash equivalents, expected cash flow generation, and $600 million revolving credit line, provide us with significant available capital to invest in growth across our diverse business lines and geographies, while returning cash to shareholders and continuing to operate with investment-grade credit metrics. Given the tremendous white space on our global map, we expect to have many opportunities to further expand our platform as the industry consolidates around well capitalized full service providers.
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During 2022, the U.S. economic rebound continued, as compared with the pandemic-related downturn in 2020. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the "CDC") as of February 2, 2023, approximately 15.7% of the American population have been fully vaccinated and received a bivalent booster, 69.2% of the American population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 81.0% has received at least one dose, although there is persistent vaccine reluctance in the currently unvaccinated population. Many companies are requiring employees to come back to the office as business and government work places continue to reopen both in the U.S. and around the world. However, some of the recent strength in the U.S. office market has been tempered as companies continue to assess the impact of remote work, periodic increases in COVID-19 cases, the combined impact of flu and other seasonal illness, legal, cultural, and political events and conflicts, and the potential for a slowing U.S. economy.
Trends with respect to the return to office have recently been moving in a positive direction. For example, security provider Kastle Systems tracks the number of employees in ten of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas that were physically in the offices they secure every work week versus of typical number physically present during the first three weeks of February, 2020 (the "Kastle Back to Work Barometer Average" or the "Kastle Barometer"). For the week ended January 30, 2023, the Kastle Barometer was 50.4%, which was the first time since February 2020 that it climbed above 50%. This also compares with 47.6% in last full week of October 2022 and 31.2% in the last week of January, 2022. For additional context, it averaged 41.7% from January 3, 2022 through December 28, 2022, and 28.7% from February 21, 2020 through December 31, 2021. Our professionals are actively assisting clients as they navigate the current environment, restructure their portfolios, and redesign their workplaces. On the investor side, we are advising our clients on equity recapitalization, debt financing, and repurposing underutilized properties, including conversion into multifamily, life science, industrial, and other uses. We also expect the growing demand for hybrid work environments to create opportunities for consulting and our flexible workspace business.
Acquisitions
On March 10, 2023, Newmark completed the acquisition of Gerald Eve, a U.K. based real estate advisory firm.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company acquired the approximately 49% of Spring11 that it did not own, having held a controlling stake since 2017. Spring11 provides commercial real estate due diligence, consulting, and advisory services to a variety of clients, including lenders, investment banks and investors, and has been recorded as part of “management services.”
On April 1, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisitions of two businesses; BH2, a London-based real estate advisory firm, and McCall & Almy, a multi-market tenant representation and real estate advisory firm.
On May 3, 2022, Newmark completed the acquisition of Open Realty Advisors and Open Realty Properties, which together operate as “Open Realty”, a retail real estate advisory firm.
On March 24, 2021, Newmark acquired the business of Knotel, a global flexible workspace provider. Newmark agreed to provide approximately $19.8 million of debtor-in-possession financing as part of a $70 million credit bid to acquire the business through Knotel’s Chapter 11 sales process, subject to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. On March 18, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court approved the transaction under Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
On September 6, 2021, Newmark acquired Deskeo, France's leader in flexible and serviced workspace for enterprise clients. Based in Paris, France Deskeo adds over 50 locations to Newmark's international flexible workspace portfolio. See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Debt and Credit Agreements
On November 6, 2018, Newmark closed its offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023 (“6.125% Senior Notes”). The 6.125% Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. The 6.125% Senior Notes, which were priced on November 1, 2018 at 98.94% to yield 6.375%, were offered and sold by Newmark in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Newmark received net proceeds of $537.6 million, net of debt issue costs and debt discount. The 6.125% Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019 and will mature on November 15, 2023. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the carrying amount of the 6.125% Senior Notes was $547.8 million and $545.2 million, respectively.
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On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million three year unsecured senior revolving Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility").
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Second Amended Credit Agreement"), increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the amended Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark entered into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "A&R Credit Agreement"), which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the A&R Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin will initially be 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above will range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above will range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The A&R Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee.
On June 16, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors and its Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company in the amount of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s 6.125% Senior Notes and any future debt securities issued by the Company hereafter (collectively, “Company debt securities”). Repurchases of Company debt securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption.
Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company debt securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company debt securities through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time upon customary market terms or commissions.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $50.0 million remaining from its debt repurchase authorization.
On June 19, 2020, Newmark established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on its Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The sublimit is now included within the Company’s existing $450 million warehouse facility due June 14, 2023. The advance line provides 100% of the principal and interest advance payment at a rate of SOFR plus 1.80% and will be collateralized by Fannie Mae's commitment to repay advances. There were no outstanding draws under this sublimit as of December 31, 2022. Newmark did not have any Fannie Mae loans in forbearance as of December 31, 2022.
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “Cantor Credit Agreement”) with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to Cantor, other than BGC Partners, Inc. ("BGC") and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor’s or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any outstanding balances under this facility.
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Credit Ratings
Newmark has a stand-alone BBB+ Stable credit rating from JCRA, BBB- Stable credit ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc. and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, and a BB+ Positive credit rating from S&P Global Ratings.
Nasdaq Monetization Transactions
On June 28, 2013, BGC sold certain assets of its on-the-run, electronic benchmark U.S. Treasury platform (“eSpeed”) to Nasdaq, Inc. The total consideration received in the transaction included $750.0 million in cash paid upon closing and an Earn-out of up to 14,883,705 shares of Nasdaq shares to be paid ratably over 15 years (subject to acceleration and present value discount as discussed below), provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in consolidated gross revenues each year. The remaining rights under the Nasdaq Earn-out were transferred to Newmark on September 28, 2017. During the third and fourth quarters of 2021, Newmark sold 2,780,180 shares of Nasdaq for gross proceeds of $516.5 million. During the first quarter of 2022, Newmark sold all of its remaining 2,497,831 Nasdaq shares for gross proceeds of $437.8 million. In the aggregate from September 2017 through March 31, 2022, Newmark received 10.2 million shares of Nasdaq, of which Newmark sold 7.6 million shares of Nasdaq and delivered 2.6 million shares of Nasdaq to RBC. For further information regarding sales of Nasdaq shares and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on such shares, see Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Exchangeable Preferred Partnership Units and Forward Contracts
On June 18, 2018, Newmark’s principal operating subsidiary, Newmark OpCo, issued $175.0 million of exchangeable preferred partnership units (“EPUs”) in a private transaction to the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”). Newmark received $152.9 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
On September 26, 2018, Newmark entered into a second agreement to issue $150.0 million of additional EPUs to RBC, similar to the June 18, 2018 transaction. Newmark received $113.2 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
The EPUs were issued in four tranches and were separately convertible by either RBC or Newmark into a fixed number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock, subject to a revenue hurdle in each of the fourth quarters of 2019 through 2022 for each of the respective four tranches. The ability to convert the EPUs into Newmark Class A common stock was subject to the special purpose vehicle's (the “SPV”) option to settle the postpaid forward contracts as described below. As the EPUs represented equity ownership of a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark, they have been included in “Noncontrolling interests” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of changes in equity. The EPUs were entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend, which was recorded as accretion to the carrying amount of the EPUs through “Retained earnings” on our accompanying consolidated statements of changes in equity and are reductions to “Net income (loss) available to common stockholders” for the purpose of calculating earnings per share.
Contemporaneously with the issuance of the EPUs, the SPV that is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark entered into four variable postpaid forward contracts with RBC (together, the “Nasdaq Forwards”). The SPV was an indirect subsidiary of Newmark whose sole assets were the Nasdaq Earn-outs for 2019 through 2022. Each of the Nasdaq Forwards provided the SPV the option to settle using up to 992,247 Nasdaq shares, to be received by the SPV pursuant to the Nasdaq Earn-out (see Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K ), or Newmark Class A common stock, in exchange for either cash or redemption of the EPUs, notice of which must be provided to RBC prior to November 1 of each year from 2019 through 2022 (subject to acceleration due to Nasdaq's transaction with Tradeweb Markets, Inc ("Tradeweb")).
In September 2020, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the second Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2020 in exchange for the second tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $121.9 million. On November 30, 2020, Newmark settled the second Nasdaq Forward with 741,505 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 250,742 Nasdaq shares.
In September 2019, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the first Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2019 in exchange for the first tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $98.6 million. On December 2, 2019, Newmark settled the first Nasdaq Forward with 898,685 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 93,562 Nasdaq shares.
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Acceleration of Nasdaq Earn-out
On February 2, 2021, Nasdaq announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. fixed income business to Tradeweb. On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq announced the closing of the sale of its U.S. fixed income business, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of Nasdaq shares. Newmark received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $1,093.9 million based on the closing price on June 30, 2021, included in “Other (loss) income, net” for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
On June 25, 2021, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received on June 25, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Newmark settled the third and the fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $166.0 million based on the closing price of June 30, 2021.
Master Repurchase Agreement with Cantor
On August 2, 2021, our subsidiary, Newmark OpCo, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with CF Secured, LLC (“CF Secured”), an affiliate of Newmark’s majority stockholder, Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark could seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. Repurchase agreements effect equity financing. The Company, under the Repurchase Agreement, could seek to sell securities, in this case common shares of Nasdaq, owned by the Company, to CF Secured, under the Repurchase Agreement, and agreed to repurchase those securities on a date certain at a repurchase price generally equal to the original purchase price plus interest.
Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, the Company and CF Secured agreed to enter into a repurchase transaction, wherein CF Secured would deliver the cash of such repurchase transaction to the Company on an overnight basis at an initial rate of 0.95% per annum (approximately 1.00% less expensive than Newmark’s revolving credit facility), and the Company would deliver to CF Secured the number of shares of Nasdaq as collateral so that the market value of such shares equaled 130% of such cash proceeds. The Nasdaq shares would be marked to market daily, and the minimum maintenance margin requirement, should the share price decline, would be 120% of such cash proceeds. The Company would be required to transfer additional collateral (securities and/or cash) in the event of a margin percentage decline below 120%.
The initial repurchase or financing transaction was executed on August 2, 2021 and consisted of Newmark receiving $260 million in cash and Newmark delivering 1,818,000 Nasdaq shares as collateral. The repurchase transaction could be rolled over daily (or for a term greater than one day at a time), subject to terms mutually acceptable to the Company and CF Secured, including the rate and minimum margin requirement, both of which could fluctuate based upon general funding rates and other factors in the repurchase funding market.
The Repurchase Agreement was subject to ongoing compliance with various covenants and contains customary events of default. If an event of default would have occurred, the repurchase date for each transaction under the Repurchase Agreement would have been accelerated to the date of default. For events of default relating to insolvency and receivership, the repurchase date for each transaction under the Repurchase Agreement would have been automatically accelerated to the date of default.
The Company utilized the cash proceeds from the repurchase transaction to lower its debt costs. The Company repaid the cash proceeds under the repurchase transaction with proceeds of periodic sales of Nasdaq shares and from its operating cash.
The Repurchase Agreement and related initial repurchase transaction were on market terms and rates and were approved by Newmark’s Audit Committee. There were no amounts outstanding under the Repurchase Agreement as of December 31, 2022, and $140.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2021. See Note 7 — "Marketable Securities" and Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2021 Equity Event and Share Count Reduction
In connection with the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out, on June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee of Newmark’s Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") approved a plan to expedite the tax deductible exchange and redemption of a substantial number of limited partnership units held by partners of the Company (the "2021 Equity Event"). The 2021 Equity Event also accelerated certain compensation expenses resulting in $428.6 million of compensation charges in the second quarter of 2021. These partnership units were settled using a $12.50 share price. In July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved increasing to $13.01 the price to settle certain units at an incremental cost of $15.9 million, which was recorded as compensation charges in the third quarter of 2021.
Some of the key components of the approved plan were as follows:
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•8.3 million and 8.0 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings, L.P. ("Newmark Holdings") and BGC Holdings, L.P. ("BGC Holdings") held by our partners who are employees were redeemed or exchanged.
•23.2 million and 17.4 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings held by our partners who are independent contractors were redeemed or exchanged. We also accelerated the payment of related withholding taxes to them with respect to their Newmark units. Independent contractors received one BGC Class A common share for each redeemed non-preferred BGC unit or cash and are responsible for paying any related withholding taxes.
•Partners with nonexchangeable non-preferred compensatory units exchanged or redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event generally received restricted Class A common shares of Newmark and/or BGC to the extent tax deductible. A portion of the BGC Class A common shares received by independent contractors were unrestricted to facilitate their payment of withholding taxes.
•The issuance of Newmark Class A common stock related to the 2021 Equity Event reflected the June 28, 2021 exchange ratio of 0.9403.
•Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings limited partnership interests with rights to convert into HDUs for cash were also redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event.
Refer to the section "Certain Other Related Party Transactions" below for the specific transactions with respect to our executive officers which are included in the above summary.
Certain Other Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
Gosin Employment Agreement
On February 10, 2023, Mr. Gosin entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Newmark OpCo and Newmark Holdings. In connection with the employment agreement, the Compensation Committee approved for a term through at least 2024 (i) an annual cash bonus of $1,500,000; (ii) an upfront advance award of 1,145,475 Newmark NPSUs (calculated by dividing $10,000,000 by the Company's stock price of $8.73 on February 10, 2023) attributable to each year of the term and (iii) a discretionary bonus, if any, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee. A copy of the employment agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023 and is described in detail therein.
Rispoli Employment Agreement
On September 29, 2022, Mr. Rispoli entered into an employment agreement with Newmark OpCo and Newmark Holdings. In connection with the employment agreement, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Rispoli: (i) an award of 500,000 Newmark RSUs granted in connection with the execution of the employment agreement, divided into tranches of 100,000 RSUs each that vest on a seven-year schedule; (ii) an award of 250,000 Newmark RSUs granted in connection with the execution of the employment agreement, divided into tranches of 50,000 RSUs each that vest on a seven-year schedule; and (iii) exchange rights into shares of Newmark Class A common stock with respect to 20,221 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Rispoli. A copy of the employment agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 3, 2022 and is described in detail therein.
Other Executive Compensation
On December 21, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved: (i) the redemption of all of Mr. Gosin’s remaining 838,996 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for $8,339,980 in cash and (ii) compensation of approximately $7,357,329 by way of the Company causing 478,328 of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 446,711 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock, based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and an exchange ratio of 0.9339. The estimated pre-tax value of this transaction is $15,697,309, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 53.13% tax rate for Mr. Gosin.
On December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick elected to redeem all of his 193,530 currently exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,465,873. In addition, upon the Compensation Committee’s approval of the monetization of Mr. Gosin’s remaining non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs and a number of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable PSUs on December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick (i) elected to redeem 188,883 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,954,728, and 127,799 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,284,376, both for which he previously waived, but now
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accepted under the Company’s standing policy for Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) received the right to monetize, and accepted the monetization of, his remaining 122,201 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,228,124, under such standing policy.
In connection with the foregoing, Mr. Lutnick accepted the right to monetize approximately $4,406,915 by way of the Company causing 286,511 of Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 267,572 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and a 0.9339 exchange ratio, under the Company’s standing policy applying to Mr. Lutnick, with such acceptance of rights granted in reference to Mr. Gosin’s December 2021 transactions to the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing (and otherwise Mr. Lutnick waived all remaining rights, which shall be cumulative). The aggregate estimated pre-tax value of these transactions is $10,340,015, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 57.38% tax rate for Mr. Lutnick.
On April 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an additional monetization opportunity for Mr. Merkel: (i) 73,387 of Mr. Merkel’s 145,384 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero, (ii) 19,426 of Mr. Merkel’s 86,649 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $173,863, and (iii) 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Merkel. On the same day, the 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were repurchased from Mr. Merkel at $10.67 per share, the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date, under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.8 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
On March 16, 2021, pursuant to the Newmark standing policy for Mr. Lutnick, the Compensation Committee granted exchange rights and/or monetization rights with respect to rights available to Mr. Lutnick. Mr. Lutnick elected to waive such rights one-time with such future opportunities to be cumulative. The aggregate number of Mr. Lutnick’s units for which he waived exchange rights or other monetization rights is 4,423,457 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs/NPSUs, inclusive of the PSUs receiving an HDU conversion right and 1,770,016 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with an aggregate determination amount of $21.6 million at that time, inclusive of the PPSUs receiving an HDU conversion right.
On March 16, 2021, the Company redeemed 30,926 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Merkel for zero and in connection therewith issued 28,962 shares of our Class A common stock. On the same day, the Company repurchased these shares from Mr. Merkel at the closing price of our Class A common stock of $11.09 per share under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.3 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings. The Compensation Committee approved these transactions.
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Gosin exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 526,828 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 30,871 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs held by Mr. Gosin (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $5.8 million in the aggregate). In addition, on March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved removing the sale restrictions on Mr. Gosin’s remaining 178,232 restricted shares of Class A common stock in BGC (which were originally issued in 2013) and associated 82,680 remaining restricted shares of Newmark Class A common stock (issued as a result of the Company spin-off in November 2018).
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Rispoli (i) exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 6,043 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $0.1 million); and (ii) exchange rights into cash with respect to 4,907 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which had an average determination price of $15.57 per unit, for a total of $76,407 in the aggregate to be paid for taxes when (i) is exchanged).
Howard W. Lutnick, Chairman
On December 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a one-time bonus award to Mr. Lutnick (the “Award”), which was evidenced by the execution and delivery of a Retention Bonus Agreement dated December 28, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and described below (the “Award Agreement”), in consideration of his success in managing certain aspects of the Company’s performance as its principal executive officer and Chairman. The Award rewarded Mr. Lutnick for his efforts in delivering superior financial results for the Company and its stockholders, including in particular his success in creating substantial value for the Company and its stockholders in connection with creating, structuring, hedging and monetizing the forward share contract to receive over time shares of common stock of Nasdaq, Inc. (the “Nasdaq Derivative”) held by the Company (together, the “Nasdaq Shares”) and the strong balance sheet and significant amount of income created from the Nasdaq Derivative. A principal reason for structuring the Award with a substantial portion to be paid out over three years was also to further incentivize Mr. Lutnick to continue to serve as both the Company’s principal executive officer and its Chairman
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for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders. The Award is the subject of legal challenge. See the heading "Derivative Suits" below.
The Award Agreement provides for an aggregate cash payment of $50 million, payable as follows: $20 million within three days of the Effective Date (which payment was made on December 31, 2021), and $10 million within thirty days following vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Effective Date. Any entitlement to future amounts not vested will be forfeited immediately if, prior to the applicable anniversary date, Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer, unless Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve in either such capacity occurs pursuant to a “Vesting Termination,” as that term is defined in the Award Agreement. Mr. Lutnick has purchased Newmark Class A Common Stock with the after-tax proceeds of the initial tranche of the Award. The Award Agreement describes a “Vesting Termination” as (i) a termination of Mr. Lutnick’s employment by the Company without “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Award Agreement) or (ii) an involuntary removal of the Executive from the position of Chairman of the Board on or after the occurrence of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in the Change of Control Agreement dated as of December 13, 2017 by and between Mr. Lutnick and the Company (the “Control Agreement”). In the event that Mr. Lutnick ceases to serve as both the Company’s Chairman and its principal executive officer pursuant to a Vesting Termination, any amounts not vested will immediately become fully vested. The Award Agreement provides that Mr. Lutnick ceasing to serve as the Company’s Chairman and principal executive officer pursuant to his death or disability does not constitute a Vesting Termination. The provisions of the Control Agreement do not apply to the Award. A copy of the Award Agreement was attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 29, 2021 and is described in detail under the heading “2021 Lutnick Award” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on August 15, 2022.
2021 Equity Event
The specific transactions approved by the Compensation Committee, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, with respect to our executive officers are set forth below. All of the transactions included in the 2021 Equity Event with respect to Messrs. Lutnick, Gosin and Rispoli, are based on (i) the price for Newmark Class A common stock of $12.50 per share, as approved by the Compensation Committee; (ii) the price of BGC Partners Class A common stock of $5.86; and (iii) the price of Nasdaq common stock of $177.11.
On June 28, 2021, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, the Newmark Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Lutnick: (i) the exchange of 279,725 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 263,025 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then applicable exchange ratio of 0.9403; and $1,465,874 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable 193,530 Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with the right to exchange PSUs into HDUs (“H-Rights”) into 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and redemption of such HDUs for their Capital Account of $7,017,000, paid in the form of Nasdaq Shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with -H were redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 520,380 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 520,380 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners, and $1,525,705 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the redemption of 88,636 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, and the issuance of 88,636 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; (v) the conversion of 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs and $7,983,000 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s BGC Holdings PPSUs with H- Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes in connection with the exercise of the exercise of the BGC Holdings HDUs; and (vi) the issuance of 29,059 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark. In accordance with Mr. Lutnick’s right under his existing standing policy, and in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, upon the approval of the Newmark Compensation Committee: (i) 2,909,819 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs, pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, were redeemed and 2,736,103 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark, based upon the then applicable exchange ratio of 0.9403, were granted to Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) $8,798,546 associated with Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy was redeemed and used for tax purposes. See “Executive Compensation” in our proxy statement filed August 15, 2022 for additional information and definitions.
Barry M. Gosin, Chief Executive Officer
On September 20, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a monetization opportunity for Mr. Gosin: all of Mr. Gosin’s 2,114,546 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs were redeemed for 0 and 2,114,456 shares of BGC Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Gosin. Effective as of April 14, 2022, Mr. Gosin’s 905,371 BGC Holdings HDUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $3,521,893 based upon a price of $3.89 per unit, which was the closing price of BGC Partners Class A common stock on April 14, 2022.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Barry M. Gosin, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer: (i) the exchange of 1,531,061.84 exchangeable Newmark Holdings units (comprised of 1,438,597.37 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 92,464.47 exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs) into 1,439,658 shares of
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Class A common stock of Newmark based upon the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and $834,508 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) the conversion of 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs, and redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $5,362,452, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $5,362,452 in connection with Mr. Gosin’s Newmark Holdings PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the exchange of 3,348,706 exchangeable BGC Holdings units (comprised of 3,147,085 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs and 201,621 exchangeable BGC Holdings APSUs) into 3,348,706 shares of Class A common stock of BGC Partners; and $298,273 associated with Mr. Gosin’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the conversion of 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs, and $1,129,499 associated with Mr. Gosin non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 12,500 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
Michael J. Rispoli, Chief Financial Officer
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Michael Rispoli, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer: (i) the exchange of 23,124 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 21,744 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark based on the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403 and $208,407 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (ii) 6,000 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed and an aggregate of 5,642 restricted shares of Newmark were issued to Mr. Rispoli based upon the then current exchange ratio of 0.9403, and $52,309 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iii) the conversion of 5,846.07 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 5,846 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and the redemption of such HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $60,750, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares issued at $177.11 per share (which was the NASDAQ closing price as of June 28, 2021); and $60,750 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s PPSUs with H-Rights was redeemed and used for tax purposes; (iv) the exchange of 36,985 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 36,985 shares of Class A common stock of BGC, and $134,573 associated with Mr. Rispoli’s exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs was redeemed and used for tax purposes; and (v) the issuance of 383 shares of Class A common stock of Newmark.
Stephen M. Merkel, Chief Legal Officer
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee also approved the following for Stephen M. Merkel, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer: (i) the redemption of 51,124.28 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and issuance of 48,072 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the then-current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and (ii) the redemption of 46,349.87 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.3 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of the shares above.
Retirement Fund Purchase
On April 27, 2021, a Keogh retirement account held by Mr. Lutnick purchased 5,154 shares of our Class A common stock from us at the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date of $10.67 per share. The transaction was approved by our Audit Committee.
CF Real Estate Finance Holdings, LP.
Contemporaneously with the acquisition of Berkeley Point, on September 8, 2017, Newmark invested $100.0 million in a newly formed commercial real estate-related financial and investment business, Real Estate LP, which is controlled and managed by Cantor. Real Estate LP may conduct activities in any real estate related business or asset backed securities related business or any extensions thereof and ancillary activities thereto. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, Newmark’s investment was accounted for under the equity method (see Note 8 — “Investments”). Newmark holds a redemption option in which Real Estate LP can redeem in full Newmark’s investment in Real Estate LP in exchange for Newmark’s capital account balance in Real Estate LP as of such time.
