Eaton Vance Corp.’s EV first-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended Jan 31) adjusted earnings of 78 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents. Also, the bottom line was 47% above the prior-year quarter’s tally.Higher revenues and growth in assets under management (AUM) supported the results. Further, the company’s liquidity position remained strong. However, a rise in operating expenses was a headwind.Net income attributable to shareholders was $78.1 million or 63 cents per share, up from $60.7 million or 53 cents in the year-ago quarter.Revenues & Expenses RiseTotal revenues for the quarter amounted to $421.4 million, up 19% year over year. This upside was mainly driven by higher management fees and other revenues. Also, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $417 million.Total expenses increased 14% from the prior-year quarter to $285.6 million, largely due to higher compensation and related costs, fund-related expenses and distribution expenses.Total operating income jumped 25% year over year to $135.8 million.Liquidity Position Strong, AUM ImprovesAs of Jan 31, 2018, Eaton Vance had $533.3 million in cash and cash equivalents compared with $610.6 million as of Oct 31, 2016. Further, the company had no borrowings outstanding against its new $300 million credit facility.Eaton Vance’s consolidated AUM increased 24% from the year-ago quarter to $449.2 billion, reflecting net inflows of $37.1 billion and a market price appreciation of $48.4 billion.Share RepurchaseDuring the reported quarter, Eaton Vance repurchased nearly 0.7 million shares of its Non-Voting Common Stock for $36.3 million under its existing repurchase authorization.Our ViewpointEaton Vance’s improving AUM along with revenue rise are likely to support its growth in the quarters ahead. However, rising expenses remain a major headwind.Performance of Other Investment ManagersBlackRock, Inc.’s BLK fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $6.24 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.08. Results benefited from improvement in revenues, rise in AUM and steady long-term inflows. However, increase in operating expenses acted as a headwind.Ameriprise Financial Inc.’s AMP fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted operating earnings per share of $3.26 comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.09. Results benefited from an improvement in revenues as well as growth in AUM and assets under administration. However, rise in expenses acted as a headwind.Invesco Ltd. IVZ reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 73 cents per share, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 70 cents. Results were primarily supported by higher revenues and long-term net inflows. However, increase in operating expenses was an undermining factor.The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of AllLast year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Invesco Ltd. (IVZ): Free Stock Analysis Report AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. (AMP): Free Stock Analysis Report BlackRock, Inc. (BLK): Free Stock Analysis Report Eaton Vance Corporation (EV): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research