Current Report


 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 15, 2008

 

 

The Blackstone Group L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-33551   20-8875684

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York

  10154
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(212) 583-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 15, 2008, The Blackstone Group L.P. issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. All information in the press release is furnished but not filed.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

Blackstone discloses the following non-GAAP financial measures in the attached press release:

 

   

Economic Net Income, or “ENI,” represents segment net income excluding the impact of income taxes and transaction related items including non-cash charges associated with equity-based compensation and the amortization of intangibles. Blackstone’s historical combined financial statements for periods prior to the initial public offering do not include these transaction related charges nor do such financial statements reflect certain compensation expenses including profit sharing arrangements associated with senior managing directors, departed partners and other selected employees. Those compensation expenses were accounted for as partnership distributions prior to the initial public offering but are included in the financial statements for periods following the initial public offering as a component of compensation and benefits expense. Therefore, ENI is equivalent to segment income before taxes in the historical combined financial statements prior to the initial public offering. The aggregate of ENI for all reportable segments equals Total Reportable Segment ENI. ENI is used by management primarily in making resource deployment and compensation decisions across Blackstone’s four segments.

 

   

Economic Net Income After Taxes represents Economic Net Income adjusted to reflect the provision for income taxes using the effective income tax rate based on the components of ENI.

 

   

Pro Forma Economic Net Income adjusts Blackstone’s ENI to (i) give pro forma effect to Blackstone’s pre-initial public offering reorganization and initial public offering as if those events had occurred on January 1, 2007 consistent with Rule 11.01 of Regulation S-X, (ii) eliminate the revenues and expenses of the businesses that were not contributed as part of the reorganization, (iii) reflect expenses related to employee compensation and profit sharing arrangements that were not effective prior to the reorganization and (iv) eliminate interest expense.

 

   

Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income After Taxes represents Pro Forma Economic Net Income adjusted to reflect the provision for income taxes using the effective income tax rate based on the components of ENI and the absence of any compensation expense on profit sharing plans adopted after the date of the reorganization prior thereto. This metric provides the reader with a basis for comparison with actual results reported for the quarterly periods ended after June 30, 2007.

 

   

Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations represents net cash flows used in operating activities adjusted for (i) cash flows relating to changes in operating assets and liabilities, (ii) Blackstone Funds-related investment activity, (iii) net realized gains on investments, (iv) differences in the timing of realized gains by The Blackstone Group L.P. versus the Blackstone Funds, (v) minority interest related to departed partners, (vi) GAAP versus cash income taxes, (vii) non-controlling interests in income of consolidated entities, and (viii) other non-cash adjustments.

 

   

Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations adjusts Blackstone’s Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations to (i) give pro forma effect to Blackstone’s pre-initial public offering reorganization and initial public offering as if those events had occurred on January 1, 2007 consistent with Rule 11.01 of Regulation S-X, (ii) eliminate the cash flows of entities that were not contributed as part of the reorganization, (iii) reflect the cash portion of expenses related to employee compensation that were not effective prior to the reorganization, (iv) eliminate interest expense and (v) reflect provision for income taxes.


Economic Net Income is a key performance measure used by management. Management considers Economic Net Income an important measure of value creation and benchmarks the firm’s performance against Economic Net Income. Blackstone believes that Economic Net Income, Pro Forma Economic Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income After Taxes (and Economic Net Income After Taxes per Adjusted Unit), when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for investors as appropriate measures for evaluating its operating performance.

Blackstone has managed its historical liquidity and capital requirements by focusing on its cash flows before consolidation of the Blackstone Funds and the effect of normal changes in assets and liabilities which it anticipates will be settled for cash within one year. Normal movements in Blackstone’s short-term assets and liabilities do not affect its distribution decisions given its current and historically available borrowing capability. Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations is a supplemental measure of liquidity to assess liquidity and amounts available for distributions to Blackstone unitholders, including Blackstone personnel. Carry funds refer to Blackstone’s corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, mezzanine funds and related entities that invest with such funds that are managed by Blackstone.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are included in the attached press release. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

Exhibit 99.1    Press release of The Blackstone Group L.P. dated May 15, 2008.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 15, 2008

 

The Blackstone Group L.P.
By:  

Blackstone Group Management L.L.C.,

its general partner

By:   /s/ Robert L. Friedman
Name:   Robert L. Friedman
Title:   Chief Legal Officer

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

The Blackstone Group Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

Economic Net Income for the First Quarter 2008 was a Loss of $(93.6) million reflecting a reduction in carrying value of investments.

GAAP Net Loss of $(246.7) million reflecting transaction related (including non-cash charges of $940.0 million) costs of $952.5 million offset by Non-Controlling Interests of $799.4 million.