Amendment of Real Estate LP Joint Venture Agreement and Payment of Administrative Fee
In December 2022, the Audit Committee authorized a subsidiary of Newmark to rescind its July 20, 2022 written notice exercising the optional redemption of its 27.2% ownership interest in Real Estate LP and amend the joint venture agreement between Newmark and Real Estate LP to provide for a redemption option for this investment after July 1, 2023, with proceeds to be received within 20 days of the redemption notice. A payment of a $44.0 thousand administrative fee was made to Newmark in connection with such amendment.
Pre-IPO intercompany agreements
In December 2017, prior to our Separation and IPO, all intercompany arrangements and agreements that were previously approved by the Audit Committee of BGC Partners with respect to BGC Partners and its subsidiaries and Cantor and its subsidiaries were also approved by our Board of Directors with respect to the relationships between us and our subsidiaries
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and Cantor and its subsidiaries following our IPO on the terms and conditions approved by the BGC Audit Committee during such time that our business was owned by BGC Partners. These arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) an authorization to provide Cantor real estate and related services, including real estate advice, brokerage, property or facilities management, valuation and advisory and other services; (ii) an authorization to enter into brokerage and similar agreements with respect to the provision of ordinary course brokerage services in circumstances in which such entities customarily provide brokerage services to third-party customers; (iii) an authorization to enter into agreements with Cantor and/or its affiliates, to provide services, including finding and reviewing suitable acquisition or partner candidates, structuring transactions and negotiating and due diligence services in connection with acquisitions and other business strategies in commercial real estate and other businesses from time to time; and (iv) an arrangement to jointly manage exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates.
Services Agreement with CFE Dubai
As the Company does not yet have a presence in Dubai, in May 2020, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc. (“Newmark & Co.”), a subsidiary of Newmark, to enter into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) (“CFE Dubai”) pursuant to which CFE Dubai will employ and support an individual who is a resident of Dubai in order to enhance Newmark’s capital markets platform, in exchange for a fee. CFE Dubai and Newmark & Co. negotiated a Services Agreement memorializing the arrangement between the parties (the “Services Agreement”). The Services Agreement provides that Newmark & Co. will reimburse CFE Dubai for the individual’s fully allocated costs, plus a mark-up of seven percent (7%). In addition, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into similar arrangements in respect of any jurisdiction, in the future, with Cantor and its subsidiaries, provided that the applicable agreements contain customary terms for arrangements of this type and that the mark-up charged by the party employing one or more individuals for the benefit of the other is between 3% and 7.5%, depending on the level of support required for the employed individual(s).
Sublease to BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.
On May 15 2020, BGC U.S. OpCo ("BGC OpCo") entered into an arrangement to sublease excess space from RKF Retail Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Newmark, which was approved by the Newmark Audit Committee. The deal was a one-year sublease of approximately 21,000 rentable square feet in New York City. Under the terms of the sublease, BGC OpCo paid a fixed rent amount of $1.1 million in addition to all operating and tax expenses attributable to the lease. In May 2021, the sublease was amended to provide for a rate of $15 thousand per month based on the size of utilized space, in addition to terms extending on a month-to-month basis. The lease with BGC OpCo ended in December 2021. Newmark received $0.5 million from BGC OpCo for the year ended December 31, 2021.
In January 2022, Cantor entered into an agreement to sublease this space for a period of six months until June 30, 2022 at a rate of $0.1 million per month. In July 2022, the sublease was extended one year to June 30, 2023. Newmark received $1.0 million from Cantor for the year ended December 31, 2022.
GSE loans and related party limits
In February 2019, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to originate and service GSE loans to Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) and service loans originated by Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) on prices, rates and terms no less favorable to Newmark and its subsidiaries than those charged by third parties. The authorization is subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to: (i) a maximum amount up to $100.0 million per loan, (ii) a $250.0 million limit on loans that have not yet been acquired or sold to a GSE at any given time, and (iii) a separate $250.0 million limit on originated Fannie Mae loans outstanding to Cantor at any given time.
Transaction with CCRE Lending
On July 22, 2019, Cantor Commercial Real Estate Lending, L.P. (“CCRE Lending”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Real Estate LP, made a $146.6 million commercial real estate loan (the “Loan”) to a single-purpose company (the “Borrower”) in which Barry Gosin, Newmark’s Chief Executive Officer, owns a 19% interest. The Loan is secured by the Borrower’s interest in property in Pennsylvania that is subject to a ground lease. While CCRE Lending initially provided the full loan amount, on August 16, 2019, a third-party bank purchased approximately 80% of the Loan value from CCRE Lending, with CCRE Lending retaining approximately 20%. The Loan matures on August 6, 2029, and is payable monthly at a fixed interest rate of 4.38% per annum.
Transactions related to ordinary course real estate services
On November 4, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors authorized entities in which executive officers have a non-controlling interest to engage Newmark to provide ordinary course real estate services to them as long as Newmark’s fees are consistent with the fees that Newmark ordinarily charges for these services.
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Arrangement with View, Inc.
On November 30, 2020, Newmark entered into an arrangement to assist View, Inc. (“View”) in the sale of its products and services to real estate clients in exchange for commissions. View, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based producer of high-efficiency dynamic glass that controls light, heat, and glare, providing unobstructed views and privacy using a low voltage control system. In connection with the arrangement, View also agreed to engage Newmark as its exclusive provider of real estate services for a period of at least five years. While View is not under common control with Newmark, it was, at the time that the agreement was executed, the target of a merger with CF Finance Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
Cantor has a right to purchase from Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event that any Newmark Holdings founding partner interests that have not become exchangeable are redeemed by Newmark Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of a founding partner or upon mutual consent of the general partner of Newmark Holdings and Cantor. Cantor has the right to purchase such Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests at a price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount that Newmark Holdings would be required to pay to redeem and purchase such Newmark Holdings founding partner interests and (2) the amount equal to (a) the number of units underlying such founding partner interests, multiplied by (b) the exchange ratio as of the date of such purchase, multiplied by (c) the then-current market price of our Class A common stock. Cantor may pay such price using cash, publicly traded shares or other property, or a combination of the foregoing. If Cantor (or the other member of the Cantor group acquiring such limited partnership interests, as the case may be) so purchases such limited partnership interests at a price equal to clause (2) above, neither Cantor nor any member of the Cantor group nor Newmark Holdings nor any other person is obligated to pay Newmark Holdings or the holder of such founding partner interests any amount in excess of the amount set forth in clause (2) above.
In addition, the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement provides that (1) where either current, terminating or terminated partners are permitted by us to exchange any portion of their founding partner units and Cantor consents to such exchangeability, we will offer to Cantor the opportunity for Cantor to purchase the same number of new exchangeable limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings at the price that Cantor would have paid for exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event we had redeemed the founding partner units; and (2) the exchangeable limited partnership interests to be offered to Cantor pursuant to clause (1) above would be subject to, and granted in accordance with, applicable laws, rules and regulations then in effect.
If Cantor acquires any units as a result of the purchase or redemption by Newmark Holdings of any founding partner interests, Cantor will be entitled to the benefits (including distributions) of the units it acquires from the date of termination or bankruptcy of the applicable founding partner. In addition, any such units will be exchangeable by Cantor for a number of shares of our Class B common stock or, at Cantor’s election, shares of our Class A common stock, in each case, equal to the then-current exchange ratio, on the same basis as the limited partnership interests held by Cantor, and will be designated as Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests when acquired by Cantor. The exchange ratio was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and was 0.9303 as of December 31, 2022. This may permit Cantor to receive a larger share of income generated by our business at a less expensive price than through purchasing shares of our Class A common stock, which is a result of the price payable by Cantor to Newmark.
On March 31, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 273,088 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,105,598 as a result of the redemption of 273,088 founding partner interests, and (ii) 735,625 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $2,918,919 as a result of the exchange of 735,625 founding partner interests.
On October 28, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 299,910 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $975,064 as a result of the redemption of 299,910 founding partner interests, and (ii) 523,284 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,898,363 as a result of the exchange of 523,284 founding partner interests.
On May 17, 2022, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 184,714 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $763,064 as a result of the redemption of 184,714 founding partner interests, and (ii) 23,562 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $100,079 as a result of the exchange of 23,562 founding partner interests.
On October 25, 2022, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 104,701 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $446,647 as a result of the redemption of 104,701 founding partner interests,
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and (ii) 102,454 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $272,100 as a result of the exchange of 102,454 founding partner interests.
Following such purchases, as of February 22, 2023 there were 218,424 founding partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor currently has the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor units following such redemption or exchange.
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Newmark Holdings
On March 10, 2023, Newmark Holdings entered into an Amendment (the “LPA Amendment”) to its Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated as of December 13, 2017 (the “Holdings LPA”). The LPA Amendment revises certain restrictive covenants pertaining to the “Partner Obligations” and “Competitive Activity” provisions in the Holdings LPA. Specifically, the LPA Amendment (i) reduces the length of the post-termination period during which a partner must refrain from soliciting or doing business with customers, soliciting employees, engaging in a “Competing Business” (as defined therein), or otherwise refraining from harming the partnership; and (ii) revises the scope of the non-compete provisions under the “Partner Obligations” and “Competitive Activity” provisions in the Holdings LPA to cover “Competing Businesses” for which a partner performs the same or similar services as provided to a "Protected Affiliate" (as defined therein) and (a) involving a product, product line or type, or service of a “Protected Affiliate” within a specific geographic area, (b) involving a “Client” or a “Client Representative” (each as defined therein) of a Protected Affiliate, or (c) for which the disclosure of confidential information is likely to be inevitable. The LPA Amendment was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and Audit and Compensation Committees.
Special Purpose Acquisition Company
In April 2021, Newmark OpCo and Cantor entered into various arrangements pursuant to which they agreed to co-sponsor a special purpose acquisition company, named Newmark Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”), in which certain of our executive officers are executive officers and are expected to be directors. Pursuant to a purchase agreement, Newmark OpCo purchased from Cantor a 75% equity interest in an entity now known as Newmark Acquisition Holdings, LLC, the sponsor of the SPAC (the “Sponsor”), for $18.8 thousand, with Cantor retaining the remaining 25% equity interest in the Sponsor. Pursuant to an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the Sponsor, Newmark OpCo is the managing member of the Sponsor, and Newmark OpCo and Cantor have agreed to make additional equity contributions to the Sponsor in order to fund the obligations of the Sponsor with respect to the SPAC in proportion to their equity ownership in the Sponsor. Also, in April 2021, the Sponsor agreed to lend to the SPAC up to $0.3 million without interest in order to cover expenses related to any initial public offering of the SPAC; the maturity date of the loan is the earlier of the consummation of the initial public offering of the SPAC and December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022 there was no outstanding balance on this loan.
Knotel Assets
As part of the Knotel acquisition, Newmark assigned the rights to acquire certain Knotel assets to a subsidiary of Cantor, on the terms that if the subsidiary monetized the sale of these assets, Newmark would receive 10% of the proceeds of the sale after the subsidiary recoups its investment in the assets.
Employment Matters
On June 28, 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark to hire a son of its Chairman as a full-time employee of its Knotel business with an annual base salary of $125,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 30% of base salary. The arrangement includes a potential profit participation consistent with other entrepreneurial arrangements in the event of certain liquidity events related to businesses developed by him. In June 2022, the Audit Committee approved ordinary course compensation adjustments and expense, travel and housing reimbursement for him in accordance with standard Company policies up to $250,000 in total compensation without further Committee review.
Referral Fees to Cantor
In September 2021, the Audit Committee approved the payment of a referral fee from Newmark to Cantor Realty Capital Advisors, L.P. (“CRCA”), a subsidiary of Cantor, in relation to CRCA’s referral to Newmark of a sale and lease back transaction for a portfolio of medical office properties. Newmark paid CRCA approximately $0.3 million for the referral of the portfolio sale. Newmark management negotiated the referral arrangement with CRCA in the ordinary course of business and the arrangement is reasonable and consistent with referral arrangements of its type between unrelated parties.
Additionally, in September 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to pay referral fees to Cantor and its subsidiaries (other than Newmark and its subsidiaries) in respect of referred business, pursuant to ordinary course arrangements in circumstances where Newmark would customarily pay referral fees to unrelated third parties and where Newmark is paying a referral fee to Cantor in an amount that is no more than the applicable percentage rate set forth in Newmark’s intra-company referral policies, as then in effect, with such fees to be at referral rates no less favorable to Newmark than would be paid to unrelated third parties.
Acquisition of Spring11 Ownership Interest from Cantor
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In February 2023, Newmark's subsidiary, Newmark S11 Holdings, LLC (“Newmark S11”) entered into an equity purchase agreement with CFS11 Holdings, LLC (“CFS11”), a subsidiary of Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark acquired CFS11’s 33.78% ownership interest in Newmark S11 LP, LLC, the joint venture that owns a controlling interest in Spring11 Holdings, LP (“Spring11”), for a total purchase price of $11,530,598. The transaction, which also included Newmark S11 buying the remaining minority interests from other third-party owners on substantially the same terms, resulted in Newmark S11 owning 100% of Spring11. The CFS11 transaction was approved by our Audit Committee.
Key Business Drivers
Key drivers for U.S. commercial real estate services companies include the overall health of the U.S. economy, institutional ownership of commercial real estate as an investible asset class, and the ability to attract and retain talent. In our investment sales and mortgage brokerage businesses, the availability of credit and certainty of valuations to investors are key drivers. In our multifamily business, demographic and economic factors are driving increased demand for new apartments. For example, in June of 2021, the National Association of Realtors said the U.S. has not constructed enough housing to keep up with population growth for many years, and that the country has a deficit of 1.1 million units in buildings with two to four units and of 2.4 million units in buildings of at least five units according to "U.S. Housing Market Needs 5.5 Million More Units, Says New Report" from The Wall Street Journal. In July of 2022, a report published by the National Multifamily Housing Council and the National Apartment Association said that the U.S. needs 4.3 million new apartments over the next 13 years just to meet projected demand. This strong demand for new housing should continue to drive growth across our investment sales, GSE/FHA multifamily origination, mortgage brokerage, and servicing businesses over time.
Our GSE/FHA origination business is also impacted by the lending caps imposed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”). On October 13, 2021, the FHFA announced that the 2022 multifamily loan purchase caps would be $78 billion for each GSE, for a combined total of $156 billion. The 2022 caps required that at least 50% of the GSEs' multifamily business to be mission-driven, affordable housing. FHFA also required that at least 25% of the GSE's 2022 multifamily business be affordable to residents at or below 60% of area median income (AMI), up from 20% in 2021. The 2022 caps were based on FHFA's initial projections of the overall growth of the multifamily originations market. Had the caps been reached, the GSE's loan purchases would have increased by 11.4% in 2022. The actual combined GSE volume was $142 billion in 2022, or a year-on-year increase of 1.7%. We believe that the GSEs did not meet the caps in part due to the unexpected slowdown in overall U.S. multifamily loan origination volumes from all sources. On November 10, 2022, the FHFA announced that the 2023 multifamily loan purchase caps would be $75 billion for each GSE, for a combined total of $150 billion. If reached, these caps imply combined GSE loan purchase volume increases of 5.6% and 7%, respectively, compared with 2022 and 2021. The mission-driven requirements were further refined, with the goal of encouraging the financing and construction of more such housing.
Economic Outlook in the United States
COVID-19 adversely affected the economic outlook beginning in March of 2020. Following a 3.4% contraction in 2020, U.S. gross domestic product expanded by 5.9% in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to the most recent estimates from the same source, U.S. GDP contracted at an annualized rate of 1.6% and 0.6%, respectively, in the first and second quarters of 2022. In third and fourth quarters of 2022, it grew by annualized 3.2% and 2.7%, respectively. The second half of 2022 return to GDP growth was driven by various factors, including increases in private inventory investment, consumer spending, nonresidential fixed investment, federal government spending, and state and local government spending that were partly offset by decreases in residential fixed investment and exports. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, also declined. The most recent estimate is that U.S. GDP increased by 2.1% for calendar year 2022. The current consensus is that U.S. GDP will increase slowly in 2023, and then resume growth more in-line with pre-pandemic levels thereafter. For example, as of February 22, 2023, the Bloomberg consensus of economists was for U.S. GDP to expand at an annualized rate of 1.4%, 1.3%, and 0.4% in the first through third quarters of 2023, respectively, and contract by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of the year. The consensus is also for GDP to grow by 0.7% for all of 2023, and then by 1.2% in 2024 and 2.0% in 2025. For context, over the ten years ended December 31, 2019, U.S. real GDP grew at an average of approximately 2.2% per year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the monthly average of non-farm payroll employment increased by a seasonally adjusted monthly average of 606 thousand, net, during 2021, which was the highest such figure since record keeping began. Based on a preliminary report from the same source, strong job growth continued in 2022, with average monthly gains averaging 374 thousand on the same basis. For context, this figure averaged 128 thousand over the ten years ending December 31, 2019. The U.S. unemployment rate (based on U3) declined to 3.5% in December 2022, compared with 3.9 % in December 2021 and a high of 14.8% in April of 2020, and thus ended the year at the same rate as in February 2020. In comparison, the last time the U.S. unemployment rate was near these low levels was 1969, when unemployment reached 3.4%.
The ten-year Treasury yield increased by 236 basis points to approximately 3.9% as of December 31, 2022, compared with a year-earlier. As of year end 2022, ten-year Treasury yields still remained below their 50-year average of approximately 6.0%, despite the recent increase. On September 22, 2023 and November 2, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) announced two separate increases to the upper bound of their target range for the federal funds rate of 75 basis points each, in order to curb inflation. The FOMC increased the upper bound by another 50 basis points and 25 basis points,
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respectively, in December of 2022 and February of 2023. As a result, the federal funds rate increased at the fastest pace of any quarter in over 30 years in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The FOMC said that it anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate in order to return annual inflation to its long-term goal of 2 percent over time. This increase in inflation is due in part to tight labor market conditions as well as to other factors, such continued supply chain issues related to the pandemic as well as higher commodity prices due largely to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The FOMC also stated that it plans to continue reducing the $8.4 trillion portfolio of securities it holds (as of February 15, 2023), including long-term agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasuries. These securities were purchased as part of the Fed's quantitative easing program designed to hold down long-term interest rates, and the FOMC previously indicated that a maximum of $60 billion in Treasury purchases and $35 billion in mortgage-backed securities purchases would be allowed to roll off, phased in over three months starting June 1, 2022.
Economists generally expect long-term U.S. interest rates to increase versus where they were in 2022, but to remain below the long-term historical averages foreseeable future (as discussed above). For example, as February 22, 2023, the Bloomberg consensus was for the ten-year Treasury yield to be approximately 3.7%, 3.6%, 3.5%, and 3.2% by the ends of the second quarter of 2023, the third quarter of 2023, the fourth quarter of 2023, and calendar year 2024, respectively. However, short-term yields are expected to rise considerably compared with low levels seen for most of the period from the end of 2008 through early 2022 as per the same Bloomberg survey. While the upper bound of the Fed Funds Target rate averaged 0.64% from December 31, 2008 through February 28, 2022, it was 4.75% as of February 1, 2023. The Bloomberg consensus is for this Target rate to be 5.25%, 5.20%, 5.05%, and 3.40%, respectively, by the ends of the second quarter of 2023, the third quarter of 2023, the fourth quarter of 2023, and calendar year 2024. Following the most recent FOMC rate increase and the release of subsequent economic data, the Treasury futures market indicated that traders expect similar forward yields. For additional context, the upper bound of the Fed Funds Target rate averaged 4.91% and 3.11% over the 50 and 25 years ended December 31, 2022.
Market Statistics
Commercial real estate capital markets transactions involving financing generally utilize medium- or long-term debt, and the interest rates for such debt tend to correlate with movements in benchmark rates with similar tenors, including U.S. Treasuries. Such benchmark rates can be meaningfully impacted by movements in key short-term rates, such as the Fed Funds Target rate. Sudden increases in short term interest rates can therefore have pronounced effects on the commercial mortgage origination and investment sales volumes. In 2022, global benchmark interest rates rose at the fastest pace since at least the early 1990s, according to Fitch, which led to challenging market conditions across commercial real estate capital markets for Newmark and the industry. In addition, volumes were, and likely will be, impacted by the recent increase in interest rate and credit spread volatility, as well as the gap between commercial real estate buyer and seller expectations.
According to preliminary estimates from CoStar, value-weighted prices for U.S. commercial real estate declined by 1.6% over the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, but were 27.3% higher than in February 2020, which was before the onset of the global pandemic. This was the third consecutive quarterly slowdown in price appreciation as measured by this index. Separately, RCA currently estimates that 2022 U.S. investment sales declined by 15.1% year-on-year. In comparison, Newmark's annual investment sales volumes decreased by 18.7% compared with 2021. According to preliminary data from RCA, Newmark's average investment sales transaction size was approximately 45% larger than the weighted average of brokered U.S. deals in 2022. We believe that larger deal sizes are more likely to require debt financing, and that such financing became more difficult given the recent sharp rise in interest rates. We have gained market share in U.S. investment sales, however, compared with before the pandemic. Our 2022 investment sales volumes were up by approximately 41% versus 2019, while RCA's U.S. volumes increased by 21% over the same timeframe.
Newmark annual volumes from mortgage brokerage and GSE/FHA originations (together, "total debt") were down by 9.0% versus 2021. We believe we gained market share in total debt for the year, as the MBA stated that the notional dollar volume of all commercial and multifamily lending decreased in the U.S. by 10% in 2022 versus 2021. Newmark’s loan origination volumes are driven more by the GSE multifamily financing volumes than the activity level of the overall commercial mortgage market. Overall industry GSE multifamily origination volume decreased by 4% in 2022 compared with 2021, per the MBA. In comparison, Newmark's GSE/FHA origination volumes declined by 13.7% over the same period, while our total debt volumes in multifamily were down by 14.9%. Certain GSE multifamily volume statistics for the industry are based on when loans are sold and/or securitized, and typically lag those reported by the MBA or by Newmark and its competitors by 30 to 45 days.
We believe that we have gained significant market share in commercial real estate debt since prior to the pandemic, since our total debt volumes for all property types and for multifamily increased by approximately 50% and 62%, respectively, between 2019 and 2022. In comparison, the MBA reports that originations for all property types and for multifamily increased by approximately 6% and 27%, respectively, over the same timeframe.
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Given the expected continued increase in interest rates discussed above, we anticipate overall U.S. investment sales and mortgage brokerage volumes to decline year-on-year through at least the first for half of 2023. For context, the initial estimate from MSCI Real Capital Analytics ("RCA") is that U.S. investment sales notional volumes decreased by 66% year-over-year in January 2023, while the Mortgage Bankers’ Association ("MBA") estimates that commercial and multifamily lending will decline by in the U.S. by 15% in 2023 but increase by 32% in 2024. We believe that the current challenging market conditions have created an opportunity for Newmark to solidify its position as the platform of choice for many of the real estate industry’s top professionals. When activity rebounds, we expect our market share, revenues, and earnings to outperform the industry. While the macroeconomic environment may be challenging in the short-term, we remain excited about our market position and our future.
Regulatory Environment
See “Business—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our regulatory environment.
Liquidity
See “—Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources” herein for information related to our liquidity and capital resources.
Financial Overview
Revenues
We derive revenues from the following general four sources:
•Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. We provide commercial services to tenants and landlords. In this business, we provide property and facilities management services along with project management, valuation and advisory services and other consulting services, as well as technology, to customers who may also utilize our commercial real estate brokerage services, and flexible workspace solutions. Servicing fees are derived from the servicing of loans originated by us as well as loans originated by third parties.
•Leasing and Other Commissions. We offer a diverse range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, including tenant and agency representation, which includes comprehensive lease negotiations, strategic planning, site selection, lease auditing, and other financial and market analysis.
•Investment Sales. Our real estate capital markets business specializes in the arrangement of acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, as well as providing other financial services, including the arrangement of debt and equity financing, and loan sale advisory.
•Commercial Mortgage Origination, net. We offer services and products to facilitate debt financing for our clients and customers. Commercial mortgage origination revenue is comprised of commissions generated from mortgage brokerage and debt and equity placement services, as well as the origination fees and premiums derived from the origination of GSE/FHA loans with borrowers and the sale of those loans to investors. Our commercial mortgage origination revenue also includes the revenue recognized for the fair value of expected net future cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment.
Fees are generally earned when a lease is signed. In many cases, landlords are responsible for paying the fees. In capital markets, fees are earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer for investment sales and when debt or equity is funded to a vehicle for debt and equity transactions. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized when a derivative asset is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. Loan originations related fees and sales premiums, net, are recognized net of related fees and commissions to affiliates or third-party brokers. For loans we broker, revenues are recognized when the loan is closed.
