Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET ALFinancial_Report.xls
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1, DATED MAY 7, 2015 - GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET ALex32_1033115.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2, DATED MAY 7, 2015 - GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET ALex32_2033115.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1, DATED MAY 7, 2015 - GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET ALex31_1033115.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2, DATED MAY 7, 2015 - GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET ALex31_2033115.htm
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

               QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
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 No. 001-14761

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
13-4007862
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY
 
10580-1422
(Address of principle executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(914) 921-3700
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
 
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.
Yes   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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
     
Non-accelerated filer
 
Smaller reporting company
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes             No 
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
Class
 
Outstanding at April 30, 2015
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value
  (Including 705,050 restricted stock awards)
6,567,119
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value
 
19,219,260



INDEX
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
 
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
   
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
   
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 
-    March 31, 2015
 
-    December 31, 2014
 
-    March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
 
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Included in Item 2)
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.
Exhibits

SIGNATURES
 


2


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
UNAUDITED
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
Three Months Ended
     
   
March 31,
     
 
 
2015
   
2014
         
Revenues
 
   
         
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
88,037
   
$
87,797
         
Distribution fees and other income
   
13,743
     
14,873
         
Institutional research services
   
2,065
     
1,807
         
Total revenues
   
103,845
     
104,477
         
Expenses
                       
Compensation
   
44,494
     
43,897
         
Management fee
   
4,437
     
4,728
         
Distribution costs
   
14,283
     
13,963
         
Other operating expenses
   
6,686
     
5,390
         
Total expenses
   
69,900
     
67,978
         
 
                       
Operating income
   
33,945
     
36,499
         
Other income
                       
Net gain from investments
   
6,958
     
6,944
         
Interest and dividend income
   
1,054
     
1,141
         
Interest expense
   
(2,019
)
   
(1,992
)
       
Total other income, net
   
5,993
     
6,093
         
Income before income taxes
   
39,938
     
42,592
         
Income tax provision
   
15,179
     
14,616
         
Net income
   
24,759
     
27,976
         
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(17
)
   
22
         
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
24,776
   
$
27,954
         
 
                       
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
0.99
   
$
1.10
         
 
                       
Diluted
 
$
0.97
   
$
1.09
         
 
                       
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
   
25,132
     
25,481
         
 
                       
Diluted
   
25,414
     
25,684
         
 
                       
Dividends declared:
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.06
         

See accompanying notes.
3


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
UNAUDITED
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
           
Net income
 
$
24,759
   
$
27,976
   
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
                 
Foreign currency translation
   
(42
)
   
8
   
Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale (a)
   
(467
)
   
(2,697
)
 
Other comprehensive income loss
   
(509
)
   
(2,689
)
 
                   
Comprehensive income
   
24,250
     
25,287
   
Less: Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
17
     
(22
)
 
                   
Comprehensive income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.
 
$
24,267
   
$
25,265
   

(a) Net of income tax benefit of ($274) and ($1,584), respectively.

See accompanying notes.
4


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
UNAUDITED
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2014
 
ASSETS
 
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
331,634
   
$
298,224
   
$
243,142
 
Investments in securities
   
158,788
     
259,537
     
234,414
 
Investments in sponsored registered investment companies
   
120,831
     
39,537
     
42,433
 
Investments in partnerships
   
106,943
     
107,637
     
105,849
 
Receivable from brokers
   
21,615
     
76,079
     
54,084
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
33,703
     
41,872
     
33,035
 
Income tax receivable
   
2,443
     
2,477
     
445
 
Other assets
   
23,950
     
41,067
     
26,418
 
Total assets
 
$
799,907
   
$
866,430
   
$
739,820
 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                       
Payable to brokers
 
$
10,174
   
$
43,409
   
$
11,370
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
32,830
     
27,939
     
41,427
 
Capital lease obligation
   
5,234
     
5,253
     
5,307
 
Compensation payable
   
43,394
     
39,983
     
41,447
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
   
8,569
     
10,595
     
10,788
 
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
1,298
     
1,302
     
1,337
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
33,618
     
29,657
     
30,658
 
Sub-total
   
135,117
     
158,138
     
142,334
 
 
                       
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)
   
100,000
     
100,000
     
100,000
 
Zero coupon subordinated debentures, Face value: $10.4 million at March 31, 2015, $13.1
                       
    million at December 31, 2014 and $13.8 million at March 31, 2014 (due December 31, 2015)
   
9,936
     
12,163
     
12,098
 
Total liabilities
   
245,053
     
270,301
     
254,432
 
 
                       
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
5,519
     
68,334
     
8,464
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
                       
Equity
                       
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
                       
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
    none issued and outstanding
                       
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
   15,357,733, 15,341,433 and 15,071,087 issued, respectively; 6,591,119,
                       
   6,616,212 and 6,639,106 outstanding, respectively
   
14
     
14
     
14
 
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
   24,000,000 shares issued; 19,219,260, 19,239,260 and 19,345,706 shares
                       
   outstanding, respectively
   
19
     
19
     
19
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
293,958
     
291,681
     
285,215
 
Retained earnings
   
625,926
     
602,950
     
532,839
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
24,505
     
25,014
     
27,550
 
Treasury stock, at cost (8,766,614, 8,725,221 and 8,431,981 shares, respectively)
   
(397,813
)
   
(394,617
)
   
(371,525
)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
   
546,609
     
525,061
     
474,112
 
Noncontrolling interests
   
2,726
     
2,734
     
2,812
 
Total equity
   
549,335
     
527,795
     
476,924
 
 
                       
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
799,907
   
$
866,430
   
$
739,820
 

See accompanying notes.
5


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
UNAUDITED
(In thousands)

For the Three months ended March 31, 2015

       
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders
     
                   
Accumulated
             
           
Additional
       
Other
           
Redeemable
 
   
Noncontrolling
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
       
Noncontrolling
 
   
Interests
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
   
Interests
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
2,734
   
$
33
   
$
291,681
   
$
602,950
   
$
25,014
   
$
(394,617
)
 
$
527,795
   
$
68,334
 
Redemptions of
                                                               
   noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(441
)
Consolidation of consolidated
                                                               
  feeder fund
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
891
 
Deconsolidation of offshore
                                                               
  fund
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(63,256
)
Net income (loss)
   
(8
)
   
-
     
-
     
24,776
     
-
     
-
     
24,768
     
(9
)
Net unrealized losses on
                                                               
   securities available for sale,
                                                               
   net of income tax benefit ($265)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(451
)
   
-
     
(451
)
   
-
 
Amounts reclassified from
                                                               
   accumulated other
                                                               
   comprehensive income,
                                                               
   net of income tax benefit ($9)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(16
)
   
-
     
(16
)
   
-
 
Foreign currency translation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(42
)
   
-
     
(42
)
   
-
 
Dividends declared ($0.07 per
                                                               
 share)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,800
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,800
)
   
-
 
Stock based compensation
                                                               
   expense
   
-
     
-
     
2,277
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,277
     
-
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(3,196
)
   
(3,196
)
   
-
 
Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$
2,726
   
$
33
   
$
293,958
   
$
625,926
   
$
24,505
   
$
(397,813
)
 
$
549,335
   
$
5,519
 

See accompanying notes.
6

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
UNAUDITED
(In thousands)

For the Three months ended March 31, 2014

 
 
   
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders
   
 
 
                 
Accumulated
             
           
Additional
       
Other
           
Redeemable
 
   
Noncontrolling
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
       
Noncontrolling
 
   
Interests
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
   
Interests
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
2,851
   
$
33
   
$
282,496
   
$
506,441
   
$
30,239
   
$
(361,878
)
 
$
460,182
   
$
6,751
 
Redemptions of redeemable
                                                               
   noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Contributions from redeemable
                                                               
   noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,652
 
Net income (loss)
   
(39
)
   
-
     
-
     
27,954
     
-
     
-
     
27,915
     
61
 
Net unrealized gains on
                                                               
   securities available for sale,
                                                               
   net of income tax ($175)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
297
     
-
     
297
     
-
 
Amount reclassed from
                                                               
   accumulated other
                                                               
   comprehensive income,
                                                               
   net of income tax benefit ($1,759)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(2,994
)
   
-
     
(2,994
)
   
-
 
Foreign currency translation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
8
     
-
     
8
     
-
 
Dividends declared ($0.06 per
                                                               
   share)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,556
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,556
)
   
-
 
Stock based compensation
                                                               
   expense
   
-
     
-
     
1,700
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,700
     
-
 
Exercise of stock options
                                                               
   including tax benefit ($173)
   
-
     
-
     
1,019
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,019
     
-
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(9,647
)
   
(9,647
)
   
