SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


____________________________________________________

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549


FORM 10-Q


[ x ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2007

or

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the transition period from ___to___


Commission File Number: 1-12043



OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Canada                        

  

98-0080034

(State or other jurisdiction of            

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)            

Identification No.)


P.O. Box 2015, Suite 1110

20 Eglinton Avenue West

Toronto, Ontario, Canada   M4R 1K8

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


416-322-1515

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes [ X ]  No [  ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [  ]  Accelerated filer [ X ]  Non-accelerated filer [  ]


Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [  ]  No [ X ]


The number of shares of the Company’s Class A non-voting shares and Class B voting shares (being the only classes of common stock of the Company) outstanding on April 30, 2007 was 13,115,936 and 99,680 shares, respectively.




OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

INDEX


  

Page No.

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.     

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

1

   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

3

   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

4

   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

6

   
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

   

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

   

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

   

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

27

   

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.     

Legal Proceedings

29

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

29

Item 2.     

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

29

Item 3.     

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

29

Item 4.     

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

29

Item 5.     

Other Information

29

Item 6.     

Exhibits

29

 

SIGNATURES

30

 

Certifications

31


     









PART 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item. 1  Financial Statements

OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)


 

March 31,

December 31,

 

2007

2006

Expressed in thousands of dollars

  

ASSETS

  

  Cash and cash equivalents

$22,060

$23,542

  Cash and securities segregated under regulatory  

  

      and other purposes

45,965

45,035

  Deposits with clearing organizations

14,522

11,355

  Receivable from brokers and clearing organizations

606,710

643,914

  Receivable from customers

905,238

979,350

  Securities owned including amounts pledged of

  

      $800 thousand  ($979 thousand in 2006),

  

      at market value

117,043

137,092

  Notes receivable, net

49,909

52,340

  Office facilities, net

15,149

16,478

  Intangible assets, net of amortization

33,476

33,660

  Goodwill

132,472

132,472

  Other

78,620

84,852

   
 

$2,021,164

$2,160,090




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.





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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)


 

March 31,

December 31,

 

2007

2006

Expressed in thousands of dollars

  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  

Liabilities

  

  Drafts payable

$48,222

$57,641

  Bank call loans

9,300

79,500

  Payable to brokers and clearing organizations

901,923

923,556

  Payable to customers

362,761

384,881

  Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at

  

     market value

6,188

7,315

  Accrued compensation

75,273

116,235

  Accounts payable and other liabilities

86,147

74,806

  Income taxes payable

10,125

13,229

  Zero coupon promissory note

13,194

14,576

  Senior secured credit note

124,063

124,375

  Deferred income tax, net

3,052

4,935

 

1,640,248

1,801,049

   

Shareholders' equity

  

  Share capital

  

       2007 – 13,078,699 Class A non-voting shares

  

      (2006 – 12,834,682 shares)

48,263

41,093

      99,680 Class B voting shares

133

133

 

48,396

41,226

     Contributed capital

12,233

11,662

     Retained earnings

320,803

306,153

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(516)

-

 

380,916

359,041

   
 

$2,021,164

$2,160,090



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.



2









OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)


 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

2007

2006

Expressed in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts

  

REVENUE:

  

  Commissions

$87,560

$93,662

  Principal transactions, net

8,516

11,176

  Interest

29,058

26,171

  Investment banking

33,391

11,967

  Advisory fees

49,437

40,506

  Other

6,154

17,568

 

214,116

201,050

   

EXPENSES:

  

  Compensation and related expenses

124,629

112,087

  Clearing and exchange fees

3,582

4,843

  Communications and technology

13,503

12,345

  Occupancy and equipment costs

12,266

12,571

  Interest

14,848

14,327

  Other

17,106

15,466

 

185,934

171,639

Profit before income taxes

28,182

29,411

Income tax provision

11,392

12,194

NET PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

$16,790

$17,217

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

  

Change in cash flow hedges (net of tax benefit of $375)

 (516)

-

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD

$16,274

$17,217

   
   

Earnings per share:

  

   Basic

$1.28

$1.36

   Diluted

$1.26

$0.93

   

Dividends declared per share

$0.10

$0.10



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.



3









OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)


 

Three months ended

 March 31,

 

2007

2006

Expressed in thousands of dollars

  
   

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

Net profit for the period

$16,790

$17,217

Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash provided

  

   by (used in) operating activities:

  

   Non-cash items included in net profit:

  

      Depreciation and amortization

2,331

2,251

      Deferred income tax

(1,883)

5,167

     Amortization of notes receivable

4,548

5,297

     Amortization of debt issuance costs

176

-

     Amortization of intangibles

183

183

     Provision for doubtful accounts

3

24

      Stock option expense, net

448

914

      Employee share plan issuance

1,550

-

   Decrease (increase) in operating assets:

  

      Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations

(930)

(5,955)

      Deposits with clearing organizations

(3,167)

1,349

      Receivable from brokers and clearing organizations

37,204

(3,121)

      Receivable from customers

74,109

(56,727)

      Securities owned

20,049

(5,992)

      Notes receivable

(2,117)

(4,914)

      Other assets

6,058

22,492

   Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

  

      Drafts Payable

(9,419)

8,722

      Payable to brokers and clearing organizations

(22,149)

128,878

      Payable to customers

(22,120)

(158,457)

      Securities sold, but not yet purchased

(1,127)

(1,032)

      Accrued compensation

(40,963)

(26,972)

      Accounts payable and other liabilities

10,518

(17,109)

      Income taxes payable

(3,104)

769

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

66,988

(87,016)



(Continued on next page)



4











OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) -Continued


 

Three months ended

 March 31,

 

2007

2006

Expressed in thousands of dollars

  
   

Cash flows from investing activities:

  

   Purchase of fixed assets

(1,002)

(1,150)

Cash used in investing and other activities

(1,002)

(1,150)

   

Cash flows from financing activities:

  

   Cash dividends paid on Class A non-voting and Class B shares

(1,317)

(1,276)

   Issuance of Class A non-voting shares

5,620

3,363

   Tax benefit from employee stock options exercised

123

-

   Repurchase of Class A non-voting shares for cancellation

-

(2,158)

   Senior secured credit note repayments

(312)

-

   Zero coupon promissory note repayments

(1,382)

(2,386)

   Bank loan repayments

-

(14,524)

   (Decrease) increase in bank call loans, net

(70,200)

99,122

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(67,468)

82,141

   

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(1,482)

(6,025)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

23,542

32,013

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$22,060

$25,988



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.