Servicing fees are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. We typically receive monthly management fees based upon a percentage of monthly rental income generated from the property under management, or in some cases, the greater of such percentage or a minimum agreed upon fee. We are often reimbursed for our administrative and payroll costs, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, directly attributable to properties under management. We follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or “U.S. GAAP”, which provides guidance when accounting for reimbursements from clients and when accounting for certain contingent events for Leasing and Capital Markets transactions. See Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.
Expenses
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(i) Compensation and Employee Benefits
The majority of our operating costs consist of cash and non-cash compensation expenses, which include base salaries, producer commissions based on production, forgivable loans for term contracts, discretionary and other bonuses and all related employee benefits and taxes. Our employees consist of commissioned producers, executives and other administrative support. Our producers are largely compensated based on the revenue they generate for the firm, keeping these costs variable in nature.
As part of our compensation plans, certain employees have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and, prior to our 2017 IPO, BGC Holdings, which generally receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. Certain Newmark employees also hold non-distribution earnings units (e.g. NPSUs and NREUs, collectively “N Units”) that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. These N Units vest into distribution earnings units over a 4-year period. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Newmark granted conversion rights on outstanding limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings to Newmark employees to convert the limited partnership units to a capital balance within Newmark Holdings or BGC Holdings. Generally, such units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that we record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs”. The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout amount is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Our employees have been awarded preferred partnership units (“Preferred Units”) in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings. Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are allocated to such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation (the “Preferred Distribution”), which is deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, respectively. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into our Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly they are not included in our fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are also reflected in compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross amount of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans, which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on their limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the service period.
From time to time, we may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. In addition, we also enter into deferred compensation agreements with employees providing services to us. The costs associated with such plans are generally amortized over the period in which they vest. (See Note 30 — “Compensation” and Note 31 —
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“Commitment and Contingencies”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
(ii) Other Operating Expenses
We have various other operating expenses. We incur leasing, equipment and maintenance expenses. We also incur selling and promotion expenses, which include entertainment, marketing and travel-related expenses. We incur communication expenses, professional and consulting fees for legal, audit and other special projects, and interest expense related to short-term operational funding needs, and notes payable and collateralized borrowings.
We pay fees to Cantor for performing certain administrative and other support, including charges for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources, legal services and technology infrastructure support. Management believes that these charges are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services rendered. However, the expenses for these services are not necessarily indicative of the expenses that would have been incurred if we had not obtained these services from Cantor. In addition, these charges may not reflect the costs of services we may receive from Cantor in the future.
(iii) Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net is comprised of the gains associated with the Earn-out shares related to the Nasdaq Transaction and the movements related to the impact of any realized and unrealized cash and non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses related to the Nasdaq common shares held, and the Nasdaq Forwards. Additionally, other income includes gains (losses) on cost and equity method investments which represent our pro rata share of the net gains (losses) on investments over which we have significant influence but which we do not control, and the mark-to-market gains or losses on the non-marketable investments.
(iv) Provision for Income Taxes
We incur income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of our subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax (which we refer to as “UBT”) in New York City. U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of UBT, rests with the partners (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) rather than the partnership entity. Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., we operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management services, servicing fees and other | $ | 909,485 | 33.6 | % | $ | 915,715 | 31.5 | % | $ | 626,136 | 32.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Leasing and other commissions | 831,874 | 30.7 | 826,942 | 28.5 | 513,842 | 27.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment sales | 606,416 | 22.4 | 757,744 | 26.1 | 403,971 | 21.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage origination, net | 357,752 | 13.2 | 406,042 | 14.0 | 361,049 | 19.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,705,527 | 100.0 | 2,906,443 | 100.0 | 1,904,998 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and employee benefits | 1,554,784 | 57.5 | 1,828,887 | 62.9 | 1,147,360 | 60.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (1) | 138,312 | 5.1 | 356,345 | 12.3 | 130,759 | 6.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation and employee benefits | 1,693,096 | 62.6 | 2,185,232 | 75.2 | 1,278,119 | 67.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating, administrative and other | 534,843 | 19.8 | 553,623 | 19.0 | 294,405 | 15.5 |
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| Fees to related parties | 28,502 | 1.1 | 23,789 | 0.8 | 22,573 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation and amortization | 165,816 | 6.1 | 121,729 | 4.2 | 141,193 | 7.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,422,257 | 89.5 | 2,884,373 | 99.2 | 1,736,290 | 91.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income/(loss), net | (97,701) | (3.6) | 1,232,495 | 42.4 | 15,290 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 185,569 | 6.9 | 1,254,565 | 43.2 | 183,998 | 9.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (30,970) | (1.1) | (33,473) | (1.2) | (37,728) | (2.0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 154,599 | 5.7 | 1,221,092 | 42.0 | 146,270 | 7.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 42,054 | 1.6 | 242,958 | 8.4 | 36,993 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated net income | 112,545 | 4.2 | 978,134 | 33.7 | 109,277 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 29,270 | 1.1 | 227,406 | 7.8 | 29,217 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 83,275 | 3.1 | % | $ | 750,728 | 25.8 | % | $ | 80,060 | 4.2 | % |
(1)The components of Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs are as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 92,308 | 3.4 | % | $ | 312,718 | 10.8 | % | $ | 69,041 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 15,875 | 0.6 | 55,183 | 1.9 | 30,461 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnership units amortization | 8,322 | 0.3 | (28,351) | (1.0) | 18,692 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSU amortization | 21,807 | 0.8 | 16,795 | 0.6 | 12,565 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 138,312 | 5.1 | % | $ | 356,345 | 12.3 | % | $ | 130,759 | 6.9 | % |
Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to year ended December 31, 2021
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue decreased by $6.2 million, or 0.7%, to $909.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Excluding pass through revenues, management services, servicing fee and other increased by $97.8 million, or 18.3%, to $633.0 million, for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The year-on-year change was driven by improvements from servicing and related other revenues, GCS, and property management, offset mainly by lower pass through revenues primarily related to the completion of certain project management assignments.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $4.9 million, or 0.6%, to $831.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. While our leasing volumes in industrial and retail were above 2019 levels in 2022, office volumes have not yet similarly rebounded for Newmark or (according to CoStar) the industry.
Investment Sales
Investment sales revenue decreased by $151.3 million, or 20.0%, to $606.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. This primarily reflected a 15.1% year-over-year decrease in U.S. industry-wide investment sales volumes for the year (according to RCA). The industry wide decline can be attributed to a historic rise in interest rates that began in March of 2022. According to Bloomberg, this rise accelerated to the fastest pace in over thirty years in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Commercial Mortgage Origination, Net
Commercial mortgage origination activities, net decreased by $48.3 million, or 11.9%, to $357.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower industry-wide commercial and multifamily origination volumes (according to the MBA), which was driven by the sharp increase in interest rates.
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Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense decreased by $274.1 million, or 15.0%, to $1,554.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in the year was due to the compensation expense of $203.8 million in the prior period related to the 2021 Equity Event and a decline in commission based revenue due to lower business activity.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs decreased by $218.0 million, or 61.2%, to $138.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of $246.6 million of equity-based compensation expense related to the 2021 Equity Event.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses decreased by $18.8 million, or 3.4%, to $534.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 due to decreased pass through expenses, partially offset by higher support and operational expenses related to the resumption of normalized business activity on the part of us and our clients, as well as from our acquisitions.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties increased by $4.7 million, or 19.8%, to $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $44.1 million, or 36.2%, to $165.8 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 due to changes in the MSR valuation allowance and fixed asset depreciation and impairments and intangible asset amortization.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other loss of $97.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to $87.5 million realized and unrealized losses from the sale of Nasdaq shares and $12.9 million of mark-to-market losses on non-marketable investments.
Other income (loss), net in the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to $1,203.1 million of gains from the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out and realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities. Additionally, the Company recorded $27.8 million of non-cash gains related to acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by a realized loss on the Nasdaq Forward of $12.4 million.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net decreased by $2.5 million, or 7.5%, to $31.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes decreased by $200.9 million, or 82.7%, to $42.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pre-tax earnings. Pre-tax earnings in 2021 included earnings from Nasdaq, net of expenses related to the 2021 equity event. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $198.1 million, to $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.
Year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020
Revenues
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased by $289.6 million, or 46.2%, to $915.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The growth was led by strong improvements from Global Corporate Services, Valuation & Advisory, and Servicing Fees, as well as the addition of Knotel, as
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the Company continued to invest in these recurring and predictable businesses. Valuation and Advisory was up 46.5% to $157.0 million, by productivity gains from our Ngage technology platform.
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $313.1 million, or 60.9%, to $826.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, due to greatly increased demand across all major property types, in particular, strength in office led by life science, and industrial.
Investment Sales
Investments sales revenue increased by $484.2 million, or 106.6%, to $938.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Newmark's overall notional volumes from investment sales, mortgage brokerage, and multifamily originations increased by 92.8% to $138.4 billion.
Commercial Mortgage Origination, Net
Commercial mortgage origination, net activities, decreased by $85.4 million, or 27.5%, to $225.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a $58.4 million decline in non-cash OMSR revenues. The Company helped its clients navigate lower GSE multifamily loan activity by placing a record amount of their multifamily debt with non-agency lenders.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $681.5 million, or 59.4%, to $1,828.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase for the year primarily resulted from variable compensation related to the increase in commission-based revenue and $203.8 million of expense related to the 2021 Equity Event.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $225.6 million, or 172.5%, to $356.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 largely as a result of the 2021 Equity Event.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased by $259.2 million, or 88.0%, to $553.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to increased pass through expenses tied to non-fee revenues, higher expenses related to the resumption of normalized business activity, and the impact of acquisitions.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties increased by $1.2 million, or 5.4%, to $23.8 million, for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $19.5 million, or 13.8%, to $121.7 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 due to a decrease in MSR valuation allowance.
Because Newmark recognizes OMSR gains equal to the fair value of servicing rights retained on mortgage loans originated and sold, it also amortizes MSRs in proportion to the net servicing revenue expected to be earned. Subsequent to the initial recording, MSRs are amortized and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The MSR valuation allowance decreased by $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to a $15.2 million increase for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 our expenses included $110.9 million and $96.0 million, respectively, of MSR scheduled amortization.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net in the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to $1,203.1 million of gains from the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out and realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities. Additionally, the Company recorded $27.8 million of non-cash gains related to acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by a realized loss on the Nasdaq Forward of $12.4 million.
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Other income (loss), net of $15.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily related to $121.9 million of income related to the Nasdaq Earn-out, partially offset by losses of $84.2 million relating to non-marketable investments carried under the measurement alternative, $11.6 million of equity losses from Real Estate LP and $13.7 million of mark-to market losses on the Nasdaq Forwards.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net decreased by $4.3 million, or 11.3%, to $33.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 due to lower outstanding debt balances.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes increased by $206.0 million, or 556.8%, to $243.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by higher pre-tax earnings. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $198.2 million, to $227.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 due to higher earnings.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The primary source of liquidity for our business is the cash on our balance sheet, cash flow provided by operations, and the $600.0 million revolving credit facility. In addition, the Company has the option to redeem its $91.3 million investment in the Real Estate LP joint venture, after July 1, 2023, with proceeds to be received within 20 days of the redemption notice.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, our expansion into other markets and our results of operations. To the extent that existing cash, cash from operations and credit facilities are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public equity or debt financing. As of December 31, 2022, our debt consists of our 6.125% Senior Notes with a carrying amount of $547.8 million.
Financial Position
Total assets were $3.9 billion at December 31, 2022 and $5.2 billion at December 31, 2021.
Total liabilities were $2.4 billion at December 31, 2022 and $3.5 billion at December 31, 2021.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $233.0 million. Additionally, we have a $600.0 million undrawn committed senior unsecured revolving credit facility. We expect to generate cash flows from operations to fund our business and to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, which we define as those arising within the next twelve months. On November 15, 2023, the 6.125% Senior Notes will mature. The Company intends to either refinance these notes prior to maturity or use cash on hand, cash flows from operations, and our credit facility to settle such amounts.
Debt
Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| 6.125% Senior Notes | $ | 547,784 | $ | 545,239 | ||
| Credit Facility | — | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 547,784 | $ | 545,239 |
6.125% Senior Notes
On November 2, 2018, Newmark announced the pricing of an offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023, which closed on November 6, 2018. The 6.125% Senior Notes were offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The 6.125% Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. These 6.125% Senior Notes were priced at 98.94% to yield 6.375%. The 6.125%
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Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019 and will mature on November 15, 2023. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act.
Credit Facility
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provided for a $250.0 million Credit Facility.
On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into the Amended Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into the Second Amended Credit Agreement, increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the amended Credit Facility was LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch.
On March 10, 2022, Newmark entered into the A&R Credit Agreement, which amends and restates the Credit Agreement, as amended. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to: (a) increase the amount available to the Company under the Credit Facility to $600.0 million, (b) extend the maturity date of the Credit Facility to March 10, 2025, and (c) improve pricing to 1.50% per annum with respect to Term SOFR (as defined in the A&R Credit Agreement) borrowings.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) Term SOFR for interest periods of one or three months, as selected by the Company, or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin will initially be 1.50% with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above and 0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above. The applicable margin with respect to Term SOFR borrowings in (a) above will range from 1.00% to 2.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating, and with respect to base rate borrowings in (b) above will range from 0.00% to 1.125% depending upon the Company’s credit rating. The A&R Credit Agreement also provides for certain upfront and arrangement fees and for an unused facility fee. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.
Cantor Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to Cantor, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%. As of December 31, 2022, and 2021 there were no borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
Master Repurchase Agreement
On August 2, 2021, a subsidiary of Newmark, Newmark OpCo, entered into the Repurchase Agreement with CF Secured, an affiliate of Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark could seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. For additional information regarding this agreement, see Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
As of December 31, 2022, Newmark had $1.6 billion of committed loan funding, $400.0 million of uncommitted loan funding available through three commercial banks, and an uncommitted $400.0 million Fannie Mae loan repurchase facility. Consistent with industry practice, these warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. These warehouse facilities are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgage loans originated under its various lending programs and third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkeley Point Capital, LLC. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 we had $0.1 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, outstanding under “Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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Leases
Total lease liability as of December 31, 2022 is $723.9 million. Of the total amount, $188.0 million of lease liability is within our flexible workspace business whereby the liability is ring-fenced in special purpose vehicles with only $36.5 million of guarantees and/or letters of credit with exposure to Newmark Group, Inc. In addition, Newmark has contracted future customer revenues and sub-lease income as of December 31, 2022 amounting to approximately $183.7 million.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,196,343 | $ | (48,709) | $ | (777,694) | ||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||
| Net activity from loan originations and sales | (934,845) | (14,326) | 871,516 | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding activity from loan originations and sales (1)(2) | $ | 261,498 | $ | (63,035) | $ | 93,822 |
(1) Includes payments for corporate taxes in the amount of $99.6 million, $99.4 million and $80.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2) Reflects $484.4 million of cash used, in 2021, with respect to the 2021 Equity Event. Of this amount, $203.5 million related to the 16.3 million reduction in fully diluted shares, and $280.9 million related to amounts paid on behalf of, or to partners for withholding taxes related to unit exchanges and/or redemptions, cash paid for redemption of HDUs, and other items. Not including these uses of cash, net cash provided by operating activities excluding loan originations and sales would have been $421.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2022
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated $1,196.3 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $261.5 million. Cash provided by investing activities was $308.6 million, primarily related to $437.8 million of proceeds from the sale of Nasdaq shares, offset by cash paid for acquisitions and purchases of fixed assets. Cash used in financing activities of $1,458.5 million primarily related to net principal payments on warehouse facilities of $913.3 million, $140.0 million related to the repurchase agreements accounted for as collateralized financing transactions relating to the Nasdaq shares previously held by the Company, and $294.8 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2021
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we used $48.7 million of cash from operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales cash used from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $63.0 million. The $63.0 million reflects $484.4 million of cash used with respect to the 2021 Equity Event to reduce our fully diluted share count and for amounts paid on behalf of or to partners for withholding taxes related to unit exchanges and/or redemptions, cash paid for redemption of HDUs, and other items. But for these uses of cash, net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 would have been $421.4 million. Cash provided by investing activities was $453.1 million, primarily related to $551.1 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by $69.8 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Cash used in financing activities of $396.3 million primarily related to $290.5 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2020
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we used $777.7 million of cash for operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $93.8 million. We had consolidated net income of $109.3 million, $146.6 million of positive adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities (excluding activity from loan originations and sales) and $162.0 million of negative changes in operating assets and liabilities. The negative change in operating assets and liabilities included $127.9 million of increases in loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees, a $123.7 million decrease in receivables, net, a $82.4 million decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and a $75.4 million decrease in accrued compensation. Cash used in investing activities was $3.6 million, primarily related to $34.7 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by $19.6 million in purchases of fixed assets, $12.8 million for the purchase of a debt security, and $5.9 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Cash provided by financing activities of $817.8 million primarily related to $851.6 million of net borrowings on the warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises, and $365.0 million borrowing under the Credit Facility, partially offset by $275.0 million repayment on the Credit
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Facility, $81.9 million in earning distributions to limited partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests, and $23.2 million in dividends to stockholders.
Credit Ratings
As of December 31, 2022, our public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks are as follows:
| Rating | Outlook | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitch Ratings Inc. | BBB- | Stable | ||
| JCRA | BBB+ | Stable | ||
| Kroll Bond Rating Agency | BBB- | Stable | ||
| S&P Global Ratings | BB+ | Positive |
Credit ratings and associated outlooks are influenced by several factors, including but not limited to: operating environment, earnings and profitability trends, the prudence of funding and liquidity management practices, balance sheet size composition and resulting leverage, cash flow coverage of interest, composition and size of the capital base, available liquidity, outstanding borrowing levels and the firm’s competitive position in the industry. A credit rating and/or the associated outlook can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Any reduction in our credit ratings and/or the associated outlook could adversely affect the availability of debt financing on terms acceptable to us, as well as the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain any such financing. In addition, credit ratings and associated outlooks may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions. In connection with certain agreements, interest rates on our notes may incur increases of up to 2% in the event of a credit ratings downgrade.
Regulatory Requirements
Newmark is subject to various capital requirements in connection with seller/servicer agreements that Newmark has entered into with the various GSEs. Failure to maintain minimum capital requirements could result in Newmark’s inability to originate and service loans for the respective GSEs and could have a direct material adverse effect on our accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2022, Newmark has met all capital requirements. As of December 31, 2022, the most restrictive capital requirement was Fannie Mae’s net worth requirement. Newmark exceeded the minimum requirement by $433.4 million.
Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Fannie Mae allow Newmark to originate and service loans under Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) Program. These agreements require Newmark to maintain sufficient collateral to meet Fannie Mae’s restricted and operational liquidity requirements based on a pre-established formula. Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Freddie Mac allow Newmark to service loans under Freddie Mac’s Targeted Affordable Housing (“TAH”) Program. These agreements require Newmark to pledge sufficient collateral to meet Freddie Mac’s liquidity requirement of 8% of the outstanding principal of TAH loans serviced by Newmark. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark has met all liquidity requirements.
In addition, as a servicer for Fannie Mae, the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and FHA, Newmark is required to advance to investors any uncollected principal and interest due from borrowers. As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, outstanding borrower advances were $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
See “Business—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our regulatory environment.
Equity
Repurchase Program
On November 4, 2022, our Board increased its authorized share repurchases of Newmark Class A Common stock and purchases of limited partnership interests in Newmark's subsidiaries to $400.0 million. This authorization includes repurchases of shares or purchase of units from executive officers, other employees and partners, including of BGC and Cantor, as well as other affiliated persons or entities. From time to time, Newmark may actively continue to repurchase shares and/or purchase units. During the year ended December 31, 2022, Newmark repurchased 24,918,482 shares of Class A common stock, at an average price of $11.83. As of December 31, 2022, Newmark had $392.3 million remaining from its share repurchase and unit purchase authorization.
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The following table details Newmark's share repurchases for cash, under the new program, and does not include unit redemptions and/or cancellations in connection with the grant of shares Newmark's Class A common stock. The share repurchases of Newmark's Class A common stock during the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands except shares and per share amounts):
| Total Number of Shares Repurchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares and Units That May Yet Be Repurchased/ Purchased Under the Program | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repurchases | |||||||||
| January 1, 2022 - March 31, 2022 | 1,682,871 | $ | 18.35 | ||||||
| April 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022 | 11,370,647 | $ | 12.75 | ||||||
| July 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022 | 10,163,677 | $ | 10.36 | ||||||
| October 1, 2022 - October 31, 2022 | — | $ | — | ||||||
| November 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 | 1,701,287 | $ | 8.00 | ||||||
| December 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022 | — | $ | — | ||||||
| Total Repurchases | 24,918,482 | $ | 11.83 | $ | 392,282 |
In addition to the repurchases in the table above, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, Mr. Lutnick purchased an aggregate of 503,500 shares of Newmark's Class A common stock at an average price of $16.92. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, Mr. Lutnick purchased an aggregate of 556,000 shares of Newmark's Class A common stock at an average price of $9.81.
Fully Diluted Share Count
Our fully diluted weighted-average share count follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Common stock outstanding(1) | 180,337 | 190,179 | ||
| Partnership units(2) | 59,944 | 68,142 | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 3,255 | 4,309 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 1,641 | 1,324 | ||
| Total(3) | 245,177 | 263,954 |
(1)Common stock consisted of Class A shares and Class B shares. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the weighted-average number of Class A shares was 159.0 million shares and Class B shares was 21.3 million that were included in our fully diluted EPS computation because the conditions for issuance had been met by the end of the period.
(2)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor units, (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”, to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information). In general, these partnership units are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. In addition, partnership units held by Cantor are generally exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock and/or for up to 24.7 million shares of Newmark Class B common stock. These partnership units also generally receive quarterly allocations of net income, after the deduction of the Preferred Distribution, based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, these partnership units are included in the fully diluted share count calculation shown above.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2022, the weighted-average share count did not include any potentially anti-dilutive securities, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.
Our fully diluted period-end (spot) share count were as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Common stock outstanding | 171,670 | 189,558 | ||
| Partnership units | 61,888 | 52,825 | ||
| Newmark RSUs | 1,845 | 5,966 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 456 | 1,957 | ||
| Other | — | 378 | ||
| Total | 235,859 | 250,684 |
Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
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Newmark completed acquisitions for which there is contingent cash consideration of $23.1 million. The contingent cash liability is recorded at fair value as deferred consideration on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Equity Method Investments
Newmark has an investment in Real Estate LP, a joint venture with Cantor in which Newmark has a less than majority ownership and has the ability to exert significant influence over the operating and financial policies. As of December 31, 2022, Newmark had $91.3 million in this equity method investment, which represents a 27% ownership in Real Estate LP. Newmark holds a redemption option in which Real Estate LP will redeem in full Newmark’s investment in Real Estate LP in exchange for Newmark’s capital account balance in Real Estate LP as of such time. In December 2022, the Audit Committee authorized a subsidiary of Newmark to rescind its July 20, 2022 written notice exercising the optional redemption of its 27.2% ownership interest in Real Estate LP and amend the joint venture agreement between Newmark and Real Estate LP to provide for a redemption option for this investment after July 1, 2023, with proceeds to be received within 20 days of the redemption notice. A payment of a $44.0 thousand administrative fee was made to Newmark in connection with such amendment (see Note 8 — “Investments” for more information).
Registration Statements
On March 28, 2019, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to which CF&Co may make offers and sales of our 6.125% Senior Notes in connection with ongoing market-making transactions which may occur from time to time. Such market-making transactions in these securities may occur in the open market or may be privately negotiated at prevailing market prices at a time of resale or at related or negotiated prices. Neither CF&Co, nor any of our affiliates, has any obligation to make a market in our securities, and CF&Co or any such other affiliate may discontinue market-making activities at any time without notice. Newmark does not receive any proceeds from market-making activities in these securities by CF&Co (or any of its affiliates). This registration statement expired in March 2022. On March 25, 2022, we filed a new market-making Registration Statement on Form S-3 to replace the one that was expiring.
We have an effective registration statement on Form S-4, with respect to the offer and sale of up to 20.0 million shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in connection with business combination transactions, including acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. As of December 31, 2022, we have issued 1.7 million shares of our Class A common stock under this registration statement.
