Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[x]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018
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: 1-8529001-08529
imageleggmasona08.jpg
LEGG MASON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
MARYLAND 52-1200960
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
100 International Drive - Baltimore, MD 21202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
   
(410) 539-0000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the 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.
YesX No 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 
YesX No 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filerX Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting company 
Emerging growth company  Emerging growth company 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  NoX

Indicate the numberAs of November 2, 2018, there were 85,528,403 shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes ofregistrant's common stock as of the latest practicable date.
84,540,288 shares of common stock as of the close of business on January 31, 2018.outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.        Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
ASSETS        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $680,322
 $733,709
 $611,164
 $736,130
Cash and cash equivalents of consolidated investment vehicles 4,325
 651
 5,055
 2,800
Restricted cash 17,605
 16,046
 19,579
 30,428
Receivables:     

  
Investment advisory and related fees 482,652
 433,192
 446,398
 475,594
Other 53,105
 70,527
 80,885
 77,024
Investment securities 409,369
 423,619
 404,087
 399,370
Investment securities of consolidated investment vehicles 126,942
 49,901
 76,412
 140,133
Other 72,744
 74,102
 68,536
 65,010
Other current assets of consolidated investment vehicles 1,694
 
 952
 1,893
Total Current Assets 1,848,758
 1,801,747
 1,713,068
 1,928,382
Fixed assets, net 148,859
 159,662
 153,906
 148,406
Intangible assets, net 3,800,885
 4,034,380
 3,766,507
 3,797,659
Goodwill 1,925,650
 1,924,889
 1,891,306
 1,932,355
Deferred income taxes 204,787
 202,843
 194,352
 202,068
Other 137,055
 156,907
 147,562
 134,407
Other assets of consolidated investment vehicles 9,172
 9,987
 9,627
 9,257
TOTAL ASSETS $8,075,166
 $8,290,415
 $7,876,328
 $8,152,534
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
    
LIABILITIES  
  
  
  
Current Liabilities  
  
  
  
Accrued compensation $390,976
 $486,679
 $406,640
 $476,061
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 198,481
 181,793
 175,861
 175,583
Short-term borrowings 225,500
 
 
 125,500
Contingent consideration 16,625
 22,316
Current portion of long-term debt 250,971
 
Other 100,519
 117,863
 134,902
 204,264
Other current liabilities of consolidated investment vehicles 487
 736
 1,533
 634
Total Current Liabilities 932,588
 809,387
 969,907
 982,042
Deferred compensation 98,586
 87,757
 101,252
 92,422
Deferred income taxes 123,788
 329,229
 166,543
 139,787
Contingent consideration 4,076
 14,494
Other 133,106
 138,737
 125,526
 132,042
Long-term debt, net 2,221,824
 2,221,867
 1,970,810
 2,221,810
TOTAL LIABILITIES 3,513,968
 3,601,471
 3,334,038
 3,568,103
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)    
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)    
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 727,706
 677,772
 632,295
 732,295
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
  
Common stock, par value $.10; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued 84,490,108 shares for December 2017 and 95,726,628 shares for March 2017 8,449
 9,573
Common stock, par value $0.10; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued 85,503,455 shares for September 30, 2018 and 84,606,408 shares for March 31, 2018 8,550
 8,461
Additional paid-in capital 1,960,021
 2,385,726
 2,013,541
 1,976,364
Employee stock trust (21,860) (24,057) (22,117) (21,996)
Deferred compensation employee stock trust 21,860
 24,057
 22,117
 21,996
Retained earnings 1,911,479
 1,694,859
 1,981,939
 1,894,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (74,118) (106,784) (122,109) (55,182)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. 3,805,831
 3,983,374
 3,881,921
 3,824,405
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest 27,661
 27,798
 28,074
 27,731
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 3,833,492
 4,011,172
 3,909,995
 3,852,136
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $8,075,166
 $8,290,415
 $7,876,328
 $8,152,534
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31, Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
OPERATING REVENUES                
Investment advisory fees:                
Separate accounts $255,696
 $231,922
 $758,870
 $692,103
 $261,567
 $253,128
 $521,462
 $503,174
Funds 395,370
 368,962
 1,170,633
 1,109,504
 383,923
 393,035
 767,487
 775,263
Performance fees 58,926
 22,913
 181,284
 82,342
 31,874
 40,821
 55,910
 122,358
Distribution and service fees 81,463
 90,195
 241,037
 276,122
 79,074
 80,668
 158,264
 159,574
Other 1,635
 1,249
 3,446
 3,705
 1,989
 686
 3,209
 1,811
Total Operating Revenues 793,090
 715,241
 2,355,270
 2,163,776
 758,427
 768,338
 1,506,332
 1,562,180
OPERATING EXPENSES                
Compensation and benefits 362,071
 327,862
 1,143,329
 1,054,817
 364,885
 367,951
 726,453
 781,258
Distribution and servicing 124,254
 123,191
 370,237
 376,722
 114,525
 123,634
 231,117
 245,983
Communications and technology 54,239
 52,630
 155,841
 156,643
 57,489
 51,299
 114,229
 101,602
Occupancy 24,982
 23,537
 74,561
 87,237
 27,352
 25,171
 52,256
 49,579
Amortization of intangible assets 6,071
 7,277
 18,492
 19,251
 6,102
 6,082
 12,282
 12,421
Impairment charges 195,000
 35,000
 229,000
 35,000
Impairment of intangible assets 
 
 
 34,000
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments 739
 (14,500) (15,811) (39,500) 145
 
 571
 (16,550)
Other 53,067
 49,078
 155,330
 161,252
 52,201
 49,782
 108,020
 102,263
Total Operating Expenses 820,423
 604,075
 2,130,979
 1,851,422
 622,699

623,919
 1,244,928
 1,310,556
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (27,333) 111,166
 224,291
 312,354
OPERATING INCOME 135,728
 144,419
 261,404
 251,624
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)                
Interest income 1,827
 1,713
 4,867
 5,106
 2,420
 1,572
 4,866
 3,040
Interest expense (29,088) (29,495) (87,431) (81,985) (29,860) (29,077) (59,777) (58,343)
Other income, net 5,519
 6,126
 24,196
 22,686
 6,627
 7,289
 13,879
 18,677
Non-operating income of consolidated investment vehicles, net 8,225
 1,458
 11,316
 9,892
Non-operating income (loss) of consolidated investment vehicles, net (3,998) 2,094
 (415) 3,091
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (13,517) (20,198) (47,052) (44,301) (24,811) (18,122) (41,447) (33,535)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT) (40,850) 90,968
 177,239
 268,053
Income tax provision (benefit) (209,396) 26,441
 (142,468) 71,654
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION 110,917
 126,297
 219,957
 218,089
Income tax provision 29,844
 38,673
 60,519
 66,928
NET INCOME 168,546
 64,527
 319,707
 196,399
 81,073
 87,624
 159,438
 151,161
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 19,324
 13,088
 43,901

45,067
 8,270
 11,960
 20,545

24,577
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEGG MASON, INC. $149,222
 $51,439
 $275,806
 $151,332
 $72,803
 $75,664
 $138,893
 $126,584
                
NET INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEGG MASON, INC. SHAREHOLDERS:        
NET INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEGG MASON, INC. STOCKHOLDERS:        
Basic $1.59
 $0.50
 $2.87
 $1.44
 $0.82
 $0.78
 $1.57
 $1.30
Diluted 1.58
 0.50
 2.86
 1.43
 0.82
 0.78
 1.57
 1.29
        
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE $0.28
 $0.22
 $0.84
 $0.66
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31, Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
NET INCOME $168,546
 $64,527
 $319,707
 $196,399
 $81,073
 $87,624
 $159,438
 $151,161
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Foreign currency translation adjustment 190
 (43,666) 32,303
 (55,797) (14,658) 21,442
 (68,020) 32,113
Reclassification of cumulative foreign currency translation on Legg Mason Poland sale 
 2,493
 
 2,493
Unrealized losses on interest rate swap:        
Unrealized losses on interest rate swap, net of tax benefit of $1,708 
 
 
 (2,718)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of tax benefit of $1,708 
 
 
 2,718
Net unrealized losses on interest rate swap 
 
 


Changes in defined benefit pension plan 123
 3,568
 363
 (16,483) 211
 121
 1,093
 240
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 313
 (37,605) 32,666
 (69,787) (14,447)
21,563

(66,927) 32,353
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 168,859
 26,922
 352,373
 126,612
 66,626
 109,187
 92,511
 183,514
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 19,634
 17,123
 42,401
 49,161
 9,742
 10,483
 24,627
 22,767
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEGG MASON, INC. $149,225
 $9,799
 $309,972
 $77,451
 $56,884
 $98,704
 $67,884
 $160,747
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended December 31, Six Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEGG MASON, INC.        
COMMON STOCK        
Beginning balance $9,573
 $10,701
 $8,461
 $9,573
Stock options exercised 37
 14
 16
 32
Deferred compensation employee stock trust 1
 1
 
 1
Stock-based compensation 94
 41
 112
 89
Employee tax withholdings by settlement of net share transactions (35) (36) (39) (34)
Shares repurchased and retired (1,221) (912) 
 (472)
Ending balance 8,449
 9,809
 8,550
 9,189
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL    
    
Beginning balance 2,385,726
 2,693,113
 1,976,365
 2,385,726
Stock options exercised 10,593
 3,906
 5,231
 9,304
Deferred compensation employee stock trust 419
 385
 302
 285
Stock-based compensation 54,334
 60,567
 34,814
 38,994
Performance-based restricted share units related to the acquisition of Clarion Partners 
 11,121
Employee tax withholdings by settlement of net share transactions (13,039) (11,809) (15,422) (13,017)
Shares repurchased and retired (477,918) (290,762) 
 (179,177)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest reclassification for affiliate management equity plans (94) (3,632)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest reclassification for affiliate management equity plans and affiliate noncontrolling interest 12,251
 
Ending balance 1,960,021
 2,462,889
 2,013,541
 2,242,115
EMPLOYEE STOCK TRUST    
    
Beginning balance (24,057) (26,263) (21,996) (24,057)
Shares issued to plans (420) (386) (302) (286)
Distributions and forfeitures 2,617
 1,663
 181
 2,617
Ending balance (21,860) (24,986) (22,117) (21,726)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION EMPLOYEE STOCK TRUST    
    
Beginning balance 24,057
 26,263
 21,996
 24,057
Shares issued to plans 420
 386
 302
 286
Distributions and forfeitures (2,617) (1,663) (181) (2,617)
Ending balance 21,860
 24,986
 22,117
 21,726
RETAINED EARNINGS    
    
Beginning balance 1,694,859
 1,576,242
 1,894,762
 1,694,859
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. 275,806
 151,332
Net income attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. 138,893
 126,584
Dividends declared (80,442) (68,377) (61,441) (54,177)
Reclassifications to noncontrolling interest for:    
EnTrustPermal combination 
 (15,500)
Net increase in estimated redemption value of affiliate management equity plans and affiliate noncontrolling interests (3,071) (2,629)
Reclassification to noncontrolling interest for net increase in estimated redemption value of affiliate management equity plans and affiliate noncontrolling interests (2,538) (2,295)
Adoption of new revenue recognition guidance 12,263
 
Adoption of new stock-based compensation guidance 24,327
 
 
 24,327
Ending balance 1,911,479
 1,641,068
 1,981,939
 1,789,298
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET    
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET    
Beginning balance (106,784) (66,493) (55,182) (106,784)
Changes in defined benefit pension plan 363
 (16,483) 1,093
 240
Foreign currency translation adjustment 32,303
 (55,797) (68,020) 32,113
Reclassification of cumulative foreign currency translation on Legg Mason Poland sale 
 2,493
Ending balance (74,118) (136,280) (122,109) (74,431)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEGG MASON, INC. 3,805,831

3,977,486
 3,881,921

3,966,171
NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST        
Beginning balance 27,798
 22,202
 27,731
 27,798
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 6,387
 5,732
 4,937
 4,291
Distributions (6,524) (4,555) (4,594) (4,063)
Ending balance 27,661
 23,379
 28,074
 28,026
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $3,833,492
 $4,000,865
 $3,909,995
 $3,994,197
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Nine Months Ended December 31, Six Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net Income $319,707
 $196,399
 $159,438
 $151,161
Adjustments to reconcile Net Income to net cash provided by operations:        
Impairments of intangible assets 229,000
 35,000
 
 34,000
Tax benefit for new Tax Law (213,675)
Depreciation and amortization 54,551
 60,639
 36,143
 36,634
Accretion and amortization of securities discounts and premiums, net 2,255
 3,058
 1,080
 1,670
Stock-based compensation, including $15,200 related to Clarion Partners affiliate management equity plan in 2016 55,002
 71,922
Net unrealized gains on investments (21,841) (25,633)
Net (gains) losses and earnings on investments (2,874) 959
Net gains of consolidated investment vehicles (11,316) (9,892)
Stock-based compensation 35,225
 39,531
Net unrealized losses (gains) on investments 3,237
 (10,800)
Net gains and earnings on investments (15,128) (7,037)
Net losses (gains) of consolidated investment vehicles 415
 (3,091)
Deferred income taxes 46,650
 59,729
 41,666
 51,194
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments (15,811) (39,500) 571
 (16,550)
Payment of contingent consideration (739) 
Other (196) 585
 217
 (272)
Decrease (increase) in assets:        
Investment advisory and related fees receivable (47,603) (18,456) 24,621
 (4,978)
Net sales of trading and other investments 43,550
 61,935
Net (purchases) sales of trading and other investments (12,544) 29,853
Other receivables 5,471
 (5,768) (15,697) 9,207
Other assets 2,199
 (13,070) (14,482) 11,456
Assets of consolidated investment vehicles (54,648) 17,530
 69,225
 (31,100)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accrued compensation (97,419) 12,068
 (64,931) (96,720)
Deferred compensation 10,633
 21,530
 8,831
 11,386
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 15,278
 (4,689) 2,488
 (9,301)
Other liabilities (24,853) (74,896) (73,876) (21,237)
Other liabilities of consolidated investment vehicles (249) (2,489) 899
 (100)
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES $293,072
 $346,961
 $187,398

$174,906










LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)


  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
Payments for fixed assets $(24,540) $(27,489)
Business investments and acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $33,547 in 2016 (2,950) (1,009,928)
Proceeds from sale of businesses 
 12,081
Contingent payment from prior sale of business 2,561
 
Change in restricted cash (1,262) 4,849
Returns of capital and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 7,637
 5,541
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (18,554) (1,014,946)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Repurchases of common stock (479,139) (291,674)
Dividends paid (76,000) (66,178)
Distributions to affiliate noncontrolling interests (43,477) (23,351)
Net subscriptions/(redemptions) attributable to noncontrolling interests 44,708

(18,310)
Employee tax withholdings by settlement of net share transactions (13,074) (11,845)
Issuances of common stock for stock-based compensation 11,050
 4,306
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 
 500,000
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings 225,500
 (40,000)
Debt issuance costs 
 (17,639)
Payment of contingent consideration (2,503) (6,587)
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES (332,935) 28,722
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH 5,030
 (357)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (53,387) (639,620)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 733,709
 1,329,126
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $680,322
 $689,506
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE    
Cash paid for:    
Income taxes, net of refunds of $9,471 and $1,085, respectively $16,770
 $14,436
Interest 67,482
 59,601

  Six Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
Payments for fixed assets $(29,831) $(15,846)
Business investments 
 (2,250)
Contingent payment from prior sale of businesses 923
 2,561
Returns of capital and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 7,671
 8,173
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (21,237) (7,362)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Dividends paid (54,719) (47,639)
Distributions to affiliate noncontrolling interests (22,004) (27,076)
Payment of contingent consideration (4,319) 
Net (redemptions) subscriptions attributable to noncontrolling interests (68,856)
19,624
Employee tax withholdings by settlement of net share transactions (15,461) (13,051)
Issuances of common stock for stock-based compensation 5,548
 9,622
Decrease in short-term borrowings (125,500) 
Repurchases of common stock 
 (179,649)
CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (285,311) (238,169)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES (14,559) (1,245)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH (133,709) (71,870)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH:    
BEGINNING OF PERIOD 773,765
 754,339
END OF PERIOD $640,056
 $682,469
Supplemental Disclosures    
Cash paid for:    
Income taxes, net of refunds of $9,505 in 2017 $22,104
 $7,277
Interest 58,719
 56,670
     
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash    
Cash and cash equivalents $611,164
 $654,234
Restricted cash:    
Corporate restricted cash 19,579
 21,547
Cash and cash equivalents of consolidated investment vehicles 5,055
 2,475
Affiliate employee benefit trust cash included in Other non-current assets 4,258
 4,213
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per consolidated statements of cash flows $640,056
 $682,469
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

LEGG MASON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts or unless otherwise noted)
December 31, 2017September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)

1. Interim Basis of Reporting

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Legg Mason, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Legg Mason”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the interim basis of reporting and, as such, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The preparation of interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates and the differences could have a material impact on the interim consolidated financial statements. Terms such as “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Company” refer to Legg Mason.

The nature of Legg Mason's business is such that the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of a full year. Certain disclosures included in the Company's annual report are not required to be included on an interim basis in the Company's quarterly reportsQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company has condensed or omitted these disclosures. Certain amounts in prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to new guidance and/or the current period presentation, including amounts for Contingent consideration fair value adjustments in the Consolidated Statementsclassification and presentation of Incomerestricted cash and amounts for cash flowscertain distributions received from financing activities related to noncontrolling interestsequity method investees in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.Flows, as discussed below.

The information contained in the interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Legg Mason's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation
In the normal course of its business, Legg Mason sponsors and manages various types of investment products. For its services, Legg Mason is entitled to receive management fees and may be eligible, under certain circumstances, to receive additional subordinated management fees or other incentive fees. Legg Mason's exposure to risk in these entities is generally limited to any equity investment it has made or is required to make, and any earned but uncollected management fees.fees, except those for which total return swap arrangements have been executed, for which additional risks are discussed below. Legg Mason did not sell or transfer investment assets to any of these investment products. In accordance with financial accounting standards, Legg Mason consolidates certain sponsored investment products, some of which are designated and reported as consolidated investment vehicles (“CIVs”("CIVs"). The consolidation of sponsored investment products, including those designated as CIVs, has no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. and does not have a material impact on Legg Mason's consolidated operating results. The change in the value of all consolidated sponsored investment products is recorded in Non-Operating Income (Expense) and reflected in Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. The financial information of certain consolidated sponsored investment products is included in the Company's consolidated financial statements on a three-month lag based upon the availability of the investment product's financial information.

Certain of the investment products Legg Mason sponsors and manages are considered to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") (as further described below) while others are considered to be voting rights entities (“VREs”) subject to traditional consolidation concepts based on ownership rights. Legg Mason may fund the initial cash investment in certain VRE investment products to generate an investment performance track record in order to attract third-party investors in the product. Legg Mason's initial investment in a new product typically represents 100% of the ownership in that product. As further discussed in Note 4,3, the products with “seed capital investments” are consolidated as long as Legg Mason maintains a controlling financial interest in the product, but they are not designated as CIVs by Legg Mason unless the investment is longer-term. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, March 31, 2017,2018, and December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, no consolidated VREs were designated as CIVs.


A VIE is an entity which does not have adequate equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; or the equity investors, as a group, do not have the normal characteristics of equity investors for a potential controlling financial interest. Legg Mason must consolidate any VIE for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Under consolidation accounting guidance, if limited partners or similar equity holders in a sponsored investment vehicle structured as a limited partnership or a similar entity do not have either substantive kick-outinvestor rights to replace the manager (kick-out rights) or substantive participation rights over the general partner, the entities are VIEs. As a sponsor and manager of an investment vehicle, Legg Mason may be deemed a decision maker under the accounting guidance. If the fees paid to a decision maker are market-based, such fees are not considered variable interests in a VIE. Market-based fees are those fees which are both customary and commensurate with the level of effort required for the services provided. Additionally, if employee interests in a sponsored investment vehicle are not made to circumvent the consolidation guidance and are not financed by the sponsor, they are not included in the variable interests assessment, and are not included in the primary beneficiary determination.

A decision maker is deemed to be a primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from variable interests that could be significant to the VIE. In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, Legg Mason considers both qualitative and quantitative factors such as the voting rights of the equity holders, guarantees, and implied relationships. If a fee paid to a decision maker is not market-based, it will be considered in the primary beneficiary determination.

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, March 31, 2017,2018 and December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, Legg Mason concluded it was the primary beneficiary of certain VIEs, which were consolidated and designated as CIVs, because it held significant financial interests in the funds. In addition, during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, Legg Mason has entered into various total return swap arrangements with financial intermediaries with respect to twocertain Legg Mason sponsored exchange traded funds ("ETFs"). Under the terms of the total return swaps, Legg Mason absorbs all of the related gains and losses on the underlying ETF investments of these financial intermediaries, and therefore has variable interests in each of the two related funds and, isif significant, may be deemed to be the primary beneficiary. As of September 30, 2018, March 31, 2018, and September 30, 2017, Legg Mason consolidates each ofconsolidated the two ETFs with significant open total return swap arrangements, which were designated as CIVs. See Notes 4 and 13Note 14 for additional information related to VIEs and CIVs and Note 12 for additional information regarding total return swaps.information.

Contingent Consideration LiabilitiesRevenue Recognition
In connection with business acquisitions,Effective April 1, 2018, Legg Mason mayadopted updated accounting guidance on revenue recognition which provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers, improves comparability and removes inconsistencies in revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. The guidance also specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements. The adoption of the updated guidance did not result in significant changes to Legg Mason’s prior revenue recognition practices, except for the timing of the recognition of certain performance and incentive fees, the capitalization and amortization of certain sales commissions for separate accounts, and the net presentation of certain fund expense reimbursements which were previously presented on a gross basis. Each of these changes to Legg Mason’s previous revenue recognition practices is further discussed below.
Legg Mason adopted the updated guidance on a modified retrospective basis for any contracts that were not complete as of April 1, 2018, and recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the updated guidance for certain sales commissions as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings totaling $12,263. There was no cumulative effect for performance and incentive fees or fund expense reimbursement accounting. The comparative information for prior periods has not been restated and continues to be requiredreported under the prior accounting guidance in effect for those periods. A summary of the cumulative-effect changes to pay additional future considerationLegg Mason’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2018 is included below.
Legg Mason primarily earns revenues by providing investment management services and distribution and shareholder services for its customers, which are generally investment funds or the underlying investors in separately managed accounts. As further discussed below, revenues are calculated based on the achievementvalue of certain designated financial metrics. the investments under management and are recognized when obligations under the terms of contracts with customers are satisfied, which is generally over time as the services are rendered.

Legg Mason estimatesalso has responsibility for the fairvaluation of assets under management ("AUM"), substantially all of which is based on observable market data from independent pricing services, fund accounting agents, custodians or brokers.


Investment Advisory Fees
Legg Mason earns investment advisory fees on assets in separately managed accounts, investment funds, and other products managed for Legg Mason's clients. Generally, investment management services are a single performance obligation, as they include a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and are transferred to the customer over time using the same time-based measure of progress. Investment management services are satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the advisory services are performed.

Separate Account and Funds Advisory Fees
Separate account and funds advisory fees are variable consideration which is primarily based on predetermined percentages of the daily, monthly or quarterly average market value of these potential future obligationsthe AUM, as defined in the investment management agreements. The average market value of AUM is subject to change based on fluctuations and volatility in financial markets, and as such, separate account and funds advisory fees are constrained until the end of the month or quarter when the actual average market value of the AUM is known and a significant revenue reversal is no longer probable. Therefore, separate account and funds advisory fees are included in the transaction price and allocated to the investment management services performance obligation at the timeend of each monthly or quarterly reporting period, as specified in the investment management contract. Payment for services under investment management contracts is due once the variable consideration is allocated to the transaction price, and generally within 30 days. Recognition of separate account and funds advisory fee revenue under the updated guidance is consistent with Legg Mason’s prior revenue recognition process.

Performance and Incentive Fees
Performance and incentive fees are variable consideration that may be earned on certain investment management contracts for exceeding performance benchmarks on a business combinationrelative or absolute basis or for exceeding contractual return thresholds. Performance and incentive fees are estimated at the inception of a contract; however, a range of outcomes is consummatedpossible due to factors outside the control of the investment manager, particularly market conditions. Performance and recordsincentive fees are therefore excluded from the transaction price until it becomes probable that a Contingent consideration liabilitysignificant reversal in the cumulative amount of revenue recognized will not occur. A portion of Legg Mason's performance and incentive fees are earned based on 12-month performance periods that end in differing quarters during the year, with a portion also based on quarterly performance periods. Legg Mason also earns performance and incentive fees on alternative and certain other products that lock at the earlier of the investor’s termination date or the liquidation of the fund or contract, in multiple-year intervals, or upon the occurrence of specific events, such as the sale of assets. For certain of these products, performance and incentive fees may be recognized as revenue earlier under the updated guidance than under prior revenue recognition practices, which deferred recognition until all contingencies were resolved. Any such performance fees recognized prior to the resolution of all contingencies are recorded as a contract assetin Other current assets or Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.Sheet, depending on the length of time until the contingencies are resolved.

Fee Waivers and Fund Expense Reimbursements
Legg Mason accretes contingent consideration liabilitiesmay waive certain fees for investors or may reimburse its investment funds for certain operating expenses when such expenses exceed a certain threshold. Fee waivers continue to be reported as a reduction in advisory fee revenue under the expected payment amounts over the related earn-out terms until the obligations are ultimately paid, resultingupdated guidance. Under prior accounting guidance, fund expense reimbursements in Interestexcess of recognized revenue were recorded as Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. IfUnder the expected payment amounts subsequentlyupdated accounting guidance, these fund expense reimbursements that exceed the recognized revenue represent a change the contingent consideration liabilities are (reduced) or increased in the current period, resulting intransaction price and are therefore reported as a (gain) or loss, which is reflected within Contingent consideration fair value adjustmentsreduction of Investment advisory fees - Funds in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Payments

Distribution and Service Fees Revenue and Expense
Distribution and service fees represent fees earned from funds to reimburse the distributor for the costs of marketing and selling fund shares and are generally determined as a percentage of client assets. Reported amounts equalalso include fees earned from providing client or shareholder servicing, including record keeping or administrative services to proprietary funds, and non-discretionary advisory services for assets under advisement. Distribution and service fees earned on company-sponsored investment funds are reported as revenue. Distribution services and marketing services are considered a single performance obligation as the success of selling the underlying shares is highly dependent upon the sales and marketing efforts. Ongoing shareholder servicing is a separate performance obligation as these services are not highly interrelated and interdependent on the sale of the shares. Fees earned related to distribution and shareholder serving are considered variable consideration because they are calculated based on the average market value of the fund. The average market value of the fund is subject to change based on fluctuations and volatility in financial markets, and as such, distribution and shareholder service fees are generally constrained until the end of the month or less thanquarter when the acquisition date fairactual market value of the fund is known and the related revenue is no longer subject to a significant reversal. Therefore, distribution and service fees are reflectedgenerally included in the

transaction price at the end of each monthly or quarterly reporting period and are allocated to the two performance obligations based on the amount specified in each agreement. While distribution services are largely satisfied at the inception of an investment, the ultimate amounts of revenue are subject to the variable consideration constraint. Accordingly, a portion of distribution and service revenue will be recognized in periods subsequent to the satisfaction of the performance obligation.

Certain fund share classes only charge for distribution services at the inception of the investment based on a fixed percentage of the share price. This fixed price is allocated to the performance obligation, which is substantially satisfied at the time of the initial investment.

Recognition of distribution and service fee revenue under the updated guidance is consistent with Legg Mason’s prior revenue recognition process.

When Legg Mason enters into arrangements with broker-dealers or other third parties to sell or market proprietary fund shares, distribution and servicing expense is accrued for the amounts owed to third parties, including finders' fees and referral fees paid to unaffiliated broker-dealers or introducing parties and is recorded as Cash Flows from Financing ActivitiesDistribution and servicing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whileIncome. Distribution and servicing expense also includes payments of amounts in excess of the acquisition date fair value are reflected as Cash Flows from Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Notes 3to third parties for certain shareholder administrative services and 9 for additional information regarding contingent consideration liabilities.sub-advisory fees paid to unaffiliated asset managers.

Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests include affiliate minority interests, third-party investor equity in consolidated sponsored investment products,Contract Costs and vested affiliate management equity plan interests. For CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products with third-party investors, the related noncontrolling interests are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests if investors in these funds may request withdrawals at any time. Also included in redeemable noncontrolling interests are vested affiliate management equity plan and affiliate minority interests for which the holder may, at some point, request settlement of their interests. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their estimated settlement values. Changes in the expected settlement values are recognized over the settlement period as adjustments to retained earnings. Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests include vested affiliate management equity plan interests that do not permit the holder to request settlement of their interests. Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their issuance value, together with undistributed net income allocated to noncontrolling interests.

Deferred Sales Commissions
Legg Mason estimatesincurs ordinary costs to obtain investment management contracts and for services provided to customers in accordance with investment management agreements. These costs include commissions paid to wholesalers, employees and third-party broker dealers and administration and placement fees. Depending on the settlement valuetype of noncontrolling interests as their fair value. For consolidated sponsored investment products, whereservices provided, these fees may be paid at the investor may request withdrawal at any time fair valuethe contract is basedobtained or on market quotesan ongoing basis. Under the updated guidance, costs to obtain a contract should be capitalized if the costs are incremental and would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, and costs to fulfill the contract should be capitalized if they relate directly to a contract, the costs will generate or enhance resources of the

underlying securities held by the investment products. For affiliate minority interests and management equity plan interests, fair value reflects the related total business enterprise value, after appropriate discounts for lack of marketability and control.
There may also entity that will be features of these equity interests, such as dividend subordination, that are contemplatedused in their valuations. The fair value of option-like management equity plan interests also relies on Black-Scholes option pricing model calculations.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interestssatisfying performance obligations in the Consolidated Statementsfuture, and the costs are expected to be recovered. Consistent with prior accounting procedures, fund launch costs, including organizational and underwriting costs, placement fees and commissions paid to employees, wholesalers and broker-dealers for sales of Income includes the share of net incomefund shares are expensed as incurred, as these costs would be incurred regardless of the respective subsidiary allocatedinvestor. However, commissions paid to the minority interest holders.

See Note 11 for additional information regarding noncontrolling interests.

Derivative Instruments
As noted above, during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, Legg Mason entered into various total return swap arrangements with financial intermediaries with respect to two Legg Mason sponsored ETFs for initial aggregate notional amounts totaling $48,639 which resultedemployees and retail wholesalers in investments in the ETFs by each of those financial intermediaries. As of December 31, 2017, the aggregate notional amounts related to these total return swap arrangements totaled $51,066. The total return swap arrangements qualify as derivative instruments and are not designated for hedge accounting. In connection with the arrangements, Legg Mason also executed futures contractssale of retail separate accounts are considered incremental, as these fees relate to partially hedgeobtaining a specific contract, are calculated based on specified rates and are recoverable through the market risk related tomanagement fees earned, and are therefore capitalized under the total return swap arrangements.

See Notes 4, 12, and 13 for additional information.

Stock-Based Compensation
Effective April 1, 2017, Legg Mason adopted updated accounting guidanceguidance. Such commissions were expensed as incurred under Legg Mason’s prior accounting practices. Capitalized sales commissions are amortized based on stock-based compensation accounting. The updated guidance simplifies several aspectsthe transfer of accounting for stock-based compensation includingservices to which the income tax consequences, and clarifies classification criteria for awards as either equity or liabilities, and the classification of related amounts in statements of cash flows. The updated guidance requires all excess tax benefits and deficiencies associated with stock-based compensation to be recognized as discrete items in the Income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the reporting period inassets relate, which they occur, thereby increasing the volatility of the Income tax provision as a result of fluctuations inaverages four years. Legg Mason's stock price. Legg Mason adopted this amendment on a modified retrospective basis, and recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $24,327 as an increase to both deferred tax assets and Retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2017. These tax benefits2018, as referenced below.

Commissions paid by Legg Mason to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of certain classes of company-sponsored mutual funds are generally capitalized as deferred sales commissions. The asset is amortized over periods not exceeding six years, which represent the periods during which commissions are generally recovered from distribution and service fee revenues and from contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") received from shareholders of those funds upon redemption of their shares. CDSC consideration is generally variable and is based on the timing of when investors redeem their investment. Therefore, the variable consideration is included in the transaction price once the investors redeem their shares and is satisfied at a point in time. CDSC receipts are recorded as distribution and service fee revenue when received and a reduction of the unamortized balance of deferred sales commissions, with a corresponding expense.

Management periodically tests the deferred sales commission asset for impairment by reviewing the changes in value of the related shares, the relevant market conditions and other events and circumstances that may indicate an impairment in value has occurred. If these factors indicate an impairment in value, management compares the carrying value to the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset over its remaining life. If management determines that the deferred sales commission asset is not fully recoverable, the asset will be deemed impaired and a loss will be recorded in the amount by which the recorded amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value. For the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, no impairment charges were not previously recognized duerecorded. Deferred sales commissions, included in Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $1,560 and $4,047 at September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

Under the updated accounting guidance, Legg Mason has elected to Legg Mason's cumulative tax loss position. In addition,expense sales commissions related to certain fund share classes with amortization periods of one year or less as incurred. Legg Mason recorded a related discretecumulative-effect adjustment on

the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2018, as referenced below, to reflect the expense associated with such commissions, which had previously been capitalized under Legg Mason's prior accounting practices.

Impact of the Adoption of Updated Revenue Recognition Accounting Guidance
The cumulative effect of the changes made to Legg Mason’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2018 for the adoption of the updated revenue recognition accounting guidance were as follows:
    Adjustment due to Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance  
Consolidated Balance Sheet Balance as of March 31, 2018 Capitalized Sales Commissions Deferred Sales Commissions Total Balance as of April 1, 2018
Assets          
Other, current $65,010
 $9,615
 $
 $9,615
 $74,625
Deferred income taxes 202,068
 (1,148) 
 (1,148) 200,920
Other, non-current 134,407
 10,316
 (2,576) 7,740
 142,147
Liabilities          
Deferred income taxes $139,787
 $3,944
 $
 $3,944
 $143,731
Stockholders' Equity          
Retained Earnings $1,894,762
 $14,839
 $(2,576) $12,263
 $1,907,025

The impact of the adoption of the updated revenue recognitionaccounting guidance on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statements of Income tax expensewas as follows:
  September 30, 2018
    Impact of the Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance  
Consolidated Balance Sheet Balances Excluding the Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance Capitalized Sales Commissions Deferred Sales Commissions Total As Reported
Assets          
Other, current $60,450
 $8,086
 $
 $8,086
 $68,536
Deferred income taxes 195,500
 (1,148) 
 (1,148) 194,352
Other, non-current 138,313
 10,939
 (1,690) 9,249
 147,562
Liabilities          
Deferred income taxes $162,599
 $3,944
 $
 $3,944
 $166,543
Stockholders Equity          
Retained Earnings $1,969,696
 $13,933
 $(1,690) $12,243
 $1,981,939


Consolidated Statements of $297Income
  Three months ended September 30, 2018
    Impact of the Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance  
  Balances Excluding the Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance Capitalized Sales Commissions Deferred Sales Commissions Fund Expense Reimbursements Total As Reported
Operating Revenues            
Investment advisory fees:            
Funds $384,964
 $
 $
 $(1,041) $(1,041) $383,923
Operating Expenses            
Compensation and benefits $364,332
 $553
 $
 $
 $553
 $364,885
Distribution and servicing 115,064
 
 (539) 
 (539) 114,525
Other 53,242
 
 
 (1,041) (1,041) 52,201

  Six months ended September 30, 2018
    Impact of the Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance  
  Balances Excluding the Adoption of Updated Accounting Guidance Capitalized Sales Commissions Deferred Sales Commissions Fund Expense Reimbursements Total As Reported
Operating Revenues            
Investment advisory fees:            
Funds $769,811
 $
 $
 $(2,324) $(2,324) $767,487
Operating Expenses            
Compensation and benefits $725,546
 $907
 $
 $
 $907
 $726,453
Distribution and servicing 232,003
 
 (886) 
 (886) 231,117
Other 110,344
 
 
 (2,324) (2,324) 108,020

Cash Flow Reporting
Effective April 1, 2018, Legg Mason adopted updated accounting guidance on a retrospective basis which clarifies the classification and $1,417 duringpresentation of restricted cash, investment activity and other items in the threestatements of cash flows. The updated guidance requires entities to include restricted cash and nine months ended December 31,restricted cash equivalents in the cash and cash equivalents balances on the consolidated statements of cash flows and to disclose a reconciliation between the balances on the consolidated statements of cash flows and the consolidated balance sheets. Legg Mason includes cash of consolidated investment vehicles and affiliate benefit trust cash in restricted cash. Legg Mason’s restricted cash balances at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for vested stock awards withwere $28,892 and $28,235, respectively. The updated guidance also clarifies how distributions from equity method investees should be classified based on either the cumulative earnings or the nature of distribution approach. Legg Mason elected to apply the nature of distribution approach when classifying distributions received from equity method investees. As a grant date exercise price higher than the related vesting date stock price, asresult of adopting this aspect of the updated guidance, $2,667 was reclassified from Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Cash Used in Investing Activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended September 30, 2017.


Financial Instruments
Effective April 1, 2018, Legg Mason adopted accounting guidance on a prospective basis. Uponbasis which requires equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes recognized in earnings. This guidance does not apply to investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting or underlying investments of consolidated entities. The updated guidance also provides entities the option to elect to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the net asset value ("NAV") practical expedient at "adjusted cost". Under this adjusted cost method, investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently adjusted (increased or decreased) when there is an observable transaction involving the same investment, or similar investment from the same issuer. Adjusted cost investment carrying values are also adjusted for impairments, if any. Legg Mason has elected to measure certain investments under the adjusted cost approach. The adoption of thethis updated guidance Legg Mason elected to prospectively account for forfeitures as they occur, which did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, cash flows related to income tax deductions in excess of or less than the related stock-based compensation expense will be classified as Cash Flows from Operating Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net
There were no significant amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, to the Consolidated Statements of Income, except as follows. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, $123 and $363, respectively, of previously unrecognized losses on a defined benefit pension plan were reclassified and expensed as further described in Note 3, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, $2,493 of cumulative foreign currency translation related to the sale of Legg Mason Poland was reclassified and expensed, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, $4,426 was realized on the settlement of an interest rate swap, which was also reclassified and expensed, as further described in Note 7.

Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1 "An Act to Provide for the Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018" (the "Tax Law") became enacted law. The Tax Law is complex, materially changes the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, and includes various changes which will impact Legg Mason. The reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate resulted in a one-time, non-cash provisional tax benefit of $220,935, recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, due to the re-measurement of certain existing deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new income tax rate. In addition, a non-cash tax charge of $7,260 was provisionally provided in the three months ended December 31, 2017, for the effects on unremitted foreign earnings and other aspects of the Tax Law. Legg Mason’s

re-measurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities is subject to further adjustments during the measurement period due to the complexity of determining its net deferred tax liability as of the enactment date. Further, our accounting for the tax on unremitted foreign earnings is incomplete due to the complexity of determining the various components of the calculation, including the relevant level of our foreign earnings and profits and the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. Adjustments to these provisional items may be made in subsequent periods as more detailed information and guidance is obtained and analyzed.

The income tax provision (benefit) and effective tax (benefit) rate were also impacted by the following items during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Noncontrolling interests in EnTrustPermal Group Holdings, LLC ("EnTrustPermal"), Clarion Partners, LLC ("Clarion Partners") and Royce & Associates ("Royce") are structured as partnerships that pass an allocable portion of tax attributes and obligations to the related noncontrolling interest holders. As such, the consolidated financial statements do not generally include any tax provision/benefit associated with the net income allocated to these noncontrolling interests. Due to the significant tax benefit recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, as further discussed above, the impact of noncontrolling interests increased the effective tax rate by over 100 percentage points for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and increased the effective benefit rate by approximately 23 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2017. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, the impact of noncontrolling interests resulted in a reduction in the effective tax rate of 6.2 percentage points and 2.2 percentage points, respectively.

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, changes in apportionment on state deferred tax liabilities and changes in state law resulted in additional net tax expense of $3,255, and reduced the effective tax rate by 8.0 percentage points and the effective tax benefit by 1.8 percentage points for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, respectively. As a result of the impairment of certain intangible assets at EnTrustPermal further discussed below, the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, also included income tax expense of $3,900 due to the reversal of income tax benefits previously recognized in connection with the impact of changes in the U.K. corporate tax rate on deferred tax liabilities associated with those intangible assets. This expense reduced the effective tax rate by 9.5 percentage points and the effective tax benefit by 2.2 percentage points for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.
In connection with the adoption of updated accounting guidance on stock-based compensation accounting discussed above, Legg Mason recorded a discrete income tax expense of approximately $297 and $1,417 during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, which reduced the effective tax rate by 0.7 percentage points and the effective tax benefit by 0.8 percentage points for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.

During the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increase in the valuation allowance related to certain state net operating loss carryforwards and foreign tax credits resulted in additional tax expense of $4,755, and increased the effective tax rate by 5.2 percentage points and 1.8 percentage points for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, respectively. This expense was offset in part by an income tax benefit of $2,865 recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2016, for provision to return adjustments recognized in connection with the filing of fiscal year 2016 tax returns, which reduced the effective tax rate by 3.1 percentage points and 1.1 percentage points for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

In September 2016, the U.K. Finance Act 2016 was enacted, which reduced the main U.K. corporate tax rate effective on April 1, 2020 from 18% to 17%. The reduction in the U.K. corporate tax rate resulted in a tax benefit of $4,055, recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2016, as a result of the revaluation of certain existing deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new rate, which reduced the effective tax rate by 1.5 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, Legg Mason also recognized income tax benefits of $2,200 as a result of reserve adjustments related to the conclusion of certain tax examinations, which reduced the effective tax rate by 0.8 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2016.statements.

Recent Accounting Developments
In August 2017,2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated the guidance to clarify accounting for implementation costs incurred for a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The update conforms the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the accounting guidance that provides for capitalization of costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use-software.  The updated guidance is effective for Legg Mason in fiscal 2021, unless adopted earlier.  Legg Mason is evaluating its adoption.