5









OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES

IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,

 
 

2007

2006

Expressed in thousands of dollars

  
   

Share capital

  

Balance at beginning of period

$41,226

$32,631

Issue of Class A non-voting shares

7,170

3,363

Repurchase of Class A non-voting shares for cancellation

-

(2,158)

Balance at end of period

$48,396

$33,836

   

Contributed capital

  

Balance at beginning of period

$11,662

$8,810

Tax benefit from employee stock options exercised

123

-

Stock option expense

572

1,254

Deferred tax pool for stock option expense

(124)

(340)

Balance at end of period

$12,233

$9,724

   

Retained earnings

  

Balance at beginning of period

$306,153

$266,682

Cumulative effect of an accounting change

(823)

-

Net profit for the period

16,790

17,217

Dividends ($0.10 per share)

(1,317)

(1,276)

Balance at end of period

$320,803

$282,623

   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  

Balance at beginning of period

-

-

Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax

$(516)

-

Balance at end of period

$(516)

-

   

Shareholders’ equity

$380,916

$326,183



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.



6









OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    (Unaudited)


1.    Summary of significant accounting policies

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (“OPY”) and its subsidiaries (together, the “Company”). The principal subsidiaries of OPY are Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“Oppenheimer”), a registered broker-dealer in securities, and Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. (“OAM”), a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Oppenheimer operates as Fahnestock & Co. Inc. in Latin America. Oppenheimer owns Freedom Investments, Inc. (“Freedom”), a registered broker dealer in securities, which operates its BUYandHOLD division, offering online discount brokerage and dollar-based investing services. The Company engages in a broad range of activities in the securities industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (both corporate and public finance), research, market-making, securities lending activities, trust services and investment advisory and asset management services.


The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These accounting principles are set out in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year then ended, except for the adoption on January 1, 2007 of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”  (“FIN 48”) set out in note 2.


Certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of income have been reclassified to conform with current presentation. Total revenue, total expenses, profit before income taxes, income tax provision and net profit for the period were not affected. See note 12 for further discussion.


Disclosures reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements comply in all material respects with those required pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with respect to quarterly financial reporting.


The condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which in the opinion of management are normal and recurring and necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The nature of the Company’s business is such that the results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.


These condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.


2. New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48. This interpretation requires that a tax position be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, based solely on its technical merits, as of the reporting date. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criterion shall be measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.


The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 which resulted in a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings in the amount of $823 thousand and a reclassification of deferred tax liabilities in the amount of $6.1 million to liability for unrecognized tax benefits which is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  The Company’s uncertain tax positions primarily consist of an election made under the Internal Revenue Code to limit



7








current recognition of property that was involuntarily converted to money as a result of the monetary damages received.  During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recorded approximately $102 thousand in interest related to the involuntary conversion of assets.


The Company is in discussions with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) related to the involuntary conversion of assets as part of the IRS’s limited scope examination of the 2003 – 2004 tax period and expects the matter to be resolved within the next twelve months without a material impact to the Company’s effective income tax rate.  At this time, management cannot estimate a range for any possible change in the unrecognized tax benefit.  


The Company recognizes interest accrued on underpayments of income taxes as interest expense and any related statutory penalties as other expenses in its condensed consolidated statement of income.  At January 1, 2007 the Company had $774 thousand accrued in interest which is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated financial statements.


Due to its retail branch network, the Company is subject to tax examinations in many state and local jurisdictions.  Tax years under examination vary by jurisdictions and it is not uncommon to have many examinations open at any given time.  Currently, tax examinations are ongoing in New York State (1998 to 2000 and 2001 to 2003), New York City (1998 – 2000), Texas (2002 – 2004), New Jersey (2002 – 2005), and Michigan (2002 – 2005).  The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the taxing jurisdictions resulting from these and subsequent years’ examinations.  The Company has established tax reserves that it believes are sufficient in relation to possible additional assessments.  The Company continuously assesses the adequacy of these reserves and believes that the resolution of such matters will not have a material effect on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, although a resolution could have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of income for a particular period and on the Company’s effective income tax rate for any period in which resolution occurs.


Recently Issued

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements, which provides expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. In addition, SFAS No. 157 prohibits recognition of “block discounts” for large holdings of unrestricted financial instruments where quoted prices are readily and regularly available in an active market. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company has determined that adoption of SFAS No. 157 will not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.


In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  SFAS 159 provides entities with the option to mitigate volatility in reported earnings by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  In addition, SFAS 159 allows entities to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates and to report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings.  SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted provided that the entity also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS 157. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 159 on its condensed consolidated financial statements but does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 to be material.




8









3. Earnings per share

Earnings per share was computed by dividing net profit by the weighted average number of Class A non-voting shares (“Class A Shares”) and Class B voting shares (“Class B Shares”) outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average Class A and Class B Shares outstanding and the effects of exchangeable debentures using the if converted method and Class A Shares granted under share-based compensation arrangements using the treasury stock method.



9









Earnings per share has been calculated as follows:

Amounts are expressed in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts

 

Three Months ended

March 31,

 

2007

2006

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding

13,114,460

12,679,536

Net effect, if converted method (1)

-

6,932,000

Net effect, treasury method (2)

216,990

-

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding


13,331,450


19,611,536

   

Net profit for the period, as reported

$16,790

$17,217

Effect of dilutive exchangeable debentures

-

1,059

Net profit, available to shareholders and assumed conversions


$16,790


$18,276

   

Basic earnings per share

$1.28

$1.36

Diluted earnings per share

$1.26

$0.93

   

(1)

As part of the consideration for the 2003 acquisition of the U.S. private client and asset management divisions from CIBC World Markets, the Company issued First and Second Variable Rate Exchangeable Debentures which were exchangeable for approximately 6.9 million Class A Shares of the Company at the rate of $23.20 per share (approximately 35% of the outstanding Class A Shares, if exchanged). On July 31, 2006 and October 23, 2006, the Company redeemed $140.8 million and $20 million, respectively, of such debentures.


(2)

The diluted EPS computations do not include the antidilutive effect of 579,851 and 1,583,000 Class A Shares granted under share-based compensation arrangements, respectively, at March 31, 2007 and 2006.



4. Receivable from and payable to brokers and clearing organizations


    Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

 

March 31, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

Receivable from brokers and clearing organizations consist of:

   

Deposits paid for securities borrowed

$486,793

 

$529,854

Securities failed to deliver

26,643

 

33,759

Omnibus accounts

17,694

 

18,490

Other

75,580

 

61,811

 

$606,710

 

$643,914



10










 

March 31, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

Payable to brokers and clearing organizations consist of:

   

Deposits received for securities loaned

$830,275

 

$885,655

Securities failed to receive

68,670

 

36,810

Clearing organizations and other

2,978

 

1,091

 

$901,923

 

$923,556



5. Securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased (at market value)


    Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

 

March 31,

2007

 

December 31,

2006

Securities owned consist of:

   

Corporate equities and warrants

$39,357

 

$42,508

Corporate and sovereign obligations,

34,511

 

41,747

U.S. government and agency and state and

   

municipal government obligations

42,898

 

49,974

Money market funds and other


277

 

2,863

 

$117,043

 

$137,092




11









 

March 31,

2007

 

December 31,

2006

Securities sold, but not yet purchased consist of:

   

Corporate equities

$2,200

 

$3,609

Corporate obligations


2,747

 

2,336

U.S. government and agency and state and

   

municipal government obligations and other

1,241

 

1,370

 

$6,188

 

$7,315


Securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased consist of trading and investment securities at market and fair values. Included in securities owned at March 31, 2007 are corporate equities with market values of approximately $15.1 million ($14.9 million at December 31, 2006), which are correlated to deferred compensation liabilities to certain employees. Also included in corporate equities in securities owned are investments with estimated fair values of approximately $6.0 million at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, which relates to restricted shares of NYSE Group Inc. At March 31, 2007, the Company had pledged securities owned of approximately $800 thousand ($979 thousand at December 31, 2006) as collateral to counterparties for stock loan transactions, which can be sold or repledged.



