Marcus & Millichap, Inc. Reports Results for Second Quarter 2023

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Aug 04, 2023

Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (the “Company”, “Marcus & Millichap”, or “MMI”) (NYSE: MMI), a leading national brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services, today reported its second quarter results.

Second Quarter 2023 Highlights Compared to Second Quarter 2022

  • Total revenue of $162.9 million decreased 58.9%, a difficult comparable to a record second quarter 2022 where revenue was up 39.0% compared to second quarter 2021
    • Brokerage commissions of $140.3 million decreased 60.4% compared to second quarter 2022, which was up 40.2% compared to second quarter 2021
    • Private Client Market brokerage revenue of $96.2 million decreased 54.1% compared to second quarter 2022, which was up 32.7% compared to second quarter 2021
    • Middle Market and Larger Transaction Market brokerage revenue of $39.4 million decreased 71.5% compared to second quarter 2022, which was up 58.5% compared to second quarter 2021
    • Financing fees of $17.9 million decreased 51.4% compared to second quarter 2022, which was up 30.5% compared to second quarter 2021
  • Net loss of $8.7 million, or $0.23 per common share, diluted, compared to net income of $42.2 million, or $1.04 per common share, diluted
  • Earnings were impacted by expenses related to growth initiatives, including talent acquisition and retention
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $(1.1) million, compared to $62.9 million

Six Months 2023 Highlights Compared to Six Months 2022

  • Total revenue of $317.7 million decreased 55.6%, a difficult comparable to a record first half 2022 where revenue was up 52.6% compared to first half 2021
    • Brokerage commissions of $275.4 million decreased 57.1% compared to first half 2022, which was up 54.3% compared to first half 2021
    • Private Client Market brokerage revenue of $186.7 million decreased 49.7% compared to first half 2022, which was up 40.7% compared to first half 2021
    • Middle Market and Larger Transaction Market brokerage revenue of $78.9 million decreased 69.4% compared to first half 2022, which was up 86.6% compared to first half 2021
    • Financing fees of $33.8 million decreased 46.6% compared to first half 2022, which was up 37.4% compared to first half 2021
  • Net loss of $14.6 million, or $0.37 per common share, diluted, compared to net income of $75.0 million, or $1.85 per common share, diluted
  • Earnings were impacted by expenses related to growth initiatives, including talent acquisition and retention
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $(8.5) million, compared to $114.8 million

“The widened bid/ask spread and restrictive lending environment severely hindered trading and financing volumes during the second quarter,” said Hessam Nadji, president and chief executive officer. “Our results reflected this challenging market as well as the comparative effect of our outsized growth in the second quarter of 2022, which marked the second highest revenue quarter in our history. Our strategy, shaped by our playbook of perseverance through multiple cycles in our 52-year history, is unwavering. This includes doubling-down on client outreach, retaining and supporting our sales force, investing in proprietary technology, expanding our sales force and pursuing strategic acquisitions,” he added. “We are confident that the combination of these initiatives, all of which moved forward as planned during the quarter, will position MMI to accelerate growth in the recovery and beyond.”

Mr. Nadji continued, “We are seeing record amounts of capital on the sidelines as evidenced by multiple offers in transactions that are priced appropriately for today’s market. We are encouraged by progress on bringing down inflation and the Fed’s tightening cycle nearing its end, which should lead to gradual improvements in market conditions. Although it is difficult to forecast the timing for a full-scale recovery in trading volumes, we remain focused on further growing the brand and enhancing the MMI platform. Moreover, we continue to return capital to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. With this balanced approach we are able to take full advantage of the market dislocation to further enhance our competitive position and be well positioned to deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”

Second Quarter 2023 Results Compared to Second Quarter 2022

Total revenue for the second quarter 2023 was $162.9 million, a decrease of 58.9% compared to $396.0 million for the second quarter 2022, which was up 39.0% compared to the second quarter 2021. The record revenue of second quarter 2022 provides for a difficult comparison with the second quarter 2023.

For real estate brokerage commissions, the average transaction size and the average commission per transaction decreased by 28.3% and 25.3%, respectively, compared to the second quarter 2022. The number of transactions decreased by 47.0%, reducing real estate brokerage commissions to $140.3 million, a 60.4% reduction from the same period in the prior year, which increased 40.2% over the second quarter 2021. Compared to the second quarter 2022, Private Client Market revenue decreased by 54.1%, and the combined Middle Market and Larger Transaction Market revenue decreased by 71.5%, while the second quarter 2022 increased by 32.7% and 58.5%, respectively, compared to the second quarter 2021.

