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Douglas Elliman Inc

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 10, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 10, 2024

DOUG$1.56-0.6%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
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Item 1. Douglas Elliman Inc. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 20232
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 20233
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 20234
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 20235
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk32
Item 4. Controls and Procedures32
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings33
Item 1A. Risk Factors33
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds34
Item 5. Other Information34
Item 6. Exhibits35
SIGNATURE36

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

March 31,2024December 31,2023
ASSETS:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$91,451$119,808
Receivables19,82821,809
Agent receivables, net17,00311,721
Income taxes receivable, net—5,292
Restricted cash and cash equivalents6,0797,171
Other current assets20,44015,474
Total current assets154,801181,275
Property, plant and equipment, net39,75239,718
Operating lease right-of-use assets104,572108,172
Long-term investments (includes $4,158 and $3,983 at fair value)11,39512,871
Contract assets, net36,51136,040
Goodwill32,23032,230
Other intangible assets, net72,79772,964
Deferred income taxes, net—977
Equity-method investments1,9501,960
Other assets7,0937,212
Total assets$461,101$493,419
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current liabilities:
Current portion of litigation settlement$7,750$—
Current operating lease liability20,61822,235
Income taxes payable, net164—
Accounts payable5,4386,136
Commissions payable17,93524,561
Accrued salaries and benefits2,27112,912
Contract liabilities14,08111,234
Other current liabilities24,24720,171
Total current liabilities92,50497,249
Non-current operating lease liabilities108,196110,705
Contract liabilities54,45851,178
Litigation settlement10,000—
Other liabilities119133
Total liabilities265,277259,265
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized——
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 91,535,412 and 87,925,412 shares issued and outstanding915879
Additional paid-in capital283,223279,904
Accumulated deficit(89,027)(47,552)
Total Douglas Elliman Inc. stockholders' equity195,111233,231
Non-controlling interest713923
Total stockholders' equity195,824234,154
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$461,101$493,419

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Revenues:
Commissions and other brokerage income$188,265$202,036
Property management9,0478,777
Other ancillary services2,9273,169
Total revenues200,239213,982
Expenses:
Real estate agent commissions149,016156,102
Sales and marketing21,29821,239
Operations and support18,79918,893
General and administrative27,01632,295
Technology5,8436,012
Depreciation and amortization1,9812,039
Litigation settlement17,750—
Restructuring—1,210
Operating loss(41,464)(23,808)
Other income (expenses):
Interest income, net1,3761,105
Equity in losses from equity-method investments(11)(73)
Investment and other losses(391)(454)
Loss before provision for income taxes(40,490)(23,230)
Income tax expense (benefit)1,195(5,390)
Net loss(41,685)(17,840)
Net loss attributed to non-controlling interest210216
Net loss attributed to Douglas Elliman Inc.$(41,475)$(17,624)
Per basic common share:
Net loss applicable to common shares attributed to Douglas Elliman Inc.$(0.50)$(0.22)
Per diluted common share:
Net loss applicable to common shares attributed to Douglas Elliman Inc.$(0.50)$(0.22)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Amounts)

Douglas Elliman Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Additional Paid-In · Non-controlling
Common Stock · Accumulated
SharesAmountCapitalDeficitInterestTotal
Balance as of January 1, 202487,925,412$879$279,904$(47,552)$923$234,154
Net loss———(41,475)(210)(41,685)
Restricted stock grants3,610,00036(36)———
Stock-based compensation——3,355——3,355
Balance as of March 31, 202491,535,412$915$283,223$(89,027)$713$195,824
Douglas Elliman Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Additional Paid-In · Non-controlling
Common Stock · Accumulated
SharesAmountCapitalDeficitInterestTotal
Balance as of January 1, 202380,881,022$809$273,111$(5,000)$1,537$270,457
Net loss———(17,624)(216)(17,840)
Dividends on common stock ($0.05 per share)——(4,221)——(4,221)
Restricted stock grants3,535,00035(35)———
Effect of stock dividend4,220,80142(42)———
Stock-based compensation——2,823——2,823
Balance as of March 31, 202388,636,823$886$271,636$(22,624)$1,321$251,219