In August 2018, the FASB also updated the guidance for fair value measurements. The updated guidance modifies disclosure requirements based on the revised FASB Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting finalized in August 2018. The updated guidance will be effective in fiscal 2021, unless adopted earlier. Legg Mason is evaluating its adoption.

In August 2017, the FASB updated the guidance on accounting for derivative hedging.  The updated guidance more closely aligns the results of cash flow and fair value hedging designations with risk management activities through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements.  The new guidance also simplifies the application of hedge accounting.  The updated guidance is effective for Legg Mason in fiscal 2020, unless adopted earlier. 

Legg Mason uses accounting hedge designation from time-to-time and would only potentially be impacted if derivative transactions were designated for hedging.

In January 2017, the FASB updated the guidance to simplify the test for goodwill impairment.  The updated guidance still requires entities to perform annual goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its related carrying amount, but it eliminates the requirement to potentially calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to determine the amount of impairment, if any.  Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize an impairment charge if the reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, in the amount of such excess.  The guidance will be effective in fiscal 2020, unless adopted earlier. Legg Mason is evaluating its adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB updated the guidance on accounting for leases.  The updated guidance requires that a lessee shall recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from lease transactions.  A lessee will recognize a right-of-use asset to use the underlying asset and a liability representing the lease payments.  The updated guidance also requires an evaluation at the inception of a service or other contract, to determine whether the contract is or contains a lease.  In July 2018, the FASB further updated the lease guidance to make certain targeted improvements, including allowing for the guidance to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis.  The guidance will be effective for Legg Mason in fiscal 2020.  Legg Mason expects to recognize right of use assets and liabilities upon its adoption of the new standard and is continuing to evaluate the full impact of adoption.

In May 2014, the FASB updated the guidance on revenue recognition. The updated guidance provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers, improves comparability and removes inconsistencies in revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. The guidance also requires comprehensive disclosures about the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers,adoption, including significant judgments made in applying the guidance. In March and April 2016, the FASB further updated the revenue guidance on determining whether to report revenue on a gross versus net basis and clarified the identification of revenue performance obligations.

Legg Mason has reviewed its revenue contracts, and is monitoring relevant implementation guidance. Legg Mason does not anticipate any significant changes to current revenue recognition practices, except as discussed below. Legg Mason may be required to recognize longer-term performance and incentive fees subject to clawback when clawback is not reasonably possible. This is earlier than under its current revenue recognition process, which defers recognition until all contingencies are resolved. Additionally, Legg Mason expects certain separate account commissions currently expensed when paid will meet the criteria for capitalization and amortization. This change will require recognition of a deferred commissions cost asset, but is not expected to materially impact the amount of commission expense recognized post adoption. Legg Mason has also evaluated whether revenue-related costs currently presented on a gross basis will be recorded net, or vice versa. While most of Legg Mason's revenue-related costs will continue to be recorded on a gross basis, certain fund reimbursements paid will begin to be recorded as a contra revenue (net) under the new guidance.

The evaluation of the effect of this guidance is ongoing, and Legg Mason has not determined the ultimate impact of the adoption or the transition method to be used upon adoption, which is effective for Legg Mason on April 1, 2018.and practical expedient elections.


3. Acquisitions

Acquisitions
The following table presents a summary of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for each of Legg Mason's significant recent acquisitions:
  EnTrust Capital Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Limited Martin Currie (Holdings) Limited QS Investors Holdings, LLC
Acquisition Date 
May 2,
2016
 April 13, 2016 October 21, 2015 October 1, 2014 
May 31,
 2014
           
Purchase price          
Cash $400,000
 $631,476
 $213,739
 $202,577
 $11,000
Estimated contingent consideration 
 
 25,000
 75,211
 13,370
Performance-based Legg Mason restricted share units 
 11,121
 
 
 
Minority equity interest transferred 140,000
(1) 

 
 
 
Total consideration 540,000
 642,597
 238,739
 277,788
 24,370
Fair value of noncontrolling interests 247,700
(1) 
105,300
 62,722
 
 
Total 787,700
 747,897
 301,461
 277,788
 24,370
Identifiable assets and liabilities          
Cash 8,236
 25,307
 9,667
 29,389
 441
Investments 16,220
 22,285
 
 
 3,281
Receivables 20,820
 53,657
 6,612
 
 2,699
Indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts 262,300
 505,200
 122,755
 135,321
 
Indefinite-life trade name 7,400
 23,100
 4,766
 7,130
 
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts 65,500
 102,800
 67,877
 15,234
 7,060
Fixed assets 4,479
 8,255
 673
 784
 599
Other current assets (liabilities), net 1,030
 (25,585) (10,605)

 
Liabilities, net (8,823) (10,579) (3,948) (4,388) (6,620)
Pension liability 
 
 
 (32,433) 
Deferred tax liabilities 
 (36,788) (58,619) (31,537) 
Total identifiable assets and liabilities 377,162
 667,652
 139,178
 119,500
 7,460
Goodwill $410,538
 $80,245
 $162,283
 $158,288
 $16,910
(1)Post combination EnTrustPermal noncontrolling interest of $403,200 also included a fair value reclassification of $15,500 from retained earnings at the time of the acquisition.

EnTrust Capital
On May 2, 2016, Legg Mason acquired EnTrust Capital ("EnTrust") and combined it with The Permal Group, Ltd. ("Permal"), Legg Mason's existing hedge fund platform, to form EnTrustPermal. EnTrust, an alternative asset management firm headquartered in New York, had $9,600,000 in assets under management ("AUM") and approximately $2,000,000 in assets under advisement and committed capital at closing, and largely complementary investment strategies, investor base, and business mix to Permal. The transaction included a cash payment of $400,000, which was funded with borrowings under Legg Mason's revolving credit facility, as well as a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of $450,000 of 4.75% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes") and $250,000 of 6.375% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2056 (the "6.375% 2056 Notes") in March 2016. As a result of the combination, Legg Mason owns 65% of the new entity, EnTrustPermal, with the remaining 35% owned by EnTrust's co-founder and managing partner. The noncontrolling interests can be put by the holder or called by Legg Mason for settlement at fair value subject to various conditions, including the passage of time. The fair value of the noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the total business enterprise value of the combined entity, after appropriate discounts for lack of marketability and control.


The fair value of the acquired amortizable intangible asset management contracts had a useful life of approximately eight years at acquisition. Purchase price allocated to intangible assets and goodwill is expected to be deductible for U.S. tax purposes over a period of 15 years. Goodwill is principally attributable to synergies expected to arise with EnTrust.

Management estimated the fair values of the indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts, indefinite-life trade name, and amortizable intangible asset management contracts based upon discounted cash flow analyses, using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in these analyses at acquisition, including projected annual cash flows, projected AUM growth rates and discount rates, are summarized as follows:
Projected Cash Flow GrowthDiscount Rate
Indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts(1)% to 5% (weighted-average: 4%)14.5%
Indefinite-life trade name

6% to 14% (weighted-average: 6%)14.5%
Projected AUM Growth / (Attrition)Discount Rate
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts10% / (13)%13.5%

After the completion of the annual impairment testing process in fiscal 2017, the indefinite-life funds management contracts asset related to the EnTrust acquisition was combined with the indefinite-life funds-of-hedge funds management contracts asset related to the legacy Permal business. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the combined EnTrustPermal indefinite-life funds management contracts asset was impaired by $195,000. See Note 6 for additional information.

Costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of EnTrust were $7,031 during the nine months ended December 31, 2016.

The financial results of EnTrust included in Legg Mason's consolidated financial results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, include revenues of $39,206 and $84,472, respectively, and did not have a material impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

In connection with the combination of EnTrust and Permal, Legg Mason incurred total charges for restructuring and transition costs of $90,313 through December 31, 2017, which includes $1,312 and $5,232, respectively, recognized during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017. These costs were primarily comprised of charges for employee termination benefits, including severance and retention incentives, which were recorded as Compensation and benefits, in the Consolidated Statements of Income, and real estate related charges, which were recorded as Occupancy, in the Consolidated Statements of Income. While the combination is substantially complete, Legg Mason expects to incur additional costs totaling $2,000 to $3,000 during the remainder of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019.


The table below presents a summary of changes in the restructuring and transition-related liability from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017, and cumulative charges incurred to date:
  Compensation Other Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015 $
 $
 $
Accrued charges 31,581
 9,981
(1)41,562
Payments (21,938) (2,097) (24,035)
Balance as of March 31, 2016 9,643
 7,884
 17,527
Accrued charges 22,891
 11,075
(1)33,966
Payments (29,211) (12,408) (41,619)
Balance as of March 31, 2017 3,323
 6,551
 9,874
Accrued charges 1,608
 650
 2,258
Payments (4,776) (4,449) (9,225)
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $155
 $2,752
 $2,907
Non-cash charges(2)
      
   Year ended March 31, 2016 $591
 $1,143
 $1,734
   Year ended March 31, 2017 4,423
 3,396
 7,819
   Nine months ended December 31, 2017 2,970
 4
 2,974
Total $7,984
 $4,543
 $12,527
       
Cumulative charges incurred through December 31, 2017 $64,064
 $26,249
 $90,313
(1) Includes lease loss reserve for space permanently abandoned of $9,069 for the year ended March 31, 2017, and $7,212 for the year ended March 31, 2016.
(2) Includes stock-based compensation expense and accelerated fixed asset depreciation.

Clarion Partners
On April 13, 2016, Legg Mason acquired a majority equity interest in Clarion Partners, a diversified real estate asset management firm headquartered in New York. Clarion Partners managed approximately $41,500,000 in AUM on the date of acquisition. Legg Mason acquired an 82% ownership interest in Clarion Partners for a cash payment of $631,476 (including a payment for cash delivered of $36,772 and co-investments of $16,210), which was funded with a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Notes and the 6.375% 2056 Notes in March 2016. The Clarion Partners management team retained 18% of the outstanding equity in Clarion Partners. The Clarion Partners management team also retained rights to the full amount of performance fee revenues earned on historic AUM in place as of the closing of the acquisition. Performance fees earned on this historic AUM are fully passed through to employees as compensation, per the terms of the acquisition agreement, and recorded as compensation expense. Legg Mason expects the full pass through of performance fees to phase out approximately five years post-closing. The firm's previous majority owner sold its entire ownership interest in the transaction. The noncontrolling interests held by the management team can be put by the holders or called by Legg Mason for settlement at fair value subject to various conditions, including the passage of time. The fair value of the noncontrolling interests reflects the total business enterprise value, after appropriate discounts for lack of marketability and control.

Upon the acquisition, Legg Mason also granted certain key employees of Clarion Partners a total of 716 performance-based Legg Mason restricted share units with an aggregate fair value of $11,121, which vest upon Clarion Partners achieving a certain level of EBITDA, as defined in the award agreements, within a designated period after the closing of the acquisition. The aggregate value of the award was included in the purchase price and was determined as of the grant date using a Monte Carlo pricing model with the following assumptions:
Long-term EBITDA growth rate6.0%
Risk-free interest rate2.3%
Expected volatility:
   Legg Mason38.0%
   Clarion Partners30.0%


In connection with the transaction, Legg Mason also implemented an affiliate management equity plan for the management team of Clarion Partners, which resulted in a non-cash charge of $15,200 in the three months ended June 30, 2016. See Note 8 for additional information related to the Clarion Partners management equity plan.

The fair value of the acquired amortizable intangible asset management contracts had an average useful life of approximately 10 years at acquisition. Approximately 82% of the purchase price allocated to intangible assets and goodwill is expected to be deductible for U.S. tax purposes over a period of 15 years. Goodwill is principally attributable to synergies expected to arise with Clarion Partners.

Management estimated the fair values of the indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts, indefinite-life trade name, and amortizable intangible asset management contracts based upon discounted cash flow analyses, using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in these analyses at acquisition, including projected annual cash flows, projected AUM growth rates and discount rates, are summarized as follows:
Projected Cash Flow GrowthDiscount Rate
Indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts6% to 20% (weighted-average: 6%)13.5%
Indefinite-life trade name5% to 17% (weighted-average: 6%)13.5%
Projected AUM Growth / (Attrition)Discount Rate
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts:7% / (10)%13.4%

In addition to the previously discussed charge of $15,200 incurred in connection with the implementation of the Clarion Partners management equity plan, during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, there were $10,741 of costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of Clarion Partners.

The financial results of Clarion Partners included in Legg Mason's consolidated financial results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, include revenues of $50,786 and $191,559, respectively, and did not have a material impact to Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined financial results of Legg Mason, Clarion Partners, and EnTrust, for the initial period of the acquisitions as if each acquisition had occurred on April 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma financial information reflects certain adjustments for amortization expense related to the fair value of acquired intangible assets, acquisition- and transition-related costs, interest expense related to debt incurred to finance the acquisitions, and the income tax impact of the pro forma adjustments. The unaudited pro forma financial information is for informational purposes only, excludes projected cost savings, and is not necessarily indicative of the financial results that would have been achieved had the acquisitions actually occurred at the beginning of the first period presented.
  Three Months Ended December 31, 2016 Nine Months Ended December 31, 2016
Revenues $715,241
 $2,181,127
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. 53,243
 196,830
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. Shareholders:    
Basic $0.52
 $1.87
Diluted 0.52
 1.87


RARE Infrastructure Limited
On October 21, 2015, Legg Mason acquired a majority equity interest in RARE Infrastructure Limited ("RARE Infrastructure"). RARE Infrastructure specializes in global listed infrastructure security investing, is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and had approximately $6,800,000 in AUM at the closing of the transaction. Under the terms of the related transaction agreements, Legg Mason acquired a 75% ownership interest in the firm, the firm's management team retained a 15% equity interest and a continuing corporate minority owner, retained 10%. The acquisition required an initial cash payment of $213,739 (using the foreign exchange rate as of October 21, 2015 for the 296,000 Australian dollar payment), which was funded with approximately $40,000 of net borrowings under the Company's previous revolving credit facility, as well as existing cash resources. In addition, contingent consideration may be due March 31, 2018, of up to $82,792 (using the foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2017, for the maximum 106,000 Australian dollar amount per the related agreements), dependent on the achievement of certain net revenue targets, and subject to potential catch-up adjustments extending through March 31, 2019. The transaction also provided for a potential contingent payment as of March 31, 2017, however no such payment was due based on relevant net revenue targets.

The noncontrolling interests can be put by the holders or called by Legg Mason for settlement at fair value, except for the non-management portion of the noncontrolling interests, which are callable at a pre-agreed formula, as specified in the agreements. The fair value of the noncontrolling interests reflects the total business enterprise value of RARE Infrastructure, after appropriate discounts for lack of marketability and control.

The fair value of the acquired amortizable intangible asset management contracts had a useful life of 12 years at acquisition. Purchase price allocated to intangible assets and goodwill is not deductible for Australian tax purposes. Goodwill was principally attributable to synergies expected to arise with RARE Infrastructure.

Management estimated the fair values of the indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts, indefinite-life trade name, and amortizable intangible asset management contracts based upon discounted cash flow analyses, using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in these analyses at acquisition, including projected annual cash flows, projected AUM growth rates and discount rates, are summarized as follows:
Projected Cash Flow GrowthDiscount Rate
Indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts and indefinite-life trade nameUp to 10% (weighted-average: 7%)16.5%
Projected AUM Growth / (Attrition)Discount Rate
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts7% / (8)%16.5%

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the amortizable intangible asset management contracts asset and the trade name indefinite-life intangible asset were impaired by $32,000 and $2,000, respectively, and during the three months ended December 31, 2016, the amortizable intangible asset management contracts asset was impaired by $18,000. See Note 6 for additional information.

The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using Monte Carlo simulation in a risk-neutral framework with various observable inputs, as well as, with various unobservable data inputs which are Level 3 measurements. The simulation considered variables, including AUM growth and performance fee levels. Consistent with risk-neutral framework, projected AUM and performance fees were dampened by a measure of risk referred to as 'market price of risk' to account for its market risk or systematic risk before calculating the earn-out payments. These earn-out payments were then discounted commensurate with their timing. A summary of various assumption values follows:
AUM growth ratesWeighted-average: 7%
Performance fee growth ratesWeighted-average: 3%
Projected AUM and performance fee market price of risk6.5%
AUM volatility20.0%
Earn-out payment discount rate1.9%

Significant increases (decreases) in projected AUM or performance fees would result in a significantly higher (lower) contingent consideration liability fair value.

The contingent consideration liability established at closing had an acquisition date fair value of $25,000 (using the foreign exchange rate as of October 21, 2015). As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability was $2,176, a decrease of $15,268 from March 31, 2017. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, reductions in projected AUM and revenues attributable in part to a large outflow during the quarter resulted in a $15,250 reduction in the estimated contingent consideration liability, recorded as a credit to Contingent consideration fair value adjustments in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The remaining decrease during the nine months ended December 31, 2017 of $18 is attributable to changes in the exchange rate, which is included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, as Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of accretion. The total contingent consideration liability was included in non-current Contingent consideration in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, the contingent consideration liability totaled $17,444, of which $7,791 was included in current Contingent consideration in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, with the remaining $9,653 included in non-current Contingent consideration. The contingent consideration liability was recorded at an entity with an Australian dollar functional currency, such that related changes in the exchange rate do not impact net income.

Martin Currie (Holdings) Limited
On October 1, 2014, Legg Mason acquired all outstanding equity interests of Martin Currie (Holdings) Limited ("Martin Currie"), an international equity specialist based in the United Kingdom. The acquisition required an initial payment of $202,577 (using the foreign exchange rate as of October 1, 2014 for the £125,000 contract amount), which was funded from existing cash. In addition, a contingent consideration payment may be due March 31, 2018, following the third anniversary of closing, of up to approximately $439,331 (using the foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2017 for the maximum £325,000 contract amount), inclusive of the payment of certain potential pension and other obligations, and dependent on the achievement of certain financial metrics at March 31, 2018, as specified in the share purchase agreement. The agreement also provided for potential first and second anniversary contingent payments as of March 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, however no such payments were due based on relevant financial metrics.

The fair value of the amortizable intangible asset management contracts asset is being amortized over a period of 12 years. Goodwill is principally attributable to synergies expected to arise with Martin Currie. These acquired intangible assets and goodwill are not deductible for U.K. tax purposes.

Management estimated the fair values of the indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts, indefinite-life trade name, and amortizable intangible asset management contracts based upon discounted cash flow analyses, using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in these analyses at acquisition, including projected annual cash flows, projected AUM growth rates and discount rates, are summarized as follows:
Projected Cash Flow GrowthDiscount Rate
Indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts and indefinite-life trade nameUp to 25% (weighted-average: 11%)15.0%
Projected AUM Growth / (Attrition)Discount Rate
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts6% / (17)%15.0%

The fair value of the contingent consideration was measured using Monte Carlo simulation with various unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The simulation considered variables, including AUM growth, performance fee levels and relevant product performance. Projected AUM, performance fees and earn-out payments were discounted as appropriate. A summary of various assumption values follows:
AUM growth ratesWeighted-average: 14%
Performance fee growth ratesWeighted-average: 15%
Discount rates:
   Projected AUM13.0%
   Projected performance fees15.0%
   Earn-out payments1.3%
AUM volatility18.8%


Significant future increases (decreases) in projected AUM or performance fees would result in a significantly higher (lower) contingent consideration liability fair value.

The contingent consideration liability established at closing had an acquisition date fair value of $75,211 (using the foreign exchange rate as of October 1, 2014). Actual payments to be made may also include amounts for certain potential pension and other obligations that are accounted for separately. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability was $12,960, an increase of $942 from March 31, 2017, which was attributable to changes in the exchange rate, which is included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, as Foreign currency translation adjustment. The contingent consideration liability was included in current Contingent consideration in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, and recorded at an entity with a British pound functional currency, such that related changes in the exchange rate do not impact net income.

Martin Currie Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Martin Currie sponsors a retirement and death benefits plan, a defined benefit pension plan with assets held in a separate trustee-administered fund. Plan assets are measured at fair value and comprised of 65% equities (Level 1) and 35% bonds (Level 2) as of March 31, 2017. Assumptions used to determine the expected return on plan assets targets a 60% / 40% equity/bond allocation with reference to the 15-year FTSE U.K. Gilt yield for equities and U.K. long-dated bond yields for bonds. Plan liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method and discounted at a rate equivalent to the current rate on a high-quality bond in the local U.K. market and currency. There were no significant concentrations of risk in plan assets as of March 31, 2017. The most recent actuarial valuation was performed as of May 31, 2013, which was updated through the acquisition and at subsequent balance sheet dates through March 31, 2017. Accrual of service credit under the plan ceased on October 3, 2014. Legg Mason uses the corridor approach to account for this plan. Under the corridor approach, actuarial gains and losses on plan assets and liabilities are deferred and reported as Other comprehensive income (loss), unless when the actuarial gains and losses exceed 10% of the greater of the fair value of the plan assets or the plan benefit obligation, the excess is amortized as Compensation and benefits expense over the recovery period of 15 years. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, $123 and $363, respectively, of such previously unrecognized losses were expensed under the corridor approach.
The resulting net benefit obligation, comprised as follows, is included in the December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other non-current liabilities:
  December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017
Fair value of plan assets (at 5.4% expected weighted-average long-term return) $64,225
 $59,623
Benefit obligation (at 2.7% discount rate) (102,354) (97,137)
Unfunded status (excess of benefit obligation over plan assets) $(38,129) $(37,514)

For the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, a net periodic benefit cost of $25 and $28, respectively, and for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, a net periodic benefit cost of $76 and $66, respectively, was included in Compensation and benefits expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Net actuarial losses of $17,633 and $16,681 were included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

The contingent consideration payments may provide some funding of the net plan benefit obligation, through a provision of the share purchase agreement requiring certain amounts to be paid to the plan. Any contingent consideration payments to the plan are based on determination of the plan benefit obligation under local technical provisions utilized by the plan trustees.

In connection with a review by the Pensions Regulator in the U.K. ("the Regulator") of the pension plan's current structure and funding status, Martin Currie, the trustees of the pension and the Regulator have agreed to a revised plan structure, including the redomiciliation of the plan in the U.K., additional guarantees and, following the application of any contingent consideration payments toward the pension deficit, provisions for accelerated funding of a portion of any remaining benefit obligation in certain circumstances. Absent funding from contingent consideration payments, Martin Currie does not expect to contribute any additional amounts in fiscal 2018 to the plan in excess of the $1,919 contributed during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

The contingent consideration provisions of the share purchase agreement also require a designated percentage of the earn-out payments, net of any pension contribution, to be allocated to fund an incentive plan for Martin Currie's management. No payments to employees under the arrangement will be made until the end of the earn-out period. The estimated payment (adjusted quarterly) is being amortized over the earn-out term.

Other
In December 2015, Martin Currie acquired certain assets of PK Investment Management, LLP ("PK Investments"), a London based equity manager, for an initial cash payment of $4,981. In December 2017, Legg Mason paid all contingent consideration due of $3,242. The cash payments were funded with existing cash resources. The contingent consideration liability as of March 31, 2017 was $2,507. In connection with the acquisition, Legg Mason recognized indefinite-life intangible fund management contracts and goodwill of $6,619 and $827, respectively.

QS Investors Holdings, LLC
Effective May 31, 2014, Legg Mason acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of QS Investors, a customized solutions and global quantitative equities provider. The initial purchase price was a cash payment of $11,000, funded from existing cash. In August 2016, Legg Mason paid contingent consideration of $6,587 for the second anniversary payment. Additional contingent consideration of up to $20,000 for the fourth anniversary payment, and up to $3,400 for a potential catch-up adjustment for the second anniversary payment shortfall, may be due in July 2018, dependent on the achievement of certain net revenue targets.

The fair value of the amortizable intangible asset management contracts had a useful life of 10 years at acquisition. Purchase price allocated to goodwill is expected to be deductible for U.S. tax purposes over a period of 15 years. Goodwill is principally attributable to synergies expected to arise with QS Investors.

Management estimated the fair values of the amortizable intangible asset management contracts based upon a discounted cash flow analysis, and the contingent consideration expected to be paid and discounted, based upon probability-weighted revenue projections, using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in these analyses at acquisition including projected annual cash flows, revenues and discount rates, are summarized as follows:
  Projected Cash Flow Attrition, Net Discount Rate
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts (10.0)% 15.0%
     
  Projected Revenue Growth Rates Discount Rates
Contingent consideration 0% to 10% (weighted-average: 6%) 1.2% / 2.1%

As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability was $3,665, a decrease of $1,176 from March 31, 2017. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, a reduction in projected net revenue resulted in a $1,300 reduction in the estimated contingent consideration liability, recorded as a credit to Contingent consideration fair value adjustments in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The reduction was offset in part by an increase of $124 attributable to accretion. The contingent consideration liability was included in current Contingent consideration in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 and non-current Contingent consideration in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2017.

Financial Guard, LLC
On August 17, 2016, Legg Mason acquired 82% of the equity interests in Financial Guard, LLC ("Financial Guard"), an online registered investment advisor and technology-enabled wealth management and investment advice platform. The acquisition required an initial cash payment, which was funded with existing cash resources, and a potential contingent payment of up to $3,000 based on certain metrics within the first year after the acquisition. No contingent payment was due based on relevant metrics. In connection with the acquisition, Legg Mason recognized certain business assets and goodwill of $11,995. Legg Mason also committed to contribute up to $5,000 of additional working capital to Financial Guard, to be paid over the two-year period following the acquisition, of which $2,500 has been paid as of December 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, no contingent consideration liability was recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.


Precidian Investments, LLC
On January 22, 2016, Legg Mason acquired a minority equity position in Precidian Investments, LLC ("Precidian"), a firm specializing in creating innovative products and solutions and solving market structure issues, particularly with regard to the ETF marketplace.

The transaction required a cash payment, which was funded from existing cash resources. Under the terms of the transaction, Legg Mason acquired series B preferred units of Precidian that entitle Legg Mason to approximately 20% of the voting and economic interests of Precidian, along with customary preferred equity protections. At its sole option during the 48 months following the initial investment or, if earlier, within nine months of the SEC's approval of Precidian's application to operate its active shares product, Legg Mason may, subject to satisfaction of certain closing conditions and upon payment of further consideration, convert its preferred units to 75% of the common equity of Precidian on a fully diluted basis.

Legg Mason accounts for its investment in Precidian, which is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, under the equity method of accounting.

Other
In December 2017, Legg Mason completed two small acquisitions, which required initial cash payment of $700, which was funded from existing cash resources, and potential contingent consideration of up to $1,900.



4. Investments and Fair ValuesValue of Assets and Liabilities

The disclosures below include details of Legg Mason's financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value and NAV, excluding the financial assets and financial liabilities of CIVs. See Note 13,14, Variable Interest Entities and Consolidation of Investment Vehicles, for information related to the assets and liabilities of CIVs that are measured at fair value.

The fair values of financial assets and (liabilities) of the Company were determined using the following categories of inputs:
 As of December 31, 2017 As of September 30, 2018
 Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
 Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
 Investments measured at NAV Total Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
 Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
 Investments measured at NAV Total
Assets:                    
Cash equivalents:(1)
                    
Money market funds $289,214
 $
 $
 $
 $289,214
 $266,630
 $
 $
 $
 $266,630
Time deposits and other 
 12,317
 
 
 12,317
 
 9,842
 
 
 9,842
Total cash equivalents 289,214
 12,317
 
 
 301,531
 266,630

9,842
 
 
 276,472
Trading investments of proprietary fund products and other trading investments:(2)
          
Investments of proprietary fund products and other investments:(2)
          
Seed capital investments 120,329
 58,158
 
 3,593
 182,080
 127,448
 27,307
 1,394
 
 156,149
Other(3)
 26,717
 2,556
 
 
 29,273
 20,642
 2,049
 
 
 22,691
Trading investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans(4)
 187,473
 
 
 103
 187,576
Investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans(4)
 213,951
 
 
 
 213,951
Equity method investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans(5)
 
 
 1,431
 9,009
 10,440
 
 
 
 11,296
 11,296
Total current investments(6)
 334,519
 60,714
 1,431
 12,705
 409,369
 362,041

29,356
 1,394
 11,296
 404,087
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:(5)(7)
                    
Seed capital investments(6)
 
 
 891
 15,595
 16,486
 
 
 1,161
 13,162
 14,323
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 
 
 27,837
 
 27,837
 
 
 35,859
 
 35,859
Other 
 
 
 12,569
 12,569
 
 
 1,840
 10,796
 12,636
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:(7)
         

Seed capital investments 
 
 
 3,287
 3,287
Adjusted cost investments:(7)
          
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 
 
 9,367
 
 9,367
 
 
 6,458
 
 6,458
Other 
 102
 380
 
 482
 
 74
 4,448
 
 4,522
Derivative assets(7)(8)
 7,183
 
 
 
 7,183
 1,549
 
 
 
 1,549
Other investments(7)
 
 
 112
 
 112
Total $630,916
 $73,133
 $40,018
 $44,156
 $788,223
 $630,220

$39,272
 $51,160
 $35,254
 $755,906
Liabilities:                    
Contingent consideration liabilities(9)
 $
 $
 $(20,701) $
 $(20,701) $
 $
 $(1,900) $
 $(1,900)
Derivative liabilities(8)
 (2,288) 
 
 
 (2,288) (6,296) 
 
 
 (6,296)
Total $(2,288) $
 $(20,701) $
 $(22,989) $(6,296) $
 $(1,900) $
 $(8,196)

 As of March 31, 2017 As of March 31, 2018
 Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
 Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
 Investments measured at NAV Total Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
 Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
 Investments measured at NAV Total
Assets:                    
Cash equivalents:(1)
                    
Money market funds $403,585
 $
 $
 $
 $403,585
 $350,142
 $
 $
 $
 $350,142
Time deposits and other 
 35,835
 
 
 35,835
 
 13,863
 
 
 13,863
Total cash equivalents 403,585
 35,835
 
 
 439,420
 350,142
 13,863
 
 
 364,005
Trading investments of proprietary fund products and other trading investments:(2)
                    
Seed capital investments 141,025
 75,275
 
 4,373
 220,673
 131,715
 37,598
 1,242
 3,225
 173,780
Other(3)
 39,177
 2,724
 
 11
 41,912
 29,051
 2,565
 
 
 31,616
Trading investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans(4)
 150,576
 
 
 327
 150,903
 184,639
 
 
 99
 184,738
Equity method investments relating to proprietary fund products and long-term incentive compensation plans:(5)
         

 
 
 
 9,236
 9,236
Seed capital investments 
 2,502
 
 
 2,502
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 
 
 1,337
 6,292
 7,629
Total current investments(6)
 330,778

80,501
 1,337
 11,003
 423,619
 345,405

40,163
 1,242
 12,560
 399,370
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:(5)(7)
                    
Seed capital investments(6)
 
 
 752
 22,712
 23,464
 
 
 962
 14,360
 15,322
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 
 
 26,909
 
 26,909
 
 
 32,763
 
 32,763
Other 
 
 1,646
 15,617
 17,263
 
 
 
 11,915
 11,915
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:(7)
                    
Seed capital investments 
 
 
 3,440
 3,440
 
 
 
 2,549
 2,549
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 
 
 9,315
 
 9,315
 
 
 6,458
 
 6,458
Other 
 99
 1,825
 
 1,924
 
 78
 380
 
 458
Derivative assets(7)(8)
 2,718
 
 
 
 2,718
 4,904
 
 
 
 4,904
Other investments(7)
 
 
 113
 
 113
 
 
 113
 
 113
Total $737,081
 $116,435
 $41,897
 $52,772
 $948,185
 $700,451
 $54,104
 $41,918
 $41,384
 $837,857
Liabilities:                    
Contingent consideration liabilities(9)
 $
 $
 $(36,810) $
 $(36,810) $
 $
 $(5,607) $
 $(5,607)
Derivative liabilities(8)
 (4,522) 
 
 
 (4,522) (6,446) 
 
 
 (6,446)
Total $(4,522) $
 $(36,810) $
 $(41,332) $(6,446) $
 $(5,607) $
 $(12,053)
(1)Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash investments in actively traded money market funds are classified as Level 1.  Cash investments in time deposits and other are measured at amortized cost, which approximates fair value because of the short time between purchase of the instrument and its expected realization and are classified as Level 2.
(2)
TradingCurrent investments of proprietary fund products and other trading investments consist of approximately 77%86% and 23%14% equity and debt securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, and approximately 79%81% and 21%19% equity and debt securities, respectively, as of March 31, 2017.2018.
(3)
Includes $13,696$9,035 and $26,854$15,452 in noncontrolling interests associated with consolidated seed investment products as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively.
(4)Primarily mutual funds where there is minimal market risk to the Company as any change in value is primarily offset by an adjustment to compensation expense and related deferred compensation liability.
(5)Certain of Legg Mason's equity method investments are investment companies that record underlying investments at fair value. Therefore, the fair value of these investments is measured using Legg Mason's share of the investee's underlying net income or loss, which is predominately representative of fair value adjustments in the investments held by the equity method investee. Other equity method investments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis of $28,036 and $27,660 as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively, are excluded from the tables above.
(6)
Excludes $41,548$43,820 and $28,300$43,854 of seed capital as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively, which is related to Legg Mason's investments in CIVs. See Note 13.14.
(7)Amounts are included in Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for each of the periods presented.
(8)See Note 12.13.
(9)See Notes 3 and 9.Note 7.


Proprietary fund products include seed capital investments made by Legg Mason to fund new investment strategies and products. Legg Mason had seed capital investments in proprietary fund products, which totaled $271,238$250,151 and $305,288,$268,268 as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively, which are substantially comprised of investments in 5855 funds and 5759 funds, respectively, that are individually greater than $1,000, and together comprise over 90% of the total seed capital investments at each period end.

As further discussed in Notes 2, 12,13, and 13, during the nine months ended December 31, 2017,14, Legg Mason has entered into various total return swap arrangements with financial intermediaries with respect to twocertain Legg Mason sponsored ETFs for initial aggregate notional amounts totaling $48,639$22,130 as of September 30, 2018, which resulted in the investment in the two ETFsrespective ETF by these financial intermediaries. Under the terms of the total return swap arrangements, Legg Mason receives all of the related investment gains and losses on the underlying investments and therefore ismay be required to consolidate each of the sponsored investment funds which werewith significant open total return swap arrangements. These consolidated ETFs are designated as CIVs.

See Notes 2 and 1314 for information regarding the determination of whether investments in proprietary fund products represent VIEs and consolidation.
The net realized and unrealized gaingains for investment securities classified as trading was $9,382,$9,126 and $1,617$12,633 for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $32,184,$9,573 and $26,969$22,802 for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.
The net unrealized gains (losses) relating to trading investments still held as of the reporting dates were $5,975$4,305 and $(165)$8,072 for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $16,115$(12,572) and $16,991$10,140 for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The changes in financial assets and (liabilities) measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, are presented in the tables below:
 Balance as of September 30, 2017 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of December 31, 2017 
Balance as of June 30,
 2018
 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of September 30, 2018
Assets:                            
Equity method investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans $1,393
 $11
 $
 $(11) $
 $38
 $1,431
Investments of seed capital investments in proprietary fund products $1,390
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $4
 $1,394
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:                            
Seed capital investments 851
 
 
 
 
 40
 891
 1,052
 
 
 
 
 109 1,161
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 27,382
 868
 
 (1,139) 
 726
 27,837
 32,930
 3,920
 
 (2,172) 
 1,181
 35,859
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:             

Other 1,150
 500
 
 
 
 190
 1,840
Adjusted cost investments:              
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 9,367
 
 
 
 
 
 9,367
 6,458
 
 
 
 
 
 6,458
Other proprietary fund products 485
 
 
 (105) 
 
 380
Other investments 114
 
 
 
 
 (2) 112
Other 4,492
 
 
 
 
 (44) 4,448
 $39,592
 $879
 $
 $(1,255) $
 $802
 $40,018
 $47,472
 4,420
 
 (2,172) 
 1,440
 $51,160
Liabilities:                            
Contingent consideration liabilities $(21,162) $(1,900) n/a
 $3,242
 n/a
 $(881) $(20,701) $(6,074) n/a
 n/a
 $4,319
 n/a
 $(145) $(1,900)



  
Balance as of June 30,
 2017
 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of September 30, 2017
Assets:              
Equity method investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans $1,349
 $11
 $
 $(11) $
 $44
 $1,393
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:              
Seed capital investments 813
 
 
 
 
 38
 851
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 27,182
 1,756
 
 (2,131) 
 575
 27,382
Other 1,646
 
 
 (1,646) 
 
 
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:              
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 9,367
 
 
 
 
 
 9,367
Other 1,818
 
 
 (1,398) 
 65
 485
Other investments 112
 
 
 
 
 2
 114
  $42,287
 $1,767
 $
 $(5,186) $
 $724
 $39,592
Liabilities:              
Contingent consideration liabilities $(20,697) n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 $(465) $(21,162)


  Balance as of March 31, 2018 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of September 30, 2018
Assets:              
Investments of seed capital investments in proprietary fund products $1,242
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $152
 $1,394
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:              
Seed capital investments 962
 
 
 
 
 199 1,161
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 32,763
 3,967
 
 (2,400) 
 1,529
 35,859
Other 
 1,650
 
 
 
 190
 1,840
Adjusted cost investments:             

Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 6,458
 
 
 
 
 
 6,458
Other 493
 4,000
 
 (2) 
 (43) 4,448
  $41,918
 9,617
 
 (2,402) 
 2,027
 $51,160
Liabilities:              
Contingent consideration liabilities $(5,607) n/a
 n/a
 $4,319
 n/a
 $(612) $(1,900)
n/a - not applicable


 Balance as of September 30, 2016 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of December 31, 2016 Balance as of March 31, 2017 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of September 30, 2017
Assets:                            
Equity method investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans $2,653
 $20
 $
 $(20) $
 $48
 $2,701
 $1,337
 $22
 $
 $(22) $
 $56
 $1,393
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

   

Seed capital investments 552
 
 
 
 
 39
 591
 752
 
 
 
 
 99
 851
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 25,722
 667
 
 (197) 
 487
 26,679
 26,909
 2,195
 
 (2,750) 
 1,028
 27,382
Other 1,646
 
 
 (1,646) 
 
 
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:                            
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 7,501
 314
 
 
 
 
 7,815
 9,315
 52
 
 
 
 
 9,367
Other proprietary fund products 3,827
 
 
 (2,000) 
 541
 2,368
Other 1,825
 
 
 (1,405) 
 65
 485
Other investments 245
 
 
 
 
 (83) 162
 113
 
 
 
 
 1
 114
 $40,500
 $1,001
 $
 $(2,217) $
 $1,032
 $40,316
 $41,897
 $2,269
 $
 $(5,823) $
 $1,249
 $39,592
Liabilities:                            
Contingent consideration liabilities $(52,053) $
 n/a
 $
 n/a
 $16,569
 $(35,484) $(36,810) n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 $15,648
 $(21,162)
n/a - not applicable


  Balance as of March 31, 2017 Purchases Sales Redemptions/ Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net 
Balance as of December 31,
 2017
Assets:              
Equity method investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans $1,337
 $33
 $
 $(33) $
 $94
 $1,431
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:              
Seed capital investments 752
 
 
 
 
 139
 891
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 26,909
 3,063
 
 (3,889) 
 1,754
 27,837
Other proprietary fund products 1,646
 
 
 (1,646) 
 
 
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:             

Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 9,315
 52
 
 
 
 
 9,367
Other proprietary fund products 1,825
 
 
 (1,510) 
 65
 380
Other investments 113
 
 
 
 
 (1) 112
  $41,897

$3,148

$

$(7,078)
$

$2,051
 $40,018
Liabilities:              
Contingent consideration liabilities $(36,810) $(1,900) n/a
 $3,242
 n/a
 $14,767
 $(20,701)
n/a - not applicable


  Balance as of March 31, 2016 Purchases Sales Redemptions/Settlements/ Other Transfers Realized and unrealized gains/(losses), net Balance as of December 31,
2016
Assets:              
Trading investments of seed capital investments in proprietary fund products $3
 $
 $
 $(3) $
 $
 $
Equity method investments relating to long-term incentive compensation plans 
 2,979
 
 (448) 
 170
 2,701
Equity method investments in partnerships and LLCs:             

Seed capital investments 627
 
 
 
 
 (36) 591
Seed capital investments in real estate funds 
 25,966
 
 (636) 
 1,349
 26,679
Investments in partnerships and LLCs:              
Investments related to long-term incentive compensation plans 7,501
 314
 
 
 
 
 7,815
Other proprietary fund products 4,807
 
 
 (3,000) 
 561
 2,368
Other investments 83
 
 
 
 
 79
 162
  $13,021
 $29,259
 $
 $(4,087) $
 $2,123
 $40,316
Liabilities:              
Contingent consideration liabilities $(84,585) $(2,000) n/a
 $6,587
 n/a
 $44,514
 $(35,484)
n/a - not applicable

Realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded for Level 3 investments are primarily included in Other non-operating income (expense), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The change in unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 investments and liabilities still held at the reporting date was $(79)$1,944 and $15,448$259 for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $16,818,$2,061 and $44,636$16,897 for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.

There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and nineor six months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016.2017.


As a practical expedient, Legg Mason relies on the NAV of certain investments as their fair value.  The NAVs that have been provided by the investees have been derived from the fair values of the underlying investments as of the respective reporting dates.  The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, the nature of these investments and any related liquidation restrictions or other factors which may impact the ultimate value realized:
 Fair Value Determined Using NAV As of December 31, 2017 Fair Value Determined Using NAV As of September 30, 2018
Category of Investment Investment Strategy December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 Unfunded Commitments Remaining Term Investment Strategy September 30, 2018 
March 31,
 2018
 Unfunded Commitments Remaining Term
Funds-of-hedge funds Global macro, fixed income, long/short equity, natural resources, systematic, emerging market, European hedge $11,024
(1)$18,537
 n/a
 n/a Global macro, fixed income, long/short equity, natural resources, systematic, emerging market, European hedge $10,066
(1)$11,122
 n/a
 n/a
Hedge funds Fixed income - developed market, event driven, fixed income - hedge, relative value arbitrage, European hedge 9,760
 10,107
 $20,000
 n/a Fixed income - developed market, event driven, fixed income - hedge, relative value arbitrage, European hedge 1,088
 6,479
 $20,000
 n/a
Private equity funds Long/short equity 14,231
(2)17,612
 6,589
 Up to 11 years Long/short equity 12,644
(2)14,377
 
 Up to 11 years
Equity method Long/short fixed income 9,009
 6,292
 n/a
 n/a Alternatives, structured securities, short-dated fixed income 11,296
(2)9,236
 n/a
 n/a
Other Various 132
 224
 n/a
 
Various (3)
 Various 160
 170
 n/a
 
Various (3)
Total   $44,156
 $52,772
 $26,589
     $35,254
 $41,384
 $20,000
  
n/a - not applicable
(1)Liquidation restrictions: 1% daily redemption, 20%22% monthly redemption, 11%2% quarterly redemption, and 68%76% are not subject to redemption or are not currently redeemable.
(2)Liquidations are expected over the remaining term.
(3)Of this balance, 34%27% has a remaining term of less than one year and 66%73% has a remaining term of 14 years.