12











13









6. Long term debt

Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.


Issued

Maturity Date

Interest Rate

March 31, 2007

 
     

Zero Coupon Promissory Note,

issued January 2, 2003 (a)

-

0%

$13,194

 

  Less current portion

(3,792)

 

Long term portion of Zero Coupon Promissory Note

  


$9,402

 
 

Senior secured credit note (b)

7/31/2013

8.2%

$124,063

 

   Less current portion

  

(25,938)

 

Long term portion of senior secured credit note

  


$98,125

 
     


(a) The Zero Coupon Promissory Note is repayable as related employee notes receivable, which are assigned to Oppenheimer, become due or are forgiven. Such payments are to be made notwithstanding whether any of the employees’ loans default.


(b) On July 31, 2006, the Company issued a Senior Secured Credit Note (“SSCN”) in the amount of $125.0 million at a variable interest rate based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) with a seven-year term to a syndicate led by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc, as agent. Minimum principal repayments equal 0.25% per quarter and there are required prepayments of principal based on a portion of the Company’s excess cash flow, the net cash proceeds of asset sales, tax refunds over certain limits, awards over certain limits in connection with legal actions or ‘takings’, and debt issuances or other liability financings. In accordance with the SSCN, the Company has provided certain covenants to the lenders with respect to the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge ratio and maximum leverage ratio driven from EBITDA and minimum net capital requirements with respect to Oppenheimer. In the Company’s view, the most restrictive of the covenants requires that the Company maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 2.30 (total long-term debt divided by EBITDA). At March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with the covenants. The interest rate on the SSCN for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 7.87%. Under the terms of the SSCN, effective January 1, 2007, the interest rate spread over LIBOR has been reduced by 25 basis points. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $2.5 million. See note 14.


The obligations under the SSCN are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, other than broker-dealer subsidiaries, with certain exceptions, and are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of each guarantor, including a pledge of the ownership interests in each first-tier broker-dealer subsidiary held by a guarantor, with certain exceptions.


The Company has agreed to make a contingent payment to CIBC if, prior to December 31, 2007, the Company enters into an agreement for the sale of the majority of the Company’s Class A and Class B Shares. The amount of the contingent payment would be based on the price per share realized by the Company’s shareholders in any such transaction. The Company has made an estimate of the fair value of this contingent payment and will revalue it at the end of each reporting period.




14









7. Share capital

The following table reflects changes in the number of Class A Shares outstanding for the periods indicated:


 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

2007

2006

Class A Shares outstanding, beginning of period

12,834,682

12,496,141

Issued to Oppenheimer’s 401(k) Plan

95,425

104,725

Issued pursuant to the share-based compensation plans

148,592

60,441

Repurchased and cancelled pursuant to the issuer bid

-

(106,100)

Class A Shares outstanding, end of period

13,078,699

12,555,207



8. Net capital requirements and stock exchange seats

The Company's major subsidiaries, Oppenheimer and Freedom, are subject to the uniform net capital requirements of the SEC under Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”). Oppenheimer computes its net capital requirements under the alternative method provided for in the Rule which requires that Oppenheimer maintain net capital equal to two percent of aggregate customer-related debit items, as defined in SEC Rule 15c3-3. At March 31, 2007, the net capital of Oppenheimer as calculated under the Rule was $184.1 million or 15.3% of Oppenheimer's aggregate debit items. This was $160.1 million in excess of the minimum required net capital. Freedom computes its net capital requirement under the basic method provided for in the Rule, which requires that Freedom maintain net capital equal to the greater of $250,000 or 6 2/3% of aggregate indebtedness, as defined. At March 31, 2007, Freedom had net capital of $8.7 million, which was $8.4 million in excess of the $250,000 required to be maintained at that date.



15









Included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are exchange memberships carried at cost of $158 thousand with market values of $2.8 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.



9. Collateralized transactions

The Company’s customer financing and securities lending activities require the Company to pledge firm and customer securities as collateral for various financing sources such as securities lending and bank call loans.


The Company monitors the market value of collateral held and the market value of securities receivable from others. It is the Company's policy to request and obtain additional collateral when exposure to loss exists. In the event the counterparty is unable to meet its contractual obligation to return the securities, the Company may be exposed to off-balance sheet risk of acquiring securities at prevailing market prices.


Securities lending

The Company has received collateral of approximately $471.5 million under securities borrow agreements of which the Company has repledged approximately $330.1 million as collateral under securities loans agreements. Included in receivable from brokers and clearing organizations are receivables from four major U.S. broker-dealers totaling approximately $278.4 million.


Bank call loans

The Company obtains short-term borrowings primarily through bank call loans. Bank call loans are generally payable on demand and bear interest at various rates but not exceeding the broker call rate.  These loans, collateralized by firm and customer securities (with market values of approximately $17.4 million and $151.9 million, respectively), at March 31, 2007, are primarily with two U.S. money center banks.


16









Margin lending

The Company provides margin loans to its clients, which are collateralized by securities in their brokerage accounts.  The Company monitors required margin levels and clients are required to deposit additional collateral, or reduce positions, when necessary.


At March 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $1.4 billion of customer securities under customer margin loans that are available to be pledged, of which the Company has repledged approximately $464.5 million under securities loan agreements and approximately $151.9 million with respect to bank call loans.


Securities owned

The Company pledges its securities owned to collateralize securities lending and bank call loan transactions.  Pledged securities that can be sold or repledged by the secured party are identified as “Securities owned including amounts pledged” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of securities owned by the Company that have been loaned or pledged to counterparties where those counterparties do not have the right to sell or repledge the collateral was $17.4 million as at March 31, 2007. 



10. Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk and concentration of credit risk

In the normal course of business, the Company's securities activities involve execution, settlement and financing of various securities transactions. These activities may expose the Company to risk in the event customers, other brokers and dealers, banks, depositories or clearing organizations are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations.


The Company is exposed to off-balance sheet risk of loss on unsettled transactions in the event customers and other counterparties are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. It is the Company's policy to periodically review, as necessary, the credit standing of each counterparty with which it conducts business.