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss$(41,685)$(17,840)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization1,9812,039
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense3,3552,823
Loss on sale of assets70—
Deferred income taxes977(5,390)
Net losses on investment securities391454
Equity in losses from equity-method investments1173
Non-cash lease expense5,9075,400
Provision for credit losses1,3041,428
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables(4,605)(10,361)
Income taxes receivables, net5,456(100)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(3,248)13,257
Operating right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, net(6,433)(5,568)
Accrued salary and benefits(10,641)(14,857)
Litigation settlement17,750—
Other2,119(2,933)
Net cash used in operating activities(27,291)(31,575)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of debt securities—(25)
Proceeds from sale or liquidation of long-term investments8—
Purchase of equity securities—(275)
Purchase of long-term investments(85)(55)
Capital expenditures(2,081)(3,627)
Net cash used in investing activities(2,158)(3,982)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends on common stock—(4,221)
Net cash used in financing activities—(4,221)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(29,449)(39,778)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period129,517171,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period$100,068$131,604

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)Basis of Presentation:

Douglas Elliman Inc. (“Douglas Elliman” or the “Company”) is engaged in the real estate services and property technology investment business and is seeking to acquire or invest in additional real estate services and property technology, or PropTech, companies. The condensed consolidated financial statements of Douglas Elliman include the accounts of DER Holdings LLC and New Valley Ventures LLC (“New Valley Ventures”), directly and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. DER Holdings LLC owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC and Douglas Elliman of California, Inc., which are engaged in the residential real estate brokerage business with their subsidiaries. The operations of New Valley Ventures consist of minority investments in innovative and cutting-edge PropTech companies.

Certain references to “Douglas Elliman Realty” refer to the Company’s residential real estate brokerage business, including the operations of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC and Douglas Elliman of California Inc., unless otherwise specified.

The unaudited, interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and, in management’s opinion, contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, also referred to as the “Codification” or “ASC.” These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the combined consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The condensed consolidated results of operations for interim periods should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

In presenting the condensed consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

(b)Principles of Consolidation:

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of DER Holdings LLC and New Valley Ventures as well as all other entities in which Douglas Elliman has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

When evaluating an entity for consolidation, Douglas Elliman first determines whether an entity is within the scope of the guidance for consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIE”) and if it is deemed to be a VIE. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, Douglas Elliman determines whether it would be considered the entity’s primary beneficiary. Douglas Elliman consolidates those VIEs for which it has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. Douglas Elliman will consolidate an entity that is not deemed a VIE upon a determination that it has a controlling financial interest. For entities where Douglas Elliman does not have a controlling financial interest, the investments in such entities are classified as available-for-sale securities or accounted for using the equity or cost method, as appropriate.

(c)Estimates and Assumptions:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Significant estimates subject to material changes in the near term include impairment charges and valuation of intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(d)Loss Per Share (“EPS”):

The Company has restricted stock awards which will provide dividends at the same rate as paid on the common stock with respect to the shares underlying the restricted stock awards. These outstanding restricted stock awards represent participating securities under authoritative guidance. The participating securities holders do not participate in the Company’s net losses. There were no outstanding non-participating securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company paid a cash dividend during each of the quarters beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2022 through March 31, 2023.

Information concerning the Company’s common stock has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the 5% stock dividend distributed to Company stockholders on June 30, 2023. All per-share amounts and references to share amounts have been updated to reflect the retrospective effect of the stock dividend.

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Net loss attributed to Douglas Elliman Inc.$(41,475)$(17,624)
Income attributable to participating securities—(307)
Net loss available to common stockholders attributed to Douglas Elliman Inc.$(41,475)$(17,931)

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders attributed to Douglas Elliman Inc. by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, which will include vested restricted stock.

Basic and diluted EPS were calculated using the following shares of common stock for the periods presented below:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS83,334,10182,193,761
Incremental shares related to non-vested restricted stock——
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS83,334,10182,193,761

(e)Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:

Restricted cash amounts included in current assets and other assets represent cash and cash equivalents required to be deposited into escrow for amounts required for letters of credit related to office leases, and certain deposit requirements for banking arrangements. The restrictions related to the letters of credit will remain in place for the duration of the respective lease. The restrictions related to the banking arrangements will remain in place for the duration of the arrangement.