Record Assets Under Management of $113.53 billion, a 37% increase from $83.14 billion a year ago.

GSO acquisition closed March 3, 2008, augmenting debt business expansion.

Blackstone declares a quarterly distribution of $0.30 per common unit and reaffirms priority distributions to public common unitholders of $1.20 per year through 2009, to be paid quarterly.

NEW YORK, May 15, 2008 : The Blackstone Group L.P. (NYSE: BX) today reported its first quarter 2008 results.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Total Net Reportable Segment Revenues were $32.3 million as compared to Total Pro Forma Adjusted Reportable Segment Revenues of $1.23 billion in 2007. Declines in all business segments drove the year-over-year decrease in revenues.

Economic Net Income for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was a loss of $(93.6) million as compared to Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income of $957.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, GAAP Revenues totaled $68.5 million, GAAP Other Income (Loss) totaled $(215.6) million, GAAP Expenses (including non-cash transactional charges of $940.0 million) totaled $1.10 billion, GAAP Income (Loss) Before Non-Controlling Interests and Provision for Income Taxes was $(1.25) billion and GAAP Net Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes totaled $(246.7) million. The vesting of equity awards granted at the time of the IPO contributed significantly to the GAAP loss. For the quarter ended March 31, 2007, GAAP Revenues totaled $1.23 billion, GAAP Other Income totaled $3.04 billion, GAAP Expenses totaled $172.2 million, GAAP Income (Loss) Before Non-Controlling Interests and Provision for Income Taxes was $4.09 billion, and GAAP Net Income Before Provision for Income Taxes totaled $1.15 billion. A significant amount of equity interests held by senior managing directors and other employees is subject to future vesting, minimum retained ownership interests and transfer restrictions. As a result of the future vesting, Blackstone has and will continue to show significant non-cash compensation charges associated with these equity interests over their respective service periods. These non-cash charges, which arose in 2007 in connection with the reorganization and the initial public offering, are likely to result in GAAP net losses for the next five years depending upon the applicable service periods or useful lives, but will never have any impact on cash earnings.

In connection with the initial public offering of the common units of The Blackstone Group L.P. (the publicly traded partnership), Blackstone effected a reorganization on June 18, 2007, which affects the comparison of the current year’s periods with those of the prior years. Blackstone’s business was historically conducted through a large number of entities as to which there was no single holding entity. Accordingly, operating results for the 2007 period presented are for the respective consolidated and combined entities.

Fixed income and equity markets accelerated their declines in the first quarter of 2008, with U.S., European and Asian equity indices down significantly and credit spreads substantially wider. Reduced liquidity, which was evident in the second half of 2007, also accelerated in the first quarter of 2008. Lenders severely restricted new commitments to senior loans and high yield debt, which limited industry-wide leveraged acquisition activity levels in both corporate and real estate markets. Recently announced private

 

   The Blackstone Group ®  L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

212 583-5000


equity-led acquisitions have mostly been smaller in size and global completed mergers and acquisition activity declined. The duration of current economic conditions is unknown.

Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone said: “Turbulent markets throughout the world persisted in the first quarter, affecting virtually all asset pricing across credit and equity markets. This was both good and bad for us. On the one hand, it meant lower carrying values of some of our investments in the short term and restricted our disposition activity. On the other hand, purchase prices for new deals declined, opening up many interesting investment possibilities. Credit market dislocation, while limiting availability of debt for large leveraged transactions, has also created attractive debt investment opportunities, particularly in leveraged loans. Our well-timed GSO acquisition dramatically expanded our efforts in this area. Despite the challenges presented by a slowing global economy, overall our portfolio companies and real estate investments continued to perform well. Our balance sheet remains healthy and our long-term contractual management fees position us well to increase market share.”

SEGMENT REVIEW

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Total Net Reportable Segment Revenues decreased to $32.3 million from Total Pro Forma Adjusted Reportable Segment Revenues of $1.23 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Revenue declines were experienced by all four business segments — Corporate Private Equity, Real Estate, Marketable Alternative Asset Management and Financial Advisory. Our revenues include Performance Fees and Allocations that are determined and accounted for on a quarterly basis as if the net unrealized fair value of the managed funds’ investments were realized as of such date, although there is no intention to realize the overwhelming majority of such investments at the present time.

Economic Net Income After Taxes was a loss of $(66.5) million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income After Taxes of $838.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

Net Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities was $115.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 as compared to Net Cash Flow Used in Operating Activities of $1.34 billion for the comparable prior period. Adjusted Cash Flow (Used) from Operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was $(4.4) million as compared to Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations of $292.5 million for the comparable prior period.

