WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP INC (WHG) FY 2021 MD&A

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” included in this Report, as well as our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Report.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this Report and the Annual Report to Stockholders that are not purely historical facts, including, without limitation, statements about our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including, without limitation, words such as “anticipate,” “forecast”, “explore,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” "potentially," “could,” “goal,” “may,” “target,” “designed” and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results, our financial condition, and the timing of some events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Therefore you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

•the composition and market value of our AUM;

•our ability to maintain our fee structure in light of competitive fee pressures;

•our stockholder rights agreement may make it more difficult for others to obtain control over us, even if it would be beneficial to our stockholders;

•risks associated with actions of activist stockholders;

•distributions to our common stockholders have included and may in the future include a return of capital;

•inclusion of foreign company investments in our AUM;

•regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry;

•our ability to maintain effective cyber security;

•litigation risks;

•our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully;

•our reputation and our relationships with current and potential customers;

•our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

•our ability to perform operational tasks;

•our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors;

•our dependence on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries;

•our ability to maintain effective information systems;

•our ability to prevent misuse of assets and information in the possession of our employees and third-party vendors, which could damage our reputation and result in costly litigation and liability for our clients and us;

•our stock is thinly traded and may be subject to volatility;

•in addition to our stockholder rights agreement, our organizational documents contain provisions that may prevent or deter another group from paying a premium over the market price to our stockholders to acquire our stock;

•competition in the investment management industry;

•our ability to avoid termination of client agreements and the related investment redemptions;

•the significant concentration of our revenues in a small number of customers;

•our relationships with investment consulting firms;

•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives;

•our ability to declare and pay dividends;

22

•our ability to fund future capital requirements on favorable terms;

•our ability to properly address conflicts of interest;

•our ability to maintain adequate insurance coverage; and

•our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls.

Additional factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed under the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report. The forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and speak only as of the date of this Report. We are not obligated and do not undertake an obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.

Overview

We manage investment assets and provide services for our clients through our subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. and Westwood Advisors, L.L.C. (each of which is an SEC-registered investment advisor and referred to hereinafter together as “Westwood Management”) and Westwood Trust. Westwood Management provides investment advisory services to institutional investors, a family of mutual funds called the Westwood Funds®, other mutual funds, individuals and clients of Westwood Trust.

Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds to institutions and high net worth individuals. Our revenues are generally derived from fees based on a percentage of AUM. Westwood International Advisors provided investment advisory services to an Irish investment company authorized pursuant to the European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulation 2011 (as amended) (the “UCITS Fund”), which was liquidated in June 2020.

We continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business, particularly its impact on global stock markets. Beginning in 2020, we have taken a number of precautionary measures designed to help minimize the risk of spreading the virus to our employees, including enabling our employees to work remotely. The investments we have made in technology over the past several years, particularly our significant investments in cloud-based systems and business continuity planning, have allowed our team to serve our clients seamlessly from their homes or our offices. While our ability to meet with clients declined at the beginning of the pandemic, subsequently we were able to restore our communications to pre-pandemic levels as our clients embraced digital interactions.

Our revenues are generally derived from fees based on a percentage of AUM, and at December 31, 2021, Westwood Management and Westwood Trust collectively managed assets valued at approximately $14.5 billion. We have established a track record of delivering competitive, risk-adjusted returns for our clients.

With respect to most of our client AUM, we utilize a “value” investment style focused on achieving superior long-term, risk-adjusted returns by investing in companies with high levels of free cash flow, improving returns on equity and strengthening balance sheets that are well positioned for growth but whose value is not fully recognized in the marketplace. This investment approach is designed to preserve capital during unfavorable periods and provide superior real returns over the long term. Our investment teams have significant industry experience. Our investment team members have average investment experience of over nineteen years.

We have focused on building a foundation in terms of personnel and infrastructure to support a much larger business. We have also developed investment strategies that we believe will be desirable within our target institutional, wealth management and intermediary markets. The cost of developing new products and growing the organization as a whole has resulted in our incurring expenses that, in some cases, have not yet generated significant offsetting revenues. While we continue to evolve our products, we believe that the appropriate foundation and products are in place such that investors will recognize the value in these products and services, thereby generating new revenue streams for Westwood. However, there is no guarantee that this will occur.