The components of “Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash” in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows were as follows:

March 31,2024December 31,2023
Cash and cash equivalents$91,451$119,808
Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in current assets6,0797,171
Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other assets2,5382,538
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows$100,068$129,517

(f)Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment on an annual basis, as of October 1, or whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company follows ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, and subsequent updates including ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-14, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments permit entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value or chooses to bypass the optional qualitative assessment, the Company then assesses recoverability by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount; otherwise, no further impairment test would be required. The fair value of the intangible asset associated with the Douglas Elliman trademark is determined using a “relief from royalty payments” method. This approach involves two steps: (i) estimating reasonable royalty rates for its trademark associated with the Douglas Elliman trademark and (ii) applying these royalty rates to a net sales stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine fair value. This fair value is then compared with the carrying value of the trademark.

In the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023, the Company utilized third-party valuation specialists to prepare a quantitative assessment of goodwill and trademark intangible assets related to Douglas Elliman, based on the current market conditions in the residential real estate brokerage industry. The quantitative assessments did not result in impairment charges to goodwill or to the trademark intangible assets as of December 31, 2023. The Company performed a qualitative assessment for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which did not result in impairment charges related to its goodwill or trademark. If the Company fails to achieve the financial projections used in the quantitative assessments of fair value and current market conditions continue to deteriorate, additional impairment charges could result in future periods, and such impairment charges could be material.

(g)Related Party Transactions:

Agreements with Vector Group Ltd. (“Vector Group”) The Company paid Vector Group $1,050 and $1,050 under the Transition Services Agreement during thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $595 and $562 under the Aircraft Lease Agreements during thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Real estate commissions. Real estate commissions include commissions of approximately$1,224 and$842 for thethree months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, from projects where the Company has been engaged by certain developers as the sole broker or the co-broker for real estate development projects that Vector Group owns an interest in through its real estate venture investments.

(h)Investment and Other Losses:

Investment and other losses consists of the following:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Net losses recognized on PropTech convertible trading debt securities$—$(352)
Net unrealized gains (losses) recognized on long-term investments at fair value89(102)
Net losses recognized on long-term investment securities without a readily determinable fair value that does not qualify for the NAV practical expedient.(480)—
Investment and other losses$(391)$(454)

(i)Restructuring:

Employee severance and benefits expensed for the three months ended March 31, 2023 relate entirely to the reduction in staff and are cash charges. The amount expensed for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $1,210 and was included in Restructuring expense in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. The following table presents the changes in the employee severance and benefits liability under the Real Estate Brokerage segment restructuring plan for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Employee Severance and Benefits
Severance liability balance at January 1, 2024$767
Severance expense—
Severance payments(659)
Severance liability at March 31, 2024$108

(j)Other Comprehensive Income:

The Company does not have any activity that results in Other Comprehensive Income; therefore, no statement of Comprehensive Income is included in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

(k)Subsequent Events:

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through May 10, 2024, the date the financial statements were issued. See Note 7. “Contingencies” for additional information.

(l)New Accounting Pronouncements:

ASUs to be adopted in future periods:

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU requires that all public entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its combined consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU requires that all public entities improve the reportable segment disclosure primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its combined consolidated financial statements.

SEC Rule Changes:

On March 6, 2024, the SEC passed rule changes that will require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. The rules require information about a registrant's climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks will also include disclosure of a registrant's greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the rules will require registrants to present certain climate-related financial metrics in their audited financial statements. On April 4, 2024, the SEC voluntarily stayed the rules pending the resolution of certain legal challenges. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the rule changes.

  1. REVENUE RECOGNITION

Disaggregation of Revenue

In the following tables, revenue is disaggregated by major services line and primary geographical market:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
New York CityNortheastSoutheastWestTotal
Revenues:
Commission and other brokerage income - existing home sales$49,240$34,586$57,630$40,253$181,709
Commission and other brokerage income - development marketing4,719651,3254476,556
Property management revenue8,846201——9,047
Escrow and title fees211149—2,5672,927
Total revenue$63,016$35,001$58,955$43,267$200,239
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
New York CityNortheastSoutheastWestTotal
Revenues:
Commission and other brokerage income - existing home sales$57,798$33,105$54,454$37,899$183,256
Commission and other brokerage income - development marketing7,76361910,06033818,780
Property management revenue8,580197——8,777
Escrow and title fees399210—2,5603,169
Total revenue$74,540$34,131$64,514$40,797$213,982