-
 
Balance at March 31, 2014
 
$
2,812
   
$
33
   
$
285,215
   
$
532,839
   
$
27,550
   
$
(371,525
)
 
$
476,924
   
$
8,464
 

See accompanying notes.
7


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED
(In thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Operating activities
 
   
 
Net income
 
$
24,759
   
$
27,976
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Equity in net gains from partnerships
   
(2,099
)
   
(426
)
Depreciation and amortization
   
160
     
169
 
Stock based compensation expense
   
2,277
     
1,700
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(605
)
   
(1,318
)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
   
-
     
173
 
Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)
   
(42
)
   
8
 
Other-than-temporary loss on available for sale securities
   
-
     
-
 
Cost basis of donated securities
   
-
     
1,267
 
Gains on sales of available for sale securities
   
(48
)
   
(1,612
)
Accretion of zero coupon debentures
   
213
     
223
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
   
156
     
5
 
(Increase) decrease in assets:
               
Investments in trading securities
   
4,603
     
(324
)
Investments in partnerships:
               
  Contributions to partnerships
   
(9,870
)
   
(9,448
)
  Distributions from partnerships
   
13,525
     
17
 
Receivable from brokers
   
6,478
     
(4,623
)
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
7,959
     
18,471
 
Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets
   
34
     
-
 
Other assets
   
16,861
     
(222
)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               
Payable to brokers
   
4,250
     
606
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
5,772
     
4,482
 
Compensation payable
   
3,417
     
6,783
 
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
(4
)
   
(18
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
4,630
     
(1,898
)
Total adjustments
   
57,667
     
14,015
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
82,426
   
$
41,991
 

8


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED (continued)
(In thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Investing activities
 
   
 
Purchases of available for sale securities
 
$
(41,397
)
 
$
(4,782
)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
   
132
     
3,880
 
Return of capital on available for sale securities
   
217
     
323
 
Net cash provided by investing activities
   
(41,048
)
   
(579
)
 
               
Financing activities
               
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
1,652
 
Redemptions of redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
(441
)
   
-
 
Redemptions of noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
-
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
   
-
     
846
 
Dividends paid
   
(1,759
)
   
(1,528
)
Repurchase of zero coupon subordinated debentures
   
(2,596
)
   
(41
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(3,196
)
   
(9,647
)
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(7,992
)
   
(8,718
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
11
     
(3
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
33,397
     
32,691
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
298,224
     
210,451
 
Increase in cash from deconsolidation
   
13
     
-
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
331,634
   
$
243,142
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest
 
$
316
   
$
294
 
Cash paid for taxes
 
$
9,078
   
$
10,662
 
 
               
Non-cash activity:
               
    - For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the Company accrued dividends on restricted stock awards of $41 and $28, respectively.
    - On January 1, 2015, GAMCO Investors, Inc. was no longer deemed to have control over a certain offshore fund and a certain consolidated feeder fund which
      resulted in the deconsolidation of that offshore fund and consolidated feeder fund and an increase of approximately $13 of cash and cash equivalents, a decrease
  of approximately $63,280 of net assets and a decrease of $63,267 of noncontrolling interests.
 

See accompanying notes.
9


GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2015
(Unaudited)

A.  Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “GBL,” “we,” “us” and “our” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors and its subsidiaries.
 
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of GAMCO included herein have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP in the United States for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GAMCO and its subsidiaries.  Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
 
These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 from which the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were derived.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported on the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in the Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Codification.  The core principle of the new ASU No. 2014-09 is for companies to recognize revenue from the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition.  The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods and is to be retrospectively applied.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update clarifying that entities should treat performance targets that could be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting.  Therefore, an entity would not record compensation expense (measured as of the grant date) for an award where transfer to the employee is contingent upon satisfaction of the performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met.  The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted.  This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting update amending the consolidation requirements under GAAP.  This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is continuing to analyze the impact, if any, that this update may have on its consolidated financial statements.

10


B.  Investment in Securities

Investments in securities at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
 
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Trading securities:
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Government obligations
 
$
9,998
   
$
9,998
   
$
18,994
   
$
18,996
   
$
25,989
   
$
25,999
 
Common stocks
   
84,646
     
105,190
     
170,977
     
195,029
     
113,508
     
141,276
 
Mutual funds
   
2,505
     
3,596
     
2,432
     
3,498
     
21,131
     
23,404
 
Other investments
   
549
     
762
     
743
     
1,704
     
544
     
749
 
Total trading securities
   
97,698
     
119,546
     
193,146
     
219,227
     
161,172
     
191,428
 
 
                                               
Available for sale securities:
                                               
Common stocks
   
13,609
     
37,954
     
13,637
     
38,942
     
15,003
     
41,538
 
Mutual funds
   
627
     
1,288
     
681
     
1,368
     
700
     
1,448
 
Total available for sale securities
   
14,236
     
39,242
     
14,318
     
40,310
     
15,703
     
42,986
 
 
                                               
Total investments in securities
 
$
111,934
   
$
158,788
   
$
207,464
   
$
259,537
   
$
176,875
   
$
234,414
 

Securities sold, not yet purchased at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
 
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Proceeds
   
Fair Value
   
Proceeds
   
Fair Value
   
Proceeds
   
Fair Value
 
Trading securities:
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
8,485
   
$
8,530
   
$
9,835
   
$
9,960
   
$
8,837
   
$
10,469
 
Other investments
   
3
     
39
     
1
     
635
     
85
     
319
 
Total securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
8,488
   
$
8,569
   
$
9,836
   
$
10,595
   
$
8,922
   
$
10,788
 
11


Investments in sponsored registered investment companies at March 31, 2015, December 31,2014 and March 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
 
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Trading securities:
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Mutual funds
 
$
37,097
   
$
39,871
   
$
1
   
$
1
   
$
19
   
$
12
 
Total trading securities
   
37,097
     
39,871
     
1
     
1
     
19
     
12
 
 
                                               
Available for sale securities:
                                               
Closed-end funds
   
63,538
     
77,663
     
21,962
     
36,323
     
22,565
     
38,980
 
Mutual funds
   
1,891
     
3,297
     
1,898
     
3,213
     
1,939
     
3,441
 
Total available for sale securities
   
65,429
     
80,960
     
23,860
     
39,536
     
24,504
     
42,421
 
 
                                               
Total investments in sponsored
                                               
   registered investment companies
 
$
102,526
   
$
120,831
   
$
23,861
   
$
39,537
   
$
24,523
   
$
42,433
 

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of the date of each consolidated statement of financial condition.  Investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are classified as investments in securities, and those with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.  The portion of investments in securities held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements are classified as trading securities.  Trading securities are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings.  Available for sale (“AFS”) investments are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of equity except for losses deemed to be other than temporary (“OTT”) which are recorded as realized losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Amount
 
Affected Line Items
Reason for
Reclassified
 
in the Statements
Reclassification
from AOCI
 
Of Income
from AOCI
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  
2015
   
2014
      
 
$
25
   
$
1,612
 
 Net gain/(loss) from investments
 Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
   
-
     
3,141
 
 Other operating expenses/net gain from investments
 Realized gain on donation of AFS securities
   
25
     
4,753
 
 Income before income taxes
 
   
(9
)
   
(1,759
)
 Income tax provision
 
 
$
16
   
$
2,994
 
 Net income
 
                        

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value and includes them in either investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  From time to time, the Company and/or the partnerships and offshore funds that the Company consolidates will enter into hedging transactions to manage their exposure to foreign currencies and equity prices related to their proprietary investments.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had transactions in equity derivatives which resulted in net gains of $131,000 and net losses of $190,000, respectively.  At March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, we held derivative contracts on 0.4 million equity shares, 3.8 million equity shares and 1.9 million equity shares, respectively, and the fair value was $88,000, $262,000 and ($107,000), respectively; these are included in investments in securities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  These transactions are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and therefore changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in net gain/(loss) from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income. 
 