Securities sold, but not yet purchased represent obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price and thereby create a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. Accordingly, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk, as the Company's ultimate obligation to satisfy the sale of securities sold, but not yet purchased may exceed the amount recognized on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Securities positions are monitored on a daily basis.


The Company's customer financing and securities lending activities require the Company to pledge customer securities as collateral for various financing sources such as bank loans and securities lending.


Interest rate swaps

On September 29, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate swap transactions to hedge the interest payments associated with the floating rate SSCN, which is subject to change due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR.  These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”.  Changes in the fair value of the swap hedges are expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the interest payments due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR. At March 31, 2007, the effective portion of the loss on the interest rate swaps was approximately $890 thousand and this amount has been recorded net of tax as accumulated other comprehensive loss on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  Information on these swaps is summarized in the following table:



17









Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

 

March 31, 2007

December 31, 2006

Notional principal amount

$87,000

         $99,000

Weighted-average fixed interest rate

5.45%

            5.45%

Weighted-average maturity

1.2 years

            1.4 years


Mortgage-backed securities TBAs

The Company has some limited trading activities in pass-through mortgage-backed securities eligible to be sold in the "to-be-announced" or TBA market.  TBAs provide for the forward or delayed delivery of the underlying instrument with settlement up to 180 days. The contractual or notional amounts related to these financial instruments reflect the volume of activity and do not reflect the amounts at risk. Unrealized gains and losses on TBAs are recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivable from brokers and clearing organizations and payable to brokers and clearing organizations, respectively, and in the condensed consolidated statement of income as principal transactions revenue. The credit risk for TBAs is limited to the unrealized market valuation gains recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Market risk is substantially dependent upon the value of the underlying financial instruments and is affected by market forces such as volatility and changes in interest rates. The table below summarizes the notional amounts of TBAs and fair values (carrying amounts) of the related assets and liabilities.


Futures contracts

Futures contracts represent commitments to purchase or sell securities at a future date and at a specified price. Credit risk and market risk exist with respect to these instruments. Credit risk associated with the contracts is limited to amounts recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and is mitigated by performance guarantees provided by the clearing organization of the futures exchange. Notional or contractual amounts are used to express the volume of these transactions, and do not represent the amounts potentially subject to market risk. At March 31, 2007, the Company had open contracts for U.S. Treasury futures.

Fair values of the Company’s financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk which are included in receivable from brokers and clearing organizations and payable to brokers and clearing organizations are as follows:

Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

 

March 31, 2007

March 31, 2006

 

Notional

Assets

Liabilities

Notional

Assets

Liabilities

Interest rate swaps

$ 87,000

    -

$    890

             -

     -

    -       

U.S. Treasury futures

$34,600

$161

-

$42,900

$137

$70

Purchase of TBAs

$12,630

$129

-

$86,667

$460

-

Sale of TBAs

$12,759

-

-

$87,067

-

$74


Clearing arrangements

The Company has a clearing arrangement with Pershing LLC to clear certain transactions in foreign securities. The clearing broker has the right to charge the Company for losses that result from a client's failure to fulfill its contractual obligations. The Company has a relationship with R.J. O’Brien & Associates, which maintains an omnibus account on behalf of Oppenheimer and executes commodities transactions on all commodity exchanges. Accordingly, the Company has credit exposures with these clearing brokers. The clearing brokers can rehypothecate the securities held on behalf of the Company. As the right to charge the Company has no maximum amount and applies to all trades executed through the clearing brokers, the Company believes there is no maximum amount assignable to this right. At March 31, 2007, the Company had recorded no liabilities with regard to this right. The Company's policy



18








is to monitor the credit standing of these clearing brokers, all counterparties and all clients with which it conducts business.



11. Related party transactions

The Company does not make loans to its officers and directors except under normal commercial terms pursuant to client margin account agreements. These loans are fully collateralized by such employee-owned securities.


12.  Reclassification of prior period revenue

Certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of income have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.


The following table identifies the revenue amounts as reported originally and as reclassified.


 

Three months ended

March 31, 2006

 

As reported

Reclassified

Expressed in thousands of dollars

  

REVENUE:

  

  Commissions

$92,314

$93,662

  Principal transactions, net

$31,405

$11,176

  Advisory fees

$24,549

$40,506


The most significant changes are the reclassification from principal transactions to commissions of the portion of the mark-up that gets credited to the financial advisor for over-the-counter transactions where the Company operates in either a riskless principal or market making capacity; and the reclassification from commissions to advisory fees for the Private Client Division's share of fee-based revenues.


13. Segment information

The table below presents information about the reported revenue and pre-tax profit of the Company for the periods noted. The Company’s segments are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The Company’s business is conducted primarily in the United States.   Asset information by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information for internal use.



19









   Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

2007

2006

Revenue:

  

Private Client

$158,565

$147,618

Capital Markets

36,766

26,281

Asset Management

15,644

13,354

Other *

3,141

13,797

Total

$214,116

$201,050



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Three months ended

March 31,

 

2007

2006

   

Operating Income:

  

Private Client

$22,136

$13,681

Capital Markets

5,242

4,578

Asset Management

1,642

539

Other *

(838)

10,613

Total

$28,182

$29,411


*  Other revenue and other operating income include approximately $nil and $11.3 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 related to NYSE Group Inc. transactions. The NYSE Group Inc. merger took place in March 2006.


14. Subsequent events



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On April 27¸ 2007, the Company repaid $25.0 million of its SSCN, thereby reducing its outstanding indebtedness under the SSCN to $99.1 million. Of the $25 million, $10.4 million was a required payment under the terms of the SSCN and $14.6 million represents a voluntary prepayment.


On April 27, 2007, a cash dividend of U.S.$0.10 per share (totaling $1.3 million) was declared payable on May 18, 2007 to Class A and Class B shareholders of record on May 4, 2007.



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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  


The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Reference is also made to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.


The Company engages in a broad range of activities in the securities industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (both corporate and public finance), research, market-making, and investment advisory and asset management services. The Company provides its services from 83 offices in 21 states located throughout the United States and conducts business from 2 offices in Latin America through local broker-dealers. Client assets entrusted to the Company as at March 31, 2007 totaled approximately $60.6 billion. The Company provides investment advisory services through Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. (“OAM”) and Oppenheimer Investment Management (“OIM”) and Oppenheimer’s Fahnestock Asset Management and OMEGA Group divisions. Assets under fee-based management increased by 22% to $16.2 billion at March 31, 2007 compared to $13.3 billion at March 31, 2006, reflecting organic growth. Advisory fees include wrap fees on managed products in client accounts, administrative fees on money market shares held as agent for clients and management and performance fees on alternative investments. The Company provides trust services and products through Oppenheimer Trust Company. The Company provides discount brokerage services through Freedom Investments Inc. and through BUYandHOLD, a division of Freedom. Evanston Financial Corporation is engaged in mortgage brokerage and servicing. At March 31, 2007, the Company employed approximately 2,886 people, of whom 1,669 were registered personnel, including approximately 1,220 financial advisors.


