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Fair Value Measurements | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] |
Fair Value Measurements | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Hierarchy of Investments and Certain Other Assets and Liabilities—Lazard categorizes its investments and certain other assets and liabilities recorded at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows: Level 1.Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that Lazard has the ability to access. Level 2.Assets and liabilities whose values are based on (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, or (ii) inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or derived principally from, or corroborated by, market data. Level 3.Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. Items included in Level 3 include securities or other financial assets whose trading volume and level of activity have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity and there is no longer sufficient frequency or volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The fair value of debt is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of equities is classified as Level 1 or Level 3 as follows: marketable equity securities are classified as Level 1 and are valued based on the last trade price on the primary exchange for that security as provided by external pricing services; equity interests in private companies are generally classified as Level 3. The fair value of investments in alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on the publicly reported closing price for the fund, or Level 2 when based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. The fair value of investments in certain private equity funds is classified as Level 3 for (i) certain investments that are valued based on the potential transaction value and (ii) when the acquisition price is considered the best measure of fair value. The fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased, is classified as Level 1 when the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability is classified as Level 3. The contingent consideration liability is initially recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and is included in “other liabilities” on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability is remeasured at each reporting period. The inputs used to derive the fair value of the contingent consideration include the application of probabilities when assessing certain performance thresholds for the relevant periods. Any change in the fair value is recognized in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” in the consolidated statements of operations. Our business acquisitions may involve the potential payment of contingent consideration upon the achievement of certain performance thresholds. The fair value of derivatives classified as Level 1 is based on the listed market price of such instruments. The fair value of derivatives classified as Level 2 is based on the values of the related underlying assets, indices or reference rates as follows: the fair value of forward foreign currency exchange rate contracts is a function of the spot rate and the interest rate differential of the two currencies from the trade date to settlement date; the fair value of total return swaps is based on the change in fair value of the related underlying equity security, financial instrument or index and a specified notional holding; the fair value of interest rate swaps is based on the interest rate yield curve; and the fair value of derivative liabilities related to LFI and other similar deferred compensation arrangements is based on the value of the underlying investments, adjusted for forfeitures. The fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 is based on a Black-Scholes valuation model that utilizes both observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include model adjustments for valuation uncertainty. See Note 8. Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (“NAV”)—As a practical expedient, the Company uses NAV or its equivalent to measure the fair value of certain investments. NAV is primarily determined based on information provided by external fund administrators. The Company’s investments valued at NAV as a practical expedient in (i) alternative investment funds, debt funds and equity funds are redeemable in the near term, and (ii) private equity funds are not redeemable in the near term as a result of redemption restrictions. The following tables present, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the classification of (i) investments and certain other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the fair value hierarchy and (ii) investments measured at NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient:
| December 31, 2023
| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | NAV |  | Total
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt | $ | 4,285 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 4,285 |
Equities | 54,224 |  |  | – |  |  | 493 |  |  | – |  |  | 54,717 |
Funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Alternative investments | 15,676 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 46,004 |  |  | 61,680 |
Debt | 180,907 |  |  | 10,413 |  |  | – |  |  | 5 |  |  | 191,325 |
Equity | 343,094 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 45 |  |  | 343,139 |
Private equity | – |  |  | – |  |  | 273 |  |  | 46,545 |  |  | 46,818 |
Derivatives | – |  |  | 2,789 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 2,789 |
Total | $ | 598,186 |  |  | $ | 13,202 |  |  | $ | 766 |  |  | $ | 92,599 |  |  | $ | 704,753 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities sold, not yet purchased | $ | 4,809 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 4,809 |
