8-K

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):

August 9, 2018

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-13913	51-0261715
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6300 Lamar Avenue

Overland Park, Kansas 66202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(913) 236-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Registrant’s 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):

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

ITEM 7.01REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

On August 9, 2018, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. issued a press release announcing its preliminary assets under management for the month ended July 31, 2018.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d)Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated August 9, 2018

SIGNATURES

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

	WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
Date: August 10, 2018	By:	/s/ Benjamin R. Clouse
		Senior Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Announces July 31, 2018 Assets Under Management

Overland Park, KS, Aug. 9, 2018 – Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE: WDR) today reported preliminary assets under management of $79.2 billion for the month ended July 31, 2018, compared to $78.7 billion on June 30, 2018.

Assets Under Management
($ in Millions)
	Preliminary
	Month Ended July 31, 2018
	Retail		Institutional		Total
Beginning assets	$	73,401	$	5,250	$	78,651
Net flows	(618)		(205)		(823)
Market action	1,293		102		1,395
Ending assets	$	74,076	$	5,147	$	79,223

Cautionary Statement

The preliminary information included in this news release reflects management’s estimate based on currently available information.  Estimates are subject to change. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance upon this preliminary information.

Contacts

Investor Contact:

Nicole Russell, VP, Investor Relations, (913) 236-1880, nrussell@waddell.com

Mutual Fund Investor Contact:

Call (888) WADDELL, or visit www.waddell.com or www.ivyfunds.com.

About the Company

Through its subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. has provided investment management and financial planning services to clients throughout the United States since 1937.  Today, we distribute our investment products through the unaffiliated channel (encompassing broker/dealer, retirement, and registered investment advisors), our broker-dealer channel (through independent financial advisors), and our Institutional channel (including defined benefit plans, pension plans, endowments and subadvisory relationships).  For more information, visit ir.waddell.com.