There are no current plans to sell any of these investments held as of December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018.

5.4. Fixed Assets

Fixed assets primarily consist of equipment, software and leasehold improvements. Equipment consists primarily of communications and technology hardware and furniture and fixtures. Capitalized software includes both purchased software and internally developed software. Fixed assets are reported at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The following table reflects the components of fixed assets as of:
 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
Equipment $166,852
 $159,102
 $153,717
 $172,308
Software 319,249
 304,943
 266,412
 323,088
Leasehold improvements 207,704
 204,551
 225,655
 209,810
Total cost 693,805
 668,596
 645,784
 705,206
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (544,946) (508,934) (491,878) (556,800)
Fixed assets, net $148,859
 $159,662
 $153,906
 $148,406

Depreciation and amortization expense related to fixed assets was $11,846$12,493 and $13,021$12,079 for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $36,059$23,860 and $41,388$24,213 for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. The expense includes accelerated depreciation and amortization of $2,688 for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily related to space vacated in connection with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust.



6.5. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The following table reflects the components of intangible assets as of:
 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
Amortizable intangible asset management contracts and other  
  
  
  
Cost $376,872
 $408,025
 $373,774
 $376,996
Accumulated amortization (211,944) (194,371) (228,501) (218,076)
Net 164,928
 213,654
 145,273
 158,920
Indefinite–life intangible assets 

 

 

  
U.S. domestic mutual fund management contracts 2,106,351
 2,106,351
 2,106,351
 2,106,351
Clarion Partners fund management contracts 505,200
 505,200
 505,200
 505,200
EnTrustPermal fund management contracts 401,404
 596,404
 401,404
 401,404
Other fund management contracts 554,700
 542,908
 540,415
 557,305
Trade names 68,302
 69,863
 67,864
 68,479
 3,635,957
 3,820,726
 3,621,234
 3,638,739
Intangible assets, net $3,800,885
 $4,034,380
 $3,766,507
 $3,797,659

Certain of Legg Mason's intangible assets are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and balances related to these assets will fluctuate with changes in the related foreign currency exchange rates.

Indefinite-life Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Legg Mason completed its annual impairment testing process of goodwill andAs further discussed below, certain indefinite-life intangible assets as ofhad little to no excess fair value over the related carrying value noted in the December 31, 2017 and determined that the carrying value of the EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund management contracts intangible asset exceeded its fair value, which resultedimpairment test. As a result, deviations from projections or changes in market conditions may result in an impairment of $195,000. Thesuch assets.
In Legg Mason's annual impairment charge was primarily the result of net client outflows from legacy high net worth fund products, including transfers of client funds from such products into EnTrustPermal separate accounts, and the related decline in revenues. Management estimated the fair value of this asset based upon a discounted cash flow analysis using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis included projected revenue growth rates and discount rates. Base revenues related to the EnTrustPermal fund contracts were assumed to have annual growth (contraction) rates ranging from (13)% to 6% (average: 5%), and the projected cash flows from the EnTrustPermal fund contracts were discounted at 15%.

Projected revenue growth rates for this asset are most dependent on client AUM flows, market conditions, and product investment performance. Discount rates are also influenced by market conditions,test as well as interest rates and other factors. Decreases in the projected revenue growth rates and/or increases in the discount rate could result in lower fair value measurements and potential additional impairments in the EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund management contracts intangible asset, which could be significant.

There were no other impairments to indefinite-life intangible assets or goodwill as of December 31, 2017.

As a result of uncertainty regarding future market conditions and economic results, assessing the fair value of the reporting unit and intangible assets requires significant judgment.

As of December 31, 2017, the assessed fair value of the EnTrustPermal trade name indefinite-life fund management contracts intangible asset exceeded thedeclined below its carrying value, of $28,500 by 1%.and accordingly was impaired during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. Should market performance and/or AUM levels of EnTrustPermal decrease in the near term such that cash flow projections deviate from current projections, it is reasonably possible that this assetthe assets could become impaired, and the impairment could be a material amount.

As of December 31, 2017, the assessed fair value of the RARE Infrastructure indefinite-life fund management contracts intangible asset exceeded the carrying value of $132,780 (using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2017) by approximately 3% and the assessed fair value of the RARE Infrastructure trade name indefinite-life intangible asset exceeded the carrying value of $3,054 (using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2017) by approximately 19%. Should market performance and/or the related AUM levels decrease in the near term such that cash flow projections deviate from current projections, it is reasonably possible that either of these assets could become impaired, and the impairment could be a material amount.

As of December 31, 2017, the assessed fair value of the indefinite-life domestic mutual funds contracts asset related to the Citigroup Asset Management acquisition exceeds the carrying value by a material amount.Legg Mason determined that no triggering events occurred through September 30, 2018 that would require further impairment testing.

As a result of AUM losses and other factors during the three months ended June 30, 2017, Legg Mason tested the RARE Infrastructure indefinite-life fund management contracts intangible asset and trade name indefinite-life intangible asset for impairment during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The assessed fair value of the RARE Infrastructure indefinite-life fund management contracts intangible asset exceeded the carrying value as of June 30, 2017 by 7% and therefore was not impaired. The carrying value of the trade name exceeded its fair value of $3,054,$3,057 as of June 30, 2017, which resulted in an impairment charge of $2,000. Management estimated the fair value of the RARE Infrastructure trade name as of June 30, 2017 based upon a relief from royalty approach and a discounted cash flow method using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis included projected annual revenue growth rates of 5% to 18% (average: 8%), a royalty rate of 1.0%, and a discount rate of 16.5%.

Projected revenue and AUM growth rates are most dependent on client AUM flows, market conditions, and product investment performance. Discount rates are also influenced by market conditions, as well as interest rates and other factors. Decreases in projected revenue or AUM growth rates and/or increases in the discount rate could result in lower fair value measurements and potential additional impairments in the RARE Infrastructure trade name intangible asset.

Legg Mason's annual impairment testing process in the prior fiscal year determined that the carrying value of the Permal trade name indefinite-life asset exceeded its fair value of $21,100, which resulted in an impairment charge of $17,000. The impairment charge was primarily the result of a decrease in revenues and a reduction in the royalty rate, reflecting a decline in the value of the Permal trade name due to a change in branding and decline in the use of the separate Permal name following the combination with EnTrust. Management estimated the fair value of the Permal trade name based upon a discounted cash flow analysis using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis included projected annual revenue growth rates of 3% to 9% (average: 7%), a royalty rate of 1.5% and a discount rate of 16.0%.

The change in the carrying value of goodwill is summarized below:
 Gross Book Value Accumulated Impairment Net Book Value Gross Book Value Accumulated Impairment Net Book Value
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $3,086,789
 $(1,161,900) $1,924,889
Balance as of March 31, 2018 $3,094,255
 $(1,161,900) $1,932,355
Impact of excess tax basis amortization (15,610) 
 (15,610) (5,509) 
 (5,509)
Changes in foreign exchange rates and other 16,371
 
 16,371
 (35,540) 
 (35,540)
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $3,087,550
 $(1,161,900) $1,925,650
Balance as of September 30, 2018 $3,053,206
 $(1,161,900) $1,891,306

Legg Mason historically performed its annual goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets impairment tests as of December 31 each year, including as of December 31, 2017. During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, Legg Mason voluntarily changed the date of its annual impairment test from December 31 to October 31in order to better align the impairment testing process with existing long-term planning processes and earnings release timing. Legg Mason does not believe the change in accounting principle related to the annual impairment testing date will delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge relative to the test date. Legg Mason has determined that this change in accounting principle is preferable under the circumstances. Since Legg Mason has tested for impairment within the past 12 months, it has been determined that it is appropriate to prospectively apply the change in the current annual goodwill and indefinite-life intangible asset impairment testing.

Amortizable Intangible Asset Management Contracts and Other
There were no impairments to amortizable asset management contract intangible assets during the six months ended September 30, 2018.
As of September 30, 2018, amortizable intangible asset management contracts and other are being amortized over a weighted-average remaining life of 6.5 years.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
Remaining fiscal 2019 $12,193
2020 24,233
2021 23,195
2022 22,846
2023 20,182
Thereafter 42,624
Total $145,273

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, projected revenues related to the RARE Infrastructure separate account contacts amortizable asset declined due to losses of separate account AUM and other factors, including the withdrawal of approximately $1,500,000 by an institutional client in June 2017. Based on revised attrition estimates, the remaining useful life of the acquired contracts was decreased from eight years to five years at June 30, 2017. As a result of the decline in projected revenues and the revised estimate of the remaining useful life, the amortized carrying value was determined to exceed its fair value and an impairment charge of $32,000 was recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2017. Management estimated the $11,180 fair value of this asset as of June 30, 2017, based upon a discounted cash flow analysis using unobservable market inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis included projected AUM growth rates of 7%, attrition rates of 20%20%, and a discount rate of 16.5%.

Projected revenue, AUM growth rates and client attrition are most dependent on client AUM flows, market conditions, and product investment performance. Discount rates are also influenced by market conditions, as well as interest rates and other factors. Decreases in projected revenue or AUM growth rates and/or increases in the discount rate could result in lower fair value measurements and potential additional impairments in the RARE Infrastructure separate account contracts amortizable asset.


There were no other impairments to amortizable management contract intangible assets during the nine months ended December 31, 2017.
As of December 31, 2017, the cumulative undiscounted cash flows related to the EnTrust separate account contracts amortizable asset exceeded the amortized carrying value of $51,854 by 4%. Should cash flow projections deviate from current projections due to client attrition and the related reduction in revenues and/or market performance, it is reasonably possible that this asset could be deemed to be impaired by a material amount.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2016, revenues related to the RARE Infrastructure separate account contracts asset declined. Based on revised attrition estimates, the remaining useful life of the acquired contracts was decreased from 11 years to eight years at December 31, 2016. As a result of the client attrition, the related decline in revenues, and the revised estimate of the remaining useful life, the amortized carrying value of the management contracts asset was determined to exceed its fair value and an impairment charge of $18,000 was recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2016. Management estimated the fair value of this asset based upon a discounted cash flow analysis using unobservable market data inputs, which are Level 3 measurements. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis included projected AUM growth/(attrition) rates of 7%/(13)% and a discount rate of 15.5%.

As of December 31, 2017, amortizable intangible asset management contracts and other are being amortized over a weighted-average remaining life of 7.2 years.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
Remaining fiscal 2018 $6,252
2019 25,008
2020 24,230
2021 24,126
2022 23,889
Thereafter 61,423
Total $164,928

7.6. Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

Short-term borrowings
On December 29, 2015, Legg Mason entered into an unsecured credit agreement (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") which provided for a $1,000,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement was amended on March 31, 2017 to reduce the amount available for borrowing under thefrom $1,000,000 to $500,000. The revolving credit facility to $500,000. On June 2, 2017, the Credit Agreement was further amended to include Legg Mason, Inc. (the parent entity) among the entities permitted to incur liens to secure obligations, including those related to cash collateral provisions for hedging agreements, inmay be increased by an aggregate amount notof up to exceed $200,000$500,000, subject to the approval of the lenders, expires in December 2020, and can be repaid at any one time. PriorThis revolving credit facility is available to this amendment, only certain subsidiaries offund working capital needs and for general corporate purposes.

In September 2018, Legg Mason were permitted to incur such liens andrepaid the cash collateral provided by Legg Mason, Inc. (the parent entity) in connection with certainentire $125,500 of its hedging agreements was considered a lien on assets for purposes of the lien covenant. As a result, Legg Mason was not in compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement at all times. The amendment provides for a waiver of any defaults under the Credit Agreement that may have arisen prior to the date of the amendment resulting from the provision of such cash collateral.

As further discussed in Note 10, on December 22, 2017, Legg Mason borrowed $225,500 under the Credit Agreement, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2017, to purchase 5,568 shares of Legg Mason common stock from Shanda Asset Management Investment Limited ("Shanda"). As of December 31, 2017, the effective interest rate on these borrowings was 2.8%. Legg Mason had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit AgreementAgreement. As of September 30, 2018, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2018, Legg Mason had $125,500 of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The effective interest rate on the outstanding borrowings was 2.95% as of March 31, 2017.

Interest Rate Swap - Credit Agreement
On April 29, 2016, Legg Mason entered into a forward starting, amortizing interest rate swap agreement with a financial intermediary, which was designated as a cash flow hedge. The interest rate swap was used to convert then outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement from floating rate to fixed rate debt. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, Legg Mason paid a fixed interest rate of 2.3% on a notional amount of $500,000. The swap had a 4.67-year

term, with scheduled reductions in notional amount and was to expire on December 29, 2020. In August 2016, in connection with the repayment of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, the interest rate swap was terminated for a cash payment of $3,662. As a result, Legg Mason reclassified a loss of $2,249 (net of deferred income taxes of $1,413), representing the fair value of the cash flow hedge, from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, to Other non-operating income (expense), net.

Prior to its termination in August 2016, the swap settled monthly and during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, $764 was reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, to Interest expense. Until the swap was terminated, the original terms and conditions of the hedged instruments were unchanged and the swap was an effective cash flow hedge.2018.

Long-term debt
Long-term debt, net, consists of the following:
 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
 Carrying Value Fair Value Hedge Adjustment Unamortized Discount (Premium) Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs Maturity Amount Carrying Value Carrying Value Fair Value Hedge Adjustment Unamortized Discount (Premium) Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs Maturity Amount Carrying Value
2.7% Senior Notes due
July 2019
 $251,975
 $(2,706) $168
 $563
 $250,000
 $252,980
 $250,971
 $(1,353) $86
 $296
 $250,000
 $251,641
3.95% Senior Notes due
July 2024
 248,443
 
 298
 1,259
 250,000
 248,265
 248,620
 
 264
 1,116
 250,000
 248,502
4.75% Senior Notes due March 2026 447,078
 
 
 2,922
 450,000
 446,812
 447,343
 
 
 2,657
 450,000
 447,166
5.625% Senior Notes due January 2044 547,920
 
 (3,182) 5,262
 550,000
 547,861
 547,980
 
 (3,091) 5,111
 550,000
 547,940
6.375% Junior Notes due March 2056 242,207
 
 
 7,793
 250,000
 242,054
 242,360
 
 
 7,640
 250,000
 242,258
5.45% Junior Notes due September 2056 484,201
 
 
 15,799
 500,000
 483,895
 484,507
 
 
 15,493
 500,000
 484,303
Subtotal 2,221,781
 (1,353) (2,741) 32,313
 2,250,000
 2,221,810
Less: Current portion (250,971) 1,353
 (86) (296) (250,000) 
Total $2,221,824
 $(2,706) $(2,716) $33,598
 $2,250,000
 $2,221,867
 $1,970,810
 $
 $(2,827) $32,017
 $2,000,000
 $2,221,810

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, $250,000 of Legg Mason's long-term debt matures in fiscal 2020, and $2,000,000 matures after fiscal 2022.2023.

At December 31, 2017,As of September 30, 2018, the estimated fair value of Long-termlong-term debt was approximately $2,384,090.$2,256,295. The fair value of debt was estimated using publicly quoted market prices and was classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Interest Rate Swap - 2.7% Senior Notes due July 2019
On June 23, 2014, Legg Mason entered into an interest rate swap contract with a financial intermediary with a notional amount of $250,000, which was designated as a fair value hedge. The interest rate swap was used to effectively convert the 2.7% Senior Notes due July 2019 from fixed rate debt to floating rate debt and had identical terms as the underlying debt being hedged. The related hedging gains and losses offset one another and resulted in no net income or loss impact. The swap had a five-year term, and was scheduled to mature on July 15, 2019. On April 21, 2016, the fair value hedge swap was terminated for a cash receipt of $6,500, and the related fair value hedge adjustment is being amortized as Interest expense over the remaining life of the debt. During each of the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $451 was amortized and recorded as Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, and during each of the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $1,353 was amortized and recorded as Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Until the swap was terminated on April 21, 2016, the original terms and conditions of the hedged instruments were unchanged and the swap was an effective fair value hedge.


8.  Stock-Based Compensation

See Note 2 regarding updated stock-based compensation accounting guidance effective April 1, 2017.

Legg Mason's stock-based compensation includes stock options, an employee stock purchase plan, market-based performance shares payable in common stock, restricted stock awards and units, affiliate management equity plans and deferred compensation payable in stock. Effective August 1, 2017, Legg Mason's stockholders approved a new equity incentive plan, under which a total of 6,500 shares, plus shares remaining under the prior plan, are available for issuance. Shares available for issuance under the equity incentive stock plan as of December 31, 2017, were 8,269. Options under Legg Mason’s employee stock plans have been granted at prices not less than 100% of the fair market value. Options are generally exercisable in equal increments over four or five years and expire within eight to 10 years from the date of grant.

As further discussed below, the components of Legg Mason's total stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
  Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Stock options $1,656
 $2,084
 $5,801
 $6,368
Restricted stock and restricted stock units 11,853
 12,509
 41,941
 39,823
Employee stock purchase plan 109
 110
 502
 527
Affiliate management equity plans 776
 818
 2,328
 21,134
Non-employee director awards 200
 
 1,275
 1,150
Performance share units 870
 1,032
 3,134
 2,901
Employee stock trust 7
 6
 21
 19
Total stock-based compensation expense $15,471
 $16,559
 $55,002
 $71,922

Stock Options
Stock option transactions under Legg Mason's equity incentive plans during the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, are summarized below:
  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
  Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Options outstanding at March 31 4,593
 $38.15
 4,506
 $38.48
Granted 421
 37.64
 753
 31.31
Exercised (378) 29.45
 (128) 27.80
Canceled/forfeited (102) 47.07
 (333) 36.62
Options outstanding at December 31 4,534
 $38.63
 4,798
 $37.77

At December 31, 2017, options were exercisable for 2,977 shares with a weighted-average exercise price of $37.43 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.8 years. Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested options for 1,557 shares at December 31, 2017, was $9,064, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

The weighted-average fair value of service-based stock options granted during the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was $8.33 and $7.78, per share, respectively.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the model for grants in the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
Expected dividend yield 1.70% 1.45%
Risk-free interest rate 1.89% 1.25%
Expected volatility 26.79% 30.95%
Expected life (in years) 5.09
 5.02

Legg Mason uses an equally weighted combination of both implied and historical volatility to measure expected volatility for calculating Black-Scholes option values.

Restricted Stock
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit transactions during the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, are summarized below:
  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
  Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Value Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Value
Unvested shares at March 31 3,321
 $38.92
 3,058
 $43.34
Granted 1,459
 37.67
 1,656
 31.26
Vested (1,361) 39.75
 (1,225) 39.18
Canceled/forfeited (66) 38.19
 (103) 43.30
Unvested shares at December 31 3,353
 $38.05
 3,386
 $38.91

Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards at December 31, 2017, of $84,738 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Affiliate Management Equity Plans
In connection with the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016, as further discussed in Note 3, Legg Mason implemented a management equity plan for the management team of Clarion Partners that entitles certain of its key employees to participate in 15% of the future growth, if any, of the Clarion Partners enterprise value (subject to appropriate discounts) subsequent to the date of the grant. The initial grant under the plan vested immediately and the related grant-date fair value of $15,200, determined by independent valuation, was recognized as Compensation and benefits expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income and reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Redeemable noncontrolling interest during the three months ended June 30, 2016. As of December 31, 2017, the estimated aggregate redemption amount of units under the plan, as if they were currently redeemable, was $16,200.
Effective March 1, 2016, Legg Mason executed agreements with the management of its existing wholly-owned subsidiary, Royce, regarding employment arrangements with Royce management, revised revenue sharing, and the implementation of a management equity plan for Royce's key employees. Under the management equity plan, minority equity interests equivalent to a 19% interest in the Royce entity have been issued to its management team. These interests allow the holders to receive quarterly distributions of a portion of Royce's pre-tax income in amounts equal to the percentage of ownership represented by the equity they hold, subject to payment of Legg Mason's revenue share and reasonable expenses. As of December 31, 2017, the estimated aggregate redemption amount of units under the plan, as if they were currently redeemable, was $27,661.

On March 31, 2014, Legg Mason implemented a management equity plan and granted units to key employees of its subsidiary ClearBridge Investments, LLC ("ClearBridge") that entitle them to participate in 15% of the future growth, if any, of the ClearBridge enterprise value (subject to appropriate discounts) subsequent to the grant date. Independent valuation

determined the aggregate cost of the award to be approximately $16,000, which will be recognized as Compensation and benefits expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the related vesting periods through March 2019. Total compensation expense related to the ClearBridge affiliate management equity plan was $776 and $818 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $2,328 and $2,453 for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This arrangement provides that one-half of the cost will be absorbed by the ClearBridge incentive pool. As of December 31, 2017, the estimated aggregate redemption amount of vested units under the ClearBridge plan, as if they were currently redeemable, was approximately $25,800.

On June 28, 2013, Legg Mason implemented a management equity plan with key employees of Permal. Independent valuation determined the aggregate cost of the awards to be approximately $9,000, which was being recognized as Compensation and benefits expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the related vesting period through December 2017. In April 2016, in conjunction with the Permal restructuring in preparation for the combination with EnTrust, the Permal management equity plan was liquidated with a payment of $7,150 to its participants, and the remaining $3,481 unamortized cost was expensed during the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Other
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, non-employee directors held 80 and 66 restricted stock units, respectively, which vest on the grant date and are, therefore, not included in the unvested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units in the table above.

As discussed in Note 3, upon the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016, Legg Mason granted certain key employees of Clarion Partners a total of 716 performance-based Legg Mason restricted share units, which are not included in the unvested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units in the table above, with an aggregate fair value of $11,121, which was included in the purchase price, that vest upon Clarion Partners achieving a certain level of EBITDA, as defined in the purchase agreement, within a designated period after the closing of the acquisition.

In May 2017 and 2016, Legg Mason granted certain executive officers a total of 111 and 182 performance share units, respectively, as part of their fiscal 2017 and 2016 incentive awards with an aggregate value of $3,503 and $3,528, respectively. The vesting of performance share units granted in May 2017 and 2016, and the number of shares payable at vesting are determined based on Legg Mason’s relative total stockholder return over a three-year period ending March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The grant date fair value per unit for the May 2017 and 2016 performance share units of $31.42 and $19.36, respectively, was estimated as of the grant date using a Monte Carlo pricing model with the following assumptions:
  2017 2016
Expected dividend yield 2.96% 2.87%
Risk-free interest rate 1.47% 0.89%
Expected volatility 27.73% 26.01%



9.7. Commitments and Contingencies

Legg Mason leases office facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases and also has multi-year agreements for certain services. These leases and service agreements expire on varying dates through fiscal 2029.2039. Certain leases provide for renewal options and contain escalation clauses providing for increased rentals based upon maintenance, utility and tax increases.

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the minimum annual aggregate rentals under operating leases and service agreements are as follows:
Remaining fiscal 2018 $36,705
2019 124,230
Remaining fiscal 2019 $77,403
2020 108,279
 126,688
2021 95,599
 108,892
2022 92,269
 96,826
2023 87,375
Thereafter 199,086
 120,406
Total(1)
 $656,168
 $617,590
(1) Includes $572,801$519,273 in real estate and equipment leases and $83,367$98,317 in service and maintenance agreements.
 
The minimum rental commitments shown above have not been reduced by $116,377$106,663 for minimum sublease rentals to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases, of which approximately 35% is due from one counterparty.  The lease reserve liability, which is included in the table below, for space subleased as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, was $25,877$24,663 and $28,821,$24,188, respectively. If a sub-tenant defaults on a sublease, Legg Mason may incur operating charges to adjust the existing lease reserve liability to reflect expected future sublease rentals at reduced amounts, dependent on the commercial real estate market at such time.

The minimum rental commitments shown above also include $7,167$6,004 for commitments related to space that has been vacated, but for which subleases are being pursued. The related lease reserve liability, also included in the table below, was $4,876$3,342 and $10,867$5,061 as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively, and remains subject to adjustment based on circumstances in the real estate markets that may require a change in assumptions or the actual terms of a sublease that is ultimately secured. The lease reserve liability takes into consideration various assumptions, including the expected amount of time it will take to secure a sublease agreement and prevailing rental rates in the applicable real estate markets.

During fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017, certain office space was permanently vacated in connection with the combination of EnTrust and Permal. During fiscal 2017, the lease related to a portion of this space was terminated, resulting in reductions in the lease reserve liability totaling $4,495. Also during fiscal 2017, a sublease was executed for headquarters space that had been vacated during fiscal 2016, resulting in a $2,700 reduction in the lease reserve liability for terms more favorable than estimated. This activity is reflected in the lease reserve liability in the table below.

The lease reserve liability for subleased space and vacated space for which subleases are being pursued is included in Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The table below presents a summary of the changes in the lease reserve liability:
Balance as of March 31, 2016 $52,240
Accrued charges for vacated and subleased space (1) (2)
 9,454
Payments, net (16,531)
Adjustments and other (5,475)
Balance as of March 31, 2017 39,688
Payments, net (10,850)
Adjustments and other 1,915
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $30,753
(1)Included in Occupancy expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income
(2)
Includes $9,069 related to the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $39,688
Payments, net (13,019)
Adjustments and other 2,580
Balance as of March 31, 2018 29,249
Accrued charges for vacated and subleased space (1)
 1,970
Payments, net (3,701)
Adjustments and other 487
Balance as of September 30, 2018 $28,005
(1) Related to execution of a sublease for space in Legg Mason's corporate headquarters and included in Occupancy expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, Legg Mason had commitments to invest $37,132$40,606 in limited partnerships that make private investments. These commitments are expected to be outstanding, or funded as required, through the end of their respective investment periods ranging through fiscal 2029.2030. Also, in connection with the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016, Legg Mason committed to ultimately provide $100,000 of seed capital to Clarion Partners products after the second anniversary of the transaction closing.products. Legg Mason also committed to contribute up to $5,000 of additional working capital to Financial Guard, to be paid over the two-year period following the acquisition, the final $2,500 of which $2,500 has beenwas paid as of December 31, 2017.during the three months ended June 30, 2018.

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, Legg Mason had various commitments to pay contingent consideration relating to business acquisitions. The following table presents a summary of the maximum remaining contingent consideration and changes in the contingent consideration liability for eachcertain of Legg Mason's recent acquisitions. See Note 3 for additional details regarding each significant acquisition.
 RARE Infrastructure Martin Currie QS Investors 
Other(2)
 Total RARE Infrastructure Martin Currie QS Investors 
Other(2)
 Total
Acquisition Date October 21, 2015 October 1, 2014 May 30, 2014 Various   October 21, 2015 October 1, 2014 May 30, 2014 Various  
Maximum Remaining Contingent Consideration(1)
 $82,792

$439,331

$23,400

$1,900
 $547,423
 $76,615
 $
 $
 $1,900
 $78,515
Contingent Consideration Liability                    
Balance as of March 31, 2016 $27,145
 $41,222
 $13,749
 $2,469
 $84,585
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $17,444
 $12,018
 $4,841
 $2,507
 $36,810
Initial purchase accounting accrual 
 
 
 2,000
 2,000
 
 
 
 1,900
 1,900
Payment 
 
 (6,587) 
 (6,587)
Fair value adjustments (10,000) (25,000) (2,500) (2,000) (39,500) (17,413) (13,355) (1,300) 739
 (31,329)
Foreign exchange and accretion 299
 (4,204) 179
 38
 (3,688) (31) 1,337
 166
 (4) 1,468
Balance as of March 31, 2017 17,444
 12,018
 4,841
 2,507
 36,810
Initial purchase accounting accrual 
 
 
 1,900
 1,900
Payment 
 
 
 (3,242) (3,242) 
 
 
 (3,242) (3,242)
Balance as of March 31, 2018 (3)
 
 
 3,707
 1,900
 5,607
Fair value adjustments (15,250) 
 (1,300) 739
 (15,811) 
 
 571
 
 571
Foreign exchange and accretion (18) 942
 124
 (4) 1,044
 
 
 41
 
 41
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $2,176
 $12,960
 $3,665
 $1,900
 $20,701
Balance Sheet Classification          
Current Contingent consideration $

$12,960

$3,665

$
 $16,625
Non-current Contingent consideration 2,176





1,900
 4,076
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $2,176
 $12,960
 $3,665
 $1,900
 $20,701
Payment 
 
 (4,319) 
 (4,319)
Balance as of September 30, 2018 (3)
 $
 $
 $
 $1,900
 $1,900
(1)
Using the applicable exchange rate as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, for amounts denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
(2)Includes amounts related to two small acquisitions completed in December 2017 and the acquisition of PK Investments on December 31, 2015.
(3)As of September 30, 2018, $550 was included in Other current assets and $1,350 was included in Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of March 31, 2018, $3,707 was included in Other current assets and $1,900 was included in Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

On October 21, 2015, Legg Mason acquired a majority equity interest in RARE Infrastructure Limited ("RARE Infrastructure"). The transaction provided for potential contingent consideration payments as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, however, no such payments were due based on relevant net revenue targets. Contingent consideration catch-up adjustment payments of up to $76,615 (using the foreign exchange rate as of September 30, 2018, for the maximum 106,000 Australian dollar amount per the related agreements), may be due through March 31, 2019, dependent on the achievement of certain net revenue targets; however, as of September 30, 2018, no such payments are expected to be due.

Effective May 31, 2014, Legg Mason acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of QS Investors. Contingent consideration of up to $20,000 for the fourth anniversary payment, and up to $3,400 for a potential catch-up adjustment for the second anniversary payment shortfall, was potentially due in July 2018. In September 2018, Legg Mason paid contingent consideration of $4,319 for the final installment of contingent consideration.

In the normal course of business, Legg Mason enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnifications, which are not considered financial guarantees by relevant accounting guidance. Legg Mason’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against Legg Mason that have not yet occurred.

Legg Mason has completed negotiations with the Department of Justice and the SEC to resolve the previously disclosed regulatory investigation concerning the activities of its former Permal business in connection with managing assets of Libyan governmental entities in structures established by a third-party financial institution. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, Legg Mason recorded an additional operating charge to earnings of $151 and $4,151, respectively, for this matter. The $71,151 aggregate settlement amount was paid during the six months ended September 30, 2018.

Legg Mason has been the subject of customer complaints and has also been named as a defendant in various legal actions arising primarily from asset management, securities brokerage, and investment banking activities, including certain class actions, which primarily allege violations of securities laws and seek unspecified damages, which could be substantial. In the normal course of its business, Legg Mason has also received subpoenas and is currently involved in other governmental and industry self-regulatory agency inquiries, investigations and, from time to time, proceedings involving asset management

activities. In accordance with guidance for accounting for contingencies, Legg Mason has established provisions for estimated losses from pending complaints, legal actions, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and a reasonable estimate of loss can be made.


Legg Mason cannot estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss associated with matters of litigation and other proceedings, including those described above as customer complaints, legal actions, inquiries, proceedings and investigations. The inability to provide a reasonably possible amount or range of losses is not because there is uncertainty as to the ultimate outcome of a matter, but because liability and damage issues have not developed to the point where Legg Mason can conclude that there is both a reasonable possibility of a loss and a meaningful amount or range of possible losses. There are numerous aspects to customer complaints, legal actions, inquiries, proceedings and investigations that prevent Legg Mason from estimating a related amount or range of reasonably possible losses. These aspects include, among other things, the nature of the matters; that significant relevant facts are not known, are uncertain or are in dispute; and that damages sought are not specified, are uncertain, unsupportable or unexplained. In addition, for legal actions, discovery may not yet have started, may not be complete or may not be conclusive, and meaningful settlement discussions may not have occurred. Further, for regulatory matters, investigations may run their course without any clear indication of wrongdoing or fault until their conclusion.

In management's opinion, an adequate accrual has been made as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, to provide for any probable losses that may arise from matters for which the Company could reasonably estimate an amount. Legg Mason's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected during a period in which probable losses become apparent or a matter is ultimately resolved. In addition, the ultimate costs of litigation-related charges can vary significantly from period-to-period, depending on factors such as market conditions, the size and volume of customer complaints and claims, including class action suits, and recoveries from indemnification, contribution, insurance reimbursement, or reductions in compensation under revenue share arrangements.

As further describedprovided for in Note 3,the related documents, Legg Mason may be obligated to settle redeemable noncontrolling interests related to certain affiliates. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, affiliate redeemable noncontrolling interests, excluding amounts related to management equity plans, aggregated $583,442.$541,205. In addition, as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the estimated redemption fair value for units under affiliate management equity plans aggregated $69,661.$90,571. See Notes 8 and 1112 for additional information regarding affiliate management equity plans and noncontrolling interests, respectively.

On July 2, 2018, the corporate minority owner of RARE Infrastructure exercised the put option for its 10% ownership interest. The settlement value of $15,547, along with $981 of dividends in arrears, was paid on October 10, 2018. As of September 30, 2018, such amounts were included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 12 for additional information.

8.  Stock-Based Compensation

Legg Mason's stock-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock units, an employee stock purchase plan, market and performance-based performance shares payable in common stock, affiliate management equity plans and deferred compensation payable in stock. Shares available for issuance under the equity incentive stock plan as of September 30, 2018, were 7,272. Options under Legg Mason’s equity incentive stock plans have been granted at prices not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. Options are generally exercisable in equal increments over four or five years and expire within eight to 10 years from the date of grant.


As further discussed below, the components of Legg Mason's total stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
  Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Restricted stock and restricted stock units $12,052
 $13,509
 $27,039
 $30,088
Stock options 1,038
 1,921
 2,456
 4,146
Employee stock purchase plan 96
 96
 384
 393
Affiliate management equity plans 719
 776
 1,494
 1,552
Non-employee director awards 1,025
 1,075
 1,025
 1,075
Performance share units 1,202
 1,078
 2,812
 2,263
Employee stock trust 8
 8
 15
 14
Total stock-based compensation expense $16,140
 $18,463
 $35,225
 $39,531

Stock Options
Stock option transactions under Legg Mason's equity incentive plans during the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, are summarized below:
  Six Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
  Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Options outstanding at March 31 4,437
 $38.78
 4,593
 $38.15
Granted 
 
 421
 37.64
Exercised (164) 32.80
 (326) 29.04
Canceled/Forfeited (58) 43.04
 (70) 46.08
Options outstanding at September 30 4,215
 $38.96

4,618
 $38.63

At September 30, 2018, options were exercisable for 3,330 shares, with a weighted-average exercise price of $38.99 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.6 years. Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested options for 885 shares at September 30, 2018, was $5,008, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years.

The weighted-average fair value of service-based stock options granted during the six months ended September 30, 2017, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was $8.33 per share.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the model for grants in the six months ended September 30, 2017:
Expected dividend yield1.70%
Risk-free interest rate1.89%
Expected volatility26.79%
Expected life (in years)5.09

Legg Mason uses an equally weighted combination of both implied and historical volatility to measure expected volatility for calculating Black-Scholes option values.


Restricted Stock
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit transactions during the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, are summarized below:
  Six Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
  Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Value Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Value
Unvested shares at March 31 3,299
 $38.09
 3,321
 $38.92
Granted 1,174
 39.09
 1,456
 37.66
Vested (1,275) 39.75
 (1,322) 39.46
Canceled/forfeited (88) 37.67
 (60) 38.15
Unvested shares at September 30 3,110
 $37.80
 3,395

$38.18

Unamortized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards at September 30, 2018, of $87,237 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Affiliate Management Equity Plans
In connection with the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016, Legg Mason implemented a management equity plan for Clarion Partners that entitles certain of its key employees to participate in 15% of the future growth, if any, of the Clarion Partners enterprise value (subject to appropriate discounts) subsequent to the date of the grant. As of September 30, 2018, the estimated aggregate redemption fair value of units under the plan, as if they were currently redeemable, was $14,600.
Effective March 1, 2016, Legg Mason implemented a management equity plan for Royce's key employees. Under the management equity plan, minority equity interests equivalent to a 19% interest in the Royce entity have been issued to certain key employees. Equity holders receive quarterly distributions of a portion of Royce's pre-tax income in amounts equal to the percentage of ownership represented by the equity they hold, subject to payment of Legg Mason's revenue share and reasonable expenses. As of September 30, 2018, the estimated aggregate redemption fair value of units under the plan, as if they were currently redeemable, was $28,074.

On March 31, 2014, Legg Mason implemented a management equity plan and granted units to key employees of its subsidiary ClearBridge Investments, LLC ("ClearBridge") that entitle them to participate in 15% of the future growth, if any, of the ClearBridge enterprise value (subject to appropriate discounts) subsequent to the grant date. Independent valuation determined the aggregate cost of the award to be approximately $16,000, which will be recognized as Compensation and benefits expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income over the related vesting periods through March 2019. Total compensation expense related to the ClearBridge affiliate management equity plan was $719 and $776 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1,494 and $1,552 for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This arrangement provides that one-half of the cost will be absorbed by the ClearBridge incentive pool. As of September 30, 2018, the estimated aggregate redemption fair value of vested units under the ClearBridge plan, as if they were currently redeemable, was approximately $46,140.

Other
As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, non-employee directors held 96 and 76 restricted stock units, respectively, which vest on the grant date and are, therefore, not included in the unvested shares of restricted stock units in the table above.

Upon the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016, Legg Mason granted certain key employees of Clarion Partners a total of 716 performance-based Legg Mason restricted share units, which are not included in the unvested shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units in the table above, with an aggregate fair value of $11,121, which was included in the purchase price. These restricted share units vest upon Clarion Partners achieving a certain level of EBITDA, as defined in the purchase agreement, within a designated period after the closing of the acquisition.

In May 2018 and 2017, Legg Mason granted certain executive officers a total of 163 and 111 performance share units, respectively, as part of their fiscal 2018 and 2017 incentive awards with an aggregate value of $5,820 and $3,503, respectively. The vesting of performance share units granted in May 2018 and the number of shares payable at vesting are determined

based on Legg Mason’s relative total stockholder return and relative organic growth rate of long-term AUM over a three-year period ending March 31, 2021. The recorded grant date fair value per performance share unit of $35.67 was estimated based on a multiple fair value Monte Carlo pricing model. Expense associated with the May 2018 grant is adjusted for the level of relative organic growth expected to be ultimately achieved. The estimated fair values for the May 2018 grant range from $18.08 to $44.46 per performance share unit share. The vesting of the performance share units granted in May 2017 are determined based on Legg Mason's relative total stockholder return over a three-year period ending March 31, 2020. The grant date fair value per unit for the May 2017 performance share units of $31.42 was estimated as of the grant date using a Monte Carlo pricing model. The following assumptions were used in the Monte Carlo pricing models for the May 2018 and 2017 grants:
  2018 2017
Expected dividend yield 3.49% 2.96%
Risk-free interest rate 2.71% 1.47%
Expected (average in 2018) volatility 26.14% 27.73%

9. Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Martin Currie sponsors a retirement and death benefits plan, a defined benefit pension plan, with assets held in a separate trustee-administered fund. The most recent actuarial valuation was performed as of May 31, 2016, and was updated at subsequent balance sheet dates through March 31, 2018. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, $56 and $121, respectively, of previously unrecognized losses were expensed; and, during the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, $114 and $240, respectively, of previously unrecognized losses were expensed.
The net benefit obligation, comprised as follows, is included in the September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other non-current liabilities:
  September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
Fair value of plan assets (at 5.0% weighted-average long-term return) $64,658
 $67,529
Benefit obligation (at 2.6% discount rate) (93,738) (102,469)
Unfunded status (excess of benefit obligation over plan assets) $(29,080) $(34,940)

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, a net periodic benefit cost of $126 and $26, respectively, and for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, a net periodic benefit cost of $258 and $51, respectively, was included in Other non-operating expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Net actuarial losses of $12,542 and $13,635 were included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

Martin Currie does not expect to contribute any additional amounts in fiscal 2019 to the plan in excess of the $3,144 (using the exchange rate as of May 14, 2018 for the £2,320 annual committed contribution amount) contributed to the plan during the three months ended June 30, 2018.



10. Revenue

The following tables presents Total Operating Revenues disaggregated by asset class:
  Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Equity $319,482
 $324,502
 $634,612
 $634,292
Fixed Income 288,864
 289,450
 579,784
 563,818
Alternative 129,374
 128,912
 250,849
 311,405
Liquidity 20,707
 25,474
 41,087
 52,665
Total Operating Revenues $758,427
 $768,338
 $1,506,332
 $1,562,180

Revenues by geographic location are primarily based on the location of the advisor or domicile of fund families managed by Legg Mason and do not necessarily reflect where the customer resides or the currency in which the revenues are denominated. The following table presents Total Operating Revenues disaggregated by geographic location:
  Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
United States $592,741
 $575,684
 $1,163,730
 $1,185,873
United Kingdom 35,991
 49,585
 76,596
 99,601
Other International 129,695
 143,069
 266,006
 276,706
Total Operating Revenues $758,427
 $768,338
 $1,506,332
 $1,562,180

As previously discussed, certain sales commissions paid in connection with obtaining assets managed in retail separately managed accounts are capitalized as deferred costs. As of September 30, 2018, capitalized sales commissions of $8,086 were included in Other current assets and $10,939 were included in Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Amortization related to capitalized sales commissions included in Compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Income was $2,345 and $4,659 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. There were no impairment losses in relation to the capitalized costs during the three or six months ended September 30, 2018.

11. Earnings and Dividends Per Share

Basic earnings per share attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. shareholders ("EPS") is calculated by dividing Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. (adjusted by removing earnings allocated to participating securities) by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, which excludes participating securities. Legg Mason issues to employees restricted stock and restricted stock units that are deemed to be participating securities prior to vesting, because the related unvested restricted shares/stock units entitle their holder to nonforfeitable dividend rights. In this circumstance, accounting guidance requires a “two-class method” for EPS calculations that excludes earnings (potentially both distributed and undistributed) allocated to participating securities and does not allocate losses to participating securities.

Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS, but the effect of potential common shares is included in the calculation unless the potential common shares are antidilutive.

As previously discussed, on December 22,During the six months ended September 30, 2018, Legg Mason purchased and retired 391 shares of its common stock for $15,461 under net share settlements of deferred compensation award vesting. The retired shares reduced weighted-average shares outstanding by 316 shares for the six months ended September 30, 2018.

During the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, Legg Mason purchased and retired 5,568 shares of Legg Mason common stock from Shanda for an aggregate purchase price of $225,490. Legg Mason's Board of Directors approved the purchase of these shares, utilizing the remaining $169,019 of Legg Mason common stock previously authorized for purchase2,347 and authorizing the purchase of an additional $56,471 of Legg Mason common stock to complete the transaction. As of December 31, 2017, further purchases of Legg Mason common stock have not been authorized.

In addition, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, Legg Mason purchased and retired 1,920 and 6,6364,716 shares of its common stock, respectively, for $74,000$90,000 and $253,649,$179,649, respectively, through open market purchases. During the ninethree and six months ended December 31,September 30, 2017, Legg Mason also retired 7 and 344 shares of its common stock, respectively, for $13,074$240 and $13,051, respectively, under net share settlements of deferred compensation award vesting. Total retired shares including those purchased from Shanda, reduced weighted-average shares outstanding by 6,6063,804 and 3,9222,573 for the three and ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2017, respectively.

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, Legg Mason purchased and retired 2,946 and 9,117 shares of its common stock, respectively, for $90,001 and $291,674, respectively, through open market purchases, and retired 2 and 363 shares of its common stock, respectively, for $43 and $11,845, respectively, under net share settlements of deferred

compensation award vesting. Total retired shares reduced weighted-average shares outstanding by 7,640 and 4,931 for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

The par value of the shares repurchased is charged to common stock, with the excess of the purchase price over par first charged against additional paid-in capital, with the remaining balance, if any, charged against retained earnings.

The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted EPS:
 Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31, Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding for EPS 90,377
 99,403
 92,770
 101,897
 85,482
 93,087
 85,303
 93,973
Potential common shares:                
Dilutive employee stock options 456
 165
 429
 205
 130
 409
 233
 417
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for EPS 90,833
 99,568
 93,199
 102,102
 85,612
 93,496
 85,536
 94,390
                
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. $149,222
 $51,439
 $275,806
 $151,332
 $72,803
 $75,664
 $138,893
 $126,584
Less: Earnings (distributed and undistributed) allocated to participating securities 5,347
 $1,706
 9,639
 4,874
 2,577
 2,687
 4,898
 4,387
Net Income (Distributed and Undistributed) Allocated to Shareholders (Excluding Participating Securities) $143,875
 $49,733
 $266,167
 $146,458
        
Net Income per share Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. Shareholders        
Net Income (Distributed and Undistributed) Allocated to Stockholders (Excluding Participating Securities) $70,226
 $72,977
 $133,995
 $122,197
Net Income per share Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. Stockholders        
Basic $1.59
 $0.50
 $2.87
 $1.44
 $0.82
 $0.78
 $1.57
 $1.30
Diluted 1.58
 $0.50
 2.86
 1.43
 0.82
 0.78
 1.57
 1.29

The weighted-average shares exclude weighted-average unvested restricted shares deemed to be participating securities of 3,3573,156 and 3,404 3,417for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and 3,3223,105 and 3,329,3,305 for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The diluted EPS calculationscalculation for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2016, excludeSeptember 30, 2017, excludes any potential common shares issuable under the 14,205 warrants issued in connection with the repurchase of convertible notes in May 2012 because the market price of Legg Mason common stock did not exceed the exercise price, and therefore, the warrants would be antidilutive. The warrants expired unexercised in July 2017.
Options to purchase 1,9802,962 and 3,9932,228 shares for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and 2,2242,704 and 3,5062,290 shares for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the presumedassumed proceeds from exercising such options, including the related income tax benefits, exceed the average price of the common shares for the period and, therefore, the options are deemed antidilutive.

Further, market- and performance-based awards are excluded from potential dilution until the designated market or performance condition is met. Unvested restricted shares for both the three and ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, were antidilutive and, therefore, do not further impact diluted EPS.

Dividends declared per share were $0.34 and $0.28 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $0.68 and $0.56 for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



11.12. Noncontrolling Interests

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three and ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 included the following amounts:
 Three Months Ended December 31, Nine Months Ended December 31, Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests $17,228
 $11,063
 $37,514
 $39,335
 $5,547
 $9,930
 $15,608
 $20,286
Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests 2,096
 2,025
 6,387
 5,732
 2,723
 2,030
 4,937
 4,291
Total $19,324
 $13,088
 $43,901
 $45,067
 $8,270
 $11,960
 $20,545
 $24,577

TotalThe following tables present the changes in redeemable and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests forduring the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016, included the following amounts:2017:
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests  
  
Consolidated investment vehicles(1) and other
 Affiliate    
   Noncontrolling Interests Management equity plans Total 
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests(2)
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $58,470
 $591,254
 $28,048
 $677,772
 $27,798
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,923
 29,591
 
 37,514
 6,387
Net subscriptions (redemptions) and other 47,401
 (2,693) 
 44,708
 
Distributions 
 (36,953) 
 (36,953) (6,524)
Foreign exchange 
 1,500
 
 1,500
 
Vesting/change in estimated redemption value 
 743
 2,422
 3,165
 
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $113,794
 $583,442
 $30,470
 $727,706
 $27,661
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests  
  
Consolidated investment vehicles(1) and other
 Affiliate    
   Noncontrolling interests Management equity plans Total 
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests(3)
Balance as of March 31, 2018 $125,047
 $573,950
 $33,298
 $732,295
 $27,731
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (462) 16,070
 
 15,608
 4,937
Net subscriptions (redemptions) (68,856) 
 
 (68,856) 
Settlement of affiliate noncontrolling interest put:       
  
Payment (2)
 
 (15,547) 
 (15,547) 
Change in redemption value 
 (12,345) 
 (12,345) 
Distributions 
 (17,410) 
 (17,410) (4,594)
Foreign exchange 
 (4,082) 
 (4,082) 
Vesting/change in estimated redemption value 
 569
 2,063
 2,632
 
Balance as of September 30, 2018 $55,729
 $541,205
 $35,361
 $632,295
 $28,074

  Redeemable noncontrolling interests  
  
Consolidated investment vehicles(1) and other
 Affiliate    
   Noncontrolling Interests Management equity plans Total 
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests(2)
Balance as of March 31, 2016 $94,136
 $68,922
 $12,727
 $175,785
 $22,202
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 8,153
 31,182
 
 39,335
 5,732
Net subscriptions (redemptions) and other(3)
 (20,914) 2,604
 
 (18,310) 
Distributions 
 (18,797) 
 (18,797) (4,555)
Grants (settlements), net 
 
 6,120
 6,120
 
Business acquisitions 
 510,500
 
 510,500
 
Foreign exchange

 
 (4,094) 
 (4,094) 
Vesting/change in estimated redemption value 
 
 6,261
 6,261
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016 $81,375
 $590,317
 $25,108
 $696,800
 $23,379
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests  
  
Consolidated investment vehicles(1) and other
 Affiliate    
   Noncontrolling interests Management equity plans Total 
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests(3)
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $58,470
 $591,254
 $28,048
 $677,772
 $27,798
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,192
 18,094
 
 20,286
 4,291
Net subscriptions (redemptions) 22,317
 (2,693) 
 19,624
 
Distributions 
 (23,013) 
 (23,013) (4,063)
Foreign exchange 
 1,810
 
 1,810
 
Vesting/change in estimated redemption value 
 743
 1,552
 2,295
 
Balance as of September 30, 2017 $82,979
 $586,195
 $29,600
 $698,774
 $28,026
(1) Principally relatedRelated to VIE and seeded investment products.
(2) Paid on October 10, 2018. Included in Current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2018.
(3) Related to Royce management equity plan.
(3) Includes the impact related to the adoption of updated consolidation accounting guidance.


RedeemableThe following tables present the changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests by affiliate (exclusive of management equity plans) for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016, included the following amounts:2017:
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests
  EnTrust-Permal Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Other Total
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $404,852
 $113,173
 $68,747
 $4,482
 $591,254
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 17,014
 9,725
 2,948
 (96) 29,591
Redemptions 
 
 
 (2,693) (2,693)
Distributions (23,759) (9,462) (3,597) (135) (36,953)
Foreign exchange 
 
 1,500
 
 1,500
Change in estimated redemption value 
 743
 
 
 743
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $398,107
 $114,179
 $69,598
 $1,558
 $583,442
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests
  EnTrust-Permal Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Other Total
Balance as of March 31, 2018 $386,884
 $117,272
 $68,285
 $1,509
 $573,950
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,269
 7,814
 1,127
 (140) 16,070
Distributions (5,647) (10,359) (1,400) (4) (17,410)
Settlement of affiliate noncontrolling interest put:         

Payment(1)
 
 
 (15,547) 
 (15,547)
Change in redemption value 
 
 (12,345) 
 (12,345)
Foreign exchange 
 
 (4,082) 
 (4,082)
Change in estimated redemption value 
 569
 
   569
Balance as of September 30, 2018 $388,506
 $115,296

$36,038
 $1,365
 $541,205
(1) Paid on October 10, 2018. Included in Current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2018.
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests
  EnTrust-Permal Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Other Total
Balance as of March 31, 2016 $
 $
 $67,155
 $1,767
 $68,922
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 17,099
 8,839
 4,731
 513
 31,182
Subscriptions 
 
 
 2,604
 2,604
Distributions (12,855) (2,733) (2,703) (506) (18,797)
Business acquisitions 403,200
 105,300
 
 2,000
 510,500
Foreign exchange 
 
 (4,094) 
 (4,094)
Balance as of December 31, 2016 $407,444
 $111,406
 $65,089
 $6,378
 $590,317
  Redeemable noncontrolling interests
  EnTrust-Permal Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Other Total
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $404,852
 $113,173
 $68,747
 $4,482
 $591,254
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 9,471
 6,434
 2,206
 (17) 18,094
Redemptions 
 
 
 (2,693) (2,693)
Distributions (10,526) (9,461) (2,901) (125) (23,013)
Foreign exchange 
 
 1,810
 
 1,810
Change in estimated redemption value 
 743
 
 
 743
Balance as of September 30, 2017 $403,797
 $110,889
 $69,862
 $1,647
 $586,195

Affiliate redeemable noncontrolling interests include minority interests for which the holder may, at some point, request settlement of their interests. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their estimated settlement values except when such settlement values are less than the issuance value. Changes in the expected settlement values are recognized over the settlement period as adjustments to retained earnings. Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests include vested affiliate management equity plan interests that do not permit the holder to request settlement of their interests. Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their issuance value, together with undistributed net income allocated to noncontrolling interests.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests of 35% of the outstanding equity of EnTrustPermal, 18% of the outstanding equity of Clarion Partners, and 15% of the outstanding equity of RARE Infrastructure can be put by the holders or called by Legg Mason for settlement at fair value subject to various conditions, including the passage of time. The amounts for noncontrolling interests reported at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect the total business enterprise value of the combined entity, after appropriate discounts for lack of marketability and control.

On July 2, 2018, the corporate minority owner of RARE Infrastructure exercised the put option for its 10% ownership interest. The settlement value of $15,547 was based on the midpoint of the valuations determined by the independent valuation experts appointed by Legg Mason and the corporate minority owner and was paid on October 10, 2018, along with $982 of dividends in arrears. The $12,345 difference between the settlement value and the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest of $27,892 on the settlement date was recorded as an increase to additional paid in capital.




12.13. Derivatives and Hedging

Legg Mason uses currency forwards to economically hedge the risk of movements in exchange rates, primarily between the U.S. dollar, British pound, Australian dollar, Singapore dollar, Japanese yen, and euro. All derivative transactions for which Legg Mason has certain legally enforceable rights of setoff are governed by International Swaps and Derivative Association ("ISDA") Master Agreements. For these derivative transactions, Legg Mason has one ISDA Master Agreement with each of the significant counterparties, which covers transactions with that counterparty. Each of the respective ISDA agreements provides for settlement netting and close-out netting between Legg Mason and that counterparty, which are legally enforceable rights to setoff. Other assets recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, were $7,183$1,549 and $2,718,$4,904, respectively. Other liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, were $2,288$6,296 and $4,522,$6,446, respectively.

Legg Mason also uses market hedges on certain seed capital investments by entering into futures contracts to sell index funds that benchmark the hedged seed capital investments.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2017, Legg Mason has entered into various total return swap arrangements with financial intermediaries with respect to twocertain Legg Mason sponsored ETFs, which resulted in investments by each of the financial intermediaries in the respective ETF. Under the terms of each of the total return swap arrangements, Legg Mason receives the related investment gains and losses on the underlying shares of the ETF and pays a floating rate on the value of the underlying shares. Each of the total return swap arrangements allows either party to terminate all or part of the arrangement and provides for automatic termination upon occurrence of certain events. Each financial intermediary counterparty may hedge its total return swap position through an investment in the ETF and the financial intermediaries purchased interests in the respective Legg Mason ETF on the date of the transactions.


The terms of the total return swap arrangements, aggregate counterparty investment in the related ETF on the date of each transaction, and the aggregate notional amount for the total return swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2017, areSeptember 30, 2018, were as follows:
Transaction Date Expiration Date Aggregate Counterparty Initial Investment in ETF Floating Rate Aggregate Notional Amount as of December 31, 2017
October 10, 2017 April 2018 $5,290
 Three-month LIBOR plus 1.6% $5,314
July 26, 2017 July 2018 23,096
 Three-month LIBOR plus 1.6% 23,584
June 6, 2017 June 2018 20,253
 Three-month LIBOR plus 1.35% 22,168
    $48,639
   $51,066
Transaction Date Expiration Date Aggregate Counterparty Initial Investment in ETF Floating Rate 
Aggregate Notional Amount as of
September 30, 2018
May 2018 May 2019 $5,573
 Three-month LIBOR plus 1.6% $5,600
July 2018 July 2019 17,094
 Three-month LIBOR plus 1.6% 16,530
    $22,667
   $22,130

As further discussed in Notes 2 and 14, the total return swap arrangements create variable interests in the underlying funds for Legg Mason, and, if significant, it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, Legg Mason may consolidate ETF products with significant open total return swap arrangements. In connection with these arrangements, Legg Mason executed futures contracts with notional amounts totaling $58,417$22,400 as of September 30, 2018 to partially hedge the gains and losses recognized on the total return swaps.

As further discussed in Note 7, in April 2016, Legg Mason executed a 4.67-year, amortizing interest rate swap, which was terminated in August 2016. Also, in April 2016, Legg Mason terminated another previously existing interest rate swap.

With the exception of the two interest rate swap contracts discussed in Note 7, Legg Mason has not designated any derivatives as hedging instruments for accounting purposes during the periods ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, March 31, 2017,2018, or December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. In addition to the total return swap arrangements and the related futures contracts discussed above, as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, Legg Mason had open currency forward contracts with aggregate notional amounts totaling $260,788,$390,567, and open futures contracts relating to seed capital investments with aggregate notional amounts totaling $136,066.$127,814. With the exception of the total return swap arrangements and related futures contracts, these amounts are representative of the level of non-hedge designation derivative activity throughout the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016.2017. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the weighted-average remaining contract terms for currency forward contracts was seven months and for futures contracts relating to seed capital investments were four andwas three months, respectively.months.


The following table presents the derivative assets and related offsets, if any, as of December 31, 2017:September 30, 2018:
       Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet         Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet  
 Gross amounts of recognized assets  Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amount of derivative assets presented in the Balance Sheet Financial instruments Cash collateral Net amount as of
December 31, 2017
 Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets  Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amount of Derivative Assets Presented in the Balance Sheet Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amount as of
September 30, 2018
                        
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instrumentsDerivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      
Currency forward contracts $7,617
 $(1,884) $5,733
 $
 $
 $5,733
 $2,796
 $(1,247) $1,549
 $
 $
 $1,549
Total return swaps 
 
 
 1,450
 3,003
 4,453
Total derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments $7,617

$(1,884) $5,733
 $1,450
 $3,003
 $10,186

The following table presents the derivative liabilities and related offsets, if any, as of December 31, 2017:September 30, 2018:
       Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet         Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet  
 Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet Financial instruments Cash collateral Net amount as of
December 31, 2017
 Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities  Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities Presented in the Balance Sheet Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net Amount as of
September 30, 2018
                        
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instrumentsDerivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      
Currency forward contracts $(360) $191
 $(169) $
 $
 $(169) $(8,828) $4,710
 $(4,118) $
 $
 $(4,118)
Futures contracts relating to:            Futures contracts relating to:          
Seed capital investments 
 
 
 (1,633) 6,356
 4,723
 
 
 
 (1,306) 6,924
 5,618
Total return swaps 
 
 
 (410) 2,380
 1,970
 
 
 
 (198) 1,177
 979
Total futures contracts 
 
 
 (2,043) 8,736
 6,693
 
 
 
 (1,504) 8,101
 6,597
Total return swaps 
 
 
 (76) 1,769
 1,693
 
 
 

(674) 3,167
 2,493
Total derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments $(360) $191
 $(169) $(2,119) $10,505
 $8,217
 $(8,828) $4,710
 $(4,118) $(2,178) $11,268
 $4,972


The following table presents the derivative assets and related offsets, if any, as of March 31, 2017:2018:
       Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet         Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet  
 Gross amounts of recognized assets  Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amount of derivative assets presented in the Balance Sheet Financial instruments Cash collateral Net amount as of
March 31, 2017
 Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets  Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amount of Derivative Assets Presented in the Balance Sheet Financial Instruments Cash Collateral Net amount as of
March 31, 2018
                        
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instrumentsDerivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      
Currency forward contracts $3,470
 $(928) $2,542
 $
 $
 $2,542
 $7,997
 $(3,177) $4,820
 $
 $
 $4,820
Futures contracts relating to seed capital investments 
 
 
 176
 2,878
 3,054
Total return swaps 
 
 
 84
 1,283
 1,367
Total derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments $3,470
 $(928) $2,542
 $176
 $2,878
 $5,596
 $7,997
 $(3,177) $4,820
 $84
 $1,283
 $6,187

The following table presents the derivative liabilities and related offsets, if any, as of March 31, 2017:2018:
       Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet         Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet  
 Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amount of derivative liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet Financial instruments Cash collateral 
Net amount as of
March 31, 2017
 Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities  Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities Presented in the Balance Sheet Financial Instruments Cash Collateral 
Net amount as of
March 31, 2018
                        
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instrumentsDerivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments      
Currency forward contracts $(3,641) $751
 $(2,890) $
 $
 $(2,890) $(532) $223
 $(309) $
 $
 $(309)
Futures contracts relating to seed capital investments 
 
 
 (1,632) 4,155
 2,523
Futures contracts relating to:            
Seed capital investments 
 
 
 (2,875) 9,214
 6,339
Total return swaps 
 
 
 (1,029) 3,201
 2,172
Total futures contracts 
 
 
 (3,904) 12,415
 8,511
Total return swaps 
 
 
 (2,233) 5,637
 3,404
Total derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments $(3,641) $751
 $(2,890) $(1,632) $4,155
 $(367) $(532) $223
 $(309) $(6,137) $18,052
 $11,606


The following table presents gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income on derivative instruments. As described above, the currency forward contracts and futures and forward contracts for seed capital investments included below are economic hedges of interest rate and market risk of certain operating and investing activities of Legg Mason, including foreign exchange risk on acquisition contingent consideration. Gains and losses on these derivative instruments substantially offset gains and losses of the economically hedged items.Mason.
 Three Months Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 Three Months Ended September 30,
 Income Statement Classification Gains Losses Gains Losses 2018 2017
           Income Statement Classification Gains Losses Gains Losses
Derivatives not designated as hedging instrumentsDerivatives not designated as hedging instruments        Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments      
Currency forward contracts relating to:                
Operating activities Other expense $2,005
 $(1,146) $1,368
 $(6,199) Other expense $2,052
 $(3,953) $4,989
 $(1,926)
Seed capital investments Other non-operating income (expense) 624
 (518) 1,932
 (837) Other non-operating income (expense) 970
 (121) 69
 (1,153)
Futures contracts relating to:                
Seed capital investments Other non-operating income (expense) 33
 (6,864) 1,965
 (3,514) Other non-operating income (expense) 921
 (5,816) 285
 (6,813)
Total return swaps Other non-operating income (expense) 
 (3,478) 
 
 Other non-operating income (expense) 29
 (1,389) 89
 (2,063)
Total return swaps Other non-operating income (expense) 1,796
 (11) 
 
 Other non-operating income (expense) 392
 (530) 885
 
        
Total gain (loss) from derivatives not designated as hedging instrumentsTotal gain (loss) from derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $4,458
 $(12,017) $5,265
 $(10,550)Total gain (loss) from derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $4,364
 $(11,809) $6,317
 $(11,955)

 Nine Months Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 Six Months Ended September 30,
 Income Statement Classification Gains Losses Gains Losses 2018 2017
           Income Statement Classification Gains Losses Gains Losses
Derivatives not designated as hedging instrumentsDerivatives not designated as hedging instruments      Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments        
Currency forward contracts relating to:                
Operating activities Other expense $10,980
 $(4,917) $11,148
 $(13,085) Other expense $6,518
 $(14,038) $9,440
 $(4,237)
Seed capital investments Other non-operating income (expense) 251
 (1,868) 2,943
 (1,752) Other non-operating income (expense) 4,993
 (645) 226
 (1,948)
Futures contracts relating to:                
Seed capital investments Other non-operating income (expense) 72
 (18,082) 2,676
 (11,184) Other non-operating income (expense) 4,014
 (8,375) 286
 (11,465)
Total return swaps Other non-operating income (expense) 89
 (5,274) 
 
 Other non-operating income (expense) 502
 (3,149) 89
 (1,797)
Total return swap Other non-operating income (expense) 2,562
 
 
 
        
Total return swaps Other non-operating income (expense) 1,665
 (105) 778
 
Total gain (loss) from derivatives not designated as hedging instrumentsTotal gain (loss) from derivatives not designated as hedging instruments 13,954
 (30,141) 16,767
 (26,021)Total gain (loss) from derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $17,692
 $(26,312) $10,819

$(19,447)
Derivative designated as a cash flow hedge (See Note 7)      
Interest rate swap (termination) Other non-operating income (expense) 
 
 
 (3,662)
Interest rate swap Interest expense 
 
 
 (764)
Total   $13,954
 $(30,141) $16,767
 $(30,447)



13.14. Variable Interest Entities and Consolidated Investment Vehicles

In accordance with financial accounting standards, Legg Mason consolidates certain sponsored investment products, some of which are designated as CIVs. As presented in the table below, as of December 31, 2017, March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, Legg Mason concluded it was the primary beneficiary of certain VIEs because it held significant financial interests in the funds. In addition, during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, Legg Mason has entered into various total return swap arrangements with financial intermediaries with respect to twocertain Legg Mason sponsored exchange traded funds ("ETFs").ETFs. Under the terms of the total return swaps, Legg Mason absorbs all of the related gains and losses on the underlying ETF investments of these financial intermediaries, and therefore has variable interests in each of the two ETFs with open total return swap arrangements and, if significant, Legg Mason is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of each ETF.such ETFs. Because it was determined to be the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, Legg Mason consolidated and designated the following funds as CIVs in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017, March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016:of:
 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Number of Consolidated Funds 
Legg Mason Investment in Funds(1)
 Number of Consolidated Funds 
Legg Mason Investment in Funds(1)
 Number of Consolidated Funds 
Legg Mason Investment in Funds(1)
Sponsored investment funds2 $16,537
 2 $16,424
 2 $15,807
Foreign mutual funds3 10,114
 3 7,964
 4 12,397
Employee-owned funds2 7,107
 1 3,912
 1 3,575
ETFs(2)
2 7,790
 n/a 
 n/a 
Total  $41,548
   $28,300
   $31,779
n/a - not applicable
 September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 September 30, 2017
 Number of Consolidated Funds 
Legg Mason Investment in Funds(1)
 Number of Consolidated Funds 
Legg Mason Investment in Funds(1)
 Number of Consolidated Funds 
Legg Mason Investment in Funds(1)
Sponsored investment funds2 $15,196
 2 $16,670
 2 $16,225
Foreign mutual funds5 18,875
 4 12,485
 3 9,493
Employee-owned funds2 7,063
 2 7,328
 1 2,172
ETFs(2)
1 2,686
 2 7,371
 2 12,885
Total  $43,820
   $43,854
   $40,775
(1) Represents Legg Mason's maximum risk of loss, excluding uncollected advisory fees.
(2)Under the total return swap arrangements, Legg Mason receives the related investment gains and losses on investments in one of Legg Mason's ETFs with notional amounts totaling $51,066.$22,130 as of September 30, 2018. See Note 1213 for additional information regarding total return swaps.

The assets of these CIVs are primarily comprised of investment securities. Investors and creditors of these CIVs have no recourse to the general credit or assets of Legg Mason beyond its investment in these funds.

Legg Mason also consolidates certain VRE products with seed capital investments where Legg Mason maintains a controlling financial interest in the product.

See Notes 2 and 43 for additional information regarding VIEs, VREs, and the consolidation of investment products.


The following tables reflect the impact of CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 and the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:Income:
Consolidating Balance Sheets
 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 September 30, 2018 March 31, 2018
 
Balance Before Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals
Current Assets $1,740,655
 $146,657
 $(38,554) $1,848,758
 $1,749,959
 $77,406
 $(25,618) $1,801,747
 $1,662,281
 $91,455
 $(40,668) $1,713,068
 $1,808,918
 $160,278
 $(40,814) $1,928,382
Non-current assets 6,220,230
 9,172
 (2,994) 6,226,408
 6,481,376
 9,987
 (2,695) 6,488,668
 6,156,785
 9,627
 (3,152) 6,163,260
 6,217,935
 9,257
 (3,040) 6,224,152
Total Assets $7,960,885
 $155,829
 $(41,548) $8,075,166
 $8,231,335
 $87,393
 $(28,313) $8,290,415
 $7,819,066
 $101,082
 $(43,820) $7,876,328
 $8,026,853
 $169,535
 $(43,854) $8,152,534
Current Liabilities $932,101
 $487
 $
 $932,588
 $808,664
 $736
 $(13) $809,387
 $968,374
 $1,533
 $
 $969,907
 $981,408
 $634
 $
 $982,042
Non-current liabilities 2,581,380
 
 
 2,581,380
 2,792,084
 
 
 2,792,084
 2,364,131
 
 
 2,364,131
 2,586,061
 
 
 2,586,061
Total Liabilities 3,513,481
 487
 
 3,513,968
 3,600,748
 736
 (13) 3,601,471
 3,332,505
 1,533
 
 3,334,038
 3,567,469
 634
 
 3,568,103
Redeemable Non-controlling interests 613,912
 13,696
 100,098
 727,706
 619,302
 26,853
 31,617
 677,772
 576,566
 9,034
 46,695
 632,295
 607,248
 15,452
 109,595
 732,295
Total Stockholders’ Equity 3,833,492
 141,646
 (141,646) 3,833,492
 4,011,285
 59,804
 (59,917) 4,011,172
 3,909,995
 90,515
 (90,515) 3,909,995
 3,852,136
 153,449
 (153,449) 3,852,136
Total Liabilities and Equity $7,960,885
 $155,829
 $(41,548) $8,075,166
 $8,231,335
 $87,393
 $(28,313) $8,290,415
 $7,819,066
 $101,082
 $(43,820) $7,876,328
 $8,026,853
 $169,535
 $(43,854) $8,152,534
(1)Other represents consolidated sponsored investment products (VREs) that are not designated as CIVs.



Consolidating Statements of Income
  Three Months Ended
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
  
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other
(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals
Total Operating Revenues $793,373
 $
 $(283) $793,090
 $715,601
 $
 $(360) $715,241
Total Operating Expenses 819,984
 555
 (116) 820,423
 604,075
 383
 (383) 604,075
Operating Income (Loss) (26,611) (555) (167) (27,333) 111,526
 (383) 23
 111,166
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (19,970) 7,940
 (1,487) (13,517) (20,545) 793
 (446) (20,198)
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (46,581) 7,385
 (1,654) (40,850) 90,981
 410
 (423) 90,968
Income tax provision (benefit) (209,396) 
 
 (209,396) 26,441
 
 
 26,441
Net Income 162,815
 7,385
 (1,654) 168,546
 64,540
 410
 (423) 64,527
Less:  Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 13,593
 (285) 6,016
 19,324
 13,101
 (4) (9) 13,088
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. $149,222
 $7,670
 $(7,670) $149,222
 $51,439
 $414
 $(414) $51,439
$51,439
(1)Other represents consolidated sponsored investment products (VREs) that are not designated as CIVs.
 Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
 
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other
(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other
(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other
(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals
Total Operating Revenues $2,355,620
 $
 $(350) $2,355,270
 $2,164,162
 $
 $(386) $2,163,776
 $758,530
 $
 $(103) $758,427
 $768,361
 $
 $(23) $768,338
Total Operating Expenses 2,130,412
 749
 (182) 2,130,979
 1,851,199
 606
 (383) 1,851,422
 622,430
 386
 (117) 622,699
 623,814
 127
 (22) 623,919
Operating Income (Loss) 225,208
 (749) (168) 224,291
 312,963
 (606) (3) 312,354
 136,100

(386)
14
 135,728
 144,547

(127)
(1) 144,419
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (55,892) 11,310
 (2,470) (47,052) (53,063) 10,444
 (1,682) (44,301) (22,189) (4,265) 1,643
 (24,811) (19,794) 2,131
 (459) (18,122)
Income Before Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 169,316
 10,561
 (2,638) 177,239
 259,900
 9,838
 (1,685) 268,053
Income tax provision (benefit) (142,468) 
 
 (142,468) 71,654
 
 
 71,654
Net Income 311,784
 10,561
 (2,638) 319,707
 188,246
 9,838
 (1,685) 196,399
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Provision 113,911

(4,651)
1,657
 110,917
 124,753

2,004

(460) 126,297
Income tax provision 29,844
 
 
 29,844
 38,673
 
 
 38,673
Net Income (Loss) 84,067

(4,651)
1,657
 81,073
 86,080

2,004

(460) 87,624
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 35,978
 (5) 7,928
 43,901
 36,914
 552
 7,601
 45,067
 11,264
 (267) (2,727) 8,270
 10,416
 35
 1,509
 11,960
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. $275,806
 $10,566
 $(10,566) $275,806
 $151,332
 $9,286
 $(9,286) $151,332
 $72,803

$(4,384)
$4,384
 $72,803
 $75,664

$1,969

$(1,969) $75,664
(1) Other represents consolidated sponsored investment products (VREs) that are not designated as CIVs.
  Six Months Ended
  September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
  
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals 
Balance Before
Consolidation of CIVs and Other
(1)
 
CIVs and Other(1)
 Eliminations Consolidated Totals
Total Operating Revenues $1,506,638
 $
 $(306) $1,506,332
 $1,562,247
 $
 $(67) $1,562,180
Total Operating Expenses 1,244,246
 1,078
 (396) 1,244,928
 1,310,428
 195
 (67) 1,310,556
Operating Income (Loss) 262,392
 (1,078) 90
 261,404
 251,819
 (195) 
 251,624
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (41,973) (543) 1,069
 (41,447) (35,922) 3,371
 (984) (33,535)
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Provision 220,419
 (1,621) 1,159
 219,957
 215,897
 3,176
 (984) 218,089
Income tax provision 60,519
 
 
 60,519
 66,928
 
 
 66,928
Net Income (Loss) 159,900
 (1,621) 1,159
 159,438
 148,969
 3,176
 (984) 151,161
Less:  Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 21,007
 (127) (335) 20,545
 22,385
 279
 1,913
 24,577
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. $138,893
 $(1,494) $1,494
 $138,893
 $126,584
 $2,897
 $(2,897) $126,584
(1) Other represents consolidated sponsored investment products (VREs) that are not designated as CIVs.
 
 

Non-Operating Income (Expense) of CIVs and Other includes interest income, interest expense, and net gains (losses) on investments.

The consolidation of CIVs has no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc.

As of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, financial assets of CIVs carried at fair value totaling $114,807$69,730 and $33,991,$128,397 respectively, were valued using Level 1 inputs, and totaling $21,106$15,927 and $24,734,$20,692, respectively, were valued using NAV as a practical expedient. Legg Mason had no financial liabilities of CIVs carried at fair value as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 or March 31, 2017.2018.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during either of the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016.2017.

The NAVs used as a practical expedient by CIVs have been provided by the investees and have been derived from the fair values of the underlying investments as of the respective reporting dates. The following table summarizes as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, the nature of these investments and any related liquidation restrictions or other factors, which may impact the ultimate value realized:
   Fair Value Determined Using NAV As of December 31, 2017   Fair Value Determined Using NAV As of September 30, 2018
Category of Investment Investment Strategy December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 Unfunded Commitments Remaining Term Investment Strategy September 30, 2018 
March 31,
 2018
 Unfunded Commitments Remaining Term
Hedge funds Global macro, fixed income, long/short equity, systematic, emerging market, U.S. and European hedge $21,106
(1) 
$24,734
 n/a n/a Global macro, fixed income, long/short equity, systematic, emerging market, U.S. and European hedge $15,927
(1) 
$20,692
 n/a n/a
n/a - not applicable
(1)Redemption restrictions: 5%7% daily redemption; 8%12% monthly redemption; 49%61% quarterly redemption; and 38%20% are subject to three to five-year lock-up or side pocket provisions.

AsLegg Mason's carrying value and maximum risk of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017,loss for VIEs in which Legg Mason holds a variable interest, but for which it was not the primary beneficiary, Legg Mason's carrying value and maximum risk of loss were as follows:
 As of December 31, 2017 As of March 31, 2017 As of September 30, 2018 As of March 31, 2018
 
Equity Interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (1)
 
Maximum Risk of Loss (2)
 
Equity Interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (1)
 
Maximum Risk of Loss (2)
 
Equity Interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (1)
 
Maximum Risk of Loss (2)
 
Equity Interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (1)
 
Maximum Risk of Loss (2)
Real Estate Investment Trusts $12,361
 $14,099
 $11,660
 $15,763
 $13,316
 $15,524
 $12,419
 $14,332
Other investment funds 29,239
 47,737
 47,063
 73,710
 11,795
 34,527
 12,640
 33,258
Total $41,600
 $61,836
 $58,723
 $89,473
 $25,111
 $50,051

$25,059

$47,590
(1)Amounts are related to investments in proprietary and other fund products.
(2)Includes equity investments the Company has made or is required to make and any earned but uncollected management fees.

The Company's total AUM of unconsolidated VIEs was $30,508,623$33,114,018 and $26,735,285$31,809,837 as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

The assets of these VIEs are primarily comprised of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and the liabilities are primarily comprised of various expense accruals. These VIEs were not consolidated because Legg Mason does not have both the power to direct significant economic activities of the entity and rights/obligations associated with benefits/losses that could be significant to the entity.


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

Forward-looking Statements
We have made in this report, and from time to time may otherwise make in our public filings, press releases and statements by our management,This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 includingthat involve substantial risks or uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “current,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intention,” “maintain,” “opportunity,” “position,” “potential,” “projection,” “remain,” “seek,” “sustain,” “trend” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” "will," "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance and achievements and the timing of certain events to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or timing discussed, projected, anticipated or indicated in any forward-looking statement. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, information or anticipated information relating to anticipated growth into: our expectations regarding financial market conditions, future investment performance of our affiliates, and future net client cash flows; the performance of our business, including revenues, ornet income, earnings per share, anticipateddividends, investments, capital expenditures, and other conditions; our expense levels; changes in our business or in the amount or composition of our client assets under management ("AUM") or assets under advisement ("AUA"), anticipated future performance of our business, including expected earnings per share in future periods, anticipated future investment performance of our affiliates, our expected future net client cash flows, anticipated expense levels, changes in expenses,; the expected effects of acquisitions and expectations regarding financial market conditions. The wordsother transactions and their effect on our business; changes in tax regulations and rates, including the effect on our estimated effective income tax rate; and other regulatory or phrases “can be,” “may be,” “expects,” “may affect,” “may depend,” “believes,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate” and similar words and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and we caution readers that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of Legg Mason is not a guarantee of future performance.legislative changes.

Actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the foregoing factors as well as those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere herein, under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017, and our other public filings, press releases and statements by our management.2018. Due to such risks, uncertainties and other factors, we caution each person receiving such forward-looking information not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and we undertake no obligationsobligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on whichof any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Executive Overview
Legg Mason, Inc., a holding company, with its subsidiaries (collectively, "Legg Mason") is a global asset management firm.firm that operates through nine independent asset management subsidiaries (collectively with its subsidiaries, “Legg Mason”). We help investors globally to achieve better financial outcomes by expanding choice across investment strategies, vehicles and investor access through independent asset managers with diverse expertise in equity, fixed income, alternative and liquidity investments. Acting through our subsidiaries, which we provideoften refer to as our affiliates, we deliver our investment management and related services to institutional and individual clients, company-sponsored mutual funds and other investment products. We offer thesecapabilities through varied products and servicesvehicles and via multiple points of access, including directly and through various financial intermediaries. Our investment advisory services include discretionary and non-discretionary management of separate investment accounts in numerous investment styles for institutional and individual investors. Our investment products include proprietary mutual funds ranging from money market and other liquidity products to fixed income, equity and alternative funds managed in a wide variety of investment styles. We havealso offer other domestic and offshore funds to both retail and institutional investors, privately placed real estate funds and funds-of-hedge funds. Our centralized global distribution group, Legg Mason Global Distribution, markets, distributes and supports our investment products.

Our operations are principally in the U.S. and the U.K. and we also have offices in Australia, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan. Terms such as "we," "us," "our," and "Company" refer to Legg Mason.

The financial services business in which we are engaged is extremely competitive. Our competition includes numerous global, national, regional and local asset management firms, commercial banks, insurance companies, and other financial services companies. The industry continues to experience disruption and challenges, including a shift to lower-fee passively managed products, which contributes to increasing fee pressure, (including pressure arising from the shift to lower fee passive products), the increased role of technology in asset management services, the constant introduction of new financial products and services by our competitors, and the consolidation of financial services firms through mergers and acquisitions. The asset management industry is also subject to extensive and evolving regulation under federal, state, and foreign laws. Like most firms, we have been and will continue to be impacted by regulatory and legislative changes. Responding to these changes and keeping abreast of regulatory developments has required, and will continue to require, us to incur costs that impact our profitability.

Our financial position and results of operations are materially affected by the overall trends and conditions ofin the global

financial markets. Results of any individual period should not be considered representative of future results.

Our revenues and net income are derived primarily from AUM and fees associated with our investment products. Accordingly, changes in global financial markets, the composition and level of AUM, net new business inflows (or outflows) and changes in the mix of investment products between asset classes and geographies may materially affect our results of operations. Our most significant operating expenses are employee compensation and benefits, of which a majority is variable in nature and includes incentive compensation, and distribution and servicing expenses, which consist primarily of fees paid to third-party distributors for selling our asset management products and services. Our profitability is sensitive to a variety of factors, including the amount and composition of our AUM, and the volatility and general level of securities prices, interest rates, and changes in currency exchange rates, among other things. Periods of unfavorable market conditions are likely to have an adverse effect on our profitability. In addition, the diversification of services, vehicles, and products offered, investment performance, access to distribution channels, reputation in the market, attraction and retention of key employees and client relations are significant factors in determining whether we are successful in the attractionattracting and retention ofretaining clients. In the last few years, the industry has seen flows into products for which we do not currently garner significant market share, including, in particular, passive products, and corresponding flows out of products in which we do have market share. For a further discussion of factors that may affect our results of operations, refer to Item 1A. Risk Factorsthe discussion under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, and in Item 1A. herein.

2018.

Our strategy is to expand client choice.choice through products, vehicles and access. We focus our strategic priorities on the four primary areas listed below.  Management keepsconsiders these strategic priorities in mind when it evaluatesevaluating our operating performance and financial condition.  Consistent with this approach, we have also presented in the table below the most important initiatives on which management currently focuses in evaluating our performance and financial condition.
 Strategic Priorities  Initiatives
-Products -Create an innovative portfolio of investment products and promote revenue growth by developing new products and product vehicles and leveraging the capabilities of our affiliates
   -Identify and execute strategic acquisitions to strengthen our affiliates and increase product offerings
     
-Performance -Deliver compelling and consistent performance against both relevant benchmarks and the products and services of our competitors
     
-Distribution -Continue to maintain and enhance our top tier distribution function with the capability to offer solutions to relevant investment challenges and grow market share worldwide
   -Develop alternative and innovative distribution approaches for expanded client access
     
-Productivity -Operate with a high level of effectiveness and improve ongoing efficiency
   -Align economic relationships with affiliate management teams, including retained affiliate management equity, and the implementation of affiliate management equity plan agreements, and collaborative cost saving efforts

The strategic priorities discussed above are designed to drive improvements in our net flows, earnings, cash flows, AUM and other key metrics, including operating margin.  Certain of these key metrics are discussed in our quarterly results discussion below.

In connection with theseour strategic priorities, on May 4, 2017, we launched the ClearBridge All Cap Growth Exchange Traded Fund ("ETF"), an actively managed strategy that seeksand our affiliates have begun to achieve long-term capital appreciation through investmentidentify and pursue new and different ways to collaborate in large-, mid-,order to leverage our combined scale and small capitalization stocks that have the potentialbecome more effective and efficient at delivering results for above average long-term earnings and/or cash flow growth. On July 14, 2017, we launched the Legg Mason Small-Cap Quality Value ETF, our first dedicated small-cap, multi-factor ETF sub-advised by Royce & Associates ("Royce").clients and shareholders. We expect ETFsthese activities to be a growth opportunity, as investor interest has trended away from traditional mutual funds, andresult in savings, much of which we intend to continue to focus on increasingreinvest in our ETF product offerings during fiscal 2018.business.

Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, was $149.2$72.8 million, or $1.58$0.82 per diluted share, as compared to $51.4$75.7 million, or $0.50$0.78 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The increase inSeptember 30, 2017. Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. was largelyfor the resultthree months ended September 30, 2018 included a discrete tax benefit of a $213.7$2.8 million, or $2.27$0.03 per diluted share, one-time, net non-cash provisional tax benefit related to H.R. 1 "An Act to Provide for the Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and Vcompletion of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018" (the "Tax Law"), which became enacted law on December 22, 2017. This increase wasa prior year tax audit, offset in part by a non-cash impairmentreal estate related charge of $195.0$2.4 million, or $1.62$0.02 per diluted share, related to intangible assets at EnTrustPermal Group Holdings, LLC ("EnTrustPermal") and discrete tax items which negatively impactedassociated with the sublease of office space in our Baltimore headquarters, while the three months ended December 31, 2017 by $7.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. The three months ended December 31, 2016, included impairment charges of $35.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, related to RARE Infrastructure Limited ("RARE Infrastructure") amortizable intangible assets and The Permal Group, Limited ("Permal") trade name. The three months ended December 31, 2016, also included a credit of $14.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, related to fair value adjustments to decrease the contingent consideration liabilities associated with the acquisitions of Martin Currie (Holdings) Limited ("Martin Currie"), RARE Infrastructure, QS Investors Holdings, LLC ("QS Investors"), and Financial Guard and a gain on the sale of Legg Mason Poland of $4.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. In addition, the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2017 included acquisition and transition-related costs of $1.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, associated

with the combination of Permal with EnTrust Capital ("EnTrust"), while the three months ended December 31, 2016, included $3.0of $1.4 million, or $0.02$0.01 per diluted share, of such costs.offset in part by a $1.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, year-to-date tax annualization benefit.

AverageAlthough average AUM and total operating revenues both increasedremained relatively flat for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, total operating revenues decreased due to a reduction in performance fees, as further discussed below.


During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2017, total AUM increased, primarily due to the positive impact of market performance and other, which includes the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of certain assets which were previously classified as AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM, as further discussed below, and net client inflows in fixed income AUM, which were offset in part by net client outflows in liquidity, alternative, and equity AUM and the disposition of a small investment manager and our portion of a joint venture.

The following discussion and analysis provides additional information regarding our financial condition and results of operations.

Business Environment
Despite increased volatility in the month of September, U.S. equity markets continued to increase during the three months ended December 31, 2017, largely due to continued growth inSeptember 30, 2018, led by the technology and health care sectors, as strong corporate earnings growth and an expanding economy. Internationalfavorable economic indicators outweighed investor concerns about heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Developed international equity markets also improved, dueincreased during the quarter, driven by strong gains in Japanese markets, as the yen weakened against the U.S. dollar and corporate earnings continued to signsimprove. European markets increased modestly during the quarter, reflecting continued economic growth. Emerging equity markets declined during the quarter, driven by the strengthening U.S. dollar, the withdrawal of economic growthglobal liquidity, and accommodative monetary policy.trade tensions.

Our industry continuesGlobal bond markets were mixed during the three months ended September 30, 2018. U.S. government bond yields increased during the quarter, with the 10-year treasury yield rising to be impacted byits highest level since 2011, while strong corporate earnings resulted in positive total returns for U.S. corporate bonds. In September 2018, the generally low growthFederal Reserve Board increased the target federal funds rate from 2.00% to 2.25%, the third rate increase during calendar year 2018, and mixed return environment, with continued migration from active to passive strategies,signaled one additional rate increase in calendar year 2018, as well as three increases in calendar year 2019. As a result, the U.S. dollar strengthened during the quarter against most major currencies, which together with regulatory reform, continues to put pressure on fees, contributing to the consolidation of products and managers on distribution platforms. These factors continue to create significant flow challengesresulted in lower returns for active managers like ourselves.non-dollar denominated bonds.

DuringThe following table summarizes the returns for various major market indices for the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016, major U.S. equity market indices and bond market indices increased.2017:
 % Change for the three months ended December 31: % Change for the nine months ended December 31: % Change for the Three Months Ended September 30, % Change for the Six Months Ended September 30,
Indices(1)
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Dow Jones Industrial Average(2)
 10.3% 7.9 % 19.6% 11.8 % 9.0 % 4.9% 9.8 % 8.4%
S&P 500(2)
 6.1% 3.3 % 13.2% 8.7 % 7.2 % 4.0% 10.3 % 6.6%
Nasdaq Composite Index(2)
 6.3% 1.3 % 16.8% 10.5 % 7.1 % 5.8% 13.9 % 9.9%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 0.4% (3.0)% 2.7% (0.4)%  % 0.9% (0.1)% 2.3%
Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index 1.1% (7.1)% 5.5% (3.6)% (0.9)% 1.8% (3.7)% 4.4%
(1)Indices are trademarks of Dow Jones & Company, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., and Barclays Capital, respectively, which are not affiliated with Legg Mason.
(2)Excludes the impact of the reinvestment of dividends and stock splits.

In December 2017,addition to these factors, our industry continues to be impacted by the Federal Reserve Board increasedgenerally low growth and mixed return environment, with continued migration from active to passive strategies. Together with regulatory reform, these factors continue to put pressure on fees, contributing to the target federal funds rate from 1.25%consolidation of products and managers on distribution platforms. These factors also continue to 1.50%. create significant flow challenges for active managers like ourselves.

While the economic outlook for the U.S. has remained positive in recent years, it has been impacted by increased uncertainty. This uncertainty has led to increased volatility in the U.S. and international equity and bond markets. The volatility of the market highlights the importance of a strong investment strategy. The financial environment in which we operate continues to reflect a heightened level of sensitivity and continued pressure on our fees, as previously discussed.discussed above.

The Markets in Financial Instrument Directive ("MiFID II") became effective in Europe in January 2018. We are committed to ensuring our investment professionals have access to the external research market in order to achieve our long-term investment performance goals. We are absorbing external research costs incurred for MiFID II impacted funds and client accounts, which costs are not material to the company's financial statements.


QuarterThree Months Ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, Compared to QuarterThree Months Ended December 31, 2016September 30, 2017

Assets Under Management and Assets Under Advisement

Assets Under Management
Our AUM is primarily managed across the following asset classes:
Equity Fixed Income Alternative Liquidity
           
-Large Cap Growth -U.S. Intermediate Investment Grade -Real Estate -U.S. Managed Cash
-Large Cap Value -U.S. Credit Aggregate -Hedge Funds -U.S. Municipal Cash
-Equity Income -Global Opportunistic Fixed Income -Listed Infrastructure   
-International Equity -Global Government     
-Small Cap Core -U.S. MunicipalGlobal Fixed Income      
-Large Cap Core -Global Fixed IncomeU.S. Municipal      
-Sector Equity -High Yield
U.S. Long Duration

      
-Mid Cap Core -
U.S. Long Duration

High Yield
      
-Small Cap Value -U.S. Limited Duration      
-Emerging Markets EquitySmall Cap Growth -Emerging Markets Debt      
-Small Cap GrowthEmerging Markets Equity         
-Global Equity         

The components of the changes in our AUM (in billions) for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 Three Months Ended
 September 30,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
Beginning of period $754.4
 $732.9
 $744.6
 $741.2
Net client cash flows:        
Investment funds, excluding liquidity products(1):
    
    
Subscriptions 14.6
 15.5
 12.9
 16.3
Redemptions (14.1) (16.4) (14.8) (14.4)
Long-term separate account flows, net(2)
 1.7
 (3.1) 0.9
 (4.1)
Total long-term flows 2.2
 (4.0) (1.0) (2.2)
Liquidity fund flows, net (2.4) (7.8) 3.5
 (0.1)
Liquidity separate account flows, net 0.1
 0.9
 (0.5) 0.3
Total liquidity flows (2.3) (6.9) 3.0
 0.2
Total net client cash flows (0.1) (10.9) 2.0
 (2.0)
Realizations(3)
 (0.3) 
 (0.2) (0.5)
Market performance and other(4)
 13.5
 (2.3) 11.0
 13.5
Impact of foreign exchange (0.4) (8.4) (2.0) 2.2
Acquisition (disposition)(5)
 0.1
 (0.9)
End of period(2)
 $767.2
 $710.4
End of period $755.4
 $754.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)As further discussed below,The three months ended September 30, 2017, includes a reclassification of $1.0 billion from long-term separate account flows, net, to Market performance and other related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA effective April 1, 2017 due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM effective April 1, 2017, AUM as of December 31, 2017 includes $22.0 billion of assets which were previously included in AUA. Comparable AUA as of December 31, 2016 was $13.7 billion. Long-term separate account flows, net, for the three months ended December 31, 2017, includes $0.6 billion of net inflows related to this AUM. Net inflows related to the comparable AUA were $0.8 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2016, and are excluded from the table above.
(3)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g.(e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers). Prior to April 1, 2017, realizations were reported as net client cash flows.
(4)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends,.
(5)Related to and for the acquisition of a small investment manager in Decemberthree months ended September 30, 2017, and the disposition of a small investment manager in December 2016.reclassification from long-term separate account flows, net, discussed above.


AUM at December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 was $767.2$755.4 billion, an increase of $12.8$10.8 billion, or 2%1%, from SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018. Total net client outflowsinflows were $0.1$2.0 billion, consisting of $2.3$3.0 billion of net client outflows frominflows into the liquidity asset class, which were offset in part by $2.2$1.0 billion of net client inflows intooutflows from long-term asset classes. Long-term asset net inflowsoutflows were comprised of equity net outflows of $1.1 billion and fixed income net inflowsoutflows of $5.4$0.5 billion, offset in part by equityalternative net inflows of $0.6 billion. Equity net outflows of $3.2 billion. Alternative net flows were flat.primarily in products managed by Brandywine Global Investment Management ("Brandywine"), Royce & Associates ("Royce"), ClearBridge Investments ("ClearBridge") and QS Investors. Fixed income net inflowsoutflows were primarily in products managed by Western Asset Management Company ("Western Asset"), offset in part by net outflows ininflows into products managed by QS Investors. EquityBrandywine. Alternative net outflowsinflows were primarily in products managed by QS Investors, Martin Currie, Royce, ClearBridge Investments, LLC ("ClearBridge"), and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC ("Brandywine"). Alternative flows were flat as net inflows into products managed by Clarion Partners, and RARE Infrastructure were offset in part by net outflows from products managed by EnTrustPermal. We generallyRARE Infrastructure. In general, we earn higher fees and profits onper dollar of alternative and equity AUM and thus net flowsoutflows in those asset classes more heavilynegatively impact our revenues and Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. than do net flowswould outflows in the fixed income and liquidity asset classes. MarketThe positive impact of market performance and other was $13.5$11.0 billion and the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations was $0.4$2.0 billion.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we began to separately report realizations. Realizations are investment manager driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. requested redemptions, liquidations, or asset transfers). Realizations for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 were $0.3 billion. Realizations of $0.4 billion were included in net client cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Our net client cash flows reflect the significant industry-wide flow pressure for active managers of equity and fixed income assets discussed above under the heading "Business Environment".

AUM by Asset Class
AUM by asset class (in billions) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, was as follows:
 2017 
% of
Total
 2016 
% of
Total
 % Change
As of September 30, 2018 
% of
Total
 2017 
% of
Total
 % Change
Equity $207.6
 27% $169.0
 24% 23 % $214.5
 28% $201.2
 27% 7 %
Fixed income 420.1
 55
 381.1
 54
 10
 411.0
 55
 411.9
 54
 
Alternative 66.3
 8
 71.5
 10
 (7) 67.4
 9
 65.8
 9
 2
Total long-term assets 694.0
 90
 621.6
 88
 12
 692.9
 92
 678.9
 90
 2
Liquidity 73.2
 10
 88.8
 12
 (18) 62.5
 8
 75.5
 10
 (17)
Total $767.2
 100% $710.4
 100% 8 % $755.4
 100% $754.4
 100%  %

Average AUM by asset class (in billions) for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, was as follows:
 2017 % of
Total
 2016 
% of
Total
 % Change
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 % of
Total
 2017 
% of
Total
 % Change
Equity $204.7
 26% $166.7
 23% 23 % $212.2
 28% $198.9
 26% 7 %
Fixed income 414.8
 55
 387.8
 54
 7
 411.4
 55
 410.2
 55
 
Alternative 65.8
 9
 71.3
 10
 (8) 66.4
 9
 66.0
 9
 1
Total long-term assets 685.3
 90
 625.8
 87
 10
 690.0
 92
 675.1
 90
 2
Liquidity 74.6
 10
 90.9
 13
 (18) 60.2
 8
 75.2
 10
 (20)
Total $759.9
 100% $716.7
 100% 6 % $750.2
 100% $750.3
 100%  %


The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, were as follows:
  Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
September 30, 2017 $201.2
 $411.9
 $65.8
 $678.9
 $75.5
 $754.4
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
  
  
   

  
  
Subscriptions 4.6
 8.3
 1.7
 14.6
 
 14.6
Redemptions (7.1) (5.5) (1.5) (14.1) 
 (14.1)
Separate account flows, net(2)
 (0.7) 2.6
 (0.2) 1.7
 0.1
 1.8
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (2.4) (2.4)
Net client cash flows (3.2) 5.4
 
 2.2
 (2.3) (0.1)
Realizations(3)
 
 
 (0.3) (0.3) 
 (0.3)
Market performance and other(4)
 9.6
 3.0
 0.7
 13.3
 0.2
 13.5
Impact of foreign exchange 
 (0.2) 
 (0.2) (0.2) (0.4)
Acquisition(5)
 
 
 0.1
 0.1
 
 0.1
December 31, 2017(2)
 $207.6
 $420.1
 $66.3
 $694.0
 $73.2
 $767.2
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)Due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM effective April 1, 2017, AUM as of December 31, 2017 includes $16.6 billion and $5.4 billion of equity and fixed income assets, respectively, which were previously included in AUA. Fixed income and equity separate account flows, net, each include $0.3 billion of net inflows related to this AUM.
(3)Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(4)Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
(5)Related to the acquisition of a small investment manager.
 Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
September 30, 2016 $168.4
 $396.9
 $72.0
 $637.3
 $95.6
 $732.9
June 30, 2018 $206.4
 $412.3
 $66.4
 $685.1
 $59.5
 $744.6
Investment funds, excluding liquidity
funds(1):
  
  
        
  
  
   

  
  
Subscriptions 6.9
 7.2
 1.4
 15.5
 
 15.5
 5.0
 6.3
 1.6
 12.9
 
 12.9
Redemptions (7.3) (7.4) (1.7) (16.4) 
 (16.4) (5.9) (7.7) (1.2) (14.8) 
 (14.8)
Separate account flows, net (3.3) 0.7
 (0.5) (3.1) 0.9
 (2.2) (0.2) 0.9
 0.2
 0.9
 (0.5) 0.4
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (7.8) (7.8) 
 
 
 
 3.5
 3.5
Net client cash flows (3.7) 0.5
 (0.8) (4.0) (6.9) (10.9) (1.1) (0.5) 0.6
 (1.0) 3.0
 2.0
Market performance and other(2)
 6.0
 (9.2) 0.7
 (2.5) 0.2
 (2.3)
Realizations(2)
 
 
 (0.2) (0.2) 
 (0.2)
Market performance and other(3)
 9.5
 0.7
 0.7
 10.9
 0.1
 11.0
Impact of foreign exchange (1.3) (6.7) (0.4) (8.4) 
 (8.4) (0.3) (1.5) (0.1) (1.9) (0.1) (2.0)
Disposition(3)
 (0.4) (0.4) 
 (0.8) (0.1) (0.9)
December 31, 2016 $169.0
 $381.1
 $71.5
 $621.6
 $88.8
 $710.4
September 30, 2018 $214.5
 $411.0
 $67.4
 $692.9
 $62.5
 $755.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)
OtherRealizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily includesrelated to the reinvestmentsale of dividendsassets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(3)Related toOther primarily includes the dispositionreinvestment of a small investment manager.dividends.
.




The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the trailing 12 months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
December 31, 2016 $169.0
 $381.1
 $71.5
 $621.6
 $88.8
 $710.4
June 30, 2017 $196.2
 $403.6
 $66.5
 $666.3
 $74.9
 $741.2
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
              
  
        
Subscriptions 26.9
 34.7
 6.5
 68.1
 
 68.1
 5.3
 9.5
 1.5
 16.3
 
 16.3
Redemptions (27.2) (26.6) (7.4) (61.2) 
 (61.2) (7.4) (5.3) (1.7) (14.4) 
 (14.4)
Separate account flows, net(2)
 (1.1) 2.0
 (3.4) (2.5) 0.2
 (2.3) (0.3) (3.3) (0.5) (4.1) 0.3
 (3.8)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (16.9) (16.9) 
 
 
 
 (0.1) (0.1)
Net client cash flows (1.4) 10.1
 (4.3) 4.4
 (16.7) (12.3) (2.4) 0.9
 (0.7) (2.2) 0.2
 (2.0)
Realizations(3)
 
 
 (2.2) (2.2) 
 (2.2) 
 
 (0.5) (0.5) 
 (0.5)
Market performance and other(2)(4)
 40.9
 23.9
 2.9
 67.7
 1.2
 68.9
 7.1
 5.9
 0.3
 13.3
 0.2
 13.5
Impact of foreign exchange 1.1
 5.0
 0.5
 6.6
 (0.1) 6.5
 0.3
 1.5
 0.2
 2.0
 0.2
 2.2
Acquisition (dispositions), net(4)
 (2.0) 
 (2.1) (4.1) 
 (4.1)
December 31, 2017 $207.6
 $420.1
 $66.3
 $694.0
 $73.2
 $767.2
September 30, 2017 $201.2
 $411.9
 $65.8
 $678.9
 $75.5
 $754.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)Includes a reclassification of $0.4 billion and $0.6 billion from equity and fixed income separate account flows, net, respectively, to Market performance and other, related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA effective April 1, 2017 due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(3)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(4)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends and the reclassification from separate account flows, net, discussed above.

.




The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the trailing 12 months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
  Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
September 30, 2017 $201.2
 $411.9
 $65.8
 $678.9
 $75.5
 $754.4
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
            
Subscriptions 20.1
 33.8
 5.9
 59.8
 
 59.8
Redemptions (26.8) (27.9) (5.3) (60.0) 
 (60.0)
Separate account flows, net (1.8) 3.1
 0.5
 1.8
 (1.7) 0.1
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (11.4) (11.4)
Net client cash flows (8.5) 9.0
 1.1
 1.6
 (13.1) (11.5)
Realizations(2)
 
 
 (1.2) (1.2) 
 (1.2)
Market performance and other(3)
 22.5
 (5.7) 1.9
 18.7
 0.9
 19.6
Impact of foreign exchange (0.7) (4.2) (0.3) (5.2) (0.8) (6.0)
Acquisition 
 
 0.1
 0.1
 
 0.1
September 30, 2018 $214.5
 $411.0
 $67.4
 $692.9
 $62.5
 $755.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(3)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
  Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
September 30, 2016 $168.4
 $396.9
 $72.0
 $637.3
 $95.6
 $732.9
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
            
Subscriptions 29.0
 33.7
 6.2
 68.9
 
 68.9
Redemptions (27.4) (28.5) (7.6) (63.5) 
 (63.5)
Separate account flows, net(2)
 (3.7) 
 (3.6) (7.3) 0.9
 (6.4)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (22.2) (22.2)
Net client cash flows (2.1) 5.2
 (5.0) (1.9) (21.3) (23.2)
Realizations(3)
 
 
 (1.9) (1.9) 
 (1.9)
Market performance and other(4)
 37.4
 11.6
 2.9
 51.9
 1.2
 53.1
Impact of foreign exchange (0.2) (1.4) 0.1
 (1.5) 0.1
 (1.4)
Dispositions(5)
 (2.3) (0.4) (2.3) (5.0) (0.1) (5.1)
September 30, 2017 $201.2
 $411.9
 $65.8
 $678.9
 $75.5
 $754.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)Includes a reclassification of $0.4 billion and $0.6 billion from equity and fixed income separate account flows, net, respectively, to Market performance and other, related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA effective April 1, 2017 due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(3)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(4)Other includes the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of $12.1 billion and $3.9 billion of certain equity and fixed income assets, respectively, which were previously included in AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM. Equity and fixed income separate account flows, net, include $2.8 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, of net inflows related to this AUM. Other also includes the reinvestment of dividends, and a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts.amounts, and the reclassification from separate account flows, net, discussed above.
(3)Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(4)(5)Related to the disposition of atwo small investment managermanagers and our share of a joint venture, offset in part by the acquisition of a small investment manager.venture.
  Equity Fixed Income Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
December 31, 2015 $167.3
 $364.8
 $24.1
 $556.2
 $115.3
 $671.5
Investment funds, excluding liquidity
     funds (1):
            
Subscriptions 22.0
 27.9
 4.8
 54.7
 
 54.7
Redemptions (28.3) (25.3) (7.8) (61.4) 
 (61.4)
Separate account flows, net (6.5) (3.1) (2.4) (12.0) 0.7
 (11.3)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (28.2) (28.2)
Net client cash flows (12.8) (0.5) (5.4) (18.7) (27.5) (46.2)
Market performance and other(2)
 15.8
 17.4
 1.7
 34.9
 0.5
 35.4
Impact of foreign exchange (1.1) (0.2) 
 (1.3) 0.6
 (0.7)
Acquisitions (dispositions), net(3)
 (0.2) (0.4) 51.1
 50.5
 (0.1) 50.4
December 31, 2016 $169.0
 $381.1
 $71.5
 $621.6
 $88.8
 $710.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
(3)Primarily includes $41.5 billion related to the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016 and $9.6 billion related to the acquisition of EnTrust in May 2016, offset in part by $0.9 billion related to the disposition of a small investment manager.

AUM at December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 was $767.2$755.4 billion, an increase of $56.8$1.0 billion or 8%, from December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. Total net client outflows were $12.3$11.5 billion, consisting of $16.7$13.1 billion of net client outflows from the liquidity asset class, offset in part by $4.4$1.6 billion of net client inflows into long-term asset classes. Long-term asset net inflows were comprised of fixed income net inflows of $10.1$9.0 billion and alternative net inflows of $1.1 billion, offset in part by alternative net outflows of $4.3 billion and equity net outflows of $1.4$8.5 billion. Fixed income net inflows were primarily in products managed by Western Asset and Brandywine, offset in part by net outflows infrom products managed by QS Investors. Alternative net outflowsinflows were primarily in products managed by EnTrustPermal and RARE Infrastructure,Clarion Partners, offset in part by net inflows intooutflows from products managed by Clarion Partners.EnTrustPermal. Equity net outflows were primarily in products managed by ClearBridge, QS Investors, Royce, and Brandywine offset in part by net inflows into products managed by ClearBridge and Martin Currie. Market The positive impact of market

performance and other was $68.9 billion, $16.0 billion of which relates to the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of certain assets which were previously classified as AUA to

AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.$19.6 billion. The positivenegative impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations totaled $6.5$6.0 billion. Acquisition (dispositions), net, totaled $(4.1) billion, and were related to the disposition of one small investment manager and our portion of a joint venture, offset in part by the acquisition of a small investment manager.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we began to separately report realizations. Realizations are investment manager driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. requested redemptions, liquidations, or asset transfers). Realizations for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, were $2.2 billion. Realizations of $0.2 billion, $0.4 billion, $0.4 billion, and $0.3 billion, were included in net client cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, September 30, 2016, and June 30, 2016, respectively.

AUM by Distribution Channel
Broadly, we have two principal distribution channels, Global Distribution and Affiliate/Other, through which we sell a variety of investment products and services. Global Distribution, which consists of our centralized global distribution operations, principally sells U.S. and international mutual funds and other commingled vehicles, retail separately managed account programs, and sub-advisory accounts for insurance companies and similar clients. Affiliate/Other consists of the distribution operations within our asset managers, which principally sell institutional separate account management, liquidity (money market) funds, real estate and other privately placed investment funds, and funds-of-hedge funds.

The component changes in our AUM by distribution channel (in billions) for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, were as follows:
 Global Distribution Affiliate/Other Total Global Distribution Affiliate/Other Total
September 30, 2017 $323.3
 $431.1
 $754.4
June 30, 2018 $335.3
 $409.3
 $744.6
Net client cash flows, excluding liquidity funds 2.6
 (0.3) 2.3
 (1.4) (0.1) (1.5)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 (2.4) (2.4) 
 3.5
 3.5
Net client cash flows 2.6
(1 
) 
(2.7) (0.1) (1.4) 3.4
 2.0
Realizations(2)(1)
 
 (0.3) (0.3) 
 (0.2) (0.2)
Market performance and other(3)(2)
 7.5
 6.0
 13.5
 8.6
 2.4
 11.0
Impact of foreign exchange 0.1
 (0.5) (0.4) (0.9) (1.1) (2.0)
Acquisition 
 0.1
 0.1
December 31, 2017 $333.5
(1 
) 
$433.7
 $767.2
September 30, 2018 $341.6
 $413.8
 $755.4
(1)Due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM effective April 1, 2017, AUM as of December 31, 2017 includes $22.0 billion of assets which were previously included in AUA. Net client cash flows include $0.6 billion of net inflows related to this AUM.
(2)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g.(e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(3)(2)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
 
Global Distribution(1)
 Affiliate/Other Total Global Distribution Affiliate/Other Total
September 30, 2016 $272.8
 $460.1
 $732.9
June 30, 2017 $311.6
 $429.6
 $741.2
Net client cash flows, excluding liquidity funds 0.3
 (3.4) (3.1) 3.0
(1)(4.9) (1.9)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 (7.8) (7.8) 
 (0.1) (0.1)
Net client cash flows 0.3
 (11.2) (10.9) 3.0
 (5.0) (2.0)
Market performance and other(2)
 2.4
 (4.7) (2.3)
Realizations(2)
 
 (0.5) (0.5)
Market performance and other(3)
 8.1
 5.4
 13.5
Impact of foreign exchange (4.1) (4.3) (8.4) 0.6
 1.6
 2.2
Disposition(3)
 
 (0.9) (0.9)
December 31, 2016 $271.4
 $439.0
 $710.4
September 30, 2017 $323.3
 $431.1
 $754.4
(1)Excludes $14.0Includes a reclassification of $1.0 billion and $12.7 billion of AUA as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Netfrom net client cash flows, for the three months ended December 31, 2016, excludes $0.8 billion ofexcluding liquidity funds, to Market performance and other related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA net inflows. Effectiveeffective April 1, 2017 a significant portion of these assets were reclassified from AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(2)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(3)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividendsand the reclassification from net client cash flows discussed above.

Operating Revenue Yield
We calculate operating revenue yields as the ratio of the sum of annualized investment advisory fees, distribution and service fees, and other revenues, less performance fees, to average AUM. For each of the quarters ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, our overall operating revenue yield, less performance fees, across all asset classes and distribution channels was 38 basis points. Fees for managing alternativepoints ("bps"). Our operating revenue yields by asset class and equity assets are generally higher, with alternative assets averaging 64 basis points and 68 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and fees for managing equity assets averaging 61 basis points and 67 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. distribution channel were as follows:

 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2018 2017
Asset Class:   
Equity60 bps 63 bps
Fixed Income27 bps 27 bps
Alternative61 bps 64 bps
Liquidity14 bps 13 bps
    
Distribution Channel:   
Global Distribution43 bps 44 bps
Affiliate/Other35 bps 34 bps

The average fee rate for managing equity and alternative assets declined over the last year due to a shift in the mix of assets from higher fee to lower fee products, while the average fee rate for managing equity assets declined due to the previously discussed reclassification of certain assets from AUA to AUM, as this increased the AUM denominator without a corresponding increase in operating revenue. This compares to fees for managing fixed income assets, which averaged 27 basis points for each of the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and liquidity assets, which averaged 14 basis points and 11 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. products.

Equity assets are primarily managed by ClearBridge, Royce, Brandywine, QS Investors and Martin Currie; alternative assets are managed by Clarion Partners, EnTrustPermal and RARE Infrastructure; fixed income assets are primarily managed by Western Asset and Brandywine; and liquidity assets are managed by Western Asset. Fee rates for assetsAssets distributed through Legg Mason Global Distribution which are predominately retail in nature, averaged approximately 45 basis points for each of the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, while fee rates for assets distributed through the Affiliate/Other channel averaged approximately 35 basis points for each of the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.nature.

Investment Performance
Overall investment performance of our AUM for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, was mixed compared to relevant benchmarks.

For the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, U.S. equity indices produced positive returns. The best performing index was the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which returned 11%9.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. The lowest performing index was the Russell 2000, which returned 3%3.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. These positive returns reflect thecontinuing growth of corporate earnings and an expanding economy.economy, despite increased volatility during the month of September.

In the U.S. fixed income markets, shorter-termshort-term interest rates rose overmore than long-term rates during the quarter, as growth remained solid. Generally, there was a strong demand for more risky assets over the quarter and spreads in mostsome risk sectors tightened. The best performing fixed income sector for the quarter was U.S. TIPSHigh Yield as measured by the Barclays U.S. TIPSHigh Yield Index which returned 1%2.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. The lowest performing fixed income sector for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, was U.S. Government,TIPS, as measured by the Barclays U.S. Government IndexTIPS which remained essentially flat.declined 0.8% for the quarter.






The following table presents a summary of the percentages of our AUM by strategy(1) that outpaced their respective benchmarks as of December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods:
 As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 As of September 30, 2018 As of September 30, 2017
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
Total (includes liquidity) 74% 75% 75% 87% 76% 68% 84% 82% 42% 68% 73% 82% 74% 74% 79% 85%
Equity:                                
Large cap 23% 32% 38% 82% 53% 14% 60% 79% 13% 17% 33% 61% 23% 33% 54% 81%
Small cap 66% 38% 26% 54% 59% 19% 38% 51% 38% 65% 41% 39% 49% 13% 26% 55%
Total equity (includes other equity) 30% 40% 43% 79% 53% 25% 62% 75% 22% 28% 37% 59% 31% 40% 56% 78%
Fixed income:                                
U.S. taxable 95% 89% 89% 88% 88% 79% 91% 83% 49% 90% 90% 91% 95% 88% 89% 86%
U.S. tax-exempt 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
U.S. tax-exempt (includes only one strategy) 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Global taxable 80% 77% 73% 93% 75% 75% 82% 77% 17% 70% 71% 94% 78% 74% 74% 83%
Total fixed income 90% 86% 84% 90% 85% 79% 89% 83% 41% 84% 84% 92% 90% 84% 85% 86%
Alternative 78% 88% 92% 61% 43% 84% 89% 66% 67% 71% 92% 59% 77% 82% 91% 62%
The following table presents a summary of the percentages of our U.S. mutual fund assets(2) that outpaced their Lipper category averages(2) as of December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, for the trailing 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods:
 As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 As of September 30, 2018 As of September 30, 2017
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
 1-year
 3-year
 5-year
 10-year
Total (excludes liquidity) 56% 62% 61% 76% 68% 65% 72% 71% 37% 59% 61% 66% 60% 63% 64% 76%
Equity:                                
Large cap 24% 50% 46% 67% 71% 87% 80% 63% 25% 49% 50% 57% 26% 49% 50% 79%
Small cap 65% 57% 37% 58% 69% 11% 36% 59% 64% 73% 34% 46% 71% 38% 28% 57%
Total equity (includes other equity) 35% 50% 45% 66% 62% 58% 67% 62% 36% 51% 45% 53% 41% 49% 47% 70%
Fixed income:                                
U.S. taxable 93% 89% 87% 91% 88% 86% 88% 87% 34% 85% 88% 90% 91% 87% 87% 86%
U.S. tax-exempt 53% 38% 59% 84% 63% 61% 60% 88% 63% 18% 58% 57% 59% 31% 57% 68%
Global taxable 67% 68% 71% 92% 59% 45% 87% 57% 26% 56% 64% 79% 75% 77% 85% 77%
Total fixed income 81% 76% 78% 89% 76% 73% 79% 83% 38% 69% 79% 81% 82% 74% 80% 80%
Alternative (includes only three funds)
 16% 93% 100% n/a
 92% 100% 100% n/a
 0% 0% 92% n/a
 100% 100% 100% n/a
n/a - not applicable

(1)For purposes of investment performance comparisons, strategies are an aggregation of portfolios (separate accounts, investment funds, and other products) into a single group that represents a particular investment objective. In the case of separate accounts, the investment performance of the account is based upon the performance of the strategy to which the account has been assigned. Each of our asset managers has its own specific guidelines for including portfolios in their strategies. For those managers which manage both separate accounts and investment funds in the same strategy, the performance comparison for all of the assets is based upon the performance of the separate account.

As of each December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016,approximately 87%89% and 88%, respectively, of total AUM is included in strategy AUM, although not all strategies have 3-, 5-, and 10-year histories.  Total strategy AUM includes liquidity assets. Certain assets are not included in reported performance comparisons. These include: accounts that are not managed in accordance with the guidelines outlined above; accounts in strategies not marketed to potential clients; accounts that have not yet been assigned to a strategy; and certain smaller products at some of our affiliates.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. For AUM included in institutional and retail separate accounts and investment funds managed in the same strategy as separate accounts, performance comparisons are based on gross-of-fee performance. For investment funds which are not managed in a separate account format, performance comparisons are based on net-of-fee performance. Funds-of-hedge funds generally do not have specified benchmarks. For purposes of this comparison, performance of those products is net of fees, and is compared to the relevant HFRX Index. These performance comparisons do not reflect the actual performance of any specific separate account or investment fund; individual separate account and investment fund performance may differ.

(2)Source: Lipper Inc. includes open-end, closed-end, and variable annuity funds. Effective April 1, 2018, Lipper Investment Management ("LIM") is being used for comparative performance reporting, replacing Lipper Analytical New Applications ("LANA") which was discontinued by Lipper Inc., which resulted in changes to the composition of the comparative categories. For comparison purposes, prior periods reflect the categories as reported in LIM. As of December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, the U.S. long-term mutual fund assets represented in the data accounted for 19% and 18%17%, respectively, of our total AUM, respectively.AUM. The performance of our U.S. long-term mutual fund assets is included in the strategies.

The following table presents a summary of the absolute and relative performance compared to the applicable benchmark for a representative sample of funds within our AUM, net of management and other fees as of the end of the period presented, for the 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods, and from each fund's inception. The table includes a representative sample of funds from each significant subclass of our investment strategies (i.e., large cap equity, small cap equity, etc.). The funds within this group are representative of the performance of significant investment strategies we offer, that as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, constituted an aggregate of approximately $438$432 billion, or approximately 57% of our total AUM. The most meaningful exclusion of funds are our alternative fund strategies, which primarily involve privately placed hedge funds and privately placed real estate funds and represent only 5% of our total AUM as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, for which investment performance is not made publicly available. Providing investment returns of funds provides a relevant representation of our performance while avoiding the many complexities relating to factors such as multiple fee structures, bundled pricing, and asset level break points that would arise in reporting performance for strategies or other product aggregations.

 Annualized Absolute/Relative Total Return (%) vs. Benchmark Annualized Absolute/Relative Total Return (%) vs. Benchmark
Fund Name/Index(1)
Inception Date
Performance Type(2)
1-year3-year5-year10-yearInceptionInception Date
Performance Type(2)
1-year3-year5-year10-yearInception
Equity  
Large Cap  
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund8/29/1997Absolute23.15%18.57%16.09%14.16%9.21%
Russell 1000 Growth Relative(3.15)%(1.96)%(0.49)%(0.13)%1.59%
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund10/24/1983Absolute14.28%4.92%13.85%8.09%11.92%10/24/1983Absolute14.13%11.77%9.76%12.44%11.96%
Russell 3000 Growth Relative(15.31)%(8.59)%(3.31)%(1.84)%1.53% Relative(11.76)%(8.57)%(6.46)%(1.72)%1.32%
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund8/29/1997Absolute25.04%13.38%17.80%10.00%8.82%
Russell 1000 Growth Relative(5.17)%(0.41)%0.47%—%1.74%
ClearBridge Appreciation Fund3/10/1970Absolute16.39%15.13%11.90%10.63%10.46%
S&P 500 Relative(1.52)%(2.16)%(2.04)%(1.33)%(0.22)%
ClearBridge Dividend Strategy11/6/1992Absolute19.12%9.33%13.11%7.34%8.92%11/6/1992Absolute10.37%14.74%10.69%10.01%8.82%
S&P 500 Relative(2.71)%(2.08)%(2.68)%(1.16)%(0.79)%
ClearBridge Appreciation Fund3/10/1970Absolute19.51%9.76%13.61%8.02%10.44%
S&P 500 Relative(2.32)%(1.65)%(2.18)%(0.48)%(0.20)% Relative(7.54)%(2.55)%(3.25)%(1.95)%(1.01)%
ClearBridge Value Trust4/16/1982Absolute13.76%6.73%13.47%3.43%11.68%4/16/1982Absolute6.36%12.10%9.10%8.56%11.50%
S&P 500 Relative(8.07)%(4.68)%(2.32)%(5.07)%(0.31)% Relative(11.55)%(5.20)%(4.84)%(3.40)%(0.52)%
ClearBridge All Cap Value11/12/1981Absolute17.12%9.17%12.86%6.22%10.29%11/12/1981Absolute7.42%14.13%9.23%8.57%10.12%
Russell 3000 Value Relative3.93%0.46%(1.09)%(0.97)%(1.60)% Relative(2.03)%0.40%(1.41)%(1.19)%(1.63)%
ClearBridge Large Cap Value Fund12/31/1988Absolute14.44%7.99%13.23%7.18%9.65%12/31/1988Absolute8.08%11.86%9.90%9.82%9.58%
Russell 1000 Value Relative0.78%(0.66)%(0.81)%0.08%(0.80)% Relative(1.37)%(1.68)%(0.81)%0.04%(0.73)%
Legg Mason Brandywine Diversified Large Cap Value Fund9/7/2010Absolute19.65%9.57%14.15%n/a14.31%9/7/2010Absolute12.12%14.41%11.31%n/a13.55%
Russell 1000 Value Relative5.99%0.92%0.11%n/a0.74% Relative2.67%0.87%0.60%n/a0.80%
  
Small Cap  
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth7/1/1998Absolute24.95%7.94%13.51%9.02%10.46%7/1/1998Absolute39.59%23.18%13.06%14.04%11.55%
Russell 2000 Growth Relative2.78%(2.34)%(1.70)%(0.17)%3.34% Relative18.53%5.21%0.92%1.40%3.93%
Royce Premier Fund12/31/1991Absolute15.00%18.57%9.68%10.57%11.91%
Russell 2000 Relative(0.23)%1.46%(1.38)%(0.54)%1.88%
Royce Total Return Fund12/15/1993Absolute13.65%9.91%12.30%7.98%11.04%12/15/1993Absolute7.95%14.63%8.62%9.54%10.83%
Russell 2000 Relative(1.00)%(0.05)%(1.82)%(0.73)%1.87% Relative(7.28)%(2.48)%(2.45)%(1.57)%1.48%
Royce Premier Fund12/31/1991Absolute23.77%11.11%11.68%8.78%11.94%
Russell 2000 Relative9.12%1.15%(2.44)%0.07%2.07%
Royce Pennsylvania Mutual*6/30/1967Absolute16.24%9.20%11.83%7.77%11.78%
Royce Pennsylvania Mutual6/30/1967Absolute15.14%18.26%9.40%10.23%11.82%
Russell 2000 Relative1.59%(0.76)%(2.29)%(0.94)%0.05% Relative(0.10)%1.16%(1.67)%(0.88)%0.03%
Royce Special Equity5/1/1998Absolute7.87%7.72%10.33%8.82%9.45%5/1/1998Absolute4.50%12.28%6.06%9.43%9.07%
Russell 2000 Relative(6.78)%(2.24)%(3.79)%0.11%1.64% Relative(10.74)%(4.82)%(5.01)%(1.68)%0.99%


 Annualized Absolute/Relative Total Return (%) vs. Benchmark Annualized Absolute/Relative Total Return (%) vs. Benchmark
Fund Name/Index (continued)(1)
Inception Date
Performance Type(2)
1-year3-year5-year10-yearInceptionInception Date
Performance Type(2)
1-year3-year5-year10-yearInception
Fixed Income  
U.S. Taxable  
Western Asset Core Plus Fund7/8/1998Absolute6.96%4.32%3.88%5.96%6.20%7/8/1998Absolute(1.87)%3.13%3.69%6.40%5.83%
Barclays US Aggregate Relative3.42%2.08%1.78%1.95%1.28% Relative(0.66)%1.82%1.53%2.63%1.19%
Western Asset Core Bond Fund9/4/1990Absolute5.21%3.50%3.16%5.22%6.81%9/4/1990Absolute(0.70)%2.53%3.31%5.92%6.56%
Barclays US Aggregate Relative1.67%1.26%1.06%1.21%0.75% Relative0.52%1.21%1.15%2.15%0.74%
Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained7/6/2006Absolute7.69%4.44%3.41%4.73%4.88%7/6/2006Absolute(2.57)%3.19%2.59%5.13%4.26%
Barclays US Aggregate Relative4.15%2.20%1.31%0.72%0.44% Relative(1.36)%1.88%0.43%1.36%0.24%
Western Asset Intermediate Bond Fund7/1/1994Absolute4.02%2.88%2.34%4.42%5.65%7/1/1994Absolute(0.37)%2.07%2.38%4.80%5.44%
Barclays Intermediate Gov't/Credit Relative1.88%1.12%0.84%1.10%0.67% Relative0.59%1.17%0.86%1.58%0.65%
Western Asset Short Term Bond Fund11/11/1991Absolute2.23%1.37%1.07%1.75%3.48%11/11/1991Absolute0.84%1.45%1.21%2.60%3.40%
Citi Treasury Gov't/Credit 1-3 YR Relative1.39%0.46%0.25%(0.10)%(0.55)%
FTSE Treasury Gov't/Cedit 1-3 YR Relative0.60%0.72%0.39%0.92%(0.53)%
Western Asset Corporate Bond Fund11/6/1992Absolute7.20%4.71%4.47%5.57%6.51%11/6/1992Absolute(1.46)%4.24%4.40%7.28%6.20%
Barclays US Credit Relative1.02%1.08%1.23%0.15%0.18% Relative(0.36)%1.27%1.00%1.35%0.16%
Western Asset Inflation Index Plus Bond Fund3/1/2001Absolute3.82%1.20%(0.43)%3.04%4.78%3/1/2001Absolute0.21%1.26%0.60%3.09%4.49%
Barclays US TIPS Relative0.81%(0.85)%(0.56)%(0.49)%(0.32)% Relative(0.20)%(0.78)%(0.77)%(0.23)%(0.34)%
Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.2/24/2010Absolute19.70%9.65%12.38%n/a14.74%2/24/2010Absolute11.25%10.51%11.86%n/a14.45%
BOFAML Floating Rate Home Loan Index Relative10.44%5.46%8.18%n/a9.11% Relative5.21%5.96%8.05%n/a9.07%
Western Asset High Yield Fund9/28/2001Absolute7.09%4.85%4.38%6.59%7.18%9/28/2001Absolute4.08%7.21%4.26%8.14%7.05%
Barclays US Corp High Yield Relative(0.41)%(1.50)%(1.40)%(1.44)%(1.36)% Relative1.03%(0.93)%(1.27)%(1.31)%(1.25)%
Western Asset Adjustable Rate Income6/22/1992Absolute3.62%2.07%1.69%1.53%2.75%6/22/1992Absolute1.89%2.51%1.78%2.26%2.72%
Citi T-Bill 6-Month Relative2.74%1.61%1.38%1.05%0.07%
FTSE T-Bill 6-Month Relative0.27%1.63%1.22%1.84%0.07%
  
U.S. Tax-Exempt 
U.S. Tax-Exempt Fixed Income 
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund3/4/1981Absolute5.52%2.77%2.86%4.83%7.57%3/4/1981Absolute0.60%2.14%3.79%5.09%7.39%
Barclays Municipal Bond Relative0.07%(0.21)%(0.16)%0.37%0.46% Relative0.26%(0.09)%0.25%0.34%0.45%
  
Global Taxable 
Global Taxable Fixed Income 
Legg Mason Western Asset Macro Opportunities Bond11/30/2013Absolute13.51%6.96%n/a6.95%11/30/2013Absolute(7.04)%4.20%n/a4.07%
3-Month LIBOR Relative12.25%6.19%n/a6.32% Relative(9.04)%2.96%n/a3.20%
Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunities Bond11/1/2006Absolute12.83%2.73%2.05%5.35%5.69%11/1/2006Absolute(4.31)%4.25%1.98%5.33%4.97%
Citi World Gov't Bond Relative5.34%0.99%1.93%2.68%2.50%
FTSE World Gov't Bond Relative(2.78)%2.58%1.78%3.13%2.22%
Legg Mason Brandywine Absolute Return Opportunities Fund2/28/2011Absolute6.77%1.60%2.07%n/a3.36%2/28/2011Absolute(3.78)%2.87%1.77%n/a2.78%
Citi 3-Month T-Bill Relative5.93%1.22%1.83%n/a3.17%
FTSE 3-Month T-Bill Relative(5.35)%2.07%1.28%n/a2.43%
Legg Mason Brandywine Global Fixed Income10/31/2003Absolute10.23%0.91%0.29%3.49%4.20%10/31/2003Absolute(4.77)%2.49%0.22%3.46%3.71%
Citi World Gov't Bond Relative2.74%(0.83)%0.17%0.82%0.54%
FTSE World Gov't Bond Relative(3.23)%0.81%0.02%1.26%0.41%
Legg Mason Western Asset Global Multi Strategy Fund8/31/2002Absolute6.70%4.07%2.19%4.19%6.26%8/31/2002Absolute(4.26)%4.01%2.20%4.70%5.69%
50% Bar. Global Agg./ 25% Bar. HY 2%/25% JPM EMBI + Relative(9.54)%(5.13)%(9.64)%4.19%6.26% Relative(3.12)%(0.23)%(0.65)%(0.89)%0.91%
Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Trust6/30/1983Absolute4.27%3.34%4.60%6.82%6.10%6/30/1983Absolute3.75%3.12%4.52%6.45%5.98%
UBS Australian Composite Bond Index Relative0.62%0.29%0.45%0.63%0.37% Relative0.03%0.27%0.23%0.86%0.35%
Western Asset Global High Yield Bond Fund2/22/1995Absolute7.83%5.36%3.99%5.99%7.10%2/22/1995Absolute0.25%6.68%3.18%7.31%6.85%
Barclays Global High Yield Relative(2.60)%(1.72)%(1.68)%(2.09)%(1.97)% Relative(0.02)%(0.86)%(1.67)%(1.91)%(1.88)%
Legg Mason Western Asset Global Core Plus Bond Fund12/31/2010Absolute5.14%2.34%3.28%n/a4.29%12/31/2010Absolute(3.36)%1.09%2.77%n/a3.34%
Barclays Global Aggregate Index Relative2.11%(0.32)%0.22%n/a0.53% Relative(4.19)%(1.27)%(0.36)%n/a(0.05)%
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt10/17/1996Absolute9.90%5.97%2.13%5.91%9.33%10/17/1996Absolute(5.16)%5.31%2.60%6.19%8.70%
JPM EMBI Global Relative0.58%(0.87)%(1.62)%(1.15)%0.38% Relative(2.22)%(0.39)%(2.03)%(1.06)%0.25%

 Annualized Absolute/Relative Total Return (%) vs. Benchmark Annualized Absolute/Relative Total Return (%) vs. Benchmark
Fund Name/Index (continued)(1)
Inception Date
Performance Type(2)
1-year3-year5-year10-yearInceptionInception Date
Performance Type(2)
1-year3-year5-year10-yearInception
Liquidity  
Western Asset Institutional Liquid Reserves Ltd.12/31/1989Absolute1.08%0.58%0.38%0.63%3.15%12/31/1989Absolute1.68%1.01%0.64%0.52%3.11%
Citi 3-Month T-Bill Relative0.24%0.20%0.14%0.29%
FTSE 3-Month T-Bill Relative0.11%0.21%0.15%0.20%0.29%
n/anot applicable
(1)Listed in order of size based on AUM of fund within each subcategory.
(2)
Absolute performance is the actual performance (i.e.(i.e., rate of return) of the fund. Relative performance is the difference (or variance) between the performance of the fund and its stated benchmark.    