2021 Highlights

The following items were reported for the year ended December 31, 2021:

•AUM as of December 31, 2021 was $14.5 billion, an 11% increase compared to December 31, 2020. Quarterly average AUM increased 15% to $14.3 billion for 2021 compared to 2020, which contributed to the 12% increase in total revenue from 2020.

•Our LargeCap Value, SmallCap Value, Alternative Income and Select Equity strategies exhibited strong performance by beating their primary benchmarks for the year.

23

•We paid $22.9 million of dividends to our common stockholders.

•We repurchased 182,549 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $3.0 million.

•Our financial position remains strong with liquid cash and short-term investments of $80.2 million and no debt as of December 31, 2021.

Revenues

We derive our revenues from investment advisory fees, trust fees and other revenues. Our advisory fees are generated by Westwood Management and Westwood International Advisors (prior to its closure, effective September 30, 2020), which manage client accounts under investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. Advisory fees are typically calculated based on a percentage of AUM and are paid in accordance with the terms of the agreements. Advisory fees are paid quarterly in advance based on AUM on the last day of the preceding quarter, quarterly in arrears based on AUM on the last day of the quarter just ended or are based on a daily or monthly analysis of AUM for the stated period. We recognize advisory fee revenues as services are rendered. Certain of our clients have a contractual performance-based fee component in their contracts, which generates additional revenues if we outperform a specified index over a specific period of time. We record revenue for performance-based fees at the end of the measurement period. Since our advance paying clients’ billing periods coincide with the calendar quarter to which such payments relate, revenue is recognized within the quarter, and our Consolidated Financial Statements contain no deferred advisory fee revenues.

Our trust fees are generated by Westwood Trust pursuant to trust or custodial agreements. Trust fees are separately negotiated with each client and are generally based on a percentage of AUM. Westwood Trust also provides trust services to a small number of clients on a fixed fee basis. Trust fees are primarily calculated quarterly in arrears based on a daily average of AUM for the quarter. Since billing periods for most of Westwood Trust's clients coincide with the calendar quarter, revenue is fully recognized within the quarter, and our Consolidated Financial Statements contain no deferred advisory fee revenues.

Our other revenues primarily consist of investment income from our seed money investments into new investment strategies and contract revenues.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits costs generally consist of salaries, incentive compensation, stock-based compensation expense and benefits.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing costs relate to our marketing efforts, including travel and entertainment, direct marketing and advertising costs.

Westwood Mutual Funds

Westwood mutual funds expenses relate to our marketing, distribution and administration of the Westwood Funds®.

Information Technology

Information technology expenses include costs associated with proprietary investment research tools, maintenance and support, computing hardware, software licenses, telecommunications and other related costs.

Professional Services

Professional services expenses generally consist of costs associated with sub-advisory fees, audit, legal and other professional services.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses generally consist of costs associated with the lease of office space, amortization, depreciation, insurance, custody expense, Directors' fees, investor relations, licenses and fees, office supplies and other miscellaneous expenses.

Impairment expense

Impairment expense consists of long-lived asset impairments, typically goodwill or intangible assets.

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions consist of foreign currency transactions primarily related to Westwood International Advisors.

Realized Gains on Private Investments

24

Realized gains on private investments includes amounts by which the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of our private investments exceeded costs.

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Private Investments

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on private investments includes changes in the value of our private equity investments.

Investment Income

Investment income primarily includes interest and dividend income on fixed income securities and money market funds.

Other Income

Other income primarily consists of income from the sublease of a portion of our corporate offices.

Foreign currency translation adjustments to net income (loss) upon liquidation of a foreign subsidiary

Foreign currency translation adjustments to net income (loss) upon liquidation of a foreign subsidiary includes a cumulative adjustment following the substantially completed liquidation of a foreign subsidiary, Westwood International Advisors.

Assets Under Management

AUM increased $1.5 billion, or 11%, to $14.5 billion at December 31, 2021 compared to $13.0 billion at December 31, 2020. Quarterly average AUM increased $1.9 billion, up 15%, to $14.3 billion for 2021 compared with $12.4 billion for 2020. The increase in average AUM was primarily due to $2.2 billion of market appreciation in 2021.

