Revenues from Contracts with Customers

9 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

The following table presents our total revenues separated for our revenues from contracts with customers and our other sources of revenues (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   August 31,				Nine Months Ended   August 31,
	2020		2019		2020			2019
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Commissions and other fees	$	204,313	$	171,003	$	627,115		$	493,843
Investment banking	615,837		412,533		1,595,330			1,128,216
Asset management fees	1,613		3,340		8,254			14,559
Total revenue from contracts with customers	821,763		586,876		2,230,699			1,636,618
Other sources of revenue:
Principal transactions	560,665		148,873		1,399,850			632,002
Revenues from arrangements with strategic partners	5,159		880		14,814			1,791
Interest	195,960		383,596		702,569			1,163,022
Other	11,526		21,406		(6,020		)	77,563
Total revenues	$	1,595,073	$	1,141,631	$	4,341,912		$	3,510,996

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. A good or service is transferred to a customer 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 in a manner that depicts 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 that we determine 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 multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of our 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, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties.

The following provides detailed information on the recognition of our revenues from contracts with customers:

Commissions and Other Fees. We earn commission and other fee revenue by executing, settling and clearing transactions for clients primarily in equity, equity-related and futures products. Trade execution and clearing services, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Commission revenues associated with combined trade execution and clearing services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, are recognized at a point in time on trade-date. Commissions revenues are generally paid on settlement date and we record a receivable between trade-date and payment on settlement date. We permit institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. We act as an agent in the soft dollar arrangements as the customer controls the use of the soft dollars and directs our payments to third-party service providers on its behalf. Accordingly, amounts allocated to soft dollar arrangements are netted against commission revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

We earn account advisory and distribution fees in connection with wealth management services. Account advisory fees are recognized over time using the time-elapsed method as we determined that the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of investment advisory services as they are provided. Account advisory fees may be paid in advance of a specified service period or in arrears at the end of the specified service period (e.g., quarterly). Account advisory fees paid in advance are initially deferred within Accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Distribution fees are variable and recognized when the uncertainties with respect to the amounts are resolved.

Investment Banking. We provide our clients with a full range of financial advisory and underwriting services. Revenues from financial advisory services primarily consist of fees generated in connection with merger, acquisition and restructuring transactions. Advisory fees from mergers and acquisitions engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction is completed, as the performance obligation is to successfully broker a specific transaction. Fees received prior to the completion of the transaction are deferred within Accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Advisory fees from restructuring engagements are recognized over time using a time elapsed measure of progress as our clients simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of those services as they are provided. A significant portion of the fees we receive for our advisory services are considered variable as they are contingent upon a future event (e.g., completion of a transaction or third-party emergence from bankruptcy) and are excluded from the transaction price until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved, which is expected to occur upon achievement of the specified milestone. Payment for advisory services are generally due promptly upon completion of a specified milestone or, for retainer fees, periodically over the course of the engagement. We recognize a receivable between the date of completion of the milestone and payment by the customer. Expenses associated with investment banking advisory engagements are deferred only to the extent they are explicitly reimbursable by the client and the related revenue is recognized at a point in time. All other investment banking advisory related expenses, including expenses incurred related to restructuring assignments, are expensed as incurred. All investment banking advisory expenses are recognized within their respective expense category in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and any expenses reimbursed by our clients are recognized as Investment banking revenues.

Underwriting services include underwriting and placement agent services in both the equity and debt capital markets, including private equity placements, initial public offerings, follow-on offerings and equity-linked convertible securities transactions and structuring, underwriting and distributing public and private debt, including investment grade debt, high yield bonds, leveraged loans, municipal bonds and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Underwriting and placement agent revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade-date, as the client obtains the control and benefit of the underwriting offering at that point. Costs associated with underwriting transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded, and are recorded on a gross basis within Underwriting costs in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as we are acting as a principal in the arrangement. Any expenses reimbursed by our clients are recognized as Investment banking revenues.