The Company is a party to enforceable master netting arrangements for swaps entered into as part of the investment strategy of the Company’s proprietary portfolio.  They are typically not used as hedging instruments.  These swaps, while settled on a net basis with the counterparties, major U.S. financial institutions, are shown gross in assets and liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  The swaps have a firm contract end date and are closed out and settled when each contract expires. 
12


               
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
 
               
Statements of Financial Condition
 
   
Gross
   
Gross Amounts
   
Net Amounts of
             
   
Amounts of
   
Offset in the
   
Assets Presented
             
   
Recognized
   
Statements of
   
in the Statements of
   
Financial
   
Cash Collateral
     
   
Assets
   
Financial Condition
   
Financial Condition
   
Instruments
   
Received
   
Net Amount
 
Swaps:
 
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2015
 
$
128
   
$
-
   
$
128
   
$
(23
)
 
$
-
   
$
105
 
December 31, 2014
   
896
     
-
     
896
     
(634
)
   
-
     
262
 
March 31, 2014
 
$
198
   
$
-
   
$
198
   
$
(198
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
                                                 
                           
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
 
                           
Statements of Financial Condition
 
   
Gross
   
Gross Amounts
   
Net Amounts of
                         
   
Amounts of
   
Offset in the
   
Liabilities Presented
                         
   
Recognized
   
Statements of
   
in the Statements of
   
Financial
   
Cash Collateral
         
   
Liabilities
   
Financial Condition
   
Financial Condition
   
Instruments
   
Pledged
   
Net Amount
 
Swaps:
 
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2015
 
$
23
   
$
-
   
$
23
   
$
(23
)
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
December 31, 2014
   
634
     
-
     
634
     
(634
)
   
-
     
-
 
March 31, 2014
 
$
277
   
$
-
   
$
277
   
$
(198
)
 
$
-
   
$
79
 

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of available for sale investments as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014:

 
 
March 31, 2015
 
       
Gross
   
Gross
     
       
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
     
 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
13,609
   
$
24,345
   
$
-
   
$
37,954
 
Closed-end Funds
   
63,538
     
14,150
     
(25
)
   
77,663
 
Mutual funds
   
2,518
     
2,101
     
(34
)
   
4,585
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
79,665
   
$
40,596
   
$
(59
)
 
$
120,202
 

 
 
December 31, 2014
 
       
Gross
   
Gross
     
       
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
     
 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
13,637
   
$
25,305
   
$
-
   
$
38,942
 
Closed-end Funds
   
21,962
     
14,398
     
(37
)
   
36,323
 
Mutual funds
   
2,579
     
2,030
     
(28
)
   
4,581
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
38,178
   
$
41,733
   
$
(65
)
 
$
79,846
 

 
 
March 31, 2014
 
       
Gross
   
Gross
     
       
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
     
 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
15,003
   
$
26,535
   
$
-
   
$
41,538
 
Closed-end Funds
   
22,565
     
16,477
     
(62
)
   
38,980
 
Mutual funds
   
2,639
     
2,250
     
-
     
4,889
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
40,207
   
$
45,262
   
$
(62
)
 
$
85,407
 
13


Unrealized changes in fair value, net of taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 of $0.5 million in losses and $2.7 million in losses, respectively, have been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014.  Return of capital on available for sale securities was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $0.1 million and $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $48,000 and $1.6 million, respectively, and were reclassified from other comprehensive income into net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  There were no losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014.  The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined using specific identification.

Investments classified as available for sale that are in an unrealized loss position for which other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized consisted of the following:

 
 
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2014
 
       
Unrealized
           
Unrealized
           
Unrealized
     
 
 
Cost
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
                                   
Cosed-end funds
 
$
149
   
$
(25
)
 
$
124
   
$
812
   
$
(37
)
 
$
775
   
$
828
   
$
(62
)
 
$
766
 
Mutual Funds
   
303
     
(34
)
   
269
     
303
     
(28
)
   
275
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total
 
$
452
   
$
(59
)
 
$
393
   
$
1,115
   
$
(65
)
 
$
1,050
   
$
828
   
$
(62
)
 
$
766
 

At March 31, 2015, there were three holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations.  In these specific instances, the investments at March 31, 2015 were mutual funds and closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries.  One holding was impaired for one month, one holding was impaired for five months and one holding was impaired for seven months at March 31, 2015.  The value of these holdings at March 31, 2015 was $0.4 million.

At December 31, 2014, there were four holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations.  In these specific instances, the investments at December 31, 2014 were mutual funds and closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries.  One holding was impaired for one month, one for three months and two for four months at December 31, 2014. The value of these holdings at December 31, 2014 was $1.1 million.

At March 31, 2014, there were two holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations.  In these specific instances, the investments at March 31, 2014 were closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries.  One holding was impaired for seven months and one for ten months at March 31, 2014.  The value of these holdings at March 31, 2014 was $0.8 million.

There were no losses recognized on AFS securities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014.
14


C. Fair Value

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2015 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
March 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2015
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
331,419
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
331,419
 
Investments in partnerships
   
-
     
21,243
     
-
     
21,243
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
37,954
     
-
     
-
     
37,954
 
AFS - Mutual funds
   
1,288
     
-
     
-
     
1,288
 
Trading - Gov't obligations
   
9,998
     
-
     
-
     
9,998
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
104,071
     
180
     
939
     
105,190
 
Trading - Mutual funds
   
3,596
     
-
     
-
     
3,596
 
Trading - Other
   
355
     
128
     
279
     
762
 
Total investments in securities
   
157,262
     
308
     
1,218
     
158,788
 
Investments in sponsored registered investment companies:
                         
AFS - Closed-end Funds
   
77,663
     
-
     
-
     
77,663
 
AFS - Mutual Funds
   
3,297
     
-
     
-
     
3,297
 
Trading - Mutual funds
   
39,871
     
-
     
-
     
39,871
 
Total investments in sponsored
                               
registered investment companies
   
120,831
     
-
     
-
     
120,831
 
Total investments
   
278,093
     
21,551
     
1,218
     
300,862
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
609,512
   
$
21,551
   
$
1,218
   
$
632,281
 
Liabilities
                               
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
8,530
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,530
 
Trading - Other
   
-
     
39
     
-
     
39
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
8,530
   
$
39
   
$
-
   
$
8,569
 

15

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
December 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2014
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
297,971
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
297,971
 
Investments in partnerships
   
-
     
23,803
     
-
     
23,803
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
38,942
     
-
     
-
     
38,942
 
AFS - Mutual funds
   
1,368
     
-
     
-
     
1,368
 
Trading - Gov't obligations
   
18,996
     
-
     
-
     
18,996
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
193,735
     
1
     
1,293
     
195,029
 
Trading - Mutual funds
   
3,498
     
-
     
-
     
3,498
 
Trading - Other
   
513
     
897
     
294
     
1,704
 
Total investments in securities
   
257,052
     
898
     
1,587
     
259,537
 
Investments in sponsored registered investment companies:
                         
AFS - Closed-end Funds
   
36,323
     
-
     
-
     
36,323
 
AFS - Mutual Funds
   
3,213
     
-
     
-
     
3,213
 
Trading - Mutual funds
   
1
     
-
     
-
     
1
 
Total investments in sponsored
                               
registered investment companies
   
39,537
     
-
     
-
     
39,537
 
Total investments
   
296,589
     
24,701
     
1,587
     
322,877
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
594,560
   
$
24,701
   
$
1,587
   
$
620,848
 
Liabilities
                               
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
9,960
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
9,960
 
Trading - Other
   
-
     
635
     
-
     
635
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
9,960
   
$
635
   
$
-
   
$
10,595
 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
March 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2014
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
242,917
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
242,917
 
Investments in partnerships
   
-
     
24,080
     
-
     
24,080
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
41,538
     
-
     
-
     
41,538
 
AFS - Mutual funds
   
1,448
     
-
     
-
     
1,448
 
Trading - Gov't obligations
   
25,999
     
-
     
-
     
25,999
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
140,575
     
1
     
700
     
141,276
 
Trading - Mutual funds
   
23,404
     
-
     
-
     
23,404
 
Trading - Other
   
253
     
212
     
284
     
749
 
Total investments in securities
   
233,217
     
213
     
984
     
234,414
 
Investments in sponsored registered investment companies:
                         
AFS - Closed-end Funds
   
38,980
     
-
     
-
     
38,980
 
AFS - Mutual Funds
   
3,441
     
-
     
-
     
3,441
 
Trading - Mutual funds
   
12
     
-
     
-
     
12
 
Total investments in sponsored
                               
registered investment companies
   
42,433
     
-
     
-
     
42,433
 
Total investments
   
275,650
     
24,293
     
984
     
300,927
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
518,567
   
$
24,293
   
$
984
   
$
543,844
 
Liabilities
                               
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
10,469
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
10,469
 
Trading - Other
   
-
     
319
     
-
     
319
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
10,469
   
$
319
   
$
-
   
$
10,788
 
16


The following tables present additional information about assets by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands)

           
Total
                     
           
Unrealized
                     
           
Gains or
   
Total
                 
       
Total Realized and
   
(Losses)
   
Realized
                 
   
December 31,
   
Unrealized Gains or
   
Included in
   
and
           
Transfers
     
 
 
2014
   
(Losses) in Income
   
Other
   
Unrealized
   
   
   
In and/or
     
   
Beginning
       
AFS
   
Comprehensive
   
Gains or
           
(Out) of
   
Ending
 
Asset
 
Balance
   
Trading
   
Investments
   
Income
   
(Losses)
   