AUM decreased $2.2 billion, or 14%, to $13.0 billion at December 31, 2020 compared to $15.2 billion at December 31, 2019. Quarterly average AUM decreased $3.4 billion, down 21%, to $12.4 billion for 2020 compared with $15.8 billion for 2019. The decrease in average AUM was primarily due to Institutional and Mutual Funds net outflows, partially offset by $0.5 billion of market appreciation in 2020.

The following table presents our AUM (in millions, except percentages):

(1)Institutional includes (i) separate accounts of corporate pension and profit sharing plans, public employee retirement funds, Taft-Hartley plans, endowments, foundations and individuals; (ii) sub-advisory relationships where Westwood provides investment management services for funds offered by other financial institutions; (iii) pooled investment vehicles, including the UCITS Fund and collective investment trusts; and (iv) managed account relationships with brokerage firms and other registered investment advisors that offer Westwood products to their customers. The UCITS Fund was liquidated in June 2020.

(2)Wealth Management includes assets for which Westwood Trust provides trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals pursuant to trust or agency agreements and assets for which Westwood Advisors, L.L.C. provides advisory services to high net worth individuals. Investment sub-advisory services are provided for the common trust funds by Westwood Management, Westwood International Advisors (prior to its closure, effective September 30, 2020) and external unaffiliated sub-advisors. For certain assets in this category Westwood Trust currently provides limited custodial services for a minimal or no fee, viewing these assets as potentially converting to fee-generating managed assets in the future.

(3)Mutual Funds include the Westwood Funds®, a family of mutual funds for which Westwood Management serves as advisor. These funds are available to individual investors, institutional investors and wealth management accounts.

(4)AUM for 2021, 2020 and 2019 excludes approximately $292 million, $267 million and $283 million of assets under advisement, respectively, related to our model portfolios for which we provide consulting advice but do not have discretionary investment authority.

25

Roll-Forward of Assets Under Management

The increase in AUM for the year ended December 31, 2021 was due to market appreciation of $2.2 billion and net inflows of $0.8 billion, partially offset by a transition of our Global Convertibles team.

Net inflows were primarily related to our SmallCap Value strategy, partially offset by net outflows in our Enhanced Balance strategy.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, we made the decision to exit the stand-alone convertibles business and our Global Convertibles team transitioned back to Aviva Investors, the firm from which they previously joined Westwood. As a result, $1.6 billion in two sub-advised Global Convertibles mandates returned to Aviva as of April 1, 2021.

The decrease in AUM for the year ended December 31, 2020 was due to net outflows of $2.7 billion, partially offset by market appreciation of $0.5 billion. Net client flows were primarily related to our Emerging Markets, SMidCap and LargeCap Value strategies.

26

The decrease in AUM for the year ended December 31, 2019 was due to net outflows of $4.4 billion, partially offset by market appreciation of $3.0 billion. Net client flows were primarily related to our Income Opportunity, Emerging Markets, and LargeCap Value strategies.

Results of Operations

The following table and discussion of our results of operations is based upon data derived from our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) contained in our Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in

27

conjunction with these statements included elsewhere in this Report.

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Total Revenues. Total revenues increased $7.9 million, or 12%, to $73.1 million compared with $65.1 million for 2020. The increase was attributable to a $7.9 million increase in asset-based advisory fees and a $0.5 million increase in Trust fees, both primarily due to higher average AUM compared to 2020.

Westwood Mutual Funds. Westwood mutual funds expenses increased 58% to $2.7 million compared to $1.7 million for 2020 primarily due to one-time costs related to the reorganization of our mutual funds and a change in mutual fund administrator.

28

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased 9.7% to $8.1 million compared to $8.9 million in 2020 primarily due to lower rent expense following recent office space reductions.

Realized gains on private investments. We recorded a realized gain of approximately $8.3 million in connection with InvestCloud's recapitalization in the first quarter of 2021.

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on private investments. We recorded a $2.8 million net change in unrealized depreciation to reflect the recognition of previously recorded unrealized gains in connection with InvestCloud's recapitalization in the first quarter of 2021, partially offset by $0.9 million of fair value increases from market transactions related to our investment in Charis.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate was 30.3% for 2021 compared to (17.9)% for 2020. Our income tax rate differed from the 21% statutory tax rate due to permanent differences between book and tax restricted stock expense based on a decrease in our stock price between the restricted stock grant and vesting date, along with the impact of state and local taxes.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Total Revenues. Total revenues decreased $19.0 million, or 23%, to $65.1 million compared with $84.1 million for 2019. The decrease was attributable to a $19.0 million decrease in asset-based advisory fees and a $1.9 million decrease in Trust fees, reflecting lower average AUM compared to 2019, partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in performance-based advisory fees.

