Revenues from Contracts with Customers

12 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

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



	Year Ended November 30,
	2019		2018
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Commissions and other fees (1)	$	676,309	$	663,470
Investment banking	1,528,729		1,910,203
Asset management fees	17,219		21,214
Total revenue from contracts with customers	2,222,257		2,594,887
Other sources of revenue:
Principal transactions	769,258		524,296
Revenues from arrangements with strategic partners	3,066		—
Interest	1,496,529		1,207,095
Other	93,422		103,354
Total revenues	$	4,584,532	$	4,429,632

(1)

During the third quarter of 2019, we reclassified the presentation of certain other fees, primarily related to prime brokerage services offered to clients. These fees were previously presented as Other revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and are now presented within Commissions and other fees. There is no impact on Total revenues as a result of this change in presentation. Previously reported results are presented on a comparable basis.

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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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):



	Year Ended November 30,
	2019						2018
	Reportable Segment						Reportable Segment
	Investment Banking and Capital Markets		Asset Management		Total		Investment Banking and Capital Markets		Asset Management		Total
Major business activity:
Equities (1)	$	662,804	$	—	$	662,804	$	649,631	$	—	$	649,631
Fixed income (1)	13,505		—		13,505		13,839		—		13,839
Investment banking - Advisory	767,421		—		767,421		820,042		—		820,042
Investment banking - Underwriting	761,308		—		761,308		1,090,161		—		1,090,161
Asset management	—		17,219		17,219		—		21,214		21,214
Total	$	2,205,038	$	17,219	$	2,222,257	$	2,573,673	$	21,214	$	2,594,887
Primary geographic region:
Americas	$	1,751,568	$	10,472	$	1,762,040	$	2,186,955	$	20,871	$	2,207,826
Europe	374,411		6,747		381,158		304,027		343		304,370
Asia	79,059		—		79,059		82,691		—		82,691
Total	$	2,205,038	$	17,219	$	2,222,257	$	2,573,673	$	21,214	$	2,594,887


(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 November 30, 2019. 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 November 30, 2019.

During the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $27.6 million and $26.6 million, 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 $21.7 million and $18.1 million of revenues primarily associated with distribution services during the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, 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 $209.3 million and $199.0 million at November 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We had no significant impairments related to these receivables during the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018.

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 revenue at November 30, 2019 and 2018 was $9.0 million and $10.6 million, respectively, which are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. During the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018, we recognized revenue of $9.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively, that were recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the year.

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 November 30, 2019 and 2018, capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $4.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively, which are recorded in Receivables – Fees, interest and other in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. For the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018, we recognized expenses of $4.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively, related to costs to fulfill a contract that were capitalized as of the beginning of the year. There were no significant impairment charges recognized in relation to these capitalized costs during the years ended November 30, 2019 and 2018.