The table below details Blackstone’s Economic Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Economic Net Income Before Taxes, includes unrealized gains/losses and compensation and compensation reductions related to those gains/losses but excludes transaction related (including non-cash) charges.

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
   %
Variance
 
     2008     2007   
           Pro Forma
Adjusted
      
     (Dollars in Thousands, Except per
Unit Amounts)
 

Economic Net Income (Loss), Total Reportable Segments (a)

   $ (93,567 )   $ 957,779    (110 %)

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (b)

     (27,053 )     119,304    (123 %)
                     

Economic Net Income (Loss) After Taxes

   $ (66,514 )   $ 838,475    (108 %)
                     

Economic Net Income (Loss) After Taxes per Adjusted Unit

   $ (0.06 )   $ 0.75   
                 

Adjusted Cash Flow (Used) from Operations (a)

   $ (4,402 )   $ 292,544   
                 

 

(a) Reconciliations of Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income, Total Reportable Segments to Economic Net Income, Total Reportable Segments and of Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities are presented in Exhibits 3 and 4, respectively, to this release.

 

2


(b) Represents the implied provision (benefit) for income taxes calculated using the same methodology applied in calculating the tax provision (benefit) for The Blackstone Group L.P.

Corporate Private Equity

Corporate Private Equity had negative first quarter revenues of $(116.7) million, as compared with positive revenues of $208.9 million for the first quarter of 2007. Negative revenues in this year’s quarter largely reflect a reduction in Performance Fees and Allocations and Investment Income (Loss) and Other due to a decline in the overall carrying value of the private equity managed funds from year end 2007. Substantially all of this decline was attributable to the decrease in the publicly traded market value of the Deutsche Telekom AG equity investment notwithstanding the increased profitability of the company. This reflects declines in the German stock market and in telecommunication stocks during this quarter. We believe Deutsche Telekom remains a strong company trading at the attractive value of 4.7x EBITDA. Management Fees increased $10.0 million, or 17%, to $69.8 million. The increase in Base Management Fees reflected growth in Weighted-Average Fee-Earning Assets Under Management.

Compensation expense was a negative $(80.8) million in the first quarter, reflecting a $112.5 million accrual for departed partners’ clawback obligation since the negative Performance Fees and Allocations in the first quarter would cause a clawback of carried interests previously received by departed partners. The accrual for clawback obligations was accounted for as a reduction in compensation costs.

Weighted-Average Fee-Earning Assets Under Management for the quarter totaled $25.05 billion compared with $21.86 billion in the first quarter of 2007.

LP Capital deployed increased to $340.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 from $56.7 million for the prior year period, reflecting an increase in the number of attractive investment opportunities.

Real Estate

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Real Estate generated revenues of $47.9 million, down 94% from the first quarter of 2007 revenues of $766.8 million. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Performance Fees and Allocations and Investment Income (Loss) and Other decreased as compared to the first quarter of 2007 due to a modest reduction in the net carrying value of the real estate managed funds as compared with a significant increase in the carrying value of these funds last year relating primarily to accretive sales within our Equity Office Properties (“EOP”) office portfolio that we acquired in the first quarter of 2007. Management Fees decreased by $168.8 million from the same period last year primarily because Blackstone closed the EOP acquisition in last year’s first quarter and generated a substantial transaction fee in connection with that acquisition. Base Management Fees increased $29.3 million due to higher assets under management.

Weighted-Average Fee-Earning Assets Under Management for the quarter totaled $18.87 billion compared with $10.71 billion in the first quarter of 2007, due mainly to capital raised for the Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI fund.

LP capital deployed in the first quarter of 2008 totaled $369.2 million, down from $3.88 billion (including $3.3 billion invested in EOP) in the first quarter of 2007.

Marketable Alternative Asset Management (MAAM)

For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, MAAM generated revenues of $30.0 million, a decrease of 81% from the first quarter of 2007. The decline reflected a combination of lower Performance Fees and Allocations from Blackstone’s funds, as well as a reduction in the

 

3


carrying values of Blackstone’s direct investments in those funds as a result of modest declines in their investment performance, in contrast to investment gains in the comparable 2007 quarter. Management Fees increased due to higher levels of assets under management. MAAM includes both funds of hedge funds and proprietary hedge funds investing across several asset classes, geographies and investment styles and accordingly is not tied to any one market or the direction of those markets. Additionally, MAAM includes GSO Capital Partners LP (“GSO”), which manages CLOs and investment funds specializing in various credit strategies including leveraged lending, senior debt, mezzanine debt, distressed debt, and middle market and non-control private equity. GSO’s funds and results are included in the MAAM segment only from the transaction closing date of March 3, 2008.