Asset Management Fees. We earn management and performance fees in connection with investment advisory services provided to various funds and accounts, which are satisfied over time and measured using a time elapsed measure of progress as the customer receives the benefits of the services evenly throughout the term of the contract. Management and performance fees are considered variable as they are subject to fluctuation (e.g., changes in assets under management, market performance) and/ or are contingent on a future event during the measurement period (e.g., meeting a specified benchmark) and are recognized only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Management fees are generally based on month-end assets under management or an agreed upon notional amount and are included in the transaction price at the end of each month when the assets under management or notional amount is known. Performance fees are received when the return on assets under management for a specified performance period exceed certain benchmark returns, “high-water marks” or other performance targets. The performance period related to our performance fees is annual or semi-annual. Accordingly, performance fee revenue will generally be recognized only at the end of the performance period to the extent that the benchmark return has been met.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following presents our revenues from contracts with customers disaggregated by major business activity and primary geographic regions (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended August 31,												Nine Months Ended August 31,
	2020						2019						2020						2019
	Reportable Segment						Reportable Segment						Reportable Segment						Reportable Segment
	Investment Banking and Capital Markets		Asset Management		Total		Investment Banking and Capital Markets		Asset Management		Total		Investment Banking and Capital Markets		Asset Management		Total		Investment Banking and Capital Markets		Asset Management		Total
Major business activity:
Equities (1)	$	201,157	$	—	$	201,157	$	167,528	$	—	$	167,528	$	614,089	$	—	$	614,089	$	483,771	$	—	$	483,771
Fixed income (1)	3,156		—		3,156		3,475		—		3,475		13,026		—		13,026		10,072		—		10,072
Investment banking - Advisory	171,438		—		171,438		213,350		—		213,350		696,677		—		696,677		572,386		—		572,386
Investment banking - Underwriting	444,399		—		444,399		199,183		—		199,183		898,653		—		898,653		555,830		—		555,830
Asset management	—		1,613		1,613		—		3,340		3,340		—		8,254		8,254		—		14,559		14,559
Total	$	820,150	$	1,613	$	821,763	$	583,536	$	3,340	$	586,876	$	2,222,445	$	8,254	$	2,230,699	$	1,622,059	$	14,559	$	1,636,618
Primary geographic region:
Americas	$	684,441	$	244	$	684,685	$	476,983	$	1,937	$	478,920	$	1,858,137	$	1,790	$	1,859,927	$	1,288,046	$	8,818	$	1,296,864
Europe	90,132		1,369		91,501		88,890		1,403		90,293		237,652		6,464		244,116		280,605		5,741		286,346
Asia	45,577		—		45,577		17,663		—		17,663		126,656		—		126,656		53,408		—		53,408
Total	$	820,150	$	1,613	$	821,763	$	583,536	$	3,340	$	586,876	$	2,222,445	$	8,254	$	2,230,699	$	1,622,059	$	14,559	$	1,636,618

(1) Revenues from contracts with customers associated with the equities and fixed income businesses primarily represent commissions and other fee revenue.

Refer to Note 19, Segment Reporting, for a further discussion on the allocation of revenues to geographic regions.

Information on Remaining Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognized from Past Performance

We do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations pertaining to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less. The transaction price allocated to remaining unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations with an original expected duration exceeding one year was not material at August 31, 2020. Investment banking advisory fees that are contingent upon completion of a specific milestone and fees associated with certain distribution services are also excluded as the fees are considered variable and not included in the transaction price at August 31, 2020.

During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2020, we recognized $15.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively, compared with $9.6 million and $27.2 million, during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2019, respectively, of revenue related to performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods, mainly due to resolving uncertainties in variable consideration that was constrained in prior periods. In addition, we recognized $4.3 million, and $14.4 million, during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2020, respectively, compared with $6.0 million and $15.8 million during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2019, respectively, of revenues primarily associated with distribution services, a portion of which relates to prior periods.

Contract Balances

The timing of our revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by our customers. We record a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and we have an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, we record deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.

We had receivables related to revenues from contracts with customers of $252.9 million and $209.3 million at August 31, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively. We had no significant impairments related to these receivables during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2020 and 2019.

Our deferred revenue primarily relates to retainer and milestone fees received in investment banking advisory engagements where the performance obligation has not yet been satisfied. Deferred revenues at August 31, 2020 and November 30, 2019 were $12.0 million and $9.0 million, respectively, which are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2020, we recognized revenues of $15.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively, compared with $9.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2019, respectively, that were recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the periods.

Contract Costs

We capitalize costs to fulfill contracts associated with investment banking advisory engagements where the revenue is recognized at a point in time and the costs are determined to be recoverable. Capitalized costs to fulfill a contract are recognized at the point in time that the related revenue is recognized.

At August 31, 2020 and November 30, 2019, capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $2.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively, which are recorded in Receivables – Fees, interest and other in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2020, we recognized expenses of $0.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, compared with $1.6 million and $3.8 million for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2019, respectively, related to costs to fulfill a contract that were capitalized as of the beginning of the period. There were no significant impairment charges recognized in relation to these capitalized costs during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2020 and 2019.