Critical Accounting Policies


The Company’s accounting policies are essential to understanding and interpreting the financial results reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements are summarized in notes 1 and 2 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Certain of those policies are considered to be particularly important to the presentation of the Company’s financial results because they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain.


During the three months ended March 31, 2007, there were no other material changes to matters discussed under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.



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Business Environment


The securities industry is directly affected by general economic and market conditions, including fluctuations in volume and price levels of securities and changes in interest rates, inflation, political events, investor participation levels, legal and regulatory, accounting, tax and compliance requirements and competition, all of which have an impact on commissions, firm trading, fees from accounts under investment management, and investment income as well as on liquidity. Substantial fluctuations can occur in revenues and net income due to these and other factors.


The U.S. economy continued to exhibit modest growth during the first quarter of 2007. Despite strong consumer spending and increased job growth, the slowing housing market and lower capital spending resulted in lower economic growth and higher inflation expectations. The Federal Reserve indicated that they would lean towards higher rates to address inflationary risks and this combined with continued bad



24








news on the international front and increasing mortgage defaults will continue to weigh on both equity and debt markets as the year progresses.


Interest rate changes also impact the Company’s fixed income businesses as well as its cost of borrowed funds. Interest rates were higher in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. Investor interest in fixed income securities is driven by attractiveness of published rates, the direction of rates and economic expectations. Volatility in bond prices also impacts opportunities for profits in fixed income proprietary trading. Management constantly monitors its exposure to interest rate fluctuations to mitigate risk of loss in volatile environments.



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The Company is focused on growing its private client and asset management businesses through strategic additions of experienced financial advisors in its existing branch system and employment of experienced money management personnel in its asset management business. In addition, the Company is committed to the improvement of its technology capability to support client service and the expansion of its capital markets capabilities.


 Regulatory Environment

The brokerage business is subject to regulation by the SEC, the NYSE, the NASD and various state securities regulators. Events in recent years surrounding corporate accounting and other activities leading to investor losses resulted in the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and have caused increased regulation of public companies. New regulations and new interpretations and enforcement of existing regulations are creating increased costs of compliance and increased investment in systems and procedures to comply with these more complex and onerous requirements. Increasingly, the various states are imposing their own regulations that make the uniformity of regulation a thing of the past, and make compliance more difficult and more expensive to monitor. This regulatory environment has resulted in increased costs of compliance with rules and regulations, in particular, the impact of the rules and requirements that were created by the passage of the Patriot Act, and the anti-money laundering regulations (AML) that are related thereto. The expectation is that the increased costs of compliance in today’s regulatory environment are not temporary.


Mutual Fund Inquiry  

Since the third quarter of 2003, Oppenheimer has been responding to the SEC, the NY State Attorney General (the “NYAG”), the NYSE, the NASD and other regulators as part of an industry-wide review of market timing, late trading and other activities involving mutual funds.  The Company has answered several document requests and subpoenas and there have been on-the-record interviews of Company personnel.  On June 5, 2006, Oppenheimer received an invitation from the NYSE to make a “Wells Submission” (a formal response to a request from a regulator that describes why an action should not be brought) with respect to its activities as a broker-dealer and as a clearing firm in connection with allegedly improper market timing (not late trading) of mutual funds by several former employees.  Oppenheimer has filed a response with the NYSE.



26








 A few of its former financial advisors, working from a single branch office, engaged in activities that are the subject of the SEC's inquiry largely during the period before the Company acquired the U.S. Private Client Division of CIBC World Markets on January 3, 2003.


On January 31, 2007, the SEC instituted administrative proceedings against three former employees and a current employee who had a supervisory role with respect to those employees. The former financial advisors were charged with, among other things, violating the antifraud provisions of the securities laws. The current employee, a senior employee of Oppenheimer, was charged with aiding these violations and failure to supervise the former financial advisors. The Company was not charged in these proceedings and continues to cooperate in the investigation of market timing activity by the NYSE discussed above. The Company has set aside reserves that it believes should address its financial exposure with respect to these matters. The Company continues to closely monitor its mutual fund activities and the activities of its employees.



27









Other Regulatory Matters

The Company has been the subject of various regulatory investigations with respect to its operations up to and including 2005. Most of these matters revolve around the period when the Company was transferring the business and client accounts of various acquisitions it has made to a common systems platform between September 2001 and June 2003. During that period of time, the Company absorbed approximately 35 branch offices and 1,000 financial advisors, and transitioned more than 250,000 client accounts from four separate and distinct companies, each of which utilized a different technology platform.  The Company's business doubled during this period. As previously reported, certain of the Company’s operations were impacted beginning in June 2003 and the Company experienced client service issues, which were subsequently corrected. The new businesses undertaken by the Company and the effect on the Company’s operations for the period described above has resulted in investigations by the SEC, the NYSE, and the NASD. With the exception of the mutual funds timing matter described above, the Company has settled substantially all outstanding matters with the NYSE. With the exception of the matters described below, the Company has settled substantially all outstanding matters with the NASD.


On January 9, 2006, the NASD filed an action against Oppenheimer and its Chairman and CEO (the “2006 Complaint”) for alleged violations with respect to the Company’s filing of the NASD mutual fund breakpoint survey in 2003. This action could result in, among other things, monetary penalty, censure, suspension and/or other remedial sanctions. As previously disclosed, Oppenheimer had previously informed the NASD of certain limitations within its system relative to selecting out and generating data in the form requested by the NASD, and the NASD had stated that no extensions to file would be granted to any firm.  As a result, just prior to the deadline, Oppenheimer submitted the data it then had available.  The NASD informed Oppenheimer within two days that its submission was deficient. The Company and Mr. Lowenthal, the Chairman and CEO, maintain that the assignment of overall responsibility for the response to the 2003 survey was properly delegated by the CEO to individuals who had the requisite experience and background to



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complete and file the survey with the NASD. The Company and Mr. Lowenthal believe that they have strong defenses for the action brought against them because of these issues and intend to vigorously defend the action. As the NASD itself notes, the issuance of a disciplinary complaint represents the initiation of a formal proceeding by the NASD in which the allegations have not been heard or determined and does not represent a decision as to any of the allegations contained in the complaint.


Prior to the filing of the 2006 Complaint, the Company advised the NASD that it had reviewed the actual breakpoints applied for the period 2001 through 2005, a period longer than required by the NASD of similar member firms. The Company has returned to customers approximately $800,000 in breakpoint credits and revised and enhanced its procedures for determining applicable breakpoints. All amounts due to customers have been refunded.  The Company believes that the breakpoint survey matter was an industry-wide problem and that the Company has appropriately addressed in all respects the breakpoint issue with its clients.  