Financing activity experienced an increase in the average fee per transaction by 16.0%, while the average transaction size and the number of transactions decreased by 10.3% and 59.3%, respectively, resulting in a decrease in financing fees to $17.9 million, a 51.4% reduction from the same period in the prior year, which increased 30.5% compared to the same period in 2021.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter 2023 were $173.5 million, compared to $339.2 million for the same period in the prior year. The change was primarily due to reductions of 60.5% in cost of services and 13.7% in selling, general and administrative expenses. Cost of services as a percentage of total revenue decreased by 260 basis points to 62.1% compared to the same period during the prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter 2023 were $68.9 million, compared to $79.8 million, in the same period in 2022. The change was primarily due to a reduction in compensation-related costs, specifically performance-based bonuses for the second quarter 2023, partially offset by an increased investment in business development, marketing and other support related to the long-term talent acquisition and retention of sales and financing professionals.

Net loss for the second quarter 2023 was $8.7 million, or $0.23 per common share, diluted, compared to net income of $42.2 million, or $1.04 per common share, diluted, for the same period in 2022. In the second quarter 2022, net income was up 33.7% from the second quarter 2021. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter 2023 was $(1.1) million, compared to $62.9 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of the decrease in operating income.

Six Months 2023 Results Compared to Six Months 2022

Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $317.7 million, compared to $715.4 million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $397.8 million, or 55.6%. Total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 decreased by 43.9% to $344.4 million compared to $614.4 million for the same period in the prior year. Cost of services as a percent of total revenues decreased to 61.9%, down 140 basis points compared to the first six months of 2022. The Company’s net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $14.6 million, or $0.37 per common share, diluted, compared to net income of $75.0 million, or $1.85 per common share, diluted, for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2023 decreased to $(8.5) million, from $114.8 million for the same period in the prior year. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had 1,865 investment sales and financing professionals, 36 fewer than the prior year.

Capital Allocation

On August 1, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual regular dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on October 6, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2023.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 1,098,561 shares of common stock at an average price of $31.28 per share for a total price of $34.4 million.

After accounting for shares repurchased through August 1, 2023, Marcus & Millichap has approximately $76.0 million available to repurchase shares under its program. No time limit has been established for the completion of the program, and the repurchases are expected to be executed from time-to-time, subject to general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities, through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans.

Business Outlook

The economy and commercial real estate transaction market are expected to remain choppy through the third quarter of 2023 as higher interest rates and lender caution lengthen the price discovery process and the buyer/seller expectation gap remains wide. However, the Company believes it remains well positioned to achieve long-term growth.

The Company benefits from its experienced management team, infrastructure investments, industry-leading market research and proprietary technology. The size and fragmentation of the Private Client Market segment continues to offer long-term growth opportunities through consolidation. This highly fragmented market segment consistently accounts for over 80% of all commercial property sales transactions and over 60% of the commission pool. The top 10 brokerage firms led by MMI have an estimated 20% share of this segment by transaction count.

Key factors that may influence the Company’s business during the remainder of 2023 include:

  • Volatility in market sales and investor sentiment driven by:
    • The elevated cost and availability of debt capital
    • Higher interest rate fluctuations and the heightened bid-ask spread between buyers and sellers
    • Risks of potential recession and the resulting reduction of CRE space demand that results from uncertainty
    • Possible impact to investor sentiment related to potential tax and other policy changes which may contribute to transaction acceleration and/or future fluctuations in sales and financing activity
    • Rising operating costs driven by wages, insurance, taxes and construction materials
  • Volatility in each of the Company’s market segments
  • Increase in costs related to in-person events, client meetings, and conferences
  • Global geopolitical uncertainty, which may cause investors to refrain from transacting
  • The potential for acquisition activity and subsequent integration

Webcast and Call Information

Marcus & Millichap will host a live webcast today to discuss the financial results at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time/10:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The webcast will be accessible through the Investor Relations section of Marcus & Millichap's website at ir.marcusmillichap.com and will be archived upon completion of the call. The Company encourages the use of the webcast due to potential extended wait times to access the conference call via dial-in.

For those unable to access the webcast, callers from the United States and Canada should dial 1-877-407-9208 ten minutes prior to the scheduled call time. International callers should dial 1-201-493-6784.

Replay Information

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a telephonic replay of the call will also be available from 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 4, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 18, 2023 by dialing 1-844-512-2921 in the United States and Canada or 1-412-317-6671 internationally and entering passcode 13739665.

About Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

Marcus & Millichap, Inc. is a leading national brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had 1,865 investment sales and financing professionals in 80 offices who provide investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. The Company also offers market research, consulting and advisory services to our clients. Marcus & Millichap closed 3,753 transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2023, with a sales volume of $20.2 billion. For additional information, please visit www.MarcusMillichap.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes forward-looking statements, including the Company’s business outlook for 2023, the anticipation of further interest rate increases and inflation, the execution of our capital return program, and expectations for market share growth. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

  • general uncertainty in the capital markets, a worsening of economic conditions, and the rate and pace of economic recovery following an economic downturn;
  • changes in our business operations;
  • market trends in the commercial real estate market or the general economy, including the impact of rising inflation and higher interest rates;
  • our ability to attract and retain qualified senior executives, managers and investment sales and financing professionals;
  • the effects of increased competition on our business;
  • our ability to successfully enter new markets or increase our market share;
  • our ability to successfully expand our services and businesses and to manage any such expansions;
  • our ability to retain existing clients and develop new clients;
  • our ability to keep pace with changes in technology;
  • any business interruption or technology failure, including cyber and ransomware attacks, and any related impact on our reputation;
  • changes in interest rates, availability of capital, tax laws, employment laws or other government regulation affecting our business;
  • our ability to successfully identify, negotiate, execute and integrate accretive acquisitions; and
  • other risk factors included under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

In addition, in this release, the words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” "goal," “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” “should” and similar expressions, as they relate to our Company, our business and our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. We have not filed our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. As a result, all financial results described in this earnings release should be considered preliminary, and are subject to change to reflect any necessary adjustments or changes in accounting estimates, that are identified prior to the time we file our Form 10-Q.

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenue:

Real estate brokerage commissions

$

140,330

$

354,685

$

275,376

$

641,594

Financing fees

17,896

36,811

33,764

63,264

Other revenue

4,640

4,461

8,518

10,563

Total revenue

162,866

395,957

317,658

715,421

Operating expenses:

Cost of services

101,163

256,042

196,590

452,810

Selling, general and administrative

68,910

79,841

141,129

154,376

Depreciation and amortization

3,468

3,332

6,675

7,243

Total operating expenses

173,541

339,215

344,394

614,429

Operating (loss) income

(10,675

)

56,742

(26,736

)

100,992

Other income (expense), net

4,890

(461

)

9,700

(11

)

Interest expense

(216

)

(158

)

(431

)

(318

)

(Loss) income before provision (benefit) for income taxes

(6,001

)

56,123

(17,467

)

100,663

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

2,728

13,955

(2,905

)

25,712

Net (loss) income

$

(8,729

)

$

42,168

$

(14,562

)

$

74,951

(Loss) earnings per share:

Basic

$

(0.23

)

$

1.05

$

(0.37

)

$

1.87

Diluted

$

(0.23

)

$

1.04

$

(0.37

)

$

1.85

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

38,538

40,048

38,867

40,018

Diluted

38,538

40,342

38,867

40,390

MARCUS & MILLICHAP, INC.
KEY OPERATING METRICS SUMMARY
(Unaudited)

Total sales volume was approximately $9.7 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2023, encompassing 1,946 transactions consisting of $7.5 billion for real estate brokerage (1,422 transactions), $1.6 billion for financing (284 transactions) and $0.6 billion in other transactions, including consulting and advisory services (240 transactions). Total sales volume was $20.2 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2023, encompassing 3,753 transactions consisting of $14.7 billion for real estate brokerage (2,701 transactions), $3.4 billion for financing (563 transactions) and $2.1 billion in other transactions, including consulting and advisory services (489 transactions). As of June 30, 2023, the Company had 1,768 investment sales professionals and 97 financing professionals. Key metrics for real estate brokerage and financing activities (excluding other transactions) are as follows:

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

Real Estate Brokerage

2023

2022

2023

2022

Average Number of Investment Sales Professionals

1,757

1,822

1,769

1,839

Average Number of Transactions per Investment Sales Professional

0.81

1.47

1.53

2.62

Average Commission per Transaction

$

98,686

$

132,099

$

101,954

$

133,056

Average Commission Rate

1.86

%

1.79

%

1.88

%

1.73

%

Average Transaction Size (in thousands)

$

5,303

$

7,399

$

5,433

$

7,688

Total Number of Transactions

1,422

2,685

2,701

4,822

Total Sales Volume (in millions)

$

7,542

$

19,868

$

14,674

$

37,073

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

Financing (1)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Average Number of Financing Professionals

95

87

94