Purchases
   
Sales
   
Level 3
   
Balance
 
Financial
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
instruments owned:
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
1,293
   
$
1
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1
   
$
3
   
$
(358
 
$
-
 
 
$
939
 
Trading - Other
   
294
     
62
     
-
     
-
     
62
     
5
     
(82
)
   
-
 
   
279
 
Total
 
$
1,587
   
$
63
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
63
     
8
   
$
(440
)
 
$
-
 
 
$
1,218
 

There were securities with a value of $0.4 million that were transferred out of Level 3 as a result of the deconsolidation of an offshore fund during the first quarter of 2015 which are reflected in sales above.  There were no transfers between Levels 1 or 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands)

           
Total
                     
           
Unrealized
                     
           
Gains or
   
Total
                 
       
Total Realized and
   
(Losses)
   
Realized
                 
   
December 31,
   
Unrealized Gains or
   
Included in
   
and
           
Transfers
     
 
 
2013
   
(Losses) in Income
   
Other
   
Unrealized
   
   
   
In and/or
     
   
Beginning
       
AFS
   
Comprehensive
   
Gains or
           
(Out) of
   
Ending
 
Asset
 
Balance
   
Trading
   
Investments
   
Income
   
(Losses)
   
Purchases
   
Sales
   
Level 3
   
Balance
 
Financial
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
instruments owned:
                                   
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
700
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
700
 
Trading - Other
   
284
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
284
 
Total
 
$
984
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
984
 

There were no transfers between any Levels during the three months ended March 31, 2014.


17

D. Investments in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)
 
The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated entities in which the Company has investments totaling $93.4 million, $94.2 million and $91.1 million at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively, and whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (the “affiliated entities”). We also have investments in unaffiliated entities of $13.5 million, $13.4 million and $14.7 million at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively (the “unaffiliated entities”).  On a quarterly basis, we evaluate each entity for the appropriate accounting treatment and disclosure.  Certain of the affiliated entities, and none of the unaffiliated entities, are consolidated.

For those entities where consolidation is not deemed to be appropriate, we report them in our condensed consolidated statement of financial condition under the caption “Investments in partnerships”.  This caption includes those investments, in both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting, as well as certain investments that the feeder funds hold that are carried at fair value, as described in Note C.  The Company reflects the equity in earnings of these equity method investees and the change in fair value of the consolidated feeder funds (“CFFs”) under the caption “Net gain/(loss) from investments” on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The following table highlights the number of entities, including voting interest entities (“VOEs”), that we consolidate as well as under which accounting guidance they are consolidated, including CFFs, which retain their specialized investment company accounting in consolidation, partnerships and offshore funds.

Entities consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CFFs
 
Partnerships
 
Offshore Funds
 
Total
 
 
VIEs
VOEs
 
VIEs
VOEs
 
VIEs
VOEs
 
VIEs
VOEs
Entities consolidated at December 31, 2013
 
1
2
 
-
1
 
-
1
 
1
4
Additional consolidated entities
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
Deconsolidated entities
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
Entities consolidated at March 31, 2014
 
1
2
 
-
1
 
-
1
 
1
4
Additional consolidated entities
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
Deconsolidated entities
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
-
Entities consolidated at December 31, 2014
 
1
2
 
-
1
 
-
1
 
1
4
Additional consolidated entities
 
-
1
 
-
-
 
-
-
 
-
1
Deconsolidated entities
 
-
(1)
 
-
-
 
-
(1)
 
-
(2)
Entities consolidated at March 31, 2015
 
1
2
 
-
1
 
-
-
 
1
3

At and for the three months ended March 31, 2015, the one CFF VIE is consolidated, as the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary because it has an equity interest and absorbs the majority of the expected losses and/or expected gains. At and for the three months ended March 31, 2015, the two CFF VOEs and the one Partnership VOE are consolidated because the unaffiliated partners or shareholders lack substantive kick-out rights, and the Company, as either the general partner or investment manager, is deemed to have control.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, it was determined that the Offshore Fund VOE should no longer be consolidated as the Company’s ownership percentage fell below 50% and that an additional CFF VOE should be consolidated as the last unaffiliated investor withdrew on March 31, 2015.

At and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and at December 31, 2014, the one CFF VIE is consolidated, as the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary because it has an equity interest and absorbs the majority of the expected losses and/or expected gains.  At and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and at December 31, 2014, the two CFF VOEs, the one Partnership VOE and the one Offshore Fund VOE are consolidated because the unaffiliated partners or shareholders lack substantive rights, and the Company, as either the general partner or investment manager, is deemed to have control.
18

The following table breaks down the investments in partnerships line by accounting method, either fair value or equity method, and investment type (in thousands):

   
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
Investment Type
 
 
 
Affiliated
   
Unaffiliated
   
 
   
Consolidated
                     
Accounting method
 
Feeder Funds
   
Partnerships
   
Offshore Funds
   
Partnerships
   
Offshore Funds
   
Total
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Fair Value
 
$
21,244
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
21,244
 
Equity Method
   
-
     
36,019
     
36,137
     
6,666
     
6,877
     
85,699
 
 
                                               
Total
 
$
21,244
   
$
36,019
   
$
36,137
   
$
6,666
   
$
6,877
   
$
106,943
 

   
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Investment Type
 
 
 
Affiliated
   
Unaffiliated
   
 
   
Consolidated
                     
Accounting method
 
Feeder Funds
   
Partnerships
   
Offshore Funds
   
Partnerships
   
Offshore Funds
   
Total
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Fair Value
 
$
23,803
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
23,803
 
Equity Method
   
-
     
34,385
     
36,033
     
6,552
     
6,864
     
83,834
 
 
                                               
Total
 
$
23,803
   
$
34,385
   
$
36,033
   
$
6,552
   
$
6,864
   
$
107,637
 

   
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Investment Type
 
 
 
Affiliated
   
Unaffiliated
   
 
   
Consolidated
                     
Accounting method
 
Feeder Funds
   
Partnerships
   
Offshore Funds
   
Partnerships
   
Offshore Funds
   
Total
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Fair Value
 
$
24,080
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
24,080
 
Equity Method
   
-
     
30,266
     
36,779
     
6,677
     
8,047
     
81,769
 
 
                                               
Total
 
$
24,080
   
$
30,266
   
$
36,779
   
$
6,677
   
$
8,047
   
$
105,849
 
19


The following table includes the net impact by line item on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for each category of entity consolidated (in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
Prior to
           
Offshore
     
   
Consolidation
   
CFFs
   
Partnerships
   
Funds
   
As Reported
 
Assets
 
   
   
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
331,553
   
$
-
   
$
81
   
$
-
   
$
331,634
 
Investments in securities
   
151,028
     
-
     
7,760
     
-
     
158,788
 
Investments in sponsored investment companies
   
120,831
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
120,831
 
Investments in partnerships
   
109,982
     
5,255
     
(8,294
)
   
-
     
106,943
 
Receivable from brokers
   
20,840
     
-
     
775
     
-
     
21,615
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
33,698
     
6
     
(1
)
   
-
     
33,703
 
Other assets
   
26,377
     
16
     
-
     
-
     
26,393
 
Total assets
 
$
794,309
   
$
5,277
   
$
321
   
$
-
   
$
799,907
 
Liabilities and equity
                                       
Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
8,569
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,569
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
126,469
     
46
     
33
     
-
     
126,548
 
Total debt
   
109,936
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
109,936
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
5,231
     
288
     
-
     
5,519
 
Total equity
   
549,335
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
549,335
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
794,309
   
$
5,277
   
$
321
   
$
-
   
$
799,907
 

 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Prior to
           
Offshore
     
   
Consolidation
   
CFFs
   
Partnerships
   
Funds
   
As Reported
 
Assets
 
   
   
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
298,149
   
$
(11
)
 
$
86
   
$
-
   
$
298,224
 
Investments in securities
   
200,443
     
-
     
7,801
     
51,293
     
259,537
 
Investments in sponsored investment companies
   
39,537
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
39,537
 
Investments in partnerships
   
111,380
     
4,438
     
(8,181
)
   
-
     
107,637
 
Receivable from brokers
   
24,301
     
-
     
623
     
51,155
     
76,079
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
42,102
     
(6
)
   
(2
)
   
(222
)
   
41,872
 
Other assets
   
43,393
     
-
     
-
     
151
     
43,544
 
Total assets
 
$
759,305
   
$
4,421
   
$
327
   
$
102,377
   
$
866,430
 
Liabilities and equity
                                       
Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
9,991
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
604
   
$
10,595
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
109,356
     
22
     
24
     
38,141
     
147,543
 
Total debt
   
112,163
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
112,163
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
4,399
     