The Company and Mr. Lowenthal are cooperating, have been cooperating and intend to continue to cooperate with all regulators and hope to reach a fair resolution of all outstanding regulatory issues. The Company has and continues to request an expedited adjudication of the matters in dispute.


In connection with a claim made by a client of the Company, on August 2, 2006, the Massachusetts Securities Division (the “MSD”) filed an administrative complaint against the Company's main operating subsidiary, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as well as a financial advisor formerly employed by Oppenheimer alleging that Oppenheimer violated the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act by failing to provide reasonable supervision of the former financial advisor thereby allowing the former financial advisor to engage in unlawful activity in the State of Massachusetts.  The Company has filed an answer to the complaint and believes its supervision was reasonable and in accordance with industry standards.   The Company recently settled the client claim noted above.



29








In connection with the above matter, the MSD requested that Oppenheimer review and produce emails with respect to the former financial advisor and Oppenheimer’s supervision thereof.  As a result of this request, the MSD commenced an investigation into the responses made to it in connection with the retention and retrieval of emails. That investigation involves written responses by Oppenheimer provided to the MSD stating in substance that, at all times relevant to the underlying investigation, Oppenheimer had in place adequate systems to retain and preserve emails. Oppenheimer subsequently informed the MSD that, during the relevant period, one of its legacy email systems did not retain email in the required format and therefore some email may not have been retained. The MSD has stated in a letter to Oppenheimer that the investigation involves the false and/or misleading nature of the initial responses. The MSD has also informed Oppenheimer that it believes Oppenheimer has not been cooperating with the MSD’s investigation, a position with which Oppenheimer disagrees. The investigation, which is ongoing, also involves the supervision of the initial responses by senior management. It is possible that in addition to seeking monetary penalties, the MSD may seek to bring charges against individuals. While the Company continues to hope to reach a fair resolution of issues arising from this investigation and the pending administrative proceeding, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

 

On April 16, 2007, Oppenheimer received an invitation from the NYSE to make a “Wells Submission” with respect to its activities as a broker-dealer and as a clearing firm in connection with Oppenheimer’s supervision of its securities lending activities including, but not limited to, failing to detect and prevent stock loan personnel from engaging in business dealings with finders in violation of Oppenheimer policy.  The Company believes that at all times its supervision of its securities lending activities was reasonable and in accordance with industry standards. Any disciplinary proceedings brought against Oppenheimer in relation to the foregoing could result in, among other things, a censure, a fine and/or the imposition of an undertaking against Oppenheimer.


The Company was the administrative agent for two closed-end funds until December 5, 2005. The Company has been advised by the current administrative agent for these two funds that the Internal Revenue Service may file a claim for interest and penalties for one of these funds with respect to the 2004 tax year. The Company will monitor developments on this matter.


As part of its ongoing business, the Company records reserves for legal expenses, judgments, fines and/or awards attributable to litigation and regulatory matters. In connection therewith, the Company has maintained its legal reserves at levels it believes will resolve outstanding matters, but may increase or decrease such reserves as matters warrant.


Business Continuity


The Company is committed to an on-going investment in its technology and communications infrastructure including extensive business continuity planning and investment. These costs are on-going and the Company believes that current and future costs will exceed historic levels due to business and regulatory requirements. The Company believes that internally-generated funds from operations are sufficient to finance its expenditure program.


Results of Operations


Net profit for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $16.8 million or $1.28 per share, a decrease of 2% when compared to $17.2 million or $1.36 per share in the same period of 2006. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $214.1 million, an increase of 7% compared to revenue of $201.1 million in the same period of 2006.  Expenses increased by 8% in the three months ended March 31, 2007



30








 compared to the same period of 2006.


The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)/Archipelago merger (collectively referred to as “NYSE Group”), which took place in March 2006, resulted in a substantial one-time gain and had a significant impact on the Company’s financial results for the first quarter of 2006. Revenue and profit before taxes for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 include a gain of $11.3 million related to the exchange of the Company’s three NYSE memberships for cash and NYSE Group common shares ($0.52 per share). Excluding this one-time gain in the first quarter of 2006, profit before taxes for the first quarter of 2007 was up 55% compared to the same period of 2006.

 

At March 31, 2007, shareholders’ equity was $380.9 million and book value per share was $28.90 compared to shareholders’ equity of $326.2 million and book value of $25.78 at March 31, 2006.


The Company’s expenses in the first quarter of 2007 were 8.5% higher compared to the same period of 2006 due primarily to higher compensation costs. Communications and technology expenses increased as the Company continued to improve its technology platform. The cost of clearing and exchange fees decreased in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 due to lower costs of execution and the Company’s decision to lower its exposure to wholesale activities. Compensation expense tracks the trend in transactional revenue and includes the impact of the expensing of stock options since January 1, 2006. Interest expense increased due to higher interest rates, increased stock loan activity in 2007 and the higher debt carrying costs compared to 2006. As previously reported, on July 31, 2006, the Company issued a senior secured credit note in the amount of $125 million at a variable interest rate based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) with a seven-year term to a syndicate led by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc, as agent. Minimum principal repayments equal 0.25% per quarter and there are required prepayments of principal based on a portion of the Company’s excess cash flow, the net cash proceeds of asset sales, tax refunds over certain limits, awards over certain limits in connection with legal actions or ‘takings’, and debt issuances or other liability financings. The interest rate on the senior secured credit note was 7.87% in the first quarter of 2007.




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The following table and discussion summarizes the changes in the major revenue and expense categories for the periods presented (in thousands of dollars):


 

Three Months ended

March 31,

 

2007 versus 2006

 

Period to Period Change

Percentage Change

Revenue -

  

Commissions

$(6,102)

-6.5%

Principal transactions, net

(2,660)

-23.8%

Interest

2,887

+11.0%

Investment banking

21,424

+179.0%

Advisory fees

8,931

+22.1%

Other

(11,414)

-64.5%

Total revenue

13,066

+6.5%



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Three Months ended

March 31,

 

2007 versus 2006

 

Period to Period Change

Percentage Change

Expenses -

  

Compensation and related expenses

12,542

+11.1%

Clearing and exchanges fees

(1,261)

-26.0%

Communications and technology

1,158

+9.4%

Occupancy and equipment costs

(305)

-2.4%

Interest

521

+3.6%

Other

1,640

+10.6%

Total expenses

14,295

+8.3%

Profit before income taxes

(1,229)

-4.2%

Income tax provision

(802)

-6.6%

Net profit

$(427)

-2.5%


Revenue, other than interest

Commission revenue and, to a large extent, revenue from principal transactions depend on investor participation in the markets. In the three months ended March 31, 2007, commission revenue decreased by 6.5% compared to the same period of 2006. Net revenue from principal transactions decreased by 23.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the comparable period of 2006. Markets were strong during January and February 2007 supporting strong commission and trading revenue but gave back most of its gains during March 2007, a month in which the markets experienced increased volatility. Investment banking revenues increased 179.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared with the same period of 2006 generated primarily by the increased scope of our investment banking effort and the general receptivity of the capital markets for securities of mid-sized companies. Included in investment banking are selling concessions on closed-end funds of $10 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. Advisory fees increased by 22.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 as a result of increases in traditional fee-based assets under management. Assets under management by the asset management group were $16.2 billion at March 31, 2007 compared to $13.3 billion at March 31, 2006, reflecting that clients are increasingly interested in fee-based services. Other revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2006 includes a gain on the exchange of the Company’s NYSE seats for cash and NYSE Group common shares of $11.3 million, as described above.