Weighted-Average Fee-Earning Assets Under Management for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 totaled $48.82 billion (including $8.56 billion relating to GSO) compared with $27.32 billion for the prior year period.

Financial Advisory

Revenues decreased 24% to $71.2 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Revenues within Blackstone’s fund placement business, Park Hill, and the corporate and mergers and acquisitions advisory business declined year-over-year, while revenues in Blackstone’s restructuring and reorganization advisory business increased. Revenue can be highly variable due to the size of one-time fees, but the transaction volume in the pipeline is up across all three businesses. Last year’s first quarter included a substantial fee received by Park Hill related to a specific fund-raising assignment.

CAPITAL

For economic net income purposes, the weighted-average fully diluted unit count at period end was 1,122 million units (the “Adjusted Units”) and the total number of outstanding units entitled to cash distributions was 1,082 million units.

DISTRIBUTION

The Blackstone Group L.P. is pleased to declare a quarterly distribution of $0.30 per common unit payable to record holders of common units at the close of business on May 30, 2008. This distribution will be paid on June 13, 2008. In addition, Blackstone reaffirms its intention to make priority distributions to its public common unitholders of $1.20 per common unit per year through 2009, to be paid quarterly. These distribution amounts differ from Blackstone’s earnings/loss per unit.

# # #

Blackstone will host a conference call on May 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. EDT to discuss first quarter 2008 results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 713-4205 (U.S. domestic) and (617) 213-4862 (international) pass code 60516941. Additionally the conference call will be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed by all interested parties through the Investor Relations section of The Blackstone Group’s website http://ir.blackstone.com. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Blackstone’s website or by dialing (888) 286-8010 (U.S. domestic) or (617) 801-6888 (international) pass code number 70998836, beginning approximately two hours after the event.

About The Blackstone Group

The Blackstone Group L.P. is a leading global alternative asset manager and provider of financial advisory services. Its alternative asset management businesses include the management of corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, debt funds (including leveraged lending

 

4


funds), collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles, proprietary hedge funds and closed-end mutual funds. The Blackstone Group also provides various financial advisory services, including corporate and mergers and acquisitions advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Joan Solotar

The Blackstone Group

Tel: +1 212 583 5068

solotar@blackstone.com

Media Relations Contact:

Peter Rose

The Blackstone Group

Tel: +1 212 583 5871

rose@blackstone.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which reflect Blackstone’s current views with respect to, among other things, Blackstone’s operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Blackstone believes these factors include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as such factors may be updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in the prospectus. Blackstone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

This release does not constitute an offer of any Blackstone Fund.

 

5


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 1. Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Unit Data)

 

     Quarter Ended       
     March 31,
2008
    March 31,
2007
   %
Variance
 

Revenues

       

Management and Advisory Fees

   $ 309,409     $ 447,402    (31 %)

Performance Fees and Allocations

     (188,687 )     662,498    (128 %)

Investment Income and Other

     (52,199 )     116,468    (145 %)
                     

Total Revenues

     68,523       1,226,368    (94 %)
                     

Expenses

       

Compensation and Benefits (1)

     977,147       79,207    1134 %

Interest

     2,743       11,122    (75 %)

General, Administrative and Other (1)

     95,221       28,132    238 %

Fund Expenses

     22,952       53,689    (57 %)
                     

Total Expenses

     1,098,063       172,150    538 %
                     

Other Income (Loss)

       

Net Gains (Losses) from Fund Investment Activities

     (215,636 )     3,036,482    (107 %)
                     

Income (Loss) Before Non-Controlling

       

Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated

       

Entities and Provision for Taxes

     (1,245,176 )     4,090,700    (130 %)

Non-Controlling Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Entities

     (998,457 )     2,944,654    (134 %)
                     

Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes

     (246,719 )     1,146,046    (122 %)

Provision for Taxes

     4,274       13,970    (69 %)
                     

Net Income (Loss) (1)

   $ (250,993 )   $ 1,132,076    (122 %)
                     

Net Loss Per Common Unit, Basic and Diluted

   $ (0.97 )     
             

 

(1)    Transaction-related charges included above were:

       

Compensation and Benefits, inclusive of $906,444 of non-cash charges

   $ 918,971       

General, Administrative and Other - amortization of intangibles

     33,528       
             
   $ 952,499       
             

 

6


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 2. Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     March 31,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Assets