303
     
63,632
     
68,334
 
Total equity
   
527,795
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
527,795
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
759,305
   
$
4,421
   
$
327
   
$
102,377
   
$
866,430
 

 
 
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Prior to
           
Offshore
     
   
Consolidation
   
CFFs
   
Partnerships
   
Funds
   
As Reported
 
Assets
 
   
   
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
242,826
   
$
1
   
$
315
   
$
-
   
$
243,142
 
Investments in securities
   
234,628
     
-
     
7,708
     
(7,922
)
   
234,414
 
Investments in sponsored investment companies
   
42,422
     
-
     
11
     
-
     
42,433
 
Investments in partnerships
   
110,330
     
4,636
     
(9,117
)
   
-
     
105,849
 
Receivable from brokers
   
39,163
     
-
     
1,411
     
13,510
     
54,084
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
33,112
     
2
     
-
     
(79
)
   
33,035
 
Other assets
   
26,749
     
8
     
-
     
106
     
26,863
 
Total assets
 
$
729,230
   
$
4,647
   
$
328
   
$
5,615
   
$
739,820
 
Liabilities and equity
                                       
Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
10,531
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
257
   
$
10,788
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
129,677
     
88
     
37
     
1,744
     
131,546
 
Total debt
   
112,098
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
112,098
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
4,559
     
291
     
3,614
     
8,464
 
Total equity
   
476,924
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
476,924
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
729,230
   
$
4,647
   
$
328
   
$
5,615
   
$
739,820
 
20


The following table includes the net impact by line item on the condensed consolidated statements of income for each category of entity consolidated (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
Prior to
           
Offshore
     
   
Consolidation
   
CFFs
   
Partnerships
   
Funds
   
As Reported
 
Total revenues
 
$
103,866
   
$
(6
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
103,845
 
Total expenses
   
69,829
     
33
     
9
     
29
     
69,900
 
Operating income
   
34,037
     
(39
)
   
(10
)
   
(43
)
   
33,945
 
Total other income/(expense), net
   
5,910
     
50
     
(1
)
   
34
     
5,993
 
Income before income taxes
   
39,947
     
11
     
(11
)
   
(9
)
   
39,938
 
Income tax provision
   
15,179
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
15,179
 
Net income
   
24,768
     
11
     
(11
)
   
(9
)
   
24,759
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(8
)
   
11
     
(11
)
   
(9
)
   
(17
)
Net income attributable to GAMCO
 
$
24,776
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
24,776
 

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
Prior to
           
Offshore
     
   
Consolidation
   
CFFs
   
Partnerships
   
Funds
   
As Reported
 
Total revenues
 
$
104,701
   
$
(7
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(216
)
 
$
104,477
 
Total expenses
   
67,712
     
34
     
12
     
220
     
67,978
 
Operating income
   
36,989
     
(41
)
   
(13
)
   
(436
)
   
36,499
 
Total other income, net
   
5,541
     
76
     
4
     
472
     
6,093
 
Income before income taxes
   
42,530
     
35
     
(9
)
   
36
     
42,592
 
Income tax provision
   
14,616
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
14,616
 
Net income
   
27,914
     
35
     
(9
)
   
36
     
27,976
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(40
)
   
35
     
(9
)
   
36
     
22
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO
 
$
27,954
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
27,954
 

Variable Interest Entities
Variable Interest Entities

We sponsor a number of investment vehicles where we are the general partner or investment manager.  Certain of these vehicles are VIEs, but we are not the primary beneficiary, in all but one case, because we do not absorb a majority of the entities’ expected losses and/or expected returns, and they are, therefore, not consolidated.  We consolidate the one VIE where we are the primary beneficiary.  The Company has not provided any financial or other support to those VIEs where we are not the primary beneficiary.  The total net assets of these non-consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 were $71.4 million, $71.6 million and $74.1 million, respectively.  Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the non-consolidated VIEs is limited to the investment in two VIEs and the deferred carried interest that we have in another.  On March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 we had an investment in two of the non-consolidated VIE offshore funds of approximately $10.6 million, $10.6 million and $10.9 million, respectively, which was included in investments in partnerships on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  On March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, we had a deferred carried interest in one of the non-consolidated VIE offshore funds of $43,000, $43,000 and $45,000, respectively, which was included in investments in partnerships on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  Additionally, as the general partner or investment manager to these VIEs the Company earns fees in relation to these roles, which given a decline in AUMs of the VIEs would result in lower fee revenues earned by the Company which would be reflected on the condensed consolidated statement of income, condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.


The assets of these VIEs may only be used to satisfy obligations of the VIEs.  The following table presents the balances related to the VIE that is consolidated and is included on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as well as GAMCO’s net interest in this VIE.  Only one VIE was consolidated at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014:

 
 
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2014
 
(In thousands)
 
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Investments in partnerships
   
11,480
     
13,434
     
13,798
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
(9
)
   
(12
)
   
(16
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
(706
)
   
(794
)
   
(1,103
)
GAMCO's net interests in consolidated VIE
 
$
10,765
   
$
12,628
   
$
12,679
 
 
21

E. Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate ("ETR) for the three months ended March 31,2015 was 38.0% versus 34.3% for the prior year three month period and 37.3% for the full year 2014.  The first quarter 2014 ETR reflected a benefit related to donated appreciated securities which did not occur in the 2015 quarter.

F. Earnings Per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Basic:
 
   
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
24,776
   
$
27,954
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
25,132
     
25,481
 
Basic net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s
               
shareholders per share
 
$
0.99
   
$
1.10
 
 
               
Diluted:
               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
24,776
   
$
27,954
 
 
               
Weighted average share outstanding
   
25,132
     
25,481
 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards
   
282
     
203
 
Total
   
25,414
     
25,684
 
Diluted net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s
               
shareholders per share
 
$
0.97
   
$
1.09
 

G. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

 
 
March 31, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2014
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
Value
   
Level 2
   
Value
   
Level 2
   
Value
   
Level 2
 
(In thousands)
                       
5.875% Senior notes
 
$
100,000
   
$
109,541
   
$
100,000
   
$
110,123
   
$
100,000
   
$
106,540
 
0% Subordinated debentures
   
9,936
     
10,440
     
12,163
     
13,000
     
12,098
     
13,777
 
Total
 
$
109,936
   
$
119,981
   
$
112,163
   
$
123,123
   
$
112,098
   
$
120,317
 

5.875% Senior notes

On May 31, 2011, the Company issued 10-year, $100 million senior notes.  The notes mature on June 1, 2021 and bear interest at 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and commenced on December 1, 2011.  Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indenture, the Company would be required to offer to repurchase the notes at 101% of their principal amount.

Zero coupon Subordinated debentures due December 31, 2015

On December 31, 2010, the Company issued $86.4 million in par value of five year zero coupon subordinated debentures due December 31, 2015 (“Debentures”) to its shareholders of record on December 15, 2010 through the declaration of a special dividend of $3.20 per share.  The Debentures have a par value of $100 and are callable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed.  During the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 the Company repurchased 25,957 Debentures and 416 Debentures, respectively, having a face value of $2.6 million and $41,600, respectively.  The redemptions were accounted for as extinguishments of debt and resulted in losses of $156,000 and $5,000, respectively, which were included in net gain from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income.  The debt is being accreted to its face value using the effective rate on the date of issuance of 7.45%.  At March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, the debt was recorded at its accreted value of $9.9 million, $12.2 million and $12.1 million, respectively.
 
22

The fair value of the Company’s debt, which is a Level 2 valuation, is estimated based on either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities or using market standard models.  Inputs in these standard models include credit rating, maturity and interest rate.

On May 30, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective the “shelf” registration statement filed by the Company.  The “shelf” provides the Company with the flexibility of issuing any combination of senior and subordinated debt securities, convertible securities and common and preferred securities up to a total amount of $500 million and replaced the existing shelf registration which expired in July 2012.  We renewed our universal shelf for $500 million, extending the expiration date to May 2018.  As of March 31, 2015, $500 million is available on the shelf.

H. Stockholders’ Equity
 
Shares outstanding were 25.8 million, 25.9 million and 26.0 million on March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

Dividends
 
 
  Payment Record
  Date Date Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2015
March 31, 2015
March 17, 2015
 
$
0.07
 
Three months ended March 31, 2014
March 25, 2014
March 11, 2014
 
$
0.06
 

Voting Rights

The holders of Class A Common stock (“Class A Stock”) and Class B Common stock (“Class B Stock”) have identical rights except that (i) holders of Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders in general, and (ii) holders of Class A Stock are not eligible to vote on matters relating exclusively to Class B Stock and vice versa.