33









Interest

Net interest revenue (interest revenue less interest expense) increased by 20.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006. Interest revenue, which primarily relates to revenue from customer margin balances and securities lending activities, increased by 11.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily as a result of higher interest rates in 2007 and increased activity in the securities lending business. Interest expense has increased due to higher interest rates and the increased interest cost of the refinanced debt.


Expenses, other than interest

Compensation and related costs increased by 11.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the comparable period of 2006. Compensation expense, including the Company’s accrual for year-end bonuses, has volume-related components and, therefore, increased with the increased levels of business conducted in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the comparable period of 2006. The amortization of forgivable loans to brokers is included in compensation expense. This expense is relatively fixed and is not influenced by increases or decreases in revenue levels, but rather by the net number of



34








financial advisors hired in one period compared to another. As of January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123-R, “Shares-Based Payment”, resulting in approximately $572 thousand and $1.3 million, respectively, in compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 relating to the expensing of stock options. The cost of clearing and exchange fees decreased by 26.0%, in the three months ended March 31, 2007 due to lower costs of execution and the Company’s decision to lower its exposure to wholesale activities. The cost of communications and technology increased by 9.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the comparable period of 2006, as the Company continued to improve its technology platform. Occupancy and equipment costs decreased by 2.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 due to reductions in equipment maintenance and rental expense in 2007 compared to 2006. Other expenses increased by 10.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the same period of 2006 with the largest part of the increase attributable to portfolio manager expense (mainly finders fees). Included in other expenses, bad debt expense and legal and regulatory settlement expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2007 were relatively flat compared to the same period of 2006. See Regulatory Environment, above.


Other expenses will continue to be impacted by litigation and regulatory settlement costs. The Company may face additional legal costs and settlement expenses in future quarters. The Company has used its best estimate to provide adequate reserves to cover potential litigation and regulatory expenses. It is anticipated that the costs of compliance with regulatory authorities, as well as Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, will continue to be expensive.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


Total assets at March 31, 2007 decreased by less than 6.4% from December 31, 2006 levels. The Company satisfies its need for funds from its own cash resources, internally generated funds, collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings, consisting primarily of bank loans, and uncommitted lines of credit. The amount of Oppenheimer's bank borrowings fluctuates in response to changes in the level of the Company's securities inventories and customer margin debt, changes in stock loan balances and changes in notes receivable from employees. Oppenheimer has arrangements with banks for borrowings on an unsecured and on a fully collateralized basis. At March 31, 2007, $9.3 million of such borrowings were outstanding compared to outstanding borrowings of $79.5 million at



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December 31, 2006. At March 31, 2007, the Company had available collateralized and uncollateralized letters of credit of $205.2 million.


In connection with the acquisition of the Oppenheimer divisions from CIBC World Markets in January 2003, the Company issued variable rate exchangeable debentures (the “Debentures”) in the amount of approximately $161.8 million and a zero coupon promissory note in the amount of approximately $65.5 million. The Debentures were redeemed on July 31, 2006 ($141.8 million) and on October 23, 2006 ($20 million) through the issue of a senior secured credit note to a syndicate led by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., as agent, in the amount of $125.0 million plus internally available funds and an increase in bank call loans. The senior secured credit note has a term of seven years with minimum principal repayments of 0.25% per quarter and required prepayments based on a portion of the Company’s excess cash flow, the net cash proceeds of asset sales, tax refunds over certain limits, awards over certain limits in connection with legal actions or ‘takings’, and debt issuances or other liability financings, and pays interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR (London Interbank Offering Rate). In accordance with the senior secured credit note, the Company has provided certain covenants to the lenders with respect to the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge ratio and maximum leverage ratio driven from EBITDA and minimum net capital requirements with respect to Oppenheimer. In the Company’s view, the most restrictive of the covenants requires that the Company maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 2.30 (total long-term debt divided by EBITDA). At March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with the covenants. The interest rate on the senior secured credit note for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 7.87%. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $2.5 million on the senior secured credit note. The effective interest rate on the Debentures was 4.5% per annum.



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On April 27, 2007, the Company repaid $25.0 million of its senior secured credit note, thereby reducing its outstanding indebtedness under the senior secured credit note to $99.1 million. Of the $25.0 million pay down, $10.4 million is a required payment under the terms of the senior secured credit note and $14.6 million represents a voluntary prepayment. Under the terms of the senior secured credit note, the interest rate spread over LIBOR has been reduced by 25 basis points. With strong earnings and cash flow in the first quarter of 2007 and a positive outlook for future quarters, the Company determined that it was appropriate to reduce indebtedness under the senior secured credit note at this time. The Company funded the repayment from internally available funds and bank call loans.


The obligations under the senior secured credit note are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, other than broker-dealer subsidiaries, with certain exceptions, and are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of each guarantor, including a pledge of the ownership interests in each first-tier broker-dealer subsidiary held by a guarantor, with certain exceptions.


On September 29, 2006, the Company entered into interest rate swap transactions to hedge the interest payments associated with the floating rate senior secured credit note, which is subject to change due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR.  These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”.  Changes in the fair value of the swap hedges are expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the interest payments due to changes in 3-Month LIBOR.  


Funding Risk


Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

2007

2006

Cash provided by (used in) operations

$66,988

$(87,016)

Cash used in investing activities

(1,002)

(1,150)

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(67,468)

82,141

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

$(1,482)

$(6,025)


The Company’s strong performance in the first quarter of 2007 generated strong cash flows and allowed for debt reduction.


Management believes that funds from operations, combined with the Company's capital base and available credit facilities, are sufficient for the Company's liquidity needs in the foreseeable future. (See Factors Affecting “Forward-Looking Statements”).


Other Matters


During the first quarter of 2007, the Company did not purchase any Class A Shares pursuant to the Normal Course Issuer Bid.



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During the first quarter of 2007, the Company issued 101,956 Class A Shares for a total consideration of $2.6 million related to employee exercises of options under the Company’s equity incentive plan; 95,425 Class A Shares for a total consideration of $3.0 million to the Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 401(k) Plan; and 46,636 Class A Shares pursuant to the Company Employee Share Plan.