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 672,669    $ 868,629

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds

     117,514      163,696

Investments

     7,058,802      7,145,156

Accounts Receivable

     224,439      213,086

Due from Brokers

     564,945      812,250

Investment Subscriptions Paid in Advance

     8,170      36,698

Due from Affiliates

     695,179      855,854

Intangible Assets, Net

     1,247,135      604,681

Goodwill

     1,689,976      1,597,474

Other Assets

     174,499      99,366

Deferred Tax Assets

     763,056      777,310
             

Total Assets

   $ 13,216,384    $ 13,174,200
             

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

     

Loans Payable

   $ 451,653    $ 130,389

Amounts Due to Non-Controlling Interest Holders

     107,114      269,901

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     1,084,235      1,196,858

Due to Affiliates

     1,123,832      831,609

Accrued Compensation and Benefits

     207,000      188,997

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

     210,987      250,445
             

Total Liabilities

     3,184,821      2,868,199
             

Commitments and Contingencies

     

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     5,886,187      6,079,156
             

Partners’ Capital

     

Partners’ Capital

     4,144,519      4,226,500

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

     857      345
             

Total Partners’ Capital

     4,145,376      4,226,845
             

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

   $ 13,216,384    $ 13,174,200
             

 

7


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 3a. Economic Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income

(Dollars in Thousands)

The tables below detail Blackstone’s Economic Net Income, except for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2007, for which periods Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income is presented. A presentation of Economic Net Income for each of the periods for which Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income is presented below is included on page 11.

 

     Quarter Ended     Full Year 2007     Quarter Ended  
     March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
    September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2007
      March 31,
2008
 
     Pro Forma Adjusted                 Pro Forma
Adjusted
       

Corporate Private Equity

            

Revenues

            

Management Fees

            

Base Management Fees

   $ 58,861     $ 62,858     $ 66,389     $ 66,735     $ 254,843     $ 67,336  

Transaction and Other Fees

     9,128       56,044       48,711       64,188       178,071       10,837  

Management Fee Offsets *

     (8,231 )     (12,634 )     (20,892 )     (23,278 )     (65,035 )     (8,410 )
                                                

Total Management Fees

     59,758       106,268       94,208       107,645       367,879       69,763  

Performance Fees and Allocations

     122,934 (a)     230,424 (a)     109,051       (124,460 )     337,949 (a)     (163,430 )

Investment Income (Loss) and Other

     26,212 (a)     63,782 (a)     24,032       1,428       115,454 (a)     (23,050 )
                                                

Total Segment Revenues

     208,904       400,474       227,291       (15,387 )     821,282       (116,717 )
                                                

Expenses

            

Compensation and Benefits

     33,383 (b)     44,782 (b)     56,319       (1,798 )     132,686 (b)     (80,752 )

Other Operating Expenses

     8,778 (c)     14,793 (c)     22,798       23,603       69,972 (c)     22,200  
                                                

Total Segment Expenses

     42,161       59,575       79,117       21,805       202,658       (58,552 )
                                                

Economic Net Income (Loss)

   $ 166,743     $ 340,899     $ 148,174     $ (37,192 )   $ 618,624     $ (58,165 )
                                                

Real Estate

            

Revenues

            

Management Fees

            

Base Management Fees

   $ 37,450     $ 59,876     $ 70,964     $ 61,053     $ 229,343     $ 66,751  

Transaction and Other Fees

     209,451       19,748       14,540       108,400       352,139       11,795  

Management Fee Offsets

     —         (691 )     (9,281 )     (1,745 )     (11,717 )     (404 )
                                                

Total Management Fees

     246,901       78,933       76,223       167,708       569,765       78,142  

Performance Fees and Allocations

     457,360 (a)     152,681 (a)     28,479       (39,062 )     599,458 (a)     (30,062 )

Investment Income (Loss) and Other

     62,511 (a)     83,501 (a)     4,398       (15,145 )     135,265 (a)     (176 )
                                                

Total Segment Revenues

     766,772       315,115       109,100       113,501       1,304,488       47,904  
                                                

Expenses

            

Compensation and Benefits

     98,523 (b)     36,486 (b)     39,325       65,416       239,750 (b)     35,688  

Other Operating Expenses

     4,735 (c)     5,541 (c)     12,639       27,575       50,490 (c)     16,160  
                                                

Total Segment Expenses

     103,258       42,027       51,964       92,991       290,240       51,848  
                                                

Economic Net Income (Loss)

   $ 663,514     $ 273,088     $ 57,136     $ 20,510     $ 1,014,248     $ (3,944 )
                                                

 

* Primarily broken deal expenses.

 

(a) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the elimination of the revenues of the businesses that were not contributed as part of the Reorganization.

 

(b) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the addition of expenses related to employee compensation and profit arrangements that were not effective prior to the Reorganization.