Stock Award and Incentive Plan
 
The Company maintains two Plans approved by the shareholders, which are designed to provide incentives which will attract and retain individuals key to the success of GBL through direct or indirect ownership of our common stock.  Benefits under the Plans may be granted in any one or a combination of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents and other stock or cash based awards.  A maximum of 3.5 million shares of Class A Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Plans by a committee of the Board of Directors responsible for administering the Plans (“Compensation Committee”).  Under the Plans, the committee may grant RSAs and either incentive or nonqualified stock options with a term not to exceed ten years from the grant date and at an exercise price that the committee may determine.

On December 23, 2014, September 15, 2014 and January 9, 2014, the Company approved the granting of 73,000 RSA shares, 83,500 RSA shares and 2,100 RSA shares, respectively, at a grant date fair value of $87.99 per share, $73.41 per share and $81.99 per share, respectively.  As of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, there were 707,050 RSA shares, 710,750 RSA shares and 566,850 RSA shares outstanding, respectively, that were previously issued at an average weighted grant price of $67.43, $67.45 and $63.97, respectively.  All grants of the RSA shares were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive a RSA, and approved by the Compensation Committee.  This expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is either (1) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant or (2) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 10% each year over years four through ten from the date of grant.  During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates.  Dividends declared on these RSAs, less estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings on the declaration date.
23


For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  Actual and projected stock-based compensation expense for RSA shares and options for the years ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2024 (based on awards currently issued or granted) is as follows ($ in thousands):

   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
 
 
Q1
   
$
1,700
   
$
2,277
   
$
2,277
   
$
1,486
   
$
1,112
   
$
612
 
 
Q2
     
1,697
     
2,277
     
2,277
     
1,486
     
1,090
     
612
 
 
Q3
     
1,785
     
2,276
     
1,922
     
1,355
     
1,011
     
547
 
 
Q4
     
2,017
     
2,276
     
1,660
     
1,225
     
841
     
501
 
Full Year
   
$
7,199
   
$
9,106
   
$
8,136
   
$
5,552
   
$
4,054
   
$
2,272
 
                                                     
         
2020
     
2021
     
2022
     
2023
     
2024
         
 
Q1
   
$
350
   
$
227
   
$
146
   
$
76
   
$
12
         
 
Q2
     
319
     
227
     
146
     
76
     
12
         
 
Q3
     
264
     
179
     
104
     
38
     
9
         
 
Q4
     
227
     
145
     
76
     
11
     
-
         
Full Year
   
$
1,160
   
$
778
   
$
472
   
$
201
   
$
33
         
                                                     

The total compensation cost related to non-vested options not yet recognized is approximately $29.5 million as of March 31, 2015.  There were no options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  For the three months ended March 31, 2014, proceeds from the exercise of 20,000 stock options were $0.8 million resulting in a tax benefit to GAMCO of $0.2 million.

Stock Repurchase Program
 
In March 1999, GAMCO's Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program to grant management the authority to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock.  On February 5, 2013, our Board of Directors authorized an incremental 500,000 shares to be added to the current buyback authorization.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the Company repurchased 41,393 shares and 121,192 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $77.19 and $79.59, respectively.  From the inception of the program through March 31, 2015, 9,167,418 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $44.07 per share.  At March 31, 2015, the total shares available under the program to be repurchased in the future were 467,390.

I. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

At March 31, 2015, $3.5 million of goodwill is reflected within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition with $3.3 million related to a 94%-owned subsidiary, Gabelli Securities, Inc. and $0.2 million related to G.distributors, LLC.  The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill at least annually, or more often should events warrant, using a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred to determine if a quantitative analysis is required.  There were no indicators of impairment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

As a result of becoming the advisor to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.9 million within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014.  The investment advisory agreement is subject to annual renewal by the fund's Board of Directors, which the Company expects to be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.  The advisory contract is next up for renewal in February 2016.  The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset at least annually, or more often should events warrant.  There were no indicators of impairment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or March 31, 2014, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.
24


J. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures.  However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at March 31, 2015.

The Company indemnifies the clearing brokers of G.research, Inc., our broker-dealer subsidiary, for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by it.  At March 31, 2015, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e. unsecured margin debits) was immaterial.  The Company also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of obligations under the agreements.  The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements and believes the likelihood of a claim being made is remote.  The Company’s estimate of the value of such agreements is de minimis, and therefore an accrual has not been made on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

K. Subsequent Events
 
From April 1, 2015 to May 7, 2015, the Company repurchased 27,600 shares at $81.33 per share.

On March 24, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to renew its shelf registration, before the expiration of its current shelf in May 2015, which will allow the Company to issue up to $500 million in a combination of senior and subordinated debt securities, convertible debt securities and common and preferred securities.  The shelf was declared effective by the SEC and will now expire in May 2018.

On April 10, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the next step in the process of exploring a potential restructuring that will enable the Company to further increase its market focus.  While this may involve a split-up of certain facets of our business, there are numerous regulatory related and other issues that may preclude pursuit of any alternative.  Management does not plan to give periodic updates on the Company’s progress.

On May 5, 2015, the Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share to all of its shareholders, payable on June 30, 2015 to shareholders of record on June 16, 2015.




25


ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (INCLUDING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK)

Overview
 
GAMCO, through the Gabelli brand, well known for its Private Market Value (PMV) with a CatalystTM investment approach, is a widely-recognized provider of investment advisory services to open- and closed-end funds, institutional and private wealth management investors, and investment partnerships, principally in the United States.  Through G.research, Inc. (“G.research”), we provide institutional research and brokerage services to institutional clients and investment partnerships.  Through G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), we provide mutual fund distribution.  We generally manage assets on a fully discretionary basis and invest in a variety of U.S. and international securities through various investment styles.  Our revenues are based primarily on the Company’s levels of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products.
 
Our revenues are highly correlated to the level of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products, rather than our own corporate assets.  Assets under management, which are directly influenced by the level and changes of the overall equity markets, can also fluctuate through acquisitions, the creation of new products, the addition of new accounts or the loss of existing accounts.  Since various equity products have different fees, changes in our business mix may also affect revenues.  At times, the performance of our equity products may differ markedly from popular market indices, and this can also impact our revenues.  General stock market trends will have the greatest impact on our level of assets under management and hence, on revenues.

We conduct our investment advisory business principally through the following subsidiaries: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (Institutional and Private Wealth Management), Gabelli Funds, LLC (Funds) and Gabelli Securities, Inc. (Investment Partnerships).  We also act as an underwriter and provide institutional research through G.research, one of our broker-dealer subsidiaries.  The distribution of our open-end funds is conducted through G.distributors, our other broker-dealer subsidiary.
 
Assets under management (“AUM”) were $46.5 billion as of March 31, 2015, a decrease of 2.0% from AUM of $47.5 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2.1% from the March 31, 2014 AUM of $47.6 billion.  The first quarter 2015 AUM fell $1.0 billion which consisted of net cash outflows of $1.4 billion and recurring distributions, net of reinvestments, from open-end and closed-end funds of $143 million, offset slightly by $0.6 billion of market appreciation.  Average total AUM was $46.8 billion in the 2015 quarter versus $47.0 billion in the prior year period, a decrease of 0.4%.  Average AUM in our open-end equity funds, a key driver to our investment advisory fees, was $17.0 billion in the first quarter of 2015, falling 0.6% from the 2014 quarter average AUM of $17.1 billion.

In addition to management fees, we earn incentive fees for certain institutional client assets, certain assets attributable to preferred issues of our closed-end funds, to our GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL) and investment partnership assets.  As of March 31, 2015, assets with incentive based fees were $5.2 billion, an increase of $0.4 billion, or 8.3%, from the $4.8 billion at December 31, 2014 and 15.6% higher than the $4.5 billion on March 31, 2014.  

26


The Company reported Assets Under Management as follows (in millions):
             
                     
Table I: Fund Flows - 1st Quarter 2015
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
Fund
   
 
 
 
   
Market
   
   
distributions,
   
 
 
 
December 31,
   
appreciation/
   
Net cash
   
net of
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2014
   
(depreciation)
   
flows
   
reinvestments
   
2015
 
Equities:
 
   
   
   
   
 
Open-end Funds
 
$
17,684
   
$
185
   
$
(1,199
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
16,643
 
Closed-end Funds
   
6,949
     
93
     
145
     
(116
)
   
7,071
 
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
16,597
     
140
     
(330
)
   
-
     
16,407
 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
3,704
     
172
     
(62
)
   
-
     
3,814
 
Investment Partnerships
   
905
     
19
     
4
     
-
     
928
 
SICAV (a)
   
135
     
(5
)
   
25
     
-
     
105
 
Total Equities
   
45,974
     
604
     
(1,467
)
   
(143
)
   
44,968
 
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
   
1,455
     
-
     
65
     
-
     
1,520
 
Institutional & PWM
   
58
     
-
     
(6
)
   
-
     
52
 
Total Fixed Income
   
1,513
     
-
     
59
     
-
     
1,572
 
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
47,487
   
$
604
   
$
(1,408
)
 
$
(143
)
 
$
46,540
 
 
                                       
(a)  Includes $71 million and $40 million of seed capital at December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015, respectively.