Contingent consideration liability | – |  |  | – |  |  | 6,583 |  |  | – |  |  | 6,583 |
Derivatives | – |  |  | 368,673 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 368,673 |
Total | $ | 4,809 |  |  | $ | 368,673 |  |  | $ | 6,583 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 380,065 |
| December 31, 2022
| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | NAV |  | Total
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equities | $ | 43,243 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 646 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 43,889 |
Funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Alternative investments | 27,073 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 29,874 |  |  | 56,947 |
Debt | 178,552 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 4 |  |  | 178,556 |
Equity | 350,242 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 40 |  |  | 350,282 |
Private equity | – |  |  | – |  |  | 18,772 |  |  | 35,050 |  |  | 53,822 |
Derivatives | – |  |  | 14,554 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 14,554 |
Total | $ | 599,110 |  |  | $ | 14,554 |  |  | $ | 19,418 |  |  | $ | 64,968 |  |  | $ | 698,050 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities sold, not yet purchased | $ | 4,651 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 4,651 |
Derivatives | 115 |  |  | 327,045 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 327,160 |
Total | $ | 4,766 |  |  | $ | 327,045 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 331,811 |
The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, 2023
| Beginning Balance |  | Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a) |  | Purchases/ Acquisitions/ Issuances |  | Sales/ Settlements/ Transfers (b) |  | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Ending Balance
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equities | $ | 646 |  |  | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | (281) |  |  | $ | 74 |  |  | $ | 493 |
Private equity funds | 18,772 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | (18,508) |  |  | 9 |  |  | 273 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 19,418 |  |  | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | (18,789) |  |  | $ | 83 |  |  | $ | 766 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration liability (c) | $ | – |  |  | $ | 274 |  |  | $ | 7,754 |  |  | $ | (1,445) |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 6,583 |
Total Level 3 liabilities | $ | – |  |  | $ | 274 |  |  | $ | 7,754 |  |  | $ | (1,445) |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 6,583 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2022
| Beginning Balance |  | Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a) |  | Purchases/ Issuances |  | Sales/ Settlements |  | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Ending Balance
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equities | $ | 578 |  |  | $ | 99 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | (31) |  |  | $ | 646 |
Private equity funds | 293 |  |  | – |  |  | 18,000 |  |  | (13) |  |  | 492 |  |  | 18,772 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 871 |  |  | $ | 99 |  |  | $ | 18,000 |  |  | $ | (13) |  |  | $ | 461 |  |  | $ | 19,418 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021
| Beginning Balance |  | Net Unrealized/ Realized Gains/Losses Included In Earnings (a) |  | Purchases/ Issuances |  | Sales/ Settlements/ Transfers (b) |  | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Ending Balance
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equities | $ | 1,671 |  |  | $ | (796) |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | (235) |  |  | $ | (62) |  |  | $ | 578 |
Private equity funds | 1,486 |  |  | 951 |  |  | – |  |  | (2,121) |  |  | (23) |  |  | 293 |
Total Level 3 assets | $ | 3,157 |  |  | $ | 155 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | (2,356) |  |  | $ | (85) |  |  | $ | 871 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivatives | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 11,500 |  |  | $ | (11,500) |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |
Total Level 3 liabilities | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | 11,500 |  |  | $ | (11,500) |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |
_____________________ (a)Earnings recorded in “other revenue” for investments in Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 include net unrealized gains (losses) of $(6), $99 and $155, respectively. Unrealized losses of $274 were recorded in “amortization and other acquisition-related costs” for the contingent consideration liability for the year ended December 31, 2023. (b)Transfers out of Level 3 private equity funds during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021 reflect investments valued at NAV as of December 31, 2023 and 2021. Transfers out of Level 3 derivatives during the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected transfers of derivative liabilities for LGAC Warrants to Level 1 principally due to a change in the inputs used to value these derivatives. (c)For the year ended December 31, 2023, acquisitions represent the initial recognition of the contingent consideration liability (noncash transaction), and settlements represent aggregate cash and noncash settlement of contingent consideration after the acquisition date. There were no other transfers into or out of Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value—The tables below present the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 that are not measured at fair value in the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition.