 

(c) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the elimination of interest expense based on the assumption that the revolving credit facility was repaid in full from the proceeds of the offering and as of January 1, 2007.

continued...

 

8


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 3a. Economic Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Quarter Ended    Full Year 2007     Quarter Ended  
     March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
    September 30,
2007
   December 31,
2007
     March 31,
2008
 
     Pro Forma Adjusted               Pro Forma
Adjusted
       

Marketable Alternative Asset
Management

              

Revenues

              

Management Fees

              

Base Management Fees

   $ 61,097     $ 74,413     $ 87,999    $ 92,795    $ 316,304     $ 103,187  

Transaction and Other Fees

     1,871       1,189       1,694      1,876      6,630       1,128  
                                              

Total Management Fees

     62,968       75,602       89,693      94,671      322,934       104,315  

Performance Fees and Allocations

     68,061 (a)     61,906 (a)     2,522      24,094      156,583 (a)     5,058  

Investment Income (Loss) and Other

     25,259 (a)     31,138 (a)     32,658      59,423      148,478 (a)     (79,383 )
                                              

Total Segment Revenues

     156,288       168,646       124,873      178,188      627,995       29,990  
                                              

Expenses

              

Compensation and Benefits

     59,374 (b)     78,268 (b)     34,006      45,692      217,340 (b)     56,273  

Other Operating Expenses

     8,898 (c)     13,511 (c)     17,779      22,205      62,393 (c)     18,307  
                                              

Total Segment Expenses

     68,272       91,779       51,785      67,897      279,733       74,580  
                                              

Economic Net Income (Loss)

   $ 88,016     $ 76,867     $ 73,088    $ 110,291    $ 348,262     $ (44,590 )
                                              

Financial Advisory

              

Revenues

              

Advisory Fees

   $ 92,525     $ 97,518     $ 81,911    $ 88,330    $ 360,284     $ 68,563  

Investment Income and Other

     1,684       1,034       2,354      2,302      7,374       2,597  
                                              

Total Segment Revenues

     94,209       98,552       84,265      90,632      367,658       71,160  
                                              

Expenses

              

Compensation and Benefits

     49,926 (b)     45,854 (b)     50,020      44,363      190,163 (b)     46,967  

Other Operating Expenses

     4,777 (c)     7,941 (c)     13,485      11,712      37,915 (c)     11,061  
                                              

Total Segment Expenses

     54,703       53,795       63,505      56,075      228,078       58,028  
                                              

Economic Net Income

   $ 39,506     $ 44,757     $ 20,760    $ 34,557    $ 139,580     $ 13,132  
                                              

 

(a) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the elimination of the revenues of the businesses that were not contributed as part of the Reorganization.

 

(b) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the addition of expenses related to employee compensation and profit arrangements that were not effective prior to the Reorganization.

 

(c) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the elimination of interest expense based on the assumption that the revolving credit facility was repaid in full from the proceeds of the offering and as of January 1, 2007.

continued...

 

9


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 3a. Economic Net Income and Pro Forma Adjusted Economic Net Income

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Quarter Ended     Full Year 2007     Quarter Ended  
     March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
    September 30,
2007
    December 31,
2007
      March 31,
2008
 
     Pro Forma Adjusted                 Pro Forma
Adjusted
       

Economic Net Income Recap,
Total Reportable Segments

            

Revenues

            

Management Fees

            

Base Management Fees

   $ 249,933     $ 294,665     $ 307,263     $ 308,913     $ 1,160,774     $ 305,837  

Transaction and Other Fees

     220,450       76,981       64,945       174,464       536,840       23,760  

Management Fee Offsets

     (8,231 )     (13,325 )     (30,173 )     (25,023 )     (76,752 )     (8,814 )
                                                

Total Management Fees

     462,152       358,321       342,035       458,354       1,620,862       320,783  

Performance Fees and Allocations

     648,355 (a)     445,011 (a)     140,052       (139,428 )     1,093,990 (a)     (188,434 )

Investment Income (Loss) and Other

     115,666 (a)     179,455 (a)     63,442       48,008       406,571 (a)     (100,012 )
                                                

Total Segment Revenues

     1,226,173       982,787       545,529       366,934       3,121,423       32,337  
                                                

Expenses

            

Compensation and Benefits

     241,206 (b)     205,390 (b)     179,670       153,673       779,939 (b)     58,176  

Other Operating Expenses

     27,188 (c)     41,786 (c)     66,701       85,095       220,770 (c)     67,728  
                                                

Total Segment Expenses

     268,394       247,176       246,371       238,768       1,000,709       125,904  
                                                

Total Economic Net Income (Loss)

   $ 957,779     $ 735,611     $ 299,158     $ 128,166     $ 2,120,714     $ (93,567 )
                                                

 

(a) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the elimination of the revenues of the businesses that were not contributed as part of the Reorganization.