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Newmark was committed to fund approximately $0.3 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, which is the total remaining draws on construction loans originated by Newmark under the Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) 221(d)4, 220 and 232 programs, rate locked loans that have not been funded, and forward commitments, as well as the funding for Fannie Mae structured transactions. Newmark also has corresponding commitments to sell these loans to various purchasers as they are funded.
Derivative Suits
On August 5, 2022, Robert Garfield filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the "Court of Chancery"), captioned Robert Garfield v. Howard W. Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0687) (the "Garfield Action"), against the members of the Board and Mr. Lutnick in his capacity as Chairman of the Board and controlling stockholder. This derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a 3-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Board breached its fiduciary duty, (ii) neither the award nor the approval process employed by the Compensation Committee were entirely fair to the Company and its stockholders, and (iii) the members of the Compensation Committee did not exercise independent judgment. The complaint alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks rescission of the award and other compensation, as well as damages and other relief.
On October 7, 2022, Cardinal Capital Management, LLC filed a complaint in the Court of Chancery, captioned Cardinal Capital Management, LLC v. Howard W. Lutnick, et al. (Case No. 2022-0909-SG) (the "Cardinal Action"), against Mr. Lutnick, the members of the Compensation Committee in 2021, who were Virginia S. Bauer, Kenneth A. McIntyre and Michael Snow (the “Compensation Committee”), and Barry Gosin, Michael Rispoli and Stephen Merkel (the “Officers”). The derivative complaint alleges that in connection with the Company’s June 2021 partnership units exchange for Mr. Lutnick and Officers and the December 2021 bonus award, payable over a 3-year period, granted to Mr. Lutnick: (i) the Compensation Committee and Officers breached their fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets; and (ii) Mr. Lutnick and the Officers were unjustly enriched. The complaint also alleges that Mr. Lutnick breached his fiduciary duty as Chairman and controlling shareholder, and wasted corporate assets, by forcing the Company to grant the award and by accepting it. The complaint seeks recoupment of the partnership units exchange and the bonus award, as well as damages and other relief.
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On December 13, 2022, the Court of Chancery entered an order consolidating the Garfield and Cardinal Actions into a single action (the “Consolidated Action”) deemed to have commenced on August 5, 2022, when the Garfield Action was filed. On January 10, 2023, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint, whose claims, as well as requested relief, mirror the claims and relief sought in the Cardinal Action in all material respects. The Company’s position is that the partnership units exchange was appropriate and in the best interests of the Company, and that the bonus award was properly approved by the Compensation Committee comprised of independent directors (which does not include Mr. Lutnick) after careful consideration of his contributions to the Company, including the Company’s superior financial results, and following an extensive process that included advice from independent legal counsel and an independent compensation. The Company believes the lawsuit has no merit. However, as with any litigation, the outcome cannot be determined with certainty.
On March 9, 2023, a purported class action complaint was filed against Cantor, BGC Holdings, and Newmark Holdings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-00265). The collective action, which was filed by seven former limited partners on their own behalf and on behalf of other similarly situated limited partners, alleges a claim for breach of contract against all defendants on the basis that defendants failed to make payments due under the relevant partnership agreements. Specifically, plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions upon which defendants relied to deny payment are unenforceable under Delaware law. Plaintiffs allege a second claim against Cantor and BGC Holdings for antitrust violations under the Sherman Act on the basis that the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements constitute unreasonable restraints of trade. In that regard, plaintiffs allege that the non-compete and economic forfeiture provisions of the Cantor and BGC Holdings partnership agreements, as well as restrictive covenants included in partner separation agreements, cause anticompetitive effects in the labor market, insulate Cantor and BGC Holdings from competition, and limit innovation. Plaintiffs seek a determination that the case may be maintained as a class action, an injunction prohibiting the allegedly anticompetitive conduct, and monetary damages of at least $5,000,000. The Company believes the lawsuit has no merit. However, as with any litigation, the outcome cannot be determined with certainty.
Commitments and Contingencies
(a)Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes certain of Newmark's contractual obligations at December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
| Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 865,740 | $ | 126,520 | $ | 257,609 | $ | 235,518 | $ | 246,093 | ||||||||||||
| Warehouse facilities(2) | 137,406 | 137,406 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt(3) | 550,000 | 550,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on debt(4) | 30,479 | 30,479 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on warehouse facilities(5) | 1,765 | 1,765 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,585,390 | $ | 846,170 | $ | 257,609 | $ | 235,518 | $ | 246,093 |
(1)Operating leases are related to rental payments under various non-cancelable leases principally for office space.
(2)Warehouse facilities are collateralized by $137.4 million of loans held for sale, at fair value (See Note 21 - “Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) which loans were either under commitment to be purchased by Freddie Mac or had confirmed forward trade commitments for the issuance of and purchase of Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities.
(3)Debt reflects $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes. The carrying amount of these notes was approximately $547.8 million. Debt also includes borrowings under the Credit Facility, which is assumed to be outstanding until the maturity date of the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of the borrowing under the Credit Facility is $0.0 million. (See Note 22 - “Debt” to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.)
(4)Reflects interest on the $550.0 million of 6.125% Senior Notes until their maturity date of November 15, 2023.
(5)As of December 31, 2022, the spread for all warehouse facilities and the Fannie Mae repurchase line were to SOFR. As of December 31, 2021, the spread for the Fannie Mae repurchase line was to SOFR and the warehouse lines were to LIBOR. Their respective maturity dates range from June 2023 to October 2023, while one line has an open maturity date. The notional amount of these committed and uncommitted warehouse facilities was $2.4 billion at December 31, 2022. One of the warehouse lines established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on the Company's Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the CARES Act. Advances will have an interest rate of 1-month SOFR plus 180 bps. There were no outstanding draws on this sublimit at December 31, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. These accounting estimates require the use of assumptions about matters, some which are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows could be materially affected. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
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Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenues primarily through commissions from brokerage services, commercial mortgage origination, net, revenues from real estate management services, servicing fees and other revenues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers as determined by when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation as evidenced by the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control over the promised good or service.
The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider consideration promised in a contract that includes a variable amount, referred to as variable consideration, and estimate the amount of consideration due to us. Additionally, variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider all information (historical, current and forecast) that is available, including the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence.
We also use third-party service providers in the provision of its services to customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, we perform an analysis to determine whether we are acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that we are acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where we are acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, we perform services for customers and incur out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Our customers agree to reimburse us for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the customer.
MSRs, Net
We initially recognize and measure the rights to service mortgage loans at fair value and subsequently measure them using the amortization method. We recognize rights to service mortgage loans as separate assets at the time the underlying originated mortgage loan is sold, and the value of those rights is included in the determination of the gains on loans held for sale. Purchased MSRs, including MSRs purchased from CCRE, are initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently measured using the amortization method.
We receive up to a 3-basis point servicing fee and/or up to a 1-basis point surveillance fee on certain Freddie Mac loans after the loan is securitized in a Freddie Mac pool (“Freddie Mac Strip”). The Freddie Mac Strip is also recognized at fair value and subsequently measured using the amortization method, but is recognized as a MSR at the securitization date.
MSRs are assessed for impairment, at least on an annual basis, based upon the fair value of those rights as compared to the amortized cost. Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. In using this valuation method, we incorporate assumptions that management believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value estimates are sensitive to significant assumptions used in the valuation model such as prepayment rates, cost of servicing, escrow earnings rates, discount rates and servicing multiples, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions derived, in part, from historical data. It is reasonably possible that such estimates may change. We amortize the MSRs in proportion to, and over the period of, the projected net servicing income. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, we stratify MSRs based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, primarily by investor type (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA/GNMA, CMBS and other). To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a specific MSR strata, a valuation allowance is established, which is adjusted in the future as the fair value of MSRs increases or decreases. Reversals of valuation allowances cannot exceed the previously recognized impairment up to the amortized cost.
Equity-Based and Other Compensation
Discretionary Bonus: A portion of our compensation and employee benefits expense comprises discretionary bonuses, which may be paid in cash, equity, partnership awards or a combination thereof. We accrue expense in a period based on
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revenues in that period and on the expected combination of cash, equity and partnership units. Given the assumptions used in estimating discretionary bonuses, actual results may differ.
Restricted Stock Units: We account for equity-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP guidance. Restricted stock units (which we refer to as “RSUs”) provided to certain employees are accounted for as equity awards, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the RSUs that is ultimately expected to vest. Further, U.S. GAAP guidance requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Because significant assumptions are used in estimating employee turnover and associated forfeiture rates, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The fair value of RSU awards to employees is determined on the date of grant, based on the fair value of our Class A common stock. Generally, RSUs granted by us as employee compensation do not receive dividend equivalents; as such, we adjust the fair value of the RSUs for the present value of expected forgone dividends, which requires us to include an estimate of expected dividends as a valuation input. This grant-date fair value is amortized to expense ratably over the awards’ vesting periods. For RSUs with graded vesting features, we have made an accounting policy election to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis. The amortization is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Stock: Restricted stock provided to certain employees is accounted for as an equity award, and as per U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the restricted stock that is ultimately expected to vest. We have granted restricted stock that is not subject to continued employment or service; however, transferability is subject to compliance with our and our affiliates’ customary non-compete obligations. Such shares of restricted stock are generally saleable by partners in 5 to 10 years. Because the restricted stock is not subject to continued employment or service, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock is expensed on the date of grant. The expense is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Limited Partnership Units: Limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are held by Newmark employees and receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As discussed above, preferred units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to a distribution at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation. The quarterly allocations of net income to such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that Newmark record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Loans: We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans that may be either wholly or in part repaid from distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests or may be forgiven over a period of time. Cash advance distribution loans are documented in formal agreements and are repayable in timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. We intend for these advances to be repaid in full from the future distributions on existing and future awards granted. The allocations of net income to the awards are treated as compensation expense and the proceeds from distributions are used to repay the loan. The forgivable portion of any loans is recognized as compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations over the life of the loan. We review the loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If we determine that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, we recognize a reserve against the loan balances. Actual collectability of loan balances may differ from our estimates. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the aggregate balance of
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employee loans, net of reserve, was $500.8 million and $453.3 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, was $84.1 million, $79.4 million, and $73.6 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these loans was included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
When reviewing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as follows.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow model and data regarding market comparables. The valuation process requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These assumptions include cash flow projections, estimated cost of capital and the selection of peer companies and relevant multiples. Because significant assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future cash flows, choosing peer companies and selecting relevant multiples, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Credit Losses
The CECL methodology, which became effective on January 1, 2020, requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date. The adoption of CECL resulted in the recognition of reserves relating to our loss sharing guarantee provided to Fannie Mae under the DUS Program which was previously accounted for under the incurred loss model, which generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized. Additional reserves were recognized for our receivables from customers including certain employee receivables carried at amortized cost.
The expected credit loss is modeled based on our historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default, all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of our reserves. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, we estimate expected credit losses using our historical loss rates. We also consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which consequentially may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses and receivables. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, there was an increase of $3.6 million in our reserves. These reserves were based on macroeconomic forecasts are critical inputs into our model and material movements in variables such as, the U.S. unemployment rate and U.S. GDP growth rate could significantly affect our estimated expected credit losses. These macroeconomic forecasts, under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates could result in significantly different changes in reserves for credit losses. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in specific factors might affect the overall reserves for credit losses and current results may not reflect the potential future impact of macroeconomic forecast changes.
Income Taxes
Newmark accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between our accompanying consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to UBT in New York City.
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Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss except for UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ tax liability or benefit is not reflected in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The tax-related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in our accompanying consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions.
Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from Newmark’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Newmark recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in “Provision for income taxes” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, Newmark considers all available evidence, including past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent fiscal years, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies.
The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws and involves uncertainties in the application of tax regulations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. Because Newmark’s interpretation of complex tax law may impact the measurement of current and deferred income taxes, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions regarding the application of tax law.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We have loan commitments to extend credit to third parties. The commitments to extend credit are for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments). These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee. We are committed to extend credit to the counterparty as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contracts.
We simultaneously enter into an agreement to deliver such mortgages to third-party investors at a fixed price (“forward sale contracts”).
Both the commitment to extend credit and the forward sale commitment qualify as derivative financial instruments. We recognize all derivatives on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The change in the derivatives fair value is recognized in current period earnings.
Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts as a result of the Nasdaq Forwards. These contracts qualified as derivative financial instruments. The Nasdaq Forwards provided Newmark with the ability to redeem the EPUs for Nasdaq stock, and as these instruments were not legally detachable, they represented single financial instruments. The financial instruments’ EPU redemption feature for Nasdaq shares was not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of Newmark’s EPU equity host instruments, and, therefore, it represented an embedded derivative that is required to be bifurcated and recorded at fair value on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with all changes in fair value recorded as a component of “Other income (loss), net” on our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 11 — “Derivatives”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
Capital Deployment Priorities, Dividend Policy and Repurchase and Redemption Program
Over the past two years, we have returned $792.0 million dollars to shareholders through share repurchases and redemptions. In addition, we paid dividends and distributions. We expect to continue returning capital to shareholders, although our near term rate of share repurchases are expected to decline. This is due to the current market dislocation, which is providing us with high quality opportunities to hire the industry’s best talent and acquire companies at attractive valuations.
Traditionally, our dividend policy provided that we expect to pay a quarterly cash dividend to our common stockholders based on our post-tax Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share. Please see above for a detailed definition of post-
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tax Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share. Beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and for all of the quarterly periods in 2020 and 2021, the Board reduced the quarterly dividend to $0.01 per share, out of an abundance of caution, in order to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet as the real estate markets faced difficult and unprecedented macroeconomic conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, beginning with the first quarter 2020, Newmark Holdings reduced its distributions to or on behalf of its partners. For all of the quarterly periods in 2022, the Board increased the quarterly dividend to $0.03 per share. In addition, Newmark increased the after-tax distributions to its partners to $0.06 per unit. The exchange ratio was adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement due to any difference in our dividend policy and the distribution policy of Newmark Holdings.
Any dividends, if and when declared by our Board, will be paid on a quarterly basis. The dividend to our common stockholders is expected to be calculated based on a number of factors, including post-tax Adjusted Earnings allocated to us and generated over the fiscal quarter ending prior to the record date for the dividend. No assurance can be made, however, that a dividend will be paid each quarter. The declaration, payment, timing, and amount of any future dividends payable by us will be at the sole discretion of our Board. With respect to any distributions which are declared, amounts paid to or on behalf of partners will at least cover their related tax payments. Whether any given post-tax amount is equivalent to the amount received by a stockholder also on an after-tax basis depends upon stockholders’ and partners’ domiciles and tax status.
We received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares worth $1,093.9 million as of June 30, 2021. On July 2, 2021, we settled the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares worth $166.0 million and retained 5,278,011 Nasdaq shares. In connection with the 2021 Equity Event, we used $484.4 million, of which $203.5 million was to reduce our fully diluted share count by 16.3 million, and $280.9 million related to amounts paid on behalf of, or to partners for withholding taxes related to unit exchanges and/or redemptions, cash paid for redemption of HDUs, and other items. From July 2021 through March 2022, we sold all of the Nasdaq shares.
We are a holding company, with no direct operations, and therefore we are able to pay dividends only from our available cash on hand and funds received from distributions from Newmark OpCo. Our ability to pay dividends may also be limited by regulatory considerations as well as by covenants contained in financing or other agreements. In addition, under Delaware law, dividends may be payable only out of surplus, which is our net assets minus our capital (as defined under Delaware law), or, if we have no surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Accordingly, any unanticipated accounting, tax, regulatory or other charges against net income may adversely affect our ability to declare and pay dividends. While we intend to declare and pay dividends quarterly, there can be no assurance that our Board will declare dividends at all or on a regular basis or that the amount of our dividends will not change.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001690680-22-000011.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Newmark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with Newmark’s accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the caution “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” relating to forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), included in Newmark's Annual report on Form 10-K and in this report. When used herein, the terms “Newmark,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Newmark Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and financial condition during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. We operate in one reportable segment, real estate services. This discussion is provided to increase the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
Forward-Looking Cautionary Statements
Our actual results and the outcome and timing of certain events may differ significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth below:
•macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties resulting from the coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, including any successive waves or variants of the virus, the complications in the implementation of vaccination programs, effectiveness and public acceptance of vaccines, and governmental and public reactions thereto, including the adoption of vaccine mandates and of vaccine passport requirements or other documentation by governmental authorities or private operators of public spaces, the impact on the economy, the commercial real estate services industry and the global financial markets, and consumer and corporate clients and customers, including the effect on demand for commercial real estate including office space, levels of new lease activity and renewals, frequency of loan defaults and forbearance, and fluctuations in the mortgage-backed securities market;
•challenges relating to our repositioning of certain aspects of our business to adapt to and better address the needs of our clients in the future as a result of the acceleration of pre-existing long-term social and economic trends, or emergence of new trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental measures taken in response thereto, including changes in the mix of demand for commercial real estate space, including decreased demand for urban office and retail space generally, which may be offset in whole or in part by increased demand for suburban office, data storage, fulfillment, and distribution centers and life sciences facilities, that could materially reduce demand for commercial space and have a material adverse effect on the nature of and demand for our commercial real estate services, including the time and expense related to such repositioning, as well as risks related to our entry into new geographic markets or lines of business;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any successive waves or variants of the virus, on our operations, including the continued ability of our executives, employees, clients and third-party service providers to perform their functions at normal levels, as well as the cybersecurity risks of remote working, and our ability to continue providing on-site commercial property management services;
•market conditions, transaction volumes, possible disruptions in transactions, potential deterioration of equity and debt capital markets for commercial real estate and related services, impact of significant changes in interest rates and our ability to access the capital markets as needed or on reasonable terms and conditions;
•pricing, commissions and fees, and market position with respect to any of our products and services and those of our competitors;
•the effect of industry concentration and reorganization, reduction of customers and consolidation;
•uncertainties related to integrating certain assets of Knotel, Inc. ("Knotel") and Space Management
(DBA “Deskeo”) as we build out our international flexible office business;
•liquidity, regulatory requirements and the impact of credit market events, including the impact of COVID-19 and actions taken by governments and businesses in responses thereto on the credit markets and interest rates;
•our relationship and transactions with Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. (“Cantor”) and its affiliates, Newmark’s structure, including Newmark Holdings, L.P. (“Newmark Holdings”), which is owned by Newmark, Cantor, Newmark’s employee partners and other partners, and our operating partnership, which is owned jointly by us and Newmark Holdings (which we refer to as “Newmark OpCo” ) any related transactions, conflicts of interest, or litigation, any loans to or from Newmark or Cantor, Newmark Holdings or Newmark OpCo, including the balances and interest
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rates thereof from time to time and any convertible or equity features of any such loans, competition for and retention of brokers and other managers and key employees;
•the impact on our stock price from the reduction of our dividend and potential future changes in our capital deployment priorities, including repurchases of shares, purchases of limited partnership interests, and our dividend policy, and in Newmark Holdings distributions to partners and the related impact of such reductions, as well as the effect of layoffs, furloughs, salary cuts, and expected lower commissions or bonuses on the repayment of partner loans;
•market volatility as a result of the effects of COVID-19 or other market conditions, which may not be sustainable or predictable in future periods;
•our ability to grow in other geographic regions and to manage our continued overseas growth and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these regions and transactions;
•our ability to maintain or develop relationships with independently owned offices or affiliated businesses or partners in our business;
•the impact of any restructuring or similar transaction on our business and financial results in current or future periods, including with respect to any assumed liabilities or indemnification obligations with respect to such transactions, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions;
•our ability to effectively deploy the proceeds of our Nasdaq, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) shares to repurchase shares or limited partnership interests, reduce our debt, and invest in growing our business;
•risks related to changes in our relationships with the Government Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”) and Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), including the impact of COVID-19 and related changes in the credit markets, changes in prevailing interest rates and the risk of loss in connection with loan defaults;
•risks related to changes in the future of the GSEs, including changes in the terms of applicable conservatorships and changes in their capabilities;
•economic or geopolitical conditions or uncertainties, the actions of governments or central banks, including the impact of COVID-19 on the global markets and government responses, and restrictions on business and commercial activity, uncertainty regarding the nature, timing and consequences of the United Kingdom (“U.K.”)’s exit from the European Union (“EU”) following the withdrawal process, including potential reduction in investment in the U.K., and the pursuit of trade, border control or other related policies by the U.S. and/or other countries (including U.S. - China trade relations), political and civil unrest in the U.S., including demonstrations, riots, rising tensions with law enforcement, the impact of the recent or upcoming U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections, response to governmental mandates and other restrictions related to COVID-19 in the U.S. or abroad, political and labor unrest in France, Hong Kong, China and other jurisdictions, conflict in the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, or other jurisdictions, the impact of U.S. government shutdowns or impasses, the impact of terrorist acts, acts of war or other violence or political unrest, as well as natural disasters or weather-related or similar events, including hurricanes as well as power failures, communication and transportation disruptions, and other interruptions of utilities or other essential services, and the impact of pandemics and other international health incidents, including COVID-19;
•the effect on our business, clients, the markets in which we operate, and the economy in general of inflationary pressures and the Federal Reserve's response thereto, infrastructure spending, changes in the U.S. and foreign tax and other laws, including changes in tax rates, repatriation rules, and deductibility of interest, potential policy and regulatory changes in Mexico and other countries, sequestrations, uncertainties regarding the debt ceiling and the federal budget, and future changes to tax policy and other potential political policies resulting from elections and changes in governments;
•our dependence upon our key employees, our ability to build out successful succession plans, the impact of absence due to illness or leave of certain key executive officers or employees and our ability to attract, retain, motivate and integrate new employees, as well as the competing demands on the time of certain of our executive officers who also provide services to Cantor, BGC and various other ventures and investments sponsored by Cantor;
•the effect on our business of changes in interest rates, changes in benchmarks, including the transition away from LIBOR, the transition to alternative benchmarks such as SOFR, and federal and state legislation relating thereto, the level of worldwide governmental debt issuances, austerity programs, government stimulus packages, including those related to COVID-19, increases or decreases in deficits and the impact of increased government tax rates, and other changes to monetary policy, and potential political impasses or regulatory requirements, including increased capital requirements for banks and other institutions or changes in legislation, regulations and priorities;
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•extensive regulation of our business and clients, changes in regulations relating to commercial real estate and other industries, and risks relating to compliance matters, including regulatory examinations, inspections, investigations and enforcement actions, and any resulting costs, increased financial and capital requirements, enhanced oversight, remediation, fines, penalties, sanctions, and changes to or restrictions or limitations on specific activities, operations, compensatory arrangements, and growth opportunities, including acquisitions, hiring, and new businesses, products, or services, as well as risks related to our taking actions to ensure that we and Newmark Holdings are not deemed investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
•the impact of illness or governmental actions preventing a significant portion of our workforce or the workforce of our clients or third-party vendors from performing functions that can only be conducted in-person, including on-site tours and inspections of buildings;
•factors related to specific transactions or series of transactions as well as counterparty failure;
•costs and expenses of developing, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property, as well as employment, regulatory, and other litigation, proceedings and their related costs, including related to acquisitions and other matters, including judgments, fines, or settlements paid, reputational risk, and the impact thereof on our financial results and cash flow in any given period;
•our ability to maintain continued access to credit and availability of financing necessary to support our ongoing business needs, including to refinance indebtedness, and the risks associated with the resulting leverage, as well as fluctuations in interest rates;
•certain other financial risks, including the possibility of future losses, indemnification obligations, assumed liabilities, reduced cash flows from operations, increased leverage, reduced availability under our Credit Facility and CF Secured Borrowing Facility, and the need for short or long-term borrowings, including from Cantor, the ability of Newmark to refinance our indebtedness, including in the credit markets, and our ability to satisfy eligibility criteria for government-sponsored loan programs and changes to interest rates and market liquidity or our access to other sources of cash relating to acquisitions, dispositions, or other matters, potential liquidity and other risks relating to our ability to maintain continued access to credit and availability of financing necessary to support ongoing business needs on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and risks associated with the resulting leverage, including potentially causing a reduction in credit ratings and the associated outlooks and increased borrowing costs as well as interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•risks associated with the temporary or longer-term investment of our available cash, including in Newmark OpCo, defaults or impairments on the Company’s investments (including investments in non-marketable securities), joint venture interests, stock loans or cash management vehicles and collectability of loan balances owed to us by partners, employees, Newmark OpCo or others;
•the impact of any reduction in the willingness of commercial property owners to outsource their property management needs;
•our ability to enter new markets or develop new products or services and to induce clients to use these products or services and to secure and maintain market share, and the impact of COVID-19 generally and on the commercial real estate services business in particular;
•our ability to enter into marketing and strategic alliances, business combinations, restructuring, rebranding or other transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, partnering opportunities and joint ventures, the anticipated benefits of any such transactions, relationships or growth and the future impact of any such transactions, relationships or growth on other businesses and financial results for current or future periods, the integration of any completed acquisitions and the use of proceeds of any completed dispositions, the impact of amendments and/or terminations of any strategic arrangements, and the value of any hedging entered into in connection with consideration received or to be received in connection with such dispositions and any transfers thereof;
•our estimates or determinations of potential value with respect to various assets or portions of the Company’s business, including with respect to the accuracy of the assumptions or the valuation models or multiples used;
•the impact of near- or off-shoring on our business, including on our ability to manage turnover and hire and retain personnel, including brokerage professionals, salespeople, managers, and other professionals;
•our ability to effectively manage any growth that may be achieved, including outside of the U.S., while ensuring compliance with all applicable financial reporting, internal control, legal compliance, and regulatory requirements;
•our ability to identify and remediate any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls that could affect our ability to properly maintain books and records, prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner, control policies, practices and procedures, operations and assets, assess and manage the
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Company’s operational, regulatory and financial risks, and integrate acquired businesses and brokers, salespeople, managers and other professionals;
•the impact of unexpected market moves and similar events;
•information technology risks, including capacity constraints, failures, or disruptions in our systems or those of clients, counterparties, or other parties with which we interact, increased demands on such systems and on the telecommunications infrastructure from remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, including cyber-security risks and incidents, compliance with regulations requiring data minimization and protection and preservation of records of access and transfers of data, privacy risk and exposure to potential liability and regulatory focus;
•the impact of our reductions to our dividends and distributions and the timing and amounts of any future dividends or distributions and our increased stock and unit repurchase authorization, including our ability to meet expectations with respect to payment of dividends and repurchases of common stock or purchases of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in subsidiaries, including Newmark OpCo, including from Cantor or our executive officers, other employees, partners and others and the effect on the market for and trading price of our Class A common stock as a result of any such transactions;
•the effectiveness of our governance, risks management, and oversight procedures and the impact of any potential transactions or relationships with related parties;
•the impact of our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) or “sustainability” ratings on the decisions by clients, investors, potential clients and other parties with respect to our business, investments in us or the market for and trading price of Newmark Class A common stock or other matters;
•the fact that the prices at which shares of our Class A common stock are or may be sold in offerings or other transactions may vary significantly, and purchasers of shares in such offerings or other transactions, as well as existing stockholders, may suffer significant dilution if the price they paid for their shares is higher than the price paid by other purchasers in such offerings or transactions;
•the effect on the markets for and trading prices of our Class A common stock due to market factors, as well as on various offerings and other transactions, including offerings of Class A common stock and convertible or exchangeable debt or other securities, repurchases of shares of Class A common stock and purchases or redemptions of Newmark Holdings limited partnership interests or other equity interests in us or its subsidiaries, any exchanges by Cantor of shares of Class A common stock for shares of Class B common stock, any exchanges or redemptions of limited partnership units and issuances of shares of Class A common stock in connection therewith, including in corporate or partnership restructurings, payment of dividends on Class A common stock and distributions on limited partnership interests of Newmark Holdings and Newmark OpCo, convertible arbitrage, hedging, and other transactions engaged in by us or holders of outstanding shares, debt or other securities, share sales and stock pledge, stock loans, and other financing transactions by holders of shares or units (including by Cantor executive officers, partners, employees or others), including of shares acquired pursuant to employee benefit plans, unit exchanges and redemptions, corporate or partnership restructurings, acquisitions, conversions of shares of our Class B common stock and other convertible securities into shares of our Class A common stock, stock pledge, stock loans, or other financing transactions, distributions of our Class A common stock by Cantor to its partners, including deferred distribution rights shares.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed under the headings "Item 1A-Risk Factors," and "Item 7A-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About market Risk" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, may cause actual results and events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The information included herein is given as of the filing date of this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and future results or events could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Overview
Newmark is a leading full-service commercial real estate services business. We offer a diverse array of integrated services and products designed to meet the full needs of both real estate investors/owners and occupiers. Our investor/owner services and products include capital markets, which consists of investment sales, debt and structured finance and loan sales, agency leasing, property management, valuation and advisory, commercial real estate due diligence consulting and advisory services and government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”) lending and loan servicing, mortgage broking and equity-raising. Our occupier services and products include tenant representation, real estate management technology systems, workplace and occupancy strategy, global corporate consulting services, project management, lease administration and facilities management. We enhance these services and products through innovative real estate technology solutions and data analytics that enable our
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clients to increase their efficiency and profits by optimizing their real estate portfolio. We have relationships with many of the world’s largest commercial property owners, real estate developers and investors, as well as Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies.