Assets Under Advisement
AUA was $11$12 billion and $41$11 billion as of December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. AUA was comprised of approximately $6 billion related to Western Asset, approximately $3 billion related to QS Investors, approximately $1$2 billion related to EnTrustPermal,Brandywine and approximately $1 billion related to BrandywineEnTrustPermal as of December 31, 2017;September 30, 2018; and approximately $17 billion related to QS Investors, approximately $11 billion related to ClearBridge, approximately $10$6 billion related to Western Asset, approximately $3 billion related to QS Investors, and approximately $2 billion related to EnTrustPermal and approximately $1 billion related to Brandywine as of December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. AUA fee rates vary with the level of non-discretionary service provided and other factors, and our average annualized fee rate related to AUA was approximately nineeight basis points and 13six basis points for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. Effective April 1, 2017, certain assets totaling $16.0 billion were reclassified from AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM, specifically for retail separately managed account programs that operate and have fees comparable to programs managed on a fully discretionary basis. Comparable AUA for these programs as of December 31, 2016, was $13.7 billion.

Results of Operations
In accordance with financial accounting standards on consolidation, we consolidate and separately identify amounts relating to certain sponsored investment products. The consolidation of these investment products has no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. and does not have a material impact on our consolidated operating results. We also hold investments in other consolidated sponsored investment funds and the change in the value of these investments, which is recorded in Non-operating income (expense), is reflected in our Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. See Notes 2, 4,3, and 1314 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the consolidation of investment products.

Operating Revenues
The components of Total Operating Revenues (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
 Three Months Ended December 31, Three Months Ended September 30,   
 2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
 2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Investment advisory fees:              
Separate accounts $255.7
 $231.9
 $23.8
10 % $261.5
 $253.1
 $8.4
3 %
Funds 395.4
 369.0
 26.4
7
 383.9
 393.0
 (9.1)(2)
Performance fees 58.9
 22.9
 36.0
n/m
 31.9
 40.8
 (8.9)(22)
Distribution and service fees 81.5
 90.2
 (8.7)(10) 79.1
 80.7
 (1.6)(2)
Other 1.6
 1.2
 0.4
33
 2.0
 0.7
 1.3
n/m
Total Operating Revenues $793.1
 $715.2
 $77.9
11 % $758.4
 $768.3
 $(9.9)(1)%
n/m - not meaningful

Total operating revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, were $793.1$758.4 million, an increasea decrease of 11%1% from $715.2$768.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily due to a 10% increase in average long-term AUM. A $36.0an $8.9 million increasedecrease in performance fees, $7.7 million of which were performance fees earned by Clarion Partners that were fully passed through as compensation expense, as further discussed below, also contributed to the increase. Despite an increase in long-term average AUM as a percentage of our total average AUM, ourbelow. Our operating revenue yield excluding performance fees, remained flat atwas 38 basis points for each of the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and 2016, as a

result of a less favorable product mix, with lower yielding products comprising a higher percentage of our long-term and total average AUM for the three months ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017.

Investment advisory fees from separate accounts increased $23.8$8.4 million, or 10%3%, to $255.7$261.5 million, as compared to $231.9$253.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. Of this increase, $15.2 million arose from the inclusion of revenues associated with certain assets that were reclassified from AUA to AUM, effective April 1, 2017, due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM, as previously discussed. Prior to this reclassification, revenues related to the comparable AUA were included in Distribution and service fees. In addition, higher average equity assets managed by ClearBridge contributed $6.8 million to the increase and higher average fixed income assets managed by Western Asset contributed $5.6 million to the increase. These increases were offset in part by a decrease of $3.9 million due to lower average alternative assets managed by RARE Infrastructure.

Investment advisory fees from funds increased $26.4 million, or 7%, to $395.4 million, as compared to $369.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Of this increase, $25.1$8.3 million was due to higher average equity assets managed atby ClearBridge and Martin Currie, $11.9$3.6 million was due to higher average fixed income assets managed by Western Asset, and $6.9 million was due to higher average alternative assets managed at Clarion Partners and RARE Infrastructure.Asset. These increases were offset in part by a decrease of $11.1$2.0 million due to lower average fixed income assets managed by Brandywine and a decrease of $1.4 million due to lower average alternative assets managed by Clarion and EnTrustPermal.

Investment advisory fees from funds decreased $9.1 million, or 2%, to $383.9 million, as compared to $393.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Of this decrease, $8.5 million was due to lower average alternative assets managed at EnTrustPermal, with the$5.5 million was due to lower average equity assets managed at Martin Currie and QS Investors, and $3.6 million was due to a net decrease largely attributable to legacy Permal, and a decreasein fees from liquidity assets managed by Western Asset. These decreases were offset in part by an increase of $6.1$6.7 million due to the dispositionhigher average alternative assets managed by Clarion Partners and an increase of two small investment managers in March 2017 and December 2016.$4.7 million due to higher average fixed income assets managed by Western Asset.

As of December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, approximately 12% and 2016, approximately 11% and 13%, respectively, of our long-term average AUM was in accounts that were eligible to earn performance fees at some point during the respective fiscal year. Performance fees earned on pre-close AUM at Clarion Partners are fully passed through to the Clarion Partners management team, per the terms of the acquisition agreement under which we acquired Clarion Partners, and recorded as compensation expense, and therefore have no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. We expect the full pass through of performance fees at Clarion Partners to phase out approximately five years post-closing. Exclusive of these pass-throughExcluding AUM eligible to earn pass through performance fees, approximately 7% and 8% of our long-term average AUM was in accounts that were performance-fee eligible as of December 31, 2017both September 30, 2018 and 2016, respectively.2017. During both the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, 36% and 28%, respectively,approximately 60% of thenon-pass through performance-fee eligible AUM earned a performance fee.

Investment advisory performance fees increased $36.0decreased $8.9 million, to $58.9$31.9 million, as compared to $22.9$40.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily due to an aggregate $28.5a $13.5 million decrease in performance fees earned by Martin Currie and Western Asset, offset in part by a $4.1 million increase in performance fees earned by Clarion Partners on assets invested with them prior to the acquisition closing, which were passed through as compensation expense.

Distribution and service fees decreased $1.6 million, or 2%, to $79.1 million, as compared to $80.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to a decrease in average mutual fund AUM subject to distribution and service fees.

Operating Expenses
The components of Total Operating Expenses (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
  Three Months Ended September 30,   
  2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Compensation and benefits $364.9
 $368.0
 $(3.1)(1)%
Distribution and servicing 114.5
 123.6
 (9.1)(7)
Communications and technology 57.5
 51.3
 6.2
12
Occupancy 27.4
 25.2
 2.2
9
Amortization of intangible assets 6.1
 6.1
 

Contingent consideration fair value adjustment 0.1
 
 0.1
n/m
Other 52.2
 49.7
 2.5
5
Total Operating Expenses $622.7
 $623.9
 $(1.2) %
n/m - not meaningful

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, incurred at the investment management affiliate level represented approximately 70% of total operating expenses in each period. The remaining operating expenses are corporate costs, including costs of our global distribution operations.


The components of Compensation and benefits (in millions) were as follows:
  Three Months Ended September 30,   
  2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Salaries and incentives $279.1
 $284.2
 $(5.1)(2)%
Benefits and payroll taxes (including deferred compensation) 55.2
 56.1
 (0.9)(2)
Transition and severance costs 2.6
 3.0
 (0.4)(13)
Performance fee pass through 24.0
 19.9
 4.1
21
Gains on deferred compensation and seed capital investments 4.0
 4.8
 (0.8)(17)
Compensation and benefits $364.9
 $368.0
 $(3.1)(1)%

Compensation and benefits decreased 1% to $364.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to $368.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as a result of the following:

Salaries and incentives decreased $5.1 million, to $279.1 million, as compared to $284.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to a decrease of $5.3 million in net compensation at investment affiliates, driven by a decrease in performance fee revenue at certain revenue share-based affiliates, which typically creates a corresponding decrease in compensation per the applicable revenue share agreements, offset in part by a $1.5 million increase in salary and incentive compensation expense related to corporate and distribution personnel.

Compensation as a percentage of operating revenues increased to 48.1%, as compared to 47.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to an increase in performance fees earned by Clarion Partners that are passed through as compensation expense.

Distribution and servicing expense decreased $9.1 million, or 7%, to $114.5 million, as compared to $123.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to a decrease in third-party commissions as a result of lower international sales and lower average AUM in certain products for which we pay fees to third-party distributors.

Communications and technology expense increased $6.2 million, or 12%, to $57.5 million, as compared to $51.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to a $4.2 million increase in technology consulting and maintenance costs related to ongoing investments in our technology capabilities, and a $1.6 million increase in market data costs.

Occupancy expense increased $2.2 million, or 9%, to $27.4 million, as compared to $25.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due a real estate related charge in the current year period of $2.4 million associated with the sublease of office space in our corporate headquarters.

Other expense increased $2.5 million, or 5%, to $52.2 million, as compared to $49.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to an increase in professional fees related to various corporate initiatives including collaboration efforts with affiliates.


Non-Operating Income (Expense)
The components of Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
  Three Months Ended September 30,   
  2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Interest income $2.4
 $1.6
 $0.8
50 %
Interest expense (29.8) (29.1) (0.7)2
Other income, net 6.6
 7.3
 (0.7)(10)
Non-operating income (expense) of consolidated investment vehicles, net (4.0) 2.1
 (6.1)n/m
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) $(24.8) $(18.1) $(6.7)37 %
n/m - not meaningful

Other income, net, totaled $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The change was primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in net market gains on seed capital investments and assets invested for deferred compensation plans, which are offset by a corresponding decrease in compensation expense.

Non-operating income of consolidated investment vehicles, net, totaled expense of $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to income of $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The change was due to activity of the CIVs during the respective periods. See Notes 2 and 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles and net market gains on investments of certain CIVs.

Income Tax Provision
The income tax provision was $29.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to $38.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The effective tax rate was 26.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to 30.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018, reflects current estimates of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Law"). The changes implemented by the Tax Law are wide ranging and complex, and the assessment of their impact could change in subsequent quarters as more detailed information and guidance is obtained and analyzed. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, a discrete tax benefit of $2.8 million was recognized related to the completion of a prior year tax audit, which decreased the effective tax rate by 2.5 percentage points.

CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products increased the effective tax rate by 0.7 percentage points and reduced the effective tax rate by 0.4 percentage points for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. and Operating Margin
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2018, totaled $72.8 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, as compared to $75.7 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2018 included a discrete tax benefit of $2.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to the completion of a prior year tax audit, offset in part by a real estate related charge of $2.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, associated with the sublease of office space in our Baltimore headquarters, while the three months ended September 30, 2017 included acquisition and transition-related costs associated with the combination of Permal with EnTrust of $1.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, offset in part by a $1.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, year-to-date tax annualization benefit. Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. per diluted share also benefited from a reduction in weighted-average shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases during fiscal 2018. Operating margin was 17.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to 18.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.



Six Months Ended September 30, 2018, Compared to Six Months Ended September 30, 2017

Assets Under Management

The components of the changes in our AUM (in billions) were as follows:
  
Six Months Ended
 September 30,
  2018 2017
Beginning of period $754.1
 $728.4
Net client cash flows:    
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1)
    
Subscriptions 26.8
 32.2
Redemptions (31.0) (27.4)
Long-term separate account flows, net(2)
 2.3
 (6.5)
Total long-term flows (1.9) (1.7)
Liquidity fund flows, net 2.6
 (11.7)
Liquidity separate account flows, net (2.6) 0.4
Total liquidity flows 
 (11.3)
Total net client cash flows (1.9) (13.0)
Realizations(3)
 (0.5) (1.9)
Market performance and other(4)
 12.2
 38.3
Impact of foreign exchange (8.5) 2.9
Disposition 
 (0.3)
End of period $755.4
 $754.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)The six months ended September 30, 2017, includes a reclassification of $1.0 billion from long-term separate account flows, net, to Market performance and other related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA effective April 1, 2017 due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(3)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(4)Other includes the reinvestment of dividends and, for the six months ended September 30, 2017, a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts and the $1.0 billion reclassification from long-term separate account flows, net, discussed above.

AUM at September 30, 2018, was $755.4 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion from March 31, 2018. Total net client outflows were $1.9 billion and were completely attributable to long-term asset classes. Long-term asset net outflows were comprised of equity net outflows of $3.3 billion, offset in part by fixed income net inflows of $0.8 billion and alternative net inflows of $0.6 billion. Equity net outflows were primarily from products managed by Brandywine, Royce, ClearBridge, Martin Currie and QS Investors. Fixed income net inflows were primarily into products managed by Brandywine, offset in part by net outflows from products managed by Western Asset. Alternative net inflows were primarily in products managed by Clarion Partners, offset in part by net outflows from products managed by EnTrustPermal. Market performance and other was $12.2 billion. The negative impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations was $8.5 billion.

Average AUM by asset class (in billions) were as follows:
Six Months Ended September 30, 2018 
% of
Total
 2017 
% of
Total
 % Change
 Equity $208.9
 28% $194.5
 26% 7 %
Fixed Income 414.3
 55
 405.7
 54
 2
Alternative 66.2
 9
 66.7
 9
 (1)
Total long-term assets 689.4
 92
 666.9
 89
 3
Liquidity 61.3
 8
 78.9
 11
 (22)
Total $750.7
 100% $745.8
 100% 1 %


The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
  Equity 
Fixed
Income
 Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
March 31, 2018 $203.0
 $422.3
 $66.1
 $691.4
 $62.7
 $754.1
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
            
Subscriptions 10.0
 14.1
 2.7
 26.8
 
 26.8
Redemptions (12.6) (15.8) (2.6) (31.0) 
 (31.0)
Separate account flows, net (0.7) 2.5
 0.5
 2.3
 (2.6) (0.3)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 2.6
 2.6
Net client cash flows (3.3) 0.8
 0.6
 (1.9) 
 (1.9)
Realizations(2)
 
 
 (0.5) (0.5) 
 (0.5)
Market performance and other(3)
 16.3
 (6.0) 1.5
 11.8
 0.4
 12.2
Impact of foreign exchange (1.5) (6.1) (0.3) (7.9) (0.6) (8.5)
September 30, 2018 $214.5
 $411.0
 $67.4
 $692.9
 $62.5
 $755.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(3)Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
  Equity 
Fixed
Income
 Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
March 31, 2017 $179.8
 $394.3
 $67.9
 $642.0
 $86.4
 $728.4
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
            
Subscriptions 12.7
 16.5
 3.0
 32.2
 
 32.2
Redemptions (13.0) (11.3) (3.1) (27.4) 
 (27.4)
Separate account flows, net(2)
 (1.1) (4.0) (1.4) (6.5) 0.4
 (6.1)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (11.7) (11.7)
Net client cash flows (1.4) 1.2
 (1.5) (1.7) (11.3) (13.0)
Realizations(3)
 
 
 (1.9) (1.9) 
 (1.9)
Market performance and other(4)
 22.6
 14.2
 1.1
 37.9
 0.4
 38.3
Impact of foreign exchange 0.5
 2.2
 0.2
 2.9
 
 2.9
Dispositions (0.3) 
 
 (0.3) 
 (0.3)
September 30, 2017 $201.2
 $411.9
 $65.8
 $678.9
 $75.5
 $754.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)Includes a reclassification of $0.4 billion and $0.6 billion from equity and fixed income separate account flows, net, respectively, to Market performance and other, related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA effective April 1, 2017 due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(3)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(4)Other includes the reinvestment of dividends, a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts, and the reclassification from long-term separate account flows, net, discussed above.


AUM by Distribution Channel
The component changes in our AUM by distribution channel (in billions) for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
  Global Distribution Affiliate/Other Total
March 31, 2018 $333.5
 $420.6
 $754.1
Net client cash flows, excluding liquidity funds (1.3) (3.2) (4.5)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 2.6
 2.6
Net client cash flows (1.3) (0.6) (1.9)
Realizations(1)
 
 (0.5) (0.5)
Market performance and other(2)
 12.7
 (0.5) 12.2
Impact of foreign exchange (3.3) (5.2) (8.5)
September 30, 2018 $341.6
 $413.8
 $755.4
(1)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(2)Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
  Global Distribution Affiliate/Other Total
March 31, 2017 $285.6
 $442.8
 $728.4
Net client cash flows, excluding liquidity funds 9.7
(1)(10.1) (0.4)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 (11.7) (11.7)
Net client cash flows 9.7
 (21.8) (12.1)
Realizations(2)
 
 (1.9) (1.9)
Market performance and other 27.1
(3)10.3
 37.4
Impact of foreign exchange 0.9
 2.0
 2.9
Disposition 
 (0.3) (0.3)
September 30, 2017 $323.3
 $431.1
 $754.4
(1)Includes a reclassification of $1.0 billion from net client cash flows, to Market performance and other related to certain assets which were reclassified to AUM from AUA effective April 1, 2017 due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(2)
Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g., client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(3)Other includes the reinvestment of dividends, a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts and the $1.0 billion reclassification from net client cash flows discussed above.



Results of Operations

Operating Revenues
The components of Total Operating Revenues (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
  Six Months Ended September 30,   
  2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Investment advisory fees:       
Separate accounts $521.5
 $503.2
 $18.3
4 %
Funds 767.4
 775.3
 (7.9)(1)
Performance fees 55.9
 122.3
 (66.4)(54)
Distribution and service fees 158.3
 159.6
 (1.3)(1)
Other 3.2
 1.8
 1.4
78
Total Operating Revenues $1,506.3
 $1,562.2
 $(55.9)(4)%

Total operating revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2018, were $1.51 billion, a decrease of 4% from $1.56 billion for the six months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to a $66.4 million decrease in performance fees, $48.7 million of which was related to performance fees earned by Clarion Partners that were fully passed through as compensation expense. Our operating revenue yield was 39 basis points for each of the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Investment advisory fees from separate accounts increased $18.3 million, or 4%, to $521.5 million, as compared to $503.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017. Of this increase, $15.8 million was due to higher average equity assets managed by ClearBridge and $10.2 million was due to higher average fixed income assets managed by Western Asset. These increases were offset in part by a decrease of $5.1 million due to lower average alternative assets managed by RARE Infrastructure, EnTrustPermal, and Clarion Partners and a decrease of $3.9 million due to lower average fixed income assets managed by Brandywine.

Investment advisory fees from funds decreased $7.9 million, or 1%, to $767.4 million, as compared to $775.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017. Of this decrease, $19.0 million was due to lower average alternative assets managed by EnTrustPermal, $11.3 million was due to lower average equity assets managed by Martin Currie, Royce, and QS Investors, and $9.8 million was due to a net decrease in fees from liquidity assets due to lower average assets managed by Western Asset. These decreases were offset in part by an increase of $19.6 million due to an increase in average fixed income assets managed by Western Asset, and EnTrustPermal. Anan increase of $7.7$13.0 million due to higher average alternative assets managed by Clarion Partners.

Investment advisory performance fees decreased $66.4 million, to $55.9 million, as compared to $122.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to a $48.7 million decrease in performance fees earned by Clarion Partners on assets invested with them prior to the acquisition closing, which were passed through as compensation expense, also contributed to the increase.and a $17.8 million decrease in performance fees that were not passed through as compensation expense, primarily at Western Asset and Martin Currie.

Distribution and service fees decreased $8.7$1.3 million, or 10%1%, to $81.5$158.3 million, as compared to $90.2$159.6 million for the threesix months ended December 31, 2016. This decrease was driven by $10.4 million related to the previously discussed reclassification of certain assets from AUA to AUM, effective April 1,September 30, 2017, primarily due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM, as revenue related to these assets is included in Investment advisory fees from separate accounts for the three months ended December 31, 2017. This decrease was offset in part by a $0.8 million increase in net distribution and services fees, due to a reduction in fee waivers, which was substantially offset by a reduction in average mutual fund AUM subject to distribution and services fees, and an increase of $0.8 million in advisement fees related to our AUA.service fees.


Operating Expenses
The components of Total Operating Expenses (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
 Three Months Ended December 31, Six Months Ended September 30,   
 2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
 2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Compensation and benefits $362.1
 $327.9
 $34.2
10 % $726.5
 $781.3
 $(54.8)(7)%
Distribution and servicing 124.2
 123.2
 1.0
1
 231.1
 246.0
 (14.9)(6)
Communications and technology 54.2
 52.6
 1.6
3
 114.2
 101.6
 12.6
12
Occupancy 25.0
 23.5
 1.5
6
 52.2
 49.6
 2.6
5
Amortization of intangible assets 6.1
 7.3
 (1.2)(16) 12.3
 12.4
 (0.1)(1)
Impairment charges 195.0
 35.0
 160.0
n/m
Impairment of intangible assets 
 34.0
 (34.0)n/m
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments 0.7
 (14.5) 15.2
n/m
 0.6
 (16.6) 17.2
n/m
Other 53.1
 49.1
 4.0
8
 108.0
 102.3
 5.7
6
Total Operating Expenses $820.4
 $604.1
 $216.3
36 % $1,244.9
 $1,310.6
 $(65.7)(5)%
n/m - not meaningful

Operating expenses for the threesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, incurred at the investment management affiliate level represented approximately 70% of total operating expenses in each period, excluding impairment charges. The remaining operating expenses (excluding impairment charges) are corporate costs, including costs of our global distribution operations.

The components of Compensation and benefits (in millions) for the three months ended December 31 were as follows:
  Three Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Salaries and incentives $289.2
 $266.6
 $22.6
8 %
Benefits and payroll taxes (including deferred compensation) 56.9
 52.9
 4.0
8
Transition and severance costs 1.7
 4.6
 (2.9)(63)
Performance fee pass through 10.0
 2.3
 7.7
n/m
Gains on deferred compensation and seed capital investments 4.3
 1.5
 2.8
n/m
Compensation and benefits $362.1
 $327.9
 $34.2
10 %
n/m - not meaningful
  Six Months Ended September 30,   
  2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Salaries and incentives $534.8
 $534.2
 $0.6
 %
Benefits and payroll taxes (including deferred compensation) 144.7
 144.1
 0.6

Transition costs and severance 5.1
 7.4
 (2.3)(31)
Performance fee pass through 36.6
 85.3
 (48.7)(57)
Gains on deferred compensation and seed capital investments 5.3
 10.3
 (5.0)(49)
Compensation and benefits $726.5
 $781.3
 $(54.8)(7)%

Compensation and benefits increased 10%decreased 7% to $362.1$726.5 million for the threesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $327.9$781.3 million for the threesix months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily due to a decrease in performance fees passed through as a result of the following:

Salariescompensation expense. Transition costs and incentives increased $22.6severance also decreased $2.3 million, to $289.2$5.1 million, as compared to $266.6$7.4 million for the threesix months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to an increase of $23.3September 30, 2017, with $1.3 million in net compensation at investment affiliates, which was primarily driven by the impact of increased revenues at certain revenue-share based affiliates, which usually creates a corresponding increase in compensation per the applicable revenue share agreements.
Benefits and payroll taxes increased $4.0 million, to $56.9 million, as compared to $52.9$3.5 million for the threesix months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $3.4 million increase in payroll-related taxes.
Transition costsSeptember 30, 2018 and severance decreased $2.9 million, to $1.7 million, as compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, with $1.1 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively, associated with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust, which is now substantially complete. The remaining amounts in each period were primarily severance costs for non-revenue share based affiliates and distribution and corporate personnel.

Compensation as a percentage of operating revenues remained essentially flat at 45.7%decreased to 48.2%, as compared to 45.8%, as the impact of a reduction in compensation expense for corporate and distribution personnel, which is not directly tied to revenues, was

substantially offset by the impact of an increase in performance fees earned by Clarion Partners that are passed through as compensation expense.

Distribution and servicing expense remained relatively flat at $124.2 million, as compared to $123.2 million50.0% for the threesix months ended December 31, 2016.

Communications and technology expense increased 3% to $54.2 million, as compared to $52.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in technology maintenance costs.

Occupancy expense increased 6% to $25.0 million, as compared to $23.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the adjustment of a lease reserve associated with the restructuring of Permal in the prior year period.

Amortization of intangible assets decreased $1.2 million, to $6.1 million, as compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a reduction in amortization expense as a result of impairments of the RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset recognized in the quarters ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017.

Impairment charges were $195.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $35.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The impairment charge recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2017 was related to the EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund managements contracts asset. This impairment charge was primarily the result of net client outflows from legacy high net worth fund products, including transfers of client funds from such products into EnTrustPermal separate accounts, and the related decline in revenues. The impairment charges recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2016, were $18.0 million related to the RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset and $17.0 million related to the Permal trade name asset. The impairment of the RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset resulted from client attrition during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, the related decline in revenues, and a reduction in the estimated remaining useful life of the contracts from 11 years to eight years. The impairment of the Permal trade name resulted from a decrease in revenues and a reduction in the royalty rate, reflecting a decline in the value of the separate Permal trade name due to the combination with EnTrust. See Critical Accounting Policies and Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these impairment charges.

Contingent consideration fair value adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2017 included an expense of $0.7 million which increased the contingent consideration liability associated with the acquisition of PK Investment Management, LLP ("PK Investments"), and for the months ended December 31, 2016 included credits totaling $14.5 million which reduced the contingent consideration liabilities related to the acquisitions of Martin Currie, RARE Infrastructure, QS Investors and Financial Guard.

Other expense increased $4.0 million, or 8%, to $53.1 million, as compared to $49.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $2.2 million increase in professional fees and a $1.1 million increase in advertising expenses.


Non-Operating Income (Expense)
The components of Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
  Three Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Interest income $1.9
 $1.7
 $0.2
12 %
Interest expense (29.1) (29.5) 0.4
(1)
Other income, net 5.5
 6.1
 (0.6)(10)
Non-operating income of consolidated investment vehicles, net 8.2
 1.5
 6.7
n/m
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) $(13.5) $(20.2) $6.7
(33)%
n/m - not meaningful

Other income, net, totaled $5.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $6.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The change was primarily due to a $4.0 million gain recognized in the prior year period in connection with the sale of Legg Mason Poland in December 2016, offset in part by a $2.9 million increase in net market gains on seed capital investments and assets invested for deferred compensation plans, which are offset by a corresponding increase in compensation expense.

Non-operating income of consolidated investment vehicles, net, totaled $8.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The change was due to activity of the CIVs during the respective periods. See Notes 2 and 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles and net market gains on investments of certain CIVs.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
The income tax benefit was $209.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to an income tax provision of $26.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The effective tax rate was 512.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to an effective tax rate of 29.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2016. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Law became enacted law. The Tax Law is complex, materially changes the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, and includes various changes which will impact us. The reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate, as well as other aspects of the Tax Law, resulted in a one-time, non-cash provisional tax benefit of $220.9 million, recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to the re-measurement of certain existing deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new income tax rate. Additionally, a non-cash tax charge of $7.3 million was provisionally provided in the three months ended December 31, 2017, for the effects on unremitted foreign earnings and other aspects of the Tax Law. Adjustments to these provisional items may be made in subsequent periods as more detailed information and guidance is obtained and analyzed.

Also, during the three months ended December 31, 2017, changes in apportionment on state deferred tax liabilities and changes in state law resulted in additional net tax expense of $3.3 million, which reduced the effective tax rate by 8.0 percentage points for the three months ended December 31, 2017. As a result of the previously discussed impairment of intangible assets at EnTrustPermal, the three months ended December 31, 2017 also included income tax expense of $3.9 million due to the reversal of income tax benefits previously recognized in connection with the impact of changes in the U.K. corporate tax rate on deferred tax liabilities associated with those intangible assets. This expense reduced the effective tax rate by 9.5 percentage points for the three months ended December 31, 2017.
During the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increase in valuation allowances related to certain state net operating loss carryforwards and foreign tax credits resulted in additional tax expense of $4.8 million, and increased the effective tax rate by 5.2 percentage points. This expense was offset in part by an income tax benefit of $2.9 million, which reduced the effective tax rate by 3.1 percentage points, for provision to return adjustments recognized in connection with the filing of fiscal 2016 tax returns.


Noncontrolling interests in EnTrustPermal, Clarion Partners and Royce are structured as partnerships that pass an allocable portion of tax attributes and obligations to the related noncontrolling interest holders. As such, the consolidated financial statements do not generally include any tax provision/benefit associated with the net income allocated to these noncontrolling interests. Due to the significant tax benefit recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, the impact of noncontrolling interests reduced the effective tax rate by over 100 percentage points for the three months ended December 31, 2017. For the three months ended December 31, 2016, the impact of noncontrolling interests resulted in a reduction in the effective tax rate of 6.2 percentage points.

Due to the significant tax benefit recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, the impact of CIVs reduced the effective tax rate by 63 percentage points for the three months ended December 31, 2017, and for the three months ended December 31, 2016, CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products did not impact the effective tax rate.

Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. and Operating Margin
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended December 31, 2017, totaled $149.2 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, as compared to $51.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The increase in Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. was largely the result of a $213.7 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, one-time, net non-cash provisional tax benefit related to the Tax Law, which was offset in part by a $160.0 million increase in non-cash impairment charges, resulting from $195.0 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, of a charge being recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $35.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2016. In addition, Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2017, benefited from a reduction in weighted-average shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases. Operating margin was (3.4)% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to 15.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, reflecting the impact of the non-cash impairment charges discussed above.



Nine Months Ended December 31, 2017, Compared to Nine Months Ended December 31, 2016

Assets Under Management

The components of the changes in our AUM (in billions) for the nine months ended December 31, were as follows:
  2017 2016
Beginning of period $728.4
 $669.6
Net client cash flows:    
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1)
    
Subscriptions 46.9
 42.8
Redemptions (41.6) (45.8)
Long-term separate account flows, net(2)
 (4.8) (2.5)
Total long-term flows 0.5
 (5.5)
Liquidity fund flows, net (14.1) (25.0)
Liquidity separate account flows, net 0.5
 0.8
Total liquidity flows (13.6) (24.2)
Total net client cash flows (13.1) (29.7)
Realizations(3)
 (2.2) 
Market performance and other(2)
 51.8
 25.7
Impact of foreign exchange 2.5
 (5.4)
Acquisitions (disposition), net(4)
 (0.2) 50.2
End of period $767.2
 $710.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)As previously discussed, for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, Other includes the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of $16.0 billion of certain assets which were previously included in AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM. Comparable AUA as of December 31, 2016 was $13.7 billion. Long-term separate account flows, net, for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, includes $3.3 billion of net inflows related to this AUM. Other also includes the reinvestment of dividends and, for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts.
(3)Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers). Prior to April 1, 2017, realizations were reported as net client cash flows.
(4)The nine months ended December 31, 2016, includes $41.5 billion and $9.6 billion related to the acquisitions of Clarion Partners and EnTrust, respectively, offset in part by $0.9 billion related to the disposition of a small investment manager.

AUM at December 31, 2017, was $767.2 billion, an increase of $38.8 billion, or 5%, from March 31, 2017. Total net client outflows were $13.1 billion, comprised of $13.6 billion of net client outflows from the liquidity asset class, offset in part by $0.5 billion of net client inflows into long-term asset classes. Long-term asset net inflows were comprised of fixed income net inflows of $6.6 billion, and were offset in part by equity net outflows of $4.6 billion and alternative net outflows of $1.5 billion. Fixed income net inflows were primarily into products managed by Western Asset and Brandywine, offset in part by net outflows in products managed by QS Investors. Equity net outflows were primarily from products managed by QS Investors, Royce, and Brandywine, offset in part by equity net inflows in products managed by ClearBridge and Martin Currie. Alternative net outflows were primarily in products managed by EnTrustPermal and RARE Infrastructure, offset in part by net inflows in products managed by Clarion Partners. Market performance and other was $51.8 billion, $16.0 billion of which relates to the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of certain assets which were previously classified as AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM. The positive impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations was $2.5 billion.

As previously discussed, in the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we began to separately report realizations. Realizations are investment manager driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. requested redemptions, liquidations, or asset transfers). Realizations for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, were $2.2 billion. Realizations of $1.1 billion were included in net client cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2016.


Average AUM by asset class (in billions) for the nine months ended December 31 were as follows:
  2017 
% of
Total
 2016 
% of
Total
 % Change
 Equity $197.9
 26% $165.1
 23% 20 %
Fixed Income 408.7
 55
 385.2
 54
 6
Alternative 66.4
 9
 66.0
 9
 1
Total long-term assets 673.0
 90
 616.3
 86
 9
Liquidity 77.6
 10
 103.4
 14
 (25)
Total $750.6
 100% $719.7
 100% 4 %

The component changes in our AUM by asset class (in billions) for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
  Equity 
Fixed
Income
 Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
March 31, 2017 $179.8
 $394.3
 $67.9
 $642.0
 $86.4
 $728.4
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
            
Subscriptions 17.3
 24.8
 4.8
 46.9
 
 46.9
Redemptions (20.1) (16.9) (4.6) (41.6) 
 (41.6)
Separate account flows, net(2)
 (1.8) (1.3) (1.7) (4.8) 0.5
 (4.3)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (14.1) (14.1)
Net client cash flows (4.6) 6.6
 (1.5) 0.5
 (13.6) (13.1)
Realizations(3)
 
 
 (2.2) (2.2) 
 (2.2)
Market performance and other(2)
 32.3
 17.2
 1.7
 51.2
 0.6
 51.8
Impact of foreign exchange 0.4
 2.0
 0.3
 2.7
 (0.2) 2.5
Acquisition (disposition), net (0.3) 
 0.1
 (0.2) 
 (0.2)
December 31, 2017 $207.6
 $420.1
 $66.3
 $694.0
 $73.2
 $767.2
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)Other includes the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of $12.1 billion and $3.9 billion of certain equity and fixed income assets, respectively, which were previously included in AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM. Equity and fixed income separate account flows, net, each include $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively of net inflows related to this AUM. Other also includes the reinvestment of dividends and a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts.
(3)Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).


  Equity 
Fixed
Income
 Alternative Total Long-Term Liquidity Total
March 31, 2016 $162.3
 $372.3
 $22.7
 $557.3
 $112.3
 $669.6
Investment funds, excluding liquidity funds(1):
            
Subscriptions 17.4
 20.9
 4.5
 42.8
 
 42.8
Redemptions (19.9) (18.9) (7.0) (45.8) 
 (45.8)
Separate account flows, net (5.9) 5.3
 (1.9) (2.5) 0.8
 (1.7)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 
 
 
 (25.0) (25.0)
Net client cash flows (8.4) 7.3
 (4.4) (5.5) (24.2) (29.7)
Market performance and other(2)
 16.9
 5.8
 2.5
 25.2
 0.5
 25.7
Impact of foreign exchange (1.4) (3.9) (0.4) (5.7) 0.3
 (5.4)
Acquisitions (disposition), net(3)
 (0.4) (0.4) 51.1
 50.3
 (0.1) 50.2
December 31, 2016 $169.0
 $381.1
 $71.5
 $621.6
 $88.8
 $710.4
(1)Subscriptions and redemptions reflect the gross activity in the funds and include assets transferred between funds and between share classes.
(2)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
(3)Includes $41.5 billion, and $9.6 billion related to the acquisitions of Clarion Partners, and EnTrust, respectively, offset in part by $0.9 billion related to the disposition of a small investment manager.

AUM by Distribution Channel
The component changes in our AUM by distribution channel (in billions) for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
  Global Distribution Affiliate/Other Total
March 31, 2017 $285.6
 $442.8
 $728.4
Net client cash flows, excluding liquidity funds 12.2
 (11.2) 1.0
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 (14.1) (14.1)
Net client cash flows 12.2
 (25.3) (13.1)
Realizations(1)
 
 (2.2) (2.2)
Market performance and other(2)
 34.8
 17.0
 51.8
Impact of foreign exchange 0.9
 1.6
 2.5
Acquisitions (dispositions), net 
 (0.2) (0.2)
December 31, 2017 $333.5
 $433.7
 $767.2
(1)Realizations represent investment manager-driven distributions primarily related to the sale of assets. Realizations are specific to our alternative managers and do not include client-driven distributions (e.g. client requested redemptions, liquidations or asset transfers).
(2)Other includes the reclassification, effective April 1, 2017, of $16.0 billion of certain assets which were previously included in AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM. Other also includes the reinvestment of dividends and a $(3.7) billion reconciliation to previously reported amounts.