On February 23, 2007, the Company paid cash dividends of U.S. $0.10 per Class A and Class B Share totaling $1.3 million from available cash on hand.



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On April 27, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of U.S. $0.10 per Class A and Class B Share payable on May 18, 2007 to shareholders of record on May 4, 2007.


The book value of the Company’s Class A and Class B Shares was $28.90 at March 31, 2007 compared to $25.78 at March 31, 2006, an increase of approximately 12%, based on total outstanding shares of 13,178,379 and 12,654,887, respectively.


The diluted weighted average number of Class A non-voting and Class B shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was 13,331,450 compared to 19,611,536 outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2006, a net decrease of 32% due to the redemption, on July 31, 2006 ($140.8 million) and October 23, 2006 ($20.0 million), of the Company’s Debentures (exchangeable into 6.9 million Class A Shares).


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


Information concerning the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements is included in note 10 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference.


Contractual and Contingent Obligations


The Company has contractual obligations to make future payments in connection with non-cancelable lease obligations and debt assumed upon the 2003 acquisition of the Oppenheimer divisions from CIBC World Markets, as well as debt assumed upon the refinancing of the Debentures issued in 2003.



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The following table sets forth these contractual and contingent commitments as at March 31, 2007:


Contractual Obligations   (In millions of dollars)


 

Total

Less than 1 Year

1-3 Years

3-5 Years

More than 5 Years

      

Minimum rentals

$152

$22

$50

$41

$39

Senior secured credit note

124

26

2

2

94

Zero coupon promissory notes

13

4

4

1

4

Total

$289

$52

$56

$44

$137



New Accounting Pronouncements


Recently Adopted

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48. This interpretation requires that a tax position be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, based solely on its technical merits, as of the reporting date. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not criterion shall be measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.


The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 which resulted in a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings in the amount of $823 thousand and a reclassification of deferred tax liabilities in the amount of $6.1 million to liability for unrecognized tax benefits which is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  The Company’s uncertain tax positions primarily consist of an election made under the Internal Revenue Code to limit



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current recognition of property that was involuntarily converted to money as a result of the monetary damages received.  During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recorded approximately $102 thousand in interest related to the involuntary conversion of assets.


The Company is in discussions with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) related to the involuntary conversion of assets as part of the IRS’s limited scope examination of the 2003 – 2004 tax period and expects the matter to be resolved within the next twelve months without a material impact to the Company’s effective income tax rate.  At this time, management cannot estimate a range for any possible change in the unrecognized tax benefit.  


The Company recognizes interest accrued on underpayments of income taxes as interest expense and any related statutory penalties as other expenses in its condensed consolidated statement of income.  At January 1, 2007 the Company had $774 thousand accrued in interest which is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated financial statements.


Due to its retail branch network, the Company is subject to tax examinations in many state and local jurisdictions.  Tax years under examination vary by jurisdictions and it is not uncommon to have many examinations open at any given time.  Currently, tax examinations are ongoing in New York State (1998 to 2000 and 2001 to 2003), New York City (1998 – 2000), Texas (2002 – 2004), New Jersey (2002 – 2005), and Michigan (2002 – 2005).  The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the taxing jurisdictions resulting from these and subsequent years’ examinations.  The Company has established tax reserves that it believes are sufficient in relation to possible additional assessments.  The Company continuously assesses the adequacy of these reserves and believes that the resolution of such matters will not have a material effect on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, although a resolution could have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of income for a particular period and on the Company’s effective income tax rate for any period in which resolution occurs.


Recently Issued

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements, which provides expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. In addition, SFAS No. 157 prohibits recognition of “block discounts” for large holdings of unrestricted financial instruments where quoted prices are readily and regularly available in an active market. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company has determined that adoption of SFAS No. 157 will not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.


In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  SFAS 159 provides entities with the option to mitigate volatility in reported earnings by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  In addition, SFAS 159 allows entities to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates and to report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings.  SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted provided that the entity also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS 157.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 159 on its condensed consolidated financial statements but does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 to be material.



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Factors Affecting “Forward-Looking Statements”


This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, the results of litigation, business prospects and anticipated market performance of the Company. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company cautions readers that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, include, but are not limited to: (i) transaction volume in the securities markets, (ii) the volatility of the securities markets, (iii) fluctuations in interest rates, (iv) changes in regulatory requirements which could affect the cost and manner of doing business, (v) fluctuations in currency rates, (vi) general economic conditions, both domestic and international, (vii) changes in the rate of inflation and the related impact on the securities markets, (viii) competition from existing financial institutions and other new participants in the securities markets, (ix) legal or



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economic developments affecting the litigation  experience of the securities industry or the Company, (x) changes in federal and state tax laws which could affect the popularity of products and services sold by the Company, (xi) the effectiveness of efforts to reduce costs and eliminate overlap, (xii) war and nuclear confrontation, (xiii) the Company’s ability to achieve its business plan and (xiv) corporate governance issues. See “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. There can be no assurance that the Company has correctly or completely identified and assessed all of the factors affecting the Company’s business. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.



ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

  


ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a–15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.


Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or its internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include, but are not limited to, the realities that judgments in decision–making can be faulty and that break-downs can occur because of a simple error or omission. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based, in part, upon



43








certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost–effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting


No changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.



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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

Many aspects of the Company’s business involve substantial risks of liability. In the normal course of business, the Company has been named as defendant or co-defendant in lawsuits creating substantial exposure. The Company is also involved in governmental and self-regulatory agency investigations and proceedings. See Regulatory Environment under Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. The Company and others in the financial services industry have been involved in increased incidences of litigation and regulatory investigations in recent years, including customer claims seeking, in total, substantial damages.


The Company is the subject of customer complaints, has been named as defendant or codefendant in various lawsuits seeking, in total, substantial damages and is involved in certain governmental and self-regulatory agency investigations and proceedings. These proceedings arise primarily from securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking activities. While the ultimate resolution of pending litigation and other matters cannot be currently determined, in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the Company has no reason to believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition. However, the Company’s results of operations could be materially affected during any period if liabilities in that period differ from prior estimates. The materiality of legal matters to the Company’s future operating results depends on the level of future results of operations as well as the timing and ultimate outcome of such legal matters.


ITEM 1A. Risk Factors


During the three months ended March 31, 2007, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.


ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds


Not applicable


ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable


ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None


ITEM 5. Other Information

Not applicable


ITEM 6. Exhibits

Exhibits


31.1

Certification of Albert G. Lowenthal

31.2

Certification of Elaine K. Roberts

32.1

Certification of Albert G. Lowenthal and Elaine K. Roberts




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 SIGNATURES


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, in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada on this 8th day of May, 2007.


                                   


 

 OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.



                                   By: “A.G. Lowenthal”

                                     

A.G. Lowenthal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                                    

(Principal Executive Officer)



                               By:  “E.K. Roberts”

                          E.K. Roberts, President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   




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