We generate revenues from commissions on leasing and capital markets transactions, consulting and technology user fees, property and facility management fees, and mortgage origination and loan servicing fees.
Our growth has historically been focused in North America. During 2021, we ended our affiliation with Knight Frank and have accelerated our global growth plans by acquiring Space Management (DBA "Deskeo") and Knotel Inc. ("Knotel"), both of which are European leaders in flexible and serviced office space, and announced the addition of industry-leading international professionals in Global Corporate Services and Capital Markets. As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately 5,900 employees, including approximately 1,700 revenue-generating producers (across leasing, capital markets, and origination) in over 140 offices in more than 115 cities. In addition, Newmark has licensed its name to 1 commercial real estate providers that operate out of 21 offices in certain locations where Newmark does not have its own offices.
The discussion of our financial results reflects only the business owned by us and does not include the results for independently owned offices that use some variation of the Newmark name in their branding or marketing.
We are a leading capital markets business in the United States. We have access to many of the world’s largest owners of commercial real estate, and this will drive growth throughout the life cycle of each real estate asset by allowing us to provide best-in-class agency leasing and property management during the ownership period. We also provide investment sales and arrange debt and equity financing to assist owners in maximizing the return on investment in each of their real estate assets. Specifically, with respect to multifamily assets, we are a leading GSE lender by loan origination volume and servicer with a servicing portfolio of approximately $70.4 billion as of December 31, 2021 (of which 2.8% relates to special servicing). This servicing portfolio provides a steady stream of income over the life of the serviced loans.
We continue to invest in the business by adding high profile and talented producers and other revenue-generating professionals. Historically, newly hired commercial real estate producers tend to achieve dramatically higher productivity in their second and third years with our company, although we incur related expenses immediately. As newly hired producers increase their production, our commission revenue and earnings growth accelerate, thus reflecting our operating leverage.
Our pre-tax margins are impacted by the mix of revenues generated. For example, servicing revenues tend to have higher pre-tax margins than Newmark as a whole, and margins from “Gains from mortgage banking activities/originations, net” tend to be lower as we retain rights to service loans over time. Capital markets transactions tend to have higher pre-tax margins than leasing advisory transactions. Pre-tax earnings margins on our property and facilities management, along with certain of our other Global Corporate Services (“GCS”) products, are at the lower end of margins for our business as a whole.
Business Environment
During 2021, activity in the U.S. economy has picked up rapidly as it has rebounded from the Covid-19 downturn in 2020. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the "CDC") as of February 16, 2022, approximately 43.1% of the American population have been fully vaccinated and received a booster, 64.6% of the American population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 76.1% has received at least one dose, although there is persistent vaccine reluctance in the currently unvaccinated population. Mask mandates are also being revised in many areas. Many companies are requiring employees to come back to the office as business and the government continues to reopen both in the US and around the world.
Although there continues to be some uncertainty around COVID-19, the measures taken by the federal and state governments and the speed and voracity of a recovery appear to be positive. Our capital markets have shown significant growth, as our investments in the business have coincided with record investment sales and debt volumes. For example, according to RCA, investment sales volumes in the US were a record $809 billion for 2021, or more than 25% higher than in 2019, which was the previous best-ever year. COVID-19 has created new opportunities in our management services businesses, which continued to perform well during 2021 as our clients turned to Newmark for advice on their real estate portfolios, including new environmental safety requirements, managing costs associated with implementing these new standards as well as assessing facility and employee readiness as companies plan their return to offices in the wake of the pandemic. In addition, consulting fee revenues from tenant restructuring and portfolio optimization are expected to continue in the near-term. In early 2021, we hired a head of global corporate services to expand these critical offerings for occupiers as they formulate their post pandemic real estate plans.
Impact of COVID-19 on Employees
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Newmark has taken steps to help its employees during this global pandemic and subsequent recovery. These policies and practices protect the health, safety and welfare of the Company’s workforce while enabling employees to maintain a high level of performance. Certain of these items are summarized below.
•Effective June 1, 2021, we welcomed our employees back to our offices subject to CDC guidelines and state and local guidelines and regulations in each location;
•We are focused on maximizing productivity regardless of where our employees work. In all cases, the Company has mandated appropriate social distancing measures;
•The Company has developed standardized procedures for reopening its offices safely in accordance with state and local regulatory requirements;
•The Company provides ongoing informational COVID-19-related messages and notices;
•Where applicable, Newmark has applied and is continuing to apply more frequent and vigorous hygiene and sanitation measures and providing personal protective equipment (PPE);
•Nonessential business travel has been restricted while personal travel has been discouraged, particularly in areas most affected by the pandemic;
•The Company’s medical plans have waived applicable member cost sharing for all medically necessary diagnostic testing related to COVID-19;
•The Company also introduced zero co-pay telemedicine for COVID-related visits for participants in the U.S. medical plans and their dependents. Newmark has encouraged the use of telemedicine during the pandemic;
•The Company has reminded employees about its Employee Assistance Program and the ways it can assist them during this challenging time;
•Newmark provides paid leave in accordance with its policies and applicable COVID-19 related laws and regulations.
Acquisitions
On March 24, 2021, Newmark acquired the business of Knotel, a global flexible workspace provider. Newmark agreed to provide approximately $19.8 million of debtor-in-possession financing as part of a $70 million credit bid to acquire the business through Knotel’s Chapter 11 sales process, subject to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. On March 18, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court approved the transaction under Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
On September 6, 2021, Newmark acquired Deskeo, France's leader in flexible and serviced office space for enterprise clients. Based in Paris, France Deskeo adds over 50 locations to Newmark's international flexible office portfolio. See Note 4 — “Acquisitions” to our accompanying consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Debt Credit Agreements
On November 6, 2018, Newmark closed its offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023 (“6.125% Senior Notes”). The 6.125% Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. The 6.125% Senior Notes, which were priced on November 1, 2018 at 98.94% to yield 6.375%, were offered and sold by Newmark in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Newmark received net proceeds of $537.6 million, net of debt issue costs and debt discount. The 6.125% Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019 and will mature on November 15, 2023. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of the 6.125% Senior Notes was $545.2 million and $542.8 million, respectively.
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into a credit agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a $250.0 million three-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”).
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On February 26, 2020, Newmark entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $425.0 million (“the Credit Facility”) and extending the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The interest rate on the Credit Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
On March 16, 2020, Newmark entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Second Amended Credit Agreement”), increasing the size of the Credit Facility to $465.0 million. The interest rate on the Amended Credit Facility is LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, subject to a pricing grid linked to Newmark’s credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. As of December 31, 2021, Newmark did not have an outstanding amount on the Credit Facility. As of, December 31, 2020, the carrying amount of the Credit Facility was $137.6 million.
On June 16, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors and its Audit Committee authorized a debt repurchase program for the repurchase by the Company in the amount of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s 6.125% Senior Notes and any future debt securities issued by the Company hereafter (collectively, “Company debt securities”). Repurchases of Company debt securities, if any, are expected to reduce future cash interest payments, as well as future amounts due at maturity or upon redemption.
Under the authorization, the Company may make repurchases of Company debt securities for cash from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions upon such terms and at such prices as management may determine. Additionally, the Company is authorized to make any such repurchases of Company debt securities through Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. ("Cantor") (or its affiliates), in its capacity as agent or principal, or such other broker-dealers as management shall determine to utilize from time to time upon customary market terms or commissions.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $50.0 million remaining from its debt repurchase authorization.
On June 19, 2020, Newmark established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on its Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). The sublimit is now included within the Company’s existing $450 million warehouse facility due June 15, 2022. The advance line will provide 100% of the principal and interest advance payment at a rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 1.80% and will be collateralized by Fannie Mae's commitment to repay advances. Newmark has two Fannie Mae loans that were in default, with $0.1 million outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “Cantor Credit Agreement”) with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to CFLP, other than BGC Partners, Inc. ("BGC") and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of Cantor’s or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have an outstanding balance under this facility.
Securities Financing
On August 2, 2021, our subsidiary Newmark OpCo, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with CF Secured, LLC (“CF Secured”), an affiliate of Newmark’s majority stockholder, Cantor, pursuant to which Newmark may seek, from time-to-time, to execute short-term secured financing transactions. Repurchase Agreements effect equity financing. The Company, under the Repurchase agreement, may seek to sell securities, in this case common shares of Nasdaq, owned by the Company, to CF Secured, under the Repurchase Agreement, and agrees to repurchase those securities on a date certain at a repurchase price generally equal to the original purchase price plus interest.
Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, the Company and CF Secured agreed to enter into a repurchase transaction, wherein CF Secured will deliver the cash of such repurchase transaction to the Company on an overnight basis at an initial rate of 0.95% per annum (approximately 1.00% less expensive than Newmark’s revolving credit facility), and the Company will deliver to CF Secured the number of shares of Nasdaq as collateral so that the market value of such shares equals 130% of such cash proceeds. The Nasdaq shares will be marked to market daily, and the minimum maintenance margin requirement, should the share price decline, will be 120% of such cash proceeds. The Company will be required to transfer additional collateral (securities and/or cash) in the event of a margin percentage decline below 120%.
The initial repurchase or financing transaction was executed on August 2, 2021 and consisted of Newmark receiving $260 million in cash and Newmark delivering 1,818,000 Nasdaq shares as collateral. The repurchase transaction may be rolled over daily (or for a term greater than one day at a time), subject to terms mutually acceptable to the Company and CF Secured,
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including the rate and minimum margin requirement, both of which can fluctuate based upon general funding rates and other factors in the repurchase funding market.
The Repurchase Agreement is subject to ongoing compliance with various covenants and contains customary events of default. If an event of default occurs, the repurchase date for each transaction under the Repurchase Agreement may be accelerated to the date of default. For events of default relating to insolvency and receivership, the repurchase date for each transaction under the Repurchase Agreement is automatically accelerated to the date of default.
Newmark still receives dividends on the common shares of Nasdaq it owns, including those shares used as collateral.
The Company intends to utilize the cash proceeds from the repurchase transaction to lower its debt costs. The Company expects to repay the cash proceeds under the repurchase transaction with proceeds of periodic sales of Nasdaq shares and from its operating cash.
The Repurchase Agreement and related initial repurchase transaction are on market terms and rates and were approved by Newmark’s Audit Committee. As of December 31, 2021, Cantor facilitated Repurchase Agreements between the Company and Cantor in the amount of $140.0 million. The market value of the securities loaned as of December 31, 2021, were $182.0 million. See Note 7 — "Marketable Securities" and Note 27 — “Related Party Transactions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Credit Ratings
Newmark has a stand-alone BBB+ Stable credit rating from JCRA, BBB- Stable credit ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc. and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, and a BB+ Stable credit rating from Standard & Poor’s.
Nasdaq Monetization Transactions
On June 28, 2013, BGC sold certain assets of its on-the-run, electronic benchmark U.S. Treasury platform (“eSpeed”) to Nasdaq, Inc ("Nasdaq"). The total consideration received in the transaction included $750.0 million in cash paid upon closing and an Earn-out of up to 14,883,705 shares of Nasdaq shares to be paid ratably over 15 years (subject to acceleration and present value discount as discussed below), provided that Nasdaq, as a whole, produces at least $25.0 million in consolidated gross revenues each year. The remaining rights under the Nasdaq Earn-out were transferred to Newmark on September 28, 2017. See Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” to our accompanying Consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Exchangeable Preferred Partnership Units and Forward Contracts
On June 18, 2018, Newmark’s principal operating subsidiary, Newmark OpCo, issued $175.0 million of exchangeable preferred partnership units (“EPUs”) in a private transaction to the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”). Newmark received $152.9 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
On September 26, 2018, Newmark entered into a second agreement to issue $150.0 million of additional EPUs to RBC, similar to the June 18, 2018 transaction (together the “Newmark OpCo Preferred Investment”). Newmark received $113.2 million of cash with respect to this transaction.
The EPUs were issued in four tranches and are separately convertible by either RBC or Newmark into a fixed number of shares of Newmark Class A common stock, subject to a revenue hurdle in each of the fourth quarters of 2020 through 2022 for each of the respective four tranches. The ability to convert the EPUs into Newmark Class A common stock is subject to the special purpose vehicle (the “SPV”) SPV’s option to settle the postpaid forward contracts as described below. As the EPUs represent equity ownership of a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark, they have been included in “Noncontrolling interests” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of changes in equity. The EPUs were entitled to a preferred payable-in-kind dividend, which is recorded as accretion to the carrying amount of the EPUs through “Retained earnings” on our accompanying consolidated statements of changes in equity and are reductions to “Net income (loss) available to common stockholders” for the purpose of calculating earnings per share.
Contemporaneously with the issuance of the EPUs, the SPV that is a consolidated subsidiary of Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts with RBC (together, the “Nasdaq Forwards”). The SPV is an indirect subsidiary of Newmark whose sole assets are the Nasdaq Earn-outs for 2019 through 2022. The Nasdaq Forwards provide the SPV the option to settle using up to 992,247 Nasdaq shares, to be received by the SPV pursuant to the Nasdaq Earn-out (see Note 7 — “Marketable Securities” to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K ), or Newmark Class A common stock, in exchange for either cash or redemption of the EPUs, notice of
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which must be provided to RBC prior to November 1 of each year from 2019 through 2022 (subject to acceleration due to Nasdaq's transaction with Tradeweb Markets, Inc ("Tradeweb")).
During the year ended December 31, 2021, Newmark sold 3,030,922 of the Nasdaq shares inclusive of the 944,329 shares used to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards on June 2021 (please see "Acceleration of Nasdaq Earnout"). There were no remaining Nasdaq shares from the shares received from Nasdaq in 2020.
In September 2020, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the second Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2020 in exchange for the second tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $121.9 million. On November 30, 2020, Newmark settled the second Nasdaq Forward with 741,505 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 250,742 Nasdaq shares.
In September 2019, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the first Nasdaq Forward using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received in November 2019 in exchange for the first tranche of the EPUs, which resulted in a payable to RBC that was settled upon receipt of Nasdaq Earn-out shares. The fair value of the Nasdaq shares that Newmark received was $98.6 million. On December 2, 2019, Newmark settled the first Nasdaq Forward with 898,685 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $93.5 million and Newmark retained 93,562 Nasdaq shares.
Acceleration of Nasdaq Earn-out
On February 2, 2021, Nasdaq announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its U.S. fixed income business to Tradeweb. On June 25, 2021, Nasdaq announced the close of the sale of its U.S. fixed income business, which accelerated Newmark’s receipt of Nasdaq shares. Newmark received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $1,093.9 million based on the closing price on June 30, 2021, included in “Other (loss) income, net” for the year ended December 31, 2021 on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
On June 25, 2021, the SPV notified RBC of its decision to settle the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards using the Nasdaq shares the SPV received on June 25, 2021. On July 2, 2021, Newmark settled the third and the fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares, with a fair value of $166.0 million based on the closing price of June 30, 2021.
2021 Equity Event and Share Count Reduction
In connection with the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out, on June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee of Newmark’s Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") approved a plan to expedite the tax deductible exchange and redemption of a substantial number of limited partnership units held by partners of the Company (the "2021 Equity Event"). The 2021 Equity Event also accelerated certain compensation expenses resulting in $428.6 million of compensation charges in the second quarter of 2021. These partnership units were settled using a $12.50 share price. In July 2021, the Compensation Committee approved increasing to $13.01 the price to settle certain units at an incremental cost of $15.9 million, which was recorded as compensation charges in the third quarter of 2021.
Some of the key components of the approved plan were as follows:
•8.3 million and 8.0 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings, L.P. ("Newmark Holdings") and BGC Holdings, L.P. ("BGC Holdings") held by our partners who are employees were redeemed or exchanged .
•23.2 million and 17.4 million compensatory limited partnership units, respectively, of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings held by our partners who are independent contractors were redeemed or exchanged. We also accelerated the payment of related withholding taxes to them with respect to their Newmark units. Independent contractors received one BGC Class A common share for each redeemed non-preferred BGC unit or cash and are responsible for paying any related withholding taxes.
•Partners with nonexchangeable non-preferred compensatory units exchanged or redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event generally received restricted Class A common shares of Newmark and/or BGC to the extent tax deductible. A portion of the BGC Class A common shares received by independent contractors were unrestricted to facilitate their payment of withholding taxes.
•The issuance of Newmark Class A common stock related to the 2021 Equity Event reflected the June 30, 2021 exchange ratio of 0.9403.
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•Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings limited partnership interests with rights to convert into HDUs for cash were also redeemed in connection with the 2021 Equity Event.
Refer to the section ‘Certain Other Related Party Transactions’ for the specific transactions with respect to our executive officers which are included in the above summary.
Certain Other Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors
On December 21, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved: (i) the redemption of all of Mr. Gosin’s remaining 838,996 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for $8,339,980 in cash and (ii) compensation of approximately $7,357,329 by way of the Company causing 478,328 of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 446,711 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock, based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and an exchange ratio of .9339. The estimated pre-tax value of this transaction is $15,697,309, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 53.13% tax rate for Mr. Gosin.
On December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick elected to redeem all of his 193,530 currently exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,465,873. In addition, upon the Compensation Committee’s approval of the monetization of Mr. Gosin’s remaining non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs and a number of Mr. Gosin’s non-exchangeable PSUs on December 21, 2021, Mr. Lutnick (i) elected to redeem 188,883 non-exchangeable Newmark PPSUs for a cash payment of $1,954,728, and 127,799 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,284,376, both for which he previously waived, but now accepted under the Company’s standing policy for Mr. Lutnick; and (ii) received the right to monetize, and accepted the monetization of, his remaining 122,201 non-exchangeable Newmark NPPSUs for a cash payment of $1,228,124, under such standing policy.
In connection with the foregoing, Mr. Lutnick accepted the right to monetize approximately $4,406,915 by way of the Company causing 286,511 of Mr. Lutnick’s non-exchangeable Newmark PSUs to be redeemed for zero and issuing 267,572 shares of Newmark Class A Common Stock based upon the closing price on the date the Committee approved the transaction (which was $16.47) and a .9339 exchange ratio, under the Company’s standing policy applying to Mr. Lutnick, with such acceptance of rights granted in reference to Mr. Gosin’s December 2021 transactions to the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing (and otherwise Mr. Lutnick waived all remaining rights, which shall be cumulative). The aggregate estimated pre-tax value of these transactions is $10,340,015, less applicable taxes and withholdings, using a 57.38% tax rate for Mr. Lutnick.
On March 16, 2021, pursuant to the Newmark standing policy for Mr. Lutnick, the Compensation Committee granted exchange rights and/or monetization rights with respect to rights available to Mr. Lutnick. Mr. Lutnick elected to waive such rights one-time with such future opportunities to be cumulative. The aggregate number of Mr. Lutnick’s units for which he waived exchange rights or other monetization rights is 4,423,457 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs/NPSUs, inclusive of the PSUs receiving an HDU conversion right and 1,770,016 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with an aggregate determination amount of $21.6 million at that time, inclusive of the PPSUs receiving an HDU conversion right.
On March 16, 2021, the Company redeemed 30,926 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Merkel for zero and in connection therewith issued 28,962 shares of our Class A common stock. On the same day, the Company repurchased these shares from Mr. Merkel at the closing price of our Class A common stock of $11.09 per share under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.3 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings. The Compensation Committee approved these transactions.
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Gosin exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 526,828 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 30,871 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs held by Mr. Gosin (which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $5.8 million in the aggregate). In addition, on March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved removing the sale restrictions on Mr. Gosin’s remaining 178,232 restricted shares of Class A common stock in BGC (which were originally issued in 2013) and associated 82,680 remaining restricted shares of Newmark Class A common stock (issued as a result of the Company spin-off in November 2018).