Employee Compensation and Benefits. Employee compensation and benefit costs decreased $8.0 million, or 16.0%, to $42.1 million compared with $50.2 million in 2019 primarily due to reductions in short- and long-term incentive compensation as a result of lower asset-based revenues versus the prior year, and lower headcount.

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 42%, to $1.2 million compared with $2.1 million for 2019 primarily due to lower travel costs as a result of COVID-19.

Westwood Mutual Funds. Westwood mutual funds expenses decreased 46% to $1.7 million compared to $3.1 million for 2019 primarily due to lower service fees following declines in market values for the Westwood funds.

Impairment Expense. Following a sustained decline in our market capitalization, we recorded impairment charges of $3.4 million in 2020 based on our determination that the entire goodwill in our Advisory segment was impaired.

(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions. We recorded $1.2 million foreign currency transaction gains in 2020 as a result of fluctuations in the Canadian dollar exchange rate.

Unrealized gains (losses) on private investments. We recorded $0.7 million of unrealized losses on private investments in 2020 primarily related to a $0.5 million market value decrease in our investment in Charis. Further information is included in Note 5 "Investments" to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" accompanying this Report.

Foreign currency translation adjustments to net income (loss) upon liquidation of a foreign subsidiary. We recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment of $4.2 million following the liquidation of Westwood International Advisors in 2020.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate was (17.9)% for 2020 compared to 37.1% for 2019. Our income tax rate differed from the 21% statutory rate for 2020, which would have generated a tax benefit to the Company, primarily due to the Canadian withholding tax on repatriation of funds from Westwood International Advisors, permanent differences between book and tax restricted stock expense based on a decrease in our stock price between the grant and vesting dates, and permanent differences related to foreign currency losses and goodwill impairment, partially offset by a state tax refund.

Supplemental Financial Information

As supplemental information, we are providing non-GAAP performance measures that we refer to as Economic Earnings and Economic EPS. We provide these measures in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share, which are reported on a generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") basis. Our management and Board of Directors review Economic Earnings and Economic EPS to evaluate our ongoing performance, allocate resources, and review our dividend policy. We believe that these non-GAAP performance measures, while not substitutes for GAAP net income (loss) or earnings (loss) per share, are useful for management and investors when evaluating our underlying operating and financial performance and our available resources. We do not advocate that investors consider these non-GAAP measures without also considering financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

29

We define Economic Earnings as net income (loss) plus non-cash stock-based compensation expense, impairment expense, amortization of intangible assets, currency translation adjustment reclassification and deferred taxes related to goodwill. Although depreciation on fixed assets is a non-cash expense, we do not add it back when calculating Economic Earnings because depreciation charges represent an allocation of the decline in the value of the related assets that will ultimately require replacement. In addition, we do not adjust Economic Earnings for tax deductions related to restricted stock expense or amortization of intangible assets. Economic EPS represents Economic Earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, our Economic Earnings increased by 140% to $17.5 million compared with $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. 2021 was impacted by higher revenues due to an increase in quarterly average AUM and realized gains on private investments, partially offset by unrealized depreciation on private investments.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to Economic Earnings:

The following table provides Economic Earnings by segment:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We fund our operations and cash requirements with cash generated from operating activities. We may also use cash from operations to pay dividends to our stockholders. We reinstated a dividend in the first quarter of 2021, following a suspension in the second quarter of 2020 as we preserved capital and provided additional financial flexibility amid the uncertainties created

30

by the COVID-19 pandemic. We had no debt as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The changes in net cash provided by operating activities generally reflect changes in earnings plus the effects of non-cash items and changes in working capital, including liquidation of investments used to cover current liabilities. Changes in working capital, especially accounts receivable and accounts payable, are generally the result of timing differences between collection of fees billed and payment of operating expenses.