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about contract assets and contract liabilities from development marketing and commercial leasing contracts with customers:

March 31,2024December 31, 2023
Receivables, which are included in receivables$1,962$1,846
Contract assets, net, which are included in other current assets8,4476,030
Contract assets, net, which are in other assets36,51136,040
Payables, which are included in commissions payable1,4421,357
Contract liabilities, which are in current liabilities14,08111,234
Contract liabilities, which are in other liabilities54,45851,178

The Company recognized revenue of $1,163 ($825 of consulting, administration and net commissions) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, that were included in the contract liabilities balances at December 31, 2023. The Company recognized revenue of $3,794 ($1,614 of consulting, administration and net commissions) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, that were included in the contract liabilities balances at December 31, 2022.

  1. CURRENT EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES

Real estate broker agent receivables: Douglas Elliman Realty is exposed to credit losses for various amounts due from real estate agents, which are included in Other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, net of an allowance for credit losses. The Company estimates its allowance for credit losses on receivables from agents based on an evaluation of aging, agent sales in pipeline, any security, specific exposures, historical experience of collections from the individual agents, and current and expected future market trends. The Company estimated that the credit losses for these receivables were $5,823 and $5,575 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

January 1,2024 · Current Period Provision · Write-offs · Recoveries · March 31,2024
Allowance for credit losses:
Real estate broker agent receivables$5,575$1,304(1)$1,056$—$5,823

(1)The current period provision for the real estate broker agent receivables is included in “General and administrative expenses” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

January 1,2023 · Current Period Provision · Write-offs · Recoveries · March 31,2023
Allowance for credit losses:
Real estate broker agent receivables$10,916$1,428(1)$494$—$11,850

(1)The current period provision for the real estate broker agent receivables is included in “General and administrative expenses” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

  1. LEASES

The Company has operating leases for corporate and sales offices and equipment. The components of lease expense, which were included in Sales and marketing expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations, were as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Operating lease cost$8,578$8,325
Short-term lease cost256278
Variable lease cost9891,078
Less: Sublease income(56)(153)
Total lease cost$9,767$9,528

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$9,096$8,524
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases2,998732

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

March 31,December 31,
20242023
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Operating leases6.306.38
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases8.61%8.63%

As of March 31, 2024, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

Operating Leases
Period Ending December 31:
Remainder of 2024$23,914
202528,693
202626,155
202723,215
202820,276
202916,214
Thereafter31,048
Total lease payments169,515
Less imputed interest(40,701)
Total$128,814

As of March 31, 2024, the Company hadno undiscounted lease payments relating to operating leases for office space and equipment that have not yet commenced.

  1. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

Long-term investments consisted of the following:

March 31,2024December 31, 2023
PropTech convertible trading debt securities$1,162$1,162
Long-term investment securities at fair value (1)2,9962,821
PropTech investments at cost8,3998,888
PropTech investments under equity method555570
Total investments13,11213,441
Less PropTech current convertible trading debt securities (2)1,162—
Less PropTech investments accounted for under the equity method (3)555570
Total long-term investments$11,395$12,871

(1)These assets are measured at net asset value (“NAV”) as a practical expedient under ASC 820.

(2)These amounts are included in “Other current assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(3)These amounts are included in “Equity-method investments” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Net realized and unrealized losses recognized on long-term investment securities were as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Net realized losses recognized on PropTech convertible trading debt securities$—$(352)
Net unrealized gains (losses) recognized on long-term investments at fair value89(102)
Net losses recognized on long-term investment securities without a readily determinable fair value that does not qualify for the NAV practical expedient(480)—
Net realized and unrealized losses recognized on long-term investment securities$(391)$(454)

(a) PropTech Convertible Trading Debt Securities:

These securities are classified as trading debt securities and are accounted for at fair value. The remaining convertible note matures in February 2025.

(b) Long-Term Investment Securities at Fair Value:

The following is a summary of unrealized gains (losses) recognized in net loss on long-term investment securities at fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Net unrealized gains (losses) recognized on long-term investment at fair value$89$(102)

The Company has unfunded commitments of $810 related to long-term investment securities at fair value as of March 31, 2024.