Table II: AUM Summary 
 
   
   
   
% Change From
 
 
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
   
2014
   
2014
   
2014
 
Equities:
 
   
   
   
   
 
Open-end Funds
 
$
16,643
   
$
17,684
   
$
17,531
     
(5.9
%)
   
(5.1
%)
Closed-end Funds
   
7,071
     
6,949
     
6,967
     
1.8
     
1.5
 
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
16,407
     
16,597
     
16,403
     
(1.1
)
   
0.0
 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
3,814
     
3,704
     
3,822
     
3.0
     
(0.2
)
Investment Partnerships
   
928
     
905
     
865
     
2.5
     
7.3
 
SICAV (a)
   
105
     
135
     
91
     
(22.2
)
   
15.4
 
Total Equities
   
44,968
     
45,974
     
45,679
     
(2.2
)
   
(1.6
)
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
   
1,520
     
1,455
     
1,812
     
4.5
     
(16.1
)
Institutional & PWM
   
52
     
58
     
64
     
(10.3
)
   
(18.8
)
Total Fixed Income
   
1,572
     
1,513
     
1,876
     
3.9
     
(16.2
)
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
46,540
   
$
47,487
   
$
47,555
     
(2.0
)
   
(2.1
)
 
                                       
(a)  Includes $40 million, $71 million and $88 million of seed capital at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

27

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 to this report.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared To Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Revenues
 
   
 
  Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
88,037
   
$
87,797
 
  Distribution fees and other income
   
13,743
     
14,873
 
  Institutional research services
   
2,065
     
1,807
 
Total revenues
   
103,845
     
104,477
 
Expenses
               
  Compensation
   
44,494
     
43,897
 
  Management fee
   
4,437
     
4,728
 
  Distribution costs
   
14,283
     
13,963
 
  Other operating expenses
   
6,686
     
5,390
 
Total expenses
   
69,900
     
67,978
 
Operating income
   
33,945
     
36,499
 
Other income (expense)
               
  Net gain from trading securities
   
6,958
     
6,944
 
  Interest and dividend income
   
1,054
     
1,141
 
  Interest expense
   
(2,019
)
   
(1,992
)
Total other income, net
   
5,993
     
6,093
 
Income before income taxes
   
39,938
     
42,592
 
Income tax provision
   
15,179
     
14,616
 
Net income
   
24,759
     
27,976
 
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(17
)
   
22
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
24,776
   
$
27,954
 
 
               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
               
Basic
 
$
0.99
   
$
1.10
 
Diluted
 
$
0.97
   
$
1.09
 
 
               

Overview

Net income attributable to shareholders of GAMCO for the quarter was $24.8 million, or $0.97 per fully diluted share, versus $28.0 million, or $1.09 per fully diluted share, in the prior year’s quarter.  The quarter to quarter comparison was impacted by lower revenues, lower income from firm investments and increased stock compensation costs.

Revenues
 
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the first quarter 2015 were $88.0 million, 0.2% higher than the 2014 comparative figure of $87.8 million.  Open-end fund revenues decreased by 0.7% to $40.5 million from $40.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 driven by a 0.6% decrease in average open-end equity AUM.  Our closed-end fund revenues rose 2.1% to $14.9 million in the first quarter 2015 from $14.6 million in 2014 due to a 1.5% increase in non-performance fee based average AUM.  Institutional and private wealth management account revenues, excluding incentive fees, which are generally based on beginning of quarter AUM, decreased $0.3 million, or 1.0%, to $30.1 million from $30.4 million in first quarter 2014.  Incentive fees increased $0.1 million, on a quarter to quarter basis, to $0.5 million in the 2015 quarter from $0.4 million in the prior year period.  Investment partnership revenues were $2.0 million, an increase of 25.0% from $1.6 million in first quarter 2014 due to an increase in average AUM resulting from a combination of market performance and net inflows.
 
28

Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $13.7 million for the first quarter 2015, a decrease of $1.2 million or 8.1% from $14.9 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees and decreased level of sales of load shares of open-end funds.

Our institutional research revenues were $2.1 million in the first quarter 2015 comparable to $1.8 million reported in the prior year period.

Expenses
 
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $44.5 million or 1.4% higher than prior year compensation costs of $43.9 million.  The quarter over quarter increase was comprised of $0.3 million in fixed compensation and a $0.6 million increase in stock compensation expense recognized for RSAs issued in 2014 partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in variable compensation related to the decreased levels of AUM.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, decreased to $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2015 from $4.7 million in the 2014 period.
 
Distribution costs were $14.3 million, an increase of $0.3 million or 2.1% from $14.0 million in the prior year’s period.  The current year quarter included $1.0 million of expenses incurred in the launching of our first London stock exchange listed closed-end fund, The Gabelli Value Plus+ Trust (“GVP”), which raised £100 million in AUM.  Revenues earned in the quarter totaled $175,000.  Our investment of £27 million is treated as available for sale (“AFS”) and as such all currency fluctuations are included in other comprehensive income. Excluding the launch of GVP the decrease in distribution costs was driven by lower AUM, largely from the direct to intermediary channel, which resulted in a decrease in the amortization of advanced commissions of $0.6 million.
 
Other operating expenses were $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of $1.3 million, or 24.1%, from $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2014.  The current year quarter includes approximately $0.9 million in costs associated with the possible restructuring that the Company is exploring while the prior year quarter benefitted from additional insurance reimbursements of $0.4 million for legal and regulatory costs previously incurred and expensed as compared to the current year quarter.  Excluding these costs in the current quarter and the reimbursements in the prior quarter other operating expenses were flat.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2015 was $33.9 million, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 7.1%, from the $36.5 million in the first quarter of 2014.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 32.7% in the 2015 quarter as compared to 34.9% in the 2014 quarter.

Other
 
Total other income, was $6.0 million for the first quarter 2015 versus $6.1 million in the prior year’s quarter.  Realized and unrealized gains in our trading portfolio were $7.0 million in the 2015 quarter versus $6.9 million in the 2014 quarter.  Interest and dividend income remained the same at $1.1 million.  Interest expense remained the same at $2.0 million in the first quarters of 2015 and 2014.
 
The effective tax rates (“ETR”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 were 38.0% and 34.3%, respectively.  During the 2014 quarter we benefitted from the donation of appreciated securities used to fund our shareholder designated charitable contribution program.  This reduced the 2014 ETR by 2.8%.

29

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal assets are highly liquid in nature and consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, securities held for investment purposes, investments in funds, and investment partnerships.  Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of 100% U.S. Treasury money market funds managed by GAMCO.  Although investments in partnerships and offshore funds are subject to restrictions as to the timing of distributions, the underlying investments of such partnerships or funds are, for the most part, liquid, and the valuations of these products reflect that underlying liquidity.

Summary cash flow data is as follows:
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows provided by (used in):
 
(in thousands)
 
  Operating activities
 
$
82,426
   
$
41,991
 
  Investing activities
   
(41,048
)
   
(579
)
  Financing activities
   
(7,992
)
   
(8,718
)
  Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
11
     
(3
)
  Net increase
   
33,397
     
32,691
 
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
298,224
     
210,451
 
  Increase in cash from deconsolidation
   
13
     
-
 
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
331,634
   
$
243,142
 
 
               

Cash and liquidity requirements have historically been met through cash generated by operating income and our borrowing capacity.  We filed a registration statement with the SEC in 2012 which, among other things, provides us opportunistic flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, equity securities (including common and preferred stock), and other securities up to a total amount of $500 million.  We renewed our universal shelf for $500 million, extending the expiration date to May 2018.