We had cash and short-term investments of $80.2 million and $82.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, working capital aggregated $78.0 million and $84.5 million, respectively.

Westwood Trust is required by the Texas Finance Code to maintain cash and investments in an amount equal to the minimum restricted capital of $4.0 million. Restricted capital is included in Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2021, Westwood Trust had approximately $14.2 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement.

Historically we have funded our operations and cash requirements with cash generated from operating activities. We may also use cash from operations to pay dividends to our stockholders. The changes in net cash provided by operating activities generally reflect changes in earnings plus the effects of non-cash items and changes in working capital. Changes in working capital, especially accounts receivable and accounts payable, generally result from timing differences between collection of fees billed and payment of operating expenses.

During 2021, cash flow provided by operating activities was $19.4 million, compared to cash used in operating activities of $9.8 million during 2020, and cash flow provided by operating activities of $32.2 million during 2019. The increase of $29.2 million from 2020 to 2021 primarily reflected net sales of investments and net income in 2021. The decrease of $41.9 million from 2019 to 2020 was primarily due to net purchases of investments, unrealized investment losses and a net loss in 2020.

Cash flow provided by investing activities in 2021 was related to realized gains on private investments and the sale of property and equipment following the sublease of a portion of our Dallas, Texas corporate office space. Cash flow used in investing activities was insignificant in 2020. Cash flow used in investing activities during 2019 was primarily related to our investment in Charis.

Cash used in financing activities was $26.8 million in 2021 compared to $25.8 million and $31.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change from 2020 to 2021 primarily related to higher dividends following the reinstatement of dividends in 2021 and repurchases of common stock under our share repurchase plan. The change from 2019 to 2020 related to repurchases of common stock under our share repurchase plan and lower dividends, following suspension of our dividend in the second quarter of 2020.

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including results of operations, the timing and magnitude of capital expenditures or strategic initiatives, our dividend policy and other business and risk factors described under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Report. We believe that current cash and short-term investment balances plus cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the operating and capital requirements of our ordinary business operations through at least the next twelve months, however there can be no assurance that we will not require additional financing within this time frame. Failure to raise needed capital on attractive terms, if at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Cash Dividends

The following table summarizes dividends declared during 2021 and 2020:

31

2021 Dividends

2020 Dividends

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands).

(1)    A “purchase obligation” is defined as an agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding and that specifies all significant terms, including (a) fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; (b) fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and (c) the approximate timing of the transaction. Our purchase obligations relate to obligations associated with implementing and operating new information technology platforms and outsourcing services. The above purchase obligations exclude agreements that are cancelable without significant penalty.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent losses and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In applying accounting principles, we often must make individual estimates and assumptions regarding expected outcomes or uncertainties. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe the following are areas where the degree of judgment and complexity in determining amounts recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements make accounting policies critical.

Consolidation

We assess each legal entity that we manage to determine whether consolidation is appropriate at the onset of the relationship. We first determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”), or a voting interest entity (“VOE”), under GAAP and whether we have a controlling financial interest in the entity. Assessing whether or not an entity is a VOE or VIE and if it requires consolidation involves judgment and analysis. Factors considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, the legal organization of the entity, our equity ownership and contractual involvement with the entity and any related party or de facto agent implications of our involvement with the entity. We reconsider whether entities are a VIE or VOE whenever contractual arrangements change, the entity receives additional equity or returns equity to its investors or changes in facts and circumstances occur that change the investors' abilities to direct the activities of the entity.

A VIE is an entity in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities without subordinated financial support, (ii) the at-risk equity holders, as a group, lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or (iii) the entity is structured with disproportionate voting rights, and substantially all of the activities are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately few voting rights. That is, the at-risk equity holders do not have the obligation to absorb significant losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of

32

the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. An enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. We determine if a sponsored investment meets the definition of a VIE by considering whether the fund’s equity investment at risk is sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support and whether the fund’s at-risk equity holders absorb any losses, have the right to receive residual returns and have the right to direct the activities of the entity most responsible for the entity’s economic performance. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is defined as the party that, considering the involvement of related parties and de facto agents, has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This evaluation is updated on a continuing basis.

A VOE is an entity that is outside the scope of the guidance for VIEs. Consolidation of a VOE is required when a reporting entity owns a controlling financial interest in a VOE. Ownership of a majority of the voting interests is the usual condition for a controlling financial interest.