  
Global Distribution(1)
 Affiliate/Other Total
March 31, 2016 $254.6
 $415.0
 $669.6
Net client cash flows, excluding liquidity funds 5.1
 (9.8) (4.7)
Liquidity fund flows, net 
 (25.0) (25.0)
Net client cash flows 5.1
 (34.8) (29.7)
Market performance and other(2)
 14.2
 11.5
 25.7
Impact of foreign exchange (2.5) (2.9) (5.4)
Acquisitions (disposition), net(3)
 
 50.2
 50.2
December 31, 2016 $271.4
 $439.0
 $710.4
(1)Excludes $14.0 billion and $10.3 billion of AUA as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively. Net client cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, excludes $2.4 billion of AUA net inflows. Effective April 1, 2017, the significant portion of these assets were reclassified from AUA to AUM due to a change in our policy on classification of AUA and AUM.
(2)
Other primarily includes the reinvestment of dividends.
(3)Includes $41.5 billion, and $9.6 billion related to the acquisitions of Clarion Partners, and EnTrust, respectively, offset in part by $0.9 billion related to the disposition of a small investment manager.

Results of Operations

Operating Revenues
The components of Total Operating Revenues (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Investment advisory fees:       
Separate accounts $758.9
 $692.1
 $66.8
10 %
Funds 1,170.6
 1,109.5
 61.1
6
Performance fees 181.3
 82.4
 98.9
n/m
Distribution and service fees 241.0
 276.1
 (35.1)(13)
Other 3.5
 3.7
 (0.2)(5)
Total Operating Revenues $2,355.3
 $2,163.8
 $191.5
9 %
n/m - not meaningful

Total operating revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, were $2.36 billion, an increase of 9% from $2.16 billion for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $98.9 million increase in performance fees, $42.6 million of which are performance fees earned by Clarion Partners that were fully passed through as compensation expense, as previously discussed. A 9% increase in average long-term AUM also contributed to the increase. Despite an increase in average long-term AUM as a percentage of our total average AUM, our operating revenue yield, excluding performance fees, remained flat at 38 basis points for each of the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, as a result of a less favorable product mix, with lower yielding products comprising a higher percentage of our long-term and total average AUM for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Investment advisory fees from separate accounts increased $66.8 million, or 10%, to $758.9 million, as compared to $692.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Of this increase, $41.4 million resulted from the inclusion of revenues associated with certain assets that were reclassified from AUA to AUM, effective April 1, 2017, as previously discussed. Prior to this reclassification, revenues related to the comparable AUA were included in Distribution and service fees. In addition, higher average equity assets managed at ClearBridge contributed $20.7 million to the increase, and higher average fixed income assets at Western Asset contributed $9.8 million to the increase. These increases were offset in part by a decrease of $7.4 million due to lower average alternative assets managed by RARE Infrastructure.

Investment advisory fees from funds increased $61.1 million, or 6%, to $1.17 billion, as compared to $1.11 billion for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Of this increase, $88.8 million was due to higher average equity assets managed

at ClearBridge and Martin Currie, $23.6 million was due to higher average fixed income assets managed at Western Asset, and $14.1 million was due to higher revenues earned by Clarion Partners, which was acquired in April 2016, due in part to the inclusion of a full nine months of revenues in the current year. These increases were offset in part by a decrease of $33.8 million due to lower average alternative assets managed by EnTrustPermal, a decrease of $23.0 million due to the disposition of two small investment managers in March 2017 and December 2016, and a net decrease of $9.1 million in fees from liquidity assets, as a result of lower average liquidity assets managed by Western Asset, offset in part by a reduction in fee waivers on liquidity funds.

Investment advisory performance fees increased $98.9 million, to $181.3 million, as compared to $82.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $52.7 million increase in performance fees earned on assets managed by Martin Currie, Western Asset, EnTrustPermal, and Brandywine, and a $42.6 million increase in performance fees related to Clarion Partners, which were passed through to employees as compensation.

Distribution and service fees decreased $35.1 million, or 13%, to $241.0 million, as compared to $276.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Of this decrease, $28.1 million was related to the previously discussed reclassification of certain assets from AUA to AUM, as revenue related to these assets is included in Investment advisory fees from separate accounts for the nine months ended December 31, 2017. A reduction in average mutual fund AUM subject to distribution and service fees also contributed to the decrease.

Operating Expenses
The components of Total Operating Expenses (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Compensation and benefits $1,143.3
 $1,054.8
 $88.5
8 %
Distribution and servicing 370.2
 376.7
 (6.5)(2)
Communications and technology 155.9
 156.6
 (0.7)
Occupancy 74.6
 87.2
 (12.6)(14)
Amortization of intangible assets 18.5
 19.3
 (0.8)(4)
Impairment charges 229.0
 35.0
 194.0
n/m
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments (15.8) (39.5) 23.7
(60)
Other 155.3
 161.3
 (6.0)(4)
Total Operating Expenses $2,131.0
 $1,851.4
 $279.6
15 %
n/m - not meaningful

Operating expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, incurred at the investment management affiliate level represented approximately 70% of total operating expenses in each period, excluding impairment charges. The remaining operating expenses (excluding impairment charges) are corporate costs, including costs of our global distribution operations.


The components of Compensation and benefits (in millions) for the nine months ended December 31 were as follows:
  Nine Months Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Salaries and incentives $823.3
 $763.4
 $59.9
8 %
Benefits and payroll taxes (including deferred compensation) 201.0
 183.2
 17.8
10
Transition costs and severance 9.1
 31.2
 (22.1)(71)
Management equity plan charge 
 15.2
 (15.2)n/m
Performance fee pass through 95.3
 52.7
 42.6
81
Gains on deferred compensation and seed capital investments 14.6
 9.1
 5.5
60
Compensation and benefits $1,143.3
 $1,054.8
 $88.5
8 %
n/m - not meaningful

Compensation and benefits increased 8% to $1,143.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $1,054.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, as a result of the following:

Salaries and incentives increased $59.9 million, to $823.3 million, as compared to $763.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to an increase of $57.8 million in net compensation at investment affiliates, which was primarily driven by the impact of increased revenues at certain revenue-share based affiliates, which usually creates a corresponding increase in compensation per the applicable revenue share agreements.
Benefits and payroll taxes increased $17.8 million to $201.0 million, as compared to $183.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with certain long-term incentive and other benefit plans, as well as an increase in payroll-related taxes.
Transition costs and severance decreased $22.1 million, to $9.1 million, as compared to $31.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, with $4.6 million and $25.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, associated with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust, which is now substantially complete. The remaining amounts in each period were primarily severance costs for corporate and distribution personnel.
Management equity plan charge is associated with the implementation of an affiliate management equity plan for the management team of Clarion Partners.

Compensation as a percentage of operating revenues remained relatively flat at 48.5%, as compared to 48.7%, as the impact of the reduction in transition and severance costs incurred in connection with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust, and the impact of the charge recognized in the prior year in connection with the implementation of the Clarion Partners management equity plan, was substantially offset by the impact of the increase in performance fees earned by Clarion Partners that were passed through fully as compensation expense.

Distribution and servicing expenses decreased 2%6% to $370.2$231.1 million, as compared to $376.7$246.0 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily due to lower average AUM in certain products for which we pay fees to third-party distributors.


Communications and technology expense remained relatively flat at $155.9increased 12% to $114.2 million, as compared to $156.6$101.6 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016, as a decrease in technology depreciation was substantially offset bySeptember 30, 2017, primarily due to an $8.7 million increase in technology consulting and maintenance costs related to ongoing investments in our technology capabilities and a $3.2 million increase in market data costs.

Occupancy expense decreased 14%increased 5% to $74.6$52.2 million, as compared to $87.2$49.6 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily due to neta real estate charges of $12.3 million recognized in the prior year period in connection with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust.

Amortization of intangible assets decreased $0.8 million to $18.5 million, as compared to $19.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a reduction in amortization expense as a result of impairments of the RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset recognized in the quarters ended June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, offset in part by a full nine months of amortization expenserelated charge recognized in the current year period related toof $2.4 million associated with the acquisitionssublease of Clarion Partnersoffice space in April 2016 and EnTrust in May 2016.our corporate headquarters.

Impairment of intangible assets was $229.0$34.0 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $35.0 million and for the nine months ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. The impairment charges recognized during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, were comprised of $195.0 million related to the EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund management contracts asset, as discussed above, $32.0 million related to the RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset and $2.0 million related to the RARE Infrastructure trade name asset. The impairments to the RARE Infrastructurethese assets resulted from losses of separate account AUM and other factors at RARE Infrastructure, and the related decline in projected revenues. A revised estimate of the remaining useful life of the RARE Infrastructure separate account contracts intangible asset also contributed to the impairment of that asset. As discussed above, the impairment charges recognized during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, were comprised of $18.0 million related to the RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset, and $17.0 million related to the Permal trade name asset. See Critical Accounting Policies and Note 65 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these impairment charges, including the significant assumptions used to determine the fair value of the assets.charges.

Contingent consideration fair value adjustments for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018, included an expense of $0.6 million which increased the contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of QS Investors. Contingent consideration fair value adjustments for the six months ended September 30, 2017, included credits of $16.6 million which reduced the contingent consideration liabilities related to the acquisitions of RARE Infrastructure and QS Investors, which were offset in part by an expense of $0.7 million, increasing the contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of PK Investments. Contingent consideration fair value adjustments for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 included credits of $39.5 million, which reduced the contingent consideration liabilities related to the acquisitions of Martin Currie, RARE Infrastructure, QS Investors and Financial Guard.Investors.

Other expense decreased $6.0increased $5.7 million to $155.3108.0 million, as compared to $161.3$102.3 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily due to a $4.3$4.2 million reductioncharge for the regulatory matter further discussed in professional fees and a $3.9 million reduction in insurance expense, both driven by costs incurred in the prior year period in connection with the acquisitionsNote 7 of Clarion Partners and EnTrust, offset in part by a $2.8 million increase in advertising expense.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Non-Operating Income (Expense)
The components of Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (in millions), and the dollar and percentage changes between periods were as follows:
 Nine Months Ended December 31, Six Months Ended September 30,   
 2017 2016 
$
 Change
%
 Change
 2018 2017 
$
 Change
%
 Change
Interest income $4.9
 $5.1
 $(0.2)(4)% $4.9
 $3.0
 $1.9
63 %
Interest expense (87.5) (82.0) (5.5)7
 (59.8) (58.3) (1.5)3
Other income, net 24.2
 22.7
 1.5
7
 13.9
 18.7
 (4.8)(26)
Non-operating income of consolidated investment vehicles, net 11.3
 9.9
 1.4
14
Non-operating income (expense) of consolidated investment vehicles, net (0.4) 3.1
 (3.5)n/m
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) $(47.1) $(44.3) $(2.8)6 % $(41.4) $(33.5) $(7.9)24 %

Interest expense increased $5.5 million, to $87.5 million, as compared to $82.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the net impact of the issuance of $500 million of 5.45% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2056 in August 2016, the proceeds of which were used to repay $500 million of then outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.n/m - not meaningful

Other income, net, totaled $24.2$13.9 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $22.7$18.7 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. The change was primarily due to a $5.5$5.0 million increasedecrease in net market gains on seed capital investments and assets invested for deferred compensation plans, which are offset by a corresponding increase in compensation expense and a $3.7 million loss recognized in the prior year period in connection with the termination of an interest rate swap. These increases were offset in part by a $3.1 million reduction in net market gains on corporate investments, which are not offset by a corresponding increase in compensation expense, and a $4.0 million gain recognized in the prior year period in connection with the sale of Legg Mason Poland.expense.

Non-operating income (expense) of consolidated investment vehicles, net, totaled $11.3expense of $0.4 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $9.9income of $3.1 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016September 30, 2017. The change was primarily due to

activity of the CIVs during the respective periods. See Notes 2 and 1314 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the consolidation of sponsored investment vehicles and net market gains on investments of certain CIVs.


Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
The income tax benefitprovision was $142.5$60.5 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to an income tax provision of $71.7$66.9 million for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. The effective benefittax rate was 80.4%27.5% for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to an30.7% for the six months ended September 30, 2017. The effective tax rate of 26.7% for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016. As previously discussed, on December 22, 2017, the Tax Law became enacted law. The reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate, as well as other aspectsSeptember 30, 2018, reflects current estimates of the Tax Law, resulted in a one-time, non-cash provisional tax benefit of $220.9 million, recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to the remeasurement of certain existing deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new income tax rate. In addition, a non-cash tax charge of $7.3 million was provisionally provided in the three months ended December 31, 2017, for the effects on unremitted foreign earnings and other aspectsimpact of the Tax Law. Adjustments to these provisional items may be madeThe changes implemented in the Tax Law are wide ranging and complex, and the assessment of their impact could change in subsequent periodsquarters as more detailed information and guidance is obtained and analyzed.

Also, during During the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, changes in apportionment on state deferred tax liabilities and changes in state law resulted in additional net tax expense of $3.3 million, which reduced the effective benefit rate by 1.8 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2017. AsSeptember 30, 2018, a result of the previously discussed impairment of intangible assets at EnTrustPermal, the nine months ended December 31, 2017 also included income tax expense of $3.9 million due to the reversal of income tax benefits previously recognized in connection with the impact of changes in the U.K. corporate tax rate on deferred tax liabilities associated with those intangible assets. This expense reduced the effective benefit rate by 2.2 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2017. In addition, a $1.4 million discrete tax expense was recognized with respect to equity based compensation, which reduced the effective benefit rate by 0.8 percentage points.
In September 2016, the U.K. Finance Act 2016 was enacted, which reduced the main U.K. corporate tax rate to be effective on April 1, 2020 from 18% to 17%. The impact of the tax rate reduction on certain existing deferred tax assets and liabilities resulted in a tax benefit of $4.1$2.8 million and reduced the effective tax rate by 1.5 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, was also impacted by a tax benefit of $2.9 million for provision to return adjustments recognized in connection with the filing of fiscal 2016 tax returns, and a tax benefit of $2.2 million, which resulted from reserve adjustments related to the conclusioncompletion of certaina prior year tax examinations. These benefits together reduced the effective tax rate by 1.9 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. These benefits wereaudit, and was offset in part by $0.6 million of discrete tax expense recognized for the state of Maryland law change from a $2.3three-factor apportionment factor to a single sales apportionment factor. In addition, for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, discrete tax expense of $0.5 million increase in valuation allowances, which increasedand $1.1 million, respectively, was recognized for vested stock awards with a grant date exercise price higher than the vesting date stock prices. Together, the net impact of all discrete tax items decreased the effective income tax rate by 0.8 percentage points for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016.

Noncontrolling interests in EnTrustPermal, Clarion PartnersSeptember 30, 2018, and Royce are structured as partnerships that pass an allocable portion of tax attributes and obligations to the related noncontrolling interest holders. As such, the consolidated financial statements do not generally include any tax provision/benefit associated with the net income allocated to these noncontrolling interests, which reducedincreased the effective benefit rate by 22.7 percentage points and reduced the effectiveincome tax rate by 2.20.5 percentage points for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.points.

The impact of CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products reduced the effective benefittax rate by 3.80.1 percentage points and reduced the effective tax rate 0.90.3 percentage points for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. and Operating Margin
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, totaled $275.8$138.9 million, or $2.86$1.57 per diluted share, as compared to $151.3$126.6 million, or $1.43$1.29 per diluted share, in the nine months ended December 31, 2016.  The increase in Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. was largely the result of a $213.7 million, one-time, net non-cash provisional tax benefit related to the Tax Law. Lower acquisition and transition-related costs recognized in the current year period, with $5.2 million of such costs recognized during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $73.0 million, recognized during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, as well as the net impact of increased operating revenues in the current year period, also contributed to the increase. These increases were offset in part by a $194.0 million increase in impairment charges, with $229.0 million of such charges recognized in the nine months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $35.0 million of such charges recognized in the nine months ended December 31, 2016. In addition,

Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. per diluted share for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, benefited from a reduction in weighted-average shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases. Operating margin was 9.5% for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to 14.4% for the nine months ended December 31, 2016, reflecting the impact of the non-cash impairment charges discussed above.

Quarter Ended December 31, 2017, Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2017
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended December 31, 2017, was $149.2 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, as compared to $75.7 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the threesix months ended September 30, 2017.  The increase in Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. was largely drivendue to the $34.0 million impairment charge recognized in the prior year, offset in part by a $213.7$16.6 million or $2.27of credits included in the prior year related to contingent consideration fair value adjustments. In addition, Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. per diluted share one-time, net non-cash provisionalfor the six months ended September 30, 2018, benefited from a reduction in weighted-average shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases during fiscal 2018. Operating margin was 17.4% for the six months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to 16.1% for the six months ended September 30, 2017.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018, Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2018, was $72.8 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, as compared to $66.1 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The three months ended September 30, 2018 included a discrete tax benefit related to the Tax Law, which wascompletion of a prior year audit of $2.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, offset in part by non-cash impairment chargesa real estate related charge associated with the sublease of $195.0office space in our Baltimore headquarters of $2.4 million, or $1.62$0.02 per diluted share. The three months ended June 30, 2018 included a regulatory charge of $4.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017.and acquisition and transition-related costs of $1.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Operating revenues increased to $793.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $768.3$758.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017.2018, as compared to $747.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in operating revenues was primarily due to an $11.4 million increase of $28.0in performance fees at Clarion Partners that were passed through as compensation expense and a $2.0 million increase in advisory revenue, reflecting one additional day in the current quarter. These increases were offset in part by a $3.5 million decrease in performance fees that were not passed through as compensation expense, primarily at EnTrustPermal, Western Asset, and Martin Currie, which was offset in part by a $9.9 million decrease in pass through performance fees at Clarion Partners. A 1% increase in average AUM also contributed to the increase.expense.
 
Operating expenses increased $196.5 million, to $820.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $623.9were at $622.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, as a result of the $195.0 million impairment charge relatedcompared to the EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund managements contracts asset recognized in the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Non-operating expense, net, decreased $4.6 million, to $13.5$622.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as comparedJune 30, 2018. The change in operating expenses was primarily due to $18.1a $3.3 million increase in compensation and benefits expense, reflecting increased pass through performance fees, offset in part by seasonal compensation factors in the prior quarter and a $2.4 million increase in occupancy expense, reflecting the previously discussed real estate charge. These increases were offset in part by a $3.6 million decrease in other expenses, driven by the $4.0 million regulatory charge recorded in the prior quarter.

Non-operating expense, net, increased $8.2 million, to $24.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, as compared to $16.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to an increasea decrease of $7.6 million in non-operating income (expense) of CIVs, which has no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc., as the gainslosses are fully attributable to noncontrolling interests.


Operating margin was (3.4)% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to 18.8%17.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, reflecting the impact of the non-cash impairment charge recognized in2018, as compared to 16.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, as discussed above.June 30, 2018.

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information
As supplemental information, we are providing a performance measure for "Operating Margin, as Adjusted" and a liquidity measure for "Adjusted EBITDA", each of which are based on methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”). Our management uses these measures as benchmarks in evaluating and comparing our period-to-period operating performance and liquidity.

Operating Margin, as Adjusted
We calculate "Operating Margin, as Adjusted," by dividing (i) Operating Income, adjusted to exclude the impact on compensation expense of gains or losses on investments made to fund deferred compensation plans, the impact on compensation expense of gains or losses on seed capital investments by our affiliates under revenue sharing arrangements, amortization related to intangible assets, income (loss) of CIVs, the impact of fair value adjustments of contingent consideration liabilities, if any, unusual and other non-core charges (including the previously disclosed regulatory charge), and impairment charges by (ii) our operating revenues, adjusted to add back net investment advisory fees eliminated upon consolidation of investment vehicles, less distribution and servicing expenses which we use as an approximate measure of revenues that are passed through to third parties, and less performance fees that are passed through as compensation expense or net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, which we refer to as "Operating Revenues, as Adjusted." The deferred compensation items are removed from Operating Income in the calculation because they are offset by an equal amount in Non-operating income (expense), net, and thus have no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. We adjust for the impact of the amortization of management contract assets and the impact of fair value adjustments of contingent consideration liabilities, if any, which arise from acquisitions to reflect the fact that these items distort comparison of our operating results with the results of other asset management firms that have not engaged in significant acquisitions. Impairment charges, unusual and other non-core charges (including the previously disclosed regulatory charge), and income (loss) of CIVs are removed from Operating Income in the calculation because these items are not reflective of our core asset management operations. We use Operating Revenues, as Adjusted, in the calculation to show the operating margin without distribution and servicing expenses, which we use to approximate our distribution revenues that are passed through to third parties as a direct cost of selling our products, although

distribution and servicing expenses may include commissions paid in connection with the launching of closed-end funds for which there is no corresponding revenue in the period. We also use Operating Revenues, as Adjusted, in the calculation to show the operating margin without performances fees which are passed through as compensation expense or net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests per the terms of certain more recent acquisitions. Operating Revenues, as Adjusted, also include our advisory revenues we receive from consolidated investment vehicles that are eliminated in consolidation under GAAP.

We believe that Operating Margin, as Adjusted, is a useful measure of our performance because it provides a measure of our core business activities. It excludes items that have no impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. and indicates what our operating margin would have been without distribution revenues that are passed through to third parties as a direct cost of selling our products, performance fees that are passed through as compensation expense or net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests per the terms of certain more recent acquisitions, amortization related to intangible assets, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, if any, impairment charges, unusual and other non-core charges (including the previously disclosed regulatory charge), and the impact of the consolidation of certain investment vehicles described above. The consolidation of these investment vehicles does not have an impact on Net Income Attributable to Legg Mason, Inc. This measure is provided in addition to our operating margin calculated under GAAP, but is not a substitute for calculations of margins under GAAP and may not be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures, including measures of adjusted margins of other companies.


The calculation of Operating Margin and Operating Margin, as Adjusted, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 December 31, 2017
September 30, 2017
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018
June 30, 2018
September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018
September 30, 2017
Operating Revenues, GAAP basis $793,090
 $768,338
 $715,241
 $2,355,270
 $2,163,776
 $758,427
 $747,905
 $768,338
 $1,506,332
 $1,562,180
Plus (less):    
  
        
  
    
Pass-through performance fees (9,970) (19,874) (2,250) (95,275) (52,681) (24,006) (12,620) (19,874) (36,626) (85,305)
Operating revenues eliminated upon consolidation of investment vehicles 283
 23
 360
 350
 386
 103
 203
 23
 306
 67
Distribution and servicing expense, excluding consolidated investment vehicles (124,071) (123,578) (123,326) (369,998) (376,722) (114,516) (116,558) (123,578) (231,074) (245,927)
Operating Revenues, as Adjusted $659,332
 $624,909
 $590,025
 $1,890,347
 $1,734,759
 $620,008
 $618,930
 $624,909
 $1,238,938
 $1,231,015
                    
Operating Income, GAAP basis $(27,333) $144,419
 $111,166
 $224,291
 $312,354
 $135,728
 $125,676
 $144,419
 $261,404
 $251,624
Plus (less):    
  
        
  
    
Gains on deferred compensation and seed investments, net 4,333
 4,824
 1,474
 14,585
 9,072
 3,964
 1,272
 4,824
 5,236
 10,252
Impairment of intangible assets 195,000
 
 35,000
 229,000
 35,000
 
 
 
 
 34,000
Amortization of intangible assets 6,071
 6,082
 7,277
 18,492
 19,251
 6,102
 6,180
 6,082
 12,282
 12,421
Charge related to regulatory matter 151
 4,000
 
 4,151
 
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments 739
 
 (14,500) (15,811) (39,500) 145
 426
 
 571
 (16,550)
Operating loss of consolidated investment vehicles, net 722
 128
 360
 917
 609
Operating (income) loss of consolidated investment vehicles, net 372
 616
 128
 988
 195
Operating Income, as Adjusted $179,532
 $155,453
 $140,777
 $471,474
 $336,786
 $146,462
 $138,170
 $155,453
 $284,632
 $291,942
                    
Operating Margin, GAAP basis (3.4)% 18.8% 15.5% 9.5% 14.4% 17.9% 16.8% 18.8% 17.4% 16.1%
Operating Margin, as Adjusted 27.2
 24.9
 23.9
 24.9
 19.4
 23.6
 22.3
 24.9
 23.0
 23.7

Operating Margin, as Adjusted, for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, was 27.2%23.6%, 24.9%22.3%, and 23.9%24.9%, respectively. Operating Margin, as Adjusted, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was reduced by 0.4 percentage points, due to the real estate related charge associated with the sublease of office space in our Baltimore headquarters, and for each of the three months ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, was reduced by 0.2 percentage points, and for the three months ended December 31, 2016, was reduced by 0.5 percentage points, due to transition-related costs incurred in connection with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust.

Operating Margin, as Adjusted, for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, was 23.0% and 2016, was 24.9% and 19.4%23.7%, respectively. Operating Margin, as Adjusted, for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,September 30, 2018, was reduced by 0.30.2 percentage points due to the real estate related charge discussed above and by 0.1 percentage points and 2.30.3 percentage points respectively, due to transition-related costs incurred in connection with the restructuring of Permal for the combination with EnTrust. Operating Margin, as Adjusted, for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, was also reduced by 1.00.3 percentage points due to acquisition-relatedtransition-related costs incurred in connection with the Clarion Partners and EnTrust acquisitions, and 0.9 percentage points due torestructuring of Permal for the charge associatedcombination with the implementation of the Clarion Partners management equity plan.EnTrust.


Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as cash provided by (used in) operating activities plus (minus) interest expense, net of accretion and amortization of debt discounts and premiums, current income tax expense (benefit), the net change in assets and liabilities, net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, net gains (losses) and earnings on investments, net gains (losses) on consolidated investment vehicles, and other. The net change in assets and liabilities adjustment aligns with the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Adjusted EBITDA is not reduced by equity-based compensation expense, including management equity plan non-cash issuance-related charges. Most management equity plan units may be put to or called by us for cash payment, although their terms do not require this to occur.

We believe that this measure is useful to investors and us as it provides additional information with regard to our ability to meet working capital requirements, service our debt, and return capital to our shareholders.stockholders. This measure is provided in addition to Cash provided by operating activities and may not be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures or liquidity measures of other companies, including their measures of EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA. Further, this measure is not to be confused with Net Income, Cash provided by operating activities, or other measures of earnings or cash flows under GAAP, and areis provided as a supplement to, and not in replacement of, GAAP measures.

We previously disclosed Adjusted EBITDA that conformed to calculations required by our debt covenants, which adjusted for certain items that required cash settlement that are not part of the current definition. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 
June 30,
 2018
 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities, GAAP basis $117,323
 $289,329
 $209,102
 $293,072
 $346,961
Cash provided by operating activities, GAAP basis $289,568
 $(102,170) $290,390
 $187,398
 $174,906
Plus (less):     

              
Interest expense, net of accretion and amortization of debt discounts and premiums 28,503
 28,343
 28,534
 85,176
 78,927
 29,341
 29,356
 28,343
 58,697
 56,673
Current tax expense 8,823
 9,662
 (2,981) 24,557
 11,925
 9,975
 8,878
 9,662
 18,853
 15,734
Net change in assets and liabilities 25,077
 (145,656) (108,242) 92,744
 21,346
 (69,426) 215,016
 (144,921) 145,590
 70,334
Net change in assets and liabilities of consolidated investment vehicles 21,873
 1,235
 43,732
 54,897
 (15,041) (84,704) 14,580
 (561) (70,124) 31,200
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (19,324) (11,960) (13,088) (43,901) (45,067) (8,270) (12,275) (11,960) (20,545) (24,577)
Net gains (losses) and earnings on investments (4,163) 1,491
 2,432
 2,874
 (959) 8,336
 6,792
 1,491
 15,128
 7,037
Net gains on consolidated investment vehicles 8,225
 2,094
 1,458
 11,316
 9,892
 (3,998) 3,583
 2,094
 (415) 3,091
Other 663
 194
 (638) 934
 (1,137) 153
 (374) 194
 (221) 271
Adjusted EBITDA $187,000
 $174,732
 $160,309
 $521,669
 $406,847
 $170,975
 $163,386
 $174,732
 $334,361
 $334,669

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, was $187.0$171.0 million, $174.7$163.4 million, and $160.3$174.7 million, respectively. The increase for both the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, and the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017, and the three months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016, was primarily due to an increase in net income, adjusted for non-cash items.

Adjusted EBITDA for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, was $521.7$334.4 million and $406.8$334.7 million, respectively. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net income, adjusted for non-cash items, largely the result of a reduction in acquisition and transition-related costs incurred in connection with the acquisitions of Clarion Partners and EnTrust, and the net impact of increased operating revenues.



Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2018, we had approximately $335 million in cash and cash equivalents in excess of our working capital and regulatory requirements. The primary objective of our capital structure is to appropriately support our business strategies and to provide needed liquidity at all times, including maintaining required capital in certain subsidiaries. Liquidity and the access to liquidity are important to the success ofWe review our ongoing operations. Our overall funding needs and capital base are continually reviewedon an ongoing basis to determine if the capital base meets the expected needs of our businesses. We intend to continue to explore potential acquisition opportunities as a means of diversifying and strengthening our asset management business. These opportunities may from time to time involve acquisitions that are material in size and may require, among other things, and subject to existing covenants, the raising of additional equity capital and/or the issuance of additional debt.

The consolidation of variable interest entities discussed above does not impact our liquidity and capital resources. However, we have executed total return swap arrangements with investors in twocertain ETFs, and as a result we receive the related investment gains and losses on the ETFs and aremay be required to consolidate these ETFs.ETFs with open total return swap arrangements. At December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the total return swap notional values aggregate $51.1 million.$22.1 million and we executed an additional $10 million in notional value in October 2018. Otherwise, we have no rights to the benefits from, nor do we bear the risks associated with, the assets and liabilities of the CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products beyond our investments in and investment advisory fees generated from these products, which are eliminated in consolidation. Additionally, creditors of the CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products have no recourse to our general credit beyond the level of our investment, if any, so we do not consider these liabilities to be our obligations.

Our assets consist primarily of intangible assets, goodwill, cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, and investment advisory and related fee receivables. Our assetsoperations have been principally funded by equity capital, long-term debt and the results of our operations.retained earnings. At December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents, total assets, long-term debt, net, and stockholders' equity were $0.7$0.6 billion, $8.1$7.9 billion, $2.2 billion and $3.8$3.9 billion, respectively. Total assets include amounts related to CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products of $0.1 billion.

Cash and cash equivalents are primarily invested in liquid domestic and non-domestic money market funds that hold principally domestic and non-domestic government and agency securities, bank deposits and corporate commercial paper. We have not recognized any losses on these investments. Our monitoring of cash and cash equivalents partially mitigates the potential that material risks may be associated with these balances.

The following table summarizes our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31 (in millions):Flows:
  2017 2016
Cash flows provided by operating activities $293.1
 $347.0
Cash flows used in investing activities (18.6) (1,014.9)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities (332.9) 28.7
Effect of exchange rate changes 5.0
 (0.4)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (53.4) (639.6)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 733.7
 1,329.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $680.3
 $689.5
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
  2018 2017
Cash flows provided by operating activities $187.4
 $174.9
Cash flows used in investing activities (21.2) (7.3)
Cash flows used in financing activities (285.3) (238.2)
Effect of exchange rate changes (14.6) (1.2)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (133.7) (71.8)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 773.8
 754.3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $640.1
 $682.5

Cash inflows provided by operating activities during the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, were $293.1$187.4 million and $174.9 million, respectively, primarily related to Net Income, adjusted for non-cash items, including the $213.7 million tax benefit recognized in connection with the enactment of the Tax Law, offset in part by annual payments for accrued and deferred compensation. Cash inflows provided by operating activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, were $347.0 million, primarily related to Net Income, adjusted for non-cash items.compensation in each period.

Cash outflows used in investing activities during the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, were $18.6$21.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively, primarily related to payments made for fixed assets, offset in part by returns of capital received on certain investments in partnerships and limited liability companies. Cash outflows usedcompanies in investing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, were $1.0 billion, primarily related to payments associated with the acquisitions of Clarion Partners and EnTrust.each period.

Cash outflows used in financing activities during the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, were $332.9$285.3 million, primarily related to the purchaserepayment of 6.6$125.5 million shares of our common stock for $253.6 million through open market purchases, the

purchase of 5.6 million shares of our common stock from Shanda Asset Management Investment Limited ("Shanda") for $225.5 million, as further discussed below, and dividends paid of $76.0 million, offset in part by $225.5 million ofoutstanding borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit agreement (as amended from time to time the "Credit Agreement"), net redemptions attributable to fund the purchasenoncontrolling interests in CIVs and other consolidated investment products of our shares from Shanda.$68.9 million, and dividends paid of $54.7 million. Cash inflows provided byoutflows used in financing activities during the ninesix months ended December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, were $28.7$238.2 million, primarily related to $482.4 millionthe repurchase of net proceeds from the issuance of the 5.45% 2056 Notes in August 2016, offset in part by the purchase of 9.14.7 million shares of our common stock for $291.7$179.6 million net redemptions and distributions of $41.7 million related to noncontrolling interests, dividends paid of $66.2 million and the net repayment of $40 million outstanding$47.6 million.

Based on our Credit Agreement.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2017,current level of operations and anticipated growth, we entered into various total return swap arrangements with financial intermediaries with respect to two Legg Mason sponsored ETFs, which resulted in investments in the ETFs by those financial intermediaries in the aggregate amount of $48.7 million. These total return swap arrangements are intended to enable us to expedite third-party distribution platform access for the product. We intend to continue to grow our ETF business over the next 12 months, and may enter into similar arrangements in connection with gaining distribution platform access for additional products.

We expect that over the next 12 months cash generated from our operating activities and available cash on hand together with potential additional transactions similar to the total return swaps described above, will be adequate to support our operating cashworking capital needs planned share repurchases, andfor at least the repayment of borrowings under our Credit Agreement.next 12 months. We currently intend to utilize our available resources for any number of potential activities including, but not limited to, acquisitions, repurchasesrepayment of shares of our common stock,outstanding debt, acquisitions, seed capital investments in new and existing products, repayment of outstanding debt, orand payment of increased dividends. In addition to our ordinary operating cash needs, we anticipate other cash needs during the next 12 months, as discussed below.

AcquisitionsContingent Consideration
As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we had various commitments to pay contingent consideration relating to business acquisitions. The following table presents a summary of the maximum remaining aggregate contingent consideration and the Contingent consideration liability (in millions) for each of our acquisitions. Additional details regarding contingent consideration for each significant recent acquisition are discussed below.
  RARE Infrastructure Martin Currie QS Investors Other Total
Maximum Remaining Contingent Consideration(1)
 $82.8
 $439.3
 $23.4
 $1.9
 $547.4
Contingent consideration liability          
Current Contingent consideration $
 $13.0
(2) 
$3.6
 $
 $16.6
Non-current Contingent consideration 2.2
 
 
 1.9
 4.1
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $2.2
 $13.0
 $3.6
 $1.9
 $20.7
(1)Using the applicable exchange rate as of December 31, 2017 for amounts denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
(2)Exclusive of net pension liability of $38.1 million and other obligations, all of which are accounted for separately.

As further described below, we may be obligated to settle noncontrolling interests related to certain affiliates. The following table presents a summary of our affiliate noncontrolling interests (in millions), excluding amounts related to management equity plans, as of December 31, 2017. The ultimate timing of noncontrolling interest settlements are too uncertain to project with any accuracy.
  EnTrustPermal Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Other Total
Affiliate noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2017 $398.1
 $114.2
 $69.6
 $1.5
 $583.4

On August 17, 2016, we acquired a majority interest in Financial Guard. Contingent consideration of up to $3 million was potentially due one year after the closing date; however, no such payment was due based on relevant financial metrics. We

also committed to contribute up to $5 million of additional working capital to Financial Guard, to be paid over the two-year period following the acquisition, of which $2.5 million has been paid as of December 31, 2017.

On May 2, 2016, we closed the transaction to combine Permal and EnTrust, to create EnTrustPermal, of which we own 65%. Noncontrolling interests of 35% of the outstanding equity are subject to put and call provisions that may result in future cash outlays.

On April 13, 2016, we acquired a majority interest in Clarion Partners. We also implemented an affiliate management equity plan for the management team of Clarion Partners, as further discussed below. In conjunction with the acquisition, we committed to provide $100 million of seed capital to Clarion Partners products, after the second anniversary of the transaction closing. Noncontrolling interests of 18% of the outstanding equity are subject to put and call provisions that may result in future cash outlays.

On December 31, 2015, Martin Currie acquired certain assets of PK Investments. In December 2017, we paid all contingent consideration due of $3.2 million.

On October 21, 2015, we acquired a majority interest in RARE Infrastructure. Contingent consideration may be due March 31, 2018, aggregatingcatch-up adjustments of up to approximately $82.8$76.6 million (using the foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 for the maximum 106 million Australia dollar amount per the contract), may be due through March 31, 2019, dependent on the achievement of certain net revenue targets, and subject to potential catch-up adjustments extending through March 31, 2019. Noncontrolling interests of 25% of the outstanding equity are subject to put and call provisions that may result in future cash outlays.

On October 1, 2014, we acquired all outstanding equity interests of Martin Currie. A contingent consideration payment may be due on March 31, 2018, aggregating up to approximately $439.3 million (using the foreign exchange ratetargets; however, as of December 31, 2017 for the maximum £325 million contract amount), inclusive of the payment of certain potential pension and other obligations, and dependent on the achievement of certain financial metrics at March 31,September 30, 2018, as specified in the share purchase agreement. Actualno such payments are expected to be made may also include amounts for certain potential pension and other obligations that are accounted for separately. In addition, in connection with a review by the Pensions Regulator in the U.K. ("the Regulator") of the pension plan's current structure and funding status, Martin Currie, the trustees of the pension and the Regulator have agreed to a revised plan structure, including the redomiciliation of the plan in the U.K., additional guarantees, and following the application of any contingent consideration payments toward the pension deficit, provisions for accelerated funding of a portion of any remaining benefit obligation in certain circumstances.due.

Effective May 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of QS Investors. Contingent consideration of up to $20 million for the fourth anniversary payment, and up to $3 million for a potential catch-up adjustment for the second anniversary payment shortfall, was potentially due in July 2018. In September 2018, we paid contingent consideration of -$4.3 million for the final installment of contingent consideration.

In December 2017, we completed two small bolt-on acquisitions that provide for contingent consideration of up to $1.9 million in the aggregate. Any potential payments for the first acquisition may be due through October 2022 and for the second acquisition may be due in JulySeptember 2019.

On October 1, 2014, we acquired all outstanding equity interests of Martin Currie. The share purchase agreement provided for potential first, second, and third anniversary contingent payments due as of the March 31, 2016, 2017, and 2018 dependentcalculation dates, respectively; however, no such payments were due based on relevant financial metrics. We believe no payments are due and queries are the achievementsubject of correspondence with certain net revenue targets.of the entities from which we acquired Martin Currie.

See Notes 3 and 9Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these acquisitions.information.

Noncontrolling Interests
As further described below, we may be obligated to settle noncontrolling interests related to certain affiliates. The following table presents a summary of our affiliate noncontrolling interests (in millions), excluding amounts related to management equity plans, as of September 30, 2018. The ultimate timing of noncontrolling interest settlements are generally too uncertain to project with any accuracy.
  EnTrustPermal Clarion Partners RARE Infrastructure Other Total
Affiliate noncontrolling interests as of September 30, 2018 $388.5
 $115.3
 $36.0
 $1.4
 $541.2

Noncontrolling interests of 35% of the outstanding equity of EnTrust Permal, 18% of the outstanding equity of Clarion Partners and 15% of RARE Infrastructure are subject to put and call provisions that may result in future cash outlays.

On July 2, 2018, the corporate minority owner of RARE Infrastructure exercised the put option for its 10% ownership interest. The settlement value of $15.5 million, along with $1.0 million of dividends in arrears, was paid on October 10, 2018. As of September 30, 2018, such amounts were included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

See Notes 7 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Affiliate Management Equity Plans
In conjunction with the acquisition of Clarion Partners in April 2016, we implemented an affiliate management equity plan that entitles certain key employees of Clarion Partners to participate in 15% of the future growth, if any, of the enterprise value (subject to appropriate discounts) subsequent to the date of the grant. In March 2016, we implemented an affiliate management equity plan with Royce. Under this management equity plan, as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, noncontrolling interests

equivalent to 19.0% in the Royce entity have been issued to its management team. In addition, we implemented an affiliate management equity plan in March 2014, that entitles certain key employees of ClearBridge to participate in 15% of the future growth, if any, of the enterprise value (subject to appropriate discounts). As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the estimated redemption value for units under management equity plans aggregated $70$91 million. Repurchases of units granted under the plans may impact future liquidity requirements, however, the amounts and timing of repurchases are too uncertain to project with any accuracy. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding affiliate management equity plans.


Future Outlook

Short-term Debt and Long-term Borrowings
AsIn September 2018, we repaid the $125.5 million of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $400 million in cash and cash equivalents in excess of our working capital and regulatory requirements. On December 22, 2017, we purchased 5.6 million shares of our common stock from Shanda for $225.5 million. The share purchase was funded using $225.5 million ofoutstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement. The aggregate purchase of $225.5 million is effectively an acceleration of our authorized share repurchase program for the next three quarters, and as a result, we do not intend to purchase shares in the market prior to the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Until October 2018, we will applyAgreement using funds that otherwise would have been allocated to share purchasesrepurchases. We currently intend to accumulate cash to repay the amounts borrowed under our Credit Agreement in connection with the purchase of shares from Shanda. Excluding the purchase of shares from Shanda, during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, we retired $266.7$250 million of shares, including $13.1 million of shares retired under net share settlements for annual deferred compensation award vesting, and made dividend payments totaling $76.0 million.outstanding 2.7% Senior Notes due July 2019. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we have approximately $275had $500 million of available borrowing capacity under our Credit Agreement, which terminates in December 2020, and can be increased by another $500 million with the approval of the lendlenders.ers.

While we do not currently expect to raise incremental debt or equity financing over the next 12 months, we intend to continue to grow our ETF business and are exploring various options to facilitate the launch of and provide capital to these new products. Going forward, there can be no assurances of these expectations as our projections could prove to be incorrect, events may occur that require additional liquidity in excess of amounts available under our Credit Agreement, such as an opportunity to refinance indebtedness or complete an acquisition, or market conditions might significantly worsen, affecting our results of operations and generation of available cash. If these events result in our operations and available cash being insufficient to fund liquidity needs, we may seek to manage our available resources by taking actions such as reducing futuredelaying the reinstatement of our share repurchases,repurchase program, reducing operating expenses, reducing our expected expenditures on investments, selling assets (such as investment securities), repatriating earnings from foreign subsidiaries, reducing our dividend, or modifying arrangements with our affiliates and/or employees. Should these types of actions prove insufficient, or should an acquisition or refinancing opportunity arise, we would likely utilize borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility or seek to raise additional equity or debt.