 

(b) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the addition of expenses related to employee compensation and profit arrangements that were not effective prior to the Reorganization.

 

(c) Pro Forma adjustments reflect the elimination of interest expense based on the assumption that the revolving credit facility was repaid in full from the proceeds of the offering and as of January 1, 2007.

continued...

 

10


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 3b. Economic Net Income

(Dollars in Thousands)

The table below details Blackstone’s Economic Net Income for each reportable segment for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

      Corporate Private Equity     Real Estate     Marketable Alternative
Asset Management
      Quarter Ended     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Quarter Ended     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Quarter Ended   Year Ended
December
31, 2007
      March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
      March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
      March 31,
2007
  June 30,
2007
 

Revenues

                 

Management Fees

                 

Base Management Fees

  $ 58,861     $ 62,858     $ 254,843     $ 37,450     $ 59,876     $ 229,343     $ 61,097   $ 74,413   $ 316,304

Transaction and Other Fees

    9,128       56,044       178,071       209,451       19,748       352,139       1,871     1,189     6,630

Management Fee Offsets

    (8,231 )     (12,634 )     (65,035 )     —         (691 )     (11,717 )     —       —       —  
                                                                 

Total Management Fees

    59,758       106,268       367,879       246,901       78,933       569,765       62,968     75,602     322,934

Performance Fees and Allocations

    140,423       254,466       379,479       476,358    

 

157,425

 

    623,200       68,061     61,906     156,583

Investment Income and Other

    27,096       65,415       117,971       63,472       83,853       136,578       25,261     31,138     148,479
                                                                 

Total Segment Revenues

    227,277       426,149       865,329       786,731       320,211       1,329,543       156,290     168,646     627,996
                                                                 

Expenses

                 

Compensation and Benefits

    17,278       24,603       96,402       18,328       22,077       145,146       28,631     42,000     150,330

Other Operating Expenses

    12,185       19,887       78,473       6,429       8,183       54,829       14,495     20,253     74,728
                                                                 

Total Segment Expenses

    29,463       44,490       174,875       24,757       30,260       199,975       43,126     62,253     225,058
                                                                 

Economic Net Income

  $ 197,814     $ 381,659     $ 690,454     $ 761,974     $ 289,951     $ 1,129,568     $ 113,164   $ 106,393   $ 402,938
                                                                 
      Financial Advisory     Recap, Total Reportable Segments              
      Quarter Ended     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
    Quarter Ended     Year Ended
December 31,
2007
             
      March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
      March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
         

Revenues

                 

Management Fees

                 

Base Management Fees

  $ 92,525     $ 97,518     $ 360,284     $ 249,933     $ 294,665     $ 1,160,774        

Transaction and Other Fees

    —         —         —         220,450       76,981       536,840        

Management Fee Offsets

    —         —         —         (8,231 )     (13,325 )     (76,752 )      
                                                     

Total Management Fees

    92,525       97,518       360,284       462,152       358,321       1,620,862        

Performance Fees and Allocations

    —         —         —         684,842       473,797       1,159,262        

Investment Income and Other

    1,684       1,034       7,374       117,513       181,440       410,402        
                                                     

Total Segment Revenues

    94,209       98,552       367,658       1,264,507       1,013,558       3,190,526        
                                                     

Expenses

                 

Compensation and Benefits

    15,911       22,342       132,633       80,148       111,022       524,511        

Other Operating Expenses

    5,204       8,638       39,037       38,313       56,961       247,067        
                                                     

Total Segment Expenses

    21,115       30,980       171,670       118,461       167,983       771,578        
                                                     

Economic Net Income

  $ 73,094     $ 67,572     $ 195,988     $ 1,146,046     $ 845,575     $ 2,418,948        
                                                     

 

11


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 4. Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow Used in Operating Activities to Pro Forma Adjusted

Cash Flow from Operations and of GAAP Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding—

Diluted to Economic Net Income Adjusted Units—Diluted

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)

The following table provides a reconciliation of Blackstone’s Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to Blackstone’s Adjusted Cash Flow (Used) from Operations and Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations. Adjusted Cash Flow (Used) from Operations is a supplemental measure of liquidity to assess liquidity and amounts available for distributions to Blackstone unitholders, including Blackstone personnel.