| December 31, 2023
|  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using: |  |
| Carrying Value |  | Fair Value |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3
Financial Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 971,316 |  |  | $ | 971,316 |  |  | $ | 971,316 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |
Deposits with banks and short-term investments | 219,576 |  |  | 219,576 |  |  | 219,576 |  |  | – |  |  | – |
Restricted cash | 34,091 |  |  | 34,091 |  |  | 34,091 |  |  | – |  |  | – |
Financing receivables | 113,929 |  |  | 113,694 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 113,694 |
Customer loans | 86,412 |  |  | 86,412 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 86,412 |
Other fees and customers and other receivables | 561,978 |  |  | 561,978 |  |  | 561,978 |  |  | – |  |  | – |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits and other customer payables | $ | 443,262 |  |  | $ | 443,262 |  |  | $ | 443,262 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |
Senior debt | 1,690,200 |  |  | 1,651,726 |  |  | – |  |  | 1,651,726 |  |  | – |
| December 31, 2022
| Carrying Value |  | Fair Value Measurements Using: |  |
|  | Fair Value |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3
Financial Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,234,773 |  |  | $ | 1,234,773 |  |  | $ | 1,234,773 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |
Deposits with banks and short-term investments | 779,246 |  |  | 779,246 |  |  | 779,246 |  |  | – |  |  | – |
Restricted cash | 625,381 |  |  | 625,381 |  |  | 625,381 |  |  | – |  |  | – |
Financing receivables | 97,964 |  |  | 98,362 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 98,362 |
Customer loans | 128,890 |  |  | 128,890 |  |  | – |  |  | – |  |  | 128,890 |
Other fees and customers and other receivables | 425,904 |  |  | 425,904 |  |  | 425,904 |  |  | – |  |  | – |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits and other customer payables | $ | 921,834 |  |  | $ | 921,834 |  |  | $ | 921,834 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | $ | – |
Senior debt | 1,687,714 |  |  | 1,601,917 |  |  | – |  |  | 1,601,917 |  |  | – |
Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost that approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying value of deposits with banks and short-term investments, and restricted cash, approximates fair value because of the relatively short period of time between their origination and expected maturity. Fair values of financing receivables were generally determined by discounting both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, using a discount rate approximating current market interest rates for comparable financial instruments and based on unobservable inputs. The carrying value of customer loans approximates fair value as such loans are fully collateralized and bear interest at rates that regularly reset in accordance with market reference rates. The carrying value of other fees and customers and other receivables and deposits and other customer payables approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The Company’s senior debt is carried at its principal amount outstanding, net of unamortized debt costs. The fair value of the Company’s senior debt is based on market quotations. The following tables present, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, certain investments that are valued using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient in determining fair value:
| December 31, 2023
|  |  |  |  |  |  | Investments Redeemable
| NAV |  | Unfunded Commitments |  | % of NAV Not Redeemable |  | Redemption Frequency |  | Redemption Notice Period
Alternative investment funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hedge funds | $ | 45,324 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | NA |  | (a) |  | 30-60 days
Other | 680 |  |  | – |  |  | NA |  | (b) |  | <30-30 days
Debt funds | 5 |  |  | – |  |  | NA |  | (c) |  | <30 days
Equity funds | 45 |  |  | – |  |  | NA |  | (d) |  | <30-60 days
Private equity funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity growth | 46,545 |  |  | 5,505 |  | (e) | 100 | % | (f) | NA |  | NA
Total | $ | 92,599 |  |  | $ | 5,505 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
_____________________ (a)monthly (74%) and quarterly (26%) (b)daily (4%) and monthly (96%) (c)daily (100%) (d)monthly (34%) and annually (66%) (e)Unfunded commitments to private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard of $9,605 are excluded. Such commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders. (f)Distributions from each fund will be received as the underlying investments of the funds are liquidated.
| December 31, 2022
|  |  |  |  |  |  | Investments Redeemable
| NAV |  | Unfunded Commitments |  | % of NAV Not Redeemable |  | Redemption Frequency |  | Redemption Notice Period
Alternative investment funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hedge funds | $ | 29,259 |  |  | $ | – |  |  | NA |  | (a) |  | 30-60 days
Other | 615 |  |  | – |  |  | NA |  | (b) |  | <30-30 days
Debt funds | 4 |  |  | – |  |  | NA |  | (c) |  | <30 days
Equity funds | 40 |  |  | – |  |  | NA |  | (d) |  | <30-60 days
Private equity funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity growth | 35,050 |  |  | 5,455 |  | (e) | 100 | % | (f) | NA |  | NA
Total | $ | 64,968 |  |  | $ | 5,455 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
_____________________ (a)monthly (68%) and quarterly (32%) (b)daily (5%) and monthly (95%) (c)daily (100%) (d)monthly (35%) and annually (65%) (e)Unfunded commitments to private equity investments consolidated but not owned by Lazard of $8,003 are excluded. Such commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders. (f)Distributions from each fund will be received as the underlying investments of the funds are liquidated.

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- Definition The entire disclosure of the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities, which includes financial instruments measured at fair value that are classified in shareholders' equity, which may be measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 820 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//820/tableOfContent + Details
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