On March 16, 2021, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Rispoli (i) exchange rights into shares of Class A common stock with respect to 6,043 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs held by Mr. Rispoli
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(which, based on the closing price of the Class A common stock of $11.09 per share on such date and using the exchange ratio of 0.9365, had a value of $0.1 million); and (ii) exchange rights into cash with respect to 4,907 previously awarded non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs held by Mr. Rispoli (which had an average determination price of $15.57 per unit, for a total of $76,407 in the aggregate to be paid for taxes when (i) is exchanged).
On April 27, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an additional monetization opportunity for Mr. Merkel: (i) 73,387 of Mr. Merkel’s 145,384 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero, (ii) 19,426 of Mr. Merkel’s 86,649 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs were redeemed for a cash payment of $173,863, and (iii) 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Merkel. On the same day, the 68,727 shares of our Class A common stock were repurchased from Mr. Merkel at $10.67 per share, the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date, under our stock buyback program. The total payment delivered to Mr. Merkel was $0.8 million, less applicable taxes and withholdings.
The specific transactions approved by the Compensation Committee, in connection with the 2021 Equity Event, with respect to our executive officers are set forth below. All of the transactions included in the 2021 Equity Event with respect to Messrs. Lutnick, Gosin and Rispoli, are based on (i) the price for Newmark Class A common stock of $12.50 per share, as approved by the Compensation Committee; (ii) the price of BGC Partners Class A common stock of $5.86; and (iii) the price of Nasdaq common stock of $177.11.
Howard W. Lutnick, Chairman
On December 28, 2021, Newmark awarded to Howard W. Lutnick, the Company’s Chairman and principal executive officer, a one-time $50 million bonus award in consideration of his efforts in delivering superior financial results. A cash payment of $20 million of this award occurred in 2021. Mr. Lutnick has advised that he intends to use the after-tax amount received in 2021 with respect to this bonus to purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the open market, and to date he has purchased approximately $8.5 million of our shares in the open market in connection therewith. The remaining amount of Mr. Lutnick's bonus will be paid in equal payments over the next three years. These efforts included his management of the Company and success in creating value for the Company’s stockholders in connection with structuring, hedging, and monetizing the Nasdaq, Inc. common stock held by the Company and the significant amount of income earned by the Company related to these activities and the significant increase in value of such Nasdaq Shares over time. The Lutnick bonus award was approved by the Compensation Committee of Newmark’s board of directors.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Howard W. Lutnick, the Company’s Chairman: (i) the exchange of 279,725 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs (currently in the share count) into 263,025 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based on the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; (ii) the redemption of 193,530 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $2.5 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the Newmark Class A common stock in (i) above; (iii) the redemption of 2,909,819 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs, pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy and issuance of 2,736,103 shares of Newmark Class A common stock to him based upon the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; (iv) the redemption of 793,398 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy for a cash payment of $22.9 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the above Newmark Class A common stock in (iii) above; (v) the conversion of 552,482.62 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with the right to exchange PSUs into HDUs (“H-Rights”) into 552,482.62 non-exchangeable HDUs and redemption of such HDUs for their capital account, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares; (vi) the redemption of 602,462.94 non-exchangeable PPSUs for a cash payment of $8.0 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of above Newmark Holdings HDU cash payment; (vii) the exchange of 520,380 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 520,380 shares of BGC Class A common stock; (viii) the redemption of 425,766 exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $2.4 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the above BGC shares in (viii); (ix) the redemption of 88,636 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs pursuant to Mr. Lutnick’s rights under his existing standing policy, and the issuance of 88,636 shares of BGC Class A common stock; (x) the conversion of 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 1,131,774 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs; (xi) the redemption of 1,018,390 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs with rights to redeem for cash in connection with the exercise of above BGC Holdings HDUs for a cash payment of $0.3 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of above BGC Holdings HDU cash payment; and (xii) the issuance of 29,059 shares of Newmark Class A common stock.
Barry M. Gosin, Chief Executive Officer
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On September 20, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved a monetization opportunity for Mr. Gosin: all of Mr. Gosin’s 2,114,546 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs were redeemed for zero and 2,114,456 shares of BGC Class A common stock were issued to Mr. Gosin.
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Barry M. Gosin, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer: (i) the exchange of 1,531,061.84 exchangeable Newmark Holdings units (comprised of 1,438,597.37 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and 92,464.47 exchangeable Newmark Holdings APSUs) into 1,439,658 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; (ii) the redemption of 60,753.97 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $9.2 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the Newmark shares in (i) above; (iii) the conversion of 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 443,871.60 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs, less any taxes and withholdings in excess of $5.4 million, and redemption of such HDUs for their Capital Account, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares; (iv) the redemption of 539,080.23 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for cash in connection with the delivery of the Newmark Holdings HDU cash payment in (iii) above; (v) the exchange of 3,348,706 exchangeable BGC Holdings units (comprised of 3,147,085 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs and 201,621 Exchangeable BGC Holdings APSUs) into 3,348,706 shares of BGC Class A common stock; (vi) the redemption of 80,891 exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $9.8 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the BGC shares in (v) above; (vii) the conversion of 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs with H-Rights to into 1,592,016 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings HDUs, less applicable taxes and withholdings in excess of the BGC Holdings PPSU value in (viii) below; (viii) the redemption of 264,985 non-exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs with rights to redeem for cash in connection with exercise of above BGC Holdings HDUs for a cash payment of $0.0 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities in connection with the delivery of the BGC Holdings HDU cash payment in (vii) above; and (ix) the issuance of 12,500 Newmark Class A common stock.
Michael J. Rispoli, Chief Financial Officer
On June 28, 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the following for Mr. Michael Rispoli, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer: (i) the exchange of 23,124 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs into 21,744 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based on the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; (ii) the redemption of 18,668.77 exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.2 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the Newmark shares in (i) above; (iii) the redemption of 6,000 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and the issuance of 5,642 restricted shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; (iv) the conversion of 5,846 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs with H-Rights into 5,846 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings HDUs and the redemption of such HDUs for their capital account, paid in the form of Nasdaq shares; (v) the redemption of 4,917 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs with rights to redeem for cash in connection with the exercise of above Newmark Holdings HDUs for a cash payment of $0.1 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the HDU cash payment in (iv) above; (vi) the exchange of 36,985 exchangeable BGC Holdings PSUs into 36,985 shares of BGC Class A common stock; (vii) the redemption of 29,791 exchangeable BGC Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.1 million to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary for payment in connection with the delivery of the BGC shares in (vi) above; and (viii) the issuance of 383 shares of Newmark Class A common stock.
Stephen M. Merkel, Chief Legal Officer
On June 28, 2021 the Compensation Committee also approved the following for Stephen M. Merkel, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer: (i) the redemption of 51,124.28 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PSUs and issuance of 48,072 shares of Newmark Class A common stock based upon the current exchange ratio of 0.9403; and (ii) the redemption of 46,349.87 non-exchangeable Newmark Holdings PPSUs for a cash payment of $0.5 million, to be remitted to the applicable tax authorities to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of the shares above.
Retirement Fund Purchase
On April 27, 2021, a Keogh retirement account held by Mr. Lutnick purchased 5,154 shares of our Class A common stock from us at the closing price of our Class A common stock on that date of $10.67 per share. The transaction was approved by our Audit Committee.
Pre-IPO intercompany agreements
In December 2017, prior to our Separation and IPO, all intercompany arrangements and agreements that were previously approved by the Audit Committee of BGC Partners with respect to BGC Partners and its subsidiaries and Cantor and its subsidiaries were also approved by our Board of Directors with respect to the relationships between us and our subsidiaries
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and Cantor and its subsidiaries following our IPO on the terms and conditions approved by the BGC Audit Committee during such time that our business was owned by BGC Partners. These arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) an authorization to provide Cantor real estate and related services, including real estate advice, brokerage, property or facilities management, valuation and advisory and other services; (ii) an authorization to enter into brokerage and similar agreements with respect to the provision of ordinary course brokerage services in circumstances in which such entities customarily provide brokerage services to third-party customers; (iii) an authorization to enter into agreements with Cantor and/or its affiliates, to provide services, including finding and reviewing suitable acquisition or partner candidates, structuring transactions and negotiating and due diligence services in connection with acquisitions and other business strategies in commercial real estate and other businesses from time to time; and (iv) an arrangement to jointly manage exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates. Please see the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” in the Company's Amendment No.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed on April 28, 2020 for a description of these and other approved arrangements.
Transfer of Employees to Newmark
In connection with the expansion of our mortgage brokerage and lending activities, Newmark entered into an agreement with Cantor pursuant to which five former employees of its affiliate, CCRE, transferred to Newmark, effective as of May 1, 2018. In connection with this transfer of employees, Cantor paid $6.9 million to Newmark in October 2018 and Newmark Holdings issued $6.7 million of limited partnership units and $0.2 million of cash in the form of a cash distribution agreement to the employees. In addition, Newmark Holdings issued $2.2 million of Newmark Holdings partnership units with a capital account and $0.5 million of limited partnership units in exchange for the cash payment from Cantor to Newmark of $2.2 million. In consideration for the Cantor payment, Newmark has agreed to return up to a maximum of $3.3 million to Cantor based on the employees’ production during their first two years of employment with Newmark. In July 2020, Newmark paid Cantor $3.3 million based on the employees' production. Newmark has agreed to allow certain of these employees to continue to provide consulting services to Cantor in exchange for a forgivable loan which was directly paid by Cantor to these employees.
Services Agreement with CFE Dubai
As the Company does not yet have a presence in Dubai, in May 2020, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc. (“Newmark & Co.”), a subsidiary of Newmark, to enter into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (DIFC Branch) (“CFE Dubai”) pursuant to which CFE Dubai will employ and support an individual who is a resident of Dubai in order to enhance Newmark’s capital markets platform, in exchange for a fee. CFE Dubai and Newmark & Co. negotiated a Services Agreement memorializing the arrangement between the parties (the “Services Agreement”). The Services Agreement provides that Newmark & Co. will reimburse CFE Dubai for the individual’s fully allocated costs, plus a mark-up of seven percent (7%). In addition, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into similar arrangements in respect of any jurisdiction, in the future, with Cantor and its subsidiaries, provided that the applicable agreements contain customary terms for arrangements of this type and that the mark-up charged by the party employing one or more individuals for the benefit of the other is between 3% and 7.5%, depending on the level of support required for the employed individual(s).
Sublease to BGC
On May 15 2020, BGC U.S. OpCo ("BGC") entered into an arrangement to sublease excess space from RKF Retail Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Newmark, which was approved by the Newmark Audit Committee. The deal was a one-year sublease of approximately 21,000 rentable square feet in New York City. Under the terms of the sublease, BGC U.S. OpCo paid a fixed rent amount of $1.1 million in addition to all operating and tax expenses attributable to the lease. In May 2021, the sublease was amended to provide for a rate of $15 thousand per month based on the size of utilized space, in addition to terms extending on a month-to-month basis. In connection with the sublease, in connection with the sublease, Newmark received $0.5 million and $0.8 million for both years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
GSE loans and related party limits
In February 2019, the Audit Committee of the Company authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to originate and service GSE loans to Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) and service loans originated by Cantor and its affiliates (other than BGC) on prices, rates and terms no less favorable to Newmark and its subsidiaries than those charged by third parties. The authorization is subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to: (i) a maximum amount up to $100.0 million per loan, (ii) a $250.0 million limit on loans that have not yet been acquired or sold to a GSE at any given time, and (iii) a separate $250.0 million limit on originated Fannie Mae loans outstanding to Cantor at any given time.
Transaction with CCRE Lending
On July 22, 2019, Cantor Commercial Real Estate Lending, L.P. (“CCRE Lending”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Real Estate LP, made a $146.6 million commercial real estate loan (the “Loan”) to a single-purpose company (the “Borrower”)
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in which Barry Gosin, Newmark’s Chief Executive Officer, owns a 19% interest. The Loan is secured by the Borrower’s interest in property in Pennsylvania that is subject to a ground lease. While CCRE Lending initially provided the full loan amount, on August 16, 2019, a third-party bank purchased approximately 80% of the Loan value from CCRE Lending, with CCRE Lending retaining approximately 20%. The Loan matures on August 6, 2029, and is payable monthly at a fixed interest rate of 4.38% per annum. Newmark provided certain commercial loan brokerage services to the Borrower in the ordinary course of its business, and the Borrower paid Newmark a fee, as the broker of the Loan, of $0.7 million. The Newmark Audit Committee approved the commercial loan brokerage services and the related fee amount received.
Transactions related to ordinary course real estate services
On November 4, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors authorized entities in which executive officers have a non-controlling interest to engage Newmark to provide ordinary course real estate services to them as long as Newmark’s fees are consistent with the fees that Newmark ordinarily charges for these services.
Arrangement with View, Inc.
On November 30, 2020, we entered into an arrangement to assist View, Inc. (“View”) in the sale of its products and services to real estate clients in exchange for commissions. View, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based producer of high-efficiency dynamic glass that controls light, heat, and glare, providing unobstructed views and privacy using a low voltage control system. In connection with the arrangement, View also agreed to engage us as its exclusive provider of real estate services for a period of at least five years. While View is not under common control with us, it was, at the time that the agreement was executed, the target of a merger with CF Finance Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor.
Cantor Rights to Purchase Cantor Units from Newmark Holdings
Cantor has a right to purchase from Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event that any Newmark Holdings founding partner interests that have not become exchangeable are redeemed by Newmark Holdings upon termination or bankruptcy of a founding partner or upon mutual consent of the general partner of Newmark Holdings and Cantor. Cantor has the right to purchase such Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests at a price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount that Newmark Holdings would be required to pay to redeem and purchase such Newmark Holdings founding partner interests and (2) the amount equal to (a) the number of units underlying such founding partner interests, multiplied by (b) the exchange ratio as of the date of such purchase, multiplied by (c) the then-current market price of our Class A common stock. Cantor may pay such price using cash, publicly traded shares or other property, or a combination of the foregoing. If Cantor (or the other member of the Cantor group acquiring such limited partnership interests, as the case may be) so purchases such limited partnership interests at a price equal to clause (2) above, neither Cantor nor any member of the Cantor group nor Newmark Holdings nor any other person is obligated to pay Newmark Holdings or the holder of such founding partner interests any amount in excess of the amount set forth in clause (2) above.
In addition, the Newmark Holdings limited partnership agreement provides that (1) where either current, terminating or terminated partners are permitted by us to exchange any portion of their founding partner units and Cantor consents to such exchangeability, we will offer to Cantor the opportunity for Cantor to purchase the same number of new exchangeable limited partnership interests in Newmark Holdings at the price that Cantor would have paid for exchangeable limited partnership interests in the event we had redeemed the founding partner units; and (2) the exchangeable limited partnership interests to be offered to Cantor pursuant to clause (1) above would be subject to, and granted in accordance with, applicable laws, rules and regulations then in effect.
If Cantor acquires any units as a result of the purchase or redemption by Newmark Holdings of any founding partner interests, Cantor will be entitled to the benefits (including distributions) of the units it acquires from the date of termination or bankruptcy of the applicable founding partner. In addition, any such units will be exchangeable by Cantor for a number of shares of our Class B common stock or, at Cantor’s election, shares of our Class A common stock, in each case, equal to the then-current exchange ratio, on the same basis as the limited partnership interests held by Cantor, and will be designated as Newmark Holdings exchangeable limited partnership interests when acquired by Cantor. The exchange ratio was initially one, but is subject to adjustment as set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and was 0.9444 as of December 31, 2021. This may permit Cantor to receive a larger share of income generated by our business at a less expensive price than through purchasing shares of our Class A common stock, which is a result of the price payable by Cantor to Newmark.
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On March 31, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 273,088 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,105,598 as a result of the redemption of 273,088 founding partner interests, and (ii) 735,625 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $2,918,919 as a result of the exchange of 735,625 founding partner interests.
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On October 28, 2021, Cantor purchased from Newmark Holdings an aggregate of (i) 299,910 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $975,064 as a result of the redemption of 299,910 founding partner interests, and (ii) 523,284 exchangeable limited partnership interests for aggregate consideration of $1,898,363 as a result of the exchange of 523,284 founding partner interests. As of December 31, 2021 there were no founding partner interests in Newmark Holdings remaining in which the partnership had the right to redeem or exchange and with respect to which Cantor will have the right to purchase an equivalent number of Cantor units following such redemption or exchange.
Special Purpose Acquisition Company
As previously reported, in April 2021, Newmark OpCo and Cantor entered into various arrangements pursuant to which they agreed to co-sponsor a special purpose acquisition company, named Newmark Acquisition Corp. (the “SPAC”), in which certain of our executive officers are executive officers and are expected to be directors. Pursuant to a purchase agreement, Newmark OpCo purchased from Cantor a 75% equity interest in an entity now known as Newmark Acquisition Holdings, LLC, the sponsor of the SPAC (the “Sponsor”), for $18.8 thousand, with Cantor retaining the remaining 25% equity interest in the Sponsor. Pursuant to an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the Sponsor, Newmark OpCo is the managing member of the Sponsor, and Newmark OpCo and Cantor have agreed to make additional equity contributions to the Sponsor in order to fund the obligations of the Sponsor with respect to the SPAC in proportion to their equity ownership in the Sponsor. Also, in April 2021, the Sponsor agreed to lend to the SPAC up to $0.3 million without interest in order to cover expenses related to any initial public offering of the SPAC; the maturity date of the loans is the earlier of the consummation of the initial public offering of the SPAC and December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021 there was no outstanding balance on this Pre-IPO loan.
Other Related Party Transactions
As part of the Knotel acquisition, Newmark assigned the rights to acquire certain Knotel assets to a subsidiary of Cantor, on the terms that if the subsidiary monetized the sale of these assets, Newmark would receive 10% of the proceeds of the sale after the subsidiary recoups its investment in the assets.
On June 28, 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark to hire a son of its Chairman as a full-time employee of its Knotel business with an annual base salary of $125,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 30%. The arrangement includes a potential profit participation consistent with other entrepreneurial arrangements in the event of certain liquidity events related to businesses developed by him.
Referral Fees to Cantor
In September 2021, the Audit Committee approved the payment of a referral fee from Newmark to Cantor Realty Capital Advisors, L.P. (“CRCA”), a subsidiary of Cantor, in relation to CRCA’s referral to Newmark of a sale and lease back transaction for a portfolio of medical office properties. Newmark paid CRCA approximately $0.3 million for the referral of the portfolio sale. Newmark management negotiated the referral arrangement with CRCA in the ordinary course of business and the arrangement is reasonable and consistent with referral arrangements of its type between unrelated parties.
Additionally, in September 2021, the Audit Committee authorized Newmark and its subsidiaries to pay referral fees to Cantor and its subsidiaries (other than Newmark and its subsidiaries) in respect of referred business, pursuant to ordinary course arrangements in circumstances where Newmark would customarily pay referral fees to unrelated third parties and where Newmark is paying a referral fee to Cantor in an amount that is no more than the applicable percentage rate set forth in Newmark’s intra-company referral policies, as then in effect, with such fees to be at referral rates no less favorable to Newmark than would be paid to unrelated third parties.
Key Business Drivers
Key drivers for U.S. commercial real estate services companies include the overall health of the U.S. economy, institutional ownership of commercial real estate as an investible asset class, and the ability to attract and retain talent. In our capital markets business, the availability of credit and certainty of valuations to investors are key drivers. In our multifamily business, demographic and economic factors are driving increased demand for new apartments, with an estimated 4.6 million needed by 2030, according to a 2017 study commissioned by the National Multifamily Housing Council and National Apartment Association. In 2021, the National Association of Realtors said the U.S. has not constructed enough housing to keep up with population growth for many years, and that the country has a deficit of 1.1 million units in buildings with two to four units and of 2.4 million units in buildings of at least five units according to "U.S. Housing Market Needs 5.5 Million More Units, Says New Report" from the Wall Street Journal. This strong demand for new housing should continue to drive growth across our investment sales, GSE/FHA multifamily lending, mortgage brokerage, and servicing business over time.
Our GSE origination business is impacted by the lending caps imposed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”). On November 17, 2020, the FHFA announced that the 2021 multifamily loan purchase caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were $70 billion for each GSE. The cap structure allows the GSEs to offer a combined total of no more than $140 billion in lending support to the multifamily market in 2021, as compared to the $159 billion delivered in 2020. On October 13,
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2021, the FHFA announced that the 2022 multifamily loan purchase caps will be $78 billion for each GSE, for a combined total of $156 billion. The 2022 caps are based on FHFA's projections of the overall growth of the multifamily originations market. The 2021 and 2022 caps require at least 50% of the Enterprises' multifamily business to be mission-driven, affordable housing. FHFA will also require at least 25% of the GSE's 2022 multifamily business be affordable to residents at or below 60% of area median income (AMI), up from 20% in 2021. Newmark's multi-family debt origination and mortgage brokerage volumes increased 129.8% to $30.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Economic Outlook in the United States
COVID-19 adversely affected the economic outlook beginning in March of 2020. Following a 3.5% contraction in 2020, the U.S. economy expanded by 5.7% in 2021, in contrast to a decrease of 3.4 percent in 2020, according to a preliminary estimate from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The consensus is for U.S. gross domestic product to expand by 3.7% in 2022 and 2.5% in 2023, according to a recent Bloomberg survey of economists.
According to a preliminary report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the monthly average of nonfarm payroll employment increased by approximately 550,000 on a net basis during 2021, which was the highest such annual figure since record keeping began. The unemployment rate declined to 3.9% in December 2021 from a high of 14.8 % in April of 2020, but still 40 basis points higher than in February 2020.
The ten-year Treasury yield increased by approximately 60 basis points to 1.51% as of December 31, 2021 versus the year-earlier date. Ten-year Treasury yields have remained well below their 50-year average of approximately 6.07%. On January 25 and 26, 2022 , the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0.0% to 0.25% through the end of 2022. As the U.S. has recorded its fastest pace of price increases since the early 1980s, the committee indicated that it was time to raise interest rates, but also that any decisions would depend on a meeting-by-meeting analysis of inflation and other data. Fed officials said that the strength of the economy and the high current pace of inflation would warrant raising rates quicker than the once-per-quarter pace seen during the tightening cycle that began in 2015.The FOMC also stated that it plans to reduce the nearly $9 trillion portfolio of securities it holds, including agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasuries. These securities were purchased as part of the Fed's quantitative easing program designed hold down long-term interest rates. Economists therefore generally expect U.S. interest rates to increase versus where they were in 2020 and 2021, but to remain relatively low by historical standards for the foreseeable future. For example, as February 16, 2021, the Bloomberg consensus was for the ten-year Treasury yield to be 2.21% and 2.47% by the end of 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Market Statistics
According to preliminary estimates from CoStar, value-weighted prices for U.S. commercial real estate were up by 16.1% in the year ended December 31, 2021 and were now 25.8% higher than in February 2020, before the onset of the global pandemic. These price increases were across all major property types, particularly multifamily and industrial. Real Capital Analytics (“RCA”) currently estimates that 2021 U.S. investment sales grew by over 88% year-on-year and by 35% versus 2019. In comparison, our annual investment sales volumes were up by 83% year-on-year and by 74% versus 2019.
According to preliminary estimates made on February 14, 2022 by the Mortgage Bankers Association (“MBA”) , originations of commercial/multifamily loans of all types increased by 67% in 2021 and by 17% versus 2019. In comparison, Newmark generated its largest-ever annual volumes from mortgage brokerage and originations (together, "total debt"), which were up by 113% year-on-year and by 64% versus 2019.
Newmark’s loan origination volumes are driven more by the GSE multifamily financing volumes than the activity level of the overall commercial mortgage market. Overall industry GSE multifamily origination volumes decreased by 17% in 2021 compared with 2020, per the MBA. In comparison, Newmark's origination volumes declined by 20.2%. However, its total debt volumes in multifamily were up by 129.8%, as the Company continued its market leading growth while helping clients navigate reduced GSE lending caps. Certain GSE multifamily volume statistics for the industry are based on when loans are sold and/or securitized, and typically lag those reported by Newmark and its competitors by 30 to 45 days.
Regulatory Environment
See “Business—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our regulatory environment.
Liquidity
See “—Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources” herein for information related to our liquidity and capital resources.