On June 2, 2017, our Credit Agreement was amendedShare Repurchases
We did not repurchase any shares in the open market during the six months ended September 30, 2018, and do not currently intend to permit Legg Mason, Inc. to incur liens to secure obligations, including those related to cash collateral provisions for hedging agreements, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200 million at any one time. Prior to this amendment, cash collateral provided in connection with certainrepurchase a significant number of our hedging agreements was considered a lien on assets for purposes of the lien covenant, and, as a result, we were not in compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement at all times. The amendment provides for a waiver of any defaults under the unsecured credit agreement that may have arisen prior to the date of the amendment resulting from the provision of such cash collateral.

As previously discussed, on December 20, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the purchase of $225.5 millionshares of our common stock from Shanda, utilizing the remaining $169.0 million of common stock available for repurchase as authorized on January 30, 2015, and authorizing the purchase of an additional $56.5 million of common stockprior to complete the transaction. As of December 31, 2017, further purchases of our common stock have not been authorized.July 2019.

Liquid Assets
Our liquid assets include cash, cash equivalents, and certain current investment securities. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, our total liquid assets of approximately $890$790 million, included $360$337 million of cash, cash equivalents, and investments held by foreign subsidiaries. Other net working capital amounts of foreign subsidiaries were not significant. In order to increase oursupplement cash available in the U.S. for general corporate purposes, we plan to utilize up to approximately $210$69 million of foreign cash over the next several years and anticipate that $33 million will be in the form of which $4.3 million is accumulateddebt service payments by foreign earningsaffiliates, with the remainder provided from distribution of forecasted future offshore earnings. Any additional tax provision associated with these repatriations was previously recognized and adjusted to reflect the impact of the recently enacted Tax Law. No further repatriation of accumulated prior period foreign earnings is currently planned.

AfterOther
In connection with the Tax Law, our preliminary estimateacquisition of our future annual effective tax rate is between 22% and 26%. The actual impactClarion Partners in April 2016, we committed to ultimately provide $100 million of seed capital to Clarion Partners products, after the second anniversary of the Tax Law on us and our actual future effective tax rates may materially differ from these estimates, duetransaction closing. We also committed to among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made in determining these estimates, guidance that maycontribute up to $5 million of additional working capital to Financial Guard, to be issued bypaid over the IRS with respect totwo-year period following the Tax Law and actions we may decide to take inacquisition, the future.final $2.5 million of which was paid during the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Other
As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, less than 1% of total assets (4%(6% of financial assets at fair value) and less than 1% of total liabilities (90%(23% of financial liabilities measured at fair value) meet the definition of Level 3.


On January 30,October 29, 2018, the Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.28$0.34 per share, payable on April 16, 2018.January 14, 2019.
 


Contractual and Contingent Obligations
We have contractual obligations to make future payments, principally in connection with our long-term debt, non-cancelable lease agreements, acquisition agreements and service agreements. See Notes 76 and 97 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures related to our commitments.

The following table sets forth these contractual obligations (in millions) by fiscal year, and excludes contractual obligations of CIVs and other consolidated sponsored investment products, as we are not responsible or liable for these obligations:
 Remaining 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Remaining2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Total
Contractual Obligations                            
Short-term borrowings by contract maturity(1)
 $225.5
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $225.5
Long-term borrowings by contract maturity 
 
 250.0
 
 
 2,000.0
 2,250.0
 $
 $250.0
 $
 $
 $
 $2,000.0
 $2,250.0
Interest on long-term borrowings and credit facility commitment fees 47.0
 114.3
 109.7
 106.1
 105.4
 2,272.8
 2,755.3
 56.5
 109.7
 106.1
 105.4
 105.4
 2,167.4
 2,650.5
Minimum rental and service commitments 36.7
 124.2
 108.3
 95.6
 92.3
 199.1
 656.2
 77.4
 126.7
 108.9
 96.8
 87.4
 120.4
 617.6
Contributions to pension plan(1)
 
 3.0
 3.0
 3.0
 3.0
 8.0
 20.0
Total Contractual Obligations 309.2
 238.5
 468.0
 201.7
 197.7
 4,471.9
 5,887.0
 133.9
 489.4
 218.0
 205.2
 195.8
 4,295.8
 5,538.1
Contingent Obligations                            
Payments related to business acquisitions:(2)
                            
Martin Currie 439.3
 
 
 
 
 
 439.3
RARE Infrastructure 82.8
 
 
 
 
 
 82.8
 76.6
 
 
 
 
 
 76.6
Other 
 24.0
 0.7
 0.6
 
 
 25.3
 0.6
 0.7
 0.6
 
 
 
 1.9
Total payments related to business acquisitions 522.1
 24.0
 0.7
 0.6
 
 
 547.4
 77.2
 0.7
 0.6
 
 
 
 78.5
Total Obligations(3)(4)(5)(6)
 $831.3
 $262.5
 $468.7
 $202.3
 $197.7
 $4,471.9
 $6,434.4
Total Obligations(3)(4)(5)
 $211.1
 $490.1
 $218.6
 $205.2
 $195.8
 $4,295.8
 $5,616.6
(1)Represents borrowings under our revolving credit facility which does not expire until December 2020.contributions to be made by Martin Currie to its legacy pension plan on an annual basis through May 2024, with a final payment due November 2024 (using the exchange rate as of September 30, 2018 for the £2.3 million annual committed contribution amount and the £1.5 million final payment amount).
(2)
The amount of contingent payments reflected for any year represents the maximum amount that could be payable at the earliest possible date under the terms of the business purchase agreements, using the applicable exchange rate as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, for amounts denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The related contingent consideration liabilities had an aggregate fair value of $20.7$1.9 million as of December 31, 2017, net of certain potential pension and other obligations related to Martin Currie.September 30, 2018. See Notes 3 and 9Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3)The table above does not include approximately $37.1$40.6 million in capital commitments to investment partnerships in which we are a limited partner, which will be outstanding, or funded as required, through the end of the commitment periods running through fiscal 2029;2030 or $100 million of co-investment commitment associated with the Clarion Partners acquisition, which will be funded after the second anniversary of the transaction closing; or up to approximately $2.5 million of remaining additional working capital commitment associated with the Financial Guard acquisition, which will be funded over the period ending in August 2018.acquisition.
(4)The table above does not include amounts for uncertain tax positions of $54.7$50.8 million (net of the federal benefit for state tax liabilities), because the timing of any related cash outflows cannot be reliably estimated.
(5)The table above does not include redeemable noncontrolling interests related to minority equity interests in our affiliates and affiliate management equity plans with key employees of Clarion Partners and ClearBridge of $613.9totaling $576.6 million as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, because the timing and amount of any related cash outflows cannot be reliably estimated. Redeemable noncontrolling interests of CIVs of $113.8$55.7 million as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, are also excluded from the table above because we have no obligations in relation to these amounts. Potential obligations arising from the ultimate settlement of awards under the affiliate management equity plan with key employees of Royce are also excluded due to the uncertainty of the timing and amounts ultimately payable. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding affiliate management equity plans.
(6)The table above excludes net pension liability $38.1 million due to the uncertainty of the timing and amounts ultimately payable.



Critical Accounting Policies
The following Critical Accounting Policies have been updated from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2017.2018.

Revenue Recognition
Effective April 1, 2018, we adopted updated accounting guidance on revenue recognition on a modified retrospective basis for any contracts that were not complete as of the April 1, 2018 adoption date. The updated guidance provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers, improves comparability and removes inconsistencies in revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. The guidance also specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements. The adoption of the updated guidance did not result in significant changes to our prior revenue recognition practices, except for the timing of the recognition of certain performance and incentive fees, the capitalization and amortization of certain sales commissions for separate accounts, and the net presentation of certain fund expense reimbursements which were previously presented on a gross basis. Each of these changes to our previous revenue recognition practices is further discussed below.
We primarily earn revenues by providing investment management services and distribution and shareholder services for its customers, which are generally investment funds or the underlying investors in separately managed accounts. As further discussed below, revenues are calculated based on the value of the investments under management and are recognized when obligations under the terms of contracts with customers are satisfied, which is generally over time as the services are rendered.

We have responsibility for the valuation of AUM, substantially all of which is based on observable market data from independent pricing services, fund accounting agents, custodians or brokers.

Investment Advisory Fees
We earn investment advisory fees on assets in separately managed accounts, investment funds, and other products managed for our clients. Generally, investment management services are a single performance obligation, as they include a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and are transferred to the customer over time using the same time-based measure of progress. Investment management services are satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the advisory services are performed.

Separate Account and Funds Advisory Fees
Separate account and funds advisory fees are variable consideration which is primarily based on predetermined percentages of the daily, monthly or quarterly average market value of the AUM, as defined in the investment management agreements. The average market value of AUM is subject to change based on fluctuations and volatility in financial markets, and as such, separate account and funds advisory fees are constrained until the end of the month or quarter when the actual average market value of the AUM is known and a significant revenue reversal is no longer probable. Therefore, separate account and funds advisory fees are included in the transaction price and allocated to the investment management services performance obligation at the end of each monthly or quarterly reporting period, as specified in the investment management contract. Payment for services under investment management contracts is due once the variable consideration is allocated to the transaction price, and generally within 30 days. Recognition of separate account and funds advisory fee revenue under the updated guidance is consistent with our prior revenue recognition process.

Performance and Incentive Fees
Performance and incentive fees are variable consideration that may be earned on certain investment management contracts for exceeding performance benchmarks on a relative or absolute basis or for exceeding contractual return thresholds. Performance and incentive fees are estimated at the inception of a contract however, a range of outcomes is possible due to factors outside the control of the investment manager, particularly market conditions. Performance and incentive fees are therefore excluded from the transaction price until it becomes probable that a significant reversal in the cumulative amount of revenue recognized will not occur. A portion of performance and incentive fees are earned based on 12-month performance periods that end in differing quarters during the year, with a portion also based on quarterly performance periods. We also earn performance and incentive fees on alternative and certain other products that lock at the earlier of the investor’s termination date or the liquidation of the fund or contract, in multiple-year intervals, or specific events, such as the sale of assets. For certain of these products, performance and incentive fees may be recognized as revenue earlier under the updated guidance than under prior revenue recognition practices, which deferred recognition until all contingencies were resolved.

Any such performance and incentive fees recognized prior to the resolution of all contingencies are recorded as a contract assetin Other current assets or Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Fee Waivers and Fund Expense Reimbursements
We may waive certain fees for investors or may reimburse our investment funds for certain operating expenses when such expenses exceed a certain threshold. Fee waivers continue to be reported as a reduction in advisory fee revenue under the updated guidance. Under prior accounting guidance, fund expense reimbursements in excess of recognized revenue were recorded as Other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under the updated accounting guidance, these fund expense reimbursements that exceed the recognized revenue represent a change in the transaction price and are therefore reported as a reduction of Investment advisory fees - Funds in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Distribution and Service Fees Revenue and Expense
Distribution and service fees are fees earned from funds to reimburse the distributor for the costs of marketing and selling fund shares and are generally determined as a percentage of client assets. Reported amounts also include fees earned from providing client or shareholder servicing, including record keeping or administrative services to proprietary funds, and non-discretionary advisory services for assets under advisement. Distribution and service fees earned on company-sponsored investment funds are reported as revenue. Distribution services and marketing services are considered a single performance obligation as the success of selling the underlying shares is highly dependent upon the sales and marketing efforts. Ongoing shareholder servicing is a separate performance obligation as these services are not highly interrelated and interdependent on the sale of the shares. Fees earned related to distribution and shareholder serving are considered variable consideration because they are calculated based on the average market value of the fund. The average market value of the fund is subject to change based on fluctuations and volatility in financial markets, and as such, distribution and shareholder service fees are generally constrained until the end of the month or quarter when the actual market value of the fund is known, and the related revenue is no longer subject to a significant reversal. Therefore, distribution and service fees are generally included in the transaction price at the end of each monthly or quarterly reporting period and are allocated to the two performance obligations based on the amount specified in each agreement. While distribution services are largely satisfied at the inception of an investment, the ultimate amounts of revenue are subject to the variable consideration constraint. Accordingly, a portion of distribution and service revenue will be recognized in periods subsequent to the satisfaction of the performance obligation.

Certain fund share classes only charge for distribution services at the inception of the investment based on a fixed percentage of the share price. This fixed price is allocated to the performance obligation, which is substantially satisfied at the time of the initial investment.

Recognition of distribution and service fee revenue under the updated guidance is consistent with our prior revenue recognition process.

When we enter into arrangements with broker-dealers or other third parties to sell or market proprietary fund shares, distribution and servicing expense is accrued for the amounts owed to third parties, including finders' fees and referral fees paid to unaffiliated broker-dealers or introducing parties and is recorded as Distribution and servicing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Distribution and servicing expense also includes payments to third parties for certain shareholder administrative services and sub-advisory fees paid to unaffiliated asset managers.

Contract Costs and Deferred Sales Commissions
We incur ordinary costs to obtain investment management contracts and for services provided to customers in accordance with investment management agreements. These costs include commissions paid to wholesalers, employees and third-party broker dealers and administration and placement fees. Depending on the type of services provided, these fees may be paid at the time the contract is obtained or on an ongoing basis. Under the updated guidance, costs to obtain a contract should be capitalized if the costs are incremental and would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, and costs to fulfill the contract should be capitalized if they relate directly to a contract, the costs will generate or enhance resources of the entity that will be used in satisfying performance obligations in the future, and the costs are expected to be recovered. Consistent with prior accounting procedures, fund launch costs, including organizational and underwriting costs, placement fees and commissions paid to employees, wholesalers and broker-dealers for sales of fund shares are expensed as incurred, as these costs would be incurred regardless of the investor. However, commissions paid to employees and retail wholesalers in connection with the sale of retail separate accounts are considered incremental, as these fees relate to obtaining a specific contract, are calculated based on specific rates and are recoverable through the management fees earned, and are therefore capitalized under the updated accounting guidance. Such commissions were expensed as incurred under our prior accounting

practices. Capitalized sales commissions are amortized based on the transfer of services to which the assets relate, which averages four years.

Commissions we pay to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of certain classes of company-sponsored mutual funds are capitalized as deferred sales commissions. The asset is amortized over periods not exceeding six years, which represent the periods during which commissions are generally recovered from distribution and service fee revenues and from contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") received from shareholders of those funds upon redemption of their shares. CDSC consideration is generally variable, and is based on the timing of when investors redeem their investment. Therefore, the variable consideration is included in the transaction price once the investors redeem their shares and is satisfied at a point in time. CDSC receipts are recorded as distribution and service fee revenue when received and a reduction of the unamortized balance of deferred sales commissions, with a corresponding expense. Under the updated accounting guidance, Legg Mason has elected to expense sales commissions related to certain share classes with amortization periods of one year or less as incurred.

Valuation of Financial Instruments
Effective April 1, 2018, we adopted accounting guidance on a prospective basis which requires equity investments to be measured at fair value, with changes recognized in earnings. This guidance does not apply to investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting or underlying investments of consolidated entities. The updated guidance also provides entities the option to elect to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the net asset value practical expedient at "adjusted cost". Under this adjusted cost method, which we have adopted, investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently adjusted (increased or decreased) when there is an observable transaction involving the same investment, or similar investment from the same issuer. Adjusted cost investment carrying values are also adjusted for impairments, if any.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Balances as of December 31, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):
Amortizable asset management contracts $164,928
Indefinite-life intangible assets 3,567,655
Trade names 68,302
Goodwill 1,925,650
  $5,726,535

Our identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of asset management contracts, contracts to manage proprietary mutual funds, hedge funds or funds-of-hedge funds, and trade names resulting from acquisitions. Asset management contracts are amortizable intangible assets that are capitalized at acquisition and amortized over the expected life of the contract. Contracts to manage proprietary mutual funds, hedge funds or funds-of-hedge funds are indefinite-life intangible assets because we assume that there is no foreseeable limit on the contract period due to the likelihood of continued renewal at little or no cost. Similarly, trade names are considered indefinite-life intangible assets because they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely.


In allocating the purchase price of an acquisition to intangible assets, we must determine the fair value of the assets acquired. We determine fair values of intangible assets acquired based upon projected future cash flows, which take into consideration estimates and assumptions including profit margins, growth and/or attrition rates for acquired contracts based upon historical experience and other factors, estimated contract lives, discount rates, projected net client flows and market performance. The determination of estimated contract lives requires judgment based upon historical client turnover and attrition rates and the probability that contracts with termination provisions will be renewed. The discount rate employed is a weighted-average cost of capital that takes into consideration a premium representing the degree of risk inherent in the asset, as more fully described below.

Goodwill represents the residual amount of acquisition cost in excess of identified tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities.


Given the relative significance of our intangible assets and goodwill to our consolidated financial statements, on a quarterly basis we consider if triggering events have occurred that may indicate a significant change in fair values. Triggering events may include significant adverse changes in our business or the legal or regulatory environment, loss of key personnel, significant business dispositions, or other events, including changes in economic arrangements with our affiliates that will impact future operating results. If a triggering event has occurred, we perform quantitative tests, which include critical reviews of all significant assumptions, to determine if any intangible assets or goodwill are impaired. IfHistorically we have not qualitatively concluded that it is more likely than not that the respective fair values exceed the related carrying values, we perform these tests for indefinite-life intangible assets and goodwill annually at December 31.


We completedperformed our annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets and our periodic impairment reviewtests as of amortizable intangible assetsDecember 31 each year, including as of December 31, 2017. As a resultDuring the second quarter of these impairment tests, our combined EnTrustPermal indefinite-life funds management contracts asset was determined to be partially impaired, resulting in a pre-tax operating charge of $195 million. Neither goodwill nor any other intangible assets were deemed to be impaired. Detailsfiscal 2019, we voluntarily changed the date of our intangible assets and goodwill and the relatedannual impairment tests follow. As a result of uncertainty regarding future market conditions, assessing the fair value of the reporting unit and intangible assets requires management to exercise significant judgment.

Amortizable Intangible Assets
Intangible assets subject to amortization are considered for impairment at each reporting period using an undiscounted cash flow analysis. Significant assumptions used in assessing the recoverability of management contract intangible assets include projected cash flows generated by the contracts and the remaining lives of the contracts. Projected cash flows are based on fees generated by current AUM for the applicable contracts. Contracts are generally assumed to turnover evenly throughout

the life of the intangible asset. The remaining life of the asset is based upon factors such as average client retention and client turnover rates. If the amortization periods are no longer appropriate, the expected lives are adjusted and the impact on the fair value is assessed. Actual cash flows in any one period may varytest from the projected cash flows without resulting in an impairment charge because a variance in any one period must be considered in conjunction with other assumptions that impact projected cash flows.

As of December 31 2017, the cumulative undiscounted cash flows related to the EnTrust separate account contracts amortizable asset exceeded the carrying value of $52 million by 4%. Future decreases in our cash flow projections, resulting from actual results, or changes in assumptions dueOctober 31in order to client attrition and the related reduction in revenues, investment performance, market conditions, or other factors, may result in impairment of this asset. There can be no assurance that future client attrition, asset outflows, market uncertainty, or other factors, will not produce an impairment in this asset.

As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the RARE Infrastructure separate account contracts amortizable asset exceeded the carrying value of $10 million by 2%. Despite the excess of fair value over the related carrying value, future decreases in our cash flow projections, resulting from actual results, or changes in assumptions due to client attrition and the related reduction in revenues, investment performance, market conditions, or other factors, may result in further impairment of this asset. There can be no assurance that continued client attrition, asset outflows, market uncertainty, or other factors, will not produce an additional impairment in this asset.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, projected revenues related to the RARE Infrastructure separate account contacts amortizable asset declined due to losses of separate account AUM and other factors, including the withdrawal of approximately $1.5 billion by an institutional client in June 2017. Based on revised attrition estimates, the remaining useful life of the acquired contracts was decreased from eight years to five years at June 30, 2017. As a result of the decline in projected revenues and the revised estimate of the remaining useful life, the amortized carrying value was determined to exceed its fair value and an impairment charge of $32 million was recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis as of June 30, 2017 included projected AUM growth rates of 7%, attrition rates of 20%, and a discount rate of 16.5%.

The estimated remaining useful lives of amortizable intangible assets currently range from one to nine years with a weighted-average life of approximately 7.2 years.

Indefinite-Life Intangible Assets
For intangible assets with lives that are indeterminable or indefinite, fair value is determined from a market participant's perspective based on projected discounted cash flows, taking into account the values market participants would pay in a taxable transaction to acquire the respective assets. We have two primary types of indefinite-life intangible assets: proprietary fund contracts and, to a lesser extent, trade names.

We determine the fair value of our intangible assets based upon discounted projected cash flows, which take into consideration estimates of future fees, profit margins, growth rates, taxes, and discount rates. The determination of the fair values of our indefinite-life intangible assets is highly dependent on these estimates and changes in these inputs could result in a material impairment of the related carrying values. An asset is determined to be impaired if the current implied fair value is less than the recorded carrying value of the asset. If an asset is impaired, the difference between the current implied fair value and the carrying value of the asset reflected on the financial statements is recognized as an Operating expense in the period in whichbetter align the impairment is determinedtesting process with existing long-term planning processes and earnings release timing. We do not believe the change in accounting principle related to exist.

Contracts that are managed and operated as a single unit, such as contracts within the same family of funds, are reviewed in aggregate and are considered interchangeable if investors can transfer between funds with limited restrictions. Similarly, cash flows generated by new funds added to the fund group are included when determining the fair value of the intangible asset. As further discussed in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, EnTrust has been combined with Permal to form EnTrustPermal, through common management, shared resources (including infrastructure, employees, and processes) and branding initiatives. Accordingly, after completing the annual impairment testing process in fiscal 2017, the indefinite-life funds management contracts asset related to the EnTrust acquisition was combined with the indefinite-life funds-of-hedge funds management contracts asset related to the legacy Permal business. The related carrying values and cash flows of the funds have been aggregated for impairment testing.


Projected cash flows are based on annualized cash flows for the applicable contracts projected forward 40 years, assuming annual cash flow growth from estimated net client flows and projected market performance. To estimate the projected cash flows, projected growth rates by affiliate are used to project their AUM. Cash flow growth rates consider estimates of both AUM flows and market expectations by asset class (equity, fixed income, alternative, and liquidity) and by investment manager based upon, among other things, historical experience and expectations of future market and investment performance from internal and external sources. Currently, our market growth assumptions are 6% for equity, 3% for fixed income, 4% for alternative, and 0% for liquidity products, with a general assumption of 2% organic growth for all products, subject to exceptions for organic growth (contraction), generally in years one through five.

The starting point for these assumptions is our corporate planning process that includes three-year AUM projections from the management of each operating affiliate that consider the specific business circumstances of each affiliate, with flow assumptions for years one through five for certain affiliates adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect a market participant view. Beyond year three, the estimates move towards our general organic growth assumption of 2%, as appropriate for each affiliate and asset class, through year 20. The resulting cash flow growth rate for year 20 is held constant and used to further project cash flows through year 40. Based on projected AUM by affiliate and asset class, affiliate advisory fee rates are applied to determine projected revenues. The domestic mutual fund contracts projected revenues are applied to a weighted-average margin for the applicable affiliates that manage the AUM. Margins are based on arrangements currently in place at each affiliate. Projected operating income is further reduced by an appropriate tax rate to calculate the projected cash flows.

We believe our growth assumptions are reasonable given our consideration of multiple inputs, including internal and external sources, although our assumptions are subject to change based on fluctuations in our actual results and market conditions. Our assumptions are also subject to change due to, among other factors, poor investment performance by onedate will delay, accelerate, or more of our operating affiliates, the withdrawal of AUM by clients, changes in business climate, adverse regulatory actions, or loss of key personnel. We consider these risks in the development of our growth assumptions and discount rates, discussed further below. Further, actual cash flows in any one period may vary from the projected cash flows without resulting inavoid an impairment charge because a variancerelative to the test date. We have determined that this change in any one period must be considered in conjunction with other assumptionsaccounting principle is preferable under the circumstances. Since we have tested for impairment within the past 12 months, it has been determined that impact projected cash flows.

Our process includes comparison of actual resultsit is appropriate to prior growth projections. However, differences between actual results and our prior projections are not necessarily indicative of a need to reassess our estimates given that our discounted projected cash flow analyses include projections well beyond three years and variancesprospectively apply the change in the near-years may be offset in subsequent years; fair value assessments are point-in-time,current annual goodwill and the consistency of a fair value assessment with other indicators of value that reflect expectations of market participants at that point-in-time is critical evidence of the soundness of the estimate of value. In subsequent periods, we consider the differences in actual results from our prior projections in considering the reasonableness of the growth assumptions used in our current impairment testing.

Discount rates are based on appropriately weighted estimated costs of debt and equity capital using a market participant perspective. We estimate the cost of debt based on published debt rates. We estimate the cost of equity capital based on the Capital Asset Pricing Model, which considers the risk-free interest rate, peer-group betas, and company and equity risk premiums. The equity risk is further adjusted to consider the relative risk associated with each of our indefinite-life intangible asset and our reporting unit. The discount rates are also calibrated based on an assessment of relevant market values.

Consistent with standard valuation practices for taxable transactions, the projected discounted cash flow analysis also factors in a tax benefit value, as appropriate. This tax benefit represents the discounted tax savings a third party that purchased an asset on a given valuation date would receive from future tax deductions for the amortization of the purchase price over 15 years.

As of December 31, 2017, the combined EnTrustPermal fund management contracts asset accounted for approximately 11% of our indefinite-life intangible assets, and is supported by the combined EnTrustPermal fund management business. The past several years have seen declines in the traditional high net worth client funds-of-hedge funds business, including transfers of client funds from such products into EnTrustPermal separate account products. Further, funds-of-hedge fund managers are subject to certain market influences, as evidenced in EnTrustPermal's growth in institutional funds and separate accounts, adding additional uncertainty to our estimates. As a result, both the near-term and long-term growth assumptions for these contracts were reduced, which led to decreased projected cash flows from the business.


Based upon our projected discounted cash flow analyses, the EnTrustPermal fund management contracts asset carrying value of $596 million exceeded its fair value of $401 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $195 million for the excess. Base revenues related to the EnTrustPermal fund management contracts were assumed to have annual growth (contraction) rates ranging from (13)% to 6% (average: 5%). Given current experience, projected near-year cash flows reflect AUM outflows in years one, two, three, and four, and trend to modest AUM inflows in year five. Investment performance, including its expected impact on future asset flows, is a significant factor in our growth projections for the funds contracts. Our market performance projections are supported by the fact that our alternative assets have 5-year returns approximating 5%, and are further supported by industry statistics. The projected cash flows from the EnTrustPermal fund management contracts were discounted at 15.0%, reflecting the factors noted above. Future decreases in our cash flow projections or increases in the discount rate, resulting from actual results, or changes in assumptions resulting from flow and AUM levels, investment performance, market conditions, or other factors, may result in further impairment of this asset. There can be no assurance that asset flows, market uncertainty, or other factors will not produce an additional impairment in this asset, which could be significant.

As of December 31, 2017, the RARE Infrastructure mutual funds contracts asset of $133 million accounted for approximately 4% of our indefinite-life intangible assets. Based on our projected discounted cash flow analyses, the fair value of the mutual funds contracts asset exceeded its carrying value by 3%. For our impairment test, cash flows from the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts were assumed to have long-term annual growth rates averaging approximately 7%, and reflect moderate AUM inflows in years 1 and 2. Projected cash flows of the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts were discounted at 16.5%.

Assuming all other factors remain the same, our actual results and/or changes in assumptions for the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts cash flow projections over the long-term would have to deviate more than 3% from projections, or the discount rate would have to be raised from 16.5% to 17.0%, for the asset to be deemed impaired. Despite the excess of fair value over the related carrying value, given the current uncertainty regarding future market conditions, it is reasonably possible that fund performance, flows and AUM levels may decrease in the near term such that actual cash flows from the RARE Infrastructure mutual funds contracts could deviate from the projections by more than 3% and the asset could be deemed to be impaired by a material amount.

The domestic mutual fund contracts acquired in the Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”) transaction of $2.1 billion, account for approximately 60% of our indefinite-life intangible assets. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $560 billion of AUM, primarily managed by ClearBridge and Western Asset, are associated with this asset, with approximately 53% in equity AUM, 41% in fixed income AUM and 6% in liquidity AUM. Although our domestic mutual funds overall have maintained strong recent market performance, previously disclosed uncertainties regarding market conditions and asset flows and risks related to potential regulatory changes in the liquidity business, are reflected in our projected discounted cash flow analyses. Based on our projected discounted cash flow analyses, the related fair value exceeded its carrying value by a material amount. For our impairment test, cash flows from the domestic mutual fund contracts were assumed to have annual growth rates averaging approximately 7%, and reflect moderate AUM inflows in years 1 and 2. Projected cash flows of the domestic mutual fund contracts were discounted at 14.5%.

Trade names account for 2% of indefinite-life intangible assets and are primarily related to EnTrustPermal and Clarion Partners, which had carrying values of $29 million and $23 million, respectively. We tested these intangible assets using a relief from royalty approach and discounted cash flow methods similar to those described above for indefinite-life contracts.

As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the EnTrustPermal trade name exceeded the carrying value of $29 million by 1%. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis included projected annual revenue growth (contraction) rates of (14)% to 6% (average: 3%), a royalty rate of 1.5%, and a discount rate of 14.5%. Future decreases in our cash flow projections or increases in the discount rate, resulting from actual results, or changes in assumptions resulting from flow and AUM levels, investment performance, market conditions, or other factors, may result in further impairment of this asset. There can be no assurance that asset outflows, market uncertainty, or other factors, will not produce an additional impairment in this asset.

As a result of AUM losses and other factors, we tested the RARE Infrastructure trade name asset for impairment during the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The $5 million carrying value of the trade name exceeded its $3 million fair value, which resulted in a $2 million impairment. The significant assumptions used in the cash flow analysis as of June 30, 2017 included average projected annual growth rates of 8%, a royalty rate of 1.0% and a discount rate of 16.5%. As of December 31, 2017,

the fair value of the trade name exceeded the carrying value by 19%. Future decreases in our cash flow projections or increases in the discount rate, resulting from actual results, or changes in assumptions resulting from flow and AUM levels, investment performance, market conditions, or other factors, may result in further impairment of this asset. There can be no assurance that asset outflows, market uncertainty, or other factors, will not produce an additional impairment in this asset.

As of December 31, 2017, the resulting fair values of our other trade name assets significantly exceeded the related carrying amounts.

Goodwill
Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level and is considered for impairment when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the reporting unit. In estimating the implied fair value of the reporting unit, we use valuation techniques based on discounted projected cash flows and EBITDA multiples, similar to techniques employed in analyzing the purchase price of an acquisition. We continue to be managed as one Global Asset Management operating segment. Internal management reporting of discrete financial information regularly received by the chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, is at the consolidated Global Asset Management business level. As a result, goodwill is recorded and evaluated at one Global Asset Management reporting unit level. Our Global Asset Management reporting unit consists of the operating businesses of our asset management affiliates and our centralized global distribution operations. In our impairment testing process, all consolidated assets (except for certain tax benefits) and liabilities are allocated to our single Global Asset Management reporting unit. Similarly, the projected operating results of the reporting unit include our holding company corporate costs and overhead, including interest expense and costs associated with executive management, finance, human resources, legal and compliance, internal audit and other central corporate functions.

Goodwill principally originated from the acquisitions of CAM, Permal, Royce, Martin Currie, RARE Infrastructure, Clarion Partners and EnTrust. The value of the reporting unit is based in part, on projected consolidated net cash flows, including all cash flows of assets managed in our mutual funds, closed-end funds and other proprietary funds, in addition to separate account assets of our managers.

Significant assumptions used in assessing the implied fair value of the reporting unit under the discounted cash flow method are consistent with the methodology discussed above for indefinite-life intangible assets. Also, at the reporting unit level, future corporate costs are estimated and consolidated with the projected operating results of all our affiliates.

Actual cash flows in any one period may vary from the projected cash flows without resulting in an impairment charge because a variance in any one period must be considered in conjunction with other assumptions that impact projected cash flows.

Discount rates are based on appropriately weighted estimated costs of debt using a market participant perspective, also consistent with the methodology discussed above for indefinite-life intangible assets.

We also perform a market-based valuation of our reporting unit value, which applies an average of EBITDA multiples paid in change of control transactions for peer companies to our EBITDA. The results of our two estimates of value for the reporting unit (the discounted cash flow and EBITDA multiple analyses) are compared and significant differences, if any, are assessed to determine the reasonableness of each value and whether any adjustment to either result is warranted. Once the values are accepted, the appropriately weighted average of the two reporting unit valuations (the discounted cash flow and EBITDA multiple analyses) is used as the implied fair value of our Global Asset Management reporting unit, which at December 31, 2017, exceeded the carrying value by 30%. Considering the relative merits of the details involved in each valuation process, we used an equal weighting of the two values for the December 2017 testing. Changes in the assumptions underlying projected cash flows from the reporting unit or its EBITDA multiple, resulting from market conditions, reduced AUM or other factors, could result in an impairment of goodwill, and such an impairment could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

We further assess the accuracy of the reporting unit value determined from these valuation methods by comparing their results to our market capitalization to determine an implied control premium. The reasonableness of this implied control premium is considered by comparing it to control premiums that have been paid in relevant actual change of control transactions. This assessment provides evidence that our underlying assumptions in our analyses of our reporting unit fair value are reasonable.


In calculating our market capitalization for these purposes, market volatility can have a significant impact on our capitalization, and if appropriate, we may consider the average market prices of our stock for a period of one or two months before the test date to determine market capitalization. A control premium arises from the fact that in an acquisition, there is typically a premium paid over current market prices of publicly traded companies that relates to the ability to control the operations of an acquired company. Further, assessments of control premiums in the asset management industry are difficult because many acquisitions involve privately held companies, or involve only portions of a public company, such that no control premium can be calculated.

Recent market evidence regarding control premiums suggest values of 0% to 67%, with an average of 27%, as realistic and common and we believe such premiums to be a reasonable range of estimation for our equity value. Based on our analysis and consideration, we believe the implied control premium of 34% determined by our reporting unit value estimation at December 31, 2017, is reasonable in relation to the observed relevant market control premium values.

Recent Accounting Developments
See discussion of Recent Accounting Developments in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

During the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part II, Item 7A of Legg Mason’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2018.

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, Legg Mason's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Legg Mason's disclosure controls and procedures. In evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, Legg Mason's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, concluded that Legg Mason's disclosure controls and procedures were effective on a reasonable assurances basis.  There have been no changes in Legg Mason's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Legg Mason's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

The following is an updateDuring the six months ended September 30, 2018, there were no material changes to the risk factors set forth in ourPart I, Item 1A of Legg Mason's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. The risk factor below has been updated to include activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2017.

Potential Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets Could Increase our Expenses and Reduce our Assets

Determining goodwill and intangible assets, and evaluating them for impairment, requires significant management estimates and judgment, including estimating value and assessing life in connection with the allocation of purchase price in the acquisition creating them. Our goodwill and intangible assets may become impaired as a result of any number of factors, including losses of investment management contracts or declines in the value of managed assets. Any impairment of goodwill or intangibles could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. For example, during the quarter ended December 31, 2017, we incurred an impairment charge associated with our combined EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund management contracts asset of $195 million; and, during the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we incurred impairment charges associated with our RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset and trade name asset of $32 million and $2 million, respectively. Also, during the quarter ended December 31, 2016, we incurred impairment charges associated with our RARE Infrastructure amortizable management contracts asset and Permal trade name asset of $18 million and $17 million, respectively. Finally, during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we incurred aggregate impairment charges of $371 million relating to the legacy Permal funds-of-hedge funds contracts, which was subsequently combined with the EnTrust fund management contracts asset to create the previously discussed EnTrustPermal fund management contracts asset, and Permal trade name assets. Changes in the assumptions underlying projected cash flows from the assets or reporting unit, resulting from market conditions, reduced assets under management ("AUM") or other factors, could result in an impairment of any of these assets.
As a result of AUM losses and other factors, we tested the RARE Infrastructure indefinite-life mutual fund contracts asset and trade name asset for impairment during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The assessed value of the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts asset exceeded its carrying value by 7% and therefore was not impaired. The fair value of the trade name asset exceeded its carrying value, which resulted in the $2 million impairment discussed above. During the nine months ended December 31, 2017, no other triggering events required that we consider impairment tests of any of our other intangible assets or goodwill prior to our annual December 31 impairment tests.
We completed our annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets as of December 31, 2017, and determined that the combined EnTrustPermal indefinite-life fund management contracts asset of $596 million was impaired by $195 million. The impairment charge was primarily the result of net client outflows from legacy high net worth fund products, including transfers of client funds from such products into EnTrustPermal separate accounts. There were no other impairments in the value of our indefinite-life intangible assets, amortizable management contracts assets or goodwill as of this date.
The domestic mutual fund contracts asset acquired in the 2005 acquisition of the Citigroup Asset Management business of $2.1 billion and the combined EnTrustPermal fund management contracts asset of $401 million account for approximately 60% and 11%, respectively, of our indefinite-life intangible assets, while the goodwill in our reporting unit aggregates $1.9 billion. As of December 31, 2017, we also had $1.1 billion of other indefinite-life intangible assets, which includes indefinite-life mutual funds contract assets of $505 million and $133 million, recorded at fair value in connection with the acquisitions of Clarion Partners in April 2016 and RARE Infrastructure in October 2015, respectively.
As a result of impairing the fund contracts and trade name assets discussed above, decreases in our cash flow projections or increases in the discount rates, resulting from actual results, or changes in assumptions due to market conditions, reduced AUM, less favorable operating margins, lower yielding asset mixes, and other factors, may result in further impairment of the RARE Infrastructure assets, the EnTrustPermal trade name or the EnTrustPermal fund management contracts asset. There can be no assurances that continued market uncertainty or asset outflows, or other factors, will not produce additional impairment in some or all of these assets.
As of December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of the EnTrustPermal trade name asset exceeded the carrying value by approximately 1% and the estimated fair value of the EnTrust amortizable management contracts intangible asset exceeded

the carrying value by 4%. The carrying value of these assets remain sensitive to changes in actual results and assumptions. Therefore, market decreases, outflows or other changes in actual results or assumptions may result in an impairment of the EnTrustPermal trade name and/or the EnTrust amortizable management contracts asset, which could be significant.

Also, as of December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts asset exceeded the carrying value by approximately 3%. Assuming all other factors remain the same, our actual results and/or changes in assumptions for the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts cash flow projections over the long term would have to deviate by more than 3%, or the discount rate would have to increase from 16.5% to 17.0% for the asset to be deemed impaired. The carrying value of the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts asset remains sensitive to changes in the actual results or assumptions noted above. Therefore, market decreases, outflows or other changes in actual results or the assumptions noted above may result in an impairment of the RARE Infrastructure mutual fund contracts assets.

The estimated fair value of our reporting unit exceeds its aggregate carrying value by 30% at December 31, 2017. Similar to intangible assets, changes in the assumptions underlying projected cash flows from the reporting unit or its EBITDA multiple, resulting from market conditions, reduced AUM or other factors, could result in an impairment of goodwill, and such an impairment could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

There can be no assurances that continued market uncertainty or asset outflows, or other factors, will not produce an additional impairment.2018.

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

The following table sets out information regarding our purchases of Legg Mason common stock in each month during the quarterthree months ended December 31, 2017:September 30, 2018:
Period 
Total number
of shares
purchased (1)
 
Average price
paid per share (1)(2)
 
Total number of
shares purchased
as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs(3)
 
Approximate dollar value that may
yet be purchased
under the plans
or programs(3)
October 1, 2017 through
    October 31, 2017
 539
 $36.01
 
 $242,980,366
November 1, 2017 through
November 30, 2017
 1,920,406
 38.52
 1,920,328
 169,018,810
December 1, 2017 through
December 31, 2017
 5,567,653
 40.50
 5,567,653
 
Total 7,488,598
 $39.99
 7,487,981
 

Period 
Total number
of shares
purchased (1)
 
Average price
paid per share (1)(2)
 
Total number of
shares purchased
as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
 
Approximate dollar value that may
yet be purchased
under the plans
or programs
July 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018 1,399
 $38.17
 
 $
August 1, 2018 through August 31, 2018 
 
 
 
September 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018 19
 39.60
 
 
Total 1,418
 $38.19
 
 

(1)Includes shares of vesting restricted stock, and shares received on vesting of restricted stock units, surrendered to Legg Mason to satisfy related income tax withholding obligations of employees via net share transactions.
(2)Amounts exclude fees.
(3)On January 30, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization for up to $1 billion for additional repurchases of common stock. On December 20, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the purchase of $225.5 million of our common stock from Shanda Asset Management Investment Limited, utilizing the remaining $169.0 million available under this authorization and authorizing an additional purchase of $56.5 million to complete the transaction. As of December 31, 2017, further purchases of our common stock have not been authorized.


Item 6.        Exhibits

3.1
3.2
10.1
12
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Legg Mason, Inc. for the quarter ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, filed on February 5,November 6, 2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged in detail
* These exhibits are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.


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, thereunto duly authorized.

LEGG MASON, INC.

DATE:February 5,November 6, 2018 /s/ Joseph A. Sullivan
   Joseph A. Sullivan
   President, Chief Executive Officer, and
   Chairman of the Board
    
    
DATE:February 5,November 6, 2018 /s/ Peter H. Nachtwey
   Peter H. Nachtwey
   Senior Executive Vice President
   and Chief Financial Officer



INDEX TO EXHIBITS
80
3.1Articles of Incorporation of Legg Mason, as amended (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event on July 26, 2011)
3.2By-laws of Legg Mason, as amended and restated July 26, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event on July 26, 2011)
10.1
Share Repurchase Agreement dated December 22, 2017 by and between Legg Mason, Inc. and Shanda Asset Management Investment Limited (incorporated by reference to Legg Mason's Current Report on Form 8-K for the event on December 22, 2017)

12Computation of consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges
31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101
Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Legg Mason, Inc. for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 5, 2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged in detail

* These exhibits are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.



98