At March 31, 2015, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $331.6 million, an increase of $33.4 million from December 31, 2014.  Cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million and investments in securities of $7.8 million held by consolidated investment partnerships and offshore funds may not be readily available for the Company to access.  Total debt outstanding at March 31, 2015 was $109.9 million, consisting of $9.9 million in Debentures (face value of $10.5 million) and $100 million of 5.875% senior notes due 2021.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, cash provided by operating activities was $82.4 million, an increase of $40.4 million from cash provided in the prior year period of $42.0 million.  Cash was provided through a decrease of $17.1 million in other assets, a $13.1 million increase in net contributions and distributions to/from partnerships, a decrease in receivable from brokers of $11.1 million, a $6.5 million increase to accrued expenses and other liabilities, a decrease of $4.9 million in trading securities, a $3.6 million increase in payables to brokers and $1.2 million from other sources.  Reducing cash was an increase in investment advisory fees receivables collected of $10.5 million, a decrease in compensation payable of $3.4 million and a decrease in net income of $3.2 million.  Cash used in investing activities, related to purchases and proceeds from sales of available for sale securities, was $41.0 million in the first three months of 2015.  Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2015 was $8.0 million including $0.4 million in net redemptions from redeemable noncontrolling interests, $1.8 million paid in dividends, $3.2 million paid for the purchase of treasury stock and $2.6 million for the repurchase of zero coupon subordinated debentures.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, cash provided by operating activities was $42.0 million.  Cash used in investing activities, related to purchases and proceeds from sales of available for sale securities, was $0.6 million in the first three months of 2014.  Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2014 was $8.7 million.

Based upon our current level of operations and anticipated growth, we expect that our current cash balances plus cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity will be sufficient to finance our working capital needs for the foreseeable future.  We have no material commitments for capital expenditures.
 
We have two broker-dealers, G.research and G.distributors, which are subject to certain net capital requirements.  Both broker-dealers compute their net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The requirement was $250,000 for each broker-dealer at March 31, 2015.  At March 31, 2015, G.research had net capital, as defined, of approximately $8.4 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $8.2 million, and G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $3.8 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $3.6 million.  Net capital requirements for our affiliated broker-dealers may increase in accordance with rules and regulations to the extent they engage in other business activities.
 

30

Market Risk
 
Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates.  Since over 90% of our AUM are equities, our financial results are subject to equity-market risk as revenues from our investment management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics.  In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolio are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.

The Company’s Chief Investment Officer oversees the proprietary investment portfolios and allocations of proprietary capital among the various strategies.  The Chief Investment Officer and the Board of Directors review the proprietary investment portfolios throughout the year.  Additionally, the Company monitors its proprietary investment portfolios to ensure that they are in compliance with the Company’s guidelines.

Equity Price Risk
 
The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory and distribution fees from our affiliated open-end and closed-end funds, Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets, and Investment Partnership assets.  Such fees represent a percentage of AUM, and substantially all of these assets are in equity investments.  Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in equity markets overall will have a corresponding effect on the Company's revenues.
 
With respect to our proprietary investment activities, included in investments in securities of $158.8 million and investments in sponsored registered investment companies of $120.8 million at March 31, 2015 were investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes of $10.0 million, open-end funds and closed-end funds, largely invested in equity products, of $125.7 million, a selection of common and preferred stocks totaling $143.1 million, and other investments of approximately $0.8 million.  In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management.  Of the approximately $143.1 million invested in common and preferred stocks at March 31, 2015, $38.0 million represented our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc., and $68.7 million was invested by the Company in risk arbitrage opportunities in connection with mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, tender offers or other similar transactions.  Risk arbitrage generally involves announced deals with agreed upon terms and conditions, including pricing, which typically involve less market risk than common stocks held in a trading portfolio.  The principal risk associated with risk arbitrage transactions is the inability of the companies involved to complete the transaction.  Securities sold, not yet purchased are stated at fair value and are subject to market risks resulting from changes in price and volatility.  At March 31, 2015, the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased was $8.6 million.  Investments in partnerships totaled $106.9 million at March 31, 2015, $61.0 million of which consisted of investment partnerships and offshore funds which invest in risk arbitrage opportunities.

The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities and partnerships and affiliates which invest primarily in equity securities, excluding arbitrage products for which the principal exposure is to deal closure and not overall market conditions, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments (in thousands):


   
   
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
   
assuming
   
assuming
 
 
 
   
10% decrease in
   
10% increase in
 
  (unaudited)
 
Fair Value
   
equity prices
   
equity prices
 
At March 31, 2015:
 
   
   
 
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value
 
$
256,845
   
$
231,161
   
$
282,530
 
At December 31, 2014:
                       
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value
 
$
243,720
   
$
219,348
   
$
268,092
 
 
                       
 
31

Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from our investment of excess cash in a sponsored money market fund that holds U.S. Government securities.  These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value.  Based on March 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalent balance of $331.6 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $3.3 million annually.  Given that our current return on these cash equivalent investments in this low interest rate environment is approximately 0.0% annually, an analysis of a 1% decrease is not meaningful.

Currency Risk

We operate offices outside the United States in London, Shanghai and Tokyo from which we perform sales, marketing and research activities.  In connection with these offices, we transact business in multiple currencies, primarily British Pounds and Japanese Yen.  We are a net payer of foreign currencies and therefore benefit from a strengthening U.S. dollar and are adversely affected when the U.S. dollar weakens relative to the foreign currencies.  We project our future currency needs on a net basis and may from time to time purchase foreign currencies or enter into foreign exchange forward contracts as a way to minimize our foreign exchange risk.  Historically these amounts have not been material.  In addition, we may use foreign exchange forward contracts to offset the foreign exchange risk on investments held in foreign denominated funds, including the Gabelli Value Plus+ Trust Ltd. which is denominated in British Pounds.  Absent such hedging strategies, a hypothetical 10% change in the U.S dollar to British Pound exchange rate would have increased or decreased the value of the investment we had in this fund on March 31, 2015 by $4.2 million.  Because this investment is classified as an AFS security, the net unrealized change on this investment due to currency fluctuation would be included in other comprehensive income.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  See Note A and the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in GAMCO’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2015 for details on Critical Accounting Policies.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
In the normal course of its business, GAMCO is exposed to risk of loss due to fluctuations in the securities market and general economy. Management is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing market and other risks. 

Our exposure to pricing risk in equity securities is directly related to our role as financial intermediary and advisor for AUM in our affiliated open-end and closed-end funds, institutional and private wealth management accounts, and investment partnerships as well as our proprietary investment and trading activities.  At March 31, 2015, we had equity investments, including open-end funds largely invested in equity products, of $279.6 million.  Investments in open-end funds and closed-end funds, $125.7 million, usually generate lower market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within their portfolios.  In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management.  We also hold investments in partnerships which invest primarily in equity securities and which are subject to changes in equity prices.  Investments in partnerships totaled $106.9 million, of which $61.0 million were invested in partnerships which invest in risk arbitrage.  Risk arbitrage is primarily dependent upon deal closure rather than the overall market environment.  The equity investment portfolio is at fair value and will move in line with the equity markets.  The trading portfolio changes are recorded as net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income while the available for sale portfolio changes are recorded in other comprehensive income in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2015.  Disclosure controls and procedures as defined under the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in SEC rules and regulations.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and Co-Chief Accounting Officers (“CAOs”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Our CEO, CFO, and CAOs participated in this evaluation and concluded that, as of the date of March 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
32

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined by Rule 13a-15(f) that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Forward-Looking Information
 
Our disclosure and analysis in this report contain some forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements because they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. They also appear in any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance of our products, expenses, the outcome of any legal proceedings, and financial results.  Although we believe that we are basing our expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what we currently know about our business and operations, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation: the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets; a decline in the performance of our products; a general downturn in the economy; changes in government policy or regulation; changes in our ability to attract or retain key employees; and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. We also direct your attention to any more specific discussions of risk contained in our Form 10-Q and other public filings.  We are providing these statements as permitted by the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements.

Part II:  Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures.  However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at March 31, 2015.

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

The following table provides information with respect to the repurchase of Class A Common Stock of GAMCO during the three months ended March 31, 2015:

 
 
   
   
(c) Total Number of
   
(d) Maximum
 
 
 
(a) Total
   
(b) Average
   
Shares Repurchased as
   
Number of Shares
 
 
 
Number of
   
Price Paid Per
   
Part of Publicly
   
That May Yet Be
 
 
 
Shares
   
Share, net of
   
Announced Plans
   
Purchased Under
 
Period
 
Repurchased
   
Commissions
   
or Programs
   
the Plans or Programs
 
1/01/15 - 1/31/15
   
556
   
$
82.00
     
556
     
508,227
 
2/01/15 - 2/28/15
   
14,790
     
79.53
     
14,790
     
494,437
 
3/01/15 - 3/31/15
   
26,047
     
75.76
     
26,047
     
467,390
 
Totals
   
41,393
   
$
77.19
     
41,393
         
 
                               
 
33

Item 6. (a) Exhibits

 
31.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

 
31.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

 
32.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
32.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.

 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


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.

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
(Registrant)

By: /s/ Kieran Caterina
 
By: /s/ Diane M. LaPointe
 
Name: Kieran Caterina
Name: Diane M. LaPointe
Title:   Co-Chief Accounting Officer
Title:   Co-Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
Date: May 7, 2015
Date: May 7, 2015
33