Financial Overview
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Revenues
We derive revenues from the following general four sources:
•Leasing and Other Commissions. We offer a diverse range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, including tenant and agency representation, which includes comprehensive lease negotiations, strategic planning, site selection, lease auditing, and other financial and market analysis.
•Capital Markets. Our real estate capital markets business specializes in the arrangement of acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, as well as providing other financial services, including the arrangement of debt and equity financing, and loan sale advisory.
•Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities/Originations, Net. Gains from mortgage banking activities/originations are derived from the origination of loans with borrowers and the sale of those loans to investors.
•Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other. We provide commercial services to tenants and landlords. In this business, we provide property and facilities management services along with project management, valuation and advisory services and other consulting services, as well as technology, to customers who may also utilize our commercial real estate brokerage services, and flexible workspace solutions. Servicing fees are derived from the servicing of loans originated by us as well as loans originated by third parties.
Fees are generally earned when a lease is signed. In many cases, landlords are responsible for paying the fees. In capital markets, fees are earned and recognized when the sale of a property closes, and title passes from seller to buyer for investment sales and when debt or equity is funded to a vehicle for debt and equity transactions. Gains from mortgage banking activities/originations, net are recognized when a derivative asset is recorded upon the commitment to originate a loan with a borrower and sell the loan to an investor. The derivative is recorded at fair value and includes loan origination fees, sales premiums and the estimated fair value of the expected net servicing cash flows. Gains from mortgage banking activities/originations, net are recognized net of related fees and commissions to affiliates or third-party brokers. For loans we broker, revenues are recognized when the loan is closed. Servicing fees are recognized on an accrual basis over the lives of the related mortgage loans. We typically receive monthly management fees based upon a percentage of monthly rental income generated from the property under management, or in some cases, the greater of such percentage or a minimum agreed upon fee. We are often reimbursed for our administrative and payroll costs, as well as certain out-of-pocket expenses, directly attributable to properties under management. We follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or “U.S. GAAP”, which provides guidance when accounting for reimbursements from clients and when accounting for certain contingent events for Leasing and Capital Markets transactions. See Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
The majority of our operating costs consist of cash and non-cash compensation expenses, which include base salaries, producer commissions based on production, forgivable loans for term contracts, discretionary and other bonuses and all related employee benefits and taxes. Our employees consist of commissioned producers, executives and other administrative support. Our producers are largely compensated based on the revenue they generate for the firm, keeping these costs variable in nature.
As part of our compensation plans, certain employees have been granted limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, which generally receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. Certain Newmark employees also hold non-distribution earnings units (e.g. NPSUs and NREUs, collectively “N Units”) that do not participate in quarterly partnership distributions and are not allocated any items of profit or loss. These N Units vest into distribution earnings units over a 4-year period. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, the quarterly allocations of net income on such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying Consolidated statements of operations. During 2019, Newmark simplified its compensation structure when hiring new personnel by issuing restricted stock units in lieu of limited partnership units. Newmark continues to monitor its compensation policy and make changes where necessary to attract industry leading producers to Newmark.
Newmark granted conversion rights on outstanding limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings to Newmark employees to convert the limited partnership units to a capital balance within Newmark Holdings or BGC Holdings. Generally, such units are not considered share-equivalent limited partnership units and are not in the fully diluted share count.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that we
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record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs”. The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout amount is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Our employees have been awarded preferred partnership units (“Preferred Units”) in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings. Each quarter, the net profits of Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are allocated to such units at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation (the “Preferred Distribution”), which is deducted before the calculation and distribution of the quarterly partnership distribution for the remaining partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings, respectively. The Preferred Units are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to the Preferred Distribution. Preferred Units may not be made exchangeable into our Class A common stock and are only entitled to the Preferred Distribution, and accordingly they are not included in our fully diluted share count. The quarterly allocations of net income on Preferred Units are also reflected in compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. After deduction of the Preferred Distribution, the remaining partnership units generally receive quarterly allocation of net income based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. In addition, Preferred Units are granted in connection with the grant of certain limited partnership units, such as PSUs, that may be granted exchangeability to cover the withholding taxes owed by the unit holder upon such exchange. This is an acceptable alternative to the common practice among public companies of issuing the gross amount of shares to employees, subject to cashless withholding of shares to pay applicable withholding taxes.
We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans, which may be either wholly or in part repaid from the distribution earnings that the individual receives on their limited partnership interests in BGC Holdings and Newmark Holdings. The forgivable portion of these loans is recognized as compensation expense over the life of the loan.
From time to time, we may also enter into agreements with employees and partners to grant bonus and salary advances or other types of loans. These advances and loans are repayable in the timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. In addition, we also enter into deferred compensation agreements with employees providing services to us. The costs associated with such plans are generally amortized over the period in which they vest. (See Note 30 — “Compensation” and Note 31 — “Commitment and Contingencies”, to our accompanying Consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Other Operating Expenses
We have various other operating expenses. We incur leasing, equipment and maintenance expenses. We also incur selling and promotion expenses, which include entertainment, marketing and travel-related expenses. We incur communication expenses, professional and consulting fees for legal, audit and other special projects, and interest expense related to short-term operational funding needs, and notes payable and collateralized borrowings.
We pay fees to Cantor for performing certain administrative and other support, including charges for occupancy of office space, utilization of fixed assets and accounting, operations, human resources, legal services and technology infrastructure support. Management believes that these charges are a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services rendered. However, the expenses for these services are not necessarily indicative of the expenses that would have been incurred if we had not obtained these services from Cantor. In addition, these charges may not reflect the costs of services we may receive from Cantor in the future.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net is comprised of the gains associated with the Earn-out shares related to the Nasdaq Transaction and the movements related to the impact of any realized and unrealized cash and non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses related to the Nasdaq common shares held, and the Nasdaq Forwards. Additionally, other income includes gains (losses) on cost and equity method investments which represent our pro rata share of the net gains (losses) on investments over which we have significant influence but which we do not control, and the mark-to-market gains or losses on the non-marketable investments.
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Provision for Income Taxes
We incur income tax expenses based on the location, legal structure, and jurisdictional taxing authorities of each of our subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to the Unincorporated Business Tax (which we refer to as “UBT”) in New York City. U.S. federal and state income tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss, with the exception of UBT, rests with the partners (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) rather than the partnership entity. Our accompanying Consolidated financial statements include U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on Newmark’s allocable share of the U.S. results of operations. Outside of the U.S., we operate principally through subsidiary corporations subject to local income taxes.
Impact of Adopting Lease Guidance
On January 1, 2019, Newmark adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), which provides guidance on the accounting and disclosure for accounting for leases. Newmark has elected the optional transition method, and pursuant to this transition method, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019. Newmark has elected the package of “practical expedients,” which permits Newmark not to reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. Newmark has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, and has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all leases other than real estate leases.
The adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 resulted in the recognition of Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets of approximately $178.8 million and Right-of-use liabilities of approximately $226.7 million, with no effect on beginning retained earnings.
The adoption of the new guidance did not have a significant impact on our accompanying consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of changes in equity, and consolidated statements of cash flows.
See Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 18 — “Leases” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K , for further information.
Impact of Adopting Credit Loss Guidance
On January 1, 2020, Newmark adopted Accounting Standards Codification 326, Financial Instrument-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC 326”), which provides guidance on the accounting and disclosure for accounting for expected credit losses on financial instruments.
The adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, on a pre-tax basis, resulted in a decrease in assets of $8.0 million, an increase in liabilities of $17.9 million and a decrease in beginning retained earnings of $25.9 million.
See Note 3 — “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 23 — “Financial Guarantee Liability" to our accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K , for further information.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leasing and other commissions | $ | 826,942 | 28.5 | % | $ | 513,842 | 27.0 | % | $ | 854,780 | 38.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital markets | 938,305 | 32.3 | 454,106 | 23.8 | 541,255 | 24.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains from mortgage banking activities/originations, net | 225,481 | 7.8 | 310,914 | 16.3 | 198,085 | 8.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Management services, servicing fees and other | 915,715 | 31.5 | 626,136 | 32.9 | 624,012 | 28.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,906,443 | 100.0 | 1,904,998 | 100.0 | 2,218,132 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and employee benefits | 1,828,887 | 62.9 | 1,147,360 | 60.2 | 1,275,988 | 57.5 |
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| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs (1) | 356,345 | 12.3 | 130,759 | 6.9 | 258,836 | 11.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total compensation and employee benefits | 2,185,232 | 75.2 | 1,278,119 | 67.1 | 1,534,824 | 69.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating, administrative and other | 553,623 | 19.0 | 294,405 | 15.5 | 361,857 | 16.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees to related parties | 23,789 | 0.8 | 22,573 | 1.2 | 25,025 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 121,729 | 4.2 | 141,193 | 7.4 | 131,144 | 5.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,884,373 | 99.2 | 1,736,290 | 91.1 | 2,052,850 | 92.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income/(loss), net | 1,232,495 | 42.4 | 15,290 | 0.8 | 80,954 | 3.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 1,254,565 | 43.2 | 183,998 | 9.7 | 246,236 | 11.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest (expense) income, net | (33,473) | (1.2) | (37,728) | (2.0) | (32,088) | (1.4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 1,221,092 | 42.0 | 146,270 | 7.7 | 214,148 | 9.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 242,958 | 8.4 | 36,993 | 1.9 | 52,436 | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated net income | 978,134 | 33.7 | 109,277 | 5.7 | 161,712 | 7.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 227,406 | 7.8 | 29,217 | 1.5 | 44,407 | 2.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 750,728 | 25.8 | % | $ | 80,060 | 4.2 | % | $ | 117,305 | 5.3 | % |
(1)The components of Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs are as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | Actual Results | Percentage of Total Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock and exchangeability expenses | $ | 312,718 | 10.8 | % | $ | 69,041 | 3.6 | % | $ | 181,714 | 8.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | 55,183 | 1.9 | 30,461 | 1.6 | 50,410 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnership units amortization | (28,351) | (1.0) | 18,692 | 1.0 | 21,508 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSU amortization | 16,795 | 0.6 | 12,565 | 0.7 | 5,204 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs | $ | 356,345 | 12.3 | % | $ | 130,759 | 6.9 | % | $ | 258,836 | 11.7 | % |
Year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020
Revenues
Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues increased by $313.1 million, or 60.9%, to $826.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, due to greatly increased demand across all major property types, in particular, strength in office led by life science, and industrial.
Capital Markets
Capital markets revenue increased by $484.2 million, or 106.6%, to $938.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Newmark's overall notional volumes from investment sales, mortgage brokerage, and multifamily originations increased by 92.8% to $138.4 billion.
Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities/Originations, Net
Gains from mortgage banking activities, net decreased by $85.4 million, or 27.5%, to $225.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a $58.4 million decline in non-cash OMSR revenues. The Company helped its clients navigate lower GSE multifamily loan activity by placing a record amount of their multifamily debt with non-agency lenders.
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased $289.6 million, or 46.2%, to $915.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The growth was led by strong improvements from Global Corporate Services, Valuation & Advisory, and Servicing Fees, as well as the addition of Knotel, as the Company continued to invest in these recurring and predictable businesses. Valuation and Advisory was up 46.5% to $157.0 million, by productivity gains from our Ngage technology platform.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
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Compensation and employee benefits expense increased by $681.5 million, or 59.4%, to $1,828.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase for the year primarily resulted from variable compensation related to the increase in commission-based revenue and $203.8 million of expense related to the 2021 Equity Event.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs increased by $225.6 million, or 172.5%, to $356.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 largely as a result of the 2021 Equity Event.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses increased $259.2 million, or 88.0%, to $553.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to increased pass-through expenses tied to non-fee revenues, higher expenses related to the resumption of normalized business activity, and the impact of acquisitions.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties increased by $1.2 million, or 5.4%, to $23.8 million, for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $19.5 million, or 13.8%, to $121.7 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 due to a decrease in MSR valuation allowance.
Because Newmark recognizes OMSR gains equal to the fair value of servicing rights retained on mortgage loans originated and sold, it also amortizes MSRs in proportion to the net servicing revenue expected to be earned. Subsequent to the initial recording, MSRs are amortized and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The MSR valuation allowance decreased by $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to a $15.2 million increase for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 our expenses included $110.9 million and $96.0 million, respectively, of MSR scheduled amortization.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net in the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to $1,203.1 million of gains from the acceleration of the Nasdaq Earn-out and realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities. Additionally, the Company recorded $27.8 million of non-cash gain related to acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by a realized loss on the Nasdaq Forward of $12.4 million.
Other income (loss), net of $15.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily related to $121.9 million of income related to the Nasdaq Earn-out, partially offset by losses of $84.2 million relating to non-marketable investments carried under the measurement alternative, $11.6 million of equity losses from Real Estate LP and $13.7 million of mark-to market losses on the Nasdaq Forwards.
Interest (Expense) Income, Net
Interest expense, net decreased by $4.3 million, or 11.3%, to $33.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 due to lower outstanding debt balances.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes increased by $206.0 million, to $243.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by higher pre-tax earnings. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $198.2 million, to $227.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 due to higher earnings.
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019
Revenues
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Leasing and Other Commissions
Leasing and other commission revenues decreased by $340.9 million, or 39.9% to $513.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. Leasing and other commissions volumes fell significantly beginning in March of 2020 due to lower industry-wide leasing resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular, our presence in large, urban markets, such as New York city and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Capital Markets
Capital markets revenue decreased by $87.1 million or 16.1% to $454.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. Capital market volumes fell significantly beginning in March of 2020 due to lower industry-wide leasing resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a low interest rate environment coupled with significant capital available to invest in real estate has led to sequential improvement in capital markets activity since the second quarter of 2020, with investments concentrated in certain asset types, such as multi-family, life sciences and industrial. Our capital markets business was up 15.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities/Originations, Net
Gains from mortgage banking activities, net increased by $112.8 million or 57.0%, to $310.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to strong GSE originations and a more balanced product mix.
A portion of our gains from mortgage banking activities, net, relate to non-cash gains attributable to OMSRs. We recognize OMSR gains equal to the fair value of servicing rights retained on mortgage loans originated and sold. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $194.8 million and $109.2 million of non-cash gains, respectively, related to OMSRs.
Management Services, Servicing Fees and Other
Management services, servicing fees and other revenue increased $2.1 million, or 0.3%, to $626.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in non-fee pass-through revenue and valuation and appraisal, offset by lower interest income on escrow balances, lower interest on loans held for sale, and lower yield maintenance fees.
Expenses
Compensation and Employee Benefits
Compensation and employee benefits expense decreased by $128.6 million, or 10.1%, to $1,147.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2020 was directly related to lower commission based revenues and our cost savings initiatives, partially offset by non-fee expenses and amortization of hiring costs.
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs
Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs decreased by $128.1 million, or 49.5%, to $130.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of lower stock compensation charges of $112.7 million and lower income allocation charges of $20.0 million due to lower earnings.
Operating, Administrative and Other
Operating, administrative and other expenses decreased by $67.5 million, or 18.6%, to $294.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 due to our cost savings initiatives.
Fees to Related Parties
Fees to related parties decreased by $2.5 million, or 9.8%, to $22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $10.0 million, or 7.7%, to $141.2 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was due to a $9.7 million increase in mortgage servicing rights amortization.
Because Newmark recognizes OMSR gains equal to the fair value of servicing rights retained on mortgage loans originated and sold, it also amortizes MSRs in proportion to the net servicing revenue expected to be earned. Subsequent to the
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initial recording, MSRs are amortized and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, our revenue included $194.8 million and $109.2 million, respectively, our expenses included $111.3 million and $101.5 million of MSR amortization, respectively. The MSR amortization increased due to higher scheduled amortization as a result of growth in the book value of the MSRs.
Other Income (loss), Net
Other income (loss), net of $15.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily related to $121.9 million of income related to the 2020 annual Nasdaq Earn-out, partially offset by $84.2 million of mark-to-market losses on non-marketable investments, a mark-to-market loss related to the Nasdaq Forwards of $13.7 million and $11.6 million of equity losses from Real Estate LP.
Other income, net of $81.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily related to the recognition of income from the receipt of Nasdaq shares of $113.9 million, including appreciation of Nasdaq shares held by Newmark, and unrealized gains of $12.2 million relating to non-marketable investments carried under the measurement alternative, partially offset by mark-to-market losses related to the Nasdaq Forwards of $51.1 million.
Interest (Expense) Income, Net
Interest expense, net increased by $5.6 million, or 17.6%, to $37.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 due to borrowings on our Credit Facility.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes decreased by $15.4 million, or 29.5%, to $37.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by lower pretax earnings. In general, our consolidated effective tax rate can vary from period to period depending on, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of our earnings.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased by $15.2 million, or 34.2%, to $29.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The primary source of liquidity for our business is the cash flow provided by our operations and the Nasdaq shares.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth, the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, our expansion into other markets and our results of operations. To the extent that existing cash, cash from operations and credit facilities, and Nasdaq shares are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public equity or debt financing. As of December 31, 2021, our long-term debt consists of our 6.125% Senior Notes with a carrying amount of $545.2 million.
Financial Position
Total assets were $5.2 billion at December 31, 2021 and $4.0 billion at December 31, 2020.
Total liabilities were $3.5 billion at December 31, 2021 and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2020.
Liquidity
At December 31, 2021, we had total liquidity of $575.9 million, which consisted of $191.3 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents, and 2.5 million shares of Nasdaq common stock valued at $524.6 million, net of $140.0 million of borrowings against the Nasdaq shares. We have a $465.0 million undrawn revolving credit facility and no net debt as of December 31, 2021. We expect to generate cash flows from operations to fund our business and to meet our short-term liquidity requirements, which we define as the next twelve months. As of February 25, 2022, we held approximately 1.1 million shares of Nasdaq common stock valued at $187.2 million.
Long-term debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
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| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| 6.125% Senior Notes | $ | 545,239 | $ | 542,772 | ||
| Credit Facility | — | 137,613 | ||||
| Total | $ | 545,239 | $ | 680,385 |
6.125% Senior Notes
On November 2, 2018, Newmark announced the pricing of an offering of $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023, which closed on November 6, 2018. The 6.125% Senior Notes were offered and sold in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. The 6.125% Senior Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of Newmark. These 6.125% Senior Notes were priced at 98.94% to yield 6.375%. The 6.125% Senior Notes bear an interest rate of 6.125% per annum, payable on each May 15 and November 15, beginning on May 15, 2019 and will mature on November 15, 2023. The 6.125% Senior Notes were subsequently exchanged for notes with substantially similar terms that were registered under the Securities Act.
Credit Facility
On November 28, 2018, Newmark entered into the Credit Agreement by and among Newmark, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as Lenders, and Bank of America N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement was amended on February 26, 2020 to increase the size of the facility and extend the maturity date to February 26, 2023. The Amended Credit Agreement provided for a $425.0 million three-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement was again amended on March 16, 2020 to increase the size of the facility. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a $465.0 million three-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under this credit agreement. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will bear an annual interest equal to, at Newmark’s option, either (a) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for specified periods, or upon the consent of all Lenders, such other period that is 12 months or less, plus an applicable margin, or (b) a base rate equal to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, (ii) the prime rate as established by the administrative agent, and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%. The applicable margin is 1.75% with respect to LIBOR borrowings and 0.75% with respect to base rate borrowings, both of which can be up to 0.50% higher depending upon Newmark’s credit rating. The Amended Credit Facility also provides for an unused facility fee. In July of 2021, Newmark paid down the balance of the Credit Facility in the amount of $140.0 million.
Cantor Credit Agreement
On November 30, 2018, Newmark entered into an unsecured credit agreement with Cantor. The Cantor Credit Agreement provides for each party to issue loans to the other party in the lender’s discretion. Pursuant to the Cantor Credit Agreement, the parties and their respective subsidiaries (with respect to CFLP, other than BGC and its subsidiaries) may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million from each other from time to time at an interest rate which is the higher of CFLP’s or Newmark’s short-term borrowing rate then in effect, plus 1.0%. As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020 there were no borrowings outstanding under the Cantor Credit Agreement.
Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises
As of December 31, 2021, Newmark had $1.5 billion of committed loan funding available through three commercial banks and an uncommitted $700.0 million Fannie Mae loan repurchase facility. Consistent with industry practice, these warehouse facilities are short-term, requiring annual renewal. These warehouse facilities are collateralized by an assignment of the underlying mortgage loans originated under its various lending programs and third-party purchase commitments and are recourse only to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkeley Point Capital, LLC. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, we had $1.1 billion and $1.1 billion outstanding under “Warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net were as follows (in thousands):
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| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (48,709) | $ | (777,694) | $ | 986,761 | ||||||||
| Add back: | ||||||||||||||
| Loan originations - loans held for sale | 9,142,148 | 12,374,231 | 8,783,225 | |||||||||||
| Loan sales - loans held for sale | (9,177,733) | (11,527,010) | (9,563,973) | |||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on loans held for sale | 21,259 | 24,295 | 5,174 | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding activity from loan originations and sales (1)(2)(3) | $ | (63,035) | $ | 93,822 | $ | 211,187 |
(1) Includes payments for corporate taxes in the amount of $99.4 million, $80.3 million, and $95.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 respectively.
(2) Includes payments for new hires and producers of $17.4 million, $72.7 million, and $157.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 , respectively.
(3) Reflects $484.4 million of cash used with respect to the 2021 Equity Event. Of this amount, $203.4 million related to the 16.3 million reduction in fully diluted shares, and $280.9 million related to amounts paid on behalf of, or to partners for withholding taxes related to unit exchanges and/or redemptions, cash paid for redemption of HDUs, and other items. Not including these uses of cash, net cash provided by operating activities excluding loan originations and sales would have been $421.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2021
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we used $48.7 million of cash from operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales cash used from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $63.0 million. The $63.0 million reflects $484.4 million of cash used with respect to the 2021 Equity Event to reduce our fully diluted share count and for amounts paid on behalf of or to partners for withholding taxes related to unit exchanges and/or redemptions, cash paid for redemption of HDUs, and other items. But for these uses of cash, net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 would have been $421.4 million. Cash provided by investing activities was $453.1 million, primarily related to $551.1 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by $69.8 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Cash used in financing activities of $396.3 million primarily related to $290.5 million of treasury stock repurchases.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2020
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we used $777.7 million of cash for operations. However, excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $93.8 million. We had consolidated net income of $109.3 million, $146.6 million of positive adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities (excluding activity from loan originations and sales) and $162.0 million of negative changes in operating assets and liabilities. The negative change in operating assets and liabilities included $127.9 million of increases in loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees, a $123.7 million decrease in receivables, net, a $82.4 million decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and a $75.4 million decrease in accrued compensation. Cash used in investing activities was $3.6 million, primarily related to $34.7 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by $19.6 million in purchases of fixed assets, $12.8 million for the purchase of a debt security, and $5.9 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Cash provided by financing activities of $817.8 million primarily related to $851.6 million of net borrowings on the warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises, and $365.0 million borrowing under the Credit Facility, partially offset by $275.0 million repayment on the Credit Facility, $81.9 million in earning distributions to limited partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests, and $23.2 million in dividends to stockholders.
Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we generated $986.8 million of cash from operations. Excluding activity from loan originations and sales, net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $211.2 million. We had consolidated net income of $161.7 million, $222.6 million of positive adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (excluding activity from loan originations and sales) and $173.1 million of negative changes in operating assets and liabilities. The negative change in operating assets and liabilities included $161.9 million of increases in loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners primarily related to continued hiring and expansion of our business, $113.2 million of increases in other assets, and $52.0 million of increase in receivables, net, offset by an increase of $130.7 million in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and an increase of $23.4 million in payables to related parties. Cash used in investing activities was $56.8 million, primarily related to $34.5 million in purchases of fixed assets, $33.9 million of payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, $28.0 million in purchases of non-marketable investments, net, partially offset by $32.6 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, and $8.6 million of distributions from Real Estate L.P. We used $895.5 million of cash from financing activities primarily due to net repayments on the warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises of $762.7 million, distributions to limited
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partnership interests and other noncontrolling interests of $140.6 million, dividends to stockholders of $69.2 million and treasury stock repurchases of $37.4 million, partially offset by net borrowings under the Credit Facility of $50.0 million, the settlement of pre-Spin-Off related party receivables of $33.9 million, and proceeds from securities loaned of $36.7 million.