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
     2008     2007  

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities

   $ 115,154     $ (1,343,955 )

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities

     (311,656 )     (289,160 )

Blackstone Funds Related Investment Activities

     248,434       1,926,042  

Net Realized Gains on Investments

     (256 )     1,050,641  

Non-Controlling Interests in Income of Consolidated Entities

     788,477       (744,923 )

Realized Gains - Blackstone Funds

     (23,854 )     (22,593 )
                

Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations

     816,299       576,052  
           Pro Forma  

Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations

     816,299       576,052  

Cash Flow from Operations - Adjustments (a)

    

Elimination of Non-Contributed Entities (b)

     —         (25,515 )

Increase in Compensation Expense (c)

     —         (161,057 )

Interests Held by Blackstone Holdings Limited Partners (d)

     (799,347 )     —    

Eliminate Interest Expense (e)

     —         11,122  

Realized Gains - Blackstone Funds

     —         (2,723 )

Incremental Cash Tax Effect (f)

     (21,354 )     (105,335 )
                

Adjusted Cash Flow (Used) from Operations

   $ (4,402 )   $ 292,544  
                

 

(a) Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations is based upon historical results of operations and gives effect to the pre-initial public offering reorganization and the initial public offering as if they were completed as of January 1, 2007. These pro forma adjustments are consistent with Rule 11.01 of Regulation S–X.

 

(b) Represent adjustments to eliminate from Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations the cash flows of the businesses that were not contributed as part of the reorganization.

 

(c) Represent adjustments to reflect in Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations the cash portion of expenses related to employee compensation that were not effective prior to the reorganization as well as vested carried interest for departed partners.

 

(d) Represents an adjustment to add back net income (loss) allocable to interest holders of Blackstone Holdings Limited Partners after the Reorganization recorded as Non-Controlling Interests.

 

(e) Represent adjustments to eliminate interest expense in Pro Forma Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations on the assumption that the revolving credit facility was repaid in full from the proceeds of the offering.

 

(f) Represent the provisions for and/or adjustments to income taxes that were calculated using the same methodology applied in calculating such amounts for the period after the reorganization.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Blackstone’s GAAP Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding—Diluted to Weighted-Average Economic Net Income Adjusted Units - Diluted.

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31, 2008
    

GAAP Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding - Diluted

   259,860,669

Adjustments:

  

Weighted-Average Partnership Units Outstanding

   826,948,454

Weighted-Average Unvested Deferred Restricted Common Units Outstanding

   35,347,379
    

Weighted-Average Economic Net Income Adjusted Units - Diluted

   1,122,156,502
    

 

12


THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Exhibit 5. Supplemental Metrics

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     As of and for the Quarters Ended March 31,       
     2008    2007    % Variance  

Total Assets Under Management
(End of Period)

        

Corporate Private Equity

   $ 30,651,023    $ 32,260,609    (5 %)

Real Estate

     26,278,298      19,473,455    35 %

MAAM

     56,601,250      31,400,992    80 %
                    
   $ 113,530,571    $ 83,135,056    37 %
                    

Fee-Earning Assets Under Management
(End of Period)
(a)

        

Corporate Private Equity

   $ 25,061,921    $ 23,212,646    8 %

Real Estate

     18,795,343      11,924,094    58 %

MAAM

     49,090,455      28,903,710    70 %
                    
   $ 92,947,719    $ 64,040,450    45 %
                    

Weighted-Average Fee-Earning Assets Under Management
(For the Quarter Ended)
(a)

        

Corporate Private Equity

   $ 25,054,322    $ 21,857,757    15 %

Real Estate

     18,868,242      10,706,208    76 %

MAAM

     48,820,675      27,322,365    79 %
                    
   $ 92,743,239    $ 59,886,330    55 %
                    

Limited Partner Capital Deployed
(For the Quarter Ended)

        

Corporate Private Equity

   $ 340,119    $ 56,695    500 %

Real Estate

     369,202      3,883,476    (90 %)
                    
   $ 709,321    $ 3,940,171    (82 %)
                    

Fund Level Unrealized Value (b)
(End of Period)

        

Corporate Private Equity

        

Cost

   $ 14,932,714    $ 10,134,104    47 %
                    

Unrealized Value

   $ 17,032,685    $ 13,970,819    22 %
                    

Real Estate

        

Cost

   $ 10,904,614    $ 6,856,318    59 %
                    

Unrealized Value

   $ 15,212,117    $ 11,649,181    31 %
                    

 

(a) Excludes unrealized values which Blackstone is entitled to receive in carried interest.

 

(b) Cost and unrealized value represents the cost of those fund investments and related unrealized value on which Blackstone is entitled to receive carried interest when a fund achieves cumulative investment returns in excess of a specified rate.

 

13