(c) Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Values That Do Not Qualify for the NAV Practical Expedient

Equity securities without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the NAV practical expedient consisted of investments in various limited liability companies as of March 31, 2024. The total carrying value of equity securities without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the NAV practical expedient was $8,399 as of March 31, 2024 and $8,888 at December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company recorded an impairment of $489 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The impairment was included in “Investment and other losses” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

  1. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

Equity method investments consisted of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Ancillary services ventures$1,950$1,960

At March 31, 2024, the Company’s ownership percentages in these investments ranged from 5.9% to 50.0%; therefore, the Company accounts for these investments under the equity method of accounting.

VIE Consideration:

The Company has determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of any of its equity method investments because it does not control the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of each investment. The Company determined that the entities were VIEs but the Company was not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company’s equity method investments have been accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Maximum Exposure to Loss:

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from its equity method investments consists of the net carrying value of the investments adjusted for any future capital commitments and/or guarantee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss was$1,950 as of March 31, 2024.

  1. CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved in litigation through the normal course of its business. The majority of claims are covered by the Company’s insurance policies in excess of any applicable retention. Other claims may not be covered by the Company’s insurance policies. The Company believes that the resolution of ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

On October 31, 2023, individual plaintiffs filed an action on behalf of a putative national class of home sellers from October 2019 through the present in the Western District of Missouri against the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”) and certain real estate brokerage firms, including the Company, alleging anticompetitive behavior in violation of federal antitrust laws arising from the NAR’s requirement that sellers’ agents for Multiple Listing Service (“MLS”) listed properties offer to pay a portion of commissions received on the sale of such properties to buyers’ agents (the Gibson case).

On November 2, 2023, additional individual plaintiffs filed an action on behalf of a putative national class of home buyers from December 1996 through the present in the Northern District of Illinois against certain real estate brokerage firms, including the Company, alleging anticompetitive behavior, similar to the Gibson case, in violation of federal antitrust laws, state antitrust and consumer protection laws, as well as asserting an unjust enrichment claim (the Batton case).

On November 8, 2023, additional individual plaintiffs filed an action on behalf of a putative class of home sellers in Manhattan from November 2019 through the present in the Southern District of New York against certain real estate brokerage firms, including the Company, alleging anticompetitive behavior, similar to the Gibson case, in violation of federal antitrust and state antitrust laws, as well as asserting an unjust enrichment claim (the March case).

On December 27, 2023, individual plaintiffs filed an action on behalf of a putative national class of home sellers (with certain markets excluded) from December 2019 through present in the Western District of Missouri against certain real estate brokerage firms, including the Company and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, alleging anticompetitive behavior, similar to the Gibson case, in violation of federal antitrust laws (the Umpa case). On April 23, 2024, the District Court in the Western District of Missouri consolidated the Umpa case into the Gibson case.

On December 29, 2023, individual plaintiffs filed an action on behalf of a putative class of home sellers in certain parts of Brooklyn from January 2020 through present in the Eastern District of New York against certain real estate brokerage firms, including the Company, alleging anticompetitive behavior, similar to the March case, in violation of federal antitrust and state antitrust laws. On January 18, 2024, the case was voluntarily dismissed and refiled in the Southern District of New York (the Friedman case).

On January 15, 2024, an individual plaintiff filed an action on behalf of a putative class of home sellers in Nevada from January 2020 through the present in the District of Nevada against certain real estate trade associations and MLSs, alleging anticompetitive behavior, similar to the Gibson case, in violation of federal antitrust and state unfair trade practices laws (the Whaley case). On January 25, 2024, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint that added one of the Company’s brokerage subsidiaries, among other real estate brokerage firms, as a defendant in the action.

On February 16, 2024, individual plaintiffs filed an action on behalf of a putative class of home sellers in Nevada from February 2020 through the present in the District of Nevada against certain real estate brokerage firms, including the Company and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, alleging anticompetitive behavior, similar to the Gibson case, in violation of federal antitrust and state unfair trade practices laws (the Boykin case). On March 20, 2024, the District Court in the District of Nevada administratively closed the Boykin case and consolidated it into the Whaley case.

Multidistrict Litigation. On December 27, 2023, the Gibson and Umpa plaintiffs moved to transfer and centralize nine actions, including the Gibson, Umpa, and March cases in the Western District of Missouri. In response, NAR moved to consolidate all real estate commission antitrust cases, including all of the cases that the Gibson and Umpa plaintiffs sought to consolidate, as well as Batton, Friedman, and Boykin, and several other actions in which the Company is not named as a defendant, in the Northern District of Illinois. Many of the real estate brokerage firms named as defendants, including the Company, opposed plaintiffs’ motion to transfer and centralize the antitrust actions, and nearly all, if not all, objected to centralization before Judge Bough in the Western District of Missouri. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied the motion on March 28, 2024, with leave to refile at later date.