We evaluated (i) our relationship as sponsor of the Common Trust Funds (“CTFs”) and managing member of the private equity funds Westwood Hospitality and Westwood Technology Opportunities Fund I, LP (collectively the “Private Funds”), (ii) our advisory relationships with the Westwood Funds® and (iii) our investments in InvestCloud and Charis discussed in Note 5 “Investments” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II. Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (“Private Equity”) to determine whether each of these entities is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or voting ownership entity (“VOE”).

Based on our analyses, we determined that the CTFs and Private Funds were VIEs, as the at-risk equity holders do not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance, and the Company and its representatives have a majority control of the entities' respective boards of directors and can influence the respective entities' management and affairs.

Based on our analyses, we determined the Westwood Funds® and Private Equity (i) have sufficient equity at risk to finance the entities' activities independently, (ii) have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance and (iii) are not structured with disproportionate voting rights and are VOEs.

Based on our analyses of our investments in these entities for the periods ending December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have not consolidated the CTFs or Private Funds under the VIE method or the Westwood Funds® or Private Equity under the VOE method, and therefore the financial results of these entities are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial results.

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment. We assess the recoverability of the carrying amount of goodwill either qualitatively or quantitatively as of July 1 of each fiscal year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. We test more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. These indicators include declines in revenues, earnings or cash flows, or the development of a material adverse change in the business climate.

We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, which is referred to as a component. We have identified two reporting units, which are consistent with our reporting segments: Advisory and Trust. The Company is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying amount. We assess goodwill for impairment using either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. The qualitative assessment includes consideration of the current trends in the industry in which we operate, macroeconomic conditions and recent financial performance of our reporting units. The quantitative analysis requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s carrying value to the fair value of the respective unit. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recorded based on that difference.

Following a sustained decline in the Company's market capitalization, we determined that the entire goodwill related to our Advisory segment was impaired, and accordingly we recorded charges of $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 to "Impairment expense" on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). There was no goodwill impairment in the Advisory segment during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2019.

The fair value of the Trust reporting unit is estimated using a market multiple approach and an income approach. The key assumptions used in the market multiple valuation require significant management judgment, including the determination of our peer group and the valuation multiples of such peer group. The income approach is based on the long-term projected future cash flows of the reporting units. These cash flows are determined based on revenue and expense projections over each of the next five years and a terminal revenue growth rate thereafter. We discount the estimated cash flows to present value using a weighted average cost of capital ("the discount rate") that considers factors such as market assumptions, the timing of cash flows and the risks inherent in such cash flows. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the

33

carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

We determined the fair value of the reporting units using a weighted average approach of the market and income approaches. As part of the 2020 Advisory reporting unit assessment, we determined that an increase in the discount rate (from the prior assessment) applied in the valuation was required to align with market-based assumptions. The higher discount rate, in conjunction with revised long-term projections resulted in a lower fair value of the Advisory segment.

There was no goodwill impairment in the Trust segment during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We operate in several states and countries and are required to allocate our income, expenses and earnings under the various laws and regulations of these tax jurisdictions. Accordingly, our provision for income taxes reflects the statutory tax obligations of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment and complex calculations are used when determining our tax liability and in evaluating our tax positions, and we are subject to audits by taxing authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We adjust our income tax provision in the period in which we determine that actual outcomes will likely be different from our estimates. Changes in tax laws may result in changes to our tax position and effective tax rates. We include penalties and interest on income-based taxes in the “General and administrative” line on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

We are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, using a more-likely-than-not standard. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have not recorded a valuation allowance on any deferred tax assets. In the event that sufficient taxable income does not result in future years, a valuation allowance may be required.

We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the impact of a tax position in our Consolidated Financial Statements when we believe it is more likely than not that the tax position would not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authority based on the merits of the position. We periodically review our tax positions and adjust the balances as new information becomes available. In making these assessments, we often must analyze complex tax laws of multiple domestic and international jurisdictions. The actual outcome of our tax positions, if significantly different from our estimates, could materially impact the financial statements. Further information on uncertain tax positions is included in Note 8 “Income Taxes” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II. Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Accounting Developments

See Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a description of new accounting standards and their anticipated effects on our Consolidated Financial Statements.