Credit Ratings
As of December 31, 2021, our public long-term credit ratings and associated outlooks are as follows:
| Rating | Outlook | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitch Ratings Inc. | BBB- | Stable | ||
| JCRA | BBB+ | Stable | ||
| Kroll Bond Rating Agency | BBB- | Stable | ||
| Standard & Poor's | BB+ | Stable |
Credit ratings and associated outlooks are influenced by several factors, including but not limited to: operating environment, earnings and profitability trends, the prudence of funding and liquidity management practices, balance sheet size/composition and resulting leverage, cash flow coverage of interest, composition and size of the capital base, available liquidity, outstanding borrowing levels and the firm’s competitive position in the industry. A credit rating and/or the associated outlook can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Any reduction in our credit ratings and/or the associated outlook could adversely affect the availability of debt financing on terms acceptable to us, as well as the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain any such financing. In addition, credit ratings and associated outlooks may be important to customers or counterparties when we compete in certain markets and when we seek to engage in certain transactions. In connection with certain agreements, interest rates on our notes may incur increases of up to 2% in the event of a credit ratings downgrade.
Regulatory Requirements
Newmark is subject to various capital requirements in connection with seller/servicer agreements that Newmark has entered into with the various GSEs. Failure to maintain minimum capital requirements could result in Newmark’s inability to originate and service loans for the respective GSEs and could have a direct material adverse effect on our accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2021, Newmark has met all capital requirements. As of December 31, 2021, the most restrictive capital requirement was Fannie Mae’s net worth requirement. Newmark exceeded the minimum requirement by $400.5 million.
Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Fannie Mae allow Newmark to originate and service loans under Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) Program. These agreements require Newmark to maintain sufficient collateral to meet Fannie Mae’s restricted and operational liquidity requirements based on a pre-established formula. Certain of Newmark’s agreements with Freddie Mac allow Newmark to service loans under Freddie Mac’s Targeted Affordable Housing (“TAH”) Program. These agreements require Newmark to pledge sufficient collateral to meet Freddie Mac’s liquidity requirement of 8% of the outstanding principal of TAH loans serviced by Newmark. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Newmark has met all liquidity requirements.
In addition, as a servicer for Fannie Mae, the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and FHA, Newmark is required to advance to investors any uncollected principal and interest due from borrowers. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, outstanding borrower advances were $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On September 9, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Housing Reform Plan (the “Plan”) in response to a March 27, 2019 Presidential Memorandum soliciting reforms in the housing financing system designed to minimize taxpayer exposure to future bailouts. The primary recommendations of the Plan are: (i) that existing government support for the secondary markets should be explicitly defined, tailored and paid for; (ii) that the GSEs’ conservatorship should come to an end; (iii) the implementation of reforms necessary to ensure that the GSEs, and any successors, are appropriately capitalized to withstand a severe economic downturn and that shareholders and unsecured creditors, rather than U.S. taxpayers, bear the losses; (iv) that the GSEs should continue to support affordable housing at a reasonable economic return that may be less than the return earned on other activities; (v) that the FHFA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development should clearly define the appropriate roles and overlap between the GSEs and the Federal Housing Administration so as to avoid duplication and (vi) that measures should be implemented to “level the playing field” between the GSEs and private sector competitors. Additionally, in September 2019, FHFA announced a cap of $200 billion as the maximum volume for combined Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily volume through the end of 2020, of which 37.5% must meet certain affordability requirements. The foregoing proposals may have the effect of impacting the volume of business that we may do with Fannie
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Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, the potential increase in our proportion of affordable business and the potential implementation of a fee to be charged in connection with the government’s offer of a guarantee may alter the economics of the business and, accordingly, may impact our financial results.
See “Business—Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information related to our regulatory environment.
Equity
Repurchase Program
On February 17, 2021, our Board increased its authorized share repurchases of Newmark Class A Common stock and purchases of limited partnership interests in Newmark's subsidiaries to $400.0 million. This authorization includes repurchases of shares or purchase of units from executive officers, other employees and partners, including of BGC and Cantor, as well as other affiliated persons or entities. From time to time, Newmark may actively continue to repurchase shares and/or purchase units. During the year ended December 31, 2021, Newmark repurchased 20,237,430 shares of Class A common stock, at an average price of $14.37. As of December 31, 2021, Newmark had $165.0 million remaining from its share repurchase and unit purchase authorization.
The following table details Newmark's unit redemptions and share repurchases for cash, under the new program, and does not include unit redemptions and/or cancellations in connection with the grant of shares Newmark's Class A common stock. The gross unit redemptions and share repurchases of Newmark's Class A common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands except units, shares and per share amounts):
| Total Number of Shares Repurchased/Purchased | Average Price Paid per Unit or Share | Approximate Dollar Value of Units and Shares That May Yet Be Repurchased/ Purchased Under the Program | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redemptions | |||||||||
| January 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021 | — | $ | — | ||||||
| April 1, 2021 - June 30, 2021 | 167,894 | $ | 11.91 | ||||||
| July 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021 | — | — | |||||||
| October 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 | — | $ | — | ||||||
| Total Redemptions | 167,894 | $ | 11.91 | ||||||
| Repurchases | |||||||||
| January 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021 | 879,243 | $ | 10.58 | ||||||
| April 1, 2021 - June 30, 2021 | 3,613,098 | $ | 12.81 | ||||||
| July 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021 | 6,307,802 | $ | 13.34 | ||||||
| October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021 | 3,064,959 | $ | 14.71 | ||||||
| November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021 | 2,085,492 | $ | 16.20 | ||||||
| December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 | 4,286,836 | $ | 16.77 | ||||||
| Total Repurchases | 20,237,430 | $ | 14.37 | ||||||
| Total Redemptions and Repurchases | 20,405,324 | $ | 14.35 | $ | 165,017 |
On February 10, 2022, the Board and Audit Committee authorized the $400.0 million Newmark share repurchase and unit redemption Authorization, which may include purchases from Cantor, its partners or employees or other affiliated persons or entities.
Fully Diluted Share Count
Our fully diluted weighted-average share count follows (in thousands):
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| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Common stock outstanding(1) | 190,179 | 179,106 | ||
| Partnership units(2) | 68,142 | 85,160 | ||
| RSUs (Treasury stock method) | 4,309 | 355 | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 1,324 | 230 | ||
| Total(3) | 263,954 | 264,851 |
(1)Common stock consisted of Class A shares and Class B shares. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the weighted-average number of Class A shares was 190.2 million shares and Class B shares was 21.3 million that were included in our fully diluted EPS computation because the conditions for issuance had been met by the end of the period.
(2)Partnership units collectively include FPUs, limited partnership units, and Cantor units, (see Note 2 — “Limited Partnership Interests in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings”, to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information). In general, these partnership units are potentially exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock. In addition, partnership units held by Cantor are generally exchangeable into shares of Newmark Class A common stock and/or for up to 24.6 million shares of Newmark Class B common stock. These partnership units also generally receive quarterly allocations of net income, after the deduction of the Preferred Distribution, based on their weighted-average pro rata share of economic ownership of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, these partnership units are included in the fully diluted share count calculation shown above.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2021, the weighted-average share count includes 68.1 million potentially anti-dilutive securities, which were excluded in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.
Our fully diluted period-end (spot) share count were as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Common stock outstanding | 189,558 | 182,461 | ||
| Partnership units | 52,825 | 79,666 | ||
| Newmark RSUs | 5,966 | — | ||
| Newmark exchange shares | 1,957 | 226 | ||
| Other | 378 | 363 | ||
| Total | 250,684 | 262,716 |
Contingent Payments Related to Acquisitions
Newmark completed acquisitions for which there is contingent cash consideration of $12.0 million. The contingent cash liability is recorded at fair value as deferred consideration on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Equity Method Investments
Newmark has an investment in Real Estate LP, a joint venture with Cantor in which Newmark has a less than majority ownership and has the ability to exert significant influence over the operating and financial policies. As of December 31, 2021, Newmark had $88.3 million in this equity method investment, which represents a 27% ownership in Real Estate LP.
Registration Statements
On March 28, 2019, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to which CF&Co may make offers and sales of our 6.125% Senior Notes in connection with ongoing market-making transactions which may occur from time to time. Such market-making transactions in these securities may occur in the open market or may be privately negotiated at prevailing market prices at a time of resale or at related or negotiated prices. Neither CF&Co, nor any of our affiliates, has any obligation to make a market in our securities, and CF&Co or any such other affiliate may discontinue market-making activities at any time without notice. Newmark does not receive any proceeds from market-making activities in these securities by CF&Co (or any of its affiliates).
We have an effective registration statement on Form S-4, with respect to the offer and sale of up to 20.0 million shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in connection with business combination transactions, including acquisitions of other businesses, assets, properties or securities. As of December 31, 2021, we have issued 1.4 million shares of our Class A common stock under this registration statement.
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Newmark was committed to fund approximately $0.3 billion and $0.4 billion, respectively, which is the total remaining draws on construction loans originated by Newmark under the Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) 221(d)4, 220 and 232 programs, rate locked loans that have not been funded, and forward commitments, as well as the funding for Fannie Mae structured transactions. Newmark also has corresponding commitments to sell these loans to various purchasers as they are funded.
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Commitments and Contingencies
(a)Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes certain of Newmark's contractual obligations at December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating leases (1) | $ | 805,168 | $ | 113,822 | $ | 218,878 | $ | 197,704 | $ | 274,764 | ||||||||||||
| Warehouse facilities(2) | 1,050,693 | 1,050,693 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt(3) | 550,000 | — | 550,000 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt(4) | 65,428 | 34,949 | 30,479 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest on warehouse facilities(5) | 1,051 | 1,051 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,472,340 | $ | 1,200,515 | $ | 799,357 | $ | 197,704 | $ | 274,764 |
(1)Operating lease are related to rental payments under various non-cancelable leases principally for office space.
(2)Warehouse facilities are collateralized by $1,050.7 million of loans held for sale, at fair value (See Note 21 - “Warehouse Facilities Collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises” to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) which loans were either under commitment to be purchased by Freddie Mac or had confirmed forward trade commitments for the issuance of and purchase of Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities.
(3)Long-term debt reflects long-term borrowings of $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes. The carrying amount of these notes was approximately $545.2 million. Long-term debt also includes borrowings under the Credit Facility, which is assumed to be outstanding until the maturity date of the Credit Facility. The carrying amount of the borrowing under the Credit Facility is $0.0 million. (See Note 22 - “Long-Term Debt” to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.)
(4)Reflects interest on the $550.0 million 6.125% Senior Notes until their maturity date of November 15, 2023.
(5)Interest on the warehouse facilities collateralized by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises was projected by using the 1-month LIBOR rate plus their respective additional basis points, primarily 130 basis points above LIBOR, or SOFR and 115 basis points above SOFR, applied to their respective outstanding balances as of December 31, 2021, through their respective maturity dates. Their respective maturity dates range from June 2022 to October 2022, while one line has an open maturity date. The notional amount of these committed and uncommitted warehouse facilities was $2.2 billion at December 31, 2021. One of the warehouse lines established a $125.0 million sublimit line of credit to fund potential principal and interest servicing advances on the Company's Fannie Mae portfolio during the forbearance period related to the CARES Act. Advances will have an interest rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 180 bps. There were no outstanding draws on this sublimit at December 31, 2021. Another warehouse line was temporarily increased by $300.0 million to $900.0 million for the period December 1, 2020 to February 1 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP guidance requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. These accounting estimates require the use of assumptions about matters, some which are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows could be materially affected. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.
Revenue Recognition
We derive our revenues primarily through commissions from brokerage services, gains from mortgage banking activities/originations, net, revenues from real estate management services, servicing fees and other revenues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers as determined by when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation as evidenced by the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control over the promised good or service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider consideration promised in a contract that includes a variable amount, referred to as variable consideration, and estimate the amount of consideration due to us. Additionally, variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider all information (historical, current and forecast) that is available, including the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence.
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We also use third-party service providers in the provision of its services to customers. In instances where a third-party service provider is used, we perform an analysis to determine whether we are acting as a principal or an agent with respect to the services provided. To the extent that we are acting as a principal, the revenue and the expenses incurred are recorded on a gross basis. In instances where we are acting as an agent, the revenue and expenses are presented on a net basis within the revenue line item.
In some instances, we perform services for customers and incur out-of-pocket expenses as part of delivering those services. Our customers agree to reimburse us for those expenses, and those reimbursements are part of the contract’s transaction price. Consequently, these expenses and the reimbursements of such expenses from the customer are presented on a gross basis because the services giving rise to the out-of-pocket expenses do not transfer a good or service. The reimbursements are included in the transaction price when the costs are incurred, and the reimbursements are due from the customer.
MSRs, Net
We initially recognize and measure the rights to service mortgage loans at fair value and subsequently measure them using the amortization method. We recognize rights to service mortgage loans as separate assets at the time the underlying originated mortgage loan is sold, and the value of those rights is included in the determination of the gains on loans held for sale. Purchased MSRs, including MSRs purchased from CCRE, are initially recorded at fair value, and subsequently measured using the amortization method.
We receive up to a 3-basis point servicing fee and/or up to a 1-basis point surveillance fee on certain Freddie Mac loans after the loan is securitized in a Freddie Mac pool (“Freddie Mac Strip”). The Freddie Mac Strip is also recognized at fair value and subsequently measured using the amortization method, but is recognized as a MSR at the securitization date.
MSRs are assessed for impairment, at least on an annual basis, based upon the fair value of those rights as compared to the amortized cost. Fair values are estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of the future net servicing cash flows. In using this valuation method, we incorporate assumptions that management believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. The fair value estimates are sensitive to significant assumptions used in the valuation model such as prepayment rates, cost of servicing, escrow earnings rates, discount rates and servicing multiples, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions derived, in part, from historical data. It is reasonably possible that such estimates may change. We amortize the MSRs in proportion to, and over the period of, the projected net servicing income. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, we stratify MSRs based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, primarily by investor type (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA/GNMA, CMBS and other). To the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a specific MSR strata, a valuation allowance is established, which is adjusted in the future as the fair value of MSRs increases or decreases. Reversals of valuation allowances cannot exceed the previously recognized impairment up to the amortized cost.
Equity-Based and Other Compensation
Discretionary Bonus: A portion of our compensation and employee benefits expense comprises discretionary bonuses, which may be paid in cash, equity, partnership awards or a combination thereof. We accrue expense in a period based on revenues in that period and on the expected combination of cash, equity and partnership units. Given the assumptions used in estimating discretionary bonuses, actual results may differ.
Restricted Stock Units: We account for equity-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP guidance. Restricted stock units (which we refer to as “RSUs”) provided to certain employees are accounted for as equity awards, and in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the RSUs that is ultimately expected to vest. Further, U.S. GAAP guidance requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Because significant assumptions are used in estimating employee turnover and associated forfeiture rates, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The fair value of RSU awards to employees is determined on the date of grant, based on the fair value of our Class A common stock. Generally, RSUs granted by us as employee compensation do not receive dividend equivalents; as such, we adjust the fair value of the RSUs for the present value of expected forgone dividends, which requires us to include an estimate of expected dividends as a valuation input. This grant-date fair value is amortized to expense ratably over the awards’ vesting periods. For RSUs with graded vesting features, we have made an accounting policy election to recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis. The amortization is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
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Restricted Stock: Restricted stock provided to certain employees is accounted for as an equity award, and as per U.S. GAAP guidance, we are required to record an expense for the portion of the restricted stock that is ultimately expected to vest. We have granted restricted stock that is not subject to continued employment or service; however, transferability is subject to compliance with our and our affiliates’ customary non-compete obligations. Such shares of restricted stock are generally saleable by partners in 5 to 10 years. Because the restricted stock is not subject to continued employment or service, the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock is expensed on the date of grant. The expense is reflected as non-cash equity-based compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Limited Partnership Units: Limited partnership units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are held by Newmark employees and receive quarterly allocations of net income and are generally contingent upon services being provided by the unit holders. As discussed above, preferred units in Newmark Holdings and BGC Holdings are not entitled to participate in partnership distributions other than with respect to a distribution at a rate of either 0.6875% (which is 2.75% per calendar year) or such other amount as set forth in the award documentation. The quarterly allocations of net income to such limited partnership units are reflected as a component of compensation expense under “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Certain of these limited partnership units entitle the holders to receive post-termination payments equal to the notional amount in four equal yearly installments after the holder’s termination. These limited partnership units are accounted for as post-termination liability awards under U.S. GAAP guidance, which requires that Newmark record an expense for such awards based on the change in value at each reporting period and include the expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations as part of “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs.” The liability for limited partnership units with a post-termination payout is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Certain limited partnership units held by Newmark employees are granted exchangeability into Class A common stock or may be redeemed in connection with the grant of shares of Class A common stock. At the time exchangeability is granted, or the shares are issued, Newmark recognizes an expense based on the fair value of the award on that date, which is included in “Equity-based compensation and allocations of net income to limited partnership units and FPUs” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Employee Loans: We have entered into various agreements with certain of our employees and partners whereby these individuals receive loans that may be either wholly or in part repaid from distributions that the individuals receive on some or all of their limited partnership interests or may be forgiven over a period of time. Cash advance distribution loans are documented in formal agreements and are repayable in timeframes outlined in the underlying agreements. We intend for these advances to be repaid in full from the future distributions on existing and future awards granted. The allocations of net income to the awards are treated as compensation expense and the proceeds from distributions are used to repay the loan. The forgivable portion of any loans is recognized as compensation expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations over the life of the loan. We review the loan balances each reporting period for collectability. If we determine that the collectability of a portion of the loan balances is not expected, we recognize a reserve against the loan balances. Actual collectability of loan balances may differ from our estimates. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate balance of employee loans, net of reserve, was $453.3 million and $454.3 million, respectively, and is included as “Loans, forgivable loans and other receivables from employees and partners, net” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense for the above-mentioned employee loans for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $79.4 million, $73.6 million and $39.0 million, respectively. The compensation expense related to these loans was included as part of “Compensation and employee benefits” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. As prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
When reviewing goodwill for impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as follows.
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The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss should be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. To estimate the fair value of the reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow model and data regarding market comparables. The valuation process requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These assumptions include cash flow projections, estimated cost of capital and the selection of peer companies and relevant multiples. Because significant assumptions and estimates are used in projecting future cash flows, choosing peer companies and selecting relevant multiples, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Credit Losses
The CECL methodology, which became effective on January 1, 2020, requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period beyond the balance sheet date. The adoption of CECL resulted in the recognition of reserves relating to our loss sharing guarantee provided to Fannie Mae under the DUS Program which was previously accounted for under the incurred loss model, which generally required that a loss be incurred before it was recognized. Additional reserves were recognized for our receivables from customers including certain employee receivables carried at amortized cost.
The expected credit loss is modeled based on our historical loss experience adjusted to reflect current conditions. A significant amount of judgment is required in the determination of the appropriate reasonable and supportable period, the methodology used to incorporate current and future macroeconomic conditions, determination of the probability of and exposure at default, all of which are ultimately used in measuring the quantitative components of our reserves. Beyond the reasonable and supportable period, we estimate expected credit losses using our historical loss rates. We also consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which consequentially may increase or decrease the reserves for credit losses and receivables. In order to estimate credit losses, assumptions about current and future economic conditions are incorporated into the model using multiple economic scenarios that are weighted to reflect the conditions at each measurement date.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, there was a decrease of $0.2 million in our reserves. These reserves were based on macroeconomic forecasts are critical inputs into our model and material movements in variables such as, the U.S. unemployment rate and U.S. GDP growth rate could significantly affect our estimated expected credit losses. These macroeconomic forecasts, under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates, could result in significantly different changes in reserves for credit losses. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in specific factors might affect the overall reserves for credit losses and current results may not reflect the potential future impact of macroeconomic forecast changes.
Income Taxes
Newmark accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP guidance, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to basis differences between our accompanying consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Certain of Newmark’s entities are taxed as U.S. partnerships and are subject to UBT in New York City. Therefore, the tax liability or benefit related to the partnership income or loss except for UBT rests with the partners, rather than the partnership entity. As such, the partners’ tax liability or benefit is not reflected in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The tax-related assets, liabilities, provisions or benefits included in our accompanying consolidated financial statements also reflect the results of the entities that are taxed as corporations, either in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions.
Newmark provides for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. Management is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Because significant assumptions are used in determining whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities, actual results may differ from Newmark’s estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Newmark recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in “Provision for income taxes” in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is deemed more likely than not that those assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, Newmark considers all available evidence, including past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent fiscal years, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies.
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The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws and involves uncertainties in the application of tax regulations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. Because Newmark’s interpretation of complex tax law may impact the measurement of current and deferred income taxes, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions regarding the application of tax law.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We have loan commitments to extend credit to third parties. The commitments to extend credit are for mortgage loans at a specific rate (rate lock commitments). These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require a fee. We are committed to extend credit to the counterparty as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contracts.
We simultaneously enter into an agreement to deliver such mortgages to third-party investors at a fixed price (“forward sale contracts”).
Both the commitment to extend credit and the forward sale commitment qualify as derivative financial instruments. We recognize all derivatives on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The change in the derivatives fair value is recognized in current period earnings.
Newmark entered into variable postpaid forward contracts as a result of the Nasdaq Forwards. These contracts qualify as derivative financial instruments. The Nasdaq Forwards provide Newmark with the ability to redeem the EPUs for Nasdaq stock, and as these instruments are not legally detachable, they represent single financial instruments. The financial instruments’ EPU redemption feature for Nasdaq shares is not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of Newmark’s EPU equity host instruments, and, therefore, it represents an embedded derivative that is required to be bifurcated and recorded at fair value on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with all changes in fair value recorded as a component of “Other income (loss), net” on our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 11 — “Derivatives”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 — “Organization and Basis of Presentation”, to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K , for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
Capital Deployment Priorities, Dividend Policy and Repurchase and Redemption Program
Our near-term capital allocation priorities are to return capital to stockholders through share and unit repurchases and to invest in growth and margin expansion at attractive returns.
Traditionally, our dividend policy provided that we expect to pay a quarterly cash dividend to our common stockholders based on our post-tax Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share. Please see below for a detailed definition of post-tax Adjusted Earnings per fully diluted share. Beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and for all of the quarterly periods in 2020 and thus far in 2021, the Board reduced the quarterly dividend to $0.01 per share out of an abundance of caution in order to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet as the real estate markets faced difficult and unprecedented macroeconomic conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, beginning with the first quarter 2020, Newmark Holdings reduced its distributions to or on behalf of its partners. As Newmark’s financial condition has improved substantially year-over-year, and as the economy has rebounded, the Company has repurchased and/or redeemed a meaningful number of shares and/or units thus far in 2021 as part of its overall capital return policy. See Note 6 “Stock Transactions and Unit Redemptions” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Any dividends, if and when declared by our Board, will be paid on a quarterly basis. The dividend to our common stockholders is expected to be calculated based on post-tax Adjusted Earnings allocated to us and generated over the fiscal quarter ending prior to the record date for the dividend. No assurance can be made, however, that a dividend will be paid each quarter. The declaration, payment, timing, and amount of any future dividends payable by us will be at the sole discretion of our Board. With respect to any distributions which are declared, amounts paid to or on behalf of partners will at least cover their related tax payments. Whether any given post-tax amount is equivalent to the amount received by a stockholder also on an after-tax basis depends upon stockholders’ and partners’ domiciles and tax status.
We received 6,222,340 Nasdaq shares worth $1,093.9 million as of June 30, 2021. On July 2, 2021, we settled the third and fourth Nasdaq Forwards with 944,329 Nasdaq shares worth $166.0 million. In connection with the 2021 Equity Event, we used $484.4 million, of which $203.5 million was to reduce our fully diluted share count by 16.3 million.
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We are a holding company, with no direct operations, and therefore we are able to pay dividends only from our available cash on hand and funds received from distributions from Newmark OpCo. Our ability to pay dividends may also be limited by regulatory considerations as well as by covenants contained in financing or other agreements. In addition, under Delaware law, dividends may be payable only out of surplus, which is our net assets minus our capital (as defined under Delaware law), or, if we have no surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Accordingly, any unanticipated accounting, tax, regulatory or other charges against net income may adversely affect our ability to declare and pay dividends. While we intend to declare and pay dividends quarterly, there can be no assurance that our Board will declare dividends at all or on a regular basis or that the amount of our dividends will not change.