On April 26, 2024, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) to resolve, on a nationwide basis, the Gibson and Umpa cases (the “Lawsuits”). On April 30, 2024, the Court in the now-consolidated Gibson case (which includes the Umpa case) preliminarily approved the settlement, preliminarily certified the proposed settlement class, and ordered that the final approval hearing for the settlement would take place no later than November 26, 2024.

The settlement resolves all claims on a nationwide basis by the plaintiffs and proposed settlement class members in the Lawsuits, which includes, but is not limited to, all claims concerning brokerage commissions by the proposed settlement class members that were asserted in other lawsuits against the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Claims”), and releases the Company, its subsidiaries, and affiliated agents from all Claims. The settlement is not an admission of liability, nor does the Company concede or validate any of the claims asserted against it.

Under the Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed to pay, into an escrow fund, $7,750 within 30 business days of preliminary approval of the settlement by the court (which preliminary approval was granted on April 30, 2024), as well astwo $5,000 contingent payments subject to certain financial contingencies through December 31, 2027 (collectively, the “Settlement Amount”). The contingent payments may be accelerated under certain circumstances. The Company recognized an expense of$17,750 in the three months ended March 31, 2024.

In addition, the Company agreed to make certain changes to its business practices and emphasize certain practices that have been a part of Douglas Elliman’s longstanding policies and practices, including: reminding its brokerages and agents that the Company has no rule requiring agents to make or accept offers of compensation; requiring its brokerages and agents to clearly disclose to clients that commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable; prohibiting its brokerages and buyer agents from claiming buyer agent services are free; requiring its brokerages and agents to disclose to the buyer the listing broker’s offer of compensation for prospective buyers’ agents as soon as possible; prohibiting its brokerages and agents from using any technology (or manual methods) to sort listings by offers of compensation, unless requested by the client; reminding its brokerages and agents of their obligation to show properties regardless of compensation for buyers’ agents for properties that meet the buyer’s priorities; and developing training materials for its brokerages and agents that support all the practice changes outlined in the injunctive relief.

The Settlement Agreement remains subject to final court approval and will, if approved, become effective thereafter.

Litigation is subject to uncertainty and it is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending cases or that more cases, including antitrust lawsuits, could be commenced. With the commencement of any new case, the defense costs and the risks relating to the unpredictability of litigation increase. Management reviews on a quarterly basis with counsel all pending litigation and evaluates the probability of a loss being incurred and whether an estimate can be made of the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending litigation could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate the financial impact of these litigations. The Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected from an unfavorable outcome in, or settlement of, any of these matters.

Accounting Policy. The Company and its subsidiaries record provisions in their consolidated financial statements for pending litigation when they determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. At the present time, while it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome in a case may occur, other than with respect to the Lawsuits: (i) management has concluded that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of pending cases; or (ii) management is unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of any pending cases and, therefore, management has not provided any amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes, if any.

  1. INCOME TAXES

ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires the Company to establish a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. If such determination is made and future losses are incurred over the period in which the net deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company believes it will be more likely than not that the benefits of these deductible differences will not be realized, and as a result will be required to maintain a valuation allowance for the full amount of the deferred tax assets. During the three months ending March 31, 2024, the Company analyzed the likelihood of utilizing its deferred tax assets and determined it will be more likely than not that the benefits of these deductible differences will not be realized, and as a result established a valuation allowance for the full amount of the deferred tax assets. The Company’s income tax expense (benefit) and valuation allowance consisted of the following:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Loss before provision for income taxes$(40,490)$(23,230)
Income tax expense (benefit)218(5,390)
Change in prior year valuation allowance977—
Income tax expense (benefit)$1,195$(5,390)
  1. INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements were as follows:

Description · Total · Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets(Level 1) · Significant Other Observable Inputs(Level 2) · Significant Unobservable Inputs(Level 3) · Total Gains (Losses)
Assets:
Money market funds (1)$30,778$30,778$—$—
U.S. treasury bills (2)51,85651,856——
Certificates of deposit (3)507—507—
PropTech convertible trading debt securities1,162——1,162
Long-term investments
Long-term investment securities at fair value (4)2,996———
Total assets$87,299$82,634$507$1,162
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
Long-term investments (5)$—$—$(489)
$—$—$(489)

(1)Amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, except for $6,079 that is included in current restricted cash and cash equivalents and $2,538 that is included in non-current restricted assets within Other assets.

(2)Amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(3)Amounts included in Other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(4)In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

(5)Long-term investments with a carrying amount of $489 were written down to their fair value of $0, resulting in an impairment charge of $489, which was included in earnings.

DescriptionTotalQuoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets(Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs(Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs(Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds (1)$59,595$59,595$—$—
U.S. treasury bills (2)51,20051,200——
Certificates of deposit (3)507—507—
Long-term investments
PropTech convertible trading debt securities1,162——1,162
Long-term investment securities at fair value (4)2,821———
Total long-term investments3,983——1,162
Total assets$115,285$110,795$507$1,162

(1)Amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, except for $7,171 that is included in current restricted assets and $2,538 that is included in non-current restricted assets within Other assets.

(2)Amounts included in Cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(3)Amounts included in Other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(4)In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of the Level 2 certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is the rate offered by the financial institution.

The fair values of the Level 3 PropTech convertible trading debt securities were derived using a discounted cash flow model utilizing a probability-weighted expected return method based on the probabilities of different potential outcomes for the convertible trading debt securities.

The long-term investments are based on NAV per share provided by the partnerships based on the indicated market value of the underlying assets or investment portfolio. In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, these investments are not classified under the fair value hierarchy disclosed above because they are measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient.

The unobservable inputs related to the valuations of the Level 3 assets and liabilities were as follows as of March 31, 2024:

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value at
March 31,2024Valuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRange (Actual)
PropTech convertible trading debt securities$1,162Discounted cash flowInterest rate5%
Maturity · Feb 2025
Volatility40.25%
Discount rate30.37%

The unobservable inputs related to the valuations of the Level 3 assets and liabilities were as follows as of December 31, 2023:

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value at
December 31,2023Valuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRange (Actual)
PropTech convertible trading debt securities$1,162Discounted cash flowInterest rate5%
Maturity · Feb 2025
Volatility40.25%
Discount rate30.37%

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis because of impairment charges. The Company had no nonrecurring nonfinancial assets subject to fair value measurements as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

  1. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s business segments were Real Estate Brokerage and Corporate and Other. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.

Financial information for the Company’s operations before taxes and non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

Real Estate Brokerage · Corporate and Other · Total
Revenues$200,239$—$200,239
Operating loss(35,286)(1)(6,178)(41,464)
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman (2)(14,198)(4,048)(18,246)
Depreciation and amortization1,981—1,981
Capital expenditures2,081—2,081
Revenues$213,982$—$213,982
Operating loss(17,343)(3)(6,465)(23,808)
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman (2)(12,984)(4,661)(17,645)
Depreciation and amortization2,039—2,039
Capital expenditures3,627—3,627

(1)Operating loss includes $17,750 of litigation settlement.

(2)The following table reconciles operating income to Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

(3)Operating loss includes $1,210 of restructuring expense.

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Real estate brokerage segment
Operating loss$(35,286)$(17,343)
Depreciation and amortization1,9812,039
Stock-based compensation1,2251,019
Litigation settlement17,750—
Restructuring—1,210
Adjusted EBITDA(14,330)(13,075)
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to non-controlling interest13291
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman$(14,198)$(12,984)
Corporate and other segment
Operating loss$(6,178)$(6,465)
Stock-based compensation2,1301,804
Adjusted EBITDA attributed to Douglas Elliman$(4,048)$(4,661)
  1. ESCROW FUNDS IN HOLDING

As a service to its customers, Portfolio Escrow Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, administers escrow and trust deposits which represent undisbursed amounts received for the settlement of real estate transactions. Deposits at FDIC-insured institutions are insured up to $250. Portfolio Escrow Inc. had escrow funds on deposit in the amount of $35,863 and $41,338 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and corresponding escrow funds in holding of the same amount. While these deposits are not assets of the Company (and, therefore, are excluded from the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets), the subsidiary of the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these deposits.

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